DMing, playing, and podcasting—big questions on this mailbag. Also, a special focus on getting that quiet player to roleplay.

Fueled by mounting fears, D&D became embroiled in devil worship. Forgotten now, why did the tabletop game come under fire?

Describing combat is hard work. Help your players describe their own actions and make your job easier. What makes this fireball different from every other? How does one class's magic missile look different from another's? And how are your villain's spells unique from your players'?

Everyone loves a populated battle—a pack, a horde, an army—but managing it on the DM side is difficult and time consuming. It also comes with its own set of CR balancing. Here's how to better manage large encounters.

Kyle describes how to run a dragon as a solo encounter using the Young White Dragon as the primary example.

This mailbag is a doozy! Kyle addresses player problems; missed sessions; schedules; turning one shots into campaigns and subplots; and rules clarification.

Using arithmetic as an ally, Kyle gives a rundown of some of the criteria to follow and warning bells to look out for when selecting that big monster for your climactic first boss encounter at level 1.

Make the most of your space. What is hidden and what is public knowledge? Divide and conquer but don't burden yourself with being the answer to everything. Kyle also shares some of his personal equipment for the job.

NPC quest givers ground and set up your entire adventure to come. Whether or not you can add a twist or action-packed start is entirely based on the savings in your emotional bank account.

Your players' abilities will sneak up on you and you need to be prepared! Work portals and teleport spells into your world early and avoid the tragic pitfalls of magical escalation and bureaucracy.