Wizards of Eem cover art

Wizards of Eem

Wizards of Eem

By: James Parks Ben Costa
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About this listen

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.

© 2025 Ben Costa and James Parks Art Literary History & Criticism
Episodes
  • Random Encounters: The Secret to Effortless GMing | Wizards of Eem EP012

    Random Encounters: The Secret to Effortless GMing | Wizards of Eem EP012
    Jul 11 2025

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    Random encounters aren’t just filler—they add depth, immersion, and flexibility to your tabletop roleplaying games! Whether you're running a sandbox campaign or following a published adventure, random encounters provide the juice for entire sessions, making your world feel alive and unpredictable.

    In this episode, Ben Costa and James Parks break down why they rely on random encounters in Land of Eem, how they eliminate prep time for live games, and how they help GMs keep the adventure moving even when players take unexpected turns.

    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
    Show More Show Less
    19 mins
  • The Case for Imbalanced Combat | Wizards of Eem EP011

    The Case for Imbalanced Combat | Wizards of Eem EP011
    Jul 3 2025

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    Wizards of Eem EP011 – The Case for Imbalanced Combat

    Are you a GM tired of building "perfectly balanced" encounters? In this episode, we explore why Land of Eem embraces unfair fights—and how imbalance leads to better stories.

    Topics include:

    • Why imbalance creates tension, surprise, and creativity
    • How Land of Eem’s conflict system rewards clever thinking
    • Famous examples of underdogs overcoming impossible odds
    • Real GM tips for using imbalance as a storytelling tool

    Forget stat math—this is about drama, discovery, and heroic failure.

    Tune in and learn how to make your next unbalanced encounter unforgettable.

    Support the Kickstarter for Land of Eem: Dungeoneer Adventures + Underlands:
    https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/exaltedfuneral/land-of-eem-beginners-rpg-for-kids-underlands-expansion

    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
    Show More Show Less
    16 mins
  • The Easiest Way to Run TTRPGs for Kids | Wizards of Eem EP010

    The Easiest Way to Run TTRPGs for Kids | Wizards of Eem EP010
    Jun 27 2025

    Send us a text

    Are you a parent or educator looking to introduce tabletop roleplaying games to kids? TTRPGs aren’t just fun—they build social skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities while keeping kids off screens!

    As new dads, Ben Costa and James Parks wanted to create an RPG that kids can pick up and play without the complexity of traditional games like D&D. That’s why they developed Dungeoneer Adventures: The Beginner’s RPG, designed specifically for families and classrooms.

    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
    Show More Show Less
    13 mins

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