Five old friends of more than 20 years come together to produce a high quality, bi-weekly podcast about role-playing games and much more. In each episode you can expect discussion about playing and game mastering role playing games. The Lords, Jamie, Jesk
In episode 57 Bender starts out by talking about his recent game of Heirs to Heresy: The Fall of the Knights Templar from Osprey Games. Then the gang talks about their first foray into the Fallout RPG from Modiphius. Then the Lords round out the episode with a discussion about the things in RPG that they hate - their tabletop roleplaying game pet peeves.
Today the Lords start out episode 56 by discussing their new campaign using the Fallout RPG from Modiphius. Jesko explains the setting and the rest of the gang details the characters they'll be playing. Then the group takes a question from a listener asking which we more value, campaign story arcs or our own personal character's story arc. And finally, the Lords each give one pick of a video game that they think would make a great tabletop RPG.
In episode 55, The gang starts out by having Aaron reveal his purchases at Origins Game Fair 2021 and then jump into a listener submitted question about how the Lords prepare for campaigns as Game Masters. And finally, the Lords discuss roleplaying fear, game mechanisms that promote fear in players and running spooky adventures for the Halloween season.
In episode 54, The gang starts out by talking about their recent roleplaying game battery recharging hiatus and their meeting to discuss what we're going to play next included - Fallout, Shadowrun, Pulp Cthulhu and Star Wars. Then the Lords take a question from Cabalist Brett regarding creating and running dastardly villains and how to do it without feeling like a dirtbag. Then finally the group talks about all kinds of gaming group styles, look at their own gaming style and discuss the impact style has on enjoyment.
In episode 53, The Lords begin by talking about their recent cinematic Alien Role Playing Game session and discuss the system and boxed adventure structure. Then the gang takes a question from a listener asking which we like better, pure Cyberpunk like Cyberpunk Red or Shadowrun with magic and fantasy races in the mix. Finally, Jamie, Bender, Jess and Jesko discuss the tone of a campaign and how that can affect the mood and enjoyment of the players.
In episode 52, the gang starts out be discussing what they're going to do during the summer months with vacations and other travel interferes with the gaming schedule. Then the Lords take a couple of questions from listeners including running games with little knowledge of the setting and what RPGs would NOT like to run or play in. Then the group rounds out the episode by talking about high vs low complexity role playing game systems.
In episode 51, the Lords start out with Bender raving about his Star Trek Adventures campaign and then the game discusses three pillars of building a strong role-playing adventuring party - building strong relationships, discussing player character ideals and developing sharing long and short term goals.
In episode 50, The Lords celebrate because they're finally getting back together to game in person after more than a year of online gaming! Then they take a question from a listener asking them what they like about the Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay RPG setting. And finally, they discuss when they do get back together for in-person gaming, what things can they do to enhance the experience so that its more fun than it has ever been?
In episode 49, Bender talks about his new Star Trek Adventures Campaign and Jamie and the gang discuss Cyberpunk Red. Then the Lords take a question from a listener regarding making game systems and skills more exciting. Then finally the group tells their favorite gaming stories and discuss why they were fun moments.
In episode 48, Jamie tries to justify pledging to the Zombicide Undead or Alive Kickstarter by asking the gang if they'd like to play in an old west roleplaying game like Deadlands... so he can use the miniatures. Then the Lords take a question from a listener regarding arguments in the group resulting campaign gridlock. And finally, the gang talks about Where Did It All Go Wrong? When campaigns, players and game masters screw up, make bad choices or just walk the wrong way and it all goes downhill from there.
In episode 47, Bender starts out by talking about his Muppets in space Star Wars campaign and has chosen to switch gaming systems to Star Wars Edge of the Empire from Fantasy Flight Games. Then the Lords take a series of questions form listeners describing problems situations that many role playing groups experience and how they've dealt with them in the past.
In episode 46 the gang gets together to talk about Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition from Cubicle 7. The Lords are into their second month of play and give their thoughts on the system so far. Then the group takes a question from a listener regarding adversarial Game Masters and the challenge of combat - what is too much, Death and Dying and the Game Master fairness.
In episode 45 the Lords start out by updating their throughs on online gaming during the pandemic and talk about the software they've been using to game - Fantasy Grounds on Steam. Then the gang takes a question from a listener about maturing as a role player - Where as it used to be fun to fight and argue during game, it's not more fun to get along and be cooperative. Then the show is closed with a discussion about Collaborative Worldbuilding and how it might inject some much-needed energy into a group that's showing some lockdown fatigue.
In episode 44, Jamie starts out by talking a little bit about Baldur's Gate 3 now in early access on Steam and the gang reminisces about some old Dungeons and Dragons video games they've played in the past. Then the Lords take a question from a listener regarding dealing with a player character that is lovingly known as "Cheat Code" because he is so overpowered. Then the group gives into a discussion about playing Rogues in roleplaying games and the various archetypes they enjoy playing.
In episode 43, we start out talking to Jess about taking over their Dungeons and Dragons Ravenloft campaign and what a Cameltaur is. Then we discuss our first training session using the Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th edition game system. And finally, the gang discusses randomness in role playing games and how to handle it when bad luck gets out of hand.
In episode 42, The Lords start out by discussing their Star Trek adventures 3 part campaign and decide whether they enjoyed the system or not and why, take a question from a listener regarding tracing their origins of when they got into roleplaying games and finish off by discussing their next campaign in the Old World using Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th edition.
In episode 41, The Lords dig into an entire hour of short topics all about role playing games. Discussion includes session duration, mundane encounters, the balance of roleplaying and combat, when players get bored, and more.
In episode 40, Bender starts out by talking about a new RPG he played called Blades in the Dark and the gang discusses campaigns in which all players play the same class. Then the Lords chat about the new edition of Warhammer 40,000. Aaron talks about his first time taking over as Game Master for our Star Trek Adventures campaign. Then finally the group discusses theater of the mind, setting the scene, and integrating more description in their games.
In episode 39, the Lords start out by discussing Bender and Jess' new 1829 golden age of piracy Ravenloft campaign using the Dungeons and Dragons system. Then the gang takes a question from a listener regarding players asking to take back their action after committing. Finally, in the main discussion, the Lords talk about AC preparing for his first-time game mastering and the feelings he has, his preparation and some tips for handling first time GM jitters.
In episode 38, the Lords finally return for a new episode! The gang managed to get at least some recording ability at their homes, and we hope that all of you will bear with us as we figure out this new style of recording. We start off the episode by discussing what we've been doing over the past few months and how we've been gaming. We've started a new Star Trek Adventures and are doing it online first the first time. Then we go into our thoughts of Star Trek Adventures from Modiphius.
In episode 37, the lords begin by discussing a recent encounter from their own game involving a puzzle that was a bit too hard for them to figure out and how they feel about puzzles as encounters. Then the gang takes a question from a listener regarding how to talk to your dungeon master about a game in which the players aren't having fun. How do you let them down easy? And finally, the Lords jump the main discussion about clerics and other religious characters and the ins and outs of playing a person who believes and service the greater gods.
In episode 36, the Lords start out by talking about trying a new game for a few months and discuss the new Altered Carbon RPG raising funds on Kickstarter now. Then the gang takes a question from a listener regarding if magic were real. Then finally the Lords talks about playing in high and low level campaigns and how to make them fun.
In episode 35, Jesko talks about his first time Dungeon Mastering a game of Dungeons and Dragons, Jamie talks about his Christmas Presents, we take questions from listeners regarding Eberron and campaign settings from the past they would like to see make a return and finish the episode by talking about Wizards and magic, roleplaying wizards and their favorite magic users from movies, TV, comics and books.
In episode 34, Jess and Bender start us out by talking about their experience playing the massively multiplayer online roleplaying game, Atlas on an RP server with a social contact. Then we take a question from a lister regarding using board game miniatures in our roleplaying games. Then we finish off the show by talking about our recent experiences with playing one-shots.
In episode 33, The lords start by discussing Tremulus, a story telling role playing game of Lovecratian inspired horror and transition into collaborative story telling in modern RPGs. Then the gang takes a question from a listener regarding when it's okay to goof off and when it's time to get down to business. And lastly, the Lords talk about creating a back story for their character, the ways they go about it and what's important to them.
In episode 32, the gang starts off by talking about the new tabletop role playing game designed and released by Wendy's, Feast of Legends. Then we discuss a new trend in local game stores regarding microtransaction gumball machines providing players with in-game bonuses for their pay to play Dungeons and Dragons games. Then we talk about Mothership, a Sci-Fi Horror Roleplaying Games from Tuesday Night Games. Finally we talk about dice mechanisms and whether or not the impede upon immersion.
The gang decides it's time for a RPG campaign change but this time we're going back to a campaign we played over 4 years ago and discuss how it is getting back into it after such a long hiatus. Then the gang talks about their one shot session of the End of the World role playing game published by Fantasy Flight Games. Then finally the Lords discuss the warrior role, roleplaying and discuss some of their favorite warriors in films and TV.
The summer flu strikes again and Jesko is out of commission but the rest of the game sallies forth! First we talk about out first attempt at going back to a campaign we played 3 years ago. Then we take a question from a listener asking us what new Dungeons and Dragons class we would create. And finally in our discuss first time game masters and some tips that will help get you started on the right foot!
The gang starts out by talking about the brand new announcement of Cyberpunk Red, the companion tabletop RPG top the hot upcoming video game Cyberpunk 2077 that will be coming out at Gen Con. Then AC tells us all about his purchases at Origins and how they're going to turn his life around. The Lords take a question from a listener regarding the need to create balanced adventuring parties and finally do a roundtable discussion about the need for player goals in your campaigns to keep players motivated.
In today's episode the Lords start out by talking about the Dungeons and Dragons cartoon and the Brazilian car commercial recreating it in live action. Then the gang talks about the new Alien role playing game and the trend of RPGs being board gamifyied with cards, tokens and player boards. Then the Lords take a question from a listener asking if we prefer preexisting published campaign settings or homebrewing. Then finally the group lists many of the campaign settings that they would like to try one of these days.
We start the episode by talking about Jesko's first game of the End of the World roleplaying game published by Fantasy Flight Games and transition into talking about Aaron's continuing bad luck with rolling dice. Then we talk about a couple of announcements from this week including Alien The Roleplaying Game and Shadowrun 6th Edition. Then finally we have a discussion about what we want out of roleplaying games and the importance of communicating with your group so that everyone's needs are addressed.
Bender is starting a new campaign with some friends using the Mutants and Masterminds ruleset and he talks about his character and learning the new system. Then the gang discuses the new Fallout roleplaying game based on the popular video game franchise. Finally we discuss using the voice and text chat software, Discord, as a supplement to their role playing campaigns. The group us split on how we should be using it and we come to an agreement that works for everyone.
Today the Lords start the episode by revealing the winners of the Art and Arcana books and then go into a campaign update for their current Dungeons and Dragons game. Then we announce a new contest for two cabalists who entered the Art and Arcana contest, we play the Opening Announce Game Show in which Jamie sees if the other Lords can figure out what settings the locations from the previous 24 episode's announces come from.
Hey Now Cabalists! Today the lords start out by reviewing the recently released book called Dungeons and Dragons Art and Arcana: A Visual History and present a contest to win a copy of the book. Then the gang takes a question from a listener wondering how we manage getting in gaming while life continues to get in the way which transitions into playing role playing games online via video conferencing. Then the main topic of the show regards playing characters with humanity and understanding the ramifications of your actions and how your characters would actually feel doing what they're doing.
The gang is back together to kick off 2019 with a listener submitted question about disruptive and mischievous behavior in role playing games. Then end the episode with a full discussion about giving your characters flaws and hindrances to make them a more well rounded and realistic character.
In episode 22 of Lords of the Dungeon Bender, Jess and Jamie give you a special edition spotlight on Shadowrun, the classic cyberpunk and fantasy mashup role playing game published by Catalyst Game Lab. We begin by talking about the setting and lore of the Sixth World and move into the depth and complexities of the game mechanisms.
In episode 21 the Lords talk about Bender and Jess' new massively multiplayer online tabletop Shadowrun campaign they're about to start. Then the gang talks about a new role playing game sports tournament that will be streamed on Twitch. The Lords take a questions from a listener regarding how out GMs and players tend to describe the actions their taking. Then finally we have a discussion about alignment, what it means and how we use it in game.
Roleplaying games are about telling stories, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, and more... but one of our favorite kinds of stories here at The Secret Cabal is the genre of horror. Today Bender and Jamie talk about how they run horror themed games and how you can celebrate Halloween by giving your players a good scare.
In Episode 20 the Lords take a couple of questions from the listeners and discuess out thoughts and opinions on DnD Beyond after using it for 6 months. Then we talk about our favorite monsters to go up against and ones Bender and Jamie like to pit against their players. Then we discuss some of the issues with players getting to high levels and the issues that can arrise when preparing a game.
Today Bender and Jamie talk about developing moments in your campaign. Moments that will provide players with memorable situations that will enrich your campaigns. Empowering players and making them feel badass, creating the pivotal moments when they may be set down a path of character evolution and putting players into situations when they have to make a choice. Sometimes a moral choice and others a sadistic choice.
In Episode 19 the Lords give and update on their current Dungeons and Dragons campaign and all the stuff their characters are getting into. And then based on some things that happened in our most recent gaming session, discuss Player Meta and how we separate doing what's best from a game standpoint and doing whats best from a role playing standpoint.
Today Bender and Jamie talk about Game Master Meta. Where's the line between cheating, fudging and rebalancing? Then the guys talk about thinking on yout feet and evoling your story.
In Episode 18 the Lords talk about Fantasy Flight Games' 30th Anniversary Rerelease of the original West End Star Wars Roleplaying Game, the Critical Role character death controversy, When characters betray one another in your gaming sessions and creating ambiance in your gaming sessions.
The Lords are back from Origins and the gang discusses about how great gaming conventions are. Then Jess talks about her Shadowrun Games at Origins. We take a question from a listener regarding collecting information from about and knowing everything your players can do. Then we round out the episode with a discussion about giving experience to your players.
The Gang is on the way to Origins Game Fair but the show must go on! Today we talk about our new Dungeons and Dragons Forgotten Realms campaign and the characters we'll be playing. Then we take a question from a listener who asks how we handle players knowing more about a setting than the Game Master. Finally the Lords have a round table table discussion about things they could improve upon in their own roleplaying and game mastering.
Today Bender and Jamie talk about the mentality of one versus many and the philosophy of actually cooperating with your players to make a great RPG. Then they talk about game master styles. How does it feel to play in and Bender game and a Jamie game. We talk about some GMs we've gamed with in the past and how everyone's own signature style is different.
In episode 15 the Lords take a question from a Cabalist regarding how their group handles mixing good and evil player characters in the same adventuring party. Then they discuss loot and rewards in role playing games and how it's important to balance the economy in your games.
Today Bender and Jame focus in on an email sent by a Cabalist who is just getting started as a Game Master and has a series of questions that we address. We talk about what your first adventure might look like, should you pre-gen characters or have the players make their own? Should you start with a pre-designed adventure module or write your own? And more.
Today the Lords start off followup to Bender's End of the World Zombie Apocalypse one shot session and then transition to talking about Game Masters and make and run a character within their own games. Then we finish the show by talking about great villains in RPG campaigns.
Today in the Ludus Bender wants to talk about when Dungeon Master's screw up and how you handle a bad situation. The guys talk a little bit about when game master's cheat, when it's okay and when it's not and finally they discuss building memorable NPCs in your role playing games.
Today the Lords talk about Bender's first attempt with the End of the World role playing game and digress into all sorts of nonsense. Then they announce the winner of the Dungeons and Dragons starter kit contest. They the gang talks about how they're fixing a couple of issues with their game group. Finally they give you an update on their Dark Earth 1899 campaign.