There's also a straight-up review of the module, if you'd rather just hear the high points without going step-by-step through the full session!
Anyway, as you're no doubt aware we're in the midst of the holiday season. Black Friday has come and gone, and Cyber Monday is in our rear view mirrors. If you're still not sure what to get for that gamer in your life (assuming they couldn't use a solid module like The Curse of Sapphire Lake or False Valor), well, here are some other things that just might make their eyes light up on the big day.
#1 (Affordable) Metal Dice
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| When you need the BBEG to really feel that death blow. |
Metal dice have become the new hip thing, despite the plastic dice we use today being tested for more rolls than we will ever go through in our careers as gamers. There's something primal about the heft of metal dice... their sheer weight makes them feel more serious when you let them fly. And if you've got some wide margins in your budget then a set from Norse Foundry or SkullSplitter is a great stocking stuffer for the ones you love.
With that said, though, my money's on the Hestya metal dice, pictured above. They've got the heft, certainly, and they're more than a couple bucks cheaper than even the least expensive of the glossy, polished sets on the market. What really caught my eye, though, was the 4d6... enough to roll all your stats with the set you'll be playing with. I might be a little superstitious, but I like that feature.
Whatever set you end up going with, though, a simple dice tray is a great pairing with these dice. Last thing you want is to damage the table because someone got overeager with their new weapons.
#2: A Carrying Case
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| Have you been a good dungeon master this year? |
If that image looks familiar, it's because it's the Enhance tabletop adventurer's bag. With more than enough room for rulebooks, monsters, notebooks, and even your map roll, it's really a one-stop shop for the DM on the go. So if someone you love is always rushing off to a convention, or constantly carrying an armload of folders while heading out to their friend's place, this is quite the lovely gift. It is, however, approaching a C-note, which is a huge price tag for all but the most devoted gamers.
For something a little sleeker, more modern, and more affordable, the USA GEAR compact travel bag might be more your speed. With everything from dice pockets to separated sections for books, folders, modules, etc., it certainly gets the job done as long as someone isn't planning on running two mega dungeons back-to-back.
#3: A DM Writing Tablet
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| It's useful for players, too, but you get the gist. |
I talked about these LCD writing tablets a little while back in Stop Marketing On Your Character Sheet (Seriously, There Are Better Ways), but since I'm putting together a best-of-year list, I figured I'd include this one here. These things cost maybe $10, and the battery they run on can last for years before any fiddling is required. Best of all, they can be used for everything from hit point tracking, to map drawing, to initiative. Cheap, but oh-so-effective!
#4: Campaign Notebooks
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| Well... it's not wrong... |
For the paper and pencil crowd who want something a little more old school, this DM notebook (and several other campaign journals) are available from Adventure Gaming Notebooks. If you want to have a little fun with your fellow players, get your table mates matching journals for the next campaign... and if you're the dungeon master, leave a cryptic clue written on the first page to really get their minds churning about what sort of games are coming in the new year.
Just saying... that's what I would do.
#5: A Spellbook
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| Yeah, it's real dragon skin, since you ask. |
I mentioned these earlier this year in Organize Your Spell Cards With a Portable Spellbook!, but once is not enough for these handy dandy little organization tools. This red dragonhide spellbook holds your caster's spell cards, providing you easy access to all the magic you have available for the day, and making sure you never lose track of what you have and haven't cast (or in some cases, which spells you do and don't actually know).
And if the eldritch evoker isn't really the right look, there are others available. The Tome of Recollection has the standard feel of a leather grimoire that's a little more on the traditional side, whereas the Tome of Corruption has a decidedly Necronomicon vibe to it. In any case, if you know someone who loves spell cards, but who needs a little help getting everything in its proper places, these are a godsend for de-cluttering the table.
What Cool Stuff Have You Found?
My own delvings into the dark markets have only turned up so much... have you found something I didn't mention, or that you'd like to share with other gamers here? Even if the new year has come and gone, leave links in the comments below so we can keep the treasure hunt going all year long!
Also, some stuff I didn't have room to mention above can be found in Need Cheap Minis? SCS Direct Has You Covered, as well as in 4 Tools To Help You Control The Dice At Your Table.
Like, Follow, and Stay in Touch!
That's all for this week's Moon Pope Monday. Hopefully you enjoyed, and if you've used run these kinds of games before, leave us a comment to let us know what worked for you!
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