Detentions and Dragons: Recent Episodes
Block Party Podcast Network
Welcome to Detentions and Dragons, a podcast dedicated to introducing Dungeons and Dragons into the classroom experience!
Not a teacher? Don't worry! Hosts Josh and Matt are confident that new players, new Dungeon Masters, and fans of Dungeons and Dragons will find this enjoyable and informative as well!
Podcast updates biweekly weekly. We are off during the summer!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network!!
School is out for summer!!! With empty desks and empty classrooms, Josh and Matt sit back and recount adventures from their D&D games in club. No rules, No lesson plans, just two teachers telling stories about the fun they had playing D&D with their students over the 2022 - 2023 school year.
Did these two teachers help you finish the greatest D&D story ever played? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Our Longest Lesson Title Yet!
On this special lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Matt and Josh interview Adam Davis of Game to Grow about his new book Therapeutically Applied Role-Playing Games The Game to Grow Method.
If you were ever interested in what is happening at Game to Grow, therapeutic applications of TTRPGS, or how to integrate some or all of these techniques into your own club then this interview with Adam is a must listen.
If you are interested in purchasing this book, you can find it for sale here:
https://www.amazon.com/Therapeutically-Applied-Role-Playing-Elizabeth-Kilmer/dp/1032251859/ref=sr_1_1?crid=370N4F354YJ6O&keywords=Therapeutically+Applied+Role-Playing+Games+The+Game+to+Grow+Method&qid=1684724395&sprefix=therapeutically+applied+role-playing+games+the+game+to+grow+method%2Caps%2C925&sr=8-1
You can learn more about Game to Grow and their mission by visiting their website at: http://gametogrow.org/
For more information, you can reach Game to Grow via email at:
contact@gametogrow.org
Did this interview inspire you further your understanding of therapeutic TTRPGs?
Then please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about how to level up player characters. They discuss what leveling up is, what is changed and what stays the same when a character levels up, and demonstrate how to update a player's character sheet.
Did these two teachers help you reach a new level at your own club or table ? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Music provided by Komiku.
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Komiku
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about Short and Long Rests. They discuss what these are, mechanics and requirements for resting, and yes, they even demonstrate restoring HP and spells slots through semi-scripted role play.
Did these two teachers help you to understand the minutiae of resting in D&D ? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Music provided by Komiku.
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Komiku
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about using reactions in combat. They discuss what the reaction action is, when and why a player might use them, and demonstrate reaction through semi-scripted role play.
Note: Some characters gained access to spells that they typically don't have for the sake of the demonstration. And... because I forgot level 3 wizards don't get level 3 spells.
Did these two teachers help successfully counter any potential problems in your next D&D game? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Music provided by Komiku.
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Komiku
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about bonus actions in combat. They discuss what bonus actions are, when and why a player might use them, and demonstrate bonus actions through semi-scripted role play.
Did these two teachers help successfully add a bonus to your next D&D game? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Music provided by Komiku.
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Komiku
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about the improvised actions in combat. They discuss what improvised actions are, when and why a player might use them, and how a DM can fairly and collaboratively integrate these into the story. And of course, Matt and Josh demo improvised actions through semi-scripted role play.
Did these two teachers help successfully add more improv to your game ? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Music provided by Komiku.
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Komiku
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about the other combat actions. Characters can cast spells and make melee attacks, but those aren't the only ways they can participate in battle They discuss the basics of actions like dodge and disengage, why a player might use them, and demo these actions magic through semi-scripted role play.
Did these two teachers help you vary up your combat verbs? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Music provided by Komiku.
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Komiku
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about the basics of using magic combat. They discuss the basics of spells, the requirements of spell casting, and demo combat magic through roll play.
Did these two teachers help you cast your next great spell? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Music provided by Komiku.
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Komiku
The holiday tradition returns once more! To celebrate the holiday season, Matt gives Josh the present he wants most in life: a chance to talk about fun stories from his D&D games. Listen as Josh and Matt ramble on and embellish their stories and inside jokes from their personal campaigns around the fireplace!
Music: Brother Christmas by Lemon Yellow Hayes (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lemon_Yellow_Hayes/)
Fireplace Sound Effects: hansende (https://freesound.org/people/hansende/sounds/263994/)
Happy Holidays!! And thank you for all of your support throughout the year!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about the basics of combat. They discuss how set up combat, roll for initiative, and the demo through roll play some basic combat.
Did these two teachers help you roll above your opponents armor class? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Music provided by Komiku.
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Komiku
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about how to do an ability check. They discuss what an ability check is and then role model ability checks in a mini-session of D&D.
Did these two teachers help you pass your ability check? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Atmospheric town audio provided by Tabletop Audio.
https://tabletopaudio.com/
Music provided by Komiku.
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Komiku
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about how to fill out a character sheet. They discuss what needs to be considered before making a character and then take a step-by-step approach to filling out the stats and abilities portion of the aforementioned character sheet.
This is a great tutorial for new players! It also provides a model for experienced Dungeon Masters looking to help rookie players with character building at their own table.
Did these two teachers teach you how to make your first character? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about how to fill out a character sheet. They discuss what needs to be considered before making a character and then take a step-by-step approach to filling out the stats and abilities portion of the aforementioned character sheet.
This is a great tutorial for new players! It also provides a model for experienced Dungeon Masters looking to help rookie players with character building at their own table.
Did these two teachers teach you how to make your first character? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this special crossover lesson, Matt and Josh join Neal on the Dungeon Master's Block podcast to interview Senior Brand Manager of D&D and Co-host of the Dragon Talk podcast Shelly Mazzanoble and veteran teacher Kade Well. The topic of this interview: Bringing D&D into Education!
Checkout this link for more D&D education resources from Wizards of the Coast here:
https://dnd.wizards.com/resources/educators
You can find Shelly Mazzanoble on Twitter @shellymoo
You can find Kade Wells' YouTube Channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIXU_T8F8qtsz4q5M2b5SUQ
Did this interview inspire you to bring D&D into your school?
Then please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is back and ready to kickoff their 6th season of the podcast!
Josh and Matt have always focused on making D&D fun and accessible for new players and new teacher DMs. However, at the start of the 6th year of the podcast, they thought they would start the new season by establishing a theme.
That theme: Roll Models!
Specifically, this season's lessons will focus on three major topics:
-
Modeling actual D&D play.
-
Reviewing model modules and materials.
-
Interviewing role models in the community.
On this lesson, they also talk about how to get the ball rolling on at the beginning of a new campaign!
Did these back-to-school mentors help motivate you for the new year? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Additional Music in this Lesson's Podcast:
Music by Komiku
School is out for summer!!! With empty desks,empty classrooms, and empty Zoom meetings, Josh and Matt sit back and recount adventures from their D&D games in club and in the classroom. No rules, No lesson plans, just two teachers telling stories about the fun they had playing D&D with their students over the 2021 - 2022 school year.
Highlights from their adventures include:
-Girl Scout Cookies
-Mattress Surfing
-Lord Chalupa
Summer Note: Josh and Matt are taking a little break to recharge after a long school year. Detentions and Dragons will be back on around mid-August with a new episode. Thanks again for all the support from all listeners, teachers, players, DMs, and students. We couldn't have made it through our first two years without you!
Did these two teachers help you finish the greatest D&D story ever played? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about running in campaign social interaction. They discuss the official published rules for running social interactions, when to role play and when to roll play conversations, and ways to determine possible outcomes of NPCs with their on agency.
Did these two teachers inspire you to be a run social interaction in a different way? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about the controversial topic of splitting the party. They discuss what it is, why most DMs advise against it, and thoughtful ways to integrate this narrative device into your D&D campaign. While splitting the party often leads to disastrous results, a conscientious scenario can lead to unique game play opportunities for all people at the table!
Did these two teachers inspire you to follow a new path in your D&D game? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about vintage magical items for your D&D campaign. D&D 5E has many fantastic published and homebrewed items. However, why should we limit ourselves to just the current edition? Go find some old volumes of TSR's Encyclopedia Magica (or use the ones discussed in this lesson) and add some vintage artifacts to your next session!
Ambient tavern music provided by Tabletop Audio. You can find out more about them here: https://tabletopaudio.com/
Did these two teachers inspire you visit your fantasy thriftshop and purchase some new-to-you items? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about advanced ability checks. They discuss the variant ability check rule, some examples of checks using the variant rules, and pros and cons of utilizing this into your own D&D game. They also demonstrate these ability checks in a short D&D game with (some) SOUND EFFECTS!
Ambient tavern music provided by Tabletop Audio. You can find out more about them here: https://tabletopaudio.com/
Did these two teachers inspire you to try some new ability checks in your game? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about downtime. They discuss what downtime can look like in a game of D&D, published rules on running downtime activities, and how including these tangents can improve the overall experience at the table.
Did these two teachers encourage you to explore a new downtime activity in your game? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about riddles. They discuss the nature of riddles in D&D, how they can be annoying, and how they can be used more effectively. The humble riddle is a mainstay of dungeon design. However, with a bit of extra effort, the riddle can enhance rather than simply stump your players.
Did these two teachers help you question your preconceived notions of dungeon design? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about a narrative driven way to play out a scene in D&D, the skills challenge. They discuss the basic mechanics of skills challenges, rules for the challenge and model one themselves. There is also bonus music and sound effects!
Some people we'd also want to credit in this lesson.
D&D 4th edition for introducing the skills challenge mechanic.
Rodrigo D. Lopez for his upgraded rules for skills challenges. You can find more of his GMing work on the Critical Hit Podcast.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/critical-hit-a-major-spoilers-rpg-podcast/id327725953
www.kassoon.com for their table on skill challenge DCs. You can find the table here.
https://www.kassoon.com/dnd/5e/skill-challenge-narrative-encounter/
*Note: I did say and spell their name wrong on the lesson. My apologies.
Did these two teachers show you a new way to engage your players in the storytelling? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about their D&D New Year's Resolution. They review what their goals are and their motivations for achieving them. Hopefully, their resolutions will help inspire you to set your own goals in the 2022 year!
Did these two teachers inspire you to start of the new year with a revived ambition? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
To celebrate the holiday season, Matt gives Josh the present he wants most in life: a chance to talk about fun stories from his D&D games. Listen as Josh and Matt ramble on and embellish their stories and inside jokes from their personal campaigns around the fireplace!
Music: Brother Christmas by Lemon Yellow Hayes (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lemon_Yellow_Hayes/)
Fireplace Sound Effects: hansende (https://freesound.org/people/hansende/sounds/263994/)
Happy Holidays!! And thank you for all of your support throughout the year!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about the special action known as the reaction. They discuss the basics mechanics of reactions, common player character reactions, classes and feats with reactions, and the importance of encouraging players to build at least one reaction into their character.
Did these two teachers inspire you to use your action, bonus action, AND reaction? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about running Side Quests. They discuss what they are, why they are important, themes for basic side quests, and make their own holiday themed side quest on the podcast. The main campaign is important. However, sometimes, the DM, the players, or both need a deviate from the critical path to explore new facets of the game!
Did these two teachers inspire you to start your own side quest? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this special lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Matt and Josh interview Adam Davis and Dr. Elizabeth Kilmer of Game to Grow about tips for creating an environment that promotes positive mental health! This school year may be particularly difficult for many students. However, with some thought and routine, educators can do a lot to help student acclimate to life back in the class and back at D&D club.
If you are interested in learning more about Game to Grow and their mission, you can visit their website at: http://gametogrow.org/
For more information, you can reach Game to Grow via email at:
contact@gametogrow.org
Did this interview inspire you to establish new routines in your D&D game?
Then please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this special interview lesson, Matt and Josh are joined by Theatre Teacher and Dungeon Master Keith Rollins. The topic: Integrating D&D into the Theatre classroom.
If you are not a drama teacher, please do not worry! Keith provides many excellent tips and insights for anyone introducing D&D to new players.
If you enjoyed listening to Keith, why not check him out on Twitter: @Dramateacher79
Did this interview inspire you to unleash all of your character voices in your next session of D&D?
Then please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about running Zero Sessions.
D&D is a collaborative storytelling game. However, what if the collaboration didn't start at the first session? What if the Dungeon Master and the players worked together to build characters, backstories, and world themes to make the first session even better? The Zero Session is the answer! Listen as Matt and Josh discuss what a Zero Session is, pitfalls to avoid, and what they do to make this session fun and meaningful.
Did these two teachers help inspire you to run a Zero Session for your new campaign? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about experienced players or returning players and ways to make the start of their new game a fun one.
At Detentions and Dragons, we provided insights on how to start off a campaign for players brand new to the game. However, experienced players don't need to run your Tutorial Dungeon for the 6th time. This lesson focuses tips to start a spectacular campaign for those who have a few campaigns under their belt.
Did these two teachers help hook you on a new idea for a campaign or D&D club? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about quick character creation exercises. Players should always have agency in the development of their character's personality and backstory. However, for brand new players, deciding what a character's actually characteristics are may be intimidating and time consuming. This lesson reviews ways to speed up this process so new players jump in to their newest D&D adventure!
Did these two teachers inspire you to help your new players build rich characters? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Detentions and Dragons is back and ready to kickoff their 5th season of the podcast!
In this first lesson after summer vacation, Matt and Josh are review tips and tricks for those Dungeons Masters that are going back to school, club, or the table. They discuss things they learned from running D&D in the past and provide tips for being even more flexible as a DM in the future.
Did these back-to-school mentors help motivate you for the new year? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
School is out for summer!!! With empty desks,empty classrooms, and empty Zoom meetings, Josh and Matt sit back and recount adventures from their D&D games in club and in the classroom. No rules, No lesson plans, just two teachers telling stories about the fun they had playing D&D with their students over the 2020 - 2021 school year.
Highlights from their adventures include:
-Lil' Slugger
-Frozen inspired characters
-Dining and Dashing (Sort of...)
Summer Note: Josh and Matt are taking a little break to recharge after a long school year. Detentions and Dragons will be back on around August 1st with a new episode. Thanks again for all the support from all listeners, teachers, players, DMs, and students. We couldn't have made it through our first two years without you!
Did these two teachers help you finish the greatest D&D story ever played? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt ask each other some difficulty, fun, and silly questions about Dungeons and Dragons. Will they help you become a better Dungeon Master? Maybe not. But there is (probably) some benefit to taking a break from lesson planning to explore some hypotheticals of D&D.
Did these two teachers inspire you to ask your fun and unusual D&D questions? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
As a DM, your players either use them all the time or not at all. Regardless, is there a way to use them more purposefully? On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about perception checks, what they are, the pitfalls of perception checks, and how to make perceptions checks more meaningful to your players.
Did these two teachers help you perceive a way to improve your DMing? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about the artificer class. The artificer is the only new official D&D class released since the debut of 5th edition. Even though it is new, is it worth playing? Josh and Matt will answer that by looking at what the artificer is, what skills they possess, and triumphs and challenges of this class.
Did these two teachers help you infuse some excitement into your next game of D&D? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about D&D Virtual Play Weekends. For many people, a game of D&D may not be accessible. However, with a computer, an Internet connection, and around 15 dollars, anyone can jump into online game of D&D in a virtual setting. Josh and Matt participated in one of these weekends as players want you the listener to learn about the pros and cons of the experience!
You can find more information about these D&D Virtual Play Weekends here:
https://yawningportal.dnd.wizards.com/
Did these two teachers help you find a new way to play D&D? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about using plot twists to adapt your D&D game to the benefit of your players. We get it. D&D campaigns run long, Players get distracted by NPCs you didn't think to write a back story for, and people rather punch goblins that role-play in your nuanced corporate espionage campaign. You don't have to scrap the story. Instead add a plot twist to adapt or reinvigorate the game!
Did these two teachers convince you to add your own plot twist to your next D&D game? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about homebrewed magical school items. Schools of magic and wizardry are a common setting in D&D. So why not add some additional magically enhanced school supplies to your campaign?! These won't be most serious or powerful items your player's will add to their character's inventory but they will result in some extra drama and humor to the story.
Did these two teachers inspire order new magical supplies for your D&D world? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Survival and Thrival!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt take a minute to reflect on their D&D clubs. They discuss what is working well, what are obstacles they are facing, and what actionable steps they want to take to make the second half of the school year even better for their D&D students!
Did these two teachers inspire you reflect on your own DM experience this year? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
While optimizing a character to be overpowered can take the fun out of the average game of D&D, having a underwhelming characters can limit player agency and turn an epic adventure into an uninspiring one.
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about the Metagaming for beginners, what metagaming is, why it isn't all bad, and actionable steps novice players can do to give their characters an edge without comprising the tone of their character.
Did these two teachers inspire you to help your new players reach their full potential? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
It is a week later than expected but the holiday tradition returns!
To celebrate the holiday season, Matt gives Josh the present he wants most in life: a chance to talk about fun stories from his D&D games. Listen as Josh and Matt ramble on and embellish their stories and inside jokes from their personal campaigns around the fireplace!
Music: Brother Christmas by Lemon Yellow Hayes (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lemon_Yellow_Hayes/)
Fireplace Sound Effects: hansende (https://freesound.org/people/hansende/sounds/263994/)
Happy Holidays!! And thank you for all of your support throughout the year!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about the new source book Tasha's Guide to Everything. Wizards of the Coast releases about one book each year that focuses on updates to things like classes, game mechanics, spells and monsters. The question is whether you should buy this one! Spoiler: There are some good things and there are some disappointing things. However, if you are considering purchasing this title, hopefully Matt and Josh's insights will help you make an informed decision!
Did these two teachers help you decide what new book to add to your D&D library? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this special lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Matt and Josh interviews Adam Davis and Dr. Elizabeth Kilmer of Game to Grow, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the use of games of all kinds for therapeutic, educational, and community growth. While you may know them for for using TTRPGs to help teens develop social skills, they are now offering a multi-track, comprehensive training program to provide quality training in The Game to Grow Method of Therapeutically Applied Role-Playing Games. If you dream about helping people through gaming, listen and learn more about these unparalleled training opportunities.
If you are interested in learning more about Game to Grow and their mission, you can visit their website at: http://gametogrow.org/
For more information, you can reach Game to Grow via email at:
contact@gametogrow.org
If you are interested in enrolling in their training programs, you can go here:
https://gametogrow.org/training/gtgmethod/
Did this interview inspire you to seek out new educational opportunities?
Then please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about the tables. Not kitchen tables, end tables, or even periodic tables. These tables contain lists to help you randomly roll to determine things like loot, monsters, and more! You don't need to make up everything about your world to be a great DM. Use one of the tables Josh and Matt recommend on the podcast, or look for others to add to your own DM's binder!
Did these two teachers inspire you take a chance on a new table? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this special interview lesson, Matt is joined by Ashley Warren and Beth Ball! The topic: The RPG Writer Workshop.
Founded by Ashley Warren, the RPG Writer Workshop is an online class dedicated to helping aspiring writers learn to be better adventure designers. If you are interested in learning more about D&D one-shot design, mastering your writer's process, or learning hints and tips to publishing your work, than consider signing up for the course Write Your First Adventure with the RPG Writer Workshop this fall!
The class starts November 1st! Registration closes on October 31st. Don't wait!
Check out this link for more information about the RPG Writer Workshop: https://www.rpgwriterworkshop.com/courses/write-your-first-adventure-f20
You can follow Ashley Warren @ashleynhwarren on twiiter. You can find out more about Ashley Warren and all of her project here: https://www.scribemind.com/
You can follow alum of the RPG Writer Workshop, Novelist, and D&D adventure designer @GroveGuardian on Twitter. You can find out more about her writings and projects at https://bethballbooks.com/links/
Did this interview inspire you to start your journey as a D&D writer?
Then please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Running a game of D&D can be challenging. Being disorganized can make a session 10x more arduous for the DM and Players alike. Why not get improve your the experience with a DM's binder!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about the DM's Binder, what is it, how to develop one, and how being organized can make your DMing more effective.
Did these two teachers inspire you to get organized? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
The hybrid model of learning combines in-person learning and distance learning. This method of education is being implemented by many school districts in the USA during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, even with these safety protocols in place, D&D at school can still be a reality!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about hybrid learning and D&D. They talk about their experiences so far in school with D&D clubs and looks at tips and strategies for running a safer club at school during the pandemic. Just because we are all wearing mask and social distancing, doesn't me we can't find creative way to run D&D!
Did these two teachers inspire you to continue your club during COVID-19? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about Matt's D&D pre-starter set adventure,Tutorial Dungeon and how it can help new DMs and new Players learn how to play D&D.
Running D&D can be challenging. And while there are a lot of fantastic published adventures, even the starter sets can be intimidating for new DMs or new Players. Tutorial Dungeon, as its name implies, is a tutorial for both DM and Players. If you are someone or know someone who is hesitant to start DMing, this adventure will give you the confidence to don the mantle of Dungeon Master!
You can purchase Tutorial Dungeon here:
https://www.dmsguild.com/product/328216/Tutorial-Dungeon
Did these two teachers help you find the adventure that will start your new campaign? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Detentions and Dragons is back and ready to kickoff their 4th year as a podcast! The focus of this season: Distance Learning.
2020 is proving to be a difficult year, but Josh and Matt are going to do their best to help you be the best DM you can while you socially distance!
In this first lesson after summer break, Matt and Josh are offering a crash course for parents, guardians, and other family figures that are looking to fill the D&D void at home. Is DMing tough? Yes. Are there reasons to be hesitant? Yes. However, something that might not be a particular person's cup of tea might turn into a new family tradition! One lesson won't make anyone a D&D expert, but hopefully this will be the episode that helps the reluctant DM begin their journey.
Did these back-to-school mentors help motivate you for the new year? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
School is out for summer!!! With empty desks,empty classrooms, and empty Zoom meetings, Josh and Matt sit back and recount adventures from their D&D games in club and in the classroom. No rules, No lesson plans, just two teachers telling stories about the fun they had playing D&D with their students over the 2019 - 2020 school year.
Highlights from their adventures include:
-So Covid was a thing.
-Tugboat.
-Closet Quasit
-Androm3da.
-Big Cannons.
Summer Note: Josh and Matt are taking a little break to recharge after a long school year. Detentions and Dragons will be back on around August 1st with a new episode. Thanks again for all the support from all listeners, teachers, players, DMs, and students. We couldn't have made it through our first two years without you!
Did these two teachers help you finish the greatest D&D story ever played? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about Critical Hits. Everyone who plays D&D knows what a critical hit is. But do they know how to calculate the damage for a critical hit. Turns out that if you are hitting with weapons and skills more robust than your d6 short sword, the math can get complicated. This lesson reviews the basics of critical hits and provides examples regarding how to calculate damage from the most basic to the most complex critical hits!
Did these two teachers help you land a critical hit at the end of the school year? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this special interview lesson, Josh and Matt are joined by Beth and Jonathan Ball. The topic: Running two-players Dungeons and Dragons games.
D&D is traditionally viewed as a game designed for large groups of players. However, a D&D campaign with a one dungeon master and one player is not only viable but also an exciting and rewarding to play D&D. In this interview, Jonathan and Beth discuss with Matt and Josh the basics of a one-on-one D&D game, the benefits of playing a two person campaign, and some pitfalls to avoid during your first D&D duet.
If you are interested in learning more about Beth and Johnathan Ball, you can check her website here:
https://dndduet.com/
You can connect with Johnathan on social media here:
Twitter: @DndDuet
You can also check out a lot of their supplements and products here:
https://www.dmsguild.com
(just search Beth Ball or Johnathan Ball)
Did this interview inspire you make start a D&D duet with a family member or friend?
Then please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about Epic Boons. They discuss what they are, how they are earned, and most importantly, are the something that you should try to integrate into your home or school campaign. Especially since these super natural powers are typically only earned by characters who are level 20. Most players never participate in a campaign in which their characters reach level 20. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that they can't have them at a lower level. And an epic boon might be an epic way to end a campaign.
Did these two teachers inspire you to earn the Boon of the DM? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about animal companions. Yes, they are different than familiars and only rangers can have them. And while an animal sidekick is appealing, in game, animal companions can be both confusing and seemingly under powered.
This is why Josh and Matt felt it was necessary to explore this topic. In their discussion, they review the basics of how animal companions work and explore why the beast master ranger may be the unsung hero of your next D&D campaign.
Did these two teachers inspire you to give the beast master ranger subclass a shot? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about animal familiars. Many players like their player characters to have an animal sidekick. What are the rules behind obtaining a familiar and how can a player use these in a game of D&D? This lesson goes over basics needed for any player to become familiar with familiars.
Did these two teachers help inspire you summon your own familiar? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this special interview lesson, Josh and Matt are joined by Dr. Sarah Sawyer! The topic: Video Games and Strategies to Make RPGs and Video Games a more welcoming activity for all participants.
Video Games and Tabletop RPGs are more popular than ever. However, it takes time, energy, and a thoughtful attitude to be a player that creates a space that is inviting, safe, and enjoyable for all participants. In this interview, Dr. Sarah Sawyer shares techniques and mindsets to achieve these goals.
If you are interested in learning more about Dr. Sarah Sawyer, you can check her website here:
https://www.drsarahsawyer.com/
You can check out The RPG Academy podcast on iTunes here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rpg-academy/id876190753
You can connect with her on social media here:
Twitter: @XsarahdactylX
You can learn more about the non-profit Take This here:
https://www.takethis.org/
Did this interview inspire you make your next co-op gaming session a more welcoming venture?
Then please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Josh and Matt are joined by Tom Cantwell of the RPG Academy! The topic: How to Create Dynamic and Memorable NPCs!
Raise your hand if you have created an NPC on the fly? Raise your hand if you have created an NPC named Steve on the fly more than three times. Creating NPCs can be hard. On this special interview lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt interview Tom Cantwell about ways to make NPCs fun, memorable, and make the process of NPC creation more manageable. This is one of our wildest and funniest interview to date. Plus, you be better at NPC creation once you have listened to it!
If you are interested in learning more about Tom Cantwell
You can check out the website for the RPG Academy here:
https://therpgacademy.com/
You can check out The RPG Academy podcast on iTunes here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rpg-academy/id876190753
You can check out his Ghosts of Saltmarsh Real Play Podcast here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rpg-academy-the-campaigns/id1308105885
You can contact him on social media here:
Twitter: @BeskarTom
Did this interview inspire you create the next best NPC?
Then please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
On this special interview lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt are joined by Andrew Cawood! The topic: Making Homebrewed Monster for your D&D Campaign.
Andrew Cawood is the the owner, creative lead, and a writer for Cawood Publishing. Andrew and Cadwood Publishing has released a wide array of materials for your D&D campaign such as Treasured Finds, The World if Myr, and the bestselling Monsters of Feyland.
Today's interview focuses on a skill that Andrew is a master at: homebrewed monster creation. Topics discussed include the basics of homebrewed monster creation, tips to make your creations more dynamic, and obstacles to avoid in the creation process. This is another must listen for the dungeon master who is looking to go beyond the basic reskinned homebrewed monster!
You can find out more about the awesome products produced by Cawood Publishing at this website:
https://worldofmyrr.com/
You can also contact him on twitter:
Twitter: @cawoodpublish
Did this interview inspire you to create new monsters never before seen in D&D?!
Then please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
On this very special lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Matt interviews Adam DeWees of the One-Shot Onslaught podcast. The topic: running D&D games online.
One of the best parts of D&D is being able to gather around the table and hang out with your friends and family as you all collectively build an adventure together.
However, in these tumultuous times when people can't met together in the physical space for the health and safety of our communities, there are still options to continue the adventure in the virtual space! This lesson discusses the technology available and tips for running D&D remotely.
If you are interested in learning more about Adam and One-Shot Onslaught or Halfway to Heroes, you can find more information about his podcast at the following sources:
Webpage:
http://oneshotonslaught.com/
Itunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/one-shot-onslaught/id1378584440?mt=2
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/halfway-to-heroes-a-d-d-5e-actual-play-podcast/id1459273902
https://twitter.com/1shotonslaught
Did this lesson inspire you to host your own online session of D&D? Then please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Part two of our two-part lesson on dungeon design!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt design a five room dungeon based off the dungeon theme from lesson # 114. Five rooms sounds small. But if constructed well, any DM can run a rich and complete narrative!
If you are interested in learning more about five room dungeon design, check out Johnn Four and his guide for five room dungeons at the following website:
https://www.roleplayingtips.com/5-room-dungeons/
Did these two teachers help inspire you to make new and exciting dungeons using the power of tables?! Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
A special two-part lesson on dungeon design!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about how to make dungeon using the DMG, dice, and prompt tables! Designing dungeons can be difficult. However, with a few artistic constraints, any DM can overcome their designer's block to make a fun dungeon for their campaign. While this lesson focuses on the inspiration and them, the following lesson will focus on what actually goes into this dungeon.
Did these two teachers help inspire you to make new and exciting dungeons using the power of tables?! Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Josh and Matt are joined by Cameron Wright! The topic: D&D Adventures for Kids.
Cameron Wright is the founder and the creator of the website DnD Adventures for kids. On his website he also publishes free adventures he has authored. These adventures are kid-friendly and accessible to new players and new DMs. Today's interview focuses on some of these adventures he has published and tips for making your own adventures kid friendly.
You can check out his website here:
https://dndadventuresforkids.com/
You can also contact him in or at the following places:
Twitter: @dndforkids
Reddit: /r/DnDForKids
Email: dndadventuresforkids@gmail.com
Facebook: DnD Adventures for Kids
Did this interview inspire you to run more adventures for kids?
Then please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about Ioun stones! They discuss what they are, how to pronounce them (sounds like "ion"), why to use them, and some homebrewed versions for your game. In a fantasy world filled with +3 magic swords and wands that do 100 magical effects, sometimes it is nice to have a simple magic item that provides simple bonuses.
Also, this lesson was inspired by the great pebble debate from a much earlier lesson of Detentions and Dragons 😊
Did these two teachers teach you what a pebble was? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
A lesson of homophones!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about rolling dice to determine the outcome of an event versus granting success by inspiring role playing! The provide the pros for skipping the dice and a playing by the "Rule of Cool" and the potential things to look out for when deciding to forgo dice as the drive force of the narrative.
Also they talk about what should be considered breakfast food.
Did these two teachers help inspire you to improve your roll playing (or role-playing)? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Feeling like your game of D&D with the basic rule set is a little bland? Why not introduce your players to some spicy house rules to ramp up the excitement in your next session! On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about spicy and extra spicy homebrew rules to add more flavor to your game.
Did these two teachers help kick your game up a notch? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
One potential bane of a DM's existence is when a player uses a spell to circumvent a narrative plot point or cheese an encounter. However, their clever use of a skill doesn't mean there is something broken about the ability. It just means that as a DM, you might need to get cleverer! On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about narrative breaking spells and ways to modify spells or modify your narratives to keep the game interesting.
Did these two teachers help you to be a cleverer DM? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
New Year's Resolutions:
-Travel more.
-Start a new exercise routine.
-Play More D&D!
In this lesson, Josh and Matt talk their personal goals to expand their D&D horizons in 2020.
We hope your 2020 is filled with many more exciting D&D Adventures!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
The holiday tradition returns once more! To celebrate the holiday season, Matt gives Josh the present he wants most in life: a chance to talk about fun stories from his D&D games. Listen as Josh and Matt ramble on and embellish their stories and inside jokes from their personal campaigns around the fireplace!
Music: Brother Christmas by Lemon Yellow Hayes (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lemon_Yellow_Hayes/)
Fireplace Sound Effects: hansende (https://freesound.org/people/hansende/sounds/263994/)
Happy Holidays!! And thank you for all of your support throughout the year!
On part 2 of this two-part interview episode of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt are joined by interpretative naturalists Ashley Smith and Brandon Baker!
The topic of discussion: an amazing course that Ashley and Brandon developed and are running for students at the Three Rivers Park District in Minnesota. Their course combines environmental studies with D&D.
I think we use the words "cool" and "amazing" to describe the work of many of our guests on this podcast, but these descriptors have never been more accurate and well deserved. Ashley and Brandon are pioneers in creating authentic, engaging, and impactful that fuse education and TTRPGs. If you are interested in hearing more about how educators can integrate D&D into education then this is a must listen!
If you enjoyed listening to Ashley and Brandon, you can hear more from Brandon on his podcast The Wandering Naturalist.
You can listen to the podcast here:
https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=1447276177
or here:
https://www.threeriversparks.org/podcast?fbclid=IwAR3gvvQyHpD4o688AHOElXCfRXf3FI2nVDLdAAxdNbiAEjefr0eF6zdP7IA
You can also learn more about the Three Rivers Park District here:
https://www.facebook.com/ThreeRiversParkDistrict/
You can also connect with Ashley on Twitter:
@arsmith326
Did this interview inspire you to fuse authentic learning into your D&D game? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this two-part interview episode of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt are joined by interpretative naturalists Ashley Smith and Brandon Baker!
The topic of discussion: an amazing course that Ashley and Brandon developed and are running for students at the Three Rivers Park District in Minnesota. Their course combines environmental studies with D&D.
I think we use the words "cool" and "amazing" to describe the work of many of our guests on this podcast, but these descriptors have never been more accurate and well deserved. Ashley and Brandon are pioneers in creating authentic, engaging, and impactful that fuse education and TTRPGs. If you are interested in hearing more about how educators can integrate D&D into education then this is a must listen!
If you enjoyed listening to Ashley and Brandon, you can hear more from Brandon on his podcast The Wandering Naturalist.
You can listen to the podcast here:
https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=1447276177
or here:
https://www.threeriversparks.org/podcast?fbclid=IwAR3gvvQyHpD4o688AHOElXCfRXf3FI2nVDLdAAxdNbiAEjefr0eF6zdP7IA
You can also learn more about the Three Rivers Park District here:
https://www.facebook.com/ThreeRiversParkDistrict/
You can also connect with Ashley on Twitter:
@arsmith326
Did this interview inspire you to fuse authentic learning into your D&D game? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Developing a backstory for a player's character can be a fun, exciting, and engaging way to participate in a game of D&D. However, one of the downsides of this creation process is that backstories are often done in isolation. Characters that are created away from the table can sometimes have difficulty connect to the other characters in the game. However, like many aspects in D&D, backstory creation can be a collaborative event as well!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about collaborative backstories. They go over the benefits, when to do backstory develop (spoiler: it doesn't just have to happen at a Zero Session), and practice collaborative background development on the podcast.
The collaborative background questions for our demo were written by Josh Reistad. Josh will be posting the complete list of these questions so you can use them in your home or classroom campaign!
Did these two teachers help you build more unity at the table with collaborative background building? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
D&D is a collaborative storytelling game. However, are your player interacting with you AND the other players? Many new players quickly become comfortable interacting with the DM. However, players interacting with other players can be intimidating and challenging! On this lesson of Detentions and Dragon, Josh and Matt discuss techniques to promote collaborative gaming at the table. They also discuss a homebrewed system called "The Ties System" to add a bit of extrinsic motivation to encourage players to work with each other at the table.
Did these two teachers help you to collaborate with all the players in your D&D club? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Josh and Matt are back from Acadecon!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about other role-playing systems besides Dungeons and Dragons! While, D&D is still their favorite, Josh and Matt wanted to share information about other role-playing game systems that are fun and accessible for a vast array of players. These are games that they aren't necessarily experts in, but had a blast playing while at Acadecon.
Games we played.
Masks: A New Generation
https://www.magpiegames.com/masks/
Monster of the Week
https://www.evilhat.com/home/monster-of-the-week/
Cold Steel Wardens
http://www.blackfallpress.com/
Some People we would like to thank!
Michale Ross and The RPG Academy
@TheRpgAcademy
https://therpgacademy.com/
Tom Cantwell
@BeskarTom
A.P. Klosky
@BlackfallPress
Did these two teachers help you motivate you to try out a new system? Help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt discuss Combat Encounter.
Battles are a foundational part of most D&D campaigns. However, making a fair and balanced battle can be difficult for new and experienced DMs. Don't worry, there is a solution to your combat encounter development needs and that answers is called MATH! This lesson is very technical but will provide a by the book way to plan battles with the appropriate difficulty level for your players!
Did these two teachers help you calculate the perfect battle for your next D&D game? Help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Our 100th Lesson!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt go trick-or-treating in the city of New Trollsburg. The treats of Halloween come in all shapes and sizes. But be careful! In new Trollsburg, the treats may come with a curse! Or don't be careful and feel free to use these homebrewed magical delights in your D&D campaign.
We are so glad to all of our listeners over the last 100 episodes! We hope you have enjoyed our lesson and we hope we have inspired you to make a difference in the lives of a student, new player, or old friend through D&D.
Did these two teachers help you make whip up something dreadful for your Halloween D&D campaign? Then thank Josh and Matt by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Additional Music in this Lesson's Podcast:
Something Elated by Broke For Free
http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Something_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Something_EP_-_05_Something_Elated
Sound effects from https://freesound.org/
Music by Komiku
https://www.freemusicarchive.org/music/Komiku
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt discuss Bosses.
Boss fights are an dramatic conclusion to a dungeon or quest. However, are your bosses fighting up to their potential? This lesson discusses ways to help elevate your boss from bulky damage dealer to dynamic and diabolic antagonist.
Did these two teachers help you build the perfect boss for your campaign? Help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On the interview episode of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt are joined by Physical Education teacher, coach, and twitter denizen @heartless_pe !
The topic of their discussion: Sportsmanship. The importance of sportsmanship is promoted as an invaluable aspect of youth sports. However, this same emphasis has not been placed on youth gaming. In this interview, Matt, Josh, and Kyle (aka @heartless_pe) explore what sportsmanship is, why it is important for you gaming, and what this may look like in the gaming setting. This is awesome episode that brings to light the potential for DMs, teachers, and club leaders, to instill the tenets of sportsmanship into the next generation of gamers!
Did this interview inspire you to bring better sportsmanship to your D&D game. Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt reflect on their first few weeks of leading their Dungeons and Dragons Club. While both Matt and Josh found their first few weeks of D&D at school successful, reflecting on what went well, what could be improved on, and goals for the 2020 year are important. Hopefully sitting down to reflect will inspire you to continue to grow into an even better DM as well!
Did these two teachers help you get your year of D&D off to a good start? Help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt discuss tool proficiency. New players often rely on the basic skills like combat, perception checks, and athletics checks to interact with the world. However, why not encourage them to utilize their tool proficiency. Tool proficiency goes beyond just making items. Along with crafting, players can use their character's expertise to solve problems in unique ways. This lesson is filled with examples that will inspire DMs and players to maximize on their character's full potential.
Did these two teachers help you craft the perfect artisanal D&D session? Help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt discuss custom classes. The official classes are solid, customizable, and great for any game. However, what if you are looking to fill an esoteric niche not traditionally offered by the available classes. That's where the custom classes come in! Over his summer vacation, Matt worked on a custom class. He learned a lot and wanted to share his tips for making custom classes with the listeners! With a lot of effort, knowledge of game mechanics, and passion, any eager DM can make their own custom class for their D&D world.
This episode also leads to an important announcement:
Matt just released his homebrewed class, the Teacher Class, on The DMs Guild as a fundraiser for Game to Grow!
His supplement is a homebrewed class for those looking to play a teacher in a Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition setting! This supplement includes:
- Custom Starting Class Features for your Level 1 Teacher.
- Homebrewed Class Features, up through level 20, such as Teacher Guidance, Teacher’s Lounge, and Inspirational Speech to help your teacher triumph through the perils of the many fantasy worlds of D&D.
- Two Subclasses – Elementary Education or High School Education
- Humor that will resonate with basically any educator.
- No custom spells because I had to write curriculum for my job as a high school teacher.
Matt's profits from the sales of this product will go to Game to Grow. If you don't know who they are you should definitely check out our interview episode with Adam and Adam from Game to Grow.
You can find out more about Game To Grow here:
https://gametogrow.org/
You can find Matt's Teacher Class here:
DMSguild link.
Did these two teachers help you design the perfect D&D team for your next campaign? Help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt discuss advanced classes. In their opinion, the fighter, cleric, rogue, and wizard are the best classes for brand new players. However, players with experience may want to explore other classes. Continuing with their back to school theme of upper class, Matt and Josh examine three classes they think more experienced players would love playing in their next D&D campaign.
Also, Matt and Josh do a very brief recap of their first days back in the classroom. Matt sounds good. Josh sounds...interesting 😊
Did these two teachers help you design the perfect D&D team for your next campaign? Help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt discuss D&D Essentials. Approximately five years after releasing their original starter kit, Wizards of the Coast released...another starter kit for 5th edition D&D called D&D Essentials.
Remakes aren't necessarily bad but is this new product an inspired way to attract the next generation of players to D&D or is it simply a cash grab. Also, would this be something teacher DMs would want to use in their club and class? Listen to find out.
Spoiler: D&D Essentials is good.
Did these two teachers help you to plan for your next campaign? Help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt are joined by Mitch Porter, a former student of Matt's and former player and DM in his Dungeons and Dragons Club! The topic: Tips for Being a Better DM.
In this exciting interview, Matt and Josh are privileged to hear and learn more about DMing from the perspective of a student DM. They go over tips for new DMs, potential obstacles for student DMs, and much more. If you want to get a glimpse of what your student DMs are thinking, then this lesson is for you!
Did Josh and Matt help you better understand how you can facilitate your club for student DM success?
Then please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D shows!
Josh and Matt are joined by Neal Powell of the Block Party Podcast Network! The topic: Tips for Being a Better DM.
Inspired by a question sent in by a listener, Matt, Josh, and Neal discuss tips and philosophies for being a good DM. They also talk about some of their experiences that helped shape them into better DMs.
And if you enjoyed listening to Neal go check out Neal's other podcasts including:
DMnastics and the Dungeon Master's Block
https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/dmb-podcast-feed/
Did this interview inspire you to take more steps towards improving as a DM?
Then please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is back and ready to kickoff their third year as a podcast! Their first lesson focuses on helping prepare your clubs for Student DMs.
Knowing how to play D&D is important. Knowing how to DM is invaluable! However, the latter can be more intimidating for new DMs, especially student DMs. This lesson focuses on how the teacher can create an environment that promotes success for student DMs in the club setting.
Josh and Matt have always focused on making D&D fun and accessible for new players and new teacher DMs. However, at the start of the third year of the podcast, they thought they would change up the formula a bit with a guiding theme for the year.
The focus: Upperclass!
Specifically, this year's lessons will focus on two major topics:
-
How to help Student DMs succeed in your club or classroom setting.
-
Advanced Topics: Progressing from Basic to Advanced Gameplay.
This doesn't mean there won't be lessons on general topics, basics game play, interviews, homebrew, and more because of course there will be. But after about 90 episodes, Josh and Matt felt it was time to help players elevate their game to a new level!
Did these back-to-school mentors help motivate you for the new year? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Additional Music in this Lesson's Podcast:
Something Elated by Broke For Free
http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Something_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Something_EP_-_05_Something_Elated
Part 2 of our special two-part Q & A lesson format!
Matt and Josh play a D&D themed "Would you rather...?" and of course answer more of your questions. We will also announce the winner of the listener submitted question contest and Riddler on Twitter! Thanks again for all of the listener submitted questions!
Did the Car Talk boys of D&D help you fix your campaign with 250,000 miles on it? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Our summer special two-part Q & A lesson format!
Josh and Matt channel Tom and Ray Magliozzi of Car Talk to fix your Dungeon Mastering Questions. How successful are they? Questionable. But at least they are having a good time doing it!
The Riddler. Send your answer to The Riddler to: detentionsanddragons@gmail.com
If your correct answer is randomly selected from all of the correct responses, you will win some dice from us at Detentions and Dragons!
Did the Car Talk boys of D&D help you fix your campaign with 250,000 miles on it? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Detentions and Dragons is back from our summer break! To celebrate, we have an interview with Josh Lorimer from the Titans of All'Terra podcast. The subject: World Building.
There is still time this summer to start writing your own D&D campaign or finish your work in progress. Regardless, the tips and insights from this interview will provide you the extra guidance you need to finish that project!
Josh Lorimer is doing some amazing things. One is a Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/orcdad/the-book-of-allterra-a-campaign-setting-for-5e
Help make the dream a reality AND get a really cool setting book based off of his hit podcast.
If you haven't listened to The Titans of All'Terra, why not listen to season 1 here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/titans-allterra-5e-d-d-actual-play-for-gamers-all-ages/id1440428321
Did these two teachers help you finish the greatest D&D story ever played? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
School is out for summer!!! With empty desks and empty classrooms, Josh and Matt sit back and recount adventures from their D&D games in club and in the classroom. No rules, No lesson plans, just two teachers telling stories about the fun they had playing D&D with their students over the 2018 - 2019 school year.
Highlights from their adventures include:
-Brad.
-A town of goblins.
-Aerial Boss Battles.
-The Horn Identity.
-Metal Unicorn.
Summer Note: Josh and Matt are taking a little break to recharge after a long school year. Detentions and Dragons will be back on around July 14 with a new episode. Thanks again for all the support from all listeners, teachers, players, DMs, and students. We couldn't have made it through our first two years without you!
Did these two teachers help you finish the greatest D&D story ever played? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
At the end of the school year, it is common for D&D club students to delve into the final dungeon, confront the big bad boss, and (hopefully) live happily every after as heroes of the realm. However, what if the campaign wasn't the end of a story but merely one chapter. D&D campaigns with friends and family can last years. Why can't school campaigns last just as long?
On this lesson, Josh and Matt talk about Open-Ended Campaigns. Mainly, they talk about the potential pros and cons of running a multi-year campaign in the school setting. Spoiler: The final decision about whether to end a campaign or continue it into the next year lies on the shoulders of the teacher DM. However, hopefully their experience running clubs will help any DM make that decision.
Did these two teachers help you decide the fate of your D&D campaign? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson, Josh and Matt talk about traps. Heroes need adversaries. They also need obstacles. And a good old fashion arrow trap or rolling sphere is just want your final boss dungeons needs to add an extra degree of creative roleplaying to the end of your campaign! Topics that are covered include: Trap Basics in the DMG, tips for designing fair and narratively interesting traps, and some traps they have used in their own campaigns.
Did these two teachers help you make your end of the school year saving throw? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
A +1 fire sword is fun. But why not have a +1 fire sword with a spitfire personality?!
On this lesson, Josh and Matt discuss sentient weapons, what they are, how to use them narratively, and how to roll for random sentient weapons using the stats in the Dungeon Master's Guide . Magic weapons are fun but a living weapon with its own personality and stats can add a new dimensions to your game!
Josh and Matt talk a bit about dumb shirts we will never make.
They also make their own sentient weapon in the podcast: the vengeful rat! This could be their greatest creation yet.
Did these two teachers inspire you to roll for your own sentient item? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Hi! No spoilers about Avengers: Endgame in this Lesson!
Instead, Josh and Matt discuss how to prepare for the last few weeks of D&D at school. With only a few sessions remaining, planning out the agenda for the end of the campaign is critical. With a little planning, any DM can help their players make the most of their D&D game before the school year ends. Spoiler: There is a lot of planning and house keeping involved!
There are also a lot of puns and dad jokes.
Did these two teachers help motivate you to do your own year-end D&D planning? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
We are back from Spring Break!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about the homebrewed Spring Spells for your D&D 5th Edition game. You and your players (at least in the colder climates) survived a harsh winter. Why not celebrate the new season in your campaign with some lighthearted spells. Some of them are a bit wacky, but we are pretty proud of them!
Did these two teachers help revivify your campaign with some fun homebrew? Help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Today's Ambient Sounds and Music track, Halfling Festival, provided by Tabletop Audio. You can find more of their fantastic music for your D&D game at https://tabletopaudio.com/
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about the forgotten actions and abilities of D&D 5E. New players will always remember the basic actions like attack, cast a spell, and move. But what about the humble second wind or channel divinity?! This lesson goes over four of the most common forgotten abilities that they have seen in their D&D club campaigns. The DM is both a storyteller and a teacher. So teach your players to utilize all the skills in their character's utility belt!
Did these two teachers help remind you of your own skills as a DM? Help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this special lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Matt and Josh interview Christina “Steenz” Stewart. Steenz is a cartoonist, co-creator of the Dwayne McDuffie Award Winning Graphic Novel Archival Quality, and Associate Editor at Lion Forge Comics. The topic of today's interview: Rolled and Told comics. Rolled and Told is one part DM module, one part comic, all parts fun!
I always say that each interview is fantastic but this was honestly one of my favorites. Not only is this episode an intriguing discussion about a supplement that would be helpful to any DM, but there are also fascinating and inspiring tangents that make this a must listen!
Note: We had some technical issues with microphones. There are some popping sounds that I couldn't remove. My apologies!
If you are interested, in Rolled and Told you can find more information here:
https://www.lionforge.com/rolled-and-told/
If you are interested in connecting with Steenz, you can find her on twitter:
https://twitter.com/oheysteenz
Want to help out your these teachers and podcasters? Then please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this special lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Matt interviews Adam Davis and Adam Johns of Critical Core. Critical Core is an RPG that helps kids on the autism spectrum build real-life skills through a fantasy role-playing game. It is also a great entry point for players new to RPGs! We have had Adam and Adam on before to talk about their non-profit Game to Grow and how they use therapeutic RPG sessions to help young people develop social skills and confidence. They were great then. They are still great now.
If you are interested in Critical Core, their kickstarter, and what their kit has to offer, you must listen!
Check out their Critical Core Kickstarter here:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gametogrow/critical-core?ref=nav_search&result=project&term=critical%20core
If you want to contact Adam Johns or Adam Davis you can reach them via email at:
adamj@gametogrow.org
adamd@gametogrow.org
Did this interview inspire you to contribute to a noble RPG cause?
Then please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Disclaimer: Matt has donated to the Critical Kickstarter program. He has received no monetary compensation from anyone affiliated with Critical Core.
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about the Dungeon Master screen. The DM screen is a physical, typically cardboard, divider that separates the DM from the player characters. The purpose is simple: keep prying eyes away from the DM's campaign notes, maps, and stats. However, some DMs choose to forgo the screen. Is one play style better than the other? Josh and Matt discuss the pros and cons to both approaches!
Also we have a new official twitter handle! You can find us at:
@detentionspod
https://twitter.com/detentionspod
Did these two teachers help you to find your DM leader style? Help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this special lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Matt and Josh interview writer Frances Sinclair. Frances is a librarian in Scotland and leads D&D activities in the library setting! The subject of today's lesson: tips for running D&D with kids at school. If you are still looking for information and inspiration on how to incorporate D&D into your school, especially as a librarian, than you will enjoy hearing all of Frances' insights!
You can find out more about her and D&D at:
https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/or/stromnessacademylibrary/activities/dungeons-dragons/
https://rovanna.wordpress.com/
https://anorthernjournal.wordpress.com/
You can also find her on Twitter:
@HighlandL4ss
Are you enjoying the interviews from authors and educators from around the world? Then please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this special lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Matt and Josh interview writer Chris Walz. Chris authors and publishes one-shot adventures and other supplemental materials on the DMsguild. Chris is also the author of an engaging module for kids called an Orge and His Cake. The subject of the lesson: tips for running and writing D&D games for kids. If you are still looking for insights on how to make the game accessible for younger audiences then you must listen to this lesson!
If you are interested, you can find a large collection of Chris Walz's work on:
https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Christopher%20Walz
You can also find him on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/DMChristopherW
Want to help out these D&D podcasters and teachers? Then please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this special lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Matt and Josh interview D&D module author Luciella Scarlett. Luciella writes and publishes modules, D&D adventures or campaigns used by DMs, for the DMs Guild. This is a fantastic interview and especially helpful for anyone interested in writing and publishing their own adventures.
If you are interested, you can find a large collection of Luciella Scarlett's work on:
https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Luciella%20Elisabeth%20Scarlett
You can also find her on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/LuciellaES
Go check out and buy some of her fun adventures online!
Want to help out your these teachers and podcasters? Then please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Powerful questions, or probing questions, are questions often asked by teachers to their students to draw out more thoughtful dialogue within the classroom discussions. However, on this episode of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about how DMs and teacher DMs can use these style of questions in their sessions to draw out more meaningful player involvement. Be the guide on the side and not the sage on the stage!
Did these two teachers and podcasters help you find the answers to your powerful questions? Help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Lesson # 50 Agenda
I remember walking around the movie rental store in the 90s and seeing the cover of this movie. The image was of a man holding a boomerang that shot lasers. When I saw it streaming online, i knew this was a good opportunity to review it for the podcast.
...
That was a questionable decision.
Matt is once again joined by special guest and substitute co-host Rachel Nimlos, a former graduate of Matt's high school and an alumna of his D&D club! On this lesson they review the movie Krull!
Talking points:
A lot about walking.
Star of the movie: pants????
Young Hagrid
Hey, you!!! That cool listener listening to this podcast! Please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about Mundane Items in D&D 5e.
Mundane items are basic items in D&D with no inherent magical powers or fantastical elements. However, just because these items are common doesn't mean they can't be used in creative ways. In this lesson Josh and Matt look at some mundane items and discuss creative ways they can be implemented in your campaign setting. Don't just rely on spells and magical items. Let the constraints of mediocrity elevate your creative solving abilities!
Did these two teachers and podcasters help to spice up your mundane encounter with helpful tips? Help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this special lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Matt and Josh interviews Adam DeWees of the One-Shot Onslaught podcast. The topic: one-shot campaigns!
Do you have a group of students or friends who like D&D but can't commit to a multi-year campaign? Then one-shots, D&D campaigns meant to be completed in 2 - 6 hours, may be right for you. And the right person to teach you about one-shots is Adam DeWees! In his podcast, One-Shot Onslaught, Adam DMs a group of players and their player characters through a series one-shot campaigns. In his interview today, Adam talks about what makes a good one-shot campaign and recommends some for DMs to try with their group.
If you are interested in learning more about Adam and One-Shot Onslaught, you can find more information about his podcast at the following sources:
Webpage:
http://oneshotonslaught.com/
Itunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/one-shot-onslaught/id1378584440?mt=2
https://twitter.com/1shotonslaught
Want to help out your Then please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about common D&D 5E rules mistakes.
D&D is one of the most accessible and streamlined editions of D&D. However, there are still some rules that aren't completely intuitive and even the most experienced players can get them wrong. This lesson highlights five of those mistakes.
How far can a halfling jump?
Do we need to include a segment on cute kittens?
Did these two teachers provide you with an answer key to your rule questions? Help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about feats! Some players enjoy playing the generalist. However, for those players who are looking to focus on a particular niche or play style, feats can help fill that need! Josh and Matt talk about the pros and cons of feats in their classroom campaigns, some of their favorites, and a couple to look out for as well.
Also, maybe learn about homonyms???
Did these two teachers help you find the feat that will help you become a better DM?! Help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
New Year's Resolutions:
-Attune self to nature.
-Travel more.
-Upgrade player character game.
In this lesson, Josh and Matt talk about things to be a better player character in the 2019 year.
We hope your 2019 is filled with many more exciting D&D Adventures!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
The holiday tradition returns! To celebrate the holiday season, Matt gives Josh the present he wants most in life: a chance to talk about fun stories from his D&D games. Listen as Josh and Matt ramble on and embellish their stories and inside jokes from their personal campaigns around the fireplace!
Music: Brother Christmas by Lemon Yellow Hayes (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lemon_Yellow_Hayes/)
Fireplace Sound Effects: hansende (https://freesound.org/people/hansende/sounds/263994/)
Happy Holidays!! And thank you for all of your support throughout the year!
The Deck of Many Things is a legendary wondrous item in 5th edition D&D that causes game making or game breaking effects for any player character that chooses to draw from this magical set of cards . However, there has never been a Deck of Many HOLIDAY things. A deck based solely around campaign altering effects with a holiday twist. On this episode, Josh and Matt present the cards that they, their fellow podcasters, and listeners created for this deck! If you are looking to add some holiday fun to your campaign (and perhaps drift your game's narrative off the critical path, then these cards from our Deck of Many Holiday Things is for you!
Seriously, we would like to thank everyone who submitted! We wish we had time to read them all. We are always humbled by your enthusiasm and participation.
Is your player character now the Minty Ranger?
Please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Professional Development Time is Back! Today Josh and Matt discuss how to run a physics lesson using the Havoc Classroom RPG system. If you have been unsure what a content driven lesson of Havoc looks like, regardless of the subject you teach, you should listen! Even non-teacher can find a technique or valuable insight to utilize in their own home campaign.
Did these teacher trainers provide you the lessons and confidence to run D&D in your classroom?
Please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Every great DM wants to have an inspiring cast of characters with varied backgrounds and intriguing histories. However, what happens when your players decide to stray off the critical path to buy a pretzel? You can panic. Or you can improv a fun NPC! On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt discuss making NPCs on the fly and provide tips to help DMs with one of the more challenging narrative aspects of being a DM.
A DMs' secret weapon: Lists!
Smeagle Bobson returns...
Did these two teachers help you improvise a memorable new character for your school or home campaign? Please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Character Alignments: Does your player character save the cat or do they save their time and steal a bunch of gold?
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt discuss character alignments. As a player, deciding how a player character responds to in-game events can be challenging. However, the character alignments system helps to guide players into deciding how their Lawful Good Paladin or Chaotic Neutral Wizard would really act under pressure. There are nine options. Some are more confusing than others. Hopefully, Josh and Matt provide some clarity to the situation.
Neutral. Yep, that is a difficult one. :-)
Did these two teachers help alignment your understanding on the alignment system? Please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this lesson, Josh and Matt talk about their favorite cantrips in D&D 5th edition. And we are not necessarily talking about the most powerful cantrips but level-0 spells that they think are fun and add an interesting dimensions to any campaign.
They also try to answer this question: What is a pebble?
Did these teacher teach you the difference between gravel and pebbles???
Please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Josh and Matt are joined by founder of the Block Party Podcast Network, Mitch Connelly! The topic: Character Creation tips.
Character creation, often referred to as "session zero" can be a textbook slog through stat blocks and dice rolling or an engaging and interactive gaming experience in its own right! Mitch prefers the latter and we do too. This lesson will review DM tips to make character creation a fun experience for all involved.
And if you enjoyed listening to Mitch go check out Mitch's other podcasts including:
The Dungeon Master's Block
https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/dmb-podcast-feed/
Geek Wars
https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/geek-wars-feed/
Did this interview inspire you to create not only a new character but a new gaming mindset?
Then please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Trick-or-Treat! Dressed in festive Halloween garb, Matt and Josh make their way through the spooky avenues of New Trollsburg. Will the residents give them any treats? Or will they be haunted by all tricks?
Nope. All Tricks. Let's hope they survive!!!! evil laugh......
On this lesson, Matt and Josh talk about cursed homebrewed items for your Halloween session of Dungeons and Dragons. Homebrewed items are always a fun way to add flavor to a campaign. But watching your players squirm as the loot they trust betrays them is pretty fun and thematic too! Feel free to use these in your own campaigns.
Did these teachers help you thrive on the spookiest holiday of the year?
Please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On another special interview lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt interview Josh Lorimer from the Sneak Attack! podcast. The subject: How to Start and Run a Real Play Podcast!
With over three years of experience running and participating in real play D&D podcasts, Josh brings a well spring of insights that will help anyone looking to start their own podcast adventure.
Josh Lorimer is also a busy person and is producing a lot of content for those in the gaming community to enjoy. Some of these include:
His newest podcast, The Titans of All'Terra:
https://www.patreon.com/thetitanpod
His Youtube Channel about the The Titans of All'Terra and his show on DMing called The DM Josh Show:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUP75jzx8xpVocdh8tLgf5Q
And of course one of our favorite D&D podcasts at of all time Sneak Attack:
https://sneakpodcast.com/
Did this interview give inspire you to grab your friends and start a new creative endeavor?
Then please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this special interview lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt interview Michael Ross of The RPG Academy Podcast. The topic: How to get convention ready!
D&D and Gaming conventions are a great place for players to connect with like-minded individuals around the game that they love. However, conventions for can be intimidating. This lesson will provide some tips and insights from Michael Ross about what he does to make his convention experience a fun and memorable one!
Also, hear about Acadecon! Acadecon is an RPG convention run by Michael Ross. If you are in Dayton, Ohio in November, you should go!
For more information go here:
https://acadecon.com/
You can regularly listen to Michael Ross on his podcast The RPG Academy. You find them on the web at:
https://therpgacademy.com/
Also look for them on iTunes or wherever you download podcasts.
Did this interview give you the courage to make new friends and memories at your first gaming convention?
Then please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this special lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Matt interviews Adam Davis and Adam Johns of Game to Grow, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that uses therapeutic social skills groups to help teens build real-life social skills. Listen to hear about how these dedicated individuals ventured into the unexplored realm of therapeutic gaming, what these sessions look like, and the successes they are having with teenagers using these innovative methods. Seriously, this episode will tug at your heart strings. Give it a listen!
If you are interested in learning more about Game to Grow and their mission, you can visit their website at: http://gametogrow.org/
For more information, you can reach Game to Grow via email at:
contact@gametogrow.org
If you want to contact Adam Johns or Adam Davis you can reach them via email at:
adamj@gametogrow.org
adamd@gametogrow.org
And while you are at it, make sure to sign-up for the Critical Core mailing list. Critical Core is a social-skills intervention in the form of a tabletop role playing game!
Did this interview inspire you to learn more about the benefits of RPGs?
Then please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
The Total Party Kill (aka TPK) is a term used to describe a scenario in which all player characters are defeated. However, it is the decision of the DM to decide if the TPK is a tearful epilogue to a campaign or a plot device to drive the narrative forward. Also, it is a downer when your students lose!!! On this lesson, Josh and Matt discuss their philosophy behind the TPK and three ways to redefine the TPK for your club or home campaign.
Did these teacher provide you with some insight into handling the unlucky rolls or the silly shenanigans of the PCs in your own campaign?
Please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Professional Development Time: We have talked about it but now its finally here! Josh and Matt discuss how to run your first session of Havoc in the classroom. This introduction focuses on aspects such as what modifications were made, why they were made, and how to run the lesson step-by-step in class. If you have been on the fence about how to jump into a game of D&D in the classroom, this is the place to start. We are only sorry that listening to this lesson probably wont count at towards the teacher licensure recertification!
Did these teacher trainers provide you the lessons and confidence to start D&D in your classroom?
Please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
A new school year means new textbooks! This week on Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt take a look at the new module Waterdeep: Dragon Heist. Reason why we like it include:
-Easy to follow structure.
-Flowcharts.
-Dynamic Visuals.
-Scenarios that promote creative problem solving.
This module is worth checking out! Especially for new DMS, or DMs of new players.
Matt also discusses his module he will maybe make some day: Hedgehog Heist: Heist of the Potato Salad.
We hit some major technical difficulties with this episode and had to add in a different ending. Our apologies!
Did these two adventurers help you heist the information and inspiration you needed to run an inspiring D&D game?
Please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Josh and Matt get crafty! With the cost of dice these days, why not bust out the glue gun and make some supplies for your D&D classroom. On this lesson, Josh and Matt talk about some fun and inexpensive craft projects for your D&D campaign.
-Josh gets artsy with details on making antiqued paper.
-Matt talks a lot about Noosa Yoghurt
Did these DIY teachers help inspire you start a new project for your D&D campaign?
Please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
A special crossover lesson of Detentions and Dragons!!!
Recently, Josh and Matt were invited by DM Mitch and DM Neal to be guests on the Dungeon Master's Block! The subject: using real world places as inspiration for your D&D creations. Our crossover lesson includes "the meat" (the discussion portion) of DM's block episode 162.
For those of you unfamiliar with the DM's Block, it is the podcast where the hosts talk about the most important person in the game, the dungeon master. The only person capable of playing god, killing characters, and lowering the egos of all the player. In practice, this means you will hear interviews and discussions with some of the most influential people in the RPG community!
If you already are a subscriber to their podcast, this will be fun but nothing new. If you haven't listened to the podcast, I hope this will inspire you to go check out all that the DM's Block has to offer!
Did these members of the greatest family friendly D&D network on the planet Earth help motivate you to be a more creative DM? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
On this special lesson of Detention and Dragons, Josh and Matt interview Chris Malidore, Jon Frater, Stephen J. Holodinsky, and Peter Bryant of AetherCon!
AetherCon is Tabletop RPG convention hosted entirely online. If you are interested in learning more about all the fun games you can play, panels you can attend at this convention, and more then this episode is for you!
Did these teacher mentors motivate you to get Convention Ready?
Please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Disclosure: Josh Reistad is a volunteer staff member with AetherCon.
Lesson # 50 Agenda
They said it was impossible. They said it couldn't be done. They were wrong. Movie day returns.
Matt is once again joined by special guest and substitute co-host Rachel Nimlos, a former graduate of Matt's high school and an alumna of his D&D club! On this lesson they review the movie Willow!
Lots of Owen Wilson references.
Lots of references to Van Kilmer 😊
Hey, you!!! That cool listener listening to this podcast! Please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Planning a campaign can be one of the most exciting parts of the game for DMs. However, when running a game within a limited time frame (one school year sounds like a lot of time but it does go by quickly), a DM needs to be flexible and adapt their storytelling to fit these constraints. On this lesson, Josh and Matt discuss the campaign outline techniques to help teacher DMs have a productive and less stressful D&D game at school.
Thanks to Kevin MacLeod for allowing us to us the song I Knew a Guy. More of his music can be found at: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/Jazz_Sampler/I_Knew_a_Guy
Did these teacher mentors help inspire you for your new year of D&D?
Please rate and subscribe to Detentions and Dragons! Or help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Summer is almost over so it is time to start preparing for a new school year filled with D&D clubs and D&D lessons! On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt discuss tips for starting your D&D school campaign off right. Spoilers: It involves preparing the behind the scenes materials that are often underappreciated but essential for getting the most out of your D&D game!
Did these back-to-school mentors help motivate you for the new year? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
A special lesson of Detentions and Dragons for new listeners!
If you are reading this and you are new to the podcast, welcome to the podcast! Jumping into a new podcast can be difficult. However, in this lesson, Josh and Matt provide lesson suggestions for all types of listeners! This includes school teachers, club leaders, beginner DMs, and people just looking to hear some nerdy humor about D&D!
Still have questions? Contact us via email: detentionsanddragons@gmail.com
Thanks for listening! And remember, you can do anything with a D20!
And thanks to of all of our longtime listeners as well! We'll be back with a regular lesson next week.
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Grab your bugbear spray and your folding boat and paddle your way down to Camp Bugbear! On this lesson, Josh and Matt discuss planning, organizing, and implementing a D&D summer camp for kids.
Does Dave Starchild survive his tenure as summer counselor?!
This is Josh's first time editing and episode! Congrats!!
Did these D&D counselors help you earn some 5E merit badges? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Another special Detentions and Dragons Lesson!
This time Matt interviews Curt Bolin of the Dungeons & Dragons & Daughters podcast, a D&D 5th Edition live play podcast starring him and his twin daughters Sammy & Birdie. The topic: Top 5 Tips for playing D&D with younger kids! If you are interested in introducing D&D to kids, this is well worth the listen!
You can find more info on Curt and Dungeons & Dragons, & Daughters at the following:
https://twitter.com/daughterdungeon?lang=en
https://www.instagram.com/daughterdungeon/
https://dungeonsdragonsdaughters.podbean.com/
Note: Less sound effects because Matt is traveling!
Did this interview inspire you to pursue new avenues in D&D? Help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Part 2 of our special two-part Q & A lesson!
Josh and Matt are on a roll! After answering two D&D questions, they go back into the mailbag, pick out two more easy questions, and attempt to use their experience to answer your DMing questions. They are having a blast.
Segment: You might be a Dungeon Master....
The Riddler. The answer is revealed! If your correct answer is randomly selected from all of the correct responses, you will win a hand painted mini fig by Josh!
Some shout-outs.
The BomBARDed Podcast - An awesome music focused D&D game.
https://bombarded.podbean.com/
D&D Riddles - We used this site for our riddle
http://www.dndadventure.com/html/riddles.html
Did the Car Talk boys of D&D help you fix your campaign with 250,000 miles on it? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
A special two-part Q & A lesson format!
Josh and Matt channel Tom and Ray Magliozzi of Car Talk to fix your Dungeon Mastering Questions. How successful are they? Questionable. But at least they are having a good time doing it!
The Riddler. Send your answer to The Riddler to: detentionsanddragons@gmail.com
If your correct answer is randomly selected from all of the correct responses, you will win a hand painted mini fig by Josh!
Did the Car Talk boys of D&D help you fix your campaign with 250,000 miles on it? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
A Detentions and Dragons' First! Josh and Matt interview Wolfgang Baur, the "Kobold in Chief,” founder, and owner Kobold Press.
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Wolfgang discusses with Matt and Josh all things D&D. Especially about the campaign setting of Midgard! This is a fantastic conversation with a gaming industry veteran that shouldn't be missed!
Did this interview inspire you to pursue new avenues in D&D? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Disclosure: Detentions and Dragons received products complimentary from Kobold Press for review purposes.
The Detentions and Dragons boys are back! They aren't in the classroom and their board shorts are a little sandy, but they have made their way back into the studio to introduce a little summer fun to your D&D campaign.
This lesson: Summer Gear. While not required to have an excellent outing, the right vacation equipment can add a lot to your summertime experience. The same holds true to D&D! Why not stow away that gloomy pipes of haunting and bust out that beach gear! Don't have any? Josh and Matt suggest some fun homebrewed items to maximize your enjoyment of the season.
Items include:
-Volleyball of Volleys
-A duck boat???
-Doft Spray
-Instant Oasis
Did these two boys of summer help kick off your summer campaign the right way? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
School is out for summer!!! With empty desks and empty classrooms, Josh and Matt sit back and recount adventures from their D&D games in club and in the classroom. No rules, No lesson plans, just two teachers telling stories about the fun they had playing D&D with their students over the 2017 - 2018 school year.
Highlights from their adventures include:
-3 to 4 player characters pretending to be a tall goblin.
-Scrunt II Son of Scrunt.
-Josh making a questionably powerful player character for himself.
-A hammer that sounds a bit like Guy Fieri
-Melvin.
Summer Note: Josh and Matt are taking a little break to recharge after a long school year. Detentions and Dragons will be back on June 25th with a new episode. Thanks again for all the support from all listeners, teachers, players, DMs, and students. We couldn't have made it through the first 40 episodes without you!!
Did these two teachers help you finish the greatest D&D story ever played? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
IT'S PARTY TIME!!!! 🎉 🎉 🎉
In this lesson, Josh and Matt discuss the Last Day of Club! Whether or not you started your campaign the first week of school or you gathered the courage to play some D&D in class, the end of the school year is here and you and your players deserve a fun conclusion to their D&D experience for the 2017 - 2018 school year. The last session will go by fast so use this episode as your to-do list at your last day of club.
And don't worry, this is NOT the last episode of Detentions and Dragons!
Drowitos are referenced a lot.
Matt sings a nostalgic theme song.
Have these two party planners helped you give the greatest D&D party ever? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
A power-hungry antagonist approaches and presents to you an impassioned speech. It speaks of a diabolic plot or perhaps disillusioned plan. You and your party disagree. You draw your weapons and ready a fighting stance. The lights go dim. The antagonist changes to its true form. A soundtrack with a dramatic score emphasizes the gravity of the situation. Is it the fate of world that will be decided by the outcome of this battle? Or is this simply one last fight for survival? Regardless, this is it you are the climatic finale. This is your chance to be hero. This is the final boss.
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt discuss final bosses for your school campaign. They discuss the importance of the final boss and their philosophy behind designing a final encounter with heroic moments or exciting opportunities for the player characters to be heroes one last time in a narrative that they helped create!
The Final Boss mechanics they discuss are:
-
Destroy the Crystal
-
Artifact of Power
-
Puzzle Room
Don't just design your boss fight to be tough. Design your boss fight to be heroic!
Dungeon Master Mitch from the Dungeon Master's Block also submits a heroic boss mechanic as well:
- Splatter Minions
Josh and Matt have less tangents than usual but they do talk about wheels for a bit.
Have the Sephiroth and Dr.Wily of D&D helped you defeat those pesky DM doldrums? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
In the lesson, Josh and Matt jump on the home remodel band wagon and rebrand themselves as dungeon fixer uppers. Why have your player characters run through that same old dungeon?! Just remove that old green avocado owlbear, knock down that load-bearing wall of illusion, and add in some modern trap elements!
Seriously though, Josh and Matt look at Boss Dungeons. The end of the school year is near and campaigns need to come to a close. The final dungeon is your students' last chance to make memories, have fun, and be heroes of a story they create until the next school year. This last boss dungeon needs to be suspenseful and challenging. Listen as Josh and Matt give suggestion for traps, puzzle, and lair wide magical effect to add excitement to your clubs grand finale!
Josh and Matt return to New Trollsburg.
Lots of Pop Culture references.
Josh may have told his best joke to date.
Have the Chip and Joanna of D&D helped you flip your D&D experience? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Atmospheric music (Dungeon II: Mechanical and Medieval Town) provided by Table Top Audio. https://tabletopaudio.com/
Train Sounds provided by Zott820. https://freesound.org/people/Zott820/
Bust out your percentile dice and roll for a random effect!
Detentions and Dragons have their most random episode to date! They asked for new effects for the Wand of Wonder, a magic item in D&D 5e that casts random effects from a random effect table, and the listeners delivered.
In this lesson, Josh and Matt go over their favorite listener submitted homebrewed effects for the Wand of Wonder. Effects include berating spectral parrots, glitter, and more!
Hosts from the Block Party Podcast Network also submit Wand of Wonder Effects!
Lots of randomness.
Lots of ranting!
Have these two Minnesotan teacher DMs taught you the correct name for America's most beloved children's game? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
We are also a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network, check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Mods. We use them to transform good games into better looking, more playable, and more enjoyable experiences. D&D is not an exception!
In this lesson, Matt and Josh talk about rule modifications for D&D. Often times, DMs need to some tricks to maximize the gaming experience. They discuss a variety of tactics they use and mods you should consider implementing in your school or personal campaign.
Matt is equipped with Dungum (definitely not Gundam) armor.
Gorgonzola makes his return.
Exit Ticket: Homework - Wand of Wonder Contest is still on! A fan favorite item. Your homework. Create a new effect for Wand of Wonder and send it to:
detentionsanddragons@gmail.com
or fill out this form here:
https://tinyurl.com/wandofwonder
If we like your entry the best, you win some free dice! All participants will have their effect added to a new and living list of Wand of Wonder effects.
Have these two cybernetically enhanced teacher DMs from the future helped you is update your DM algorithms ? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
We are also now a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network, check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!
Lesson # 34 Agenda
Word up! Josh and Matt go hard in the paint again to discuss more important vocabulary for D&D 5th Edition. Will it give you street cred in the average social circle? Probably not. However, knowing this basic vernacular will make you look legit at your next D&D session or convention.
Josh got a sweet D&D tattoo. Check his tattoo and him out @ProfessorOlaf
Gorgonzola the elderly elf makes an appearance.
The cannon of fast travel didn't shoot Smeagle Bobson all that far away.
Exit Ticket: Homework - Wand of Wonder. A fan favorite item. Your homework. Create a new effect for Wand of Wonder and send it to detentionsanddragons@gmail.com
If we like yours the best, you win some free dice! All participants will have their effect added to a new and living list of Wand of Wonder effects.
Thanks to the D&D wiki for information about slang. Check out their complete page on D&D jargon here: https://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Help:Glossary_of_Jargon
Have these two fly teachers helped you master your own D&D slang? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Lesson # 33 Agenda
Howdy! Now just don't just sit there like a bump on a log! It is springtime on the Detentions and Dragons hobby farm and there are plenty of chores to do. Do you want to help out by feeding the spring chimera? Or if you are looking for some adventuring, how about solving that mystery involving some curious hibernators? The world is waking up again, kiddo! Time to dust off those adventuring boots and get to work!
On this lesson, Josh and Matt discuss Springtime and how to integrate springtime into your school or campaign setting. Ideas include a D&D swap meet, a campaign focused on a missing Spring (we are looking at you Minnesota), and some homebrewed creatures. Again, get your party out of that dungeon and into the fresh air of spring!
Smeagle Bobson returns. And is gone again?
Who is your favorite flair bear?
Matt wants more cute D&D monsters.
Special thanks to:
Benbocan for letting us use their ambient farmyard sounds. You can find their work here:
https://freesound.org/people/Benboncan/sounds/69648/
Special producer credit to Ginger for pitching Springtime D&D ideas involving bears, blood thirsty chickadees and robins, and an unused mud mephit.
Have these two dragon ranchers put a little springtime back into your DM step? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Lesson # 32 Agenda
Many DMs know that a player character can open a door by rolling a high enough number on an ability check. But what happens when that door is sentient and fights back? This situation calls for a 1v1 D20 roll-off, a contest.
On this lesson, Josh and Matt discuss the a special variation of ability checks called contests. They discuss what contests are, when to use, and how to run them in a 5th edition game. They also provide several common and uncommon examples of contests in 5E.
Pie gets discussed a lot.
Exit Ticket: We have graded homework! Josh and Matt review many of the entries in our Creative Writing Prompt Assignment on disasters and almonds for willing listeners. Hopefully, these D&D minds can provide some inspiration for your D&D campaign!
Have these two pie Olympians given you advantage in your own D&D contest? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Lesson # 31 Agenda
You've defeated the dragon and taken it treasure, you've bested the wizard and won their gold, or you read your book and earned your Havoc coins. It is now time to relax, sip on a coffee, and go shopping!!!
On this lesson, Josh and Matt travel to the fictional town of New Trollsburg to buy some magic items designed by Josh and Matt! Need some new kicks? Head on down to Amberzombie and Witch! Need a dodge ball that sends you to a dodge ball dimension? You can totally buy it in New Trollsburg. Learn more about some fun homebrewed items that can be incorporated into your classroom or home campaign.
Exit Ticket: None. But we are still accepting creative writing prompt submission. Send us your best idea for a campaign, mission, or plot device and we will read our favorite of the submissions on the podcast. Topic must incorporate the following nouns: Disaster & Almonds.
Have these two teachers helped you restock your own D&D& stores with new magic items? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Also a special thanks to Tabletop Audio for letting us use their tracks Halfing Festival and Docks District. You can check them out here: https://tabletopaudio.com/
Lesson # 30 Agenda
Want a good reason to integrate D&D into your curriculum? How about this number for you: 5,000. This is the cumulative number of hours students in Josh's classes have read books outside of school. And a major driver behind this stat is Havoc.
On this episode, Josh and Matt talk more about Havoc, the modified D&D 5E system that Josh uses in his classroom. Specifically, they discuss the in-class currency system used in his yearlong campaign and how students power up their learning and their player characters in the classroom with havoc coins. For those interested in finding ways to drive academic success using RPG elements, this episode is for you.
Exit Ticket: Homework - Creative Writing Prompt!
Send us your best idea for a campaign, mission, or plot device and we will read our favorite of the submissions on the podcast. Topic must incorporate the following nouns:
Disaster & Almonds
Have these two teachers helped you earn 1000 havoc coins? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Lesson # 29 Agenda
Spells Continued! In this lesson, Josh and Matt finish their topic from last week by examining the topic of spell slots, D&D's spell management system. They also discuss a way to clarify spell slots to new players using everyone's favorite building block, LEGO.
Healy McHealerson shows up to help explain spells.
Matt steals Josh's idea for a magic item and uses it against him.
Exit Ticket: Item Review - Well of Many Worlds
Have these two D&D Car Talk boys helped you level up your DMing game? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Lesson # 28 Agenda
Welcome to the Dungeon and Dragons sponsored by Detentions and Dragon first annual spelling bee! Listen as Josh spells the names of monsters from D&D lore! The competition is intense. And the stakes are even direr as Josh plays for his own job!
Once that is over, Matt and Josh tackle spells and spell management. While one of the most robust and entertaining elements of D&D, understanding the premise, requirements, and management can be daunting for new DMs and players. It takes a while, but Josh and Matt use their innate teaching abilities to cast light on this subject.
Exit Ticket: Item Review - Well of Many Worlds
Have these two lovable teachers/DMs cast a spell over you? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Lesson # 27 Agenda
Grab your beach D20, put on your +1 Flip-Flops of Relaxing and join Josh and Matt as they celebrate the American school tradition of SPRING BREAK! In this lesson, Josh and Matt discuss how they integrate "Spring Break" into their classroom and club campaigns. Have your students' take a break from the dungeon delving life style and try one of their techniques to add a little variety to your main campaign.
Beachcomber Chad makes his premiere appearance on the podcast.
Will Josh's character Roland follow through and start a podcast in his own campaign?
Matt's mic had a bit too much gain. Thanks for your patience!
Want to help us out? Set down the beach drink and recommend us to a teacher, new player, or new DM! Helping new listeners find this podcast is the best way to help us grow. Thanks again!
Lesson # 26 Agenda
In this lesson, Josh and Matt kick off their shoes, sit back, and discuss potions in Dungeons and Dragons 5e. Are potions a relatively simple mechanic? Yes. Drinking a potion takes and action and then the player character is imbued with the effects. Done. However, there are a lot of fun ways to enhance your campaign by providing players an opportunity to use potions!
A Friday night recording session means a lot of random discussions which include but are not limited to: badger salesman, Family Matters the TV show, and Dave Starchild's rival, Darn Starecheld.
Want to help us out? The best way to do so is to recommend us to new players, teachers, and parents who are interested in jumping into 5E D&D! New listeners is the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Lesson # 25 Agenda
Two spellcasters enter the ring. Only one will exit.
On this lesson Josh and Matt discuss wizards and sorcerers. Sure they are synonyms in layman's terms, but in D&D 5E their are stark and powerful differences. Is magic powered by brains or bloodline better? Find out!
Matt rants about random things.
Matt also thinks Josh might have told his greatest lie yet. Hint: It is about random in-game effects.
Gold Star Winner: Teachers. It is a difficult time in the school year to be a teacher. But you serve as a beacon of hope, knowledge, and inspiration to the most important people. Continue to do what you do.
Thanks again! Please subscribe. And please tell a friend about our podcast!
Lesson # 24 Agenda
Roll a D20 and make a perception check.
OK. With that roll, you see a figure off in the distance. It is menacing, sneaky, and attention seeking. You have a right to be cautious. The being you see is... THE TROUBLE MAKER!
On this lesson, Josh and Matt discuss strategies to work with trouble makers, players who intentionally or unintentionally disrupt the game with unsportsmanlike conduct. Player conduct management is a difficult and often times unavoidable. However, Josh and Matt are confident that some direct and indirect approaches can help any DM maintain a welcoming gaming environment.
Matt discusses innovations in the Valentine's day industry.
Josh talks about why javelin is no longer a sport in high school.
Exit Ticket: Homebrewed Item - Quinn's Quill. A cursed item that can help with game management.
Thanks again for all your support! Don't forget to hook us up with those reviews!!
Lesson # 23 Agenda
Your players' characters have won the battle but few encounters end without a scar or two. In this lesson, Josh and Matt talk about healing in D&D 5E. The concept is basic but foundational to a player unfamiliar with tabletop RPGs.
Delirium sets in as Matt tries to stave off the flu enough to make it through a lesson. Does he succeed? Overall, yes. But his Robert Frost bit was the price we all paid for this lesson.
Smeagle Bobson gets a Mountain Dew can to the head.
Goldstar Winner: Heartless PE teacher on twitter @heartless_pe for his innovative use of 3D printing at his dungeon and dragons club.
Want to help us out? The best way to do so is to recommend us to new players, teachers, and parents who are interested in jumping into 5E D&D! New listeners is the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support!
Note: When recording, Matt forgot the AC adapter to his mixer. As a result the whole episode was recorded using a single USB microphone. If this is your first episode, try any of our other lessons for better audio quality. Matt's bad! However, this makeshift solution fits into our lesson's theme: Homebrewed Items.
Agenda for Lesson # 22
In this lesson, Josh and Matt discuss ideas regarding when and why to make customized items for your school or personal campaign.
They also discuss some of their favorite homebrewed items such as the duck ring and the trashcan figurine of wondrous power.
Thanks again for all of your support! It means the world to us!!
Lesson # 21 Agenda
On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Matt is joined by a special guest and substitute co-host Rachel Nimlos, a former graduate of Matt's high school and an alumna of his D&D club!
The topic? Well, it is a favorite of student's and a nice quick lesson plan for ill or busy teachers: Movie Day. Matt and Rachel review Dragonheart: Battle for the Heartfire and discuss its value as inspiration for your campaign or for your students.
Spoiler: Patrick Stewart is a dragon and has one of the greatest movie moments of all time. Otherwise, lots of whiny teens.
Thanks again for all your support! Don't forget to subscribe, review, and recommend us to a friend!
Lesson # 20 Agenda
Are you feeling ill? Stuffy nose? Are you rolling with disadvantage? Well, we here at Detentions and Dragons are here to unconditionally help you get over what ails you: Status Conditions.
-In this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt discuss conditions, status debuffs, that affect how characters and creatures interact in the game.
-D&D Club Shout Out: Bremer Dungeon Crawlers in Queensland, Australia.
-Dedicated to the Paladins of Sick Kick Flips.
Lesson # 19 Agenda
I want to jump across a canyon. Ability check. I want to break through that door. Ability Check. I want convince someone a normal duck is actually a unicorn. ...ability check.
This week, Josh and Matt discuss the basics of ability checks in D&D 5E. They also review their tips to manage ability checks in their game. (i.e. no one wants 2 hours of perception checks)
Gold Star Winner: RPG Crunch Support Community. A new Facebook group dedicated to providing info about using RPGs for therapy and in schools.
Anything is possible in D&D. With a good enough ability check ;-)
Lesson # 18 Agenda
New Year's Resolutions:
-Drink more water.
-Get swole.
-Upgrade my DM game.
In this lesson, Josh and Matt talk about things they want to do to be better teacher DMs in the 2018 year.
Exit Ticket: Item Review - Folding Boat. Is it a boat? Yes. Is it wondrous? Yes. Is it a canoe or a dinghy? Up for debate...
We hope your 2018 is filled with many exciting D&D Adventures!
Lesson # 17 Agenda
To celebrate the holiday, Matt gives Josh the present he wants most: a chance to talk about fun stories from his D&D games. Listen as Josh and Matt ramble on and embellish their fun stories and inside jokes from their personal campaigns around the fireplace!
Music: Brother Christmas by Lemon Yellow Hayes (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lemon_Yellow_Hayes/)
Fireplace Sound Effects: hansende (https://freesound.org/people/hansende/sounds/263994/)
Happy Holidays!! And thank you for all of your support throughout the year!
I need you to roll a...gingerbread check??! In this lesson, Josh and Matt discuss holiday world building tips and some recommendations regarding how to engage your students or players in the fantasy holiday setting.
Important Update: Dice Drive. When you buy a set of dice from http://tabletoploot.com/ from Dec. 14th - Dec 26th 2017, they will donate two sets to a school group. Ultra rad.
Smeagle Bobson returns.
Weaselmas I guess could be a thing now.
Lesson # 15 Agenda
Boot up your flux capacitors, grab a snack, and head into the past with Josh and Matt. In this previously unreleased lesson, Josh and Matt meet to record their pilot episode of Detentions and Dragons. The theme: their top 5 tips for running at D&D game at school.
Proto-Item Review: Matt and Josh review a few different items. Some pretty boring. Some pretty awesome!
Thanks again for joining us on this trip down memory lane!
Lesson # 14 Agenda
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...I don't want to write this summary.
JK! In this lesson, Josh and Matt discuss techniques to encourage participation in your classroom or traditional D&D game. Again, it is hard to believe people wouldn't want to try, but it happens!
Exit Ticket: Gold Star Winner - DM and Blogger @grand_dm. This person has been DMing for three decades and is filled with boundless knowledge to improve your game!
Thanks for subscribing and the awesome iTunes reviews!
Lesson # 13 Agenda
Josh and Matt discuss the pros (there are a lot) and cons (just a few) of the new D&D 5E resource book.
Exit Ticket: Gold Star Winner - R.N.W for her awesome papercraft manipulatives for D&D. Adds a fun tangible dimension to any D&D game.
Thanks for subscribing and the awesome iTunes reviews!
Lesson # 12 Agenda
Do you think D&D in the classroom is impossible? Well in this episode, Josh talks about how he makes the impossible possible through a modified D&D 5E system called Havoc. Matt is there too to ask questions.
Josh discusses how his students develop important social, cognitive, and creativity skills through yearlong classroom collaborative story telling.
Exit Ticket: Gold Star Winner - Matt and Josh give Will and Brian of The Dungeoncast Podcast a gold star. The Dungeoncast is like the Magic School Bus of D&D Podcasts, except more extreme. Check them out!
Lesson # 11 Agenda
-Loot. Is it pretend fantasy treasure? Yes. Do we still want it? You better believe it! In this episode, Josh and Matt discuss the gold and magic items players yearn for.
-Matt and Josh discuss their philosophies behind loot distribution, including how loot can help provide player/student agency in your campaign.
-Smeagle Bobson learns how to use a loot table.
-Exit Ticket: Gold Star Winner - Polymorph Crafts. These artisans are providing D&D organizational supplies unlike anything the world has seen. Super rad. Check them out. Support the tabletop community!
-Recompense is a word.
Lesson # 10 Agenda
-Back to Basics! Matt and Josh discuss the basics components and elements of battle in a Dungeons and Dragons 5e campaign.
-Need to know about AC, attack rolls, and death saving throws? Josh and Matt review all of the mainstays of battle
-Exit Ticket: Item Review. Matt and Josh discuss the Robe of Useful Items. It is kind of like the junk drawer in your kitchen. But you wear it. And sometimes it has a dog or a rowboat in it.
-Thanks again for listening and subscribing to the Car Talk Guys of Dungeons and Dragons. :-)
Lesson # 9 Agenda
-It is Halloween time so let’s get spooky! Matt and Josh discuss tips on how to make your campaign a little spookier.
-Spooky creatures, spooky narrative, spooky plot hooks. All the recommendations to make D&D spooky!
-Exit Ticket: Item Review. Matt and Josh discuss the Bag of Devouring. It is like the Bag of Holding. Except.... it will try to eat you.
Happy Halloween!
Lesson # 8 Agenda
-Matt and Josh discuss some of the most useful Dungeons and Dragons vocabulary. Do they slay it? YASSSSSSSSS. (sorry not sorry about the annoying use of slang tbh)
-Matt has a new passion and obsession: he wants him and Josh to become the Car Talk guys of Dungeons and Dragons.
-Exit Ticket: New Hires. Our hosts welcome @heartless_pe to the international community of teacher DMs. You and your colleagues are going to be great!
Lesson # 7 Agenda
-Economics! There are only so many actions you can make in one turn. Matt and Josh discuss each player character and creature’s action economy.
- Ever needed clarification on what you can do with a bonus action or reaction? Matt and Josh answer that question and many more.
-This is the first time (and probably not the last time) Matt discusses why he hates the “Hide” action in 5e.
-Exit Ticket: Gold Star. Our hosts award a gold star to Frances S (twitter handle: @highlandl4ss). She is a librarian and has run a D&D club at school for 15 years. She is textbook ballersauce.
-Spend those tickets wisely!
Lesson # 6 Agenda
-After an intense fifth lesson, Josh and Matt have a fun and light discussion on the different dice and their functions in Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition.
-Matt has dumb but clever(?) names to help students find their dice more easily.
-There are a lot of bad jokes and puns. Things fly off the rails a bit. Josh sometimes yells into the microphone. It is all in good fun though.
-Exit Ticket: Gold Star. Our hosts award a gold star to Michael Mordor, fantasy miniature figurine artist.
Lesson # 5 Agenda
-Josh and Matt discuss their most important topic to date: how to prepare for your first day of running Dungeons & Dragons at school.
-They go over eight steps to follow to help increase your likelihood of success on that first day.Hint: These tips can also help new DMs or DMs introducing new players to the game.
-Exit Ticket: Is the Bag of Holding a good item for your classroom or club campaign?
-What is the Bag of Molding?
-Remember: You can do anything with a D20.
Lesson # 4 Agenda
-Josh and Matt discuss how begging, borrowing, and stealing (with permission) campaign ideas will help teacher DMs survive in the classroom setting. Note: These are helpful for any new DM!
-They talk about excellent sources of free and purchasable campaigns and D&D modules available to DMs.
-Exit Ticket: Matt passes back papers and the hosts award a gold star to The Raging Swan Press and their contributions to the gaming community.
Note: At the time of recording, the module Mines of Madness was a free downloadable dungeon crawl on dmsguild.com . It has since been removed. It may still be possible to find to find it online from unofficial sources. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Lesson # 3 Agenda
-Josh and Matt discuss the benefits of using pre-generated character sheets for D&D in the classroom or club setting.
-They discuss the best starting classes for new players.
-They introduce helpful online resources to obtain pre-generated character sheets.
-Exit Ticket: Is the cloak of Arachnida an effective item for your classroom D&D campaign?
-This episode introduces what will probably (and sadly) be the reoccurring character, the Dutch-German boy.
Lesson # 2 - Lesson Plan
-Josh and Matt discuss their top 5 (maybe more?) materials needed to run Dungeons and Dragons with students at school.
-Exit Ticket: Is the Wand of Wonder a good item for your school campaign?
-Matt really loves deals on folders.
-This begins a trend of really bad puns.
Help two teachers spread the word about teaching D&D to students by subscribing! Thanks!
Welcome to Detentions and Dragons, a podcast dedicated to introducing Dungeons and Dragons into the classroom experience!
Matt and Josh are highly educated and experienced American public school teachers who want to help provide tips and techniques to effectively run Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition with students.
They are also confidant that new players, new dungeon masters, and fans of Dungeons and Dragons may enjoy this as well.
Lesson # 1 Agenda
-Josh and Matt discuss the importance of developing a D&D "syllabus."
-Josh and Matt talk about their most important philosophy for running a D&D campaign.
-Pepperidge Farm remembers....
Reminder: If you like what is happening in this podcast, please subscribe!