The ashen wastes of the Xenem Dynasty are home to an ancient race of vampires. Their existence is prolonged by the absence of sunlight granted by the volcano at the center of the island. Shi Xenem, the eponymous 700-year old undead emporer, lives within his Gray Citadel at the base of Mount Shang. Xenem rarely leaves his terrace and is always accompanied by his elite sentinels.
Sentinels are Xenemese who've voluntarily rejected Ascension, thus allowing the brothers and sisters of their<...
2020-02-12 14:36:02 +0000 UTC
View Post
Hey all!
Next week, I'm kicking off a new Kickstarter that'll include a way to subscribe to BroadSword Monthly (at a lower rate than buying issue-to-issue, of course) as well as a newly announced BroadSword Compendium.
It's going to have all new artwork supplied by the incomparable Dean Spencer.
I've worked out FIVE (happy, Kevin????) different covers that I think are pretty nif...
2020-02-11 22:51:28 +0000 UTC
View Post
Hey all!
Had some personal stuff come up. But the MotD should be out hopefully later this evening. Thanks!
2020-02-11 19:57:34 +0000 UTC
View Post
Here's all the goods from January. The two adventures aren't included as those were joint promotions and I can't charge for those in this format, however, they will both be appearing in BSM #5.
2020-02-10 18:46:15 +0000 UTC
View Post
The magic that courses through the veins of The Skeleton Key has had a strange effect on the flora and fauna indigenous to the island. Animals grow larger and are generally more intelligent. Plus, they seemingly possess a greater sense of self. Case in point: the Heirs of Kong. These 12-foot-tall apes inhabit the jungles and forests of the key. And until the Serpent Whisperers of Grihoo arrived, the heirs were the dominant guardians of the island.
Intelligent and psionically active, the...
2020-02-10 18:02:01 +0000 UTC
View Post
The Serpent Whisperers of Grihoo (or "Amazons" as they're commonly known) protect the Shrine of Grihoo and its ancient secrets long lost to the world. The actual entrance to the shrine is protected by the legendary Serpent Guard, the fiercest warriors of their kind. Each member of the Serpent Guard wields the powerful tepoztopilli, a polearm topped with a broad wooden head capable of crushing enemy spines with a single blow. The tepoztopilli gives the serpent guards the advantage of reach whi...
2020-02-09 16:37:28 +0000 UTC
View Post
When the Ivorian Guild first discovered the Serpent Whisperers of Grihoo in the middle of the Ocean of Warna, they dubbed them "Amazon warriors." This name came from the popular legend of the all-female warrior tribes who hailed from the mythical Jungles of Amazonia. Since then, the term has stuck. Armed with thick, obsidian-lined clubs, these warriors of Grihoo race through the dense jungles of the Skeleton Key, eager to combat any who should seek to uncover the secrets of their island prote...
2020-02-08 18:37:53 +0000 UTC
View Post
The umbra inhabit the Shores of Despair in the Other. Visitors to the Other, whom the umbra have dubbed "Those Who Encroach", who have met the umbra recount tales of a vile, cruel species of elf-like creatures with pitch-black skin. Hence, the erroneous nickname "shadow elf."
Shadows Reborn. Umbra do not procreate. Instead, they are made from destroyed shadows that have been reborn within the Black Cauldron. From there, these new umbra drift through the Other's...
2020-02-07 16:35:28 +0000 UTC
View Post
The adventure continues! This time, the characters must head into the Amber Areas, a diabolical section of the Nightmare Tunnels that is home to the diabolical archmage Dezahl and his vile family, the Titian Ten, each member a powerful mage in his or her own right. The Amber Areas occupy areas 36-58 on the map of the Nightmare Tunnels. See the full map at the front of the book, or refer to the map of the Amber Areas on page [x]. The Amber Areas are designed for 3-5 7th level characters....
2020-02-07 01:46:18 +0000 UTC
View Post
Hey!
Just to clarify on the last post, here's what's in the works right now folks:
- Uncle Skeleton's Nightmare Tunnels (this will be in BSM 5, so I'm working mostly on that 'til it's done)
- New TSH Adventure (can't give away too many details on this, but it'll be out soon)
- Hand of the Eight Part 7 (yes, it's coming GAWD)
In summary, Hand of the Eight isn't going anywhere. With my week off...
2020-02-06 19:01:22 +0000 UTC
View Post
Hey everyone,
I spent 2019 kinda looking for my groove with Patreon. We had some pretty wild ups and downs along the way, and those who've stuck through it... you guys are awesome. You know who you are. I really didn't figure out my niche until October when I started turning towards exclusively adventure writing.
Based on the results of 2019, I plan on keeping 2020 focused on just a few areas.
Those areas are:
* Omeria. This is the only campaign ...
2020-02-06 16:42:04 +0000 UTC
View Post
Flammengeists are skeletal undead wreathed in ghostly flames. A large halo of light and fire surrounds their heads. They are the creations of the Obelisk of Zo, made from rogue evokers who willingly sacrifice themselves to Zo's cause.
Flammengeists have an innate ability to detect creatures imbued with the energies of the Other. As such, they are sent into the Material to track down the enemies of Zo, in particular, the Chosen Ones of Phajani.
Undead Nature
2020-02-06 16:18:49 +0000 UTC
View Post
Wizards are constantly looking for new ways to extend their lives and power. Those who lack the skill or patience for lichdom sometimes turn necromantic pursuits. Hyper golems are the result. A hyper golem is a flesh golem that has had the wizard's brain stored within the body. Typically, the wizard that creates the golem chooses only the best parts for its host, particularly focusing on the hands and mouth of the golem. This ensures that the wizard can still effectively cast his or her spell...
2020-02-05 19:32:45 +0000 UTC
View Post
Hey all!
I really had fun setting up last month's goal and getting the big dungeon made (it's still cranking). I hope to have something similar for this month. Obviously, there'll be the normal content (Hot8 is coming, as is TSH stuff), but what other sorts of big projects would you like to see if we hit a certain number?
I'm shooting for 900 patrons by month's end, which should be easy considering I went from 500 - 700 in January.
Let me know your ideas below. Keep in...
2020-02-05 16:17:55 +0000 UTC
View Post
Some of you may have noticed in your inbox that BroadSword #3 is mailing. If you were here at the end of the November and didn't receive a notification from Stamps.com last night, let me know. I know there's a few folks on the list that don't have mailing addresses, but I've got your order currently hanging in Limbo on Stamps.
Drop me a message (not a comment) and I'll get you fixed up.
Thanks!
PS (Also, if you have a credit from December or January and want to get #3 instea...
2020-02-04 19:45:22 +0000 UTC
View Post
Here it is, folks! BroadSword Monthly #4. Scott did a freakin' amazing job getting this one together. If you've ordered physical copies, you can probably expect those in a few weeks, too, as it all it takes for us to get 'em is to put 'em up on Amazon, get proofs, then order author copies. Much faster turn around.
Enjoy!
This is the "mostly done" proof, so if you see anything weird, let us know before we go to print.
This title has been retired to the DMDave.com store:
...
2020-02-04 15:58:44 +0000 UTC
View Post
Shadow goblins are goblins who were exposed to the same aberrant energy that consumed the Olyothyrian city of Ise Serin and created the arnitikos. As such, shadow goblins are mortal enemies of the arnitikos, blaming the colorless elves for their curse.
Shadow goblins who procreate always produce twins. A shadow goblin's twin is its closest companion. Should one shadow goblin twin die, the surviving twin goes through a process that necromancers have dubbed "the unwinding." Over the next ...
2020-02-04 15:26:20 +0000 UTC
View Post
It is within this second section of Uncle Skeleton's Nightmare Tunnels that the proverbial "gloves come off." The Crimson Chambers should have tested the worth of the adventurers, especially if the characters defeated Rol'gudas. Now the characters have entered the domain of Drag'thenar the Corrupt, the Golden Galleries. The Golden Galleries occupy areas 20-35 on the map of the Nightmare Tunnels. See the full map at the front of the book, or refer to the map of the Golden Galleries on page 18....
2020-02-04 01:36:03 +0000 UTC
View Post
Lurking in the swamps of Southern Omeria are the horrific lizard-giants known by the locals as garganjaws. Garganjaws stand between 15 and 20 feet tall and weigh around 6 tons. They are covered in mottled, grey and black scales that resembles alligator hide. Wild, thick, white hair sprouts from the top of their lizard heads. They sport huge maws filled with hundreds of sharp, thumb-length teeth capable of tearing through even the toughest plate mail armor.
Like many of the creatures tha...
2020-02-03 16:43:48 +0000 UTC
View Post
Hey all,
Here is the first chunk of Uncle Skeleton's Nightmare Tunnels covering the introduction as well as the first chapter. I'll be working on the rest throughout the day.
There's bound to be some typos and mistakes, so if you've got the time, holler at me in the typos channel over on Discord so I can fix 'em for the final release.
Enjoy!
2020-02-02 21:48:30 +0000 UTC
View Post
Hey all!
Quick survey ends at 3pm CST today.
Right now I'm working my way through the mega-dungeon as the reward for January's awesome numbers. So far, I've knocked out all the intro goodies plus the first chapter that covers rooms 1-19.
Question, though... would you all prefer to have this thing delivered in chunks as I write it (to give you something to read and keep my accountable) and then put together in a final PDF once I'm done...
... or would y...
2020-02-02 18:44:58 +0000 UTC
View Post
A flitterbug is an aberration found primarily in the swamps and mires of Omeria, particularly in and around the Obsidian Plain. The flitterbug has a flat, disc-shaped shell with a mess of segmented legs below it. The center of its shell has eight telescoping eye-stalks that allow it to see all around it. Small, razor-sharp wings hide within the center of its shell and emerge after it launches itself into the air. Once launched, the flitterbug spins as it flies, resembling a flying buzz saw. I...
2020-02-02 18:33:09 +0000 UTC
View Post
Hey all!
So far, I've got 86 or so one-word prompts for the mega-dungeon. I need 90 more. So even if you've already answered, feel free to jump back in and add some more. You can add them here or the other listing.
I'm starting to draft, so there's no super rush, but hopefully I can get all the prompts fby the end of today.
2020-02-01 20:29:41 +0000 UTC
View Post
Ong-ongs are short, furry humanoids with large, flat heads that live in the Wallingmiotta. Their skin is dense and coarse like tree bark. Once thought to be an offshoot of the forest gnomes that inhabit the wood, anthropologists later discovered that the ong-ongs actually have more in common with dwarves than the other humanoid races of Omeria. Ong-ongs may even be related to the griffon-riding dwarves of Khuzuk.
Forestfolk. A common name for ong-ongs is forest...
2020-02-01 20:15:48 +0000 UTC
View Post
Hey all! Awesome news today!
We hit 700 Patrons. That's mean I'll be making Uncle Skeleton's Nightmare Tunnels in both PDF and physical formats for everyone.
But how does one stock a 176 room dungeon? Hmmm...
Here's what I need from you: give me a single word in the comments. Just one word. Hopefully, I'll get 176 comments! From there, I'll use each of those words to create each room of the dungeon.
Simple as that.
2020-01-31 22:49:43 +0000 UTC
View Post
Uncle Skeleton is an intelligent, trickster construct born of chaotic illusion magic. As a creature woven from chaos and illusion, Uncle Skeleton has no true appearance. However, his preferred form is that of a skeleton wearing a top hat and noble clothing. He prefers to speak in a shrill, high-falutin accent complete with high-pitched laughter.
Dungeon Lord. Uncle Skeleton is one of the founding members of the Dungeon Lords of Krizak. So far, he's won their An...
2020-01-31 20:07:11 +0000 UTC
View Post
I'm so pumped on you guys! Over the last few days, my Patreon account has accelerated nearly reaching 700. Thank you all so much!
As a reward, I'll be making this big dungeon. This map was created by WotC veteran, Tim Hartin, the same artist who created the maps for Dungeon of the Mad Mage. This is our first collaboration and it's pretty exciting.
BUT if I can hit 700 or more by tomorrow evening, January 31st, I'll put this into a physical format and everyone at the Electrum+ leve...
2020-01-30 21:12:32 +0000 UTC
View Post
Summer drakes are a breed of dragon found almost exclusively in the Summer Land. They are smaller that most dragons, never reaching more than 25 feet in length from snout to tail. Although they have flight ability typical for dragons, summer drakes prefer walking, climbing, and burrowing. It's rare they ever fly for ranges greater than a few hundred miles at a time. Like their red-scaled ancestors, summer drakes breathe fire.
Unlike the chromatic and metallic dragons of legend, summer d...
2020-01-30 18:02:52 +0000 UTC
View Post
Hey all!
The month is nearly over. There's been a couple of Hand of the Eight spin-offs this month, but not enough to warrant packaging it all into a full book for BroadSword #5. Therefore, I'll probably put out Chapter 7 early next month (I've already got it outlined and a cover made, so yes, it is coming) and focus only on Titan's Heir and Hot8 for February.
However, I think I have enough time to put together a quick adventure before the month's end. By quick, I mean, l...
2020-01-29 16:22:48 +0000 UTC
View Post
Brasugas are mountain-dwelling giants that live among the peaks of the Basilisk's Spine. They look similar to ogres, except that they have four arms and are much more intelligent. Plus, they are less prone to temper tantrums.
The roaming gangs of the Summer Land's northern plains often hire brasugas as muscle. Brasugas grant little value to money and gold. Instead, they appreciate good company and amusing anecdotes. As such, they are fond of adventure, no matter which end of the moral/e...
2020-01-29 15:00:04 +0000 UTC
View Post
