Dungeon Master of None

DMs Matt and Rob are joined by the Smithsonian Institute's Paul Sturtevant. Not only is Paul the founder and editor-in-chief of The Public Medievalist, but he has a new book, The Middle Ages in Popular Imagination: Memory, Film and Medievalism, that listeners of this show will really love. We talk about castles in DC, what the public knows about medieval history, and how to deal with race in role-playing games. Paul tells us about the roots of Dungeons and Dragons races in 19th-century scientific racism, the camp of knightly tournaments, the weird aesthetics of Warhammer Fantasy, and why your shouldn't treat the Middle Ages (and your worlds in quasi-medieval settings) as the "trash pit of history." Links: The Public Medievalist Magazine Paul's new book: The Middle Ages in Popular Imagination: Memory, Film and Medievalism Music: Pac Div - Roll the Dice GZA, RZA, Ghostface Killah, Killah Priest - 4th Chamber

DMs Matt and Rob review the new version of the Artificer. An effusion of infusions for everyone, huzzah! Happy Artificer Day to one and all. But first, the Lasers & Liches kickstarter is back! Be sure to check it out and have a listen to our full review back in Episode 23. Listener questions: David asks, "Can I improvise my way through world-building?" Ryan asks, "How should I prepare for a kickstarter?" Music: Pac Div - Roll the Dice Sir Mix-A-Lot - Iron Man If I Had a Hammer - Peter, Paul and Mary

The DMs of None chat about home-brewing classes in sub-classes in 5e DnD. We take a look at some of our favorite homebrew and third-party classes and speculate about what to create on the show in the future! Classes and sub-classes reviewed: The Blood Hunter by Matt Mercer The Scholar by Charrmeleon The Pugilist by Benjamin Huffman Broath of the Brotherhood by Ryan Bennett Oath of the Common Man by the_singular_anyone Tome of the Pact by Alex Clippinger Music: Pac Div - Roll the Dice Jean-Joseph Mouret - First Suite in D Seu Jorge - Space Oddity by David Bowie

Let's talk about and create dungeons! Matt and Rob discuss the essentials of dungeon building: story, theme, ecology, and variation. Your DMs then build a one-page dungeon "live!" No abusers in our RPG community. Links: Rough draft of the one-page dungeon Final draft of the one-page dungeon Link to Dyson Logos' table of random dungeon entrances Music: Pac Div - Roll the Dice Merle Travis - Dark as a Dungeon Pete Seeger - Which Side are You On?

DMs Matt and Rob talk about how to design factions, powers, and political groups that will hook your players. Let's build some better worlds! Letters: "What are some strategies to employ between encounters?" "How do I create emotional and cinematic moments for my players?" Music: Pac Div - Roll the Dice The Unicorns - I Was Born (A Unicorn) Ghost Mice - Critical Hit, recorded by DMofNone listener "Cinderblock" Sally

DM tips! Learn how to start games good! Practice shutting the hell up! And more! Plus, DMs Matt and Rob answer your letters and get some deserved criticism and critiques! Tips: playing on the cheap...setting the tone...seeing, hearing, smelling for your players' characters...using your posture...preparing social situations...listening to your players...how to make mistakes... Letters: steampunk and hopepunk responses and critiques! What's the best way to build dungeons? How do I get started reading fantasy to help me DM? Should I twist the plot? Recommendations: Elizabeth Bear The Magic Goes Away Music: Pac Div - Roll the Dice Tommy James & The Shondells - I'm Alive Loretta Lynn & Jack White - Portland, Oregon The Staves - Tired As Fuck Scenario - A Tribe Called Quest

DMs Matt and Rob answer your questions! Then, let us sit upon the ground. And tell sad stories of the death of genres. Music: Pac Div - Roll the Dice Aurra - A Little Love Jeremiah Kane - The Future Past

DMs Matt and Rob tackle the ultimate question of life, the multiverse, and everything: should there be a new edition of D&D? Spoilers: we don't. But we will get one...eventually. Your DMs then speculate wildly about what might and should be changed. Music: Pac Div - Roll the Dice David Bowie - Cat People (Put Out Fire)

As iron sharpens iron, so one worldbuilder sharpens another. Matt and Rob discuss your homebrew campaign settings and ideas in this special bonus episode! Thank you to everyone who sent us your work! Music: Roll the Dice - Pac Div Spirit in the Sky - Norman Greenbaum Big Rock Candy Mountain - Harry McClintock Princes of the Universe - Queen

The professors are in! It's an advanced worldbuilding class focusing on gods, faith, and magic systems. Links: Brandon Sanderson's Laws of Magic Music: Pac Div - Roll the Dice Johnny Cash - God's Gonna Cut You Down Gillian Welch - Old Time Religion