18 August 2025

RPGaDay 2025: Day 18

18. Sign

In 2020, I addressed the subject of zodiacal signs and the Birth Augur rules of Dungeon Crawl Classics RPG in "Zodiac Birth Augur." I have also written a short article about adapting the Sumerian Zodiac to the Birth Augur rules. I can't quite remember why I never posted it. Maybe I should revisit it.

Aside from birth signs, perhaps adventures could profit from the addition of more prophets and the appearance of more signs and omens...

[For more information on #RPGaDay (or #RPGaDay2025 specifically), read this.]

17 August 2025

RPGaDay 2025: Day 17

17. Renew

A scene from the film Logan's Run (1976) depicting Carousel.

This prompt was also used in #RPGaDay2021 on Day 26. My answer then remains the same: I ponder the impossibility of playing Logan's Run, and wonder which system would facilitate the best adaptation.

[For more information on #RPGaDay (or #RPGaDay2025 specifically), read this.]

16 August 2025

RPGaDay 2025: Day 16

16. Overcome

How to overcome a really boring RPGaDay prompt...

Pass?

[For more information on #RPGaDay (or #RPGaDay2025 specifically), read this.]

15 August 2025

RPGaDay 2025: Day 15

15. Deceive

Do not be deceived. You do not need the following to run or play a role-playing game:

  • A fancy gaming table.
  • A cast of voice actors.
  • A celebrity Game Master.
  • Splat books.
  • An excessively detailed campaign world.
  • An encyclopaedic knowledge of the rules.

It is much simpler and much less expensive than some would have you believe.

[For more information on #RPGaDay (or #RPGaDay2025 specifically), read this.]

14 August 2025

RPGaDay 2025: Day 14

14. Mystery

Mystery is one of the fundamental ingredients of a worthwhile role-playing adventure regardless of the actual genre to which it may belong. A mystery—or the mysterious—is what sparks curiosity, and curiosity is one of the most powerful forms of motivation known to playerkind. One needn't write fullblown mystery adventures (although they can be very rewarding), but it's worthwhile to drop a mystery here and there in the foreground or background of an adventure, perhaps connecting them with larger mysteries that might not even be revealed until a later adventure in the near or somewhat distant future.

Mystery is the spice of role-playing.

[For more information on #RPGaDay (or #RPGaDay2025 specifically), read this.]

13 August 2025

RPGaDay 2025: Day 13

13. Darkness

I may have given the impression that I intended to end my #RPGaDay2025 run, which is true, but I suddenly thought of something to write about regarding darkness vis-à-vis role-playing games, so my departure has been postponed.

Darkness as I See it

These are a few of my thoughts that can be applied to any role-playing game using its own rules system.

As long as a character has more or less normal vision, I do not penalize combat in partial darkness. If the moon is bright or there is any other light source (torches, phosphorescent fungi, glowing enchanted weapons, etc.), I assume the combatants can see one another well enough to fight normally. If the darkness is total (in a cave or under a moonless night sky without any sort of light source), then I penalize combat severely. It's as hard as fighting an invisible opponent, except you are blind to your surroundings as well. Unless extreme caution is taken with every action, the possibility of a dangerous mishap is significant. There are tactics that can improve player characters' chances of survival or even victory if they are cunning.

Exploration in total darkness is nearly impossible for normal-sighted folk, but it can be accomplished to a limited extent, albeit very slowly.

Most beings who can see in darkness are still limited in what they can discern. They might be able to see shapes or heat patterns, but they cannot read or see colors or two-dimensional images in the dark.

When a party is trying to navigate or accomplish anything in darkness, I prefer to allow them to communicate with one another freely and describe their actions, but I (as the referee) roll secretly to determine if they are successful. Hijinks will frequently ensue unless they are very careful. I prefer this method over having the players pass me notes about what they do and determining who actually does what to whom. First, it takes a very long time to resolve even the simplest actions, which leads to boredom. Second, it stops everyone from role-playing, which, again, leads to boredom. It is far better to let the players role-play openly and roll to see what really happens. Special tables can be be created for fumbling in the darkness. Special rolls can be introduced for determining who is unintentionally affected by another's action when the action critically fails or even just ordinarily fails. Just don't make the mistake of isolating players or restricting play. Keep everyone engaged in the game.

Those are a few of my thoughts about darkness. Maybe I'll continue with RPGaDay after all.

Maybe.

[For more information on #RPGaDay (or #RPGaDay2025 specifically), read this.]

12 August 2025

RPGaDay 2025: Day 12

12. Path

I may have reached the point where I must leave the path of this year's RPGaDay.

Farewell...

Farewell...

Farewell...

[For more information on #RPGaDay (or #RPGaDay2025 specifically), read this.]

11 August 2025

RPGaDay 2025: Day 11

11. Flavour

How about Batman Slam Bang Vanilla (Banana Marshmallow in Vanilla-Flavored Ice Cream)? That's a flavor. (You can read about it here.)

The real question here is: What is Batman's favorite flavor? Or, more specifically: What is Adam West's Batman's favorite flavor?

I'm not sure how long I can last with this year's RPGaDay.

[For more information on #RPGaDay (or #RPGaDay2025 specifically), read this.]

10 August 2025

RPGaDay 2025: Day 10

10. Origin

Pass.

I hate to waste a prompt for RPGaDay, but some of these just don't warrant the effort without the promise of feedback from actual readers.

Moving right along...

[For more information on #RPGaDay (or #RPGaDay2025 specifically), read this.]

09 August 2025

RPGaDay 2025: Day 09

9. Inspire

This prompt utterly fails to inspire me. Pass.

[For more information on #RPGaDay (or #RPGaDay2025 specifically), read this.]