Apr 122011
 
RPG Site of the Year: Our Running Submissions

This contest has ended. Here are the results! Welcome to our RPG Site of the Year contest! For information, eligibility requirements, and a breakdown of the grand prize package (worth $225+) go here. Below is our running list of sites for the contest.  Hit the above link to read the rules, and then submit your site for free!  Submission acceptance ends on Monday, April 25. [Read the article]

RPG SITE of the YEAR CONTEST!

 Posted by on April 11, 2011  Filed as: Contests  7 Responses »
Apr 112011
 
RPG SITE of the YEAR CONTEST!

This contest has ended. Here are the results! Edit: The finalists have been announced here… – 5/2/11 Every month (since we opened), we’ve had our “Site of the Month” feature.  It’s where we showcase a great RPG blog, regardless of whether it’s established or brand new.  What’s important is that the blog simply offers great fan-created RPG content.  There’s no science behind which blog ends [Read the article]

Themes taking on New Roles

 Posted by on April 9, 2011  Filed as: Better Gameplay?  4 Responses »
Apr 092011
 
Themes taking on New Roles

You may have read some recent talk about using themes to fill some gaps in 4e. If you haven’t, head over to Loremaster.org to read Matt James’ take on Themes as a way to multi-class and make valuable race options. Then check out Robert Schwalb’s Response. [Edit: It seems Ryven Cedrylle started talking about this as early as 2/18/11. I missed those articles, but they’re [Read the article]

Apr 082011
 
Countryside Barn - Steal this Encounter

In the hamlets surrounding most major population centers, farmers and ranchers eke out a meager existence, growing all manner of crops and raising livestock. But outside city walls, law enforcement isn’t present, and often skirmishes can break out in the least likely of places. Hooks: Perhaps the party arranges to meet in the barn as neutral ground. Perhaps a ranch hand is involved in something [Read the article]

Apr 062011
 
How to Create Interesting Location Descriptions

I’ve been steadily expanding my campaign setting “The Isles” for years. Most recently, I’ve been filling in basic descriptions of places which were nothing more than names on a map. Here’s a technique I’ve developed for generating ideas (when I don’t already have an idea in mind) for a particular settlement. I look at the place on my map and think about the local geography. [Read the article]

RPG Cartography – A touch of 3D

 Posted by on April 1, 2011  Filed as: 3D Terrain  9 Responses »
Apr 012011
 
RPG Cartography - A touch of 3D

So… the Shack has been online for about a year, but this is our first time participating in the RPG Carnival – mostly because we’re slow, but partly because the topic of RPG Cartography really got our attention.  So, we just had to contribute.  Oh yeah, the Carnival’s host for this topic is also our Site of the Month! Make sure you stop by A Character for Every Game, [Read the article]

Apr 012011
 
Favorite Site of the Month - April/2011

Hi, my name is Chris Stevens, and I’m a gaming blogaholic. My vice of choice is a blog that offers useful ideas and content, one that helps me with my games.  Well, A Character for Every Game does just that.  I mean, it’s all in the name! Not only does Dyson Logos provide characters, but he also provides a huge selection of maps.   Stick around via his RSS [Read the article]

Mar 302011
 
Sahuagin Eel Lord - Steal This Monster

You recognize the creature in the middle of the group as a Sahuagin, like the rest. Something is different about this one, though. The others grip their tridents tightly, yet this one has none. They charge and scream in rage, and this one holds back biding its time. Then you remember the stories of those lone Sahuagin that remember the old ways, before the dark [Read the article]

Mar 282011
 
Designing Fantasy Cities: Size, Part 2

So we’ve talked about the importance of population size. When we think of city size, we generally picture a particular kind of density as well. Hamlets and villages don’t take up too much room, but their populations are a bit spread out – they’re usually managing farms, with maybe a slightly denser center. Contrary to this, the cities and metropolises are generally pictured as much [Read the article]

Super Soldiers: The Female Form

 Posted by on March 25, 2011  Filed as: Editorial  6 Responses »
Mar 252011
 
Super Soldiers: The Female Form

As a sci-fi chick, girl gamer, and all-around nerd-bird, you could say that I’ve been there / done that.   I’ve played five editions of D&D, three editions of Star Wars, three editions of ShadowRun, a bunch of Gurps, too much of the various incarnations of the Palladium ‘Verse, Toons, Top Secret, Cyberpunk, Elfquest, Super Babes, Conventions, festivals, and even some good old-fashioned vampiric LARP.  Oh, and I’m not [Read the article]