Reviews
Resources
Tools, guides, and practical wisdom for running better games — curated to stay useful long after publication. If you’re looking for how things work, how to build them, or how to run a smoother table, you’re in the right place.
Use this page like a tavern notice board. Pick a path, grab what you need, and come back whenever prep feels heavier than it should.
Start with these hand-picked entry points. Hero cards are the best “first clicks.”
Featured Guides
Start Here
So, You Want to DM, Part 1
A practical introduction to Dungeon Mastering — preparation, pacing, table confidence, and the realities no rulebook explains.
Behind the Screen
Why I Chose the Alexandrian Remix
The philosophy behind remixing a published adventure — what I kept, what I changed, and how to make a module serve your table.
Homebrew Vault
How to Homebrew a Monster
Step-by-step monster design focused on balance, clarity, and story-first play — so your creations feel fair and unforgettable.
Behind the Screen
Remixing Dragon Heist
A practical look at restructuring Dragon Heist for stronger clues, cleaner pacing, and better payoffs at the table.
Behind the Screen
Behind the Screen: Designing the Road to Waterdeep
Campaign architecture, connective tissue, and the design choices that turn “sessions” into a story that lasts.
Homebrew Vault
How to Homebrew a Magic Item
Design loot that feels earned and meaningful — with power curves that don’t break your game or your narrative.
Digital Tools
Create Character in D&D Beyond
A practical walkthrough for character creation and setup — less friction, fewer missed options, faster time to play.
Tablecraft
12 Ways to Open a Session
Quick, reliable openers that create momentum — whether you’re continuing a cliffhanger or wrangling a distracted table.
Browse by Topic
Prefer to choose a lane? Start with one of these hubs.
So, You Want to DM
New to Dungeon Mastering, or looking to sharpen your approach? So, You Want to DM is a practical, experience-driven guide to running confident, engaging games — covering preparation, pacing, table management, and the realities no rulebook explains. Browse the series
Behind the Screen
Great campaigns don’t happen by accident. Behind the Screen explores the design decisions, philosophy, and structural thinking that shape long-running games — from remixing published adventures to building narrative momentum that lasts. Browse Behind the Screen
Homebrew Vault
Create content that fits your table. The Homebrew Vault offers step-by-step guides for designing monsters, magic items, feats, encounters, and more — focused on balance, clarity, and story-first design rather than raw mechanics. Browse Homebrew Vault
Digital Tools & Platforms
Use your tools with intention. These guides break down popular digital platforms and workflows — helping you streamline character creation, campaign setup, and session prep without letting technology take over the table. Browse Digital Tools
Tablecraft & Practical DMing
The moments between rolls matter. This collection focuses on evergreen table skills — opening sessions strong, managing pacing, using props effectively, and turning mechanics into meaningful narrative beats. Browse Tablecraft
Reviews
Informed impressions, not hype. The Reviews section offers thoughtful evaluations of tabletop products, tools, and supplements — focusing on real-world use, table impact, and who each product is actually for. Browse Reviews
Campaigns
Follow the story as it unfolds. Campaigns house the session recaps, timelines, and narrative records of Tales & Tankards’ ongoing adventures — preserving both the events at the table and the evolving worlds they shape. Browse Campaigns
Resources
Not sure where to start? The Resources hub acts as a curated index — pointing you toward evergreen guides, cornerstone content, and practical tools designed to stay useful long after publication. Back to top
Looking for something specific? Check the hub that matches your goal — then follow the internal links like signposts. This library will expand over time, but it will always stay curated.
