In the first of a multi-part series, I go through my process for making a sandbox campaign, this one based on longhouses.Share your thoughts via:🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron📧 feedback@dekahedron.com📞📱 562-RPG-CAST (562-774-2278)More information is at dekahedron.com0:00 Introduction: Starting a Sandbox Campaign Series0:37 What is a Sandbox Campaign? (A Quick Definition)1:10 The First Two Steps: A Hook and An Anchor2:47 Brainstorming the Hook: Inspiration from Iceland and Longhouses3:57 Historical Context: Communal Living and Longhouses5:31 Fantasizing the Longhouse: Clan Structure and Elders7:08 The Village Power Structure: House Elders and the Jarl8:21 Creating Conflict: The Village Between Two Kingdoms9:45 Naming the Anchor Village: Introducing Elmsfjord10:24 Conclusion and Next Steps
@marcusblacknell-andrews1783 asked me "What is Tunnels & Trolls?" Here's my answer! Not to oversell it, but Tunnels & Trolls (T&T) from Flying Buffalo is one of the most important games in history. I'll tell you why it's the reason the entire RPG industry exists today, paving the way for everything after D&D. I'll also break down the rules that make T&T a unique, rules-light favorite!Share your thoughts via:🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron📧 feedback@dekahedron.com📞📱 562-RPG-CAST (562-774-2278)More information is at dekahedron.com0:00 Intro0:45 The Importance of T&T: Why It Created the Industry6:56 THE RULES BEGIN7:08 Stats12:09 Character Classes17:19 Kindred (Races)17:57 Combat23:03 Magic System25:17 Monsters27:03 Things that D&D Does Better28:17 Where to buy T&T32:17 Solos & Outro
This time I'm answering feedback from Martin from Spotify and BJ, the Arcane Alienist about OSR game system preferences.Share your thoughts via:🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron📧 feedback@dekahedron.com📞📱 562-RPG-CAST (562-774-2278)More information is at dekahedron.com
Answering feedback from Mirke the Meek, Riley, and "Vid" about OSR game system preferences.Share your thoughts via:🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron📧 feedback@dekahedron.com📞📱 562-RPG-CAST (562-774-2278)More information is at dekahedron.com
I close out this year's #OSRtober talking about my favorite magic systems.Share your thoughts via:🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron📧 feedback@dekahedron.com📞📱 562-RPG-CAST (562-774-2278)More information is at dekahedron.com
I realized I forgot to record this topic last week, so Episode #184 is actually next week—oops! Anyway, this week for #OSRtober, I'm talking about Magic Items--specifically Minor Magic Items.Share your thoughts via:🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron📧 feedback@dekahedron.com📞📱 562-RPG-CAST (562-774-2278)More information is at dekahedron.com
The week's #OSRtober prompt is "Strangest OSR Rule" and I talk about weapon restrictions.Share your thoughts via:🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron📧 feedback@dekahedron.com📞📱 562-RPG-CAST (562-774-2278)More information is at dekahedron.com
The Dekahedron celebrates it's 3rd birthday by inviting former co-host James on to answer this year's #OSRoctober prompts.Share your thoughts via:🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron📧 feedback@dekahedron.com📞📱 562-RPG-CAST (562-774-2278)More information is at dekahedron.com
For week 2 of #OSRtober I talk what I believe to be the most overlooked OSR monster, and a couple overlooked settings.Share your thoughts via:🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron📧 feedback@dekahedron.com📞📱 562-RPG-CAST (562-774-2278)More information is at dekahedron.com
For week 1 of #OSRtober I talk about both My Favorite & My Most Wished for OSR RPG.Share your thoughts via:🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron📧 feedback@dekahedron.com📞📱 562-RPG-CAST (562-774-2278)More information is at dekahedron.com
Let's talk about Player Umwelt. It;s what I call the idea that the world we live in shapes the way we see everything else—including our games. I'll explain how our own umwelt makes it hard to truly embrace a different reality and how that affects everything from medieval towns to sci-fi space maps. I'll also share a few examples and a final takeaway about managing your campaign's "special effects budget" so that players have fun without being bogged down by a world that's too alien.XKCD Strip: https://xkcd.com/1037/Share your thoughts via:🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron📧 feedback@dekahedron.com📞📱 562-RPG-CAST (562-774-2278)More information is at dekahedron.com
Let's talk about the "Halted Game Fallacy." The idea is that giving players physical props like letters or notes, along with other player-driven actions like shopping or checking for traps, "halt the game." But I think that's completely backwards. To me, that's not a halt—that's the game running at full speed.Share your thoughts via:🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron📧 feedback@dekahedron.com📞📱 562-RPG-CAST (562-774-2278)More information is at dekahedron.com
It's time to get ready for OSR October 2025! I propose a prompt system to inspire your OSR content that works for both daily or weekly content.Full details at:https://vagabondgm.blogspot.com/2025/09/osr-october-prompts-for-2025.html#OSROctober2025#OSRtober2025Share your thoughts via:🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron📧 feedback@dekahedron.com📞📱 562-RPG-CAST (562-774-2278)More information is at dekahedron.com
Day 31 of #RPGaDAY2025 is "Reward"!Share your thoughts via:🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron📧 feedback@dekahedron.com📞📱 562-RPG-CAST (562-774-2278)More information is at dekahedron.com
Day 30 of #RPGaDAY2025 is "Experience"!Share your thoughts via:🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron📧 feedback@dekahedron.com📞📱 562-RPG-CAST (562-774-2278)More information is at dekahedron.com
Day 29 of #RPGaDAY2025 is "Connect"!Share your thoughts via:🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron📧 feedback@dekahedron.com📞📱 562-RPG-CAST (562-774-2278)More information is at dekahedron.com
Day 28 of #RPGaDAY2025 is "Suspense"!Share your thoughts via:🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron📧 feedback@dekahedron.com📞📱 562-RPG-CAST (562-774-2278)More information is at dekahedron.com
Day 27 of #RPGaDAY2025 is "Tactic"!Share your thoughts via:🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron📧 feedback@dekahedron.com📞📱 562-RPG-CAST (562-774-2278)More information is at dekahedron.com
Day 26 of #RPGaDAY2025 is "Nemesis"!Share your thoughts via:🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron📧 feedback@dekahedron.com📞📱 562-RPG-CAST (562-774-2278)More information is at dekahedron.com
Day 25 of #RPGaDAY2025 is "Challenge"!Share your thoughts via:🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron📧 feedback@dekahedron.com📞📱 562-RPG-CAST (562-774-2278)More information is at dekahedron.com