Wizards of Eem
Wizards of Eem is a podcast hosted by Ben Costa and James Parks, lifelong friends and the creative duo behind the graphic novel series Rickety Stitch and the Gelatinous Goo (Knopf / Random House), the middle-grade series Dungeoneer Adventures (Aladdin / Simon and Schuster), and the tabletop roleplaying game Land of Eem (Exalted Funeral).
Join Ben Costa and James Parks as they dive into the art of storytelling, tabletop game design, and the creative industries they love. This podcast offers a blend of behind-the-scenes insights, practical advice, and candid discussions designed to inspire TTRPG enthusiasts, aspiring authors, illustrators, and creators of all kinds. With their signature mix of humor, heartfelt moments, and actionable tips, this podcast is your gateway to mastering creative storytelling and game design
Behind-the-Scenes Insights
Discover how Ben and James bring their creations to life, from crafting immersive worlds to designing games. Learn about the origins of Land of Eem, Rickety Stitch and the Gelatinous Goo, and Dungeoneer Adventures, and get exclusive peeks into their creative process.
Creative Philosophy
Explore their unique approach to storytelling, worldbuilding, and collaboration. From creating relatable characters to balancing humor and adventure, Ben and James reveal the secrets behind their fantasy worlds and game design philosophy.
Game Design Hot Takes
Dive into the mechanics of tabletop RPGs with Ben and James as they share their thoughts on sandbox design, random encounters, memorable NPCs, and crafting unique tones and adventures in the Land of Eem RPG.
Practical Advice
Gain valuable tips on breaking into the creative industries, including how to pitch projects, stay inspired, and refine your craft. Whether you’re an aspiring writer, illustrator, or game designer, this podcast provides tools and inspiration for turning ideas into reality.
Fun and Whimsy
Enjoy the lighthearted chemistry of two lifelong friends as they reflect on their shared love of fantasy, RPG campaigns, and storytelling. With anecdotes and banter, Ben and James invite you into their whimsical world of creativity.
Wizards of Eem
Session Zero: Setting the Stage for Adventure | Wizards of Eem EP017
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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/
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
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:
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!
Visit us at: https://landofeem.com
Support Us
Free Land of Eem Quickstart Guide: https://landofeem.com/quick-start-guide/
Land of Eem RPG: https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/pages/land-of-eem
Dungeoneer Adventures: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B41WM4YM
Rickety Stitch Comics: https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/rickety-stitch-and-the-gelatinous-goo-the-exalted-collection
Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ricketystitch
Join Our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/CMq7BsK
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LandofEem
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