Menu
  • Products
    • 5E Adventures
      • Bundles
      • 1st-Level
      • 2nd-Level
      • 3rd-Level
      • 4th-Level
      • 5th-Level
      • 6th-Level
      • 7th-Level
      • 8th-Level
      • 9th-Level
      • 15th-Level
      • 20th-Level
    • 5E Supplements
      • 5E Combat Cards
      • 5E Game Master Tools
    • Shadowdark RPG
    • Swag
    • Bundles
  • Shadowdark RPG
  • Blogs
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Search
The Arcane Library
0
      0

      Your Cart is Empty

      Continue Shopping
        • $0.00 Subtotal
        • Taxes and shipping calculated at checkout

        • Products
          • 5E Adventures
            • Bundles
            • 1st-Level
            • 2nd-Level
            • 3rd-Level
            • 4th-Level
            • 5th-Level
            • 6th-Level
            • 7th-Level
            • 8th-Level
            • 9th-Level
            • 15th-Level
            • 20th-Level
          • 5E Supplements
            • 5E Combat Cards
            • 5E Game Master Tools
          • Shadowdark RPG
          • Swag
          • Bundles
        The Arcane Library
        • Shadowdark RPG
        • Blogs
        • About
        • FAQ
        • Search

        Arcane Articles

        How To Design Exciting D&D Encounters

        November 08, 2022 6 min read

        Encounters are one of the most important parts of Dungeons & Dragons. So how do we make sure we're designing good ones?
        Read More

        How to Write A D&D Adventure: The Complete Guide

        October 21, 2021 14 min read 6 Comments

        So you want to write a 5E D&D adventure? Read on for the step-by-step process I've developed over the years for writing an action-packed D&D adventure with as little friction as possible.
        Read More

        Imagine First, Design Second

        May 05, 2021 4 min read 10 Comments

        Sometimes, I write a dud. Here's the story of how I recently wrote an adventure that went nowhere, and how I managed to learn something useful from the whole experience in the end.
        Read More

        Milestone Leveling vs. XP Leveling: Which is Better?

        March 02, 2021 5 min read 3 Comments

        The age-old debate of milestone leveling vs. XP leveling! Which one is better? Here we look at the pros and cons of both, plus an entirely new system that blends what I like about each method.
        Read More

        How to Make D&D Maps

        March 02, 2021 5 min read

        Designing D&D maps can be one of the most challenging parts of writing an adventure. In this article, I show you my process for creating a map, from chaotic scribbles to its final version!
        Read More

        The Importance of Danger and Death in Your D&D Game

        March 02, 2021 3 min read

        When my character died, it was a reminder that danger and death are critical to making a Dungeons & Dragons game memorable.
        Read More

        The Secret to Exciting D&D Encounters

        March 02, 2021 2 min read

        How to add tension and excitement to your Dungeon & Dragon game using a concept from screenwriting: the dramatic question!
        Read More

        Sandbox vs. Railroad: Which Is Better?

        March 02, 2021 4 min read

        Has anyone ever asked you whether you're a "sandbox" or "railroad" Dungeon Master? Or maybe you've heard someone say one is superior to the other. In this article, we clear it up once and for all!
        Read More

        The #1 Hack for Writing a Last-Second D&D Dungeon

        March 02, 2021 5 min read

        If you only have a half hour to design a dungeon for your D&D game, this is the process you want to use. In this article, we write a Five Room Dungeon!
        Read More

        How To Create Compelling NPCs In Seconds

        October 16, 2020 3 min read

        Every DM will face the inevitable need to come up with a compelling NPC on the fly and make it look like it was the plan all along. So how do you go from nothing to a clever, sassy potion vendor in a matter of seconds? 
        Read More

        How To Handle Spells That Can Derail Your D&D Game

        October 16, 2020 11 min read 3 Comments

        Have you ever had a spell completely derail your entire D&D adventure?

        I've heard a few horror stories, including one where a druid used speak with animals and a few pointed questions to uncover the adventure's surprise villain within the first ten minutes.

        Read More

        How To Use The Open Game License (OGL)

        October 16, 2020 10 min read 39 Comments

        Publish D&D adventures legally with the Open Game License (OGL) and 5E Systems Reference Document (SRD)! A primer on how to publish D&D material as a third-party writer while remaining lawful good. 

        Read More
        Menu
        • Temple of the Basilisk Cult

        • Privacy

        Copyright

        Trade dress and logo design by Xmorphism.

        Some header images © Tithi Luadthong. Used with permission.

        © 2023 The Arcane Library.