Alphastream

The Alphastream Game Design Blog

Adventure Hacking in Dark Sun

Where we mash-up Aliens and Thunderspire Labyrinth to create a fantastic Dark Sun adventure – or was it only in our minds?

October 11, 2015 · 1 Comment

Breaking Patterns, part 3: Abstract 4E

We break established design patterns to have a strong story-rich wilderness travel skill challenge feel and two abstract combats – including one with an army unit!

October 10, 2015

Breaking Patterns, Part 2

When a combat is dissatisfyingly easy, we drop in a ferocious custom-built sand drake! Download the monster for your game. Episode 8 of my Dark Sun campaign, Crown of Sorrow.

October 10, 2015

Breaking Patterns in Encounter Design

We can work really hard at creating great adventures and yet still not escape the patterns of conventional adventure design. Here is how we break the mold.

October 9, 2015 · 1 Comment

Tavern Trouble and Taking Risks

What if we create a Dark Sun bar fight, where every PC can discover special tavern-related “powers” they can use? These kinds of experiments can really help us grow as DMs.

October 9, 2015 · 2 Comments

Integrating PC Backstory

A player-driven campaign really takes off when we encourage the players to collaborate on backstories that tie them to the setting.

October 7, 2015 · 1 Comment

Dark Sun Campaign Development: PCs, The Stars of the Show

As a player, do you struggle to give your PC a convincing personality and backstory? As a DM, are your PCs’ backgrounds disconnected or even at odds? Read on for some solutions.

October 7, 2015

Hexploring the Possibilities

SRM has a cool idea on giving players a hand in overland exploration, turning random encounters into a neat new system of Hexploration. Let’s experiment and apply it to Dark Sun!

October 7, 2015

Dark Sun Campaign Development: Storyboarding and Arcs

One of the ways we can make our campaign feel like a cool movie or TV show is to employ the same storyboarding and story arc techniques.

October 2, 2015

Bringing the Heat – Starting a Dark Sun Campaign

Planning a Dark Sun campaign? This suggested process will help, as will these campaign themes that capture the essence of the setting and really resonate with players.

October 2, 2015

Another Age Begins

Gone for 14 years, the Dark Sun setting finally returns for 4E! I look back at what brought it back and defend the need for canon in campaign settings.

October 2, 2015

Shh… Unspeakable Organizations in Dark Sun

Dark Sun’s secret organizations often cause your PC to examine their worldview – where does the PC stand on issues like slavery, magic, Sorcerer-Kings, the ages of Athas, or the Dragon?

October 2, 2015

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