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A figure with shaggy blonde hair sitting at the water's edge, holding a crystal and peering into the eyes of a blue dragon-like creature whose head is emerging out of the water.

Reflecting on Homebrew Rules for 5E

Reflecting on two years of using a specific set of homebrew/optional rules for 5E.

A few cobblestone streets connecting platforms containing cottage-looking structures with people walking around. The village appears to be suspended high in the air.

Building Better Taverns

In our games, taverns are often nothing more than a container for information or conflict. Let's fix that.

"TTRPGs Final Boss" with a calendar icon against a background that shows watercolor artwork of a small figure facing off against a huge dragon.

D&D's 4th Pillar

As a game master, it's frustrating when you've put considerable time into preparing a session only to have it canceled in the 11th hour. But there are right and wrong ways to handle it in the moment and in the long run.

Awesome Obsidian Community Plugins for D&D

A handful of community plugins can transform your RPG campaign management.

Awesome Obsidian Plugins for D&D

A handful of core plugins can transform your RPG note-taking.

A figure with flaming swords facing an opening in a cavemouth and seeing a giant creature with swords staring at it with the words "Game Balance" over its face.

The Biggest Lie in TTRPGs

The idea that you need to worry about game balance when running your game is a myth.

PhD20.com | Ideas and Resources for Tabletop RPGs

Use Your Best Ideas Now

Don't save your awesome ideas for some future moment. Use them now.

PhD20.com | Ideas and Resources for Tabletop RPGs

Organizing Campaigns for D&D in Obsidian

How to organize multiple D&D campaigns in Obsidian.

PhD20.com | Ideas and Resources for Tabletop RPGs

Overland Travel Is a Dungeon Crawl

We don't need to overcomplicate overland travel.

PhD20.com | Ideas and Resources for Tabletop RPGs

The Kingmaker Companion

The idea of a kingmaker companion is a simple, powerful, and lightweight tool for gamemasters.

PhD20.com | Ideas and Resources for Tabletop RPGs

Making Death Matter

The threat of death provides excitement and meaning to our choices as players. We should make it meaningful.

PhD20.com | Ideas and Resources for Tabletop RPGs

Landmark, Hidden, Secrets and Clues

What if there was a way to make secrets and clues easier to design and deploy? Enter the idea that information can be landmark, hidden, or secret.

PhD20.com | Ideas and Resources for Tabletop RPGs

What's in a Name?

Naming things in D&D is hard. But it doesn't have to be.

PhD20.com | Ideas and Resources for Tabletop RPGs

Running Shorter Sessions

We don't need as much time as we often think to run meaningful RPG sessions.

PhD20.com | Ideas and Resources for Tabletop RPGs

There Is Only One That Matters

When a magic sword is the only magic sword, it instantly becomes interesting. The same goes for a dragon or beholder.

PhD20.com | Ideas and Resources for Tabletop RPGs

How to Make a Great RPG Recap

When we establish a ritual and prepare our recaps ahead of time, we can prime the players for a great RPG session.

PhD20.com | Ideas and Resources for Tabletop RPGs

Organizing Obsidian for D&D - Linking

Obsidian provides powerful linking capabilities.

PhD20.com | Ideas and Resources for Tabletop RPGs

Empty Rooms

We fill our games with interesting worlds, dungeons, and stories. Empty rooms are a simple yet powerful tools we can add.

Don't Optimize the Fun Out of Your Game

When we focus on productivity at the expense of the experience, we risk destroying the fun.

An Obsidian Philosophy for Life

A powerful and simple philosophy for using Obsidian for D&D.

Organizing an Atlas for D&D in Obsidian

How to create an atlas to organize your D&D location notes in Obsidian.

Reflections on the 8 Steps of the Lazy GM

Reflections on my time using and pondering the 8 Steps of the Lazy GM.

NPC Paradigm Shift

With a new mental model, NPCs can transform your Dungeons & Dragons experience.

The Ultimate Guide to TTRPG Campaign Managers in 2025

Campaign management for tabletop roleplaying games can be complex. But it doesn't have to be. These powerful tools will help you manage your game, your way.

A Living World Every Session

The ability for players to interact meaningfully with the setting is important in RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons. We need a way to make the world feel alive around the player characters.