The Mongrel Dogs Who Teach

Author: mongreldogs

  • Cursed Items in D&D: Why I don’t like them; how I intend to use them differently

    —

    by

    mongreldogs
    in

    I’m no historian of D&D, but it seems to me that cursed items as written are a relic of what I like to call the Jerk Age of D&D. Early in the game, the relationship between dungeon master and players was antagonistic. The role of the DM was to throw obstacles in the PCs’ path,…

  • Flags of Freedom

    Flags of Freedom

    —

    by

    mongreldogs
    in , , ,

  • On racism and candy

    —

    by

    mongreldogs
    in , ,

    I originally wrote this in 2015 on Facebook, in response to a meme that ticked me off. (Since the original meme link has decayed, I’m appending a screenshot.) In light of Senate Majority Leader McConnell’s self-serving and tone-deaf comments on reparations, I thought it still a propos. At the least it serve as conclusive proof…

  • Jauf, human fighter

    Jauf, human fighter

    —

    by

    mongreldogs
    in ,

    Just Another Uninteresting Fighter I’m steadily making spare characters for D&D 5e, partly to help me gain insight into game mechanics while I work on my Musketeers-inspired campaign, but mostly because it’s a fun exercise. I don’t usually do fighters so I thought it was time to give it a try. I’l say this: D&D…

  • Marvek, halfling warlock

    Marvek, halfling warlock

    —

    by

    mongreldogs
    in

    This is Marvek, my second D&D character. (It’s for a one-shot, so don’t worry — Jeribon is still alive and well.) Warlocks are a new class — new to me, at least, as they weren’t in AD&D. They’re an odd type of spellcaster, who has few slots but recharges quickly. I have a custom character…

  • It must be tough being a film critic

    —

    by

    mongreldogs
    in ,

    and always having to say something supposedly original and hopefully contrary. The thesis of this article in Deadspin is that Avengers Endgame suffers because it dives headfirst into the mythology and doesn’t pause or slow down for any non-fans watching. I’m just gonna say it: That’s just dumb. (No spoilers for Endgame — it’s safe…

  • Jeribon

    Jeribon

    —

    by

    mongreldogs
    in ,

    Update 2019 May 8: Here’s Jeribon’s 3rd-level character sheet. I’m getting back into D&D, hopefully, and I’m starting with Jeribon, a gnomish rogue. In the best traditions of the Internet, I’ve just stolen this image (from http://wow.blizzgame.ru/gallery/hazlow-mudshuggle-by-matt-cavotta/ ) until I can figure out one for myself. Backstory Jeribon was a young gnome at the time…

  • The Orville v. Discovery: Small reference Pools

    —

    by

    mongreldogs
    in

    I was watching a YouTube video comparing The Orville to Star Trek: Discovery. As it went on, it became almost surreal. At first, it was fine. The YouTuber likes The Orville over ST:D, because it feels more like “classic Trek” — which is a reasonable opinion, and one I more or less agree with. But…

  • Movies 2019

    Movies 2019

    —

    by

    mongreldogs
    in ,

    Aquaman (12/27/2018) Bumblebee (1/3/2019) Teen Titans Go! To The Movies (2/16/2019, Google Play) Captain America: The First Avenger (3/15/2019, rewatch, amazon rental) Captain America: The Winter Soldier (3/16/2019, rewatch, amazon rental) Captain America: Civil War (3/17/2019, rewatch, amazon) Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse (3/20/2019, amazon rental) Captain Marvel (3/21/2019, AMC Southroads) Little (4/22/2019, B&B Starworld) Avengers…

  • Books 2019

    Books 2019

    —

    by

    mongreldogs
    in , ,

    A Song for Arbonne by Guy Gavriel Kay This was a re-read for me, as it just became available on Kindle.  It in fact wrapped up my complete re-read of Kay’s fiction, which I mostly handled in 2018. Grant by Ron Chernow After reading the award-winning (and musical-inspiring) Hamilton by Chernow, I was moved to pick this…