Gaming advice and resources for busy GMs

Rideth Aldarrae

Rideth Aldarrae (N half-elf female) searches for her confused and erratic human mother. Some folk believe an evil sea spirit possesses her elderly mother. Soon a mob will form. Rideth is frantic with worry, and begs for help.

Ten-SecondCreighton BroadhurstApril 14, 2021Ten-Second, Ten-Second NPC, Ten-Seconds on the DocksComment

Horizon Walker

Horizon Walker rarely lies at anchor. Her captain is an intrepid soul happiest out at sea. Horizon Walkerspecialises in long sea voyages to far-flung locales. She is quick and heavily armed. Her crew includes several powerful spellcasters.

Ten-SecondCreighton BroadhurstApril 13, 2021Ten-Second, Ten Seconds on the Docks, Ten-Second ShipComment

The Bucket and Chain

The Bucket and Chain tavern stands hard against the docks. Popular with unsavoury nautical types, it features in many dark tales of smuggling, murder and odd religious beliefs. A wide brick-walled well in the cellar leads to a sea cave under the docks.

Ten-SecondCreighton BroadhurstApril 12, 2021Ten-Second, Ten-Second Locale, Ten Seconds on the DocksComment

Lydia Miela

Lydia Miela (CG female human) carouses with breathtaking enthusiasm. Few have her stamina for dancing or capacity for drink. Lydia knows every barkeep and serving wench in the vicinity, and could be a useful friend. She wears the latest fashions and always needs money.

Ten-SecondCreighton BroadhurstApril 9, 2021Ten-Second, Ten-Second NPC, Ten-Seconds on the DocksComment

Minion of Evil: Matilda Asikka

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

GM's ResourceCreighton BroadhurstApril 8, 202120 Things, NPCsComment

Far Wanderer

Far Wanderer lies docked amid a hive of activity. This caravel’s poop deck and hull shows signs of fire and crush damage. Sailors swarm about her making repairs. Her crew tell of a terrible battle against a fearsome fire-breathing kraken.

Ten-SecondCreighton BroadhurstApril 8, 2021Ten-Second, Ten Seconds on the Docks, Ten-Second ShipComment

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.

Ten-SecondCreighton BroadhurstApril 7, 2021Ten-Second, Ten-Second Locale, Ten Seconds on the DocksComment

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.

Ten-SecondCreighton BroadhurstApril 6, 2021Ten-Second, Ten-Second NPC, Ten-Seconds on the DocksComment

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.

GM's ResourceCreighton BroadhurstApril 5, 202120 Things, NPCsComment

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.

Ten-SecondCreighton BroadhurstApril 5, 2021Ten-Second, Ten Seconds on the Docks, Ten-Second ShipComment

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.

Ten-SecondCreighton BroadhurstApril 2, 2021Ten-Second, Ten-Second Locale, Ten Seconds on the DocksComment

20 Things to Loot from a Dead Wizard

GM's ResourceCreighton BroadhurstApril 1, 202120 Things, Treasure & Trinkets Comment

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.

Ten-SecondCreighton BroadhurstApril 1, 2021Ten-Second, Ten-Second NPC, Ten-Seconds on the Docks Comments

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.

GM's ResourceCreighton BroadhurstMarch 29, 202120 Things, Treasure & TrinketsComment

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.

GM's ResourceCreighton BroadhurstMarch 25, 202120 Things, Urban Dressing Comment

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.

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

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.

Ten-SecondCreighton BroadhurstMarch 23, 2021Ten-Second, Ten-Second on the Road, Ten-Second LandmarkComment

10 Dungeon Entrances

GM's ResourceCreighton BroadhurstMarch 22, 202120 Things, Urban DressingComment

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.

Ten-SecondCreighton BroadhurstMarch 22, 2021Ten-Second, Ten-Second NPC, Ten-Second on the RoadComment

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.

Ten-SecondCreighton BroadhurstMarch 19, 2021Ten-Second, Ten-Second Locale, Ten-Second on the RoadComment

You Should Practise Foveated Campaign Design

May 25, 2026

Design Advice, GM's Resource, Campaign Design

You Should Practise Foveated Campaign Design

Having a detailed, believable setting laden with verisimilitude is the foundation of a successful campaign. That said, designing an entire world for your game is exhausting, impractical and unnecessary.

April 13, 2026

Design Advice, GM's Resource

Run Your Games in HD

When you watch a film, do you prefer watching it in Standard Definition or High Definition?

December 30, 2025

Finding the Time

I remember the Good Old Days when I had acres of free time to game. It was a carefree time. School holidays were epic—we’d game for days at a time. We had nothing else to do.

September 2, 2025

Dungeon Design Tips For Beginners

Designing a dungeon can be a daunting prospect. Fear not. If you follow these tips, you’ll be well on the way to designing a fun, engaging dungeon for your friends!

April 11, 2025

GM's Resource

GMs! Details Matter

To be a successful GM, your adventures and settings must connect deeply with your players.

November 5, 2024

Dressed vs. Undressed: An Example of Play

Raging Swan Press is a big fan 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.

October 8, 2024

Dungeon Dressing Explained

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?

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