From Player to DM: Making the Transition and Mastering Both Sides of the Screen

Dear Readers, Dungeons & Dragons is a game of boundless imagination, where players step into the roles of heroes, embarking on epic quests and facing formidable challenges. At the heart of every D&D campaign is the Dungeon Master (DM), the storyteller who guides the players through the adventure, weaving a narrative tapestry of danger, discovery,Continue reading “From Player to DM: Making the Transition and Mastering Both Sides of the Screen”

Classic Dungeon Design: Tips and Tricks from the Early Days of Dungeons & Dragons

Dear Readers, in the rich tapestry of Dungeons & Dragons lore, dungeons stand as iconic symbols of adventure, danger, and discovery. From the dark catacombs beneath ancient castles to the labyrinthine tunnels of forgotten civilizations, these underground labyrinths have captured the imaginations of players and Dungeon Masters alike for decades. In this blog post, weContinue reading “Classic Dungeon Design: Tips and Tricks from the Early Days of Dungeons & Dragons”

How-To DM: From One-shot to Epic – Tips for Crafting and Running Short Adventures

Dear Readers, Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is a game of limitless possibilities, where epic sagas and legendary campaigns unfold across vast landscapes. However, not every adventure needs to span multiple sessions. One-shot adventures, designed to be completed in a single gaming session, offer a unique and focused experience for both Dungeon Masters (DMs) and players.Continue reading “How-To DM: From One-shot to Epic – Tips for Crafting and Running Short Adventures”

How-to DM: Session Preparation

Dear Readers, Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is a game of imagination, strategy, and collaboration. At the heart of every memorable D&D campaign is a Dungeon Master (DM) who crafts a rich and immersive world for players to explore. One of the key elements that contribute to a successful D&D session is thorough preparation. In thisContinue reading “How-to DM: Session Preparation”

How-To DM: Running an Epic Boss (BBEG) Fight

Dear Readers, I’m going to try a different format for this post to see how I feel about it. If you love it or hate it, let me know in the comments section below! Introduction One of the most exhilarating aspects of D&D is facing formidable foes in epic boss battles. These climactic encounters canContinue reading “How-To DM: Running an Epic Boss (BBEG) Fight”

How-To Run a Successful One-Shot Adventure

One of the most fun and engaging ways to play D&D is through a one-shot adventure. A one-shot adventure is a self-contained story that typically lasts for one session, usually around three to six hours. It’s a great way to introduce new players to the game, and it’s also perfect for more experienced players whoContinue reading “How-To Run a Successful One-Shot Adventure”

How-To DM: Balancing Encounters

As a Dungeon Master, one of the key responsibilities is to create encounters that are challenging and engaging for the players. Encounters can be anything from combat to puzzles, and they serve as a way to move the story forward and keep players invested in the game. However, creating encounters that are both balanced andContinue reading “How-To DM: Balancing Encounters”

How-To DM: Dealing With Character Death

All jokes aside, in most tabletop roleplaying games, death is a very real possibility for player characters. Whether it is the result of a failed saving throw, a critical hit from a powerful enemy, or some other unfortunate circumstance, character death can be a devastating experience for players. Dealing with character death in a wayContinue reading “How-To DM: Dealing With Character Death”

How-To DM: Adventure Outlining

Dear Readers, I have a confession to make: I don’t usually write out the adventures that I run with regards to my homebrew stuff. Not even a little bit. I don’t usually pre-plan the interactions, per se, I don’t have “read aloud” text, but what I do do (hehe, insert 12-year old joke), is outline!Continue reading “How-To DM: Adventure Outlining”

How-To DM: Character Backgrounds in Campaigns

Dear Readers, this is going to be an interesting post… Be forewarned. Let’s say you build yourself a marvelous campaign. You have a wonderful campaign world in which you have woven an epic tale of triumphs and failures. You have yourself a wonderful world waiting to be explored and a story just waiting to beContinue reading “How-To DM: Character Backgrounds in Campaigns”

Not a Player’s Perspective – How-To DM: When Things Go Awry

Our normal contributor for today is bogged down with work and exams from his master’s degree. Which is fine and totally understandable. This leaves me the ability to do another article today on something been thinking about. What do you do when your campaign gets derailed? We’ve all been there. You know what I’m talkingContinue reading “Not a Player’s Perspective – How-To DM: When Things Go Awry”