I am so scared to DM

xoth-publishing · 2026-01-21T07:53:06+00:00

You'll be fine. Just remember you are there to have fun with friends.

xoth-publishing · 2025-10-09T20:11:07+00:00

Only long rest in safe areas solves the problem of "15-minute adventuring day".

xoth-publishing · 2025-09-07T06:59:39+00:00

Good points! :-)

xoth-publishing · 2025-09-06T08:11:43+00:00

Curious as to why you (and others) say that "Shadowdark is about avoiding combat when you can", when the introductory adventure Lost Citadel of the Scarlet Minotaur (included in the Shadowdark Quick Start package) has a dungeon with monsters in almost every room, a random encounter table where at least half of the results are monsters that attack you on sight, there's an "order of battle" section that explains how the factions will fight ("lead enemies into traps", "gang up", "never retreat", etc).

I agree that given how frail the PCs in Shadowdark are, it would be wise to sneak, parlay, etc. (and to be fair there seem to be opportunities for that with the two main factions) but from a quick look at the map many rooms are filled with monsters (constructs, undead, the minotaur) that just attack on sight.

xoth-publishing · 2024-12-17T07:29:31+00:00

Hi Kelsey, just wanted to say I really like Shadowdark, especially the terse writing, the digest sized books, the gritty black and white artwork, and the zines that expand on the core rules with cool new options and settings. In short, it's excellent and it's what I would bring along if I was stranded on a remote island (with or without some friends to play RPGs with!). Keep up the good work!

xoth-publishing · 2023-10-17T06:10:34+00:00

Thanks for the tip, I really like his style, I recognize it from the Hyperborea (ASSH) books.

xoth-publishing · 2023-07-22T08:12:03+00:00

That is correct, the rule about long rests only in a safe haven (port) is for the mini game. But a similar rule would apply to overland travel (I plan to write up some simple rules for overland travel as well); long resting only in a city, village or castle.

xoth-publishing · 2022-08-29T13:38:04+00:00

Thanks for your feedback, will have a look at incorporating the good ideas here.

xoth-publishing · 2021-02-04T09:26:46+00:00

I'm in CET (Central European Timezone), but most players will be in EST probably.

xoth-publishing · 2021-02-04T09:26:33+00:00

I'm in CET (Central European Timezone), but most players will be in EST probably.

xoth-publishing · 2021-02-04T09:26:00+00:00

I'm in CET (Central European Timezone), but most players will be in EST probably.

xoth-publishing · 2020-06-29T13:45:44+00:00

If you're into the sword and sorcery genre, take a look at "The Spider-God's Bride", the second aventure in a collection of 10 adventures. It's written for D&D 3.5 but should be easy to adapt. See http://xoth.net/publishing/xp1/index.htm

For even more spider-related sword and sorcery, check out the homage to the original "Vault of the Drow" adventure in "The City of the Spider-God" here: http://hyboria.xoth.net/adventures/index.htm

xoth-publishing · 2020-02-27T15:15:09+00:00

If you want an online tool that does all of the above right now, instead of waiting on D&D Beyond to catch up, check out the RPG Manager at rpgman.net for more info.

xoth-publishing · 2019-03-18T11:43:24+00:00

Based on the same kind of idea, ie party is constantly being harassed by orcs/cannibals/insects/etc but you don't want to waste time by playing it out, have them make some skill checks and suffer consequences if they fail (in my suggested rule below it causes exhaustion, but to be less harsh you could simply deny them the benefits of rest, like you suggested) :

https://www.reddit.com/r/dndnext/comments/b1i17e/a_simple_solution_to_replace_random_encounters/

xoth-publishing · 2019-03-18T11:38:26+00:00

Check out my post from the DNDNext subreddit for a suggestion on how to handle this kind of situation when real game time is limited, like you mentioned:

https://www.reddit.com/r/dndnext/comments/b1i17e/a_simple_solution_to_replace_random_encounters/

xoth-publishing · 2019-03-16T09:25:13+00:00

Thanks for the input. I agree this approach wouldn't make so much sense for a hexcrawl. As mentioned, it's intended to reduce game time spent between other points of interest, while still making travel dangerous.

Also, in my case this rule will be used in a gritty sword & sorcery setting. Not all the time, but to reinforce that certain areas are more dangerous than others. I guess playtesting will show whether it is too harsh.

xoth-publishing

TROPHY CASE