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INTO THE WEST MARCHES - Player Driven Chaos and the Sandbox Frontier

The RPGBOT.Podcast

Release Date: 05/08/2025

DAGGERHEART: HOW TO PLAY ACTUAL PLAY - This Swamp Ain't Big Enough for All Our Bad Decisions show art DAGGERHEART: HOW TO PLAY ACTUAL PLAY - This Swamp Ain't Big Enough for All Our Bad Decisions

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Attention-Grabbing One-Liner: Ever accidentally summon an ancient mage, turn a wooden snake into a god, and commit light-hearted organ donation—all before lunch? Welcome to Daggerheart. A Huge Thank You to Our Sponsor: This episode of The RPGBOT.Podcast is proudly sponsored by — the tool that makes prepping your next chaotic campaign way easier than bargaining with ancient swamp mages. From random traps to tactical encounter builders, DungeonFlow has everything you need to keep your GMing fast, fun, and possibly slightly cursed. Try it today! Episode Notes Join the RPGBOT crew as they...

info_outline DAGGERHEART: HOW TO PLAY CHARACTER CREATION - Roll Stats, Choose a Class, Cry About Your Backstory show art DAGGERHEART: HOW TO PLAY CHARACTER CREATION - Roll Stats, Choose a Class, Cry About Your Backstory

The RPGBOT.Podcast

Ever wonder what would happen if D&D and a therapy session had a magical woodland baby? Welcome to character creation in Daggerheart. Thank You to Our Sponsor – DungeonFlow.app: This episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast is proudly sponsored by — your new favorite GM tool for organizing campaigns, generating traps, and describing suspiciously pulsing potted plants. Whether you're prepping a one-shot or wrangling a West Marches campaign, DungeonFlow makes your life easier, faster, and way less covered in metaphorical blood. Try it now and streamline your prep time before the rogue does...

info_outline SHINKICKING Remastered - Managing Difficulty and Tone in Combat RP show art SHINKICKING Remastered - Managing Difficulty and Tone in Combat RP

The RPGBOT.Podcast

Ever accidentally traumatize your party during a goblin ambush? We did—so we made a whole episode about it. In this remastered episode, the RPGBOT crew rolls initiative on one of the most delicate balancing acts in tabletop role-playing games: how to manage difficulty and tone in combat scenarios. Whether you’re a GM trying to run a gritty, high-stakes survival encounter or a player who just wants to dropkick goblins and crack jokes, this conversation explores how to harmonize challenge with narrative tone. The hosts unpack the psychology of danger, why tension doesn’t always mean TPKs,...

info_outline DAGGERHEART: HOW TO PLAY CONCEPTS AND THEMES - Cue the Spotlight, We're Monologuing Through Combat show art DAGGERHEART: HOW TO PLAY CONCEPTS AND THEMES - Cue the Spotlight, We're Monologuing Through Combat

The RPGBOT.Podcast

We upgraded Foundry, discovered a few surprise “features,” and then dove headfirst into the hope-and-fear-fueled mayhem of Daggerheart—join us for mechanics, emotions, and at least one character death that felt really personal. This episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast is sponsored by , your one-stop shop for streamlining game prep and powering up your sessions. Whether you're navigating Daggerheart's emotional economy or just trying to remember what room had the spiky floor trap, DungeonFlow has your back. With encounter builders, random traps, and mood-setting room descriptions, it's...

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The RPGBOT.Podcast

What if your depression had hit points and could punch back? Welcome to the Shadowfell. Huge thanks to DungeonFlow.app for sponsoring this episode—because even in the Shadowfell, your dungeon prep shouldn't be a nightmare. Sign up today at and start building better encounters, faster. It's free to try, easy to use, and unlike the Shadowfell... it won’t drain your soul. In this laughably bleak episode, the RPGBOT crew takes a torch (dimly lit, flickering with existential dread) and dives headfirst into the Shadowfell—D&D’s very own Plane of Gloom, where your hopes go to die...

info_outline LIGHT AND DARKNESS Remastered - Because apparently no one packs torches anymore... show art LIGHT AND DARKNESS Remastered - Because apparently no one packs torches anymore...

The RPGBOT.Podcast

If you've ever wondered why your dungeon feels less like a terrifying crawl through the dark and more like a grayscale video game, this episode shines a light on everything wrong—and weird—about darkvision. In this remastered and updated episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the hosts revisit one of their most debated topics: how vision mechanics function in tabletop RPGs, especially Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. They dive deep into how different systems handle lighting, visibility, and the ever-confusing rules around darkvision. The episode unpacks the practical and narrative...

info_outline WARHAMMER FANTASY ROLE PLAY Part IV: Review - Fate, Fortune, and Fragile Line Between Hero and Corpse show art WARHAMMER FANTASY ROLE PLAY Part IV: Review - Fate, Fortune, and Fragile Line Between Hero and Corpse

The RPGBOT.Podcast

. Explore the treacherous roads, clash blades with the forces of corruption, and roll the bones in the grimdark world of Warhammer Fantasy. Whether you're a grizzled veteran or fresh meat for the dice gods, Ash has a seat at the table for you. Show Notes: In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the hosts venture deeper into the grim and perilous world of Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay. The conversation centers on how chance, mechanics, and narrative intertwine to create memorable and brutal gaming experiences. From unlucky dice rolls to warpstone corruption, the hosts unpack the intricate systems...

info_outline WARHAMMER FANTASY ROLE PLAY Pt III: Example Play - Bring Gloves, Trust No One, and Never Sniff the Daisies show art WARHAMMER FANTASY ROLE PLAY Pt III: Example Play - Bring Gloves, Trust No One, and Never Sniff the Daisies

The RPGBOT.Podcast

If you’ve ever asked, “How do I actually play Warhammer Fantasy Role Play?”—this episode is your crash course, chaos crash cart, and comedy club all rolled into one. Grab your dice, pack your herbs, and don’t forget your gloves. Things are about to get weird in the woods. Thank you to our sponsor, DM Adamantine! If you're ready to play with an expert GM in a one-of-a-kind setting, check out Dungeon Master Adamantine at  or find him on for custom sessions in Greece or online! In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the crew dives headfirst into the brutal, baroque, and...

info_outline DEITIES Remastered - Divine powers, celestial politics, and heresy to keep things interesting. show art DEITIES Remastered - Divine powers, celestial politics, and heresy to keep things interesting.

The RPGBOT.Podcast

Ever wondered what happens when your cleric starts a cult, your paladin questions their god, and your podcast host thinks he is one? Tune in and find out. In this episode, the RPGBOT.Podcast crew dives deep into the divine—and the deranged—as they tackle the topic of religion in tabletop RPGs. From the celestial bureaucracy of the Forgotten Realms to Pathfinder’s heavily codified pantheon, the hosts examine how religion shapes settings, drives character motivation, and complicates moral choices. The discussion explores the roles of deities, demigods, and divine casters, while also...

info_outline PLANE OF ARBOREA - Where vibes are chaotic, food is suspicious, and trees hold grudges show art PLANE OF ARBOREA - Where vibes are chaotic, food is suspicious, and trees hold grudges

The RPGBOT.Podcast

If you’ve ever wanted to party in a magical forest where the trees are judging you and the weather is trying to kill you, this is your episode. A massive thank you to Dungeon Master Adamantine for sponsoring this episode! Whether you want to explore mythic Athens in person or dive into the underdark from your living room, Nick Fotopoulos—aka DM Adamantine—runs unforgettable sessions across systems including D&D, Call of Cthulhu, and Vampire: The Masquerade. Book a game with him at or at . Episode Summary: In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the crew ascends to the upper...

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More Episodes

When your world’s on fire, the schedule’s in chaos, and the goblins are unionizing—welcome to West Marches.

In this episode, the hosts venture deep into the untamed wilds of West Marches–style tabletop roleplaying games. With no regular party, no fixed storyline, and no safety net, they explore how this classic format redefines player agency and opens the door to truly dynamic storytelling. The hosts explain how to build a vibrant, reactive world filled with tension, consequence, and creative freedom.

They also share tips for managing the behind-the-scenes chaos: prepping seasonal events, tracking a living timeline, and handling player-driven schedules without losing your mind. Along the way, they touch on the mechanical differences between Pathfinder 2 and D&D 5e in supporting exploration-based gameplay and share some clever ideas for managing treasure, experience gaps, and inevitable player death.

Links

If you want to get into a West Marches Campaign and join his personal Discord Server, contact Ash Ely at BlueSky: @GravenAshes 

Key Takeaways

West Marches Gameplay Design

  • West Marches games emphasize flexible scheduling and nonlinear, player-driven adventures.
  • The world is sandbox-style—no set party or plot—and players choose when and where to explore.
  • Hex crawling and random encounters enhance exploration and inject unpredictability.
  • A successful West Marches world is reactive, with consequences shaped by player choices.
  • GM prep includes world timelines, seasons, and milestone-based time management.
  • NPCs may be unreliable, adding narrative tension and misdirection.
  • The format suits drop-in/drop-out play, allowing varied player participation.
  • Players must prepare before sessions, as they drive the story.

Storytelling and Worldbuilding

  • The world should feel lived-in, with visible effects from past player actions.
  • Incorporating pacing shifts and seasonal changes creates depth and realism.
  • Building a sense of urgency can help motivate player decisions.
  • Character death and level gaps must be handled carefully to maintain balance and satisfaction.
  • Creative treasure systems can engage players more than traditional loot drops.

System Considerations

  • Pathfinder 2 excels at structured exploration, making it a strong choice for West Marches.
  • D&D 5e is viable but may require tweaks for sandbox structure and time management.

Community and Culture

  • The hosts provide updates on upcoming Pathfinder 2 spell list guides.
  • Audiobooks offer a practical way to enjoy fiction while multitasking.
  • They tease an upcoming audiobook version of Randall’s novella.
  • Supporting local game stores is emphasized as critical to the health of the hobby.
  • Listener engagement through reviews and shares helps sustain and grow the show.
  • Ash and Tyler discuss personal struggles with reading and time, connecting with listeners on a relatable level.
  • As always, the show mixes insightful advice with humor and camaraderie, the secret ingredients that keep listeners coming back.

If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It’s a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners.

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How to Find Us:

In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net

Tyler Kamstra

Ash Ely

Randall James

Producer Dan