Being the GM is work… a LOT of work.

Between building encounters, writing NPCs, prepping maps, and organizing story beats, it can start to feel like you’re managing a project instead of playing a game. But what if you could cut down that prep time and still run an amazing session?

In this Behind the Screens episode of Masters of Pen and Paper, we break down the tools, habits, and mindsets that help Game Masters prep smarter—not harder. From random tables and encounter builders to note-taking systems and map generators, we talk about the resources we use to reduce stress and keep game night focused on what really matters: playing the game with your friends.

We also dive into the importance of organization, knowing your system, letting players help drive the story, and why experience is one of the best “prep tools” a GM can develop.

Low prep doesn’t mean no prep—but with the right approach, you can spend less time crunching before the session and more time enjoying the game at the table.

Relevant links we talked about in the episode:

Donjon random generators
https://donjon.bin.sh/

Kobold+ Fight Club encounter builder
https://koboldplus.club/

Pendulum – Worldbuilding Assistant
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/412550/pendulum-a-world-building-assistant

Dungeon Alchemist map generator
https://www.dungeonalchemist.com/

Campaign Cartographer mapping software
https://www.profantasy.com/products/cc3.asp

Obsidian note-taking tool
https://obsidian.md/

Questions, scenarios, or shoutouts? Email us at: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

Join our Discord: ⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/zcKaVHttWe

All games ask a question.

The Devil’s Dandy Dogs asks: What makes the best story?

In Episode 39 of Masters of Pen and Paper, we fetch souls for the Devil—one story at a time. Written by Shanna Germain of Monte Cook Games, this narrative-first TTRPG puts players in the paws of shadowy hounds sent to retrieve souls… but it’s the story of the hunt that truly matters.

We break down the unique structure of the game, from Hearth & Home to Dark Night of the Soul, the tarot-inspired Soul’s Arrow, and the call-and-response dice pool system. We dig into Roles like The Vermillion and The Faithful, Temptation dice, Shadow Rends, Fate’s Folly, and what happens when the Devil decides to step into the scene.

Is this a perfect one-shot between heavier campaigns? A gateway TTRPG for new players? Or a storytelling experiment best suited for bold tables?

Grab your pack. The Devil is listening.

Want to grab a copy? Grab one here: https://www.montecookgames.com/store/product/the-devils-dandy-dogs/Links we mentioned this episode:Printable handouts and character sheets: https://montecookgames.app.box.com/s/5s2s9bxp2nkzw4f4glc0da0cupp31azdOfficial Devil’s Dandy Dogs site and lore: https://devilsdandydogs.montecookgames.com/📬 Questions, scenarios, or shoutouts? Email us at: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠Join our Discord: ⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/YkhAQtDDRz⁠

There’s a wound in the world—and it bleeds gothic horror.

In this episode of Masters of Pen and Paper, we dive deep into Rhapsody of Blood, the Powered by the Apocalypse gothic action RPG with themes like Castlevania, tragic heroes, and generational storytelling. We explore Minerva McJanda’s haunting design, the ever-shifting transdimensional castle, bloodlines bound by fate, and the brutal choices that decide whether the world is saved… or damned.

We break down the system’s narrative-first mechanics, clock-based pressure, character creation, covenants, corruption, and cinematic boss fights. From building explorers and bloodlines to confronting the Regent and choosing who pays the final price, this episode covers what makes Rhapsody of Blood sing.

Is the Apocalypse Engine a good fit for gothic action? How deadly should heroism be? And would you claim the Grail if it meant becoming the next monster?

Grab your relics. The castle awaits.

Want a copy? Grab one here: https://rowanrookanddecard.com/product/rhapsody-of-blood/📬 Questions, scenarios, or shoutouts? Email us at: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠Join our Discord: ⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/YkhAQtDDRz⁠

Welcome to Goblin Quest, a wildly absurd one-shot TTRPG where you play not one but five doomed goblins trying to complete a ridiculous quest before you're inevitably launched from a catapult or stepped on by an orc. Written by Grant Howitt, this chaotic romp is perfect for anyone who loves slapstick, improv-heavy games, and D6-powered madness.

What’s in this episode:

• A deep dive into Goblin Quest’s hilarious origins and the career of Grant Howitt (and his 100+ game back catalog)

• A breakdown of the light and silly rules, where failure is just part of the fun

• Goblin creation, dreams, quirks, ancestral heirlooms, and how to make death spectacular

• How to run or play the game with or without a GM

• Bonus content like Sean Bean Quest, Kobold Quest, and The Cthulhu Files

Whether you're new to RPGs or just want to run your very own squishy party of cannon fodder , Goblin Quest has something for you!

Want to grab a copy? Grab one here: https://rowanrookanddecard.com/product/goblin-quest/

📬 Questions, scenarios, or shoutouts? Email us at: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Join our Discord: ⁠⁠https://discord.gg/YkhAQtDDRz

Fear Itself (2e) is a horror RPG that asks you to step into the shoes of regular people caught in terrifying, supernatural circumstances. Powered by the investigative GUMSHOE system from Robin D. Laws and Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan, this system flips traditional gameplay by removing barriers to key clues, encouraging paranoia-fueled storytelling, and inviting players to risk their sanity for the truth.

In Episode 36, DG and Finny explore:

• The origin stories of the designers and their deep connections to TTRPG history

• How GUMSHOE simplifies investigations while deepening narrative tension

• Mechanics like Stability, Sources of Sanity, and the consequences of confronting fear

• Why this system feels different from Call of Cthulhu — but hits just as hard

Will you face the darkness or be consumed by it?

Want to grab a copy? Learn more about the game: ⁠https://site.pelgranepress.com/index.php/fear-itself-2nd-edition/⁠

Check out "Why Heroquest is so great" by BardicBroadcasts here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cx8sl2uC46A

📬 Questions, scenarios, or shoutouts? Email us at: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Join our Discord: ⁠https://discord.gg/YkhAQtDDRz

Sometimes campaigns stall. Burnout creeps in, players start to disengage, and game nights feel like a chore. It happens! In this episode of Behind the Screens, we’re exploring the power of pausing your campaign and how a well-timed break can actually reinvigorate your table.

We talk about:

• Signs your campaign might be running out of gas

• How to communicate with your group about taking a break

• What to prep before hitting pause

• How to reboot with fresh energy and avoid the same pitfalls

• When it's time to reflect, pivot, or even walk away

Whether you're a forever GM or a first-time player, this episode is packed with strategies for keeping your TTRPGs fun, healthy, and sustainable.

💬 Let us know in the comments how you’ve handled campaign breaks in the past — and what worked (or didn’t)!

What if your next solo RPG campaign wasn’t about saving the world—but about exploring the alley behind your house?

In this episode of Masters of Pen and Paper, Mike and Finny pounce into Be Like a Cat; a whimsical solo/duet tabletop RPG that turns the everyday life of a cat into a full-blown adventure. From urban rooftops to cyberpunk networks and ancient myth, Be Like a Cat is a sandbox of imagination, self-expression, and claws-first storytelling.

We break down:

• How the game works

• The character creation journey

• Solo vs duet vs GM modes

• Territory control, combat, exploration, and yes, zoomies!

• The incredible variety of included scenarios (cyberpunk, space, pirates, mythology, and more)

Whether you’re a TTRPG solo gamer, a fan of cozy systems, or just really love cats, this game might be your next favorite discovery.

Play it. Journal it. Rule your backyard kingdom.

Time is breaking down, the apocalypse looms, and only a handful of time-traveling agents can fix it. Enter: the Chrononauts. In this episode, DG and Finny dive into Time Force, a one-shot Blades in the Dark hack where players leap through time, make chaotic changes to the past, and deal with wild ripple effects in the present.

We cover:

• The quick-start rules and structure of Time Force

• The time-hopping gameplay, deviation rolls, and ripple tables

• How SYNC, Desync, and improvisation drive the story

• Our thoughts on what makes this game a great (and hilarious) short-form RPG

Designed by Vincenzo Ferriero & Ray Chou and published by Mythworks + Nobile Press, Time Force delivers high-energy story-driven gameplay with minimal prep and maximum chaos.

🌀 Want to grab a copy?
👉Buy Time force here: https://nobilepress.itch.io/time-force

📬 Questions, scenarios, or shoutouts?
Email us at: [email protected]
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/YkhAQtDDRz

What do you get when you mix Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, interdimensional portals, DIY rayguns, and high school angst?

Slugblaster.

This week on Masters of Pen and Paper, @Finny and Mike gear up and blast through one of the wildest indie TTRPGs around. Slugblaster is a high-octane, narrative-driven game where teens with homemade tech and bold dreams shred across alternate dimensions, battling corporate baddies and existential dread with equal flair.

We break down the system’s Blades-in-the-Dark roots, the no-stats approach to character building, the creative beat system, and why this game might be one of the most exciting tools for storytelling-first groups. If you've ever wanted your TTRPG to feel like a season of a rebellious coming-of-age anime... this one's for you.

Whether you're the Grit, the Chill, or the Heart of your crew, it’s time to slap on some stickers and CHECK IT!

Want to get your hands on a copy of it? head over to https://mikeyhamm.itch.io/slugblaster

Want to send in a question or scenario? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/YkhAQtDDRz⁠

What do you get when you mix a gritty industrial fantasy city, demonic leviathan blood-powered tech, and a crew of criminal scoundrels with nothing to lose? You get Blades in the Dark; one of the most iconic indie TTRPGs of the last decade.

In this episode of Masters of Pen and Paper, Mike and Finny slip into the haunted streets of Doskvol to talk all things heist, horror, and heat. We dive into the unique mechanics behind John Harper’s genre-defining system: from devil’s bargains and action rolls to emergent storytelling and the game's innovative “crew” mechanics.

You’ll hear:

• How Blades in the Dark flips traditional GM roles on their head

• What makes stress, trauma, and downtime so compelling

• Why this game is perfect for story-first players who love cinematic, high-stakes action

Whether you're a Cutter, a Whisper, or just curious about how a crew of criminals can challenge the system (or die trying), this one’s for you.

💀 Score big or go down in a blaze of dice-fueled glory.

Want to check out a copy for yourself? Head over to https://bladesinthedark.com/ to check it out!

Also check out more from John Harper⁠ https://johnharper.itch.io⁠ (where you can find more of John Harper’s excellent TTRPG work, including Lady Blackbird)

• Also check out Blades SRD (for creating your own hacks):⁠https://bladesinthedark.com/blades-system-rundown⁠

  
  

Want to send in a question or scenario? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/YkhAQtDDRz⁠