Welcome to Season 17! I’ve returned to the show. In this episode I discuss how I’ve begun to improvise more and prepare less as a GM. I also talk about why the idea of creating balanced encounters is, and will always be, a fantasy.Check Out my

Vampire: The Masquerade Part 3 | GMJ 296

Aug 29th, 2022 1h 31m

I 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 Lo

Vampire: The Masquerade Part 2 | GMJ 295

Aug 22nd, 2022 1h 23m

I 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 Ou

Vampire: The Masquerade Part 1 | GMJ 294

Aug 15th, 2022 1h 18m

I 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 g

The Storyteller System by White Wolf | GMJ 293

Aug 8th, 2022 1h 36m

This 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 Ascensi

Adventure Paths, Mage & Vignettes | GMJ 292

Aug 1st, 2022 1h 10m

Craig 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 Pathfind

Mage the Ascension & Mechanics- vs. Narrative-Focused Games | GMJ 291

Jul 25th, 2022 1h 24m

Craig 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

My Ideal RPG System | GMJ 290

Jun 20th, 2022 53m 31s

I’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 LoudGet 10% off your next purchase at Meta

My Approach to Game Mastering & Returning to the World of Darkness | GMJ 289

May 9th, 2022 1h 27m

I 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 remi

Problem Solving & Combat | GMJ 288

Feb 14th, 2022 1h 2m

This 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 LoudCall the Game Master's Journey v

Game Master's Journey Grand Finale - Campaign Length | GMJ 287

Dec 29th, 2020 1h 7m

In 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

Dec 8th, 2020 2h 19m

Lex 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 explo

Worldbuilding for Small-Scale Stories & Using Cliches | GMJ 284

Nov 4th, 2020 1h 3m

Lex 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.

Reflecting Diverse Cultures in Your World & Creating a World Your Players are Invested In | GMJ 285

Sep 21st, 2020 1h 44m

In 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

All Good Things... | DMJ 283

Jul 29th, 2020 1h 52m

In 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 i

PC Races & Subraces, Reskinning Classes, Mining from Previous Editions, Beyond Pass/Fail & Player Agency | DMJ 282

Jul 22nd, 2020 2h 6m

Lex 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 th

Removing Classes from the PHB - Feedback | DMJ 281

Jun 30th, 2020 1h 50m

For 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 t

Maybe You DON'T Want to Use Everything in the Player's Handbook | DMJ 280

Jun 26th, 2020 1h 52m

Campaign Recap: For Whom the Bel Trolls & Where's Wahl, Though? | DMJ 279

Apr 27th, 2020 59m 54s

Lex 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 th

Creating a Monster | DMG Chapter 9 | DMJ 278

Apr 20th, 2020 1h 47m

Lex 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. Th

Campaign Recap: Arkhan? No, Ar-CAN'T! & Pit Stop | DMJ 277

Apr 15th, 2020 1h 14m

Lex 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 c

Modifying a Monster & Creating Quick Monster Stats | DMG Chapter 9 | DMJ 276

Apr 9th, 2020 1h 47m

Lex 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

Matt Mercer's Heroic Chronicle from Explorer's Guide to Wildemount | DMJ 275

Mar 31st, 2020 1h 6m

Lex 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 usin

Running Higher Level Characters in a Lower Level Adventure | DMJ 274

Mar 24th, 2020 1h 18m

Lex 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

Blood of the Avatars 26: S'up, Minotaur? | GMJ 273

Dec 30th, 2019 2h 41m

The 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.