Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes

Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes Release Date Announced

What time is it D&D fans? It's time to get excited! A brand new hardcover Dungeons and Dragons book is scheduled to be released on May 29, 2018, and from what we know so far it's going to be a doozy.

Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes

On Friday, Wizards of the Coast announced the latest expansion of Dungeons and Dragons 5E: Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes. Like previous releases, this latest tome will be part rule book and part lore book. Written from the perspective of Mordenkainen, an esteemed wizard from the world of Greyhawk, Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes will focus on the multiverse and new monsters.

Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes Cover

Release Date

As mentioned above, the book's announced release date is May 29, 2018. Here's a few other details that will get gamers excited:

  • Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes will be a hardcover release
  • The book will be 256 pages
  • Content will focus on the D&D multiverse and new monsters
  • There will be a regular and variant cover for collectors.

Official Description

Here's the Wizards of the Coast official description for Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes to help whet our appetites:

This tome is built on the writings of the renowned wizard from the world of Greyhawk, gathered over a lifetime of research and scholarship. In his travels to other realms and other planes of existence, he has made many friends, and has risked his life an equal number of times, to amass the knowledge contained herein. In addition to Mordenkainen's musings on the endless wars of the multiverse, the book contains game statistics for dozens of monsters: new demons and devils, several varieties of elves and duergar, and a vast array of other creatures from throughout the planes of existence.

Final Thoughts

As excited as I was for Xanathar's Guide To Everything, I'm more psyched for Mordenkainen’s . I'm hoping this latest book will open up new adventures and stories based in legendary Greyhawk, one of the earliest D&D campaign settings. Fingers crossed!

Until next time fellow travelers! Happy adventuring!

February 04, 2018 — Shane Scarbrough
Tags: RPG News
Inflatable D20 Dice

Giant Inflatable d20 Dice Are Back!

I have some good news :) Giant Inflatable d20 dice are back! It's been years, but the dice are finally being produced again. The dice were always a big hit with gamers, and we just received our first shipment.

Inflatable D20 Dice

The giant Inflatable d20 is the brainchild of Crystal Caste. When they first came out, CC would toss a few out at GenCon while the crowd was waiting in line. As you can imagine, good times ensued -- the dice were batted around like beach balls at a rock concert.

Initially, the Inflatable d20 was produced in 4 colors: black, red, blue, and green. The colors were a limited production run, and tended not to be released at the same time (though there was some overlap). The dice were a fixture not only at gaming conventions, but were a novelty item used on game nights, parties, and even weddings.

Back In Production

Sadly, about four years ago, the Inflatable d20 dice were retired. It happens with many products in the gaming space -- certain items get shelved so new products can be released.

Needless to say, we here at Dark Elf Dice were disappointed. All of us were big fans of the giant dice because they were so different and our customers really liked them. I lost track of all the conversations I had with the good folks at Crystal Caste regarding the Inflatable d20's, and I practically begged the company to bring 'em back.

I'm not sure how much of an influence my whining had in the decision to bring the dice back, but regardless they're here! This time around CC has released two colors at the same time: both black and red. At this point I'm not certain if the other colors are coming, but hopefully they will. There's even rumors that a purple d20 will be released.

If you're interested in checking out the Inflatable d20's please do so here.

Until next time fellow travelers! I hope everyone gets a chance to hang with friends this weekend and do some gaming. Happy adventuring!

January 26, 2018 — Shane Scarbrough
Miniatures Game Table

Best Miniatures Game Table Ever

As most of you know, I'm really a big fan of game miniatures. Ever since I started playing D&D, I've been a mini collector and painter. Although most tabletop roleplaying games can be played with pen, paper, and an active imagination, I'm a firm believer that miniatures add a sense of epic excitement to a game.

Miniatures Game Table

Recently, one of the FaceBook pages I follow, Tabletop Tribe, shared a few photos of one of the best miniatures game tables that I've ever seen. This monster table was created by Rick Koeppen for a new dungeon crawl game that he created, Arrows & Blades (you can follow Rick's Facebook page here). The game table has covered sections to hide the main dungeon in order to avoid spoiling secrets for players. Rick's game table is not only inspiring, but it makes me want to up my game as well!

Best Miniatures Game Table 1

Best Miniatures Game Table 2

RPG Miniatures

Until next time fellow travelers! If you haven't had a chance to do so, be sure to check out our huge selection of game miniatures. While we unfortunately can't sell awesome tables like Rick's, we do offer affordable game mats to help Game Masters and players tell their exciting stories. Happy adventuring!

January 22, 2018 — Shane Scarbrough
D&D Cosplay Gen Con 50

Amazing D&D Cosplay For Gen Con 50

Back in June, I wrote about the amazing D&D cosplay project one of our awesome customers created for this year's Gen Con gaming convention (if you missed the blog post you can read it here). Eric created two wizard staffs that completely blew us away, but that was just the beginning!

D&D Cosplay

This year marks Gen Con's 50th anniversary, and for this historic event Eric went all in with his Red Wizards of Thay costumes. This is Dungeons and Dragons cosplay at its absolute finest, and Eric did an amazing job. Here are a few highlights:

  • For his mask, he added eerie LED lights and a voice modulator (controlled by his wizard's staff). He also added an ingenious internal cooling system and a two-way communication system for his handler.
  • To pay homage to Gen Con 50, he sculpted a center piece with the convention's name and logo lit with matching LEDs.
  • He put awesome D&D spell book graphics on canvas, and his wife made them each matching swag bags.
  • To make the costumes' gemstones, he used LEDs and diffused the light with hot glue to give the gems a special glowing effect.

I'm absolutely convinced that Eric would take 1st place at the costume contest, but he already took 1st place at last year's Gen Con and alas won't again be taking the stage. No matter though, his amazing D&D cosplay will be an instant hit and give attendees both thrills and chills. The Red Wizards of Thay are descending on Indianapolis! Great job, Eric. Everyone here at Dark Elf Dice is very proud of you!

amazing D&D cosplay

D&D cosplay Red Wizards of Thay

Best D&D Cosplay

Gen Con Cosplay Bag

Wizard Cape Cosplay

Best Gen Con Cosplay

Gen Con Logo

Gen Con Gem

D&D Gems


Best D&D Cosplay 2
Gen Con Wizard Cosplay Costume
More Wizard Cosplay
Wizard Cosplay Lights
August 16, 2017 — Shane Scarbrough
Tags: RPG News
Dark Elf Dice On Tumblr

Dark Elf Dice Is Now On Tumblr

As I've said many times before, the best thing about working at Dark Elf Dice is the opportunity to connect with fellow gamers and collectors. Like you, I'm passionate about role playing games and the gaming lifestyle. Our website is a great way to meet people, and over the years I've made friends with many of our customers. Speaking on behalf of all the elves who work here, being part of Dark Elf Dice is truly a lifelong dream come true.

Social Media

When we started Dark Elf Dice, we didn't have a social media presence. It sounds crazy now, but our business was founded not long after Facebook launched. Back then, no one here understood social media or could grasp how another platform might help us connect with other gamers.

Admittedly, we're not social media experts, but we have lots of fun with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter. We like to share cool pictures of dice and follow others who share our passion.

Dark Elf Dice Tumblr

Tumblr

Recently, one of our customers suggested we check out Tumblr. I had a general idea that the platform was used for blogging, but I really didn't know much about it. Once I looked deeper into Tumblr I became intrigued.

Tumblr claims that they "empower people to create something extraordinary," and I fully believe this to be true. Yes, the platform is similar to the other social media sites, but it's differences make it truly unique.

Tumblr is a blogging tool, but it's so much more. It's a way to express yourself through writing, pictures, and whatever interests you. It's a smorgasbord of fandom, and so far I'm finding it easy to connect with other people interested in tabletop role playing games. In short, Tumblr is less of a blog, and more of a community.

I'm still learning all that Tumblr has to offer, but we started a photo blog to share our pictures. If you have a chance, take a look at our Tumblr and let me know what you think.

So there you have it, fellow travelers. Dark Elf Dice is now on Tumblr :) Until next time. Always remember that life is the greatest adventure. Appreciate each and every day, and live your life to the absolute fullest!

Dark Elf Dice Tumblr 2

July 02, 2017 — Shane Scarbrough
Tags: RPG News
mystic handworks

Mystic Handworks: Art With Soul

Back in 2005 when I started Dark Elf Dice, I didn't realize just how many amazing people I'd meet throughout the years. Yes, I had a dream of providing dice and other gaming supplies to people who shared a similar passion for RPG gaming, but I suppose I didn't anticipate the close friendships and relationships I'd make. Truly, the best part of my job is the daily human connection -- meeting people throughout the world and sharing positive stories about gaming and life.

Recently, I had the pleasure of getting to know Janean Easley. Janean and her boyfriend are avid D&D players. Over the holidays she bought two matching sets of metal dice from our shop and I came to know her remarkable story.

Mystic Handworks

Janean not only channels her creative energy into RPG gaming, but into her unique and incredible artwork. She's the founder of Mystic Handworks, an online website featuring her brilliant fiber arts.

mystic handworks purple dice bag

Finished dice bag. © Mystic Handworks.

As an artist, she began working with silver and smithing, but she soon grew discouraged with metal work, finding it difficult to make her creations match her vision. It was then that she rediscovered fiber arts -- an art form she first became interested in as a young girl. As Janean explained: "I began working with various disciplines of fiber arts when I was 12 or 13. I carried my interest further with sewing and garment construction in my early twenties."

Forgotten Techniques

Years later, Janean expanded her interest in fiber, using knitting, weaving, and spinning to focus her creative passion to handcraft works of exceptional beauty. As she told me:

Fiber art is like wool, it sticks and felts together. When you explore one aspect or technique, another pops up and grabs your interest. Before you know it, you’re trying your hand at various forms of weaving and ordering a spinning wheel. Fiber arts worked for me like nothing else in my life. I’m able to read, look at pictures, and view a video or two and be able to pick up the skill and add my uniqueness to it. I gained an intense interest in old and somewhat forgotten techniques. These vintage techniques are part of my hallmark.

The vintage techniques that Janean refers to are simply fascinating -- especially to a history and fantasy buff like myself. The dice bags pictured in this blog post were created with a technique called Nålbinding, a precursor to knitting from the Viking age. Furthermore, the drawstrings were made using a vintage braiding tool called a lucet (again, dating back to the Viking period).

mystic handworks dice bag

Dice bag shown with lucet. © Mystic Handworks.

As a true master craftswoman, Janean's fiber art isn't limited to strictly Viking forms. Her techniques include: crocheting, knitting, sewing, embroidery, needlework, inkle weaving, tablet weaving, Navaho and tapestry weaving, spinning, and lace.

Inspiration

Like many people, I've always been fascinated with the entire creative process and the passion that drives people to create beautiful things. It's not only the historical techniques, but the use of color and design in Janean's art that really speaks to me. I see both orderliness and spontaneity -- two normally polar concepts deftly melded into something fresh and new that I readily appreciate.

mystic handworks dice bag plans

Dice bag creation process. © Mystic Handworks.

When I asked Janean about what inspires her art, she told me:

I'm inspired by the resourcefulness and hardiness of our ancestors, as can be seen by my interest in formerly common techniques used in everyday life. Use of our brains and hands is becoming less and less common as our society becomes more and more automated. I keep my world a step back by learning the skills of yesterday while utilizing today's technology.

Janean's vision and inspiration are contagious. For her, fiber art is an obsession. She shares her passion by teaching privately and in workshop settings, and is also a member of the Gainesville Handweaver's Guild. Janean uses her incredible talent to truly create art with soul.

Final Thoughts

When Janean isn't gaming or working on her craft, she's busy studying to become an RN and would one day like to write instructional books for various fiber crafts. Needless to say, she keeps incredibly busy, but like any true artist she's always learning and inspiring others (including yours truly). So please be sure to visit Mystic Handworks to see the variety of amazing art she's created.

mystic handworks nalebinding technique

The nålebinding technique. © Mystic Handworks.

So there you have it, fellow travelers! As you go about your day I hope you find inspiration in Janean's story and I encourage each and everyone of us live life to the fullest. As I've said many times in the past, life is a gift -- let's make it amazing! Until next time :)

February 05, 2017 — Shane Scarbrough
Tags: RPG News
new D&D monster manual

New D&D Monster Manual Available For Pre-Order

The good folks at Wizard's of the Coast are at it again. Building on the success of Dungeons & Dragons 5e, the Wizard's of the Coast team is releasing a brand new monster manual next month on November 15, 2016.

New D&D Monster Manual

The new monster manual is titled Volo's Guide To Monsters, and it's going to be somewhat different from the encyclopedic tomes we've been comfortable with for years. In a recent interview given to Polygon, lead designer Mike Mearls explains that the new monster manual will be "more story oriented."

The book will have two storytellers that will go into narrative detail about the monsters contained within the volume:

  • Chapter 1 will feature monster lore, and will provide a high level of information for Dungeon Masters and players alike (monster origins, dispositions and behaviors, and their lairs).
  • Chapter 2 will discuss character races, including goblins and orcs.
  • Chapter 3 is a bestiary and will provide stats, lore, and rules for almost one hundred monsters (including creatures new to D&D 5e).


In total, the new D&D monster manual will have 224 pages jam-packed with information and colorful illustrations. A tome of this size and depth will surely inspire the imaginations of gamers looking to explore the world of Dungeons & Dragons.

For more information, including pre-ordering details, please visit the Wizard's of the Coast website here.

Until next time fellow travelers! Remember to make each and every day an adventure.

volos guide to monsters

October 22, 2016 — Shane Scarbrough
Tags: RPG News
dark elf dice

Welcome To The New Dark Elf Dice

Dark Elf Dice is proud to announce the release of our brand new website! The revised site actually launched last week on September 26, but we've been busy making tweaks and adjustments to the new layout since that time. Finally, we believe we're finished and things are looking just the way we want.

Dark Elf Dice New Design

Our company started selling RPG dice and gaming supplies back in 2005. Over the last eleven years our website has undergone many changes, but our recent revision is the biggest and the best yet.

Our new site was redesigned with our loyal customers and friends in mind. Our hope was to create a more modern, robust site that would better showcase the awesome products we sell and make it easier to shop. Here are just a few of the improvements we made to create a better user experience:

  • Gave the site a cleaner, more minimalist look and feel.
  • Used a responsive theme so the site looks great on any device, from small phones to high-end desktops.
  • Added SSL encryption on every single page -- not just the checkout.
  • Changed hosting providers to make the site faster than ever.
  • Added currency conversion functionality for our global guests.
  • Added a better blogging platform and social media integration.
  • Implemented auto-completion search to help our guests reach products more easily than before.
  • Added the ability to signup and be notified once out of stock items are available again.
  • Improved the checkout flow and made it easier for customers to track their orders.

Going Forward

All in all, we're very excited about the changes we made, but we're not finished yet! We're already working on adding even more amazing RPG dice and supplies to our substantial catalog to give our guests even more selection and choice. We'll be updating some older product photos as well, and plan on implementing even more exciting changes in the coming months.

Feedback Welcomed

We've already heard lots of positive things since we launched the new and improved Dark Elf Dice, but we welcome your feedback! If you have any ideas and suggestions for future improvements, please let us know. We really are committed to being the best RPG dice shop on the internet, and need your help :)

Until next time fellow travelers. Always remember that life is an amazing gift! Live each and every day to its fullest, and have yourself an adventure.

dark elf dice logos

October 08, 2016 — Shane Scarbrough
Tags: RPG News
Eades Beads: Jewelry That Tells A Story

Eades Beads: Jewelry That Tells A Story

Eades Beads is an online shop specializing in handcrafted RPG jewelry.

One of the amazing perks of working at Dark Elf Dice is the opportunity to meet new people across the globe. The RPG gaming community is a close one, with wonderful people sharing similar interests and passions including comics, movies, video games and more. The gaming culture is alive and well, and recently I had the opportunity to meet Rina Ward (aka Alina Eades) -- an RPG gamer who combines her love of gaming with art.

October 01, 2016 — Shane Scarbrough
Tags: RPG News
castle and crusades mythos

New Castles & Crusades Kickstarter Launches

Troll Lords Games announces a new Castles & Crusades Kickstarter.

Today, Troll Lord Games announced a brand new Castles & Crusades Kickstarter. Troll Lord is no stranger to Kickstarter crowdsource funding, having successfully raised money for 11 projects throughout the years, including fantasy mythology books Codex Celtarum (2012) and Codex Nordica (2013).

July 19, 2015 — Shane Scarbrough
Tags: RPG News