Zarban TTRPG
@zarbanttrpg.bsky.social
I write a lot of junk about old-school D&D. Zarban.com
Wishes are fun, but they're tricky to adjudicate. You'll use them more if you keep them simple: a wish can duplicate the effect of any spell in the campaign. They don't have to have encountered the spell. The lower the level, the bigger the area or duration—maybe even make it permanent.
December 19, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Wishes are fun, but they're tricky to adjudicate. You'll use them more if you keep them simple: a wish can duplicate the effect of any spell in the campaign. They don't have to have encountered the spell. The lower the level, the bigger the area or duration—maybe even make it permanent.
Pro tip: instead of spending thousands on one of those expensive custom gaming tables, just get a normal table and a cheap side table to sit between each pair of players. Much higher utility for the same price as one fancy accessory.
December 18, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Pro tip: instead of spending thousands on one of those expensive custom gaming tables, just get a normal table and a cheap side table to sit between each pair of players. Much higher utility for the same price as one fancy accessory.
The d6 die of fate, for when you're not sure or don't care:
1=no, & nothing like it
2=no, as far as you can tell
3=no, but there's an alternative—or yes, with time/money/risk
4=maybe; you can't tell; roll again when there's a change; another maybe counts as yes
5=yes
6=yes, & in a big way
1=no, & nothing like it
2=no, as far as you can tell
3=no, but there's an alternative—or yes, with time/money/risk
4=maybe; you can't tell; roll again when there's a change; another maybe counts as yes
5=yes
6=yes, & in a big way
December 17, 2025 at 8:26 PM
The d6 die of fate, for when you're not sure or don't care:
1=no, & nothing like it
2=no, as far as you can tell
3=no, but there's an alternative—or yes, with time/money/risk
4=maybe; you can't tell; roll again when there's a change; another maybe counts as yes
5=yes
6=yes, & in a big way
1=no, & nothing like it
2=no, as far as you can tell
3=no, but there's an alternative—or yes, with time/money/risk
4=maybe; you can't tell; roll again when there's a change; another maybe counts as yes
5=yes
6=yes, & in a big way
They literally did the meme
December 17, 2025 at 5:26 AM
They literally did the meme
Months ago, I posted about a school of magic with maps adapted from old floor plans. I've spent the last two days refining them further. 5 floors & a mezzanine, plus implied dungeons.
December 16, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Months ago, I posted about a school of magic with maps adapted from old floor plans. I've spent the last two days refining them further. 5 floors & a mezzanine, plus implied dungeons.
Point of interest: The Ships of Thebius—twin ships built of planks & beams of the ship captained by Thebius the Great, each of which claims to actually be that very ship. One is called the Original Famous Ship of Thebius, while the other is called the Famous Original Ship of Thebius.
December 14, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Point of interest: The Ships of Thebius—twin ships built of planks & beams of the ship captained by Thebius the Great, each of which claims to actually be that very ship. One is called the Original Famous Ship of Thebius, while the other is called the Famous Original Ship of Thebius.
It is in my opinion!
December 13, 2025 at 12:22 AM
It is in my opinion!
The difference between old D&D & 5e isn't what you think it is. Gygax would:
- Start PCs at 3rd level w decent hp & spells
- Make sure PC abilities had two 15s (1e PHB p9 & DMG p11)
- Let PCs survive to -10 hp (1e AD&D DMG p82)
A bit weaker, yes, but mainly the focus was on exploration, not combat.
- Start PCs at 3rd level w decent hp & spells
- Make sure PC abilities had two 15s (1e PHB p9 & DMG p11)
- Let PCs survive to -10 hp (1e AD&D DMG p82)
A bit weaker, yes, but mainly the focus was on exploration, not combat.
December 10, 2025 at 5:15 PM
The difference between old D&D & 5e isn't what you think it is. Gygax would:
- Start PCs at 3rd level w decent hp & spells
- Make sure PC abilities had two 15s (1e PHB p9 & DMG p11)
- Let PCs survive to -10 hp (1e AD&D DMG p82)
A bit weaker, yes, but mainly the focus was on exploration, not combat.
- Start PCs at 3rd level w decent hp & spells
- Make sure PC abilities had two 15s (1e PHB p9 & DMG p11)
- Let PCs survive to -10 hp (1e AD&D DMG p82)
A bit weaker, yes, but mainly the focus was on exploration, not combat.
Predicament: Numerous delicate treasures lie strewn on the floor of the vault on the other side of a gap too large to leap. You rejoice at your good fortune; you'll only need time to span it. Then, with a sickening grinding, a great stone cylinder, like a tree trunk lying across the room, 1/2
December 7, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Predicament: Numerous delicate treasures lie strewn on the floor of the vault on the other side of a gap too large to leap. You rejoice at your good fortune; you'll only need time to span it. Then, with a sickening grinding, a great stone cylinder, like a tree trunk lying across the room, 1/2
Wandering monster snails:
- Non-aggressive flail snail: can be avoided with care.
- Whispering whonks: harmless but mimic speech they've heard ("get out", "find them", a password…).
- Slipperwills: harmless but leave a very slippery trail.
- Courier: delivers letters like a homing pigeon… slowly.
- Non-aggressive flail snail: can be avoided with care.
- Whispering whonks: harmless but mimic speech they've heard ("get out", "find them", a password…).
- Slipperwills: harmless but leave a very slippery trail.
- Courier: delivers letters like a homing pigeon… slowly.
December 7, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Wandering monster snails:
- Non-aggressive flail snail: can be avoided with care.
- Whispering whonks: harmless but mimic speech they've heard ("get out", "find them", a password…).
- Slipperwills: harmless but leave a very slippery trail.
- Courier: delivers letters like a homing pigeon… slowly.
- Non-aggressive flail snail: can be avoided with care.
- Whispering whonks: harmless but mimic speech they've heard ("get out", "find them", a password…).
- Slipperwills: harmless but leave a very slippery trail.
- Courier: delivers letters like a homing pigeon… slowly.
Adventure-writing tip: scenes are more engaging if they do double duty. A trap, puzzle, predicament, social encounter, or fight is much better if it also reveals something about the rest of the adventure.
Set things up so the heroes need information, a key, a code, a tool, etc.
Set things up so the heroes need information, a key, a code, a tool, etc.
December 5, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Adventure-writing tip: scenes are more engaging if they do double duty. A trap, puzzle, predicament, social encounter, or fight is much better if it also reveals something about the rest of the adventure.
Set things up so the heroes need information, a key, a code, a tool, etc.
Set things up so the heroes need information, a key, a code, a tool, etc.
Romans started their characters at 3rd level with no less than two 15s among their ability scores.
Spartans: 1st level, 3d6 down the line.
Greeks: 2nd level (1/1 for dual class), 4d6 drop the lowest, assign as preferred.
Etruscans: 1st level, 3d6 down the line for 12 characters, pick the best.
Spartans: 1st level, 3d6 down the line.
Greeks: 2nd level (1/1 for dual class), 4d6 drop the lowest, assign as preferred.
Etruscans: 1st level, 3d6 down the line for 12 characters, pick the best.
December 4, 2025 at 3:26 AM
Romans started their characters at 3rd level with no less than two 15s among their ability scores.
Spartans: 1st level, 3d6 down the line.
Greeks: 2nd level (1/1 for dual class), 4d6 drop the lowest, assign as preferred.
Etruscans: 1st level, 3d6 down the line for 12 characters, pick the best.
Spartans: 1st level, 3d6 down the line.
Greeks: 2nd level (1/1 for dual class), 4d6 drop the lowest, assign as preferred.
Etruscans: 1st level, 3d6 down the line for 12 characters, pick the best.
Folks, more choice is not always better. There’s no way that new supplement or edition's 24 new ancestries & 36 new classes were all carefully playtested to be balanced.
December 2, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Folks, more choice is not always better. There’s no way that new supplement or edition's 24 new ancestries & 36 new classes were all carefully playtested to be balanced.
Memorable misses: If the attack can't hit AC 10, it whiffs. Otherwise, the damage die (you already roll it with attacks, right?) tells you it's…
🎲1 or 6=close shave
🎲2 or 7=glancing blow
🎲3 or 8=block/parry
🎲4 or 9=dodge/duck
🎲5 or 10=narrow escape; opponent must move 5 ft or take half damage
🎲1 or 6=close shave
🎲2 or 7=glancing blow
🎲3 or 8=block/parry
🎲4 or 9=dodge/duck
🎲5 or 10=narrow escape; opponent must move 5 ft or take half damage
December 1, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Memorable misses: If the attack can't hit AC 10, it whiffs. Otherwise, the damage die (you already roll it with attacks, right?) tells you it's…
🎲1 or 6=close shave
🎲2 or 7=glancing blow
🎲3 or 8=block/parry
🎲4 or 9=dodge/duck
🎲5 or 10=narrow escape; opponent must move 5 ft or take half damage
🎲1 or 6=close shave
🎲2 or 7=glancing blow
🎲3 or 8=block/parry
🎲4 or 9=dodge/duck
🎲5 or 10=narrow escape; opponent must move 5 ft or take half damage
The 5 Pillars of OSR Systems:
🥷Exploring, which thieves are good at.
🧙♂️Problem-solving, which mages are good at.
⚕️Support, which clerics are good at.
⚔️Combat, which fighters are supposed to be good at, but… ehhhh.
🤝Social Interaction, which everyone is pretty good at, except usually fighters.
🥷Exploring, which thieves are good at.
🧙♂️Problem-solving, which mages are good at.
⚕️Support, which clerics are good at.
⚔️Combat, which fighters are supposed to be good at, but… ehhhh.
🤝Social Interaction, which everyone is pretty good at, except usually fighters.
November 30, 2025 at 5:25 AM
The 5 Pillars of OSR Systems:
🥷Exploring, which thieves are good at.
🧙♂️Problem-solving, which mages are good at.
⚕️Support, which clerics are good at.
⚔️Combat, which fighters are supposed to be good at, but… ehhhh.
🤝Social Interaction, which everyone is pretty good at, except usually fighters.
🥷Exploring, which thieves are good at.
🧙♂️Problem-solving, which mages are good at.
⚕️Support, which clerics are good at.
⚔️Combat, which fighters are supposed to be good at, but… ehhhh.
🤝Social Interaction, which everyone is pretty good at, except usually fighters.
Adventure hook: A merchant fearing bandits hires the heroes to escort a wagon to the city. The bandits' hideout is a barrow mound with a wight, which they placate with gold & silver but hope to eventually slay (having inquired in town for a silver weapon). Their slain leader is the wight's zombie.
November 24, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Adventure hook: A merchant fearing bandits hires the heroes to escort a wagon to the city. The bandits' hideout is a barrow mound with a wight, which they placate with gold & silver but hope to eventually slay (having inquired in town for a silver weapon). Their slain leader is the wight's zombie.
5e tip: Say that Healing Word leaves the character weak, with disadvantage on attacks & ability checks until they take a short rest. No more falling down & popping up again & again.
November 21, 2025 at 5:50 PM
5e tip: Say that Healing Word leaves the character weak, with disadvantage on attacks & ability checks until they take a short rest. No more falling down & popping up again & again.
Working on my ideal magic system…
🧙Memorize spells; you can swap, but must save to avoid a wild magic effect
🧙Cantrips/Blessings: AD&D lvl 1 spells but none that hurt others; cast at will
🧙Orders 1-5; AD&D lvl 2-6; 1st order includes old lvl 1 spells that hurt others
🧙Memorize spells; you can swap, but must save to avoid a wild magic effect
🧙Cantrips/Blessings: AD&D lvl 1 spells but none that hurt others; cast at will
🧙Orders 1-5; AD&D lvl 2-6; 1st order includes old lvl 1 spells that hurt others
November 19, 2025 at 5:47 AM
Working on my ideal magic system…
🧙Memorize spells; you can swap, but must save to avoid a wild magic effect
🧙Cantrips/Blessings: AD&D lvl 1 spells but none that hurt others; cast at will
🧙Orders 1-5; AD&D lvl 2-6; 1st order includes old lvl 1 spells that hurt others
🧙Memorize spells; you can swap, but must save to avoid a wild magic effect
🧙Cantrips/Blessings: AD&D lvl 1 spells but none that hurt others; cast at will
🧙Orders 1-5; AD&D lvl 2-6; 1st order includes old lvl 1 spells that hurt others
Dilemmas make for great RP. Choose...
⚖️one of two benefits (or disadvantages)
⚖️small benefit now OR large one later
⚖️benefit with a disadvantage OR nothing
⚖️1 PC to get a benefit
⚖️between things that all have advantages & disadvantages
⚖️a certain small benefit or POSSIBLE large benefit
⚖️one of two benefits (or disadvantages)
⚖️small benefit now OR large one later
⚖️benefit with a disadvantage OR nothing
⚖️1 PC to get a benefit
⚖️between things that all have advantages & disadvantages
⚖️a certain small benefit or POSSIBLE large benefit
November 15, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Dilemmas make for great RP. Choose...
⚖️one of two benefits (or disadvantages)
⚖️small benefit now OR large one later
⚖️benefit with a disadvantage OR nothing
⚖️1 PC to get a benefit
⚖️between things that all have advantages & disadvantages
⚖️a certain small benefit or POSSIBLE large benefit
⚖️one of two benefits (or disadvantages)
⚖️small benefit now OR large one later
⚖️benefit with a disadvantage OR nothing
⚖️1 PC to get a benefit
⚖️between things that all have advantages & disadvantages
⚖️a certain small benefit or POSSIBLE large benefit
The key to running a sandbox campaign is offering the heroes two or three hooks to choose from: either an opportunity to get a rumored treasure or a mission to be paid a specific reward. And escalate NPCs from bailiff to sheriff to lord to bishop to baron to earl to king.
November 14, 2025 at 5:00 PM
The key to running a sandbox campaign is offering the heroes two or three hooks to choose from: either an opportunity to get a rumored treasure or a mission to be paid a specific reward. And escalate NPCs from bailiff to sheriff to lord to bishop to baron to earl to king.
Skill check tip: Don't have players roll against a low DC. It feels extra bad to fail an "easy" roll & tends to derail you, bc you assumed they'd succeed, even tho DC 5 is still a 25% chance of failure.
November 12, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Skill check tip: Don't have players roll against a low DC. It feels extra bad to fail an "easy" roll & tends to derail you, bc you assumed they'd succeed, even tho DC 5 is still a 25% chance of failure.
Circle Casting is BROKEN in D&D
YouTube video by Pack Tactics
www.youtube.com
November 9, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Why does anyone still make caltrop d4s instead of 8-sided dice marked 1-4 twice or 12-sided dice marked three times (w roman numerals or pips)?
And why does anyone still make funky (and surely unfair) d5s instead of numbering a 10-sided die 1-5 twice?
And why does anyone still make funky (and surely unfair) d5s instead of numbering a 10-sided die 1-5 twice?
November 7, 2025 at 3:18 AM
Why does anyone still make caltrop d4s instead of 8-sided dice marked 1-4 twice or 12-sided dice marked three times (w roman numerals or pips)?
And why does anyone still make funky (and surely unfair) d5s instead of numbering a 10-sided die 1-5 twice?
And why does anyone still make funky (and surely unfair) d5s instead of numbering a 10-sided die 1-5 twice?
Quick fix for Vancian magic in OSR: Spells you memorized for the day work fine. But you can cast a different spell using a higher-level slot OR with a minor wild magic effect if you fail to save vs spell.
November 4, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Quick fix for Vancian magic in OSR: Spells you memorized for the day work fine. But you can cast a different spell using a higher-level slot OR with a minor wild magic effect if you fail to save vs spell.
Treasure tip: Why would an owlbear have coins & gems? Convert any treasure for such monsters into gold paid for…
🐲 a bounty on its head as a nuisance by a sheriff or lord.
🫀 the creature's parts by an apothecary for potions.
🍖 the creature's body by a noble's chef for an exotic feast.
🐲 a bounty on its head as a nuisance by a sheriff or lord.
🫀 the creature's parts by an apothecary for potions.
🍖 the creature's body by a noble's chef for an exotic feast.
November 3, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Treasure tip: Why would an owlbear have coins & gems? Convert any treasure for such monsters into gold paid for…
🐲 a bounty on its head as a nuisance by a sheriff or lord.
🫀 the creature's parts by an apothecary for potions.
🍖 the creature's body by a noble's chef for an exotic feast.
🐲 a bounty on its head as a nuisance by a sheriff or lord.
🫀 the creature's parts by an apothecary for potions.
🍖 the creature's body by a noble's chef for an exotic feast.