Campaign History – Day 5

Medieval nobles stand in the foreground, while horses and a carriage appear in the mid-ground. In the distance is an ancient city.

The RPG Campaign Tour Challenge Day 5 prompt delves into campaign history. Day 5 – Can you tell us about the campaign’s history? In the real world and within the universe. Visit Nuketown’s RPG Campaign Tour Challenge 2026 Prompts page for the rest of our challenge posts. A long time ago … in Pennsylvania I’m … Read more

Meet Alain the Wanderer – Day 2

A D&D character sheet for a Ranger / Cleric named Alain the Wanderer

On Day 2 of the RPG Campaign Tour Challenge, we get to meet our guide to Greyhawk ’76. The prompt: Day 2 – About your Tour GuideIntroduce us to a character who can serve as our guide through your campaign and its setting. Visit Nuketown’s RPG Campaign Tour Challenge 2026 Prompts page for the rest of our challenge … Read more

Welcome to Greyhawk ’76 – Challenge Day 1

A group of adventurers evaluate a map.

Just as I was itching to get back to writing on Nuketown, along came the perfect series of writing prompts Barking Alien’s Barking Alien’s RPG Campaign Tour Challenge! For 28 days in February, the challenge asks folks to share the details of one of their RPG campaigns. Let’s kick things off with the Day 1 … Read more

Online Dungeon Master’s Toolkit

A swampy battle map featuring heros battling demonic creatures. Created using Inkarnate, one of the tools in my Dungeon Master's Tool Kit

The key to virtual play is crafting a online Dungeon Master’s Toolkit that works for you. Just like my physical dungeon master’s toolbox, the online one makes my life easier. It cuts down on prep time, creates robust visuals for battle maps and illustrations, and keeps me focused. Adventure Prep Battle Map Creation Virtual Tabletop … Read more

RPG a Day 2023 – Favorite RPG of All Time

A spine view of a bunch of Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition books ... which is not my favorite RPG of all time.

Rather than just go with my gut instinct for “favorite RPG of all time”, I decided to run the numbers. The numbers are, admittedly, a bit skewed. D&D 3rd Edition includes a bunch of d20 supplements (at least, those who survived my 3e purge) including hardcovers and splat books. I don’t have nearly as many … Read more

RPG a Day 2023 – Favorite Published Adventure

The words Forge of Fury and a black dragon

Forge of Fury is my favorite published adventure, for sheer playability through two generations of gamers. The first time I encountered it, the Forge of Fury formed the foundation of our dwarven Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition campaign. We all played dwarves intent on reclaiming the forge for our clan, eventually re-establishing a hidden dwarven … Read more

RPG a Day 2023 – Smartest Game You’ve Ever Played

The giant eye of a beholder looks at a gold fish.

From a marketing and design perspective, Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. After 4e split the fan base, 5e reunited it by streamlining the game, resurrecting elements that people loved, and bounding the math so that bonus stacking (and the GM/player arms race it forced) was no longer a thing. It runs fast at low, mid, … Read more

Radio Active #100: The Golden Age of Online RPGs

Cover art for Dungeons & Dragons, GURPS, Brindlewood Bay

On Radio Active’s 100th episode I talk about Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, a shoot-and-loot video game based on the Borderlands franchise, go on a solitary, geeky retreat to work on RPG and podcast projects, and contemplate the golden age of online role-playing games. Nuketown News Radio Active’s 100th Episode It finally happened – Radio Active hit … Read more

RPG a Day 2022 – [System Sunday] – Describe a cool part of a system you love

A view of two dozen role-playing game books.

I love Bennies in Savage Worlds. Bennies, usually represented by a poker chip or some other token, allow players (and game masters) to re-roll skill checks and attacks. Players begin with a set number of bennies per session – usually 3 – and spend them throughout that session. Critically, they can earn more bennies for … Read more