Game Master's Journey

Lex & Brett return to their in-depth discussion of the Dungeon Master’s Guide . They begin with the optional rules of fear and horror. Then they explore some healing and rest variants. They briefly discuss adding firearms, explosives and/or alien technology to your D&D game. Finally they discuss the three different variants of the plot points optional rule. They’re especially fans of the “...

Lex & Brett return to their in-depth discussion of the Dungeon Master’s Guide . This week’s topics include hero points, honor and sanity. They might have also stumbled on a compelling alternative to alignment if you’re looking for a different way to play with morality in your D&D game. Finally, they revisit skill variants from episode 264 , giving some examples of when they might be just t...

Lex & Brett return to their in-depth discussion of the Dungeon Master’s Guide for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. This week they begin exploring Chapter 9: Dungeon Master’s Workshop. They begin with some general guidelines for considering optional and variant rules for your game. Then the ability option of using proficiency dice. Next up are some skill variants, including ability check pro...

Lex gives a thorough review of the D&D Essentials Kit . This is a great introduction to the game for new DMs and is a definite upgrade of the previous Starter Set .

Lex & Brett wrap up their discussion of chapter 8 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide —Running the Game. Today they cover combat in D&D, chases, siege equipment, diseases, poisons and madness. They also talk about dealing with (or not dealing with) experience points at the table. What do you do about missing players if you use xp? Finally, they explore the pros and cons of leveling using xp, mil...

Lex & Brett return to the Dungeon Master’s Guide to discuss exploration in D&D. Topics covered include travel pace, visibility, noticing other creatures, tracking, social interactions, changing NPC attitudes, roleplaying, engaging players and damaging & destroying objects.

Lex & Brett discuss the various aspects of using dice in a D&D game: using ability scores, saves, DCs, proficiency bonus, advantage & disadvantage, inspiration, resolution & consequences.

Lex & Brett discuss the various aspects of using dice in a D&D game: using ability scores, saves, DCs, proficiency bonus, advantage & disadvantage, inspiration, resolution & consequences.

Lex and Brett discuss their latest D&D campaigns—what they got right, what they got wrong, and what they’ve learned from the process. The also hit on some other topics including: using xp versus milestones versus hand-waving PC leveling; giving strongholds to the PCs; and whether or not to tell the players the difficulty number of a roll.

Lex returns to his exploration of the Dungeon Master’s Guide to discuss treasure and other types of rewards the player characters can earn through adventuring. Coins, gems, art objects and magic items are covered, as well as sentient magic items and artifacts. Lex also talks about other rewards PCs can receive, including blessings, charms, marks of prestige and epic boons.

Lex returns to his discussion of the Dungeon Master’s Guide . This week he digs into downtime activities.

How do you run a good dungeon crawl? How do you keep things interesting and exciting in a megadungeon or a campaign featuring a series of dungeons? Lex tackles these questions and more on this episode of Game Master’s Journey.

Lex gives his thoughts on the 5th edition iteration of the classic megadungeon, Undermountain .

Lex discusses his experience with reveals as a GM and whether or not to go for the long con. He also revisits his initiative system with some additions for players that may try to take advantage of the system. Finally, Lex talks about tailoring your game to fit your group of players.

Quincy and Wahl visit the Halls of Knowledge to learn more about avatars of the gods. They also speak with Druinda and learn more about the World Axis and the adventurers who broke the world.

The PCs return to the city of Elandria and are inducted into The Honorable Guild of Adventurers, Explorers and Scholars. They acquire some powerful new gear, and a conversation with Druinda brings their true natures and destinies to light. Finally, the PCs receive an exciting new asset and ally in their quest. Secrets that have been brewing behind the scenes since the beginning of the campaign are...

The PCs find some treasure and endeavor to seal the portal to the Abyss.

The PCs explore a dungeon they believe to house a rift to the Abyss. Their goal is to slay the demons, end the threat they pose to Dianara’s Rest and close the rift. Lerissa breaks the game again, and other hilarities ensue.

The PCs travel to a dungeon north of Dianara’s Rest in the hopes of sealing a rift to the Abyss and stopping the flow of demons into the area.

The PCs head north in search of a rift to the Abyss. They believe this to be the source of demons that have been attacking the village of Dianara’s Rest in recent weeks.

The PCs head north in search of a rift to the Abyss. They believe this to be the source of demons that have been attacking the village of Dianara’s Rest in recent weeks.

Lex takes a deep dive into Waterdeep: Dragon Heist , an adventure for 5th edition D&D. He gives an honest review of the good and bad of this adventure and discusses its usefulness to DMs who don’t end up running the adventure. Lex begins with a spoiler free review, and then goes into a more detailed review for DMs and others considering buying the adventure. Please don’t listen to the later, s...

In this instalment of Hinterlands of Elandria, Kravitz finds his voice, and Bryn asks Quincy for aid in finding the firbolg. The PCs put the best spin on things possible when they explain the situation with Ezryn the Mad with the Mayors of Dianara’s Rest, and then they consider their next moves.

The PCs grapple with the repercussions of their battle with Ezryn the Mad. They search the ruins of her hut for treasure and debate Miguel the Flayer’s fate.

Lex returns to the 5th edition DMG to discuss how to link adventures together into a larger campaign. He also talks about campaign tracking and organization.