Stoicism & The Art of Gamemastering

The Stoic philosophers have something to say about players destroying the best-laid plans of gamemasters.

Choosing A Published Campaign Setting

It can be easy to get excited about a new published setting, but it pays to evaluate it before bringing it to the table.

What is Setting First?

There is no One True Way to play tabletop RPGs, but Setting First is oriented around three particular approaches to play.

Overview of a Long Campaign

Eighty-two sessions into a Degenesis campaign, I reflect on how I’ve run the game so far, what my players and I have learned, and what the game has given us.

After Play Review: Paleomythic

Paleomythic combines tight, elegant mechanics, clever character differentiation, and just enough but not too much worldbuilding.

On the Arcane Nature of Tabletop RPG Books

Why is it that there is no moral panic about computer RPGs in the way that there was in the early days of tabletop roleplaying?

Games Without Frontiers: Running A Long-Distance FRP Campaign

Before the Internet gave us the pleasure and torture of instant connectivity, I ran many an adventure with the help of the US Postal Service.

In Praise of Human Artistry

There are some things a human artist can provide that AI tools just can’t match.

You and Your Characters Need Status

As GMs and players, we can use our understanding of the role of status to inform the creation of NPCs and PCs.

The Once & Future Twilight: 2000

The new Twilight: 2000 seems to be tailor made for me, but I do wonder when I’ll get to run it.

In Praise of Informed Subjectivity

Give me a subjective review based on actual play, not another faux-objective review based on just reading the rules.

Gamemaster Goodies From UJ

Links to posts on TTRPG worldbuilding, managing campaigns, running sessions, and thoughts on tabletop roleplaying as a hobby.