Ready your dice, {name}!

In this update:

• Inspiration, both in-game and in life.
• Missed a critical discussion on #PHB2024?
• FREE: Unlock secrets from the gods of Andovir.
• Tools for your next TTRPG adventure.
• Darkworld anthology: five tales, one dark world.
• Magic weapons that grow with you—literally.

In a recent D&D session, we were hired to keep the peace in a city as tensions arose among rival gangs. The fighter stepped in and attempted to use Intimidation to break up the mounting tensions. He rolled two critical fails in a row. They laughed at him.

So my bard cast Dancing Lights to appear in a humanoid form above the rivals. As the gangs stopped to look at the figure, I cast an audio Minor Illusion from it: “I am the angel of the god, Tyr! Disperse!” Both sides scattered in panic.

It was effective, but it left the fighter feeling defeated.

As a DM, I look for ways to help every player shine. But as a player, I want to do the same for my fellow players. It’s not just the DM’s job to make everyone feel welcome and valued. The encounter isn’t about me. It’s about us. When developing strategies, we have the most fun when we work together and help each other have fun.

The same goes with the rest of life. I’m heavily success-driven (Enneagram Type-3 if you follow that), and it sometimes makes me impatient so I jump on opportunities without inviting others to join in. It causes extra stress by trying to take on too much, and it robs others of the chance to participate.

Next time, whatever we face, I’ll have my Bardic Inspiration ready to help my party, especially the fighter who needs a win. And until then, I’ll do the same for my real-world party of family and friends.

Are there ways that you can include or inspire those around you, whether at the gaming table, your dinner table, or your conference room table? When have you done that? I’d love to hear your stories.

While these entries are normally only available to Patrons, this is a preview of a much larger project that's still a few years out, so I wanted to share it with everyone so you can begin to use it now.

If you like to read for inspiration for your next game, you'll love this project.

Darkworld: Legends of Lornea is the first book in a planned trilogy based in a dark fantasy world. The book features five novelettes by accomplished fantasy writers whose names or works you may recognize.

The book will be available in multiple formats, and they have asked me to transcribe it into digital braille (BRF) for better accessibility (included with all digital tiers)! I'm excited to encourage more braille access throughout the indie publishing industry.

Contributing Authors

Jean Rabe: USA TODAY Best-selling author Jean Rabe tosses tennis balls to her cadre of dogs when she isn’t writing. She has three dozen novels and about a hundred short stories to her credit. A few of Jean’s writing credits include Dragonlance: Dragons of a New Age, Dragonlance: Dhamon Saga, The Dead of Winter, and The Dead of Night.

Richard Lee Byers: Richard Lee Byers is the author of forty fantasy and horror novels. A few of Richard’s writing credits include Dissolution: The War of the Spider Queen (The War of the Spider Queen series Book 1), The Reaver: Forgotten Realms: The Sundering Book IV, Unholy: Forgotten Realms: The Haunted Lands, Book 3.

Donald J. Bingle: Donald J. Bingle is the author of nine books and more than seventy shorter tales in the science fiction, fantasy, thriller, horror, mystery, steampunk, romance, comedy, Morse Code, and memoir genres. A few of Donald’s writing credits include The Love-Haight Case Files, Books 1 and 2 (with Jean Rabe), and The Dick Thorny Spy Thriller series (Net Impact; Wet Work; and Flash Drive).

Richard A. Knaak. NY Times & USA Today Best-selling author, Richard has written more than sixty novels and is known for his Dragonrealm saga. He has scripted comics and manga, such as the top-selling Sunwell trilogy, and has also written background material for games. His works have been published worldwide in many languages. A few of Richard’s writing credits include Dragonlance: Minotaur Wars Trilogy, Dragonlance: The Legend of Huma, Pathfinder Tales: Reaper’s Eye, Diablo: Legacy of Blood, and World of Warcraft: Stormrage.

Patrick E. Pullen. This is Patrick’s introduction to short story writing. However, he has written several fantasy roleplaying game adventures, as well as contributing art and cartography to over 100 books and game projects. Most of his popular products on the Dungeon Masters Guild have reached best-seller status, including two mithral and several platinum. Patrick is the creator of The Darkworld Fantasy Setting in which these stories are set.

And from my friend and highly respected 5e creator, Jeff Stevens:

Weapons of Legend contains 80+ magical weapons, including weapons that increase in power. This Kickstarter campaign funds the Foundry VTT conversion of the popular Weapons of Legend supplement. During this campaign, you'll also have the opportunity to back the project for the PDF and/or Print-on-Demand versions of the book. We also include bundled tiers, allowing you to receive multiple versions of the product at discounted prices. There’s also a FREE PDF Preview download on the Kickstarter page, providing you with a small sample of what the book contains.

I already have the book, and it's fantastic, possibly the best 5e magic weapon compendium ever made. You definitely want to get this in your preferred format.

Thanks for your support!

Dale