Game Master's Journey

Craig joins me to discuss his Mage chronicle he’s running. What is it like running a game where the player characters can do just about anything they can imagine? We also talk about the differences between more mechanics-focused games and more narrative-focused games. Check Out my NEW PODCAST - Lex Out Loud Get 10% off your next purchase at Metallic Dice Games . Interested in Beta Reading for my n...

I’m often asked if I’ve ever considered creating my own RPG system, and the answer is Yes! Today I talk about some of the features that my ideal RPG system would have. Check Out my NEW PODCAST - Lex Out Loud Get 10% off your next purchase at Metallic Dice Games . Interested in Beta Reading for my new novel, Critical Balance ? Find out more here . Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliat...

I field some questions from listener-GM Matt Yancik on topics of game mastering: my GM philosophy, managing the table & players, and GMing compared to playing. I then talk a bit about the new Mage: the Ascension campaign I’m playing in and reminisce about my time with the old World of Darkness games Changeling: the Dreaming & Vampire: the Masquerade. Check Out my NEW PODCAST - Lex Out Loud...

This week I resurrect the show to discuss how problem solving can be a refreshing alternative to combat in your RPG. Get 10% off your next purchase at Metallic Dice Games . Check Out Lex’s NEW PODCAST - Lex Out Loud Call the Game Master's Journey voice mail: 951-GMJ-LEX1 (951-465-5391). If you’re a new listener, and you’d like to go back to the beginning, here’s a link to Episode 1 . If you’r...

In the final episode of Game Master’s Journey, Lex discusses campaign length and why he thinks modern TV shows give us an excellent guide to follow. Get 10% off your next purchase at Metallic Dice Games .

Lex explores the Star Trek Adventures RPG. Although this is a game with a lot of flaws, there are some cool ideas and innovations you can apply to any roleplaying game. Lex gives an overview of the merits & flaws of this game, and then he explores his favorite elements and how they could be used in other games.

In this worldbuilding episode, Lex explores how to created a world your players are invested in and how to increase player interest in the setting. Lex discusses how to use player ideas and PC backstories in adventures. Finally, Lex talks about how to reflect different and diverse cultures in your world, and he provides a list of anthropological resources to give you some ideas.

Lex returns to Game Master's Journey to discuss worldbuilding. In the first of a two episode series, Lex talks about how to use cliches in your game. He then talks about how to approach worldbuilding for small-scale stories and conflicts.

In the season 14 finale episode, Lex revisits his discussion of degrees of failure, success at a cost and player agency. He also talks about some of his favorite aspects from some 5e settings (and a non-D&D setting) that you might want to use in your own homebrewed D&D setting.

Lex discusses reskinning or redesigning a class that doesn’t fit your campaign instead of removing it. Just as the classes available to play in a campaign set the tone & flavor for the campaign, so too can you achieve a specific goal through the PC races & subraces you allow (or don’t allow). Lex also talks about using material from previous editions in 5th edition and moving beyond simple...

For many DMs the default assumption is that all the player character options in the Player’s Handbook should be allowed in their game. However, one of the best things you can do to improve the flavor & focus of your D&D campaign just might be to cut some of the PHB options out. This week Lex discusses some responses to episode 281 and further explores the topic of removing options from the...

For many DMs the default assumption is that all the player character options in the Player’s Handbook should be allowed in their game. However, one of the best things you can do to improve the flavor & focus of your D&D campaign just might be to cut some of the PHB options out. Lex explores how removing some of the classes & subclasses from your D&D campaign might be just the thing...

Lex is joined by Brett & Phoebe, to recap a session of their D&D campaign, Blood of the Avatars. This week the PCs make a deal with a devil. This is a homebrewed campaign set in Lex’s D&D world, Primordia, that is currently using elements of the published campaign, Descent into Avernus .

Lex returns to his in-depth discussion of the Dungeon Master’s Guide . This week he discusses how to create a full monster stat black. You can use this process to complete a new monster that’s as complete as any monster in the Monster Manual . This builds on the framework established in episode 276 .

Lex is joined by two players from his D&D group, Phoebe & Craig, to recap two sessions of their campaign, Blood of the Avatars. This is a homebrewed campaign set in Lex’s D&D world, Primordia, that is currently using elements of the published campaign, Descent into Avernus .

Lex returns to his in-depth discussion of the Dungeon Master’s Guide . This week he discusses how to modify a monster and how to create quick monster stats. If you want to make a custom monster for your game, you might be able to make some minor modifications to an existing monster. Lex also shows how you can quickly create a monster of a given CR on-the-fly during play. Finally, this episode lays...

Lex discusses Matt Mercer’s Heroic Chronicle system from Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount . This is a great system for fleshing out PC backstories and grounding them in the setting of your campaign. This system is especially fantastic for DMs using their own homebrewed campaign settings, but DMs using published settings will also find inspiration in the application of these ideas. Lex discusses how...

Lex discusses how he would approach running an adventure for PCs who are significantly higher level than the adventure assumes. He also gives his thoughts on dealing with a problem player who’s out to ruin the fun for everyone else at the table. Finally, Lex ponders how he’d handle a character who gets advantage on perception checks using smell and disadvantage on perception checks using sight.

The PCs battle the forces of Arkhan the Cruel. We are using elements of the published adventure, Descent Into Avernus , so there will be spoilers for that adventure.

The PCs travel to Arkhan’s Tower in search of the blood of Tiamat. We are using elements of the published adventure, Descent Into Avernus , so there will be spoilers for that adventure.

This session begins with a recap of the campaign so far. We will be using elements from the published adventure, Descent Into Avernus, so there will be spoilers for that adventure. The PCs have returned to the village of Dianara’s Rest just in time for all hell to break loose!

Lex & Brett return to their in-depth discussion of the Dungeon Master’s Guide. This week they continue their exploration of combat options. Today’s topics include hitting cover, cleaving through creatures, lingering injuries, massive damage and morale.

Lex & Brett return to their in-depth discussion of the Dungeon Master’s Guide . This week is all about combat options! First, they cover initiative variants, including initiative score, side initiative and speed factor. Next they go through some additional options for actions in combat—climb onto a bigger creature, disarm, mark, overrun, shove aside and tumble.

This session begins after the PCs have had a month of downtime in the city of Elandria. The players discuss their downtime activities, and the characters compare notes of what they’ve learned in their various research. The PCs turn their attention to solving the mystery of the fate of Willim the Wondrous, a human sorcerer and lover of the dryad Anna who disappeared 50 years ago.

Lerissa meets with her mother, Amanda Victoria, and learns more about her erinyes father. Later, Fir joins Lerissa, Amanda and Dahlia at the spa and more surprising revelations unfold.