Recent content by dm_fromscratch

I know it’s late in the day now, but how do folks feel about April Fool’s releases for TTRPGs? For me, it’s a time-honored tradition of tomfoolery that I rather enjoy. In campaigns that I run and play in, I typically prefer epic story arcs and more realistic world continuity, but there’s...

SAMPLE (2 of 4) Option c) New monsters and unique player options for an awakened construct creature made of living glass. Glassborn (Heritage/Species) Initially created as a magical glass dragon construct with instructions to guard a priceless treasure, your life did not truly begin until you...

Since the original post already included a monster from Jabberwocky (option a) I'll come back around to that category later on. In the meantime, here's a small bit from stuff I've been doing for the second option (which happens to be leading the poll at the moment): b) A spiritual successor to...

Yes! This is a great idea and aligns with some other things I have worked on and/or supported in the past (the Homebrew and Hacking series from PJ Coffey comes to mind), and though it wasn't in the survey, I am plotting to continue on that track in the future as well...

Thanks to everyone for the poll responses and additional feedback so far!! I've been quiet here for a few days, first to let the survey sort of evolve organically without additional interference from me, and second to give me time to review the results and decide what "interference" if any I...

I’ve recently been working on a bunch of game design, including stuff compatible with 5e /Level Up A5E, and realized I need help prioritizing and getting focused if I want to get content out sooner rather than later. But first, A Slithe of Toves is a free mini-encounter with statblocks...

Jinx!! And thx, seems I should check it out. Just got the QuickStart FreeRPGDay download.

Don’t worry, you didn’t miss it :) I didn’t mention it as this is the general TTRPG forum and I was looking for ideas outside the box. But to answer the question, I’m currently using Level Up (A5E). However, I’m also considering what the setting might look like in various different game systems...

This trade off idea is neat. Though taking feats to mitigate might feel like too heavy a tax. Hmm, gold skin, an incurable cough, and hourglass eyes that see death and decay of all living things? Nah, would never work… I like that this is a choice, one where heroes would often choose the...

So for example instead of using Inspiration to gain advantage on a roll (D&D 5e), you could use it to deflect a cursed effect aimed at you and maybe make a spell attack to send it at an enemy instead, or you might take on a cursed effect yourself that would otherwise be inflicted on an ally...

In-game curse eaters and negative energy sinks could be cool. I’m also looking at meta-currency like inspiration or bennies which could be spent to redirect cursed effects.

I’ve done some limiting of classes/subclasses for narrative purposes. Going full martial with magic gained by feats tho I didn’t think of. It’d be tough to put that in now, but maybe in an earlier timeline campaign, like right after the curse hit the world… As far as “the quick and easy path...

I do like the idea of cursed magic accruing and waiting for a chance to unleash its chaos on the world, and the magic user weighing the risks of pushing past their safe limit "quota." But I hesitate in adding more things to keep track of. Maybe it could be tied to a caster's existing resource...

One of the things I like about this is thinking how I might apply it to magic using enemies since the curse affects them as well. Con is definitely a tough one since it’s tied not just to HP but also spell concentration which pretty much only affects spellcasters. Still, if say a magic weapon...

Interesting thought and brings up the question of how mechanical vs how narrative the curse needs to be. I’d ideally like a balanced approach, one that does apply some simple but unique rules that have a basis in the world’s lore so they don’t feel like they were just arbitrarily added.