Magic Stacking and Nature of Magic
Magic Stacking Powerful magic spells and magic items cannot be stacked, not because it is volatile, but because it is the very nature of…
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Dispatches from the table
Category: DN Guide
Rules insights, worldbuilding sparks, new releases, and practical ideas for your next session.
Magic Items Use by Class
Magic items do not require attunement. All classes can use rings, potions, magical armor (with respect to their class limitations), jeweler, etc. Who Can…
Read the chapterGive Signs of Strain
Let players see the wear. Describe what exhaustion looks like. "Your shield arm trembles. Blood freezes in your gauntlets. The giant laughs, unhurt." Show…
Read the chapterMix Encounter Types
Start with combat to establish stakes. Add a hazard that forces saves or clever thinking. Include exploration strain like weather or exhaustion. Drop social…
Read the chapterThink in Sequences, Not Singles
Don't ask yourself: "Can this fight kill them?" Ask instead: "If they fight this, then that, then this other thing before resting, will they…
Read the chapterThe Real Killer
Attrition is the slow bleed of resources across a day of encounters. An ogre warband costs the wizard a spell use. A troll ambush…
Read the chapterEncounters at High Level
By 7th through 9th level, a single monster falls fast to focused fire. That's expected and fine. Real challenge emerges from layering threats together.…
Read the chapterWhat an Encounter Really Is
An encounter isn't just rolling initiative. It's any challenge that drains party resources. Combat against giants or dragons demands immediate resources. Hazards like traps,…
Read the chapterWeary Condition
When you become Weary through exhaustion, forced marching, magical effects, etc. you suffer a -2 penalty to all Save Rolls. Rest and recovery remove…
Read the chapterHoly vs Unholy
In any world - not just Open Dungeons - the ideas of holy and unholy are shaped by who's holding the torch. A cleric…
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