Archive for the ‘Johnn’ Category

DM Tool: Scrabble Tiles for your Minis & Battlemats

Of all the board games I could raid for props and DM tools, Scrabble tops my list, especially for D&D 4E. Enhance battlemats, track minis, and make combat easier with those crazy, square lettered tiles. Use Scrabble Tiles for the Monsters Wizards of the Coast uses letter identification in its modules for monsters. For example, […]

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Johnn’s 2009 RPG Goals

I agree with Uncle Bear that New Years is an opportunity to make goals, not wishes, for another 12 months. The Christmas holidays provide downtime and renewal time to clear your head of the daily treadmill and get back to values and priorities. In addition, the calendar year provides a convenient crucible for measuring progress. […]

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Races Should make a Difference

How does each race in your game make a difference? Put another way, if any of race disappeared, how would the setting be different? How would gameplay be different? Remaining races might venture into unexpected niches, creating interesting twists. Elven smiths, orcish druids, gnomish sailors. The world might be poorer because no race or culture […]

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Maps Have Three Parts – Part 1: Lines

This entry is part 1 of 3 in the series Maps Have Three Parts

When mapping, I tend to just focus on the corridors, rooms, streets, caverns, and buildings. However, every map has more than just these areas; each has three zones in your design control. Next map you build, think of these zones and how you can change things up to be fun and interesting for your gaming. […]

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Cure DM Writer’s Block with a Map

Got writer’s block? Draw a map. This is one of the best ways to get focus, organize your thoughts, and get moving again on your campaign preparation. Sometimes I’ll stare at a blank computer screen with a game session only a couple days away and wonder if I’ll have anything designed in time. What always […]

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