Goblinoids get a bad rap in most D&D games. Goblins mostly exist as fodder for low-level dungeons or expendable minions for more powerful creatures. Bugbears are typically seen as back-stabbing layabouts who are content to steal whatever they find. Hobgoblins are war-like and honorable to a fault, with little other redeeming qualities to their society. …
There’s always a chance that a party makes a decision so unexpected that even experienced DMs need to stop to figure out what’ll happen next. In the event of total DM brain melt, I always keep a small collection of random D&D encounter ideas to fill in the blanks. So for today, I’m happy to …
I get asked frequently how I come up with dungeons for my Side Quests and other projects. Most of the time I have a specific challenge or encounter in mind and I sketch a map layout to see what works. Sometimes though, if I get stuck or need ideas, I use the Random Dungeon appendix …
Design-A-Dungeon Challenge: Tomb of the Unquiet Dead Read More »
Like most burgeoning D&D fans, I read a lot of R.A. Salvatore’s Drizzt series growing up. His evocative descriptions of the alien environments composing the Underdark and its many inhabitants stuck with me long after I finished the series at that point. I like any adventures that take place within the bowels of the earth, …
Free D&D Underdark Adventure: Abbey of the Reflecting Mind Read More »
I like to consider myself pretty well versed in Dungeons & Dragons lore, but there’s definitely a few blind spots for me. I can’t begin to name the number of times I’ve included mainstay monsters like mimics, beholders, or rust monsters into campaigns, but certain monster groups have never exactly been on my radar. So …
Dodge sneaky snakes and snake-y people in our free yuan-ti adventure: The Ophidian Lord! Read More »
I’ve been in a bit of a spooky mood recently, thanks to Resident Evil 8 and Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft coming out, not to mention the Ravenloft campaign Courtney is currently running us through. I’ve always been a big fan of creepy, atmospheric horror settings, so for this month’s Side Quest I’ve created a …
Survive a haunted windmill in our free Spooky D&D one-shot: The Riven Windmill Read More »
The most recent D&D adventure book Candlekeep Mysteries released on March 16th, 2021. Much like the previous Rime of the Frostmaiden book, I knew I wanted to design a Candlekeep Mysteries Map pack for DMs in need. The big difference from the last release is that instead of focusing on one chapter to reference (Ythryn), …
How many times has locating a store become an encounter of its own? In this week’s free D&D Magic shop Side Quest, adventurers can stumble upon the Sanctum Emporium, an interdimensional business that deals in magical oddities and rare curios. Run by an eccentric mage, brave shoppers may find all sorts of useful equipment, and …
I want to try something a little different with today’s free dungeon encounter. Normally, I write up a little narrative to explain the “why’s” and “how’s” of some maps, like with Bertie Bigglesby or Spellzog’s. Instead, this buried archive space is designed so that it can be inserted into an existing D&D dungeon without much …
Explore collapsed tunnels with this week’s free dungeon encounter: Buried Archives Read More »
One of my goals when starting Lightheart Adventures was to diversify my TTRPG knowledge by experimenting with other systems. My familiarity lay mostly with D&D and Malifaux: Through the Breach, but neither had the kind of gritty, bleak feel that I’d seen in other games. That all changed when I read through Zweihander a few …
Ever feel overwhelmed by managing your tabletop role-play game project? We’ve been there, and we’ve got your back! We spent this episode of Roll
Are you aware of the power of words and how they can subtly infiltrate a game? Noordin Ali Kadir unearths this concealed beast in
Ready to up your game in the TTRPG space? Ever wondered how project management skills could change your trajectory as a creator? We dive
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