Mage Advice
@mageadvice.substack.com
🇬🇧 Based account celebrating D&D and other ttrpgs.
Free ideas, tips and advice every Wednesday at mageadvice.substack.com
Free ideas, tips and advice every Wednesday at mageadvice.substack.com
Nine cages are placed facing each other in a circle, each containing a Kobold.
They introduce themselves in turn: Barek, Direk, Eerek, Gorek, Irek, Jorek, Keyrek, Morek and Trek - and claim they have the key to the exit door which they will exchange for their freedom.
They introduce themselves in turn: Barek, Direk, Eerek, Gorek, Irek, Jorek, Keyrek, Morek and Trek - and claim they have the key to the exit door which they will exchange for their freedom.
January 8, 2026 at 10:38 AM
Nine cages are placed facing each other in a circle, each containing a Kobold.
They introduce themselves in turn: Barek, Direk, Eerek, Gorek, Irek, Jorek, Keyrek, Morek and Trek - and claim they have the key to the exit door which they will exchange for their freedom.
They introduce themselves in turn: Barek, Direk, Eerek, Gorek, Irek, Jorek, Keyrek, Morek and Trek - and claim they have the key to the exit door which they will exchange for their freedom.
On a dirty floor, an infernal summoning circle has been drawn in chalk and bone.
The remains of five candles long since burnt out surround a scorched skeleton.
Sulphurous footsteps lead through a smudged rune to the exit door.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Six
- Dungeonary: One room a day for a month
The remains of five candles long since burnt out surround a scorched skeleton.
Sulphurous footsteps lead through a smudged rune to the exit door.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Six
- Dungeonary: One room a day for a month
January 7, 2026 at 10:05 AM
On a dirty floor, an infernal summoning circle has been drawn in chalk and bone.
The remains of five candles long since burnt out surround a scorched skeleton.
Sulphurous footsteps lead through a smudged rune to the exit door.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Six
- Dungeonary: One room a day for a month
The remains of five candles long since burnt out surround a scorched skeleton.
Sulphurous footsteps lead through a smudged rune to the exit door.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Six
- Dungeonary: One room a day for a month
Slick ice coats coats every surface of this room, where carcasses frozen solid hang from huge meat hooks in the ceiling.
A dull repetitive thudding sound comes from a bare chested frost giant who is using one of the carcasses as a punching bag. He looks at you and says:
"You want to be a contender?"
A dull repetitive thudding sound comes from a bare chested frost giant who is using one of the carcasses as a punching bag. He looks at you and says:
"You want to be a contender?"
January 6, 2026 at 7:19 AM
Slick ice coats coats every surface of this room, where carcasses frozen solid hang from huge meat hooks in the ceiling.
A dull repetitive thudding sound comes from a bare chested frost giant who is using one of the carcasses as a punching bag. He looks at you and says:
"You want to be a contender?"
A dull repetitive thudding sound comes from a bare chested frost giant who is using one of the carcasses as a punching bag. He looks at you and says:
"You want to be a contender?"
A Bugbear in a kaftan is surrounded by 20 goblins sat on small beanbags.
She clears her throat, clearly irritated by your interruption:
"Welcome to Sickie 101, where through the power of improvisation we will learn how to avoid at least one, maybe even two, days of work.
She clears her throat, clearly irritated by your interruption:
"Welcome to Sickie 101, where through the power of improvisation we will learn how to avoid at least one, maybe even two, days of work.
January 5, 2026 at 7:46 AM
A Bugbear in a kaftan is surrounded by 20 goblins sat on small beanbags.
She clears her throat, clearly irritated by your interruption:
"Welcome to Sickie 101, where through the power of improvisation we will learn how to avoid at least one, maybe even two, days of work.
She clears her throat, clearly irritated by your interruption:
"Welcome to Sickie 101, where through the power of improvisation we will learn how to avoid at least one, maybe even two, days of work.
Dungeonary: One room a day for a month.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Four.
Thick cobwebs coat every surface of this room, including a number of comfortable benches and a large barbers chair. An Ettercap in a brown leather apron waves a cut throat razor towards the empty chair.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Four.
Thick cobwebs coat every surface of this room, including a number of comfortable benches and a large barbers chair. An Ettercap in a brown leather apron waves a cut throat razor towards the empty chair.
January 4, 2026 at 10:16 AM
Dungeonary: One room a day for a month.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Four.
Thick cobwebs coat every surface of this room, including a number of comfortable benches and a large barbers chair. An Ettercap in a brown leather apron waves a cut throat razor towards the empty chair.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Four.
Thick cobwebs coat every surface of this room, including a number of comfortable benches and a large barbers chair. An Ettercap in a brown leather apron waves a cut throat razor towards the empty chair.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Three.
This room is empty except for a large stone pedestal in the middle that holds a brass rod shaped like a key.
As you watch bony hands begin to claw out from the ground.
This room is empty except for a large stone pedestal in the middle that holds a brass rod shaped like a key.
As you watch bony hands begin to claw out from the ground.
January 3, 2026 at 8:46 AM
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Three.
This room is empty except for a large stone pedestal in the middle that holds a brass rod shaped like a key.
As you watch bony hands begin to claw out from the ground.
This room is empty except for a large stone pedestal in the middle that holds a brass rod shaped like a key.
As you watch bony hands begin to claw out from the ground.
Dungeonary: One room a day for a month.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Two.
The arch is crammed with laboratory equipment, but a few pieces grab your attention.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Two.
The arch is crammed with laboratory equipment, but a few pieces grab your attention.
January 2, 2026 at 11:20 AM
Dungeonary: One room a day for a month.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Two.
The arch is crammed with laboratory equipment, but a few pieces grab your attention.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Two.
The arch is crammed with laboratory equipment, but a few pieces grab your attention.
Dungeonary: One room a day for a month.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room One.
The room is a 60ft square, with an arching brick lined ceiling that is 20ft high and curves down to the ground on the east and west side.
The North and South walls are flat, both with a single wooden double door in the middle.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room One.
The room is a 60ft square, with an arching brick lined ceiling that is 20ft high and curves down to the ground on the east and west side.
The North and South walls are flat, both with a single wooden double door in the middle.
January 1, 2026 at 8:43 AM
Dungeonary: One room a day for a month.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room One.
The room is a 60ft square, with an arching brick lined ceiling that is 20ft high and curves down to the ground on the east and west side.
The North and South walls are flat, both with a single wooden double door in the middle.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room One.
The room is a 60ft square, with an arching brick lined ceiling that is 20ft high and curves down to the ground on the east and west side.
The North and South walls are flat, both with a single wooden double door in the middle.
Is having to reorganise your DVDs to accommodate the newbies the worst or best part of Christmas?
December 25, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Is having to reorganise your DVDs to accommodate the newbies the worst or best part of Christmas?
Okay, so we are fighting our figgy pudding with this sword.
What is it's name and what power does it gift you?
What is it's name and what power does it gift you?
December 20, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Okay, so we are fighting our figgy pudding with this sword.
What is it's name and what power does it gift you?
What is it's name and what power does it gift you?
Tonight I'm reflavouring an adventure for Christmas, but I'd appreciate some help from Bluesky!
I have:
Troll = Krampus
Goats = Reindeer
Violet Fungus = Mini Xmas trees?
Stirges = Rabid fairies/Elves??
Gray Ooze = ???!
I have:
Troll = Krampus
Goats = Reindeer
Violet Fungus = Mini Xmas trees?
Stirges = Rabid fairies/Elves??
Gray Ooze = ???!
December 19, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Tonight I'm reflavouring an adventure for Christmas, but I'd appreciate some help from Bluesky!
I have:
Troll = Krampus
Goats = Reindeer
Violet Fungus = Mini Xmas trees?
Stirges = Rabid fairies/Elves??
Gray Ooze = ???!
I have:
Troll = Krampus
Goats = Reindeer
Violet Fungus = Mini Xmas trees?
Stirges = Rabid fairies/Elves??
Gray Ooze = ???!
Discovered a delivery driver locked in his van today.
Couldn't help but think:
“This is a great encounter hook”.
Couldn't help but think:
“This is a great encounter hook”.
December 16, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Discovered a delivery driver locked in his van today.
Couldn't help but think:
“This is a great encounter hook”.
Couldn't help but think:
“This is a great encounter hook”.
Very excited to finally get my hands on Monsters of Drakkenheim from @dungeondudes.bsky.social and @ghostfiregaming.bsky.social , although I have to say, I'm blown away by the add ons!
I'm pretty sure these might be my new favourite dice...
I'm pretty sure these might be my new favourite dice...
December 12, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Very excited to finally get my hands on Monsters of Drakkenheim from @dungeondudes.bsky.social and @ghostfiregaming.bsky.social , although I have to say, I'm blown away by the add ons!
I'm pretty sure these might be my new favourite dice...
I'm pretty sure these might be my new favourite dice...
I bought some £5 foam board, some cheap paints and made some stuff I'm really proud of.
Take a look at the gallery to see all the parts of my ruined castles set.
This isn't a how-to, but I hope it shows what a beginner can achieve!
Take a look at the gallery to see all the parts of my ruined castles set.
This isn't a how-to, but I hope it shows what a beginner can achieve!
Create this terrain for £15
Making my first ever terrain set from scratch.
buff.ly
December 3, 2025 at 11:39 AM
I bought some £5 foam board, some cheap paints and made some stuff I'm really proud of.
Take a look at the gallery to see all the parts of my ruined castles set.
This isn't a how-to, but I hope it shows what a beginner can achieve!
Take a look at the gallery to see all the parts of my ruined castles set.
This isn't a how-to, but I hope it shows what a beginner can achieve!
My players loved The Red Rooster and it's landlord, Posy...
so they were devastated when it got crushed by a black dragon.
This is how I created it:
buff.ly/foDH7Bp
so they were devastated when it got crushed by a black dragon.
This is how I created it:
buff.ly/foDH7Bp
November 19, 2025 at 4:59 PM
My players loved The Red Rooster and it's landlord, Posy...
so they were devastated when it got crushed by a black dragon.
This is how I created it:
buff.ly/foDH7Bp
so they were devastated when it got crushed by a black dragon.
This is how I created it:
buff.ly/foDH7Bp
A random generator is fine, but there is a simple solution for coming up with a tavern your players will never forget.
buff.ly/foDH7Bp
buff.ly/foDH7Bp
November 19, 2025 at 11:39 AM
A random generator is fine, but there is a simple solution for coming up with a tavern your players will never forget.
buff.ly/foDH7Bp
buff.ly/foDH7Bp
A little surprised to see @criticalrole.bsky.social pop up in the middle of the evening news...
November 17, 2025 at 7:16 PM
A little surprised to see @criticalrole.bsky.social pop up in the middle of the evening news...
All seven parts of this series are now available.
I've had some lovely comments from people who have picked the couple that interested them, or enjoyed the entire journey.
Links inside to explore!
I've had some lovely comments from people who have picked the couple that interested them, or enjoyed the entire journey.
Links inside to explore!
How to write a one-shot: Part Seven
The Pratchett method
buff.ly
November 10, 2025 at 11:39 AM
All seven parts of this series are now available.
I've had some lovely comments from people who have picked the couple that interested them, or enjoyed the entire journey.
Links inside to explore!
I've had some lovely comments from people who have picked the couple that interested them, or enjoyed the entire journey.
Links inside to explore!
Tonight on D&D:
The party discover the dangers of robbing a werewolf den while the pack are out hunting…
and then leaving a trail back to their camp.
The party discover the dangers of robbing a werewolf den while the pack are out hunting…
and then leaving a trail back to their camp.
November 7, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Tonight on D&D:
The party discover the dangers of robbing a werewolf den while the pack are out hunting…
and then leaving a trail back to their camp.
The party discover the dangers of robbing a werewolf den while the pack are out hunting…
and then leaving a trail back to their camp.
The first radio presenter I ever worked with carried a battered old ring binder into every show.
He never opened it on air, so after a year of working together I asked what it was for:
“My song and dance routine,” he said with a smile.
Today, how that one piece of advice changed how I DM:
He never opened it on air, so after a year of working together I asked what it was for:
“My song and dance routine,” he said with a smile.
Today, how that one piece of advice changed how I DM:
How to write a one-shot: Part Five
Your song and dance routine
buff.ly
November 6, 2025 at 4:59 PM
The first radio presenter I ever worked with carried a battered old ring binder into every show.
He never opened it on air, so after a year of working together I asked what it was for:
“My song and dance routine,” he said with a smile.
Today, how that one piece of advice changed how I DM:
He never opened it on air, so after a year of working together I asked what it was for:
“My song and dance routine,” he said with a smile.
Today, how that one piece of advice changed how I DM:
This simple tool has transformed my game prep.
Make sure your adventures always feel balanced and varied by using the colour wheel.
This is part four in the series, but stands alone as a piece of advice.
Make sure your adventures always feel balanced and varied by using the colour wheel.
This is part four in the series, but stands alone as a piece of advice.
How to write a one-shot: Part Four
The colour wheel of adventure
buff.ly
November 5, 2025 at 11:39 AM
This simple tool has transformed my game prep.
Make sure your adventures always feel balanced and varied by using the colour wheel.
This is part four in the series, but stands alone as a piece of advice.
Make sure your adventures always feel balanced and varied by using the colour wheel.
This is part four in the series, but stands alone as a piece of advice.
Movable Keys and Quantum Ogres can offer you the most flexible adventures you've ever created.
Today I'm talking about how understanding these mechanics is crucial to writing one shots.
This is part 3 in the series, but does stand alone, or you can start at the beginning by following the links:
Today I'm talking about how understanding these mechanics is crucial to writing one shots.
This is part 3 in the series, but does stand alone, or you can start at the beginning by following the links:
How to write a one-shot: Part Three
Movable keys and quantum ogres
buff.ly
November 4, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Movable Keys and Quantum Ogres can offer you the most flexible adventures you've ever created.
Today I'm talking about how understanding these mechanics is crucial to writing one shots.
This is part 3 in the series, but does stand alone, or you can start at the beginning by following the links:
Today I'm talking about how understanding these mechanics is crucial to writing one shots.
This is part 3 in the series, but does stand alone, or you can start at the beginning by following the links:
Why learning to built a fort can help improve your one shots...
This is part two in the series, but you can enjoy it on its own or the follow the links inside to start at the beginning!
This is part two in the series, but you can enjoy it on its own or the follow the links inside to start at the beginning!
How to write a one-shot: Part Two
Tent poles and blanket
buff.ly
November 3, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Why learning to built a fort can help improve your one shots...
This is part two in the series, but you can enjoy it on its own or the follow the links inside to start at the beginning!
This is part two in the series, but you can enjoy it on its own or the follow the links inside to start at the beginning!
Trying something a bit different this week, a seven part guide published daily.
How to write a one-shot: Part One
Skip to the End.
open.substack.com
November 2, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Trying something a bit different this week, a seven part guide published daily.
I was pleased with how quickly the group solved this one.
Although fans of a certain video game get a big head start!
Although fans of a certain video game get a big head start!
October 30, 2025 at 4:59 PM
I was pleased with how quickly the group solved this one.
Although fans of a certain video game get a big head start!
Although fans of a certain video game get a big head start!