Mastering Dungeons

Episode 314 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Best of Heroes of the Borderlands 5.5 Starter Set!

One year after 5.5 launched – was it worth the wait? We look at this innovative starter set and how it updates the classic Keep on the Borderlands!

News: Hasbro and D&D’s Q3 Revenue Growth, D&D Wallpaper, Misplaced Monsters, and more!

Contents
00:00 Gamehole Memories
01:38 Go See Wildwood Movie!
02:57 Tastiest Monster?
05:46 What Should Aspiring GMs Read?
13:53 Hasbro's Huge Q3 2026
18:58 Wizards' Record Q3 for Magic
22:24 D&D Revenue Estimate
24:14 Estimating 2026 and 5.5 Impact
26:10 Misplaced Monsters V2
26:56 Sad Bioware News
28:43 D&D Wallpaper at Target
30:31 Army Painter D&D Paints and Academy
31:20 Pacific NW RPG Fest
33:23 Heroes of the Borderlands Starter Set
36:58 History of Starter Sets
39:56 What Makes This Different
46:03 What's Inside?
55:03 Credits and 2025 Releases
57:35 Premise and Approach
01:02:54 Every Player Can DM
01:05:37 Wilderness Booklet and Road
01:19:06 Woods, Fens, and Tamarack Stand
01:23:16 Balancing Brevity, Open Play, and DM Info
01:28:49 Random Encounters
01:29:54 Shout-Outs
01:33:57 What Are We Gonna Do Now?

Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

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Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

Episode 313 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: James Introcaso on Crows, Draw Steel, and MCDM! Live from Gamehole Con!

The incredible James Introcaso discusses the last six years at MCDM, including the creation of Draw Steel and Crows, plus insights into being a creator in the industry.

(No separate News segment this week!)

Contents
00:00 Live from Gamehole!
01:36 Excited for Dark Sun?
03:16 If Universes Beyond is Most Poplular?
05:16 Knitting Like the DMs Guild?
08:30 James Introcaso and MCDM's Transformation
12:12 Designing for Hope & Fear
14:51 Advantages of Full-Time Employment
16:52 Product Line and Enjoying Victories
20:59 Crows RPG
23:28 Crows Gameplay
26:05 Motivation in Crows
28:02 Crows as a Big MCDM Change
31:03 Playtest and Revision Approach
34:34 Adventure Design Rut?
38:05 Stretching Crows and an OGL?
40:18 Mechanics vs Narrative for New RPG?
45:44 Playtesting Higher Levels?
49:35 New RPGs and Flexibility?

Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

Episode 312 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Remonstered! Keith Ammann Updates The Monsters Know What They’re Doing!

Keith joins Teos to discuss his innovations for running great monsters, how 5.5 monsters have changed, and the best new and updated monsters!

News: D&D and Magic Joining Union, PH 5.5 Errata, Star Wars and Dark Sun Previews, Project Lamordia Review, and more!

Contents
00:00 Rapping with Keith
02:29 Sirrangia Update
03:04 Is Turn-Loss Educational?
11:25 D&D and Magic Joining Union
19:42 Project Lamordia Launched
24:14 5.5 PH Errata Update
25:25 Star Wars and Dark Sun News
29:46 D&D Staff DMing at Gamehole
31:26 Ohlen Launches Malborn
34:06 Encounter Organization
40:53 Microscope 2E
42:51 Threats of the Timescape
44:33 Job Trail
45:52 Keith Ammann
47:45 Keith's Origin Story
49:40 Why Books?
53:50 Has Success Changed Keith's Game?
56:55 What Remonstered Offers
01:00:42 New Innovations
01:07:56 Shenanigans
01:17:56 Best New and Updated Monsters
01:21:55 Monster Type Changes
01:27:05 The Flumph and Alignment
01:33:04 Where to Buy Keith's Books
01:36:39 Shout-Outs
01:41:11 What Are We Gonna Do?

Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

Episode 311 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Best of Dragons of Stormwreck Isle and the 3rd Starter Set!

5E’s 3rd Starter Set brings fewer components, a lower price point, and all the dragons! See why we harpy about why this is ghoul enough for you.

News: Free Warcraft D&D Adventure, D&D Professions and Factions in WoW, Lamordia Modern Ravenloft, and more!

Contents
00:00 Swim Any Day in November
03:28 Designer Peer Group?
12:05 Impact of Creator's Voice?
20:24 Free World of Warcraft Adventure
21:09 First Look at Wow Professions
25:03 WoW Factions and Renown
26:08 Ravenloft Project Lamordia
27:40 October D&D Drops Review
31:55 Disability Pride Dice
33:03 Renegade Loses Wolf Gains Hasbro
34:30 Critical Role Grunge Video Game
35:00 WizKids Hiring Marketing
35:43 Draw Steel Hooked on Crafting
36:49 Blacksmith's Guild and Iridoss Campaign
38:18 Dragons of Stormwreck Isle
39:14 Product History
43:33 '80s Tie-In
46:30 Other 2022 Products
48:12 Premise and Approach
50:29 Personal Goals
55:04 First Encounter Consequences
01:04:12 Zombie Resurgence
01:06:33 Quest Overviews
01:09:44 Exploration Encounters
01:13:13 Seagrow Caves
01:15:47 Cursed Shipwreck
01:20:01 Clifftop Observatory
01:28:10 Conclusion
01:32:42 Shout-Outs
01:36:50 What Are We Gonna Do?

Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

Episode 310 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Best of Dragon of Icespire Peak and the Essentials Kit!

5E’s second Starter Set brings huge innovation, from Sidekicks to Quest Boards and Initiative Cards! Our review is more fun than a mimic in a gnome home.

News: Wizards Fires and Hires, Warcraft Monsters First Look, Dragonlance Book White Board, and more!

Contents
00:00 Sirrangia and Encounters
02:40 Our Art Preference?
10:30 Warcraft First Look: Monsters!
14:08 LaTia Jacquise Departs Wizards
17:23 Wizards Hires Celeste Conowitch
19:20 Dragonlance Book Brainstorm
22:24 100 D&D Novels Return
25:40 Daggerheart and D&D at Lucca
27:59 One Ring's Huge Backerkit
29:52 Dragon of Icespire Peak
31:39 Starter Set History
36:59 What's In The Box?
43:42 Digital Codes on DDB
46:15 Other 2019 Products
48:20 Premise and Approach
58:20 Introducing Sidekicks
01:00:58 Quest Board and First Quests
01:13:09 Follow-Up Quests
01:21:27 Other Locations
01:25:39 Ending the Adventure
01:32:51 Shout-Outs
01:38:16 What Are We Gonna Do?

Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

Episode 309 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Creating Mistborn and the Cosmere RPG with Lyla and Lydia!

Lyla Fujiwara (Cosmere RPG Director) and Lydia Suen (Cosmere Lead Designer) of Brotherwise Games join us to share what it took to create the Mistborn Setting for the Cosmere RPG! Learn about Plotweaver, time-swap adventures, freelancing, and much more!

News: Warcraft 5E First Look, Draw Steel Encounters, Free Stuff, Jedi in 5E Star Wars, and more!

Contents
00:00 Best Podcast Ever
03:01 Jedi in 5E Star Wars?
12:02 Warcraft 5E First Look!
16:05 DMAP Goes to Azeroth
17:08 Seeker's Guide to Dread Demigods
18:33 Draw Steel Encounters
22:50 Building Cities Like Theme Parks
25:16 Treska on RPG Freelancing
27:41 Tomb of the Heretics for Shadowdark
28:29 Eidolon: The Night Market
29:26 Free Draw Steel Intro
30:30 Creating Mistborn and Cosmere
31:21 Lyla Fujiwara and Lydia Suen
38:38 What is the Cosmere and Plotweaver?
44:18 Record-Setting Crowdfunding Impact
49:29 Types of Stories Cosmere Tells
52:14 Plot Die and Character Goals
59:21 Mistborn's Design
01:01:32 Heroic and Invested Paths
01:07:38 Kandra and Other Novel Options
01:09:21 Managing All the Lore
01:15:18 Adventure Design in Mistborn
01:21:39 Time Swapping Two Eras
01:30:05 What's Next for Mistborn and Cosmere?
01:31:05 How to Design for Cosmere?
01:38:54 Shout-Outs
01:42:41 What Are We Gonna Do?

Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

Episode 308 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Best of Lost Mine of Phandelver, the first D&D Starter Set!

The adventure (and rules) that kicked off 5E! We look at why every starter set has to measure itself against this one.

News: Dan Ayoub on Leading D&D, 5 New Underdark Species, D&D Encounters Unboxing, and more!

Contents
00:00 Start Your Sets
01:17 Published Campaign Help?
06:03 Are VTTs Changing Design?
14:06 3 New Underdark Subclasses
24:58 5 New Underdark Species
27:19 Arcana Unleashed Delays
28:35 D&D Encounters Kit Contents!
32:44 Dan Ayoub on Leading D&D
36:36 Castle Ravenloft DM Screen
39:06 PAX Unplugged Houston
41:47 Steve Jackson Steps Down as CEO
43:04 Lost Mine of Phandelver
44:35 History of Starter Sets
47:51 What It Offers
52:35 What Else in 2014?
55:50 Premise and Approach
01:00:01 A Strong Start?
01:10:18 Goblin Caves
01:13:40 Exploring Phandalin
01:21:20 Area Quests and Cragmaw Castle
01:25:31 Wave Echo Cave
01:32:33 Shout-Outs
01:36:36 What Are We Gonna Do?

Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

Episode 307 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Arcana Unleased with Amanda Hamon!

Amanda joins us to discuss the Arcana Unleashed products she led – the process, the design, and the exciting contents of both books!

News: Ravenloft Netflix TV Show, New D&D Beyond Drops, PAX West Report, and more!

Contents
00:00 Return from PAX West
04:21 RPGs Providing Right Information?
12:41 Single-PC Encounters?
21:00 Ravenloft Netflix TV Series
24:33 Drops for Season of Magic
25:34 Storied Encounters and Fantastic Locations
29:43 Castle Ravenloft Board Game Returns
31:42 5.5 Munchkin TTRP
32:53 Hellbinder's Guide to Harvesting & Crafting
33:44 Was a $1607 Kickstarter Worth It?
35:51 Amanda Hamon Unleashed!
36:40 Amanda's Origin Story
39:13 Journalism to Game Design
44:11 Working at Wizards
46:12 D&D's Recent Growth
48:02 Arcana Unleashed Duality
52:53 Alustriel Silverhand
55:26 AU Contents and Old vs New
58:19 Schools of Magic and DM Tools
59:59 Magical Patrons Unify Subsystems
01:02:42 Evolving Magic Items
01:05:21 Deadfall Adventure Concept
01:06:13 High-Level Spy Thriller
01:09:06 Thayan Gazetteer
01:11:34 Depicting Thayan Life
01:13:18 Adventure Options
01:15:35 Organized Play Tie-Ins
01:15:58 Spoiler for Cool Encounter
01:18:31 High-Level Challenges
01:20:50 See Amanda at Conventions
01:23:47 Shout-Outs
01:28:21 What Are We Gonna Do?

Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

Episode 306 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Best of Acquisitions Incorporated: Orrery of the Wanderer!

Completely unbiased coverage of the best and most perfect adventure ever written! You will love this show, or your money back.

News: D&D’s Secret Survey, Universes Beyond Hiring, Warlock Gameplay, End of Burning Wheel, and more!

Contents
00:00 Hear Us on Other Podcasts
02:39 Turn Off DM Brain?
07:00 Go Back in Time to Which Classic?
08:59 Linear Easier with Published Advs?
12:41 D&D's Secret Survey
15:24 Q4 DDB Partner Releases
17:31 D&D Hiring for Universes Beyond
19:05 Warlock Video Game Preview
21:42 Long Rest Tavern
22:11 Hasbro Data Breach
23:28 Random Weather at Mooncastle
24:51 New EU Packaging Law
26:58 The End of Burning Wheel?
30:08 Crows Hits $1M
31:19 Acquisitions Incorporated Orrery of the Wanderer
32:51 What is Acq Inc?
37:02 Wild Story of This Project
42:47 Premise and Approach
49:25 New Rules!
54:36 Mixup in Waterdeep
01:03:36 Fun in Phandalin
01:09:45 Darkness at the Lighthouse
01:14:40 Luskan and Dran Enterprises
01:21:36 Why Humor Engages
01:23:27 Wedding Parties and Lich Casinos
01:28:41 Showdown With the Six
01:31:50 Design Thoughts
01:36:24 Shout-Outs
01:40:49 What Are We Gonna Do Now?

Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

Episode 305 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Tomas Härenstam of Free League!

Free League’s CEO and frequent designer discusses how the company began and grew, how they tackle crowdfunding, IPs, partnerships, organized play, and more!

News: D&D Gives You Ceremorphosis, Wizards Polls Your Trust, Underdark UA Subclasses, DMing High Level and more!

Contents
00:00 Intro
01:19 Run Published Epic-Level?
08:55 Underdark Options UA
11:56 Barbarian Path of Unlight
19:18 Rogue House Agent
28:14 Wizard Imaskarcanist
36:08 Path of Ceremorphosis
43:04 Do You Trust Wizards?
47:25 D&D Encounters Update
48:47 D&D Beyond Roadmap Update
50:46 Crows: Fortune or Death!
51:34 Amazing Adversaries & Environments
52:45 Tomas Härenstam of Free League
53:30 Origin Story
56:14 Swedish Influences
01:01:31 Free League's Growth
01:09:05 Multi-RPG Strategy
01:12:46 High Art Quality
01:17:16 Game Lines and Audience
01:20:30 IPs and Partnerships
01:24:52 Crowdfunding and Tariffs
01:28:29 Organized Play
01:31:07 Open Gaming License
01:34:36 Free League's Future?
01:36:36 Free League Unbound
01:38:29 Find and Follow Free League

Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

Episode 303 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Best of Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen!

Dragonlance is Back! Come see why this adventure deserves a second chance.

News: Critical Role Lands Emmy, D&D Drops Oozes and Errata, Pathfinder on DriveThru, and more!

Contents
00:00 Gamehole with Teos and James?
04:21 Announcements vs Playtesting?
10:59 Licensed IPs Exclusive?
16:09 D&D Drops Oozes for August
23:04 New Drops Errata
26:55 Frontiers of Eberron on DDB
27:56 D&D on Szass Tam
30:28 Pathfinder/Starfinder on DriveThru
32:20 Critical Role Lands an Emmy
33:11 Union for Rowan, Rook, and Deckard
34:51 Springfield School of Worldbuilding
38:09 RPGs and Starting Communities
40:44 Not All D&D is for Everyone
43:26 Game Development Resources
45:49 Dragonlance Shadow of the Dragon Queen
47:22 Dragonlance as a Special Setting
01:00:30 5E's Dragonlance and Board Game
01:06:58 Adventure Premise and Approach
01:10:17 War Comes to Krynn
01:11:46 Characters and Pre-War Preludes
01:19:05 Vogler and Dragon Army
01:31:09 Kalaman Missions and Soth
01:38:13 Exploring Northern Wastes
01:40:21 City of Lost Names
01:45:09 Inflitrate Soth's Flying Castle
01:52:09 Shout-Outs
01:56:28 What Are We Gonna Do?

Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

Episode 303 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Adam Bradford, from D&D Beyond to Free League Unbound!

Adam Bradford joins us to discuss Free League's amazing Unbound platform and his voyage to and from D&D Beyond, including his design projects like Invincible and Forgotten Odysseys.

News: Diamond Gives Inventory Back, Gamehole PoC Event, PAX West Needs DMs, and more!

Contents
00:00 3E Turns 26
03:32 Audio in Adventure Products?
07:24 Bloated Character Sheets?
17:17 Diamond Gives Back Inventory
19:45 PAX West Call for D&D DMs
20:42 GameHole Con PoC Industry Dinner
23:19 Adam Bradford, Probably
24:30 Adam's Backstory
28:51 The Path to D&D Beyond
32:34 D&D Beyond
39:04 Why D&D Beyond Succeeded
43:27 Digital Reader Surprise
46:10 Demiplane and Fantasy Grounds
52:58 Lessons Carried Forward
57:41 Free League Unbound
01:07:04 Invincible and RPG Design
01:13:52 Forgotten Odysseys
01:19:21 Adam's Future Plans
01:21:32 Find Adam
01:24:54 Shout-Outs
01:28:51 What Are We Gonna Do?

Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

Episode 302 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Dark Sun, Star Wars, Warcraft, Greyhawk, and All D&D Gen Con News!

Wizards of the Coast goes all-out with a D&D Tower, Carnival, Drone Show, and tons of peaks at upcoming releases.

News: Wizards President Departs, Free League Unbound, Daggerheart Plans, ENnies, and more!

Contents
00:00 Gen Con Happened!
02:46 Spoiler Descriptions?
06:10 Is Bloat Bad?
18:00 John Hight Departs as WotC Pres
21:25 Starter Set and Big Box Stores?
23:24 Free League Unbound
27:48 Daggerheart 3-Year Plan
34:45 Cosmere and Plotweaver
36:31 Monte Cook Games
36:49 Diana Jones Award
38:13 ENnies Award Recipients
41:33 Tabletop Show is Back?
44:00 Doom-Dust of the Disintegrator
45:01 Leveled Lairs - Aboleths
46:09 D&D's Huge Gen Con Reveals
47:48 Keynote Roadmap
49:13 Season of Magic
50:48 World of Warcraft
58:42 Dark Sun Confirmed!
01:05:25 No DMAP for Dark Sun
01:08:16 Greyhawk Crown of the Witch Queen
01:11:04 Star Wars D&D
01:15:39 D&D Icons
01:21:31 Partnerships
01:27:41 Universes Beyond for D&D
01:31:22 Warlock
01:32:55 D&D Beyond News
01:36:39 D&D Designer Talks
01:38:44 Drone Show
01:41:10 Overall Thoughts
01:45:11 Shout-Outs
01:49:21 What Are We Gonna Do?

Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

Episode 301 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: The Best of Spelljammer Light of Xaryxis!

An adventure crafted to feel like an old sci-fi TV show? We look at how well it captures the classic Spelljammer setting.

News: World of Warcraft and D&D? Hasbro Q2 Growth? D&D Movie Sequel Script? And more!

Contents
00:00 Apocalypse Now
02:16 Bound by Blood
04:22 Add to Peril in Pinebrook?
12:51 Right Amount of Lore?
19:19 D&D and Warcraft
24:31 Hasbro Q2 Strong Growth
28:51 D&D Beyond Use
33:14 WotC Growth
34:47 How Big is D&D?
39:01 D&D Movie Sequel Script
41:21 Renegade and Anne Rice
43:35 The Guild Ren Faire'd
45:31 Crediting Creators
51:51 D&D Soaps
52:25 Gen Con DMAP Vinyl
53:16 Spelljammer Light of Xaryxis
54:37 Spelljammer History
01:04:10 D&D in 2022
01:08:50 Premise and Approach
01:15:04 Part 1: Seeds of Destruction
01:22:51 Part 2: Terrors of the Void
01:33:29 Part 3: Chaos in Doomspace
01:36:21 The Dark Sun Rumor
01:40:29 Part 4: Saviors of the Multiverse
01:44:00 Astral Elf Goals
01:47:15 Final Choices and Thoughts
01:50:18 Shout-Outs
01:54:42 What Are We Gonna Do?

Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

Episode 300 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Sirrangia and Worldbuilding Through Campaign Building!

Now that we are creating an adventure setting for our top Patreon supporters, we look at worldbuilding through the lens of campaign building.

News: Season of Magic Launches, Big D&D Gen Con Plans, Good and Bad Paizo News, and more!

Contents
00:00 300th Episode!
04:23 Balance My Vecna?
16:37 No-Win Situations?
21:33 Season of Magic Releases
22:57 D&D Encounters News
27:06 D&D's Big Gen Con Plans
30:21 DMAP Season 2
33:20 Free Play Along Pack
37:18 Sirius Dice for Daggerheart
39:12 Good and Bad Pathfinder News
41:46 Cosmere is Hiring
43:40 NPC Notes
45:43 Thrones & Bones Bundle
46:11 Scipio's New Blog
46:59 Sirrangia and Worldbuilding
48:02 Every Group is Different
51:59 Worldbuilding Basics
57:32 Worldbuilding in RPGs
01:04:35 Top-Down vs Bottom-Up
01:09:59 Designing Sirrangia
01:14:06 Rules and Worldbuilding
01:18:47 Our Patreon Polls
01:23:53 Surviving Strangehollow
01:25:15 Shout-Outs
01:29:42 What Are We Gonna Do?

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Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

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Episode 299 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster with Mike Shea aka Sly Flourish!

Mike Shea aka Sly Flourish joins Shawn to discuss his latest book providing GM advice!

News: D&D Fan Expo Canceled, 2026 ENnie Nominees, July D&D Drops, and more!

Contents
00:00 Mike Shea AKA Sly Flourish!
05:32 Reuse Our Old Ideas?
10:34 Who Would You Hire?
16:43 Which Idea?
23:30 D&D Fan Expo London Canceled
27:03 July D&D Beyond Drops
39:34 Demiplane and Roll20 Hiring
43:10 2026 ENnie Nominees
47:14 Another Stab at Making Enemies
48:02 A Nightmare Adventure
50:38 Welcome Mike Shea
1:02:03 Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster on Kickstarter
1:02:42 What Does Lazy Mean?
1:06:43 Discrepancy at the Table
1:09:25 Why This Book Now?
1:10:36 8 Steps for Gameplay
1:14:05 Steps in Non-D&D RPGs
1:23:05 Importance of Randomness
1:29:48 Find the Kickstarter
1:30:09 Shout-Outs

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Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

Episode 298 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Best of The Wild Beyond the Witchlight!

It’s easy to be positive when Shawn and Teos review one of the finest 5E adventures! Hear why this adventure excels!

News: Wizards has a Union, Latest D&D Jobs, Have We Moved Past the OGL, and more!

Contents
00:00 Draw Steel Monsters
01:54 Shawn's Wizardly Trip
04:18 Guest Appearances
05:36 Small Publisher Store Programs?
15:18 OGL Impact Over?
21:17 WotC New Union
23:32 New and Updated D&D Jobs
30:06 Season 2 Actual Play Announced
33:02 Preorder Vampire's D&D Book
38:19 Origins Award Winners
39:26 Forgotten Odysseys
40:54 The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
43:20 Product History
51:11 Premise and Approach
01:00:53 New Species, Backgrounds, Hooks
01:08:32 Witchlight Carnival
01:13:48 Carnival Trackers and Events
01:25:16 Chapters 2-4
01:31:02 Palace of Heart's Desire
01:33:44 Appendices and Tools
01:36:28 Shout-Outs
01:39:57 What Are We Gonna Do Now?

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Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

Episode 297 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Mystic Arts and Creator Publishing!

Daði Einars joins Teos to discuss RPG design, gameplay, and his work with Mystic Arts to create for Patreon, YouTube, and your table!

News: Vampire the Masquerade for D&D, New D&D Card Decks, WotC Staff Explain UAs, and more!

Contents
00:00 Welcome Daði Einars!
01:59 Corruption in Kryptgarden
08:00 Shield Lands Writing Team Correction
08:57 Big Battle Advice?
13:06 West Marches Draw Steel?
15:38 DDB Partner Q3 Schedule
17:02 Vampire Comes to D&D
23:42 Updated Villainous Options
27:19 Diana Jones Finalists
28:34 2024 Spell, Monster, Magic Decks
32:04 Free RPG Day June 27
33:05 China Gets Weird
36:39 The Last Round Table
37:28 RPG Trader
38:49 Mystic Arts and Creator Publishing
40:06 Who is Daði Einars?
44:37 Iceland's Baldur's Gate
47:36 Patreon and YouTube
57:15 Dungeon Jam
01:00:25 Crown of the Fungal Queen
01:10:12 What Does the Future Hold?
01:12:33 RPGs and System Hacking
01:16:10 Unused Plot Leads
01:19:54 Evaluating Game Systems vs D&D
01:26:56 Find Daði

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Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

Episode 296 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Best of Rime of the Frostmaiden!

We review this mega sourcebook and adventure in a single episode! See which parts of the cold will warm your heart.

News: Paizo’s Difficult Future, Renegade Drops Essence20 for 5E, City of Greyhawk on DDB, 3/4 of D&D Players in Last Decade, and more!

Contents
00:00 Knicks and Cups
01:17 Actual Shield Lands Authors
03:35 The Angel's in the Details
07:49 Running Megadungeons?
14:40 Paizo's Difficult Future
19:06 Drops Sharing Changed
20:32 Free City of Greyhawk on DDB
21:07 Renegade Drops Essence20 for 5E
23:34 Wizards on Japanese Localization
25:27 Dungeons & Dragons Questers
28:30 Biggest Crowdfunders Take 2
31:47 Rime of the Frostmaiden
34:01 Product History
41:17 Adventure Premise
47:39 Backgrounds and Setup
52:57 The Ten Towns
57:01 Wilderness and Places of Interest
01:00:57 Sunblight and Chardalyn Dragon
01:10:38 Auril's Abode
01:12:15 Caves of Hunger and Netherese City
01:13:24 Epilogue Decisions
01:18:20 Trinkets, Secrets, and Monsters
01:20:46 Shout-Outs
01:25:16 What Are We Gonna Do?

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Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

Episode 295 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: D&D Encounters Unboxing!

We unbox the D&D Encounters Ravenloft season contents and share the design of the Shadows of Sithicus adventure!

News: WotC Changes Drops Policy, Neon Odyssey Breaks Records, Baldur’s Gate 1 and 2 Remakes, Ravenloft Finishes AP, and more!

Contents
00:00 Our Favorite Show
02:04 Same Kobold Lair?
04:52 What Inspires Us for Designing?
11:06 Ravenloft's Final AP and Play Pack
13:29 New Monthly Drops
18:04 Shawn on New Drops Monsters
19:49 Changes to the Drops Program
23:08 Neon Odyssey Breaks Records
25:17 Baldur’s Gate 1 and 2 Remakes
28:34 AL and LoG Organized Play Update
29:59 New Greyhawk Supplements
30:52 Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster
31:55 Encounters Unboxed!
33:07 Quick Overview of D&D Encounters
37:36 Different from AL and LoG
42:15 Stores and Kits
45:30 What's In the Box?
48:33 Poster Maps!
50:38 DM and Player Rewards!
55:38 Dice Packs
58:13 What's in the Adventure?
01:03:11 Interactive Celebration Event
01:07:19 After the Celebration
01:10:44 Making Stores Happy
01:12:00 Encounters Dates
01:16:57 Shout-Outs
01:20:41 What Are We Gonna Do?

Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.