Episodes

  • Episode 214 of Mastering Dungeons!

    Main topic: Memories of Gamehole Con!

    Shawn and Teos look back on all of the events they attended and lessons from attending conventions. Hear why Gamehole is so special.

    News: Claim Elemental Evil, Maps Adds Encounters, Audio-Only Drizzt, and more!

    Contents00:00 Stealing Credit Cards03:08 Cleric Subclasses Setting Only?09:21 Good Design Not Obvious?13:57 Claim Scions of Elemental Evil16:26 D&D Maps Adds Encounters19:26 Audible-Only Drizzt Novel20:32 Discord D&D Collection21:41 Ars Magica Definitive Collection23:25 Rodney Thompson List and Games25:04 MT Black World War Weird26:08 Thunder Road Vendetta RPG27:36 Draconis Peaceful 5E28:57 Gamehole Revisited29:32 Whether to Attend Conventions33:05 Wednesday Pre-Con Gatherings38:15 Thursday's Events47:32 Making the Most of Friday59:27 Packed Saturday01:04:28 Thankful Sunday Finish01:06:39 Shout-OutsThank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

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    Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

    MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

  • Episode 213 of Mastering Dungeons!

    Main topic: Want to Be a Professional Game Designer?

    Shawn and Teos tackle a question they hear often. Do you truly want to be a game designer, and if so, the steps to take to make meaningful progress.

    News: Hasbro Q3 and Layoffs, D&D 1-Shots, CR and Dimension 20 Arena Shows, and more!

    Contents00:00 Post-Gamehole Buzz03:03 Skills are Exploration?11:06 The Adventure is the Game?16:46 Campaign Without Gods or Planes?20:50 Layoffs and Q3 Hasbro Results32:47 D&D is Down34:17 How Big is D&D?35:22 DMG Lore Glossary36:41 DMG Encounter Design40:13 DM Screen Preview41:35 PH and DM High Demand43:19 D&D One-Shot Store Events44:51 Scions of Elemental Evil46:41 Critical Role and Dim 20 Arena Shows48:15 Be a Professional Game Designer?49:22 Do You Actually Want It?53:41 Mix Games with Occupation57:13 What Skills to Hone?01:05:12 Team Skills01:07:22 Making Patient Progress01:12:11 Know the Current Media01:13:05 Possible Paths01:15:17 Help People Solve Problems01:17:36 Know Your Worth and do Work01:19:26 Become a Great GM01:21:06 The Role of Conventions01:27:35 Having "It"01:29:48 Shout-OutsThank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

    Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

    Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

    MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

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  • Episode 212 of Mastering Dungeons!

    Main topic: Live from Gamehole: Create a Campaign With Us!

    Amazing fans at Gamehole Con help us create a campaign, live!

    News: Perkins’ New Job, DMG Review, What it Feels Like to Be Nr 2, and more!

    Special thanks to Dante of Ghostfire Gaming for recording and processing the audio for this episode. You are the best, Dante!

    Contents00:00 Live from Gamehole Con01:28 Number 2?02:23 What Excited Us This Week?05:14 Previous Edition Mechanic?09:28 Systems we Want to Try?11:32 Recent Influences?15:27 Our DMG Preview18:11 DMG and Greyhawk19:43 Greyhawk on DMsGuild21:55 Perkins' Last Book24:04 Trail of Cthulhu 2E26:19 Hundred Dungeons27:19 Grim Hollow Transformed27:48 Creating a Campaign Setting LiveThank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

    Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

    Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

    MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

  • Episode 211 of Mastering Dungeons!

    Main topic: Horizons Magazine with Hannah Rose!

    Hannah Rose shares how she and Clara Daly are creating Horizons Magazine and what we can expect from this issue and future quarterly issues.

    News: London Gets DMGs, D&D Movie Netflix Success, DMG Toolbox Previews, and more!

    Contents00:00 Happy Rebranding Day01:33 Character Consequences?13:48 Pivot from Curse of Strahd?20:54 First DMGs at London MCM23:38 DMG Toolbox Previews32:58 D&D Movie Big on Netflix35:38 Greyhawk 10136:52 Cultural Backgrounds 202438:33 Trapped on Cyre 131339:46 Dungeons Reforged42:09 Grim Hollow Transformed43:11 Hannah Rose44:43 Hannah and Clara55:12 Why a Magazine?58:34 Lessons from Arcadia01:01:53 Playtesting01:04:59 Mix of D&D and Other RPGs01:09:03 Desk of Many Thoughts01:11:48 How to Get Horizons01:13:07 Patreon vs Site?01:14:24 Issue 1 Contents - Travel01:18:23 Star Dragons01:19:43 Cloud City01:23:55 NPC Atraxis01:28:57 Future Plans01:34:05 Find Wildmage Press01:35:12 Shout-OutsThank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

    Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

    Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

    MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

  • Episode 210 of Mastering Dungeons!

    Main topic: Wardens of the Eastern Marches!

    Alex Kammer tells us all about Wardens of the Eastern Marches, the new organized play program from Gamehole Publishing.

    News: 2024 DMG Previews, Commander Rules Committee, Bastion is for Players, and more!

    Contents00:00 No Vaccine for Ladders02:19 Remove Mechanics for Setting?15:08 D&D Made for Conflict?31:28 DMG Previews!41:26 Bastions Preview42:04 Player Rules in the DMG?44:04 New D&D Licensed Products45:19 Commander Rules Committee Disbands50:31 Gamehole's Organized Play51:11 Real Castle Floor Plans51:46 The Best LLM is Your Brain52:58 Sorcerer's Return54:00 Grim Hollow Transformed Update55:56 Alex Kammer and Eastern Marches58:19 Importance of Organized Play01:01:35 AL at a Crossroads01:04:51 The Eastern Marches01:09:06 Setting and Alliances01:12:42 Where to Play01:13:15 3rd Party PC Options01:19:58 Exploring the Unknown01:21:08 Saying Yes to Creators01:22:59 Magic Item Certs01:26:22 Releasing Adventures01:29:16 Gamehole and 50th01:34:57 What Makes Gamehole Special01:38:39 Shout-OutsThank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

    Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

    Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

    MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

  • Episode 209 of Mastering Dungeons!

    Main topic: 5E Stat Block Changes and Building the Perfect Campaign Guide!

    We look at how 2024 5E changes stat block format, while also modifying monsters themselves. We then turn to creating the perfect campaign setting guide.

    News: 2024 5E Sales, Uni Finds Beyond, Grim Hollow Transformed, and more!

    Contents00:00 Go Broncos!00:56 Divine-Powered Goals?19:35 2024 5E Sales33:01 D&D on Vinyl34:06 Uni on Beyond36:40 Baldur's Gate 3 Minis38:10 Horizons Magazine41:15 Frontiers of Eberron's Creation43:08 Grim Hollow Transformed48:26 2024 Monster Stat Blocks50:03 Design Goal58:22 2024 Layout Changes01:03:03 Changes to the Ape01:10:34 Changes to the Imp01:14:32 Other Creature Changes01:20:45 Building the Perfect Campaign Guide01:21:37 Constraints and Assumptions01:22:40 Length01:23:55 What to Include: The Pitch01:26:25 Player Knowledge01:27:29 The World01:33:23 New Rules to Support Play01:35:56 What Might Be Included?01:39:15 Shout-OutsThank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

    Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

    Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

    MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

  • Episode 208 of Mastering Dungeons!

    Main topic: 2024 5E’s Gods and Multiverse! Final Greyhawk!

    2024 5E PH banishes all the gods and reduces the multiverse to one page and one image! We look at how this changes 5E for new players. Our final look at Greyhawk reimagines the setting format and looks at how gods and powerful organizations create interesting play.

    News: MtG Netflix Revivified, the D&D Bologna Scale, Knowing Vecna, and more!

    Contents00:00 Emptying Nests02:53 Boss Battle Origins?06:23 Codified vs Loose Rules?15:40 Sage Advice Fixes?19:37 Rest of World Healing?29:18 MtG Netflix Show Revivified31:32 What Do We Know About Vecna35:24 D&D Bologna Scale Tested39:17 Daggerheart Preorders41:10 Enter the Labyrinth43:07 2014 vs 2024 Gods and Multiverse44:45 Design Goals47:35 Planes and Gods in Older Editions52:30 2014 and 2024's Gods and Planes56:48 Is Less Information Good?01:05:07 Wrapping Up Greyhawk01:06:32 Encyclopedic Approach is Dated01:08:03 Why Greyhawk is Different01:14:32 Geography of the Flanaess01:15:45 Greyhawk's Powerful Organizations01:19:49 Greyhawk's Gods01:21:03 The Living Greyhawk Campaign01:22:26 Shout-OutsThank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

    Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

    Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

    MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

  • Episode 207 of Mastering Dungeons!

    Main topic: 2024 5E Resting Rules and Greyhawk’s Regions!

    Discover the subtle changes 2024 5E makes to short and long rests and how they compare to previous editions. We assess the potential campaigns behind the design of Greyhawk’s Rovers of the Barens, Scarlet Brotherhood, Sea Barons, Sea Princes, and Shield Lands!

    News: 2024 5E and the AL, New Ravenloft Novel, When to Explain a Crime, and more!

    Contents00:00 LEGO Mini Mania04:20 D&D Epic vs Open?09:47 Empire of the What?11:17 Explaining a Crime?15:19 Why is Medicine Useless?21:24 2024 and Adv League31:38 New Ravenloft Novel33:23 D&D Cartoon Theme Found35:18 Un Millón de Monedas40:22 Oleumancer for Draw Steel41:29 How to Create in 202442:46 2024 vs 2014: Healing and Resting43:08 Value of Conditions44:45 Design Goal for Recovery48:44 Recovery in AD&D52:17 3.5 Rest and Recovery54:05 4E Rest and Recovery57:53 2024 Long Rest Changes01:03:04 2024 Short Rest01:09:39 Rovers of the Barrens01:13:42 Scarlet Brotherhood01:18:20 Sea Barons01:20:43 Sea Princes01:24:05 Shield Lands01:28:01 Shout-OutsThank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

    Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

    Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

    MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

  • Episode 206 of Mastering Dungeons!

    Main topic: 2024 5E Conditions and Greyhawk’s Regions!

    We examine the design goals of conditions and how they have changed for 2024. We visit Greyhawk’s Paynims, Perrenland, Pomarj, Ratik, and Rel Astra to see how to make the most of kingdoms and rulers.

    News: 2024 PH Errata, Draw Steel License, Shadowdark Hex Crawl, and more!

    Contents00:00 Tastes Like Introcaso01:43 Alignment Problems?16:21 Preferred Tools VTT or Table?25:33 2024 PH Errata30:15 Time Mag on D&D33:37 BMG Organized Play Survey34:49 Draw Steel Creator License37:34 Shadowdark Hex Crawling Rules41:17 Grim Hollow Valikan Clans44:30 Jeff Stevens on PWYW46:18 Frontiers of Eberron PreOrder50:47 Conditions in 5E 2024 vs 201451:40 Design Goals01:00:07 4E and Do We Need Conditions?01:02:50 2014's Conditions01:06:43 2024 vs 201401:30:24 Greyhawk's Plains of the Paynims01:35:17 Perrenland01:37:23 Pomarj01:39:48 Ratik01:41:27 Rel Astra and Solnor Compact01:45:02 Shout-OutsThank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

    Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

    Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

    MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

  • Episode 205 of Mastering Dungeons!

    Main topic: PC Creation in 2024 5E and Greyhawk’s Regions!

    2024 changes the order for character creation… for the better? We review Greyhawk’s North Kingdom, Nyrond, Onnwal and the Pale, looking at how to make settings interesting for players.

    News: PH in Stores, PAX West Report, Greg Tito Leaves WotC, and more!

    Contents00:00 PAX West Report04:08 Hate Balance?06:32 Balance with Flavor?09:26 Weapon Mastery Compensation?14:17 D&D Direct15:54 2024 DMG and MM18:07 Translations Delayed and Changed19:18 Jess Lanzillo21:46 New Releases27:46 Sigil VTT33:39 Traveller Sold to Mongoose35:16 NPR Covers D&D36:54 Greg Tito Leaves WotC42:08 2024 PH in Stores and Beyond42:49 Free 2024 Rules46:19 2024 Really Bigger?48:00 Character Creation 2024 vs 201552:25 2024 Starts with Rules57:27 Class57:48 Origin After Class01:03:31 Mechanical Order vs Narrative01:05:13 Ability Scores01:10:37 Alignment and Details01:18:46 Greyhawk's North Kingdom01:24:58 Nyrond01:30:23 Onnwal01:33:11 The Pale01:36:59 Shout OutsThank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

    Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

    Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

    MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

  • Episode 204 of Mastering Dungeons!

    Main topic: Weapon Mastery in 2024 5E and Greyhawk’s Regions!

    2024 brings exciting Weapon Master options. We discuss the design, then turn to Greyhawk and review Ket, Lendore Isles, and Lordship of the Isles. Surf and turf!

    News: D&D Clarifies Beyond, D&D’s Secret Level and Universal Plans, and more!

    Contents00:00 Time and Friendship03:22 Conventions with Most AL?11:37 Is Passive Perction Wrong?19:32 D&D Direct21:11 Beyond Clarifications28:24 D&D Hiring Game Designer31:39 D&D on Amazon Prime32:27 Paizo Reverses Community Policy34:33 Universal D&D FanFest35:02 D&D at Rochester's Strong Museum36:00 Goodman Launches Organized Play37:03 Giantsbane Covers Planescape37:43 Cosmere is Nr 138:36 2024 Weapon Mastery39:11 Design Goals43:20 Weapon Mastery Properties54:56 DM vs Players01:01:03 Overall Thoughts01:07:59 Greyhawk and Triads01:13:13 Ket01:23:20 Lendore Isles01:27:27 Lordship of the Isles01:31:22 Shout-OutsThank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

    Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

    Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

    MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

  • Episode 203 of Mastering Dungeons!

    Main topic: Search in 2024 5E and Greyhawk’s Regions!

    D&D codifies the Search and Study actions in 2024. How does this impact gameplay? We then dive into how Greyhawk regions do or don’t create actionable history, looking into Highfolk, Ice Barbarians, Irongate, Empire of Iuz, and Keoland!

    News: Uni Adventure at PAXW, Deborah Ann Woll Teaches, Motley Fool on 2024 D&D, and more!

    Contents00:00 ODnD Mini Review02:55 What is Modularity?10:26 First Multi-Table Event?23:31 Deborah Ann Woll Teaches D&D28:18 Alt Cover PH Delayed Outside US29:21 2024 Tonal Shift?38:42 Motley Fool on D&D 202443:40 Uni Adventure at PAX West45:38 Norrøngard Tales of the Valiant46:40 Horror at Devil's Run for Foundry47:27 Search Action in 202449:22 Ludonarrative Dissonance?55:29 Search in 201457:33 2024 Search and Study Actions59:12 Feat and Spell Interactions01:04:45 The Cost of Searching01:06:59 DM Behavior01:13:30 Living Greyhawk Gazetteer01:13:59 Highfolk01:18:58 Ice Barbarians01:21:11 Irongate01:24:44 Empire of Iuz01:30:02 Keoland01:39:37 Gamehole Con Events01:40:21 Shout-OutsThank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

    Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

    Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

    MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

  • Episode 202 of Mastering Dungeons!

    Main topic: 2014 vs 2024 Exhaustion and Greyhawk’s Regions!

    Does 2024’s change to Exhaustion improve gameplay? Our new 2024 mini-review series has begun! We then dive into how Greyhawk regions showcase politics and history, looking into the Frost Barbarians, Furyondy, Gran March, and Teos’ favorite, Geoff!

    News: WotC New Influencer Policy, We Playtest Draw Steel, Satanic Panic Podcast, and more!

    Contents00:00 Draw Steel and Film07:32 Best Way to Celebrate Anniversary?17:23 Run a Complex Setting?24:14 WotC New Influencer Policy31:01 New D&D MtG32:39 Jess Lanzillo Interview39:57 Satanic Panic Podcast43:33 Story Hooks44:40 Encounter Difficulty Math46:08 Amazing Encounters & Dungeons46:53 2024 Mini-Review on Exhaustion54:56 2024's Changes01:02:36 Greyhawk's Regions!01:03:23 Frost Barbarians01:07:29 Furyondy01:09:24 Good Hook Example01:11:51 Duchy of Geoff01:15:35 Combat and Politics01:17:09 Gran March01:19:42 Wheels Within Wheels01:22:04 City of Greyhawk01:28:50 Shout-OutsThank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

    Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

    Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

    MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

  • Episode 201 of Mastering Dungeons!

    Main topic: Setting Design and Greyhawk’s Regions!

    Does a standoffish elven nation make for great play? We ponder setting design and the 2024 DMG while summarizing Greyhawk’s regions of Bissel, Blackmoor, Bone March, Bright Lands, Celene, Dyvers, and Ekbir.

    News: PH Debut and Gen Con News, Blurry Video Debacle, Cosmere Stormlight RPG, and more!

    Contents00:00 Gen Con Haul04:21 Playing in Established Settings?07:00 RAW vs Homebrew for Designers?09:19 Questions for Organized Play?19:21 Gen Con Sells Out20:36 2024 PH Debuts and News32:37 Video Blur Debacle42:32 Diana Jones and ENnies43:12 Dark Horse DnD Comics43:54 LEGO Minifigs44:42 City of Arches by Sly Flourish45:34 Brandon Sanderson Cosmere RPG46:39 Making the Most of Greyhawk Regions48:04 What 2024 May Bring49:42 Useful Design52:20 Politics vs Adventure59:02 Our Approach01:00:38 Bissel01:05:44 Blackmoor01:09:33 The Bone March01:11:14 The Bright Lands and Rary01:14:13 Celene the Elven Kingdom01:17:38 Dyvers01:20:40 Calliphate of Ekbir01:25:16 Shout-OutsThank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

    Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

    Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

    MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

  • Episode 200 of Mastering Dungeons!

    Main topic: Greyhawk’s Regions!

    The 2024 DMG will include the setting of Greyhawk. Shawn and Teos examine how the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer covers its nations and regions, using Ahlissa and the Bandit Kingdoms to ponder what makes a setting great.

    News: What is D&D’s Tabletop Revenue, Hasbro Q2 Breakdown, Why RPGs Have Mistakes, and more!

    Contents00:00 200th Birthday02:13 Reproduce Living Greyhawk?18:40 Why Does WotC Make Mistakes?27:18 Hasbro Q2 Results!35:13 D&D and Digital41:31 2024 and VTT?44:38 DD Beyond Grows to 18M46:16 Calculating D&D's Revenue51:00 MCDM RPG is Draw Steal51:48 Greyhawk Regions53:57 What Do We Want in a Setting?59:13 Gazetteer Approach01:10:13 Kingdom of Ahlissa01:13:00 Every DM's Setting the Same?01:19:11 Resources, Coins01:21:02 Peoples, Alignments, Religions01:23:45 Allies, Enemies, Overview01:26:59 History01:30:38 Conflicts and Intrigues01:37:22 The Bandit Kingdoms01:41:22 BK and Casey Brown01:47:40 Shout-OutsThank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

    Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

    Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

    MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

  • Episode 199 of Mastering Dungeons!

    Main topic: Greyhawk’s Peoples and Story!

    The 2024 DMG will include the setting of Greyhawk. Shawn and Teos examine how the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer describes species, culture, and history. And, hey, how detailed should a setting be?

    News: New WotC VP John Hight, Hiring D&D Architect, Free Shadowdark Solo, and more!

    Contents00:00 Parental Warning03:31 Edition Change at Cons?22:52 John Hight New WotC President30:17 D&D Hiring Product Architect36:28 Early PH at Gen Con38:30 Monopoly Go Version of Monopoly41:38 Wulfgang Baur Interview43:29 Shadowdark Solo for Free44:30 Thousand Suns in Spanish45:24 Nimble 5E on Backerkit46:45 Greyhawk Gazetteer47:37 Evaluating a Setting49:24 The Chapters51:25 Tropes and Other Issues53:23 Ch2 Human Cultures57:07 Is this Important?01:02:51 Nonhumans in Greyhawk01:06:39 Greyhawk's Level of Conflict01:11:43 Ch3 Greyhawk's History01:17:09 Greyhawk Wars01:21:19 Peace Signing01:25:26 In Praise of Legwork01:30:48 Player Assumptions01:40:47 Shout-OutsThank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

    Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

    Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

    MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

  • Episode 198 of Mastering Dungeons!

    Main topic: The Living Greyhawk Campaign!

    The 2024 DMG will include the setting of Greyhawk. Shawn and Teos examine the start of the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer and reminisce on the impacts of the Living Greyhawk organized play campaign.

    News: Dan Rawson’s Expanded Role, D&D Stamps and Conventions, Moonbeam, and more!

    Contents00:00 Copa of Tears01:26 Warriors of Krynn10:58 BG3 is New to Us12:53 Last Caravan13:58 20-Person Game?21:40 Robin Hood Ranger?25:05 Barbarian Make Sense?31:17 Goodberry is Bad?40:53 Dan Rawson Expanded Role42:19 Infinite Staircase Releases42:42 UK and US D&D Stamps45:08 D&D at SD Comic-Con46:20 Gen Con in 2 Weeks47:08 GameHole Events48:53 Daggerheart Final Beta50:18 Free Mace of Tiamat52:05 GAMA Horizon Fellowship53:45 Moonbeam on Backerkit57:07 Level Up 5E Platform58:56 Living Greyhawk01:00:15 Living Greyhawk's Impact01:04:41 A Living Setting01:06:22 Regions and Travel01:10:25 Time Units01:12:05 Greyhawk's Difficult Concepts01:17:28 Have Settings Advanced?01:22:03 Settings as Lies01:24:02 Greyhawk Differentiators01:25:20 Actionable Lore01:30:09 Greyhawk's Lessons01:31:02 Chapter 101:34:45 Continents and Weather01:37:31 Geographic Divisions01:38:24 Shout-OutsThank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

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  • Episode 197 of Mastering Dungeons!

    Main topic: The Origins of Greyhawk!

    The 2024 DMG will include the setting of Greyhawk. Shawn and Teos examine Greyhawk’s history and characteristics and why it makes a great choice for a core setting.

    News: Kyle Brink Departs WotC, ENnies Nominations, Physical vs Digital, and more!

    Contents00:00 Ever Been to a German Prison?02:05 Upcoming Shows06:04 Physicality of Books?15:39 Better in Digital?23:24 Is the Pillar Problem the System?36:45 Kyle Brink Departs WotC41:32 Vecna Images Answer43:06 Web Site Transfer Answer45:06 How to DM Parenting47:03 Ennies Nominations51:38 Grimhollow Heritage Playtest53:45 Pelicon 2454:38 The Anywhere Door on Moonbeam56:23 How to RPG57:04 Jim Zub on Licensed Work58:51 Greyhawk's Origin59:28 Greyhawk in 202401:02:22 Gary and Dave01:04:26 DMs Don't Need a Setting01:09:53 Shaped by the Times01:11:58 Major Peoples and Migrations01:16:03 Product Evolution01:22:13 Post-Gygax01:28:17 3E and Greyhawk Rises01:32:27 Shout OutsThank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

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    Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

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  • Episode 196 of Mastering Dungeons!

    Main topic: Setting Expectations for your TTRPG Projects!

    Wrel (Michael Henderson) joins Shawn Merwin to discuss how to set the right expectations for your TTRPG projects. Topics include setting goals, knowing who you are designing for, finding an audience, and assessing your capabilities.

    News: New D&D VP, PH and DMG Previews, Reliable Core Rules, and more!

    Contents00:00 Michael Henderson aka Wrel02:37 Unnecessary Rules?07:21 Reliable Core Rules?12:55 Counterspell Problems?18:33 Ditch Resource Management?26:12 New D&D VP Jess Lanzillo34:32 2024 D&D Previews38:04 Grim Hollow Player Pack on DDB43:00 Grim Hollow 2E in October45:38 How Not to Get Eaten by an Owlbear46:45 TTRPG Project Expectations47:28 What's the Goal?54:20 Who Designing For?01:07:44 Finding an Audience01:13:26 What are you Capable of?01:18:21 Practicing on DDB01:19:22 Importance of Art01:27:48 Find Wrel01:28:25 Shout-OutsThank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

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    Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

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  • Episode 195 of Mastering Dungeons!

    Main topic: Daggerheart’s Adversaries and Environments!

    Our final episode covering Daggerheart. Adversaries are critical to an RPG, creating excitement and engagement. Let's learn from how Daggerheart works to streamline stat blocks and encourage open play!

    News: Hasbro CEO Take 2, Vecna on DDB Doesn’t Match Book, Tabletop Scotland, and more!

    Contents00:00 Ghostfire University01:37 Stay Inspired?07:57 Build Player Investment?12:16 Daggerheart's Blank Canvas?24:30 2024 PHB Reveals26:44 Hasbro CEO, Take 2!36:12 DDB Vecna Doesn't Match Paper39:36 AL Adds Tabletop Scotland PO43:23 Origins Award Finalists44:26 Final Daggerheart!45:14 One Remaining Major Update47:25 Playtest Ends in July48:49 Importance of Adversaries50:42 Adversaries in Daggerheart54:59 Descriptions and Motives57:49 Attack and Defense01:01:23 Experiences01:03:08 Special Features01:09:18 Environments01:13:13 Do Environments Work Well?01:24:21 Promised Sections01:24:56 Final Thoughts01:33:18 Shout-OutsThank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

    Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

    Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

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