Laidback DM: Saving Throws – the Nat 20 Bonus
So you scored a natural 20 on that saving throw? Awesome. You passed. Doesn’t sound as great when you think about it, now does it. But what if you got something a little extra to celebrate with? Here’s some ideas … Continue reading Laidback DM: Saving Throws – the Nat 20 Bonus
Damn Fool. A poem.
Damn fool Believing you’re good enough Damn fool For thinking you got it made Damn fool For believing in life and love Damn fool Taking belief to your grave Damn fool I still believe in you Damn fool Maybe you … Continue reading Damn Fool. A poem.
Splitting the Party: strength in numbers? Nah!!
Every time I GM an RPG, whether it be D&D, Stars Without Number, Numenera, Kids On Bikes or another genre, the players take it upon themselves to split their party because some want to do one thing and others want … Continue reading Splitting the Party: strength in numbers? Nah!!
Rainfall. A poem.
Pale droplets cascade Down gray-faced facades Of dimpled iron will Collecting the residue Of dusty acrimony Along their chaotic Weatherbeaten paths. Pools of mercury Dance in the afterglow Rising and falling To the somber occasion And recalling times And memories … Continue reading Rainfall. A poem.
Fantasy Maps – hand drawn vs. digital
I’m a huge fan of maps. I draw lots of them, and occasionally give them away free on this site. But I’m a bit old school when it comes to my preferences. I love hand drawn maps, but I’m not … Continue reading Fantasy Maps – hand drawn vs. digital
Today/Tomorrow. A poem.
Today: All at once, there’s no one there, the dark, an isolation tank. The world outside faded away, a post-apocalyptic prank. Tomorrow: The light here that lingers on, electric in the morning dew. This joyous, often mellow song that shows … Continue reading Today/Tomorrow. A poem.
Flanking: Good Team Work or Unbalancing the Game?
Flanking is an optional rule in D&D 5e, generally used with miniatures (although you can also use it in theater-of-the-mind combat if you want—I do). Flanking is where two or more miniatures ‘surround’ another (which we’ll call the 3rd), on … Continue reading Flanking: Good Team Work or Unbalancing the Game?
Zenith. A haiku.
I reach the zenith And immediately fall Too much gravity For more of my poetry, check out Poetry for the Sad, Lonely and Hopelessly Endangered and The All or the Nothing, available in print or e-book formats. Click here to … Continue reading Zenith. A haiku.
Time to drive. a poem.
The manual transmission sticks at times, a reminder that we need a service and I need to find a new place for my engine to unwind. There was a time when things were simpler, when you could change the sparks … Continue reading Time to drive. a poem.
Critical Hits – spicing up the natural 20 in D&D 5e
So, you rolled a 1 on d20 attack roll. It means you categorically missed, no matter what your modifier. The opposite goes when rolling a 20 on d20 attack roll. You hit and get to roll your weapon’s damage dice … Continue reading Critical Hits – spicing up the natural 20 in D&D 5e
Curious. A poem.
Mister curious Digging up questions And quotients And seeking answers Undivided, yet multiplied How curious Can one man be In a world where Everything Is laid out plain to see? Keep digging For more of my poetry, check out Poetry … Continue reading Curious. A poem.
Expectations. A poem.
How often do expectations Let us down? How often do we strain And stretch the imagination In a tug of war Of real and immaterial And how often do we fail Because we thought Just a little too much And … Continue reading Expectations. A poem.
No Muse. A poem.
I have no muse And so my words Flow winsome And aimless Waltzing on To chaotic beats And tiresome chords Waiting for one To lead me back To place my foot Upon the boards To find the fire And burn … Continue reading No Muse. A poem.
Consequential Rage. A poem.
I tire of being a wanderer, of petty inconsistency and introverted wiles, bickering and bleating in this bleak and vast apogee of mind. I wanted to be confident, full of vanity and fire —an actor on a stage— such eloquence, … Continue reading Consequential Rage. A poem.
Lingered. A poem.
You Lingered Just Long Enough To Make Me Think You Were The One Then You Were Gone And Your Absence Lingered On For more of my poetry, check out Poetry for the Sad, Lonely and Hopelessly Endangered and The All … Continue reading Lingered. A poem.
Laidback DM: SteveStillStanding.com 