Kill Your Darlings: Real Talk on TTRPG Design with Elder Goblin Games | Wizards of Eem EP019

Kill Your Darlings: Real Talk on TTRPG Design with Elder Goblin Games | Wizards of Eem EP019

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2440694/fan_mail/new] Today on the Wizards of Eem Podcast, we sit down with special guest Jorbin of Elder Goblin Games to talk about Seven Delving Sins: the rules-light, co-op tabletop RPG you reach for when game night falls apart and only one friend shows up. We get into the game he is designing, the indie RPG scene, and what it really takes to get a game from your notebook to the table. Jorbin pitches Seven Delving Sins as the game you play when your long-running campaign collapses five minutes before kickoff. It is built as a co-op experience where the "overseer" is part of the game rather than a traditional GM, all wrapped in a Corpo Dungeon Crawler vibe. You are the B-team grunts of Delver Corp, sent into the dark to do it all for the company. Think gritty, OSR-inspired aesthetics with a heavy dose of corporate silliness, and yes, Land of Eem sits near the top of his inspirations list. From there we get into the craft: finding your game's true north, the pain of killing your darlings, why play testing is where the rubber meets the road, and how to gather feedback that is actually useful. We also dig into the idea that deep down every game master is part game designer, which hits home as we wrestle with play testing the Land of Eem wizard class. Got a "game night fell through" story of your own? Come share it with us in the Discord. Land of Eem is a whimsical, family-friendly fantasy RPG by Ben Costa and James Parks, available now from Exalted Funeral and a wide range of local and online retailers. New here? Grab the free Quickstart Guide on our website. Rollin' Down the Road is featured in the Rickety Stitch Book 2: The Middle-Route Run by Ben Costa and James Parks. The lyrics were written by Ben Costa and James Parks, and the song was written by musician Evin Wolverton. Thank you for listening to the Wizards of Eem Podcast! Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/ricketystitch] Visit us at: https://landofeem.com [https://landofeem.com] Support Us Free Land of Eem Quickstart Guide: https://landofeem.com/quick-start-guide/ [https://landofeem.com/quick-start-guide/] Land of Eem RPG: https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/pages/land-of-eem [https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/pages/land-of-eem] Dungeoneer Adventures: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B41WM4YM [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B41WM4YM] Rickety Stitch Comics: https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/rickety-stitch-and-the-gelatinous-goo-the-exalted-collection [https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/rickety-stitch-and-the-gelatinous-goo-the-exalted-collection] Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ricketystitch [https://www.patreon.com/ricketystitch] Join Our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/CMq7BsK [https://discord.com/invite/CMq7BsK] Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LandofEem [https://www.youtube.com/@LandofEem]

How to Design a Class That Feels Iconic from Session One | Wizards of Eem EP019

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2440694/fan_mail/new] Ever wondered how to design a class that feels iconic from session one? In this episode of the Wizards of Eem Podcast, Ben Costa and James Parks pull back the curtain on TTRPG class design — how they build the classes for Land of Eem, the whimsical family-friendly tabletop RPG, and the principles you can steal for your own game. It all starts with the class fantasy: the trope you're trying to capture, pulled from your favorite books, movies, and games. For Eem, Ben and James look to their own stories — Rickety Stitch is the Bard, Goo is the Loyal Chum — and they tackle the big question: what's the new twist? If your warrior plays just like a D&D warrior, why build it? From there they get into ability design — frontloading signature abilities so you feel the class fantasy immediately (none of that waiting-until-7th-level-to-transform AD&D Druid nonsense), saving the narrow stuff for higher levels, and the real challenge of writing 20 distinct abilities with zero duds. Plus why playtesting is the secret ingredient, including how early Dungeoneer testers steered the class toward classic Indiana Jones-style adventuring. The Land of Eem RPG is available now from Exalted Funeral and at Friendly Local Game Stores and online retailers. New here? Grab the free Quickstart Guide at landofeem.com. Want to shape the game? Join the Patreon, play the classes, and fill out the feedback forms. Land of Eem is created by Ben Costa and James Parks. PATREON CLASS FEEDBACK SURVEY: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfAl3ZzfflmmheZlaAoNPsGhoIRzpg3QOoyx0WhWWU4D1iPbw/viewform?usp=header Rollin' Down the Road is featured in the Rickety Stitch Book 2: The Middle-Route Run by Ben Costa and James Parks. The lyrics were written by Ben Costa and James Parks, and the song was written by musician Evin Wolverton. Thank you for listening to the Wizards of Eem Podcast! Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/ricketystitch] Visit us at: https://landofeem.com [https://landofeem.com] Support Us Free Land of Eem Quickstart Guide: https://landofeem.com/quick-start-guide/ [https://landofeem.com/quick-start-guide/] Land of Eem RPG: https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/pages/land-of-eem [https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/pages/land-of-eem] Dungeoneer Adventures: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B41WM4YM [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B41WM4YM] Rickety Stitch Comics: https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/rickety-stitch-and-the-gelatinous-goo-the-exalted-collection [https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/rickety-stitch-and-the-gelatinous-goo-the-exalted-collection] Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ricketystitch [https://www.patreon.com/ricketystitch] Join Our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/CMq7BsK [https://discord.com/invite/CMq7BsK] Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LandofEem [https://www.youtube.com/@LandofEem]

Share the Story: Why Giving Up GM Control Makes Better Games | Wizards of Eem EP018

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2440694/fan_mail/new] Have you ever felt like being the GM is just… overwhelming? All the prep, the improv, the pressure to be a perfect storyteller? In this episode of the Wizards of Eem Podcast, creators Ben Costa and James Parks tackle sharing narrative authority in tabletop RPGs — and why giving up a little control might be the best thing you ever do for your game. Instead of one storyteller and several participants, what if you had a table full of co-authors? That's the heart of this conversation. Ben and James break down how collaborative play is baked right into the Land of Eem RPG mechanics — from the D12 resolution system with results like "Success with a Twist" and "Failure with a Plus" to simple prompts that invite players to shape the world. What does this place smell like? What kind of twist just happened? Suddenly the whole table is building the story together in bite-sized pieces. They cover how shared narrative authority reduces GM burnout by turning the Game Master into a facilitator and fellow player rather than a one-person production crew. Players get real creative input — inventing locations, naming NPCs, describing consequences, adding complications — which means deeper investment, more memorable moments, and that electric feeling when nobody knows what's coming next. It's also a fantastic way for players to flex their GM muscles without needing full system mastery or hours of session prep. And for the skeptics? Ben and James are clear: this isn't about losing control or inviting chaos. It's about distributing creativity intentionally, with structure, clear prompts, and tools like "Yes, And" and "Yes, But" to keep things on track. You don't have to have all the answers — you just have to ask better questions. Whether you're a veteran GM battling burnout or a first-timer nervous about running your first Land of Eem session, this episode is packed with practical tips for a more collaborative, more fun tabletop RPG experience. 🎲 Get the Land of Eem RPG: Available now from Exalted Funeral, friendly local game stores, and online retailers worldwide. Download the free Quickstart Guide at landofeem.com and start playing today! Rollin' Down the Road is featured in the Rickety Stitch Book 2: The Middle-Route Run by Ben Costa and James Parks. The lyrics were written by Ben Costa and James Parks, and the song was written by musician Evin Wolverton. Thank you for listening to the Wizards of Eem Podcast! Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/ricketystitch] Visit us at: https://landofeem.com [https://landofeem.com] Support Us Free Land of Eem Quickstart Guide: https://landofeem.com/quick-start-guide/ [https://landofeem.com/quick-start-guide/] Land of Eem RPG: https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/pages/land-of-eem [https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/pages/land-of-eem] Dungeoneer Adventures: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B41WM4YM [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B41WM4YM] Rickety Stitch Comics: https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/rickety-stitch-and-the-gelatinous-goo-the-exalted-collection [https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/rickety-stitch-and-the-gelatinous-goo-the-exalted-collection] Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ricketystitch [https://www.patreon.com/ricketystitch] Join Our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/CMq7BsK [https://discord.com/invite/CMq7BsK] Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LandofEem [https://www.youtube.com/@LandofEem]

Session Zero: Setting the Stage for Adventure | Wizards of Eem EP017

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2440694/fan_mail/new] Before your first Land of Eem adventure begins, there’s one step that can make your tabletop RPG campaign smoother, more collaborative, and more fun: Session Zero. In this episode of the Wizards of Eem podcast, we explore how a thoughtful Session Zero helps groups align expectations, tone, and storytelling goals before the adventure begins. Session Zero is your campaign’s “pre-game.” It’s when players and GMs discuss table expectations, safety tools, and the overall vibe of the campaign. Taking time to set these foundations builds trust, reduces misunderstandings, and sets the stage for a creative and collaborative game. In Land of Eem, where whimsy, hope, and clever problem-solving shine, starting on the same page makes the journey even better. We also cover character creation, including building characters together and shaping a balanced party so everyone has a chance to shine. Plus, we dive into the power of character relationships—shared histories, goals, and NPC connections that give the party instant chemistry and provide rich story hooks for the GM. From a GM perspective, these connections become powerful storytelling tools. Personal quests, shared motivations, and callbacks to character bonds help create adventures that feel collaborative and meaningful for the whole table. Learn more about safety tools mentioned in the episode:  https://ttrpgsafetytoolkit.com/ [https://ttrpgsafetytoolkit.com/] Want a quick How to Play Land of Eem overview? Watch Becca Scott at Good Time Society here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsaiQYWiXt0 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsaiQYWiXt0] The Land of Eem tabletop RPG, created by Ben Costa and James Parks, is available now from Exalted Funeral, carried by many Friendly Local Game Stores (FLGS) and online retailers. Download the free Quickstart Guide and learn more at: https://www.landofeem.com [https://www.landofeem.com] Rollin' Down the Road is featured in the Rickety Stitch Book 2: The Middle-Route Run by Ben Costa and James Parks. The lyrics were written by Ben Costa and James Parks, and the song was written by musician Evin Wolverton. Thank you for listening to the Wizards of Eem Podcast! Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/ricketystitch] Visit us at: https://landofeem.com [https://landofeem.com] Support Us Free Land of Eem Quickstart Guide: https://landofeem.com/quick-start-guide/ [https://landofeem.com/quick-start-guide/] Land of Eem RPG: https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/pages/land-of-eem [https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/pages/land-of-eem] Dungeoneer Adventures: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B41WM4YM [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B41WM4YM] Rickety Stitch Comics: https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/rickety-stitch-and-the-gelatinous-goo-the-exalted-collection [https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/rickety-stitch-and-the-gelatinous-goo-the-exalted-collection] Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ricketystitch [https://www.patreon.com/ricketystitch] Join Our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/CMq7BsK [https://discord.com/invite/CMq7BsK] Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LandofEem [https://www.youtube.com/@LandofEem]

How to Market Your TTRPG: Tips for Indie Game Creators | Wizards of Eem Podcast EP016

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2440694/fan_mail/new] You made the game. That wild, wonderful TTRPG idea is real now—but how do you get people to notice it? On today’s Wizards of Eem Podcast, we dive into practical, approachable marketing advice to help indie creators take their tabletop RPG public without losing their soul (or their sanity). In this episode, we use Land of Eem as a case study to explore how to clearly describe your game in a way that resonates. We talk about why leading with tone, feel, and identity matters more than rules, and how a strong tagline—like “The Muppets meets The Lord of the Rings”—can instantly communicate who your game is for. Land of Eem is colorful, whimsical, and cartoony, but also perilous, epic, and designed as an all-ages fantasy RPG that doesn’t shy away from real stakes. We also break down the importance of open beta playtesting to build interest early, establish credibility on platforms like DriveThruRPG, and grow a following before launch. From there, we discuss why investing in great art is never optional (yes, books are judged by their covers), how crowdfunding campaigns double as powerful marketing tools, and why building a focused, engaged community—through Discord, email lists, and social media—is the real long game. Whether you’re designing your first indie TTRPG or refining your marketing strategy, this episode is packed with grounded advice from creators who’ve been there. Land of Eem, created by Ben Costa and James Parks, is available now from Exalted Funeral, carried by Friendly Local Game Stores and online retailers, and supported by a free Quickstart Guide at www.landofeem.com [http://www.landofeem.com] . Rollin' Down the Road is featured in the Rickety Stitch Book 2: The Middle-Route Run by Ben Costa and James Parks. The lyrics were written by Ben Costa and James Parks, and the song was written by musician Evin Wolverton. Thank you for listening to the Wizards of Eem Podcast! Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/ricketystitch] Visit us at: https://landofeem.com [https://landofeem.com] Support Us Free Land of Eem Quickstart Guide: https://landofeem.com/quick-start-guide/ [https://landofeem.com/quick-start-guide/] Land of Eem RPG: https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/pages/land-of-eem [https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/pages/land-of-eem] Dungeoneer Adventures: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B41WM4YM [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B41WM4YM] Rickety Stitch Comics: https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/rickety-stitch-and-the-gelatinous-goo-the-exalted-collection [https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/rickety-stitch-and-the-gelatinous-goo-the-exalted-collection] Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ricketystitch [https://www.patreon.com/ricketystitch] Join Our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/CMq7BsK [https://discord.com/invite/CMq7BsK] Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LandofEem [https://www.youtube.com/@LandofEem]