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In this book, Corum's familiarity with both Chaos and Law is quite rudimentary. Neither are mentioned until about 80% into the text, in a conversation with another character, who introduces him to the concepts. The same character states "I believe that such notions as 'good' and 'evil' don't...

For a long time, I've wanted to read through the works and authors on Moldvay's "Inspirational Source Material" list in the 1981 Basic rules, and Gygax's "Appendix N" list in the original DMG. I'm starting with Michael Moorcock's "The Knight of the Swords," identifying details from D&D rules...

While it is not universally beloved, I am a fan of the D&D tradition of naming monsters using puns and wordplay. This creation grew out of my interest in AD&D's energy planes, and the following note I made about using "positron" as a creature name: "Relentlessly positive monster."...

I'm not familiar with it, but I will check it out. Thanks!

Due to the importance of the monster and retainer reaction tables, Charisma can be one of the most important attributes in B/X. I find it odd, therefore, that we have no magic item to increase Charisma. Please take a look at the Ring of Glamour and Fascination, and let me know what you think...

Good observations. I've made some modifications to bring the 5e version more in line with the 5e giant slug. I've also added a "Damage Armor & Shields" ability based on the "Corrode Metal" ability from the 5e gray ooze.

Give this a spin. I'd love to know how it works for you. :)

Ever since I learned about the scaly-footed snail, which sports an iron shell, and lives around deep sea thermal vents in the Indian Ocean, I've wanted to turn it into a D&D monster. Here you go! :)...

These are fantastic! :D

My thoughts are this is a scenario for 6-8 PCs of levels 6-8. The average XP needed for one of the four standard human classes to advance from level 7 to level 8 in BX is 57,600. If we assume seven PCs survive the fight, they would each earn 4614 XP from the value of the hoard (as long as they...

Thanks for the constructive feedback! Yes, the volume issue bothered me as well, while I was putting this together. I was more focused on the tactics, so I didn't take time to crunch the numbers. Moldvay's Basic Rules describe a standard coin as being about the size of a U.S. half-dollar...

While 4e was not my favorite edition, it taught me some skills for designing dynamic combat scenarios that translate very well to other editions, including B/X. I've put together what I think is a fun set-piece utilizing my design for the Conanesque constriction viper as a treasure-hoard...

Something I feel B/X has been missing is a giant snake in the tradition of the Conan stories. These are true fantasy creatures of immense length, able to devour human-sized prey, combining the terrifying attributes of potent venom and deadly constriction. I give you the Constriction Viper...

Thanks for the context. I do think the fighter class in B/X fails to properly capture the preternatural abilities of someone like Conan. If the designers wanted to stick to the "one attack per character, per round" rule, giving fighters monk-like special abilities as they leveled might have been...

You make great points, and I agree with most of them. There is probably a longer article (or even a series) that could be written about how D&D has changed over the decades--first by influencing video games, and then by being influenced by video games--in an iterative cycle that has increased...

Thank you! I won't argue with your point about clerics. Priests and priestesses appear in Howard, but D&D gives them its own spin. Someone can play an "Hyborian cleric"-type character, but they need to bring a lot of the distinctives to the table themselves. The class description doesn't really...

Last week, I realized we had recently passed the 15th anniversary of the release of "Angel Summoner and BMX Bandit", the hilarious sketch in the first episode of the British web series "That Mitchell and Webb Look". Since this sketch caused a fair amount of discussion in the D&D community, I'm...

I'm curious where DMs who have Wild Magic sorcerers in their campaigns choose to set the level of randomness via Wild Magic Surge and Tides of Chaos: How often do you call for a d20 Wild Magic Surge check following the use of a non-cantrip spell? How often do you call for a Wild Magic Surge...