Game Master's Journey 134: Bringing NPCs to Life & House Rules

Vampire: The Masquerade Part 3 | GMJ 296: I continue my overview of Vampire: the Masquerade by White Wolf Games. This week I talk about the virtues and humanity, backgrounds, diablerie, frenzy, rotschrek, and awarding and spending experience points. by Game Master's Journey

92 min listen

Vampire: The Masquerade Part 2 | GMJ 295: I continue my overview of Vampire: the Masquerade by White Wolf Games. This week I go over the Disciplines—the various vampiric powers—as well as the clans of vampires. I also talk about generation and how the blood pool mechanics work. by Game Master's Journey

84 min listen

Vampire: The Masquerade Part 1 | GMJ 294: I give an overview of Vampire: The Masquerade RPG by White Wolf Games. In this first part I talk about some of the things I’ve learned from Vampire that have made me the GM I am today. by Game Master's Journey

79 min listen

Adventure Paths, Mage & Vignettes | GMJ 292: Craig joins me again today to continue our discussion of his Mage chronicle. We talk more about the open-ended magic system of Mage and how, to a large degree, the biggest limitation is the players’ own imaginations. by Game Master's Journey

70 min listen

Mage the Ascension & Mechanics- vs. Narrative-Focused Games | GMJ 291: 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. by Game Master's Journey

84 min listen

My Ideal RPG System | GMJ 290: 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. by Game Master's Journey

54 min listen

My Approach to Game Mastering & Returning to the World of Darkness | GMJ 289: 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 by Game Master's Journey

88 min listen

Problem Solving & Combat | GMJ 288: This week I resurrect the show to discuss how problem solving can be a refreshing alternative to combat in your RPG. by Game Master's Journey

63 min listen

Game Master's Journey Grand Finale - Campaign Length | GMJ 287: 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. by Game Master's Journey

67 min listen

Star Trek Adventures: the Good, the Bad & the Ugly | GMJ 286: 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. by Game Master's Journey

140 min listen

Reflecting Diverse Cultures in Your World & Creating a World Your Players are Invested In | GMJ 285: 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. by Game Master's Journey

105 min listen

Worldbuilding for Small-Scale Stories & Using Cliches | GMJ 284: 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. by Game Master's Journey

64 min listen

All Good Things... | DMJ 283: 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. by Game Master's Journey

112 min listen

PC Races & Subraces, Reskinning Classes, Mining from Previous Editions, Beyond Pass/Fail & Player Agency | DMJ 282: 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). by Game Master's Journey

126 min listen

Removing Classes from the PHB - Feedback | DMJ 281: 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. by Game Master's Journey

110 min listen

Maybe You DON'T Want to Use Everything in the Player's Handbook | DMJ 280: 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. by Game Master's Journey

113 min listen

Campaign Recap: For Whom the Bel Trolls & Where's Wahl, Though? | DMJ 279: 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. by Game Master's Journey

60 min listen

Campaign Recap: Arkhan? No, Ar-CAN'T! & Pit Stop | DMJ 277: 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. by Game Master's Journey

75 min listen

Modifying a Monster & Creating Quick Monster Stats | DMG Chapter 9 | DMJ 276: 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. by Game Master's Journey

107 min listen

Matt Mercer's Heroic Chronicle from Explorer's Guide to Wildemount | DMJ 275: 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 by Game Master's Journey

67 min listen

Running Higher Level Characters in a Lower Level Adventure | DMJ 274: 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 g by Game Master's Journey

78 min listen

Blood of the Avatars 26: S'up, Minotaur? | GMJ 273: 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. by Game Master's Journey

161 min listen

Blood of the Avatars 25: Arkhan's Tower | GMJ 272: 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. by Game Master's Journey

141 min listen

Blood of the Avatars 24: Highway to Hell | GMJ 271: 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! by Game Master's Journey

137 min listen

More Combat Options! | DMG Chapter 9: Dungeon Master's Workshop | GMJ 270: 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. by Game Master's Journey

49 min listen

Combat Options: Initiative Variants & Action Options | DMG Chapter 9: Dungeon Master's Workshop | GMJ 269: 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 b by Game Master's Journey

63 min listen

Blood of the Avatars 23: Willim the Wondrous | GMJ 268: 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 Won by Game Master's Journey

134 min listen

Blood of the Avatars 22: Homecoming | GMJ 267: 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. by Game Master's Journey

106 min listen

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Game Master's Journey 134: Bringing NPCs to Life & House Rules

Game Master's Journey 134: Bringing NPCs to Life & House Rules

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