The Red Dice Diaries

In this episode of the podcast we’re talking D&D with Mathew Bryan, how he got into the hobby, his experiences and what his ultimate version of D&D would look like.We’d love to hear your thoughts on the episode, and what would make the perfect version of D&D for you? You can leave a comment on the episode or you can drop us a voicemail at https://www.speakpipe.com/RDDRPGPodcastWe may even feature your voicemail in a future episode. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

In this episode of the podcast Hannah and myself are talking to one of our friends Rob Benefer about his history with D&D, how he runs games and what his perfect version of the game would be.If you want to see Rob playing through an assortment of computer games with the added bonus of amusing commentary and chat interaction you can find him on the Island of Rob Twitch channel:https://www.twitch.tv/islandofrobIf you’d like to see him running some games for his streaming buddies then check out Vikings of Twitch:https://www.twitch.tv/vikingsoftwitchWe’d love to hear your thoughts on the episode, and what would make the perfect version of D&D for you? You can leave a comment on the episode or you can drop us a voicemail at https://www.speakpipe.com/RDDRPGPodcastWe may even feature your voicemail in a future episode. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

In this episode I’m going to be talking about one of the first books I read, way back in the 90s when I first started to dip my toes into the hobby.We’d love to hear your thoughts on the episode, have you run a tavern siege and how did it work out or any other suggestions you may have? You can leave a comment on the episode or you can drop us a voicemail at https://www.speakpipe.com/RDDRPGPodcastWe may even feature your voicemail in a future episode.Music: Eric Skiff - Song Name - Underclocked - Available at http://EricSkiff.com/music This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

In this episode of the podcast we start by answering a voicemail from Riley of the Diagetic Advancement podcast and then move on to talk about some of the benefits of occasionally stepping out of character in an RPG.Many thanks to Riley for the voicemail, you can check out the Diagetic Advancement podcast at: https://open.spotify.com/show/35GgOCNa3LyucnrDdw0sbvWe’d love to hear your thoughts on the episode, have you run a tavern siege and how did it work out or any other suggestions you may have? You can leave a comment on the episode or you can drop us a voicemail at https://www.speakpipe.com/RDDRPGPodcastWe may even feature your voicemail in a future episode.Music: Eric Skiff - Song Name - Underclocked - Available at http://EricSkiff.com/music This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

It’s getting near to the spooky time of year and, as is our tradition, Hannah and myself have been watching horror movies, a few that we saw recently have made us think about running a tavern siege in RPGs, we discuss it in this episode. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

In this episode Hannah and myself are discussing an upcoming, potential lethal situation in my WFRP 2nd ed campaign and how I’m planning to prepare the player group for it, we talk about the benefits of this prep and how different games can affect expectations in this regard.We also answer a voicemail by Evil Jeff of the Minions & Musings podcast. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

It’s the final day of #RPGaDay2025, Hannah and myself are rewarding ourselves by cracking open a couple of cold ones and talking about what we find to be the most rewarding part of the hobby. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

It’s day 30 of #RPGaDay2025 and we’re talking about non-Experience based benefits in RPGs. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

Only a couple more days of #RPGaDay2025 remaining, and for day 29 we’re talking about how TTRPGs can bring people together. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

The prompt for day 28 of #RPGaDay2025 is “Suspense” and we’re giving our thoughts on building suspense and how sometimes you’re better to keep it tucked away for a later session. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

The prompt for day 27 of #RPGaDay2025 is “Tactic”, Hannah and I are giving some of our thoughts on mass battles and also discussing the tactical thinking in the game Band of Blades. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

For day 26 of #RPGaDay2025 Hannah and I are sharing our thoughts on having a nemesis for your player-party and some things to keep in mind. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

We’re talking about challenge ratings, encounter building and how necessary they are for day 35 of #RPGaDay2025 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

It’s day 24 of #RPGaDay2025 and we’re talking about some of the benefits and potential pitfalls of having grand reveals in your TTRPGs. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

It’s day 23 of #RPGaDay2025, and we’re chatting about the most recent game that Hannah has run and how the way she describes it dovetails with an excellent episode of the Roleplay Rescue podcast I listened to recently. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

We’re on day 22 of #RPGaDay2025, Hannah and I are discussing how player’s choice of allies is often surprising but almost always entertaining. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

It’s day 21 of #RPGaDay2025 and we’re talking about our love of unexpected twists and turns in RPGs. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

The prompt for #RPGaDay2025 day 20 is “Enter”, Hannah and I are talking about how entering into an adventure is a choice and the dangers of stepping out of your front door. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

It’s day 19 of #RPGaDay2025, and we’re talking destinies, what we like and don’t like about them in TTRPGs. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

On day 18 of #RPGaDay2025, we’re discussing signs and how they can expand your gameworld. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

On day 17 of #RPGaDay2025, we’re talking about how #RPGaDay2025 has renewed my enthusiasm for putting out podcast episodes and how sometimes you can be your own worst enemy when it comes to keeping your enthusiasm up. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

It’s day 16 of #RPGaDay2025, myself and Hannah are discussing progress in games and the benefit of “little wins.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

On day 15 of #RPGaDay2025 we might be deceiving you by pulling a switcheroo and discussing music in games. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

It’s day 14 of #RPGaDay2025 and we’re talking about mysteries, how to set them up and the value of clues, we also touch on a cool game called Brindlewood Bay. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

Eschewing the worlds of darkness that pervading 90s gaming, on day 13 Hannah and I are discussing the dangers posed by a lack of light in a dungeon and how this is bought to the fore in Shadowdark. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

It’s day 12 of #RPGaDay2025, Hannah and myself are discussing paths and how choices can make a game more meaningful. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

It’s day eleven of #RPGaDay2025 and a slightly laboured metaphor sends Hannah and myself down a flavour rabbit-hole. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

In this episode for #RPGaDay2025 Hannah and I are looking at the prompt “Origin”. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

It’s day nine of RPGaDay2025, Hannah and I are talking about sources of inspiration and what inspires us in our games. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

It’s day eight of RPGaDay 2025, but since Hannah and myself talking so much about exploring in the previous episode, we decided to roll a random alternative for this episode and ended up with the prompt “How proud adventure.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

In this episode for #RPGaDay2025 Hannah and I are looking at the prompt “Journey”. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

In this episode for #RPGaDay2025 Hannah and I are looking at the prompt “Motive”. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

It’s day five of #RPGaDay2025 Hannah and I are delving into the ancient secrets that make RPG worlds and campaigns interesting. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

In this episode for #RPGaDay2025 Hannah and I are looking at the prompt “Message". This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

It’s day three of #RPGaDay2025 and we’re talking about that staple of pseudo-medieval RPG games, the tavern. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

In this first episode for #RPGaDay2025 Hannah and I are looking at the prompt “Prompt”. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

In this first episode for #RPGaDay2025 Hannah and I are looking at the prompt “Patron”. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

Prior to our first “official” episode for #RPGaDay2025, I wanted to record a quick episode explaining what I think RPGaDay is and why it’s a great thing within our hobby. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

Welcome to Last Roll of the Week with Red Dice Diaries, where we talk about RPGs, offer hints, review books and other stuff to use in your own games.In this episode I’m discussing my recent experience running a one-shot (loosely) based on the Isle of Dread classic module, but using the streamlined Knave 2E by Ben Milton from Questing Beast.Knave 1E can be acquired from DrivethruRPG or itch.io, Knave 2E can be acquired from itch.io in PDF or from Swordfishislands.com in hardcopy.I also respond to a voicemail from long-time listener Ricardo.I’d really love you to get involved in the conversation, you can leave us a voicemail at: https://www.speakpipe.com/RDDRPGPodcastOr email us at [email protected] or drop me a line on Discord, either sending us a sound file or a written email.The thumbnail for this episode was drawn by my lovely wife Hannah.--oOo--#RedDiceDiaries #TTRPG #TT #RPG #OSR #OldSchool #DND #Knave #Knave2E #BenMilton #QuestingBeast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

Welcome to Last Roll of the Week with Red Dice Diaries, where we talk about RPGs, offer hints, review books and other stuff to use in your own games.In this episode I’m discussing a recent idea I had—inspired by The Monster Overhaul: A Practical Bestiary by Skerples—on how I might streamline spellcasting for NPCs/monsters in my Shadowdark games and Hannah is chipping in with her thoughts on the idea.We also answer some voicemails from:🔹Riley of the Diegetic Advancement Podcast🔹Joe from Hindsightless🔹Menion from Confessions of a Wee Timorous BushiI’d really love you to get involved in the conversation so we can get some back-and-forth going on this subject, you can leave us a voicemail at: https://www.speakpipe.com/RDDRPGPodcastOr email us at [email protected] or drop me a line on Discord, either sending us a sound file or a written email.The thumbnail for this episode was drawn by my lovely wife Hannah.--oOo--#RedDiceDiaries #TTRPG #TT #RPG #OSR #OldSchool #DND #Dinosaur #HexCrawl This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

Welcome to Last Roll of the Week with Red Dice Diaries, where we talk about RPGs, offer hints, review books and other stuff to use in your own games.In this episode Hannah and myself are discussing why we have both dinosaurs and dragons in popular RPGs.I’d really love you to get involved in the conversation so we can get some back-and-forth going on this subject, you can leave us a voicemail at: https://www.speakpipe.com/RDDRPGPodcastOr email us at [email protected], either sending us a sound file or a written email.--oOo---The Podcasts I mentioned in this episode were:🔹Diegetic Advancement🔹Nerds RPG Variety Cast🔹Radio Grognard KING SIZE--oOo--#RedDiceDiaries #TTRPG #TT #RPG #OSR #OldSchool #DND #Dinosaur #HexCrawl This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

Welcome to Last Roll of the Week with Red Dice Diaries, where we talk about RPGs, offer hints, review books and other stuff to use in your own games.In this episode I’m discussing my thoughts on SHADOWDARK after running an open-table game set in Greg Gillespie’s BARROWMAZE using the system.I’d really love you to get involved in the conversation so we can get some back-and-forth going on this subject, you can leave us a voicemail at: https://www.speakpipe.com/RDDRPGPodcastOr email us at [email protected], either sending us a sound file or a written email.--oOo---Link to the Pitch Document for the SHADOWS OF THE BARROWMAZE game:🔹https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pj77ddYyfVDbDMiwbu0tbXOxkWqTh8lo/view?usp=drive_linkLink to the Audio Dungeon Discord:🔹https://discord.gg/gzShPZSQAYThe Podcasts I mentioned in this episode were:🔹Diegetic Advancement🔹Keep Off the Borderlands🔹Nerds RPG Variety Cast🔹Roleplay Rescue🔹The Redcaps Podcast--oOo--#RedDiceDiaries #TTRPG #TT #RPG #OSR #OldSchool #DND #Shadowdark #Barrowmaze #ArcaneLibrary #OpenTable #HexCrawl #MegaDungeon #DungeonCrawl This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

Welcome to Last Roll of the Week with Red Dice Diaries, where we talk about RPGs, offer hints, review books and other stuff to use in your own games.The good folk at ATELIER CLANDESTINE have kindly provided me with a review PDF of their book WHEN SEA IS CALLING, a guide for nautical adventures, in this video I give my opinion on it.I’d really love you to get involved in the conversation so we can get some back-and-forth going on this subject, you can leave us a voicemail at: https://www.speakpipe.com/RDDRPGPodcastOr email us at [email protected], either sending us a sound file or a written email.--oOo---WHEN SEA IS CALLING available from:🔹https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/471274/When-Sea-Is-Calling-A-Guide-for-Nautical-AdventuresThumbnail and intro created with:🔹Canva: https://www.canva.com/--oOo--#RedDiceDiaries #TTRPG #TT #RPG #OSR #AtelierClandestine #Review #Nautical #Pirate #WhenSeaIsCalling #RPGReviewThanks for reading Last Roll of the Week! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

Part one available here.Three visitors to the isolated, rotting corpse-town of Ebon Eaves find themselves trapped in a church, forced to fight for their leaves against both the dead and a horrible blasphemous form of life.- Music from https://freepd.com/horror.php- Tremulus available from https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/120260/tremulus#reddicediaries #rddrpg #tremulus #ttrpg #actualplay #cthulhu #pbta This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

Three visitors arrive in the isolated American town of Ebon Eaves, two eager to claim their inheritance and another seeking a spiritual project to distract him from the trauma of his past, but little do they know that the tree blocking the way into town is the least of their troubles... - Music from https://freepd.com/horror.php - Tremulus available from https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/120260/tremulus #reddicediaries #rddrpg #tremulus #ttrpg #actualplay #cthulhu #pbta This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

Welcome to Last Roll of the Week with Red Dice Diaries, where we talk about RPGs, offer hints, review books and other stuff to use in your own games.I’m currently prepping to run The Enemy Within campaign for WFRP 4E, we’ve done a bit of character gen and I’m enthused to get started, but need to get myself up to speed on the current iteration of the rules. One of the things I find useful is a cheat or reference sheet so I’ve decided to create one using Obsidian Notes.I’d really love you to get involved in the conversation so we can get some back-and-forth going on this subject, you can leave us a voicemail at: https://www.speakpipe.com/RDDRPGPodcastOr email us at [email protected], either sending us a sound file or a written email.If I get some responses I’ll put them together in an episode and we can hopefully get an interesting discussion going and learn something from each other.--oOo---Title Music🔹Fireworks by Alexander Nakarada (Public Domain): https://freepd.com/electronic.phpPublic domain video clips and graphics from:🔹No copyright motion graphics: https://www.youtube.com/user/freemotionbacks🔹Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/Thumbnail and intro created with:🔹Canva: https://www.canva.com/--oOo--Links:🔹Josh Plunkett’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JoshPlunkett🔹AWESOME LIES blog: https://awesomeliesblog.wordpress.com/🔹Obsidian Notes: https://obsidian.md/🔹Cheatography website: https://cheatography.com/--oOo--#RedDiceDiaries #TTRPG #TT #RPG #OSR #ObsidianNotes #GamePrep #TheEnemyWithin #AwesomeLies #WFRP #WarhammerFantasyRoleplay #Warhammer #Cubicle7 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

Welcome to Last Roll of the Week with Red Dice Diaries, where we talk about RPGs, offer hints, review books and other stuff to use in your own games.In this episode I’m talking about the book "So You Want to be a Game Master" by Justin Alexander that I picked up for Christmas.I’d really love you to get involved in the conversation so we can get some back-and-forth going on this subject, you can leave us a voicemail at: https://www.speakpipe.com/RDDRPGPodcastOr email us at [email protected], either sending us a sound file or a written email.If I get some responses I’ll put them together in an episode and we can hopefully get an interesting discussion going and learn something from each other.--oOo---🔹Title Music: Fireworks by Alexander Nakarada (Public Domain): https://freepd.com/electronic.php🔹Phone sound clip by Mike Keonig: https://soundbible.com/1869-Phone-Ringing-8x.html🔹Public domain video clips and graphics from:🔹No copyright motion graphics: https://www.youtube.com/user/freemotionbacks🔹Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/--oOo--Links:🔹Nerds RPG Varietycast Podcast - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason376🔹Alexandrian Blog - https://thealexandrian.net/🔹Alexandrian YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@TheAlexandrian🔹Interview with Justin on the Dungeon Masterpiece YouTube channel ---oOo--YouTube version of the episode also available:--oOo--#RedDiceDiaries #TTRPG #TT #RPG #OSR #SoYouWantToBeAGameMaster #JustinAlexander #Alexandrian #WFRP #WarhammerFantasyRoleplay #Warhammer #Cubicle7 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

Welcome to the Red Dice Diaries, where we talk about RPGs, offering hints, reviews and stuff to use in your own games.In this episode I’m talking about some of my plans for podcasting and content in 2024 and why I’m unofficially referring to this as “the Year of the Hammer.”I’d really love you to get involved in the conversation so we can get some back-and-forth going on this subject, you can leave us a voicemail at: https://www.speakpipe.com/RDDRPGPodcastOr email us at [email protected], either sending us a sound file or a written email.If I get some responses I’ll put them together in an episode and we can hopefully get an interesting discussion going and learn something from each other.--oOo---Title Music: Fireworks by Alexander Nakarada (Public Domain): https://freepd.com/electronic.php--oOo--Links:* Awesome Lies blog - https://awesomeliesblog.wordpress.com/* Zigmenthotep Youtube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@zigmenthotep--oOo--#RedDiceDiaries #TTRPG #TT #RPG #OSR #WFRP #WarhammerFantasyRoleplay #Warhammer #Cubicle7 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

Welcome to the Red Dice Diaries, where we talk about RPGs, offering hints, reviews and stuff to use in your own games.In this episode I’m joined by lovely wife Hannah as we discuss the recently released (at time of recording) D&D 5E collectable magazine from Wizards of the Coast.I’d really love you to get involved in the conversation so we can get some back-and-forth going on this subject, you can leave us a voicemail at: https://www.speakpipe.com/RDDRPGPodcastOr email us at [email protected], either sending us a sound file or a written email.If I get some responses I’ll put them together in an episode and we can hopefully get an interesting discussion going and learn something from each other.--oOo---Title Music: Fireworks by Alexander Nakarada (Public Domain): https://freepd.com/electronic.php--oOo--#RedDiceDiaries #TTRPG #TT #RPG #DND #OSR This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com

Welcome to the Red Dice Diaries, where we talk about RPGs, offering hints, reviews and stuff to use in your own games.In this episode I’m out and about again, and I’ve been thinking about some of the elements that tend to get “short-changed” in some of the streamlined versions of D&D that I’ve been looking at recently.I’d really love you to get involved in the conversation so we can get some back-and-forth going on this subject, you can leave us a voicemail at: https://www.speakpipe.com/RDDRPGPodcastOr email us at [email protected], either sending us a sound file or a written email.If I get some response I’ll put them together in an episode with responses and we can hopefully get a really useful discussion going and learn something from each other.We now also have a blog:https://reddicediaries.bearblog.dev/--oOo---Many thanks to our caller in this episode:* Jason Connerley from Nerds RPG Varietycast--oOo---Title Music: Fireworks by Alexander Nakarada (Public Domain): https://freepd.com/electronic.php--oOo--#RedDiceDiaries #TTRPG #TT #RPG #DND #OSR This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reddicediaries.substack.com