Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft May Be My Favorite 5E Book (And I May Never Use It for 5E)

Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft May Be My Favorite 5E Book (And I May Never Use It for 5E)

Author: Todd Terwilliger May 28, 2021 Duration: 12:09
I picked up Wizards of the Coast's Fifth Edition Dungeons & Dragons supplement, "Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft," over the weekend. Having given it an initial read, I think it might be my favorite 5E supplement. Why? It provides conceptual, mostly system agnostic tools, for creating and developing horror settings, such as Ravenloft, that I think can be leveraged as a powerful general tool for thinking about and implementing BBEGs, whether you're running 5E, OSR, or a different system altogether.

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Todd Terwilliger hosts Hexed Press Tabletop Gaming, a podcast dedicated to the intricate worlds and communal joy of analog games. Each episode delves into the mechanics, stories, and culture surrounding tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons, alongside deep dives into modern boardgames and classic hobbies. The conversation goes beyond mere reviews, exploring how these games are created, the strategies that bring them to life, and the memorable moments they foster around the table. You'll hear actual play excerpts, discussions on game design philosophy, and practical advice for both new players and seasoned Game Masters. This isn't just about rules and dice; it's about the shared human experience of imagination and strategy. Whether you're painting miniatures, building a campaign, or just looking for your next game night favorite, this podcast offers a thoughtful and engaging perspective. Join Todd as he connects with fellow enthusiasts and creators, unpacking the details that make tabletop gaming a uniquely rich and enduring pastime. Tune in for a regular dose of inspiration and insight that fuels your passion for the hobby.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Hexed Press Tabletop Gaming
Podcast Episodes
DM Tips: Thanos and Creating Compelling BBEGs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:48
Yeah, yeah, I'm a bit late to the party with this one but as I keep seeing GMs reference Thanos as a template for their BBEGs, I figured that I would put together a video taking a look at it. For my money, what makes Tha…
Retro Read-Along: "D&D Module B2, The Keep on the Borderlands" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:35
Hail and well met, Dungeon Masters! Follow me through the nostalgia tunnel to a time of great adventure! Where keeps were kept, the borderlands were well bordered, and the caves were filled to bursting with chaos! Listen…
Rulebook Read-Along: "Unearthed Arcana, Psionics Revisited" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:37
Hail and well met, Dungeon Masters! We got some psionically enhanced unearthed arcana last week that I wanted to take a look at so here I am, taking a look. Nothing is quite as divisive as psionics in Dungeons & Dragons.…
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Duration: 28:06
Hail and well met, Dungeon Masters! I posted a free one page hex to spice up your hexcrawl or wilderness campaign. Talking about that leads me down a path of exploring sprucing up your hex maps with unusual features, ele…
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Duration: 30:19
Recorded on Easter Sunday so happy Easter, Dungeon Masters and Dungeon Delvers! In this extended ramble, I talk abou Rule of Cool and try to figure out how to use it in the context of the game without leaving it on to ab…
DM Tips for Running D&D as Theater of the Mind [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:10
Hey Dungeon Masters, happy Sunday! Recording is a challenge for me during these Coronavirus times but I'm trying! I got out of the house to stretch my legs in the park snd thought it would be as good a time as any to tal…
RPG Breakfast Chat: FASA 1879, Chronicles of Ember, Bat in the Attic [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:48:46
Had a full house in this installment of the RPG Breakfast Chat. Listen in as we talk up the frozen fantasy apocalypse RPG, "The Chronicles of Ember"; Tiger Balm, Cricket, and undead civil servants in FASA's 1879 RPG; and…