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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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Character Creation in Numenera and the Cypher System
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Character Creation in Numenera and the Cypher System

Blades in the Dark - How to Create Characters and Crew Sheets

Welcome to Duskvol, the dark and industrial city of the underworld. In Blades in the Dark, you can become a daring thief, assassin, or scoundrel trying to make a name for yourself in the criminal factions. But first, you need to create your character and crew sheet, and that's where we come in.

Creating Characters

Step 1: Choose a Playbook

Choosing your playbook is like choosing your character class in other roleplaying games. Are you a Cutter who likes to dish out some pain, or a Whisper who's more into the arcane and supernatural? Other playbooks include the Lurk, Slide, Hound, and Spider, each with their own unique abilities and specialties.

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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: 20 Unique Landmarks for your Fantasy Towns
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Worldbuilding: 20 Unique Landmarks for your Fantasy Towns

As a Game Master, creating a world that feels vibrant and alive is crucial for immersing players in your RPG game. One way to achieve this is by designing towns and cities that are full of unique and memorable landmarks. These landmarks can serve as points of interest, focal points for quests, and even as plot devices that tie into your game's overarching story.

In this blog, we will explore 20 unique village landmarks that you can use to add depth and intrigue to your game world. Each of these landmarks is designed to give players a sense of wonder and mystery as they explore the town or city they are visiting. From grand cathedrals to ominous graveyards, these features will make your game world feel more like a real place.

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Numenera: Ninth World A Cypher System Game
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Numenera: Ninth World A Cypher System Game

Welcome to Dice and Dialogue, a new tabletop RPG show brought to you by Crit Academy! In this show, we'll be discussing a variety of RPGs, exploring different game systems and settings, and sharing tips and tricks for running successful games. Today, we're delving into the world of Numenera, a unique RPG setting that combines elements of science fiction and fantasy to create a world of mystery and danger.

Numenera is powered by the Cypher System, an open-ended game engine that can be used to run games in any genre. In Numenera the setting is the Ninth World. It’s a world that has seen eight previous civilizations rise and fall, each leaving behind its own legacy of technology and wonders. The current civilization is a hodgepodge of cultures and societies, each with its own unique traditions and beliefs. Technology is everywhere, but it is often incomprehensible and unpredictable, leading to a mix of superstition and awe.

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Game Master Toolbox: 20 Unique Villians for your RPG Game
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Game Master Toolbox: 20 Unique Villians for your RPG Game

As a Game Master, one of the most important aspects of your Roleplaying game is the villain. A good villain can make your game exciting, engaging, and memorable for your players. They can provide a formidable challenge for the players to overcome, and can help drive the story forward.

Creating a compelling villain can be a difficult task, but it is an essential one. A well-crafted villain can make your players feel invested in the game and can provide a sense of urgency and purpose to their actions. Villains can take many forms, from the ruthless warlord seeking power to the charming rogue with a hidden agenda. Each villain should have their own unique personality, motives, and quirks that make them stand out from the rest.

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How Tabletop RPG Games Impacted the RPG Video Games
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How Tabletop RPG Games Impacted the RPG Video Games

Guest Blog: Miley Dowing

It’s no secret that role-playing games have a long and storied history, with roots stretching back to the 1970s. What many people don’t know is that the popular video game genre of RPGs we know today was heavily influenced by tabletop games such as Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). These RPGs owed their success to the creative freedom they allowed players, allowing them to construct unique stories and scenarios in a way that video game consoles couldn’t replicate.

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Dungeon Dressing: 20 Levers and Switches for your Fantasy RPG
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Dungeon Dressing: 20 Levers and Switches for your Fantasy RPG

Dungeon Dressing: 20 Levers and Switches for your Fantasy RPG
As a game master, you have the power to shape the world and create a unique and memorable experience for your players. One way to do this is by including levers and switches in your dungeons. These seemingly simple objects can add depth and complexity to your game, challenge your players, and create unexpected outcomes. By including levers and switches, you can add an extra layer of interaction and problem-solving to your dungeons, encouraging your players to think creatively and use their skills to overcome obstacles. Whether they're enchanted to only respond to a specific person, connected to a deadly trap, or located in a place that can only be accessed by solving a complex maze, levers and switches can add excitement, intrigue, and unpredictability to your game. In this blog, we'll explore 20 unique levers and switches that you can use in your role-playing games to create an unforgettable experience for your players.

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Game Master’s Toolbox: 20 Adventure Hooks with a Twist
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Game Master’s Toolbox: 20 Adventure Hooks with a Twist

As a Game Master, coming up with unique and interesting adventure hooks for your players can be a challenging task. Your players want to be entertained and experience something new, but you also want to keep the game exciting and engaging. That's why I've created a list of 20 adventure hooks for fantasy RPG Game Masters. Each hook comes with its own unique plot point or twists to keep your players on their toes and invested in the story. Whether you're a seasoned DM or just starting out, these hooks will provide plenty of inspiration and excitement for your next game session.

Cursed Town: A powerful mage has cast a spell on a small town, causing its citizens to turn into beasts every night. The twist: the mage was actually trying to protect the town from a greater evil, and the players must uncover this truth while finding a way to lift the curse.

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Unleashing the Ninth World: A Blog to Numenera - The RPG With a Twist
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Unleashing the Ninth World: A Blog to Numenera - The RPG With a Twist

"Step into the Ninth World with Numenera: A Guide for Gamers"

Ah, Numenera, the RPG game that's as unique as a unicorn with a mohawk. It's got everything you could ever want in a game: a wacky setting, wild characters, and dice mechanics that'll have you rolling with laughter (or frustration, but we'll get to that later).

First, let's talk about the setting. Numenera runs on the popular Cypher System by Monte Cook Games. The game takes place in the Ninth World, a world that's so far removed from our own that it's basically in a different dimension. It's a world of ancient technology, mysterious ruins, and all sorts of strange creatures that you've never seen before (and probably don't want to see again). But, that's what makes Numenera so much fun! It's a world where anything is possible, and the only limit is your imagination.

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Worldbuilding: 20 Unique and Fantastical Taverns
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Worldbuilding: 20 Unique and Fantastical Taverns

Introducing the Ultimate Guide to Unique and Fantastic Taverns for Your fantasy roleplaying game! As a game master, one of the most important aspects of your world-building is creating memorable and believable locations for your players to explore. Taverns serve as a hub for your adventurers, offering them a place to rest, resupply, and gather information. In this guide, we’ll be showcasing 20 of the most fantastic and unique taverns you can add to your roleplaying game, each with its own distinct atmosphere, menu, and proprietor. From a jolly innkeeper, to a mysterious barmaid, to a fearsome dragon, each tavern will bring a new level of excitement to your game. So, sit back, grab a drink, and get ready to be transported to a world of adventure!

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Crit Academy 300 Episodes! A Long Road!
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Crit Academy 300 Episodes! A Long Road!

Starting a podcast is no easy feat. It requires a great deal of planning, organization, and hard work to get it off the ground. One of the most important aspects of creating a podcast is determining the topic and focus of the show. For Crit Academy, the topic was clear - Dungeons & Dragons 5e. As avid fans and players of the game, we wanted to create a show that would appeal to the D&D community and provide valuable insights, tips, and strategies for players of all levels.

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Worldbuilding: Great Puzzle Design
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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
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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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10 Worldbuilding Vistas for your RPG Game
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10 Worldbuilding Vistas for your RPG Game

Welcome to our blog on beautiful vistas for your RPG world! As a Dungeon Master, one of the joys of running a campaign is the opportunity to transport your players to a variety of beautiful, immersive locations. Whether it's a snowy mountain range, a rolling grassland, or a serene lake nestled in the heart of a dense forest, the right vista can set the stage for an unforgettable gaming experience. In this blog, we've compiled a list of 10 beautiful vistas for you to use in your own campaign, complete with descriptive text to help you set the scene for your players. We've also included additional sensory details to help you bring these locations to life. We hope that these vistas will inspire you and help you create a rich, immersive world for your players to explore.

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Dangerous Destinations for your D&D Game!
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Dangerous Destinations for your D&D Game!

Looking to send your characters to a place most regular folk won't go? Well, we are gonna delve into some Dangerous Destinations to terrorize your characters and their players.

This book is the sequel to Nord Games’ first world-building book, Spectacular Settlements, which focused on creating intriguing, interesting, and unique settlements such as villages, towns, and cities. A settlement can be a hub, a base of operations, somewhere to carouse, or somewhere to rest, shop, or find quests (which may or may not take place in that settlement). Dangerous Destinations, on the other hand, focuses on places that are a bit different

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