Let's be honest, it's not your first time watching this masterpiece.

Session prep 'Involves long walks and talking to myself' - My significant other laughed her head off when she overheard this, I have been known to pace, deep in thought talking through my ideas or even uttering fragmented conversations as I develop the mindset of certain NPCs or villains. Love it!

You may not have the flowing locks, the golden voice, or the elf ears, but damn if you don't have the fashion sense. Every DM has their thing, and I think that's yours. Love your videos man, don't ever stop!

You are quickly becoming my favorite Tabletop RPG channel! Keep up the great content!

I just rewatched this one. This video is a DM's session zero and pre-session zero prep gem! Lots in here about how the DM connects to the kind of players in a group, how to do that, and world building. The world building is very interesting. As DMs, I think we invest time, energy, and details into the world. This video will teach you how to distill it down to just a few details. Those details are essentially the 'scuttlebutt' that all people everywhere talk about. Not giving too much detail keeps some mystery and unknowns alive and well!

This chanel took me back to D&D and down the OSR rabbit hole. Last sunday I started running a new old-school, West Marches style, gritty dungeon crawling game. Thanks to you PDM, and Ben from Questing Beast, and MCDM. Im here today judt to rewatch most stuff.

I recently decided to return to DMing after not playing for 20+ years. This video is far and away the most helpful one I have come across. I won't use everything presented, but the nuts and bolts story creation stuff is pure gold!

This video is an absolute gold mine. You, sir, are a true hero for putting all of this out there.

First time commenter, long time listener! I love the idea of having my players start as peasants with peasant stats, and through the first session they discover their characters, gaining bonuses to stats through successful checks and rolls. Such a natural and organic way to build a character!

As a new DM preparing for my 1st campaign with friends, I appreciate this video so much!

We only did one 0 level session for DCC. It was funny because my players are so used to taking care of weak NPCs that they would use their best PCs first, then those would get killed, so at the end they were all left with their worst characters. I loosely suggested that they send in low stat characters to scout and check for traps, but they said that just didn't feel right.

I hate that I found your channel through the OGL drama, but I am glad to be here now. I love this look into your process of session prep.

I tried this when our groups regular DM was unavailable, my group loved it. I gave the ruins some weird runes that, according to local rumour, had hidden meaning. I had intended that the PC’s would later find a book with maps and drawings leading them back to the ruins and a hidden crypt or dungeon below. The player rolled a natural 20 so allowed him to correctly pronounce the magic words opening the crypt below which I had not prepared. They used the crypt and a hidden passage to escape the beast men bandits and had a blast.

I've run this six times now as a session 1 and it's a great one. A couple of ideas that have improved it for me: 1. For newbies Roll the stats during the contest or in lieu of a strength check ect. 2. Make the escape a chase scene / skill check with failures meaning more beastmen catch up to them. You want to make sure they face 2-4 especially if they never make it to the ruins to start to thin the herd. 3. Make sure u let player's sacrifice a character by jumping in front of a hit (let newbies know this an option). 4. 0 HPs = instant death. And don't give PCs any form of weapons right away let them use their creativity to find some.

This has become my favorite rpg related channel bar none. Thank you d&d professor!

Watched this series many times. I also tend to put music on, pace around the table and act out NPC dialogue. Glad I am not alone!

I really like your dark and grim fantasy setting. In a world with such misery, there is a need for heroes. The story is full of hooks and make a great foundation for future sessions. I would really like to „steal“ your ideas and approach to the first session/setting. Concerning other KZfaq channels: Don't worry, there is not enough to be said about this game and about stories. There is room for everyone on the internet and it doesn't matter if you are no mercer or colville. People are subscripted to these channels, because of different reasons. I myself watch all of you: CR, colville, dael kingsmill (monarchs factory), dungeon dudes, runehammer, black magic craft, wyloch, dm scotty, etc. etc. the list goes on and on and that is really good. This game and this world needs MORE storytellers, not less. It needs diversity and more different opinions and ideas. Keep up the good work!

Watching this series again for the third time. Great stuff.

This is a great behind-the-scenes video. Here's a tip tho: If you don't want to look crazy walking around in public talking to yourself, just hold your phone up to your ear, or wear an ear piece. You'll fit right in. You may even be able to use an app that lets you record yourself, so you can reference it later.

You're the only other person I know that analyzes/strategizes/plans while talking out loud. I'm not alone!

Wow, this is a great start to a grimdark campaign. The enemy’s remind me of Michael Crichton’s Eaters of the dead novel and the movie adaptation The 13th Warrior.

I used something like this for a recent one shot using your deathbringer rule set. I had all ten players roll a d4-1 to establish their stat block. The math was so straight forward, I had no questions from my players about how it works!

Beautifully dark and grim. Interesting way to start a campaign. Like the 0 level idea. I imagine players will kinda “morph” into what player class they want to be, with the magic user of the group being the marked victim of the cult? Looking forward to the next instalment of the adventure.

Starting a new campaign today. Watching this video again to get energized!

Absolute RPG gold! This is my kind of approach to DMing! Thanks, Professor!

Such a great way to construct a campaign.

Amazing video! I used your character creation method (slightly modified...) for my last session and my players loved it! My murder hobos turned into thoughtful and cautious adventurers. My thinkers started asking what their characters would know. My mind was completely blown and what started out as an experimental one-shot just might become our new MO. The one change that I made was that after rolling for an occupation I allowed my players to negotiate for up to four additional points (they could use them to boost stats, hitpoints, or silver) with me (the DM). For example - One of the characters was a blacksmith with very low strength and argued that after years of work he should be stronger. I agreed and he got an additional two point added to his strength. His character was still weak (compared to normal 5e characters...), but the player then had to explain why their blacksmith character wasn't stronger (bedrest from surviving the plague as it turns out...). Next the players each had 1 point they could award to another PC. After a brief campaign (and with it character background building) the points were all awarded. Character equipment was handled as a negotiation with the DM as well - The blacksmith character had smithing tools (his pride and joy), but not an anvil (because its too heavy to adventure with). While playing I would describe a simple scene (the old chapel is darkly lit and in ruins...) and then ask each player what THEY saw. If I liked their addition and felt it worked with the scene I was building I'd add it to my description. This is the most involved I've ever seen these players and they loved it. Thanks again! You've changed everything!

Ok, I'm watching this video for the 20th time. Don't worry professor I still watch your old videos. So many great tips and tricks In these videos.

I remember watching this video for the first time, feels like it was last year.

I come back to this video bimonthly. Your method is great. 👌

Your GM style is 'a grim world of perilous adventure'. :-) (That dollar store erase board...just as grim.) ;-)

fantastic stuff! This is inspirational and incredibly helpful. No need to do this all the time but consistently once a month or something could definitely build a strong following. I know I will look forward to the next one.

Man I've been re-watching these constantly! This is hands down the BEST inspiration for when I'm working on anything for my games. I pretty much have this who series on repeat when I'm crafting, painting, or working on my own TTRPG. Thanks for all the great content PDM!

I'll have you know that used this very basis on yesterday's game and that almost everyone had a blast, myself included. One of the characters threw an apple at the worm-that-walks to lure him away from paralyzed characters and managed to escape with his life (that was an incredibly tense -and fun- defense roll, there was a lot of cheering), and the 4 characters that met with the beast-man escaped rather than fight him and it was really close for at least two of them, so no XP for that, but they get to live. At the start of the session, I gave each played a 'luck token' that they could either use to change fate (be it save someone of not fail miserably at something they really wanted to suceed at) or redeem at the end of the game for an extra XP to a character of their choosing, and not one was used during the game. Of course they will start the next game without luck token and will have to earn them from now on.

Watching through the older bits for all the gems.

A great way to start off a new campaign. Brutal conflict, but that shows how dangerous it will be being an adventurer when yesterday you were just a normal villager! My second time watching this, but looking forward to rewatching the story. 👍👍👍👍😎😎😎😎

Great video, love the minimalist approach to your games looking forward to more

Everyone DMing right now should be watching this series on a regular basis 😊😉❤❤❤

This video has inspired me more than any I've seen in a while. In the course of the past 3 days I've watched these first few videos several times each, and have the barebones of a new campaign in a new world. I've always loved the thought of low magic, gritty d&d. For some reason your style has pumped me up. Thanks!

Professor Dungeon Master all bow to you

This is rock solid advice. I direct all fledgling DMs to this video. WHF and DCC are indispensable. I also use rumors, jobs, and names lists to build all the time. Also a walk around the block helps tremendously. Let your subconscious mind chew on things for a bit while you are away from your desk, some amazing things can arise.😊

Hello Professor Dungeon Master, I would like to inform you I truly enjoy this type of content. The story and gameplay is well done with great advice, also ten for ten on style! I hope you make more videos like these, I will keep my eyes open. Thank you for making them!

Great specific approach and depth!

I've only discovered (and very quickly subscribed to) your channel today and love how you incorporated the gritty aspects of DCC (love that game) into your world. I'm looking forward to your review on it.

I've actually taken a bit of pride into the fact that I have several BBEGs for my campaign. While I pitched it initially as the players not having the world hang in the balance... my plan is to make them love the starting town so much that they dedicate themselves to wiping out every one of my BBEG's. The Gnoll Horde, The Cult of the Nine, The Lich and especially The Coven

Just here at the end of 2022 enjoying the classics.

Wow, really excited to try out my 2 hp character!

Would love more prep session videos. Thank you!

I have to say you have an amazing ability to weave together some simple elements into a fantastic campaign setting. It's given me a lot of ideas to use for my Traveller materials.

This is the kind of prep I want to see, its organic and creative and much more relatable than watching spreadsheets get filled out. The 'Crazy Train' approach is the best approach imo.

I wish I could have been a part of this campaign. WOW!!!

Best video yet! I loved how you walked through the process. You did not just say what you were doing but why/why not. That is more important at times when teaching something. In regards to the very end of the video, something I have found in my experience with KZfaq is that most of the popular channels are just one-trick-ponies with a bit of flash and a load of attitude. There are only so many videos that I can handle about toilet paper, foam cutters, 3d printers, and such doing the same thing as the other channels are with different theme music. Really... as soon as someone comes up with something slightly new, there are videos on all the other channels doing the same thing. "I got a sponge block, I can make a wall." "I can cut a piece of foam into a block, I can make a wall." "My 3d printer can make a wall." Of all my various interests in hobbies (too many according to my wife) there are only five channels of twenty I subscribe to that I am excited when a new video is posted. Dungeon Craft is #1 of those. The three of the remaining four are not game related at all because the game channels can't seem to do anything new. I don't know what your long term goal for the channel is, but I like what you are doing. My opinion is that as long as the content is fresh and interesting, in time you will have an audience. It might only just be me... but when you roll the dice you might get a natural one.

What about including a drinking contest with CON checks?

On my way home on the train and I found this captivating. I wanted to take notes, but it was so we'll laid out, I remember it clearly. Not that I would steal the entire idea word for word or anything...

Random idea from back in my campaign running ideas: During session 0 let the players pick a really cool magic item, and that is the legendary thing the character knows about. Then identify 10 NPCs, and have teh player roll, and that is the NPC who knows where the item is located. So this way, even though a sand box our players still start with a personal quest, giving them an idea of where to go and what to do.

The title "Professor DungeonMaster" is well earned sir.

I have so many ideas percolating from this idea, thanks!

I just discovered you and your videos and I have to say, the content you've put out is just phenomenal. Such great ideas and so helpful. Thanks for taking the time to do these.

That coach mini you have is awesome!

Love your rules hack. Love the campaign. Love the grim dark. Thanks for being coolest prof ever!

As a calligraphy teacher I can't help grinding my teeth looking at the way you hold your pen. :)

The rumors idea is really cool! I always struggle with finding good ways to slip that sort of information to my players without it feeling forced or awkward. Gonna try that for my next campaign.

Really amazing. I want to play in this adventure. And great advice for DMs!

I'm stealing this so hard!

What actually happens when does this session: the players wander away from the village and build a tree house where they live out the rest of the campaign.

Running a campaign in the Mythic Odysseys of Theros campaign setting! Ancient Greek parallel. Lots of fun. Started the players as part of a caravan stopping to make camp.

This was awesome! Thank you. I love the deep dark style

This is a really exceptional video. I love running low magic, really brutal games, so this kind of thing is right up my alley.

I'm always interested in how other DM's do character gen, so thank you for letting us take a peep at the way you do it. Also, you perfectly and articulately described something I've been doing for ever; your comment on how an open world adventure is very much like building a dungeon. I have always gone throw the motions, but I never thought about it from that angle!

I'd love to see a live play of this. I've watched it a few times. Rewatching it now as I prepare to run DCC and I can't find any funnels as cool as this idea. If you published this I'd buy it in a heart beat.

This was great. I am really enjoying the content you're putting out. Thank you.

I miss these

8:18 it's shepherd, for herding sheep, not shepheard. Also any village has loads of fields with a Lord owning the land, towns like haven should start with a market square, then warehouses and guards. The church, inn, eateries, brothels come after. Totally love your approach.

I can't believe that "Worm Terminator" didn't immediately lead to "Worminator."

I’m really enjoying your channel! Keep up the work ☺️

I have spent hours watching your videos!!! THEY ARE OUTSTANDING!!! I would pay good money to be able to play in your D&D games!!

That was an amazing break down! Really helped me out thank you

I plan the "anticipated encounters" for only a session or two in advance. My primary work goes into "moving the chess board" of the background political and cultural story within which the players are immersed. In a recent game I set a large war into motion, which the players decided they wanted no part of... fine... but the war is still happening, and that shifts the composure of the players surroundings, and I spend most of my prep time contemplating how to tell those other stories while leaving the party to choose thier own path. "You hear an argument break out at the other end of the bar about which side is right in the ongoing war." "Yeah, sorry but that gonna be half a silver more than last time, the war efforts are taking a lot of supplies." "Did you hear that the Church of Dawn is denouncing so and so over what they commanded thier men to do." I use random event charts from games like Warhammer RPG and Warhammer Quest to generate rumors and things the people are talking about, and I'll incorporate one or two of these into the background of a session(or chapter worth of sessions), and let those events affect the setting instead of the players directly. It keeps the setting lively without making the players feel targeted by every dice roll.

Wow. That explanation is going to keep me coming back for more. Subscribed!

I love this, man.

"...or the elf ears of Satine Phoenix" That got a chuckle out of me. I've met her a couple of times in passing at conventions and half the time she's not wearing the ears. It honestly throws me for a second. :)

*I absolutely found this helpful .* *Thank you .*

I really like the character funnel system, too, though I have players that don't get it. A lot of people like coming up with elaborate backstories for their PCs, but I like how the funnel makes you focus on front-story, i.e. on discovering who your character is through the actions they undertake during the game. One thing I wished you had explained is how much XP it takes to level up or buy improvements for the characters. Without knowing that, the discussion of how much XP is up for grabs doesn't communicate very much to the viewer.

When you talked about naming characters after their professions, my mind's eye envisioned The Legend of Piers Piss-Boy. Five minutes later, I stopped laughing sufficiently to resume watching. Nice Mel Brooks reference, btw!

You may not be a Matt Mercer but I would, without reservation, state that Matt Mercer is no Prof. Dungeon Master. You definitely have your own style and much like a good college professor, you offer your knowledge in a challenging yet encouraging manner that is stripped of frills and dressing. I love your straight to the point style and it really jives with my ADHD way of taking in new info. Thanks a heap and please keep it up!

Worm terminator. Worminator. Excellent. 🤘

More campaign sessions! Love these

"I am the Vermin Lord! The Worminator!"

Very interesting to watch and hear your train of thought. Thanks. (Very grim storyline you made up, btw.)

Very inspirational indeed my fellow. Keep up the brilliant work.

"I don't even bother with a character name because they'll probably be dead" - can relate!

Or...maybe they are looking for the Dragon Reborn? Just busting your balls. Great video for story and world building.

Watching this, mouth agape. This guy is a genius. I need to be a PC in this game *now*

"Magically created worm-terminator." GOLD

I definitely need to get myself a devoted analog notebook for a list of story hooks that I jotted down and saved onto a Word document.

I'm prepping up for starting a sci-fi and rare, near-Clarketech (science so advanced it seems like magic) campaign, and the Boss Fight video inspired me to watch the entire Campaign playlist while avoiding folk chin-waggin' about the PHB2024. I feel like I have yet to find a reason not to say "Thanks and keep up the great work!" to you...

As usual, great content. I'm stealing it for my next campaign.

I always worried that it walking around and talking to myself wasn't a good use of time. No longer! Thank you!

I thought I was the only one who prepped for a session by taking a long walk by my own lol.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I’m stealing this campaign set up is what I’m saying.