Style > Substance

I remember the RPG books of yesteryear.

Large tomes that read like textbooks with dopey pictures of weird fantasy monsters.

(Honestly, this weird, emaciated look really makes gnolls seem more demonic to me.)

That was the format to teach someone large amounts of information, so it made sense! That’s what textbooks do, right?

Fast forward to today. There are so many beautiful RPG books in easy to read and reference digest size. Arguments pop up on if they’re actually playable or just full of vibes.

Here’s the thing, though. RPG books have always been about vibes.

Even that gnoll up there.

When I think back to my first books, the 2e PHB, I don’t think of how many spells a magic user got at 6th level. I think of the amazing, evocative art.

As someone who works more on the mechanics and writing side of things, this isn’t an easy thing for me to say! 🤣

But those paintings and those images were iconic! They absolutely informed the way we played the game and the adventures we had. The art adds to the fiction. This isn’t new!

This is why so many people have gotten into Mork Borg. That Swedish monstrosity knows this.

The rules are scant. There’s just enough world building to sink your teeth into. But between the fiction and the art, you know what kind of game you’re going to play.

As someone who writes adventures and creates mechanics, yes. They’re important. I’d be a fool to say otherwise.

But only so far as they inform the vibe of the game you’re going to play. The mechanics, the fiction, and the art all have to play together. Now-a-days, that even includes the layout.

This is how adventures leave a mark on us.

-James

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Digging in the Sand

Bones. So many bones. How many people have been buried here?

You find a rusty long sword and a small, golden vulture head worth 250 gp.

Red Sand

The sand here on the edge of the sacrificial ground is loose and looks recently churned.

What happens if I dig under it?

Vulture Priest

The Vulture Priests are the enemy of knowledge and enlightenment. They seek to bring the eternal silence, the end of all things. Decay and obedience is their only god.

Armor Class 6 [13]
Hit Dice 1 (4hp)
Attacks 1 × Beak (1d4 or by weapon)
THAC0 19 [0]
Movement 120’ (40’)
Saving Throws D12 W13 P14 B15 S16 (1)
Morale 8 (11 when at their temple)
Alignment Lawful
XP 10 
Number Appearing 2d4 (1d6 × 10)
Treasure Type D
Immune to the Divine: The spells and powers of clerics and paladins have no effect on them.
Weapons: They frequently use wickedly curved daggers, which they use for sacrificial purposes.
Soul Clouders: There is a 10% chance that any Vulture Priest can use the sleep spell once per day. The targets are still awake, but they are beset by such a deep depression that it has the same effect as sleep. They may only watch what unfurls around them.