Mastering Dungeons

Greyhawk’s Origins! (MD 197)

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!

Contents
00:00 Ever Been to a German Prison?
02:05 Upcoming Shows
06:04 Physicality of Books?
15:39 Better in Digital?
23:24 Is the Pillar Problem the System?
36:45 Kyle Brink Departs WotC
41:32 Vecna Images Answer
43:06 Web Site Transfer Answer
45:06 How to DM Parenting
47:03 Ennies Nominations
51:38 Grimhollow Heritage Playtest
53:45 Pelicon 24
54:38 The Anywhere Door on Moonbeam
56:23 How to RPG
57:04 Jim Zub on Licensed Work
58:51 Greyhawk's Origin
59:28 Greyhawk in 2024
01:02:22 Gary and Dave
01:04:26 DMs Don't Need a Setting
01:09:53 Shaped by the Times
01:11:58 Major Peoples and Migrations
01:16:03 Product Evolution
01:22:13 Post-Gygax
01:28:17 3E and Greyhawk Rises
01:32:27 Shout Outs

Thank 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.

Setting Expectations for your TTRPG Projects! (MD 196)

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!

Contents
00:00 Michael Henderson aka Wrel
02:37 Unnecessary Rules?
07:21 Reliable Core Rules?
12:55 Counterspell Problems?
18:33 Ditch Resource Management?
26:12 New D&D VP Jess Lanzillo
34:32 2024 D&D Previews
38:04 Grim Hollow Player Pack on DDB
43:00 Grim Hollow 2E in October
45:38 How Not to Get Eaten by an Owlbear
46:45 TTRPG Project Expectations
47:28 What's the Goal?
54:20 Who Designing For?
01:07:44 Finding an Audience
01:13:26 What are you Capable of?
01:18:21 Practicing on DDB
01:19:22 Importance of Art
01:27:48 Find Wrel
01:28:25 Shout-Outs

Thank 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.

Daggerheart’s Adversaries and Environments! (MD 195)

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!

Contents
00:00 Ghostfire University
01:37 Stay Inspired?
07:57 Build Player Investment?
12:16 Daggerheart's Blank Canvas?
24:30 2024 PHB Reveals
26:44 Hasbro CEO, Take 2!
36:12 DDB Vecna Doesn't Match Paper
39:36 AL Adds Tabletop Scotland PO
43:23 Origins Award Finalists
44:26 Final Daggerheart!
45:14 One Remaining Major Update
47:25 Playtest Ends in July
48:49 Importance of Adversaries
50:42 Adversaries in Daggerheart
54:59 Descriptions and Motives
57:49 Attack and Defense
01:01:23 Experiences
01:03:08 Special Features
01:09:18 Environments
01:13:13 Do Environments Work Well?
01:24:21 Promised Sections
01:24:56 Final Thoughts
01:33:18 Shout-Outs

Thank 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.

Daggerheart: Building a Campaign! (MD 194)

Episode 194 of Mastering Dungeons! 

Main topic: Running a Daggerheart Campaign!

Daggerheart tells us each session should be built fresh, based on the previous session. And the world is a map populated by the players. Let’s see the benefits and challenges of this approach!

News: Roll20 Acquires Demiplane, D&D Movie’s Surprises, Hiring at Avantis MCDM FG, and more!

Contents
00:00 Inevimitable
01:08 Cost of Experience?
10:51 Narrative Game Defined?
17:16 D&D Movie's Strong 2024
21:02 2024 MM Covers Revealed
26:08 Hiring at Avantis MCDM FG
29:01 Roll20 Acquires Demiplane
35:45 4E Turns 16 and Eberron 20
36:41 Worldbuilding with Glimpses
40:10 Teos Controls Neverwinter MMO?
41:01 Diana Jones Finalists
42:06 The Light Fantastic
43:22 The Deck of Many Drinks
46:45 Daggerheart Campaigns
47:13 Review Context
49:19 Daggerhear's Clear Perspective
54:23 Build a Map
58:48 Filling Space, Leaving Blanks
01:02:43 Incorporate Backstories
01:09:01 Backstory vs Adventure First
01:17:23 Planning a Story Arc
01:22:42 A Living World
01:27:22 Shout-Outs

Thank 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.

Daggerheart: Running a Session! (MD 193)

Episode 193 of Mastering Dungeons! 

Main topic: Running a Daggerheart Session!

Daggerheart provides advice on how to create a session based on the heroes. But is it actionable advice? Is Shawn raging while Teos remains positive? Find out the shocking truth!

News: WotC Hiring AI, Paramount Cancels D&D, Foundry Launches RPG, and more!

Contents
00:00 Somewhat Tainted by Madness
01:49 Hope and Fear in 5E?
13:06 Campaign vs One-Shot Kickstarter?
18:23 Post-Project Framework?
26:05 DMG 2024 Cover Previews
30:34 D&D TV Show Not Paramount
32:38 WotC Hiring AI
39:15 Barrier Peaks Revised
41:57 D&D Destiny
43:10 PAX West Badges
44:53 Foundry Launches Ember RPG
46:38 Your Charisma Score
49:36 Jennell Jaquays Honored
50:10 Blade Runner Rebellion
52:35 Running Daggerheart Sessions
53:31 Aspirational vs Actionable Advice
01:01:54 Running a Session
01:02:46 Thinking in Beats
01:10:00 Preparing Combat Encounters
01:15:30 Crafting Scenes
01:19:29 Shawn Loves Using Conflict
01:25:16 Countdown vs Skill Challenges
01:29:08 Using Downtime
01:30:59 Character Death
01:32:48 TPKs and New PCs
01:33:47 Leveling Up
01:38:53 Shout-Outs

Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

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.

Daggerheart: GM Moves and Mechanics! (MD 192)

Episode 192 of Mastering Dungeons! 

Main topic: Daggerheart GM Moves and Mechanics!

Daggerheart lets a GM act at any time, yet encourages moves that push the narrative and create fun for players. Let’s take a look!

News: Andy Collins Returns to WotC, Chaosium Hires, Gamehole News, and more!

Contents
00:00 Back in Black
01:47 Know Other RPGs to Design?
07:26 Prepared vs Extemporaneous?
17:34 Chaosium Adds Staff
20:39 Andy Collins Returns to WotC
24:48 GameHole Badge Reg
26:37 PoC Mentoring Dinner at GHC
28:10 RPGs Spur Climate Empathy
31:21 Diana Jones Emerging Designers
32:27 Blade Runner Replicant Rebellion
33:33 Daggerheart GM Mechanics
35:26 Core Roll Mechanics
36:59 GM Mechanics
41:39 Calling for Action Roles
43:13 Guaranteed Success
46:21 Experiences and Rolls
50:01 Making GM Moves
54:59 Example Moves
56:29 Adventure Considerations
01:00:43 Choosing Moves
01:07:22 Hard and Soft Moves
01:09:08 Fear
01:18:42 Countdowns
01:21:47 Shout-Outs

Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

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.

13th Age 2E Design with Rob Heinsoo! (MD 191)

Episode 191 of Mastering Dungeons! 

Main topic: 13^th Age 2E Design with Rob Heinsoo!

The much admired 13^th Age RPG has a second edition on kickstarter! Designer Rob Heinsoo discusses the game’s innovations and takes a look back at leading 4E design, the OGL as seen by WotC, and much more!

News: Greyhawk in the DMG, Homebrew vs Prewritten, D&D Worlds & Realms, and more!

Contents

00:00 New MD Search Engine! 
01:59 Digital vs Paper Future?
06:23 Scene Transitions?
10:49 Greyhawk in the DMG
16:15 D&D Worlds & Realms
18:08 Talisman 5E
19:04 Prewritten vs Homebrew
21:30 Iskander Adventures - MT Black
22:42 Brazil Flood Charity Bundle 
23:36 Jeff Stevens Saints and Sinners 
24:56 Rob Heinsoo and 13th Age 2E 
25:25 Rob's One Unique Thing
29:58 Three Dragon Ante
33:22 Shadowfist Design
37:09 Success on Design Team
41:30 Listening Power
42:52 Leading 4E D&D Design
45:56 4E's Goals
49:46 4E Digital Tool Impact
54:22 Why Rescind an OGL?
57:05 13th Age Innovations
58:25 The Icons
01:01:08 One Unique Thing design
01:04:08 Engaging Monster Design
01:09:07 2E Beyond Kickstarter?
01:14:04 Shout-Outs

13th Age 2E Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pelgranepress/13th-age-second-edition-storytelling-action-fantasy-game 

Rio Grande Flood Charity Bundle: https://doar.acnur.org/page/ACNURBR/doe/enchentes-no-sul-do-brasil 

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

Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

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.

Daggerheart’s Amazing GM Advice (MD 190)

Episode 190 of Mastering Dungeons! 

Main topic: Daggerheart Review – GM Advice!

We found the heart of Critical Role, and it’s in the GM advice section. Shawn and Teos dig into this advice, fantastic for any game but tailor-made for Daggerheart’s play.

News: Critical Role Launches Beacon, MCDM on D&D Beyond, 2024 PH Art Reveal, and more!

Contents
00:00 Mother's Day
02:04 RPG vs Video Game ROI?
07:19 Vancian vs Roll to Cast?
15:11 D&D SRD 5.2 in February!
18:56 2024 PH Art Sneak Peak
22:31 D&D Dead by Daylight
23:45 Critical Role Launches Beacon
25:42 D&D GenCon Events
31:40 MCDM Books on D&D Beyond
33:32 Is D&D Changing Course?
40:08 Secret Vecna Wallpaper
40:39 Vecna Prequel Will Be Sold
41:47 Black Flag Reference Document
43:29 Deck of Player Safety on Demiplane
44:59 13th Age 2E on Kickstarter
46:47 Rethinking Alignment
48:14 Distal d20
49:10 Kickstarter 2023 Review
50:29 Daggerheart GM Advice
51:00 1.4 Playtest Update
52:33 THIS is Critical Role!
57:26 GM Principles
01:03:09 Ask Questions
01:09:03 Imperfect Improvisation
01:12:06 GM Best Practices
01:13:40 Treat PCs as Competent
01:16:04 Create Meta Conversation
01:17:01 Ground the World in Motive
01:23:42 Pitfalls to Avoid
01:32:19 Shout-Outs

Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

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.