A phrase commonly used in conversations about role-playing games is "genre emulation." One might say that Call of Cthulu emulates Lovecraftian cosmic horror or Feng Shui emulates Hong Kong martial arts action films. Role-playing games do not emulate a genre. Role-playing games are one of many mediums that makes up a genre. A RPG is …
Tag: osr
Tolkien’s Elves, Dwarves, and Hobbits Don’t Belong in Dungeons & Dragons
I don't like elves, dwarves, and halflings in Dungeons & Dragons. We all know the way they look and feel in D&D was lifted out of Lord of the Rings. The inclusion of elves, dwarves, hobbits, orcs, ents, and balrogs (don't get me started on balrogs) into Dungeons & Dragons was a design mistake in …
Continue reading Tolkien’s Elves, Dwarves, and Hobbits Don’t Belong in Dungeons & Dragons
How Much Backstory is Necessary For a Homemade Sandbox Campaign?
How much backstory and history do I make for my sandbox campaigns?
The Basic Structures That Role-Playing Games and Stories Have In Common
There are some basic elements of story that are helpful for a game master to know. This post is about those elements and why games and stories share them.
“Sandbox vs. Railroad” Is a False Dichotomy
Is Sandbox Vs. Railroad a useful comparison? I don't think it is. Here's why.
Grumpy Wizard’s House Rules: Dual-classing
In my Kalador campaign, the group lost the player who ran the wizard to real life issues. It quickly became clear to the players that they needed a wizard in the group. I offered several options and what we came to was a player character would become a dual classed fighter/magic user. Because Swords & …
On the Passing of Jennell Jaquays
Jennell Jaquays, one of the great designers and artists of tabletop role-playing games, died yesterday, January 10, 2024. A lot of old schoolers gush about the The Caverns of Thracia and Dark Tower. Those are good adventures but some of Jennell's other works have been far more important to me.
Grumpy Wizard 
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