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Step into the World of Blades in the Dark for Thrilling RPG Heists
Crit Academy . Crit Academy .

Step into the World of Blades in the Dark for Thrilling RPG Heists

Welcome to Crit Academy: Dice & Dialogue, where we take you on a journey through the world of RPGs. In this episode, we're excited to step into the dark and dangerous world of Doskvol with our Blades in the Dark mini-series. Join us as we guide you through the seedy underbelly of this gritty city and experience thrilling heists, dangerous encounters, and nail-biting action. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or a newcomer to the world of RPGs, our podcast will keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you craving for more. Are you ready to roll the dice and take on the shadows?

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Game Master Toolkit: 10 Urban Fantasy Dangers for your RPG
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Game Master Toolkit: 10 Urban Fantasy Dangers for your RPG

10 urban dangers to challenge your players and add depth to your fantasy RPG world

Are you a game master looking to add some excitement and danger to your urban fantasy campaign? Do you want to challenge your players with more than just the standard bandit or monster encounter? Look no further! In this blog, we'll explore ten urban dangers that will test your players' skills and wits as they navigate the treacherous landscape of the city. From corrupt officials to cursed objects, natural disasters to dark magic, these dangers will keep your players on their toes and add depth and intrigue to your world. So, grab your dice and get ready to immerse your players in a world full of peril and adventure!

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Building Character in D&D: Exploring Friend Ideas for Your PC
Crit Academy . Crit Academy .

Building Character in D&D: Exploring Friend Ideas for Your PC

The Friends You Didn't Know Your D&D Character Needed (But Now You Can't Live Without)

Oh boy, when you're creating your Dungeons & Dragons character, you put so much effort into choosing the right race, class, feats, and powers. You probably think long and hard about their personality, abilities, and even their backstory. But hold up there, adventurer! Have you thought about your character's friends?

Sure, D&D is a social game, and forming friendships with your party members is important. But what about your character's BFFs? I mean, they must have had some friends before getting into the whole "fighting monsters and saving kingdoms" business, right?

Don't worry, I'm not trying to suggest that you need to be a social butterfly to play this game. But let's face it, friends can be a huge influence on how you behave, what you believe, and how you see the world. Plus, who doesn't want a few extra NPCs to add to their entourage?

So, let's talk about some friend ideas for your D&D character. You can use them as inspiration or mix and match them to create your own unique crew of buddies.

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Cypher System Rules & Mechanics to Enhance your TTRPG Experience
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Cypher System Rules & Mechanics to Enhance your TTRPG Experience

This is the third part of our Numenera and Cypher system coverage. You can find 1 and 2 here. Numenera is a tabletop role-playing game system that was created by Monte Cook in 2013. It is a science-fantasy RPG set in the distant future, where players explore the ruins of past civilizations and discover strange and powerful artifacts. Numenera is known for its simple and streamlined rules, which prioritize storytelling and creative problem-solving over complex mechanics. In this guide, we will offer ways you can enhance any roleplaying game with some of the amazing rules in the Cypher System to create engaging and immersive campaigns, no matter what RPG you’re playing.

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5 Foolproof Ways to Make Your Campaign More Engaging
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5 Foolproof Ways to Make Your Campaign More Engaging

There are a near-infinite number of aspects to DMing and you are effectively emulating the complexities of real life.  So, selecting the best subject for a single post is a challenge. That said, the goal of D&D is to have fun, and the foundation of that is engaged players. If people are distracted or disinterested, it’s an extreme challenge to run a meaningful game.

With all that said, let’s get into it…

Elevate your Dungeon Master skills and create unforgettable D&D experiences that captivate your players for the long haul.

Being a Dungeon Master can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it comes with its challenges. One of the most critical tasks DMs face is creating a thrilling, immersive, and engaging campaign that keeps players invested in the story and eager to return for more adventures. To help you on your quest to become a better DM, we’ve compiled five foolproof ways to make your D&D campaign more engaging. These tips will help you hone your storytelling skills, create unforgettable sessions, and keep your players on the edge of their seats.

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Uncover the Dark Secrets of Fantasy's Most Intriguing Seedy Underbelly Guilds!

Uncover the Dark Secrets of Fantasy's Most Intriguing Seedy Underbelly Guilds!

How to Create a Seedy Underbelly Guild in your Fantasy RPG

It's time to talk about the seedy underbelly of fantasy worlds. You know what I'm talking about - the dirty alleys, the shady deals, and the guilds that operate in the shadows. These are the organizations that the heroes love to hate, and that's what makes them so darn interesting. So today, we're going to talk about how to create some seriously compelling seedy underbelly guilds.

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Game Master Advice: How to Run Adventures in your RPGs
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Game Master Advice: How to Run Adventures in your RPGs

Ah, the exhilarating thrill of Dungeons and Dragons. As a Dungeon Master, you have the power to transport your players into a world of adventure and fantasy. However, with great power comes great responsibility, and it's up to you to ensure that your dungeon is both challenging and fun for the players. Let's dive deeper into some tips on how to create and run a successful Dungeon in Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition, shall we?

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Worldbuilding: Great Puzzle Design
Crit Academy . Crit Academy .

Worldbuilding: Great Puzzle Design

Puzzles are a great way to challenge players in a fantasy RPG campaign, but designing puzzles that are both challenging and memorable can be a bit tricky. It's important to find a balance between challenging and solvable and to make sure the puzzle is relevant to the story. In this blog, we will discuss tips and tricks for creating puzzles that will keep your players on the edge of their seats. From incorporating multiple layers of clues to making the puzzle interactive, we'll cover everything you need to know to design memorable puzzles for your campaign. So, whether you're a new game master or a seasoned pro, this guide will help you take your puzzles to the next level.

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Become the Ultimate Storyteller with dScryb
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Become the Ultimate Storyteller with dScryb

DSCRYB.com is an essential website for game masters and players of role-playing games such as Dungeons and Dragons. The website offers a wide range of tools and resources to enhance the gaming experience, including descriptive text, maps, and even voice-over.

One of the standout features of DSCRYB is its extensive library of descriptive text. Whether you're creating a new campaign or need inspiration for an existing one, DSCRYB has something to offer. The website offers detailed descriptions of characters, locations, items, monsters, and spells that can be used to bring your game to life. For example, a game master can find a detailed description of a dragon that includes its appearance, behavior, abilities, and even history.

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10 Red Herrings for RPG Game Masters
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10 Red Herrings for RPG Game Masters

Red herrings are a great tool for game masters to use in their tabletop roleplaying games. They add an element of mystery and uncertainty to the game, keeping players engaged and on their toes. Introducing a red herring into the game can create a sense of intrigue and excitement, as players try to uncover the truth behind a situation or quest.

Not only do red herrings keep players engaged, but they also provide an opportunity for players to flex their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. As players work to uncover the truth behind a red herring, they must use their knowledge and skills to navigate through the story. This not only adds an extra layer of excitement to the game, but it also helps players to develop their abilities and become better players. Here is a list of 10 red herrings you can use in your RPG game tonight!

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Savage World! An Alternative to Dungeons & Dragons
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Savage World! An Alternative to Dungeons & Dragons

So you’re looking to try a new roleplaying game not owned by back-stabbing thieving rogues eh? Well, lucky for you, there are plenty of great games that have been overshadowed by the multimillion-dollar budget thieves guild. Join us today as we get SAVAGE with the critically acclaimed Savage Worlds.

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5 Alternative RPGs to play instead of Dungeons and Dragons
Crit Academy . Crit Academy .

5 Alternative RPGs to play instead of Dungeons and Dragons

Welcome to our blog on the top 5 tabletop RPG games to play instead of Dungeons & Dragons. We know that while Dungeons & Dragons is a classic and beloved game, the OGL 1.1 debacle has encouraged players and content creators to seek out other options that aren’t run by soul-sucking corporate greed. That's why we've compiled a list of five alternative RPG games that offer a unique and exciting gaming experience. Whether you're looking for a cyberpunk-fantasy adventure, a horror-filled quest, or something in between, there is sure to be a game on this list that will appeal to you. So without further ado, let's dive into our list of 5 tabletop RPG games to play instead of Dungeons & Dragons.

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