The Portal Log

RPG guides, dark fantasy lore, creator notes, free resources, and behind-the-scenes stories from My Cat Portal Studio.

Step through the portal. Find strange worlds, useful tools, and stories worth bringing to the table.

LORE

The Rotten Few, Episode 4: Mercy Step

Mara carries a sealed lamp-heart into Mercy Step with one warning: if it sings, do not answer. Episode 4 of The Rotten Few begins with a delivery and a bad feeling.

July 13, 2026 13 min read

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LORE

The Rotten Few, Episode 4: Mercy Step

Mara carries a sealed lamp-heart into Mercy Step with one warning: if it sings, do not answer. Episode 4 of The Rotten Few begins with a delivery and a bad feeling.

Jul 13, 2026 13 min read

GAME MASTER TIPS

How to Start Playing D&D Without Losing Your Mind

Want to start playing D&D without drowning in books, editions, tools, and online arguments? Here is the short path into your very first session.

Jul 06, 2026 10 min read

GAME MASTER TIPS

Power Needs Consequences: A DM Guide to Min-Maxing in D&D

A strong D&D character can make a campaign better. The danger starts when power has no cost, no attention, and no consequence.

Jul 06, 2026 17 min read

GAME MASTER TIPS

Why We Built the La Notte Eterna Currency Converter

Money should cause trouble in La Notte Eterna. Here’s how the free Currency Converter helps DMs track coin value, exchange fees, local trust, and story consequences without stopping the session.

Jul 05, 2026 19 min read

GAME MASTER TIPS

A Free La Notte Eterna Calendar & Moon Tracker for Game Masters

The free La Notte Eterna Calendar & Moon Tracker helps Game Masters track dates, Moon phases, festivals, travel, and story pressure during play.

Jul 05, 2026 15 min read

LORE

The Rotten Few, Episode 03: The Dead Man’s Finger

Senn brings the severed finger to Varek Nine-Lies, and the Drain starts closing around them. Episode 03 of The Rotten Few pulls La Notte Eterna’s underworld into sharper danger.

Jul 01, 2026 16 min read

GAME MASTER TIPS

Challenge Rating Is Broken: How DMs Should Actually Balance Encounters

Challenge Rating helps you choose the neighborhood of danger. It cannot see your table. Here’s how DMs can balance D&D encounters with action economy, resources, terrain, objectives, and monster behavior.

Jun 30, 2026 13 min read

GAME MASTER TIPS

Should Character Death Stick in D&D?

Character death in D&D should matter, but it doesn’t have to end the story. Learn how to handle death saves, resurrection, and the fallout after the last breath.

Jun 24, 2026 13 min read

LORE

Lamp Debt: The Rotten Few, Episode 02

In the Ward of Lanterns, heat is measured, lamps keep debt, and Mara Vey steals warmth one strip at a time. The Rotten Few continues in La Notte Eterna.

Jun 23, 2026 15 min read

GAME MASTER TIPS

How to Use Possession, Curses, and Mind Control Without Taking Away Player Choice

Possession, curses, blood hunger, and forced transformation can make dark fantasy sing. Here’s how Game Masters can threaten characters without turning players into spectators.

Jun 22, 2026 13 min read