[D&D 4e] Test Drive: Gaming With A First Time GM

Last weekend, our group decided to try something different.  In this case, long-time poster and first-time GM Hikkikomori volunteered to run a few D&D games now and then, both to try out the activity, and to give me a chance to actually play for once. Hikkikomori made a good showing, taking to the role of [...]

[D&D 4e] Prepping a Refresher Course

Hikkikomori, avid comments guy in this blog, and a player in my gaming group has decided to give GMing a whirl, and for his first attempt, has selected 4th Edition D&D as the system for it.  As such I’ve been re-reading my core set, both to get me back up to speed with regards to [...]

[4e] Darker Days, A Beer & Pretzels Game Campaign Concept

Sometimes, when my brain isn’t really up for high-concept campaigns, it always seems to drift back to something simple. In this case, simple means a simple campaign concept, with a strong premise, easy entry points for characters, and an excuse to kill a lot of monsters. Premise: Darker Days is my take on the Dark [...]

[Review] Martial Cultures: The Sijara

If there’s one thing that fantasy gaming has always needed, it would be more products that focus on the little details of a given culture. Books like Martial Cultures: The Sijara fill that particular need quite well. As a GM who enjoys having varied cultures that go beyond simple stereotypes, I found Martial Cultures: The [...]

Shifting Gears, or Altering the Gravitas

After running a string of relatively high concept games which deal with heavier themes, I think it’s about time that I take a break from the super-serious stuff and come up for air.  One thing I’ve learned to avoid burnout is to switch gears now and then, taking a moment to break out of your [...]