Dungeon Guides
Not THAT kind of dungeon... Or maybe it could be! As your guides, we seek to explore and chart the various aspects of arranging, preparing, and collaborating while enjoying what we believe is one of the most satisfying hobbies: tabletop gaming. We will explore the ins-and-outs from both the player and gamemaster's perspective, hoping to bring inspiration to any who grace us with the presence of their ears
Episodes
41 episodes
Episode 41 - So, You're a Narcissist GM, Part 1
In the next couple of episodes will be our hot takes on a list of rules that a very angry and aggressive GM gave out to players joining their campaign. It doesn't take long to realize that this list is a perfect "How NOT to GM" exercise. Strap ...
•
Episode 41
•
32:09
Episode 40 - Weekend at Lovecraft's
Monsters who tower above, or can swallow hole in one bite.. Those who breathe fire, or can petrify with a gaze.. Those who petrify with a gaze, or appear as harmless objects.. What are they, compared to those who are the thing of your darkest d...
•
Episode 40
•
26:15
Episode 39 - PC Bio: Osmand Kahn, Part 1
In the first of a series of character examinations, we introduce one of our Player Characters. We'll talk a bit about the ideas around the character's concept, the setting, and a brief summary of Osmand's first few levels. This is one of our fa...
•
Episode 39
•
28:25
Episode 38 - I Didn't Ask How Big the Room Was
You're a wiz, kid! Only the best and brightest might be a candidate for wizardry, as being a mage is one of the greatest aspirations available to mortals. However often it is restricted or elusive, the pursuit of magic and knowledge is a fundam...
•
Episode 38
•
26:11
Episode 37 - But Wait... There's More Attacks!
Some might call the Fighter class the bread & butter of a solid D&D party, and we think they're right. In this episode we will talk about how we see the Fighter class and what it brings to the table which other classes can only approxim...
•
Episode 37
•
25:17
Episode 36 - This Doesn't Spark Joy
What do John Candy, Matthew McCaunahey, Henry Winkler, and Arnold Schwarzenegger have in common? They all know what it takes to be cool.. And this episode's too cool for school, buster. We talk about the "Rule of Cool" and how we like to see th...
•
Episode 36
•
23:02
Episode 35 - Jack Tripper & The Trapper Keeper
Another episode where we talk about ways to make monsters interesting, and not just another set of numbers to crunch, or source of xp to grind. This week's show is focused on Napoleon syndrome kobolds pulling cunning stunts with their traps, an...
•
Episode 35
•
25:35
Episode 34 - Are We Dead Yet?
Do you ever feel like your dwindling hit points are just like a long boring ride with the family? Despite the fact that Dad says there's only 80 HPs to go, there never seems to be any experiential progress.. Just arbitrary numbers scrolling dow...
•
Episode 34
•
23:18
Episode 33 - Never Gonna Give Oath Up
You and I are not unacquainted to amorous affection, and we're both aware of the mechanical benefits. Strong adherence to ideology is the intention I hold, which you won't find with any other class. We just wanna tell you 'bout paladins, in the...
•
Episode 33
•
33:18
Episode 32 - Pop & Warlock
We take a look at one of the more interesting casters available in D&D 5th Edition, from both a mechanical and "RP" sense. Great power may be within reach of many, as powerful entities seek to increase their influence in the world. Power do...
•
Episode 32
•
33:43
Episode 31 - Look at This Pantheon
There are many gods.. Those who help remind you, while others only laugh. Some prayed to for wisdom, others for deft pickpocketing; while some are called upon from the bottom of a bottle, or when we're singing every song we know at the tavern. ...
•
Episode 31
•
32:11
Episode 30 - DG Presents: A Mothership Review
Unfortunately there is no P-Funk show, nor are we going to build any cities on rock & roll...Though with this game you certainly could. Our second RPG review has us giving our takes on this wonderfully compact game in the Sci-Fi/Horror genr...
•
Episode 30
•
47:09
Episode 29 - The Player Is Willing, The PC Is Not
Nobody likes to lose control of their player, but perhaps there are times when it's not only a reality, but it simply makes sense? Another discussion along the lines of RP and where/when a GM could or should step in to protect a character from ...
•
Episode 29
•
33:36
Episode 28 - One Does Not Simply Bonk With a Monster
Monsters look cool and sound cool, but what else about encountering the various foes and horrific monsters can make for memorable moments at your table? We spitball and vamp about ways in which GMs can help make their toys seem more tangible, m...
•
Episode 28
•
35:41
Episode 27 - Is This a Meta?
The RP in RPG means different things to different people, both in definition and in importance to their enjoyment of these wonderful games. Some love roleplay, while others favor leaning into "Roll" play. In our follow-up to last week's "Hot Ta...
•
Episode 27
•
38:14
Episode 26 - I'd Buy That for a Gold Piece
Coppers burnin' a hole in your pocket? Need a new set of armor, or perhaps some potions of anti-flatulence? The little brother of the social pillar, shopping brings as many smiles as it does frowns with the players. We discuss ways in which a G...
•
Episode 26
•
33:22
Episode 25 - 'Tis But a Scratch
Not every RPG system is focused on combat, but D&D started out as a combat simulator. We discuss the way combat feels in 'today's' D&D and take a look at ways we want combat to work in our play. There is always a balancing act between c...
•
Episode 25
•
37:12
Episode 24 - DG Presents: A Marvel Super Heroes Review
Our first entry for our 2024 New Game Bucket List is TSR's Marvel Super Heroes advanced set. Published in 1987, there are certainly some moments when reading this and can absolutely tell that this was the 80's. One computer in a room was a "com...
•
Episode 24
•
46:59
Episode 23 - Oh, Oh No, It's Magic!
In this episode we toss out our takes on how to make magic "feel" like magic. Comparing how magic works in different systems or editions, there will be poking at vancian magic, spell points, and how or when certain classes can feel like a uniqu...
•
Episode 23
•
48:03
Episode 22 - You Got Magic in My Technology!
As Arthur C. Clarke wrote "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic", so where does that leave us who play TTRPGs? One man's Molotov cocktail is another man's fireball spell... Setting, scope, and ability are crucial...
•
Episode 22
•
33:50
Episode 21 - Who's Your Baddie?
It's easy to make a BBEG, but not so easy to make them memorable or especially hateable. In this episode we discuss possible ways to make bad guys interesting, compelling, or downright horrible. Whether through sheer power, mighty magic, or the...
•
Episode 21
•
32:20
Episode 20 - To Inspiration and Beyond
Some times the gold loses its luster.. The gems cease to sparkle.. And Zach is subjected to yet another Conan reference. You can only buy what is available, and only sell to those who can afford it; there is a limit to the allure and utility of...
•
Episode 20
•
30:39
Episode 19 - What Tickles Your Fancy?
In this episode we each talk about works which inspire the types of worlds, situations, and characters we like to make or play in. One of the greatest aspects of TTRPGs is that we can design any setting, theme, approach, scope, scale, or level ...
•
Episode 19
•
33:15
Episode 18 - Less History More Mystery
Whether it be for a novel or for a TTRPG campaign, there are important things to consider as a writer regarding how far in advance to develop your world, or how much you reveal to the reader or players. We discuss possible techniques and approa...
•
Episode 18
•
33:50
Episode 17 - Evil Is as Evil Does
Playing evil characters can be a lot of fun, but it can also bring about complications for a playgroup if not approached mindfully. In this episode we discuss possible issues with party discord, player aggravation, and many new avenues of play ...
•
Episode 17
•
31:00