Open Design Blog

Even More Open-er

Open Design — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:19:37 GMT

There's a poll up today in the Open Design forums about whether the limited edition format is working for people. Some gamers seem to think that limited editions are somehow wrong or unfair or something (ask them, not me, I love secret collectible...(read more)

Ye Gads, the Time Flies

Open Design — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:47:18 GMT

Buried in work right now, so really only posting materials for senior patrons. However, wanted to note that the maps are rolling in for Wrath of the River King , and the text is all edited and in layout for Tales of Zobeck (which is going to be MASSIVE...(read more)

Monte Cook Reviews Kobold Quarterly

Kobold Quarterly — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:21:50 GMT

A few words from Mr. Malhavoc about what he likes about the magazine (including one surprising element), and what elements he thinks could still improve. Monte reviews issues #6 and #7 in particular. I’m somewhere between delighted and ecstatic...(read more)

Ask the Kobold: Gestalt Characters

Kobold Quarterly — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 08:07:49 GMT

Skip Williams is one of the designers of 3rd Edition Dungeons & Dragons. He’s also a regular columnist for Kobold Quarterly. As long as you send in your questions, we’ll keep running the column here for free. But if you don’t ask the...(read more)

Templeforge Skycasters

Kobold Quarterly — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:44:48 GMT

Some spellcasters spend their lives spurning the ground and its heavy tread, but a few look to non-arcane means to overcome the limits of earth like the Templeforge Skycaster. Fusing the arts of engineering and magic, they take to the skies and seldom...(read more)

Monday Monster: the Huldra

Kobold Quarterly — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:32:14 GMT

Tiveden, Sweden (WKQ News Europe): We’re here in Tiveden National Park to report on a sudden spate of hunting accidents plaguing the area. Game is scarce, but accidents and avalanches are more than plentiful. Some people claim that ‘troll women’ haunt...(read more)

Skip Williams Bends the Rules, Plus Traps and Friday Funny

Open Design — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:16:41 GMT

Man, I have been way behind in announcing the features on KQ.com lately. Skip Williams talks about how and when to bend the rules in Ask the Kobold (and he'd love to get your questions as well). Adam Daigle offers up a great set of traps useful for...(read more)

Friday Funny: the Drunken Shocker Lizard

Kobold Quarterly — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 08:32:29 GMT

We ran an adventure back in Dungeon that had a scene with a lot of shocker lizards running amok in a wizard’s lab, and I just got seized with the urge to draw a bunch of them. I suspect that this little shocker lizard has some sort of unpleasant...(read more)

Ask the Kobold: Bending the Rules

Kobold Quarterly — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:32:42 GMT

Tuesday Traps: Mantraps

Kobold Quarterly — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 08:15:24 GMT

Most traps aim to kill or maim, overlooking the importance of capturing victims intact. Fur traders use mantraps to protect their investments, but not many creatures intent on protecting their stronghold do the same. Typical traps and snares used for...(read more)

Monday Monster: The Wendigo

Kobold Quarterly — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:18:23 GMT

Grandmother’s Bay, Saskatchewan, Canada (WKQ News): A rash of murders in this Cree community has folks wondering just what law enforcement plans to do about the problem. While some folks think the tribal elders should turn matters over to the Royal...(read more)

Editorial: Fair Games or Fun Ones?

Kobold Quarterly — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 08:18:56 GMT

This may be a bit of an odd confession for a game designer, but I’ve always found that having a great set of mechanics is not enough to keep your players happy. You also need a great setting and you need a great story, or it’s just not worth it. Players...(read more)

Pathfinder and Open Design

Kobold Quarterly — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:50:00 GMT

I have good news and bad news. The good news is that it seems increasingly likely that Paizo and Open Design will reach an agreement on a patron project tentatively called Lords of Lost Azlant, which will be an underwater adventure detailing one of the...(read more)

Simurgh, Traps and Breath Weapons

Open Design — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:04:30 GMT

Three news articles on KQ.com this week, one Persian monster, one set of whip traps, and 100 variations on dragon breath weapons. That's 102 new things for your game. Check it out!...(read more)

100 Dragon Breath Weapons

Kobold Quarterly — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 08:38:23 GMT

The KQ Forum has been pretty lively lately, and I wanted to promote this particular brainstorm because it’s just a lot of fun. Nothing says D&D more than a dragon’s breath weapon, so here are 100 different ways to tweak that iconic moment...(read more)