Raging Swan Press
Cart 0
Contact
System Neutral 5e OSR Pathfinder Free Pre-Order Markdown
Now Soon Recent Release Schedule
All Posts Game Design. Game Play. Game Advice The Sunday Supplements The Wisdom of Gary Gygax Swanblog Archive
About Get the Sunday Supplement
Cart 0
Store System Neutral 5e OSR Pathfinder Free Pre-Order Markdown Doings Now Soon Recent Release Schedule Swanblog All Posts Game Design. Game Play. Game Advice The Sunday Supplements The Wisdom of Gary Gygax Swanblog Archive About About Get the Sunday Supplement Contact
Raging Swan Press
Resources for busy GMs

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!

Get our RSS Feed


Featured Posts

Featured
GMs! Details Matter
Apr 11, 2025
GM's Resource
GMs! Details Matter
Apr 11, 2025
GM's Resource
Apr 11, 2025
GM's Resource
Dressed vs. Undressed: An Example of Play
Nov 5, 2024
GM's Resource
Dressed vs. Undressed: An Example of Play
Nov 5, 2024
GM's Resource
Nov 5, 2024
GM's Resource
Dungeon Dressing Explained
Oct 8, 2024
GM's Resource
Dungeon Dressing Explained
Oct 8, 2024
GM's Resource
Oct 8, 2024
GM's Resource

Get the SwanBlog in Your Inbox

Sign up to the Sunday Supplement and get our weekly newsletter with links to all our posts, free download and more!

Raging Swan Press respects your privacy.

Thank you so much for signing up! I hope you find our GM’s Resources jolly handy.

Get the SwanBlog via RSS

Recent Posts

Check out our recent posts, many of which include free downloads, or visit the Archive to browse all our blog posts.

Raita’s Candles
Raita’s Candles

Raita’s Candles opens at dusk and closes at first light. Its owner, Tuure Raita (NE old male human), prefers working at night. The shop’s cellar displays a macabre collection of lifelike waxen figures. Tuure shows his work to those paying for the privilege.

Read More
Ten-SecondCreighton BroadhurstApril 7, 2021Ten-Second, Ten-Second Locale, Ten Seconds on the DocksComment
Kauko Ilma
Kauko Ilma

Kauko Ilma (CN old male human) staggers about haranguing seagulls, stray cats and annoying children. Mad, and crippled in a boating accident, Kauko leans on an ornate carven walking stick. He thinks, the seagulls and the cats are out to get him. He's right.

Read More
Ten-SecondCreighton BroadhurstApril 6, 2021Ten-Second, Ten-Second NPC, Ten-Seconds on the DocksComment
Minion of Evil: Venla Jutikka
Minion of Evil: Venla Jutikka

Wearing comfortable clothing suitable for sea travel, this human woman stands just over five feet tall. She keeps her light brown hair closely cut and wears a patch over her right eye.

Read More
GM's ResourceCreighton BroadhurstApril 5, 202120 Things, NPCsComment
Amma
Amma

Amma—sleek and dangerous—has a reputation as a smuggler’s ship. Captained by the blackguard Ambro Kontio this galley has a foul crew. Notable crew include Kaija Kiekka the Sea Witch and Otava Himottu, “the Strangler”. Several adventuring bands seek the Amma.

Read More
Ten-SecondCreighton BroadhurstApril 5, 2021Ten-Second, Ten Seconds on the Docks, Ten-Second ShipComment
Diagon Alley
Diagon Alley

Diagon Alley runs parallel to the docks. Heaps of fishmongers’ leavings and so on make this a foul-smelling, slippery place. The stench of rotting fish, excrement and worse keep most folk away. It is a good place for dark doings and secret meetings.

Read More
Ten-SecondCreighton BroadhurstApril 2, 2021Ten-Second, Ten-Second Locale, Ten Seconds on the DocksComment
20 Things to Loot from a Dead Wizard
20 Things to Loot from a Dead Wizard

During the course of their adventures, our heroes are likely to slay many evil wizards (and loot their bodies). Sadly, most such individuals seem to never carry anything beyond a spell component pouch, a few magic items and some loose coinage. Use this list, to add depth and flavour to a dead wizard’s possessions

Read More
GM's ResourceCreighton BroadhurstApril 1, 202120 Things, Treasure & Trinkets Comment
Albin Tovia
Albin Tovia

Albin Tovia (N male human) composes frightening poems hinting at unseen dimensions beyond the material. With wild, unkempt hair, and a scratching, haunting voice, Albin clings to the very edge of sanity. He has no friends.

Read More
Ten-SecondCreighton BroadhurstApril 1, 2021Ten-Second, Ten-Second NPC, Ten-Seconds on the Docks Comments
12 Books in the Special Collection
12 Books in the Special Collection

The vast majority of books in a library are nothing more than tomes of mundane knowledge, travelogues, diaries and other normal writings. A few books, however, are different. A few books—either because of the foul things they reveal, the power they hold or their monetary value—are kept away from the public in the library’s special collection.

Read More
GM's ResourceCreighton BroadhurstMarch 29, 202120 Things, Treasure & TrinketsComment
10 Secret Dungeon Entrances
10 Secret Dungeon Entrances

Whether it be a cobweb covered gate, a portcullis adorned with a green iron devil's face or a fissure in the stony ground belching a sulphurous smoke, the entrance to your dungeon sets the tone for the adventure.

Read More
GM's ResourceCreighton BroadhurstMarch 25, 202120 Things, Urban Dressing Comment
Penna’s Grave
Penna’s Grave

Penna’s Grave stands in a hollow by the trail. Fresh cut flowers often appear on the low burial mound, no matter the weather. Folklore tells of a silent, grey-hooded figure seen kneeling at the grave. Recently, an apple tree has sprouted from the mound.

Read More
Ten-SecondCreighton BroadhurstMarch 24, 2021Ten-Second, Ten-Second Locale, Ten-Second on the RoadComment
Watersmeet
Watersmeet

Watersmeet surrounds six lofty crags of remarkable geometric alignment. Four rivers flow into the lake, churning up the water, making casual boating dangerous and difficult. Folklore tells of mysterious winged humanoids seen visiting the crags.

Read More
Ten-SecondCreighton BroadhurstMarch 23, 2021Ten-Second, Ten-Second on the Road, Ten-Second LandmarkComment
10 Dungeon Entrances
10 Dungeon Entrances

Whether it be a cobweb covered gate, a portcullis adorned with a green iron devil's face or a fissure in the stony ground belching a sulphurous smoke, the entrance to your dungeon sets the tone for the adventure.

Read More
GM's ResourceCreighton BroadhurstMarch 22, 202120 Things, Urban DressingComment
Sihvo Kaipia
Sihvo Kaipia

Sihvo Kaipia (N male human) revels in the over-confidence of youth. He believes he is best—at everything. Annoyingly, for those he meets, he’s rarely wrong. Strong, charismatic and clever Sihvo lusts for adventure. The party would be lucky to have him.

Read More
Ten-SecondCreighton BroadhurstMarch 22, 2021Ten-Second, Ten-Second NPC, Ten-Second on the RoadComment
Hideaway Mine
Hideaway Mine

Hideaway Mine stands beyond a huddle of ivy-clad stone buildings. This abandoned old tin mine is haunted, locals say. Bandits sometimes use it as a lair, but seldom stay long. The mine’s flood-prone deeper galleries intersect with a subterranean lake.

Read More
Ten-SecondCreighton BroadhurstMarch 19, 2021Ten-Second, Ten-Second Locale, Ten-Second on the RoadComment
The 400
The 400

The 400 wind their way over a lofty, craggy hill. Cut by unknown hands long ago these vertiginous steps are in bad shape. The faint outline of a ruin sprawls across the hill’s summit. Folk atop the hill enjoy sweeping views of the surrounds.

Read More
Ten-SecondCreighton BroadhurstMarch 18, 2021Ten-Second, Ten-Second on the Road, Ten-Second LandmarkComment
20 Things: Lumber Town
20 Things: Lumber Town

Many towns lie on the edge of deep, dark woodlands. Terrible things often lurk in these woods, and the town’s folk need protection. Enter, brave adventurers! Use this list, to add pieces of interesting dressing to the lumber towns in your campaign:

Read More
GM's ResourceCreighton BroadhurstMarch 18, 202120 Things, Urban DressingComment
Teemu Viti
Teemu Viti

Teemu Viti (LN male human) dislikes any idea not his own. He is ferociously intelligent, and believes he is better than others. He shares this truth with acidic words. Teemu sports a balding pate and a paunch. He travels with his miserable wife, Martta.

Read More
Ten-SecondCreighton BroadhurstMarch 17, 2021Ten-Second, Ten-Second NPC, Ten-Second on the RoadComment
El’s Mere
El’s Mere

El’s Mere was once a shallow, marshy lake. El’s Mere Way skirts the site. Local tradition has it that a young man, El, drowned while swimming in the lake. His ghost appears on the anniversary of his death to moan of his fate to any he encounters.

Read More
Ten-SecondCreighton BroadhurstMarch 16, 2021Ten-Second, Ten-Second Locale, Ten-Second on the RoadComment
20 Things: Trade Town
20 Things: Trade Town

Vibrant trade towns are a key feature in many campaigns. Adventurers must shop, after all! Use this list, to add pieces of interesting dressing to the vibrant trade towns in your campaign:

Read More
GM's ResourceCreighton BroadhurstMarch 15, 202120 Things, Urban DressingComment
Slaughter Ford
Slaughter Ford

Slaughter Ford boasts a foul reputation. A century ago, water spirits drowned a great company of marauding orcs at the ford. Ill-hued lights, unwholesome noises and strange doings have since motivated travellers to seek safer routes.

Read More
Ten-SecondCreighton BroadhurstMarch 15, 2021Ten-Second, Ten-Second on the Road, Ten-Second LandmarkComment
Newer Older

Popular 5e

Citadel on the Wilderlands

GM's Miscellany: Dungeon Dressing

GM's Miscellany: Wilderness Dressing

Retribution

Shadowed Keep on the Borderlands

The Lonely Coast


What Do You Want to Do?

Get Free Stuff

Save 25%

Read Our Blog

Contact Us


 

Popular System Neutral

The Dread Laironomicon

The Dread Thingonomicon

The Cartography of Ashlar

The Glossography of Ashlar



Popular OSR

Citadel on the Wilderlands

GM's Miscellany: Dungeon Dressing

GM's Miscellany: Wilderness Dressing

Retribution

Shadowed Keep on the Borderlands

The Lonely Coast


What Game Do You Run?

5e

OSR

Pathfinder

Something Else

Everything is Better with Tentacles