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The Bardic Inquiry

The Bardic Inquiry

TTRPG Theory, Review, and Design


  • September 24, 2023

    Magi Knights Awakening review: 2 ways this ttrpg helps emulate narratives similar to Persona

    Magi Knights Awakening review: 2 ways this ttrpg helps emulate narratives similar to Persona

    If you want some persona-like or magical girl narratives in your ttrpgs and like your DnD 5e games, then here are two reasons Magi Knights Awakening should be your next game. What is Magi Knights Awakening? Magi Knights Awakening, designed by Derek Salgy and published by Magi-Knights Project LLC, is a ttrpg which builds on Continue reading

    Uncategorized
    DnD 5e, Magi Knights, Persona, Review, TTRPG
  • September 8, 2023

    3 tips for preparing better narrative play in your DnD sessions

    3 tips for preparing better narrative play in your DnD sessions

    I often see people asking about what they need to prepare for their RPG or DnD session, and though what needs to be prepared depends on the system and the group, here are 3 tips to help you prepare for narrative play in any of your games. Create some questions to ask your players when Continue reading

    GM Advice
    DnD, prep, Questions, RPG, tips
  • July 27, 2023

    Fabula Ultima review – what I liked about the RPG

    Fabula Ultima review – what I liked about the RPG

    Fabula Ultimate is an JRPG-inspired RPG which focuses on the characters. I found the RPG captured the feel of JRPGs through its various mechanics, but ultimately it was the multi-class system and the refreshing take on conflict scenes that sold me on the RPG. Fabula Ultima is a JRPG-inspired RPG Fabula Ultima, designed by Emanuele Continue reading

    First Impressions
    Fabula Ultima, Review, RPG
  • May 2, 2023

    4 tips to schedule a consistent DnD group

    4 tips to schedule a consistent DnD group

    I see, almost weekly, many posts online describing how some people struggle to schedule a game of DnD, and to keep that group together long-term. In this article, I will explain 4 tips (ordered from most to least impactful) I have used to establish consistent and lasting groups for any roleplaying games, not just DnD. Continue reading

    GM Advice
    DnD, Scheduling, session
  • April 30, 2023

    I used Obsidian to manage my first Spire campaign, here is what I learned

    I used Obsidian to manage my first Spire campaign, here is what I learned

    I play all of my roleplaying games online which is why I am always looking for digital tools such as Obsidian to help me manage my games like Spire. In this post, I will explain how I used Obsidian for my Spire campaign I recently finished and what I learned from both. What is Obsidian Continue reading

    Reflections
    Obsidian, RPG, Spire
  • March 11, 2023

    How to play a solo RPG (Ultimate Guide)

    How to play a solo RPG (Ultimate Guide)

    This ultimate guide will teach you how to play a solo RPG in six quick steps and cover some common pitfalls for new solo players. In this guide, I will discuss: What is a solo RPG? A solo RPG is just like any other group RPG, except you are both the game master (GM) and Continue reading

    GM Advice
    oracles, Questions, Random Tables, RPG, Solo Roleplaying
  • March 3, 2023

    Caught in the Rain, a Solo Mystery Roleplaying Game

    Caught in the Rain, a Solo Mystery Roleplaying Game

    Caught in The Rain is the new game that I am developing and it is my attempt at solving the difficulty of playing a mystery roleplaying game as a solo player. Whether it is group play or solo play, the general consensus is mystery campaigns or adventures in roleplaying games are challenging or time-consuming to Continue reading

    Design
    Caught in the Rain, Mystery, Roleplaying, RPG, Solo Roleplaying
  • January 14, 2023

    I Tried Node-Based Design in my Mystery TTRPG Campaign, Here is What I Learned

    I Tried Node-Based Design in my Mystery TTRPG Campaign, Here is What I Learned

    Node-based design was created by Justin Alexander of the Alexandrian and was, primarily, a method for planning and running mystery ttrpg campaigns. Though it can be divisive in the ttrpg community, I was planning to run a mystery campaign in Night’s Black Agents and I did not believe my usual method would work. I thought Continue reading

    GM Advice, Reflections
    Campaign, GM tools, Mystery, prep, RPG, TTRPG
  • December 10, 2022

    How to Write a Backstory for a DnD Character

    How to Write a Backstory for a DnD Character

    To write a backstory for a DnD character, you should avoid writing a detailed recount of their life and instead opt to describe a few key events or relationships. This can improve the colloborative storytelling component of these games and provide you with enough character flkexibility to help you enjoy the game more consistently. In Continue reading

    GM Advice
    Backstories, DnD, Roleplaying, RPG
  • October 23, 2022

    How to improve player engagement in roleplaying games using questions

    How to improve player engagement in roleplaying games using questions

    Questions help us communicate and understand each other and we can use them to improve the engagement of our players in our roleplaying games. By asking the right type questions of our players, we can establish a scene more quickly or drive a narrative forward. The type of question we ask depends on the reason Continue reading

    GM Advice
    DnD, Player Engagement, Questions, Roleplaying, RPG
Next Page»

About Me

An ARPIA award-winning Australian tabletop roleplaying game designer.

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Find MY GAMES on itch.io or DrivethruRPG.com

Top Posts

  • How to improve player engagement in roleplaying games using questions
  • Frame scenes in your roleplaying games with the inverted pyramid
  • Cognitive load theory in roleplaying games
  • Kaiju generator
  • How to write a backstory for a DnD character
  • How to create a NPC for your RPG campaigns
  • How to play a solo RPG (Ultimate Guide)


Recent Posts

  • Magi Knights Awakening review: 2 ways this ttrpg helps emulate narratives similar to Persona
  • 3 tips for preparing better narrative play in your DnD sessions
  • Fabula Ultima review – what I liked about the RPG

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