Brian – Page 6 – Geek Philosophy

The Importance of Keeping the OGL Open

For anyone who’s spent time creating or running games using D&D’s rules, the Open Gaming License (OGL) has been a vital part of the hobby. It’s not just a legal document—it’s been the foundation for a huge wave of creativity in the tabletop RPG world, from independent creators publishing adventures and supplements to entire new…

Using ChatGPT to Write a D&D Adventure

I’ve been playing around with AI tools like ChatGPT to see how they can help generate ideas for D&D sessions, and I’ve been genuinely impressed with what they can do. You can start with a simple prompt like “Write a D&D adventure for my gaming group,” and in seconds you get a basic outline: a…

The Game Master’s Book of Legendary Dragons

I’ve been spending some time with The Game Master’s Book of Legendary Dragons—and let me tell you, it’s a treasure trove of inspiration. This book is brimming with over two dozen unique dragons, each with deep lore, encounter hooks, and detailed stat blocks that can easily slot into any campaign. One of the things I really…

D&D for Kids | Adapting an Adventure for Kids

Adapting D&D adventures for younger players is something I think about a lot—especially if we want the game to feel safe, fun, and engaging for kids. Over the years, I’ve landed on a six-step process that helps me adjust the tone and structure of existing modules so they’re kid-friendly and accessible. The first thing I…

The (Almost Hidden) D&D “Further Resources”

While working on my video about the D&D for Kids “Build an Adventure” kit, I noticed a section on the Wizards of the Coast website that I’d never really paid attention to: the “Resources” tab. So in this video, I took some time to dive into it and see what’s really there—and how it can…

Managing & Dungeons & Dragons

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how the best Dungeon Masters and the best managers often share similar skills and philosophies. Both roles are all about understanding the team, working with a wide range of talents, and helping everyone feel engaged in the mission—whether that mission is saving a kingdom or completing a work…

The D&D “Build an Adventure” Educators Kit

When Wizards of the Coast released a set of educator resources for D&D, it offered a unique chance to bring role-playing games into classrooms and after-school programs. In my video, I take you through the “Build an Adventure” Educators Kit, highlighting how this resource can inspire creativity and collaboration among young players. The kit starts…

How to Play D&D for Free! (or Almost Free)

With all the talk around new editions and the shift to digital tools, it’s easy to worry that playing D&D might start getting expensive. But here’s the good news: you don’t need a mountain of books or a shiny subscription to get rolling. In this video, I share some of my favorite ways to play…

How to Create Memorable NPCs for D&D

One of my favorite parts of running a D&D game is creating NPCs that feel real—characters who aren’t just static quest-givers or background filler, but who come alive and become memorable parts of your players’ journey. By definition, NPCs (non-player characters) are anyone the DM controls: allies, enemies, townsfolk, or that one rival the players…

Running an Intermission Session for D&D

Back in my post about running Session Zero, I talked about how valuable it is to get everyone on the same page before starting a campaign. But what happens when things pop up mid-game—stuff you didn’t see coming? Maybe something’s not clicking, or maybe the energy at the table has shifted in a way you…