Advice articles

Archetypes

Archetypes, part I: Outlining your archetype

Archetypes, part II: Going through the original class

Archetypes, part III: Archetype length

Encounters

Some thoughts on encounter design

Magic items

Magic Item Advice 1/3: longsword of fireballs

Magic Item Advice 2/3: fire-blossom blade

Magic Item Advice 3/3: aurora's edge?

Loot & Experience part II: Mikko's recipe for a wondrous item

Maps

Map-making advice: The one-look principle

Thoughts about Map-Making: The Player's Perspective

Loot & Experience part III: Making of House of the Serpent's Son map

Miscellaneous

Loot & Experience part I: General advice for RPGSS

Designing for Pathfinder: Searching for the Right Words 

Monsters

Lessons in Monster Design, Part I: Descriptive line

Lessons in Monster Design, Part II: Stat block—overview & the top part

Lessons in Monster Design, Part III: Stat block—defense & offense

Lessons in Monster Design, Part IV: Stat block—statistics & ecology

Lessons in Monster Design, Part V: Special abilities

Lessons in Monster Design, Part VI: Name, concept, and write-up

Notes on judging Round 3

Monster design tips: #1 There are many unwritten rules

Monster design tips: #2 Focus on what makes the monster exceptional

Monster design tips: #3 Monsters aren't all that different from wondrous items

Loot & Experience, part IV: Designing scary, creepy monsters

Villains

Pitching Villains