The Dungeon Master's Handbook

I'm challenging conventional wisdom that AD&D by-the-book combat is too difficult! In this episode, I review surprise and initiative and those dreaded words/phrases: "segments" and "weapon speed". Let's learn and see that a bit of crunchy AD&D combat doesn't have to be hard! My AD&D Combat Cheat Sheet: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1buc4Iubou-bH7V1Ud-h_4SkHm9wfm64a Want to comment/ask questions...

I've had a busy couple of weeks with a lot of games, so I share some of the things I've learned and observed. Plus, I get to a topic that I've really been looking forward to doing - demystifying AD&D combat! I share some opinions on why I think AD&D by-the-book combat gets a bad rap, and I set the stage for the next couple of podcast episodes that dive deep. Enjoy! Want to comment/ask questions? L...

In this episode, I catch up on a couple of my AD&D games, as well as getting some momentum in playing my one on one OD&D campaign with my wife. Then I cover how I create towns and cities for my campaigns. Links from Episode: The Domesday Book - Medieval Demographics Made Easy https://www.rpglibrary.org/utils/meddemog/ Random Roadstop Generator https://chgowiz-games.blogspot.com/2018/03/random-road...

Surprise! I promised no set schedule for this podcast, and yet here I am, a week later, with another episode. I DM'd quite a bit of AD&D last week, so I thought I would cover some of the more interesting elements: How I DM overland adventures Playing a strange race that is very alien in thought A quickie on AD&D by-the-book combat What happens when a thief fails to pick a lock I also talk a bit ab...

From the unlikeliest of places came a great idea on how to continue this podcast! I talk about the current state of my campaign games, a few changes and future episodes. Thank you so much for the kind comments in the past year - I hope you continue to enjoy the show! Want to comment/ask questions? Leave a voice message on Speakpipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/MichaelChgowiz⁠ Leave me an audio clip...

In this episode, Michael talks about how he populates his dungeons with monsters and treasures. Also, some trivia behind the lead in music! Want to comment/ask questions? Leave a voice message on Speakpipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/MichaelChgowiz⁠ Leave me an audio clip on Discord to user: chgowiz Email me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠chgowiz@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ I blog/podcast at: https://chgowiz-games.etinerra.com...

In this episode, I share how I came up with some logical, consistent weather rules and how I base that weather on the real world. It was a long journey through random charts and blog posts to get here, but I finally have a system that I'm happy with! Want to comment/ask questions? Leave a voice message on Speakpipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/MichaelChgowiz⁠ Leave me an audio clip on Discord to us...

This episode, I talk through an example of what I do to play wargames in my campaign world - the tools I use, how I use them. There are links below to the books I use as inspiration and to my rules and records I use. Hopefully this brings together what I've been talking about the past few episodes. Yes, I will talk about weather next time... I know it's an exciting topic! *grin* Links from this ep...

In this second of two parts, I finish talking about one of my favorite aspects of my D&D campaign world - wargaming alongside my D&D gaming in the same campaign. I share how I set up my campaign and the tools/books I use to help me. Want to comment/ask questions? Leave a voice message on Speakpipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/MichaelChgowiz⁠ Leave me an audio clip on Discord to user: chgowiz Email...

In this first of two parts, I talk about one of my favorite aspects of my D&D campaign world - wargaming alongside my D&D gaming in the same campaign. It's full of challenges and considerations, but the payoff is so much fun!  Links from this episode: Battle of McGillicuddy's Farm: http://oldguyrpg.blogspot.com/2011/04/chainmail-battle-of-mcguillicuddys-farm.html (Campaign lore from a wargame batt...

In this episode, I take a break from talking about creating and running old-school style D&D campaigns to answer some questions that I've gotten from listeners. Thank you for the questions and please keep sending them in! I answer: How I make a wandering monster chart How I make the first level of a dungeon How I run wilderness campaigns PS! Once again, I had allergies, sorry if I sound so quiet!...

In this episode, I talk about how I've extended my campaign from the tabletop into the virtual world, running play-by-post and online/VTT games. Want to comment/ask questions? Leave a voice message on Speakpipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/MichaelChgowiz⁠ Leave me an audio clip on Discord to user: chgowiz Email me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠chgowiz@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ I blog/podcast at: https://chgowiz-games.etinerr...

In this episode, I look at how I make maps for my campaign world, tools I use and how I approache mapping in general. Link to Worldographer by Inkwell Ideas: http://worldographer.com/ PS! I'm really sorry my voice sounds so froggy! Allergy season is here in the Chicagoland area and I guess it's affecting me more than I realized! Want to comment/ask questions? Leave a voice message on Speakpipe: ⁠h...

Back from GaryCon X/2018! I share three lessons that I learned from running and playing in convention games. Plus, the nerdiest confession you'll hear all day, guaranteed! Want to comment/ask questions? Leave a voice message on Speakpipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/MichaelChgowiz⁠ Leave me an audio clip on Discord to user: chgowiz Email me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠chgowiz@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ I blog/podcast at: ht...

In this episode, I talk about the ongoing 1-on-1 campaign (using the 1974 Original D&D rules) that I run for my wife - thePrincessWife. 1-on-1 games have some interesting challenges and are a lot of fun to play! Want to comment/ask questions? Leave a voice message on Speakpipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/MichaelChgowiz⁠ Leave me an audio clip on Discord to user: chgowiz Email me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠chgowiz...

In this episode, I explain the ways I've houseruled and modified Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st Edition to my liking. Different combat mechanic and combat sequence -  no segments here! Encumbrance and counterspelling Expanding paladins and the all-mighty d30 dice Links mentioned in this episode are: Michael/Chgowiz's Houserules Document for the Chronicles of Etinerra Campaignhttps://docs.google.c...

In this episode, Michael explains how he finally found his Holy Grail - having a D&D game with a seamless transition from mass combat to 1:1 combat, and it was very easy! In this episode, I explains how I finally found my Holy Grail - having a D&D game with a seamless transition from mass combat to 1:1 combat, and it was very easy! Books/Supplements mentioned in this episode are: Book of War by Da...

In this episode, I talk about when things didn't go exactly as planned in my campaign and how I handled it. I cover: * When my initial ideas didn't work * Trouble players * When real life interfered * Mistakes in rulings * TPKs (Total Party Kills) Want to comment/ask questions? Leave a voice message on Speakpipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/MichaelChgowiz⁠ Leave me an audio clip on Discord to user:...

This episode, I cover the benefits and challenges of running multiple different games in your campaign - at the same time! It might feel like fighting a multi-headed dragon, but it's really a lot of fun! Happy New Year! Want to comment/ask questions? Leave a voice message on Speakpipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/MichaelChgowiz⁠ Leave me an audio clip on Discord to user: chgowiz Email me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

This episode, I continue to talk about running a sandbox campaign, discussing issues like keeping the campaign growing, dealing with XP, time, missing players and other issues. Want to comment/ask questions? Leave a voice message on Speakpipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/MichaelChgowiz⁠ Leave me an audio clip on Discord to user: chgowiz Email me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠chgowiz@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ I blog/podcast a...

In this episode, I finish talking about starting a sandbox campaign old school style. Don't let the myths and hype fool you. You don't need a lot to jump right into some great gaming! Want to comment/ask questions? Leave a voice message on Speakpipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/MichaelChgowiz⁠ Leave me an audio clip on Discord to user: chgowiz Email me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠chgowiz@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ I blog/po...

Sandbox campaigns, one of the hallmarks of an old school AD&D D&D campaign, are easy to get started! Don't let the myths and hype fool you. You don't need a lot to jump right into some great gaming! I cover three tools that I use to get the adventure started. Links mentioned in the show:Obsidian Portal campaign wiki - https://www.obsidianportal.comHex map software - http://www.worldographer.com Wa...

This episode, I introduces myself and this brand new podcast that will focus on how to Dungeon Master an old school Dungeons & Dragons game. I talk about my AD&D/D&D background and what I'm going to do with this podcast. Plus, this was a great way to shake off the nervousness of doing something I've never done before! Want to comment/ask questions? Leave a voice message on Speakpipe: ⁠https://www....

This episode, I introduce myself and this brand new podcast that will focus on how to Dungeon Master an old school Dungeons & Dragons game. I talk about my AD&D/D&D background and what I'm going to do with this podcast. Plus, this was a great way to shake off the nervousness of doing something I've never done before!