THE INSTITUTE!
Pushing the Boundaries of Table-Top Gaming Since Next Tuesday
Welcome to… THE INSTITUTE!
THE INSTITUTE! is the laboratory, portfolio, and nom-de-plume of table-top gaming writer Harlen Eherenman. If you’re looking for content that delights, invigorates, or pushes the boundaries of all known mortal consequence, you’ve come to the right place.
For Inquiries, Commissions, and Idle Conversation, Please Contact: itstheinstitute@gmail.com
THE INSTITUTE! Internal Bulletin
On Incomplete Worldbuilding & Elden Ring
So, like everyone else, I’ve been playing Elden Ring. I’m a huge fan of the From Software games when it comes to worldbuilding. There’s just something about how it feels to wander around in these worlds. You have this feeling that everything in them hints at this bigger, broader existence that you’re not quite in…
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The Cold & Hungry Sea
A 5th Edition adventure written for cosplayer and D&D content creator Ginny Di, released with her album Songs to Drown Sailors To. Distributed in digital and physical formats, this adventure contains a self-contained quest, unique stat-blocks, and everything you need to fear the ocean’s depths.
CRYPTID: A Game of Small-Town Monsters
An original table-top RPG, where players collaborate to create, develop, and play as their own Cryptid. Includes rules for generating both a unique legendary creature, as well as the small town it haunts. Originally written for Folklore Jam 2020, CRYPTID has since been reprinted in Tabletops & Tentacles.
The Lady of the Soil – a 5e Warlock Patron
A Warlock Patron for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, written in collaboration with cosplayer and D&D content creator Ginny Di for her video “Here, Have a Homebrew Warlock Patron”. Developed as a not-strictly-evil alternative to the canon Warlock patrons.
Vice & Virtue (Dungeons on a Dime)
Featured as a guest writer in Dungeons On A Dime’s spectacular fortune-telling table-top supplement Vice & Virtue. System-agnostic setting- and concept-based idea generation, used as a storytelling aid for Dungeon Masters.
The Rot-Eyed Lady – Reasons Not to Leave Your Home Tonight #1
The first entry in a series of modern-day horror monsters, for system-agnostic horror and urban fantasy games. Includes everything needed to run The Rot-Eyed Lady as a main villain in a game, from behavior, to plot hooks, to variations on the theme.
Your DM Speaks – Youtube essays on Table Top Gaming
A series of essays, tips and tricks, and rambling dissections of the table-top gaming hobby. Written for both entry-level and experienced players, with the express purpose of welcoming newcomers to the table-top scene. Featured at Denver Pop Culture Con 2019.
Check out THE INSTITUTE! on itch.io!
For all new releases from THE INSTITUTE!, check out Harlen’s work at their itch.io store! From full-length 5th edition adventures to system-agnostic supplements, zines, and more. There’s always something cooking at THE INSTITUTE!
All content © Harlen Eherenman 2021
IT'S THE INSTITUTE! 