Mage Advice
@mageadvice.substack.com
🇬🇧 Based account celebrating D&D and other ttrpgs.
Free ideas, tips and advice every Wednesday at mageadvice.substack.com
Free ideas, tips and advice every Wednesday at mageadvice.substack.com
The Arches of Aoskar, Room 23
The entire room is filled with a scale model of a circus ring, however instead of performers are beautifully painted eggs.
At the centre is an Oni in a top hat and red tail coat: "come and enjoy the show!"
The entire room is filled with a scale model of a circus ring, however instead of performers are beautifully painted eggs.
At the centre is an Oni in a top hat and red tail coat: "come and enjoy the show!"
January 23, 2026 at 10:05 PM
The Arches of Aoskar, Room 23
The entire room is filled with a scale model of a circus ring, however instead of performers are beautifully painted eggs.
At the centre is an Oni in a top hat and red tail coat: "come and enjoy the show!"
The entire room is filled with a scale model of a circus ring, however instead of performers are beautifully painted eggs.
At the centre is an Oni in a top hat and red tail coat: "come and enjoy the show!"
To celebrate 10 years of @highrollersdnd.bsky.social I've been looking back on a campaign opener thats stuck with me years.
Click the link to read three reasons I loved the start of Aerois.
Click the link to read three reasons I loved the start of Aerois.
The GOAT of campaign openers
Celebrating 10 years of High Rollers
open.substack.com
January 21, 2026 at 7:55 PM
To celebrate 10 years of @highrollersdnd.bsky.social I've been looking back on a campaign opener thats stuck with me years.
Click the link to read three reasons I loved the start of Aerois.
Click the link to read three reasons I loved the start of Aerois.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Nineteen
A large pool has been created in the centre of this room, filled by fresh, rose-scented water from an unknown source that keeps it at an invitingly warm temperature.
A large pool has been created in the centre of this room, filled by fresh, rose-scented water from an unknown source that keeps it at an invitingly warm temperature.
January 19, 2026 at 2:56 PM
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Nineteen
A large pool has been created in the centre of this room, filled by fresh, rose-scented water from an unknown source that keeps it at an invitingly warm temperature.
A large pool has been created in the centre of this room, filled by fresh, rose-scented water from an unknown source that keeps it at an invitingly warm temperature.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Eighteen
A single silver key flutters around the empty room on gossamer wings, it's head representing a dial.
If captured, the dial can be set to any room number to instantly access that room.
Read more about the Arches here: buff.ly/gyDpfFM
A single silver key flutters around the empty room on gossamer wings, it's head representing a dial.
If captured, the dial can be set to any room number to instantly access that room.
Read more about the Arches here: buff.ly/gyDpfFM
Underneath the Arches of Aoskar
The development of my mega dungeon project.
buff.ly
January 18, 2026 at 9:05 PM
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Eighteen
A single silver key flutters around the empty room on gossamer wings, it's head representing a dial.
If captured, the dial can be set to any room number to instantly access that room.
Read more about the Arches here: buff.ly/gyDpfFM
A single silver key flutters around the empty room on gossamer wings, it's head representing a dial.
If captured, the dial can be set to any room number to instantly access that room.
Read more about the Arches here: buff.ly/gyDpfFM
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Seventeen.
The room is laid out like a checker board, with each black square filled with a matching iron bound chest.
A scroll nailed to the door reads: "Of course, most of these are mimics, but one contains a deck of many things."
The room is laid out like a checker board, with each black square filled with a matching iron bound chest.
A scroll nailed to the door reads: "Of course, most of these are mimics, but one contains a deck of many things."
January 17, 2026 at 11:22 PM
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Seventeen.
The room is laid out like a checker board, with each black square filled with a matching iron bound chest.
A scroll nailed to the door reads: "Of course, most of these are mimics, but one contains a deck of many things."
The room is laid out like a checker board, with each black square filled with a matching iron bound chest.
A scroll nailed to the door reads: "Of course, most of these are mimics, but one contains a deck of many things."
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Sixteen.
The room is empty except for a large archway made of skulls. Beneath it is chained a large black hound with three glowing red eyes:
"I am that which remains, free me and I may guide your path through this maze."
- Dungeonary: One room a day for a month
The room is empty except for a large archway made of skulls. Beneath it is chained a large black hound with three glowing red eyes:
"I am that which remains, free me and I may guide your path through this maze."
- Dungeonary: One room a day for a month
January 16, 2026 at 4:07 PM
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Sixteen.
The room is empty except for a large archway made of skulls. Beneath it is chained a large black hound with three glowing red eyes:
"I am that which remains, free me and I may guide your path through this maze."
- Dungeonary: One room a day for a month
The room is empty except for a large archway made of skulls. Beneath it is chained a large black hound with three glowing red eyes:
"I am that which remains, free me and I may guide your path through this maze."
- Dungeonary: One room a day for a month
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Fifteen.
The room is filled with a pile of broken bricks that block your passage as you realise the ceiling has collapsed.
There is just enough gap above the pile to see dim torchlight the other side and the sound of an old man gently crying:
The room is filled with a pile of broken bricks that block your passage as you realise the ceiling has collapsed.
There is just enough gap above the pile to see dim torchlight the other side and the sound of an old man gently crying:
January 15, 2026 at 5:05 PM
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Fifteen.
The room is filled with a pile of broken bricks that block your passage as you realise the ceiling has collapsed.
There is just enough gap above the pile to see dim torchlight the other side and the sound of an old man gently crying:
The room is filled with a pile of broken bricks that block your passage as you realise the ceiling has collapsed.
There is just enough gap above the pile to see dim torchlight the other side and the sound of an old man gently crying:
This fantastic tool from DnD Shorts Will Earl deserves a place in any great DM's arsenal...
How to use the Deck of Wild Magic and Mischief
Transform combat with this generator
open.substack.com
January 14, 2026 at 5:09 PM
This fantastic tool from DnD Shorts Will Earl deserves a place in any great DM's arsenal...
An inky purple void swirls in the centre of the room.
---
Anyone who touches the void disappears for 2D4 minutes and returns with no memory of the experience, but is covered in a light dusting of ash containing flecks of burnt parchment.
---
Anyone who touches the void disappears for 2D4 minutes and returns with no memory of the experience, but is covered in a light dusting of ash containing flecks of burnt parchment.
January 13, 2026 at 8:57 PM
An inky purple void swirls in the centre of the room.
---
Anyone who touches the void disappears for 2D4 minutes and returns with no memory of the experience, but is covered in a light dusting of ash containing flecks of burnt parchment.
---
Anyone who touches the void disappears for 2D4 minutes and returns with no memory of the experience, but is covered in a light dusting of ash containing flecks of burnt parchment.
You enter a well furnished dormitory, with comfortable beds on offer.
In a small kitchen area, large mugs magically fill with relaxing hot chocolate.
---
The room is cursed, every 59 minutes a klaxon sounds interrupting all resting creatures.
In a small kitchen area, large mugs magically fill with relaxing hot chocolate.
---
The room is cursed, every 59 minutes a klaxon sounds interrupting all resting creatures.
January 12, 2026 at 2:16 PM
You enter a well furnished dormitory, with comfortable beds on offer.
In a small kitchen area, large mugs magically fill with relaxing hot chocolate.
---
The room is cursed, every 59 minutes a klaxon sounds interrupting all resting creatures.
In a small kitchen area, large mugs magically fill with relaxing hot chocolate.
---
The room is cursed, every 59 minutes a klaxon sounds interrupting all resting creatures.
Round tables and comfortable chairs are overlooked by a sleek bar bearing steaming equipment.
Every available chair is taken by relaxing halflings, while a team of gnome baristas make and serve coffee.
Whats on the specials board - and what magical effect does it have?
Every available chair is taken by relaxing halflings, while a team of gnome baristas make and serve coffee.
Whats on the specials board - and what magical effect does it have?
January 11, 2026 at 8:33 AM
Round tables and comfortable chairs are overlooked by a sleek bar bearing steaming equipment.
Every available chair is taken by relaxing halflings, while a team of gnome baristas make and serve coffee.
Whats on the specials board - and what magical effect does it have?
Every available chair is taken by relaxing halflings, while a team of gnome baristas make and serve coffee.
Whats on the specials board - and what magical effect does it have?
As you enter the room you see an Iron Golem, it's body shaped to resemble a masked and robed mage, a wand in its hand.
Its torso is hollow, to create a locked cage containing an exhausted Kobold.
Find the stat block below:
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Ten
- Dungeonary: One room a day for a month
Its torso is hollow, to create a locked cage containing an exhausted Kobold.
Find the stat block below:
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Ten
- Dungeonary: One room a day for a month
The Kobold fuelled Golem
The monster I never intended to make
open.substack.com
January 10, 2026 at 10:22 AM
As you enter the room you see an Iron Golem, it's body shaped to resemble a masked and robed mage, a wand in its hand.
Its torso is hollow, to create a locked cage containing an exhausted Kobold.
Find the stat block below:
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Ten
- Dungeonary: One room a day for a month
Its torso is hollow, to create a locked cage containing an exhausted Kobold.
Find the stat block below:
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Ten
- Dungeonary: One room a day for a month
Illustrations cover the walls around a comfortable looking chair next to a desk filled with tattooing equipment.
A Marilith smiles at you, each of her hands holding a needle: "want to get inked?"
A Marilith smiles at you, each of her hands holding a needle: "want to get inked?"
January 9, 2026 at 10:47 PM
Illustrations cover the walls around a comfortable looking chair next to a desk filled with tattooing equipment.
A Marilith smiles at you, each of her hands holding a needle: "want to get inked?"
A Marilith smiles at you, each of her hands holding a needle: "want to get inked?"
Nine cages are placed facing each other in a circle, each containing a Kobold.
They introduce themselves in turn: Barek, Direk, Eerek, Gorek, Irek, Jorek, Keyrek, Morek and Trek - and claim they have the key to the exit door which they will exchange for their freedom.
They introduce themselves in turn: Barek, Direk, Eerek, Gorek, Irek, Jorek, Keyrek, Morek and Trek - and claim they have the key to the exit door which they will exchange for their freedom.
January 8, 2026 at 10:38 AM
Nine cages are placed facing each other in a circle, each containing a Kobold.
They introduce themselves in turn: Barek, Direk, Eerek, Gorek, Irek, Jorek, Keyrek, Morek and Trek - and claim they have the key to the exit door which they will exchange for their freedom.
They introduce themselves in turn: Barek, Direk, Eerek, Gorek, Irek, Jorek, Keyrek, Morek and Trek - and claim they have the key to the exit door which they will exchange for their freedom.
On a dirty floor, an infernal summoning circle has been drawn in chalk and bone.
The remains of five candles long since burnt out surround a scorched skeleton.
Sulphurous footsteps lead through a smudged rune to the exit door.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Six
- Dungeonary: One room a day for a month
The remains of five candles long since burnt out surround a scorched skeleton.
Sulphurous footsteps lead through a smudged rune to the exit door.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Six
- Dungeonary: One room a day for a month
January 7, 2026 at 10:05 AM
On a dirty floor, an infernal summoning circle has been drawn in chalk and bone.
The remains of five candles long since burnt out surround a scorched skeleton.
Sulphurous footsteps lead through a smudged rune to the exit door.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Six
- Dungeonary: One room a day for a month
The remains of five candles long since burnt out surround a scorched skeleton.
Sulphurous footsteps lead through a smudged rune to the exit door.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Six
- Dungeonary: One room a day for a month
Slick ice coats coats every surface of this room, where carcasses frozen solid hang from huge meat hooks in the ceiling.
A dull repetitive thudding sound comes from a bare chested frost giant who is using one of the carcasses as a punching bag. He looks at you and says:
"You want to be a contender?"
A dull repetitive thudding sound comes from a bare chested frost giant who is using one of the carcasses as a punching bag. He looks at you and says:
"You want to be a contender?"
January 6, 2026 at 7:19 AM
Slick ice coats coats every surface of this room, where carcasses frozen solid hang from huge meat hooks in the ceiling.
A dull repetitive thudding sound comes from a bare chested frost giant who is using one of the carcasses as a punching bag. He looks at you and says:
"You want to be a contender?"
A dull repetitive thudding sound comes from a bare chested frost giant who is using one of the carcasses as a punching bag. He looks at you and says:
"You want to be a contender?"
A Bugbear in a kaftan is surrounded by 20 goblins sat on small beanbags.
She clears her throat, clearly irritated by your interruption:
"Welcome to Sickie 101, where through the power of improvisation we will learn how to avoid at least one, maybe even two, days of work.
She clears her throat, clearly irritated by your interruption:
"Welcome to Sickie 101, where through the power of improvisation we will learn how to avoid at least one, maybe even two, days of work.
January 5, 2026 at 7:46 AM
A Bugbear in a kaftan is surrounded by 20 goblins sat on small beanbags.
She clears her throat, clearly irritated by your interruption:
"Welcome to Sickie 101, where through the power of improvisation we will learn how to avoid at least one, maybe even two, days of work.
She clears her throat, clearly irritated by your interruption:
"Welcome to Sickie 101, where through the power of improvisation we will learn how to avoid at least one, maybe even two, days of work.
Dungeonary: One room a day for a month.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Four.
Thick cobwebs coat every surface of this room, including a number of comfortable benches and a large barbers chair. An Ettercap in a brown leather apron waves a cut throat razor towards the empty chair.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Four.
Thick cobwebs coat every surface of this room, including a number of comfortable benches and a large barbers chair. An Ettercap in a brown leather apron waves a cut throat razor towards the empty chair.
January 4, 2026 at 10:16 AM
Dungeonary: One room a day for a month.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Four.
Thick cobwebs coat every surface of this room, including a number of comfortable benches and a large barbers chair. An Ettercap in a brown leather apron waves a cut throat razor towards the empty chair.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Four.
Thick cobwebs coat every surface of this room, including a number of comfortable benches and a large barbers chair. An Ettercap in a brown leather apron waves a cut throat razor towards the empty chair.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Three.
This room is empty except for a large stone pedestal in the middle that holds a brass rod shaped like a key.
As you watch bony hands begin to claw out from the ground.
This room is empty except for a large stone pedestal in the middle that holds a brass rod shaped like a key.
As you watch bony hands begin to claw out from the ground.
January 3, 2026 at 8:46 AM
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Three.
This room is empty except for a large stone pedestal in the middle that holds a brass rod shaped like a key.
As you watch bony hands begin to claw out from the ground.
This room is empty except for a large stone pedestal in the middle that holds a brass rod shaped like a key.
As you watch bony hands begin to claw out from the ground.
Dungeonary: One room a day for a month.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Two.
The arch is crammed with laboratory equipment, but a few pieces grab your attention.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Two.
The arch is crammed with laboratory equipment, but a few pieces grab your attention.
January 2, 2026 at 11:20 AM
Dungeonary: One room a day for a month.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Two.
The arch is crammed with laboratory equipment, but a few pieces grab your attention.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room Two.
The arch is crammed with laboratory equipment, but a few pieces grab your attention.
Dungeonary: One room a day for a month.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room One.
The room is a 60ft square, with an arching brick lined ceiling that is 20ft high and curves down to the ground on the east and west side.
The North and South walls are flat, both with a single wooden double door in the middle.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room One.
The room is a 60ft square, with an arching brick lined ceiling that is 20ft high and curves down to the ground on the east and west side.
The North and South walls are flat, both with a single wooden double door in the middle.
January 1, 2026 at 8:43 AM
Dungeonary: One room a day for a month.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room One.
The room is a 60ft square, with an arching brick lined ceiling that is 20ft high and curves down to the ground on the east and west side.
The North and South walls are flat, both with a single wooden double door in the middle.
The Arches of Aoskar, Room One.
The room is a 60ft square, with an arching brick lined ceiling that is 20ft high and curves down to the ground on the east and west side.
The North and South walls are flat, both with a single wooden double door in the middle.
Is having to reorganise your DVDs to accommodate the newbies the worst or best part of Christmas?
December 25, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Is having to reorganise your DVDs to accommodate the newbies the worst or best part of Christmas?
Okay, so we are fighting our figgy pudding with this sword.
What is it's name and what power does it gift you?
What is it's name and what power does it gift you?
December 20, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Okay, so we are fighting our figgy pudding with this sword.
What is it's name and what power does it gift you?
What is it's name and what power does it gift you?
Tonight I'm reflavouring an adventure for Christmas, but I'd appreciate some help from Bluesky!
I have:
Troll = Krampus
Goats = Reindeer
Violet Fungus = Mini Xmas trees?
Stirges = Rabid fairies/Elves??
Gray Ooze = ???!
I have:
Troll = Krampus
Goats = Reindeer
Violet Fungus = Mini Xmas trees?
Stirges = Rabid fairies/Elves??
Gray Ooze = ???!
December 19, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Tonight I'm reflavouring an adventure for Christmas, but I'd appreciate some help from Bluesky!
I have:
Troll = Krampus
Goats = Reindeer
Violet Fungus = Mini Xmas trees?
Stirges = Rabid fairies/Elves??
Gray Ooze = ???!
I have:
Troll = Krampus
Goats = Reindeer
Violet Fungus = Mini Xmas trees?
Stirges = Rabid fairies/Elves??
Gray Ooze = ???!
Discovered a delivery driver locked in his van today.
Couldn't help but think:
“This is a great encounter hook”.
Couldn't help but think:
“This is a great encounter hook”.
December 16, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Discovered a delivery driver locked in his van today.
Couldn't help but think:
“This is a great encounter hook”.
Couldn't help but think:
“This is a great encounter hook”.