D&D General "HOW I RUN IT" - I made a D&D 'zine! (Issue #5 - detailing stat drafts is now available!)

[el-remmen]

The final issue of HOW I RUN IT for 2021 (maybe ever?) is now available in limited quantities and is a little bit of a departure from the previous issues which "remixed" a classic module (a handful of which are still available). This one details 22 magical items that I have created for (and made use of in) D&D campaigns from 1993 to 2021 (and some of which might be familiar to readers of my story hours) and some quick n' dirty making magical items guidelines. It also includes a peek into designing/converting the items and the campaigns they were used for.

Issues are four bucks (including shipping) for anywhere in the U.S. (for Canada, please throw in an extra buck - unfortunately, I cannot offer them elsewhere unless you are willing to pay for shipping - DM me). You can hit me up on paypal or ko-fi (be sure to including mailing address in the note) or order one from my Etsy store (for a dollar more)

The items detailed within include:

• Ront-Keelar
• Swatter
• Jaylo’s Folding Boat
• The Southern Razor
• The Left Blade of Arofel
• The Right Blade of Arofel
• The Urn of Osiris
• Axe of the Ancient Bond
• Elzid Natholin’s Book of Notes & Spells
• Frojack’s Belt
• The Steel Whip
• The Badge
• The Collector’s Box
• The Ruby Shield
• Ring of Protection +1
• Aserin’s Sapphire
• Horn Blade—Dagger
• The First Key
• The Sanguine Stone
• Yossel’s Quickling Killing Boots
• Wayfarer’s Prayer Rug
• System Shock
• Lacan’s Demise

 

[CharlesWallace]

The final issue of HOW I RUN IT for 2021 (maybe ever?) is now available in limited quantities and is a little bit of a departure from the previous issues which "remixed" a classic module (a handful of which are still available). This one is details 22 magical items that I have created for and made use of in D&D campaigns from 1993 to 2021 (and some of which might be familiar to readers of my story hours) and some quick n' dirty making magical items guidelines. It also includes a peek into designing/converting the items and the campaigns they were used for.

Issues are four bucks (including shipping) for anywhere in the U.S. (for Canada, please throw in an extra buck - unfortunately, I cannot offer them elsewhere unless you are willing to pay for shipping - DM me). You can hit me up on paypal or ko-fi (be sure to including mailing address in the note) or order one from my Etsy store (for a dollar more)

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The items detailed within include:

• Ront-Keelar
• Swatter
• Jaylo’s Folding Boat
• The Southern Razor
• The Left Blade of Arofel
• The Right Blade of Arofel
• The Urn of Osiris
• Axe of the Ancient Bond
• Elzid Natholin’s Book of Notes & Spells
• Frojack’s Belt
• The Steel Whip
• The Badge
• The Collector’s Box
• The Ruby Shield
• Ring of Protection +1
• Aserin’s Sapphire
• Horn Blade—Dagger
• The First Key
• The Sanguine Stone
• Yossel’s Quickling Killing Boots
• Wayfarer’s Prayer Rug
• System Shock
• Lacan’s Demise

Sweet! Ordered!

 

[el-remmen]

Just giving this a bump since I posted about the latest issue being available over the weekend, plus I wanted to share a little sneak peak:

First, one of the simpler magical weapons in the zine, the Southern Razor:

and secondly, I included little glimpses into the campaigns in which these items appeared/were used, like the "Out of the Frying Pan" campaign (which some of you might be familiar with from the story hour):

Links for how to order this issue (or the previous ones) are found in the posts above.

 

[dave2008]

I need to get to bed, but if I don't forget I will order these in the morning.

 

[CharlesWallace]

I’m reading issue #4 while listening to the rain outside. It’s perfect accompaniment. I love the details about the various campaigns through the years and D&D editions. I miss zines, and it’s great to have one in physical form.

 

[el-remmen]

I’m reading issue #4 while listening to the rain outside. It’s perfect accompaniment. I love the details about the various campaigns through the years and D&D editions. I miss zines, and it’s great to have one in physical form.

That's so awesome! Please share if you have any particular faves.

 

[el-remmen]

[redacted]

 

[Mannahnin]

Sent!

 

[CharlesWallace]

That's so awesome! Please share if you have any particular faves.

Oh yeah, I was going to do that. When I get home from work, I'll skim again and let you know!

 

[CharlesWallace]

A couple stood out to me. I liked the damage charging powers of that great axe- that just seemed cool. But the one that really piqued my interest was Frojack's belt.

Partly because I like that it grants the wearer great strength, but with that strength comes some exhaustion. I like mechanics like that. I also (and this is the part that really got me) I love the history of it. This unbeatable troll that still wanders the land... if I was playing in that campagin, it would be so cool to come across a damaged cart or maybe a cottage ransacked, only to discover that we just missed Frojack!

Also, the tree that grows backwards- that's also super evocative to me. I immediately want to steal it, just based on the name.

 

[el-remmen]

A couple stood out to me. I liked the damage charging powers of that great axe- that just seemed cool. But the one that really piqued my interest was Frojack's belt.

Partly because I like that it grants the wearer great strength, but with that strength comes some exhaustion. I like mechanics like that. I also (and this is the part that really got me) I love the history of it. This unbeatable troll that still wanders the land... if I was playing in that campagin, it would be so cool to come across a damaged cart or maybe a cottage ransacked, only to discover that we just missed Frojack!

Also, the tree that grows backwards- that's also super evocative to me. I immediately want to steal it, just based on the name.

The Axe of the Ancient Bond was just recently found in my current game and the barbarian is loving it. It is a great minion clearing and then do a ton of damage to the leader type weapon that has already started shaping his tactical approach.

I love the Great Troll Frojack so much I may just port him over into my current homebrew.

Chochokpi the Tree that Grows Backwards was a part of Aquerra, one of the "Enigmas of the Cosmos," strange paradoxes whose very existence broke natural laws and that altogether created the weave of magic by virtue of their sheer impossibility. So no one knew Chochokpi's origins except that it appeared in different places and planes throughout history and that it was growing back into a seed. Legend has it that when it finally turns back into a seed, it will then explode outward destroying the cosmos as it makes a new one.

 

[el-remmen]

Just giving this a final bump to say that I am extending the "end of the month sale" through the weekend, if there is still anyone interested.

 

[tommybahama]

Who did the art, in particular the portraits for the "Out of the Frying Pan" campaign?

 

[el-remmen]

Who did the art, in particular the portraits for the "Out of the Frying Pan" campaign?

Some of the art is just straight up repurposed zine style, some of it is just public domain crap found on the internet, and those portraits were by my friend Colleen F., who did not play in that game but kept up with the story hour and was inspired to draw them. She did play in a couple of my older D&D campaigns. She teaches 5th grade art in Arizona now, if I remember correctly.

 

[el-remmen]

So I made a commercial to advertise the sale I am having to clear these out and get them into people's hands:

Login • Instagram (sound on)

You can get any three of the four issues for six bucks including shipping, while supplies last. Individual issues are four books via ko-fi or paypal or $5 via etsy.

 

[el-remmen]

I made a version without licensed music (public domain, baby!) so I can share it outside of Instagram.

 

[el-remmen]

Just a bump to tell people know I still have a handful of each of these left for sale - a great holiday gift for that grognard grinch or DM who is still new to Whoville. . . DM me if you're interested or check out the links in previous posts.

 

[el-remmen]

Hey all! Just a heads up that I am running a giveaway for a "dragonkin barbarian" mini and some copies of my HOW I RUN IT zine over on instagram (details in the caption)

 

[el-remmen]

Issue #5 of HOW I RUN IT: STAT DRAFTS & Other Character Creation Options is now available.

I wasn't sure if I was going to continue with this project, but the continued popularity of and interest in my "stat draft" ability score determination method convinced me to do an issue detailing how to run one with sample arrays and an example draft taken from one of the ones I ran here on ENWorld!

It also includes three new lineages (what we call "races") that I use to replace the ones in the core 5E PHB: Fey-Touched (replaces half-elves), Orc-Born (replaces half-orcs), and two varieties of Lizard Folk (replaces Dragonborn). But they don't have to replace anything, I can't tell you how to run your game, I can only tell you how I run mine.

If you send me four bucks via paypal or ko-fi I will send it to you (U.S. & Canada only, please) or you can check out my Etsy store where it is listed for five bucks.

Copies of issues #2, #3, and #4 are also still available.

 

[el-remmen]

Just bumping this to say that there is now a HOW I RUN IT website/blog in addition to the zine and wanted to share a link to it here. The site will build on what I present in my zines both as a supplement to those that make use of them and a source of material to put to use in your own games even if you don't get the zines. The zines will continue to be printed once or twice a year, and while I will use the site for errata and expansion material, I am trying to not overlap it too much.

Currently, there are about six article giving a taste of some of the stuff I plan to present (mostly practical things like stat blocks and lore for my spin on monsters, conversions of old spells, etc. .). However, I do plan for some future content doing some critical analysis of D&D material of the past (mostly) and present (some).

HOW I RUN IT.

"I can't tell you how to run your game, but I can tell you how I run mine."

how-i-run-it.com