Archive for D & D 5e
Second Commissioned illustration For My Upcoming D & D Campaign Setting/Adventures Module ‘HAIKON’
Posted in DORAGON Adventures, Dungeons And Dragons with tags D & D, D & D 5e, RPG, TTRPG on January 13, 2021 by darkjade68My First Commission For My Upcoming D & D 5e Campaign Setting/Adventures Module
Posted in DORAGON Adventures, Dungeons And Dragons with tags D & D, D & D 5e, HAIKON, RPG, TTRPG on January 10, 2021 by darkjade68The Truth – Part IV
Posted in Dungeons And Dragons, Writing with tags D & D, D & D 5e, D & D Vlog, RPG, TTRPG on November 16, 2020 by darkjade68
The Truth
Part Four
After I stepped away from the ‘White Jade’ Web Series, and Filmmaking for the moment, I needed to chill out for a bit… In 2006, I did this with ‘World of Warcraft’, but this time, I’d do it with ‘Dungeons & Dragons’

I’d loved ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ as a kid, started playing in the 80’s, and again in the 90’s
It’s an awesome game to just let you imagination go
And after stepping away from Filmmaking again, I really needed to have an outlet to express my Creativity, without the pressure of Producing
The first thing I did, was get on my Twitter D & D Account, and began connecting with the Dungeons & Dragons Community
Little did I know, but the game had become more popular than ever, partly to do with a group of Voice Actors who started streaming their home game online

Maybe you’ve heard of them by now, ‘Critical Role’
Not only was it great to see a true group of friends together playing, but it exposed me to the new D & D 5e System, which they use

So I picked up the new 5th Edition Players Manual, and started to learn the new rules
I also approached an associate/friend from my Web Series (He was a Sword Trainer, and Actor from the Web Series), and asked if he’d be willing to run a Dungeons & Dragons Campaign
In the past, I’d mainly been the Dungeon Master (Person who ran the game/created the world the players inhabited/ran all the NPC’s (Non Player Characters) in the game
But with 5e, I wanted to start out as a Player to get used to the rules, before running my own campaign

The Group was called ‘The League Of Unity’
And I was a Paladin (Holy Knight), which had always been my favorite Class of Character in D & D, but like I say, I mainly ran games, so didn’t have much opportunity to play one
We played this game for several months, meeting when we could, but in the end, the group kind of fell apart (Which often does, good groups can be hard to find)

Also during that year, though I wasn’t being a Dungeon Master yet, I did decide to create a Dungeon Master focused Vlog, called ‘Doragon’s Domain‘

Which is where I started working on ‘World Building’, which lead me to creating ‘Frost Rhealm’ (Here’s a Link to just the ‘Frost Rhealm’ related Episodes of Doragon’s Domain‘
It was there that I was encouraged from members of the Dungeons & Dragons Twitter Community, to Publish ‘Frost Rhealm’
Though complimented, my initial reaction was, I don’t want to make D & D a job… It was my place to Create freely, without pressure to make money etc.
I considered it for several months, then life stepped in, and I took a break from D & D Twitter, and working on ‘Frost Rhealm’
I did, however, at this time, pick up the 5e Dungeon Master’s Guide, and started to learn the new DM (Dungeon Master) Rules
But because my group that year had ended, and I wasn’t yet running a game, I decided to write a Dungeon & Dragons Blog Series on this site, called ‘Magic And Light‘
A Story about a group of kids who got together to play Dungeons & Dragons…
…in that Story I’d write both the parts about the kids, and then I’d write about their Characters, blending reality and the D & D World/Campaign they were playing
It was then that my girlfriend (Who’d only started playing D & D in 2017 in the group that fell apart), approached me, and asked if she could create a character, and have me run a campaign for her
I was elated
‘HAIKON’ Dungeons & Dragons Campaign Setting/Adventures Module
Posted in Dungeons And Dragons, Self Publishing, The Written Word, Writer, Writing with tags D & D, D & D 5e, Dungeons & Dragons 5e, RPG, TTRPG on September 19, 2020 by darkjade68
For updates you can follow my D & D Twitter Account Dragon_Ryder7
What Is ‘Adventures Of Vilven Ledsong’?
Posted in Adventures Of Vilven Ledsong, Dungeons And Dragons, Fiction, Story, Writing with tags D & D 5e, Dungeons And Dragons Art, Warlock on March 29, 2019 by darkjade68What Is ‘Adventures Of Vilven Ledson’?
Just over a year ago, I began Running a One Person Dungeons & Dragons Campaign, with a Single Player.
A year plus later, the Campaign continues, and has Created & Left behind an immense amount of Story and Content.
My Player has fallen in love with her Character, a Water Genasi Warlock named ‘Vilven Ledsong’…
…so much so that last October she began Writing a Blog Retelling our Campaign’s Story from Day 1.
After Posting 10 Chapters/Posts, she decided she wanted to start Commissioning some Art for the Posts.
But first she needed to find an Artist, which she did in @living_silver
This First Piece of Art (Above) is of Vilven about midway through the Campaign (Maybe Level 8, she’s now Level 16), with her Patron behind her, ‘Areiden’, a Water Elemental (Water Lord with an Immense amount of Power).
My Player is Writing the Blogs, based on the Stories we’ve formed together as Dungeon Master & Player, and I’m contributing towards the Dialog of many of the NPC’s (Non Player Characters) I’ve created along the way.
But Vilven is all her.
I encourage you to check it out, she is a Gifted Writer, who I approached several years back to help me with a ReWrite of a Fantasy Novel I wrote, and have yet to Self Publish.
Enjoy!
Chapter III: Choice And Notice
Chapter VI – Encountering A Wizard
Chapter VII – A Charge And A Flame
Chapter VIII – Followed By A Lion
Chapter X – A Dialogue Of Friends
Chapter XI – Ineffective Planning
Adventures Of Vilven Ledsong (Chapter X) – A Dialogue Of Friends
Posted in Adventures Of Vilven Ledsong, Dungeons And Dragons, Fantasy, Fiction, Story, Writing with tags D & D, D & D 5e on March 18, 2019 by darkjade68Chapter X Of My Current Dungeons And Dragons Campaign, Which Began A Year Ago, As Written/Retold By My Player Who Plays Vilven
Chapter III: Choice And Notice
Chapter VI – Encountering A Wizard
Chapter VII – A Charge And A Flame
Chapter VIII – Followed By A Lion
CHAPTER X
It took about half an hour, but Jaren had been fully bandaged and stabilized, his body covered with a thick, blanket. Grid, Vilven, and Wiendle let him rest while they decided what they were to do. But, in truth, Wiendle was of little help. She had not fully recovered from the emotional trauma of seeing Jaren so hurt, and just wanted to stay near him, offering little opinion to their next steps. She knelt near Jaren, lightly stroking his hair, staring at his face, as Vilven and Grid moved just out of her earshot to discuss what they were to do next.
But Vilven was going through her own kind of emotional strain, though she tried her best to hide it from Grid. She felt powerful, a strange feeling when power had never been a focus to her, yet she was faint with vulnerability and something close to a loss of self. What had happened to her was beyond her understanding and at the same time was all of who she was. She fought the feeling back as she stared up hard at Grid.
“Do you think we can stay here? Is it too dangerous?” Vilven asked, her throat feeling dry.
“We’ll stay here tonight. We’ll reevaluate the severity of his wounds in the morning.” Grid said clearly, glancing down at the young guard. “Dangerous or not, he’s too injured to travel right now.”
“Are we going to still guide them to Warden? Is she up to it, you think?” Vilven said, her voice quiet, watching the worry on Wiendle’s face.
His eyes moved to look at the princess, pausing for a moment. Then he nodded, his blonde mane glittering in the late afternoon sun. “We’ll get them there. She’ll be alright.” he said confidently.
Vilven nodded in return, confirming the plan. Vilven admitted that she was relieved they were still to move forward, she just hoped Grid would be right about Wiendle.
“We should probably start to set up camp then, right?” Vilven asked as she walked away, going toward Wiendle to tell her what they had decided. Grid agreed, then began the unpleasant task of pulling the husk bodies of the small, ugly creatures out of the area.
Meanwhile, Vilven squatted next to Wiendle, staring down at Jaren’s face with her, letting the quiet sit for a while before speaking. “Handsome, isn’t he.” Vilven said, putting a comforting arm around her.
“Yes, he’s…he is beautiful.” Wiendle said struggling with a sob. Vilven squeezed her tighter.
“He will recover. He’s strong.” Vilven said positively.
“I know he is.” Wiendle said with love. “I just feel so, just so…terribly. This happened to him all because of me.”
“We all had our guard down.” Vilven assured her. “We all needed to be more careful. I won’t let this happen again. We best look forward.”
Wiendle turned to look at Vilven with gratitude, then hugged her deeply.
“Oh Vilven, You saved us! What you did…was scary but… I didn’t know you were a magical mermaid!” Wiendle whispered into Vilven’s ear. Vilven pushed her back a little, feeling awkward, even disturbed, discussing what had happened.
“I just wanted to let you know,” Vilven said, trying to change the subject. “Grid and I think we should stay here for the night. It would be best to let Jaren rest.”
Wiendle looked relieved, then frightened, then relieved again. “If you think that is best. I know you will protect us.” Wiendle said with a convicted tone, looking back down at Jaren.
Vilven looked shocked and doubtful at her, then stood. She was worried she had made a promise she couldn’t keep. Yet she was determined to keep it, even if it meant her life. And yet, she still felt Areiden. He was always there. Maybe she could be a protector, after all.
She walked to Grid then, he had moved all the bodies and was now collecting firewood. “What can I do to help with camp?” Vilven asked.
***
Grid tasked Vilven to set up the tent for Jaren and Wiendle. She made the tent wide, and put out the bedrolls with special care, adding more blankets from her own supplies. She knew it wasn’t exactly fit for a tired princess, or for a wounded guard, but it was the best she could do under the circumstances. They all had to help to move Jaren gently into the tent, and after, she realized that it was a wise decision that they had decided to stay the night. It would have been very difficult to get far with him in that condition. Vilven then began to cut the vegetables for the stew she had come to love, even slicing some pieces of the stale but filling bread Grid had in his pack. Grid pulled a fallen tree into the camp for some sort of seat for them so they didn’t have to eat on the ground. He made the dinner quickly, and it was eaten even more quickly. Wiendle went to sleep right after she finished, though it was barley dusk, she was anxious to get back to her lover. Which left Grid and Vilven to take in the night air together.
Lowering the empty bowl to the ground in front of her, Vilven leaned back on the log, stretching her tired legs. “What were those things anyway? Those things that attacked Jaren?” Vilven asked, finally able to converse about what had happened.
“Goblins.” Grid said dramatically, as he prepared his evening pipe. “The forests are crawling with them.”
“I’ve heard of Goblins, but aren’t they mostly thieves in cities. That’s at least what I heard as a child.” Vilven said, thinking back to her memories of the stories the fish would tell her.
“Well, I’ve never heard that before. Basically they’re scavengers. And would just as soon tear at your flesh than anything else.” Grid elaborated.
“Oh.” Vilven said, questioning the other things she might have heard from sea life that wasn’t accurate. “They didn’t seem all that capable, to be truthful. But it was still scary fighting them.” she continued.
He took a long drag of his pipe, the smoke exhaling from his nose. “They rely on their numbers. Which you didn’t seem to have a problem with.” He said, almost in questioning, his cat eyes glancing at her.
She stared up at him, this Tigron that had become her friend. With a sigh of reception, she began. “You know, you asked me what race I was, earlier, near the lake?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I’m a genasi.” She paused to tried to gauge his reaction. “A water genasi.” she paused again, glancing at the fire now “I’m from the Water Plane.”
“I can’t say I’ve heard of a genasi. But the Water Plane makes sense, you’re one hell of a swimmer.” He said in acknowledgement, looking into the fire as well.
“Thank you, you’re one hell of a runner.” She said with a chuckle, then continued. “A genasi is part elemental and part something else. My father is a water elemental.” She paused, a sadness coming to her eyes. “I miss the Water Plane very much.”
He looked at her, noting her somberness. “I’m very sorry to hear that.” he said, throwing another log into the fire. “It must be beautiful there.”
“It really is.” Her tone became serious. “You see, I was banished. From there. The Water Plane. Elemental don’t much like genasi.”
His eyes flared in a flash of anger. “Rules and politics. Neither of which I subscribe to.”
“I guess that’s why you hide out in the forests and sit creepily on the outskirts of castles.” She said jokingly. Then she became serious again. “You still haven’t told me, really, about your dragon. Why she is there.”
He looked at her directly, his voice clear. “We’ll get there, but first you must tell me, does the magic come from being a genasi? Or something else?”
She paused and frowned at the question, the fire reflected in her dark, black pupil-less eyes. She swallowed, then faced him. “The magic, is new to me. It’s not from being a genasi. I received it by making a pact, a pact with a very powerful, elder water elemental, like my father. I’m not sure what he has planned for me. But he sent me here.” She sighed, amazed to say it all out loud. “I think the more I do things he likes, the more magic I will receive. Though he has not given me any true instruction. You’re the first person I’ve told all this.” she said, ending in a smile.
Grid smiled in return. “And I shall tuck it away and keep it to myself. Thank you for your trust.”
She looked up at him with an eyebrow raised. “The only reason I told you was because I wanted to hear about this damn dragon you keep talking about.” It wasn’t the only reason, but she liked to joke with him.
Grid paused and began to clean his pipe into the fire, similar to when they first met. But this time he did it more slowly, almost like he was needing to prepare himself to tell her what had happened. When he finally finished and put the pipe away, he looked at her intensely, his eyes penetrating hers as he began.
“The Kingdom of Beaumont was once a flourishing, thriving realm. I would go there from time to time, for certain supplies that are difficult to come by in my home village. The people there were unusually gleeful, most likely due to actually having a king that cared about them. One day while making my way there, I saw something that no one should ever have to see. A great, green dragon, swooping down upon the kingdom, unleashing her poisonous, gaseous breath. By the time she was done, half the people of Beaumont were slain, and the other half fled their home for good. You asked me why she came, I can only offer you this, beneath the great lake of Beaumont there exists a deep, cavernous lair, which she now, at least part of the time, has made her home. Beyond that, I can offer you no further reasoning for her diabolical and catastrophic deeds.”
Vilven looked at him, her face grief stricken from what he had told her, realization coming to her. She glanced at the tent Wiendle slept in, she had mentioned an attack on Beaumont affecting the king, and now Vilven knew what she was talking about, and realized the small princess was stronger than she appeared.
Vilven had no words for a long while as she turned back to Grid, staring at his golden fur.
Until, finally she broke the silence, “And that’s why you watch her?”
He nodded, his expression strong. “One day I will return there, and destroy her. Someday.”
Vilven looked down at her hands, unsure of where her magic and Areiden would lead her, but she looked nobly at him, making a promise. “Well, I will help you. When that time comes.”
He looked at her warmly, appreciative of her offer. It seemed they had become friends.
Monsters Of Feyland… In Review
Posted in Dungeons And Dragons, Product Review, Writing with tags Cawood Publishing, D & D 5e, Monsters Of Feyland, RPG, RPG Review on February 18, 2019 by darkjade68Back in early 2017, I returned to the world of Dungeons & Dragons via Twitter, and the D & D/RPG community.
D & D had really begun to take off, and it was exciting to see.
During 2017 I began creating my own Homebrew content, and vlogging, and even considering Self Publishing my own content.
One of the Independent Publishers of RPG content I did notice was Cawood Publishing.
And though I have yet to buy any of their product, I was intrigued by their Campaign Setting The World Of MYRR. I still am actually.
I stepped away from social media at the end of 2017, and returned this January, and one of the things that quickly grabbed my eye upon my reentry was Cawood Publishing’s MONSTERS OF FEYLAND.
The art of the cover grabbed my eye immediately, and lately I had begun entering several different planes in my Campaign, and had been intrigued by what I had heard about the Feywild.
I replied to one of their Tweets, and they contacted me letting me know about the different versions, PDF, Softcover and soon the Hardcover.
I love Hardcover books, and told them that I am definitely interested once it comes out, and I have some funds.
A week went by and I decided I’d like to Review the book, so I reached out to them and asked if they could supply me the content so that I could.
They warmly responded, and sent it to me immediately.
~THE REVIEW~
THE ART
Right off the bat, as I say, the Cover is Amazing… It lures you into a Magical Mythical place of unknowns and Adventure.

The ILLUSTRATIONS within the Book were done by Travis Hanson, and I find it to be Magical, Imagination Provoking and Organic.
There’s a beautiful & unique drawing done for each of the 100 Creatures.
Each of which draw you further, and further into the world of The Feyland.
THE WRITING

Written by Andrew Cawood, it’s obvious to me that when Andrew closes his eyes at night, he sees other worlds of color and mystery.

Each of the characters are put together meticulously, and are full of life, making the use of any one of them a dream for Dungeon Masters.
And the overall theme is truly mischievous and alluring.
GRAPHIC DESIGN AND LAYOUT
Graphic Design and Layout are by Jeff Porter.
The way the book is set up, makes it easy to use, and appealing to search through
WHAT’S INSIDE
Table of Contents;
- Feyland/Advice
- Feyland Courts
- Monsters
- Beasts
- Challenge Ratings
- Encounters Table
FEYLAND
The book begins with a description by Andrew of Feyland, which really sets the stage/brings the world to life…
It also speaks of the Three General Divisions of Feyland, the good Seelie Court, the evil Unseelie Court, and the Wild Fey.
ADVICE
The Advice Section gives insights for the DM, such as how the Fey love to make deals, and will use a multitude of trickery to achieve contracts with newcomers to Feyland, binding them with powerful magic.
And how the Fey are less interested in combat, and more interested in drama, and toying with those who have never been there.
It also speaks of the many ways that one might cross the threshold/enter the magical world of Feyland, such as portals etc.
There’s also a table listing creatures within each of the two courts, as well as a table which demonstrates the Hierarchy of each.
Both sections give a very mischievous/Puck of A Midsummer Night’s Dream kind of feeling to the land.
MONSTERS & BEASTS
It’s like I say…
Andrew and Travis, with meticulous care, have brought to life a wondrous world…
A mysterious, and alluring realm.
Full of color, and intrigue.
MONSTERS BY CR
Beyond the Creatures within, Andrew has supplied you with a Table indicating a list of the creatures by CR Level.
ENCOUNTER TABLE
As well as an Encounters Table.
Everything you could ever need, to leave your world behind, and enter and embrace MONSTERS OF FEYLAND.
*****************************
For More Info. About MONSTERS OF FEYLAND, Reach Out To Cawood Publishing on Twitter @cawoodpublish
For The Product, Go To MONSTERS OF FEYLAND ON DriveThruRPG
DarkJade-