#dmtips — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #dmtips, aggregated by home.social.
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Is This Anything?
DM Tip: Bone-Conducting Headphones for Psychic Messages
When a scene calls for one or more players receiving psychic messages, voices, or other information only they can perceive, have each of those players wear bone-conducting headphones during the session.
This allows you to:
Send different messages to different players simultaneously
Deliver conflicting or chaotic messages when the source is unreliable or malevolent
Keep the rest of the table in the dark, preserving the in-fiction secrecy of "only you hear this"
Layer dramatic irony when players react to messages no one else at the table can hear
Solve two common problems: everyone hearing the DM's whisper, and the table clocking who has secret info the moment a note gets passed.
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Is This Anything?
DM Tip: Bone-Conducting Headphones for Psychic Messages
When a scene calls for one or more players receiving psychic messages, voices, or other information only they can perceive, have each of those players wear bone-conducting headphones during the session.
This allows you to:
Send different messages to different players simultaneously
Deliver conflicting or chaotic messages when the source is unreliable or malevolent
Keep the rest of the table in the dark, preserving the in-fiction secrecy of "only you hear this"
Layer dramatic irony when players react to messages no one else at the table can hear
Solve two common problems: everyone hearing the DM's whisper, and the table clocking who has secret info the moment a note gets passed.
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My D&D group (teens at the public library) has players drop out and new ones join on a regular basis. Handling the introduction of new players to an existing group is our S.O.P.
Here are 3 tips in under 3 minutes for how to handle that:
WATCH: https://youtu.be/dvWiQBJ1f1E [2 min 6 sec]
READ: https://ruckerworks.com/2026/07/introduce-new-dnd-characters-players/#dnd #dungeonsanddragons #ttrpg #DMtips #DungeonMasters #DnDTips #NewCharacters #DnDCharacters
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My D&D group (teens at the public library) has players drop out and new ones join on a regular basis. Handling the introduction of new players to an existing group is our S.O.P.
Here are 3 tips in under 3 minutes for how to handle that:
WATCH: https://youtu.be/dvWiQBJ1f1E [2 min 6 sec]
READ: https://ruckerworks.com/2026/07/introduce-new-dnd-characters-players/#dnd #dungeonsanddragons #ttrpg #DMtips #DungeonMasters #DnDTips #NewCharacters #DnDCharacters
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NEW: How to Quickly Add New Characters & Players to an Existing D&D Group
This is part of a series where I give three tips for your D&D game in three minutes or less.
WATCH: https://youtu.be/dvWiQBJ1f1E [2 min 6 sec]
READ: https://ruckerworks.com/2026/07/introduce-new-dnd-characters-players/#dnd #dungeonsanddragons #ttrpg #DMtips #DungeonMasters #DnDTips #NewCharacters #DnDCharacters
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NEW: How to Quickly Add New Characters & Players to an Existing D&D Group
This is part of a series where I give three tips for your D&D game in three minutes or less.
WATCH: https://youtu.be/dvWiQBJ1f1E [2 min 6 sec]
READ: https://ruckerworks.com/2026/07/introduce-new-dnd-characters-players/#dnd #dungeonsanddragons #ttrpg #DMtips #DungeonMasters #DnDTips #NewCharacters #DnDCharacters
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In under 3 minutes, I share 3 rules stolen from Shadowdark RPG that make your D&D game grittier and push your players to think instead of just rolling dice.
READ: https://ruckerworks.com/2026/07/borrow-three-shadowdark-rules/
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUHUT4xDU8A [2 min 25 sec]#shadowdark #tablerules #dnd #dungeonsanddragons #ttrpg #dmtips #dungeonmaster
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In under 3 minutes, I share 3 rules stolen from Shadowdark RPG that make your D&D game grittier and push your players to think instead of just rolling dice.
READ: https://ruckerworks.com/2026/07/borrow-three-shadowdark-rules/
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUHUT4xDU8A [2 min 25 sec]#shadowdark #tablerules #dnd #dungeonsanddragons #ttrpg #dmtips #dungeonmaster
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Avoid the slugfest. Use morale to end the fight early. #DnD #DMTips https://youtube.com/shorts/PXPtsNoAcLo
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Avoid the slugfest. Use morale to end the fight early. #DnD #DMTips https://youtube.com/shorts/PXPtsNoAcLo
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We created 1d4 arctic hazards to challenge your Shadowdark players. Better bring a heavy coat, mittens, hot chocolate, and -- of course -- a 10' pole... #ShadowDark #DMTips #TTRPG
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We created 1d4 arctic hazards to challenge your Shadowdark players. Better bring a heavy coat, mittens, hot chocolate, and -- of course -- a 10' pole... #ShadowDark #DMTips #TTRPG
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Have you ever lost total track of time because you were so engrossed in your D&D session?
This article and video talks about moments like that and 4 others.
"5 Unspoken D&D Moments That Stay With You for Years"
READ: https://ruckerworks.com/2026/05/memorable-dnd-moments/
WATCH: https://youtu.be/Sn52P-gaeek [5 min 9 sec]#DnD #TabletopRPG #TTRPGCommunity #DungeonsAndDragons #DungeonMaster #DMTips #RoleplayingGames #GameMaster
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Have you ever lost total track of time because you were so engrossed in your D&D session?
This article and video talks about moments like that and 4 others.
"5 Unspoken D&D Moments That Stay With You for Years"
READ: https://ruckerworks.com/2026/05/memorable-dnd-moments/
WATCH: https://youtu.be/Sn52P-gaeek [5 min 9 sec]#DnD #TabletopRPG #TTRPGCommunity #DungeonsAndDragons #DungeonMaster #DMTips #RoleplayingGames #GameMaster
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I have a new article and video coming out tomorrow that talks about #TTRPG moments we still talk about years later.
Stay tuned!
READ: https://ruckerworks.com/blog/
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/@ruckerworks/#DnD #TabletopRPG #TTRPGCommunity #DungeonsAndDragons #DungeonMaster #DMTips #RoleplayingGames #GameMaster
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I have a new article and video coming out tomorrow that talks about #TTRPG moments we still talk about years later.
Stay tuned!
READ: https://ruckerworks.com/blog/
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/@ruckerworks/#DnD #TabletopRPG #TTRPGCommunity #DungeonsAndDragons #DungeonMaster #DMTips #RoleplayingGames #GameMaster
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The Great Shadowdark Torch Debate: Just how much area *does* a torch light up in Shadowdark?
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The Great Shadowdark Torch Debate: Just how much area *does* a torch light up in Shadowdark?
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Terrain, weather, and severe weather dice for RPG hex crawls.
Because we needed more dice. No really, we needed more dice...
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Terrain, weather, and severe weather dice for RPG hex crawls.
Because we needed more dice. No really, we needed more dice...
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As promised, here are 9 D&D ideas you can steal:
3 Campaigns.
3 Adventures.
3 Encounters.All in one video & article.
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2t-iJ10G_w [7 min 37 sec]
READ: https://ruckerworks.com/2026/03/dnd-campaign-adventure-encounter-ideas/#DungeonsAndDragons #DungeonMaster #DMTips #CampaignIdeas #TabletopRPG #TTRPG
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Coming tomorrow (THU Mar 4), 9 D&D ideas you can steal:
3 Campaigns.
3 Adventures.
3 Encounters.All in one video/article.
Stay tuned!
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/@ruckerworks/
READ: https://ruckerworks.com/blog/#DungeonsAndDragons #DungeonMaster #DMTips #CampaignIdeas #TabletopRPG #TTRPG
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For Game Masters hitting a wall with world-building: try running a one-shot in your homebrew setting. It is a practical way to test your ideas and generate new inspiration through active play rather than staring at a blank page. How would you use this tip to help you?
#TTRPG #GameMaster #DungeonMaster #GMTips #DMTips #WorldBuilding #Homebrew #WritersBlock -
"The 30% Rule Every DM Should Know (And How to Use It)"
After 40+ years as a DM, I've found that players only explore about 30% of what I create in my D&D campaigns. Here's how to make peace with that reality and save yourself hours of wasted effort.
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sqC87B7xK0 5 min 43 sec
READ: https://ruckerworks.com/2026/02/30-percent-rule-dungeon-master-prep/#dnd #dungeonmaster #ttrpg #dungeonsanddragons #dmtips #campaignprep #tabletoprpg #dndtips
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"The 30% Rule Every DM Should Know (And How to Use It)"
After 40+ years as a DM, I've found that players only explore about 30% of what I create in my D&D campaigns. Here's how to make peace with that reality and save yourself hours of wasted effort.
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sqC87B7xK0 5 min 43 sec
READ: https://ruckerworks.com/2026/02/30-percent-rule-dungeon-master-prep/#dnd #dungeonmaster #ttrpg #dungeonsanddragons #dmtips #campaignprep #tabletoprpg #dndtips
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COMING TOMORROW THU Feb 26: "Prep is a terrible thing to waste."
Learn how to get the most out of the material you prep for your D&D campaigns.
Stay tuned!
https://www.youtube.com/@ruckerworks/
#dnd #dungeonmaster #ttrpg #dungeonsanddragons #dmtips #campaignprep #tabletoprpg #dndtips
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DID YOU KNOW: Running one-shots can be one of the easiest ways to build a long-running D&D campaign?
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0KA64sKizo [6 min]
READ: https://ruckerworks.com/2026/02/build-dnd-campaign-using-one-shots/#dnd #dungeonmaster #oneshot #dndcampaign #ttrpgadvice #dmtips #adventuredesign #tabletopgaming
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I release new D&D videos every Thursday, created to help you become a better Dungeon Master or player, provide some creative inspiration for adventure design, or at least give you a reason to smile (or roll your eyes) for a few minutes.
Before tomorrow's video comes out, here's Wonderwall. Just kidding... it's one of my more popular videos:
5 Ways Players and DMs Sabotage Their D&D Game (and How to Fix It)
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What tips do you have for making your #ttrpg game more efficient?
"Make your D&D Game More Efficient"
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBOouGdnIOE
READ: https://ruckerworks.com/2025/12/make-your-dnd-game-more-efficient/#DMTips #DnD #TabletopRPG #DungeonMaster #DnD5e #RPGTips #GameMaster #DMAdvice #TTRPGCommunity #RoleplayingGames #TabletopGaming #Ruckerworks
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NEW: "Make your D&D Game More Efficient"
D&D sessions don't usually fall apart because of bad ideas, they bog down because of inefficiency. I share practical, table-tested tips for making your D&D game run more smoothly.
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBOouGdnIOE
READ: https://ruckerworks.com/2025/12/make-your-dnd-game-more-efficient/#DMTips #DnD #TabletopRPG #DungeonMaster #DnD5e #RPGTips #GameMaster #DMAdvice #TTRPGCommunity #RoleplayingGames #TabletopGaming #Ruckerworks
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NEW: "Become an Expert D&D Player: 44 Tips to Level Up Your Game"
I share 44 pieces of practical advice pulled from decades of playing and DMing. What are your tips for becoming an expert D&D player?
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzn9cZ0f20Q
READ: https://ruckerworks.com/2025/12/become-an-expert-dnd-player/#DnD #DMTips #TTRPG #DungeonsAndDragons #DnD5e #RPGAdvice #PlayerTips #OldSchoolDnD #DungeonMaster #TabletopRPG #GameMaster #RoleplayingGames #Ruckerworks
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NEW: Learn how to make NPCs memorable in your D&D game with three simple techniques—relatability, impact, and portrayal—to keep players engaged and invested.
📚 READ: https://ruckerworks.com/blog/2025/12/make-npcs-memorable-dnd/
🎥 WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTWCg7pPTUo#DMTips #DnD #DungeonMaster #DnD5e #RPGTips #DMAdvice #NPCDesign #GameMaster #TTRPGCommunity #RoleplayingGames #DungeonMasterTips #TabletopRPG #Ruckerworks
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"Preparing vs Planning your D&D Campaign"
Whether you’re a new Dungeon Master or a veteran storyteller, this change in perspective can save you from frustration, burnout, and railroading your players.
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlDIwC2KGJk
READ: https://ruckerworks.com/2025/11/preparing-vs-planning-dnd-campaign/#DMTips #DnD #DungeonMaster #RPGTips #DungeonMasterAdvice #GameMaster #TTRPGCommunity #Storytelling #TabletopRPG #DMAdvice #RoleplayingGames #Ruckerworks
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NEW: "Preparing vs Planning your D&D Campaign"
What’s the real difference between preparing and planning your D&D campaign? It might sound like a small distinction, but it can make or break your game.
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlDIwC2KGJk
READ: https://ruckerworks.com/2025/11/preparing-vs-planning-dnd-campaign/#DMTips #DnD #DungeonMaster #RPGTips #DungeonMasterAdvice #GameMaster #TTRPGCommunity #Storytelling #TabletopRPG #DMAdvice #RoleplayingGames #Ruckerworks
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https://gnomestew.com/make-it-personal/
Some Session Zero tips from GnomeStew about getting personal in session zero.
Things to discuss with your players:- Player Goals
- Player Motivations
- Character Goals
- Character Motivations
- Events to Experience
- Location Types to Explore
- NPC Types to Meet
- Monsters to DefeatDiscussing the above Expectations during session Zero can make a better game for everyone.
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https://gnomestew.com/make-it-personal/
Some Session Zero tips from GnomeStew about getting personal in session zero.
Things to discuss with your players:- Player Goals
- Player Motivations
- Character Goals
- Character Motivations
- Events to Experience
- Location Types to Explore
- NPC Types to Meet
- Monsters to DefeatDiscussing the above Expectations during session Zero can make a better game for everyone.
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NEW: "5 Ways Players and DMs Sabotage Their D&D Game (and How to Fix It)"
Here is my list of 5 ways players sabotage a D&D game, followed by 5 ways Dungeon Masters ruin the fun around the gaming table.
WATCH: https://youtu.be/61dQhfYbM4E
READ: https://ruckerworks.com/2025/11/dnd-player-and-dm-mistakes/#DMTips #DnD #TabletopRPG #DungeonMaster #DnD5e #DMAdvice #RPGTips #GameMaster #DungeonsAndDragons #TTRPGCommunity #RoleplayingGames #Storytelling #Ruckerworks
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Q2. Is being a Dungeon Master hard?
VIDEO & ARTICLE: "20 Dungeon Master Tips: A Q&A for New and Aspiring DMs"
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woD4szz12uc
READ: https://ruckerworks.com/2025/10/dungeon-master-tips-qa/#DungeonMaster #DMTips #DungeonsAndDragons
#DnD #DungeonMasterAdvice #TTRPG #DMGuide #GameMaster -
Q2. Is being a Dungeon Master hard?
VIDEO & ARTICLE: "20 Dungeon Master Tips: A Q&A for New and Aspiring DMs"
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woD4szz12uc
READ: https://ruckerworks.com/2025/10/dungeon-master-tips-qa/#DungeonMaster #DMTips #DungeonsAndDragons
#DnD #DungeonMasterAdvice #TTRPG #DMGuide #GameMaster -
VIDEO & ARTICLE: "20 Dungeon Master Tips: A Q&A for New and Aspiring DMs"
Q1. What's the difference between being a player and a Dungeon Master?
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woD4szz12uc
READ: https://ruckerworks.com/2025/10/dungeon-master-tips-qa/#DungeonMaster #DMTips #DungeonsAndDragons
#DnD #DungeonMasterAdvice #TTRPG #DMGuide #GameMaster -
VIDEO & ARTICLE: "20 Dungeon Master Tips: A Q&A for New and Aspiring DMs"
Q1. What's the difference between being a player and a Dungeon Master?
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woD4szz12uc
READ: https://ruckerworks.com/2025/10/dungeon-master-tips-qa/#DungeonMaster #DMTips #DungeonsAndDragons
#DnD #DungeonMasterAdvice #TTRPG #DMGuide #GameMaster -
NEW VIDEO & ARTICLE: 20 Dungeon Master Tips: A Q&A for New and Aspiring DMs
Are you thinking about becoming a Dungeon Master but don’t know where to start?
I answer 20 of the most common questions about being a DM — from how much prep you really need, to how to avoid railroading, to whether fudging dice rolls is okay.
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woD4szz12uc
READ: https://ruckerworks.com/2025/10/dungeon-master-tips-qa/#DungeonMaster #DMTips #DungeonsAndDragons
#DnD #DungeonMasterAdvice #TTRPG #DMGuide #GameMaster -
NEW VIDEO & ARTICLE: 20 Dungeon Master Tips: A Q&A for New and Aspiring DMs
Are you thinking about becoming a Dungeon Master but don’t know where to start?
I answer 20 of the most common questions about being a DM — from how much prep you really need, to how to avoid railroading, to whether fudging dice rolls is okay.
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woD4szz12uc
READ: https://ruckerworks.com/2025/10/dungeon-master-tips-qa/#DungeonMaster #DMTips #DungeonsAndDragons
#DnD #DungeonMasterAdvice #TTRPG #DMGuide #GameMaster -
Prefer to read the article version instead of watching the YouTube video?
ARTICLE: "Yak Shaving in D&D: Stop Endless Side-quests"
I describe how you can stop endless side-quests before your campaign turns into busywork instead of adventure.
https://ruckerworks.com/2025/09/yak-shaving-dnd-stop-endless-side-quests/
Check out my blog for DM and player tips.
#DnD #AdventureIdeas #DMTips #PlotHooks #OneShot #CampaignIdeas #GMAdvice #DnD5e #TabletopRPG #TTRPG #Worldbuilding #StorySeeds #Improvisation #DMResources #PlayerTips
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Prefer to read the article version instead of watching the YouTube video?
ARTICLE: "Yak Shaving in D&D: Stop Endless Side-quests"
I describe how you can stop endless side-quests before your campaign turns into busywork instead of adventure.
https://ruckerworks.com/2025/09/yak-shaving-dnd-stop-endless-side-quests/
Check out my blog for DM and player tips.
#DnD #AdventureIdeas #DMTips #PlotHooks #OneShot #CampaignIdeas #GMAdvice #DnD5e #TabletopRPG #TTRPG #Worldbuilding #StorySeeds #Improvisation #DMResources #PlayerTips
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A wild quest idea: An old wizard with dementia is looking for adventurers to get into his tower, because he doesn't remember the spell to disable all the magic traps inside.
#TTRPG #rpg #dnd #dungeonsanddragons #pathfinder #fantasyrpg #tabletopgames
#gamemaster #gmtips #dungeonmaster #dmtips #funnyrpg #worldbuilding -
Rather read that watch? The companion blog post "Five Instant City Generators" has all the commentary, links, and screenshots: https://lairofsecrets.com/blog/5-instant-city-generators/
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Let's build more cities.
The Oskarstalberg City Generator loads as a blank page. Clicking on the page creates a city, with roads racing outward, large & small buildings popping into existence, and groves of trees sprouting throughout the map. https://oskarstalberg.com/game/CityGenerator/ #Maps #DMTips #GMTips #WorldBuilding #TTRPG
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You built your city ... but is it liveable? Test it out by having an NPC interact with the town. https://youtube.com/shorts/SBw1KdLVNLY #DnD #DMTips #GMTips #CityDesign
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Josh talks about his favorite book for designing cities:
Astonishing Random Cities
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-ev5RoGPlRw -
My Number One GM Tip!
Though the pictures reference #D&D this is true for any #TTRPGs, in fact it's a mechanic in some of them!
https://youtube.com/shorts/uZmO0-Vwa8k?si=-7LZNkzXhQn1UznB
or if TikTok is your thing
https://www.tiktok.com/@celticdenefew/video/7450335259524123935 #dmtips #gmtips -
Meaningful choice as a motivator for your RPG players
Erin argues for giving your players significant choices as soon as possible as a way of getting them engaged with the game.
https://youtube.com/shorts/Sz8XB9Ehqw0
#GMTips #DMTips #AdventureDesign #ModuleDesign #TTRPG #ttrpgcampaign #DnD #RPG
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Today's GM Tip:
Chose an Actor to play each of your NPCs.
Players can get a better idea of what they are like if you introduce them as "Baso Baz, head of the Lamplighter gang, as played by Idris Elba" or "Jenette Goldstein playing Laeral Silverhand" -
Waterdeep as your D&D campaign's next big city
https://youtube.com/shorts/jKUed5GohJc -
Need a city for your campaign? Steal Baldur's Gate!
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DM Tip: Plunder jungle locations from Tomb of Annihilation (that's "Tomb" not "Tome" ... no matter how many times Ken says otherwise in this episode...) https://youtube.com/shorts/MU1Zlf3VK4U
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And we're back (podcast-wise).
In "Steal These D&D Campaign Ideas!", we talk about borrowing ideas, mechanics, monsters, and more from all of those campaign books you have sitting on your shelves.
Specifically: Waterdeep, Undermountain, Tomb of Annihilation, Storm King's Thunder, and Baldur's Gate. #dnd #dnd5e #AdventurePaths #CampaignIdeas #DMTips #TTRPG
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Anticipating your RPG Campaign's Big Bad
https://youtube.com/shorts/pHYX-q59Q2w