Skill Check: Sleight of Hand

When they see the phrase "sleight of hand" written under the skills section of their character sheet, the one and only thought most players have is, "Oh, that's how good I am at stealing crap." But could there be more to it than thieving? Of course there could. I'm writing an article here, people. What makes you think I would have started typing if I didn't have a plan?

78 Nouns for Settlement Names

When it comes time for you to establish a settlement (town, city, farm in the middle of nowhere), adding an adjective to the great proper name you spent all afternoon coming up with can flesh out the town in your mind as well as make the full name that much more exciting for your players.

A List of Dead Body Loot Ideas

When it comes to robbing the dead (well, that's what we're doing, isn't it?), it's surprising how monotonous it can be. Gold pieces are universal and can be exchanged for anything, but how many +3 swords or Pauldrons of Insert Cool Thing Here should your players be forced to carry around with them? Once again, Griswicks has a definitive list of loot so complete that your players will leave no bone unturned.

Funny Tombstone Epitaphs

So, your evil mage summoned a gory cemetery from the Netherrealms and your players entered it without hesitation. So far so good, you thought, until suddenly the characters began to read the tombstones and you weren't really expecting them to take time out from their busy schedule of obliterating Liches to examine your handiwork. Luckily for you, I've got you covered.

Top 40 Bard Songs

Even the best bards get stage fright every now and then. Sweaty palms. Frozen brain. Lute askew. If you're having trouble choosing which of the sweet tracks in your repertoire will kill at your next impromptu concert, here's a top 40 list of bardic vinyl burners that will slay 'em right where they're standing.

73 Ways to Bypass a Guard

Ever have that one guard who refuses to leave his or her post? Even sleeping guards can cause an adventurer problems if their apnea kicks in. Here is a partial list of potential paths past that pesky protector.

Building Better Locations: Relationships

When it comes to building a better realm for your players to play in, the most often overlooked aspect of location building is the relationship our dungeons/towns/ports have to the world around them. If you don't spend time nursing these relationships, your locations will feel cold and fake.

A Better Kind of Long Rest

When your player characters first arrive in a town, they may be invited to stay in the palace of the king or camp with guards outside the city walls. However, barring a plot-specific reason why their accommodations are already taken care of, how can "we take a long rest" become more than just hit point dice rolls? Can resting be an adventure all its own? I think it can.

Map of the Day: Malford's Launch

Malford's Launch is a growing ferry stop located on the primary route that runs up and down the east coast of the local region. The ferry connects the town to Malford Island -- approximately six miles offshore. While the ferry has been around for over a century, the town has been growing impressively over the past decade as a result of residential growth on Malford Island. The ferry is run by the local liege lord and is quite mundane compared to the power struggles between original residents and immigrants elsewhere in town.

Item of the Day: Watchroot

Deep within the jagged mountain passes of Larmore, there exists a special flower with the ability to recover what has almost been lost. While the name of the scientist who discovered this plant has been lost to time, his or her contribution to modern alchemy cannot be put into words. Recovery of these flowers is difficult for all but the most experienced of mountaineers.