The terrible and powerful patron of the illithids is Ilsensine, the Great Brain. A deity of pure mental energy, it exhorts its followers to take their rightful place of domination over all other races of the multiverse. There’s been a lot written about illithids over the years, so this one took a lot of research and I’m pretty sure I still missed a lot of potentially relevant material, but it was still a lot of fun to write!

Ilsensine, the Great Brain: https://blog.aulddragon.com/2024/05/ilsensine-the-great-brain/

Full list of entries in the Monster Mythology Update Project: http://blog.aulddragon.com/monster-mythology-update/

If you’ve been enjoying these entries, please consider supporting the project on Patreon or Ko-Fi (links on the blog). Thanks!

Hi all,

Reddit now has the ability to schedule posts! Please post your LFG threads here. That includes your "DM wanting players" and "Players wanting DM". Be as specific or as general as you like.

Do try searching and posting on r/lfg, as that is its sole and intended purpose. However, if you want to crosspost here, please do so.

This should repost automatically on the 1st of every Month. If not, please message the mods.

Does anyone know of any additional item saving throw materials in any 2e books? I saw that Tale of the Comet adds one for high tech weaponry. Was wondering if anyone knew of any others.

One of my players wants to fight againts high levels monsters, like liches or so. but his character is just level 2 and is currently exploring dungeon's level 1.

We have been playing together for years and he is a close friend, so I want to throw in something exciting for both the party and him, but I'm not looking for a TPK.

The party consists of: 2 fighters, 3 clerics, 1 wizard, and 1 thief. All them are L2 but the thief L1. Only one fighter and one cleric are PC, all others are NPC. No magic items, and AC is around 7. AD&D 2nd.

So far they have fought skeletons, shierkers, giant rats, green puddings, and convinced an ogre to not fight them. Right now, a jermilaine clan got attracted to their food stash, but isn't exiting enough.

Any ideas?

I could throw in a hatchling dragon just for fun ...

I went through all the Sage Advice and DMGR: HLC and took everything I could find on what Dispel Magic can and cannot do and tried to incorporate everything into the spell description.

My goal was absolutely clarity on details, which mean the text is super verbose. I would like to know if any part of the spell description is still unclear or ambiguous and should be rephrased. Here is the spell:

Dispel magic v3

Level: 3

Range: 120 yards
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 3
Duration: Instantaneous
Area of Effect: 30-foot cube or 1 item, creature, or effect
Saving Throw: Special

Dispel magic has two primary applications, as an area of effect or targeted. The caster can choose the desired application at the time of casting. When a wizard cast this spell, it has a chance to neutralize or negate magic it comes in contact with as follows:

Area of effect: First, it removes spells and spell-like effects (including effects from devices, powers, innate abilities, and some potions) from creatures or objects, as well as dispels summoned or conjured creatures. Note on potions: Once a potion, elixir, oil, or ointment takes effect on a creature, only those that extend to other creatures (such as the various potions of control) can be dispelled with an area of effect casting.

Second, it disrupts spell casting, scroll reading, and some device activation in the area of effect at the instant the dispel is cast.

• Spells and scrolls are used up and lost when disrupted.

• Wands, staves, and rods can be disrupted if the optional command word rule is in use. They lose the appropriate charges.

• Rings, weapons, armor, and miscellaneous magical items cannot be disrupted.

• Some wands, staves, and rods that are usable by non-spell-casters cannot be disrupted.

• Innate abilities and powers, such as druid shapeshifting, paladin lay on hands, or turn undead, cannot be disrupted.

Third, it destroys magical potions still in the bottle (which are treated as 12th level for the purpose of this spell).

Dispel roll: Each effect or potion in the spell’s area is checked to determine if it is dispelled. The caster’s own magic is always automatically dispelled; otherwise, the chance to dispel depends on the difference in level between the magical effect and the caster. The base chance is 50% (11 or higher on 1d20 to dispel). If the caster is of higher level than the creator of the effect to be dispelled, the difference is subtracted from the number needed on 120 to dispel (making it more likely that the dispel succeeds); if the caster is of lower level, the difference I added to the number needed on 1d20 to dispel (making it less likely that the dispel succeeds). A roll of 20 always succeeds and a roll of 1 always fails. Thus, if a caster is 10 levels higher than the magic he is trying to dispel, only a roll of 1 prevents the effect from being dispelled. A separate roll is made for each effect in the area.

Targeted: Casting dispel magic on a creature, item, or object does not radiate an area of effect. Thus, spells such as stoneskin, minor globe of invulnerability and barkskin could not be dispelled as the result of trying to negate the magic of a wand of lightning.

Targeted on an item: A dispel magic spell only affects a specially enchanted item–such as a magical scroll, ring, wand, rod, staff, miscellaneous item, weapon, shield, or armor–if it is cast directly upon that item alone. An unattended magical item is automatically nonoperational for 1d4 rounds. If the item is possessed or carried by a creature it gains the creature’s saving throw agains this effect. An interdimensional interface (such as a bag of holding) rendered nonoperational would be temporarily closed. Note that an item’s physical properties are unchanged: A nonoperational magical sword is still a sword.

Targeted on a creature: A creature hit by a targeted dispel magic suffers the first two effects: Removal of spell effects, including potion effects that only apply to the creature, and disruption of spell casting as described above. It is up to the DM if the third effect, destruction of magical potions*,* is also included.

Permanency: Spells made permanent with permanency can be dispelled, but it is significantly harder to do so. When dispelled, a permanent spell is destroyed, not temporarily rendered nonoperational. A creature or item never gains a saving throw to avoid a dispelling attempt against its permanent effects. To dispel a permanent spell two conditions must always be fulfilled:

1. Spells made permanent with permanency must be individually targeted to be dispelled, requiring a separate dispel magic for each permanent effect.
2. The dispeller must make a successful dispel roll as described above.

Permanency on a creature or item: Furthermore, removing a permanent spell effect from a creature or magical item also requires that the dispeller is of higher level than the permanency caster at the time permanency was cast.

Artifacts and relics: Are not subject to this spell; however, some of their spell-like effects may be, at the DM’s option.

Instantaneous effects: Spells and potions whose basic durations are instantaneous cannot be dispelled. A cure light wounds spell or potion of extra-healing, cannot be dispelled after their healing properties have occurred. Likewise, petrification effect from flesh to stone cannot be dispelled.

Note the this spell can be very effective when used upon charmed or similarly beguiled creatures. Certain spells or effects cannot be dispelled; these are listed in the spell descriptions.

Here are my sources for all the changes:

• Sage Advice #154 p. 6-7 (1E):
• Sage Advice #157 p. 25
• Sage Advice #179 p. 95
• Sage Advice #214 p. 78
• Sage Advice #217 p. 83
• Sage Advice #228 p. 84-85
• Sage Advice #231 p. 90
• Sage Advice #237 p. 92
• Sage Advice #241 p. 16
• Sage Advice #245 p. 16
• Sage Advice #252 p. 22
• Sage Advice #253 p. 24
• Sage Advice #273 p. 116
• Dungeon Master Option: High-Level Campaigns p. 70
• Dungeon Master Option: High-Level Campaigns p. 73
• Dungeon Master Option: High-Level Campaigns p. 82-83

So the party consists of lvl 3, 6,6,7 character, plus cohorts and hirelings.
A new player is joining, what level should I let them start a character at?
Level 1 seems a bit rough and pointless since no doubt they get enough exp to hit lvl 2-3 after the first session anyway. Does anyone have some good advice?

I’ve been watching the D&D cartoons from the 1980’s with my dad. He grew up with AD&D so when we play together as a family, that’s what we play. He also grew up a little bit before that era of cartoons, but I saw that it was based on a lot of similar rules and started watching it. It’s surprisingly good, but that is probably another topic. Anyway, it pulls surprisingly obscure subclasses for its characters. Some are just like mage or ranger, but one of them is a cavalier, another obscure subclass that only shows up in 1st and 3rd edition. Anyway, my point is, one of them is an acrobat. The thief-acrobat is a split class that you can find more information about here (excuse the eye bleeding web design, there is so little information on this class). The gist is, they get really good jumping, climbing, and tumbling abilities. I never really considered this class before, and honestly it’s not particularly strong in its current form, but I could see a DM making a lot of fun opportunities for it if it was the right kind of campaign. Let me know if anyone remembers this obscure class or has any information on it. Would love to find the actual Unearthed Arcana stats without having to buy the book.

Yesterday I made a post on r/rpg where I explained what I liked and disliked on many systems I played before and what I expected of a system, seeking recommendations. TL; DR - I like ad&d, but I miss some customization.

Among many good systems, some players recommended me to mish mash rules and one told me about 2e's Skills and Powers supplement.

I have some mixed feeling about it, though.

First thing, I've only played 1e and I'd prefer to keep it this way. I disliked the character creation process described on this supplement, but I enjoyed the racial abilities and the class abilities; they add the customization that I was missing.

While some classes have some great abilities, like Wizard that adds schools and many feat-like skills, some like thief's sucks ass. The thief ability list is basically what 1e rogue already know!

And then comes the Non-Weapon Proficiencies...

A little anecdote.

On the first AD&D session I refereed, one of my players (a longtime friend of mine) wanted to know if someone was hiding something from him and asked to make a insight check. And I loved when I said "well, there's no insight check. Describe to me what you say and I'll say how they react! [based on your wisdom, maybe]"

Some skills I never liked, so "forcing" players to describe what they do (and be creative) instead of the video game "I press button and thing happen" approach is great. At the same time, when a player asks to do something specific (like build a fence or to entertain a crowd while the thief sneaks behind them to enter someplace) I'd like to have a metric. Besides, letting a character background make the PC better at something is cool!

I'm a little torn on how to use (or if I should even use) NWP. What is the community opinion on them?

All that said, I was thinking on making that (my PCs are lvl 1) every time they level up [or, maybe, on every pair level, so I keep things slower], they get 3 Character points to spend or retain. Maybe make humans get 5.

They can get racial abilities they didn't start with or class abilities that they didn't start with.

And I'm thinking on giving them some NWP based on their backgrounds and backstories (and based on what y'all have to say). They could spend their CP on new NWP if it makes sense on what is going on the campaign.

What do y'all think? Bad idea? Good? Do you have something better in mind?

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ii0cTdSKa8lS1Qq9iOBg655SoAkJF7793vTaMfhub-A/edit?usp=drivesdk

Made homebrew adaptations for sorcerer (based on bg2 version) and blood hunter (by matt mercer) in an attempt to convert my players over from 5e to 2e. How do they fare? Dont pull punches.

Has this been done before? I'm curious what people would put together for a Link style character?

Core

• Race: Half-elf? Elf?
• Class: Ranger? Bard? Multi-class of some kind? I could see an argument for Paladin..

Details

• Weapons: Single and Two-handed swords, slings, bows
• Armor: Light or none.. shields are an option as are magic rings of protection
• Spells: Optional, but full caster is unlikely
• Magic Items: A wide variety of utility items and weapons as well as at least one musical instrument
• Mount: Air-based? Land-based?
• Non-Mounted Movement: Climbs walls, glides with tools, sometimes he can't swim

Are there specific spells, proficiencies or items that would fill this out? Is there a protective tunic of some sort in 2E for someone who avoids bulky armor? Something enchanted?

Any traits I'm missing in the description above? What do you think?

This Character nearly killed Gary Gygax’s Party.

An archmage dressed in tan robes with intricate gold patterns was part of the Circle of Eight. The Circle of Eight was created by the wizard Mordenkainen (played by Gary Gygax).

This man, known as Rary of Ket (played by Brian Blume), would be part of a discovery that would end in the loss of two of the main members and the birth of Rary the Traitor.

Can someone point me to what I need to get started? Some cheat sheets for 2e is what I'm looking for, I guess. I have the Players Guide. Thanks!

The party will find a “talisman of zagy” but in the text it says that it “appears to be a stone of control earth elementals” How do you find out what it does? What does identify spell reveal about such an item?

Hi everyone, I am DMing Temple of Elemental Evil using the original AD&D module and I have a question.
I'll put this as in spoiler just in case, responses should be spoilers too I guess.

!I am wondering how the cultists move in and out of the Temple, for example to take prisoners or increase their numbers? The main Temple door is sealed and the side doors locked. Do they go in and out through those side doors, or use a secret entrance? If I'm reading it right, there's a secret tunnel under the broken tower guarded by brigands, I'm not sure if the brigands would want that using as a thoroughfare. Is there another entrance that I missed?!<

Thanks for any assistance!

Hello, how would the following situation be resolved? I'm confused on combat movement for a whole round. How would a DM resolve this combat round? TIA

Elf Thief scouts alone 90ft ahead of party (failed hide in shadows and move silently) runs into group of creatures.

No Surprise

Roll 1d3 distance

20ft apart

Round 1 actions

Thief flees back towards party 90ft

Fighter and Ranger charge creatures 110ft away

Creatures charge thief

Roll initiative

party segment 3

creatures segment 1

base movement

party 12

creature 9

The Archmage so powerful that he was played by Gary Gygax himself.

Mordenkainen's genesis dates back to 1973, persisting through to the 5th edition of Dungeons and Dragons. This human wizard, native to the Yatil Mountains within the Greyhawk setting, has made a remarkable journey from his humble beginnings as a 1st-level character in the Castle Greyhawk module, crafted by the late founder to test out the now-renowned tabletop role-playing game.

But what makes this wizard so great? What has led to him starring on multiple covers, namesake of multiple spells, and being one of the community's most well-known characters?

Does anyone know an adventure that has a magical lance in it? Can be something named and special or just "Lance +1". Anything like a short dungeon magazine adventure is fine as well if anyone knows one. 1e or 2e is good

Small group of players looking for a DM to to run Faerun or Greyhawk campaign. Willing to start at 1st level. Want someone to gm Australian friendly hours.

I'm a mature player. I look forward to making new friends and playing a game with strong role playing and plot elements. Can you help?

I’m trying to convert a campaign from 2nd edition to 5th edition do you guys have any tips to make it successful?

I’m wondering how you all generate stats for your player characters and what is your mentality regarding high stats or not?

We have been using 4d6 minus the lowest dice. This gives us high stats and more powerful characters in the beginning.

What are you guys thoughts on the matter?