Time Management – Metaphor: ReFantazio

I have never played a Persona game. I gather some of the mechanics I describe in this article come from there. (And likely other games I’m unfamiliar with). However, I am now playing Metaphor: ReFantazio. 20 hours in. Very much enjoying it. It’s a JRPG set in a fantasy world, where the assassination of the king sets off a quest to stop his assassin becoming … Continue reading Time Management – Metaphor: ReFantazio

Things that surprised me in D&D 2024

We’ve been using the new rules for about three weeks now, ever since the beginning of my Empire of the Ghouls campaign. The physical rulebooks still haven’t arrived in Australia, so I’ve been looking up rules in various compendiums (Roll20, Beyond20) as they become relevant. Which means that I certainly haven’t read them all yet! But there are things that come up in play, and … Continue reading Things that surprised me in D&D 2024

Empire of the Ghouls, part 1

In the city of Zobeck, in the world of Midgard, trouble was brewing. It began, as many might expect, amongst the kobolds. And likely, there were gnomes involved as well. Despite years of supporting Kobold Press in their Kickstarters, I am quite unfamiliar with the world of Midgard, my players even more so. Following the underwhelming ending of Vecna: Eve of Ruin, I felt I … Continue reading Empire of the Ghouls, part 1

Days of Dungeons & Dragons 2024

The new “edition” of Dungeons & Dragons, which I guess I’m calling D&D 2024, has started landing. Except physical editions of the Player’s Handbook in Australia, which are somewhat delayed. As it’s been a long time since I’ve been in a gaming store, I’m not sure how long they’re delayed. Reports vary. (October 11?) But as a digital denizen these days, running D&D on Roll20 … Continue reading Days of Dungeons & Dragons 2024

The Shattered Obelisk, session 20

Monday, March 18, 2024. In this session. we finished Chapter 7 of The Shattered Obelisk, completing the last two rifts and gaining access to the Far Realm. Which was a place the party definitely wanted to spend the least amount of time in as possible. But, if they wanted to stop the mind flayers plan, they’d have to reach it first. Two rifts needed exploring … Continue reading The Shattered Obelisk, session 20

No One Adventure Type to Rule Them All

I bang on a lot about adventure structure, because, in my opinion, it’s the most likely thing to sabotage a published adventure. Published D&D adventures have a strange relationship with the form. By their very nature, they constrain the activities of the players. However, they also provide opportunities for adventure. It’s that balance between the constraints and the opportunities that is so hard to get … Continue reading No One Adventure Type to Rule Them All

D&D 2024 Preview Season!

It’s late June, and that means it’s time for the Elden Ring expansion, Shadows of the Erdtree! Oh, and the previews for the new revision of the Dungeons & Dragons game! I’ve been quietly sceptical of a lot of what Wizards of the Coast have been doing recently, certainly in regard to the revision of fifth edition, but what I’m seeing so far is encouraging. … Continue reading D&D 2024 Preview Season!