iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 31/08/2026

I was trying to find a cheap way to pick up some books and just found the craziest thing: There's this place near my house where you can take a book for free! You just have to promise to bring it back so someone else can read it afterwards. It will never catch on…

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 02/08/2026

You've heard of fight or flight - but what about freeze or fawn? This technique can breathe new life into your monsters.

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A d10 table for 'fight or flight'

Using survival instincts to bring monsters to life.

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 01/08/2026

Giving my players the power to create rumours has really changed things at my table.

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A D6 rumour table

Creative collaboration

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 30/07/2026

Puzzles are my kryptonite, but inspired by these four steps I've created a simpler approach.

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Puzzle creation with a D6

Spark your imagination with a simple method

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 01/07/2026

Inspired by the World Cup - I thought I'd try making a football ttrpg. Check out Fußborg for free here: buff.ly/KGBXtQF

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 20/05/2026

This week I’ve been thinking about how to use survival instincts to bring more realism to combat. You’ve probably tried fight or flight, but what about freeze or fawn? Read more here: buff.ly/M2NPQhg

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 03/04/2026

Optional rule: “You're on mute.” Whenever playing online and any individual attempts to speak while muted in some way, any other player can shout “You're on mute.” The first person to do so gains the power of “Mute”...

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 11/03/2026

After completing my read through of the core rules, I've turned my attention to understanding the DNA of Daggerheart...

open.substack.com

Who is Daggerheart for?

My elevator pitch for the hit game

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 25/02/2026

Four simple steps to making one of D&D's most controversial systems feel better at your table: buff.ly/EDikbPU

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 15/02/2026

I like the efficiency of Daggerheart's magic items tables (120 items across 5 pages)… but it does feel a little less special than the layout of D&D's Dungeon Master's Guide, with colour art for most pieces and big text blocks. Which do you prefer?

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 23/01/2026

The Arches of Aoskar, Room 23 The entire room is filled with a scale model of a circus ring, however instead of performers are beautifully painted eggs. At the centre is an Oni in a top hat and red tail coat: "come and enjoy the show!"

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 21/01/2026

To celebrate 10 years of @highrollersdnd.bsky.social I've been looking back on a campaign opener thats stuck with me years. Click the link to read three reasons I loved the start of Aerois.

open.substack.com

The GOAT of campaign openers

Celebrating 10 years of High Rollers

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 19/01/2026

The Arches of Aoskar, Room Nineteen A large pool has been created in the centre of this room, filled by fresh, rose-scented water from an unknown source that keeps it at an invitingly warm temperature.

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 18/01/2026

The Arches of Aoskar, Room Eighteen A single silver key flutters around the empty room on gossamer wings, it's head representing a dial. If captured, the dial can be set to any room number to instantly access that room. Read more about the Arches here: buff.ly/gyDpfFM

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Underneath the Arches of Aoskar

The development of my mega dungeon project.

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 17/01/2026

The Arches of Aoskar, Room Seventeen. The room is laid out like a checker board, with each black square filled with a matching iron bound chest. A scroll nailed to the door reads: "Of course, most of these are mimics, but one contains a deck of many things."

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 16/01/2026

The Arches of Aoskar, Room Sixteen. The room is empty except for a large archway made of skulls. Beneath it is chained a large black hound with three glowing red eyes: "I am that which remains, free me and I may guide your path through this maze." - Dungeonary: One room a day for a month

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 15/01/2026

The Arches of Aoskar, Room Fifteen. The room is filled with a pile of broken bricks that block your passage as you realise the ceiling has collapsed. There is just enough gap above the pile to see dim torchlight the other side and the sound of an old man gently crying:

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 13/01/2026

An inky purple void swirls in the centre of the room. --- Anyone who touches the void disappears for 2D4 minutes and returns with no memory of the experience, but is covered in a light dusting of ash containing flecks of burnt parchment.

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 12/01/2026

You enter a well furnished dormitory, with comfortable beds on offer. In a small kitchen area, large mugs magically fill with relaxing hot chocolate. --- The room is cursed, every 59 minutes a klaxon sounds interrupting all resting creatures.

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 11/01/2026

Round tables and comfortable chairs are overlooked by a sleek bar bearing steaming equipment. Every available chair is taken by relaxing halflings, while a team of gnome baristas make and serve coffee. Whats on the specials board - and what magical effect does it have?

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 10/01/2026

As you enter the room you see an Iron Golem, it's body shaped to resemble a masked and robed mage, a wand in its hand. Its torso is hollow, to create a locked cage containing an exhausted Kobold. Find the stat block below: The Arches of Aoskar, Room Ten - Dungeonary: One room a day for a month

open.substack.com

The Kobold fuelled Golem

The monster I never intended to make

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 09/01/2026

Illustrations cover the walls around a comfortable looking chair next to a desk filled with tattooing equipment. A Marilith smiles at you, each of her hands holding a needle: "want to get inked?"

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 08/01/2026

Nine cages are placed facing each other in a circle, each containing a Kobold. They introduce themselves in turn: Barek, Direk, Eerek, Gorek, Irek, Jorek, Keyrek, Morek and Trek - and claim they have the key to the exit door which they will exchange for their freedom.

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 07/01/2026

On a dirty floor, an infernal summoning circle has been drawn in chalk and bone. The remains of five candles long since burnt out surround a scorched skeleton. Sulphurous footsteps lead through a smudged rune to the exit door. The Arches of Aoskar, Room Six - Dungeonary: One room a day for a month

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 06/01/2026

Slick ice coats coats every surface of this room, where carcasses frozen solid hang from huge meat hooks in the ceiling. A dull repetitive thudding sound comes from a bare chested frost giant who is using one of the carcasses as a punching bag. He looks at you and says: "You want to be a contender?"

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 05/01/2026

A Bugbear in a kaftan is surrounded by 20 goblins sat on small beanbags. She clears her throat, clearly irritated by your interruption: "Welcome to Sickie 101, where through the power of improvisation we will learn how to avoid at least one, maybe even two, days of work.

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 04/01/2026

Dungeonary: One room a day for a month. The Arches of Aoskar, Room Four. Thick cobwebs coat every surface of this room, including a number of comfortable benches and a large barbers chair. An Ettercap in a brown leather apron waves a cut throat razor towards the empty chair.

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 03/01/2026

The Arches of Aoskar, Room Three. This room is empty except for a large stone pedestal in the middle that holds a brass rod shaped like a key. As you watch bony hands begin to claw out from the ground.

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 02/01/2026

Dungeonary: One room a day for a month. The Arches of Aoskar, Room Two. The arch is crammed with laboratory equipment, but a few pieces grab your attention.

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 01/01/2026

Dungeonary: One room a day for a month. The Arches of Aoskar, Room One. The room is a 60ft square, with an arching brick lined ceiling that is 20ft high and curves down to the ground on the east and west side. The North and South walls are flat, both with a single wooden double door in the middle.

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 25/12/2025

Is having to reorganise your DVDs to accommodate the newbies the worst or best part of Christmas?

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 20/12/2025

Okay, so we are fighting our figgy pudding with this sword. What is it's name and what power does it gift you?

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 19/12/2025

Tonight I'm reflavouring an adventure for Christmas, but I'd appreciate some help from Bluesky! I have: Troll = Krampus Goats = Reindeer Violet Fungus = Mini Xmas trees? Stirges = Rabid fairies/Elves?? Gray Ooze = ???!

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 16/12/2025

Discovered a delivery driver locked in his van today. Couldn't help but think: “This is a great encounter hook”.

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 12/12/2025

Very excited to finally get my hands on Monsters of Drakkenheim from @dungeondudes.bsky.social and @ghostfiregaming.bsky.social , although I have to say, I'm blown away by the add ons! I'm pretty sure these might be my new favourite dice...

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 03/12/2025

I bought some £5 foam board, some cheap paints and made some stuff I'm really proud of. Take a look at the gallery to see all the parts of my ruined castles set. This isn't a how-to, but I hope it shows what a beginner can achieve!

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Create this terrain for £15

Making my first ever terrain set from scratch.

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 19/11/2025

My players loved The Red Rooster and it's landlord, Posy... so they were devastated when it got crushed by a black dragon. This is how I created it: buff.ly/foDH7Bp

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 19/11/2025

A random generator is fine, but there is a simple solution for coming up with a tavern your players will never forget. buff.ly/foDH7Bp

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 17/11/2025

A little surprised to see @criticalrole.bsky.social pop up in the middle of the evening news...

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 10/11/2025

All seven parts of this series are now available. I've had some lovely comments from people who have picked the couple that interested them, or enjoyed the entire journey. Links inside to explore!

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How to write a one-shot: Part Seven

The Pratchett method

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 07/11/2025

Tonight on D&D: The party discover the dangers of robbing a werewolf den while the pack are out hunting… and then leaving a trail back to their camp.

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 06/11/2025

The first radio presenter I ever worked with carried a battered old ring binder into every show. He never opened it on air, so after a year of working together I asked what it was for: “My song and dance routine,” he said with a smile. Today, how that one piece of advice changed how I DM:

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How to write a one-shot: Part Five

Your song and dance routine

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 05/11/2025

This simple tool has transformed my game prep. Make sure your adventures always feel balanced and varied by using the colour wheel. This is part four in the series, but stands alone as a piece of advice.

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How to write a one-shot: Part Four

The colour wheel of adventure

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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 04/11/2025

Movable Keys and Quantum Ogres can offer you the most flexible adventures you've ever created. Today I'm talking about how understanding these mechanics is crucial to writing one shots. This is part 3 in the series, but does stand alone, or you can start at the beginning by following the links:

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How to write a one-shot: Part Three

Movable keys and quantum ogres

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