Neverending Nights

I am so utterly blessed to have the game I DM before.

So the story goes that Anita (who had played D&D one or two times previously at a Brewery) posted a picture on Facebook of a DM screen. I replied and said how it looked like mine (a custom wooden DM screen). She asked if I DM’ed, and I said, I do – and have been playing for well over 30 years.

She asked if I wouldn’t mind DMing for her friends who were interested – but had never played D&D. I agreed to it (which is way outside of my normal reaction, as I am an introvert and only extrovert around people I know). The day comes and I show up at Anita’s and my nerves begin to kick in…

My first mistake was assuming that this was mostly going to be guys who hadn’t played D&D. Because while more and more and more and more women have gotten into playing D&D, I don’t know why I just had it in my head that it would be guys. Well, that seems stupid in hindsight, since Anita is a woman (not to say women can’t have male friends!)… but in walks Jessica… so now I am more nervous than I was before, because I was going to be DMing for at least two women… am I going to have the types of adventures they might enjoy? Then in walks Melinda. I am now internally screaming, “What have I gotten myself into?” Then walks in Amy (am… I about to DM for an all girl group? This will be amazing and nerve wracking all at the same time) – but behind Amy is her husband David, and with them, their friend Albert.

I couldn’t have been more nervous, as it sank in, that I am the make it or break it for this crew of amazing people. But as I stand and begin to explain character races, classes, and how all of that works, we all begin simply talking – and more importantly – laughing. It was within 10 minutes, I felt like I had always known these people.

Now we get together, once a month, bring tons of great food and dishes; spend time before the game, talking and catching up. We’re all now friends on Facebook. These people who had never played D&D were willingly sacrificing a Saturday Night, once a month to be a part of the adventures I created for them!

I think back about how I was nervous to meet them – and how I tell each of them – when we call it a night, how thankful I am for them, and how much I love them all. Anita plays the Rogue; out for gold! Melinda plays the bard, with the biggest of hearts! Jessica plays the cleric that tries to keep her party alive! Brad, Jessica’s husband joined the game, and plays the fighter! Dave plays the brutish barbarian! Albert plays the scouting Ranger, and Amy plays the “blow it up with fire” wizard.

I have a couple of memorable games that I have done with them. Our third session was right around Halloween, so I made up a Halloween themed adventure called “The Hollowing” where they had to recover a magical pumpkin that’s used to create a barrier around the town and keep the demons at bay!

I think another great adventure that everyone remembers. I had the map laying face down (so the unused side was showing). We ate and everyone thought I would be drawing on the map. After we finished the delicious dinner – I had everyone flip the map over – and it took mere seconds for everyone to realize – the mansion they were going into – all the rooms on the map were the rooms that were in the (various) CLUE games. And the entire thing was about a murder mystery!

On our one year Anniversary of playing together, we had a big deal – and Jessica (who is an amazing cook) made “1 year D20 Anniversary” cookies – here’s the video of it (which has tons of pictures of us playing that I frequently take) –

In our most recent adventure – the party helped “Santa Claus”
recover his “Bag of Holding” and the “Gem of Levitation.”

On top of that, I had gotten all of their astrological signs – and when Santa says, “I have a gift for each of you” at the start of the adventure – I handed them each a book and card with thanks – that corresponded with each of their astrological signs (thanks to my wife, Amiee)! Here’s the video (they had no clue!)

I share these stories and people are like, “They’re so lucky to have you as a DM.”
And I correct them and say, “No, I’m lucky to have them as players.”

• Tawmis

So I’ve written a module for 5e entitled The Secret of Havenfall Manor.

Please share this around!

This module can be used as an “expansion” to Dragon of Icespire Peak (but not required).

News of a manor just inside Neverwinter Forest is generating an assortment of unusual rumors… Tales speak of everything from a haunted Manor. A few have dared to investigate the Manor… but as soon as they approach, they’re overcome by an eerie feeling that something is watching them… None have entered Havenfall Manor since its destruction at the hands of a White Dragon… what is it that keeps people away? Why is the forest so silent and cold surrounding the Manor? Is it that the White Dragon herself has taken up residence?

40 pages – Includes two maps (exterior location, interior Manor), 11 pages of a “diary” as a handout for players, as they’re found; one new “monster”, several modified versions of monsters (as NPCs), and a dark mystery to solve… Will your players be the one to break the curse?

In the shadow
There is darkness.
In the darkness
There is despair.
In the despair
There is a curse.
Welcome to Havenfall Manor.

– Love,
Tawmis

So … don’t worry, I will get back to the episodes! (I feel like just like when I originally did this, there was a break between Season 2 and Season 3 that was pretty long!) I’ve been slammed at work (since, sadly, I don’t make a living off these videos!), and life’s kept me pretty busy (and San Diego Comic Con is this weekend) – but while looking for something else, I stumbled across photos of my old BBS (Bulletin Board System for you young kids who don’t know what a dial up modem is!) These photos were taken on the last day the BBS was alive… I had it signed by folks that had logged into it in the past, and those who were not present because of distance, I had them email me memories about the BBS – that’s why there’s writing all over it. I know this has nothing to do with the web series, I just couldn’t help but feel reminiscent of the BBS days…

“What’s the hold up?” you ask – well, I am a man with entirely too many hobbies. And one of them happens to be comic books (not so much, these days), but I still do The Comic Relief Podcast, which I run, host, edit, the whole bit. And recently knocked out three episodes – Issue #30 (Captain Marvel), Issue #31 (Avengers: EndGame), and Issue #32 (Free Comic Book Day 2019). With the comic book movie scene looking to be quiet for a little while, I can focus back around to doing Neverending Nights again! And I am hoping that this weekend, I can film, edit, and splice and dice, Episode 43 and get that up and online.

I’ve also recently taken up DMing again; for one group, I call “Anita’s Group” (she’s the one who organized it all) and the “Work Group” (which is composed mostly of fellow co-workers). If you’re bored or wonder what kind of DM I am; you can read about the adventure’s of Anita’s Group and the Work Group on my site. Something I’ve enjoyed doing is making the world a “living world” – so the actions of one group can have consequences for the other. (For example, Anita’s group was sent by an angelic being to go save a Dryad from being sacrificed on the Great Tree; they side tracked, and as a result the Dryad was killed, and the Great Tree, which was a prison for a fallen angel escaped… the Work Group later, got a mission to clear out the Jade Forest, from the unusual monsters that took up residence there after the release of the Fallen Angel corrupted the land).

Much love to all of you who still hang out and watch Neverending Nights.

<3,

Tawmis

Some of the folks who made Legend of Grimrock have teamed up to form a new team and have created a new game called Druidstone: The Secrets of the Menhir Forest.

From Petri:

Hi! Our new game, Druidstone: The Secret of The Menhir Forest, a tactical, turn-based RPG will be released on May 15th!

Starting from today, you can pre-order the game directly from us with a 10% discount and receive a Steam key and a DRM-free version when the game releases. As a special pre-order bonus you will also get a free copy of a digital book about the creation of the game on May 31st.

Read more about the pre-order in the official Druidstone blog:
https://www.druidstone-game.com

Pre-order trailer:
https://youtu.be/GCRovN8xs4UTop

I would highly recommend checking it out – and the pre-order is discounted! Honestly, it’s a beautiful game! Very fun! I would highly recommend it!

– Tawmis