Welcome to the Raging Swan Press blog. Herein you’ll find resource and advice articles to make your game better. From time to time, we’ll also post exciting Raging Swan Press news!
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Normally places for the poor or the penny-wise, boarding houses offer lodgings and food; most such places offer only the barest of essentials to their guests.
A free GM’s Resource for any fantasy roleplaying game.
Far below the sunlit surface lie places and things undreamt of by decent commonfolk. Some such things have never seen the light of day, while others have escaped into the Underlands to escape the hated sun.
A free GM’s Resource for any fantasy roleplaying game.
It’s no secret that at Raging Swan Press, we are big fans of dressed dungeons. A dressed dungeon feels more real than an undressed dungeon. A dressed dungeon engages your players’ imaginations, promotes creative play and helps them immerse themselves in the adventure.
It’s always the perfect time to game, and we hope you can find something below that will help you have more fun with your friends!
Small roadside shrines appear in many towns and cities. They venerate important saints, local deities, or gods without a formal church in the area and are often tended by a small group of dedicated lay worshippers.
A free GM’s Resource for any fantasy roleplaying game.
One or more stables can be found in any settlement of note—and many of those without note.
A free GM’s Resource for any fantasy roleplaying game.
At Raging Swan Press, we believe that games set in a richly detailed, immersive world are better than games that are not. It should come as no surprise that we are huge fans of dungeon dressing, but what exactly is dungeon dressing, and why do we keep going on about it?
With Citadel on the Wilderlands now out in the world, our attention turns to the Late 2024 edition of Shadowed Keep on the Borderlands and the Player's Guide to Citadel on the Wilderlands!
Sarcophagi are the focal point of tomb complexes, built to contain and preserve the revered dead. Builders, seeking to ensure eternal rest for the deads’ mortal remains, typically build sarcophagi from durable materials to enclose the body and protect it from the elements and carrion feeders.
Read MoreSarcophagi are the focal point of tomb complexes, built to contain and preserve the revered dead. Builders, seeking to ensure eternal rest for the deads’ mortal remains, typically build sarcophagi from durable materials to enclose the body and protect it from the elements and carrion feeders.
Read MoreAdventurers always seem to be breaking into ancient tombs and crypts in search of undead horrors (and their loot). Of course, not all sarcophagi are filled with treasures or undead monstrosities. Some simply contain the bones of the long-dead (and their grave goods).
Read MoreOften hidden far away from the prying eyes of civilised folk, a druid’s grove is nature’s sanctuary. Here deep in the wilderness, a druid can commune with nature and live in peace among that which they love.
However, druid’s groves are rarely well detailed as they serve as nothing more than a way station on the way to adventure or as a place of healing and succour for desperate travellers. Use this table, to generate features of minor interest the characters may notice in such a locale.
Read MoreUndead creatures raised to guard the ancient tombs of the honoured dead, mummies are ever-vigilant for interlopers into their domain of death and dust. Created through a lengthy embalming process mummies have all their vital organs removed and replaced with sacred herbs, flowers and the like. Thus, they resist time’s remorseless onslaught well.
Read MoreShunned by most, the witch is the taker of children, bringer of bad harvests and seducer of good men. Living apart from good honest folk the witch plays on superstitions to create a terrifying reputation. Beware the dark woods…
Read MoreThe passageways and chambers of a vampire’s castle are a terrifying place. Even if if they are not drenched in gore and littered with the corpses of the vampire’s many victims a sense of dread and doom hangs over the place. Such a place is as terrifying as any lich’s lair.
Read MoreAdventurers are intrepid types and often disappear into the wilderness in search of gold and glory. Many such adventures seem to happen in sun-scorched deserts.
Read MoreMuch of a moor’s landscape is unremarkable and mundane; however some features become local landmarks used as waymarkers on the barren moor or places for travellers to meet.
Read MoreA library is nothing without books. Some libraries hold but a few dozen tomes while others hold thousands. No matter the size of the library it no doubt has books on a variety of subjects.
Read MoreDue to the bizarre and wide range of chemicals alchemists use in their intricate experiments, alchemists and accidents often go hand in hand. Not only are the mixtures they make dangerous if handled incorrectly, the creatures and places they are gathered from present dangers to the untrained or careless. Not all accidents are immediately apparent and left to develop can cause more problems than a simple explosion or release of stinking gas.
Read MoreThe deck of a wrecked ship is likely in a serious state of disarray and chaos.
Read MoreJust yesterday, at time of writing, Raging Swan Press released Thingonomicon II into the world. (Or did it escape?) I’m intensely proud of the book and am already using it behind my screen.
Read MoreA lich’s lair is a terrible and dangerous place. Few adventurers are brave enough to explore a lich’s lair (and fewer still are powerful enough to survive the experience). Such a place should be memorable and flavoursome; this is not an average, run-of-the-mill dungeon. Strange—and perhaps deadly—sights and sounds should be the norm.
Read MoreFrom the common wand of magic missiles to the awesomely rare and much coveted staff of the archmagi, rods, staves and wands can channel awesome power. Such items rarely appear to be nothing more than a tapered stick or quarterstaff.
Read MoreThe world is dangerous out on the borderlands. Looming threats and mysteries lurk behind every cliff and tree.
Read MoreThis corrupt magicker has converted a ruined chapel into a shrine dedicated to his demonic patron and revived an ancient evil—the vampire Oleander—to aid him in his dark mistress’s service.
Read MoreA pirate enclave surrounded by dense woods on three sides and the ocean’s tumultuous waters to the east, Deksport is a perfect base from which to raid nearby shipping lanes. Built at the mouth of a valley opening into a sheltered bay the town possesses a deep, safe natural anchorage. Protected by a slippery, seaweed-fringed breakwater of decrepit, ancient construct at any time up to a dozen ocean-going ships and scores of smaller craft rest at anchor in the harbour.
Read MoreThe road calls to adventurers, but not all roads are created equal. Some are major routes, full of mercantile and other traffic, while others are barely trails meandering through remote wilderness. Below are descriptions of some paths that may lead to adventure.
Read MoreWhile many travellers merely use the open road to get from one place to another, some have ill intentions. Bandits, mischievous fey and other hazards await the unwary adventurer.
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Houses of worship and quiet contemplation stand in or near many settlements. Within, the occupants seek spiritual enlightenment in the service of their patron.
A free GM’s Resource for any fantasy roleplaying game.