The Black Notebook Podcast

Today we talk about starting age. The Dungeon Master’s Guide gives real tables for how old your character is at creation. I cover how the tables work, how to handle multiclass, what age does in play, and a quick story where I had to clamp down on min-maxing.

#TSR #OSR #RPG #Gygax #Greyhawk

Today we talk about the money side of adventuring that most tables skip. Money changers take a cut, bankers hold your coin, lenders set harsh terms, and jewelers shave value when they buy. I’ll give you clear rates, rulings you can drop in, and hooks that make your city feel alive.

Today we look at the Oriental Adventures rule that lets you grant a one-time bonus when the player demonstrates knowledge or performs a skill. I cover how to use it fairly, what to cap, and a real table story where a player’s stunt earned a surprise attack.

#TSR #Adnd #OSR

Today I talk about command words for rods, staves, and wands. AD&D makes you earn the activation. You have to learn the word. I cover the rules, a fast table process to run discovery, a story where a player tried to game it, and quick hooks.

#adnd #osr #tsr #forgottenrealms #greyhawk

Today I dig into the wraith. Fast, smart, and built to punish careless parties. I cover what it does, how to stage it, rulings that keep it deadly but fair, and hooks you can run tonight.

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Today we break down the four core Elementals, how they fight, where they shine, and how to use them without derailing a session. I give table rulings that keep them scary and fair, plus quick hooks you can drop in tonight.

Things talked about on the podcast

Today we look at page 80 of the Unearthed Arcana book where there is an optional rule that lets a magic user cast straight from a spellbook as if it were a scroll. It is powerful, costly, and risky. I cover the exact risks, how to rule edge cases, and a table story where a player tried to game it.

#adnd #tsr #dnd #OSR

Today’s episode looks at the Ring of Truth, a magic item that makes lies impossible to miss but also strips the wearer of their ability to lie. It’s a blessing and a curse, and at the table it often sparks rules questions. I’ll share what it does, how to use it as a DM, and a story where I had to step in when a player tried to get too clever with it.

#ADnD #RingOfTruth #MagicItems

Today’s episode goes back to Dragon Magazine #6 (1977) for a look at the Death Angel, a creature that mixes oracular prophecy with deadly power. Armed with a death scythe and near-unstoppable persistence, these beings embody fate itself. I’ll break down their abilities, how they work in play, and how to drop one into your campaign without wrecking the balance.

#ADnD #DeathAngel #DragonMagazine

Today we open up Polyhedron Magazine #23 (1985) and take a look at a class Gary Gygax himself introduced... the Ultimist. Called the “nadir of new classes,” this hybrid cleric-magic-user-fighter was designed to embody the powers of the lower planes. I’ll cover what the class can do, how it plays, and whether it belongs at your table.

#ADnD #Ultimist #Polyhedron