The Black Notebook Podcast

The Black Notebook Podcast

By The Evil Dungeon MasterLeisureGames
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The Black Notebook Podcast episodes

  • AD&D - Using the Spectre in your game!

    An interesting monster that has a lot of possibilities in your game, so in this video I discuss the Spectre in AD&D, detailing their abilities, weaknesses, and a unique approach for incorporating them into gameplay.

    Highlights

    • 📖 Spectres are powerful undead with unique abilities.
    • 👻 They drain life energy, posing a significant threat to players.
    • 🌑 Spectres hate sunlight, becoming powerless in daylight.
    • 🏰 The DM plans to use a Spectre as a major antagonist in a game.
    • 🧙‍♂️ Spectres can create lesser versions to do their bidding.
    • 🔮 Unique adaptations for Spectres include wearing clothing.
    • 🎃 The video sets the stage for a spooky gaming experience.


      • #Spectre #Undead #DungeonsandDragons #adnd

      Support me:

      - https://buymeacoffee.com/TheEvilDM

      11 min
    • AD&D - The Equalizer of Gran March, a True Neutral sword of Justice!

      The Equalizer of Gran March, or the Sword of Neutrality, is a silver long sword designed to balance the universe’s powers. Only true neutral characters can wield it effectively. It functions as a +3 weapon against various alignments, with special effects against extreme alignments, including potential disintegration. The sword has an experience point

      value of 10,000 and a gold piece value of 50,000.

      Highlights -⚔️

      • ⚔️ Name: Equalizer of Gran March (Sword of Neutrality)
      • 📏 Type: Silver Long Sword
      • ⚖️ Function: Balances extreme powers in the universe
      • 👤 Wielder: Only usable by true neutral characters
      • 💥 Combat Bonuses: Up to +6 against certain alignments
      • 🧙‍♂️ Effects: Disintegrates extreme alignment opponents
      • 💰 Value: 10,000 x.p. / 50,000 g.p.

        • Support me:

        • https://buymeacoffee.com/TheEvilDM
        • https://ko-fi.com/TheEvilDM
          • 14 min
        • AD&D Shoes of Fharlanghn, Never trip on long walks!

          Shoes of Fharlanghn are magical footwear that never wear out and prevent fatigue, allowing wearers to walk 20-30 miles daily. Neutral or neutral good wearers gain benefits like never tripping, climbing hills effortlessly, and walking on narrow ledges safely. Worshipers of Fharlanghn receive additional perks, including never getting lost, being unstartled, running quickly, climbing like a skilled thief, and treading on various terrains as if on smooth roads. A dozen pairs are known to exist.

          XP 2000 GP 20,000

          #TTRPG #RPG #ADnD #DnD #Greyhawk #TSR

          Learn more about Fharlanghn in the Greyhawk Wiki:

          https://greyhawkonline.com/greyhawkwiki/Fharlanghn

          Highlights -👟

          1. Durable Design: Never wear out.
          2. Fatigue-Free Walking: Walk 20-30 miles daily.
          3. Safety First: No tripping or entanglement.
          4. Effortless Climbing: Conquer steep hills with ease.
          5. No Surprises: Wearers stay alert to surroundings.
          6. Enhanced Movement: Run fast and jump far.
          7. Terrain Mastery: Walk smoothly on any surface.

            8. Key Insights -🔍

            1. Endurance Redefined: The shoes’ magical properties allow extraordinary endurance, making them essential for adventurers and travelers. This reflects the need for reliable gear in demanding environments.
            2. Safety Features: The prevention of trips and entanglements promotes a sense of security, essential for those exploring unknown territories. It showcases the shoes’ alignment with Fharlanghn’s values of travel and safety.
            3. Effortless Navigation: The ability to climb steep surfaces without effort signifies an enhancement of physical capabilities, aligning with the theme of overcoming obstacles in life’s journey.
              4. 11 min
            4. AD&D - Cloak of the Bat, Be a Vampire.....not really.

              The Cloak of the Bat is a dark brown or black cloak that grants its wearer the ability to become nearly invisible in shadows (90% chance) and fly at a speed of 15 feet. The wearer can also transform into a bat, taking all belongings along. Flying can only occur in darkness and lasts for one hour, requiring an equal rest period afterward. The cloak

              provides +2 protection, even in bat form.

              #ClassicGaming #RPG #Adnd #DnD #Greyhawk #TSR

              Highlights -🦇

              1. Invisibility: 90% chance when stationary in darkness.
              2. Bat Transformation: Wearer can turn into a bat with possessions.
              3. Flying Ability: Fly at 15’ speed in darkness.
              4. Rest Requirement: One hour of flight needs one hour of rest.
              5. Dual Enchantment: Radiates both enchantment and alteration.
              6. Protection: Provides +2 protection like a robe.
              7. Versatile Use: Usable in various dark environments

                8. Want to Support me? Buy me a Coffee! https://BuymeaCoffee.com/TheEvilDM


                12 min
              8. AD&D - How lucky is the LuckStone?

                Today on the podcast, I am opening up the email bag for a request by a listener named Lady Laura. She wanted me to discuss the Stone of Good Luck aka the Luckstone. Page 154 in the DMG is where you can find it and follow along!

                Highlights

                • 🎲 Introduction of the Stone of Good Luck from the Dungeon Master Guide.
                  • 📜 Details about the Stone of Good Luck’s effects on dice rolls and experience points.
                  • ⚖️ Discussion on fair use of the luck stone concerning player alignments.

                    • #TSR #Adnd #OSG #ClassicGaming

                    11 min
                  • AD&D - Sword of Sharpness & The Vorpal Sword!

                    The Sword of Sharpness is treated as a +3 weapon for determining what can be hit, despite having only a +1 bonus to hit and damage. It can sever limbs on a high roll. The Vorpal Weapon is similar but superior, severing heads with a +3 bonus. Certain creatures may not be affected by decapitation.

                    #AD⁠nD ⁠#TTRPG⁠ ⁠#RPG⁠ ⁠#D⁠nd ⁠#Greyhawk⁠ ⁠#TSR⁠

                    Highlights -⚔️

                    1. Sword of Sharpness: +3 for hit determination, +1 to hit/damage.
                    2. Severing Limbs: Can sever extremities on high rolls.
                    3. Vorpal Weapon: Superior sword with a +3 bonus to hit/damage.
                    4. Decapitation: Sever head on specific high roll scores.
                    5. Creature Limitations: Not all creatures can be decapitated.
                    6. Light Emission: Sword sheds light based on wielder’s desire.
                    7. Creature Types: Some creatures may survive decapitation.

                      8. Key Insights -📜

                      1. Weapon Functionality: ⚔️ The Sword of Sharpness
                        2. provides enhanced capabilities against various targets, making it a
                        versatile choice for adventurers, despite its lower direct combat
                        bonuses.
                      2. Severing Mechanics: ✂️ The mechanics of severing
                        3. limbs add a tactical layer to combat, allowing players to focus on
                        specific targets and potentially gain an advantage in battle.
                      3. Vorpal Superiority: 🌟 The Vorpal Weapon’s
                        4. increased effectiveness in severing heads positions it as a coveted tool
                        for serious combatants, emphasizing the importance of weapon choice.
                      4. Creature Adaptability: 🧙‍♂️ Understanding that not
                        5. all creatures can be decapitated introduces strategic complexity,
                        requiring players to consider the nature of their foes when wielding
                        these weapons.
                      5. Light Utility: 💡 The ability to control the light
                        6. emitted by the sword enhances its utility beyond combat, aiding in
                        exploration and navigation in dark environments.
                      6. Combat Strategy: 🛡️ Players must weigh the odds of
                        7. hitting and severing limbs or heads, which can influence their combat
                        strategies and target selection.
                      7. DM Considerations: 🎲 Dungeon Masters should keep
                        8. in mind the unique interactions of creatures with these weapons,
                        ensuring that gameplay remains fair and engaging for players


                        14 min
                      8. AD&D - Speak Magic or Die Trying: Command Words for Magical Items!

                        #Adnd #OSR #RPG

                        To effectively use a rod, staff, or wand, one must know the command word associated with it. This knowledge can be acquired through observing opponents, coercing information, or consulting hidden records. If these methods fail, spells like contact other plane, legend lore, or speak with dead may be employed to uncover the necessary command words.

                        Highlights -🔑

                        1. Command words are crucial for using magical items.
                        2. Observing opponents can reveal necessary phrases.
                        3. Coercion or trickery can extract information.
                        4. Spell-users often document command words in scrolls.
                        5. Memory lapses may necessitate written records.
                        6. Lack of information may lead to using spells for guidance.
                        7. Specific spells can provide insight into forgotten words.

                          8. Support me by buying me a Coffee (die 🎲) - https://buymeacoffee.com/theevildm


                          15 min
                        8. AD&D Alignment Shifts: Do Harsh Penalties Make the Cut?

                          Changing alignment in a character is a serious matter, impacting experience levels, abilities, and possibly deities. Clerics face significant consequences, while druids lose their class entirely if their alignment shifts from neutral. Involuntary changes may be reversed with atonement and sacrifice. Players must understand that alignment changes require substantial moral commitment, and frequent changes lead to penalties, including loss of language skills and experience.

                          Highlights -🌀

                          • Alignment Change Consequences: Altering alignment can lead to severe penalties for characters.
                          • Clerics & Deities: Clerics may switch deities upon alignment change, affecting spells.
                          • Druids Lose Class: Druids must maintain neutrality; otherwise, they cease to be druids.
                          • Experience Loss: Characters lose a level upon voluntary alignment changes, including abilities.
                          • Involuntary Changes: Magical or cursed changes can be reversed through sacrifice and atonement.
                          • Gradual Shifts: Significant alignment changes require gradual adjustments in values.
                          • Player Awareness: Players should not be informed of penalties to prevent strategic alignment swapping.
                            • 16 min
                          • AD&D - Let's Go Over Leomund's Tiny Hut

                            In today’s episode of my podcast, we chat about the spell known as Leomund's Tiny Hut! When a magic-user casts this spell, they create an opaque sphere of force around themselves, with half of it above ground and half below. This awesome hut keeps the inside cozy, maintaining a temperature of 70°F, even when it’s freezing outside or scorching hot.

                            Plus, it can withstand winds up to 50 mph, making it a great shelter for adventurers! Inside this tiny hut, the spellcaster can control the dim lighting and can fit up to six other people comfortably. They can come and go freely, but if the caster steps out, the spell disappears! Just a heads up, though, the Tiny Hut won’t protect you from any attacks or spells. It's a fun and strategic spell for any adventurer, so tune in to hear more about how to use it in your campaigns!

                            • 📖 Leomund’s Tiny Hut from the Player’s Handbook is found on page 74.

                            • 🛡️ Provides shelter and temperature control for players.

                            • 🌨️ Can withstand winds up to 50 mph, offering durability.

                            • 🔦 Allows dim light inside while maintaining outside visibility.

                            • 🏕️ Up to six creatures can enter without harming the Hut.

                            • ❄️ The ground beneath warms to 70 degrees when cast.

                            • 🎲 Offers strategic advantages in combat and exploration scenarios.

                              • Highlights

                              13 min
                            • AD&D Magical Robes, Part 1

                              Today on the podcast, I am focusing on three robes, Robe of the Arch Magi, Robe of Blending, and Robe of Eyes. Magic robes in Dungeons & Dragons offer unique powers that can greatly influence gameplay. For instance, the Robe of the Arch Magi provides protection and boosts spell effectiveness, but it carries risks for alignment shifts and significant damage if misused. This complexity challenges players to think strategically about when and how to use such powerful items.

                              Meanwhile, the Robe of Blending enhances role-playing opportunities by allowing characters to disguise themselves effectively, adding layers to interactions and storytelling. Balancing these items is crucial; giving them too early can disrupt game dynamics, while thoughtful timing can enrich the narrative experience for all players.

                              • 🧙‍♂️ Discussing magic robes from the Dungeon Master’s Guide.

                              • 📜 Focus on the Robe of the Arch Magi, Robe of Blending, and Robe of Eyes.

                              • ⚔️ Caution advised for distributing powerful magical items to players.

                              • 🎭 The Robe of Blending enhances role-playing opportunities.

                              • 👁️ The Robe of Eyes grants extraordinary vision abilities.

                              • 🔮 Magic resistance mechanics discussed for balancing gameplay.

                                • 🧙‍♂️ Robe of the Arch Magi: A powerful item with significant drawbacks, making it suitable for high-level play (10th level or above) to maintain game balance.

                                • 🎭 Robe of Blending: Offers great role-playing potential with disguise capabilities, can be introduced at lower levels (around 5th) without unbalancing the game.

                                • 👁️ Robe of Eyes: Provides the wearer with the ability to see in all directions and detect invisible creatures, making it a high-stakes item for high-level campaigns.

                                • ⚔️ Magic Resistance: Items like the Robe of the Arch Magi provide magic resistance, impacting gameplay strategies for both players and enemies.

                                • 🔮 Caution with Distribution: DMs should be careful about when and how to distribute powerful items to avoid skewing the game balance and player expectations.

                                • 🎲 Role-Playing Opportunities: Magical items can enhance storytelling and character development in D&D, encouraging creative uses during game sessions.

                                • 🗡️ Impact on Game Dynamics: Introducing powerful items can lead to shifts in game dynamics, emphasizing the need for careful consideration by the DM.

                                  • HighlightsKey Insights

                                  18 min

                                About The Black Notebook Podcast

                                From the publisher's feed

                                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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