I love a campaign with a good central plot, but as much as I love those, some of my favorite times and revelations at the table come from the B-plots; those small scenes and stories that are tailored to one or a few characters. I find a place for them in nearly all my games. […]

After you have your story arc put together, you’ll notice that the PCs will need clues and information to get between the various plot points. The first bit of information they receive is the story hook. This launches the whole adventure. If the story hook doesn’t grab them, then the adventure screeches to a complete […]

Since the beginning of the hobby, starting at a tavern has been the most cliche and stereotypical beginning for medieval fantasy campaigns in TTRPGs. They are that way for a reason! Taverns are meeting places for all different kinds of people to group up and find missions to get started. The tavern keeper always has […]

https://polygamero.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Gnomecast-193.mp3 Join Ang, Josh, and Phil as they talk about GMing for Turtles. No, not those charming reptiles with a house on their back, but the players that end up not wanting to engage with what you’re putting down in front of them! LINKS: Sandra Taylor’s ‘Structuring Life to Support Creativity 2024 D&D Daggerheart Meguey […]

What are Jared’s weaknesses? Epic fantasy, check. Space opera, check. Pirates and swashbuckling? Absolutely. Considering all the above, it may not be a surprise that the product we’re looking at today, Sundered Isles, is a high-seas swashbuckling supplement for Ironsworn: Starforged, which itself was an updated version of the fantasy RPG Ironsworn. Ironsworn must be […]

Dice are not just randomizers. They are tension-makers. Suspense-creators. Engines of uncertainty. When we’re rolling dice, we’re taking a chance, and chances are dramatic. Chance creates tension. Here are five weird ways to up the tension at your table using weird dice.

https://polygamero.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Gnomecast-192.mp3 Join Ang, JT, and guest Andy Jaksetic as they talk about the art of pregenerated characters. They cover everything from why you would want pre-made characters to what details you need to give your players. LINKS: Untold Stories Project Twitch Untold Stories Project YouTube Victoriana Kickstarter Worlds Without Number

Planning in RPGs is not a fun activity, so don’t do it. Planning in RPGs is necessary so that we don’t get our characters killed. Both of those statements are true. The optimal way planning should work in your game is somewhere in the middle of those two statements. The optimal way is a combination […]

Onyx Path has been around since 2012, taking over the publication of the New World of Darkness RPGs from White Wolf via a licensing agreement. They rechristened the New World of Darkness the Chronicles of Darkness and began producing updated anniversary versions of the original World of Darkness RPGs. All of this got a little […]

https://polygamero.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Gnomecast-191.mp3 Join Ang, Josh, and Tomas as they talk about running factions in your campaigns. Everything from how to create them, how to connect them, and how to use them for your players. LINKS: Magnolia: City of Marvels Persona 3 Origins Game Fair