Guildkeeping: Campaigns and Conspiracies in Ravnica

Publisher: Dungeon Masters Guild

This supplement builds on the Guildmaster’s Guide to Ravnica, to lend some structure to the chaos that is running a campaign. Ravnica is a criminally underrated setting, it has a weirdness and mish-mash of genres that work entirely to its advantage. Have you been wanting to run that cool urban political intrigue campaign you’re just not sure how to start? I’d like to wellcome you to Ravnica.

What’s in here?

  • Genre in Ravnica
  • Six approaches to campaign structure including using the colours of Magic: the Gathering.
  • Plot hooks and inspiration
  • Tone in Ravnica
  • Worldbuilding tips
  • Tips for running a living city
  • Ideas for festivals in Ravnica
  • NPCs
  • How to deal with Planeswalker PCs
  • Sorting the new Tasha subclasses into guilds

Guildkeeping: Campaigns and Conspiracies in RavnicaPrice: $4.00

Barbarian Path of the Thunderbeast

Publisher: Dungeon Masters Guild

Let your rage polymorph you into an ancient and terrible dinosaur know as the Thunderbeast

Barbarians of the Thunderbeast tribe share an ancestral connection to the Shepherds of the great behemoths that roamed the world before the fall of Netherim and are now found only in the jungles of Chult. Chosen heralds of these shepherds channel the power of their totem beast to transform their physical bodies and those of their companions into titanic beasts that shake the earth when they walk

Class Features

Hide of the Thunderbeast – Manifest the scaly hide of dinosaurs to increase your armor class

Eyes of the Thunderbeast – Stare into the brightest lights or darkest horrors without fear or consequences

Mantle of the Thunderbeast – Let your rage fully transform you into a dinosaur

Herd of Thunderbeasts – Share the spirit of the Thunderbeast with your party – everybody get up, get on the floor, everybody do the dinosaur!

Fighters of the Forgotten Realms

The Path of the Thunderbeast is one of three subclasses in my Fighters of the Forgotten Realms supplement.

Buy the Path of the Thunderbeast and get Fighters of the Forgotten Realms at 50% off!

The Path of the Thunderbeast was one of 4 martial subclasses for 3rd edition introduced in the Fighters! book series for the Forgotten Realms: Bladesinger, Ghostwalker, Master of Chains, and Son of Thunder.

The Bladesinger was updated for 5th edition in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything.

The Ghostwalker and Master of Chains were first introduced as 3rd edition prestige classes in Sword and Fist: A Guidebook to Fighters and Monks.

The Barbarian Path of the Thunderbeast was included in 5th edition as a re-skin of the Path of the Totem Warrior in the Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide. My version of the subclass instead introduces ambitious new mechanics more true to the novel’s vision.

The Keep it Rolling Discount

Buy any Scintilla Studio product, get 25% off all the rest with exclusive discount codes inside the PDF!

Keep it Rolling DiscountThe ContractTown Musicians of BremenPapercraft MiniaturesDigital Tokens - Wild ShapeWay of the Shackled BeastOath of DualityBack Alley Guide to Fighting Dirty

Barbarian Path of the ThunderbeastPrice: $0.99

2020 Retrospective: Using 3D Terrain For Virtual Tabletop Roleplaying Games

Using 3D Terrain for Virtual Tabletop Roleplaying Games

by Chris Doyle

Let’s face it, 2020 has presented us with many challenges. From a tabletop gaming standpoint, social distancing has forced many of us to pivot to online tabletop platforms to get our fix for role playing games. There are many great platforms out there, such as Roll20 and Fantasy Grounds, or you could just go with the tried-and-true Theater of the Mind approach and utilize one of many video or voice chat options. I admit, I’ve done more tabletop role playing in 2020 than I have in decades, but I’ve heard the complaints that at times it feels too much like a video game.

So, can we do better? Maybe, and this article shall focus on using a video chat service and 3D terrain and minis for a virtual tabletop role playing experience. Yes, you read that right: instead of digital maps, I have been playing online games using 3D terrain and miniatures. It’s online gaming that feels like in-person gaming.

Actual screenshot from a player’s computer. Note the Lego prismatic wall and the towel used as “fog of war”

For the players, not much additional preparation is required on their part. But I’ll admit it puts more burden on the Game Master. And this might not be ideal, as the GM already has a myriad of tasks to do while running a game. For example, he now has to move all of the miniatures around the 3D terrain.

As for what video platform to use for this type of role playing, there are many options. We use Discord for chat during our games (so as not to slow down Roll20), and now Discord has a video option. The GM turns his video on, and makes sure his camera feed is through the webcam. Now the players can see the real tabletop. It’s a good idea to have the players pin their computer view to the GM window and maximize that to prevent the view shifting when someone speaks. But you could easily use Zoom, Google Meet, GoTo Meeting or Microsoft Teams. I’m sure there are even more options. Many of these are similar and intuitive, but some folks prefer some to others. See what works for the majority.

Actual screenshot (Roll20) of the GM’s view of the above encounter right before the door was

Charles R. Saunders’ Nyumbani Tales

Charles R. Saunders’ Nyumbani Tales

by Bill Ward

In Nyumbani Tales (MV Media 2017), sword-and-sorcery great Charles Saunders collects 13 short stories spanning his early career, work that had previously appeared in a variety of publications, from small press ‘zines like Weirdbook and Black Lite, to mass market anthologies such as Beyond the Fields We Know and Hecate’s Cauldron. Fans of Saunders’ Imaro series will already be somewhat familiar with his short fiction, since the earliest parts of that epic were built upon the classic early Imaro shorts that first won the character his reputation. And, while many of the stories within Nyumbani Tales aren’t strictly speaking sword-and-sorcery, there are not only familiar faces here for Imaro fans, but a great deal of familiar ground as well.

That familiar ground, of course, is Nyumbani itself, Saunders’ fantastic African setting. An amalgam of different times and cultures, mythic and legendary elements as well as pure Weird Tales style invention, Nyumbani has been the unfolding backdrop for most of Saunders’ fiction. In his introduction to Nyumbani Tales and, perhaps even more importantly, in the biographical asides that preface each story in the collection, we get a glimpse at not only how Saunders’ writing evolved, but how his literary journey affected his secondary world of Nyumbani itself. These tales aren’t just re-collected here, but they have been polished and updated to further integrate them into the mythos of Nyumbani as it appears in the Imaro saga, for example by adding terminology like mchawi or Mashatan. If any good can be said to have come out of Saunders’ fraught publication history, it was in allowing him the opportunity to cohere and develop his grand setting over decades of reflection and refinement.

The stories themselves in Nyumbani Tales present a strong folkloric element, several being adaptations of traditional tales, others being fresh coinages operating within those same parameters of mythic storytelling. Some of the most memorable tales in the collection hit with the real power of legend, such as the dark tale of famine and deception “The Death Cattle of Djenne,” or the creepy and unsettling shape changer story “Amma.” One of my favorites was “Khodumodumo,” the story of a heroic sacrifice to defeat a ravenous monster that read like a perfect mix of pulp adventure and campfire tale, but with a pathos that would be impossible to achieve in the format of a

108 Titles & Epithets for Gods

Publisher: WMB Saltworks

This is exactly what it says on the tin: a list of 108 titles and epithets that would be perfect for the gods and goddesses in your next campaign. These entries are taken from a variety of mythologies, including Egyptian, Norse, Roman, and Sumerian. 

There are 10-12 entries each for: 

  1. The Arts (e.g. Ruler of the Builders)
  2. Death, the Dead, and the Underworld (e.g. Visitor of the Dying)
  3. Fate, Luck, and Prophecy (e.g. Reckoner of Years)
  4. Justice, Laws, Truth, and Order (e.g. Finder of Truth)
  5. Knowledge and Magic (e.g. Guide of Heaven and the Underworld)
  6. Prominence among the Gods (e.g. Teacher of the Gods)
  7. Relationships and Age (e.g. The Ancestral One)
  8. Sun, Moon, and Light (e.g. God of the Rays)
  9. War (e.g. Gore Master)
There are also 6 more entries for “The Sky.” 

This list also explains how divine epithets tended to work for most gods which had them, the relationship between a god’s epithets and their other qualities, and how gods might gain or shed epithets as time went on. 

Price: $1.00

Ghost Stones: Cardioid

Publisher: Red Mage Games

“Cardioid” is a small but powerful terrain piece featuring a subtle design mimicking the anatomical design of that often ill-reproduced-in-art-forms organ, the heart. Whether used as decorations or as key objectives or centerpieces, Ghost Stones add a mysterious ambiance to any table. Group several together to for an even more impressive effect.

This image shows “Cardioid” finished in Terrainify’s Loosestrife Valley theme, with a background of our Broken Ground gaming mat.  

For the ultimate game table, pair “Cardioid” with other terrain from the Ghost Stones terrain set, and lay it all out on one of our gaming mats (themes include Broken Ground, Wasteland, Fields of Battle, and more). We also have a wide variety of painting/finishing themes for terrain. Check out our YouTube channel for video tutorials, including the video below (scroll down) of John finishing a Terrainify build kit in the Broken Ground theme!

Dimensions: Approx. 6″ tall (scalable)

Recommended layer height: 0.15 – 0.25mm

Recommended infill: 5-7%

 

Files are for personal, non-commercial use only. Please help support a small business and fellow gamer — do not sell or distribute files or sell prints. Thank you!


Price: $3.95

Ghost Stones: Diablo and Diablo-Spike Combo

Publisher: Red Mage Games

This listing price includes files for two pieces: “Diablo” (large and small versions) and “Diablo-Spike Combo.” Whether used as decorations or as key objectives or centerpieces, Ghost Stones add a mysterious ambiance to any table. Group several together to for an even more impressive effect.

This image shows “Diablo” and “Diablo-Spike Combo” finished in Terrainify’s Loosestrife Valley theme, with a background of our Broken Ground gaming mat.  

For the ultimate game table, pair these two pieces with other terrain from the Ghost Stones terrain set, and lay it all out on one of our gaming mats (themes include Broken Ground, Wasteland, Fields of Battle, and more). We also have a wide variety of painting/finishing themes for terrain. Check out our YouTube channel for video tutorials, including the video below (scroll down) of John finishing a Terrainify build kit in the Broken Ground theme!

Recommended layer height: 0.15 – 0.25mm

Recommended infill: 5-7%

 

Files are for personal, non-commercial use only. Please help support a small business and fellow gamer — do not sell or distribute files or sell prints. Thank you!


Price: $3.95

40×30 Battlemap – Sommerset Village

Publisher: Seafoot Games

Sommerset Village

The roadway meanders through the forest of red before reaching a wide river which it then follows till you reach the village of Sommerset. Great trees reach towards the heavens from their cliff side perch, while the river falls down towards the low lands beyond.

A bridge has been formed of roots and living branches that leads into the small village where a tavern and some small houses are. Ramps also formed of these living roots take you up to many walkways where shrines have been carved into the trees.


Adventure Seed

Scouts have returned to the village with foreboding news. During their last patrol along the forest road they came across a ravaged elven merchant’s cart, two bodies where found, one wearing fine silken clothes and the other studded leather. In each of their bodies the scouts found several crude arrows, perhaps even poisoned. Any jewelry they were wearing must have been taken as well as any edible goods the merchant may have been carrying on the cart, including all of the bottles of a highly addictive red liquid that didn’t get smashed.

Strangely enough however, many of the other goods were not taken, high quality silks and wooden carvings all remained by the cart. This has been an escalation in attacks made against the village of sommerset by what the guard believe to be a warren of goblins. The mayor stands resolute in the belief these dirty creatures would never attack the village but the village guard captain isn’t so sure. He’s enlisted your help to track down the warren and hopefully end them before they become more of an issue.

If you choose to go after the warren, you find it in a small cavern in the cliff side some miles away from the village. Multiple goblin bodies are lifeless on the floor and only one living goblin seem to be nuzzling at a glass bottle which contains a red liquid, it’s eyes completely bloodshot. When spotted you are attacked, while the goblin yells about you not taking it’s precious.

After dispatching this goblin, it dawns on you there are not nearly enough goblins here to have been causing so many problems for sommerset, so you set off toward the village. When you arrive it’s already to late, the village has come under attack by the rest of the warren of

December 30, 2020: Zombie Dice Reprints

To go with the recent release of Zombie Dice Deluxe (available now), we have reprinted the two Zombie Dice expansions for everyone who missed out last time. Both Zombie Dice 2 and Zombie Dice 3 are available now at your local game store. If you do not have a local store, you can find the entire line of Zombie Dice titles at our online store, Warehouse 23.

Braaaaaaiiinns!

Phil Reed

Warehouse 23 News: Robots! Meeples! ROBOT MEEPLES!

Collect the Robot Meeples set to add six unique custom wooden Meeples to any game requiring markers. It comes with six unique designs in six different colors: blue, red, black, green, purple, and orange. Order now on Warehouse 23!

The Quack Doctor Class

Publisher: Dungeon Masters Guild

A BRAND NEW homebrew class that is designed around a more supporting class that embraces the craziness of potions and their effects. The class is balanced up to level 20 with traits and features that are FUN to play with. 

This class has 3 variant subclasses with substantially changing gameplays and a CRAZY COOL basis around making potions work for you. With potions, magical effects and crazy features and traits, the Quack Doctor class is a fun to have at all times. Especially in the case of causing random chaos whenever you want.

Try it out and see the mayhem that you can cause! 

If you like this, then. . .

Consider checking out some of my other works. In particular, my DM’s Essentials: Civilization Builder is a customer favorite that really helps dungeon masters better form nations, towns and organizations in a way that is narrative centric and easy to manage. 

I also do custom projects on fiverr whether you’re looking for a custom class to be done well, or unique mechanics that exist in no other place. You can find me at this fiverr link: https://www.fiverr.com/ghostkatsu?up_rollout=true

Or you can visit my facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ghostkatsu.

The Quack Doctor ClassPrice: $1.99

Exotic Monsters

Publisher: Dungeon Masters Guild

Monsters are one of the integral parts of Dungeons and Dragons. Facing new and exotic beasts is always entertaining and adds an element of surprise to any game. What follows is a list of new monsters that can be added to any campaign. The creatures are all mythical monsters from different cultures around the world. I hope you enjoy fighting them as much as I did creating and researching them,

 Please Check out my other products on DMsguild.com. I have an eclectic range of products that I hope are useful to Dungeon Masters and players. Please email me with any suggestions for future products or your feedback. [email protected]

 Ed Shatto

Exotic MonstersPrice: $0.50

Royal Icing

Publisher: Dungeon Masters Guild

Save the royal cake from mischievous mephits in this short encounter.

Royal Icing is a scalable (Tier 1 or Tier 2) encounter where the stakes cakes are high and the mischief is plenty. The party might be exploring a castle, working a special event, or maybe enjoying their favorite eatery when a commotion stirs from the kitchen.

This is a comprehensive supplement that includes:

  • A one-page encounter complete with a random roll table and various outcomes
  • A battle map of the kitchen
  • Necessary creature stat blocks and magic item descriptions
  • A stylized PDF, a printer- and screen reader-friendly PDF, and separate map file

Cake not included.

Spell scroll rolled up with a leather band behind a jar of beads of nourishment and refreshment

Royal IcingPrice: $2.49

Threads and Stitches

Publisher: Dungeon Masters Guild

This supplement was created with the intent of giving characters with proficiency in weaver’s tools, an abundance of ways to put them to use during gameplay. When using this supplement, a character with proficiency in weaver’s tools will be able to attempt any of the following tasks: break down salvaged clothing into raw materials, recreate an outfit worn by another person, fashion tools to complete specific tailoring tasks, fashion useful cloth items such as packs or cushions, and much more! 

Threads and StitchesPrice: $2.00

Izzy’s Master Bundle! [BUNDLE]

Publisher: Dungeon Masters Guild
This special bundle product contains the following titles.

Izzy’s Airships a la Carte: Build your own Airship!
Regular price: 0
Bundle price:
 0
Format:
 PDF
That’s right folks! After months of waiting and anticipation, Izzy’s Airships À la Carte is finally here! This standalone, fully illustrated airship guide can at long last be yours! Custom Airships, Built to Order Are you tired of gazing longingly at the airship entry at the DMG, while wishing for something with a more personal touch? Do you want a hands on guide to make your own airship from scratch? Then this is the book for you! Not only is this 24 page guide fully illustrated, but it comes with the know-how to build one of 5 different airship types. The Kestrel Class Sloop Short, sleek, and to the point, the Kestrel is a small service ship. Its minimal armament and passenger capacity is more than made up for with its versatility. Perfect for small groups. …
Izzy’s DM Guide
Regular price: 0
Bundle price:
 0
Format:
 PDF
It’s here! That’s right cool-cats, the day is finally here! I’zzy’s DM’s Guide is finally complete!  What can I say, it’s been a long road, getting from there to here! The final chapter of the Izzy’s saga is here and ready for your enjoyment! Detailed write-ups of the original Izzy’s ships! Backgrounds and rumors for the delightful denizens of the used airship lot A detailed map and writeup of Izzy’s Slightly Used Airships An adventure module where players can get thier very own draconic mounts! 5 hirelings which can add flavour and excitement to any crew Priceless Pearls of wisdom Get it today!
Izzy’s Fantasy Grounds and Airship Maps!
Regular price: 0
Bundle price:
 0
Format:
 MOD (Virtual Tabletop)
Izzy’s Fantasy Grounds comes with a fully featured reference manual including all three of Izzy’s Airships manuals in one module. Thats right! All THREE of the Izzy’s books are available in Fantasy Grounds Format! Unique library links with functioning fantasy grounds objects for ease of use. Multiple airship NPC blocks and equipment table entries that can be instantly integrated into any 5th edition game. Base airship NPC and Adventuring gear example provided to allow for quick creation of customized airships. Three new spells Five new magical items Three new NPC’s with unique tokens ready for combat One new