7th Level Bardcast

Jason talks with Jarvis about the concept of using GM tools to encourage and discourage behavior that they as GM's wish to see or not see at the table. They lay out the behaviors that are most troublesome, or most desired, from their players, and the techniques that they each use to help their players understand how to stop or continue their behavior.

We split the life of a game into different segments, and we have defined them on our podcast many times. The names for each of the segments is about the only thing we each agree on. Each of us has a different definition of what they consist of, how they are used and to what degree. The degree of which we use each segment combines to create our own unique styles of running a game.

Hosts Jason and Mikel are joined by two guests from other shows to discuss gaming mediums. Josh from Late and Legends, a D&D actual play podcast, and Izzi from Nat 30's, a D&D actual play Twitch channel. Together the four of them take a look at how each of them came into their respective mediums, and what they enjoy about reaching an audience.

Players have a story they are trying to tell for their character; it is the job of the GM to help them tell that story. Players provide the GMs with insight into their characters’ motivations through backstory and narrative play. GMs can use this insight to facilitate the means for players to tell their characters’ stories.

A chat about selecting a system for the playing group gives Mikel and Scott a chance to share their experiences and methods for finding what works for the group.

NPCs have a life of their own, but a PC sees only a very limited part of that life. Tracking the life of an NPC gives the PCs a more complete insight into a NPC when they encounter them. It is up to the GM to determine how much of that life is prepared and how much is improvised. However, having NPC motivations, drives, goals, quicks, backstories, and backgrounds makes creating NPC arcs a great deal easier.

Jason and Jaryd are joined by Robbie from Could've Been Heroes, an actual play podcast in the land of Faritall, run in the Whim the Grim system. Robbie gives a breakdown of his game Whim the Grim, as well as how it fits into his podcast. Jason and Jaryd provide Robbie with some questions to help him delve into some of his design techniques as well.

Mikel and Jason talk with Josh Hatherley, from Late and Legends, about Major and Minor Arcs. Major and Minor arcs are the glue that hold a campaign together. Both the GMs and the PCs can have major and minor arcs that play out during a campaign. Additionally each of these arcs can influence the other to change the outcome.

Jason and Mikel talk with Sam Bowman about Sun and Bronze, a Bronze age Dungeons and Dragons 5e supplement that Sam is currently contributing to. Jason and Mikel pick Sam's brain on some of his design techniques and discuss some of the aspects of the supplement.

Jason questions Jarvis on homebrews. Jarvis gives his definition of what he thinks constitutes a homebrew and explains his process in using them in his games. Jarvis also discusses what is important to him when looking for balance in homebrews.