A Prehistoric Safari in Your D&D Campaign: "A Time Traveler’s Guide to Dinosaur Hunting" Roars onto Kickstarter
The world of Dungeons & Dragons is filled with fantastical creatures, from dragons and beholders to mind flayers and gelatinous cubes. But what if your campaign craved a touch of prehistoric power? What if your players could face off against a Tyrannosaurus Rex, befriend a pack of Velociraptors, or even ride a Triceratops into battle? "A Time Traveler’s Guide to Dinosaur Hunting," a new project currently seeking funding on Kickstarter, offers precisely that, bringing the thunderous power of dinosaurs crashing into the realm of tabletop role-playing.
Conceived from the combined passions of a fiction-writing father and his dinosaur-loving son, this ambitious project aims to inject the thrill of paleontological discovery into the D&D experience. Inspired by the growing trend of multiversal storytelling, creator Darryl T. Jones envisions a system where players can traverse time and space, encountering these magnificent beasts in a variety of settings. The project promises not just a bestiary brimming with prehistoric creatures, but also a series of interconnected adventures that form a sprawling, multiversal campaign. Players could find themselves battling an undead Giganotosaurus in one moment, and then seamlessly return to the familiar landscapes of the Forgotten Realms the next. This inherent flexibility allows Dungeon Masters to easily integrate these prehistoric encounters into existing campaigns, adding a unique and unexpected twist to their players’ journeys.
The creative force behind "A Time Traveler’s Guide to Dinosaur Hunting" extends beyond its initial concept. Jones has assembled a team of experienced D&D writers and designers, including industry veterans like Jeff Grubb, known for his extensive work on various D&D settings and sourcebooks. This collaborative effort promises a rich and engaging experience, drawing on the expertise of individuals deeply familiar with the nuances of D&D game design. The team’s goal is to create a dynamic and versatile system that caters to a wide range of playstyles, from thrilling combat encounters to opportunities for player interaction and even domestication of these ancient behemoths.
Beyond the clash of claws and teeth, "A Time Traveler’s Guide to Dinosaur Hunting" also caters to players who prefer a more nuanced approach to these prehistoric creatures. Inspired by the popular portrayal of dinosaur training in films like "Jurassic World," the project introduces mechanics for taming and befriending dinosaurs. Players will have the opportunity to form bonds with these magnificent beasts, utilizing their unique abilities and strengths as valuable allies in their adventures. This opens up exciting new possibilities for character development and gameplay, allowing players to forge unique connections with the prehistoric world.
The project introduces the innovative "Aggression and Taming" system, assigning each creature an Aggression rating that, combined with its Challenge Rating (CR), determines its tamability. This system provides Dungeon Masters with valuable insights into dinosaur behavior, guiding their interactions with players and shaping the narrative of encounters. It adds a layer of realism and complexity to the game, moving beyond simple combat scenarios and encouraging more dynamic and engaging interactions with the prehistoric ecosystem. Furthermore, a new player class, the "beastkin," specifically focuses on creature taming, offering players a dedicated path for forging bonds with dinosaurs and other beasts.
"A Time Traveler’s Guide to Dinosaur Hunting" will be presented in two comprehensive volumes. The first book will contain player options, including new races, classes, and the aforementioned taming rules, alongside a collection of exciting adventures that can be played as standalone stories or woven together into a larger campaign. The second book will be a dedicated bestiary, a treasure trove of dinosaur stat blocks, encompassing both well-known species like the Tyrannosaurus Rex and lesser-known, but equally fascinating creatures. This bestiary promises a diverse array of prehistoric fauna, from the tiny, gliding Yi Qi to the fearsome, mind-controlling Rehausaurus, ensuring that encounters remain fresh and engaging throughout the campaign.
Among the many creatures featured in the bestiary are some truly unique and imaginative creations. The Razor-toothed Compy, a cybernetically enhanced Compsognathus equipped with laser beams and pack tactics, blends science fiction with paleontology. The Helicoprion, a shark-like predator with a spiral of teeth, adds a touch of aquatic terror to the prehistoric landscape. And for players seeking a truly bizarre encounter, the Squid-Faced Velociraptors, genetically altered minions of the mind flayers, offer a chilling blend of the familiar and the utterly alien. This creative approach to dinosaur design promises a diverse and memorable experience, pushing the boundaries of the traditional D&D monster manual.
"A Time Traveler’s Guide to Dinosaur Hunting" offers a unique blend of scientific fascination and fantastical adventure, promising to enrich D&D campaigns with the raw power and majesty of the prehistoric world. With its detailed bestiary, engaging adventures, and innovative player options, this project has the potential to become a valuable resource for Dungeon Masters and players alike. The Kickstarter campaign, running through February 13, 2025, provides an opportunity to support this exciting project and bring a touch of the Mesozoic Era to your tabletop. The anticipated release date is set for Q3 2026, giving eager players ample time to prepare for their own prehistoric expeditions.
