Author: Thomas Baumbach

Posted on by — 1 Comment

Stoneholme Vocabulary: Development Blog #1

write for AAW Games, design bible for Stoneholme

The demand for an Underworld-specific prologue that leads into Rise of the Drow proper has grown to the point we can no longer deny this project needs to happen! As a first step toward developing the Stoneholme trilogy into a polished setting and adventure on par with RotDCE, here’s a collection of vocab terms to aid writers in keeping to the tone of the setting. None of this is set in stone (sorry), but it can serve as the beginnings of a design bible for the project, for those interested in writing for roleplaying games.

Interjected amongst these terms are relevant notes regarding design and development that might pique the interest of readers, give some insight into the development process, and are useful for writers to keep in mind!

Continue reading Stoneholme Vocabulary: Development Blog #1

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Aiszkartz Asteroid and the Ancestral Gateway

Alien Mountain Landscape with Floating Monolith Crystals

Did you know AAW Games has a history with Spelljammer space-fantasy adventures? In honor of the latest 5E release, here’s a fresh take on an Aventyr classic, the Ancestral Gateway!

Continue reading Aiszkartz Asteroid and the Ancestral Gateway

Posted on by — 1 Comment

From Script to Sandbox: A Rise of the Drow Outline

To help you plan out your campaign and provide ongoing support for Rise of the Drow: Collector’s Edition, we’ve created this outline and flowchart. It presents ways to navigate through the Rise of the Drow prologue (included in the collector’s edition) and the alternate prologue, the Stoneholme Trilogy.

This flowchart will put the intended outline of the adventure’s campaign arc into perspective. It is also a concise bit of GM advice for running Rise of the Drow that helps track experience “gaps” inherent to a sandbox campaign. Note: This post contains spoilers, if you are a player you’ll want to stop reading here and instead send this post to your GM!
Continue reading From Script to Sandbox: A Rise of the Drow Outline

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Rise of the Drow: Disintegrating Drow Equipment

There is a long tradition in fantasy roleplaying of drow equipment being destroyed or rendered useless upon exposure to sunlight. Rise of the Drow: Collector’s Edition hints at this tradition with some equipment found in Tolgorith Tower, but throughout the prologue—which takes place on the surface, albeit mostly under an eclipse— the equipment the drow use is presumed to be of drow make, yet no discussion is given on the usefulness of those items should they find their way into the hands of the player characters. Here, then, is an optional bit of world-building the GM can include regarding drow-crafted arms and armor. These rules are kept intentionally vague to serve for any roleplaying game, as well as to allow the GM flexibility in implementing them. Continue reading Rise of the Drow: Disintegrating Drow Equipment

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Rise of the Drow Alternate Prologue: The Stoneholme Trilogy

RotDCE Blog #1 Header Image

As noted on page 85 of Rise of the Drow: Collector’s Edition (RotDCE), the Stoneholme trilogy of adventures could serve as an alternate means of embarking on the campaign to thwart the drow in the Underworld. Follow us on Discord and Twitter to stay up to date on promotions and discounts that you can use to pick up the Stoneholme trilogy, or any of our products for your campaign!

Herein is a brief outline of the Stoneholme trilogy, as well as a few key inclusions the GM can make to tie into the plot of Rise of the Drow. The Rise of the Drow: Campaign Primer also serves to introduce players to the Underworld, providing them context for playing in the ancient dwarven city.  Read no further if you want to avoid spoilers. Continue reading Rise of the Drow Alternate Prologue: The Stoneholme Trilogy

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Rise of the Drow: Surviving the Cathedral

Blog#2Header

By far the most asked question we receive about Rise of the Drow: Collector’s Edition is, “Is it supposed to be this tough?”

The short answer is yes, it’s supposed to be a challenge. It’s a challenge for the players to use their resources wisely and to look outside their character sheets for ideas. But it’s also a challenge for the GM to keep the characters constantly in danger, constantly on the verge of defeat but also moving forward. 

The first chapter of the prologue is called “The Darkness Arrives” and it is meant to set the tone for the entire campaign. The drow are introduced as a formidable foe, and the frantic pace and overall sense of encroaching darkness throughout the prologue compels the heroes to action and drives the players toward the quest of thwarting the drow. The prologue is not only difficult, but potentially deadly. While some groups embrace the idea of a TPK and enjoy the threat it poses, it’s not for every game table. What follows is a guide to avoid that most gruesome fate. Stop reading now if you want to avoid spoilers. Continue reading Rise of the Drow: Surviving the Cathedral