Ken loves monsters, and the 2024 edition of the Monster Manual for Dungeons & Dragons has tons of them! After getting the book out of the box, Ken looks at what’s new and different with the 2024 Monster Manual, including some new options for old favorites like hill giants and goblins. Chapters 0:00 – Intro […]
Unboxing Monster Manual 2024 Read More »
Ken elaborates on the Attention Economy – how many things people need to keep track of – for D&D 2024, and how it differs from the 2014. (and yeah, this explains his initial reaction to the Blade Ward cantrip back in Episode 5). He reviews the idea of the Action Economy (how many things a
The D&D Attention Economy – Greyhawk ’76 (Ep. 7) Read More »
Ken unboxes The Deck of Many Things, a powerful artifact that definitely won’t destroy your campaign. No, really! The product provides you with a bunch of options for using the cards, from the traditional campaign wrecker to limited (and kinder) decks to story- and dungeon-creating decks. Chapters 0:00 – Welcome to Lair of Secrets0:15 –
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Ken recaps his group’s second session using the D&D 2024 rules, with specific looks at Blade Ward (spiffy spell, won’t save you from critical) and Mastery (a character ability that unlocks special characteristics of weapons). Chapters 0:00 – Welcome to Greyhawk ’761:10 – The Burrow Boys Arrive: Ogres, Halflings, and a Goliath3:20 – Trickery and
Enemy Mine – Greyhawk ’76 (Ep. 6) Read More »
After venturing into the dark with only a torch to guide their way, the Campaigns & Coffee crew talks about their experiences playing the ShadowDark RPG (where they ARE very likely to be eaten by a grue). They discuss the dungeon-delving, old-school-inspired game’s real-time torch mechanics, its focus on fast-paced and high-stakes decision-making. They also
Shadowdark Impressions (Campaigns & Coffee) Read More »
We’ve got mail! Cursed Scrolls 3 arrived in Ken’s mailbox. In this episode, he fights his usual fight with packaging, then pages through the ShadowDark zine’s Norse-inspired mini-campaign setting. The zine offers new character classes, new monsters, new spells, new gods, and an archipelago-based mini-setting. Watch to the Episode Watch the Unboxing Cursed Scrolls 3:
Unboxing Cursed Scrolls 3: Midnight Sun for ShadowDark Read More »
An unboxing and walk through of the Fallout 2d20 starter set. The set includes a rules packet, an introductory campaign scenario, cardboard battle caps to represent action points, and – of course – dice. And you know we love dice. Chapters 0:00 Introduction to Fallout 2D20 Unboxing0:15 Jury-rigged Camera Setup1:30 Fallout Dice Overview2:30 Exploring the
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On this episode of Lair of Secrets, we present the our guide for new Game Masters, packed with advice, tips, and encouragement for those ready to take the GM seat. We explore choosing the right game, gathering players, preparing efficiently, and rolling with mistakes while ensuring a fun and engaging experience. Chapter List 0:00 –
The Lair’s Guide for New Game Masters (S4E13) Read More »
Forbidden Lands is a gritty, low-fantasy role-playing game published by Free League. It’s a hex crawl – an exploration-focused game in which humans, elves, goblins, and other species expand into a once-cursed land. This page gathers resources supporting the Forbidden Lands RPG. Suggest more resources by leaving a comment or emailing us at podcast@lairofsecrets.com. Lair of Secrets
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Building immersive cities for RPGs takes center stage on this episode, with inspiration from real-world examples like San Antonio’s Alamo and Chicago’s reversed river. We dive into tools and techniques for making cities that evolve, feel lived in, and resonate as characters within campaigns. From quirky city rivalries to handling disasters, this episode offers creative
Build Better Cities – Campaigns and Coffee Read More »
