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The Daily NPC: Folk of Dulwich

This is a free post. Thank you for your awesome support; I hope you enjoy this patron-only resource, and that it helps ease your game prep and sparks some interesting roleplaying at the table. 

Folk of Dulwich includes all the Daily NPCs we posted in April to ragingswan.com along with eight bonus NPCs that never escaped from my hard drive. While the NPCs are designed for use in Dulwich, they are easily adapted to virtually any GM's campaign.

I'll be back on Friday wi...

Fanes of Evil

Evil shrines, temples, churches, cathedrals and fanes are classic adventure locales. There always seems to be an evil cleric in desperate need of killing and such malevolent folk often lurk in places of worship dedicated to their blasphemous gods. 

Thus, behold 20 Things #37: Fanes of Evil.

This book is a marvellous compliment to last month's 2019-05-03 06:54:32 +0000 UTC View Post

The Daily NPC in May

Sadly, I'm going to have to take a break from the Daily NPC in May. While I've enjoyed writing up the various NPCs--and have used many in my own campaign--I've let a couple of things slide in the last few months that I really need to attend to for the long-term health of Raging Swan Press. 

As you can imagine, with Pathfinder 2 on the horizon and (in the UK) Brexit rumbling on* I've got some serious thinking and plotting to do. So I'll be spending May doing just that!

*Fear n...

Monstrous Lair #30: Assassins' Hideout

This week, we've got a free supplement for everyone pledging at the $2 and up levels. 

At some point in every PC's career, they'll likely run into an assassin intent on their death. Most such assassins work for a guild and the righteous PCs will no doubt follow the survivors back to their lair to bring the evil-doers to justice. 

With that in mind, we give you Monstrous Lair #30: Assassins' Hideout. I hope it inspires you to add some assassins to your game!

Raging Swan Press Turns Ten...Next Year!

Late last week, I realised I missed Raging Swan Press's ninth anniversary. (Bad Creighton, naughty Creighton). Back in the dim and distant past that was 2010 we released out first product--the 1st-level adventure Retribution--sometime in March of that year. Sadly, and annoyingly, I can't remember the exact date the adventure went live at Paizo (I'll clearly have to find out for next year), but it was the first of well over 400 books, adventures and supplements we've released since th...

Dungeon Backdrop: The Shadow Fane

I'm looking forward to using this weeks' release in my upcoming campaign. I designed it specifically as an "insert adventure"; the kind of thing you can quickly prepare and drop into the game. My PCs are always poking about Languard and at some point they'll come to the notice of a cult dedicated to Braal (or perhaps vice versa). It pays to be prepared!

In any event, I hope you ...

A Day Out at the Circus

This week, Jeff Gomez brings us a new Eventure--a Day Out at the Circus.  If you want your PCs to go to the circus, Jeff has got you covered! (And--even better--he's got you covered in Pathfinder, 5e and System Neutral editions so whatever game you play, the PCs can enjoy a Day Out at the Circus!)

Eventures are design to enable you to change the pace of your ca...

Travellers on the Road

As you know, for the Daily NPC March was Travellers on the Road month. I've been busy slaving away over the final PDF for you, and it is now ready. 

Patreon Exclusive

This is a free Patreon exclusive PDF--I won't be selling it anywhere (although the material will likely make its way into some kind of Ashlar compilation book at some point). I hope you enjoy the NPCs herein and that they spark some plotting and scheming on your part and memorable non-combat encounters in your...

Free Villages of Ashlar Map Download

I was recently approached by someone who had purchased Villages of Ashlar. He wanted to print versions of the village maps for his home game, but was having trouble tracking down untagged versions of all the villages. 

To solve the problem, I created a new product at Raging Swan Press's store which comprises tagged and untagged versions of all the relevant village maps. It's a free download, and you can grab i...

Village Backdrop: Poxmire

Mr Mike Welham is back with a new village for your campaign. If you need an island village stuffed full of pirates, smugglers and a whole bevy of contagious diseases Mike's got the place for you!  Behold, Poxmire: 

Personally, I know my players would *love* to visit Poxmire. Hopefully, my enthusiasm for the place is infectious...

Poxmire

A Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Com...

20 Things #36: Fairs & Festivals

It's the start of April (sort of) and so it's time for another 20 Things book. This week, your PCs get to go to a fair,  festival or local street party! By a staggering coincidence, later in the month we'll also be releasing a new eventure by Jeff Gomez entitled A Day Out at the Circus and I hope 2019-03-29 08:28:37 +0000 UTC View Post

Dungeon Backdrop: Deszraul’s Hold

I'm dedicated this week's release to one of my players--Tim Ayres. Tim has the rare and special ability to fail any saving throw made to resist petrification. As super powers go, it's pretty terrible, and I must confess to chortling slightly as I designed this Dungeon Backdrop. This is a place, Tim will not want to go. (And yet be might in the coming weeks as I lure my hapless players into a "bandit hunt"). 

I hope your players don't feel the same way, and that they enjoy exploring...

Dungeon Backdrop: Delthur's Folly

Dungeon Backdrop: Delthur's Folly is the first in a new line of supplements from Raging Swan Press. In a similar vein to Village Backdrops, Dungeon Backdrops provide you with a detailed dungeon to stock as you see fit. I hope you enjoy this new line--which comes in Pathfinder, 5e and System Neutral editions--and that you find them useful additions to your GM's toolkit. I'd love to know what you think; please leave a comment below. 

About Dungeon Backdrops

You are a...

Adventurers About Town

Behold--Adventurers About Town!

Attached to this post, you'll find screen and print versions of Adventurers About Town. I hope you enjoy this exclusive Patreon only PDF and that you'll be able to use the adventurers within to add flavour and depth to your campaigns!

Let me know, what you think in the comments below or leave a note about what topics I should tackle in the coming weeks and months.

As always, thank you so much for your support.

Village Backdrop: Aubade

This week, I'm delighted to hurl at you version 2.0 of Village Backdrop: Aubade by Jacob W. Michaels. Aubade was originally published back in 2015, and at the time I thought it was an awesome village. I recently asked Michael to update and expand his original work so I could release 5e and System Neutral versions of the village (along with an updated Pathfinder version). 

I think A...

20 Things #35: Bandits & Brigands

This week, we've got a very useful 20 Things instalment for you. Bandits and brigands are classic low-level foes (imagine the Moathouse without them). Virtually every campaign features bandits and brigands and 20 Things #35: Bandits & Brigands has got the tools for you to bring to life such gangs in your game. Using this book will help you make the bandits in your game so much more th...

AMA in March

March is almost upon us and I'm itching to do another AMA. 

If you've got any questions for me, please leave a note in the comments below. Questions could be about my Adventures in Shadow campaign, anything Raging Swan Press related, a GM problem you want my thoughts on, questions about design or something else!

Forgotten Sepulchre of the Father

It's another busy week for Raging Swan Press with the release of Forgotten Sepulchre of the Father and Monstrous Lairs #26: Sphinx's Cave (which was a special request made by one of our heroic band!) I've run Forgotten Sepulchre of the Father for my home group in my Adventures in Shadow campaign (check out the new campaign website), and they used a clever mix of role-playing and cunning to dodge the t...

The Daily NPC in March (Poll)

It's time to turn our thoughts toward March's Daily NPC theme. 

In January we featured the generic category of "townsfolk" and in February we are presenting "adventurers around town". To be ready for March, I'd like to find out what kind of NPCs you'd like to see next month. 

Henchman & Hirelings: This would feature torchbearers, men-at-arms, porters and so on.

Travellers on the Road: A random collection of travellers the PCs c...

A Day Out at the Executions

I've been looking forward to unleashing this particular book into the world, for weeks. Our second Eventure deals with the subject of public executions. As you might know, justice in medieval times was rather harsh, violent and final. I thought a day out at the executions would be a great way to underline to my players (and yours) how the game world is different to our own. 

There are many reasons, the PCs could attend an executions: perhaps they are meeting a wealthy patron or the...

Village Backdrop: Gloya's Bridge

Behold, the village of Gloya's Bridge! 

Gloya’s Bridge is a village swathed in secrets. Wearing masks and veils in the streets is normal, giving a chance at unparalleled anonymity and the freedom to indulge in a variety of entertainments with minimal restrictions. Those who want a second chance flock here, in no small part because an unconventional order offers a chance for criminals to leave their pasts behind and be recognised as reformed. Yet, not everyone has the will to refo...

20 Things #34: Farming Village

Loads of classic adventures start, end or take place in a rural farming village. It's a classic adventure site. Sadly, because of the tyranny of page count, the designer often can't spend as much time as desired fleshing out the place. That's where 20 Things #34: Farming Village comes in! Chocked full of tables, the book is designed to help you bring a farming village to life in your playe...

Four Nights at the Orc's Head

I've been looking forward to this week's release for some time. Today, our first eventure--Four Nights at the Orc's Head--slithers into the world! I've already run part of Four Nights at the Orc's Head in my own game. I hope your players (and you) have as much fun as we did! 

Four Nights at the Orc's Head comes in three editions--5e, Pathfinder and System Neutral so we'...

The Daily NPC: February's Theme

As January stampedes to a close, my thoughts have moved to February. As you know, in January, we've been posting system neutral daily NPCs designed to be inserted into your campaign with minimal fuss. 

January's theme was townsfolk, and I'm wondering what I should tackle in February. I've got two ideas and I'd love to know what you'd find most useful in your campaign:

Adventurers ...

2019-01-24 09:43:39 +0000 UTC View Post

Gibbous Moon and Troglodytes!

It's been a busy, but fun, week here at Global HQ. I've unveiled my 131,000 design word challenge for 2019 to the world and I've been busy cranking out more Daily NPCs.

In marvellous news, we've got a whole load of books for you this week! 2019-01-18 07:58:27 +0000 UTC View Post

Brackendale

This week, we release Village Backdrop: Brackendale in System Neutral, 5e and Pathfinder editions. When I got the pitch for Brackendale, it immediately stood out from its competitors. I think it is the first Village Backdrop to deal with the consequences of an adventure which was both too successful and a disaster. I don't want to spoil your first read through so I will say no more, but I hope you enjoy delving into Brackendale and I hope you can find a place for the village in your ...

AMA #3: The Ramble...

Behold my third patreon exclusive AMA for your auditory enjoyment! This one runs roughly twice as long as the first two. I had a rather interesting question from Eric Liberti and I couldn't stop myself rambling. 

I hope you enjoy the AMA. If you have any questions you'd like answered please leave them in the comments below. 

I'll be back tomorrow for Village Backdrop: Brackendale!

20 Things #33: Red Dragon's Lair

And we are off! 

Welcome to our first release of 2019--20 Things #33: Red Dragon's Lair! Of all the dragon lairs we've recently detailed, I predict this will be the most used of the bunch. Red dragons are one of the most iconic villains in fantasy gaming and so I hope you get to include one if your campaign soon! (For the players' sake, of course).

This is a free product ...

The Daily NPC

As you might recall, a few days ago I shared some sample NPCs with you here on Patreon. Rather marvellously, they were well received and I've decided to hurl myself into the project with the speed of a striking panther.

I've also decided to do something a little different with the NPCs. For the month of January, I'm going to post up one new NPC every day over at 2019-01-01 16:23:34 +0000 UTC View Post

"Pocket" NPCs

A week or so ago, Garth Hill suggested a product in response to the questions I posed at the end of AMA #2. Essentially, Garth asked if I had any plans for a  book of NPCs--an NPC Codex if you will, but with a slight twist. Garth doesn't want stat blocks or pages of background for each NPC. Instead, he is looking for a range of minor NPCs he can quickly and easily drop into his game to portray the rank and file, or great unwashed, of his campaign world. 

I think the idea is a ...