I've always thought of the 5RD as "5 areas to include", rather than a literal list of the specific rooms in a dungeon that cannot be exceeded or visited in different orders. So I think you're doing it just right! ...and if not, I think it's more fun this way anyway.

'"Something Blue," making something sad I think is a perfect mood setter for the dungeon, I think the term though could also be used as a catch all for "Use of color." Meaning, that depending on the tone of your adventure "Something blue" could be a term that adds some tonal flavor.

A deer + birb is a Peryton, which is a monster I never see anybody use, so that feels a lot more original than a dragon. Why are some monsters so neglected, the ones YOU never see would be cool topics for your "Build Better Monsters" drawings. (Personally I lean away from "non-playable" Humanoids)

The concept of using "something old/new/borrowed/blue" for game prep is downright genius

The "Thinky -Room" is exactly what I've been looking for!
I've been working on a series of connected "dungeons" based on chasing a fugitive NPC. A gnome vivisectionist/necromancer - Slicin' Higlee - who's involved with several other bad guys throughout the land. But I've struggled with how to let the PCs know they're all related. Having a "Thinky-Room" in every dungeon with clues relating to the others is just what my thinky-thing (brain) needed!
Plus, looking at the dungeons in reverse makes it all so much easier. Thank you!

Beautiful technique, stealing this for my inspiration notebook! :)
After looking up the original poem I realized that the final line is super helpful as well: "...something blue, and a sixpence in her shoe."
As someone who often forgets to add hidden treasure, NPCs or other boons to reward exploration, that line is a good reminder to do that!

The way you hold a pencil makes my hand hurt by proxy.

This is great! I’m glad you explicitly said you weren’t criticizing the initial five room dungeon design method, but I never thought that way. I always like the way you give credit to people who have done excellent work, and then you share how you add different tips and techniques and ways to implement them. Again, thanks for taking your time to share with us.

okay that's it. I'm buying isometric grid paper and a pencil.

your videos are pure gold, thank you. really appreciate your sensibilities and outlook, plus the artistry of your maps is exquisite.

Big fan of the wedding mnemonic. I thought you might have meant blue as in blue language — something to make the players swear! (In fact, that's how my version will work haha)

Your content is absolutely fantastic, really awesome practical and theoretical tips that have not only improved how I look at maps, but being a game master in general. Always a delight to watch!

I really appreciate how you hand-write the outlines of your videos. It's a terrific pedagogical technique that perfectly suits the style/theme of the channel.

I like your non-linear thought process.

Oh I am starting my intro session in less than four hours. But this just launched me over the mental hurdles I've been banging my head against for the last month. Ty ty ty ty ty tysm

I needed this so much, not for dungeon design, but for writers block

This is great stuff. The algorhythm needs to pick this content up!

I have to admit, I thought that "barrow" on the list was going to be a clever pun about, you know, the grave-mound kind of barrows, instead of just a misspelling of "borrow." Oh well, maybe next time.

I've just discovered you, I love you Verb philosophy, you're easy to listen to and a joy to watch. You're take on the 5 room dungeon coincides with mine, but your use of old, new, borrowed and Blue is brilliant and will be using that. Thanks much and now I'm going back to watching more of your videos.

I agree with you designing in reverse order, makes sure that you foreshadow future elements and builds cohesion through your dungeon!

Brilliantly simple.... love it!
The "something old/history of the place" alone seems so obvious, yet, it is a game changer