For the past few years I've been collecting the 1/12 scale D&D figures that Hasbro has been releasing. I ordered the Drizzt and Guenwyvar from Hasbro directly, but all of the others have been picked up at different Ollie's Bargain Outlets. I have about half of the line and once I start working again will start grabbing the rest of the figures.

Holga Kilgore, Diana, Drizzt Do'Urden and Guenwyvar, Simon Aumar, Doric (in owlbear form), Hank, Uni and Bobby
Displacer Beast, the Xanathar and Sylgar, Forge Fitzwilliams.

At the beginning of the year I mentioned I was going to share Jonathon Young’s hardcore BG3 tracks. Because of things I don’t want to go into, I’m just now sharing the second track.

This song is a tribute to the arrogant mage, Gale. I didn’t use him much my first play through, but I am my second. While his pride can make him insufferable at times, the is much more to the character. 

Today I'm going to talk about two more Big Bads from Hit Point Press. Unlike my last post, these pdfs aren't free (though they are only 2.99).

King Blrrk is a gelatinous cube that accidentally engulfed the Gem of Whirling Cosmic thought, a magic item that granted it an Intelligence score of 20. With his new found intelligence he left the dungeon for the safety of the city and set himself up as a crime boss. He protects his own and rewards them with magic items (because of his fear of them). He is served by chef assassins. He sometimes tears of chunks of himself, which are functionally one time use magic items. The pdf includes a discussion of his lair (with lair actions), roleplaying tips and traits. Blrrk is a impressive Challenge 12.

Last year I posted about Hit Point Press Big Bad Booklet Patreon. It gave an overview and discussed the two big bads I had, Daniel the flesh golem and the Conqueror Worm. The big bads and magic items from the patreon were collected into two books. However, you can also snag the individual pdfs. Today I'm going to talk about two Big Bad pdfs that are available for free (at least at the time of this post).

Pork & Bean are an odd pair. Bean is a raging goblin berserker and Pork is a subtle bugbear assassin. Originally enemies, the pair was struck by lightning and became bound to each other. They subconsciously know each others moves. While they bicker and would never admit it, the two are deadly together and rely on each other. The currently work as murderers for hire. Tactics, traits, and roleplaying tips are included. We also get three adventure hooks. The pdf includes stats for Bean's magical shackles and Pork's magical bracers. Pork is a Challenge 8 bugbear assassin and Bean is a challenge 6 goblin berserker. They are quite dangerous together and get a total of 5 Legendary Team Actions when within 60 feet of one another.

Full confession: I love *redacted*. They are one of my favorite monsters. They are powerful, flavorful, and creepy. My favorite is definitely the Xanathar. I don't think *redacted* get enough love. Then again one of the big reasons is because *redacted* are not open content and are part of WotC's IP. This means publishers can't really be show their creativity with *redacted*.

That's why Planet X Games newest Kickstarter Big Eye Chungus is so great. These spherical ocular tyrants definitely aren't *redacted* and are ready to be dropped into your magic elf games. 

 Here's a sample page:

If you're a regular hear at the Halls, you know that I absolutely adore Levi's writing style (and if we're going to be real, I adore Levi too). My man was cool enough to let me take a look at the pdf. A review wasn't requested, but it's such good stuff that I'm doing one.

Today's character is my attempt at making a luchador in 5e.  You can see the character sheet here. 

Angel Corredor is the son of an Amnian mercenary and a Maztican priestess. From a young age, Angel used his strength and drive to protect those that can't protect themselves. He trained himself in a new fighting style that had its roots in an ancient sport of his people. As a part of this ritualistic combat, he created a mask and costume, referring to himself as Incendio. He's recently ventured to the Sword Coast and is currently living in Waterdeep. As Angel, he is a simple laborer and member of the Dockworker's Guild. As Incedendio, he is a masked vigilante that protects the innocent and punishes the wicked. 

Day 17 is a trap!

Traps are funny to me. I know they are an iconic part of dungeon delving, but when I design things, I almost never think to include them. If you are playing in a game I'm running and there is a trap, it's probably because I'm running a module. It's not that I don't like traps, I'm just not a rogue and constantly alert for them. 

That being said, as I've got older I've become a fan of the ridiculousness that is Grimtooth and his traps. He's just a fun, ridiculously overpowered character. I still think making him the new landlord of Undermountain would be fun as hell. 

 Today's character was created for D&D 5e, using their D&D Beyond tools.

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Sam Whoreson feels his surname bears no dishonor. The son of a Waterdhavian brothel owner, the young man faithfully serves the goddess of trade and coin, Waukeen, while also using his resources to aid his community. Unlike other clerics of his faith, he tends to associate and serve those often shunned and looked down up.  

Currently based out of Trollskull Alley, Sam has been known to serve as a mercenary healer. Despite the mercantile nature on healing, those in need they can still receive aid from him, in exchange for information and favors.

To view Sam's character sheet, click this link.

Jungle Tomb of the Mummy Bride is an outstanding adventure and one of my favorite 5e releases. I decided to take the adventure and discuss how to use it with the three established 5e D&D settings I know best.

Eberron
There’s really no question about the best spot in Eberron for this adventure. The mysterious continent of Xen’Drik has numerous ruins dotting its immense jungle. The Mummy Bride and cannibals make perfect antagonists for the pulpy adventures there. I would change the humanoids to drow, since they are the primary inhabitants of Xen’Drik (other than giants). While the drow there aren’t typical evil drow, there could easily be decadent tribes among the race.  Give the cannibals the following adjustments:

Fey Ancestry: advantage on saves vs. charm, immunity to sleep magic

Innate Spellcasting (spell save DC 11)
At Will: Dancing Lights
1/day each: Faeire Fire, Darkness

Sunlight Sensitivity
In the sunlight, drow have disadvantage on attack rolls and Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight. Note: The dense jungle protects them from this most of the time.

Adventure Hooks

• The party’s ship or airship has been grounded near the tomb. Hearing rumors, they believe there is magic there that can help them repair it and go home.
• The University of Wynarn or Morgrave University send the party as part of an expedition to a newly discovered elven ruin. 
• A member of a Dragonmarked house has gone missing  exploring Xen’drik and his family want him found. 

I love Minsc. He's was my favorite party member in the Baldur's Gate games and is my favorite D&D hero. Looking for things on the web today, I found these two images from WotC. The first is a sample from D&D Young Adventurer's Guide: Warriors & Weapons. The second is from Dragon Plus.

The images have been hyperlinked, so click them for larger versions. I made a double sided print and now I have a really cool guest character added to my D&D binder.

You can read the recap of the first session here.

Party

Primhorn Graniteback - stout halfling fighter
Luna - tiefling sorcerer (dragon blooded)
Glynmaris - moon elf rogue

I will post short character backgrounds and art once I get them from the players. 

This recap was written by Glynmaris' player, Kevin.

A week ago I ran the first session of my new 5E D&D campaign. We're starting the game with Waterdeep: Dragon Heist.

Party
Primhorn Graniteback - stout halfling fighter
Luna - tiefling sorcerer (dragon blooded)
Glynmaris - moon elf rogue

I will post short character backgrounds and art once I get them from the players. 

This recap was written by Glynmaris' player, Kevin.

 (At the Yawning Portal) 


Yagra, a half-orc mercenary acquainted with Graniteback, is engaged into a fistfight with a drunk with eye tattoos all over his head. Graniteback seeing his friend in combat goes to ascertain what is happening, seeing his arrival the tattooed man's 4 friend jump into the fray. Luna casts a sleep spell knocking 2 of the men unconscious, Yagra drops another man, and the two remaining men concede defeat and remove their compatriots. 


After the battle a loud scream is heard and a troll with 3 stirges stuck to his back and 3 other stirges emerge from the yawning portal. Glynmaris eviscerates a stirge with a throwing dagger, Graniteback slices through a second, and Luna incinerates the third stirge. Yagra and the tavern owner Durnan engage the troll in melee. Glynmaris throws an oil flask at the troll which Luna ignites, Durnan and Yagra use chairs to push the emblazoned monster over the edge of the Yawning Portal where it lands with a loud splat. 


Volothamp Geddarm "Volo" impressed with the way the group handled themselves approaches the characters and offers them 10 gp each payable now and a 100 gp each payable on completion to discover the whereabouts and rescue his friend and fellow nobleman Floon Blagmar, who was last seen at the Skewered Dragon in the Docks district. On the way to the Docks district the group comes upon a scene where the city watch is investigating the aftermath of vicious battle between 2 rival gangs. Upon closer inspection Glynmaris notices that some of the men have tattoos of eyes on them, members of the Xanathar's Guild, and other have a tattoo of a winged serpent, members of the Zhentarim. 


The group arrive at the Docks District and visit Xoblob's shop, who Glynmaris knows is a seller of trinkets and a known source of local information. After Glynmaris fails to persuade Xoblob to divulge his information about Floon, Luna intimidates the man by threatening to burn down his establishment into telling the group that Floon and a well-dressed fellow of similar appearance and bearing were jumped outside the shop by rough-looking men in black leather armor. Xoblob thinks there were five attackers, but none of them looked familiar. One of them had a black tattoo of a winged snake on his neck. Glynmaris purchases a hilt to a broken rapier, and Luna purchases a large dragon scale that has been painted purple.


The group then traveled to the Skewered Dragon where Graniteback befriends the tavern regular's and persuades them to talk about the fight the other night. The regulars inform the group that Floon was here with Volo, and after Volo left Floon stuck around and met another man, one Renaer Neverember. Five men followed the pair out but haven't been seen since, although they are known to frequent a nearby warehouse that has the symbol of a winged snake on the door. 


Arriving at the warehouse, Glynmaris picks the lock on the door and silently opens it to see the aftermath of a battle and 4 kenku inside. The group engages the kenku in battle where Glynamris throws a dagger into one kenku before Luna and Graniteback both take damage. Luna then puts 2 of the kenku to sleep with a spell, Glynmaris stabs the heart out of one and Graniteback and Glenmaris finish the fourth kenku. 


After the battle they tie up the two remaining kenkus, one is wounded from Glynmaris. Searching the 1st floor they discover that the battle is made up of Zhents and Xanathar guild members. They discover Renaer Neverember in the warehouse covered in fish guts and vinegar, he tells the group that he believes he was the target of the attack he and Floon were engaged in, as the Zhentarim thinks that his father embezzled a large amount of gold while he was Open Lord, and that he hid the coin somewhere in the city. They think they can find it by using an artifact called the Stone of Golorr, which was in the hands of the Xanathar Guild until recently. It was stolen. The Zhents thought he knew something about all of this, but he says he doesn't. He says he hasn't spoken to his father in years. The group discover a box containing 7 magical pieces of paper that when written and a name spoken fold into little origami birds and fly to that person, the group called them tweets.
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Everyone had a good time. The group meshed well together. We didn't play too long, because there were some last minute character creation things, but I feel like it was a great start to the game. We didn't even fall into the classic too much out of game chat, though that could be because all of the players didn't know each other. The only issue the party is seeing is the lack of healer. We originally had a fourth player, but haven't heard if they're still interested. I do have a few friends that are going to drop in and out, so we might be able to take care of things that way.

I know that Lost Mine is a fun adventure because I ran it when 5e first came out. It's got a nice variety and I'm very familiar with it. In contrast, Waterdeep Dragon Heist is the new hotness. Though I've not read it yet,  I've heard some great things from folks that are running it.

If Lost Mines is the route I go, I plan on adding another lost mine (Glitterdoom). I also think the Kobold Art Exhibit will make an appearance. Some of the monster variations from Volo's Guide will definitely be added in.

If I go with Dragon Heist, I'm going to make Manshoon the villain so that the adventure is set during winter. This works with the timing of the game and lets me use Winter's Splendor. I can also use my copy of Cloud Giant's Bargain. Of course, if I use Dragon Heist I can also go right into Dungeon of the Mad Mage.

With both adventures I'm going to introduce a character from The Mermaid's Blessing early on. I'm also going to do a 5E version of the Secret Party House of the Hill Giant Playboy because it's just sounds fun as Hell and I never got to use it.

So what games do you have lined up for the new year?

Download a free holiday adventure for 5e from WotC. Winter's Splendor is a low level adventure set in the city of Waterdeep and connected to a noble family that's a part of the Dragon Heist adventure.

   I skimmed the adventure and it seems like a nice mix of rp, puzzles, and combat. It some interesting rewards  and an Easter egg connected to my favorite published NPC, Blinksy.