Mastering Dungeons

Latest Episodes:

Best of Spelljammer Light of Xaryxis! Jul 29, 2026

Show notes

Episode 301 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: The Best of Spelljammer Light of Xaryxis!

An adventure crafted to feel like an old sci-fi TV show? We look at how well it captures the classic Spelljammer setting.

News: World of Warcraft and D&D? Hasbro Q2 Growth? D&D Movie Sequel Script? And more!

Contents
00:00 Apocalypse Now
02:16 Bound by Blood
04:22 Add to Peril in Pinebrook?
12:51 Right Amount of Lore?
19:19 D&D and Warcraft
24:31 Hasbro Q2 Strong Growth
28:51 D&D Beyond Use
33:14 WotC Growth
34:47 How Big is D&D?
39:01 D&D Movie Sequel Script
41:21 Renegade and Anne Rice
43:35 The Guild Ren Faire'd
45:31 Crediting Creators
51:51 D&D Soaps
52:25 Gen Con DMAP Vinyl
53:16 Spelljammer Light of Xaryxis
54:37 Spelljammer History
01:04:10 D&D in 2022
01:08:50 Premise and Approach
01:15:04 Part 1: Seeds of Destruction
01:22:51 Part 2: Terrors of the Void
01:33:29 Part 3: Chaos in Doomspace
01:36:21 The Dark Sun Rumor
01:40:29 Part 4: Saviors of the Multiverse
01:44:00 Astral Elf Goals
01:47:15 Final Choices and Thoughts
01:50:18 Shout-Outs
01:54:42 What Are We Gonna Do?
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.

Sirrangia and Worldbuilding Through Campaign Building! Jul 22, 2026

Show notes

Episode 300 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Sirrangia and Worldbuilding Through Campaign Building!

Now that we are creating an adventure setting for our top Patreon supporters, we look at worldbuilding through the lens of campaign building.

News: Season of Magic Launches, Big D&D Gen Con Plans, Good and Bad Paizo News, and more!

Contents
00:00 300th Episode!
04:23 Balance My Vecna?
16:37 No-Win Situations?
21:33 Season of Magic Releases
22:57 D&D Encounters News
27:06 D&D's Big Gen Con Plans
30:21 DMAP Season 2
33:20 Free Play Along Pack
37:18 Sirius Dice for Daggerheart
39:12 Good and Bad Pathfinder News
41:46 Cosmere is Hiring
43:40 NPC Notes
45:43 Thrones & Bones Bundle
46:11 Scipio's New Blog
46:59 Sirrangia and Worldbuilding
48:02 Every Group is Different
51:59 Worldbuilding Basics
57:32 Worldbuilding in RPGs
01:04:35 Top-Down vs Bottom-Up
01:09:59 Designing Sirrangia
01:14:06 Rules and Worldbuilding
01:18:47 Our Patreon Polls
01:23:53 Surviving Strangehollow
01:25:15 Shout-Outs
01:29:42 What Are We Gonna Do?
Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

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

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.

Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster with Mike Shea aka Sly Flourish! Jul 08, 2026

Show notes

Episode 299 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster with Mike Shea aka Sly Flourish!

Mike Shea aka Sly Flourish joins Shawn to discuss his latest book providing GM advice!

News: D&D Fan Expo Canceled, 2026 ENnie Nominees, July D&D Drops, and more!

Contents
00:00 Mike Shea AKA Sly Flourish!
05:32 Reuse Our Old Ideas?
10:34 Who Would You Hire?
16:43 Which Idea?
23:30 D&D Fan Expo London Canceled
27:03 July D&D Beyond Drops
39:34 Demiplane and Roll20 Hiring
43:10 2026 ENnie Nominees
47:14 Another Stab at Making Enemies
48:02 A Nightmare Adventure
50:38 Welcome Mike Shea
1:02:03 Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster on Kickstarter
1:02:42 What Does Lazy Mean?
1:06:43 Discrepancy at the Table
1:09:25 Why This Book Now?
1:10:36 8 Steps for Gameplay
1:14:05 Steps in Non-D&D RPGs
1:23:05 Importance of Randomness
1:29:48 Find the Kickstarter
1:30:09 Shout-Outs
Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

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

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.

Why The Wild Beyond The Witchlight is So Good! Jul 01, 2026

Show notes

Episode 298 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Best of The Wild Beyond the Witchlight!

It’s easy to be positive when Shawn and Teos review one of the finest 5E adventures! Hear why this adventure excels!

News: Wizards has a Union, Latest D&D Jobs, Have We Moved Past the OGL, and more!

Contents
00:00 Draw Steel Monsters
01:54 Shawn's Wizardly Trip
04:18 Guest Appearances
05:36 Small Publisher Store Programs?
15:18 OGL Impact Over?
21:17 WotC New Union
23:32 New and Updated D&D Jobs
30:06 Season 2 Actual Play Announced
33:02 Preorder Vampire's D&D Book
38:19 Origins Award Winners
39:26 Forgotten Odysseys
40:54 The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
43:20 Product History
51:11 Premise and Approach
01:00:53 New Species, Backgrounds, Hooks
01:08:32 Witchlight Carnival
01:13:48 Carnival Trackers and Events
01:25:16 Chapters 2-4
01:31:02 Palace of Heart's Desire
01:33:44 Appendices and Tools
01:36:28 Shout-Outs
01:39:57 What Are We Gonna Do Now?
Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

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

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.

Mystic Arts and Creator Publishing Jun 24, 2026

Show notes

Episode 297 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Mystic Arts and Creator Publishing!

Daði Einars joins Teos to discuss RPG design, gameplay, and his work with Mystic Arts to create for Patreon, YouTube, and your table!

News: Vampire the Masquerade for D&D, New D&D Card Decks, WotC Staff Explain UAs, and more!

Contents
00:00 Welcome Daði Einars!
01:59 Corruption in Kryptgarden
08:00 Shield Lands Writing Team Correction
08:57 Big Battle Advice?
13:06 West Marches Draw Steel?
15:38 DDB Partner Q3 Schedule
17:02 Vampire Comes to D&D
23:42 Updated Villainous Options
27:19 Diana Jones Finalists
28:34 2024 Spell, Monster, Magic Decks
32:04 Free RPG Day June 27
33:05 China Gets Weird
36:39 The Last Round Table
37:28 RPG Trader
38:49 Mystic Arts and Creator Publishing
40:06 Who is Daði Einars?
44:37 Iceland's Baldur's Gate
47:36 Patreon and YouTube
57:15 Dungeon Jam
01:00:25 Crown of the Fungal Queen
01:10:12 What Does the Future Hold?
01:12:33 RPGs and System Hacking
01:16:10 Unused Plot Leads
01:19:54 Evaluating Game Systems vs D&D
01:26:56 Find Daði
Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

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

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.

Best of Rime of the Frostmaiden! Jun 17, 2026

Show notes

Episode 296 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Best of Rime of the Frostmaiden!

We review this mega sourcebook and adventure in a single episode! See which parts of the cold will warm your heart.

News: Paizo’s Difficult Future, Renegade Drops Essence20 for 5E, City of Greyhawk on DDB, 3/4 of D&D Players in Last Decade, and more!

Contents
00:00 Knicks and Cups
01:17 Actual Shield Lands Authors
03:35 The Angel's in the Details
07:49 Running Megadungeons?
14:40 Paizo's Difficult Future
19:06 Drops Sharing Changed
20:32 Free City of Greyhawk on DDB
21:07 Renegade Drops Essence20 for 5E
23:34 Wizards on Japanese Localization
25:27 Dungeons & Dragons Questers
28:30 Biggest Crowdfunders Take 2
31:47 Rime of the Frostmaiden
34:01 Product History
41:17 Adventure Premise
47:39 Backgrounds and Setup
52:57 The Ten Towns
57:01 Wilderness and Places of Interest
01:00:57 Sunblight and Chardalyn Dragon
01:10:38 Auril's Abode
01:12:15 Caves of Hunger and Netherese City
01:13:24 Epilogue Decisions
01:18:20 Trinkets, Secrets, and Monsters
01:20:46 Shout-Outs
01:25:16 What Are We Gonna Do?
Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

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

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.

D&D Encounters Unboxing! Jun 10, 2026

Show notes

Episode 295 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: D&D Encounters Unboxing!

We unbox the D&D Encounters Ravenloft season contents and share the design of the Shadows of Sithicus adventure!

News: WotC Changes Drops Policy, Neon Odyssey Breaks Records, Baldur’s Gate 1 and 2 Remakes, Ravenloft Finishes AP, and more!

Contents
00:00 Our Favorite Show
02:04 Same Kobold Lair?
04:52 What Inspires Us for Designing?
11:06 Ravenloft's Final AP and Play Pack
13:29 New Monthly Drops
18:04 Shawn on New Drops Monsters
19:49 Changes to the Drops Program
23:08 Neon Odyssey Breaks Records
25:17 Baldur’s Gate 1 and 2 Remakes
28:34 AL and LoG Organized Play Update
29:59 New Greyhawk Supplements
30:52 Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster
31:55 Encounters Unboxed!
33:07 Quick Overview of D&D Encounters
37:36 Different from AL and LoG
42:15 Stores and Kits
45:30 What's In the Box?
48:33 Poster Maps!
50:38 DM and Player Rewards!
55:38 Dice Packs
58:13 What's in the Adventure?
01:03:11 Interactive Celebration Event
01:07:19 After the Celebration
01:10:44 Making Stores Happy
01:12:00 Encounters Dates
01:16:57 Shout-Outs
01:20:41 What Are We Gonna Do?
Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

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

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.

Best of Baldur’s Gate: Descent Into Avernus! Jun 03, 2026

Show notes

Episode 294 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Best of Baldur’s Gate: Descent Into Avernus!

This adventure changed drastically to become a prequel to the highly successful Baldur’s Gate 3. We take a look at the best the adventure offers!

News: Ravenloft Horrors Within Early Access, Kickstarter Backs Down, 2nd Legends of Greyhawk Pack, Latest Drops and DMAP, and more!

Contents
00:00 Teos Plays Crows and Chickens
05:17 Starting a Serious Campaign?
14:59 Ravenloft Horrors Within Early Access
18:55 Free International Day of Play Adventure
20:20 Licensing Expo and D&D
25:09 D&D Advisory Group
29:10 New Legends of Greyhawk Pack
30:24 D&D Website Update
31:11 Latest DMAP and Drops
37:58 EMEA Region Release Dates
39:27 Save with Steve Conley
40:03 Kickstarter Backtracks on Mature Content
42:02 BG: Descent Into Avernus
44:43 Product History
53:21 Prequel to Baldur's Gate 3
55:37 Premise and Approach
58:46 Overview and Background
01:03:58 Cult Investigations in Baldur's Gate
01:08:40 The Evil Behind the Cults
01:12:44 Candlekeep
01:16:40 Elturel Has Fallen
01:22:46 Exploring Avernus
01:25:57 The Sword of Zariel
01:31:55 Appendices and Final Thoughts
01:35:36 Shout-Outs
01:39:53 What Are We Gonna Do?
Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

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

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.

Best of Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage! May 27, 2026

Show notes

Episode 293 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Best of Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage!

Undermountain comes to 5E! We delve into Halaster’s secrets and the best of the 23 wild dungeon levels!

News: Hasbro’s Strong Q1, Crows RPG Playtest, Daggerheart Birthday News, D&D Video Game Canceled, and more!

Contents
00:00 Crows RPG Playtest
03:00 Attacks of Opportunity Good?
13:51 Ravenloft and Encounters Coming
17:41 June 11 International Game of Play
18:59 Gen Con D&D Event News
23:04 Hasbro's Strong Q1
26:20 Cybersecurity Incident Costs
29:43 How Big is D&D?
31:16 Hasbro Cancels D&D Video Game
32:10 Daggerheart Birthday News
33:57 Dungeon of the Mad Mage
35:47 Product History and AL Admins
42:09 Roll 20 Update and Sale
42:51 Premise and Approach
47:42 Undermountain's Story
53:20 Adventure Hooks and Secrets
56:51 Best of Mad Mage: Level 1
01:03:12 Best of Arcane Chambers
01:04:54 Best of Skullport and Trobriand's
01:06:24 Flumphs and The Matrix
01:08:38 Vanrakdoom and Spelljammers
01:11:20 Terminus and Fazrian
01:12:50 Mad Halaster's Lair
01:18:58 Shout-Outs
01:23:20 What Are We Gonna Do?
Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

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

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.

Best of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist! (MD 292) May 20, 2026

Show notes

Episode 292 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Best of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist!

Urban adventures come to 5E. Decide which faction we belong to as we find the best travel spots in all of Waterdeep!

News: Daggerheart’s Birthday, Mordenkainen vs Bahamut, Crowdfunding Whale Trends, and more!

Contents
00:00 Draw Steel on Our Patreon!
03:30 Our Proudest Design Work?
10:28 Key Role for Antagonists?
20:20 Chris Cocks Promises D&D Crossovers
24:06 Daggerheart's Birthday
25:17 Night Market at Gen Con
26:40 Mordenkainen vs Bahamut
27:15 Dullahan DMAP Play Pack
28:42 EN World Visits Mongoose Publishing
31:26 Scipio on Crowdfunding Whales
36:27 Dwarven Forge Caverns Reforged
37:25 Keith Ammann on Shadomain.Com
38:27 Waterdeep Dragon Heist
40:39 Product History
47:01 Credits
50:40 Premise and Approach
52:01 Story Premise
55:14 When it Takes Place?
57:00 More Factions
58:03 Introduction
01:05:59 Volo in Need
01:12:13 Trollskull Alley and Your Home
01:15:09 Fireball and Multiple Paths
01:21:05 Dragon Season
01:27:26 Seasons and Villains
01:34:27 Shout-Outs
01:38:21 What Are We Gonna Do?
Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

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

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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