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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:

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

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
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Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LandofEem

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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
.

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

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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What inspired the whimsical yet epic world of Land of Eem? In this episode of the Wizards of Eem Podcast, creators Ben Costa and James Parks pull back the curtain on the books, movies, comics, and shows that shaped the heart and humor of this one-of-a-kind fantasy RPG. Think of it as our very own Appendix N—a creative roadmap in the spirit of Gary Gygax’s legendary list from the Dungeon Master’s Guide.

We explore how The Muppets, Fraggle Rock, and Labyrinth brought warmth, hope, and heartfelt silliness to Land of Eem’s tone. Then we dive into the “Worlds in Peril” that added grit and grandeur—Mad Max, RoboCop, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and Gotrek & Felix. From there, we celebrate the heroes, antiheroes, and lovable weirdos who defined the game’s storytelling DNA: Conan the Barbarian, Usagi Yojimbo, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Hellboy, Ghostbusters, and Bone.

We also talk shop about the games that influenced our design philosophy—AD&D 2E, Star Wars RPG, Dungeon World, World of Warcraft, and Diablo II—and how they shaped Land of Eem’s blend of story, travel, and treasure.

By the end, you’ll see how whimsy, sincerity, and epic stakes collide to make Land of Eem what it is: a world of adventure, friendship, and heartfelt absurdity.

Visit www.landofeem.com
to download the FREE Quickstart Guide, or grab the full Land of Eem RPG from Exalted Funeral, your local game store, or your favorite online retailer.

Join our Discord community, subscribe, and leave a review if you love tabletop RPG podcasts that mix comedy, creativity, and wonder.

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

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