The Black Notebook Podcast

In today’s episode, I flipped open the UA to the race section and decided to talk to about the different sub-races that make Elves unique. l'll introduce you to the noble Gray Elves, who share many abilities with high elves, but come with their own twist. Then, we will meet the Wood Elves, known for their connection to nature and woodland creatures, followed by the elusive Wild Elves, or Grugach, who avoid outsiders and revel in their mysterious lifestyles. I will also explore the Valley Elves, who are shunned by others but have intriguing traits. Finally, the Dark Elves, or Drow, a divergent and complex group that differs vastly from their surface cousins.

Today on the podcast, I decided to talk about my experiences in running Demons and an interesting story about how I've seen a Demon's Amulet used. These unique objects hold the vital essences of powerful demon lords and princes, cleverly keeping their souls both safe and vulnerable. Imagine having the power to control a demon for a whole day—not an easy task, and certainly not without its dangers! An amulet lets its possessor command the demon, but only if they’re careful. If misused, the amulet can lead to dire consequences for the wielder, including the risk of instant attack from the demon itself. We also discuss the astral and ethereal planes where demons roam, and the risks involved if you say the name of a powerful demon out loud.

In today’s episode, I decided to flip open the UA Book and talk about the mechanics of grappling in combat. Grappling is a powerful move used to restrain opponents, preventing their actions and making them more vulnerable. We’ll explore how grappling works, from the rules for successful grapples to the advantages and disadvantages for both grapplers and grappled targets. Learn how multiple attackers can work together, and discover what happens when a grappled opponent fights back.

#dnd #Grappling #adnd #OSR

On today's Podcast, I decided to flip open the book and look at the Magic User 6th level spell, The Death Spell. It's an interesting spell that once cast, there is no saving throw against it and basically the target is dead.

The Death Spell is a powerful 6th-level conjuration that instantly and irrevocably slays creatures within its area of effect, with no saving throw. The number of victims depends on their hit dice—wiping out up to 80 creatures with less than 2 HD or scaling down to just a few tougher foes. However, it’s useless against lycanthropes, undead, or extraplanar beings. With a casting time of six segments and a pricey material component (a crushed black pearl worth 1,000 GP), this spell is a devastating battlefield tool, ideal for clearing out hordes of weaker enemies in an instant.

Keep up with me: https://Solo.To/TheEvilDM

Today on the podcast, I decided to go over the Orcs and how they are structured as a tribe, from the lowly ones to the chief and his assistants, there is a lot to know about orcs!

Orcs are common, lawfully evil creatures characterized by their competitive nature and a strong inclination to fight among themselves unless controlled by a powerful leader. They prefer dark environments due to their aversion to sunlight, suffering penalties when exposed to it. Orc tribes are numerous and often found dwelling in underground lairs or simple above-ground villages. They display a hierarchy with leaders and assistants in their ranks, and their encounters often include a significant number of orcs, particularly if they are in their lairs or engaged in raiding activities. Orcs are known for their cruelty, particularly towards elves, whom they kill on sight. Their physical appearance is unattractive, with a color scheme that includes earthy tones, and they are recognized for their mining and tunneling skills. Additionally, orcs are known to interbreed with other races, resulting in half-orcs.

#adnd #orcs #dnd #TSR

In the podcast episode, I'm talking about the mechanics of hit points in AD&D, particularly focusing on the concept of "Zero Hit Points." When a character's hit points drop to zero, they become unconscious, leading to a gradual decline into negative hit points each round until they reach -10, resulting in death due to various causes like shock or bleeding. Timely assistance from allies can stabilize an unconscious character through actions like binding wounds or administering healing potions. Reviving a character who has fallen to zero hit points is not a quick process; they will remain in a comatose state for 1-6 turns and must rest for an entire week afterward, during which they cannot engage in any strenuous activities. This downtime emphasizes the importance of tactical decisions in gameplay and the need for strategic support from teammates. The discussion also covers potential long-term effects of extreme negative hit points, such as scarring or loss of limbs, adding depth to character narratives and consequences of battle.

#RPG #TabletopGames #HitPoints #GameMechanics #CharacterDeath #RolePlaying #DungeonsAndDragons

Hey, folks! Today, we’re talking about the adherer...a weird, sticky monster from the Fiend Folio. Picture a mummy, but alive, with dirty white skin that looks like bandages and oozes super-strong glue. It’s rare, shows up alone or in small groups, and loves ambushing prey by hiding in piles of leaves or dirt. Its armor’s tough, AC 3 and it’s got 4 hit dice, so it’s not a pushover. The adherer’s big trick? Anything that touches it sticks, like weapons or people, and it only does 1-3 damage with its fists. Fire hurts it bad, just like a mummy, and boiling water messes up its glue for a bit. It’s smart enough to team up with spiders but won’t attack them. Oh, and it’s lawful evil—creepy and tricky! Stick around for more monster talk!

#adnd #tsr #greyhawk #dnd #TTRPG

Today on the podcast, I'm talking Theater of the Mind—the old-school, no-map, pure-imagination way to run your tabletop RPGs. Some love it, some hate it, but for me? It’s one of the best ways to keep the game fast, cinematic, and immersive. I’ll break down how to run a killer game without needing a battle map, give some practical tips for describing action so your players stay engaged, and explain when it works best (and when maybe you should break out the minis). If you want your fights to feel like something out of a comic book panel rather than a grid-based chess game, this episode is for you.

#TTRPG #TheaterOfTheMind #TabletopGaming #DMAdvice #RoleplayingGames #ImmersiveStorytelling

Today on the podcast, I am talking about Appendix F, gambling rules, followed up by my own homebrew "Mug Toss" game. Check it out!

#adnd #dnd #TSR #Gygax #TTRPG

Let's talk about Appendix H and the creative potential of traps and tricks within a dungeon setting, emphasizing the importance of innovation for Dungeon Masters (DMs). It suggests that even seasoned DMs can benefit from a variety of tricks that can challenge players and probably screw them over.

#DMTips #dnd #Adnd