The Black Notebook Podcast

By The Evil Dungeon MasterLeisure Games

The Black Notebook Podcast episodes

October 01, 2024AD&D Fumbling with Magic, The Power of the Fumble Spell!
The Fumble Spell in AD&D is an underutilized fourth-level
enchantment that causes a target to fumble items and act clumsily, with a duration of one round per level.
Highlights
🪄 Fumble Spell is a fourth-level magic user spell.

⚖️ Duration is one round per level, making it potentially powerful.

⚔️ Causes targets to drop or fumble items, creating tactical advantages.

⚡ Saving throw can result in slowed movement instead of fumbling.

💔 Undead are immune due to its enchantment/charm nature.

🌪️ Can disrupt spellcasting if a target fumbles their components.

⚖️ Interpretations vary on whether it affects one item or multiple.
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10 min
September 30, 2024AD&D - The Holy Avenger, A Paladin's Ultimate Weapon!
The Holy Avenger is a powerful sword for Paladins, granting magic resistance and bonus damage against chaotic evil foes, making it a significant asset in AD&D.
Highlights
⚔️ Holy Avenger Power: Acts as a +2 sword for non-Paladins and a +5 sword for Paladins.

🛡️ Magic Resistance: Provides 50% magic resistance within a 5-foot radius.

✨ Bonus Damage: Inflicts +10 damage to chaotic evil opponents.

📈 Level Consideration: Best given to characters around 10th level to maintain balance.

🔄 Scaling Weapons: Holy Avengers can grow in power alongside characters.

🎲 Quest Opportunities: Obtaining a Holy Avenger can be an exciting quest for Paladins.
Mazes & Perils
Perilous Pathways Magazine
12 min
September 27, 2024AD&D - The Algoid, a Swamp Guardian Creature!
Today's podcast was an email suggestion from Billy G!
The Algoid is a rare, semi-intelligent green humanoid creature resembling a colony of algae. It has a unique form, limited to mobility and a basic intelligence, and is immune to various weapons and magical attacks, particularly fire and lightning. Algoids can control nearby trees to aid in combat, dealing significant damage. They are vulnerable to water-based spells, making them a strategic challenge for adventurers.
Highlights -🌟
Very Rare: Algoids appear infrequently (1-6 at a time).

Immune to Edged Weapons: Only magical weapons of +2 or better can harm them. 🔪

Mind Blast: They can unleash a powerful psionic attack once per day. 🧠

Tree Control: They can command local trees to assist in battle. 🌳

Damage Dealing: Each attack inflicts 7-10 damage with powerful fists. 💥

Water Vulnerability: Water-based spells are particularly effective against them. 💧

Chaotic Neutral: Their alignment indicates unpredictable behavior. ⚖️
12 min
September 26, 2024AD&D - Gem of Seeing vs True Seeing Spell
Today's podcast suggestion is brought to you by Donald Vek! Thank you for the suggestion.
Today's podcast discusses the differences between the Gem of Seeing from the Dungeon Master’s Guide and the True Seeing spell from the Player’s Handbook and the in AD&D.
Highlights
📖 True Seeing is a 5th level cleric spell allowing perception of true forms.

🔮 The Gem of Seeing is a magic item that detects hidden things but has limitations.

👁️ True Seeing reveals secret doors, illusions, and auras of creatures.

⏳ True Seeing lasts one round per caster level; Gem requires time to scan.

⚖️ True Seeing reveals disguises, while the Gem does not.

🎲 Gem of Seeing has a 5% chance of causing hallucinations.

🙌 True Seeing is often underutilized despite its powerful effects.
12 min
September 25, 2024AD&D Spotlight: Crafting the Perfect Death Knight for Your Campaign
Topic this episode is suggested by DIRTYOLDGROGNARD on X.
This issue of Dragon Magazine #222 features an in-depth exploration of the Death Knight as a terrifying and tragic NPC (Non-Player Character) in Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. Once noble warriors, death knights now serve evil, wielding immense power and command over undead forces. The article provides a comprehensive guide on how to create and use death knights as complex villains in campaigns, offering unique abilities, spellcasting, and eerie leadership qualities. It also explores their motivations and tragic backstories, as well as their relationships with undead allies.
Highlights:
💀 Origins: Death knights were once noble warriors who fell into evil and undeath, often after a deep betrayal or tragedy.

⚔️ Combat Prowess: Retain warrior abilities, with increased strength and unique magical powers as they commit acts of evil.

🛡️ Magic Resistance: High magic resistance based on their level, with a max of 95%.

🏰 Undead Leadership: Attract undead minions like skeletons and zombies, and occasionally powerful undead allies like liches.

🧠 Complex Villainy: Motivated by self-loathing and the corruption of good individuals, they embody tragedy and manipulation.
20 min
September 23, 2024AD&D Lamia Unleashed: Deadly Desert Encounters
LAMIA is a rare, chaotic evil creature found in deserts, resembling a human female with a beast’s lower body. They are fast, armed with daggers, and possess spellcasting abilities to charm and deceive their prey. Lamias drain wisdom and blood from victims, ultimately devouring
them. Their ability to speak in common and their alignment language aids in their manipulative tactics.
#LamiaRPG #FantasyCreatures #Adnd #DungeonsAndDragons
Highlights -🦂
Very Rare Creature

Chaotic Evil Alignment

Desert Dwellers

Spellcasting Abilities

Wisdom Drain Attack

Fast and Powerful

Blood and Flesh Feeder
11 min
September 20, 2024AD&D - Intelligent Items With Guest DM Will
Vince is joined by DM Will and they go over the system for determining the unusual properties of swords, including their intelligence, alignment, primary abilities, extraordinary powers, and specific purposes. Various tables are provided to roll dice for these attributes, which can affect how the sword interacts with its wielder and the world around it.
#Swords #Intelligence #Adnd #RPG

Highlights -⚔️
Sword Intelligence: Ranges from none to extraordinary powers. 🧠

Alignment Types: Includes chaotic good, neutral evil, and more. ⚖️

Primary Abilities: Detects traps, magic, and more within specific ranges. 🔍

Extraordinary Powers: Includes capabilities like teleportation and telepathy. ✨

Special Purposes: Targets specific enemy types or alignment oppositions. 🎯

Communication Modes: Varies from non-verbal cues to telepathy. 🗣️

Cursed Swords: All cursed swords are deemed neutral. ⚰️
50 min
September 19, 2024AD&D Deadly Precision: Unleashing Arrows of Slaying in RPG Campaigns!
Arrows of slaying in AD&D are powerful magic items that instantly kill specific creature types, with unique variations and careful usage required.
Do you want to guest host on the show? Let me know, email at AsktheDM(@)TheEvilDM.com
#AdvancedDungeonsAndDragons #TSR #Greyhawk
Highlights
🏹 Instant Death: These arrows kill their specific target instantly with no saving throw.

⚔️ +3 to Hit: The arrows of slaying are enchanted with a significant hit bonus, making them deadly in the hands of skilled archers.

🧩 Customizable: Dungeon Masters can create arrows for specific creatures or classes, adding a personalized element to campaigns.

❗ One-Time Use: Once fired, whether they hit or miss, the arrow's magic is spent.

💥 Potential for Conflict: In the wrong hands, these arrows can cause significant issues.
11 min
September 18, 2024AD&D - The Jackalwere, Human Infiltrator!
Today's podcast is brought to you by LeroyD20 on X.
The Jackalwere is a rare and dangerous creature known for its ability to shift between a jackal and human form. Driven by chaotic evil, it roams the lands, targeting humans for their riches and lives. Its gaze holds a magical sleep-inducing power, making it even more threatening in ambush situations. With a high intelligence and the ability to wield human weapons, the Jackalwere is a cunning and deadly foe that adventurers must take seriously. Despite its humanoid form, only iron or magical weapons can harm it, making it a challenging opponent in combat.
#FantasyCreatures #Shapeshifter
#Jackalwere
#AdvancedDungeonsAndDragons
Highlights
🐺 Shapeshifter: The Jackalwere can switch between a jackal and human form, making it a master of deception and infiltration.

💤 Sleep-inducing Gaze: Its gaze works like a sleep spell on unsuspecting creatures, allowing it to incapacitate foes before attacking.

⚔️ Resilient: Only iron or magical weapons can hurt it, adding an extra layer of difficulty for adventurers.

💡 Intelligent and Cunning: The Jackalwere is highly intelligent, often using strategy and ambushes to achieve its goals.

👥 Pack Hunter: Sometimes found with normal jackals, making it more dangerous when encountered in groups.
10 min
September 17, 2024AD&D - The Death Knight, Your Campaigns Ultimate Big Bad!
Today on the podcast, Jonathan S sent a request into my facebook page asking about Death Knights!
Death Knights, formidable undead creatures from D&D, are powerful foes with unique abilities, including magic resistance and commanding undead.
🗡️ Death Knights are powerful undead, known for their formidable stats and abilities.

👻 They have a unique origin as fallen paladins, cursed by demons.

⚔️ Lord Sth is a notable Death Knight from the Dragonlance series.

🧙‍♂️ They possess high magic resistance and can reflect spells.

🔥 Capable of casting devastating spells, including a 20d6 fireball.

🐴 Death Knights are often accompanied by nightmares, their loyal steeds.

⚰️ Only 12 Death Knights are known to exist, making them rare and significant foes.
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14 min

About The Black Notebook Podcast

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Welcome to The Black Notebook, where we take a fresh look at Dungeons & Dragons through the pages of the classic D&D books. Every episode explores monsters, rules, adventures, and forgotten…

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