Thinking Critically: A D&D Discussion

This episode I'm joined by Pete, a.k.a. @BadDMPete, to discuss all about voices! If I can start off by apologising for the embarrassing mistake of confusing the Akira Kurosawa epic Seven Samurai with the Tom Cruise bombast of The Last Samurai, please forgive me! Now that's out of the way, I can tell you about the rest of the episode! Pete and I discuss how mistakes should be learned from to improve oneself, and that no one should ever feel pressured at the game table. In fact, understanding your own "voice" as a player is far more important than trying to find any unique or special character voice. Performance is an acquired talent, one that comes naturally, albeit slowly. A far more useful talent is being able to look after yourself, and support and guide others. Remember, this is ostensibly a podcast on Dungeons and Dragons! We also go into detail about how all NPCs are, whether it's liked or not, a mouthpiece for the DM. This means they can be used to subtlety or obnoxiously flavour and colour the universe. Another tool in the Dungeon Master toolkit!

Find Peter (@BadDMPete) on:

Find me on:

References:

Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeod

CW: Discussion around sexuality and relationships. References to sex.

This weeks guest is Declan, the "forever DM" of the Romancing the Dungeon podcast where the characters are all searching for that special someone! We discuss the what romance can mean in Dungeons & Dragons, such as the many forms it can take and reasons why it does, and does not, show up in campaigns. One of the most fundamental things to bear in mind is the comfort of those at the table, which can be monitored and achieved through regular check ins and open discussion. We regale each other with anecdotes featuring romance from our campaigns, or at least an interpretation of it. And that's really a core talking point of this episode: "romance" means many different things to many different people. Therefore it's as exciting and interesting as it is fraught with faux pas and potential missteps. However, adding an extra dimension to your character, in the form of romantic inclinations, can lead to fulfilling revelations and realisations that otherwise might've been missed. As with most leisure activities, D&D is a form of escapism, and not everyone wants the very real complications of relationships brought across into their fantasy universe, and so we must approach these topics with mindfulness and appreciation.

Find Declan (@DeclanDdy) on:

Find me on:

References:

Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeod

This episode I'm joined by Nikki from Beholder to No One, the award winning TTRPG podcast featuring discussions and one-shots. Broadly this episode can be summed up as "how random elements affect gameplay", however as we quickly find out that's a much deeper and multifaceted discussion. For example, even character generation (standard array versus rolling) can dramatically affect the theming of a character and how you approach role play. It's often considered that to embrace randomness, one must relinquish control, but Nikki and I discuss how this isn't always the case in Dungeons & Dragons, and despite D20s ostensibly "dictating" everything, the DM still has control. We propose a number of interesting discussions, such how the game is in a constant tug-of-war with itself: player agency is undoubtedly critically important, but the outcomes of their decisions are inherently unknown. Furthermore, how can we collaborate on a compelling story when the dice sit primed and ready to undermine our actions?

Find Nikki (@beholdertonoone) on:

Find me on:

References:

Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeod

This episode I'm joined by Joe Dunn (@jcd0818) to talk about a very stylish topic. Joe has 17 years TTRPG experience across multiple systems including D&D, Pathfinder, and Powered by the Apocalypse, so is exceptionally qualified to discuss all things "style". The first bulk of the episode is around the broad topic of "styles of gameplay" and how that differs between editions, modules, and players. For example, how do you marry the metaphysical, high-heroism style of Theros with traditional sword & sorcery D&D? A substantial part of the episode is dedicated to discussing how players with different styles can work together to achieve maximum enjoyment. I use one of my own players as the basis due to their noncommittal nature, despite sticking with my campaign for over a year! Some things never change though, such as the concept of "meta-acting" where the DM might find themselves in the position of performing for the players in real life, not just as an NPC. Finally, Joe and I round out the episode with some earnest self-reflection about our individual styles of GM'ing; I probably reveal more about myself than I realise!

Find joe (@jcd0818) on:

Find me on:

Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeod

This episode was recorded 8th April 2021 and includes lots of swearing, puns, and memes. You have been warned!

For this extended episode I gathered the cast of Cosmopunk, the actual-play homebrew Starfinder podcast, to discuss friction. Now, we do spend an awful lot of time talking about coffee, but nestled betwixt the brilliant puns and segues are nuggets of insight, raucous laughter, and life lessons. To begin, we discuss how drama between characters can cause friction at the table, and we talk though our various methods for dealing with it. The other side of the same coin is interaction between the players, and how that's fraught with it's own unique problems, exacerbated by playing remotely. Humans are social creatures, and so the lack of legitimate face-to-face communication can have a negative impact on TTRPGs. Eventually we get on to the topic of friction within a scientific context, and how that differs between fantasy (D&D) and science-fiction (Starfinder) settings. Don't worry, I got an 'E' in A Level Physics so the content is perfectly penetrable! Finally, listen to us realise in-situ that any friction between player characters and NPCs is, by extension, friction between the players and their DM. What this means for the game, and how you can use it to "fail forward", is discussed by this roguish group of experienced TTRPG'ers... and I'm also there.

Find the Cosmopunk crew on:

Find me on:

References:

Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeod

This week I'm joined by Aaron Saltzman (@five2lif), host of Feats & Fantasies actual-play podcasts Cataclysm Rising and Trivium of Time, to discuss everything about dice. We start by talking about how the requirement of random dice rolls fundamentally changes the nature of the "game" from what might be considered a "pure" role-playing experience. Despite my hypocrisy, Aaron and I share stories and anecdotes centred on dice and their oft whimsical nature. Although dice start as an esoteric prerequisite for D&D, they often transform into a completely different beast: a TCG-like collect-'em-up where it's worryingly easy to spend money on extra sets which are utterly surplus. Dice are possibly one of the only things that is the same for every D&D player, which brings us all together, no matter our differences.

Find Aaron on (@five2lif) on:

Find me on:

References:

Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeod

This episode is all about "Planning" campaigns, chapters, sessions, calendars, and characters. I'm joined by Jeff Nabors, the DM for the Reroll Expectations actual-play podcast and media director for Chasing XP. We discuss our various methods for planning our campaigns from the micro of moment-to-moment improv, to the macro of embedding meaningful character development into grand campaign arcs. There's a line between over-planning, and failure to plan (is planning to fail), and the thickness of that line, and it's position, is different from person to person, campaign to campaign. Inevitably, there will be some encounter that never sees the light of day; take solace in that you are not alone, and learning from the loss is something every DM has to come to terms with.

Find Jeff (@_RKDnc) on:

Follow me on:

References:

Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeod

For this whirlwind tour I'm joined by Colin Anderson, a.k.a. Family Fantasy RPG, and we take you through what it means to find a family through TTPRGs. Colin has a wealth of experience in the family-friendly homebrew and TTRPG space, and he shares his insight and experience gained from designing child-focused role-playing games. One thread which is universal, however, is that D&D is an evergreen learning activity for all ages and experience, and every sessions is a learning opportunity. This is true whether you're playing with three-year olds, or grizzled OD&D veterans. Having run games with both his child and partner, Colin explains the challenges that accompany a group of younger players, and how it can be uniquely rewarding. We also discuss why child-friendly TTRPGs are even required; the inherent complexity of the rules that I struggle with to this day! By offering simplified tiers of play through games such as Dino Riderz and Hero Kids, you can slowly and safely introduce new players to the wonders of RPGs, without the dense baggage of three hardback rule books.

Follow Colin (@FamFantasyRPG) on:

Follow me on:

References:

Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeod

I am joined once more by Karim, a.k.a. FeverDreamStudios, and we talk about the environments we create, play in, and maintain. Again, a surprisingly broad topic with varied interpretations and connotations. We begin with the mechanical, discussing how to design dynamic combat environments to encourage and empower PCs and NPCs alike. One major benefit this has is making "non-attack actions" useful in combat, enabled by making the space full of "tools". This helps makes some classes, which can often be perceived as two-dimensional, more versatile and viable in several different environments and settings. Karim then takes us through his three-step method for constructing interesting environments: hazards, tools, home-field advantage. The last part of the episode is around how to enable a healthy and effective mental wellbeing caring for and maintaining your environments - micro and macro. The desktop and DM screen is one thing, but the world we live in impacts us all, and is important for a healthy lifestyle, which is of course conducive to optimised game time!

Follow (@studios_fever) on:

Follow me on:

References:

Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeod

This episode I'm joined by Kyle, a.k.a. @Kibidiko, and we talk all things tactical. Broadly, the episode is split down between tactics for PCs and NPCs. To start, we talk about how PCs can work together, and by using little known options and combinations, can increase their chances of survival. D&D sometimes exists in this dissonant state of combat being extremely tactical, yet the PCs don't operate as a tight, effective team. There's some food for thought in this one about how this can be improved.

The second half of the episode is all about tactics for the DM, everything from how to effectively play "conscious" creatures, utilising the environment, and the consequences of a fight to the death. Kyle eloquently puts it when he states "not everything has to be a brawl", and we provide anecdotes and examples of how combat can end without bloodshed. 

Follow Kyle (@Kibidiko) on:

Follow me on:

References:

Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeod