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
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!
October 22, 2025 at 10:39 AM
"Perhaps down the road, counting gold will go the way of ammunition and encumbrance - embraced by those who love realism, but forgotten about at most tables."
More here: buff.ly/OHjyYQl
More here: buff.ly/OHjyYQl
October 4, 2025 at 4:56 PM
"Perhaps down the road, counting gold will go the way of ammunition and encumbrance - embraced by those who love realism, but forgotten about at most tables."
More here: buff.ly/OHjyYQl
More here: buff.ly/OHjyYQl
The nice man from Amazon customer service assures me my copy of Daggerheart will be dispatched in 24 hours.
Seems unlikely, but he was far too polite for me to call him a liar to his face…
Seems unlikely, but he was far too polite for me to call him a liar to his face…
September 28, 2025 at 6:46 PM
The nice man from Amazon customer service assures me my copy of Daggerheart will be dispatched in 24 hours.
Seems unlikely, but he was far too polite for me to call him a liar to his face…
Seems unlikely, but he was far too polite for me to call him a liar to his face…
Finally got a dispatch notice for my Daggerheart back order.
Looking forward to finally getting a look for myself.
Looking forward to finally getting a look for myself.
September 12, 2025 at 7:20 AM
Finally got a dispatch notice for my Daggerheart back order.
Looking forward to finally getting a look for myself.
Looking forward to finally getting a look for myself.
I walked down the ruins of a Roman High Street today.
You wonder if they ever imagined it could all end one day.
You wonder if they ever imagined it could all end one day.
September 9, 2025 at 5:19 PM
I walked down the ruins of a Roman High Street today.
You wonder if they ever imagined it could all end one day.
You wonder if they ever imagined it could all end one day.
In last night's game, my party earned the services of an animated armour they quickly named Arthur.
I did a funny voice for Arthur and chose a mini for him.
I will now let every party member die before Arthur comes to any harm.
I did a funny voice for Arthur and chose a mini for him.
I will now let every party member die before Arthur comes to any harm.
August 30, 2025 at 12:39 PM
In last night's game, my party earned the services of an animated armour they quickly named Arthur.
I did a funny voice for Arthur and chose a mini for him.
I will now let every party member die before Arthur comes to any harm.
I did a funny voice for Arthur and chose a mini for him.
I will now let every party member die before Arthur comes to any harm.
These “Scarab Knights” kicked ass.
Its over 2 years since I forced my brother to paint these minis for our home game and ran out of time to use them on the day.
Totally worth it when I saw the players faces as I dropped them down on the map.
Its over 2 years since I forced my brother to paint these minis for our home game and ran out of time to use them on the day.
Totally worth it when I saw the players faces as I dropped them down on the map.
August 25, 2025 at 10:29 PM
These “Scarab Knights” kicked ass.
Its over 2 years since I forced my brother to paint these minis for our home game and ran out of time to use them on the day.
Totally worth it when I saw the players faces as I dropped them down on the map.
Its over 2 years since I forced my brother to paint these minis for our home game and ran out of time to use them on the day.
Totally worth it when I saw the players faces as I dropped them down on the map.
Ability score improvement or feat?
August 14, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Ability score improvement or feat?
Went for a walk today, spotted my new DM chair…
July 31, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Went for a walk today, spotted my new DM chair…
Adventure starter for ten...
You find a portable hole, what surprising thing is inside?
Leave your best ideas in the comments!
You find a portable hole, what surprising thing is inside?
Leave your best ideas in the comments!
July 22, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Adventure starter for ten...
You find a portable hole, what surprising thing is inside?
Leave your best ideas in the comments!
You find a portable hole, what surprising thing is inside?
Leave your best ideas in the comments!
Summer holidays killing your regular game?
In August I'm running a free playtest of my new play by post game: Deal, Draw and Crawl. It's inspired by Dungeon Crawls and Fantasy Football.
Find out more and sign up to play here: buff.ly/3mLuIKl
#selfpromosaturday #ttrpg
In August I'm running a free playtest of my new play by post game: Deal, Draw and Crawl. It's inspired by Dungeon Crawls and Fantasy Football.
Find out more and sign up to play here: buff.ly/3mLuIKl
#selfpromosaturday #ttrpg
July 19, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Summer holidays killing your regular game?
In August I'm running a free playtest of my new play by post game: Deal, Draw and Crawl. It's inspired by Dungeon Crawls and Fantasy Football.
Find out more and sign up to play here: buff.ly/3mLuIKl
#selfpromosaturday #ttrpg
In August I'm running a free playtest of my new play by post game: Deal, Draw and Crawl. It's inspired by Dungeon Crawls and Fantasy Football.
Find out more and sign up to play here: buff.ly/3mLuIKl
#selfpromosaturday #ttrpg
I absolutely adored #Krypto in the new #Superman film.
Here's my thoughts on how to bring that magic to your game: buff.ly/OrgqPzy
#dnd #dungeonsanddragons #ttrpg #comicbooks #DC
Here's my thoughts on how to bring that magic to your game: buff.ly/OrgqPzy
#dnd #dungeonsanddragons #ttrpg #comicbooks #DC
July 13, 2025 at 3:59 PM
I absolutely adored #Krypto in the new #Superman film.
Here's my thoughts on how to bring that magic to your game: buff.ly/OrgqPzy
#dnd #dungeonsanddragons #ttrpg #comicbooks #DC
Here's my thoughts on how to bring that magic to your game: buff.ly/OrgqPzy
#dnd #dungeonsanddragons #ttrpg #comicbooks #DC
July 12, 2025 at 1:48 PM
I've seen the new Superman.
I can confirm Krypto is the goodest boy.
I can confirm Krypto is the goodest boy.
July 12, 2025 at 1:47 PM
I've seen the new Superman.
I can confirm Krypto is the goodest boy.
I can confirm Krypto is the goodest boy.
Applied for a job,
Didn't think I would get it,
Still disappointed.
Didn't think I would get it,
Still disappointed.
July 8, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Applied for a job,
Didn't think I would get it,
Still disappointed.
Didn't think I would get it,
Still disappointed.
How do you run an interesting duel in your rpg?
That's the question I was asked today by a friend who is running a game this weekend.
I'll share my answer below - but I'd love to hear your ideas!
That's the question I was asked today by a friend who is running a game this weekend.
I'll share my answer below - but I'd love to hear your ideas!
July 7, 2025 at 6:56 PM
How do you run an interesting duel in your rpg?
That's the question I was asked today by a friend who is running a game this weekend.
I'll share my answer below - but I'd love to hear your ideas!
That's the question I was asked today by a friend who is running a game this weekend.
I'll share my answer below - but I'd love to hear your ideas!
I made a terrible mistake writing two versions of the same Dungeon for two separate groups.
The first version went great with group 1, so should I just re-run it for group 2?
Or do I stick to the version I wrote for group 2 and see how it goes?
The first version went great with group 1, so should I just re-run it for group 2?
Or do I stick to the version I wrote for group 2 and see how it goes?
July 6, 2025 at 10:39 AM
I made a terrible mistake writing two versions of the same Dungeon for two separate groups.
The first version went great with group 1, so should I just re-run it for group 2?
Or do I stick to the version I wrote for group 2 and see how it goes?
The first version went great with group 1, so should I just re-run it for group 2?
Or do I stick to the version I wrote for group 2 and see how it goes?