I am glad there was no such thing as "influencers" when I entered this hobby, because if there were, I would have probably dismissed it as puerile. There was a time when it was assumed —rightly or wrongly—that role-playing gamers had above average intelligence, but the tone of these influencers (and their willingness to shill for certain companies) makes it clear that they, and certain companies, believe their audience is composed of gullible dullards. Every video they make has a clickbait title and seems like a commercial or an infomercial. The influencer has, at this point, become a product ..read more

I just noticed that when one clicks the icon of a follower of one's blog (of the blogspot variety), the pop-up still shows the list of other blogs followed by that person, but it no longer displays that follower's own blogs. I cannot fathom a reason for this, but it certainly doesn't benefit anyone. It would be nice if one could be allowed to follow a follower's blog in return. It's one way to help keep blogging alive... I consider that a good thing ..read more

In "The Burden of Adventuring," I presented a modified version of "Save vs. Encumbrance" from Aeons & Auguries by JDJarvis. It occurred to me there is one matter I failed to address, which I shall address below. Encumbrance checks may be required if a character attempts to do something that is made more difficult by being encumbered even if that task would not ordinarily require a check. If a task already requires a check and being encumbered is a significant hindrance, two checks must be made: the initial check and the Encumbrance check. If the initial check is successful and the Encumbra ..read more

The Mad Mage is having a personality shift again. Or is he channelling a spirit? Or is he possessed? Or has he switched places with someone (or something) from another time and place? This is the twelfth table of the What Is This Table? Table. Who Does the Mad Mage Think He Is This Time? Roll 1d8 1. Xigxag the Even Madder Arch-Mage 2. Floyd Wrong, Architect of Insanity 3. Pezla, Confectioner Électromagnétique 4. Severn Darden, Interdimensional Man of Mystery 5. Aldebaran Oooeeeooo 6. Dis Tater, Arch-Spud of Hell 7. Yoga Sothoth 8. Pizzazzathoth (See also the Build Your Own Space Opera Table fo ..read more

The Mad Mage summoned it and now we must deal with it. This is the eleventh table of the What Is This Table? Table. What Did the Mad Mage Summon This Time? Roll 1d12 1. A blink frog. 2. A coconut cream pie. 3. A displacer yeast. 4. A fire-breathing giant tarantula. 5. A gargan! 6. A gazebo. 7. A miniature yak. 8. A minor demon noble. 9. A pouch of stunfetti. 10. A swarm of mayflies. 11. A vague ennui. 12. A ziggurat for ants. (See also the Build Your Own Space Opera Table for twice the Random Generator Month fun ..read more

The Mad Mage created what now? Let's roll and find out... This is the tenth table of the What Is This Table? Table. What Did the Mad Mage Create? Roll 1d8 1. An antmanticore. 2. A babloon. 3. A chimermaid. 4. An ibiselephant. 5. A salamandrake. 6. A toucanalligator. 7. A triplicat. 8. A trogre. (See also the Build Your Own Space Opera Table for twice the Random Generator Month fun ..read more

This question was inspired by real life. The table results were not. (I think it was caused by sinusitis.) This is the ninth table of the What Is This Table? Table. Why Is the Room Spinning? Roll 1d8 1. You had perhaps a wee bit too much to drink. 2. You contracted a disease generously provided by a "Dungeon Masters Guide"? 3. The room is literally spinning. And so is the building. And so is the tornado. 4. You were kidnapped and imprisoned in a funhouse. 5. You were abducted by aliens with a faulty flying saucer. 6. The room isn't spinning. Your head is. You are possessed by a demon. 7. You a ..read more

We interrupt this mega-table with a table inspired by a certain total solar eclipse just witnessed by the author. This is the seventh table of the What Is This Table? Table. What Does the Eclipse Portend? Roll 1d12 1. The unity of warring nations against a common foe.* 2. The return of the Tarrasque. 3. The return of the Black Death. 4. The return of Gamera. 5. The release of the Kraken. 6. The unleashing of Cerberus. 7. An unprecedented outbreak of faerie shenanigans. 8. An unprecedented surge of paranormal activity. 9. Ley lines at maximum magical/psychic power. 10. Everything. It's all diff ..read more

There comes a time—perhaps many, many times—when adventurers will find the opportunity to gamble their loot, their heirlooms, or even their souls. But first, "What is this game of chance?" This is the seventh table of the What Is This Table? Table. What Is This Game of Chance? Roll 1d12 1. Poker 2. Gouger 3. Stabber 4. Blackjack 5. Flapjack 6. Slapjack 7. Rummy 8. Winey 9. Boozy 10. Craps 11. Poops 12. Merde ..read more

One cannot always help overhearing the conversations of non-player characters in their natural habitat, whether it's guards at their post, clergy behind the altar, servants at the well, or just about anyone at the tavern. Naturally, one wants to know, "What are they discussing?" This is the fifth table of the What Is This Table? Table. What Are They Discussing? Roll 1d12 1. The archery contest incident involving the intrusion of crossbow hooligans. 2. The latest fad of sewing pockets into clothing. 3. The local death cult's lute-burning spree. 4. The mermaid sighted at Rover's Cove whilst catc ..read more