The fourth and final piece of a series on designing and running one-shot scenarios. If you missed any of the earlier articles, find them here: Designing the Adventure part 1 • Design part 2 • Prep for the Session Encourage Play that Saves Time In Part 1 of this series, I wrote that I would avoid issues … [Read more…]
Part 3 of a series on designing and running one-shot scenarios. If you missed any of the earlier articles, find them here: Designing the Adventure part 1 • Design part 2 Give out Characters Beforehand If you decide to use pre-generated characters, send the character sheets to your players before game day. This will allow them … [Read more…]
In part 1 of this series on single-session adventures, Michael gave the broad strokes of adventure design, from the desired playstyle to decisions on system and settings. Now we move into more specific adventure construction advice. If you missed the previous article, find it here: Designing the Adventure part 1 Consider Multiple Environments George Lucas … [Read more…]
Part one of a four-article series on designing and running a one-shot, single-session adventure. See the end of the article for links to the rest of the series. Unfortunately, I’ve never been to a gaming convention, but for years I have been intrigued by the early tournament adventures of the late 1970s and early 1980s. … [Read more…]
Someone once wrote that good Game Masters seem to know a little bit about everything. If it’s not obvious, this is because they need to know how the world works so they can make their own game settings seem real. I know this first-hand from years of running fantasy campaigns. At one point or another, … [Read more…]
A wonderful thing about fantasy role-playing games is that they unfold mainly in the minds of the players. They are games of wonder and imagination. Players that keep this concept firmly in mind realize that they can play almost anywhere. Over the years, I’ve played AD&D (my game of choice) in basements, in dining rooms, … [Read more…]
This tale follows from the events of Tracks on a Moonless Night. Background Sir Garrett of House Winchester and his retinue have been in the region around Blackwater Lake for months now, searching for Sir Garrett’s lost ancestral estate, named Falconridge, which once lay somewhere near the shores of the lake. After several adventures and … [Read more…]
It’s been a while since we heard from the Winchesters. We now return you to another thrilling adventure in Northumbria! Background Sir Garrett of House Winchester and his retinue have been in the region around Blackwater Lake for months now, searching for Sir Garrett’s lost ancestral estate, named Falconridge, which once lay somewhere near the … [Read more…]
This scene takes place between part 2 and part 3 of “Terror in the Tower.” Background The session began with the PCs back in the village of Lakesend, in between forays to the ruined temple of Pholtus. At some point, the PCs had an interesting discussion on treasure division, and I, as DM, played the … [Read more…]
An Introduction, and Of the Barony of Blackwater Of Blackwater Keep, and the Inhabitants Therein Of Lakesend Village, and its Commerce The Blackwater, its Denizens, and the Lands Surrounding Various Peoples of Northumbria, and the Cultures Of Elves Of Frangians Of Zeelanders Of Varangians The States and Rulers in the Western Lands In addition … [Read more…]