09/19/2025 The Role of the GM in Deadly PlayDungeons should feel like more than just a collection of rooms and monsters. When players enter a dangerous delve,… Read more “Running Deadly Dungeons: How to Marshal Threats and Tension”
Tag: rpg
Deadly But Fair: Balancing Encounters in Shadowdark
09/12/2025 The Shadowdark Philosophy of DangerUnlike many tabletop RPGs that cushion the consequences of failure, Shadowdark embraces the full weight of danger. From the very first session,… Read more “Deadly But Fair: Balancing Encounters in Shadowdark”
Making Monsters Scary Again using Shadowdark
09/04/2025 In many TTRPGs today, monsters often feel like stat blocks rather than genuine threats. Shadowdark changes that. Its mechanics, from limited resources to lethal combat, make… Read more “Making Monsters Scary Again using Shadowdark”
Running Gritty Wilderness Travel in Shadowdark
08/27/2025 Why Wilderness Matters in ShadowdarkThe dungeon may be the centerpiece of Shadowdark, but what happens between dungeons is just as important. Travel should feel uncertain, risky,… Read more “Running Gritty Wilderness Travel in Shadowdark”
Creating Memorable NPCs Without Extra Prep Using Random Tables
08/22/2025 Happy Friday, and welcome back to Tabletop Thoughts! Every Game Master knows that the best NPCs are the ones players remember—sometimes for their quirks, sometimes for… Read more “Creating Memorable NPCs Without Extra Prep Using Random Tables”
Why Every Shadowdark GM Should Be Robbing Basic Fantasy
08/20/2025 Happy Wednesday, and welcome back to Tabletop Thoughts! Today, I released another YouTube video about stealing an adventure from Basic Fantasy RPG and using it in… Read more “Why Every Shadowdark GM Should Be Robbing Basic Fantasy”
How to Adapt Basic Fantasy Content for Shadowdark
08/14/2025 Look Before You Steal Before borrowing content from Basic Fantasy to use in Shadowdark, it’s important to understand the key differences between the two systems. While… Read more “How to Adapt Basic Fantasy Content for Shadowdark”
Why Shadowdark’s Equipment Slot System Is a Stroke of Genius
07/29/2025 Encumbrance in D&D 5E: A System That’s Easy to Ignore In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, encumbrance is based on weight. A character can carry an… Read more “Why Shadowdark’s Equipment Slot System Is a Stroke of Genius”
Shadowdark: Engaging Overland Travel Techniques
07/25/2025 In many fantasy tabletop RPGs, the most exciting parts of the game happen in dungeons, boss fights, or bustling cities. But what about the spaces between… Read more “Shadowdark: Engaging Overland Travel Techniques”
New Video: Building Honeywood – Shadowdark Hex Map Part 2
07/22/2025 In the latest video on my YouTube channel, I dive back into our Shadowdark sandbox project and continue building out the world we started in Part… Read more “New Video: Building Honeywood – Shadowdark Hex Map Part 2”