30 Ways To Deliver Clever Clues

Roleplaying Tips Newsletter #1093 You know how you want to give players clues in clever ways in-game without just blurting them out? The opportunity is there. The need is there. But nothing comes to mind. Then the moment passes and you move on, a bit disappointed, sometimes frustrated. “If only I could have thought of […]

Let Players Choose The Treasure

RPT GM Michael Shean-Jones wrote in with a cool idea about handling rewards.

The Furor In My Inbox (XP Insights)

On Friday I mused about using gold pieces from treasure as experience points. My inbox exploded. Dozens of you wrote in.

Ideas For Handling Experience Points

In a recent newsletter, I mused about using gold pieces from treasure as experience points. My inbox exploded. Dozens of you wrote in. Some of you were upset. I mean, ALL CAPS UPSET. And some of you were over the moon and loved the idea. First off, thank you so much for reading this newsletter! […]

How to Create Cool Magic Item Backgrounds in 60 Seconds

Give your magic item a quick history. Then use the history to tie a whole bunch of things together that will make you look like a genius. To flesh out your item’s lore fast, follow these four simple steps.

My players are crazy! They’re destroying treasure

Last night I could only stand there and shake my head in disbelief.

I saw them destroy not one, but two unique, custom treasures I had made for specific players….

The Gavid – World of Karlor

By Rick Herron The Gavid is a major artifact, a shield of immense power The Gavid is a major artifact – a shield of immense power – used by the forces of evil to put the entire world under their control.Powers: Magic and magical weapons cannot harm its bearer. It also provides a deflection bonus of +10 […]

How To Create Deep & Compelling Magic Item Backgrounds In Just 60 Seconds

Roleplaying Tips Newsletter #0532 A Brief Word From Johnn Magic Items Contest – First Prize Draw Nov 7, Enter Now The contest kicked off last week and you still have time to create a three-minute magic item and send it to me before the first draw on the evening of November 7. Over 20 entries […]

Contest – Enter Your 3 Minute Magic Items to Win RPG Books & Software

It’s time for another reader contest. Let’s put the 3 Minute Magic Items template I posted last week to use. You can create cool treasure for your campaign and enter a contest at the same time! Gator Games is sponsoring the contest and you can win some great books from them. How To Enter Follow […]

How To Create Great Magic Items In Just Three Minutes

Roleplaying Tips Newsletter #0531 How To Create Great Magic Items In Just Three Minutes Design awesome magical rewards during commercial breaks Busy GMs need help prepping for games faster. And you can create fantastic magic items in just three minutes using my stat block. Magic treasure is critical in most fantasy games because it does […]

7 Ways on How to Run a Treasure Hunt

By Jesse C. Cohoon There is the type of game where you go to dangerous site, talk to the appropriate people, wander around, fight the monsters and come home with the treasure that’s just laying there. However, such games can be so much more than that. What I’m talking about is making the game more […]

Rediscovering Magic

by Silveressa Recently James S. asked: “In my new campaign, arcane magic has been outlawed. It’s still there, people are just too scared to use it. This has been the status quo for 1,000 years. How would you recommend handling the pacing of magic items, non magical rewards, and character wealth in general?” Hi James, thanks […]