Best The Original Weekly Pre Game Podcasts (2024)

1
Creating D&D Pre-Gens | Character Creation for One-Shots | Wandering DMs S06 E28 1:03:01

1h ago1:03:01

1:03:01

Paul and Dan discuss creation of pre-generated characters for one-shot roleplaying games. From the fastest and easiest ways to quickly generate stats, to crafting unique back-stories that fit (or fight) with the plot. How does it differ between styles of game, and when, if ever, to let the players create their own characters for one-off and convent…

1
The Measure of Man in D&D | Statting Real People in TTRPGs | Wandering DMs S06 E27 1:03:15

1h ago1:03:15

1:03:15

Dan & Paul scope out principles for statting out real people in D&D and other role-playing games. What do the standard ability scores really mean, anyway? How have they varied over editions of D&D across the years? And how can we compare and model real people in other games like Call of Cthulhu, Star Frontiers, and Fearful Ends? Kinanthropometry is…

1
Creeping Doom Playtest | Co-DMing Social Encounters | Wandering DMs S06 E26 1:02:33

20d ago1:02:33

1:02:33

Dan & Paul give a postmortem on running their fourth Dungeon Design Dash product, Creeping Doom of the Pumpkin King, in a co-DM fashion. It's their first DDD wilderness adventure, and surprises abound! What happens when the party pursues mostly social encounters with a dedicated Adversary DM? Can two DMs swap out musical-chairs NPCs without going c…

1
Episode 20: Presbyter Chat: Pre-Nicene Christian Guidance On Voting And Candidates 7:48

4d ago7:48

7:48

Today’s question is about candidates, politics and voting. Does Pre-Nicene Christianity offer any guidance that we can apply to today’s circumstances? ⁠THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS Page 89⁠ https://www.theveryfirstbible.org/ ⁠The emperor’s new senators⁠ by Christian Schaller https://www.blog.der-leiermann.com/en/the-emperors-new-senators/ ⁠Tac…

1
Original vs. Basic D&D Part 2 | Sweep the Leg | Wandering DMs S06 E25 1:02:05

27d ago1:02:05

1:02:05

In Part 1 Dan and Paul barely scratched the surface on the differences between Original D&D (1974) and Basic D&D (1981)! Due to popular demand they're back for more. Hopefully this time they'll escape the character creation section and get into combat, monsters, and spells, but who knows? There's the whole sweep attack issue to hammer out first. Th…

1
Original vs. Basic D&D | Who Wins the Crown? | Wandering DMs S06 E24 1:02:26

1M ago1:02:26

1:02:26

Let's chat about two of our favorite editions of early D&D -- Original D&D (1974) and Basic D&D (1981)! Dan & Paul run most of D&D in similar ways, but their instincts sometimes differ in which of these traditions they're coming from. What changes were made by the brilliant Tom Moldvay in Basic D&D? Were they for the better, or worse? What should n…

1
D&D on the Clock | Games with Time Constraints | Wandering DMs S06 E23 45:33

2M ago45:33

45:33

In this last-minute, condensed episdoe of Wandering DMs, Dan and Paul discuss using real world time elements in games. From timers in D&D adventures to board games that include a ticking clock, they'll cover everything in under 45 minutes. They even manage to fit in an actual play of 5 Minute Dungeon!…

1
Episode 19: Hijacking the Blood of Newborns: Church Issues Guthrie Test Warning to Christians 17:38

2M ago17:38

17:38

Four years after banning RNA injections, MarcioniteChurch.org is recommending parents expecting the birth of a child to invoke a religious exemption against the Guthrie test (heel prick test) which involves the use of a lancet to collect blood from the newborn. Once again we find evil hiding in plain sight and the ramifications are stunning. Show n…

1
Jon Peterson | 50 Years of D&D | Wandering DMs S06 E22 1:01:31

2M ago1:01:31

1:01:31

One of our all-time favorite guests, Jon Peterson, D&D historian extraordinaire, returns to talk all things about the 50th anniversary of D&D. From his official "Making of Original Dungeons & Dragons 1970-1977", participation in Gen Con 50th anniversary celebrations, inclusion in the MIT Press "Fifty Years of Dungeons & Dragons" book, and the hotly…

1
Drugs and Alcohol in D&D | Roleplaying Under the Influence | Wandering DMs S06 E21 1:00:14

2M ago1:00:14

1:00:14

Dan and Paul discuss the presence of drugs and alcohol in D&D and other tabletop roleplaying games. They'll touch on how state alterning substandces are represented in the fiction, rules for handling characters under the influence, and even what happens when the players themselves partake! According to addiction researcher Martin A. Plant, some peo…

1
Secret Rules | Playing D&D in the Dark | Wandering DMs S06 E20 1:01:57

3M ago1:01:57

1:01:57

Dan & Paul discuss experiences in TRPGs when players don't know the rules. Is it fundamentally fair or unfair? Does it add to the immersion of the roleplay? What added flexibility dos it give to the GM? Is exploring the rules of a new world an essential part of roleplaying games, that we've lost along the way? Games with concealed rules are games w…

1
Jobs in D&D | Gainful Employment for Adventurers | Wandering DMs S06 E19 1:02:17

3M ago1:02:17

1:02:17

The Wandering DMs tackle employment in D&D. Do adventurers need day jobs? Does starting a business or pursuing a craft undermine the motiviation to go out treasure hunting? What of systems that define prior careers as part of characgter creation? It's time for Dan and Paul to get to work! Employment is a relationship between two parties regulating …

1
Skill Systems | Cunning à la Carte | Wandering DMs S06 E18 1:02:06

3M ago1:02:06

1:02:06

Dan & Paul discuss the role of skill systems in D&D and other tabletop RPGs. Not part of the initial Original D&D ruleset, they give PCs an opportunity to master individual skills in a fine-grained manner. Have they been beneficial to D&D, or a distraction? Do they work better in other games, like sci-fi or horror? A skill represents the learned kn…

1
Rats! | …and Other Vermin in D&D | Wandering DMs S06 E17 1:01:43

4M ago1:01:43

1:01:43

The Wandering DMs take on rats and other vermin in D&D. From swarm enemies to wizard's familiars, Dan and Paul will explore every way to delight and torment your players with everyday pests. The term "vermin" is used to refer to a wide scope of organisms, including rodents (such as rats), cockroaches, termites, bed bugs, ferrets, stoats, sables. Di…

1
Mothers in D&D | Moms in Myth | Wandering DMs S06 E16 58:00

4M ago58:00

58:00

This Mother's Day, Paul and Dan discuss the role of mothers in D&D and mythology. From troll wives to Grendel's mother to the spawn of all monsters, Tiamat herself, moms make an impact in our lives! Throughout history, mothers have been depicted in a variety of art works, including paintings, sculptures and written texts, that have helped define th…

1
Player Secrets in D&D | Achieving a Satisfying Dramatic Reveal | Wandering DMs S06 E15 1:01:43

4M ago1:01:43

1:01:43

Dan and Paul discuss how to play a character in an RPG with a dramatic secret. How can we include the rest of the players in the fun without giving away too much? When do we reveal the secret to create the most satisfying dramatic moment? Humans attempt to consciously conceal aspects of themselves from others due to shame, or from fear of violence,…

1
Matt Finch | Swords & Wizardry Expanded! | Wandering DMs S06 E14 1:01:02

4M ago1:01:02

1:01:02

Paul and Dan get to bring back OSR guru Matt Finch to talk about his new Swords & Wizardry: Expansions, Monsters, and More!, currently on Kickstarter. What new things has Matt cooked up? And what updates has he finally made to the revered Quick Primer for Old School Gaming? Swords & Wizardry is the longest-standing retro-clone of Original D&D, firs…

1
Michael Moorcock | Fantasy Master Chats | Wandering DMs S06 E13 1:07:57

5M ago1:07:57

1:07:57

Dan and Paul are thrilled to chat live with the master of fantasy, Michael Moorcock. What are his current thoughts on the legacy of his writing Elric, the Eternal Champion, critiques of Tolkien, and so much more? Michael John Moorcock (born 18 December 1939) is an English–American writer, particularly of science fiction and fantasy, who has publish…

1
Episode 18: The Very First Bible: Official Content Guide 13:20

5M ago13:20

13:20

As the faithful yearn for unedited, authentic scripture and canon, we explore the history and contents of the first Christian bible ever published. Produced in conjunction with the Marcionite Christian Church (MarcioniteChurch.org), this special episode serves as the official content guide and overview of The Very First Bible 144 A.D. The Very Firs…

1
Mistakes in Original D&D | Critiques & Corrections | Wandering DMs S06 E12 1:02:55

5M ago1:02:55

1:02:55

Dan and Paul reflect on what we think are the biggest mistakes and errors in the first publication of original D&D in 1974. What are the biggest blemishes that troubled the game for decades afterward? What are some of our top house rules to correct the largest problems? The original Dungeons & Dragons boxed set was the first published role-playing …

1
Our D&D House Con 2024 | Playtesting Our Dungeons | Wandering DMs S06 E11 1:07:28

5M ago1:07:28

1:07:28

Paul and Dan check in on their annual D&D mini-convention with friends in a house on the Massachusetts shore, now in its 15th year. What went well, what could go better, what lessons will feed into our future gaming? Find WDM 01 - Asymmetric Monastery of the Deranged Berserkers on DriveThru RPG here!…

1
Irish Myths in D&D | Feats and Faeries | Wandering DMs S06 E10 1:01:57

6M ago1:01:57

1:01:57

This St. Patrick's Day, Paul and Dan discuss the rich history of Irish myths, legends, and stories in the D&D game. From Druids and Bards to the Banshees and Firbolg, what are some of the best ways to spice up your game with inspirations from the Emerald Isle? Irish mythology is the body of myths indigenous to the island of Ireland. It was original…

1
Episode 17: Pre-Nicene Mass: 2nd Century Reconstruction and Walkthrough 6:43

6M ago6:43

6:43

Today we reconstruct mass just as it would have been celebrated in the 2nd century by the Pre-Nicene Christians and as outlined in the liturgical guide 'Mass, Baptisms and Prayers of the First Christians,' published by the Marcionite Christian Church (MarcioniteChurch.org). Overview: In many ways, this mass is reflective of the widespread persecuti…

1
How to Run a D&D One Shot | Tips and Tricks for Single Session Play | Wandering DMs S06 E09 59:59

6M ago59:59

59:59

How does one run a successful dungeons and dragons one shot game? Dan and Paul discuss how to condense the D&D experience to a single night of fun. They'll share techniques they've developed over the years behind the DM screen, discuss which scenarios fit the one-shot format best, and advise would-be DMs on the best road to one-shot success.…

1
Performing Characters in D&D | Tips for Non-Actors | Wandering DMs S06 E08 1:01:01

6M ago1:01:01

1:01:01

Dan & Paul discuss tips for embodying a character in body and voice when playing D&D at the table. When we compare ourselves to well-known D&D performers, what are simple simple tricks anyone can use, even if we aren't trained actors? Acting involves a broad range of skills, including a well-developed imagination, emotional facility, physical expre…

1
Love in D&D | Roleplaying Romance Respectfully | Wandering DMs S06 E07 1:01:28

7M ago1:01:28

1:01:28

For Valentine's Day, Dan and Paul take a look at how romantic love is portrayed in Dungeons and Dragons. From NPCs with love-based plot lines to the infamous philter of love, we'll cover ever instance we can think of in D&D in which love plays a part. Love is considered to be both positive and negative, with its virtue representing human kindness, …

1
Year of the Dragon | Dungeons & Dragons at 50 | Wandering DMs S06 E06 57:49

7M ago57:49

57:49

Paul & Dan celebrate the Year of the Dragon in New Year's 2024! In this 50th anniversary year for original D&D, we'll look back to our best uses for dragons, new discoveries we've made, and how best to use unusual dragon types in your fantasy RPG. The Dragon, also known as Loong, (simplified Chinese: 龙; traditional Chinese: 龍; pinyin: lóng; Jyutpin…

1
Episode 16: An Apostle's Chilling Warning About Reading The Old Testament Books 16:20

6M ago16:20

16:20

Today we deconstruct Romans Chapter 7 and the Apostle Paul's disturbing account of what happened to him as a result of reading the books and laws in the Old Testament/Torah books. The Pre-Nicene Christians took this warning to heart - should you? KJV https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Romans-Chapter-7/ The Very First Bible https://www.theveryfirs…

1
What Do You Need to Play Original D&D? | Recommended Equipment | Wandering DMs S06 E05 1:06:07

7M ago1:06:07

1:06:07

Dan & Paul analyze the -- sometimes surprising! -- list of recommended equipment in Original D&D. Sure, you should have dice, paper, and pencils. But is the 3-ring notebook and drafting equipment really needed for the referee and each player? How about the multiple other games you need, Chainmail and Outdoor Survival? And what does say about using …

1
Anachronisms in D&D | Where Fantasy Meets History | Wandering DMs S06 E04 1:00:51

7M ago1:00:51

1:00:51

The Wandering DMs dig into the concept of anachronisms in D&D settings. They will explore the historic roots of D&D campaign settings, and where modern objects, events, or ideas have leaked in. Does the existence of anachronism break immersion, or is the very nature of the fantasy genre open to all forms of content? Where and how do we draw the lin…

1
Ice Age Animals | Cold School D&D | Wandering DMs S06 E03 56:15

7M ago56:15

56:15

Paul & Dan dig into the buried fossils of original D&D -- like the hidden encounter table for Ice Age adventures in the original boxed set. Where else can you get to use Cave Bears, Woolly Mammoths, and Saber-Toothed Tigers in your fantasy RPG? Pour a cup of hot cocoa and bundle up for this one. In the Late Pleistocene, both marine and continental …

1
Original D&D Adventures | Jaquays Legacy | Wandering DMs S06 E02 59:26

8M ago59:26

59:26

Dan & Paul take a look back at published adventures for D&D in the 70's -- at the time, a revolutionary and controversial idea! And also take a look back at the pioneering contributions of Jennell Jaquays (creator of Dark Tower, Caverns of Thracia, and many more), and our other favorite early adventures. The first published Dungeons & Dragons scena…

1
RPG Form Factors | Examining the Shape of the Text | Wandering DMs S06 E01 1:03:32

8M ago1:03:32

1:03:32

Paul & Dan kick of season 6 with an examination of the physical shape of RPG books. How does the choice of number of books, size, binding, and layout impact the overall design of the game? How did the three book format of D&D come to be, and why is it the one design aspect that has persisted throughout every edition? The layout and binding of a rol…

1
Episode 15: Back To The Pre-Nicene Past: Deconstructing the Calendar Era Error 19:25

8M ago19:25

19:25

The shape and motion of the earth, the origin of life, who is God and what is his name? These are all big concepts to be sure - but what about another one? What about what year is it, really? Buckle up for an explanation that may have you celebrating like it's 1995 - again. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Incarnation-Jesus-Christ https://en.wikipe…

1
5th Year Anniversary | 2023 Year in Review | Wandering DMs S05 E40 1:03:40

9M ago1:03:40

1:03:40

Paul & Dan look back at the year in old-school D&D for 2023. And moreover, the first 5 years on Wandering DMs! What were your favorite encounters of the year? And what can we expect in the future? The Wandering DMs YouTube channel has been a hub for tabletop gaming enthusiasts, offering a diverse range of content related to dungeon mastering, role-…

1
D&D Mentors | How Future DMs Are Made | Wandering DMs S05 E39 59:47

9M ago59:47

59:47

In this episode of Wandering DMs, Dan and Paul discuss the role of mentorship in teaching D&D. How did the role of mentors help the spread of D&D in the early days? How has that changed over the years? And how does the game present itself to new players who aren't furtunate enough to have this kind of personal introduction? The word mentor was insp…

1
Flying in D&D | Battles in the Sky | Wandering DMs S05 E38 1:01:05

9M ago1:01:05

1:01:05

Dan & Paul reflect on the history of rules for flying in D&D. How easy and powerful should it be to achieve? Does it make castles and climbing skills useless? Is the standard spell sufficient, or should your PCs seek out flying mounts -- and what rules provide a market for that? From the earliest days, humans have dreamed of flying and have attempt…

1
Ruins of Adventure | Pool of Radiance Redux | Wandering DMs S05 E37 1:04:23

10M ago1:04:23

1:04:23

Paul and Dan reflect on Dan's epic saga playing through the AD&D Pool of Radiance Gold Box game live in 2022-2023, and dig into the 1988 print publication of the same adventure, Ruins of Adventure. How similar are they? Does this one adventure work better as a computer game, as a tabletop game, or something else? What lessons can we take for conver…

1
Money in D&D | More Treasure, More Problems | Wandering DMs S05 E36 59:57

10M ago59:57

59:57

Dan and Paul discuss money in D&D, and how they've both independently arrived at the need for a silver standard. From measuring encumbrance in coins to stocking dungeons with treasure, to how to drain the players of their inflated wealth, the Wandering DMs will cover everything numismatic in your D&D game. Many cultures around the world eventually …

1
Werewolf Games | The Monstrous Mafia | Wandering DMs S05 E35 1:02:56

10M ago1:02:56

1:02:56

Paul & Dan discuss Werewolf and Mafia-style games -- party-style games with secret roles assigned, including a hidden evil faction, and a group of mostly-innocent civilians trying to survive and uncover the adversaries. What different variants of this game work the best? What psychological lessons can we take away? And what elements can be worked i…

1
Episode 14: A Blinding Veil Is Being Removed From Judeo-Christians 17:00

10M ago17:00

17:00

As genocide is invoked in their name, Judeo-Christians are making a clean break from Yahweh the desert war god and its death cult. What began as a brief comment from Israeli PM Netanyahu regarding a link between a Torah character named Amalek and the ethnic-cleansing of Palestinians has ignited a firestorm of theological controversy. In today's epi…

1
Fearful Ends | Watch Party | Wandering DMs S05 E34 2:15:44

10M ago2:15:44

2:15:44

Dan hosts a watch party for the Fearful Ends actual play, as we roll into Halloween and the last few days of the Fearful Ends Kickstarter. Join us and watch along with Dan for the first time! Fearful Ends is a rules-light, story-centric roleplaying system for horror themed games. It features nihilistic stories about characters discovering impossibl…

1
Diceless Devices | With Matt Finch | Wandering DMs S05 E33 1:02:28

11M ago1:02:28

1:02:28

Dan & Paul are joined by Matt Finch, to talk about ways it can be more efficient in your D&D game setup to get random results with dice. Consider cards, chits, spinners, toppling block towers, or Matt's new app for the Fantasy Adventure Builder, now on Kickstarter? Dice were just the start! Physical devices were used to generate random numbers for …

1
Adapting Content | With the Alexandrian | Wandering DMs S05 E32 1:00:11

11M ago1:00:11

1:00:11

Dan & Paul host Justin Alexander, creator of the Alexandrian and the new book So You Want to be a Game Master, for an in-depth chat on the best ways to adapt content to and from D&D and other RPGs. What tricks work well? What things should you avoid? And what content is simply incompatible with other systems? Have you ever wanted to step into your …

1
Safety Tools | Stress Free Roleplay of Stressed Out Characters | Wandering DMs S05 E31 59:01

11M ago59:01

59:01

How do we play characters reacting naturally to highly stressful situations without completely stressing ourselves out? Paul and Dan discuss the variety of safety tools in use in modern roleplaying systems, and how those impacted the development of Paul's upcoming horror RPG Fearful Ends. John Stavropoulos, creator of X-Card, said on why to use thi…

1
Impossible Odds | Player Autonomy vs Overwhelming Opposition | Wandering DMs S05 E30 1:03:07

11M ago1:03:07

1:03:07

With the launch of the Fearful Ends Kickstarter imminent, Dan and Paul discuss roleplaying impossible situations. How do we maintain player autonomy when the deck is clearly stacked against them? What does it mean to "play to fail", and how do we enjoy games when there is little to no hope of success? Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) defined autonomy by t…

1
Episode 13: Only ONE Church Knows Why Jesus Never Wrote A Single Letter 14:31

10M ago14:31

14:31

It's a question that Christian churches and denominations of all stripes would rather you didn't think about, much less ask out loud. It's a question that theologians and biblical scholars have struggled to answer for millenia, and none with any success. How is it that a man who thousands of books, billions of words and millions of letters have bee…

1
Episode 12: Yahweh Derangement Syndrome: Deconstructing The Devil's Greatest Trick 13:27

11M ago13:27

13:27

Almost 2,000 years ago, Saint Marcion of Sinope and Pope Pius I stood inside a marble foyer in Rome and hurled invectives at each other - each castigating the other with charges of being a wild-eyed heretic. It was a showdown that would forever change the course of Christianity and continues to impact people to this day. Show notes and links: https…

1
Natural Healing in D&D | Wandering DMs S05 E29 1:01:17

11M ago1:01:17

1:01:17

Without magic, how fast does a character heal in D&D? It may surprise you how much the answer has changed over the editions! Dan & Paul debate which rule is best. And what are hit points, anyway? Wound healing refers to a living organism's replacement of destroyed or damaged tissue by newly produced tissue. In undamaged skin, the epidermis (surface…

1
Assassins in D&D | Wandering DMs S05 E28 1:00:17

12M ago1:00:17

1:00:17

Assassins were prominently available for hire in the earliest edition of Dungeons & Dragons, and they became a core character class of their own in 1st Edition Advanced D&D. Where did they sneak off to since then? What's the best way to handle PC's wanting to run a solo assassination mission? Some famous assassination victims are Philip II of Maced…

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