Topic: Fluff/Inspiration
New with Topic: Fluff/Inspiration
Wyatt Salazar posted a blog entry
Worldly Wanderers: Companion NPCs I
I always love the idea of having NPCs that hang around with the PCs. The PCs will always have a dynamic among each other, but...
I always love the idea of having NPCs that hang around with the PCs. The PCs will always have a dynamic among each other, but...
Ravyn posted a blog entry
Emotional Vocabulary
As elements of characterization go, emotions have got to be one of the most show-don’t-tell elements of characterization...
As elements of characterization go, emotions have got to be one of the most show-don’t-tell elements of characterization...
Wyatt Salazar posted a blog entry
Nevermet Press’ “The Desire” On Sale!
The Desire is Nevermet Press’ first content cycle, cleaned up and put into a PDF with all sorts of specials. The design...
The Desire is Nevermet Press’ first content cycle, cleaned up and put into a PDF with all sorts of specials. The design...
Ravyn posted a blog entry
Multiple Standards
Standards are a funny thing. What one person considers normal by their lights is astonishing by someone else’s, but on...
Standards are a funny thing. What one person considers normal by their lights is astonishing by someone else’s, but on...
Ravyn posted a blog entry
On Characters and Exposition
It’s pretty rare that a character isn’t going to need at some point to give information to another character. The...
It’s pretty rare that a character isn’t going to need at some point to give information to another character. The...
Wyatt Salazar posted a blog entry
The Unknowable Mind – Spirit Outlook
The vast majority of spirits look somewhat recognizable to mortals. Just as Iomadi look almost exactly human, most Spirits look...
The vast majority of spirits look somewhat recognizable to mortals. Just as Iomadi look almost exactly human, most Spirits look...
Wyatt Salazar posted a blog entry
Review: Martial Flavor
Martial Flavor is a D&D 4th Edition product by Chaotic Shiny Productions. It used to cost 22 dollars but that has a little...
Martial Flavor is a D&D 4th Edition product by Chaotic Shiny Productions. It used to cost 22 dollars but that has a little...
Wyatt Salazar posted a blog entry
Win A Wave Invite In The Spirits of Eden Contest!
I’m holding a Spirits of Eden themed contest where you can win a Google Wave invite for the Holidays! The contest will...
I’m holding a Spirits of Eden themed contest where you can win a Google Wave invite for the Holidays! The contest will...
Ravyn posted a blog entry
How To Show Character Change
One of the things I’ve always been fascinated by is character change. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea,...
One of the things I’ve always been fascinated by is character change. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea,...
Wyatt Salazar posted a blog entry
Hymn Collections For The Week Of 11/15
Writing a term paper is hard. I haven’t blogged much nor read much lately thanks to it, but I hope to get back in the...
Writing a term paper is hard. I haven’t blogged much nor read much lately thanks to it, but I hope to get back in the...
apotheon posted a blog entry
Progress: A Novel Thing
(TL;DR Summary: I'm writing a novel that started out as a way to develop a roleplaying game setting. I haven't let the...
(TL;DR Summary: I'm writing a novel that started out as a way to develop a roleplaying game setting. I haven't let the...
Wyatt Salazar posted a blog entry
My Top 10 D&D Monsters
This blog is laden is Wyatt-isms. Wyatt-isms are things I repeat often. For example, whenever I write about monsters, I will...
This blog is laden is Wyatt-isms. Wyatt-isms are things I repeat often. For example, whenever I write about monsters, I will...
Ravyn posted a blog entry
Got Scenery—Now What?
Epic scenery tends to get a bit of a bad rap, particularly in role-playing games. Sure, they ask, it’s big and pretty...
Epic scenery tends to get a bit of a bad rap, particularly in role-playing games. Sure, they ask, it’s big and pretty...
Ravyn posted a blog entry
Epic Scenery
Into any story, a little epic scenery seems to fall. Okay, not fall exactly. More come crashing down into view at just the...
Into any story, a little epic scenery seems to fall. Okay, not fall exactly. More come crashing down into view at just the...
24 days ago
Exchange of Realities
| Topics: Observations from..., On gaming, epic scenery, fluff/insp...
Exchange of Realities
| Topics: Observations from..., On gaming, epic scenery, fluff/insp...Wyatt Salazar posted a blog entry
Hymn Collections for the Week of 11/8
Haven’t posted a lot lately, but it’s now time to summarize the week’s 4e posts! Big term paper’s...
Haven’t posted a lot lately, but it’s now time to summarize the week’s 4e posts! Big term paper’s...
Wyatt Salazar posted a blog entry
Thinking Up An Interesting Villain
There’s a lot of other resources out there for writing interesting villains, but this one is just my process for how I...
There’s a lot of other resources out there for writing interesting villains, but this one is just my process for how I...
Wyatt Salazar posted a blog entry
Monsters of Eden: Antagonists
The Spirits of Eden campaign setting is a mostly peaceful world. The threats of goblin brigands and kobold raiders and orc...
The Spirits of Eden campaign setting is a mostly peaceful world. The threats of goblin brigands and kobold raiders and orc...
Ravyn posted a blog entry
Six Reasons to Love a Dream Battle
For regular readers, it’s a well-known fact that I’m not too fond of fight scenes. But offer me a fight within a...
For regular readers, it’s a well-known fact that I’m not too fond of fight scenes. But offer me a fight within a...
Wyatt Salazar posted a blog entry
Hymn Collections For The Week Of 11/1
It’s time again to talk to the readers and collect the best 4e posts of the past week. Well, I’m coming up on a lot...
It’s time again to talk to the readers and collect the best 4e posts of the past week. Well, I’m coming up on a lot...
Wyatt Salazar posted a blog entry
Evil Campaigning In The Spirits of Eden
I’ve never found alignment to be a useful construct in any way, shape or form. Whenever I DMed a game I would always...
I’ve never found alignment to be a useful construct in any way, shape or form. Whenever I DMed a game I would always...
Wyatt Salazar posted a blog entry
The Clouded Palace: Part 1
I know a lot of people have been asking me for something like this, so I thought I would try. This is an outline for an...
I know a lot of people have been asking me for something like this, so I thought I would try. This is an outline for an...
Ravyn posted a blog entry
Useful Mindsets: Everything Is a Weapon
Many games and stories feature characters who can turn just about any physical object into a weapon, regardless of any of the...
Many games and stories feature characters who can turn just about any physical object into a weapon, regardless of any of the...
Wyatt Salazar posted a blog entry
The Andalian Census: 10/2009
I decided to do a new column (with its own category) where I round up a month’s worth of the best posts from Spirits of...
I decided to do a new column (with its own category) where I round up a month’s worth of the best posts from Spirits of...
Wyatt Salazar posted a blog entry
Dragons In Eden I
Of all the creatures upon Adel’s surface, few can match the size and majesty of dragons. Though the smallest dragon is...
Of all the creatures upon Adel’s surface, few can match the size and majesty of dragons. Though the smallest dragon is...
apotheon posted a blog entry
NaNoWriMo as Campaign Preparation
(TL;DR Summary: I've decided to use this year's NaNoWriMo as a means to flesh out a campaign setting.)This is part of my...
(TL;DR Summary: I've decided to use this year's NaNoWriMo as a means to flesh out a campaign setting.)This is part of my...
Ravyn posted a blog entry
“All a Dream”: When Is It Safe to Use?
Some plot twists just can’t get themselves taken seriously; just mentioning that a story ends in one is enough to make a...
Some plot twists just can’t get themselves taken seriously; just mentioning that a story ends in one is enough to make a...
Ravyn posted a blog entry
Dangerous Dreams
In yesterday’s post, I mentioned that everyone has the potential to use dreams as exposition or foreshadowing....
In yesterday’s post, I mentioned that everyone has the potential to use dreams as exposition or foreshadowing....
Wyatt Salazar posted a blog entry
Wyatt’s Pre-Campaign Player Questionnaire
Are you unsure if you’re Wyatt-material? Well, it’s finally time to put that question to rest, and put your player...
Are you unsure if you’re Wyatt-material? Well, it’s finally time to put that question to rest, and put your player...
Ravyn posted a blog entry
Dream Exposition
Yesterday’s dreamscapes were pretty, but that’s only one narrative use for dreams, and one that practically...
Yesterday’s dreamscapes were pretty, but that’s only one narrative use for dreams, and one that practically...
Wyatt Salazar posted a blog entry
A Punishment Ill Fit (IV)
The afternoon of that surprising conference, Exarse left Nienna and Frederick to their own devices. His usual haunt was the...
The afternoon of that surprising conference, Exarse left Nienna and Frederick to their own devices. His usual haunt was the...
Wyatt Salazar posted a blog entry
Flavor Text of Eden (And 4e!)
I’m pushing these “Thing of Eden” posts too far aren’t I? This is actually more of a general post about...
I’m pushing these “Thing of Eden” posts too far aren’t I? This is actually more of a general post about...
Wyatt Salazar posted a blog entry
Characters of Eden: Nefer Ravanam, Wizard
I’m an official with the Andaliel Archeological Survey. See, it’s on my– Wait, what? What do you mean you...
I’m an official with the Andaliel Archeological Survey. See, it’s on my– Wait, what? What do you mean you...
Wyatt Salazar posted a blog entry
Review: Kobold Quarterly 11
Disclaimer: This product was given to me for free by the publisher, and it has not been played with in its entirety, therefore...
Disclaimer: This product was given to me for free by the publisher, and it has not been played with in its entirety, therefore...
Ravyn posted a blog entry
On the Implementation of Subtext
I’ve been talking about subtext all week, and yesterday I talked about setting it up by figuring out what it is and...
I’ve been talking about subtext all week, and yesterday I talked about setting it up by figuring out what it is and...
Ravyn posted a blog entry
Subtext and Sources
Usually, the first phase in choosing subtext is to figure out what that subtext is. Some people occasionally make exceptions,...
Usually, the first phase in choosing subtext is to figure out what that subtext is. Some people occasionally make exceptions,...
apotheon posted a blog entry
Two Tricks for Characterization
(TL;DR Summary: I have a Ruby script that generates random NPC information. It's far from perfect, and very superficial. ...
(TL;DR Summary: I have a Ruby script that generates random NPC information. It's far from perfect, and very superficial. ...
Wyatt Salazar posted a blog entry
Hymn Collections For The Week Of 10/10
It’s that time again, to collect the D&D 4e articles I’ve read this week. This one’ll probably be a short...
It’s that time again, to collect the D&D 4e articles I’ve read this week. This one’ll probably be a short...
Wyatt Salazar posted a blog entry
Monster Contest Voting Open
A very quick post here, Chaotic Shiny’s monster contest closed some time ago, some monsters have been chosen, and you can...
A very quick post here, Chaotic Shiny’s monster contest closed some time ago, some monsters have been chosen, and you can...
Wyatt Salazar posted a blog entry
Injury Mechanics: A Different Way To Look At It.
In 4e, damage is healed immediately overnight. This fits what HP is in 4e – it’s basically a defeat gauge, the closer...
In 4e, damage is healed immediately overnight. This fits what HP is in 4e – it’s basically a defeat gauge, the closer...
Ravyn posted a blog entry
The Kernel of a Character
What defines a character? Trying to get a decent answer to that question is fraught with difficulties; if any two people...
What defines a character? Trying to get a decent answer to that question is fraught with difficulties; if any two people...
apotheon posted a blog entry
Passive Skill Checks, Consistency, and Taking 10
This is part of my RPG series of entries here at SOB. See the inaugural entry in the series for more details.The night before...
This is part of my RPG series of entries here at SOB. See the inaugural entry in the series for more details.The night before...
Ravyn posted a blog entry
Making an Orientation Interesting: Is It Really Possible?
Orientations. Most of us have probably been through at least one, for work, or school, or something else. They’re pretty...
Orientations. Most of us have probably been through at least one, for work, or school, or something else. They’re pretty...
80 days ago
Exchange of Realities
| Topics: Observations from..., On gaming, On writing, World-buil...
Exchange of Realities
| Topics: Observations from..., On gaming, On writing, World-buil...Wyatt Salazar posted a blog entry
So what’s Wyatt doing?
Lately I’ve been kinda stuck on what to write about. Some people can give DMing tips and have a whole article, but I have...
Lately I’ve been kinda stuck on what to write about. Some people can give DMing tips and have a whole article, but I have...
Ravyn posted a blog entry
Beginning In Medias Res
Judging from the dragon inhaling for another breath above, the troglodyte with the whip making threatening gestures not far...
Judging from the dragon inhaling for another breath above, the troglodyte with the whip making threatening gestures not far...
Wyatt Salazar posted a blog entry
I want to connect to my readers.
But don’t send me invites to conventions I can’t go to because they’re geographically opposite to where I...
But don’t send me invites to conventions I can’t go to because they’re geographically opposite to where I...
Wyatt Salazar posted a blog entry
Creative Skill Use In 4e
I’ve recently been running a game, as I have told. In this game I have tried very hard to encourage players to be...
I’ve recently been running a game, as I have told. In this game I have tried very hard to encourage players to be...
Ravyn posted a blog entry
Gut-Punchers: Give Shocking Scenes Their True Impact
Major events get decent reactions, we all know that well—but what really gets people to stand up and take action are the...
Major events get decent reactions, we all know that well—but what really gets people to stand up and take action are the...
Ravyn posted a blog entry
Rituals: Do We Have to Write the Whole Thing?
Yesterday, I wrote about how to detail out a ritual. But do you really need to know every little element in order to use a...
Yesterday, I wrote about how to detail out a ritual. But do you really need to know every little element in order to use a...
Ravyn posted a blog entry
Creating Rituals Through Symbolism
A well-described ritual can be an excellent tool: it lets storytellers create immersion, and allows RPG players to make their...
A well-described ritual can be an excellent tool: it lets storytellers create immersion, and allows RPG players to make their...
