Show Notes This week, Fiona and guest host Hamilton (from Dragon's Duel ) discuss one of the most underrated D&D enemies - Hags! Crones who represent the corruption of ideals and goals, and they delight in seeing the innocent and good brought low. Chapter discussed: 'Hags: Dark Sisterhood' (p52 - 62) Book discussed: 'Volo's Guide To Monsters' published by Wizards of the Coast, November 2016. Use the offer code "DMBC" to get 10% off any purchase from 3rd Space Gaming! Consider using our affil...
Sep 08, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 22
Show Notes This week, guest host Hamilton (from Dragon's Duel ) takes Fiona on a tour of the many different factions of Sigil and the outer planes, originally written about in the AD&D campaign setting Planescape. Every faction has its own way of seeing the "multiverse and has its own powers to match. Some of them get along, others don't, and some could care less about the rest of the multiverse. Chapter discussed: 'Factions of the Planes' (p14 - 32) Book discussed: 'Planescape Campaign Sett...
Sep 01, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 21
Show Notes This week, Fiona and guest host David take a deep dive into Warlocks, a class where players make pacts with mysterious beings of supernatural power to unlock magical effects both subtle and spectacular. We also take a closer look at some of the Other Worldly patrons' options including: The Archfey The Fiend The Great Old One The Hexblade The Celestial The Genie Chapter discussed: 'Warlock' from 'Chapter 3: Classes' (p105 - 111) Book discussed: 'The Player's Handbook' published by Wiza...
Aug 25, 2021•1 hr 17 min•Season 2Ep. 20
Show Notes This week, Fiona and guest host Darren take a deeper look at the Feywild and the Shadowfell: two very different planes of existence which reside in the same cosmological space as the Material Plane: The Feywild is the Plane of Faerie - a land of soft lights and wonder, a place of music and death. The Shadowfell is the Plane of Shadow - a dimension of black, grey, and white where most other colour has been leached from everything. Chapter discussed: 'Feywild' and 'Shadowfell' (p49 - 52...
Aug 18, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 19
Show Notes This week, Fiona chats with Keith Ammann , ENnie-winning author of the 5th edition D&D-focused blog ' The Monsters Know What They're Doing '. Keith's blog unpacks strategies, tactics, and motivations for creatures found in several official Dungeons & Dragons sourcebooks, including the Monster Manual, Volo’s Guide to Monsters and Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes. You can find out more about Keith's upcoming book ' MOAR! Monsters Know What They’re Doing ' and other books on his websi...
Aug 11, 2021•56 min
Show Notes This week, Fiona and Ryan explore some brand new unearthed arcana (for a change) with 'Mages of Strixhaven'! This playtest document contains 5 unique subclasses, each of which allows characters to associate themselves with one of the five colleges of Strixhaven, a university of magic. Lorehold College - dedicated to the pursuit of history by conversing with ancient spirits and understanding the whims of time itself. Prismari College - dedicated to the visual and performing arts and bo...
Aug 04, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Season 2Ep. 18
Show Notes This week, Fiona and Ryan don their creative hats once again and delve into more world-building with James D'Amato's brand new book ' The Ultimate RPG Game Master's Worldbuilding Guide '. Book: Selections from 'The Ultimate RPG Game Master's Worldbuilding Guide' by James D'Amato published by Adams Media, 2021. Use the offer code "DMBC" to get 10% off any purchase from 3rd Space Gaming! Consider using our affiliate link when using DM's Guild! #SupportyourFLGS Credits The DM's Book Club...
Jul 28, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 17
Show Notes This week, Fiona and Ryan take a deeper look at Halflings and Gnomes: Two groups of peaceful folk who have found niches for themselves away from the battles and rivalries that fill the lives of the larger folk. Chapter discussed: 'Ch. 5: Halflings and Gnomes' (p99 - 114). Book: 'Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes', published by Wizards of the Coast, May 2018. Use the offer code "DMBC" to get 10% off any purchase from 3rd Space Gaming! Consider using our affiliate link when using DM's Guild! ...
Jul 21, 2021•51 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Show Notes This week, Ryan and Fiona have a go at creating Artifacts, unique magic items of tremendous power, with their own origin and history. Artifacts might have been created by gods or mortals of awesome power. They could be created in the midst of a crisis that threatened a kingdom, a world, or the entire multiverse, and carry the weight of that pivotal moment in history. Chapter discussed: 'Artifacts' from 'Chapter 7: Sentient Magic Items' (p 219 - 226). Book: 'Dungeon Master's Guide' pub...
Jul 14, 2021•53 min•Season 2Ep. 15
Show Notes This week, Ryan and Fiona look at harnessing the power of dragons with ' Unearthed Arcana 2021: Draconic Options '! This playtest document presents race, feat, and spell options related to dragons in Dungeons & Dragons: A trio of draconic race options (Chromatic, Metallic, and Gem) presented as an alternative to the Dragonborn race in the Player’s Handbook A fresh look at the kobold race - small reptilian humanoids that worship dragons as gods and serve them as minions and toadies...
Jul 07, 2021•51 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Show Notes This week, Ryan and Fiona look at new playtest race options for D&D characters inspired by the Feywild, the plane of Faerie. The new races include: Fairy - Wee folk infused with Fey magic. Hobgoblin of the Feywild - Goblinoids who channel aspects of the Feywild’s rule of reciprocity, which creates a mystical bond between the giver and the receiver of a gift. Owlfolk - Distant kin of giant owls who can innately see the magic of their surroundings. Rabbitfolk - Bipedal leoprine crea...
Jun 30, 2021•51 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Show Notes This week, Ryan and Fiona explore how to add fantastical challenges to any locale and ways to further bring an adventure’s setting to life with supernatural regions. Supernatural regions are areas permeated by preternatural forces with certain effects and brief encounters reinforce an underlying theme. These effects occur as characters traverse an influenced region or add interest to a specific affected location. Chapter discussed: 'Supernatural Regions' (p150 - 163) from 'Ch. 4: Dung...
Jun 23, 2021•47 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Show Notes This week, Ryan and Fiona take another dive into the 'Mythic Odysseys of Theros', a Greek-inspired 5e campaign setting originally created for Magic: The Gathering. This time, we look at the common playable races of Theros and their places in the world driven by the whim of a pantheon of gods: Humans - the most numerous of Theros' mortal races who embody the mortal will to carve out a place for civilization from the wilds. Centaurs - half-human, half-horse people who are curious, quick...
Jun 16, 2021•52 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Show Notes This week, Fiona is joined by guest co-host, Jon, in talking about how horror influences their DMing and RPG games along with their first impressions of the latest Dungeons and Dragons' sourcebook, 'Van Ritchen's Guide To Ravenloft' We focus on 'Dark Gifts', the sinister bargains offered in desperate circumstances, as well as an overview of the different subgenres of horror, including Folk Horror, Ghost Stories, Dark Fantasy, and Gothic Horror. Chapter discussed: 'Dark Gifts' from 'Ch...
Jun 09, 2021•55 min
Show Notes This week, Fiona is joined by guest co-host, Sam, to discuss one of the earliest Encounter of the Week articles on DnD Beyond - ' Mystery of the Myconid Mausoleum ' by James Haeck. Whilst having a brief overview of Myconids, intelligent, ambulatory fungi, we also reflect on writing adventures with 3 distinct phases: a discovery, a combat, and a reveal. Together, these three principles can create a satisfying mystery for players, even in a very limited amount of time. Article discussed...
Jun 02, 2021•45 min
Show Notes This week, Fiona and Ryan are put through their creative paces by completing some of the activities in James D'Amato's ' The Ultimate RPG Character Backstory Guide ', a book dedicated to creating interesting backstories for player characters. Book: Selections from 'The Ultimate RPG Character Backstory Guide' by James D'Amato published by Adams Media, 2018. Use the offer code "DMBC" to get 10% off any purchase from 3rd Space Gaming! Consider using our affiliate link when using DM's Gui...
May 26, 2021•45 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Show Notes This week, Ryan and Fiona have a deeper look at Trolls, the fearsome giant-like monsters with regenerative properties who eat anything and everything they catch. Moreover, we will be exploring 4 different types of trolls that have mutated into bizarre new forms: Dire Troll Rot Troll Spirit Troll Venom Troll Chapters discussed: 'Trolls' (p243 - 245) from 'Chapter 6: Bestiary'. Book: 'Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes' published by Wizards of the Coast, May 2018. Use the offer code "DMBC" to ...
May 19, 2021•45 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Show Notes This week, Fiona and guest co-host Dee talk through 3 related articles from DnD Beyond, all of which focus on a common goal - creating a scenario in which it’s possible to kill the infamous vampire lord, Strahd von Zarovich, in a single 4-hour session. The 3 articles in question are: ' Strahd Must Die Tonight! How to Play Ravenloft in a Single Night ' by James Haeck (Oct 2018) ' Strahd Must Die Again (And Again And Again) ' by James Haeck (Oct 2019) ' Strahd Must Die… IN SPACE! ' by J...
May 12, 2021•51 min
Show Notes This week, Fiona and guest co-host Dee look at some alternative indie RPGs which have helped personalise Dee's homebrew D&D campaigns for their players. We spotlight two very influential RPGs: The Quiet Year from Buried Without Ceremony - a game where players define the struggles of a post-apocalyptic community and attempt to build something good within their quiet year. Microscope from Lame Mage Productions - a game where players build beautiful, tranquil jewels of civilization a...
May 05, 2021•48 min
Show Notes This week, Ryan and Fiona have a chat about the playable races Tieflings and Aasimars, the human-based plane touched, native outsiders that are infused either with the touch of some fiendish or some good, otherworldly characteristics. Chapters discussed: 'Tieflings' (p42 - 43) from 'Chapter 2: Races', 'Tiefling Subraces' (p21 - 23) from 'Chapter 1: The Blood War' and 'Aasimars' (p104 - 105) from 'Ch 2: Races' Book: 'Player's Handbook', 'Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes' and 'Volo's Guide t...
Apr 28, 2021•47 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Show Notes This week, Ryan and Fiona have a look at group patrons - an individual or an organisation that unites an adventuring party as a team in service to a greater purpose. In particular, this episode focuses on the following types of Patron: Academy Crime Syndicate Guild Being your own Chapter discussed: Selections from 'Chapter 2: Group Patrons' (p83 - 103) Book: 'Tasha's Cauldron of Everything' published by Wizards of the Coast, November 2020. Use the offer code "DMBC" to get 10% off any ...
Apr 21, 2021•58 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Show Notes This week, Fiona and guest co-host Matt have a chat about the very short rules supplement 'One Grung Above' by Chris Lindsay. From the jungles of Chult, these tribal frog-like humanoids are fiercely territorial and naturally secrete poison to use as weapons. Chapter discussed: 'One Grung Above' by Chris Lindsay, 2017 Additional sources: 'Grungs' (p156) from 'Volo's Guide to Monsters' published by Wizards of the Coast, November 2016. Use the offer code "DMBC" to get 10% off any purchas...
Apr 14, 2021•39 min
Show Notes This week, Fiona and guest co-host Matt dive into the official Dungeons & Dragons Annual 2021 - a seemingly 'brand new' venture where all the major D&D developments over the last 12 months are presented! This book aims to bring together everything that makes the D&D great, from heroes of legend to challenging monsters and even handy tips on how to start or continue your adventure. Book discussed: 'Dungeons & Dragons Annual 2021' published by EGMONT UK LTD, October 2020...
Apr 07, 2021•42 min
Show Notes This week, Ryan and Fiona have a go at the process for creating your own homebrew custom spells and magic items as described in the Dungeon Master's Guide. Turns out, it's much easier than we think! Chapter discussed: 'Creating a spell' and 'Creating a magic item' (p283 - 284) in 'Chapter 9: Dungeon Master's Workshop'. Book: 'Dungeon Master's Guide' published by Wizards of the Coast, December 2014. Use the offer code "DMBC" to get 10% off any purchase from 3rd Space Gaming! Consider u...
Mar 31, 2021•49 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Show Notes This week, Ryan and Fiona are back (once more) with Tasha's Cauldron of Everything to look at why DMs should consider using puzzles as part of their sessions. In particular, we look at 3 different examples from the book: Creature Paintings (Difficulty: Easy) Members Only (Difficulty: Medium) Haunted Hallway (Difficulty: Hard) Chapter discussed: Selections from 'Puzzles' (p171 - 188) in 'Chapter 4: Dungeon Master's Tools' Book: 'Tasha's Cauldron of Everything' published by Wizards of t...
Mar 24, 2021•38 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Show Notes This week, Fiona and guest co-host John have a general chat about D&D monster manuals and reasons why we might not want to use them for our RPG encounters. We also briefly look at the ' Creatures: Complete Monster Compendium for 5E ' from the designers of Shadows of Esteren and Fateforge, a fantasy bestiary that takes a different look at how to portray creatures and nemesis in campaigns. Book discussed: ' Creatures: Complete Monster Compendium for 5E ' by Studio Agate. Use the off...
Mar 17, 2021•48 min
Show Notes This week, Fiona and guest co-host John check out the latest Unearthed Arcana supplement - Gothic Lineages! This document features three new race options to playtest for playable Dungeons & Dragons characters: Dhampir - Undead individuals endlessly tested by vicious hungers. Hexblood - Individuals infused with eldritch magic, fey energy, or mysterious witchcraft. Reborn - Individuals who have died yet, somehow, still live. Chapter discussed: ' Unearthed Arcana 2021 - Gothic Lineag...
Mar 10, 2021•48 min
Show Notes This week, Ryan and Fiona delve back into Tasha's Cauldron of Everything to look at magical phenomena; events, or hazards which has been imbued with unpredictably strong magics ranging from the whimsical to the deadly. Chapter discussed: 'Magical Phenomena' (p163 - 169) in 'Chapter 4: Dungeon Master's Tools' Book: 'Tasha's Cauldron of Everything' published by Wizards of the Coast, November 2020. Use the offer code "DMBC" to get 10% off any purchase from 3rd Space Gaming! Consider usin...
Mar 03, 2021•55 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Show Notes This week, Ryan and Fiona chat about Multi-classing, an optional set of customization rules which lets players combine classes together to really fine-tune their characters in a campaign. Chapter discussed: 'Multiclassing' (p163 - 165) in 'Chapter 6: Customization Options' Book: 'Player's Handbook' published by Wizards of the Coast, August 2014. Use the offer code "DMBC" to get 10% off any purchase from 3rd Space Gaming! Consider using our affiliate link when using DM's Guild! #Suppor...
Feb 24, 2021•52 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Show Notes This week, Fiona and guest co-host Mira look at Dryads, the beautiful treebound fey spirits who act as forest and nature guardians in fantasy settings. Chapter discussed: 'Dryad' (p121) Book: 'Monster Manual' published by Wizards of the Coast, September 2014. Use the offer code "DMBC" to get 10% off any purchase from 3rd Space Gaming! Consider using our affiliate link when using DM's Guild! #SupportyourFLGS Credits The DM's Book Club is hosted, recorded, edited, and produced by Ryan C...
Feb 17, 2021•42 min
