The DM‘s Book Club

Show Notes This week, Ryan and Fiona take another dive into the 'Mythic Odysseys of Theros', a Greek-inspired 5e campaign setting originally created for Magic: The Gathering. This time, we look at the common playable races of Theros and their places in the world driven by the whim of a pantheon of gods: Humans - the most numerous of Theros' mortal races who embody the mortal will to carve out a pl...

Show Notes This week, Fiona is joined by guest co-host, Jon, in talking about how horror influences their DMing and RPG games along with their first impressions of the latest Dungeons and Dragons' sourcebook, 'Van Ritchen's Guide To Ravenloft' We focus on 'Dark Gifts', the sinister bargains offered in desperate circumstances, as well as an overview of the different subgenres of horror, including F...

Show Notes This week, Fiona is joined by guest co-host, Sam, to discuss one of the earliest Encounter of the Week articles on DnD Beyond - ' Mystery of the Myconid Mausoleum ' by James Haeck. Whilst having a brief overview of Myconids, intelligent, ambulatory fungi, we also reflect on writing adventures with 3 distinct phases: a discovery, a combat, and a reveal. Together, these three principles c...

Show Notes This week, Fiona and Ryan are put through their creative paces by completing some of the activities in James D'Amato's ' The Ultimate RPG Character Backstory Guide ', a book dedicated to creating interesting backstories for player characters.  Book: Selections from 'The Ultimate RPG Character Backstory Guide' by James D'Amato published by Adams Media, 2018. Use the offer code "DMBC...

Show Notes This week, Ryan and Fiona have a deeper look at Trolls, the fearsome giant-like monsters with regenerative properties who eat anything and everything they catch. Moreover, we will be exploring 4 different types of trolls that have mutated into bizarre new forms: Dire Troll Rot Troll Spirit Troll Venom Troll Chapters discussed: 'Trolls' (p243 - 245) from 'Chapter 6: Bestiary'. Book: 'Mor...

Show Notes This week, Fiona and guest co-host Dee talk through 3 related articles from DnD Beyond, all of which focus on a common goal - creating a scenario in which it’s possible to kill the infamous vampire lord, Strahd von Zarovich, in a single 4-hour session. The 3 articles in question are: ' Strahd Must Die Tonight! How to Play Ravenloft in a Single Night ' by James Haeck (Oct 2018) ' Strahd...

Show Notes This week, Fiona and guest co-host Dee look at some alternative indie RPGs which have helped personalise Dee's homebrew D&D campaigns for their players. We spotlight two very influential RPGs: The Quiet Year from Buried Without Ceremony - a game where players define the struggles of a post-apocalyptic community and attempt to build something good within their quiet year. Microscope...

Show Notes This week, Ryan and Fiona have a chat about the playable races Tieflings and Aasimars, the human-based plane touched, native outsiders that are infused either with the touch of some fiendish or some good, otherworldly characteristics. Chapters discussed: 'Tieflings' (p42 - 43) from 'Chapter 2: Races', 'Tiefling Subraces' (p21 - 23) from 'Chapter 1: The Blood War' and 'Aasimars' (p104 -...

Show Notes This week, Ryan and Fiona have a look at group patrons - an individual or an organisation that unites an adventuring party as a team in service to a greater purpose. In particular, this episode focuses on the following types of Patron: Academy Crime Syndicate Guild Being your own Chapter discussed: Selections from 'Chapter 2: Group Patrons' (p83 - 103) Book: 'Tasha's Cauldron of Everyth...

Show Notes This week, Fiona and guest co-host Matt have a chat about the very short rules supplement 'One Grung Above' by Chris Lindsay. From the jungles of Chult, these tribal frog-like humanoids are fiercely territorial and naturally secrete poison to use as weapons. Chapter discussed: 'One Grung Above' by Chris Lindsay, 2017 Additional sources: 'Grungs' (p156) from 'Volo's Guide to Monsters' pu...

Show Notes This week, Fiona and guest co-host Matt dive into the official Dungeons & Dragons Annual 2021 - a seemingly 'brand new' venture where all the major D&D developments over the last 12 months are presented! This book aims to bring together everything that makes the D&D great, from heroes of legend to challenging monsters and even handy tips on how to start or continue your adve...

Show Notes This week, Ryan and Fiona have a go at the process for creating your own homebrew custom spells and magic items as described in the Dungeon Master's Guide. Turns out, it's much easier than we think! Chapter discussed: 'Creating a spell' and 'Creating a magic item' (p283 - 284) in 'Chapter 9: Dungeon Master's Workshop'.  Book: 'Dungeon Master's Guide' published by Wizards of th...

Show Notes This week, Ryan and Fiona are back (once more) with Tasha's Cauldron of Everything to look at why DMs should consider using puzzles as part of their sessions. In particular, we look at 3 different examples from the book: Creature Paintings (Difficulty: Easy) Members Only (Difficulty: Medium) Haunted Hallway (Difficulty: Hard) Chapter discussed: Selections from 'Puzzles' (p171 - 188) in...

Show Notes This week, Fiona and guest co-host John have a general chat about D&D monster manuals and reasons why we might not want to use them for our RPG encounters. We also briefly look at the ' Creatures: Complete Monster Compendium for 5E ' from the designers of Shadows of Esteren and Fateforge, a fantasy bestiary that takes a different look at how to portray creatures and nemesis in campa...

Show Notes This week, Fiona and guest co-host John check out the latest Unearthed Arcana supplement - Gothic Lineages! This document features three new race options to playtest for playable Dungeons & Dragons characters: Dhampir - Undead individuals endlessly tested by vicious hungers. Hexblood - Individuals infused with eldritch magic, fey energy, or mysterious witchcraft. Reborn - Individual...

Show Notes This week, Ryan and Fiona delve back into Tasha's Cauldron of Everything to look at magical phenomena; events, or hazards which has been imbued with unpredictably strong magics ranging from the whimsical to the deadly. Chapter discussed: 'Magical Phenomena' (p163 - 169) in 'Chapter 4: Dungeon Master's Tools' Book: 'Tasha's Cauldron of Everything' published by Wizards of the Coast, Novem...

Show Notes This week, Ryan and Fiona chat about Multi-classing, an optional set of customization rules which lets players combine classes together to really fine-tune their characters in a campaign. Chapter discussed: 'Multiclassing' (p163 - 165) in 'Chapter 6: Customization Options' Book: 'Player's Handbook' published by Wizards of the Coast, August 2014. Use the offer code "DMBC" to get 10% off...

Show Notes This week, Fiona and guest co-host Mira look at Dryads, the beautiful treebound fey spirits who act as forest and nature guardians in fantasy settings. Chapter discussed: 'Dryad' (p121) Book: 'Monster Manual' published by Wizards of the Coast, September 2014. Use the offer code "DMBC" to get 10% off any purchase from 3rd Space Gaming! Consider using our affiliate link when using DM's Gu...

Show Notes This week, Fiona and guest co-host Mira do a deep delve into all things food-related with the new official D&D cookbook - 'Heroes' Feast'! From the authors behind 'Art and Arcana', this cookbook invites fantasy lovers to learn about their favorite fictional cultures through their unique cuisines and lifestyles. All eighty dishes — developed by a professional chef — are described as...

Show Notes This week, Ryan and Fiona discuss creating sidekicks - minor characters who join and help your player characters on their quests. In particular, we look at the reasons why we might include sidekicks in our games and how to create the 3 different types of sidekicks: Expert, Spellcaster, and Warrior.  Chapter discussed: 'Sidekicks' (p142 - 147) in 'Ch. 4: Dungeon Master's Tools' Book...

Show Notes This week to start off the brand new season, Ryan and Fiona check out all things origin-related in the latest book from Wizards of the Coast: 'Tasha' Cauldron of Everything' (as well as a quick look at the new feats)! Chapter discussed: 'Customised your origin' (p7 - 8) and 'Feats' (p79 - 82). Book: 'Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything' by Wizards of the Coast, November 2020. Use the offer c...

Show Notes This week, in the second in a two-parter special, Fiona takes Ryan, Sam, and David on a special holiday-inspired one-shot to tied us over during our season break, using the homebrew setting of Holder-on-Hill.   Use the offer code "DMBC" to get 10% off any purchase from 3rd Space Gaming! Consider using our affiliate link when using DM's Guild! #SupportyourFLGS Credits The DM's...

Show Notes This week, in the first in a two-parter special, Fiona takes Ryan, Sam, and David on a special holiday-inspired one-shot to tied us over during our season break, using the homebrew setting of Holder-on-Hill.   Use the offer code "DMBC" to get 10% off any purchase from 3rd Space Gaming! Consider using our affiliate link when using DM's Guild! #SupportyourFLGS Credits The DM's B...

Show Notes This week, in the first in a two-parter special, Fiona takes Ryan on a tour of the pantheon of gods who guide religious life on Theros, a Greek-inspired campaign setting for the 5th edition Dungeons & Dragons, originally created for Magic: The Gathering back in September 2013. In this second episode, we look at: 4th Generation of the Pantheon: Athreos - the god of passage Iroas - th...

Show Notes This week, in the first in a two-parter special, Fiona takes Ryan on a tour of the pantheon of gods who guide religious life on Theros, a Greek-inspired campaign setting for the 5th edition Dungeons & Dragons, originally created for Magic: The Gathering back in September 2013. In this first episode, we look at: The background and unique campaign features of Theros Piety score The ge...