Author: Jesse C Cohoon

Jesse Cohoon is a serial entrepreneur, who enjoys RPGs. He's been a DM and player of 12+ years. His experience includes various editions of D&D, white wolf, BESM, amongst others. His strength comes his examination of games using science fiction/ fantasy, popular culture (video games, anime/ manga, movies), & more. His blog can be found here. If you want to have him be a guest on your blog or want to contact him to hire him to write you an article, he may be contacted at cohojes@iit.edu.

Class-Based Thoughts on Gnomes

Gnomes have been present in mythology since the 16th century. Their roots can be seen in several mythologies, among which are the type of domestic fey that resided in people’s homes fixing broken items, gnomes that played pranks on people, gnomes that made deals in exchange for something, a type earth elemental, and the subterranean type of creatures that were used synonymously with such creatures as dwarves, goblins, brownies, kobolds, and the like.

Many times these creatures were depicted as being ugly or deformed in some way. These ideas coalesced into the gnomes that we know today in RPGs where they’re often depicted as being either mad scientists/ crafty inventors or illusionist specialists. Unfortunately these ideas as to what gnomes are can be unnecessarily shoehorn them into only these roles. But by looking at the roots of the character, examining their strengths, and seeing what various games have to say about them, a more complex depiction of these creatures can be derived. Continue reading “Class-Based Thoughts on Gnomes”

Class-Based Thoughts on Different Types of Elves

Elves are often depicted as guardians of the wilderness, be it forests, plains, mountains, desert, swamps or tundra in RPG games. In the case of the Drow/ dark elves, they would be living in the Underdark, or other such underground areas in your gaming world. Although these stereotypes as to what elves are may be a starting point, in and of themselves they are, quite frankly, boring. What if these ideas could be refreshed, made alive by combining ideas of class into the mix by showing how the different classes would fit into their everyday lives? Read on: Continue reading “Class-Based Thoughts on Different Types of Elves”

Class-Based Thoughts on Different Types of Dwarves

Dwarves are typically viewed as masters of mining, crafting, and warfare in RPGs. Although these stereotypes may be a starting point, in and of themselves they are, quite frankly, boring. What if these ideas could be refreshed, made alive by combining ideas of class into the mix by showing how the different classes would fit into daily life? Read on: Continue reading “Class-Based Thoughts on Different Types of Dwarves”

12 Unlikely Places for PCs to get Equipment and Supplies

Have these situations ever happened to you?

You’re in a dungeon and because the enemies were a bit tougher than you thought that they would be, the PCs either have to retreat back to town to restock up on supplies or get equipment that would make it easier to defeat them.
Or the PCs are at the end of a dungeon and find the clues of where to go next to solve the mystery, but they have to return to town to spend some of the loot they gained, to get training, and/or rest up.

If either of these situations have come up in a game, then you know how frustrating they can be and how delaying they can be to the story line. But just because the town’s a narrative hop, skip, and a jump away doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to do things this way. Consider the following 12 alternatives… Continue reading “12 Unlikely Places for PCs to get Equipment and Supplies”

Making Undead Scarier, Part 4: The Lich!

Liches are common threats found in many types of RPG games. Unfortunately, it’s far too easy for the GM to roleplay them in a simplistic manner, as simple monsters to vanquish, giving them no backstory or interest, and an opportunity for world building is lost. But by making them unique, giving them unfamiliar and difficult to destroy phylacteries, giving them unique places to find them, giving them individual motivations and (fill in the blank) they can truly become the threats they should be. Continue reading “Making Undead Scarier, Part 4: The Lich!”

Making Undead Scarier Part 3: Intelligent Corporeal Undead: Vampires & Vampire Spawn

Vampires and their spawn are common threats found in many types of RPG games. Unfortunately, it’s far too easy for the GM to roleplay them in a simplistic manner (as simple monsters to vanquish) giving them no backstory or interest, and an opportunity for world-building is lost. But by giving them a culture, examining vampires from around the world, reducing or changing their weaknesses, and giving them allies they can count on, they can truly become the threats they should be. Continue reading “Making Undead Scarier Part 3: Intelligent Corporeal Undead: Vampires & Vampire Spawn”

Making Undead Scarier Part 1: Incorporeal Undead: Ghosts, Shadows, Wraiths, & More

Ghosts. Shadows. Spectres. Wraiths. These incorporeal undead (and many more) are common threats found in many types of RPG games. Unfortunately, it’s far too easy for the GM to roleplay them in a simplistic manner, as simple monsters to vanquish, giving them no backstory or interest, and an opportunity for world building is lost. But by knowing their abilities and distinctions, as well as giving them additional powers, they can be the threats they are truly meant to be. Continue reading “Making Undead Scarier Part 1: Incorporeal Undead: Ghosts, Shadows, Wraiths, & More”

DMing Monsters: Animated Objects (Part 2)

Click to check out Part 1 here…

Animated objects have been around forever with the flying rugs, levitating rope tricks, swords that swing themselves and the Golem portrayed in Jewish mythology. More recently there have been the story of Frankenstein’s monster to various self-animated robots and the castle staff in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” For the most part these have always been portrayed as rampaging monsters or played off for comedy. Yet they can be so much more by giving them advanced tactics, teamwork and updated powers; as well as giving interesting places they might be. Continue reading “DMing Monsters: Animated Objects (Part 2)”

DMing Monsters: Animated Objects (Part 1)

Animated objects have been around forever with the flying rugs, levitating rope tricks, swords that swing themselves and the Golem portrayed in Jewish mythology. More recently there have been the story of Frankenstein’s monster to various self-animated robots and the castle staff in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” For the most part these have always been portrayed as rampaging monsters or played off for comedy. Yet they can be so much more by giving them a personality, back story, and goals. Continue reading “DMing Monsters: Animated Objects (Part 1)”

DMing Monsters: Plants, Slimes, Molds, Jellies, and Puddings!

Most DMs don’t have many encounters with plant monsters, slimes, molds, and puddings. They’re oftentimes relegated to things that players stumble into like traps, side quests, and areas of heavy overgrowth. With a few simple solutions, they can easily take the spotlight… Continue reading “DMing Monsters: Plants, Slimes, Molds, Jellies, and Puddings!”