Masters of Alchemy: The Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

This episode your three hosts share their stories of how they pushed their creative TTRPG interests forward and talk advice on doing the same.

Topic 1: Two Minute Tabletop. Discover wonderfully illustrated battle maps and tokens by two minute tabletop, a resource that that both Aaron and Danny have used many times in the past. Check it out HERE

Topic 2: The D&D Netflix Series. We discuss the recent news that Netflix is developing a live action series based off Dungeons and Dragons.

Topic 3: Growing Thylacine TTRPG. A pamphlet zine ttrpg about controlling different parts of a cloned thylacine. Available to back right now on Kickstarter HERE

This podcast is brought to you by Masters of Alchemy, Melbourne's premier game master for hire service. Visit mastersofalchemy.au for booking and event info.

TIME CODES:

00:00 Intro

10:09 Topic 1: Two Minute Tabletop

18:12 Topic 2: The D&D Netflix Series

22:24 Topic3: Growing Thylacine TTRPG

29:11 Main Topic: Elevating Your Creative Hobby

01:24:00 Wrap up: What's been happening/ Upcoming events

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WE'RE TAKING THE PODCAST TO ISENGARD! That's right Alchemeanines, this week we're talking all about Lord of The Rings and how its impacted D&D, TTRPGs and fantasy in general!

TOPIC INITIATIVE ROLLS:

Danny (10), Erin (9), Aaron (2)

Topic 1: TTRPG Humble Bundles. Humble Bundle is offering a bundle of D&D pdfs HERE and another bundle of 3D miniature and terrain STLs HERE.

Topic 2: Cats! The Conspurracy TTRPG. A TTRPG project based around being a cat with telepathic abilities! Back it now on Kickstarter HERE

Topic 3: Massive Darkness: Dungeons of Shadowreach. A new iteration of the Massive Darkness board game and D&D 5e supplement. Back it now on Gamefound HERE

This podcast is brought to you by Masters of Alchemy, Melbourne's premier game master for hire service. Visit mastersofalchemy.au for event information.

TIME CODES:

00:00 Intro

04:49 Daggerheart Release Date

06:40 Topic 1: TTRPG Humble Bundles

16:34 Topic 2: Cats! The Conspurracy TTRPG

26:30 Topic 3: Massive Darkness: Dungeons of Shadowreach

34:53 Main Topic: The Lord of The Rings Effect

01:15:56 Wrap Up: Events and Updates

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HEY ALCHEMEANIES! It's Episode 14 and this week we're sticking with our moody teenager vibes talking all about evil or antagonistic player characters. How do they work? How DON'T they work? Should you even play one at all?

Topic initiative rolls: Erin (7), Aaron (5), Danny (2)

Topic 1: Lord of The Rings on D&D Beyond. The D&D 5th edition conversion of the One Ring system is now available for purchase on D&D Beyond! Want to finally play a Hobbit instead of a Halfling? (MASSIVE DIFFERENCE I KNOW) Purchase it from D&D Beyond HERE

Topic 2: D&D's Future in Media. We discuss the different ways in which you will (and won't) be consuming alternative D&D media in the coming future.

Topic 3: Pico: Tiny Bugs, Big World. Another TTRPG about being a tiny creature in a massive world! Pico allows you to play as bug people, the dominant species of the planet after the fall of humans. (It's not as dark as it sounds, it's actually super cute). Back Pico on Kickstarter HERE

EVENT INFO:

Christmas Tabletop: Come roll some dice with us! Enjoy some delicious craft beers available at Westside Ale Works while going on a fantastic Christmas role-playing adventure. This unique Christmas-themed Dungeons & Dragons adventure is available for one night only! Book your tickets HERE g

This podcast is brought to you by Masters of Alchemy, Melbourne's premier game master for hire service. Visit mastersofalchemy.au for booking and event info.

TIME CODES:

00:00 Introduction

06:26 Topic 1: Lord of the Rings on D&D Beyond

15:27 Topic 2: D&D's Future in Media

28:33 Topic 3: Pico: Tiny Bugs, Big World

41:13 Main Topic: How to handle 'evil' Player Characters

01:03:54 What's been happening/ Upcoming Events

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Alchemeanies! The show is a teenager now! Which means we're in our edgy phase, and what's more edgy than death!? We're talking about character death this week! How do we deal with it and what do you do in the face of the dreaded Total Party Kill??

Topic initiative rolls: Aaron (16), Erin (10), Danny (1)

Topic 1: Never Stop Blowing Up! This modified version of the 'Kids on bikes' system as seen on Dimension 20 is all about being cool and walking away from explosions! Never Stop Blowing Up is currently available FOR FREE to download HERE.

Topic 2: The Illrigger Class by MCDM. A D&D class all about being an evil hell Paladin? Sign me up! (Coz we're edgy now). This class is available to purchase on D&D Beyond right HERE

Topic 3: Household - Welcome to the Garden. This expansion to the TTRPG Household explores 'The Outhold' the scary green expanse where danger lurks around every corner (its literally just a normal garden, you play as really tiny people). If you want to play a game that shows you what it's like to be me (I stand a strong 5'8- Danny) then back Household on Backerkit HERE

EVENT INFO:

Honey Heist!: You're a bear. You've got a crew, a hat (optional) and half a plan. This comical one page RPG is being run every Thursday night of November at the Murrumbeena Wine Bar by me! (Danny, one of the hosts on this pod... the one that isn't Aaron or Erin). Spaces are extremely limited so if you're interested in a fun, bear filled 2 hour adventure then make sure you book ASAP right HERE

Christmas Tabletop: Come roll some dice with us! Enjoy the delicious craft beers available at Westside Ale Works while going on a fantastic Christmas role-playing adventure. This unique Christmas-themed Dungeons & Dragons adventure is available for one night only! Book your tickets HERE

This podcast is brought to you by Masters of Alchemy, Melbourne's premier game master for hire service. Visit mastersofalchemy.au for booking and event info.

TIME CODES:

00:00 Introduction

03:34 Topic 1: Never Stop Blowing Up

14:11 Topic 2: The Illrigger Class by MCDM

26:31 Topic 3: Household - Welcome to the Garden

34:52 Main Topic: How to deal with character death/TPKs

59:42 What we've been up to/ Upcoming Events

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WASSUP ALCHEMEANIES! This week we're talking all about the all new 2024 edition of the Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master's Guide! As always your hosts Danny (me), Aaron and Erin bring a topic each to discuss before jumping into our main topic of the week (The DM's guide).

Initiative rolls results/topic order:

Danny (20), Erin (16), Aaron (5).

Topic 1: A Fool's Errand. A science fantasy TTRPG that heavily incorporates tarot cards. Build your party of fools as your adventure in a world dealing with the aftershock of 'The Big Oops'. What is 'The Big Oops'? That's for the party to decide. A Fool's Errand is available to back on Kickstarter right now HERE

Topic 2: D20 Dice Cards. Tired of rolling your D20? Want a different and more versatile way to resolve your D20 checks? No? TOO BAD! D20 Dice Cards are decks of cards that can be used as an alternative to rolling your 20 sided dice, simply shuffle your deck, pull out a card and use the result you've drawn. You can back D20 Dice Cards on Kickstarter right now HERE

Topic 3: Storeys. Storeys is a solo horror TTRPG! Set within an apartment block, move in, unveil the rot and SAVE YOURSELF. This game has a heavy emphasis on creative prompts and perfect for those with a heavy journaling style. Storeys is available to back on Kickstarter right now HERE

Main Topic: The 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide. We talk the DMG!! Is it good? Is it better than the 2014 version? Will people actually read this book? What is a Bastion? All these questions and much more are covered as the three of us delve right into this dense yet important book.

EVENT INFO:

Shadows Inside Pentridge: Play 'Call of Cthulhu' inside actual historic prison cells within Pentridge Prison in Coburg. Tickets are running out fast! Grab yours today right HERE

Honey Heist!: You're a bear. You've got a crew, a hat (optional) and half a plan. This comical one page RPG is being run every Thursday night of November at the Murrumbeena Wine Bar by me! (Danny, one of the hosts on this pod... the one that isn't Aaron or Erin). Spaces are extremely limited so if you're interested in a fun, bear filled 2 hour adventure then make sure you book ASAP right HERE

This podcast is brought to you by Masters of Alchemy, Melbourne's premier game master for hire service. Visit mastersofalchemy.au for booking and event info.

TIME CODES:

00:00 Introduction

05:03 Topic 1: A Fool's Errand

13:47 Topic 2: D20 Dice Cards

23:06 Topic 3: Storeys

28:43 The 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide

01:23:47 Wrap Up/Upcoming Events

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Hey Alchemeanies! Time to try to make Episode 11 again! (Our last one died).

Once again join Danny (myself), Aaron and Erin as we all bring a topic each to the table before jumping into our main topic. This week we discuss the different ways we portray magic in D&D and other roleplaying games while also touching topics like revival magic and spell components.

Topic initiative order: Aaron (17), Erin (15) and Danny (14).

Topic 1: Dungeons and Dragons Board Games. Aaron talks about two upcoming D&D themed board games by 'WizKids'. A city building game set in Baldur's Gate called 'Builders of Baldur's Gate' (available to pre-order HERE) and a map building card game set within Faerun called 'Edge of the Realms' (available to pre-order HERE)

Topic 2: Dicey Decisions. Another fun Kickstarter project! Erin brings us Dicey Decisions, an RPG themed board game about having 1v1 battles in the sandpit! Dicey Decisions is available to back on Kickstarter HERE.

Topic 3: The Gorilla of Destiny. Danny forces everyone to listen to him talk about his new hyper fixation, a set of PDFs that he discovered by The Gorilla of Destiny! These PDFs try to explain D&D magic with science! How does magic work? How would you build an arcane circuit? How do you write spells? All these questions and more are discussed by The Gorilla of Destiny in these set of PDFs available to purchase on DriveThuRPG right HERE.

EVENT INFO:

Shadows Inside Pentridge: Play 'Call of Cthulhu' inside actual historic prison cells within Pentridge Prison in Coburg. Tickets are running out fast! Grab yours today right HERE

Honey Heist!: You're a bear. You've got a crew, a hat (optional) and half a plan. This comical one page RPG is being run every Thursday night of November at the Murrumbeena Wine Bar by me! (Danny, one of the hosts on this pod... the one that isn't Aaron or Erin). Spaces are extremely limited so if you're interested in a fun, bear filled 2 hour adventure then make sure you book ASAP right HERE

This podcast is brought to you by Masters of Alchemy, Melbourne's premier game master for hire service. Visit mastersofalchemy.au for booking and event info.

Time Codes:

00:00 Introduction

05:36 Topic 1: Dungeons and Dragons Board Games

19:51 Topic 2: Dicey Decisions

27:10 Topic 3: The Gorilla of Destiny

39:56 Main Discussion: How do you portray magic?

01:04:37 What we've been up to/ Upcoming Events!

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HELLO ALCHEMEANIES! It's episode 10 and the three of us are back in fighting form! (That is a lie, we still don't know how to podcast)

Initiative order this week is: Erin (19), Aaron (17), Danny (8)

Topic 1: Trash to Treasure. Erin brings us 'Trash to Treasure', a magical girl TTRPG about being a trash goblin, saving familiars and stopping pollution! This lighthearted d6 system is created by Jonathon Boyle and is currently available to back on Kickstarter! Click HERE to visit the Kickstarter page.

Topic 2: CRITICAL ROLE IN AUS!? You've read that right, CRITICAL ROLE IS COMING TO AUSTRALIA IN 2025! Aaron shares all the details about this amazing announcement and the three of us freak out about the idea of seeing them play D&D live in Melbourne! Click HERE for further information about the Melbourne show and HERE for the Sydney show.

Topic 3: Castles in the Air. Danny rounds off the topics with 'Castles in the Air' an upcoming TTRPG by Storybrewers Roleplaying about who we are and who we become. This successor to Good Society is inspired by stories like 'Little Women' and 'Anne of Green Gables'. It is currently available for pre-order HERE on the Storybrewers Roleplaying site.

Letter 1: What do you prefer, rolled stats, point buy or standard array? (D&D)

Letter 2: What level do you prefer to start your campaigns at? (D&D)

EVENT INFO:

Shadows Inside Pentridge: Play 'Call of Cthulhu' inside actual historic prison cells within Pentridge Prison in Coburg. Tickets are running out fast! Grab yours today right HERE

Honey Heist!: You're a bear. You've got a crew, a hat (optional) and half a plan. This comical one page RPG is being run every Thursday night of November at the Murrumbeena Wine Bar by me! (Danny, one of the hosts on this pod... the one that isn't Aaron or Erin). Spaces are extremely limited so if you're interested in a fun, bear filled 2 hour adventure then make sure you book ASAP right HERE

This podcast is brought to you by Masters of Alchemy, Melbourne's premier game master for hire service. Visit mastersofalchemy.au for booking and event info.

Time Codes:

00:00 Intro

03:28 Topic 1: Trash to Treasure

08:32 Topic 2: CRITICAL ROLE IN MELBOURNE!?

19:26 Topic 3: Castles in the Air

30:39 Letter: Rolled Stats, Standard Array or Point Buy? (D&D)

37:57 Letter: Best starting level? (D&D)

42:41 Upcoming Events

Masters of Alchemy, RPG, Trash to Treasure, Critical Role, Castles in the Air, D&D, tabletop games, character creation, community events, Lets Roll for Dragons, TTRPG

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PAX HAS COME AND GONE AND WE ARE TALKING ALL ABOUT IT! Hey Alchameanies, we're bringing you an episode mostly revolving around PAX Aus 2024 and our experience there. We're all still very tired and barely surviving after the weekend so bare with us as we try to keep it together. We also start a new little gimmick on this episode where we are now going to be rolling initiative on a D20 to determine the order that we talk about our various topics!

Initiative order this week is: Erin (20), Danny (19) , Aaron (18)

Topic 1: Potion Society. Erin talks about a new card game that is currently on Kickstarter all about brewing potions! Potion Society was actually playable at PAX Aus 2024 and is currently available to back on Kickstarter! Visit this link HERE to give then support on their Kickstarter!

Topic 2: Unite The Party. Danny introduces a new 3D virtual tabletop for your TTRPG games called Unite The Party! This software was also shown off at PAX Aus 2024 and promises to allow you to import your already owned STL files instead of needing to purchase DLC. You can wishlist Unite The Party on Steam HERE

Topic 3: Twisted Cryptids. Aaron rounds off our topics with Twisted Cryptids, a new game about being a mythical creature and making sure you don't fade out into obscurity! Twisted Cryptids is made by Unstable Games, the same people behind Unstable Unicorns and Here to Slay. The game is available to back right now on Kickstarter which you can access right HERE

This podcast is brought to you by Masters of Alchemy, Melbourne's premier game master for hire service. Visit mastersofalchemy.au for booking and event info. NOTE: We have experienced some issues with our audio this week, which includes some echoing, sorry about that!

EVENT INFO: We have a spooky event coming up on November 19th! Experience the cosmic horror of Call of Cthulhu as GM's from Masters of Alchemy take you through a dark and twisted journey. These games will be taking place within the historic calls of Pentridge Prison in Coburg! Click HERE to book your tickets now!

Time Codes:

00:00 Introduction

04:31 Topic 1: Potion Society

10:31 Topic 2: Unite the Party

23:53 Topic 3: Twisted Cryptids

32:26 PAX 2024!

01:14:52 Upcoming Events

PAX, tabletop games, Potion Society, Unite the Party, Twisted Cryptids, Kickstarter, Dungeons and Dragons, community, podcast, gaming, PAX, tabletop gaming, conventions, Dungeons and Dragons, game mastering, cosplay, community, indie games, live shows, Masters of Alchemy

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Hello hello HELLO ACHEMEANIES! We're rowdy, we're excited, we're trying to keep it together as PAX Aus 2024 is mere DAYS AWAY! This week we bring you 3 upcoming products to sink your teeth (and wallets) into.

Topic 1: Grim Hollow Transformed. Danny (me, it's always me writing these things) starts us off with an all new revamp of the much beloved gothic horror D&D expansion by Ghostfire Gaming: Grim Hollow. Find out what's new in this 2024 D&D rules edition! Check them out on Kickstarter HERE

Topic 2: One Last Fight (again?). Aaron once again brings us the first topic he talked about on this podcast, One Last Fight! A rogue-like card based roleplaying game that is now live on Kickstarter! Check them out on Kickstarter HERE

Topic 3: Candela Obscura: Horrors of the Fairelands. Erin rounds out the topics of this off the rails episode with information on an adventure expansion for Critical Role's TTRPG, Candela Obscura!

Letter: Dice Jail and Dice Rituals. We discuss what to do if all your dice end up in dice jail and share our various 'dice rituals' that take place before or during our games.

This podcast is brought to you by Masters of Alchemy, Melbourne's premier game master for hire service. Check out mastersofalchemy.au for booking and event info.

EVENT INFO! We have a spooky event coming up on November 19th! Experience the cosmic horror of Call of Cthulhu as GM's from Masters of Alchemy take you through a dark and twisted journey. These games will be taking place within the historic cells of Pentridge Prison in Coburg! Click HERE to book your ticket now!

Time Codes:

00:00 Introduction

07:04 Topic 1: Grim Hollow Transformed

17:42 Topic 2: One Last Fight

29:30 Topic 3: Candela Obscura

38:56 What we've been up to

45:46 Letter: Dice Jail and Dice Rituals

55:27 Upcoming Events

PAX, tabletop gaming, Kickstarter, Grim Hollow, Candela Obscura, RPG, TTRPG, game master, adventure books, horror, Candela Obscura, PAX, tabletop gaming, RPG, dice rituals, Critical Role, gaming updates, creative projects, D&D, community events, Ghostfire Gaming, Critical Role, Masters of Alchemy

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HEY ALCHAMEANIES! This week there is....... very little news. BUT THAT'S OKAY because we're putting a major focus on the new info about the 2024 edition of the Dungeon and Dragons Dungeon Master's Guide. Erin is away this week so that means that Danny (myself) and Aaron have to figure out how to go between topics without a nonsensical transition to help.

Quick Fire Topics: Danny runs though some quick bits of news and discussions including: Lego D&D figures hands on impressions (shocker I know), Legend of Vox Machina talks and an all new exciting update to Baldur's Gate 3.

Topic 1: Daggerheart Playtest Final Impressions. Danny gives a quick update on his thoughts on the Daggerheart system now that he has finished playing a mini campaign.

Topic 2: Dungeon Master's Guide 2024. Aaron discusses everything recently revealed about the brand new Dungeon Master's Guide! This includes magic items, new 'Bastion' rules, crafting and MORE! (this feels like a sales pitch for the book but we are not sponsored, just excited)

Letter: Campaign Tips/Tricks. Aaron and Danny give their advice on preparing for a One Shot and opposed to a campaign, as well as share their various methods they use for story and worldbuilding.

As always this podcast is brought to you by Masters of Alchemy. Melbourne's Premier Game Master for Hire Service. Visit mastersofalchemy.au for booking and event information.

00:00 Intro

03:30 Quick Fire Topic: Lego D&D Figures

09:08 Quick Fire Topic: Legend of Vox Machina

13:08 Quick Fire Topic: Baldur's Gate 3 Mods

19:10 Topic 1: Daggerheart or Daggerfart?

25:04 Topic 2: Dungeon Master's Guide 2024

58:50 What we've been up to

01:00:40 Letter: Tips on worldbuilding, oneshots and campaigns

01:13:41 What we've got coming up

Dungeons and Dragons, Critical Role, Baldur's Gate 3, Daggerheart, Dungeon Master's Guide, tabletop gaming, LEGO D&D, game mechanics, campaign settings, role-playing games, Dungeons and Dragons, DMG, Bastions, Magic Items, Crafting, Tracking Sheets, Community Feedback, Roleplaying Games, Masters of Alchemy, Clickity Clackity Cube, Let's Roll for Dragons.

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