Glaciers. Hoarfrost. Auroras.Welcome back, Outlander, to the 7th entry in Mythic Ecology, my series on how learning real-world landscape features can enrich our fantasy worldbuilding and storytelling. In this post I return to my minimalist framework for Dungeon Masters, Game Masters, fiction writers, and similar worldbuilders to merge the realms of general myth and geomorphology. Last entry we looked at deserts. As I resume my journey sketching a framework for designing Yridia, my unique D&D 5e fantasy world, let’s learn some tundra terms, with a visual guide!
Dunes. Sandstorms. Oases.Welcome back, Outlander, to the 6th entry in Mythic Ecology, my series on how learning real-world landscape features can enrich our fantasy worldbuilding and storytelling. In this post I return to my minimalist framework for Dungeon Masters, Game Masters, fiction writers, and similar worldbuilders to merge the realms of general myth and geomorphology. Last entry we looked at forests. As I resume my journey sketching a framework for designing Yridia, my unique D&D 5e fantasy world, let’s learn some desert terms, with a visual guide!
Bark, blossom, bough, and burl!Welcome back, Outlander, to the 5th entry in Mythic Ecology, my series on how learning real-world landscape features can enrich our fantasy worldbuilding and storytelling. In this post I return to my minimalist framework for Dungeon Masters, Game Masters, fiction writers, and similar worldbuilders to merge the realms of general myth and geomorphology. Last entry we looked at rivers. As I resume my journey sketching a framework for designing Yridia, my unique D&D 5e fantasy world, let’s learn some forest terms, with a visual guide!
Springs and streams, rivers and rapids!Welcome back, Outlander, to the 4th entry in Mythic Ecology, my series on how learning real-world landscape features can enrich our fantasy worldbuilding and storytelling. In this post I return to my minimalist framework for Dungeon Masters, Game Masters, fiction writers, and similar worldbuilders to merge the realms of general myth and geomorphology. Last week we looked at lakes. As I resume my journey sketching a framework for designing Yridia, my unique D&D 5e fantasy world, let’s learn some river terms, with a visual guide!
Puddle and pond, lake and loch!Welcome back, Outlander, to the 3rd entry in Mythic Ecology, my series on how learning real-world landscape features can enrich our fantasy worldbuilding and storytelling. In this post I return to my minimalist framework for Dungeon Masters, Game Masters, fiction writers, and similar worldbuilders to merge the realms of general myth and geomorphology. Last week we looked at wetlands. As I resume my journey sketching a framework for designing Yridia, my unique D&D 5e fantasy world, let’s learn some lake terms, with a visual guide!
Bog and fen and marsh and swamp, oh my!Welcome back, Outlander, to the 2nd entry in Mythic Ecology, my series on how learning real-world landscape features can enrich our fantasy worldbuilding and storytelling. In this post I return to my minimalist framework for Dungeon Masters, Game Masters, fiction writers, and similar worldbuilders to merge the realms of general myth and geomorphology. Last week we looked at coasts. As I resume my journey sketching a framework for designing Yridia, my unique D&D 5e fantasy world, let’s learn some wetlands terms and processes, with a visual guide!
Legends writ in Sand, Shore, Sea, and Stone.Welcome, Outlander, to the first entry in Mythic Ecology, my series on how learning real-world landscape features can enrich our fantasy worldbuilding and storytelling. In this post I develop a simple framework for Dungeon Masters, Game Masters, fiction writers, and similar worldbuilders to merge the realms of general myth and geomorphology. As I resume my journey conjuring a unique D&D 5e fantasy world, let’s explore all about coastal and oceanic lands and waters!
Wolgraff Character Art from Divinity: Original Sin Kickstarter
Dungeon Master Player Characters. If you’ve played Dungeons & Dragons or Pathfinder long enough, you might have encountered a time when a Dungeon Master or Game Master tried to run their own character alongside the party. I’ve thought about this topic for awhile, having run DMPCs myself, and since Wizards of the Coast recently published their guide to running Sidekicks in D&D 5e, I figured it made sense to go into detail. Now, whereas the humble Hireling sidekick is a glorified waterboy played by a Player, a DMPC is a more capable character, perhaps even an adventurer in their own right. I figured I’d give my tips for any DM or GM out there who wants to run a DMPC properly. People like Sly Flourish have addressed at length mostly why you shouldn’t run them, and I recommend getting familiar with that reasoning. But, contrarian that I am, I think D&D 5e can actually work decently well with an occasional DMPC. How so? Well, let’s find out!
Rogues at Full Volume. Back from the holidays and having posted my OC D&D memes archive, this week I want to share the initial version of my first homebrew path for D&D 5ePlayers: the Breacher Rogue, who specializes in blasting open dramatic entrances and exits. I’d love your feedback, particularly on damage scaling, so that next week I can do the full NaturalCrit Homebrewery & DndBeyond postings for this homebrew path. Special thanks to Bruno of Neves for the image permission, and to Falibrand for their Sapper path on D&D Beyond, which I drew inspiration from in working on the Breacher.
Monstrous Mindscapes. Have you ever struggled to roleplay intelligent creatures and NPCs in Dungeons & Dragons, or to fully understand their thought processes and strategies? After a brief detour in Tactical Roles & Creature Niches, this week I finish my D&D 5e series tackling guidelines for running hyper-intelligence. I detail various aspects of that and articulate how behavioral traits emerge as INT scores progress, concluding with my Intelligence Index graphic. And I flesh out my Intellect Archetypes system more, beginning to envision monstrous mindsets in detail. Using real D&D 5e creatures, not just conjecture. Let’s dive in!
