Brian R. James

• Name — Brian R. James • Born — 26 November 1974 • Birthplace — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States • Occupation — Game designer, software engineer • Awards — ENnie Awards: Best Monster/Adversary [Silver] (2012) • Genre — Role-playing games, fantasy, sci-fi • Years Active — 1996–present

Brian grew up in Arapahoe County, Colorado and attended Arapahoe High School where he led the computer club and lettered in cross country his senior year.

James got his first big break with the creation of his "Grand History of the Realms" timeline compilation that started in the late 90s. Utilizing his website at the time, he compiled lore from many disparate sources into easily referenced PDFs documents that allowed fans to reference each of his entries. This work eventually caught the eye of senior Wizards of the Coast developers, was purchased by the company and then published as a print sourcebook: The Grand History of the Realms. Since then, James has gone on to co-author (and contribute) to many 4th Edition D&D products, including the award-winning sourcebook Monster Vault: Threats to the Nentir Vale (2011). He later led the design of Menzoberranzan: City of Intrigue (2012), covering the sinister underdark metropolis famous for birthing the drow Drizzt Do'Urden. James continues to contribute to Dragon and Dungeon magazines; focusing primarily on content for the Forgotten Realms and Planescape fantasy settings. In 2013 James teamed up with his younger brother Matt James to form Vorpal Games. Their first independent venture is the RED AEGIS Roleplaying Game. A number of artists and designers have been linked to the project, including industry legend Ed Greenwood. RED AEGIS was funded via a Kickstarter campaign in August 2013 that raised $66,254 from 823 backers. In 2017 James transitioned from tabletop game design into electronic game design, compiling lore for the EverQuest franchise, and the PlanetSide franchise.

• Year — Title — Role(s) • 2020 — PlanetSide franchise — Loremaster / Narrative Designer • 2017-2018 — EverQuest franchise — Loremaster

• Pathfinder 2E Gamemastery Guide (2020), designer • Pathfinder 2E Bestiary 2 (2020), designer • Giants Revisited (2012), designer

• RED AEGIS Roleplaying Game (2016), lead designer/publisher

• Iron Kingdoms Unleashed: Wild Adventure (2016), designer

• Menzoberranzan: City of Intrigue. (2012), lead designer • Monster Vault: Threats to the Nentir Vale. (2011), designer - ENnie Award winner • Demonomicon. (2010), designer • Underdark. (2010), contributor • Dragon Magazine Annual. (2009), contributor • Open Grave: Secrets of the Undead. (2009), designer • Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide. (2008), designer • Grand History of the Realms. (2007), lead designer

• Corvis Codex: Plagues and Pestilence, No Quarter #52 (2014) • Ecology of the Modron, Dragon #414 (2012) • Demonomicon of Iggwilv: Shemeshka the Marauder, Dungeon #205 (2012), co-author • Chessenta, Dungeon #178 (2010) • Deities & Demigods: Torog, Dungeon #177 (2010) • Vaasa, Dungeon #177 (2010) • Monument of the Ancients, Dungeon #170 (2010), co-author • Sarifal, Dragon #376 (2009) • Ecology of the Sharn, Dragon #373 (2009) • Playing Dhampyr, Dragon #371 (2009) • Hall of the Frostmaiden, Dragon #367 (2008) • Cormyr, Dragon #365 (2008) • Spellplague: The Wailing Years, Dragon #362 (2008) • Grand History of the Realms: The Moonshaes, Dragon #362 (2008) • Ironfang Keep, Dragon #361 (2007) • Age of Sail, Part I, Candlekeep Compendium Volume IX (2007) • Reign of Dragons, Candlekeep Compendium Volume IV (2005)

• Web-based visual development environment, co-inventor

• The Tome Show 205 Menzoberranzan: City of Intrigue (12/03/2012) • The Tome Show 178 Monster Vault - Threats to the Nentir Vale (06/30/2011) • The Tome Show 143 Demonomicon (07/28/2010)