Game Master's Journey
Game Master’s Journey is a discussion podcast for GMs and players of Dungeons & Dragons and other tabletop RPGs hosted by Lex Starwalker. The show explores strategies players and GMs can use to enhance the gaming experience for everyone at the table. Lex also discusses the creation of his homebrew D&D setting, Primordia, providing a valuable worldbuilding resource for DMs creating their own setting.
- Update frequency
- every 8 days
- Average duration
- 77 minutes
- Episodes
- 297
- Years Active
- 2015 - 2025
Game Master's Journey 102: Running an Adventure for New Players
This week I've got advice and encouragement for new GMs, and I also discuss running a game session for players brand new to the hobby.
01:33:40 |
Tue 26 Apr 2016
Game Master's Journey 101: You Can Be a Game Master with Matthew Colville
Matthew Colville joins me on the show to discuss the art of game mastering. He has fantastic insights on running RPGs, and he shares some war stories as well. There are lots of great GMing tips in th…
01:16:23 |
Mon 18 Apr 2016
Game Master's Journey 100: Episode 100 Celebration - The Past, Present & Future of Game Master's Journey
Welcome to season 6 and the 100th episode of Game Master's Journey! Pour yourself a drink and strap in for this mega-episode! I discuss the past, present and future of the show, and this episode is j…
01:38:54 |
Tue 12 Apr 2016
Game Master's Journey 99 - Stealing from 13th Age with John Marvin
John Marvin of Dread Unicorn Games joins me again on the show to discuss ideas, techniques and mechanics you can steal from 13th Age to use in your RPG game of choice. Not only does he give great gui…
01:07:47 |
Fri 01 Apr 2016
Game Master's Journey 98 - Designing Adventures & Campaigns for Dungeons & Dragons
What is a balanced encounter in an RPG? What does "balanced" even mean? Are balanced encounters a desirable goal? If so, is it achievable? If so, how do we do it? How do we increase our chances of fi…
01:19:20 |
Mon 21 Mar 2016
Game Master's Journey 97 - Return to Ravenloft
Today I discuss my return to a beloved campaign setting--Ravenloft. I wax nostalgic about my memories of Ravenloft, and I talk about my plans for my own Curse of Strahd campaign.
01:15:51 |
Mon 14 Mar 2016
Game Master's Journey 96 - Plot Twists: GM Intrusions in D&D
One of the great things about having so many RPGs to choose from these days is that you can take things you like from one game and apply them to another. My Plot Twist mechanic is inspired by Numener…
01:14:06 |
Mon 07 Mar 2016
Game Master's Journey 95 - The Social Contract with Christopher Ruthenbeck
Christopher from Shark Bone Podcast joins me on the show to discuss the social contract for your tabletop RPG. We explain what a social contract is, and how you can use it to avoid problems before th…
01:04:26 |
Tue 01 Mar 2016
Game Master's Journey 93 - Fixing D&D's Broken XP & Advancement System
Although I’m a fan of how Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition uses xp budgets to build encounters, the system for handing out experience for character advancement is unfortunately broken. I describe the…
01:18:33 |
Tue 16 Feb 2016
Game Master's Journey 92 - Review of Star Wars RPGs by Fantasy Flight Games
I've had many listeners ask my to do a review of the Star Wars RPGs by Fantasy Flight Games. Specifically, listeners want to know why I'm not running this game anymore. This week I discuss my opinion…
00:58:26 |
Tue 09 Feb 2016
Game Master's Journey 91 - Primordia AP 13: Lessons Learned
The PCs reenter the dungeon and finally reach the tomb of the Red Raven. They face their biggest challenge yet.
01:23:22 |
Thu 04 Feb 2016
Game Master's Journey 90 - My Edge of the Empire Campaign Part 3
I get a lot of questions from listeners about worldbuilding and adventure and campaign design. There’s also been quite a bit of interest in my new Star Wars campaign. Today I set off again on the Obs…
00:28:17 |
Tue 02 Feb 2016
Game Master's Journey 89 - Do It Your Way
There are lots of GMs out there (including myself) who will tell you how you should run your game. Ultimately it's up to you to decide what works best for you and your game. Don't hesitate to blaze y…
01:03:00 |
Tue 26 Jan 2016
Game Master's Journey 88 - Swans of Black & The Fifth Edition OGL with Ryan Chaddock
Ryan Chaddock joins me on the show today to discuss his 5e Kickstarter, Swans of Black, and the new OGL for D&D.
00:48:14 |
Tue 19 Jan 2016
Game Master's Journey 87 - Primordia AP 12: Mockery of the Undead
In this episode of the Primordia campaign actual play, we learn that sometimes the way to deal with undead is to insult and mock them. Things really start to go south, and then they go south some mor…
00:47:58 |
Fri 15 Jan 2016
Game Master's Journey 86 - Primordia AP 11: Pink Lightning Bolts
Iorek earns the title Kill Stealer.
00:54:43 |
Wed 13 Jan 2016
Game Master's Journey 85 - Primordia AP 10: Mackadoodle!
The PCs have leveled, so we start out with everyone describing their new abilities and spells. We also have a little bit of general 5e discussion, and then we get on with the adventure. Samson loses …
00:58:33 |
Tue 12 Jan 2016
Game Master's Journey 84 - XP & Random Encounters Feedback
This week I use your feedback to revisit the topics of encounter-based versus milestone xp and using random encounters in your game.
00:37:28 |
Mon 11 Jan 2016
Game Master's Journey 83 - Primordia AP 09: Tactical Retreat
Iorek discovers a mysterious door, and things get real as the PCs face their toughest challenge yet.
01:02:59 |
Wed 06 Jan 2016
Game Master's Journey 82 - To XP or Not to XP, Random Encounters & Should the Players Always Win?
Today I'm discussing three topics. First, I give my thoughts on awarding experience versus using a milestone method of advancement. I also talk about how I do "random" encounters. Finally I tackle th…
00:54:05 |
Tue 05 Jan 2016
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