And so we come to the end of the year. And boy has a lot happened.
My YouTube channel has grown from just 40 subscribers in October of 2022 to nearly 2700 as I write this. I never could have imagined that. During 2023, I published 177 videos—that is an average of more than 3 per week!
I just crossed 100 subscribers on this newsletter. I plan on putting a lot more focus on the newsletter in 2024. Don’t forget to pick up your free copy of Traavok’s Lair in celebration of this milestone.
Perhaps the biggest epiphany for me in 2023 was when I rediscovered D&D 4e. This was my first version of the game, but it had been a long time since I last played it. I decided to dust off the books and walk down memory lane. And I am so happy I did. I had forgotten how much there was to love about that edition—both in the rules and the style of play. I hear a lot about how 4th edition is “not D&D”, but the more I look at it, the more I think D&D 4e is truer to the original versions of D&D than some of the later editions. A topic that you can bet I will be exploring in 2024.
Outside of personal news, there were also a ton of goings-on within the wider TTRPG space.
Playtests ramped up for the new D&D 2024 rules set to come in 2024.
Kobold Press released playtests for their upcoming 5e-compatible ruleset Tales of the Valiant. I feel like they are going to try and steal some thunder from Wizards of the Coast.
Speaking of thunder-stealers, Paizo started releasing the Pathfinder 2e Remastered content.
And, in case you missed it, there was a small kerfuffle over product licensing from Wizards of the Coast. 😉
All in all, a very exciting year for anyone interested in Tabletop Roleplaying Games. And 2024 looks to be even more exciting with all the new releases on the way.
Monster Monday
This week’s featured monsters are elves. As a playable race, elves are not always looked at as enemies, unless they come in the form of drow. But there is a lot you can do with a elf in possession of nefarious intentions.
Elf encounter idea…
While resting after a day of travel, the party hears a murmuring coming from nearby in the forest. As the sound grows in strength, a glow begins to light up the area. Soft at first, but eventually bright enough to light the entire area like midday.
One hundred yards from their camp, the party finds three elves kneeling in a clearing. They perform a ritual chant with their eyes closed. At the center of their focus is a portal of some sort radiating light across the area.
Their intentions are unclear until shapes begin to emerge from the portal. As these forms climb over the edge, it becomes clear they are skeletons. One by one they crawl to the surface and take up position around the elves.
By the time the chanting stops, there are five skeletons standing with the elves. As the portal fades away, one of the elves opens their eyes and spots the party standing among the trees. It offers an evil smile and the rest of the elves and skeletons turn towards the group.
Place two Elf Zealots and Five Skeleton Underlings within the circle of trees on the left and place the adventuring party in the clearing to the right.
🎲Roll initiative!! 🎲
Deals
Have you ever wanted to play in your favorite action movie? Well, the Cinematic Adventure Humble Bundle is for you. $18 for 10 5e-compatible adventures set in some of the most pop-culture-worthy worlds.
12 days left to take advantage of the Paizo humble bundle containing a bunch of legacy 2e products. This is not the new remastered content, but still some great stuff that can be used with any game. 25 items for $25.
Coming This Week…
It is still holiday season so content will be sparse. I will post when I can.
No live stream this week. We will continue playing through Keep on the Shadowfell in 2024.
Thank you everyone for all your support.
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