GM Word of the Week

Latest Episodes:

Paladin Dec 19, 2015

Show notes

Some call him lawful stupid. Many parties simply won’t have one among their number. Their reputation for a singular devotion to their deity and an unbending, black and white view of the world often precede them. He’s a Paladin, and today it is finally time to learn what they really are. Let’s examine the historical record and go back to the source of one of the most contentious classes in Dungeons and Dragons.

Smithing Dec 12, 2015

Show notes

Every fantasy town has a blacksmith. From them comes every conceivable metallic object available in the realm. Except not really. The blacksmith only worked with certain metals and only in certain ways. Other smiths made other things. but smithing goes far beyond that. To ancient times. Times so old they are barely recorded at all. And some of that history is so fantastic, you’d think we made it up.

Deva Dec 05, 2015

Show notes

Angels we have heard on high… No. Wait. Devas. Devas we have heard on high. Look, it’s complicated. Because, if anything can be said to be true about D&D monsters— Well, hold on. What’s a monster in D&D anyway? Like I said, it’s complicated. Easier to count the number of Angels or Devas dancing on the head of a pin.

Pottage Nov 27, 2015

Show notes

Call it stew, soup, mush, or even porridge, it was the meal most likely to end up on the table of the poor peasantry. But more than meat and a few vegetables ends up swirling around in the bowl of pottage. There’s history, feudalism and nobility, game and beef, and even a bit of Robin Hood in there as well. So get out your soup spoon, a nice slab of bread and cozy on up to this heaping helping of pottage.

Salt Nov 20, 2015

Show notes

It is the tastiest thing, ever. It makes everything you put it on taste better. It drives biological processes, economies, and cultures. And it is the only rock you eat. Salt. But what a sordid history it has had. Heck, there are those who will tell you that salt is, right now, trying to kill you. Better fight back with a little knowledge.

Ale Nov 13, 2015

Show notes

The favored drink of many an adventurer, ale holds a special place in the hearts, or at least stomachs, of those habitually found hanging out in taverns. But there is always, always more to know and the things you’ll learn in this episode will strongly influence what you decide to order when your barbarian, thief, or wizard bellies up to the bar. Drink up!

Pie Nov 06, 2015

Show notes

The ratios of a circle are a thing of beauty. They reveal an elegant and delicate balance between the radius and the circumference, revealing a world that could be full of anything. Like pumpkin, or chocolate, or even mincemeat. Because, no matter how you slice it, you’ll meat something delicious in this episode. and there are no lies with pie.

Halloween Oct 30, 2015

Show notes

Happy Halloween! And that is exactly what this installment is all about, the holiday. Where did it come from? How has it changed? Why do so many of the traditional activities we associate with it seem to have come from somewhere else? And how the heck do you pronounce ‘samhain’? Find out!

Golem Oct 23, 2015

Show notes

Put a bunch of clay together and you’ve got a pot. But give it the right words and it becomes something more. Something sort of alive. It becomes a golem and, if you know what you’re talking about, you can just about do what you like. But you have to know the right words.

Malebranche Oct 16, 2015

Show notes

Something bad happened to Dungeons and Dragons in the 80s and it nearly ruined the game forever. The Devils came to town. One of them, the Malebranche, holds the key to the whole thing.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

GM Word of the Week

Related Podcasts

1

2

3

4

5

6