Game Master's Journey

Today I’m discussing PC backstories and how to bring them into the story of your campaign. I’ll give advice not only for GMs, but also for players on how to better give the GM what she needs in order to bring your backstory into the main narrative. Not only will using these character hooks enrich the story of your game, but it will also increase player buy-in and engagement. I also talk a bit about the new player options for D&D being released in the new Unearthed Arcana articles and how you can, and should, make your voice heard.

Today I return to the topic of gaming between sessions. How do we keep the story going, and keep players engaged, in between our gaming sessions? I’ve got some great ideas from listeners that I’ll share with you.

Today I’ll discuss some revisions I’m considering for Primordia as I begin preparations for my first campaign in the setting. I’ll also answer a few remaining listener questions about the setting. This is a great example of how worldbuilding is a process that never truly ends. Never be afraid to make necessary revisions to your setting, even when you already have campaigns up and running. 

Shane of the Total Party Thrill podcast joins me today to discuss gaming between sessions. We explore strategies you can use as a GM to keep player engagement and interest high in between your gaming sessions.

Today I answer listener questions about my homebrew D&D world, Primordia. Some of the topics discussed include the underdark of Primordia, the fae of Primordia, and traveling to Primordia from other worlds.

Today I resume discussion of my homebrew D&D world of Primordia. I talk about how some of my assumptions about the world have come into conflict with running actual adventures in the world and the solutions I found to the dilemma. I also discuss what adventures in Primordia will be like, and I talk more about the Wilds of Primordia and what kinds of things you’ll find out there. What makes Primordia unique, and what will the life of an adventurer really be like in Primordia?

I give my full review of Storm King’s Thunder, the new published D&D campaign by Wizards of the Coast.

Welcome to season 7 of Game Master's Journey! I’ve gotten some great feedback on episode 124, which was on theater of the mind play, and I’ll share some of that feedback with you today. I’ll also share a tip on how to handle initiative in such a way as to not disrupt the flow, momentum and pacing of your session.

Today I’m going to discuss using theater of the mind as GMs. I’ll give some benefits and challenges as compared to using miniatures and a grid, and I’ll pull in some opinions from listener-GMs. Finally, I’ll share some strategies to help you make theater of the mind work for you and your group.

Storm King's Thunder has more to offer than just an adventure. I discuss some of the early highlights of this book and thoughts they've inspired, including giving DMs and players choices when handing out "random" magic items, how to use the coins in treasure hoards to help keep PC wealth where you want it, and some ideas on what to do if you have a TPK. I also discuss how the adventure gives the players special NPCs to play, and how we can use its enhanced monsters as a springboard of inspiration for creating our own bad-ass one-of-a-kind monsters.

If you're looking for an extensive review of Tome of Beasts by Kobold Press, then you've come to the right place! I dig into this new monster manual for D&D fifth edition in detail. Will this book be right for you, your game, your setting and your group? You'll have to decide for yourself, but I'll give you the knowledge you need to make an educated decision.

Today I’m going to discuss the latest revision of the ranger class for D&D released by Wizards of the Coast in the latest Unearthed Arcana. Has Wizards effectively addressed and solved the problems with fifth edition's ranger?

I’ve gotten a lot of great feedback on episode 119, in which I discussed the expansion of Elandria, and some more feedback on episode 118 and the Old Magic of Primordia. I’ll go over some of that feedback, and my thoughts on it, in this episode.

Today, I’m pulling in some listener feedback to guide a discussion on the expansion of the city of Elandria and the planning stages of my first campaign in my homebrew world of Primordia.

Today I talk a little about the legendary Old Magic of Primordia. This will exist solely in the realm of DM Fiat. Maybe it isn't even magic at all....

Today's topic is making rulings on the fly as a GM--specifically, calling for rolls that aren’t necessarily covered by your system of choice. You don’t need (or want!) a game to give you a mechanic for every little thing. Once you’ve grasped the basic resolution mechanics of a game, you can apply that knowledge to resolve any crazy thing the PCs come up with to try. I’ll use the current incarnation of D&D as an example.

If your homebrew D&D world is anything like my world, Primordia, then it was a very different place at different points in its history. Exploring these other time periods can yield the perfect campaign setting for a different kind of adventure you want to run. Whatsmore, using the same locale in different time periods allows you to easily make previous campaigns more relevant.

I bring in listener feedback to further discuss The Honorable Guild of Adventurers, Explorers & Scholars. I also talk about how Primordia will have a great diversity in beliefs and religions even though there are ultimately only nine deities.

This week I discuss the benefits and responsibilities of being a member of the Guild of Adventurers. I also talk about GMs who make bard players perform at the table and how discussing your world with your players can bring a fresh perspective to your worldbuilding.

This week I’m doing another worldbuilding feedback episode—unplugged, unrehearsed and unedited! I talk more about the different branches of government and the balances of power in the city of Elandria.