CHAINMAIL: 04.14.2023

Putting the "Magic" in Magic Items - The Alexandrian

Do you ever feel like your game is polluted by +1 longswords and other generic magic items? Well, check out this article to learn how to instill life into your more simple magic items and turn them into something your players will wield proudly throughout a campaign. Justin Alexander analyzes famous magic items like Orcrist and Glamdring and shows how despite their simplistic mechanical benefits, they still introduce a feeling of awe and wonder to the viewers. You can do that in your D&D games too!

If your youtube algorithm hasn't already introduced you to the "Church of Doom" then it probably will soon. He's been blowing up on youtube lately prolifically releasing youtube shorts of unique TTRPG ideas. These ideas are mainly cool lore concepts and inspiration. He mainly does short-form content but he's just started exploring longer-form youtube videos, as well. I highly recommend checking him out if you're looking for some interesting jumping-off points for new ideas!

The End of the Story

"About him were scattered all the appurtenances of his art; the skulls of men and monsters; phials filled with black or amber liquids; whose sacrilegious use was known to none but himself; little drums of vulture-skin, and crotali made from the bones and teeth of the cockodrill, used as an accompaniment to certain incantations. The mosaic floor was partly covered with the skins of enormous black and silver apes; and above the door there hung the head of a unicorn in which dwelt the familiar demon of Malygris, in the form of a coral viper with pale green belly and ashen mottlings."  - The Last Incantation

This is another inspiration suggestion as opposed to a direct resource to aid in your DMing. I stand by the idea that you must consume great stories in order to create great stories. Clark Ashton Smith, in my opinion, is highly underrated. Clark Ashton Smith is mainly associated with H.P. Lovecraft, although I think his work stands STRONGLY on its own. The End of the Story is a collection of 25 of his stories and is a fantastic introduction to his body of work. Grab a copy and get lost in his eldritch prose and twisted narratives.

I hope these resources inspire you! See you next week.