Faerie Fire

# 20 "We Are All Product People" — Building, Failing, and Finding Purpose in Tabletop with Overseer Studio

Guest: Tom (Nullphish) — Overseer Studio

In this episode, I sit down with Tom, also known as Nullphish — software engineer, coder, and the creative mind behind Overseer Studio. Tom's career spans three digital products in the tabletop space, including Astral Tabletop (partnered with DriveThruRPG) and 3D Dice (nominated for a 2023 Ennie). His latest project, Overseer Studio, is a digital GM screen designed to keep game masters organized and stress-free.

• Intro & Guest Bio (0:00) — Tom and his impressive resume across the TTRPG digital product space.
• Character Introduction — Gimble Knackletimbers (2:53) — Dan delivers an immersive D&D scene intro featuring a sequin-clad gnome, and Tom introduces his character.
• Tom's TTRPG Origin Story (3:21) — How a software engineer discovered D&D through Lost Mines of Phandelver and fell in love with the creative freedom of tabletop games.
• Building Astral Tabletop (7:33) — The genesis of Astral, the partnership with DriveThruRPG, and what it was like building a VTT competitor to Roll20.
• Lessons from Astral's Downfall (10:34) — Tom's candid reflections on being a young founder, becoming the bottleneck, and what he'd do differently.
• 3D Dice & the VTuber Niche (14:11) — How Tom and his co-founder built 3D Dice, landed major VTuber streamers like Ironmouse, and earned an Ennie nomination.
• Finding Purpose Beyond Profit (22:25) — Tom's personal journey from chasing SaaS riches to finding genuine fulfilment in delivering software people love.
• The DriveThruRPG Acquisition Story (27:14) — How the DriveThru partnership happened, the "blackjack" theory of business luck, and the importance of being at the table.
• Funding: A Ferrari You Can't Drive (35:23) — Tom's powerful analogy for taking funding too early, the pressure of being responsible for paychecks, and why Overseer is bootstrapped on $5,000.
• Spell Slinging: Alarm IRL (50:55) — Dan's new segment translating D&D spells into real-life lessons, featuring the Alarm spell. Plus, a break for drinks and a chat about Cessnas, ADHD, and flying lessons.
• Product Philosophy & MVP (56:38) — Tom's "scratch your own itch" product philosophy, the value of a beta program, building with user feedback, and why Overseer is a tool that uplifts other tools rather than replacing them.
• Rapid Fire Five (72:50) — Tom answers five rapid-fire questions, including his favorite TTRPG celebrity (Brennan Lee Mulligan), best $100 purchase (YouTube Premium), and essential reading (anything by Marty Cagan, Quiet Leadership, Thinking Fast and Slow).
• Where to Find Tom & Outro (82:10) — Links and socials for Overseer Studio.

Faerie Fire Podcast is hosted by Dan Jeffs and showcases the incredible talent within the D&D and TTRPG community — creators, designers, artists, DMs, and PCs. New episodes weekly.

#19 How to make bad games, good. A look behind the scenes of 1000 Rats Destroy a City : Jesse & Brandon from Ravensridge Emporium

Jesse and Brandon from Ravensridge Emporium, four dice-loving RPG nerds turned dice makers based in Australia. For over five years, they've been crafting handmade dice, RPG props, and self-published TTRPG systems, all inspired by their homebrew world of Ravensridge — a dark Gothic horror setting of Eldritch creatures and vampiric nightmares.

In this episode, we dive into how they got into D&D, the evolution of their business, their upcoming projects, and their ambitious international convention schedule for 2026.

In This Episode:

• How Brandon's uncle introduced him to D&D via Magic: The Gathering and a 12-hour AD&D marathon
• Dan's entry into TTRPG through a client, a Community episode, and a fire hose of Critical Role
• How Ravensridge went from making dice for fun to a proper business — and how bringing on Nick and Kari changed everything
• Their biggest project yet: 1000 Rats Devour a City — a TTRPG where you play as rats devouring a city, packaged in a full board game box with cards, dice, booklets, and play boards
• The intersection of board games and role-playing games, and why this project "rolled downhill" into existence
• Collaborating with AJ from Winter's Tales and the power of community in the TTRPG space
• Their 2026 convention tour: Tabletop Con (Gold Coast), AVCON (Adelaide), PAX (Melbourne), Armageddon (New Zealand), UK Games Expo (Birmingham), and Gen Con
• Upcoming 2027 releases: In the Garden of Limbo (a solo journaling game where you play the Grim Reaper guiding spirits through trauma) and Grimoire (build your spellbook as a wizard)
• 
  

Rapid-Fire Questions:

• 🎭 Favourite TTRPG celebrity: Both chose Brennan Lee Mulligan — for his improvisational monologues, villainous voice work, and comedic chops
• 🎲 Best purchase under $100: Jess recommends Fox Curious Floating Bookshop by Ella Lim (Tasmania) — a solo game about running a floating bookshop on a river. Brandon recommends Notorious — a solo sci-fi bounty hunter game with tight rules and beautiful art
• 📚 Best resource for aspiring designers: ARC (Australian RPG community) — a wellspring of connections and support for Australian game designers. Plus a practical art-brief framework for commissioning artists
• 💡 Best advice: Jess — "Don't be afraid to get a little weird." Brandon — "Make as many bad games as you can."
• 🌐 Where to find them: Everywhere (see links below)

Links & Resources:

• Ravensridge Emporium website — ravensridgeemporium.com (sign up for the newsletter for 10% off)
• Bluesky — @RavensridgeCo
• Instagram & TikTok — @theravensridgeemporium
• YouTube — The Ravensridge Emporium
• Discord — Join for open playtests of 1000 Rats Devour a City
• Itch.io — The Raven's Emporium
• 1000 Rats Devour a City — Kickstarter pre-launch page now live (launching after PAX 2026)
• ARC (Australian RPG community)
• Fox Curious Floating Bookshop by Ella Lim
• Notorious (solo game) — available on Itch.io
• Itch.io — Game jams, including the annual One Page RPG Jam
• Tabletop Con — Gold Coast, May
• PAX — Melbourne, 2026

Episode 18: Lala Nerdvana (Laura)

Guest: Laura, known online as Lala Nerdvana, is a self-described "chaotic fantasy bestie" — a new D&D player, baby Dungeon Master, lifelong cosplayer, and founder of Emberwild Events.

• Immersive Character Reveal — Lilith: Dan kicks things off with an immersive narration introducing Lilith, a towering Aasimar warlock bound to an ancient red dragon matriarch named Ra-Raksha. Laura breaks down Lilith's backstory, her guardian role over a dragon egg, and the delightfully unexpected personality of the egg's resident — Sparkles.

• Cosplay Origins: Laura traces her cosplay roots from childhood Halloween obsessions and a theater/dance background in New Orleans, to her first Comic-Cons in 2015 with her young son. She shares how cosplay evolved from a mother-son bonding activity into a deep love of fantasy worlds — inspired by Lord of the Rings, Willow, The Princess Bride, and more.

• Emberwild Events & The Fantasy Ball: Laura discusses founding Emberwild Events, her immersive fantasy event company. The first Fantasy Ball is set for December 19, 2026, in Florence, Mississippi, with overnight retreats planned — a witches and vampire themed retreat in New Orleans (April) and a pirates, mermaids, and sirens retreat in Tulum, Mexico (July).

• Becoming a Dungeon Master: Laura shares how listening to Critical Role sparked her D&D journey, how her hairdresser (a DM) helped her get her first game going, and how her theater background informs her character building and session prep.

• Women in D&D: Laura opens up about the challenges of being a woman in the D&D space — from unwelcoming local game stores to pushback when seeking an all-female table. She shares powerful stories from her community about feeling "othered" and why creating safe spaces matters.

• Building the D&Divas Community: What started as a call for a single all-female D&D table exploded into over 1,600 responses in days. Laura is building the Nerdvana D&Divas Discord server — a free, inclusive matchmaking and resource hub for femme-presenting and non-binary D&D players, complete with newbie academy, DM resources, dice goblin channels, and more.

1. Favorite D&D/cosplay celebrity: Ginny Di — for her incredible cosplay (her Fantasia centaur build was the first thing that caught Laura's eye) and her brilliantly approachable D&D education content for new players and DMs.

2. Best purchase under $100: A $12 set of dice from Amazon that unlocked her inner dice goblin. She also shouts out Das Hexenworks Dice on Etsy/Instagram — handmade dice and gorgeous D12/D4 dice jewelry (they even made her a custom pink D4 necklace in silver).

3. Best piece of advice: "Don't wait for someone else to do it." — If no one's building the thing you need, build it yourself. And second: "Fuck it. Do it live." — Jump in with both feet, make mistakes, and be transparent about the process.

4. Billboard message to the community: "Your magic is very necessary." — Whatever you create is unique to you, and the world needs more of it. Even if only 300 people see it, that's 300 real humans whose lives you touched.

• Instagram & TikTok: @lala.nerdvana
• Emberwild Events: emberwildevents.com | @emberwildevents on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook
• Email: [email protected]
• D&Divas Discord: Coming soon — follow Laura on socials for the launch

Episode HighlightsRapid Fire QuestionsConnect with Laura

#17 Damien Brand from Little Warrior Shields - How to change the world one shield at a time (helping sick kids survive the battles of hospital stays)

Damien Brand runs a Brisbane Based not for profit called Little Warrior Sheilds. They create incredibly cool and creative items to act as a distraction for sick kids during elongated hospital stays. Damien Started LWS in September of 2017 with 5 shields being delivered to the Princess Alexandra Hospital. But word spread and now nearly 300 warriors have been equipped from their armory. We have a wide ranging chat on crafting, being a creator and helping those in need. I share a little of my own hospital experience and of course all roads lead back to D&D

Fast 5 Questions:

1. Who is your favourite D&D celebrity? And why? Travis Willingham & Laura Bailey

2. What is your favourite purchase in the last year that is $100 or less? 90 Little Warrior Minis

3. Book/resource/video you wish you found before starting your show? Youtube, you can learn literally ANYTHING!

4. Best piece of advice for other aspiring DM’s out there? U’Kotoa "consume!” learn, learn, learn

5. Where can people find you? Instagram @littlewarriorshields

#16 Doug Christensen from Hedron Rockworks - How to make beautiful dice while keeping your hobby fun (find your path and your passion)

Tonight I have a very special episode for all of you dice goblins and dragons out there. My guest Doug from Hedron Rockworks in Ohio makes in opinion at least some of the worlds most incredible gemstone dice sets. From obsidian to, cubic zirconia and even dichroic glass his work is truly amazing. This is a really fun chat and we talk all things dice making, how to make sure you still love your hobby / business when it blows up and of course dungeons and dragons.

Fast 5 Questions:

1. Who is your favourite D&D celebrity? And why? Sam Reigel (Critical Role) - his sense of humor fun and all things rediculous

2. What is your favourite purchase in the last year that is $100 or leses? A power board for above my desk! Makes my life easier!

3. Book/resource/video you wish you found before starting your show? Instagram and the amazing community of D&D enthusiasts, crafters and creators

4. Best piece of advice for other aspiring DM’s out there? "Forge your own path"

5. Where can people find you? Instagram @hedronrockworks 

#15 Matt, Jess and Tyler from TwentySidesPodcast - How to level up your DM and RP game (how to be a chaos monkey and a professional friend maker)

Twenty Sides is a fast-paced, story-driven, actual-play Dungeons and Dragons podcast with some of the best audio you've heard in the podcasting industry. The amazing PC’s Yarost, Seven, Leona, and Ordella venture through the homebrewed world of Eclura hoping to put an end to an uprising of an ancient necrotic evil. Every Monday thee is a brand new juicy episode released – this really is one for your must listen playlist. This a really great interview for anybody interested in starting a real play podcast of for those looking to really amp up their DM and roleplay game.

Fast 5 Questions:

Matt

1. Who is your favourite D&D celebrity? And why? Sly Flourish 

2. What is your favourite purchase in the last year that is $100 or leses? Spiral Notebook! All of my notes go in there!

3. Book/resource/video you wish you found before starting your show? Fantasy name generators. Names for all your fantasy characters., Dyson's Dodecahedron | Award Winning Dungeon Design (dysonlogos.blog), Tabletop Audio - Ambiences and Music for Tabletop Role Playing Games

4. Best piece of advice for other aspiring DM’s out there? "You are not going to break the game"

Jess

1. Who is your favourite D&D celebrity? And why? Lara Bailey, Justine (DM of the DungeonBoiz), Jinxy (Eldritch Buds Druid)

2. What is your favourite purchase in the last year that is $100 or less? Crocs! Yes... you heard it here first. D&D charms as optional extras, 

3. Book/resource/video you wish you found before starting your show? WoTC Spell Cards

4. Best piece of advice for other aspiring DM’s out there? "Just do it! Be yourself"

Tyler

1. Who is your favourite D&D celebrity? And why? Liz from Arcane Discoveries

2. What is your favourite purchase in the last year that is $100 or less? Art and Arcana 

3. Book/resource/video you wish you found before starting your show? Pinterest (character creation ideation), FaerieFire Podcast!!! Knowing that there are so many different people out there playing D&D

4. Best piece of advice for other aspiring DM’s out there? Know your backstory. Enjoy the highs and lows, feats and flaws of your character.

Everyone

5. Where can we find TwentySidesPod?  

@twentysidespod (instagram) 

#14 Keith Ammann author of The Monsters Know What They're Doing book series - How to run amazing combat (insight into what the monsters of your world are thinking)

Keith Ammann has been a D&D and RPG player for more than 30 years. He's best known for his blog, The Monsters Know What They're Doing, and the series of books that grew out of that blog: The Monsters Know What They're Doing, MOAR! Monsters Know What They're Doing, Live to Tell the Tale, and his latest book, How to Defend Your Lair, all published by Saga Press. His work explores how to add flavor and challenge to your game by analyzing and using the rules of D&D to bring settings, characters and combat encounters to life.

Fast 5 Questions 

1. Who is your favourite D&D celebrity? And why? Aabria Iyengar

2. What is your favourite purchase in the last year that is $100 or less? Haunted West (Chris Spivey), Die Hard Dice

3. Book/resource/video you wish you found before starting your game? Web DM, Sly Flourish

4. Best piece of advice for other aspiring DM’s out there? Don't house rule, take 3 minutes to look it up, share and have a learning moment. Also, know where page 249 of the dungeon masters guide is!

5. Where can people find you?

https://spyandowl.com

https://twitter.com/KeithAmmann/

https://dice.camp/@KeithAmmann

https://www.booktopia.com.au/search.ep?keywords=keith+ammann&productType=917504

FIVE BULLET FANTASY FRIDAY EMAIL: Right here!

http://eepurl.com/hW5nbv

#13 Mike Shea (Sly Flourish) author of Return of the Lazy DM - How to prepare as a DM without losing your mind! ( 80/20 principle, high value, step by step guide to crushing it)

Sitting with my today is a man that for many will need no introduction. I have Mike Shae or Sly Flourish of return of the Lazy DM. Mike has an incredible youtube page and podcast that has helped thousands of dungeon masters prepare for game night more deeply while also more easily. He is the author of the sensational Lazy DM’s companion that has recently see over 11,000 backers raise over HALF A MILLION DOLLARS to launch. In this chat we will be discussing all things DungeonMastering, book writing and beyond so stay tuned.

Fast 5 Questions 

1. Who is your favourite D&D celebrity? And why? James Introcaso –

Senior Editor at MCDM.

2. What is your favourite purchase in the last year that is $100 or less? Monte Cook’s - Ptolas

3. Book/resource/video you wish you found before starting your show? Dyson Logos (more maps than you can count)

4. Best piece of advice for other aspiring DM’s out there?

Unconventional Advice from John Baldessari: 1. You must be possessed, that you cannot will 2. Be at the right place at the right time 3. Talent is cheap.

5. Where can people find you?

Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master: Shea, Michael (amazon.com)

Sly Flourish: Helping Dungeon Masters run great D&D games.

THE BEST EMAIL YOU WILL GET ALL WEEK!: Right here baby!

http://eepurl.com/hW5nbv

#12 Troy Huysmans - My DM: Techniques on bringing new players to D&D (chips, beer, fun and friends)

Troy has been consistently playing and running dungeons & dragons for the last 8 years. The hobby started as a player for him in the early days and grew from a smattering of occasional bite sized sessions among friends. It took only couple of years before Troy decided to take up the mantel of the DM/GM first starting out hosting at Adventurers League venues.

Troy eventually left Adventurer League to DM privately for his friends in a group of which has survived weekly play over 5+ years. In recent years he has board a group of green players to teach and indoctrinate them into the world of D&D. Troy is best practiced bringing new players into the fold and providing a visual player experience.

1. Who is your favourite D&D celebrity? And why? Travis Willingham (Table etiquette) 

2. What is your favourite purchase in the last year that is $100 or less? Mordenkainens Tome of Foes 

3. Book/resource/video you wish you found before starting your business/show/page.

- Demon Cycle (Peter V Brett

- Artorians Archive (Dennis Vanderkerken)

4. Best piece of advice for other aspiring DM’s out there? START!

5. Where can people find you. Me! Troy has offerend any new Dm's the chance to sit in on one of his games to see how it all works. Reach out to me and I will put you in touch. He also is in both the D&D Australia and D&D Melbourne Facebook groups.

#11 Rob Vater from We Met In a Tavern Podcast - How to Dungeon Master for your friends (creating rules and boundaries for incredible role play)

Today, I have a very special guest, another podcaster and not a real play. Rob Vater is host, and self-appointed tavern keeper of the We Met in a Tavern Podcast. This incredible show is all about role play, world interactions and why we love playing the characters we create. In each episode Rob deep dives into the in mentality, motivations flaws and and flare of his friends most memorable player characters.

Fast 5 Questions

1. Who is your favourite D&D celebrity? Laura Bailey

2. What is your favourite purchase in the last year that is $100 or less? Warlock Tiles (Wizkids)

3. Book you wish you read before starting your business? Everyone has a podcast except you (McElroy Family), The Ultimate RPG Character Backstory guide (James D'Amato), Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master and Companion (Sly Flourish)

4. Best piece of advice for other aspiring DM’s out there? Just Do IT!

5. Where can people find you. Instagram: @wemetinatavern Podcast / Instagram