This vault contains all the content for our homebrew world and campaigns including general lore, house rules, and campaign specific content.
A rough map of Aetoria can be found here: Aetoria map.png.
The templates folder contains the templates I use to create things like NPCs, factions, etc. You can use these, but don’t write anything your character wouldn’t know (such as secrets, class, etc.)
Links to investigate
Now
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4QWaaaZkko (locations as characters)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCP6UvtBv0U (fantasy city design)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8hSlJg0g4Y (getting players to care about legends)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMnEFhyJz24 (writing fantasy cities)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17NU-io9dmA (rules for believable fantasy maps)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pB-KR_u15o (5 room dungeons)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6173Qmg3FM (story structure)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKPRc6lIcrM (mastering action economy)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJPromFbojQ (action economy)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBiQxm6o25E (speeding up dnd combat)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5mQm9HV3A0 (problems and fixes for cursed items)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7ifYqL2-3M (deepening worldbuilding)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oLJGj0Z66M (how to make dnd games more cinematic)
- https://youtu.be/UgMK8wHNTWA?si=V51hCLNjazCvNSXL (starting a campaign)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auk91X0m9ns (motivating players and bringing players together)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRAWBRMVipk (10 Essential Lessons Every Fantasy Writer Should Know)
- https://www.reddit.com/r/DnD/comments/1jqh1em/made_on_of_my_players_paranoid_and_im_loving_it/ (homebrew “promise” spell)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqiOaWDMf6g (puzzles)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xk2UhhZWeI (fixing pets in dnd)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqSHBe4MkRM (making dragons more than monsters)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G7N9kzZiWk (make dragons more interesting)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sd2svbU7t50 (fixing exploration)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxWr8uVkCYg (sidekick npcs will cure murderhobos)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CtCzYPCA74 (side character mistakes to avoid)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5fjlhJSVbE (how to make names that dont suck)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=782XHkf_DpA (designing a unique look for dnd characters)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sm_TS9pge7o (session 0 stuff)
- Ultimate Session 0 Checklist.pdf (session 0 stuff)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9UlqcYF828 (designing a campaign backwards)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFJWe4wHvv0 (fixing exploration)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM18P0WKGFA (fixing travel)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeHzNBb-_8Y (reasons for a character to stick with the party)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEVoOm8a7S8 (improvising during combat when it goes wrong balance wise)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7h_rOfMi1k (villain archetypes)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaMG6w93S3k (romance without making it weird)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cJz-ttkrjE (worldbuilding)
- https://thealexandrian.net/wordpress/1118/roleplaying-games/three-clue-rule (mystery design)
- https://www.reddit.com/r/DnD/comments/1m15mdx/i_made_a_weather_system_oc/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button (weather system)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIXqRx2hokc (monster inspiration)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EByqVUJMyjw (fixing slog combat)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vR17pFm8v0k (designing villains)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbdPs5g3qHI (make players fight when they talk their way out of everyone)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn7wsANPQ8o (plotting a good villain arc in 3 acts)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtOnQQdWC6k (making capital cities)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpeSpGHZIvA (designing taverns)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8QzDVWh1Bw (better traps)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bxbKFJDkpQ (improving sahuagin better)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1cQNoITtcQ (encounters to steal)
- https://www.reddit.com/r/DnD/comments/1me9b4o/everything_you_need_to_know_about_scoring_your/?share_id=bXOEespzAp8I8yVodnsI3&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_source=share&utm_term=20 (using music “scoring tabletop campaigns”)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pb3id4Czkec (making npcs feel real)
- https://www.reddit.com/r/DMAcademy/comments/1miweda/duck_throwing_a_dndminigame/ (mini game)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_69Z9hGqRgU (random tips for being a better dm)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuVhRu0RIec (why combat squares suck)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIeug7Uz3Dc (making combat more dynamic)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgCeOd6iqjU (how to create tension/hooks)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fp0sesc48S4 (designing boss fights)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GbHWY0roOY (architecture)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6fTJfj9PNk (villains every dm should steal)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRRd8mYLTKQ (combat? pacing)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwmRNU5pDjs (boss fights design)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYzzMMwCDP0 (bounty hunt adventure design)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hnr6Mr1436M (running political campaigns)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F-mGNDa8OY (worldbuilding)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1dY9tG8Tp8 (settlement placement)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JX76k_KbNs (a group of BBEGs, the elite team enemy type)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MICPH0it_Fo (how to run action scenes)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubhTGzPefd8 (fantasy tropes)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOVan6Ki32M (worldbuilding in 3 eras)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTq1qEot6dc (speeding up combat)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poGsAd8WTm0 (worldbuilding)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHyzZmfawU4 (worldbuilding)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lndc-G_YaHg (6 campaign lengths)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29JwmBLI1bc (creating better player characters)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6VbB8T1YAA (reversing weaknesses to create more interesting monsters)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=168BN-PSGis (different dm styles)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD-9V7XDV7E (making dnd immersive)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zemRYitIz_k (worldbuilding)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBsQv-pjtZM (mysteries)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqVzmPv11Q0 (creating better bard characters)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5o0vH6Ui-E (what to learn from writing professional dnd adventures)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTHQw6MKSkc (running sessions like a campfire story)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC5ngggmbmc (encounters to steal from baldurs gate 3)
- https://youtu.be/v-V1SQeYjw8?si=tH0CNdU0dkzS8utb (better way to handle failure)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQzOkN0eyTo (roleplaying mistakes to avoid)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h48OEodZrFI (hidden learning curve of dnd combat)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jvjb77yTwOo (dnd warlocks)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PRIQ2_-Mow (cheating properly as a dm)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T1Nu25ZZdk (npc types)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afFpZc41tfE (worldbuilding)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2-e8gIPfHA (why eddie munson is a great dm)
- https://www.reddit.com/r/DMAcademy/s/gAGv7B4BT2 (economy of peasants)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpyPB3BF-hQ (useful for seeing how being various levels of rich behaves in society)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDnRsFfie_8 (lessons learned after a 3 year campaign)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PC3YghGOa9c (how to properly cheat as a dm)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp8hT4MHZlU (how to curate immersion)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8lBpYeolQw (making dnd druids terrifying)
- https://youtu.be/Mt96-EqkY8I?si=Z-9LkzYIm0OkzTPZ (10 minute dungeon turns, exploration)
- https://youtu.be/SC3p0Xl3LdI?si=wezSSks3I7AGxeqr (session 0.5)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeDBNU9Lu0k (unforgettable session 1)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tScDqUrZX7M (roleplaying social stats)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfdCBauL6lo (why most fantasy worlds feel empty)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOmkToA4OKc (morally gray villains)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r-iExbJoRI (lessons from shadowdark)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqTNeiefmPQ (fixing bad lore, tarrasque specifically)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSPwInQKyYk (how not to begin a dnd campaign)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw1siaUMDSg (npc naming)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayCCa6kAVww (pyramid method of worldbuilding)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLHMKyAnTUY (adventure design)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ed8zs4l5Jc0 (making dungeons good)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lwhZNUSV3I (acting out social skills)
- https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ecbqSSesbtLe4yMU96P8kOej8xSQvgQGKRb5Wc_XVAk/edit?gid=135727233#gid=135727233 (scheduling tool)
- https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/EvilOverlordList (list of things an evil overlord shall never do)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRVZbAuv8pk (dnd has a furry problem)
- https://slyflourish.com/lazy_gm_resource_document.html (dm guide with knowledge and tables and shit)
- dnd 2024 reference sheet ver2.pdf (dnd DM ref sheet but remake it to cut out the noise)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pog9PyZ0u4c&t=311s (house rules from critical role)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJj58txYaTU (architecture reasons of why the colosseum feels amazing in social structures and indoctrination)
Later
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz_tB41y_L8 (ways to spend tons of money, gold sinks)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUXc8hjaBQw (how to run horror)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WT4dT2l9ys (mysteries as oneshots)
- https://everythingexplodes.wordpress.com/2015/06/17/dd-5e-naval-combat/ (naval combat mechanic)
- https://www.tribality.com/2014/12/26/naval-combat-rules-dd-5th-edition-part-1/ (naval combat mechanic)
- https://www.reddit.com/r/DnD/comments/553tbi/rules_for_sailing/ (sailing mechanic)
- https://olddungeonmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/5e_nautical_aderntures_v2.pdf (sea adventures)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t4yU6IN4YU
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdQhNo5NgVg
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnKK42nHybk (worldbuilding ideas)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTgXHbAx758 (how to do hexcrawl exploration right)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3k7KET8-ms
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-kLrzn_Ebk (i do this already so its less important to document)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hOQVvEpyek (why puzzles are fun)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76Nc27AamgM (cleaning up too many threads and a derailed campaign)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7kuHD71XrA (why dungeon crawls are the heart of dnd)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYbE2J7uhxk (dnd mechanic “piety” to steal, about roleplaying with ultra powerful beings like gods)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64qTAdCnAH4 (house rule ideas)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUFjX2Hhw4A (lockpicking minigame)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxVEF4EkJkY (dnd homebrew)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEIg1DlRkLg (hexcrawling)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4mbV1xJdYQ (hexcrawling)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_XnzzS4J7s (campaign ideas)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA3kKexFAv4 (campaign ideas)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXSZ5pwCnoc (splitting the party makes roleplaying better)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mgje7Y5dzc8 (how daggerheart runs differently than dnd)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMfpai7lHaI (hobgoblins as an army with different stat blocks)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtDarHCRfHE (west marches)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMq3491qcvU (fixing the martial / caster divide in dnd)
Cool projects to look at
- https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/talesandtastes/sweet-treats-for-adventurers-a-5e-culinary-supplement (sweet treats, real life recipes and dessert monsters)
- https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/531104581/tbp (the bad patch, plant based monsters)
- Heliana’s Guide To Monster Hunting (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/saltybot/monsterhunting5e)
- https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/enworld/companions-compendium (pets and sidekicks)
- Sweet Treats for Adventurers
- Pets & Sidekicks: Companions for D&D
- Ebb & Ori’s Codex of the Undersea