Episode 42: Searchers of the Unknown – One Page, Infinite Hacks
What if your whole RPG fit on a single page?
In Episode 42 of Masters of Pen and Paper, we dig into Searchers of the Unknown, Nicolas Dessaux’s ultralight fantasy RPG that strips old-school dungeon crawling down to its bare essentials. No bloated rulebook. No sprawling character sheet. Just a tiny stat block, some dice, and enough danger to make every delve feel deadly.
We break down the game’s minimalist character creation, roll-under combat, simple adventuring rules, and old-school design philosophy. Then we go beyond the base game and check out some of the wild variations packed into the collection, including sci-fi hacks, pirates, kung fu, and the gloriously chaotic Mutant Got Gunz.
Is Searchers of the Unknown a clever one-page distillation of classic D&D? A nostalgia tool? A fast, flexible gateway into OSR-style play? We dig into what works, who it’s for, and why this tiny game still has bite.
Grab your weapon, scribble down your heroic name, and try not to get captured by monsters.
Want to grab a copy? Grab one here:
https://modiphius.net/products/dreams-and-machines-rpg-core-rulebook
Get yourself a FREE copy of the rules here:
https://docslib.org/doc/9235247/the-searchers-of-the-unknown-rpg-collection-2012-edition
📬 Questions, scenarios, or shoutouts? Email us at: mastersofpenandpaper@gmail.com
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/zcKaVHttWe
20 Mar 2026
Episode 41: Dreams and Machines – Hopeful Sci-Fi, Rogue AI, and the 2d20 System
Cut off from Earth, living in the shadow of sleeping machines… and the fear of those that wake.
In Episode 41 of Masters of Pen and Paper, we explore Dreams and Machines, Modiphius Entertainment’s hopeful post-apocalyptic sci-fi RPG set on Evera Prime. Created by Chris Birch and powered by Nathan Dowdell’s 2d20 system, this game blends rich worldbuilding, narrative-first mechanics, and a unique take on survival after the fall of advanced technology.
We break down the expansive lore, the rise and fall of the Builder AI, and the fascinating tone that leans toward hope instead of despair. Then we dig into the mechanics: roll-under 2d20 tests, Momentum vs Threat, scene-based storytelling, Truths, and character creation through Origins, Archetypes, and Temperaments.
Is this the perfect mix of narrative and crunch? Does the 2d20 system deliver something truly different? And is Evera Prime a world worth fighting for?
Power up your gear. Watch the machines. And decide what you believe.
Want to grab a copy? Grab one here:
https://modiphius.net/products/dreams-and-machines-rpg-core-rulebook
Get yourself a FREE copy of the quickstart rules here:
https://modiphius.net/pages/dreams-and-machines
📬 Questions, scenarios, or shoutouts? Email us at: mastersofpenandpaper@gmail.com
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/zcKaVHttWe
Being the GM is work… a LOT of work.
Between building encounters, writing NPCs, prepping maps, and organizing story beats, it can start to feel like you’re managing a project instead of playing a game. But what if you could cut down that prep time and still run an amazing session?
In this Behind the Screens episode of Masters of Pen and Paper, we break down the tools, habits, and mindsets that help Game Masters prep smarter—not harder. From random tables and encounter builders to note-taking systems and map generators, we talk about the resources we use to reduce stress and keep game night focused on what really matters: playing the game with your friends.
We also dive into the importance of organization, knowing your system, letting players help drive the story, and why experience is one of the best “prep tools” a GM can develop.
Low prep doesn’t mean no prep—but with the right approach, you can spend less time crunching before the session and more time enjoying the game at the table.
Relevant links we talked about in the episode:
Donjon random generators
https://donjon.bin.sh/ (https://donjon.bin.sh/)
Kobold+ Fight Club encounter builder
https://koboldplus.club/ (https://koboldplus.club/)
Pendulum – Worldbuilding Assistant
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/412550/pendulum-a-world-building-assistant (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/412550/pendulum-a-world-building-assistant)
Dungeon Alchemist map generator
https://www.dungeonalchemist.com/ (https://www.dungeonalchemist.com/)
Campaign Cartographer mapping software
https://www.profantasy.com/products/cc3.asp (https://www.profantasy.com/products/cc3.asp)
Obsidian note-taking tool
https://obsidian.md/ (https://obsidian.md/)
Questions, scenarios, or shoutouts? Email us at: mastersofpenandpaper@gmail.com
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/zcKaVHttWe
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
3.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 27 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
41
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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DG and Finny host the show. Published by DGonline.
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