What makes a good player character backstory? This week we discuss the ways backstory can open up new story possibilities and begin character journeys through your campaign. Backstories are about balancing the need for hooks that bring characters into the narrative with mysteries that are left open for the GM to build on with new surprises in the length of the campaign. Join us for a helpful discussion of the art of the player character background!

Player Character Backgrounds

In this episode, Mark and Ben talk about Traveller. Its a system whose origins lie in the fateful summer of 1977 when another huge science fiction release (Star Wars) ensured it would gain instant traction with people hungry to embrace the stars. After several iterations, today's line of books is published by Mongoose publishing with great art, lots of technical details, and a wide range of adventures and sourcebooks. So, join us for a review of the highs and the lows, and if you've got a group of science-fiction enthusiasts at your table, we might be able to help you figure out if you want to give Traveller a try.

RPG Review - Traveller

This week we conclude our two-part interview with Bob Gerard, GM, player, Storyteller, Pinballer, and Star Wars fan. We talk about all those things and how they contribute to making you a better GM. Whether you're bringing Star Wars to life with the Hero's Journey or you're replenishing your creativity, Bob's got some great ideas to share with you. We hope you'll enjoy this concluding interview episode. If you haven't heard the first part, it's worth going back instead of picking up in the middle, and if you haven't checked out Bob's podcast, we recommend you give Short for a Stormtrooper [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/short-for-a-stormtrooper-a-15-minute-star-wars-podcast/id1744259146] a try.

GM Interview - Bob Gerard - Part 2

In this interview episode, Mark and Ben welcome their friend Bob Gerard, a podcaster, Star Wars superfan, storyteller, learning expert, and of course, a fellow GM. We ask Bob about his early experiences with role playing games, his thoughts on storytelling, and what it's like to visit Tokyo for the latest Star Wars Celebration. Our conversation with Bob ranged all over and we had to cut it into two parts, so tune in for part 1 this week and check out Bob's podcast Short for a Stormtrooper [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/short-for-a-stormtrooper-a-15-minute-star-wars-podcast/id1744259146] to get some great Star Wars discussion and exciting interviews.

GM Interview - Bob Gerard Part 1

This week we interview our friend Brandon Holland, a fellow old school GM who shares with us his insights on the importance of box text, early RPG influences, and the emergent magic of shared storytelling with great players. Join us for a discussion at the GM's table where we're all still learning how to do this unique role well.

GM Interview - Brandon Holland

In this episode, Mark and Ben discuss the first and still much loved series of games published by Palladium Games. Their entry point to the system was the comic book-inspired Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Other Strangeness, and that led to titles in other genres that used the same system: Heroes Unlimited, Ninjas and Superspies, Beyond the Supernatural, and Palladium's runaway bestseller, Rifts. This was a series of games with fantastic highs and unfortunate lows, and whether you run any of these games for your group or not, we hope you'll put at least one of their games on your shelf soon.

Tabletop Tune Up Reviews: Palladium Games

This week we're talking about one-shots and convention games. With GenCon's schedule release fresh in mind, now's a good moment to talk about why short-form RPGs are special, offering unique opportunities to test new games, build communities around your favorite games, and explore exciting alternatives to your regular campaigns. You'll get practical tips on designing pre-generated characters, crafting a complete and engaging short story, and expertly managing your game’s timing to ensure everyone has a great experience. We'll also talk about the unique challenges of running games at conventions, from preparing effectively to handling a table full of strangers. Tune in for strategies to create unforgettable short adventures that players will remember, whether it’s a spontaneous off-week session with friends or a packed table at your favorite game convention.

Work Your One Shots

In this episode, we saddle up and ride into the wide-open world of Western RPGs. The Western genre continues to captivate players, and we'll explore classic tropes like morally grey heroes, high-stakes showdowns, exploration, redemption, and the struggle against nature. You can create memorable campaigns from the stuff of history, or you can mashup the Western genre with gritty supernatural horror, inventive steampunk technology, or the familiar comforts of Sci-Fi Westerns like Firefly. Learn how to capture the unique feel of Western settings, from the loyalty of a cowboy’s horse to the elemental motivations of frontier life. Tune in to discover how to harness the spirit of the West for your next tabletop adventure!

Win with Westerns

Whether it’s a fortified castle, secret bat-cave, spaceship, or even a humble basement office, the right lair can give players a secure home, strategic advantages, and powerful story opportunities. We'll discuss how to introduce lairs meaningfully—through conquest, inheritance, or rewards—and explore the narrative and gameplay possibilities they open up. From maintenance headaches to hidden vulnerabilities, discover how lairs can enhance your game’s depth and provide unique challenges. Tune in for ideas on designing memorable player lairs that feel like home, enhance storytelling, and enrich your RPG adventures.

Level Up Your Lairs

In this episode, Mark and Ben discuss the power and pitfalls of dice in tabletop RPGs. Dice introduce suspense and uncertainty,  becoming the "third storyteller" at your table. Dive into Dice 101, and discover how probability affects the stories you tell at your table. We discuss the implications of averages on test rolls and effect rolls, and share storytelling tips for handling skill checks, group rolls, and damage calculations. Different dice mechanics can shape narratives in different ways, so we talk about techniques for adjusting rolls—static modifiers, advantage, exploding dice, and meta-currencies—to keep the suspense high and the story engaging. Tune in and get ready to master dice probability, balance your gameplay, and discover how you can let the dice help you tell your story.

Playing the Odds

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.