Every week, talented creators upload products to the DMs Guild, pricing them as free or pay-what-you-want in order to reach customers. Dozens of new free and pwyw products are added each week alone. It is a lot to sort through. My hope is that highlighting a few of each week's best supplements will help the designers get the attention they deserve.
You can find previous posts in this series HERE.
There were over 50 new free and pwyw supplements just this week! Here are some of the best.
100 Weapon Runes from Official Dndspeak
This is a list of 100 different runes that can be added to weapons, providing them with various additional powers. Some are quite powerful...like the rune of vampirism, which allows the wielder to regain hit points when the weapon deals damage. Others have more "story-based" effects, or grant skill-based bonuses, that sort of thing. I thought this was a clever way to add magical effects to non-magical weapons, or to give you ideas for a special item in your game.
Kljunari: Platy-Peeps for the Masses from Patrick Tracy
So, I admit I am biased when it comes to these creatures, but this is a really good take on a platypus race. Their primary bonus is to constitution, secondary to wisdom, and of course they have a swim speed and a cool "venomous quill" attack. The lore and artwork here is really great as well. Loved it.
Monk Subclass: Way of the Mystic Force from The Arcane Athenaeum
So this is cool. Basically a "Jedi" archetype for monks. Wield a ki saber, gain telekenetic powers, and tell the orc guards, "These aren't the kenku you're looking for. Move along."
Papercraft Trophies from Storm King's Thunder from Art of Karthik
These are heavily-stylized papercraft renditions of giants from the SKT adventure. It suggests using them as trophies for players, but they could also perhaps be minis or just cool knick-knacks for your game room.
The Dungeon Builders from Stephen Bull
So this was different. This is a high-level (10-14) adventure in which the PCs actually work to build a dungeon themselves. Maybe not for every table, but there are some very original ideas here. It subverts common tropes and employs some thematic elements of old-school "stronghold" construction.
If you enjoy my free zine, podcast, and/or blog, please consider supporting my work for only $1 per month.
Saturday, May 11, 2019
Friday, May 10, 2019
Thought Eater Podcast: Five Minute Friday: Willy the Wizard vs the Mushroom Witch-Queen
Join Willy the Wizard and Elizabeth the Fighter on their latest adventure!
Deep in the fungal caverns lurks the horrible mushroom witch-queen! Thrill at the palpable emotion! Swoon from the thrilling action!
If you enjoy my free zine, podcast, and/or blog, please consider supporting my work for only $1 per month.
Deep in the fungal caverns lurks the horrible mushroom witch-queen! Thrill at the palpable emotion! Swoon from the thrilling action!
If you enjoy my free zine, podcast, and/or blog, please consider supporting my work for only $1 per month.
Wednesday, May 8, 2019
Humpday Blog-O-Rama 5.8.19
Blogs are an integral, vital part of the RPG hobby. They serve as incubators for new games, sounding boards for fresh ideas, and platforms for up-and-coming talent. They keep "forgotten" games alive, foster discussions, and build communities. Not everyone can work for a big game company, command a large audience on Twitch, or make a living from their art or cartography, but every RPG enthusiast can easily create a blog and start sharing their passion with the world.
Every Wednesday on the Thought Eater podcast and blog, I take a look at what is going on in the vibrant RPG blog scene. Check out previous Humpday Blog-O-Rama posts HERE.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS WEEK'S EPISODE!!!
LINKS FROM THIS WEEK'S EPISODE
MAPS
https://crookedstaff.blogspot.com/2019/05/basic-cave-map-timelapse.html
https://www.patreon.com/posts/monday-map-mega-26638387
https://alien-sunset.itch.io/the-segalon-hideout
http://eltomocarmesi.blogspot.com/2019/05/el-puerto-enano-de-tyrmagnur.html
https://sharpbrush.blogspot.com/2019/05/battle-of-crossroads.html
REVIEWS AND RETROSPECTIVES
https://oldschoolroleplaying.com/the-intellect-devourer-in-dungeons-and-dragons/
https://mythlands-erce.blogspot.com/2019/05/in-praise-of-black-box-d.html
https://www.theseoldgames.com/2019/05/a-forgotten-classic-dark-tower-by.html
http://jasonzavoda-hallofthemountainking.blogspot.com/2019/05/saga-of-old-city-gygax-book-club-review.html
https://awesomeliesblog.wordpress.com/2019/05/04/rough-and-ready/
MAY THE 4TH
https://rollingboxcars.com/2019/05/04/making-the-kessel-run-through-the-star-wars-rpg-universe/
https://burnafterrunningrpg.com/2019/05/04/star-wars-one-shots-the-way-is-strong-in-these-ones/
RANDOM TABLES AND GENERATORS
http://blog.d4caltrops.com/2019/05/these-village-folk-are-d100-table.html
https://crateredland.blogspot.com/2019/04/marvelous-magical-mutations.html
http://totmv2.blogspot.com/2019/05/familiar-binding-redux.html
http://natetreme.com/blog/2019/5/4/stolen-city-block-generator
https://campaignwiki.org/hex-describe/
D&D MEMES
https://www.geeknative.com/65560/20-of-the-best-dd-memes-on-reddit
WORLDBUILDING
https://mottokrosh.com/posts/2019/05/forty-real-medieval-professions/
http://theamateurdungeoneers.blogspot.com/2019/05/worldbuilding-resources-youtube-channels.html
ORIGINS AWARDS NOMINEES
https://www.originsgamefair.com/origins-awards-nominees
BALANCE SHMALANCE
https://www.dungeonsolvers.com/2019/05/03/how-important-is-balance-in-dd-5e/
http://gibletblizzard.blogspot.com/2013/03/man-rider-love-story.html
If you enjoy my free zine, podcast, and/or blog, please consider supporting my work for only $1 per month.
Every Wednesday on the Thought Eater podcast and blog, I take a look at what is going on in the vibrant RPG blog scene. Check out previous Humpday Blog-O-Rama posts HERE.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS WEEK'S EPISODE!!!
LINKS FROM THIS WEEK'S EPISODE
MAPS
https://crookedstaff.blogspot.com/2019/05/basic-cave-map-timelapse.html
https://www.patreon.com/posts/monday-map-mega-26638387
https://alien-sunset.itch.io/the-segalon-hideout
http://eltomocarmesi.blogspot.com/2019/05/el-puerto-enano-de-tyrmagnur.html
https://sharpbrush.blogspot.com/2019/05/battle-of-crossroads.html
REVIEWS AND RETROSPECTIVES
https://oldschoolroleplaying.com/the-intellect-devourer-in-dungeons-and-dragons/
https://mythlands-erce.blogspot.com/2019/05/in-praise-of-black-box-d.html
https://www.theseoldgames.com/2019/05/a-forgotten-classic-dark-tower-by.html
http://jasonzavoda-hallofthemountainking.blogspot.com/2019/05/saga-of-old-city-gygax-book-club-review.html
https://awesomeliesblog.wordpress.com/2019/05/04/rough-and-ready/
MAY THE 4TH
https://rollingboxcars.com/2019/05/04/making-the-kessel-run-through-the-star-wars-rpg-universe/
https://burnafterrunningrpg.com/2019/05/04/star-wars-one-shots-the-way-is-strong-in-these-ones/
RANDOM TABLES AND GENERATORS
http://blog.d4caltrops.com/2019/05/these-village-folk-are-d100-table.html
https://crateredland.blogspot.com/2019/04/marvelous-magical-mutations.html
http://totmv2.blogspot.com/2019/05/familiar-binding-redux.html
http://natetreme.com/blog/2019/5/4/stolen-city-block-generator
https://campaignwiki.org/hex-describe/
D&D MEMES
https://www.geeknative.com/65560/20-of-the-best-dd-memes-on-reddit
WORLDBUILDING
https://mottokrosh.com/posts/2019/05/forty-real-medieval-professions/
http://theamateurdungeoneers.blogspot.com/2019/05/worldbuilding-resources-youtube-channels.html
ORIGINS AWARDS NOMINEES
https://www.originsgamefair.com/origins-awards-nominees
BALANCE SHMALANCE
![]() |
| Man Rider, from Jez Gordon |
https://www.dungeonsolvers.com/2019/05/03/how-important-is-balance-in-dd-5e/
http://gibletblizzard.blogspot.com/2013/03/man-rider-love-story.html
If you enjoy my free zine, podcast, and/or blog, please consider supporting my work for only $1 per month.
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
Thought Eater Podcast: Top Three Tuesday: Game Mechanics, Fave Blogs, and Bucket List Campaigns
Tuesdays on the Thought Eater podcast I present my top three choices on a variety of gaming subjects. I had some great suggestions from listeners this week, including my favorite game mechanics and favorite blogs. I also reveal my campaign "bucket list". Click the link below to find out what made the cut!
If you enjoy my free zine, podcast, and/or blog, please consider supporting my work for only $1 per month.
If you enjoy my free zine, podcast, and/or blog, please consider supporting my work for only $1 per month.
Sunday, May 5, 2019
Thought Eater Podcast: Night Below Session Recap 5.5.19
Join me for my latest Sunday podcast recounting tales from my Night Below 1e AD&D/BX campaign.
Last night's session led me to muse about the wonder...and tragedy...of random tables, as well as one mechanic that may provide the sharpest contrast between old-school and new-school play. Oh, and the party encountered what has to be Gygax's laziest monster creation of all time.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN!
If you enjoy my free zine, podcast, and/or blog, please consider supporting my work for only $1 per month.
Last night's session led me to muse about the wonder...and tragedy...of random tables, as well as one mechanic that may provide the sharpest contrast between old-school and new-school play. Oh, and the party encountered what has to be Gygax's laziest monster creation of all time.
![]() |
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN!
If you enjoy my free zine, podcast, and/or blog, please consider supporting my work for only $1 per month.
Saturday, May 4, 2019
Free and Pay-What-You-Want 5e DMs Guild Highlights: Week Ending 5.4.19
You can find previous posts in this series HERE.
Feats for Ravnicans from T.R. Appleton
One of the cool things about the DMs Guild is all of the support you find for official releases. These 16 new feats all relate to guild memberships or the races from the Ravnica book.
The Big Book of Rogues from Matt Harris
This is a really nice, very substantial (88 pages!) sourcebook for rogues. This isn't heavy on mechanics, but it contains a TON of flavor and very good background information. With sections on everything from thief gadgets to assassination missions, DMs and players alike are sure to find something of interest here for their aspiring grifters, forgers, and smugglers.
The Mage's Tower from Andrea Maffia
It can be a little intimidating preparing to run a game of D&D for the first time. Short adventures with rules reminders and tips can really help someone get started. Written entirely for new DMs and players, this one-session introductory adventure also contains some pregens to help you get up and rolling as soon as possible.
Nine Treasures from Harrison Swift
Nine highly unusual magic items, such as the pumpkin cape, which allows you to...well, to turn into a pumpkin. Very original.
If you enjoy my free zine, podcast, and/or blog, please consider supporting my work for only $1 per month.
Friday, May 3, 2019
Thought Eater Podcast: Five Minute Fridays: Unknown Clones
Today I bring you part three in my series on "unknown clones", OSR games that kind of flew under the radar. Today's game: Hulks and Horrors by John Berry for Bedroom Wall Press.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN!
This is actually a great little sci-fi game based on classic D&D mechanics. I really enjoyed the mix of hardish sci-fi and gonzo. There was an attempt to crowdfund some art a while back, but it was unsuccessful, so this is a no-frills pdf. There are still a ton of great ideas here and it is well worth a look.
Download it here: HULKS AND HORRORS
More doo-dads for it here: http://www.bedroomwallpress.com/p/downloads.html
If you enjoy my free zine, podcast, and/or blog, please consider supporting my work for only $1 per month.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN!
This is actually a great little sci-fi game based on classic D&D mechanics. I really enjoyed the mix of hardish sci-fi and gonzo. There was an attempt to crowdfund some art a while back, but it was unsuccessful, so this is a no-frills pdf. There are still a ton of great ideas here and it is well worth a look.
![]() |
| Image from the crowdfunding attempt |
Download it here: HULKS AND HORRORS
More doo-dads for it here: http://www.bedroomwallpress.com/p/downloads.html
If you enjoy my free zine, podcast, and/or blog, please consider supporting my work for only $1 per month.
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Humpday Blog-O-Rama 5.1.19
Blogs are an integral, vital part of the RPG hobby. They serve as incubators for new games, sounding boards for fresh ideas, and platforms for up-and-coming talent. They keep "forgotten" games alive, foster discussions, and build communities. Not everyone can work for a big game company, command a large audience on Twitch, or make a living from their art or cartography, but every RPG enthusiast can easily create a blog and start sharing their passion with the world.
Every Wednesday on the Thought Eater podcast and blog, I take a look at what is going on in the vibrant RPG blog scene. Check out previous Humpday Blog-O-Rama posts HERE.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS WEEK'S EPISODE!
LINKS FROM THIS WEEK'S EPISODE
MAPS
https://jhmrad.com/22-amazing-medieval-castle-house-plans/medieval-castle-floor-plan-lower-plans/
https://monkeyblooddesign.co.uk/2019/04/25/hidden-chapel-of-thoolk-map/
https://dungeonfantastic.blogspot.com/2019/04/dcc-lankhmar-poster-map.html
DIY MAPPING
https://www.frugalgm.com/2019/04/free-gm-resource-inkarnate.html

http://thestoryteller.design/2019/04/24/tutorial-how-to-draw-a-fantasy-village-map/
MUST-BACK KICKSTARTER
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/trilemma/trilemma-adventures-compendium/
REVIEWS AND RETROSPECTIVES
https://rlyehreviews.blogspot.com/2019/04/mutants-masterminds-basics.html
https://philgamer.wordpress.com/2018/08/13/lets-study-warhammer-fantasy-roleplay-4e-part-1-introduction/
http://samwise7rpg.blogspot.com/2019/04/villains-of-undercity-rpg-adventure.html
https://cannibalhalflinggaming.com/2019/04/26/aberrant-a-forgotten-superhero-rpg-worth-remembering/
https://dmdavid.com/tag/in-1981-a-troll-named-grimtooth-set-a-path-for-todays-dd-books/
https://gdorn.circuitlocution.com/rpgblog/history_of_xp.html
PLEASURES OF THE OSR SERIES
http://maziriansgarden.blogspot.com/2019/04/pleasures-of-osr-secrecy-and-discovery.html
http://maziriansgarden.blogspot.com/2019/04/pleasures-of-osr-emergent-story-and.html
HA'PENNY PIE
https://fasagames.com/hapenny-pie-archive/
RANDOM TABLES AND GENERATORS
http://dreamsandfevers.blogspot.com/2019/04/treasures-from-vault-d20-magic-items.html
https://goodberrymonthly.blogspot.com/2019/04/what-happened-this-semester.html
http://blog.d4caltrops.com/2019/04/five-more-forest-hexes.html
VARIANTS
https://daimon-games.blogspot.com/2019/04/combat-bring-escalation-die-to-osr.html
https://daimon-games.blogspot.com/2019/04/combat-initiative.html
https://thethingswedoforxp.blogspot.com/2019/04/slightly-subtler-necromancy.html
SCI-FI ZINES
http://frontierexplorer.org/article/issue-24-now-available
https://www.freelancetraveller.com/magazine/
THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER
https://crumblingkeep.com/2850/crumbling-upkeep-grinding-through-after-the-honeymoon-period/
https://anchor.fm/Thedicearescreaming/episodes/Episode-71-One-Night-Stands--Mini-Campaigns-e3igo3
If you enjoy my free zine, podcast, and/or blog, please consider supporting my work for only $1 per month.
Every Wednesday on the Thought Eater podcast and blog, I take a look at what is going on in the vibrant RPG blog scene. Check out previous Humpday Blog-O-Rama posts HERE.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS WEEK'S EPISODE!
LINKS FROM THIS WEEK'S EPISODE
MAPS
https://jhmrad.com/22-amazing-medieval-castle-house-plans/medieval-castle-floor-plan-lower-plans/
https://monkeyblooddesign.co.uk/2019/04/25/hidden-chapel-of-thoolk-map/
https://dungeonfantastic.blogspot.com/2019/04/dcc-lankhmar-poster-map.html
DIY MAPPING
https://www.frugalgm.com/2019/04/free-gm-resource-inkarnate.html

http://thestoryteller.design/2019/04/24/tutorial-how-to-draw-a-fantasy-village-map/
MUST-BACK KICKSTARTER
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/trilemma/trilemma-adventures-compendium/
REVIEWS AND RETROSPECTIVES
https://rlyehreviews.blogspot.com/2019/04/mutants-masterminds-basics.html
https://philgamer.wordpress.com/2018/08/13/lets-study-warhammer-fantasy-roleplay-4e-part-1-introduction/
http://samwise7rpg.blogspot.com/2019/04/villains-of-undercity-rpg-adventure.html
https://dmdavid.com/tag/in-1981-a-troll-named-grimtooth-set-a-path-for-todays-dd-books/
https://gdorn.circuitlocution.com/rpgblog/history_of_xp.html
PLEASURES OF THE OSR SERIES
http://maziriansgarden.blogspot.com/2019/04/pleasures-of-osr-secrecy-and-discovery.html
http://maziriansgarden.blogspot.com/2019/04/pleasures-of-osr-emergent-story-and.html
HA'PENNY PIE
https://fasagames.com/hapenny-pie-archive/
RANDOM TABLES AND GENERATORS
http://dreamsandfevers.blogspot.com/2019/04/treasures-from-vault-d20-magic-items.html
https://goodberrymonthly.blogspot.com/2019/04/what-happened-this-semester.html
http://blog.d4caltrops.com/2019/04/five-more-forest-hexes.html
VARIANTS
https://daimon-games.blogspot.com/2019/04/combat-bring-escalation-die-to-osr.html
https://daimon-games.blogspot.com/2019/04/combat-initiative.html
https://thethingswedoforxp.blogspot.com/2019/04/slightly-subtler-necromancy.html
SCI-FI ZINES
http://frontierexplorer.org/article/issue-24-now-available
https://www.freelancetraveller.com/magazine/
THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER
https://crumblingkeep.com/2850/crumbling-upkeep-grinding-through-after-the-honeymoon-period/
https://anchor.fm/Thedicearescreaming/episodes/Episode-71-One-Night-Stands--Mini-Campaigns-e3igo3
If you enjoy my free zine, podcast, and/or blog, please consider supporting my work for only $1 per month.
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