Dungeon Master’s Block

Welcome back to DM-Nastics - the gym for Dungeon Masters to work out their minds! Content: We set out on our first journey into Dayeimbe! Exercise: Weird Science DMB Patreon  Twitter: @DMs_Block DM Neal's @joatmoniac DM Jess' @parqx BlueSky: @dmsblock.bsky.social Discord: https://bit.ly/DMBanter Intro/Outro provided by: @bomBARDedcast Check them out at bombardedcast.com

James D’Amato, author, podcaster, and RPG designer, joins Dillin Apelyan, indie RPG designer and creator of One Shot, to explore unforgettable villain backstories. They discuss villains as foils, tools for tonal shifts, and recurring threats who survive without constant combat. Along the way: nonlethal stakes, comedic antagonists, player agency, session zero, and the creation of a bizarre supernatural swamp villain.

Stretch ordinary creatures into unforgettable horrors with a weird-science design workout. Explore carnivorous slime mice, fungus-crowned bison, memory-sharing carrion birds, and ways to make wild magic feel meaningful at the table. The discussion also covers encounter scaling, preserving player agency, atmospheric visuals, and Fantasy Fader for layering music and sound effects.

Keith Amman, author of The Monsters Know What They’re Doing, explores how 5e’s 2014 and 2024 monsters differ. They discuss standout upgrades, why generic “mage lasers” can erase monster identity, and how skeletons, hags, blights, and blobs become memorable threats. The conversation also covers terrain, teamwork, modifications, and shenanigans for creating epic encounters.

Jordan Stewart, a tabletop roleplaying performer and creative force behind The Badventure Club, talks about building a chaotic actual-play show with former coworkers. He previews The Fight Before Christmas, a hilarious Lasers and Feelings-inspired romp where four kids plot against Santa. Expect newsroom infiltration, butt-photo distractions, server sabotage, a stolen sleigh, and Belschnickel looming over the mayhem.

James Introcaso, game designer and director at MCDM Productions, explores Crows, a post-apocalyptic survival-horror RPG. They discuss lethal dungeons, classless characters, scarce light, village rebuilding, and the tension of permanent character death. The conversation also covers emergent storytelling, impartial refereeing, creative freedom, memorable table disasters, and Crows’ inspirations.

DMs Neal and Derrick sit down and talks to DM Kade about the Block Party show Knocked Prone and the lessons he has learned along the way. Knocked Prone Patreon @DMs_Block Discord Facebook Stitcher iTunes [email protected] Knocked Prone Badventure Club Episode edited by: Neal Powell

DM Neal sits down and talks to Alex Wolfson the Dungeon Master of Small Town DnD Podcast and we talk about keeping the focus of our games small. Small Town DnD Podcast Patreon @DMs_Block Discord Facebook Stitcher iTunes [email protected] Knocked Prone Badventure Club Episode edited by: Neal Powell

DM Neal sits down and talks to DM Derrick about his show How Not to DM and the things he learned form it. How Not 2 DM Patreon @DMs_Block Discord Facebook Stitcher iTunes [email protected] Knocked Prone Badventure Club Episode edited by: Neal Powell

DMs Neal and Derrick sit down and talk to Jay and Sandra from 3RPG Podcast to discuss ways that we can add the god of all magic, Mystra, into our worlds. 3RPG Podcast Patreon @DMs_Block Discord Facebook Stitcher iTunes [email protected] Knocked Prone Badventure Club Episode edited by: Neal Powell