The Journal

"Ink on parchment, stories of glory and the math that made them possible."

All Records automation balance boss-fight-design character-building combat cryptography dice dnd dnd-2024 dnd-odds foundry vtt foundry-vtt game design game-design game-master gm tips gm-tips gmtips hexcrawl history homebrew lore macros mystery pathfinder performance pf2e probability psychology review roleplay roll20 rules sandbox session-zero storytelling tactics tech tournaments ttrpg ttrpg-faction-design verifiable-randomness vtt worldbuilding
TTRPG Mystery Design: The Clue Constellation
Featured
dndttrpggm-tipsworldbuildinghomebrewtacticsmystery

TTRPG Mystery Design: The Clue Constellation

"Escape the narrative railroad. This guide details the 'clue constellation' and Three-Clue Rule for designing dynamic, player-led TTRPG mysteries."

Open Record →
The Ghost in the Polyhedral: Dice Superstition
dndpsychology

The Ghost in the Polyhedral: Dice Superstition

"Why do we trust 'hot' dice and send 'cold' ones to the gaol? We explore the cognitive biases and illusion of control behind TTRPG dice superstition."

Read →
Beyond Rarity: A Guide to Pricing Homebrew Magic Items
dndhomebrew

Beyond Rarity: A Guide to Pricing Homebrew Magic Items

"Stop guessing at magic item pricing in 5e. Our guide offers a formulaic approach to balance your homebrew magic items based on power, utility, and attunement."

Read →
One-Man Army: A Guide to Solo Boss Fight Design
dndttrpg

One-Man Army: A Guide to Solo Boss Fight Design

"Tired of anticlimactic boss fights? Learn TTRPG design techniques to master the action economy and build solo encounters that truly challenge your players."

Read →
Beyond the Blade: Tactical Weapon Mastery in D&D 2024
dnddnd-2024

Beyond the Blade: Tactical Weapon Mastery in D&D 2024

"A deep dive into the new D&D 2024 Weapon Mastery system. Explore weapon mastery tactics, party synergies, and combat strategies that redefine martial play."

Read →
Optimising Foundry for Large Encounters
foundry-vttvtt

Optimising Foundry for Large Encounters

"Optimise Foundry VTT for large encounters with leaner scenes, safer module choices, and fewer performance bottlenecks overall."

Read →
The GM's Session Zero Checklist for Epic Campaigns
dndsession-zero

The GM's Session Zero Checklist for Epic Campaigns

"Our practical guide to running a TTRPG Session Zero ensures your campaign starts strong. Learn key questions, safety tools, and how to forge a cohesive party."

Read →
Living Factions: A Guide to Dynamic Worldbuilding
worldbuildingttrpg-faction-design

Living Factions: A Guide to Dynamic Worldbuilding

"Forge factions that breathe life into your campaign. This guide to TTRPG faction design covers internal politics, goals, and building a truly reactive world."

Read →
Beyond Hit Points: Mastering PF2e Conditions
pathfinderpf2e

Beyond Hit Points: Mastering PF2e Conditions

"Unlock the true tactical depth of Pathfinder 2e. This guide explores how conditions like Frightened and Slowed are not penalties, but weapons to win battles."

Read →
Mastering DnD 2024 Stealth & Surprise Rules
dndtactics

Mastering DnD 2024 Stealth & Surprise Rules

"A deep-dive into DnD 2024's refined stealth, hiding, and surprise rules. Learn to master these mechanics, avoid table arguments, and execute the perfect ambush."

Read →
The Unseen Arbiter: Verifiable Dice in TTRPGs
verifiable-randomnessvtt

The Unseen Arbiter: Verifiable Dice in TTRPGs

"In competitive TTRPGs, can you trust the dice? We explore verifiable randomness and cryptographic proof, ensuring digital fairness in high-stakes games."

Read →
The Unburdened Map: A GM's Guide to Hexcrawl Prep
dndhexcrawl

The Unburdened Map: A GM's Guide to Hexcrawl Prep

"Escape burnout. Our guide to hexcrawl design teaches you to build living sandboxes using procedural generation, layered maps, and just-in-time content."

Read →
Villains Built to Survive Player Chaos
dndgmtips

Villains Built to Survive Player Chaos

"Create antagonists with resilient goals, flexible resources, and reactions that turn player disruption into better drama."

Read →
Dice Heresies: A Guide to Tabletop Probability
dndprobability

Dice Heresies: A Guide to Tabletop Probability

"Master the arcane maths of your dice. This guide dissects the gambler's fallacy and other common TTRPG probability mistakes to sharpen your tactical mind."

Read →
The Architect's Guide to Foundry VTT Performance
foundry-vttvtt

The Architect's Guide to Foundry VTT Performance

"Your Foundry VTT instance is a grimoire. This guide shows you how to curate a lean, stable module stack for high-performance, reliable campaigns."

Read →
PF2e Encounter Budgets: Forging Fair & Ferocious Fights
pathfinderttrpg

PF2e Encounter Budgets: Forging Fair & Ferocious Fights

"Master the art of PF2e encounter design. This guide deconstructs the XP budget system, a precise tool for GMs to forge fair yet truly dangerous fights."

Read →
Homebrew Alchemy: Creating Balanced Magical Items
game-designdnd

Homebrew Alchemy: Creating Balanced Magical Items

"Learn how to design balanced homebrew magic items for D&D 5e, with practical tips on action economy, trade-offs, and memorable play."

Read →
Evolution of the Dice: From Bone to Blockchain
historydice

Evolution of the Dice: From Bone to Blockchain

"From Mesopotamian knucklebones to cryptographic beacons — trace 5,000 years of dice history and how verifiable randomness reached the digital tabletop."

Read →
The Natural 20 in D&D 5e: Rules, Myths & Tactics
dndtactics

The Natural 20 in D&D 5e: Rules, Myths & Tactics

"A definitive guide to the Natural 20 in D&D 5e. We dissect the rules for crits, skill checks, and saves, debunk common myths, and offer tactical advice."

Read →
Verifiable Fate: The End of the Fudged DM Roll
dndtactics

Verifiable Fate: The End of the Fudged DM Roll

"Is your DM fudging dice rolls? We explore the ethics of narrative control, the social contract of trust, and how cryptographic randomness can restore integrity."

Read →
Foundry VTT vs. Roll20: A Strategic Deep-Dive
vttfoundry vtt

Foundry VTT vs. Roll20: A Strategic Deep-Dive

"Which VTT reigns supreme? We dissect Foundry VTT and Roll20 on cost, architecture, performance, and customisation for the discerning digital GM."

Read →
Zero to Hero: Effective Character Backstories that Work
character-buildingroleplay

Zero to Hero: Effective Character Backstories that Work

"Stop writing novels and start building hooks. How to create character backstories that actually help your DM and your game."

Read →
The Art of the Sandbox: Building Living TTRPG Worlds
dndhomebrew

The Art of the Sandbox: Building Living TTRPG Worlds

"Master the craft of sandbox DMing. This guide details how to build reactive, emergent worlds with situation-based prep, not exhaustive location plotting."

Read →
DnD 2024: Is the New Player's Handbook Worth the Gold?
dndreview

DnD 2024: Is the New Player's Handbook Worth the Gold?

"A deep dive into the 2024 Player's Handbook. We examine Weapon Masteries, Heroic Inspiration, and whether you should upgrade."

Read →
Pathfinder 2e's Action Economy: Tactical Perfection
pathfinderpf2e

Pathfinder 2e's Action Economy: Tactical Perfection

"A deep dive into the Pathfinder 2e action economy. Learn why the three-action system elevates tactical combat beyond any other modern TTRPG."

Read →
The GM's Guide to Advanced Foundry VTT Automation
foundry vttautomation

The GM's Guide to Advanced Foundry VTT Automation

"Unlock Foundry VTT's true power. This guide covers advanced automation with Midi-QOL, CUB, and custom macros for a seamless, immersive TTRPG experience."

Read →