Greetings, fellow adventurers and world-builders!

It’s been a while—over three years, in fact—since the last post here on Tolrendor DM’s Blog. Life, as it so often does, swept me away on its own adventures, and the blog went on hiatus. During this time, I’ve navigated family milestones, professional challenges, and other quests (sadly, none involving dragons). The COVID pandemic reshaped much of our daily lives, company mergers and de-mergers brought unique hurdles, and the children (subjects of several blog posts) grew up and went off to university! But through it all, my interest in world-building and tabletop roleplaying games continued.

Now, as we enter 2025, my hope is to bring life back to the blog, rejuvenated and ready to explore new horizons!

Reflecting on the Past

When I first embarked on this blogging journey, it charted my reintroduction to playing Dungeons & Dragons within the homebrew setting of Tolrendor.

Fantasy cartography was always the cornerstone of my enjoyment, as I sought to bring my imaginary world to life in vivid detail. The process of creating these maps, whether by hand or with digital tools, was the subject of many posts, including a whole year of mapping the Profantasy Cartographers’ Annual.

During the most active years of the blog, I was playing D&D with my kids. I posted about sessions where their youthful creativity brought unexpected twists to the story, such as the dragonborn ranger’s drake companion eating the kobold guards’ baked potatoes, or devised clever solutions to seemingly insurmountable problems. The “DM for Kids” column captured these moments, showcasing how roleplaying games foster imagination, problem-solving, and family fun.

Beyond map-making, I also explored RPG technology. Virtual tabletops and character management apps were beginning to change the way we played, and I eagerly explored their potential. These tools allowed for greater accessibility and creativity, and I shared my experiences with them here on the blog. Sadly, as the RPG Tech Talk column highlighted, my opinion that there was still some way to go before my dream of [technology combining seamlessly with RPGs] could be realised.

A New Direction

As I return to the blog, I find myself excited by the possibilities that lie ahead. While some things will remain familiar, there are new frontiers to explore.

Map-making remains close to my heart, and I’ll continue to delve into this area. However, advancements in mapping software and AI-driven tools have opened up possibilities that were unthinkable just a few years ago, and I’m eager to explore and share these discoveries with you. 

The RPG landscape itself has transformed significantly since 2020. Wizards of the Coast panicked the industry with significant changes to the Open Gaming Licence (OGL). Although they of course back-tracked, this drove an industry reaction – for example Kobold Press’ Project Black Flag which has culminated in the release of the Tales of the Valiant RPG, a 5E compatible but open system. As a long-time backer of Kobold Press products, this is a subject I’ll be delving into. 

Technology in RPGs has exploded since 2020, of course significantly driven by the Covid pandemic, but also the fast-moving world of AI. Many tools and platforms have evolved, offering features that enhance gameplay in remarkable ways. Exploring these advancements and their impact on storytelling will be a key focus moving forward. From AI-driven world-building to dynamic NPCs and the generation of game session content, I’ll be diving into how this technology can augment, but never replace, the creativity and collaboration that define our games. Of course, I also have my own embryonic venture in this space.

The Adventure Continues

Tolrendor DM’s Blog is back, with a renewed focus on blending tradition with innovation. Whether you’re a seasoned Dungeon Master, a new player, or a fellow lover of world-building, there will be something here for you. Together, let’s explore the evolving frontiers of RPGs while staying grounded in the timeless magic of storytelling.

So grab your dice, dust off your maps, and prepare to embark on this new chapter with me. The world of Tolrendor—and beyond—awaits!

Stay tuned for the next post, where I’ll dive into the latest advances in RPG cartography.

Happy adventuring,