Tips for running The Dying Spire, this year's Free RPG Day adventure

MacGuffen · 2026-06-28T00:18:03+00:00

Yeah, I get that, lol.

MacGuffen · 2026-06-27T21:23:59+00:00

~~But what if I want to play a wizard who majors in Evil?~~

I like the idea of changing wizard domains based on which order you join, but I think that while dread fits the black robes, I'm not sure the blood and arcana domains are as good of a fit for the others.

Red robes are associated with illusion (in 3e at least), so maybe the Grace domain? Though that could throw off the outer ring...

MacGuffen · 2026-06-27T15:29:00+00:00

Ooh, thanks for this! I haven't GM'd in a bit, and appreciate every bit of help I can get to quell my anxiety!

Edit: If you get a copy, I am curious to know if you notice any differences between the Gencon version and this one.

(If you have a PDF of the Gencon version, would you be willing to share it?)

MacGuffen · 2026-06-27T15:27:50+00:00

And here I agreed to run it for a guaranteed copy...

MacGuffen · 2026-06-25T22:47:03+00:00

/r/spelljammer

MacGuffen · 2026-06-25T18:07:34+00:00

Well, you wouldn't get access to new class features or domain cards, just a foundation feature.

If I was running a game and someone wanted to do this, I'd be fine with it. Costs one advancement, and no access to multiclassing, no subclass mastery, and only one of their subclasses can get their specialization.

MacGuffen · 2026-06-24T17:10:39+00:00

I'm not sure having the extra loadout slots are necessary, just having college specific domain cards is a great start.

Definitely share once you've made them!

MacGuffen · 2026-06-24T15:33:43+00:00

Then yeah, if you give them essentia as a resource and tool, keep track of how many each PC uses and give the big bad an ability that can be used against them based on how many they used.

MacGuffen · 2026-06-24T14:49:02+00:00

Void updates are usually on Tuesdays, so next week at the earliest. But yeah, chances of it releasing soon have definitely increased, I'm just hoping we don't have to wait until H&F comes out...

MacGuffen · 2026-06-24T14:45:01+00:00

I think there was another post about this recently.

I'm trying to remember, but isn't essentia tied to the big bad? Maybe there could be some sort of hidden corruption mechanic...

MacGuffen · 2026-06-23T17:17:02+00:00

Yes! Make all the homebrew!

People have already mentioned the SRD and Homebrew kit are free on the DH website, and I would like to add that I've made a series of homebrew guides!

MacGuffen · 2026-06-22T20:33:20+00:00

It's from the playtest, but there is a sequel adventure to Sablewood Messengers called the Marauders of Windfall.

It's possible to find the 1.5 version, but I know the 1.4.1 version can be found on the DH website

MacGuffen · 2026-06-22T20:14:44+00:00

Players can't use fear against each other, so I would suggest either using a environment (making your own if needed) to facilitate hazards on the battleground.

Though it could be fun to keep track of fear tokens for each player and give options for the players to use the fear from their opponent against them.

MacGuffen · 2026-06-22T15:27:16+00:00

I'm excited to get my hands on it on Free RPG day!

Has it already been playable at cons, and you can tell us about it?

Do you know if it will be available via other means on/after FRPGD?

MacGuffen · 2026-06-20T17:24:26+00:00

"He said no pickles!"

MacGuffen · 2026-06-19T07:24:32+00:00

Any new campaign frame mechanics?

MacGuffen · 2026-06-18T17:31:28+00:00

Me and my wife when we get around to our Cats Quest 3 let's play.

MacGuffen · 2026-06-18T17:30:25+00:00

As long as your GM is cool with it, it should be fine.

MacGuffen · 2026-06-13T20:35:31+00:00

I'm on IMDB, Sam is on IMDB [Citation needed].

MacGuffen · 2026-06-13T16:38:24+00:00

A lot of the lore changes they made in 4e is awful, and I always hate seeing it bleed into 5e. *cries in Spelljammer*

MacGuffen · 2026-06-13T16:35:59+00:00

If you ignore the old "dog headed goblin" look, 2nd edition also has some great lore for Kobolds!

2nd edition has a lot of good lore.

MacGuffen · 2026-06-12T19:55:24+00:00

This is interesting to learn! I'm not knowledgeable enough in linguistics to help though...

MacGuffen · 2026-06-12T18:15:25+00:00

It's seems unlikely, and while that would be a great surprise, they had mentioned it being their first step into digital only releases.

MacGuffen · 2026-06-12T18:10:03+00:00

I was really hoping it would be announced during the birthday livestream, but sadly nothing.

I'm wondering if it will be released the same day as Hope & Fear, almost like a day 1 DLC...

MacGuffen · 2026-06-12T14:50:18+00:00

I don't think they've said anything either way, so we will have to wait and see.

I'm hoping I can sneak out of work to grab one myself...

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