Game Master's Journey
324 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 77 ratingsGame Master’s Journey is a discussion podcast for GMs and players of Dungeons & Dragons and other tabletop RPGs hosted by Lex Starwalker. The show explores strategies players and GMs can use to enhance the gaming experience for everyone at the table. Lex also discusses the creation of his homebrew D&D setting, Primordia, providing a valuable worldbuilding resource for DMs creating their own setting.
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Episodes
Vampire: The Masquerade Part 3 | GMJ 296
August 29, 2022 11:00 - 1 hourI continue my overview of Vampire: the Masquerade by White Wolf Games. This week I talk about the virtues and humanity, backgrounds, diablerie, frenzy, rotschrek, and awarding and spending experience points. Check Out my NEW PODCAST - Lex Out Loud Get 10% off your next purchase at Metallic Dice Games. Interested in Beta Reading for my new novel, Critical Balance? Find out more here. Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Call the Game Master's Journey voice mail: 951...
Vampire: The Masquerade Part 2 | GMJ 295
August 22, 2022 11:00 - 1 hourI continue my overview of Vampire: the Masquerade by White Wolf Games. This week I go over the Disciplines—the various vampiric powers—as well as the clans of vampires. I also talk about generation and how the blood pool mechanics work. Check Out my NEW PODCAST - Lex Out Loud Get 10% off your next purchase at Metallic Dice Games. Interested in Beta Reading for my new novel, Critical Balance? Find out more here. Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Call the Game Mas...
Vampire: The Masquerade Part 1 | GMJ 294
August 15, 2022 11:00 - 1 hourI give an overview of Vampire: The Masquerade RPG by White Wolf Games. In this first part I talk about some of the things I’ve learned from Vampire that have made me the GM I am today. I discuss how the prelude concept from Vampire changed my games forever, and I’ll go over nature, demeanor, and personality archetypes in more detail. Check Out my NEW PODCAST - Lex Out Loud Get 10% off your next purchase at Metallic Dice Games. Interested in Beta Reading for my new novel, Critical Balance?...
The Storyteller System by White Wolf | GMJ 293
August 08, 2022 11:00 - 1 hourThis week I give a brief introduction to the Storyteller RPG system by White Wolf. This is the system used for the World of Darkness games, including Vampire: the Masquerade, Werewolf: the Apocalypse, Changeling: the Dreaming, Mage: the Ascension, and Wraith: the Oblivion. This versatile system is easy to learn, easy to teach, and easy to run, and it’s one of my favorites. Check Out my NEW PODCAST - Lex Out Loud Get 10% off your next purchase at Metallic Dice Games. Interested in Beta Rea...
Adventure Paths, Mage & Vignettes | GMJ 292
August 01, 2022 11:00 - 1 hourCraig joins me again today to continue our discussion of his Mage chronicle. We talk more about the open-ended magic system of Mage and how, to a large degree, the biggest limitation is the players’ own imaginations. We also talk about Pathfinder’s Adventure Paths and how vignettes and preludes can add depth to the tabletop RPG experience. Check Out my NEW PODCAST - Lex Out Loud Get 10% off your next purchase at Metallic Dice Games. Interested in Beta Reading for my new novel, Critical Ba...
Mage the Ascension & Mechanics- vs. Narrative-Focused Games | GMJ 291
July 25, 2022 11:00 - 1 hourCraig joins me to discuss his Mage chronicle he’s running. What is it like running a game where the player characters can do just about anything they can imagine? We also talk about the differences between more mechanics-focused games and more narrative-focused games. Check Out my NEW PODCAST - Lex Out Loud Get 10% off your next purchase at Metallic Dice Games. Interested in Beta Reading for my new novel, Critical Balance? Find out more here. Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my af...
My Ideal RPG System | GMJ 290
June 20, 2022 11:00 - 53 minutesI’m often asked if I’ve ever considered creating my own RPG system, and the answer is Yes! Today I talk about some of the features that my ideal RPG system would have. Check Out my NEW PODCAST - Lex Out Loud Get 10% off your next purchase at Metallic Dice Games. Interested in Beta Reading for my new novel, Critical Balance? Find out more here. Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Call the Game Master's Journey voice mail: 951-GMJ-LEX1 (951-465-5391). If you’re a n...
My Approach to Game Mastering & Returning to the World of Darkness | GMJ 289
May 09, 2022 11:00 - 1 hourI field some questions from listener-GM Matt Yancik on topics of game mastering: my GM philosophy, managing the table & players, and GMing compared to playing. I then talk a bit about the new Mage: the Ascension campaign I’m playing in and reminisce about my time with the old World of Darkness games Changeling: the Dreaming & Vampire: the Masquerade. Check Out my NEW PODCAST - Lex Out Loud Get 10% off your next purchase at Metallic Dice Games. Interested in Beta Reading for my new novel, ...
Problem Solving & Combat | GMJ 288
February 14, 2022 12:00 - 1 hourThis week I resurrect the show to discuss how problem solving can be a refreshing alternative to combat in your RPG. Get 10% off your next purchase at Metallic Dice Games. Check Out Lex’s NEW PODCAST - Lex Out Loud Call the Game Master's Journey voice mail: 951-GMJ-LEX1 (951-465-5391). If you’re a new listener, and you’d like to go back to the beginning, here’s a link to Episode 1. If you’re interested in worldbuilding and/or Lex’s D&D campaign setting of Primordia, check out the first ...
Game Master's Journey Grand Finale - Campaign Length | GMJ 287
December 29, 2020 21:00 - 1 hourIn the final episode of Game Master’s Journey, Lex discusses campaign length and why he thinks modern TV shows give us an excellent guide to follow. Get 10% off your next purchase at Metallic Dice Games.
Star Trek Adventures: the Good, the Bad & the Ugly | GMJ 286
December 08, 2020 16:00 - 2 hoursLex explores the Star Trek Adventures RPG. Although this is a game with a lot of flaws, there are some cool ideas and innovations you can apply to any roleplaying game. Lex gives an overview of the merits & flaws of this game, and then he explores his favorite elements and how they could be used in other games.
Reflecting Diverse Cultures in Your World & Creating a World Your Players are Invested In | GMJ 285
November 17, 2020 17:00 - 1 hourIn this worldbuilding episode, Lex explores how to created a world your players are invested in and how to increase player interest in the setting. Lex discusses how to use player ideas and PC backstories in adventures. Finally, Lex talks about how to reflect different and diverse cultures in your world, and he provides a list of anthropological resources to give you some ideas.
Worldbuilding for Small-Scale Stories & Using Cliches | GMJ 284
November 04, 2020 01:00 - 1 hourLex returns to Game Master's Journey to discuss worldbuilding. In the first of a two episode series, Lex talks about how to use cliches in your game. He then talks about how to approach worldbuilding for small-scale stories and conflicts.
All Good Things... | DMJ 283
July 29, 2020 20:53 - 1 hourIn the season 14 finale episode, Lex revisits his discussion of degrees of failure, success at a cost and player agency. He also talks about some of his favorite aspects from some 5e settings (and a non-D&D setting) that you might want to use in your own homebrewed D&D setting.
PC Races & Subraces, Reskinning Classes, Mining from Previous Editions, Beyond Pass/Fail & Player Agency | DMJ 282
July 22, 2020 00:11 - 2 hoursLex discusses reskinning or redesigning a class that doesn’t fit your campaign instead of removing it. Just as the classes available to play in a campaign set the tone & flavor for the campaign, so too can you achieve a specific goal through the PC races & subraces you allow (or don’t allow). Lex also talks about using material from previous editions in 5th edition and moving beyond simple binary pass/fail in your D&D game. Finally Lex talks about player agency and why player perception is f...
Removing Classes from the PHB - Feedback | DMJ 281
June 30, 2020 23:36 - 1 hourFor many DMs the default assumption is that all the player character options in the Player’s Handbook should be allowed in their game. However, one of the best things you can do to improve the flavor & focus of your D&D campaign just might be to cut some of the PHB options out. This week Lex discusses some responses to episode 281 and further explores the topic of removing options from the PHB.
Maybe You DON'T Want to Use Everything in the Player's Handbook | DMJ 280
June 26, 2020 23:14 - 1 hourFor many DMs the default assumption is that all the player character options in the Player’s Handbook should be allowed in their game. However, one of the best things you can do to improve the flavor & focus of your D&D campaign just might be to cut some of the PHB options out. Lex explores how removing some of the classes & subclasses from your D&D campaign might be just the thing to keep it from feeling like a “kitchen sink buffet” of disparate cultures, time periods and sub-genres of fant...
Campaign Recap: For Whom the Bel Trolls & Where's Wahl, Though? | DMJ 279
April 27, 2020 16:00 - 59 minutesLex is joined by Brett & Phoebe, to recap a session of their D&D campaign, Blood of the Avatars. This week the PCs make a deal with a devil. This is a homebrewed campaign set in Lex’s D&D world, Primordia, that is currently using elements of the published campaign, Descent into Avernus.
Creating a Monster | DMG Chapter 9 | DMJ 278
April 20, 2020 16:00 - 1 hourLex returns to his in-depth discussion of the Dungeon Master’s Guide. This week he discusses how to create a full monster stat black. You can use this process to complete a new monster that’s as complete as any monster in the Monster Manual. This builds on the framework established in episode 276.
Campaign Recap: Arkhan? No, Ar-CAN'T! & Pit Stop | DMJ 277
April 15, 2020 19:46 - 1 hourLex is joined by two players from his D&D group, Phoebe & Craig, to recap two sessions of their campaign, Blood of the Avatars. This is a homebrewed campaign set in Lex’s D&D world, Primordia, that is currently using elements of the published campaign, Descent into Avernus.
Modifying a Monster & Creating Quick Monster Stats | DMG Chapter 9 | DMJ 276
April 09, 2020 22:18 - 1 hourLex returns to his in-depth discussion of the Dungeon Master’s Guide. This week he discusses how to modify a monster and how to create quick monster stats. If you want to make a custom monster for your game, you might be able to make some minor modifications to an existing monster. Lex also shows how you can quickly create a monster of a given CR on-the-fly during play. Finally, this episode lays the groundwork for creating a completely new and unique monster from scratch. Anyone can do this...
Matt Mercer's Heroic Chronicle from Explorer's Guide to Wildemount | DMJ 275
March 31, 2020 00:32 - 1 hourLex discusses Matt Mercer’s Heroic Chronicle system from Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount. This is a great system for fleshing out PC backstories and grounding them in the setting of your campaign. This system is especially fantastic for DMs using their own homebrewed campaign settings, but DMs using published settings will also find inspiration in the application of these ideas. Lex discusses how to take this system and adapt it for your campaign so you can better tie in the PCs to your setti...
Running Higher Level Characters in a Lower Level Adventure | DMJ 274
March 24, 2020 01:14 - 1 hourLex discusses how he would approach running an adventure for PCs who are significantly higher level than the adventure assumes. He also gives his thoughts on dealing with a problem player who’s out to ruin the fun for everyone else at the table. Finally, Lex ponders how he’d handle a character who gets advantage on perception checks using smell and disadvantage on perception checks using sight.
Blood of the Avatars 26: S'up, Minotaur? | GMJ 273
December 30, 2019 18:00 - 2 hoursThe PCs battle the forces of Arkhan the Cruel. We are using elements of the published adventure, Descent Into Avernus, so there will be spoilers for that adventure.
Blood of the Avatars 25: Arkhan's Tower | GMJ 272
December 23, 2019 18:00 - 2 hoursThe PCs travel to Arkhan’s Tower in search of the blood of Tiamat. We are using elements of the published adventure, Descent Into Avernus, so there will be spoilers for that adventure.
Blood of the Avatars 24: Highway to Hell | GMJ 271
December 16, 2019 18:00 - 2 hoursThis session begins with a recap of the campaign so far. We will be using elements from the published adventure, Descent Into Avernus, so there will be spoilers for that adventure. The PCs have returned to the village of Dianara’s Rest just in time for all hell to break loose!
More Combat Options! | DMG Chapter 9: Dungeon Master's Workshop | GMJ 270
December 09, 2019 18:00 - 48 minutesLex & Brett return to their in-depth discussion of the Dungeon Master’s Guide. This week they continue their exploration of combat options. Today’s topics include hitting cover, cleaving through creatures, lingering injuries, massive damage and morale.
Combat Options: Initiative Variants & Action Options | DMG Chapter 9: Dungeon Master's Workshop | GMJ 269
November 25, 2019 18:00 - 1 hourLex & Brett return to their in-depth discussion of the Dungeon Master’s Guide. This week is all about combat options! First, they cover initiative variants, including initiative score, side initiative and speed factor. Next they go through some additional options for actions in combat—climb onto a bigger creature, disarm, mark, overrun, shove aside and tumble.
Blood of the Avatars 23: Willim the Wondrous | GMJ 268
November 11, 2019 18:00 - 2 hoursThis session begins after the PCs have had a month of downtime in the city of Elandria. The players discuss their downtime activities, and the characters compare notes of what they’ve learned in their various research. The PCs turn their attention to solving the mystery of the fate of Willim the Wondrous, a human sorcerer and lover of the dryad Anna who disappeared 50 years ago.
Blood of the Avatars 22: Homecoming | GMJ 267
November 07, 2019 04:47 - 1 hourLerissa meets with her mother, Amanda Victoria, and learns more about her erinyes father. Later, Fir joins Lerissa, Amanda and Dahlia at the spa and more surprising revelations unfold.
Blood of the Avatars 22: Axis & Avatars | GMJ 267
November 07, 2019 04:47Lerissa meets with her mother, Amanda Victoria, and learns more about her erinyes father. Later, Fir joins Lerissa, Amanda and Dahlia at the spa and more surprising revelations unfold.
Fear & Horror, Healing & Rest Variants, Plot Points and More! | DMG Chapter 9: Dungeon Master's Workshop | GMJ 266
October 21, 2019 17:00 - 1 hourLex & Brett return to their in-depth discussion of the Dungeon Master’s Guide. They begin with the optional rules of fear and horror. Then they explore some healing and rest variants. They briefly discuss adding firearms, explosives and/or alien technology to your D&D game. Finally they discuss the three different variants of the plot points optional rule. They’re especially fans of the “gods must be crazy variant” and are really looking forward to trying that in a campaign!
Hero Points, Honor & Sanity | DMG Chapter 9: Dungeon Master's Workshop | GMJ 265
October 07, 2019 08:00 - 1 hourLex & Brett return to their in-depth discussion of the Dungeon Master’s Guide. This week’s topics include hero points, honor and sanity. They might have also stumbled on a compelling alternative to alignment if you’re looking for a different way to play with morality in your D&D game. Finally, they revisit skill variants from episode 264, giving some examples of when they might be just the thing to use.
Homebrewing Guidelines, Ability Options & Skill Variants | DMG Chapter 9: Dungeon Master's Workshop | GMJ 264
September 30, 2019 08:00 - 1 hourLex & Brett return to their in-depth discussion of the Dungeon Master’s Guide for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. This week they begin exploring Chapter 9: Dungeon Master’s Workshop. They begin with some general guidelines for considering optional and variant rules for your game. Then the ability option of using proficiency dice. Next up are some skill variants, including ability check proficiency, background proficiency and personality trait proficiency.
D&D Essentials Kit Review & Discussion | GMJ 263
September 23, 2019 08:00 - 1 hourLex gives a thorough review of the D&D Essentials Kit. This is a great introduction to the game for new DMs and is a definite upgrade of the previous Starter Set.
DMG Chapter 8: Running the Game: Combat, Chases, Diseases, Poisons, Madness & Experience Points | GMJ 262
September 16, 2019 08:00 - 1 hourLex & Brett wrap up their discussion of chapter 8 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide—Running the Game. Today they cover combat in D&D, chases, siege equipment, diseases, poisons and madness. They also talk about dealing with (or not dealing with) experience points at the table. What do you do about missing players if you use xp? Finally, they explore the pros and cons of leveling using xp, milestone leveling or hand-waved leveling.
DMG Chapter 8: Running the Game: Exploration, Social Interaction & Objects | GMJ 261
September 09, 2019 08:00 - 45 minutesLex & Brett return to the Dungeon Master’s Guide to discuss exploration in D&D. Topics covered include travel pace, visibility, noticing other creatures, tracking, social interactions, changing NPC attitudes, roleplaying, engaging players and damaging & destroying objects.
DMG Chapter 8: Running the Game: The Role of the Dice | GMJ 260
September 02, 2019 08:00 - 50 minutesLex & Brett discuss the various aspects of using dice in a D&D game: using ability scores, saves, DCs, proficiency bonus, advantage & disadvantage, inspiration, resolution & consequences.
DMG Chapter 8: Running the Game: Table Rules | GMJ 259
August 26, 2019 08:00 - 1 hourLex & Brett discuss the various aspects of using dice in a D&D game: using ability scores, saves, DCs, proficiency bonus, advantage & disadvantage, inspiration, resolution & consequences.
GM-to-GM Campaign Discussion | GMJ 258
July 26, 2019 20:00 - 1 hourLex and Brett discuss their latest D&D campaigns—what they got right, what they got wrong, and what they’ve learned from the process. The also hit on some other topics including: using xp versus milestones versus hand-waving PC leveling; giving strongholds to the PCs; and whether or not to tell the players the difficulty number of a roll.
DMG Chapter 7: Treasure | GMJ 257
June 30, 2019 17:00 - 1 hourLex returns to his exploration of the Dungeon Master’s Guide to discuss treasure and other types of rewards the player characters can earn through adventuring. Coins, gems, art objects and magic items are covered, as well as sentient magic items and artifacts. Lex also talks about other rewards PCs can receive, including blessings, charms, marks of prestige and epic boons.
DMG Chapter 6: Between Adventures: Downtime Activities | GMJ 256
June 23, 2019 17:00 - 1 hourLex returns to his discussion of the Dungeon Master’s Guide. This week he digs into downtime activities.
How to Run a Good Dungeon Crawl | GMJ 255
June 16, 2019 17:00 - 1 hourHow do you run a good dungeon crawl? How do you keep things interesting and exciting in a megadungeon or a campaign featuring a series of dungeons? Lex tackles these questions and more on this episode of Game Master’s Journey.
Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage | GMJ 254
May 19, 2019 17:30 - 1 hourLex gives his thoughts on the 5th edition iteration of the classic megadungeon, Undermountain.
Reveals & the Long Con, Initiative Revisited & Tailoring the Game to Your Group | GMJ 253
May 13, 2019 17:30 - 1 hourLex discusses his experience with reveals as a GM and whether or not to go for the long con. He also revisits his initiative system with some additions for players that may try to take advantage of the system. Finally, Lex talks about tailoring your game to fit your group of players.
Blood of the Avatars 21: Axis & Avatars | GMJ 252
April 14, 2019 17:00 - 1 hourQuincy and Wahl visit the Halls of Knowledge to learn more about avatars of the gods. They also speak with Druinda and learn more about the World Axis and the adventurers who broke the world.
Hinterlands of Elandria 20: We Are SAMM | GMJ 251
April 07, 2019 17:00 - 2 hoursThe PCs return to the city of Elandria and are inducted into The Honorable Guild of Adventurers, Explorers and Scholars. They acquire some powerful new gear, and a conversation with Druinda brings their true natures and destinies to light. Finally, the PCs receive an exciting new asset and ally in their quest. Secrets that have been brewing behind the scenes since the beginning of the campaign are revealed in this episode!
Hinterlands of Elandria 19: Legacy of the Night Elves | GMJ 250
March 31, 2019 17:00 - 1 hourThe PCs find some treasure and endeavor to seal the portal to the Abyss.
Hinterlands of Elandria 18: Glamour Bard Outlaw | GMJ 249
March 24, 2019 17:00 - 2 hoursThe PCs explore a dungeon they believe to house a rift to the Abyss. Their goal is to slay the demons, end the threat they pose to Dianara’s Rest and close the rift. Lerissa breaks the game again, and other hilarities ensue.
Hinterlands of Elandria 17: Skedaddle Skedu | GMJ 248
March 17, 2019 17:00 - 1 hourThe PCs travel to a dungeon north of Dianara’s Rest in the hopes of sealing a rift to the Abyss and stopping the flow of demons into the area.