PODCAST · leisure
Dungeon Master Diaries
by Matt Bruner & Jody Kropholler
Dungeon Master Diaries is a podcast about Shadowdark and other role-playing games where two GMs talk about their recent experiences at the table, and hopefully give you something useful that you can take to yours.
Episodes
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Emergent Play
Matt and Jody discuss emergent play! For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library. Credits: Dungeon...
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Discord Discourse
Matt and Jody discuss some recent questions from the DMD Discord thread on the AL Discord Channel! For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase...
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Random Encounters
Matt and Jody discuss how they use and adjudicate random encounters! NOTE: Jody's character was named Eugene Narin, not Blaine Taft. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane…
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Of Sorrow & Clay - A Call of Cthulhu One-Shot
Matt and Jody discuss Of Sorrow and Clay a Call of Cthulhu one-shot scenario. Buy it HERE. NOTE: Jody's character was named Eugene Narin, not Blaine Taft. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. Join us on the DMD forum…
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The Northlands (Cursed Scroll III One-Shot)
Matt and Jody discuss a Cursed Scroll III inspired one-shot adventure! Matt also fails miserably at the ad read... For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord…
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The Dark of Hot Springs Island
Matt and Jody discuss the setting book The Dark of Hot Springs Island. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to…
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Bonus Episode: Our GM Styles
Matt and Jody have an off the cuff (and unedited) discussion of their GM styles. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on...
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The Cons of Con Games
Matt and Jody discuss Jody's dismall experience in a recent convention game (and review the Lost Citidel of the Scarlet Minotaur). For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library...
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The Priest Class
Matt and Jody discuss the priest class. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library. Credits:...
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Playing Different Systems
Matt and Jody discuss playing systems other than Shadowdark (GASP!). For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the...
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Long Term Campaigns
Matt and Jody discuss using Shadowdark to run long-term campaigns. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the...
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Shadowdark Initiative
Matt and Jody discuss Shadowdark's initiative system. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library....
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Dungeon Analysis: HOTT or Not?
Matt and Jody discuss how H.O.T.T. Matt's homebrew Dolmenwood dungeon was. Stingbaats! Issue Zero: Torchwick is avaialble now at Itch.io! Fill out the community survey HERE. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. Join us…
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Factions in Shadowdark
Matt and Jody discuss Matt's experience running three open table sessions on the Shadowdark Discord. Stingbaats! Issue Zero: Torchwick is avaialble now at Itch.io! Fill out the community survey HERE. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at...
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Notes from an Open Table
Matt and Jody discuss Matt's experience running three open table sessions on the Shadowdark Discord. Stingbaats! Issue Zero: Torchwick is avaialble now at Itch.io! Fill out the community survey HERE. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at...
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Sandboxing
Matt and Jody discuss how to set up a sandbox campaign. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane…
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Glass Cannon Audit
Matt and Jody discuss episodes 12 & 13 of the Glass Cannon Podcast's Shadowdark actual play series. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase...
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IRL Downtime
Matt and Jody discuss their time spent away from the table and the show. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to...
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Designing Shadowdark Classes
Matt and Jody discuss designing Shadowdark classes and the value of leveraging the Core Four classes. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase...
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End of Year Special (2025 Edition)
Matt and Jody celebrate the end of 2025 with some listener questions and a look back at their gaming this year. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. To submit a question or topic suggestion, use this Google Form. Join…
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Build Your Own Shadowdark (Modes of Play)
Matt and Jody discuss stat generation and Shadowdark's various Modes of Play. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. To submit a question or topic suggestion, use this Google Form. Join us on the DMD forum page on the...
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This Session Had Everything!
Matt and Jody discuss a recent banger of a session! For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. To submit a question or topic suggestion, use this Google Form. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord…
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Rules, Ruling, Repeat
Matt and Jody discuss the way they think about rules, rulings, and house rules. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. To submit a question or topic suggestion, use this Google Form. Join us on the DMD forum page on the...
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Dungeons & Designs
Matt and Jody discuss dungeon design and lots of helpful resources. Dolmenwood Spoilers from 1:53 - 4:26! For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. To submit a question or topic suggestion, use this Google Form. Join us on…
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Backgrounds & Backstories
Matt and Jody discuss leveraging backgrounds and backstories in Shadowdark. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. To submit a question or topic suggestion, use this Google Form. Join us on the DMD forum page on the…
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Miniatures in Shadowdark
Matt and Jody discuss how and why they use miniatures in their Shadowdark games. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. To submit a question or topic suggestion, use this Google Form. Join us on the DMD forum page on the...
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HellMarch: Mass Combat in Shadowdark
Matt and Jody discuss the excellent supplement HellMarch and their experience with mass combat. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. To submit a question or topic suggestion, use this Google Form. Join us on the DMD…
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Shadowdark, Horror, and A Wizard
Matt and Jody discuss horror in Shadowdark and the adventure module A Wizard. NOTE: 14:25 - 15:38 Pregnancy Horror scene description For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. To submit a question or topic suggestion, use…
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What Have We Learned?
Matt and Jody discuss what they've learned running Shadowdark for a while. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. To submit a question or topic suggestion, use this Google Form. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane...
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Wizard Spellcasting
Matt and Jody discuss the Wizards and spellcasting in Shadowdark (with a bonus discussion about Luck)! For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. To submit a question or topic suggestion, use this Google Form. Join us on the...
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5E & The OSR with Sly Flourish
Matt and Jody discuss 5th Edition D&D and the OSR with guest, Mike Shea (aka Sly Flourish)! For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. To submit a question or topic suggestion, use this Google Form. Join us on the DMD forum...
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Playing Online
Matt and Jody discuss playing online! For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. To submit a question or topic suggestion, use this Google Form. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase...
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The Meadery Mishap - Adventure Review
Matt and Jody diuscuss the adventure module The Meadery Mishap! For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. To submit a question or topic suggestion, use this Google Form. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library...
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Tales From the Loop + Kids on Bikes 2e
Matt and Jody diuscuss their recent campaign of Tales From the Loop using the Kids on Bikes 2e system! For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. To submit a question or topic suggestion, use this Google Form. Join us on the...
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Strong Start: A Gauntlet
Matt and Jody diuscuss starting a session with a short gauntlet! For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the…
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Reflecting on a Mediocre Session
Matt and Jody diuscuss and reflect on a recent session that was just okay. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over…
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Barrowmaze + Shadowdark
Matt and Jody diuscuss and review the Barrowmaze megadungeon. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane...
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Shadowdark Goes To 10
Matt and Jody diuscuss running a session for six level ten characters! For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to…
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Creating & Adapting Monsters for Shadowdark RPG (with Michael Putlack)
Matt and Jody interview Miachel Putlack from Night Noon Games about his awesome zine Creating & Adapting Monsters for Shadowdark RPG (with mini bestiary). GET THE ZINE HERE: https://nightnoongames.itch.io/shadowdark-monsters For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here.…
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It's a Mailbag Episode!
Matt and Jody answer some questions from listeners! For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library....
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The Keep on the Borderlands
Matt and Jody discuss and review the Caves of Chaos, from the famous module The Keep on the Borderlands. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To...
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Con Game
Matt and Jody discuss their recent trip to KublaCon in Burlingame, CA. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to…
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Where Are We?
Matt and Jody discuss maps, and how to use them at the table! For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane...
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Boss Baby
Matt and Jody discuss designing a baby boss battle! For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library....
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An Episode About Splitting The Party, But Also Not About That
Matt and Jody discuss splitting the party, and also lots of other things. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to...
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Are You Feelin' Lucky?
Matt and Jody discuss Luck Tokens. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library. Credits: Dungeon...
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Writer's Block
Matt and Jody discuss how to get started when you're staring at a blank page. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at [email protected]. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on…
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Master Cast
Matt and Jody discuss spellcasting in Shadowdark. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library. Credits: Dungeon Master Diaries is a production...
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Shadowdark and 5th Edition D&D: The Venn Diagram
Matt and Jody discuss the similarities and differences in gameplay experience, between Shadowdark and 5th Edition D&D. To get notified on March 11th when the Arcane Library Kickstarter goes live click here. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. Join us on the DMD...
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Let's Make a Deal
Matt and Jody discuss making deals with players. To get notified on March 11th when the Arcane Library Kickstarter goes live click here. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Dungeon Master Diaries have?
Dungeon Master Diaries currently has 77 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Dungeon Master Diaries about?
Dungeon Master Diaries is a podcast about Shadowdark and other role-playing games where two GMs talk about their recent experiences at the table, and hopefully give you something useful that you can take to yours.
How often does Dungeon Master Diaries release new episodes?
Dungeon Master Diaries has 77 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Dungeon Master Diaries?
You can listen to Dungeon Master Diaries on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Dungeon Master Diaries?
Dungeon Master Diaries is created and hosted by Matt Bruner & Jody Kropholler.
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