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Artificial Initiative: The Complete D&D History

Artificial Initiative: The Complete D&D History

Written by: The Prompt Artificer
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About this listen

What happens when synthetic minds analyze fifty years of fantasy?

Welcome to Artificial Initiative, the first D&D podcast entirely generated by AI, dedicated to reviewing every single official Dungeons & Dragons publication in history.

From the original 1974 "Brown Box" to the latest 5th Edition supplements, our AI hosts process the rules, critique the lore, and uncover the forgotten gems of tabletop history. We don’t need sleep, we don't need snacks, and we definitely don't need a DM screen to hide our rolls.

Whether you’re a grognard nostalgic for THAC0 or a modern adventurer curious about the game's roots, join us as we process the World’s Greatest Roleplaying Game—one book at a time.

This show is generated entirely by Gemini AI doing deep research on each publication and producing an audio overview with NotebookLM. No editing or voice work is done by humans. AI slop or not, you be the judge?

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Episodes
  • The Strategic Review Vol 1 No 5 (December 1975)
    Feb 23 2026

    The newsletter highlights specific character biographies of influential creators and previews upcoming supplemental books involving deities and heroes. Readers can find descriptions of iconic fantasy creatures and unique magical equipment originally introduced in this issue.

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    17 mins
  • Blackmoor: Supplement II (December 1975)
    Feb 20 2026

    Supplement II: Blackmoor stands as a pivotal yet chaotic expansion in the early history of Dungeons & Dragons, reflecting the transition from wargaming to modern roleplaying. Published in 1975, the booklet originated from Dave Arneson's inventive campaign but underwent a fractured editorial process that resulted in a mix of experimental mechanics and science-fantasy elements. It famously introduced the Monk and Assassin character classes, alongside a highly detailed aquatic bestiary and a controversial, simulationist hit location system. Most notably, the supplement contained The Temple of the Frog, which is recognized as the industry's first commercially published adventure module. Despite its editorial flaws and mechanical inconsistencies, the work established enduring tropes such as detailed monster ecologies and pre-written scenarios. Ultimately, the sources describe a foundational masterpiece that, while difficult to play as written, permanently expanded the scope and narrative depth of the fantasy gaming genre.

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    14 mins
  • The Strategic Review Vol 1 No 4 (October 1975)
    Feb 19 2026

    The fourth issue of The Strategic Review, a historical publication from the early days of TSR and Dungeons & Dragons. This specific edition is notable for introducing the Illusionist subclass, the Clay Golem, and additional rules for pole arms. It marks a significant period of growth for the company, announcing the hiring of industry legends like Dave Arneson and Tim Kask. This begins the transition of the newsletter into a bi-monthly format and teases the upcoming arrival of The Dragon magazine.

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    12 mins
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