| Title |
Publisher |
Price |
![Characters, Story, and Worldbuilding [BUNDLE]](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/images/4062/189633-thumb140.jpg)
This special bundle product contains the following titles. Building Characters [Black Box Edition] Regular price: $4.99 Bundle price: $3.33 Format: PDF How can you create memorable characters with great story potential?
At the heart of all great stories are strong characters. It doesn’t matter whether you’re reading a short story, writing a novel,... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$14.97 $10.00
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![Genre Structure: Fantasy, Scifi, Horror [BUNDLE]](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/images/4062/195703-thumb140.jpg)
Essential sourcebooks for creating fiction and tabletop adventures!
A sampling of short stories is provided in each volume. Deconstructed them using the methods discussed in this book. Mine the stories for ideas, remixing, reimagining, and presenting the ideas in new and original ways.
This special bundle product contains the following titles.
Fantasy... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$22.50 $10.00
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![Premise: 500 Plot Ideas [BUNDLE]](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/images/4062/212301-thumb140.jpg)
This special bundle product contains the following titles. Premise: 100 Fantasy Plot Ideas Regular price: $5.00 Bundle price: $3.00 Format: PDF More than simple plot hooks or adventure seeds!
Click on Full Size Preview for a sample!
A premise is the heart of a story summed up in a single sentence. It should provide a general overview of what happens, without... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$25.00 $15.00
|
![Story Design Volumes 1-10 [BUNDLE]](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/images/4062/190303-thumb140.jpg)
This special bundle product contains the following titles.
Story Design: The Breakout Regular price: $2.00 Bundle price: $1.00 Format: PDF
Have you ever wanted higher stakes and deeper meaning in your escape adventures?
Story Design Volume 5 - A breakout story involves a protagonist trying to escape from a situation that’s not... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$24.09 $9.99
|
![Story Design Volumes 11-20 [BUNDLE]](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/images/4062/203096-thumb140.jpg)
This special bundle product contains the following titles.
Story Design: Coming of Age Regular price: $2.00 Bundle price: $1.00 Format: PDF
How can you add more character focus and a slice of life to your adventures?
Story Design Volume 13 - In a coming of age plot, the protagonist gains maturity. This is often literal as the character... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$24.09 $9.99
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Use strange beings and alien creatures in character development, worldbuilding, and adventures!
People frequently want to add Lovecraftian horrors to their fantasy games, but they’ve been there since the beginning. Thing that are beyond the day-to-day existence of a standard high fantasy setting. Creatures so strange that their aims and desires are unfathomable. Beings that are so unlike... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$2.00
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Use Protective Magic in Character Development, Adventure Design, and Worldbuilding
Abjuration comes from the Latin word abjurare, which translates as “to forswear”. As a category of magic, its purpose is protection and defense. The definition of abjuration magic has expanded over time to include spells that act as armor, prevent magical intrusion, and banish... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$2.00
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Use Ordinary Animals in Character Development, Adventure Design, and Worldbuilding
Let’s be honest and admit that ordinary animals don’t get the love they deserve in fantasy roleplaying games. In fiction, as in real life, we love a cute cat or a precocious dog. They’ve got personality. Other beasts, like horses, rabbits, and monkeys, get a lot of affection. At the table,... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$2.00
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Use the highest order of good beings in character development, worldbuilding, and adventures!
Divine beings don’t get the attention they deserve in fantasy roleplaying games. They should somehow play a larger role than they do in the cosmology of our favorite fictional universes, given that they are the extraplanar exemplars of all that is right and good in the multiverse.... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$2.00
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Use Magical Insight in Character Development, Adventure Design, and Worldbuilding
Divination comes from the Latin word divinare, which translates as “to be inspired by God”. As a category of magic, its purpose is to help the caster gain insight, if not direct answers, to a wide variety of situations. The definition of divination magic has expanded over time to include... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$2.00
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Use arcane deception in character development, worldbuilding, and adventures!
Illusion is the tricking of the mind, and the distorting of the senses. As a category of magic, its purpose is to alter the target’s perception of reality. The definition of illusion magic has expanded over time to include spells that act as disguises, defenses, and forms of attack. Illusion allows casters... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$2.00
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Use perilous peaks in character development, worldbuilding, and adventures!
Mountains are places of mystery. Rising above the surrounding landscape, they are seen by all but only known to few. Myth and legend names them as the home of the gods. Rivers and streams originate there. Dangerous creatures dwell there. The terrain is often steep, and cold, and sometimes even volcanic. The perfect... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$2.00
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Use Underground Realms in Character Development, Adventure Design, and Worldbuilding
The concept of an underground world comes straight out of the classic hero’s journey. The hero leaves home, descends into the underworld to be tested, and returns a changed person. It’s the part of the story where the challenges are faced, the glory is earned, and the treasures are acquired. Other... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$2.00
|
![Building Characters [Black Box Edition]](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/images/4062/184019-thumb140.jpg)
How can you create memorable characters with great story potential?
At the heart of all great stories are strong characters. It doesn’t matter whether you’re reading a short story, writing a novel, or watching a play. The characters found in TV series, comic books, and games are more alike on a creative level than they are different. The symbiotic relationship between character... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$9.99 $4.99
|
Add more terror and suspense to your horror adventures!
Horror Stories (Genre Structure Vol. 1) helps you to develop and tell frightful tales of dread and darkness. It is an essential sourcebook for creating fiction and tabletop adventures. Written for writers and roleplayers, with clear step-by-step instructions, you can:
Determine which horror genre elements you wish... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$15.00 $7.50
|
How can you add more excitement and bold vision to your science fiction adventures?
Science Fiction (Genre Structure Vol. 2) helps you to develop and tell tales of discovery and possibility. It is an essential sourcebook for creating fiction and tabletop adventures. Written for writers and roleplayers, with clear step-by-step instructions, you can:
Determine which science... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$15.00 $7.50
|
How can you add more wonder and enchantment to your fantasy adventures?
Fantasy Stories (Genre Structure Vol. 3) helps you to develop and tell spellbinding tales of magic and imagination. It is an essential sourcebook for creating fiction and tabletop adventures. Written for writers and roleplayers, with clear step-by-step instructions, you can:
Determine which fantasy... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$15.00 $7.50
|
![Setting Design [Black Box Edition]](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/images/4062/184668-thumb140.jpg)
How can you design dynamic settings that support telling great stories?
Setting Design helps you to assembling the critical details that you will need in order to tell a story. More than mere worldbuilding, this book shows you how to save prep time by focusing on just the elements you'll need and use. With clear step-by-step instructions, you can:
Create a clear premise... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$9.99 $4.99
|
![Story Structure [Black Box Edition]](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/images/4062/188812-thumb140.jpg)
How can you use time-tested story structures to create better adventures?
All great stories need a beginning, a middle, and an end. On that basic structure writers and storytellers throughout the ages have woven variations and created masterpieces. We keep coming back to the same foundations today for one very good reason: those structures are versatile and continue to work. This book helps... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$9.99 $4.99
|
Have you ever wanted higher stakes and deeper meaning in your escape adventures?
Story Design Volume 5 - A breakout story involves a protagonist trying to escape from a situation that’s not of their choosing, and possibly not of their making. Their captivity can be literal, like being locked in prison or stranded on an island. It may also be figurative, like an abusive... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$2.00
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How can you add more inner conflict, fear or change, and wonder of discovery to your transformation adventures?
Story Design Volume 12 - In a change story something upsets the protagonist’s life in a significant way. The character then has to adapt and come to terms with that change. It can be something normal yet tragic, like the death of a loved one or being diagnosed... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$2.00
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Have you ever wanted more danger and excitement in your pursuit adventure stories?
Story Design Volume 3 - In a chase story, one character is pursuing another. The antagonist may be after the protagonist, or vice versa. The person being chased is often in possession of something valuable or important, has committed a crime and is fleeing justice, or believes... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$2.00
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How can you add more character focus and a slice of life to your adventures?
Story Design Volume 13 - In a coming of age plot, the protagonist gains maturity. This is often literal as the character moves from one stage of their life to another, like from childhood to adolescence, or young adulthood to middle age. It can be metaphorical as they embark on a new career, learn... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$2.00
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Add a sense of alienation to your metamorphosis stories and adventures.
Story Design Volume 11 - In a curse story the antagonist feels that the protagonist has done something wrong. Maybe they have, and the antagonist’s actions are justified; maybe they haven’t, and the antagonist’s wrath is misplaced or unfair. As a result of the antagonist’s need... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$2.00
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How can you add more heroic struggle and vicarious thrills to your underdog adventures?
Story Design Volume 9 - In a dark horse story, the protagonist and antagonist are not evenly matched. The odds are stacked heavily in favor of the antagonist. Initially no one takes the protagonist seriously, but over the course of the story they shake off their underdog status to become... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$2.00
|
How can you add more empathy and suspense to your story of tragic descent?
Story Design Volume 20 - In a decline-and-fall story, the protagonist starts out in a high position, possessed of fortune and glory, having everything they could ever desire. This could be literal or metaphorical; they might have moral or ethical riches rather than money and possessions. The protagonist... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$2.00
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How can you add more conflict and suspense to your competitive adventures?
Story Design Volume 8 - In a duel story, the protagonist and antagonist are competing against one another. They may be fighting to obtain the same objective, or simply trying to insure that the other doesn’t get what they’re after. The rivalry might be a sports competition, a race to make... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$2.00
|
How can you put more action and excitement in your traveling adventure stories?
Story Design Volume 1 - In the journey plot, the protagonist travels and has an adventure. It’s a simple as that. There’s no deeper meaning or existential crisis underlying the trip. There’s hidden message, or a need for the character to experience personal growth. It’s... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$2.00
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Add more thrills and dramatic tension to your mystery adventures!
Story Design Volume 7 - The word mystery carries a lot of cultural baggage. From a genre point of view, it’s typically associated with murder. The story goal is to discover who did it, although more modern variations focus on figuring out how it was done, in order to prove who did it. A mystery doesn’t... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$2.00
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How can you add more danger and tragedy to your story of wretched excess?
Story Design Volume 18 - In an obsession story the protagonist goes too far with something, and bad things happen as a result. The object of their excess can be an actual physical or psychological problem like alcoholism or drug addiction; it could also be an unhealthy fascination with a goal, a person,... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$2.00
|
How can you add more retribution and gratification to your revenge adventures?
Story Design Volume 6 - In a payback story the protagonist, or someone close to them, has somehow been wronged by the antagonist. Seeking to balance the scales or settle the score, the protagonist goes on a mission of revenge. It’s a story about a person seeking justice by taking the law... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$2.00
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How can you add more hope and excitement to your story of dreams and aspirations?
Story Design Volume 19 - In a rags-to-riches story the protagonist starts out poor, unknown, and without any power or authority. This could be literal or metaphorical; they may be intellectually or spiritually poor, rather than without material wealth. Over the course of the story they rise... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$2.00
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Have you ever wanted more suspense and peril in your rescue adventures?
Story Design Volume 4 - A rescue plot is an action-heavy structure where a supporting character (the victim) is being held against their will by the antagonist. The protagonist’s job is to locate the victim and escort them back to safety. There are variations possible, but the core of a rescue story... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$2.00
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How can you add more action and conflict to your story of discovery?
Story Design Volume 17 - In a revelation plot something is discovered that has serious implications for the protagonist. It may mean also have a serious impact on a supporting character, or the world. The actual discover could be something good or something bad, but it is startling and disruptive to the... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$2.00
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How can you add more conflict and characterization to your love story?
Story Design Volume 14 - A romance plot features the protagonist falling in love with a supporting character or even a co-protagonist. The antagonist doesn’t want this to happen, and conspires to keep the lover apart. There is often some misunderstanding or miscommunication that creates a rift in... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$2.00
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How can you add more drama and pathos to your story of selfless heroism?
Story Design Volume 16 - A sacrifice story finds the protagonist pursuing some noble cause or higher purpose. In order to accomplish their objective, they will need to give up something of great personal value. This might be other goals, a close relationship, or even their own life. They may survive,... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$2.00
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How can you add more emotional resonance to your quest adventure story?
Story Design Volume 2 - In the search plot, the protagonist is looking for something. It might be an object, a person, or a piece of information. The thing they’re searching for might be real, or it could be metaphorical. It doesn’t actually matter, because this is really a character-driven... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$2.00
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How can you add more dark danger and wicked fun to your temptation adventures?
Story Design Volume 10 - A seduction story has the protagonist trying to avoid doing something they know they aren’t supposed to do. It could be lying, cheating, stealing, breaking an oath, succumbing to addiction, or anything that has serious consequences. The thing that the protagonist... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$2.00
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How can you add more intrigue and danger to your forbidden love story?
Story Design Volume 15 - In a taboo plot, the protagonist becomes involved in a forbidden romance. From the start everyone knows that the affair will fail because social forces don’t approve of the pairing; what makes the relationship unacceptable will vary with the genre, place, and time of the... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$2.00
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More than simple plot hooks or adventure seeds!
Click on Full Size Preview for a sample!
A premise is the heart of a story summed up in a single sentence. It should provide a general overview of what happens, without spoiling anything. A good premise contains, explicitly or by implication, four key elements of the story: who the protagonists are, what the goal of the story... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$10.00 $5.00
|
More than simple plot hooks or adventure seeds!
Click on Full Size Preview for a sample!
A premise is the heart of a story summed up in a single sentence. It should provide a general overview of what happens, without spoiling anything. A good premise contains, explicitly or by implication, four key elements of the story: who the protagonists are, what the goal of the story... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$10.00 $5.00
|
More than simple plot hooks or adventure seeds!
Click on Full Size Preview for a sample!
A premise is the heart of a story summed up in a single sentence. It should provide a general overview of what happens, without spoiling anything. A good premise contains, explicitly or by implication, four key elements of the story: who the protagonists are, what the goal of the story... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$10.00 $5.00
|
More than simple plot hooks or adventure seeds!
Click on Full Size Preview for a sample!
A premise is the heart of a story summed up in a single sentence. It should provide a general overview of what happens, without spoiling anything. A good premise contains, explicitly or by implication, four key elements of the story: who the protagonists are, what the goal of the story... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$10.00 $5.00
|
Stories at the intersection of fantasy, science fiction, and horror!
Click on Full Size Preview for a sample!
A premise is the heart of a story summed up in a single sentence. It should provide a general overview of what happens, without spoiling anything. A good premise contains, explicitly or by implication, four key elements of the story: who the protagonists are, what... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$10.00 $5.00
|
Adventure is the Third Pillar of Fantasy Storytelling
Any System! Any Setting! This book is about story. I named it Adventure Theory because it’s a more compelling title for tabletop roleplaying gamers, but it’s only one component of a great fantasy adventure. To have a compelling adventure, you need solid characters and an interesting setting as well as a moderately... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$10.00 $5.00
|
Using Arcane Magic to develop Characters, Worldbuilding, and Adventures
Arcane magic is a foundational element of tabletop fantasy. Whether you’re drawing upon the concepts of Vancian magic as interpreted by Gygax and Arneson, or embracing pseudo-historical tradition of Hermeticism, the ability to manipulate supernatural energy and cast spells is an important part of the genre. With no arcane... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$8.00 $4.00
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Characters are the First Pillar of Fantasy Adventure!
Any System! Any Setting! You’ve created fantasy roleplaying characters before. Odds are that the focus of the system you used was on the crunchy bits. The process tacked background details on at the end that may not have been relevant to the adventures you played. Most of the time, your character’s back story... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$10.00 $5.00
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Using Clerics in Worldbuilding and Adventure Design
Any System! Any Setting! Clerics bring a sense of mythology to a fantasy world. They validate the existence of deities. Their beliefs reflect the morals and ethics of their religion, if not the broader cultures of the setting. The magic they utilize is different because it is divinely bestowed for faithfulness... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$8.00 $4.00
|
Using Fantasy Cultures and Races to develop Characters, Worldbuilding, and Adventures
In the context of a fantasy world, culture can mean a lot of things. Often people reduce it to what tabletop games traditionally call race. Elves are magical, learned, and like nature. Dwarves are sassy, temperamental, and like to party. It’s not so much a collection of cultural markers, or even ethnic markers,... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$10.00 $5.00
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Using Divine Magic to develop Characters, Worldbuilding, and Adventures
Divine magic is an element of tabletop fantasy with that’s seen a lot of changes. Originally intended to help emulate vampire hunters in Hammer Horror films (seriously) by allowing characters to turn and disrupt the undead, it’s grown to encompass a whole spectrum of real-world religious influences, mythology, and... [click here for more] |
Dancing Lights Press |
$8.00 $4.00
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