Dungeon Master of None

Latest Episodes:

BONUS: RPG Books to Prisoners Sep 13, 2018

Show notes

This is a call-to-action for all our listeners! Please, donate your RPG books or buy a manual or two for prisoners in the United States. RPG manuals are on the "most requested" list of almost every prison book donation website and are never stocked by the humorless authoritarian bureaucrats that run what's left of prison libraries. These books are so in demand that when charities are no longer accepting general donations, they will always make an exception for RPG books. You can mail RPG manuals to the Books to Prisoners nonprofit or you can drop off books at one of the dozens of organizations located around the country. Click the link at the top of the episode description for a full set of instructions on how and where to help. In solidarity, DMs Matt and Rob Music: "Midnight Special" by Lead Belly

Episode 40: One Shot, Part Deux Sep 13, 2018

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The Celestial Job: A Planescape Adventure for 3rd-level Characters

DMs Matt and Rob return to "The Celestial Job," a one-shot Planescape adventure we wrote during Episode 30. Today, we take a fresh look at the adventure after play-testing it with two groups of players. Your DMs discuss how to run an adventure with an eye towards revision. We look at what didn't work, what was fun, and what was hilarious!

If you liked our journey from brainstorming ideas to writing and revising an adventure module, feel free to download and run the whole thing (using the link above or on the Homebrew page). Let us know how the adventure goes! Music: "Roll the Dice" by Pac Div "Been Caught Stealing" by Jane's Addicition

Episode 39: Monster Mash Sep 05, 2018

Show notes

DMs Matt and Rob talk building monsters, from inspiration and concept down to armor class and damage immunities.

First, we take a look at Appalachia's version of Big Foot: the Mothman! Then, we fill out the ranks of any respectable wizard's staff with the Parchment Golem.

Music: "Half Light" by Low with Tomandandy "Paper Planes" by M.I.A.

Episode 38: Engineer Cantrips and Other Lost Tales Aug 29, 2018

Show notes

Matt and Rob answer your letters! Helping new players learn to role-play...hacking other systems into 5e DnD...balancing player goals...ditching random encounters...Chekhov's magic sword on the mantle...inclusivity in Pathfinder 2nd edition...Eurocentric humans in the Player's Handbook...the Broken Earth trilogy by N. K. Jemisin...getting "a head" with the Speak with Dead spell...Hellboy 1 is the best dungeon crawl...using science and the Move Earth cantrip to break the game...when is it okay to ask your DM to stop arguing about the rules...using the humanities to own your friends and make them sad...John McCain didn't like D&D. Music: Roll the Dice by Pac Div Riddles in the Dark by Chris Thile I Feel the Earth Move by Carole King

Episode 37: Mazes and Monsters! Aug 22, 2018

Show notes

We have done a crazy thing. Rob and Matt sat down and watched 1982's made-for-TV movie, Mazes and Monsters. We are now the Maze Controllers and have absolute authority! So grab your maps and get ready for a strange journey of 80s DnD panic, Tom Hanks, bad parenting, dungeon love, 9/11, and WASP angst. Your intrepid hosts deduce the rules-as-written of the Mazes and Monsters RPG, determine which character has the worst parents, and lust after the muggers with the coolest leather jackets in all of NYC. Please, whatever you do don't watch this movie.

Episode 36: Pathfinder 2e Playtest! Aug 07, 2018

Show notes

Matt and Rob dive into the good, the bad, and the tedious inside Paizo's new playtest for the 2nd edition of the Pathfinder Role-Playing Game.

The rule book, bestiary, and short adventure path can all be found at the following link: http://paizo.com/pathfinderplaytest

Episode 35 - Critical Role & Numenera w/ Natasha Jul 30, 2018

Show notes

Matt and Rob are joined by special guest Natasha, an amazing DM and co-host of the Metamashina Podcast, a show about genre fiction from the feminine perspective. WARNING: SPOILERS FOR EPISODE 26 OF CRITICAL ROLE BEGIN @ [03:40].

Your DMs discuss how to handle character death, the problems of custom class mechanics, and fan reaction to the episode. [Discussion ends 40:10] Matt, Rob and Natasha are briefly distracted by Hasbro's bizarre announcement about D&D becoming an e-sport. [40:15]

Natasha shares her experience running games in Numenera, Monte Cook's far-future rpg centered around exploration and discovery. [45:50] If you plan on running any type of post-technology adventure or if you just want to improve your ability to create ancient mysteries for your players to solve, give Numenera a try. It's a great system and setting for growing as a Dungeon Master! You can check out the Metamashina Podcast (and we recommend that you do) by following this link: https://metamashina.com

Episode 34: Ravnica and Eberron - New 5e Campaign Settings! Jul 25, 2018

Show notes

Matt and Rob discuss WotC's surprise announcement of a Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons and Dragons crossover: The Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica. While we are mostly disappointed and unenthused about this mixing of games, your hosts try to salvage some useful silver linings in the upcoming Ravnica release. Then, Matt gets way into MtG's "Color Wheel" for a few minutes.

On to what we really love: Eberron! For $20, Matt and Rob wholeheartedly recommend the Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron. It's perfect for introducing your players to the campaign setting and for creating Eberron-specific characters in 5th edition DnD. The book has a great new set of rules for Changelings, Kalashtar, Shifters, Warforged, and Dragonmarked characters! Unfortunately, if you are DM, you will still need the 3rd edition Eberron Campaign Setting as well. Listen for our complete review of our precious first 5e Eberron book!

Episode 33: Clan Brujah-ha & Unwanted Advice Jul 17, 2018

Show notes

Matt and Rob recap the controversy over the new 5th edition of Vampire: The Masquerade. [07:20] This is a chilling reminder that the alt-right and actual Nazis are using our hobby—specifically fake controversies like Gamer Gate and DnD Gate—to recruit people to their reactionary and racist ideology.

On to Unwanted Advice, the segment where we answer the questions you didn't ask about RPGs:

How do you deal with flying characters at low-levels? [22:30]
What is the best level to start your campaign? [30:00]
Help! My DM is stealing from Critical Role. What do I do? [34:00]
What is the best way to continue Curse of Strahd? (Minor spoilers for CoS) [42:20]
Can I give my Warlock (5e D&D) a Shield at-will ability? [47:00]
Should rolling a "natural 1" have additional negative consequences? [50:05]

If you have questions about RPGs, DMing, or anything else, send us them to us at dmofnone@gmail.com!

Episode 32: TFW No Goth GF (Curse of Stahd Review) Jul 02, 2018

Show notes

DMs Matt and Rob bite into the 5th edition campaign: the Curse of Strahd! We just finished the whole thing and would like to en-frighten you with our experience. If you are considering running this campaign, then this is a must listen episode for any would be horror Dungeon Masters. Even if Strahd isn't your cup of blood, you'll find tons of great tips for running horror games and lessons for structuring your own narratives.

Links: Save World History!

A cool history and gaming conference in Michigan (call for papers) The Original "Ravenloft" Module (1e)

The Ravenloft Campaign Setting (2e)

The Curse of Strahd (5e)

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