Brian – Page 6 – Geek Philosophy

Using Skill Challenges in 5e

Today, I’m sharing some thoughts about a mechanic from 4th Edition D&D that I’ve found really useful in my 5e games: skill challenges. Yes, 4e was a bit controversial, but there are some gems hidden in that system, and the skill challenge mechanic is one of them. Skill challenges are a way to resolve complex,…

Playtesting Our New Kids TTRPG Setting

Today, I’m sharing a bit of my own geek philosophy about a new tabletop role-playing game sub-setting I’m developing for younger players—Guardians of Getica—and inviting you to playtest it with me. Guardians of Getica is a unique world within a larger fantasy setting, designed to be accessible and fun for kids while also offering depth…

You Are Welcome Here!

We’ve been seeing a lot of new faces around the channel lately, so I wanted to take a moment to pause the regular programming and say, well, welcome! I’m Brian, and this is Geek Philosophy—where we’re all about sharing stories, ideas, and insights from the world of tabletop role-playing games. For those who’ve been here…

Adding Play-by-Post to a TTRPG Campaign

Scheduling conflicts and long work hours can sometimes make gathering everyone around the table—virtual or in-person—an impossible challenge. One of the ways I’ve found to keep the adventure alive is by weaving in a play-by-post approach alongside our regular game. Play-by-post gaming is nothing new—it’s been around since the days of dial-up modems and bulletin…

Adapting a Published Adventure

Sometimes, even the most creative Dungeon Master needs a little help—whether that’s to jumpstart a session, overcome writer’s block, or just save some time. For me, adapting published adventures has become one of my go-to approaches. I don’t always want to run the adventure as written, but there’s usually so much great material in these…

Earning XP as the Dungeon Master

Being a good GM (or DM) is a lot like earning XP in a roleplaying game. The more you play, the more you learn, and the more confident you become in weaving together stories for your players. Over the years, I’ve realized that the real leveling up as a GM doesn’t come from memorizing every…

Our First Look at the Blades in the Dark TTRPG

I’ve been diving into the Blades in the Dark tabletop RPG and wanted to share some of my first impressions—before even playing it. It’s got that heist-movie feel (think Ocean’s 11 meets The Lies of Locke Lamora), but what really stands out is how the game’s mechanics push everyone to act as a crew. Every decision you make is a…

How Will WotC Respond?

The release of new systems like the ORC License, Project Black Flag, and other independent RPGs has really changed the landscape of tabletop gaming. While Wizards of the Coast reversed some of its controversial plans and put 5e’s SRD under Creative Commons, the conversation around open gaming and community trust is far from over. For…

Pathfinder 2e Beginner Box Review and Giveaway!

If you’re curious about Pathfinder Second Edition and want to know if the Beginner Box is a good entry point, here are my thoughts: The Pathfinder 2e Beginner Box is a fantastic gateway into the system, especially if you’re coming from D&D 5e and want something fresh. Unlike some starter sets, the Beginner Box doesn’t…

Theater of the Mind or Battle Maps & VTTs?

When it comes to playing D&D or other tabletop RPGs, one of the biggest questions is how you and your players prefer to visualize your adventures—using the classic “theater of the mind” approach or bringing in a battle map or virtual tabletop (VTT). Theater of the mind lets everyone paint their own mental picture, driven…