A core component of RPG games is combat, but it's easy to let it slip into being the same old hit-and-take-it fight to the death if we're not careful. This week's episode shares a look at The Monsters Know What They're Doing, a book designed to help DMs and players alike take a deeper look at the creatures we populate our worlds with and make encou…

Given how much time remains before we get back to actual play content, we thought it would be a good idea to share the table talk for our next episode in advance. Not only will it allow us to get right into the game with very little fanfare, but it also shares some news that explains why we've had as much of a break as we have. It's all good stuff,…

As we approach the end of the main story, Rhett's looking ahead to what comes next. One of the things we expect to happen in the next chapter is switching to the new set of Dungeons and Dragons rules: the 2024 revision. In a series of informal discussions, we'll go over some of the changes as we get comfy with the new rules. In this episode, Rhett …

As we approach the end of the main story, Rhett's looking ahead to what comes next. One of the things we expect to happen in the next chapter is switching to the new set of Dungeons and Dragons rules: the 2024 revision. In a series of informal discussions, we'll go over some of the changes as we get comfy with the new rules. In this episode, Rhett …

As we approach the end of the main story, Rhett's looking ahead to what comes next. One of the things we expect to happen in the next chapter is switching to the new set of Dungeons and Dragons rules: the 2024 revision. In a series of informal discussions, we'll go over some of the changes as we get comfy with the new rules. In this episode, Rhett …

As we approach the end of our main story, we find we have a lot of lead-in questions that may not get answered before we finish. In this special episode, we kick back and chat over the next ten questions in the hopper, talking about both characters and personal preferences. Feel free to share with us what your answers might be! ----- We're glad you…

Dreams are powerful, and can sometimes guide wandering feet from distant lands into one place. Several strangers to each other find themselves brought together by a fateful vision, and are now pressing on to discover for themselves what their sleep has revealed in troubling fog. Join us for this guest-DMed special episode featuring Josh "Pink" Pink…

Dreams are powerful, and can sometimes guide wandering feet from distant lands into one place. Although some of the faces may be familiar to us, several strangers to each other find themselves brought together by a fateful vision, and must determine what they will do with the hand dealt them. Join us for this guest-DMed special episode featuring Jo…

Special: Four figures make their way to a common location, pulled by the insatiable urging of a mysterious vision. Who could they be? What awaits them? This teaser sets the stage for an upcoming series of special episodes that should be an entertaining parallel to our main story as we welcome a guest DM. Listen now to get a preview of things to com…

Creation Corner: Bards are a mainstay in fantasy RPGs, but where do they come from? Listen in to this pretty dense episode to learn more about these poets, historians, singers, and entertainers. Why were they important? What purpose did they serve? How confusing could their history be? There's only one way to find out! ----- Our spot for Battlebard…

Ep 171: A dangerous mission lies before the party as Sekhmet attempts to infiltrate the Reaver's camp. Bash and Tira are on overwatch, but will they be able to provide timely aid? Listen now to find out! ----- Our spot for Battlebards uses music from Battlebards! We hope you like our use of: Capital City - Middlegate - Score Music by Shams Ahsan We…

Special: Tira faces an important choice, but she's not going to face it alone. After all, there's always Blood Ember, right? This special episode lets us in on an internal discussion as Tira figures out how to proceed--listen now to get that inside scoop! ----- We're glad you're sharing our story; we really appreciate your support and hope you enjo…

Ep 170: The party settles into camp life, with the Reaver and his army only a few miles away. Things are heating up, and many things are converging in this remote place. What will happen next? Listen now to find out! ----- Our spot for Battlebards uses music from Battlebards! We hope you like our use of: Capital City - Middlegate - Score Music by S…

Creation Corner: It's said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Maps are a cornerstone of fantasy settings, and they can be useful tools for building worlds. In this episode, we talk with Pat (@mountain_foot on Twitter, @pate on Discord), a Stacker and dungeon cartographer who creates and uses maps extensively in his own gaming work. Join us f…

Ep 169: Having overcome the initial shock and suspicion of an unexpected arrival, the party now has the opportunity to explore the Alliance camp as they prepare for battle against the Reaver. What will the members do to get ready? You'll have to listen now to find out. ----- Our spot for Battlebards uses music from Battlebards! We hope you like our…

The final portal beckons as the party stands at the brink of the last stage of its epic quest. What awaits them on the other side? Listen now to find out! ----- Our spot for Battlebards uses music from Battlebards! We hope you like our use of: Capital City - Middlegate - Score Music by Shams Ahsan We're glad you're sharing our story; we really appr…

While the chieftains of Rindis make their way toward the looming battle, other events are coming together in the southern parts of Moriga. Find out what's shaping up as we move to another part of the troubled world of Vardalon--listen now! ----- Our spot for Battlebards uses music from Battlebards! We hope you like our use of: Capital City - Middle…

Continue with Hild as she seeks her father and the other chieftains of the Spine of Rindis as they march steadily toward battle. The world continues to grow and change, and we hope you enjoy this sneak peek into concurrent events. ----- Our spot for Battlebards uses music from Battlebards! We hope you like our use of: Capital City - Middlegate - Sc…

Follow a companion of the heroes of Arden as the party moves on to the next leg of its adventure. The world continues to grow and change, and we hope you enjoy this sneak peek into concurrent events. ----- Our spot for Battlebards uses music from Battlebards! We hope you like our use of: Capital City - Middlegate - Score Music by Shams Ahsan We're …

The guardian has fallen, and now the party must figure out what to do as the world begins to come apart around them. It's a race to make sure everyone is safe--and you can find out what happens by listening now. ----- Our spot for Battlebards uses music from Battlebards! We hope you like our use of: Capital City - Middlegate - Score Music by Shams …

The mountain-top battle has come to a close, and the characters take a moment to evaluate themselves. In this special level-up episode, Meredith gives us the skinny on what the fiery-tempered barbarian adds to her arsenal, and reflects on Tira's development. ----- Our spot for Battlebards uses music from Battlebards! We hope you like our use of: Ca…

The mountain-top battle has come to a close, and the characters take a moment to evaluate themselves. In this special level-up episode, join us as Jeremy discusses Sekhmet's new abilities and thinks through the character's development. ----- Our spot for Battlebards uses music from Battlebards! We hope you like our use of: Capital City - Middlegate…

The mountain-top battle has come to a close, and the characters take a moment to evaluate themselves. In this special level-up episode, join us as Michael shares what Wamberbash gains as an even more powerful mystic. And you thought he was tough before... ----- Our spot for Battlebards uses music from Battlebards! We hope you like our use of: Capit…

Creation Corner: Hungry for more worldbuilding ideas? Today we get to speak with our youngest Worldbuilder yet. Maxsun wrote us a glowing review that we read in a recent episode. In this episode we sit down with him to talk about his own creative endeavors, and what he has in store for some lucky gamers. There's some neat ideas to dig into in this …

The battle rages on in the eerie ice chamber atop the snowclad mountain overlooking the long-forgotten valley. It's a fight to the death, with the future of Vardalon on the line, and you can listen to it now to find out what happens next! ----- Our spot for Battlebards uses music from Battlebards! We hope you like our use of: Capital City - Middleg…

A haunting cavern awaits at the end of the frigid passageway. What will the party discover there? Check it out now to find out. ----- Our spot for Battlebards uses music from Battlebards! We hope you like our use of: Capital City - Middlegate - Score Music by Shams Ahsan We're glad you're sharing our story; we really appreciate your support and hop…

Creation Corner: Hungry for more worldbuilding ideas? Joining us today is Josh Pinkerton, sometime guest DM and player on the Tales from the Glass-Guarded World podcast. In today's episode we talk about managing the precarious balance of creating new story in an existing world. Josh has done this with great skill in his appearances, and we talk abo…

Awakening from a much-needed rest, the party must now figure out what to do next. There's a lot of uncertainty in this mysterious ancient city, and plenty to work through. To find out what lies ahead, listen now! ----- Our spot for Battlebards uses music from Battlebards! We hope you like our use of: Capital City - Middlegate - Score Music by Shams…

An abandoned city, a mysterious portal, a rich but sinister treasure room. What more can the party find in this strange place? You know what to do--listen now to find out what happens next! ----- Our spot for Battlebards uses music from Battlebards! We hope you like our use of: Capital City - Middlegate - Score Music by Shams Ahsan We're glad you'r…

The battle in the heart of the forgotten city has come to an unsettling end as frozen foes are no longer able to defend themselves. A dark entity lurks to the north, and the party is in bad shape. What will they do to find shelter? Listen now to find out! ----- Our spot for Battlebards uses music from Battlebards! We hope you like our use of: Capit…

Creation Corner: Hungry for more worldbuilding ideas? Then you're going to love our conversation with Pavel, who dove into our podcast after learning about it in another Discord server. He brings a lot of passion and some intriguing ideas for a new world--Scrollworld--that will take greater shape in an upcoming podcast. There's a lot to think about…

This week we step aside for some other things happening nearby. The world continues to move even when the heroes are in a bad spot! Listen now to find out what happens next. ----- Our spot for Battlebards uses music from Battlebards! We hope you like our use of: Capital City - Middlegate - Score Music by Shams Ahsan We're glad you're sharing our st…

Special: Welcome to this special episode as Tira steps into a new level! Our beloved barbarian picks up some welcome enhancements, so listen now to find out what she gets. And, as before, be sure to hang in to hear our preliminary talk and decision-making. ----- Our spot for Battlebards uses music from Battlebards! We hope you like our use of: Capi…

In the heart of the mysterious city, the party is captivated by the haunting architecture, but they quickly find they don't have time to explore further as a spear interrupts the investigation. Let the battle begin, and find out what happens now. ----- Our spot for Battlebards uses music from Battlebards! We hope you like our use of: Capital City -…

Special: Welcome to this special episode as Wamberbash attains a new level! This is a big step for our humble mystic, so listen now to find out what he picks up at level 16. And stick around for the deliberation that leads up to the final decision! ----- Our spot for Battlebards uses music from Battlebards! We hope you like our use of: Capital City…

With the sound of retreating footsteps echoing loudly in the abandoned streets, the party emerges from its hiding places. Under the uncertain guidance of the mysterious man, the adventurers continue their exploration of this eerie place. What awaits them in the vine-shrouded place ahead? Listen now to find out! ----- Our spot for Battlebards uses m…

While the party explores the mysterious lost valley in the remote peaks of Rindis, big things are happening in the world. This week's special short episode provides some insights into the weighty decisions that must be made elsewhere. Listen now to find out what's going on! ----- We're glad you're sharing our story; we really appreciate your suppor…

A mysterious whistler is approaching from the woods, and the party must prepare itself to meet...whoever it is. What will happen next? You know the only way to find out--listen now! ----- Our spot for Battlebards uses music from Battlebards! We hope you like our use of: Capital City - Middlegate - Score Music by Shams Ahsan We're glad you're sharin…

In the valley lost to time, the party finds itself unsure of how to proceed. Some nearby ruins look enticing, but are they all they appear to be? Will Wamberbash behave? There's only one way to find out--listen now! ----- Our spot for Battlebards uses music from Battlebards! We hope you like our use of: Capital City - Middlegate - Score Music by Sh…

Out on the open road, the world unfolds before the party. The heroes have a general idea of what needs to happen next, but before they can do anything, they first need to find a fabled city known for being lost. What awaits them on the road? Listen now to find out. ----- Our spot for Battlebards uses music from Battlebards! We hope you like our use…

With the chieftains of Rindis gathered, it's now time to put together the spear that will unite a splintered people. What will happen in the high hall as the party tries to assemble the crafted artifacts? Just how divided is this nation? And what will happen next? Listen now to find out! ----- Our spot for Battlebards uses music from Battlebards! W…

Special: Welcome to this special episode as we welcome the mysterious and personable arcane trickster to a new level! Listen now as we find out what he picks up at level 14, and get our take on some things. ----- Our spot for Battlebards uses music from Battlebards! We hope you like our use of: Capital City - Middlegate - Score Music by Shams Ahsan…

The haft is complete, and the chieftain roused from his grief-induced state. Now it's time to fulfill the rest of the ancient prophecy, and the party prepares itself for this task. Join us now to see what happens next! ----- Our spot for Battlebards uses music from Battlebards! We hope you like our use of: Capital City - Middlegate - Score Music by…

Through its efforts, the party has magically encouraged the Fate-Tree to bloom, and now they face the next part of the challenge: how to turn it into a haft for the spear that will unite Rindis. Listen now to find out what happens next! ----- Our spot for Battlebards uses music from Battlebards! We hope you like our use of: Capital City - Middlegat…

Special: And we're back, with a family trip now safely behind us. Join us this week as we discuss our adventures, and look for pictures of the places we visited. We hope you'll be able to draw some game-related inspiration from the things we talk about. If so, we'd love to hear from you about what's appealed to your fancy! ----- We're glad you're s…

Special: The holiday season is upon us, and Rhett, Meredith, Thane, and Rhiannon are going to take advantage of this special time to head back over for a family adventure to Germany. Hear what kinds of things we hope to do in our short time there, and we'll be sure to report with a stream of photos and a follow-up episode after we return. Also, we …

The puzzles continue as the party works through the challenge of the Fate-Tree of Hártunstaðr. Their reputation as the heroes of prophecy hangs in the balance--will they emerge triumphant? Listen now to find out. ----- Our spot for Battlebards uses music from Battlebards! We hope you like our use of: Capital City - Middlegate - Score Music by Shams…

The party's members have agreed to take on the task Hild has presented them. Unsure of just what it entails or how to go about it, they find themselves faced with the weighty task of attempting to prove themselves the subjects of an ancient prophecy. Will they find success, or will Tira succumb to her rage and just tear things apart? Listen now to …

Special: The Ritter have left the Great Hall of Hártunstaðr, and they're not happy. Follow their next steps in this special episode, and get a glimpse at some of the motivations involved. ----- Our spot for Battlebards uses music from Battlebards! We hope you like our use of: Capital City - Middlegate - Score Music by Shams Ahsan We're glad you're …

Another portal has led to a new land: Rindis, the land of ice and mountains, where all sorts of events are already in motion. The party must face some familiar faces from the past before it can find rest, but where will the encounter lead? Listen now to find out! ----- Our spot for Battlebards uses music from Battlebards! We hope you like our use o…