Dungeons By Dan News Blog

  • Navigating the Sea of Endless Sandbox Campaign Possibilities

    In the realm of tabletop RPGs, open-world campaigns offer unparalleled freedom and adventure. However, they can also summon an ogre-sized portion of DM stress. The vastness allows for rich storytelling and player agency, but the scale can be overwhelming. Fear not, noble Dungeon Masters, for just like any good dungeon, this beast can be tamed. Let's delve into the murky waters of open-world campaign anxiety and discover some strategies to keep your DM sanity intact.
  • D&D Campaign Design: Open World vs. Linear vs. Hybrid

    Explore the pros and cons of open world, linear, and hybrid D&D campaigns. Learn how to craft dynamic storytelling experiences that balance structure and player freedom. Perfect for DMs seeking to enhance their game with practical tips and strategies or new DMs just getting started.
  • Weaving Compelling Narratives Through Post-Session Reflections

    Enhance your Dungeons & Dragons campaign with post-session reflections. Learn how to analyze player engagement, reflect on character and world changes, review NPC and organization goals, and develop future plot hooks. Master the art of weaving compelling narratives that keep your players invested and ensure a dynamic, evolving story.
  • Cultural Inspiration Part 1: A Guide To Creating D&D Cultures

    Explore the exciting world of Dungeons & Dragons by integrating cultural inspiration into your D&D campaign. Dive into creating immersive environments, unique abilities, and engaging adventure hooks for your Dnd 5e setting. Follow our guide to develop captivating cultures while maintaining sensitivity and respect for the original sources.
  • Tracking Time in RPG Campaigns

    One of the most important things you can do in a Dungeons and Dragons home-brewed campaign is keep track of passing time. This involves tracking d...
  • Lost Treasures and Hidden Secrets: Unearthing the Wonders of Ancient Ruins in Dungeons & Dragons

    9 reasons why your players will love delving into ancient ruins, from discovering valuable treasure to uncovering forgotten secrets of the past.
  • Bargaining With Fiends

    We constantly make deals every day with the people around us. We search for the best prices with vendors through online comparison networks, negoti...
  • RPG Chase Scenes

    PCs could be chased for a variety of reasons. No matter what the scenario, there needs to be serious threats of an overwhelming force on the player's tail which would likely result in death forcing them to run. Let's design an effective chase scene to get your player's blood pumping.
  • 10-Minute Player Character Backstory

    Creating a character should not be difficult. This is based on the popular 10-minute background for creating PCs that has been posted on other parts of the internet.
  • Creating A Homebrew Pantheon

    Role-playing games often have a high fantasy setting which are nearly always associated with a Pantheon of gods. While this is a classic approach, other options do exist which can help shape your world in new directions. Dungeons By Dan explores some of the options available to Game Masters.
  • Types of Tabletop RPG Genres

    The setting is the most critical decision you will make because it is the starting point of what RPG system you will use and how to manicure all the elements of design. It also matters because this will likely be your first word(s) when coming up with a campaign concept. Follow along in the series.
  • The Social Skill Challenge

    The social pillar of role-playing is arguably the most important aspect of role-playing games. It drives the story and creates the most memorable ...