Welcome to Curious Quill, an original content resource for fantasy roleplaying.
Announcing a change in direction: supporting Dragonbane. I am Moving On from 5e as my primary focus. Most of what is here is designed to be used in any system, but a lot has focused on 5e. For a time at least, I will be adapting my work to Dragonbane. I hope you join me in my journey, and if you play 5e yourself, remember that there is a plethora of info already here, and new stuff will be easily adaptable. So don’t go anywhere.
Class Theory: Druid Concepts
In this feature we will explore why a character might gain the ability to call on the mystical, primal forces of nature.
Class Theory: Cleric Concepts
In this feature we will explore what makes a character a Cleric with divine powers versus a regular priest or holy warrior.
Class Theory: Paladin Concepts
In this feature we will explore what makes a paladin a paladin, not in features but by choice.
Class Theory: Warlock Concepts
In this feature we will explore why someone might make a pact with an extraplanar being in exchange for the power gained following the Warlock class.
Followers & Inspiration
Followers, henchmen, hirelings… there have been different terms and different iterations of what they bring to the table to the player characters. In 5e24, the Bastion rules come closest to defining how characters might have people helping them.
Here we will explore ways that a DM can work out who, how many, people might follow the characters and what benefits—but also responsibilities—that can provide them.
Little changes, big returns: Alt Ghil
Homebrew, house rules, rule of cool: these are various terms for winging it, for making small changes to the rules of 5e in order to have fun. Often they were used for rulings made by the DM to make actions by the characters better attune to their, well, character: to let them do something not normally detailed or allowed in the basic rules. But it can start at character creation as well.
Read More about how you can do so.
To Play to or Skip to Subclass
The 2024 rules version of 5e changed it so that ALL classes wait to get a subclass until third level. With the standard wait for everyone, the first two levels may seem boring, for players they do not get to specialize in what really separates their character from others. In some campaigns, the group plays through the early levels, but many jump straight to third. So which is better?
Read More about making the decision.
Adding Flavor: Cleric Deities vs. Domains
In 5e, clerics that make it to 3rd level and beyond select a subclass that is a Domain. The domains represent types of clerics more so than deities and their characteristics as well as the qualities of their faith and followers. Domains can be shared between clerics of different deities. So, how can you give your character flavor through other character traits to represent the specific deity that they follow?
Read More about how you can do so.
Custom Species: Revisting Urchins
In 5e, you have the ability to create your own species. You can do this on paper, and even make a playable species in DDB. You can express your creativity by coming up with anything you want. But there actually is a simple way to make your own species without a lot of work.
Read More about how you can do so.