The Evil Dungeon Master Universe

Today's podcast topic comes from LeroyD20 on X, he suggested a discussion about cursed items. Cursed items. The bane of adventurers everywhere and the mischievous delight of dungeon masters. You know the drill—our plucky hero picks up a shiny new sword, only to find out it’s not so much “Sword of Slaying” as it is “Blade of Bondage.” But what makes cursed items so delightfully dangerous in AD&...

Today's podcast is all about the Rod of Smiting. I wanted to discuss this Magical item, because I've seen some confusion surrounding it in regards to how its used and where it falls under for using it. The Rod of Smiting is a +3 magic weapon that deals 4-11 damage (d8 + 3) to most enemies and has special effects against golems and outer plane creatures. Against golems, it inflicts 8-22 damage (2d8...

The Cloak of Guarding is a gray woolen garment that becomes rigid upon impact, deflecting non-magical missiles and reducing damage from physical attacks. It withstands pressure until it absorbs 25 hit points of damage, after which it disintegrates. However, it offers no protection against heat, cold, or electrical attacks. It has a value of 1500 experience points and can be sold for 10,000 gold pi...

The article "Designing for Unique Wilderness Encounters" provides Dungeon Masters with tables and instructions to generate unique terrains and features for wilderness encounters. It focuses on integrating environmental diversity into gameplay by considering terrain types, grades, slopes, and features like streams, ponds, and vegetation. The goal is to create realistic and strategic battlefield set...

An interesting magical item from the AD&D Comic book 1989, issue 2. Highlights 🔮 Lockstone Description : A magical device resembling a crystalline or metallic orb or egg, believed to originate from the outer planes. 🕒 Timed Functionality : Lockstones are set to release one or more spells when specific conditions are met. 🧙‍♂️ Programming : Can only be programmed or reprogrammed by a wizard...

Solstice Fang is a powerful +2 longsword forged from rare silvery metal, designed specifically to combat undead creatures, particularly vampires. Crafted by the Order of the Dawn during a solar eclipse, it features magical properties that enhance its effectiveness against the undead. However, wielding it comes with a curse, causing the user to experience visions of the undead’s final moments, weak...

The Wand of Enemy Detection is an underappreciated magic item in AD&D, useful for detecting hostile intent and enhancing gameplay strategies. Highlights 🪄 Useful Item: The wand detects hostile creatures, including invisible or disguised enemies. 🚪 Closed Door Detection: Players can use the wand to check for threats behind closed doors. 🎭 Hostility Criteria: The wand senses intent, meaning i...

On today's podcast, I decided to explore the Thorn Curse from the Halloween movies and how it could be used in your campaign. In the isolated village of Thornbrook, strange deaths and ominous signs lead players to investigate a dark curse tied to the Thorn Mark, which forces one family member to sacrifice kin for the village’s survival. As the players uncover the curse’s history and face moral dil...

Today's podcast talks about something that is trending on X about how Gary Gygax stated about how to play AD&D and Batman Tim wanted a wacky creature talked about today! Highlights 📖 Blindheim is featured from the Fiend Folio, a 1981 UK monster compilation. 🐸 Described as a yellow frog-like humanoid with blinding eyes. 🌟 Its blinding stare can incapacitate characters for 11 to 20 turns. 🎲...

In today's episode, I go over the rules for detect good and/or evil as listed in the Dungeon Masters guide. This gives us a little more then what's listed in the players handbook under the Paladin ability "Detect Evil". It tells us that only "Know Alignment" can truly determine a person's alignment. The detection of good and evil in characters relies on powerful spells or inherent character alignm...

The “Rainbow” spell is a 5th-level cleric evocation/alteration that harnesses the power of rainbows to create various magical effects. The cleric can choose from four applications: a magical bow that fires colored arrows with special damage effects, a bridge made of rainbow hues, an elevator that lifts the cleric and others, or a flagon that produces magical water with healing and protective prope...

The Croatoan Roanoke legend surrounds the mystery of the lost colony established in 1587 on Roanoke Island, North Carolina. When Governor John White returned in 1590, he found the settlement abandoned, with only the word “Croatoan” carved into a post, hinting at the nearby Croatoan tribe. Theories about the colonists’ fate include assimilation, relocation, and death from starvation or conflict, ma...

Shadows are undead creatures tied to the negative material plane, often lurking in ancient ruins or deep underground. They drain life force by touch, sapping both health and strength from their victims. Shadows are challenging to detect, blending seamlessly into darkness, and are immune to many typical spells and cold-based attacks. Victims drained to 0 strength or health transform into shadows th...

The article "Arcane Academe: Adding to the Thief" by Jeff Martin introduces new skill options for the Thief class in AD&D, inspired by the Unearthed Arcana supplement. It provides additional skills like Appraise, Ransack, and Infiltrate, aiming to give Thieves more variety and specialization within the game. This expansion allows for a more detailed approach to Thief abilities, enhancing their...

Today's podcast comes from listener, Hunter and he wanted to know if Tieflings should be common in a fantasy game. So I tried to answer this question, while looking at the AD&D 2e Planewalker's Handbook. Tieflings, the most enigmatic of the plane-touched, evoke both fascination and fear. Unlike aasimar or genasi, tieflings lack a clear heritage and are often viewed through the lens of stigma t...

Sunray is a 7th-level druid spell that creates a beam of light resembling sunlight, causing blindness and significant damage to creatures within its area of effect. It has a range of 1 inch per level, lasts for 1 round, and affects a 1-foot diameter sphere. Those harmed by sunlight or using ultravision face severe consequences, and undead creatures suffer substantial damage. The spell requires an...

Happy Halloween everyone! Demonic possession, often absent in D&D lore, allows powerful demons (level IV or higher) to control the bodies of mortals. Only specific demons can possess adventurers, requiring an amulet to remain nearby. Possession involves a saving throw, and a failed save leads to the victim being controlled by the demon. Exorcism is possible but painful, with varying outcomes f...

Xill are rare, bipedal, flame-red creatures with four arms that can wield weapons and grapple victims. They reproduce asexually by laying eggs on living humanoids. Xill can shift between the Ethereal and Prime Material Planes, often surprising their victims. They prefer to paralyze or subdue their targets before injecting eggs. While vulnerable during egg-laying, they gain immunity to all but magi...

The Hound of Ill Omen is a rare, shadowy wolf-hound that appears as a harbinger of death to a single adventurer. Its presence is fleeting, accompanied by a powerful howl that increases the damage of subsequent wounds. It can only be seen by one individual and cannot be harmed. The creature is believed to appear when a character has deeply offended their deity, emphasizing the consequences of stray...

Dungeons are filled with an array of tricks, from misleading sounds to illusions and physical traps. Players must rely on their wit and foresight to navigate these challenges, as a careless approach can lead to dire consequences. The Dungeon Master (DM) will employ creativity to deceive players, making critical thinking essential for survival. Highlights -🪄 Variety of Tricks : Dungeons are rich w...

Cantrips are basic spells learned by novice magic-users and illusionists during their training. The number of cantrips a magic-user can cast daily increases as they progress through levels. While cantrips are simple and of limited effect, they can be retained in place of higher-level spells. These spells require minimal components, have a short casting time, and are categorized based on their effe...

Page 122 under Appendix V it outlines suggested agreements for the division of treasure among characters in a game. It presents methods such as equal shares, shares by level, and equal shares plus bonus, with specific modifiers for player and non-player characters. It also addresses the complexities of dividing magical items and provides methods for equitable distribution, emphasizing the importan...

An Aleax is a unique being sent by gods to punish or test those who stray from their alignment, fail in their duties, or otherwise anger a deity. It takes on the exact physical appearance of its target, including their equipment, and engages in a duel. The Aleax regenerates and fights relentlessly but has specific rules that differentiate it from its victim. If the target is slain by an Aleax, the...

Dark elves, or drow, are a unique sub-race of elves known for their inky black skin and white or silver hair. They can choose classes like cleric, fighter, and thief but are typically considered outcasts from their underground homes. Drow player characters lack the magical resistance of their NPC kin and must navigate life without the usual equipment of their kind. They possess unique abilities, i...

Elfin Chain Mail (yes this is how its spelled in the book) is a rare, magical armor crafted by elves, known for its lightweight and flexibility, allowing it to be worn discreetly under clothing. Despite its suitability for thieves, it can slightly hinder their movements. The armor is typically fit for elves or half-elves, with various sizing possibilities for other races. Its creation secrets are...