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Mage Advice

@mageadvice.substack.com
300 followers 521 following 429 posts

🇬🇧 Based account celebrating D&D and other ttrpgs. Free ideas, tips and advice every Wednesday at mageadvice.substack.com

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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
I nearly killed them all, but I'm actually glad about it.
buff.ly
All you need is TPK
How a near death experience saved my session
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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.
buff.ly
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
This might be my favourite mechanic from Daggerheart.
buff.ly
Steal this from Daggerheart and plug it straight in your game
Using combat roles to transform your monsters.
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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.
buff.ly
A D6 rumour table
Creative collaboration
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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 31/07/2026
Forgot you gave the troll a reaction? I find this a lifesaver.
buff.ly
I built this worksheet to make running combat easy
A simple tool to plan encounters.
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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 31/07/2026
The World Cup might be over, but I'm tempted to keep developing this...
buff.ly
Fußborg: A football ttrpg
Replacing a round ball with a D6
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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.
buff.ly
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
they can force a single enemy to skip their turn in combat, describing in world how an accident forces them to fumble their planned action. If the GM gains the power of mute, they can choose any die roll to become a natural 1.
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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 · 11/03/2026
As a long time @highrollersdnd.bsky.social fan, I'm really excited for this. There's still time to back, so check it out!
kickstarter.com
Altheya: The Dragon Empire – A High-Fantasy 5E Setting
Enter a land where dragons rule, planes clash in eternal wars, and magical vaults hold ancient secrets. A campaign setting for DnD.
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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
Breaking any existing egg will create a suitable NPC who will assist the party in their escape. After the first, only commoners will be released. - Dungeonary: One room a day for a month Read more about the Arches here:
open.substack.com
Underneath the Arches of Aoskar
The development of my mega dungeon project.
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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 23/01/2026
As an action the Oni can force one target to make a Charisma saving throw or they are turned into an egg. This condition lasts until the egg is broken, causing the target to lose 4d8 hitpoints.
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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
Completing a short rest in the pool allows each player to choose one of the following benefits: Regain the use of one ability that recharges on a long rest. Regain up to 2D4 spell slots Gain 2D8 temporary hitpoints. - Dungeonary: One room a day for a month Read more about the Arches here👇
open.substack.com
Underneath the Arches of Aoskar
The development of my mega dungeon project.
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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
buff.ly
Underneath the Arches of Aoskar
The development of my mega dungeon project.
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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 17/01/2026
Read more about the Dungeon here...
open.substack.com
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 DM should select a chest at random to contain the deck. Whenever a player opens a chest, roll a d20. If the result is even it becomes a mimic, if odd it dissolves into a 5ft pool of acid. - Dungeonary: One room a day for a month
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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
"They promised they would come back for me, but they left me all alone in the dark." - 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 · 14/01/2026
This fantastic tool from DnD Shorts Will Earl deserves a place in any great DM's arsenal...
open.substack.com
How to use the Deck of Wild Magic and Mischief
Transform combat with this generator
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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 13/01/2026
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Thirteen - Dungeonary: One room a day for a month
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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
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Twelve. - Dungeonary: One room a day for a month
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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
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Eleven - Dungeonary: One room a day for a month
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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
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Nine - Dungeonary: One room a day for a month
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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 09/01/2026
Devil's mark: you have disadvantage on Deception and Stealth checks against Fiends.
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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 09/01/2026
For 100gp, the Marilith will provide a beautiful tattoo of the players choice. If they also provide 2,000gp of a precious gem, the tattoo will also enhance one ability score by 1. Either way, the character gains the following curse:
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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
When the entire group is asked a question Jorek, the true holder, always answers first as he does not need to consider his answer. Jorek will not show the key as he is worried it will be stolen. The Arches of Aoskar, Room Eight - Dungeonary: One room a day for a month
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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
For every round spent inside this room you must make a Constitution Saving throw or gain one level of exhaustion as you battle the cold. 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
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Five - Dungeonary: One room a day for a month
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Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 05/01/2026
"Now repeat after me... well you know I wasn't feeling right during last week's pillaging..." --- If each party member can perform a convincing sickie, Moonshine the Bugbear will dismiss the class and allow them to use the exit door.
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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
If the party accept a haircut from the Ettercap they may add a D4 to all Charisma checks for eight hours.
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