Sunless Citadel: A Royal Problem

As the heroes return from their adventures from within the Sunless Citadel more challenges await them.

Prince Miles [2nd Level Human Bard with the Noble background], the eleventh child of Lograd's King Adorn, has come to Oakhurst to celebrate the Midsummer Apple Festival (though the heroes in my game have not yet revealed they destroyed the tree and it's fruit). The Prince's presence has made Garon, owner of the Ol' Boar Inn, very nervous, as he has won the auction for the Apple for the last five years and he hates to lose (rumor has it that he's looking to pay 10 gp for anyone willing to distract the Prince comin auction time). Additionally, Constable Felosial is concerned about the Prince's reputation for reckless behavior, a short fuse, and rumors suggesting a vicious attitude toward women (Felosial has plenty going on with the Festival and could use an extra hand keeping the Prince "safe". Finally, Mayor Vurnor Leng, is excited at the Prince's presence and is constantly trying to garner his attention in hopes of negotiating a trade deal with Lograd. Oakhurst has several master carpenters and a growing reputation for the silk it produces and Leng is certain he can negotiate a deal (Leng is looking for freelancers willing to distract the Prince's Royal Guards, Rhinehold and Ivedra [Both are 2nd Level Human Fighters with the soldier backgrounds]

A Giant WHAT IF? Planescape & Known Worlds MegaBundles

For those that haven't heard, the Dungeon Master's Guild has three MegaBundles going on right now for ADnD 1E, Known World, and Planescape.

All three are exceptional deals at $14.95 each.

But what if Wizards of the Coast is gauging interest in Planescape and Known World as settings to be published for 5E? Heck, what if they're using the sale to decide which setting to develop first?

Personally, I think that could be cool. I love Greyhawk, but it's not that different from the Realms in many ways. Planescape is very different and the Known World has that gonzo feel with some science fantasy if you include Blackmoor.

I have no inside information that I am correct, just a hope, an incredible amount of hope, that maybe we're getting a glimpse into 2018 or 2019's publishing schedule.

Either way, check out the bundles, they are incredibly good deals and if we are lucky, WotC will put 5E in PDF sometime soon.

The worst that happens is you get some great side material and the Rules Compendiun, ADnD 1E or 2E.

D&D 5E: Simon Belmont's Vampire Killer

VAMPIRE KILLER

Magic weapon (whip), legendary (requires attunement)

• You gain a +3 on attack rolls and damage rolls with this whip.

• Vampire Killer has the Reach property.

• You deal an extra 2d6 radiant damage to fiends and undead you hit.

• You deal an extra 2d6 radiant damage to vampires you hit.

• As a bonus action, Vampire Killer catches fire and you gain advantage on attack rolls and deal an extra 4d6 fire damage to a creature you hit. Once you use this ability, you cannot use it again until your finish a long rest.

And Now For Something Completely Different...

Before playing Battletech, Champions, or ADnD 2E I read comic books and wanted to be a comic book artist. As a high schooler in Indiana I sat in my room, listening to the radio, and drawing (when we moved there from KY, we didn't have cable anymore). I even went got my degree in graphic design at the University of Mounts Saint Joseph (I was too nervous to apply to the Joe Kubert School of Art). But by the time I graduated I didn't really draw anymore. Yeah, I had found RPGs, but somehow I moved away from it.

As a player at the table, I find myself drawing again. In the past, I was very insecure about my abilities and kept trying to draw based on how my favorite artists did. These days though, I just embrace what I do and I decided to share an image today.

Wether you like it or don't like it, let me know. Growth occurs through feedback.  Thanks!

Eddard Hume, 6th Level Evoker Wizard

D&D 5E: Using A New Initiative System In Play

Tonight I used a variation of my Optional Initiative System.

After feedback, I attached it to classes.

• A character's Dexterity Modifier is NOT applied to initiative rolls.

• Lowest roll goes first and you count up, you roll initiative each round.

• Fighters and Rogues rolls a d6.

• Barbarians, Monks, Paladins, Rangers rolls a d8.

• Every other class rolls a d10.

• If you took the move action last round roll an additional d6.

• If you took a bonus action last round roll an additional d4.

After using it, I found tracking move and bonus actions clunky. I'm not sure if I liked it better than traditional initiative, but I will try it again.

D&D: An Optional Initiative System

In an AMA on Reddit, Mike Mearls spoke about an Initiative system he's been using for DnD and ENWorld posted it today.

After looking at it, I have my own thoughts on an optional initiative system:

• A character's Dexterity Modifier is NOT applied to initiative rolls.

• Lowest roll goes first and you count up, it resets each round when new rolls occur.

• Fighters and Rogues roll a d6.

• Other classes that are NOT casting a spell or a cantrip this round roll a d10.

• Other Classes that ARE casting a spell or a cantrip this round roll a d12.

• If you are changing gear gain a +1 to your initiative roll.

• If you are using a bonus action this round gain a +1 to your initiative roll.

• If you are moving this round gain a +1 to your initiative roll.

• If you are using a reach weapon gain a +1 to your initiative roll.

• If you are using a weapon with two-hands  gain a +1 to your initiative roll.

Feedback would be appreciated.

Queen of Chaos: Ataxia

Many wrongfully believe the Queen of Chaos lies forgotten, even helpless, trapped in her lair in the Abyss' Steaming Fen. But the Queen wants other to think she is lost and powerless, merely ancient history. She knows that her greatest strength is her obscurity, but she has retained one hallmark as her legacy, Ataxia. 

Looking at the worlds of the Multiverse and you will see many similarities amongst them, celebrations of the Summer and Winter Solstice, the end of the year and the beginning of the next, and finally the Harvest Moon, Ataxia, as some of the elders tell it. While most believe the full moon during harvest each year is merely a celebration of summer's end and preparing for the hardships of winter, it is in fact a ritual that has existed for countless ages. It is, in truth, a celebration of change, of embracing the uncertainty--the chaos of the coming struggle to survive the long nights and cruel environments of world on the brink of ruin. It is a secret holiday, the high holy day, for the Lady of Discord, a moment, strewn across countless worlds, that reminds the Queen that her moment will yet come and that her presence is still felt by untold numbers of fragile, foolish mortals.