DMs Guild Review – Songs of Aedragard

A role-playing heavy exploration of a haunted castle in the forest, for level 1.

A review copy of “Songs of Aedragard” was provided by the publisher. Find more DMs Guild Reviews on my website and YouTube channel.

Support my work by using affiliate links for shopping and pledging via Patreon.

Designed by: Fernando A. Dolande

Songs of Aedragard is a first-level adventure set in the Kryptgarden Forest. The PCs are tasked with clearing out a ruined castle, but the ghostly occupants are more interested in talking than fighting in this refreshingly role-playing heavy adventure.

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Turn-Based Combat Is the Right Fit for Baldur’s Gate 3 [Escapist]

Read the full op-ed at Escapist Magazine

In late 2013, InXile Entertainment ran a backer-only poll for its then-upcoming crowdfunded tactical RPG, Torment: Tides of Numenera. The poll addressed whether the combat system should be turn-based, like the original Fallout games, or real-time with pause, like Baldur’s Gate.

The final result was a nearly even split — 48% turn-based to 47% RTwP — with over 14,000 voters, along with some heated discussions and commentary. Ultimately InXile decided to go with a turn-based combat system, and half the fanbase wasn’t happy.

At the time, both systems offered benefits. But after years of playing Pillars of Eternity 1 and 2, the Shadowrun trilogy, and the Divinity: Original Sin series, the advantages of turn-based combat for tactical RPGs have become more pronounced, and it’s a good thing that Baldur’s Gate 3 is following suit.

Read the full op-ed at Escapist Magazine

Let’s Play Gloomhaven TTS Episode 14

We play Gloomhaven on Tabletop Simulator!

Scenario #30

Party:

Kyanite, level 5 Orchid Doomstalker (Eric)
Solarin, level 5 Inox Berserker (Chris)
Volta, level 4 Savvas Elementalist (Heather)

TTS Mod: Gloomhaven – Fantasy Setup (Scripted UI)

Watch my How to Play Gloomhaven tutorial video.

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DMs Guild Review – Baldur’s Gate: The Fall of Elturel

A level 1 mini-adventure that serves as an alternate introduction to Descent Into Avernus.

A review copy of “Baldur’s Gate: The Fall of Elturel” was provided by the publisher. Find more DMs Guild Reviews on my website and YouTube channel.

Support my work by using affiliate links for shopping and pledging via Patreon.

Designed by: Anthony Joyce, with Justice Arman

One of my biggest gripes with last year’s Descent Into Avernus 5e campaign was the introduction. Dragging an entire city into the depths of Hell is an awesome opener, yet the fresh party of PCs only witness the aftermath as refugees arrive at Baldur’s Gate.

Baldur’s Gate: The Fall of Elturel attempts to rectify this opening by introducing the cultists, the Hellriders, and the city of Elturel before its fiery plunge. The production values are impressive, though it doesn’t take its alternative opening as far as I’d like.

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Tomb of Annihilation Session 72 Recap

We explore the rest of the first level of the Tomb, including two more primal god tombs.

Live streamed and uploaded every week on YouTube. Join us live on Fridays at 7pm Pacific/10pm Eastern!

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Previously on Tomb of Annihilation

Starring:
Mannix, level 9 Yuan-ti Inquisitive Rogue/Divination Wizard
Khaless, level 9 Half-Drow Assassin Rogue
Gillian, level 9 Triton Bard of Whispers
George, level 9 Tortle Battle Master Fighter/Rogue
Therin, level 9 Hill Dwarf Druid of the Moon

After making it through most of the first level of the Tomb of the Nine Gods last week relatively unscathed, this week’s excursions prove much more painful with undead in Moa’s Tomb, a Mimic chest, and the cruel chests in Wongo’s Tomb.

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