This time Mark and Ben take on the touchy topic of cultural appropriation in RPG settings. As a worldbuilder and in the run of your games, you'll draw on real world history, culture, and traditions, and it's likely not all of them will be your own. We discuss how to do so with appreciation and sensitivity rather than stereotypes and exoticism. Tune in for our deep dive into one of our most challenging topics!

Cultural Appreciation

In this episode, Mark and Ben seek out the lore of how to create and use strange new worlds in a variety of different science fiction genres. Whether it's hard science fiction focused on the science of the setting, soft science fiction focused dramatic alien encounters, or the science fantasy settings where planets exist to serve high adventure, we cover ideas and examples that will help you bring alien worlds to life in your next campaign.

Planetcrafting

In this episode, Mark and Ben discuss the complaint, issue, and (surprising!) opportunity of railroading your player characters. We'll talk about when to put smart limits on player agency for the benefit of the game and the players. In this week's Tune Up segment, we also talk about how to make travel an interesting gameplay element rather than an obstacle to getting to the next encounter.

Railroading, All Aboard!

In this week's episode, Mark and Ben build a magic item. Yes, it's time to put all our theory to work and actually build something for use at the table. We've attached the description below, and we hope you'll tune in to hear our thinking about how we made the choices that gave this item its history, special features, and thematic connection to our example Paladin. Tune in and learn how easy it can be to craft special items for your game.

Shield of St. Artivan
Intended Character: 3rd Level Paladin
Item Role: Fix party balance, add religious lore
Item Features: Wielder gains Advantage on checks to resist involuntary movement. Allows another friendly character within 5 feet of the shield's bearer to use their reaction to move five feet in any direction without provoking opportunity attacks. The character may use this ability a number of times equal to their proficiency bonus per long rest.
Item Level Range: 3+
Item History: The Shield of St. Artivan belonged to a Paladin renowned for his courage. He gave his life guarding a bridge, protecting the fleeing citizens of a town fallen to marauding monsters. They eventually overtook him, but all who fled from the town of Vilstad remembered his heroic sacrifice. The shield is a standard heater shield with the insignia of the Order of Ilye. Although its edges are battered and scarred, its escutcheon remains unblemished.

Let's Build a Magic Item

This week Mark and Ben interview Duncan Rhodes, author of the newly released Creative Gamemaster's Guide to Extraordinary Locations [https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Masters-Guide-Extraordinary-Locations/dp/1965636306]. In this episode, we talk about what makes a great map, the ways that maps can enhance story, and set the stage for great encounters of all kinds. Join us to hear Duncan's take on all this and more, and maybe check out his Dragonbowl adventure on the DM's Guild [https://www.dmsguild.com/en/product/357920/dragonbowl-5e-adventure].

Interview with Duncan Rhodes

A year on, Mark and Ben revisit the evolving discussion around AI for the GM. This episode takes on questions related to people's concerns about creativity, privacy, and IP before moving on to what's changed in the landscape of AI tools since the last time this topic was discussed. Tune in to learn a little more about what these tools can do for your game, and how you can use them responsibly.

AI Tools Again

In this episode, Mark and Ben talk about the highs and lows of critical results. Whether it's a natural 20, an exploding damage die, or an incredible result on an old school crit chart, these extraordinary results can create extraordinary moments at your table. Join us as we discuss various options for critical success, and some of the pitfalls to watch out for when your dice turn on the players as well.

Going Critical

Character death in RPGs can be a gut punch — but it’s also one of the richest storytelling tools in the game. Whether it’s a heroic sacrifice, a tragic misstep, or the fallout of a risky choice, death can add weight, emotion, and legacy to your campaign — if handled well. In this episode, we explore how to turn character death into drama, story, and worldbuilding gold. Learn how to prepare for it, frame it with narrative power, and let it echo long after the final breath.

When Dice Say Die

Running a game with a large table can feel like wrangling a small army—but it can also be hugely rewarding if you know how to manage the challenges. In this episode, Mark and Ben talk about the hurdles that come with oversized groups: scheduling nightmares, spotlight imbalance, scaling encounters, and keeping everyone engaged. From coaching player discipline to clever encounter design, we’ll share tips for keeping the game moving, making sure quieter voices don’t get lost, and balancing the chaos of extra characters. Plus, we’ll talk about the surprising benefits—like bigger stories, wild synergies, and the joy of bringing all your friends to the same table.

Large Player Groups

This week Mark and Ben talk about mass combat--those great battles that decide the fates of great powers and make great stories memorable. We'll discuss methods to keep your focus on the player characters as well as interesting intersections with war games that let players play out grand strategies at scale. Although mass combat encounters can be complex, you can make it easier by abstracting the action into manageable sub-encounters, boss fights, or even meta-currencies that let your players feel like they're playing an important role in the chaos of battle. Join us for a discussion of one of the most challenging and rewarding kinds of encounters you can bring your players.

Mass Combat

Here's a podcast for you, the rpg gamemaster (or dungeonmaster). Join your hosts and GMs Ben Dyer and Mark Lehman as they give you the short-form tips and tricks on how to make your rpg adventures easier for you and more fun for everyone.

Theme music by Suno, cover image by Dall-E.

Tabletop Tune Up