The Cartographer's Notes

Karma Points

Karma Points

Similar to inspiration, I use Karma points to reward players for actions taken in game. However, unlike inspiration, karma points are accumulative. In other words, you can have more than...

Karma Points

Similar to inspiration, I use Karma points to reward players for actions taken in game. However, unlike inspiration, karma points are accumulative. In other words, you can have more than...

Musical Instruments for Non-Bards

Musical Instruments for Non-Bards

If you are playing a non-bard character and use an instrument, if you roll a natural 20 on a performance check, your character shows a “natural infinity for music” and...

Musical Instruments for Non-Bards

If you are playing a non-bard character and use an instrument, if you roll a natural 20 on a performance check, your character shows a “natural infinity for music” and...

Character Secrets

Character Secrets

You have 3 levels of “secrets”: Level 1 is something you’re just keeping to yourself but if it’s discovered, you’re generally ok with it being known. Level 2 is something...

Character Secrets

You have 3 levels of “secrets”: Level 1 is something you’re just keeping to yourself but if it’s discovered, you’re generally ok with it being known. Level 2 is something...

Map vs Illustration

I now make a point of reading over art descriptions for commissions & informing my clients if they are actually looking for an illustration instead of a map. What's the...

Map vs Illustration

I now make a point of reading over art descriptions for commissions & informing my clients if they are actually looking for an illustration instead of a map. What's the...

Part 2: Becoming a Temporary Co-DM

Part 2: Becoming a Temporary Co-DM

In Part 1: Go Beyond the Backstory & Build Your Hometown I talked about how to lead your players through designing their hometowns and beyond to help with world building, but...

Part 2: Becoming a Temporary Co-DM

In Part 1: Go Beyond the Backstory & Build Your Hometown I talked about how to lead your players through designing their hometowns and beyond to help with world building, but...

Part 1: Go Beyond the Backstory & Build Your Hometown

Part 1: Go Beyond the Backstory & Build Your Ho...

Something I love to do with my gaming groups when I DM is to truly world build together. Every time we start up a new game they pick a spot on...

Part 1: Go Beyond the Backstory & Build Your Ho...

Something I love to do with my gaming groups when I DM is to truly world build together. Every time we start up a new game they pick a spot on...