iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I went to @enworldrpg.bsky.social to see what this awesome news might be so I could make public comments about it. But... Ai is being a d*@k to them right now.

EN World D&D Tabletop RPG News & Reviews
We are experiencing massive site slowdowns and outages due to constant waves of--right now--150,000 AI bots scraping the site for content. We are working hard to block them, but its hard to keep up on an industrial scale like this. They've been at it for over a month, but it has reached levels that we can't block. Please be patient--we'll figure something out!

In the meantime, if you need to catch up on the week's TTRPG news, our weekly news show live-streamed as always Monday at 8pm UK time (3pm Eastern)!

000

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

I'm really enjoying the new @dndbeyond.com book Arcana Unleashed. Lots of good stuff in there, and will likely be the next Tasha's over time. But this description of Krynn's magic is WAY off. The magic of Krynn, the conclave of Wizards, and the Gods of magic are an iconic part of the world.

A screen shot of a table containing 3 sections: setting, description, and sourcebook.
Only one topic is showing: Dragonlance. The description reads "Draconic magic is a major theme in this setting consumed by war. The use of magic granted by gods is rare". The sourcebook is Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen.

100

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

I might have bitten off more than I can chew with this Halloween costume. There's a lot more chaining that needs to happen before I'm done.

Black wire spun tightly around a wooden dowel that's inserted into a drill.

A bunch of black links strung together as the beginning of some chainmail.

010

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Is this our first tease of what the Season of Champions will be about? There's a continuation of Mage Fall - the comic that @darkhorse.com released for Free Comic Book day - in Total Party Killers #1. Looks like Tasha, Volo, and Mordy team up for this! dungeonsanddragonsfan.com/free-comic-b...

Tasha, Volo, and Mordenkainen battle an aspect of Bahamut.

000

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

It's been a good week for my @dndbeyond.com collection. I love that I can engage with this hobby in so many different ways.

D&D comic Total Party Killers and D&D Dragonlance novel War Wizard.

The D&D Hotties game featuring: a red dragon, beholder, mimic, and displacer beast fighting a party of heroes on the cover.

000

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

This is very Dragonlance coded. A white robe, black robe, and a red robe? C'mon! Maybe that picture of Alustriel Silverhand in Sigil on the cover of the book was a hint that this was true... I'll lose my poop if the Staff of Magius is one of the Evolving Magic items.

The cover of Arcana Unleashed shows Alustriel Silverhand floating in the air casting a spell while the background looks like a city collapsing in on itself.

000

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Get your first look at issue #1 of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Total Party Killers from @dndbeyond.com! Details: bit.ly/4uUME9Q This first issue hits your local comic shop on July 22nd! By @drhastings.bsky.social, Denis Medri, and team. Cover shown from @elizabethbeals.bsky.social

A rogue-ish character is surrounded by a gelatinous cube, mind flayer, death knight, and beholder.

152

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

LoL. Amazon says it's impossibly small. I'm gonna need my glasses.

Product information

Publisher Ten Speed Press

Publication date Nov. 24 2026

Language English

Print length 320 pages

ISBN-10 0593838874

ISBN-13 978-0593838877

Item weight 567 g

Dimensions 0.1 x 0.1 x 0.1 cm

100

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

This is the highlight of my day: The Field Guide to Floral Dragons. It's so pretty! How am I supposed to get any work done now? @hitpointpress.bsky.social @kintheartist.bsky.social

A black leather book embossed with a gold dragon and decorative flowers.
The title of the book is: The Field Guide to Floral Dragons.

121

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Also, for @dndlorecast.bsky.social Dragon month, we're giving away a free physical copy of D&D's Dragon Delves with alt-cover art by @teanwitch.bsky.social To enter, sign-up for our Patreon at any tier - even the free one. All current members are already entered. www.patreon.com/collection/8...

A colourful psychedelic version of a red dragon perched on top of a rock with its wings raised above its head to frame the title of the book: Dragon Delves.

0124

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Running two tables of D&D Encounters in the morning. Good thing I have two copies of the map! Guess which one is hand drawn by me. Honestly, I'm pretty proud of it. But I'm also very tired and my judgment is probably off... 😅

Two maps. One is purchased and has amazing details. The other is hand drawn and the details aren't that great, but it does the trick.

010

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Today's update to Journals on @dndbeyond.com Maps is pretty significant. Editing! But not just that. You can add in a bunch of paragraph styles, use different colours, add hyperlinks, use Bold, Italics, and underline... Plus you can delete whole entires as well. @nerdimmersion.com

Screen shot of DnDBeyond Map's Journals showing the ability to delete entires now.

Screen shot of DnDBeyond Map's Journals showing the ability to edit entries now.

100

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Thanks to my eagle eyed friend @dndlorecast.bsky.social for pointing out that Athas - the world of Dark Sun- got a direct mention in the new Ravenloft: The Horrors Within book. Just adding this to the growing stack conspiracy theories I have about a new Dark Sun book(s) being imminent...

A screenshot that reads:

"Kalidnay

Darklord: Thakok-An Hallmarks: Magical apocalypse, obsession

The city of Kalidnay was once the seat of power of Kalid-Ma, one of the monstrous sorcerer-kings of Athas. Thakok-An, the greatest of Kalid-Ma's enforcers, desired the sorcerer-king so greatly that"

The text cuts off part way through the last sentence.

110

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Monsters in @dndbeyond.com Maps now have a much requested re-sizing option! I hope this means players will have access to this feature soon too. Thanks #WotCStaff. @nerdimmersion.com you'll want to see this.

The monster token menu from Maps showing the option to resize a skeleton.

The monster token menu bar in Maps showing the different sizes available for the skeleton.

010

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Also, @alphastream.bsky.social joke about Drizzt fighting Optimus Prime was really good. RIP Project Sigil - thanks for the memories and gold dragon dice.

Optimus Prime squaring off with Drizzt in the Project Sigil VTT.

020

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Here you go. An espying one eyed owl. Fewer eyes makes it even more fae. Watch out. It's a bard owl. Very high charisma score...

A one eyed bard owl stares into your soul as it perches on a tree. Its missing eye is a perfect circle of pure and bottomless darkness.

020

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

I'm not sure what made the algorithm suggest this for me. But I'm not mad about it. I'm also not buying them.

3 piece viking accessories made of leather. A wrist guard, a belt, and a pouch with a dragon stencilled into it.

010

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

I knew it! @shawnmerwin.bsky.social I'm excited to run this in a couple of weeks!

Credits

Project Lead: Chris Tulach

Designer: Shawn Merwin

Editor: Sadie Lowry

Graphic Designer: Rich Lescouflair

Cover Illustrator: Pauline Voss

Interior Illustrators: Rowan Holloway, Jane Katsubo, Va

Cartographers: Marco Bernardini, Jared Blando

Consultant: Shawn Banerjee

Producer: Bill Benham

110

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

I know Tiamat can make her heads look like anything - but this is unprecedented!

A very cute ball python snuggles with a Tiamat plushie.

000

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

This was a nice surprise on the family walk today. The lighting was perfect.

Great horned owl fledgling with its mama.

Great horned owl fledglings with their mama.

010

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

I think I found an agarikon. But it was really high up a tree. These are the best shots I could get of it. It's about 10 - 12 inches long, with a diameter of 3 - 4 inches. Could be artist's bracket though.

010

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Mist Horror - the latest play-along pack from @dndbeyond.com Dungeon Masters is a nasty bit of business. This is the first original monster that we're seeing from the new Ravenloft book, and I love how a couple of these can really mess up a party. Lets get into it. 1/8

A man stumbles to the ground as Mist Horrors rip away pieces of overcoat.

The Mists separating the Domains of Dread are far from safe—or empty. Mist horrors are animate clouds of vapor, barely perceptible within the Mists. In the presence of creatures, these vaporous terrors take the shape of their viewers’ greatest fears. Such appearances are subjective, and anyone who views a mist horror sees it in the way that terrifies them most. A mist horror outside the Mists swiftly loses cohesion and collapses into harmless vapor.

100

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

That's not a ladle... This is a ladle.

A poorly drawn cartoon holding a spoon that is too big for its bowl.

010

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

I'd honk. Also... This one made me laugh.

010

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

That's it. 1 big burly guy who - if they don't take over your mind and have you kill your friends - will kill you and your friends. And another big guy who will teleport all over the map while making you lose your mind - and will kill you and your friends while feeding on your life force. (19/19)

The stat block for Cthulhu from Ravenloft: The Horrors Within.

The stat block for Great Cthulhu from Cthulhu by Torchlight.

010

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

The video from @insightcheck.bsky.social made me wonder how the Horrors Within Cthulhu (C) stacked up against Great Cthulhu (GC) in Cthulhu by Torchlight from @chaosium.bsky.social / @mearls.bsky.social TL:DR I wouldn't want to fight either, but (imo) Great Cthulhu would win this fight. (1/19)

100

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

This animation running in the background of the Dungeon Masters promo on @dndbeyond.com looks like it is the opening to the series on YouTube. We get a Drider in the underdark. A castle being attacked by a big headed vine creature, and finally Tiamat. Looks sweet.

000

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Campaign 1 - Ashes of the Black Rose - sounds like a tie-in to the new Ravenloft comic. So it's nice to see that lore being used in more than one story. It feels like the more you dive in, the more you'll get. But you don't need to get it all. Just what you want. That's really cool.

$Campaign 1 Ashes of the Black Rose A doomed land is being unmade. Its would-be saviors may not make it out. When a fractured band of unlikely allies finds itself trapped in a nightmare ruled by the infamous fallen paladin, Lord Soth, our heroes must do whatever it takes to break free. What begins as a desperate search for a way home soon becomes an apocalyptic struggle, as Soth's fury threatens to consume everything and everyone within his crumbling Domain of Dread. As the world falls apart around them, the question is not whether they can escape, but what they'll be forced to sacrifice to survive.$

110

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Thought of you when I snapped a photo of this very polite mushroom the other day.

A happy little morel mushroom doing mushroom things.

130

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

Um... @ryanarey.bsky.social wtf is this? YouTube just asked if I thought one of your episodes felt like low-quality AI... Are you AI? I'm being ironic with that question. But this is a messed up question to get from the platform.

A screen shot from YouTube asked if a ScreenCrush video about Daredevil Born again felt like low-quality AI.

The multiple choice answers listed below the question are: not at all, slightly, moderately, very much, and extremely.

100

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

New video from @insightcheck.bsky.social breaking down the Pestilence Domain Cleric from the new @dndbeyond.com Villainous Options #UnearthedArcana. youtu.be/78eyt7TUh6Q?... #DnD #TTRPG

111

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

I'm inclined to agree with @toddkenreck.bsky.social that human Todds can be a little sus. But dog Todds are absolutely amazing. I present to you: Todd.

A Vizsla named Todd poses majestically on a frozen river in a winter wonderland.

010

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Anyone know who did the cover art for the new Dragonlance book: War Wizard? I can't find an artist's attribution anywhere. All I know is that it isn't the same artist who did the last 3 Dragonlance books. #MTGArtists #DnDArtists #WotCStaff

Two men standing back to back getting ready to fight an ogre and a goblin. One man is in full plate armour and wielding a two handed sword. The other man is in leather armour and his hands are enveloped in magical fire.

110

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

This is a fun easter egg for @dndbeyond.com 's updated Quickbuilder. The Party Wizard has shown up time to time on the site. And now he's back again! Put "Party Wizard" as your character name and the Party Wizard will cast Colour Spray. Enjoy. #PartyTime #AWizardIsNeverLate #DnD

000

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

It was a very different game in the 90s.... New definition of "sucks or saves" just dropped.

Any creature struck by one of the black-fletched arrows has been poisoned and must roll a successful saving throw. Those who fail to save begin convulsing and frothing a black spittle from their mouths, collapse, and then die twitch-ing in one round. Anyone who successfully saves suffers 20 points of damage (type E poison). This

000

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

I'm running a 5.5e conversion of Dragon Mountain on Thursday. And I don't know if we'll ever see text like this in any of the new books... @shawnmerwin.bsky.social and @alphastream.bsky.social what are your thoughts on encouraging DMs to kill off high level PCs?

remember, the PCs are of a sufficient experience level that they will have methods of raising or resurrecting their dead companions. Knocking a couple of them off will not permanently put their favorite characters out of play, and it will make them more cautious in the future.

320

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Ok CBC. I clicked the link. You got me.

A group of people running through a forest.
The caption at the bottom reads "Why hunt animals, when you can hunt joggers.

000

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

They're going old school with the art for the newly announced Melf's Guide to Grayhawk. Check out this painting by @jeffeasley.bsky.social that will be used for the cover! #DnD #TTRPG @dndbeyond.com

New artwork of Luke Gygax's famous D&D character: Melf. Pairing by Jeff Easley.

061

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

My daughter is really into snakes and @ginnydi.com these days. So she felted a Ginny Di morph ball python - complete with pink sweater. And yes, even though the snake doesn't have arms, it's still wearing a sweater with sleeves.

A felted Ginny Di morph ball python - complete with pink sweater.

000

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

Hi @colbypoulson.bsky.social . Can you let your friend Will know he should update the links on his channel to point to his new Kickstarter. Right now it's still going to Ryoko's. www.kickstarter.com/projects/dnd... On a related note...

You just backed Heliana and Ryoko's Guide to Mythozoology.

Oder from Kickstarter

Oder placed.

110

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

I watch enough taskmaster to know to always look on the back of the task. Missed this on #1. But I found this now, and it's shaping up quite nicely. Just another reason to look forward to the next issues. @gregpak.com @juliedillon.bsky.social

A man in red armour is reading a levitating book. A woman in pink is pointing out a passage in the book. A tentacled monster with a big mouth and lolling tongue is reaching towards something.

0201

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Post your favourite Lord of the Rings character. Wrong answers only.

A man dressed in gladiator gear approaches a man in a black cloak and a woman with a white dress with his sword drawn.

000

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Happy International Women's Day. My daughter painted this this morning. And I can't think of a better tribute. The lyrics are from Aurora's song Queendom.

A water colour painting of a dragon with blue wings in front of a mountain range with aurora dancing overhead.
Written below it says "the sea waves are my evening gown, and the sun on my head is my crown - I made this queendom on my own, and all the mountains are my throne."

000

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Maybe? I'm trying to decode the clues on the covers and in the art. The alt cover features a lich Thayan - Probably Szass Tam - a Death Tyrant (left) and a nalfeshnee (right). The art backs up two of those things. But in the 4th image, are those Merrow or Yuani-ti abominations?

The alt cover features a lich Thayan - Probably Szass Tam - a Death Tyrant (left) and a nalfeshnee (right).

The cover features a lich Thayan - Probably Szass Tam - doing some crazy necromancy magic.

A nalfeshnee is battling a couple of red wizards.

Some Merrow - maybe Yuan-ti abominations - are guarding a big door while a group of adventurers hide in the foreground.

110

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

The alt cover for Arcana Unleashed by @coupleofkooks.bsky.social has the 8 symbols for the different schools of magic. Some are the same as the symbols in the PHB, and some are different. Here's my best guess as to what they all are. Does this mean we get all the 4 other subclasses? I dunno. Maybe?

The alt cover for the ew Arcana Unleashed book featuring 8 symbols circling an 8 point star.
The words Abjuration, Conjuration, Divination, Evocation, Necromancy, Illusion, Enchantment, and Transmutation are written next to the symbols.

Art by Couple of Kooks

010

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

This cover art by @akreon.bsky.social is wonderful! The details in here are so subtle, but there's so much of it! I really like the glow of the ghost illuminating Strahd. #DnD #Ravenloft

Strahd sits in a high backed chair drinking blood from a wine glass. A ghost floats to his right, illuminating him with a faint blue light. At his feet are two dead bodies. One of which has a wooden stake in his heart.

Art by Anna Podedworna

030

Random Encounters @randomencounters.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Post a pic you took, no context, to bring some zen to the feed.

A Cooper hawk looking all zen and shit as it's perched on a post in front of thick greenery in the background.

010