Wally DM

wallydm.comYokai and HalloweenThis Is Halloween It is the spooky season and today I'll provide you with a couple of Japanese Yokai to add a dash of scary to your game. I won't be giving you a direct one-shot but I will provide some example ideas to work with. I may be open to creating a one-shot in a Japanese setting if enough interest is shown.

Yokai and Halloween This Is Halloween It is the spooky season and today I'll provide you with a couple of Japanese Yokai to add a dash of scary to your game. I won't be giving you a direct one-shot but I will provide some example ideas to work with. I may be open to creating a one-shot in a…

Turned in my final edit and review for the Game Master's Book of Puzzles and Wonders! It's been an amazing experience working with the Media Lab Books team and a dream come true. It's off to the printer for a June 8th, 2027 release! #dnd #ttrpg

youtube.comCut the Velvet Ribbon? You'll Be Sorry If You Do! | Creepy D&D TrapYouTube video by Wally DM

A spooky tale I heard on a record when I was a kid is now a fully functional magical trap you can use in your #ttrpg or #dnd game! Only a 3-minute watch - The Velvet Ribbon Trap www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7Ro... #halloween

wallydm.comThe Pursuit of Art and AssetsGood morning, good afternoon, good evening, everyone. Thank you for coming back. Grab yourself a drink and a snack, come sit by the hearth. Please, stay awhile and listen. One of the biggest hurdles I faced very early on in my journey as a DM was visuals. Now, first and foremost, I need every single one of you, my dear guests, to understand…

Come grab a snack and a drink, stay awhile and listen!

wallydm.comBurning The House DownA friendly DM‑to‑DM chat about the weight we carry behind the screen. Another Friend Gone I logged into the server this morning and saw the announcement: another friend stepping away, another DM bowing out. No drama, no big speech, it was just that quiet little message that I have grown to hate which says, “I can’t keep doing this.” And it hit me harder than I expected.

Burning The House Down A friendly DM‑to‑DM chat about the weight we carry behind the screen. Another Friend Gone I logged into the server this morning and saw the announcement: another friend stepping away, another DM bowing out. No drama, no big speech, it was just that quiet little message that…

Wally DM reposted

Jacob Blackmon

@jacobblackmon.bsky.social

The SPL Horrorverse presents psychos, cyborgs, undead killers, spawn, swarms, mists, and mastiffs ready to tear flesh apart. But who faces these horrors?! Here are the individuals and organizations who fight against the evil forces of the Horrorverse. www.drivethrurpg.com/product/5898...

youtu.beA Delicious D&D Haunt Trap - Give Her a Blueberry Scone!YouTube video by Wally DM

My first #dnd video in 5 months! Check out this Haunt Trap idea complete with delicious blueberry scones. youtu.be/lVpGoC-YH-Q?... And great thumbnail artwork by @jacobblackmon.bsky.social !

wallydm.comWhy Your Fantasy World Needs an Economy (But Not a Spreadsheet)The Living Economy — Part 1: Making Fantasy Worlds Feel Alive Imagine your adventuring party arriving in Kettlebeck, a prosperous mining town tucked into the mountains. The streets are busy, the tavern is full of miners spending their wages, and the local merchants seem to be doing rather well. Iron is valuable, after all, and Kettlebeck has plenty of it.

Why Your Fantasy World Needs an Economy (But Not a Spreadsheet) The Living Economy — Part 1: Making Fantasy Worlds Feel Alive Imagine your adventuring party arriving in Kettlebeck, a prosperous mining town tucked into the mountains. The streets are busy, the tavern is full of miners spending their…

Headed out to #GameHoleCon tomorrow to run some #dnd games! But, gonna miss my daily kickball after work with Millie Dog while I'm gone #bordercollie

wallydm.comRPG Toolbox: HorrorIt’s October again, and a lot of tables are going to be rolling up horror RPGs to celebrate Halloween. In honor of that, I want to start what I hope to make a regular series here at Wally DM, Toolboxes. The core idea of Toolbox articles is that there are fundamentally three things a GM can use to shape the genre of a game:

RPG Toolbox: Horror It’s October again, and a lot of tables are going to be rolling up horror RPGs to celebrate Halloween. In honor of that, I want to start what I hope to make a regular series here at Wally DM, Toolboxes. The core idea of Toolbox articles is that there are fundamentally three…

wallydm.comCreating Encounter Tables for RPGsHey there and welcome to this quick and easy guide on how to setup some basic information and formulas in your database program of choice in order to provide you with useful information for your table in just a few keystrokes. We're going to create a quick Underdark Random Encounter chart but when we're done it will also 1) randomize the number of creatures, 2) calculate the total experience value of the group, and 3) provide the party xp split calculation for you.

Creating Encounter Tables for RPGs Hey there and welcome to this quick and easy guide on how to setup some basic information and formulas in your database program of choice in order to provide you with useful information for your table in just a few keystrokes. We're going to create a quick…

wallydm.comDealing With Experince And Leveling Up.Are You Experienced? Today's article may be a short one but this is a topic that can drive most DMs mad. You may have players that ask for a level up after every session and that can really break down the fun. I have touched lightly on some of the problems in a previous article talking about allowing a player to level up every session.

Dealing With Experince And Leveling Up. Are You Experienced? Today's article may be a short one but this is a topic that can drive most DMs mad. You may have players that ask for a level up after every session and that can really break down the fun. I have touched lightly on some of the problems…

Prep for #GameHoleCon! Still a few seats left for both of my Thursday games: Journey through the Sugar Realm! #dnd

I'm starting to see the preorder pages for Target, Walmart, Amazon and more. June 8th, 2027! I've been working on this all year - just a bit more to go before we start promoting. Holy smokes, I still can't believe it! #dnd #ttrpg

backerkit.comKobold Cliff and the Cyclops - 5E One Shot Puzzle AdventureGet notified when Kobold Cliff and the Cyclops - 5E One Shot Puzzle Adventure launches on BackerKit!

Can you help me get to 50 followers on Backerkit? Kobold Cliff & the Cyclops will be a 5E one shot adventure module with puzzles, traps, new monsters, and exploration! Everything you need to run the game for just $5 USD! Launching November 3rd! #dnd #ttrpg www.backerkit.com/c/projects/w...

19 Sept

The good folks in my Discord are publishing some great articles! Hoping to direct a few more eyes to their work. Here is the linkety link! #dnd www.wallydm/blog

wallydm.comSession 101, Getting Started in RPGs (Part 1) - Wally DMIf you’re reading this, you probably know how to play RPGs. However, you’ve probably had experiences where a new player at your table says they “just don’t get it” or keeps asking “what do I do?” This...

18 Sept

Tip of the hat to airport/hotel shuttle drivers...

Wally DM reposted

Lazarus Game Lab

@lablazarus.bsky.social

17 Sept

It seems fitting to share an article about getting started in RPGs on the day I'm getting started on socials! If you need help introducing new players to the hobby, check it out! Thank to @wallydm.com for hosting, Part 2 coming tonight! wallydm.com/session-101-...

wallydm.comSession 102, Getting Started in RPGs (Part 2)If you're reading this, hopefully you read my previous article, if not, go back and read it: Session 101, Getting Started in RPGs (Part 1) In short, I assume you are an established RPG player if you're reading this, but you've probably had experiences trying to bring in a new player who says they “just don’t get it” or keeps asking “what do I do?” This is for them.

17 Sept

Session 102, Getting Started in RPGs (Part 2) If you're reading this, hopefully you read my previous article, if not, go back and read it: Session 101, Getting Started in RPGs (Part 1) In short, I assume you are an established RPG player if you're reading this, but you've probably had experiences…

wallydm.comSession 101, Getting Started in RPGs (Part 1)If you’re reading this, you probably know how to play RPGs. However, you’ve probably had experiences where a new player at your table says they “just don’t get it” or keeps asking “what do I do?” This is for them. Here is my best guide to the fundamentals of playing an RPG. Thank you to my long-suffering wife for the idea behind this article.

15 Sept

Session 101, Getting Started in RPGs (Part 1) If you’re reading this, you probably know how to play RPGs. However, you’ve probably had experiences where a new player at your table says they “just don’t get it” or keeps asking “what do I do?” This is for them. Here is my best guide to the…

🐻⬇️ Chicago. 😉

How To RP A Non-human Welcome To The Jungle In many TTRPGs, there are options for several non-human characters. This isn't just limited to players only, even the DM will need to also describe how NPCs act. The best way to do this is look towards the Furry Fandom. A large portion of the community…

wallydm.comHow To RP A Non-humanWelcome To The Jungle In many TTRPGs, there are options for several non-human characters. This isn't just limited to players only, even the DM will need to also describe how NPCs act. The best way to do this is look towards the Furry Fandom. A large portion of the community do RP as anthropomorphic creatures. They understand the subtleties of how non-humans move and the different kinds of body language they could exhibit.

wallydm.comRole-playing And Mental HealthHow Are You Doing? I've covered a portion of this topic with a previous article talking about social anxiety. I want to take time to address how Role-playing can be used to help anyone in many different ways. Everyone is dealing with varying degrees of worry or concerns. Therapists even use RP as a safe way to face delicate subjects. I know the running joke that a DM is just an unpaid therapist but let's try not to overload the DM with personal baggage.

3 Sept

Role-playing And Mental Health How Are You Doing? I've covered a portion of this topic with a previous article talking about social anxiety. I want to take time to address how Role-playing can be used to help anyone in many different ways. Everyone is dealing with varying degrees of worry or…

26 Aug

Really exciting to see so much interest in Journey into the Sugar Realm! If you're going to #GameHoleCon, be sure to put my 5E games on your wishlist... looks like the Thursday game is going to sell out fast!

Wally DM@wallydm.com

I will be running #dnd one-shot adventures at #GameHoleCon this year. 4 Games Total - Search for "Wally DM" in the events and be sure to put on your wishlist! Journey into the Sugar Realm on Thursday! Kobold Cliff and the Cyclops on Friday! Hope to see you there. Cheers!

wallydm.comTTRPG Articles - Wally DM

26 Aug

Our team of #ttrpg writers are still going strong! Entering the fourth month of posting game master oriented articles... wallydm.com/blog/ If you can, please check out our articles and leave a comment. It would mean the world to us. :-) Cheers!

wallydm.comThe Storyteller, the Pagemaster, and LoreGood morning, good afternoon, good evening, everyone. Thank you for coming back. Grab yourself a drink and a snack, come sit by the hearth. Please, stay awhile and listen. I have read a lot of books. Book books. Countless hundreds of books, and to count every single one I’ve read would require the use of a time machine, since I’ve been reading chapter books roughly since the age of eight.

25 Aug

Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening! Grab a drink and a snack, and come have a seat with me.

wallydm.comVoices In My HeadAs I start this article I very much want to stress that, as a DM, you don't have to do voices. Don't let voices be the reason you don't start running a game. And bear in mind that most of the podcasts you are listening to have professional voice actors (as an example, listen to Malevolent, amazingly all the voices are by one person, Harlan Guthrie).

20 Aug

Voices In My Head As I start this article I very much want to stress that, as a DM, you don't have to do voices. Don't let voices be the reason you don't start running a game. And bear in mind that most of the podcasts you are listening to have professional voice actors (as an example, listen to…

wallydm.comArea Of Effect In 5EI Cast Fireball A major rule you will come across a lot is something called Area Of Effect(AoE). I will only be covering grid based maps and not hex based maps. The rules here are based on 5E and the images that follow come from Xanathar’s Guide To Everything. Other RP systems may have different rules than listed here and are beyond the scope of this article.

18 Aug

Area Of Effect In 5E I Cast Fireball A major rule you will come across a lot is something called Area Of Effect(AoE). I will only be covering grid based maps and not hex based maps. The rules here are based on 5E and the images that follow come from Xanathar’s Guide To Everything. Other RP systems…

@jacobblackmon.bsky.social

15 Aug

GIF your mental health

This post is unavailable.

Wally DM reposted

Jacob Blackmon

14 Aug

This was an interesting #art #commission from one of my supporters. They only indicated the four heroines to be included in the scene. Otherwise I was given creative control for the location and enemies / monsters involved. This is the result. #fantasy #dnd #pathfinder www.patreon.com/jacobblackmon

wallydm.com01-24 Turn the Tables!Tables are one of the iconic elements of TTRPG culture. No, not a sponsored post, I'm talking about random tables, sets of items that you roll dice to select from as you play. When Matt Groening needed a bit to represent Gary Gygax on Futurama, his pull was literally just random tables. But, there is also a lot of pushback on tables.

14 Aug

01-24 Turn the Tables! Tables are one of the iconic elements of TTRPG culture. No, not a sponsored post, I'm talking about random tables, sets of items that you roll dice to select from as you play. When Matt Groening needed a bit to represent Gary Gygax on Futurama, his pull was literally just…

Wally DM reposted

@jacobblackmon.bsky.social

Super Powered Legends: Cybernetic Assassin. Because sometimes you a need a monster everyone recognizes, even when meeting them for the first time. Superpowered by M&M #RPG #TTRPG #RolePlayingGame #Tabletop #Superhero #Scifi #ScienceFiction www.drivethrurpg.com//product/579...

Really stoked to get the bonus card from this Stardew Valley #secretlair. Gonna play all of these!

I worked with my friends Fred Wheeler and AJ Pickett on three PWYW titles over on DriveThruRPG for #Shadowdark. Player's Expansion 1 & 2 with tons of playable species and classes and the Monster Book with 100 new monsters. Check them out here for free! #ttrpg www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher...

DriveThruRPG@drivethrurpg.com

More than 1400 Shadowdark RPG adventures, campaign settings, and more are available now! Shop Shadowdark here: tinyurl.com/4ktknyb3 Included expanded bestiaries, new locations, antagonists, and more! #ttrpg

This month's patreon pdf features lore and stat blocks for #dnd 5E Living Statue: Basalt, Bronze, Crystal, Iron, Marble and Stone with splendid artwork by @jacobblackmon.bsky.social. Available today for my patreon members and in patreon store. New pdf every month! www.patreon.com/u11654127/po...

wallydm.comLearn it, do it, teach it, have it done to youWhen I was studying martial arts, there was a saying around our studio “You learn a technique in 4 ways, you are taught it, you do it, you teach it, and you have it done to you.” Photo by Simon Dreher on Unsplash A similar idea goes for RPGs. You learn to play a game in many ways, you can read it, watch it, play it, run it, or write it.

11 Aug

Learn it, do it, teach it, have it done to you When I was studying martial arts, there was a saying around our studio “You learn a technique in 4 ways, you are taught it, you do it, you teach it, and you have it done to you.” Photo by Simon Dreher on Unsplash A similar idea goes for RPGs. You…

Wally DM reposted

Anto | Icarus Games

@icarus-games.co.uk

10 Aug

The shellycoat builds a carapace from the equipment of fallen heroes. Will you add to it's grim collection? Get new #dnd monsters to terrify your players with SIDEQUEST magazine: icarus-games.co.uk/c...

10 Aug

I am moving the crowdfunding campaign for my one shot 5E puzzle adventure to @backerkit.com. Campaign will include a $5 tier for the PDF. Backerkit's new integration with @drivethrurpg.com allows for instant fulfillment of PDFs. Prelaunch Page is up! www.backerkit.com/c/projects/w... #dnd

wallydm.comWhen The DM Becomes The Player And How To Avoid MetagamingAre You A Forever DM? Today's article is for the more advanced DM. Maybe you've been the DM for your group for such a long time and you forgot what it's like to be a player? If this is you, you already possess a lot of skills to help other players feel valued or even inspire them to better RP.

6 Aug

When The DM Becomes The Player And How To Avoid Metagaming Are You A Forever DM? Today's article is for the more advanced DM. Maybe you've been the DM for your group for such a long time and you forgot what it's like to be a player? If this is you, you already possess a lot of skills to help other…

wallydm.comThe Devil in the DetailsGood morning, good afternoon, and good evening everyone. Thank you for coming back. Grab yourself a drink and a snack, come sit by the hearth. Please, stay awhile and listen. Living in the “middle of nowhere” within Massachusetts, or anywhere for that matter, is a unique experience. I, for a while, lived my early adult years with my parents in a house on the outskirts of my hometown of Middleboro.

28 July

The Devil in the Details Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening everyone. Thank you for coming back. Grab yourself a drink and a snack, come sit by the hearth. Please, stay awhile and listen. Living in the “middle of nowhere” within Massachusetts, or anywhere for that matter, is a unique…

wallydm.comAre Your Players Scaredy-Cats?I can't count the number of times I've seen a particular piece of game master advice stated as objective fact. It goes something like this: "Risk is what makes games exciting. Therefore, it is your job as the GM to make sure the players are constantly in a healthy amount of fear for their characters' lives. This will keep them alert and engaged, leading to greater enjoyment of the game."

21 July

Are Your Players Scaredy-Cats? I can't count the number of times I've seen a particular piece of game master advice stated as objective fact. It goes something like this: "Risk is what makes games exciting. Therefore, it is your job as the GM to make sure the players are constantly in a healthy…

18 July

This friendly squirrel is taking apples from our neighbors tree and feasting on top of the telephone pole. Driving my dog nuts, lol.

18 July

One of my favorite freelance projects do far, my essay titled "Curiosity Saved the Trap", was included in: How to write Even Better Adventures by @goodmangames.bsky.social. Absolutely humbling to see my photo alongside some of the best writers in #ttrpg. A fun book with tons of great advice!

18 July

Receive a neat-o #Shadowdark adventure zine by @themightyjerd.bsky.social ... Might try to run this on a future live stream. Great layout and easy to follow for the GM.

17 July

Hey folks! It's Christmas in July over at @drivethrurpg.com! You can pick up my puzzle books and #dnd5e adventures for 30% off! That's less than $5 each. Hope you dig it. Cheers! www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher...

17 July

I finished watching all of the Backrooms videos by Kane on YouTube. And now, listening to interviews and others talk about the lore. It's so weird, but I really dig it.

wallydm.comOne Shot WondersWe have looked at planning versus improvisation. We have looked at published content versus homebrew. But what about One Shots? One Shots are a single (maybe two) session adventure. You may use them for a group who will never meet again. You may use them as an interlude for your normal party, especially if one person can't make it that night.

16 July

One Shot Wonders We have looked at planning versus improvisation. We have looked at published content versus homebrew. But what about One Shots? One Shots are a single (maybe two) session adventure. You may use them for a group who will never meet again. You may use them as an interlude for your…

wallydm.comHome or AwayAs a budding DM, have you thought "official published material or my own stories (homebrew)"? This simple decision dictates the overall feel and vibe of a campaign. It is about your long term approach rather than the session itself. Of course you could just stick with one-shot games, but that is a different skill altogether which we will cover another time.

10 July

Published Material or Homebrew? Share your thoughts with Merlin in this splendid article: Home or Away? Be sure to bookmark our blog for weekly #TTRPG articles featuring GM tips, player advice, worldbuilding, #dnd inspiration, and more!