# EvilTables

> tabletop RPG theory & tools


## Posts

- [Games I Played and Ran in 2025](https://eviltables.com/2025/12/31/games-i-played-and-ran-in-2025/): A retrospective on TTRPGs I played in the year 2025.
- [Northern Strata Sessions 16-19](https://eviltables.com/2025/12/26/northern-strata-sessions-16-19/): An account of the murdered snowman, the Shambler, and the break-in to Professor Bateson's hidden office.
- [Northern Strata Session 15: Elementary, My Dear Bateson](https://eviltables.com/2025/10/07/northern-strata-session-15-elementary-my-dear-bateson/): The adventurers investigate further into the strange and obscure research of Professor Bateson.
- [Arden Vul Session 25: Checkmate and Chill](https://eviltables.com/2025/09/27/arden-vul-session-25-checkmate-and-chill/): A session of burning spiders, angry statues, questionable fountain drinks, and deadly chess.
- [Northern Strata: Session 14, Three is Company](https://eviltables.com/2025/09/25/northern-strata-open-table-session-14/): After Soteranni rudely interrupts the keynote at a top-secret mathematical conference, the party explores north of the Scholar's Tower and gets involved in inter-department politics.
- [OD&D: Gilles Deleuze's House Rules](https://eviltables.com/2025/09/17/odd-gilles-deleuzes-house-rules/): House rules for OD&D, collected for historical purposes.
- [Northern Strata: Session 13, The Shadow of the Pigeon](https://eviltables.com/2025/09/10/northern-strata-open-table-session-13-the-shadow-of-the-pigeon/): The adventurers reconvene with the pigeons, request aid from elves, and finally consult with Professor Challenger on a seemingly cursed sword. 
- [The Northern Strata: Psychic Swords](https://eviltables.com/2025/09/07/the-northern-strata-psychic-swords/): Alternative rules for Magic Sword generation.
- [The Northern Strata: Alignment](https://eviltables.com/2025/09/01/the-northern-strata-alignment/): An alignment subsystem for the Northern Strata.
- [Mask 07: Alban's Festival Mask](https://eviltables.com/2025/08/20/mask-07-albans-festival-mask/): Mask 07
- [Northern Strata Home Game: Session 4](https://eviltables.com/2025/08/17/northern-strata-home-game-session-4/): The adventurers locate an abandoned clinic and search it for scholarly secrets.
- [Arden Vul: Session 21](https://eviltables.com/2025/08/17/arden-vul-open-table-session-21/): The adventurers explore further into the catacombs.
- [Northern Strata: Sessions 8-9](https://eviltables.com/2025/08/17/northern-strata-open-table-sessions-8-9/): The party fights fungal aliens in the Caves of Intensity, before venturing further north to explore the surrounding regions of the Scholar's Tower.
- [Two Cleric Variants: Alien Hunter and Psychoanalyst](https://eviltables.com/2025/08/12/two-cleric-variants-alien-hunter-and-psychoanalyst/): Two Cleric alternatives for old school games.
- [The Northern Strata: Downtime Activities](https://eviltables.com/2025/07/31/the-northern-strata-downtime-activities/): Downtime actions for the Northern Strata.
- [The Northern Strata: Player Reference](https://eviltables.com/2025/07/31/the-northern-strata-player-reference/): A player's guide to the Northern Strata.
- [The Northern Strata: Four Hexes](https://eviltables.com/2025/07/16/the-northern-strata-four-hexes/): Four hexes from the Monadic Taiga.
- [Arden Vul: Session 18](https://eviltables.com/2025/07/15/arden-vul-open-table-session-18/): Ancient secrets, undead terrors, and the high cost of troll diplomacy
- [Arden Vul: Session 17](https://eviltables.com/2025/07/06/arden-vul-open-table-session-17/): The party attempts to flee the clutches of Deno but plot to return.
- [The Caves of Intensity: Timeline](https://eviltables.com/2025/06/28/the-caves-of-intensity-timeline/): A timeline of future events.
- [Keep on the Borderlands Rewrite: Lair F](https://eviltables.com/2025/06/17/keep-on-the-borderlands-rewrite-lair-f/): Continuation of my B2 rewrite.
- [How I Prep Tabletop Games](https://eviltables.com/2025/06/13/how-i-prep/): An overview of my prep methods along with a polemic about why prep doesn't really matter too much.
- [Arden Vul: Session 16](https://eviltables.com/2025/06/08/arden-vul-open-table-session-16/): The party confronts Deno the witch and her beastmen followers.
- [Personal Appendix N](https://eviltables.com/2025/06/08/personal-appendix-n/): personal appendix of RPG inspiration
- [Northern Strata: Session 7](https://eviltables.com/2025/05/25/northern-strata-open-table-session-7/): The party awakes to Fort Ray under siege from giant crabs.
- [Arden Vul: Session 15](https://eviltables.com/2025/05/25/arden-vul-open-table-session-15/): After much accounting, the party heads back to the dungeon and meets someone new.
- [Northern Strata: Session 6](https://eviltables.com/2025/05/17/northern-strata-open-table-session-6/): The adventurers investigate the Church of Evil and interrupt a crab rave.
- [Arden Vul Open Table: Session 14](https://eviltables.com/2025/05/16/arden-vul-session-14/): The adventurers fight a dust monster before returning to loot the treasure room.
- [Arden Vul Open Table: Campaign Summary, Sessions 1-13](https://eviltables.com/2025/05/14/arden-vul-open-table-campaign-summary-sessions-1-13/): A recap of the player's progress in the campaign so far.
- [Northern Strata: Session 5](https://eviltables.com/2025/05/08/northern-strata-open-table-session-5/): The party travel to the Caves of Intensity, where they learn more about the slug lords and fight a boxing owlbear.
- [Northern Strata: Session 4](https://eviltables.com/2025/04/30/northern-strata-open-table-session-4/): A few adventurers, Abel, Boris, Viv first enter Fort Ray and hear about a wrecked cargo vessel. The crew embark as soon as possible to scavenge the wreckage. 
- [Arden Vul: Session 13](https://eviltables.com/2025/04/27/arden-vul-open-table-session-13/): The group takes time in town and then finds the secret of the statues.
- [Northern Strata: Session 3](https://eviltables.com/2025/04/25/northern-strata-open-table-session-3/): Jorcal and Cassander explore a dark cave filled with strange kobolds and the decaying body of a large worm.
- [Northern Strata Home Game: Session 1](https://eviltables.com/2025/04/20/northern-strata-home-game-session-1/): Three adventurers start their journey at the scholar's tower.
- [Northern Strata Open Table: Session 2](https://eviltables.com/2025/04/19/northern-strata-open-table-session-2/): The adventurers explore a ship buried beneath the snow and report their findings to the scholar's tower.
- [Arden Vul: Session 12](https://eviltables.com/2025/04/13/arden-vul-open-table-session-12/): A continuation of the assault by Dalton's Darling’s on the Halfling enclave.
- [Arden Vul: Session 11](https://eviltables.com/2025/04/13/arden-vul-open-table-session-11/): Arden Vul’s ticketmaster outlet changes hands in a hostile takeover
- [Northern Strata: Session 1](https://eviltables.com/2025/04/10/northern-strata-open-table-session-1/): A choir with words that don’t make sense. A damnation of pigeons? Young halflings say “hold fast to the path.” An old man with a cowboy hat looks at us at the door. Brother Tom. Happy to have visitors, he says.
- [Arden Vul Open Table: Session 10](https://eviltables.com/2025/04/10/arden-vul-open-table-session-10/): Making Connections Day: 26,  Mo/Yr: 4/12, 2993[AEP] irl: Mar 29th, 2025 Session 10 Scribe:  Saracor GM: Evil Tables Players Broken Head Acquaintances, Friends new & departed Grim [Dwarf 3] Big_PunBelaros [Fighter 3] DeViateAlexos [Cleric 3] SaracorFeathers [Thief 3] jdsullMeric [Thief 4] Shadowfax NPC:Brunwolf* [Torchbearer]  Mikeleos [Druid 2] SaracorFeathers [Thief 3] jdsullSalvatore [Cleric 2] jdsullGemistos [Scholar 1] LuminanceAgoston [Scholar 3] dcterraHerakleon [Scolar 1]Syagria [Fighter 2] NPC’s:Lankios [Retired paladin]Khronos and Estelle [Keepers] Count Sceleros [Beastmen] rescued leader, returned to Dino]Klisco [Illusionist] rescued brought to GosterwickDalton’s DarlingsJason [fighters]Helga [thief] Isidor (halfling) [thief] – the stinky stealerYvette (cleric)Heliagabulus  (Magic User)☠ Dead:Hektor [Fighter]  Saracor Staying with […]
- [The Northern Strata: Character Classes](https://eviltables.com/2025/04/01/the-northern-strata-character-classes/): These are presented as additional modifications on the standard b/x classes. Character Classes Fighter Fighters are those who have trained in combat with physical weapons and armour of all type 1d10 Why did I take up arms?  1 Because the sword is the seed from which all motion flows 2 To flee the geometer lords 3 In service of natural law 4 To combat the mumblings and deceivings of scholars 5 Because it was commanded in a dream 6 As preparation for the end times 7 To protect the stars 8 To make audible to the nonsonorous forces of the […]
- [Arden Vul: Session 9](https://eviltables.com/2025/03/31/arden-vul-open-table-session-9/): The Compound of the Beastmen Day: 24,  Mo/Yr: 4/12, 2993[AEP] irl: Mar 15th, 2025 Session 9 Scribe:  Big_Pun (Grimm) GM: Evil Tables Players Broken Head Acquaintances, Friends new & departed Agoston [Scholar 3] dcterraGrim [Dwarf 2] Big_PunBelaros [Fighter 2] DeViateSalvatore [Cleric 2] jdsullFeathers [Thief 3] jdsullMeric [Thief 4] Shadowfax NPC:Brunwolf* [Torchbearer]  Alexos [Cleric 2] SaracorMikeleos [Druid 2] SaracorFeathers [Thief 3] jdsullSalvatore [Cleric 2] jdsullGemistos [Scholar 1] LuminanceHerakleon [Scolar 1]Syagria [Fighter 2] NPC’s:Lankios [Retired paladin]Khronos and Estelle [Keepers] Count Sceleros [Beastmen] rescued leader, returned to Dino]Klisco [Illusionist] rescued brought to GosterwickDalton’s DarlingsJason [fighters]Helga [thief] Isidor (halfling) [thief] – the stinky stealerYvette (cleric)Heliagabulus  […]
- [Arden Vul: Session 8](https://eviltables.com/2025/03/30/arden-vul-open-table-session-8/): A bit of Schooling then off to meet new and old friends Day: 10-23,  Mo/Yr: 4/12, 2993[AEP] irl: Mar 8th, 2025 Session 8 Scribe:  ShadowFax (Meric) GM: Evil Tables Players Broken Head Acquaintances, Friends new & departed Agoston [Scholar 3] dcterraMeric [Thief 3] ShadowfaxBelaros [Fighter 2] DeViateGrim [Dwarf 2] Big_PunGemistos [Scholar 1] LuminanceNPC:Brunwolf* [Torchbearer]  Alexos [Cleric 2] SaracorMikeleos [Druid 2] SaracorFeathers [Thief 3] jdsullSalvatore [Cleric] jdsullHerakleon [Scolar 1]Syagria [Fighter 2] NPC’s:Lankios [Retired paladin]Khronos and Estelle [Keepers] Count Sceleros [Beastmen] rescued leader, returned to Dino]Klisco [Illusionist] rescued brought to GosterwickDalton’s DarlingsJason [fighters]Helga [thief] Isidor (halfling) [thief] – the stinky stealerYvette (cleric)Heliagabulus  (Magic […]
- [Arden Vul: Session 7](https://eviltables.com/2025/02/26/arden-vul-open-table-session-7/): New Friends and Dark Places Day: 9,  Mo/Yr: 4/12, 2993[AEP] irl: Feb 22nd, 2025 Session 7 Scribe:  Saracor (Alexos) GM: Evil Tables Players Broken Head Incapacitated(for 6? days) Alexos [Cleric 2] SaracorMeric [Thief 3] ShadowfaxAgoston [Magic-U 2] dcterraGrim [Dwarf 2] Big_PunBelaros [Fight 1] DeViateFeathers [Thief 3] jdsullNPC:Brunwolf* [Torchbearer]  Gemistos [Magic-U] LuminanceHerakleon [Scolar 1]Syagria [Fighter 2]NPC:Lankios [Retired paladin]Khronos and Estelle [Keepers] Salvatore [Cleric] JdsullMikeleos [Druid 2] Saracor☠ Dead:Hektor [Fighter]  Saracor The Expedition into the Depths The Party: A Return to the Dungeon We began at the Sign of the Broken Head Inn, where the party gathered to plan their next descent. […]
- [B2: The Caves of Intensity](https://eviltables.com/2025/02/24/the-caves-of-intensity/): Introduction A 200’ high cliff along the coastline hides a series of damp caves. The higher up parts are encrusted with old snow. The ground covered in pear-sized rocks and orange lichens. A hawk circles up above. There is an oppressive feeling here – wet and warm, as if something is inhaling and exhaling. Closer examination of the ground reveals the bones of thousands of small fish. At high tide, the cold water rises up 3’ from the ground level. Rules for using the Caves of Chaos Use the general layout from B2, but with the following changes: Shipwreck on […]
- [Arden Vul: Session 6](https://eviltables.com/2025/02/17/arden-vul-open-table-session-6/): 5-1 Victory in the Bone-Bowl (Rest well, Hektor. Steel and honor guide you beyond) Day: 8,  Mo/Yr: 4/12, 2993[AEP] irl: Feb 16th, 2025 Session 6 Scribe:  Meric (Shadowfax) GM: EvilTables The Original Party: jdsull dcterra Shadowfax deViate Saracor Zondervain ☠ Killed by a pack of Skeleton Baboons Added: Saracor Alexos [Cleric]  Kronos moves us from our current lodgings to make room for a seedy out of town group referred to as the Dalton’s Darlings.  The Dalton’s Darlings are known for their luck at finding treasure, pilfering from other adventurers and a tendency to let their parties go a little wild […]
- [Arden Vul: Session 5](https://eviltables.com/2025/02/12/arden-vul-open-table-session-5/): Path of the Departed: A new entrance, temple and catacombs Day: 7,  Mo/Yr: 4/12 IRL: Feb 8th, 2025 Scribe:  Hektor (Saracor) Players Broken Head Incapacitated(for 6? days) Hektor [Fighter]  SaracorMeric [Thief] ShadowfaxGrim [Dwarf] Big_PunAgoston [Magic-U] DCBelaros [Fighter] DevVateNPC:Brunwolf* [Torchbearer]  Feathers [Thief]  JdsullGemistos [Magic-U] LuminanceNPC:Lankios [Retired paladin]Khronos and Estelle [Keepers] Salvatore [Cleric] JdsullMikeleos [Druid] Saracor Adventure Notes:  The group gathers at the Inn and then decides to head back to the level where the old man was. We head out towards the plaza without incident. Light rain falls this day with the river a bit higher than normal. Descending into the […]
- [The Northern Strata: Wilderness Encounters](https://eviltables.com/2025/02/05/the-northern-strata-wilderness-encounters/): The Wilderness Topography: rather than distinct regions, the ephemeral boundaries between things are held in place only through the territorialization of plants and animals.  Snow cover typically lasts 8 months of the year, with nearly year long snow in the mountains. Travel Methods Travel Methods Terrain type Speed – Hexes/day Load (lbs) Cost (gp) Crew Foot All non-snow 4/3/2/1 40/60/80/120  n/a n/a Snowshoe Snow 2/1 40/600 10 n/a Handcart Road, plains, light forest 1 200 50 1 driver Cart Road, plains, light forest 2 400 100 1 driver, 2 draft animals Wagon Road, plains, light forest 2 2500 200  1 […]
- [The Paradox of Low Prep Games](https://eviltables.com/2025/02/02/the-paradox-of-low-prep-games/): Most Referees I know have experienced the feeling of not preparing for a game due to real life time constraints, only for the game to go unexpectedly well. I don’t think this means that preparation is bad, or that one should never prepare for games in advance. But I don’t think this phenomenon is just due to chance. In theory, more preparation should mean that the game is more streamlined, less random, and that the overall narrative is more coherent. So why is it that games without much prep are often more fun to play in? Here’s a list of […]
- [Arden Vul: Session 4](https://eviltables.com/2025/02/02/arden-vul-open-table-session-4/): Dungeon potpourri: Crawlers, Bats, Boots, Grills, Glass, Maps, Scrolls & Keys Day: 6,  Mo/Yr: 4/12 IRL: Feb 1st, 2025 GM: Evil Tables Players Broken Head Incapacitated(for 6? days) Feathers [Thief]  JdsullMeric [Thief] ShadowfaxGrim [Fighter] Big_Pun Agoston [Magic-U] DCNPC:Brunwolf* [Torchbearer]  Hektor [Fighter] SaracorGemistos [Magic-U] LuminanceNPC:Lankios [Retired paladin]Khronos and Estelle [Keepers] Salvatore [Cleric] JdsullMikeleos [Druid] Saracor Adventure Notes:  The party struck out for the “Bat House” to the west of the great mesoamerican style pyramid in the morning.  We hear grinding sounds coming from the east as we approach the now familiar stairs to the south that take us below the Ruins […]
- [Arden Vul: Session 3](https://eviltables.com/2025/01/27/arden-vul-open-table-session-3/): Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables January 26th, 2025 GM: Evil Tables Players:  Brunwolf* (Torchbearer)Salvatore (Jdsull) (Cleric)Feathers (Jdsull) (ThiefMeric (Shadowfax) (ThiefHektor (Saracor) (FighterMikeleos (Saracor) (Druid) Gemistos (Luminance) (Magic-UserDescription:  Rumors:  Khronos tells Gemistos that “Hurie, the echophant, is a ghost that’s been haunting people in the dungeon. The ghost reacts to loud noises by attacking people with knives.” Gold & XP:  175 gp Special or Magic Items:  Scroll – UnidentifiedFaintly Green Glowing Spear – activated by speaking “night wind” in Mithric Gold Pouch2 Beryl Gems – 50 gp each Written by:  Gemistos (Luminance)
- [The Northern Strata: Adventuring Rumours](https://eviltables.com/2025/01/23/the-northern-strata-adventuring-rumours/): A generator for adventuring rumours in the Northern Strata. All of them are true. Adventuring Rumours Adventuring Rumours (1d20 or 1d20/1d20/1d20/1d20) entity action target unforeseen complication 1 Everyone in Thomsbury Fears The sacred pools of Lake Silvaplana But not all who tremble are afraid 2 Captain Gerard Hom  Guards The signs of their lost lover But the cost is in flesh 3 A wild beast of ancient antlers  Searches for Carved tablets of gold markings But trust is the road to assumption 4 An evil magician Seeks The healing song of the  Black Ptarmigan But do not even lines of […]
- [Arden Vul: Session 2](https://eviltables.com/2025/01/20/arden-vul-open-table-session-2/): Stairs and Statues January 18th, 2025 GM: Evil Tables Players: Grimm (Big_Pun) (Dwarf)Brunwolf* (Torchbearer)Salvatore (Jdsull) (Cleric)Meric (Sahdowfax) (Thief)Gemitos (Luminace) (Magic-User)Mikeleos (Saracor) (Druid)Syagria* (Safira) (Fighter) Region: The upper city, one deeper level and a basement.  Rumors: Wizard Tarmis – Secret Tomb in a forest of magic mushrooms Thoth was represented by a white Ibis but that he also had a symbol of baboon. That ferocity was his desire to protect secrets. Priests cultivated these species in giant form. Adventure Log: The party heads off from the Broken Head Inn to search more areas in the city. They decide to try the staircase […]
- [The Northern Strata: Background and Factions](https://eviltables.com/2025/01/16/the-northern-strata-2-background-and-factions/): Introduction Background Far above the Empty Center, two weeks’ trek by wagon ride from the Keep of Squares, marked only by a feeble line of scraggy brush, lies the serrated edge of the Northern Strata. No two strata imitate each other–they are each the judgment of gods.  Six hundred years ago, the gods were all murdered. Pursuing them across the far edges of the Earth, Philosopher Queen Ishiba and her logician cults surveyed the high peak of Mount Vairon, where she defeated Crom in single combat. As the last of his kind fell, a great chasm broke across his feet, […]
- [The Northern Strata: Gygax 75 Challenge Week 1](https://eviltables.com/2025/01/15/the-northern-strata-gygax-75-challenge-week-1/): Out of the window,I saw how the planets gatheredLike the leaves themselvesTurning in the wind.I saw how the night came,Came striding like the color of the heavy hemlocksI felt afraid.And I remembered the cry of the peacocks. Wallace Stevens, “Domination of Black” This post was a project that was started originally started in 2022, and which I’m now revisiting as I restore various parts of this site. Recently I came across the Gygax 75 Challenge, which is a worksheet designed to create your fantasy own world in 5 weeks. It seems like a cool idea and so I decided to […]
- [Arden Vul: Session 1](https://eviltables.com/2025/01/13/arden-vul-open-table-session-1/): After three hard days’ march from the town of Newmarket,the setting sun illuminates a thunderous waterfall pouring downthe fabled cliff face of Arden Vul. Two colossi carved into the cliff tothe right of the waterfall stare stonily across the valley. A twinkle ofsunlight catches on the rocks … is it the spray from the falls? or couldit be the glint of metal moving up the cliff? There’s only one way tofind out … Adventure awaits! A profitable beginning Players:  Salvatore (C1)/jdsull3002Syagria(F1)/Safira_qMikeleos(D1)/saracor Region: Gosterwick to Arden Vul to the Inn of the Broken Head Description:  The party started out at the […]
- [36 Shades of Evil](https://eviltables.com/2025/01/13/36-shades-of-evil/): All of Leibniz’s theory of evil is a method to prepare for and to resolve dissonances in a ‘universal harmony.’ A counterexample would be furnished by the damned, whose souls produce a dissonance on a unique note, a breath of vengeance or resentment, a hate of God that goes to infinity; but it is still a form of music, a chord – though diabolical – since the damned draw pleasure from their very pain, and especially make possible the infinite progression of perfect accords in the other souls. – Deleuze, The Fold: Leibniz and the Baroque Purpose: for when you […]

## Pages

- [Dolmenwood Character Generator](https://eviltables.com/dolmenwood-character-generator/): This character generator was created for the Dolmenwood RPG as part of a Kickstarter stretch goal: Dolmenwood Character Generator Issues or feedback can be submitted here: https://github.com/matthewfee/dolmenwood_character_generator
- [About](https://eviltables.com/about/): To reach, not the point where one no longer says I, but the point where it is no longer of any importance whether one says I. Currently based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Adventures Aphorisms to Die For by EvilTables
- [OSE Character Generator](https://eviltables.com/sample-page/): This is a character generator for Old School Essentials: dndcharacter.com Issues or feedback can be submitted here:https://github.com/matthewfee/OSECharacterGenerator


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