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- I Cast...Brainstorm issue 21!
I Cast...Brainstorm issue 21!
A weekly newsletter of ideas and advice for D&D Dungeon Masters, players, and fans
Dave Palmer
August 29th, 2025
In partnership with
This week — A Cartoon, Puzzle That Reveals a Hidden Room, and A Random Treasure Table for Undead
Thanks for reading I Cast…Brainstorm!, a weekly newsletter with ideas and advice to help make DM-ing and playing D&D (and other TTRPGs) easier and more fun.
You can say hello, share feedback, and let me know what you’d like to see in the newsletter at [email protected].
And please share our link with your friends and fellow gamers, so they can join us, too. https://icastbrainstorm.beehiiv.com/
Let’s brainstorm some fun!
In this issue...
The Wizard Says…
“We shoulda brought more clerics!”
This was a fun week for games!
Despite a new, challenging and really fun gig, I found time to prep for my regular Tuesday night Rime of the Frostmaiden game, and my bi-weekly game at Ye Rustic Inn, (which ended with a battle between a dragon and a hill giant battle as the PCs escaped with a golden crown)! I didn’t DM my Sunday game since we just finished Curse of Strahd, and I needed a breather before we dive into our next adventure, but I did get to play as Clybb, my clumsy and well-intentioned halfling fighter, as he tries to help his mates battle through Vecna: Eve of Ruin.
Last night, my friend and I play-tested an adventure I wrote (and he’ll publish) for first level characters — it’s the first adventure I’ve ever written, and the plan is for it to be part one of a nine adventure arc, taking characters from 1st through 9th level. So exciting!
I hope your week and your games are filled with fun and excitement, too!
Here’s a simple puzzle for in inn that reveals a room not found on any map.
When 6 is 9
The PCs find or hear a cryptic message: “Meet at Midnight when 6 is 9”
The message refers to an inn, the Wayward Goat, that has eight numbered rooms on one floor. The rooms are arranged along a 50’ long hallway with stairs at one end. At the far end of the hall is a large painting of a pastoral night scene in a decorative wooden frame.
All eight rooms have heavy iron numbers hanging on hooks on the right side door-jamb, (when looking down the hall at the painting, the odd numbers are on the left). The numbers aren’t nailed down — each can be lifted off its hook — and perceptive guests will notice a slight movement on a number of it’s respective door is slammed.
Only the tavern-keeper knows that the name of the painting, by a well-known local artist, is “Midnight”. If the characters examine the painting up close, a successful DC 16 Wisdom (Perception) or similar check will reveal a slight protuberance extending from the right side of its carved wooden frame right side.
If the number six is taken from its hook in the hall, and hung on the protuberance upside down (which is the only way it can fit), the weight of the iron number pulls the wooden peg down, unlatching the secret door that the painting is actually hung on. The door can then be swung out to reveal the hidden room.
What horrors or treasures lie inside is up to you.
Unusual Random Treasure for Undead Enemies
If you’re looking to add variety to the treasure found on various (corporeal) undead in your game, roll a d20 and consult the following list for an idea, or pick your favorite.
A key fob made from the preserved paw of a baby owlbear
Two gold pieces with faded markings, from a land you’ve never heard of
A red leather mask painted with wicked-looking smile
Rusted lockpicks
A desiccated humanoid finger
The recipe for alchemist fire written on a torn piece of parchment
A jeweled signet ring from a well known and powerful noble house
A faded map with a place where two rivers meet, clearly marked with a circle and the words “King’s ransom”
A yo-yo with string woven from long blond hair
A carved wooden holy symbol of Asmodeus
An expensive necklace (worth 50 gp) with a broken clasp
A copper button that slides open to reveal a small hidden compartment
A ring of three small brass keys
The knot from a noose
A crumpled love letter that smells of perfume
A finely made arrowhead (a fletcher can make it into a +1 arrow)
A small silver box with an inlaid opal design on the lid that resembles a dragon
A pair of dice made from giant knucklebones
A dirty, light blue, silk hankerchief, with a skillfully woven lace border
A ruby worth 1000 gp
Brainstorming Links
You probably already know about the folks below, who are real inspirations to me, but if not, do yourself a favor and check them out.
The Arcane Library — masterpiece adventures, and Shadowdark, too!
https://www.thearcanelibrary.com
The Angry DM — so angry….so many great ideas….
https://theangrygm.com/
DMDave — on point analysis of D&D rules, and a ton of fun ideas
https://bsky.app/profile/dmdave.bsky.social
RPGBot — whip smart critique and explanations of 5e rules
https://rpgbot.net/
Sly Flourish — a DM’s best friend who is also a better DM
https://www.slyflourish.com/
Treantmonk — years of helpful advice and clever ideas
https://www.youtube.com/@TreantmonksTemple
If you like I Cast…Brainstorm!, you might also like these amazing newsletters with more great ideas, advice and news about RPGs.
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What I’m DM-ing
We just ended our Curse of Strahd campaign via Roll20 using 2014 5th edition rules, and will transition into another campaign soon.
A weekly Rime of the Frostmaiden campaign, in-person, with 2024 5th edition rules
A series of one-shots in a bi-weekly game at a bar in LA. If you’re interested in joining in, invites are sent via the Partiful app, and you can sign up at Ye Rustic Inn — 1831 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, California.
Two different campaigns with my kids, (Rime and Storm Kings Thunder) when schedules align
What I’m Playing
Vecna: Eve of Ruin as Clybb Thistlebridge, a 9th level Halfling great-weapon Fighter
If you play Hearthstone, find me at BigKahuna (#1802)
Also, I just purchased all the gold-box D&D CRPGs via Humble Bundle, so I guess I’ll do a deep dive into those soon!
Gifts for Gamers
You can also check out great gifts for the gamers in your life at Total Party Kits, which features all-original designs by yours truly on shirts, hats, mugs and other gifts!
www.totalpartykits.etsy.com
I Cast…Brainstorm! subscribers can save 10% off everything in the store.
If you have an online store that sells D&D or TTRPG themed things, let me know — I’d love to add it here.
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How do you like I Cast…Brainstorm! so far? What’s working for you? What would you like to see more of? Or less of, or done in a different way? How’s the layout? Please let us know at [email protected]
The original ideas in this issue of I Cast….Brainstorm! are covered under the Creative Commons BY-SA license — all content is free to use (including commercially) and change, with proper attribution.
You can read about the license here: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en
