Welcome to Curious Quill, an original content resource for d20 roleplaying.

The Quill already spent a season each on dwarves, elves, urchins (smalfolk) and orcs. Along with humans, these are considered the ‘civilized’ people of the world. But there are other mortal beings across the land. Follow the posts this season and the mortals tag to learn more about other sentient beings of Taluma and fantasy settings in general.

Lore Kevin Frank Lore Kevin Frank

Mortals:Fiends

The Quill already spent a season each on the ‘civilized’ people including: dwarves, elves, urchins (smalfolk) and orcs; along with humans. There are other mortal beings across the land. Mortals are considered to be sentient people who have a finite existence and are subject to death: they are not immortal.

Our first classification of mortals are fiends. Fiends are mortals with infernal heritage, originally the offspring of demons and devils. This includes demonkin or lesser demons, who are the result of two infernals or an infernal and another mortal mating, and the orc and their kin who are offspring of demons and mortals.

Read More
Lore Kevin Frank Lore Kevin Frank

Construction Werk: Customizing Traits

There are often many ways to build characters with similar abilities, and finding the best option(s) to choose can be challenging, but challenging can be fun and rewarding. In the Construction Werk feature we will look at various tips and recommendations on the early phases of creating a character versus builds into even the early levels. This is about creating a solid foundation for your character.

This time we will look at how to use your imagination and creativity to, with the DMs approval, change the descriptions of things as long as they have the same effects.

Read More
Lore Kevin Frank Lore Kevin Frank

Sub-Classes: Alternative ‘Rogue’ Builds

In the substitute classes (Sub-Classes) features we will look at ways to make different classes work in similar ways through combinations of backgrounds and class and subclass selections along with class feature and spell selection. This time we will look at how to build characters similar to the rogue class: a martial melee weapon martial fighter with stealth, mobility, many skills, and the ability to increase their damage.

Read More about making an skulker.

Read More
Lore Kevin Frank Lore Kevin Frank

Construction Werk: Character Themes

There are often many ways to build characters with similar abilities, and finding the best option(s) to choose can be challenging, but challenging can be fun and rewarding. In the Construction Werk feature we will look at various tips and recommendations on the early phases of creating a character versus builds into even the early levels. This is about creating a solid foundation for your character.

This time we will look at how to build characters by using a theme or motif for the character and making selections based on that.

Read More
Lore Kevin Frank Lore Kevin Frank

Construction Werk: Feat vs. Multi-Class

There are often many ways to build characters with similar abilities, and finding the best option(s) to choose can be challenging, but challenging can be fun and rewarding. In the Construction Werk feature we will look at various tips and recommendations on the early phases of creating a character versus builds into even the early levels. This is about creating a solid foundation for your character.

This time we will look at a possibly big decision, whether to multi-class or get your first Feat.

Read More
Lore Kevin Frank Lore Kevin Frank

Sub-Classes: Alternative ‘Barbarian’ Builds

In the substitute classes (Sub-Classes) features we will look at ways to make different classes work in similar ways through combinations of backgrounds and class and subclass selections along with class feature and spell selection. This time we will look at how to build characters similar to the barbarian class, a melee weapon fighter that can increase their damage.

Read More about making an alternative raging warrior.

Read More
Lore Kevin Frank Lore Kevin Frank

Construction Werk: Order of Operation

There are often many ways to build characters with similar abilities, and finding the best option(s) to choose can be challenging, but challenging can be fun and rewarding. In the Construction Werk feature we will look at various tips and recommendations on the early phases of creating a character versus builds into even the early levels. This is about creating a solid foundation for your character.

This time we will look at our recommended order to make your initial selections at 1st-Level, which is applicable even if your campaign starts at a higher level.

Read More
Lore Kevin Frank Lore Kevin Frank

Sub-Classes: Alternative ‘Paladin’ Builds

In the substitute classes (Sub-Classes) features we will look at ways to make different classes work in similar ways through combinations of backgrounds and class and subclass selections along with class feature and spell selection. This time we will look at how to build characters similar to the paladin class, combining melee weapon combat with divine/radiant magic.

Read More about making an alternative radiant warrior.

Read More
Lore Kevin Frank Lore Kevin Frank

Clever Featwork: Unarmed Fighting

In the Clever Featwork features we will look at ways to use Feats (Origin and Regular) to not only provide benefits but also flavor and distinctiveness to your characters. Sometimes it may be a different way to look at them, others it will be ways to combine them. These explorations won’t be to optimize characters to do the most damage they can, but to develop interesting and unique characters with the abilities you want them to have. This time we are going to look at Tavern Brawler and other Feats that can enhance Unarmed Fighting, if you don’t take a class that makes it viable

Read More about creative ways to improve Unarmed Fighting.

Read More