Dungeon Master Diaries

Matt Bruner & Jody Kropholler

Dungeon Master Diaries is a podcast about Shadowdark and other role-playing games where two GMs talk about their recent experiences at the table, and hopefully give you something useful that you can take to yours.

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20 episodes
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English

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#75
Yesterday · 1 hr 6 min
Random Encounters
Matt and Jody discuss how they use and adjudicate random encounters! NOTE: Jody's character was named Eugene Narin, not Blaine Taft. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library. Credits: Dungeon Master Diaries is a production of the Stingbat Radio network. It is produced by Jody Kropholler and edited by Matt Bruner. Our intro and outro music is composed by Christian Schuster. Dungeon Master Diaries is an independent production and is not affiliated with The Arcane Library, LLC. Shadowdark RPG is a product of The Arcane Library, copyright 2023.
#74
August 20 · 57 min
Of Sorrow & Clay - A Call of Cthulhu One-Shot
Matt and Jody discuss Of Sorrow and Clay a Call of Cthulhu one-shot scenario. Buy it HERE. NOTE: Jody's character was named Eugene Narin, not Blaine Taft. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library. Credits: Dungeon Master Diaries is a production of the Stingbat Radio network. It is produced by Jody Kropholler and edited by Matt Bruner. Our intro and outro music is composed by Christian Schuster. Dungeon Master Diaries is an independent production and is not affiliated with The Arcane Library, LLC. Shadowdark RPG is a product of The Arcane Library, copyright 2023.
#73
August 6 · 1 hr 4 min
The Northlands (Cursed Scroll III One-Shot)
Matt and Jody discuss a Cursed Scroll III inspired one-shot adventure! Matt also fails miserably at the ad read... For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library. Credits: Dungeon Master Diaries is a production of the Stingbat Radio network. It is produced by Jody Kropholler and edited by Matt Bruner. Our intro and outro music is composed by Christian Schuster. Dungeon Master Diaries is an independent production and is not affiliated with The Arcane Library, LLC. Shadowdark RPG is a product of The Arcane Library, copyright 2023.
#72
July 19 · 1 hr 6 min
The Dark of Hot Springs Island
Matt and Jody discuss the setting book The Dark of Hot Springs Island. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library. Credits: Dungeon Master Diaries is a production of the Stingbat Radio network. It is produced by Jody Kropholler and edited by Matt Bruner. Our intro and outro music is composed by Christian Schuster. Dungeon Master Diaries is an independent production and is not affiliated with The Arcane Library, LLC. Shadowdark RPG is a product of The Arcane Library, copyright 2023.
June 25 · 45 min
Bonus Episode: Our GM Styles
Matt and Jody have an off the cuff (and unedited) discussion of their GM styles. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library. Credits: Dungeon Master Diaries is a production of the Stingbat Radio network. It is produced by Jody Kropholler and edited by Matt Bruner. Our intro and outro music is composed by Christian Schuster. Dungeon Master Diaries is an independent production and is not affiliated with The Arcane Library, LLC. Shadowdark RPG is a product of The Arcane Library, copyright 2023.
#71
June 23 · 1 hr 2 min
The Cons of Con Games
Matt and Jody discuss Jody's dismall experience in a recent convention game (and review the Lost Citidel of the Scarlet Minotaur). For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library. Credits: Dungeon Master Diaries is a production of the Stingbat Radio network. It is produced by Jody Kropholler and edited by Matt Bruner. Our intro and outro music is composed by Christian Schuster. Dungeon Master Diaries is an independent production and is not affiliated with The Arcane Library, LLC. Shadowdark RPG is a product of The Arcane Library, copyright 2023.
#70
May 21 · 1 hr 2 min
The Priest Class
Matt and Jody discuss the priest class. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library. Credits: Dungeon Master Diaries is a production of the Stingbat Radio network. It is produced by Jody Kropholler and edited by Matt Bruner. Our intro and outro music is composed by Christian Schuster. Dungeon Master Diaries is an independent production and is not affiliated with The Arcane Library, LLC. Shadowdark RPG is a product of The Arcane Library, copyright 2023.
#69
April 30 · 1 hr
Playing Different Systems
Matt and Jody discuss playing systems other than Shadowdark (GASP!). For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library. Credits: Dungeon Master Diaries is a production of the Stingbat Radio network. It is produced by Jody Kropholler and edited by Matt Bruner. Our intro and outro music is composed by Christian Schuster. Dungeon Master Diaries is an independent production and is not affiliated with The Arcane Library, LLC. Shadowdark RPG is a product of The Arcane Library, copyright 2023.
April 16 · 1 hr 12 min
Long Term Campaigns
Matt and Jody discuss using Shadowdark to run long-term campaigns. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library. Credits: Dungeon Master Diaries is a production of the Stingbat Radio network. It is produced by Jody Kropholler and edited by Matt Bruner. Our intro and outro music is composed by Christian Schuster. Dungeon Master Diaries is an independent production and is not affiliated with The Arcane Library, LLC. Shadowdark RPG is a product of The Arcane Library, copyright 2023.
#67
April 3 · 55 min
Shadowdark Initiative
Matt and Jody discuss Shadowdark's initiative system. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library. Credits: Dungeon Master Diaries is a production of the Stingbat Radio network. It is produced by Jody Kropholler and edited by Matt Bruner. Our intro and outro music is composed by Christian Schuster. Dungeon Master Diaries is an independent production and is not affiliated with The Arcane Library, LLC. Shadowdark RPG is a product of The Arcane Library, copyright 2023.
March 27 · 58 min
Dungeon Analysis: HOTT or Not?
Matt and Jody discuss how H.O.T.T. Matt's homebrew Dolmenwood dungeon was. Stingbaats! Issue Zero: Torchwick is avaialble now at Itch.io! Fill out the community survey HERE. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library. Credits: Dungeon Master Diaries is a production of the Stingbat Radio network. It is produced by Jody Kropholler and edited by Matt Bruner. Our intro and outro music is composed by Christian Schuster. Dungeon Master Diaries is an independent production and is not affiliated with The Arcane Library, LLC. Shadowdark RPG is a product of The Arcane Library, copyright 2023.
#65
March 11 · 58 min
Factions in Shadowdark
Matt and Jody discuss Matt's experience running three open table sessions on the Shadowdark Discord. Stingbaats! Issue Zero: Torchwick is avaialble now at Itch.io! Fill out the community survey HERE. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library. Credits: Dungeon Master Diaries is a production of the Stingbat Radio network. It is produced by Jody Kropholler and edited by Matt Bruner. Our intro and outro music is composed by Christian Schuster. Dungeon Master Diaries is an independent production and is not affiliated with The Arcane Library, LLC. Shadowdark RPG is a product of The Arcane Library, copyright 2023.
#64
March 4 · 1 hr 1 min
Notes from an Open Table
Matt and Jody discuss Matt's experience running three open table sessions on the Shadowdark Discord. Stingbaats! Issue Zero: Torchwick is avaialble now at Itch.io! Fill out the community survey HERE. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library. Credits: Dungeon Master Diaries is a production of the Stingbat Radio network. It is produced by Jody Kropholler and edited by Matt Bruner. Our intro and outro music is composed by Christian Schuster. Dungeon Master Diaries is an independent production and is not affiliated with The Arcane Library, LLC. Shadowdark RPG is a product of The Arcane Library, copyright 2023.
#63
February 27 · 1 hr 4 min
Sandboxing
Matt and Jody discuss how to set up a sandbox campaign. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library. Credits: Dungeon Master Diaries is a production of the Stingbat Radio network. It is produced by Jody Kropholler and edited by Matt Bruner. Our intro and outro music is composed by Christian Schuster. Dungeon Master Diaries is an independent production and is not affiliated with The Arcane Library, LLC. Shadowdark RPG is a product of The Arcane Library, copyright 2023.
#62
February 20 · 1 hr 7 min
Glass Cannon Audit
Matt and Jody discuss episodes 12 & 13 of the Glass Cannon Podcast's Shadowdark actual play series. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library. Credits: Dungeon Master Diaries is a production of the Stingbat Radio network. It is produced by Jody Kropholler and edited by Matt Bruner. Our intro and outro music is composed by Christian Schuster. Dungeon Master Diaries is an independent production and is not affiliated with The Arcane Library, LLC. Shadowdark RPG is a product of The Arcane Library, copyright 2023.
#61
February 13 · 58 min
IRL Downtime
Matt and Jody discuss their time spent away from the table and the show. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library. Credits: Dungeon Master Diaries is a production of the Stingbat Radio network. It is produced by Jody Kropholler and edited by Matt Bruner. Our intro and outro music is composed by Christian Schuster. Dungeon Master Diaries is an independent production and is not affiliated with The Arcane Library, LLC. Shadowdark RPG is a product of The Arcane Library, copyright 2023.
#60
February 5 · 1 hr 1 min
Designing Shadowdark Classes
Matt and Jody discuss designing Shadowdark classes and the value of leveraging the Core Four classes. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library. Credits: Dungeon Master Diaries is a production of the Stingbat Radio network. It is produced by Jody Kropholler and edited by Matt Bruner. Our intro and outro music is composed by Christian Schuster. Dungeon Master Diaries is an independent production and is not affiliated with The Arcane Library, LLC. Shadowdark RPG is a product of The Arcane Library, copyright 2023.
#59
January 3 · 59 min
End of Year Special (2025 Edition)
Matt and Jody celebrate the end of 2025 with some listener questions and a look back at their gaming this year. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com. To submit a question or topic suggestion, use this Google Form. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library. Credits: Dungeon Master Diaries is a production of the Stingbat Radio network. It is produced by Jody Kropholler and edited by Matt Bruner. Our intro and outro music is composed by Christian Schuster. Dungeon Master Diaries is an independent production and is not affiliated with The Arcane Library, LLC. Shadowdark RPG is a product of The Arcane Library, copyright 2023.
#58
Dec 16, 2025 · 1 hr 6 min
Build Your Own Shadowdark (Modes of Play)
Matt and Jody discuss stat generation and Shadowdark's various Modes of Play. For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com. To submit a question or topic suggestion, use this Google Form. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library. Credits: Dungeon Master Diaries is a production of the Stingbat Radio network. It is produced by Jody Kropholler and edited by Matt Bruner. Our intro and outro music is composed by Christian Schuster. Dungeon Master Diaries is an independent production and is not affiliated with The Arcane Library, LLC. Shadowdark RPG is a product of The Arcane Library, copyright 2023.
#57
Dec 9, 2025 · 1 hr 11 min
This Session Had Everything!
Matt and Jody discuss a recent banger of a session! For links to all of the content mentioned on this episode, click here. You can email us at dmdiariespod@gmail.com. To submit a question or topic suggestion, use this Google Form. Join us on the DMD forum page on the Arcane Library Discord channel! To purchase Shadowdark, head on over to the Arcane Library. Credits: Dungeon Master Diaries is a production of the Stingbat Radio network. It is produced by Jody Kropholler and edited by Matt Bruner. Our intro and outro music is composed by Christian Schuster. Dungeon Master Diaries is an independent production and is not affiliated with The Arcane Library, LLC. Shadowdark RPG is a product of The Arcane Library, copyright 2023.

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