US-based Locus Magazine, which debuted in 1968, is a cornerstone of the fantasy, science fiction, and horror genre. Not only does the magazine review books and offer thought-provoking essays, the nonprofit magazine also hosts the Locus Awards, writing workshops, and so much more to help nurture aspiring authors, promote existing writers, and build community. “Locus […]

Gristlecracker’s Hags & Grimoire just debuted on DMsGuild.com. Over 250 pages of new mechanics, guidelines and tactics for using hags, magic, and the esoteric in your Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. The designer’s developed the supplement for all levels of play and dungeon mastery, and uses a hybrid D&D 2014 (5e) format that includes the best […]

FlamesRising.com’s Monica Valentinelli is returning to the Gen Con Writer’s Symposium for 2025! She’ll be presenting two workshops, a coffee klatsch, and multiple panels. Events are selling out fast, so be sure to sign up! I’m really excited to come back to Gen Con. This year, Maurice Broaddus will be “the” featured Author! Exciting! Sign […]

The Dungeons & Dragons team has officially released the System Reference Document (SRD) 5.2 into Creative Commons. This update builds on the foundation of SRD 5.1 and reflects the team's continued effort to support the passionate, talented creators who make the D&D community thrive. SRD 5.2 allows creators to utilize the updated core rules to publish their own TTRPG content and keep full ownership and control of their creations.

The final, updated supplement for the trilogy of Dungeons & Dragons 2024 core rulebooks has been released. The Monster Manual 2024 debuted as a 384-page, full-color hardcover book with standard and premium covers. D&D Beyond and Roll 20 offer a VTT version of the Monster Manual, too. The standard cover, illustrated by Tyler Jacobson, features Vajra Safahr and Minsc facing off against a beholder; the premium cover, credited in the book to Olena Richards, is a metallic blue mindflayer with gold foil print. Both books are high quality-printed hardcover books with illustrated end pages and feature gorgeous, thematic illustrations by over two dozen artists.

New! And now available! In the new and improved 2024 Monster Manual, meet a monstrous menagerie of creatures for fifth edition! Encounter iconic D&D favorites like dragons and mind flayers, confront a host of new monsters, and take on higher level play with terrifying creatures like the arch-hag and the blob of annihilation. Wizards of […]

Gather your D&D party and prepare for glory as Resolution Games pulls back the veil on DEMEO X DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: BATTLEMARKED. This collaboration between Resolution Games and Wizards of the Coast, a division of Hasbro, summons both battle-hardened veterans and eager newcomers to embark on adventures steeped in the world and lore of D&D. Forged with Resolution Games’ award-winning Demeo Action Roleplaying System, BATTLEMARKED arms players with tactical might and magic to deploy alongside friends as they work co-operatively to vanquish the forces of evil.

The new Dungeon Master’s Screen (2024) is now available! Priced at $20, the screen is compatible with the new Player’s Guide (2024), Dungeon Master’s Guide (2024), and Monster Manual (2024). The screen is packaged in a sealed envelope made of cardstock for protection. Inside, is a folder that allows you to shelve the screen and […]

The Old Ones are squirming! Readers of all ages can enjoy a brand new illustrated title from Chaosium Publishing called “H.P. Lovecraft’s At the Mountains of Madness for Beginning Readers“. Written and colorfully illustrated by R.J. Ivankovic, this kid-friendly story is a carefully-rhymed retelling of “At the Mountains of Madness” that first debuted in 1936. […]

If you haven't downloaded Pinion Comics' free issue of The Candleman Christmas Special, hop on over and grab this Dickensesque issue. The comic is about a wealthy CEO who's spending his evening berating an employee about wanting to take Christmas off to spend with the family. Well, it appears the Candle Man will have something to say on the subject. And it is gruesome!

2024 has been a wonderful year to rebuild, grow, and produce my own game. I’ve re-established a wonderful baseline for my writing practice, presented at the Gen Con Writer’s Symposium and Game Hole Con, taught an online workshop through Clarion West, and began blogging again here at FlamesRising.com. I also recently celebrated a new partnership […]

Hello, hello! I am popping in to share that I’ve updated the rules for Pinching Tarts to clarify a few, key aspects of gameplay. I ran a few sessions of Pinching Tarts at Game Hole Con XI in Madison, Wisconsin, and based on the sizes of the groups and their feedback, I’ve made a few […]