First Blood 20: Tips and resources for D&D noobs

A pair of daggers with impala antler hilts, India, 19th century.

image credit: Tira-Owl

Random Scroll Appearance

Roll on the following tables for unique scrolls!

Scroll Shape (d12)

Rectangular

Triangular

Star-Shaped

Square

Circular

Spiral

Ribbon

Small Card

Zig-zag

Impossibly Long (when unrolled)

Irregular Shape

Folded Dimensional Shape

Scroll Material (d20)

Paper

Parchment

Papyrus

Bamboo Slats

Stone Tablet or Slats

Iron Tablet or Slats

Copper Tablet or Slats

Gold Tablet or Slats

Silver Tablet or Slats

Bone Slats

Ice Sheet

Monster Skin

Cloth/Canvas

Leather

Magically Suspended Cloud

Large Plant Leaf

Woven Grass or Palms

Magically Suspended Water

Eternally Burning Paper

Translucent Arcane Sheet

Ink Material (d12)

Creature’s Blood

Kraken Ink

Powdered Gemstone

Powdered Dragon Scales

Ash or Charcoal

Pigments of Rare Plants

Glowing Arcane Lines

Magical Fire

Magical Lightning

Etched with Acid

Invisible Ink

Frozen Water (case keeps it magically frozen)

Scroll Case (d20)

Hollowed Bone

Hard or Soft Leather

Metal Container

Magical Fire or Water

Rolled in Leaves

Wire Spiral

Bamboo Rod

Ceramic Cylinder

Permanently Frozen Ice

Magically Invisible Material

Stone Cylinder

Glowing Arcane Material

Strips of Tree Bark

Jeweled Gold or Silver

Dried Humanoid Skin

Wrapped in Colored Ribbon

Animal Fur

Chainmail

Encased in Candle Wax

Hollowed Weapon Hilt/Haft

Scroll Contents (d20)

Complex geometric patterns

Concentric geometry with arcane symbols between

Incantation written in an obscure language. It must be translated to be used

Instructions detailing the spell’s formula

Incantation written in code that requires a cipher key. It must be decoded with an Intelligence check to be used

Animated imagery of the spellcasting process

Symbols that gain meaning only when certain conditions are met

Calligraphic manuscript with illuminated margins

Animated geometry, symbols, and patterns

Lines detailing the specifics of the weave of magic used in its creation

Animated advertisement for the scroll’s scribe and print shop

Repeating pattern whose shapes change colors seemingly at random

Incantation written in Common for the lay man to understand. Anyone can use this scroll if they can read it

Words that only appear under running water

The scroll is incomplete and requires an Intelligence (Arcana) check to finish it

A musical composition with lyrics that comprise the incantation

Floating text that hovers an inch above the page

Text that flies out to spiral around your head at eye level to read it

Text that tries to fly away if the scroll is opened for too long. Lost text must be recaptured with successful Dexterity checks.

Text that can only be read when the reader is blinded or has their eyes closed

How to Use the Scroll (d12)

Read the incantation detailed in the scroll

Trace the text or patterns with your finger

Charge magical energy into the scroll

Simply laying eyes on the scroll for a few seconds causes it to go off

Follow the scroll’s complex instructions for incantations and body movements.

Trace the text or patterns in arcane energy suspended in the air before you

Use magic to create music detailed by the scroll

Invoke deities that were involved in the scroll’s creation

Expose the scroll to a certain element (fire, water, air, earth) to release its power

Present the scroll to the spell’s target and speak the spell’s name with confidence

You use a material component required by the scroll’s text

Throw the scroll at the spell’s target

Alternative Scrolls

Scrolls can take many forms other than a simple slip of parchment. All a scroll really needs to do to work is be a one-time-use consumable spell. Try making your scrolls unique, so they might not even look like a scroll. Perhaps your character could create scrolls as these sorts of items.

Art. Carefully crafted artwork, whether a painting, sculpture, sketch, or piece of jewelry, that serves as the scroll. The materials are made from arcane reagents and the scroll can be read using the art’s depiction or perhaps patterns hidden within.

Cloth. The scroll is a woven textile that can be worn, with precious metal threads and rhinestones serving as the costly arcane components. The patterns in the cloth help you read the scroll.

Fetish. A scroll made with various natural and manufactured spell components and artistic reagents all carefully pulled into a totem or fetish. For instance, a staff’s crown, a dreamcatcher, a headdress, a decorated skull, or other such assemblage could serve as the scroll. Interpreting the meaning of the items’ arrangement and choice reads the scroll.

Gemstones. I once had a city of dwarves that didn’t use scrolls but instead stored spells in crystals and gemstones. The gem can be read by observing the arcane energy refracting within. They shine brightly in a flare of radiant light when they cast their spell before disappearing.

Plants. Tended plants that have been grown and infused with the scroll’s magic. It can be read by the patterns in the leaves or petals.

Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

FACE YOUR FEARS

Unleash the horrors of Ravenloft in this campaign sourcebook for the world’s greatest roleplaying game.

Terror stalks the nightmare realms of Ravenloft. No one knows this better than monster scholar Rudolph Van Richten. To arm a new generation against the creatures of the night, Van Richten has compiled his correspondence and case files into this tome of eerie tales and chilling truths.

Discover the mysteries of Ravenloft, mist-shrouded lands where infamous Darklords lurk among ageless vampires, zombie hordes, cosmic terrors, and worse. Then make your choice. Will you create your own Domains of Dread, settings to host endless terrifying adventures? Or will you join the ranks of haunted heroes who embrace macabre lineages, dual-edged Dark Gifts, haunted subclasses, and other forbidden powers?

Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft contains everything you need to craft a horror-themed campaign for Dungeons & Dragons. Unleash a treasure trove of new story hooks, character options, and campaign customization to bring one of the most exciting Dungeons & Dragons settings to life!

Travel (perhaps even by choice) to familiar domains and discover new ones—as Ravenloft’s expanded Domains of Dread return for the first time in fifth edition! Includes rules and advice for building custom domains and Darklords using established horror tropes or your own special blend.

Discover a host of new backgrounds and trinkets themed specifically for a horror setting, as well as new character lineages, including the dhampir, hexblood, and reborn.

Find two new subclasses, the College of Spirits for bards and the Undead pact for warlocks.

Explore Dark Gifts for characters that flesh out your place in the Domains of Dread.

Encounter a horrific assortment of creatures from the monstrous bestiary.

And includes a brand-new adventure!

=========================================

Autumnal hues bestow a legendary and majestic tone to this fantasy art.

You are the secret child of a hated Member of Nobility.

You witnessed the silencing of a Commoner spreading dissent against a beloved Member of High Nobility. If you speak out against them, you fear you will face the same fate.

You possess a horrible criminal record you’d prefer no one saw.

You are directly responsible for ending the life of an innocent person that could have been saved.

You have on your person evidence of a career-ending secret concerning a Member of High Nobility.

You were a proud part of a regime that was later found to be horribly corrupt.

You know the secret identity of a seemingly innocent but powerful person who would rather remain anonymous.

You sacrificed the life of an innocent person for material gain that later proved to be worthless.

You worked for a local crime ring as a Cleaner, disposing of dead targets whether by magic or hand-saw. The lands you buried them in are ingrained into your memory.

You committed a heinous crime that was easily covered up by a Member of Nobility, to whom you now owe a favour.

You were a frequent regular of an illegal business, and it may or may not have been your fault it was exposed, at the time you were more bothered about getting out alive.

You abandoned a group of your greatest friends and allies for personal gain. Sometimes you don’t even regret it.

You abandoned a group of your greatest friends and allies without warning. Sometimes you still wish you could’ve said goodbye.

You abandoned your sworn post in a time of great need, whether it be a religious order or one of national duty.

You have information that could improve the lives of many, and refuse to divulge this information unless given a ludicrous amount of compensation.

Years ago you assumed the identity of a fallen comrade to claim the spoils of their success. Now you can’t tell where the persona ends and you begin.

You dealt a great blow against a beloved Public Figure, for reasons later found to be proven false.

Your inactions led to the death of a loved one, though you keep telling prying eyes that they’re merely missing.

You gladly helped advance the career of a hated Member of Nobility.