This mailbag we talk dissecting premade adventures, deals with devils, writer's block, and double skill checks. But first is the announcement of my crafted mini adventures now being posted at kylefergusson.com!

Forgotten Realms is the primary campaign setting for D&D 5E official materials. While it has a rich history spanning books, video games, and published adventures, do not be intimidated. It is a foundation for mystery that lets you build your own story atop it.

Blindsight, tremorsense, and truesight—supernatural and magical vision types broken down for use by the everyday DM. Increase your monster arsenal and be prepared for the most persistent of rules lawyers.

How do you use darkness when everyone has darkvision? What are the rules of darkvision and how can we still make a scary, tense environment in a world of magical sights and senses? This episode discusses the vision mechanics of bright light, lightly obscured, and heavily obscured.

Every story has life and death. Use player descriptions and "fade to black," as well as your own authority, to create a welcoming table that works for everyone.

In this mailbag, Kyle answers questions about DM types, adding mystery, and figuring out how much to prepare for the first session. Big questions need a big episode.

Change up your combat scenarios through purposeful use of initiative. While side objectives and gimmicks can be great, they are only flavor unless they provide your characters with interesting choices.

Start your campaign plan not with lore but with monsters. Fill out your world and let the story tell itself.

Limit skill checks while traversing dungeons in order to encourage tactical choices and interact with the passive senses. Use surprise and initiative to reward or punish players for their choices.

Season 6 kicks off with how to use skill checks and challenges as a narrative device. The more information you have, the better you can describe the outcome.