The 13th Age core book tells us little about the Queen’s Wood, where the Elf Queen rules: it’s a sprawling elven wood, largely empty now, whose trees have leaves that are “a riot of silver and gold and green and indigo.” In the lengthy description of the elven Court of Stars in 13 True Ways, we learn […]
A column about roleplaying by Robin D. Laws This is the second in a series of four columns demonstrating what a full arc of The Yellow King Roleplaying Game might look like, with events from my own game as an example. In The Wars, the players leave behind the roles of Belle Epoque art students, […]
Chaos Mage By ASH LAW The chaos mage is my second favorite class, right behind the wizard. It is certainly, in my opinion, the most fun class to play. The fun for me with this class is not in being effective in combat, but from being weird in combat and discovering what happens—because that is […]
Chaos Mage by ASH LAW The chaos mage is my second favorite class, right behind the wizard. It is certainly, in my opinion, the most fun class to play. The fun for me with this class is not in being effective in combat, but from being weird in combat and discovering what happens—because that is […]
“Like all decadents he was exquisitely sensitive to the color and atmosphere and names of things …” — H.P. Lovecraft, “Medusa’s Coil” Much of the ironic entertainment of playing in Lovecraft’s universe comes from playing, well, in Lovecraft’s universe, or at least his Earth. Specifically, from playing with his names. And not just the Big […]
In this week’s episode of Ken and Robin Talk About Stuff we break format to discuss a single topic—the life and legacy of Greg Stafford.
In the latest episode of their tender, fall-off-the-bone podcast, Ken and Robin talk unstoppable invasion, CHUDs, John Kovalic, and nocebo curses.
If you’re the kind of GM who hosts inspirational movie nights for your players, my number one suggestion for getting them in the GUMSHOE mindset has to be All the President’ Men (Alan J. Pakula, 1976.) It reinforces the two most important tips players need to get into the mindset of investigators and successfully solve […]
In the latest episode of their euphonious podcast, Ken and Robin talk dungeon productivity, trap streets, GMlessness & Hillfolk, and anti-saxophone time travelers.
In the latest episode of their starry-eyed podcast, Ken and Robin talk Toronto film fest, talking before axing, and the Satanic panic.

