A Squirrel Plays

Appendix N: Inspirational and Educational Reading is from the back pages of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Dungeon Master’s Guide and it outlines the authors and works of fiction that the creators of Dungeons & Dragons encouraged us to read for inspiration. The Appendix N Book Club is our opportunity to read and discuss these books, imagine how they inspired the original iterations of the game, and to brainstorm how we can use them in our games today. Links appendixnbookclub.com - Official website spotify.com - Spotify page podcasts.apple.com - Apple Podcasts page patreon.com - Patreon page

Foundry VTT is a self-hosted, modern virtual tabletop application that revolutionized the digital RPG space upon its release in 2020. Developed by Andrew Clayton, it recently celebrated its five-year anniversary with the launch of Version 13. Unlike its subscription-based competitors, Foundry provides a powerful, high-performance environment that runs in a web browser while giving the Game Master total control over their data and hosting. It is widely considered the "Gold Standard" for power users and tactical GMs. Description Foundry VTT is built on modern web technologies (Node.js and WebGL), allowing for hardware-accelerated visuals that outclass almost any other browser-based platform. It is a "buy-once, own-forever" product where the GM hosts the server locally or via a cloud service, and players connect for free through their browser. Its true strength lies in its modularity; with thousands of community-made modules, a GM can transform the software from a simple dice roller into a fully automated, cinematic video-game-like experience. System Overview & Key Features One-Time Purchase Model There are no monthly fees or feature gating. Once you buy a license, you own the software and all future core updates. You can host an unlimited number of players, and they never have to pay a cent to join your games. Dynamic Lighting and Vision Foundry's lighting engine is best-in-class. It supports per-token vision, "fog of war" that persists between sessions, and complex light sources (like flickering torches or pulsing magical orbs) that interact realistically with walls and doors in real-time. Extensive Module Library The community has created over 2,000 free modules that add everything from "3D Dice" and "Animated Weather" to "Automated Combat" that handles math, resistance, and condition tracking automatically when a player rolls an attack. V13 "ApplicationV2" UI The 2025/2026 updates introduced a reimagined user interface. It is faster, more accessible, and allows for much better window management, reducing the "screen clutter" that previously plagued the software during complex sessions. Self-Hosting and Data Privacy Because you host the server, your maps, character sheets, and campaign notes are stored on your own hardware (or your chosen cloud provider). You aren't reliant on a third-party company's servers staying online to access your game. Massive System Support While it is famous for its "premium" level support for Pathfinder 2e and D&D 5e, Foundry supports over 200 different RPG systems, many of which feature official, high-quality modules from publishers like Free League and Paizo. Additional links foundryvtt.com - Official Foundry VTT website and Knowledge Base forge-vtt.com - The Forge (The most popular specialized hosting service for Foundry) r/FoundryVTT : Active community for support and module discovery

Seven friends. One legendary dungeon. Little to no idea what they're doing. A DCCRPG actual play of Jennell Jaquays' "Caverns of Thracia", the 1979 D&D classic recently republished by Goodman Games. Expect ham-fisted heroics, questionable decisions, and strong language. Links spotify.com - Spotify feed podcasts.apple.com - Apple Podcasts feed mrstag.bearblog.dev - Introductory blog post