Alphastream

The Alphastream Game Design Blog

How to Run D&D’s Exploration Pillar: A Mastering Dungeons Index

Of the three pillars in D&D, Exploration is the least comfortable for DMs, players, and designers. We learn to overcome the challenges on the Mastering Dungeons podcast.

March 17, 2021 · Leave a comment

Tomb of Annihilation comes alive with Jungle Treks!

We wrote six short adventures to supplement jungle exploration in Tomb of Annihilation or similar wilderness campaigns. Find out why this is so critical for Tomb of Annihilation!

November 2, 2017 · 5 Comments

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

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

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