Tessera

How do you build a world where A) the sky is fantastic, B) the sky matters, and C) it makes sense? Spoiler alert: You forget about C. #TTRPG members.phd20.com/posts/skies-...

Skies Above Swordspell | PhD20

The skies above Swordspell are a world unto themselves. But rather than just narrative flavor, they influence the world, the characters, and

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What is the most impactful lever for creating and using engaging #TTRPG NPCs?

The Most Important NPC Detail

The most impactful NPC detail isn't motivation or backstory. Start with what your Dungeons & Dragons NPC is feeling right now, then ask why it changed.

phd20.com

Swordspell contains two distinct worlds within the setting. But they're not like the planes of #DnD... #TTRPG members.phd20.com/phd20/posts/...

Swordspell | PhD20

Swordspell is as much a setting (probably moreso) as it is a system. And today I wanted to share a bit about the "Old World" within it.

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Do you use "AI" tools (like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, etc) in any part of your #TTRPG process? I'm sure this will spark some comments (I don't use these tools for TTRPGs, but my day job requires it), but I'm really interested in what the data says. Thanks! members.phd20.com/phd20/posts/...

Patreon | PhD20

Do you use "AI" tools (like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, etc) in any part of your #TTRPG process? This could be anything from organizing files, to writing code, to generating content, etc.

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I just couldn't handle NPCs that looked like this anymore. #TTRPG #DnD phd20.com/blog/npc-not...

NPC text:

"A famed hero for his exploits in Aer. Rumor has it that he has ventured deep into Malandia on more than one occasion.

Occupation: Leader and owner of the Adventurer’s Guild in Cordyr’s Coast. He also trains adventurers for a price.
Physical Description: Long brown hair and a thick brown goatee cover a handsome face. A black eyepatch covers his right eye. He dresses in fine clothes over his armor and wears a trench coat over it all.
Attributes/Skills: Aticus is one of only a handful of people in Aer that know the swordfighting technique of Daeceloran. He can also manipulate magic by evoking energy with use of his blade.
Values/Motivations: Aticus values a life of adventure and helping those who need it. He is motivated by self-betterment and promises of great adventure.
Behavior: Aticus has the personality of Shawn Michaels. He is a faithful follower of Pelor and a very nice human (of Bardock descent).
Useful Knowledge: Aticus knows a good deal about Malandia although he will not let on to that. He is also knowledgable in creatures and monsters of Aer as well as swordfighting.
Mannerism: He will quote and mention Pelor quite often although not annoyingly.
Alignment: NG
Ally:
Background: Aticus was raised by a hard-working family and his father was in the Aerial Army so they moved around a lot. He wanted to be a great paladin of the Four, the deities he was raised to worship. His father found a trainer in the woods near their home who trained him in the art of Daeceloran during his teenage years. He joined an Adventuring Guild and
Object:
Quirks: Wears numerous gold necklaces.
Secret:
Voice:"

What does a #TTRPG world and system look like when designed to remove death as the main fail state? members.phd20.com/posts/forkin...

Forking 5E: Should Characters Die? | PhD20

This is a follow-up to my first round of "death and dying" rules for Swordspell. That post was largely focused on rules. But Swordspell is a

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I just backed Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster on @kickstarter.com www.kickstarter.com/projects/sly...

Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster

Run great tabletop RPGs by preparing less.

kickstarter.com

"The game is set in a high-fantasy, medieval fairy-tale world and focuses on folklore, sorcery, and heroic adventures rather than organized religion." What does this mean to you for a game like #DnD5E? #TTRPG #Worldbuilding Artwork credit: Lost Haven Art

A blue-skinned forest druid wearing a wooden horned mask and ornate wood-and-gold armor, holding a staff and conjuring a glowing green sprout of magic from one hand against a textured green backdrop.

"A world of wonder, color, and discovery — where an older world keeps its own time, just out of step with this one." That's the north star for my #DnD5E fork and setting. Follow along if you like homebrew #TTRPG rules and setting material you can easily steal: members.phd20.com/collection/2...

Swordspell | Collection from PhD20 | 3 posts

Get more from PhD20 on Patreon

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I've added a handful of new #TTRPG artifacts to the repository. Grab an NPC like Isathil Thunderstone for your game today! open.phd20.com/characters/i...

Isathil Thunderstone · PhD20

The proud and loud dwarf proprietor of Isathil’s Good Trades.

open.phd20.com

forum.phd20.com/t/the-phd20-...

The PhD20 Forum will shut down on July 5

I’ll be shutting down the forum on July 5, 2026. When I started this forum nearly 18 months ago, I had the energy, time, and willpower to build a community (no easy task—especially with forums). I…

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TTRPG Blogs (dndblogs.com)@dndblogs.com · 5mo ago

Taking a look at evolving backgrounds from #DnD5E for my forked system. Plus some custom backgrounds (and setting info) for patrons!

Forking 5E: Backgrounds (Part 1) | PhD20

Let's continue forking 5E. Backgrounds in 5E have never quite hit the mark for me. I've played and designed backgrounds for 5E and 5.5. And

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Stop Sharing Your Lore. Start Using It.: PhD20 https://phd20.com/blog/why-dnd-lore-matters/ #dnd #ttrpg

Brian F'n Patterson @d20monkey.bsky.social · 5mo ago

I was slow paid (possibly no paid) on a project and I need to open commissions for emergency rent. If you ever wanted me to draw something for you, now is a great time. brianfnpatterson.com/commissions

Commissions — The Art of Brian Patterson

brianfnpatterson.com

TTRPG Blogs (dndblogs.com)@dndblogs.com · 5mo ago

Free #TTRPG GM content with more to be unlocked from the Architect's Vault 🔜 phd20.com/blog/free-dn...

The Vault and the Library: GM Resources

A version-controlled library of ready-to-use tabletop RPG content — items, locations, NPCs, adventures, and more. Free forever. Human-made. Creative Commons.

phd20.com

The Vault and the Library: GM Resources: PhD20 https://phd20.com/blog/free-dnd-game-master-resources/ #dnd #ttrpg

Patrons are getting a look at the new #ObsidianMD vault of #TTRPG content and how some of it will be scheduled to unlock into the RPG Resource Repository and Creative Commons. members.phd20.com/posts/archit...

The Architect's Vault: Reforged | PhD20

The Architect's Vault: Reforged by PhD20 on Patreon. Join PhD20's community for exclusive content and updates.

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Death and dying in #DnD5e AKA the “Chumbawamba” experience.

Forking 5E: Death and Dying + Patron Setting Preview | PhD20

Forking 5E: Death and Dying + Patron Setting Preview by PhD20 on Patreon. Join PhD20's community for exclusive content and updates.

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In which I decide that I've been #ttrpg #worldbuilding wrong for a decade and speak to how I'm attempting to fix it. members.phd20.com/posts/your-g...

Your GM Notes Are Not a Game World | PhD20

Your GM Notes Are Not a Game World by PhD20 on Patreon. Join PhD20's community for exclusive content and updates.

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Forking #DnD5E. Why not? members.phd20.com/posts/156915...

My 5E, My Rules: Building a 5E That's Actually Mine | PhD20

My 5E, My Rules: Building a 5E That's Actually Mine by PhD20 on Patreon. Join PhD20's community for exclusive content and updates.

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For many, #TTRPG YouTube started in 2016. But Esper does a great job showing just how far back things really go. I loved seeing some fellow creators in that 2011-2016 era. Great memories. Give it a watch! youtu.be/FOq2Xr-jM4I?...

The Real History of DungeonTube

There is so much to the history of Dungeontube. It is a vast network of creators producing content about D&D and other TTRPGs. Let’s go on a journey and see how things grew to this…

youtu.be

Inspired by discovering "trinket trading" at a Renaissance festival last week, I've added some trinkets to the RPG Resource Repository! #TTRPG open.phd20.com/random-table...

Trinkets

A table of trinkets

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