This week we break down this year's Big Geek Con

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This week we discuss high level play yet again, but with more feeling.

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This week we discuss nostalgia and whether it is good for the hobby, or bad.

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We discuss the hobby's emphasis on the Player vs the Character

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This week we discuss the top 5 ttrpg topics discussed online

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This week its a grab bag of topics, including our opinions, your welcome.

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Part one of our Savage Worlds live play!

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This week we conclude our Savage Worlds adventure

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This week we make a Savage Worlds character!

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We discuss the value of Editions in TTRPGs and in D &D in particular.

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This week we discuss how AI is used in our beloved hobby by WOTC/Hasbro and what we think about it.

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This week we discuss our latest face to face gaming: Savage Worlds Fantasy Companion! We also poke at WOTC and the blue-hairs a bit.

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This week we discuss the top ten reasons we (collectively) play Dungeons and Dragons.

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This week we discuss and rank our top DnD monsters.

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This week we discuss expectations in DnD and other ttrpgs from both the player and DM perspective.

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This week we discuss rules bloat in DnD and ttrpgs in general.

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Pat is on once again to discuss magic in ttrpgs and a new game in development

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notes to follow

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We discuss Cabin Con18! Also many lesser issues.

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This week we talk about what an adventurer might do with a monster corpse. Eating it is just one option.

Notes to follow

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This week we discuss why DnD only needs two classes ... maybe three.

Tickets for Big Geek Con 2024 on sale now:

https://tabletop.events/conventions/big-geek-con-2024

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If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show. We are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well.

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notes to follow

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Episode 184 Streamed Live Tuesday March 26, 2024. (R)

Catch-up from the past week

This past Friday 3/22/24 we live streamed Horde Wars Ultimate Campaign – much death and much miraculous recoveries. The Priest/Acolyte was, as always, One and Done!

Hirelings & Henchmen- Tools of the Trade or just Tools?

https://oldschoolroleplaying.com/henchmen-and-hirelings-in-dungeons-and-dragons/

Henchmen: is a better grade of hireling. While money may still be a motivating factor for them these are permanent retainers or allies for the player characters. They are sidekicks.

Advantages

Gives use for the hard-earned coin.

Allows for PCs to feel like big shots and build up to Domain play in an organic way and at lower or the lowest character levels.

Challenges

Who plays these NPCs especially if there is many of them? Additional burden on the DM???

How do you stop them from becoming fodder or “trap detectors”?

How do you handle these characters leveling up? How long will the follow the characters? A PC is level 5 and a henchman is level 4…does the boss-worker dynamic change?

At what point would it be ok to have a BBEG convince one of the hirelings/henchmen to turn on the party? Kill them in their sleep?

How do they/did they work throughout the editions?

Story Mechanics in TTRPGs?

Bennies, Re-rolls, Narrative Control, Hero Points, Fail Forward, Success with a Cost …others?

Yes, no, maybe, always good, sometimes good , never good?

How do they aid play? How do they hinder?

Big Geek Con 2

September 20-22, 2024/$30 for those who are 13+

Parents must be with their children at all times. We are not baby sitters.

Four Points by Sheraton Saginaw4960Towne Centre Road, Saginaw, MI 48604

+1 989 790 5050

Shameless Plug Time:

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We talk about the magic items in our games and what, if any, good they are.Big Geek Con 2024 tickets on sale!: https://tabletop.events/conventions/big-geek-con-2024$30 for 3 days!Sept 20 - 22Four Points by Sheraton Saginaw4960 Towne Centre RoadSaginaw, MI 48604https://tabletop.events/conventions/big-geek-con-2024Our Links:PayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tipKo-fi: https://ko-fi.com/biggusgeekus Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BiggusGeekus On the Web: Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.comEmail: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.comBig Geek Emporium: https://biggeekemporium.com/

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This week we talk about advancement in your game, and how you might change it up. We also discuss Dune movie presentations. So watch out for spoilers!

Big Geek Con 2024 tickets are on sale!

https://tabletop.events/conventions/big-geek-con-2024

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Its a Monster Mash this week as we talk about aberrations!Aberrations are creatures that cannot be easily grouped by physical description. These beings are often amorphous and alien. From the lowly mimic to the mighty beholder these nightmare creatures are often found underground or in the watery depths, seeking to devour or enslave. Sometimes both. Inspired in large part by the Cthulhu mythos, aberrations were part of early Dungeons and Dragons and have a place in many game settings and home tables.BECMI/Rules Cyclopedia: beholder,that’s it.
1e: Beholder, Mind flayer, Ixitxachitl, and a lot more https://dungeonsdragons.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_Advanced_Dungeons_%26_Dragons_1st_edition_monsters2e: https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_Monsters
3.x: https://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/3e_SRD:Aberration_Type
4e: https://dungeonsdragons.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_Dungeons_%26_Dragons_4th_edition_monsters
5e: https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters?filter-type=1&filter-search=&filter-cr-min=&filter-cr-max=&filter-armor-class-min=&filter-armor-class-max=&filter-average-hp-min=&filter-average-hp-max=&filter-is-legendary=&filter-is-mythic=&filter-has-lair=&filter-partnered-content=f Big Geek Con 2024 Tickets on sale: (Sept 20 - 22)
https://tabletop.events/conventions/big-geek-con-2024If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show, we are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well.
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This week we discuss many of the odd topics surrounding DnD spewing forth from the internet

Big Geek Con 2024 tickets on sale:https://tabletop.events/conventions/big-geek-con-2024Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show. We are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well.

Cash SupportPayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tipKo-fi: https://ko-fi.com/biggusgeekus Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BiggusGeekus On the Web: Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.comEmail: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.comBig Geek Emporium: https://biggeekemporium.com/

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With the upcoming release of 6th Edition by WoTC and our ongoing desire for OUR DnD, we bring you some things you can to do to freshen up the old girl. This will be a recurring topic, offering new ideas or changes to previous ideas under this topic. This may (likely will) eventually depart from the old game and birth a new one.

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Episode 178 Streamed Live Tuesday February 13, 2024Main Topic: Who is the true Dungeon Master…Gary or Dave?A review of two documentaries: 1.) Secrets of Blackmoor: A Tue History of Dungeons & Dragons https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9301886/plotsummary/?ref_=tt_ov_pl 2.) The Dreams in Gary’s Basementhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt10621206/Both movies painted their respective subjects in a good light Blackmoor for Mr Arneson’s part and Dreams for Mr Gygax. However neither treated the other’s subject in a bad light, letting the ages old schism remain in the past. Both mostly focused on the positive contributions each paid to our hobby. Secrets of Blackmoor went into great detail about how the tabletop RPG hobby sprung from war gaming, largely though Dave Arneson’s efforts. Dreams focused on Gary Gygax’s similar journey detailing the rise and fall of TSR and its eventual purchase by Wizards of The Coast.In light of these two documentaries, it seems the hobby owes it existence to both of these visionaries, though it is uncertain as to who gets top billing. At this point it hardly matters.Modules or Roll Your own?Modules/Pre-packaged Adventures Advantages: all encounters and stats done for you, plot ready to go, read-n-run (???), nice maps & visuals, and can dovetail with your own ideas(can even steal them from modules) and they can be fun to read. Disadvantages: may not fit your group, too railroad-y, costly($?), may need to shoe horn the current campaign/party situation into the adventure( Slavers series??/), politicization of games could creep in and long adventure paths/modules can be a lot to read and prepare even though it is all laid out for you.Rolling Your Own Advantages: easier to prep(theoretically), can react on the fly w/o worry of “messing” up the adventure, do not have to spend time reading, allows you infinite freedom and you can tailor it to your group from the start. Disadvantages: must make your own maps & prep time/write stats( ?), may need to use monster books/charts/random tables and “wing’in it” can result in non-sensical situations ( “ an aboleth, that doesn’t make any sense!”), inspiration can run dry, Big Geek Con 2: get ticket at - https://tabletop.events/conventions/big-geek-con-2024September 20-22, 2024/$30 for those who are 13+ Parents must be always with their children. We are not babysitters.Four Points by Sheraton Saginaw4960 Towne Centre Road, Saginaw, MI 48604+1 989 790 5050Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show. We are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well.Cash SupportPayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tipKo-fi: https://ko-fi.com/biggusgeekus Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BiggusGeekus On the Web: Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.comEmail: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.comBig Geek Emporium: https://biggeekemporium.com/

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Tickets for Big Geek Con on sale: https://tabletop.events/conventions/big-geek-con-2024

This week we discuss situations when you may need multiple DMs. Also the supposed Tencent issue.

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notes to follow

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Episode 175 Streamed Live Tuesday January 23, 2023Main Topic: Divide -Divide-Divide The Hobby!https://youtu.be/L9pDhntGoVY?t=30 (sample of the song “Divide” by Disturbed)Bravo Mr. Boivin: https://youtu.be/u20Wuj5gMY0 What is wrong with just accepting the natural division of folks in the hobby? (i.e., BrOSR, 4D, Basic DD 1st-3rd level, 3.X epic tabletop skirmish, Sparkletroll Barista D&D, etc.) Let them do what they want and screech about being Elite, who cares? Shouldn’t we all just try to be excellent to each other? Maybe we should try to be excellent in our chosen playstyle? Let’s be elite in our own preferred play style, if possible, whatever that may be. Can Big Geek Con begin to be the play we attempt to achieve excellence in our style of play?This may include some Gatekeeping, but only as it pertains to folks trying to horn in on your fun by bringing in some other style you do not enjoy or maybe do NOT want at your table. We can and should still nerd rage but try to pursue this excellence, if nothing else just for ourselves. If it helps others then so be it. Plus, it’ll be fun to debate who are the true elites of TTRPGS!More Settings & Adventures and Less Systems!Inspired by a Facebook post I commented on and then was commented on by the following:Bitty Jen(username on Facebook)“Respectfully, I’ll pass.As mentioned earlier, there are more than enough rulesets/variants/clones/combo-rewrites..etc etcBut good luck with yours.What the community reallyneeds are competent writers of modules/campaigns who don’t take themselves too seriously, and don’t try to reinvent the wheel with stupid gimmicks.”New systems are not bad may be but less valuable to some these days than new settings/adventures/modules/Pop-in Principles/System neutral.Randy: “I do not deny the gamer fascination and love of new systems/games, but I’d like to see ore settings a la Savage Worlds business model over WoTC and many others endless array of supplements then Rinse&Repeat for each new edition. System neutral is ,for me, superior since it will never require updates/new editions and will be evergreen. Experienced DMs would find more value from Adventures/Modules/Settings than new systems in general if they have a long running campaign…yes, I am speaking for them.Of course, some GMs like other game systems for cannon fodder.Now gamers, in general, cannot resist the new shiny, but in the realm of the OSR, it has been said many times...who needs another clone retro or otherwise? What about Monte Cook’s Arcana Unearthed/Evolved style ‘systems? Too much like retro-clones, I guess.But the monetary drawback is 1 DM – 1 purchase…how to monetize such settings and adventure modules to the players?What could a player be offered besides a new system?”Report from Big Geek LandBig Geek Con 2September 20-22, 2024Friday Noon-11pm, Saturday 8a-11pm, Sunday Noon-6p???Considering get-together at the attached Uno’s Friday & Saturday 9pm till close to play, wind down, meet-n-greet.Location: Four Points by Sheraton Saginaw: 4960 Towne Centre Road, Saginaw, MI 48604+1 989 790 5050Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show. We are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well.Cash SupportPayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tipKo-fi: https://ko-fi.com/biggusgeekus Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BiggusGeekus On the Web: Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.comEmail: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.comBig Geek Emporium: https://biggeekemporium.com/

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Episode 174 streamed live Tuesday January 16, 2024

Main Topic: What are the OSR’s of today? Old School Renaissance or Old School Revival

A little History:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_School_Renaissance

A couple of primers:

A Quick Primer for Old School Gaming (Matt Finch and Mythmere Games 2008):https://ia601802.us.archive.org/28/items/a-quick-primer-for-old-school-gaming/A%20Quick%20Primer%20for%20Old%20School%20Gaming.pdf
New OSR Primers (Lumpkin, Milton, & Perry):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VSa6hSvQAlyvkTfmqhix1Z2EoFJPR-CP/view

The Different Flavors of the OSR today

https://osrsimulacrum.blogspot.com/2021/12/a-historical-look-at-osr-part-v.html

“It was simply a rebirth of interest in old-school Dungeons &Dragons, specifically as its original designers intended it to beplayed. Its adherents had never entirely disappeared, but it wascertainly a playerbase on life support for the longest time. Around2007 began a renaissance, one that manifested in a variety of waysbut at its heart was firmly rooted in mechanical compatibilitywith TSR-era D&D and a sharing of certain key design principlesthat went with those editions and the way their designers intended them to be played…”

The main four variants:

Classic OSR: The original wave. Has both compatibility and principles.

OSR-Adjacent: Some principles, some compatibility.

NSR: Principles, but not compatibility.

Commercial OSR: Compatibility, but not principles.

OTHERS:

FKR:Free Kriegsspiel Revolution

Numbers don’t add up to a game.
If the fiction fits, try it.
Youplay worlds, not rules.
https://followmeanddie.com/2021/10/02/fkr-free-kriegsspiel-revolution/

Great video by ben Milton of Questing beast for overview:https://youtu.be/d4lvrC3ZBzM

BRoSR:https://youtu.be/JIEW2r6deXs
“AD&D 1st edition with absolutely no house rules, do every single thing Gary told you todo." Also patron play / Braunstein where manydomain level characters that would be NPC are run by the players"

More annoying links:

1) https://jonmollison.com/2022/11/10/brosr-principles-a-primer/

2) https://bdubsanddragons.blogspot.com/2021/11/bdubs-essential-guide-to-patron-play.html

3) https://bdubsanddragons.blogspot.com/2021/07/jeffrogaxian-time-keeping-vs-variable.html

Live Character Creation

Let’s create a character with as many random rolls as possible using Horde Wars!

Random Geek-itude

Big Geek Con 2

Dates: September 20-22, 2024 (Times TBD)

Four Points by Sheraton Saginaw

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Episode 173 Streamed Live Tuesday January 9, 2024Main Topic: What time is it? Timekeeping in D&DWhat is the value of time keeping? Is it worth the effort? Abstract or precise units of time? Which version of D&D does this in the way you most prefer? What game does this in the way you most prefer?Campaign Level View: events in the world/region/city/base town, Holy days for religious orders, special astronomical events, magical confluences, others?Character Level View: spell durations, round durations, disease/poison duration, ration usage, light sources, aging process, stamina, rest & recuperation, and others?Consider: https://www.reddit.com/r/osr/comments/17qab2z/an_attempt_at_strict_time_keeping_records/Too extreme? Adventure Level View: Dungeon mapping, dungeon crawling (real light sources/torches. Equipment usage, overland travel, time limits/pressure, etc/other?Player Needs: Time to play, time in between turns, breaks in play. Etc/other?BRoSR: https://bdubsanddragons.blogspot.com/2021/07/jeffrogaxian-time-keeping-vs-variable.html https://bdubsanddragons.blogspot.com/2021/11/bdubs-essential-guide-to-patron-play.html When Gaming Preferences become true BiasesWhen you learn/see/try a new game, what sorts of preconceived notions/preferences may keep you from enjoying them or enjoying them fully? How might they influence how you play the game or even if you would even try to play it? 1. Genres: fantasy (dragons and wizards), historical, sci fi, horror, superhero, mixed genres, other? 2. Settings: homebrew vs published 3. Mechanics: die types, diceless, cards, built-in safety tools, others? 4. Companies: woke vs non-woke, TSR vs WoTC, other? 5. Editions: 1e vs 2e vs etc any game 6. Simulation vs Emulation vs NarrativeAs well as Trad games vs indie vs dungeon crawler’s vs OSR vs Modern 7. Play styles: RP-1st/2nd/3rd person, Adventure: sandbox, AP, modules, others? 8. The stereotypes associated with the game or the players of the game?Report from Big Geek LandBig Geek Con 2Meeting Jan 15th to determine exact dates of BGC2. Likely September 20-22, 2024Four Points by Sheraton SaginawShameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show. We are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well.Cash SupportPayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tipKo-fi: https://ko-fi.com/biggusgeekus Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BiggusGeekus On the Web: Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.comEmail: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.comBig Geek Emporium: https://biggeekemporium.com/

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This week we discuss a variety of topics, including New Year's Gaming Resolutions, with Patrick of Pointy Hat Games.

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notes to follow

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Episode 170 Streamed Live Tuesday December 19, 2023

Main Topic: Horde Wars Basic and Beyond with Blackwall Games

We discuss Horde Wars with Todd and Nate of Blackwall Games. Horde Wars is a fantasy tabletop RPG that leans into a medieval European tropes to inform its design. This is mixed with other influences to give it a unique feel. It also relies on a combination of classes and skills that give players many combinations to choose from.

Many topics were covered:

Where does the Basic game stand?
What about the advanced version?
How does Horde Wars facilitate campaign play?
With so many games on Guilded, how do you keep motivated?
Are you and Nate both running playtest groups?
Are you and Nate going to Cabin Con #2
How do you design monsters?
How do you design encounters?

d12 days of Horde Wars! TheChristmas Holiday Special giveaway!

We have given 9 away so far…Last 3 tonight!!!

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Whatmakes a Challenging Game?

Episode 167 Streamed Live Tuesday November 28, 2023

Main Topic: What makes a Challenging Game?

CR vs random tables vs encounters to fit the ‘story’/adventure.

When does challenging become a meat grinder?

How can mechanics inform the challenge of a game?

Some examples for comparison:

DnD OSR : fairly random, expect that the ‘wilderness’ could producealmost any creature, no skill checks to challenge Player characters-proficiencies allowed for this to a lesser extent in later editions,combat dangerous to engage and sometimes players need to havesuperior planning and careful with resources.

DnD 3.X +: CR becomes a bigger thing, skills significant in 3.X, less so in 4e and 5e but big push to challenge PCs not players, combatusually lands in favor of the PCs especially if player skill is highenough to build a powerful PC.

13th age: skills more loosely defined via backgrounds, short ofsignificant imbalanced encounter design PCs almost always win, very predictable combat if follow the patterns shown by the adventures provided by the game,

Savage Worlds: whole game is skill based, Pcs are heroes, but combat can be swingy

Rolemaster: critical tables cause the game to lean toward swinginess

Do you prefer games that are run so that they challenge the character more than the player or vice versa?

Some additional thoughts on magic systems

Joe:
Using 1e ADnD magic as a base, add the following:

Spell/Magic/Manapoints Use an activation check (may replace a save*)

This is a alternate to having a magic phase in combat:

Divide spells into categories: Invocations (combat cast), Incantations (may be interrupted) , Ritual (not for combat)
Attack roll instead of saves as much as possible, one roll even for AOE. Use saves for spells that control or deceive, such as charm, sleep, etc.

Consider Entangle: An attack roll represents the plants initial grasping of targets. Anytime someone enters after the initial casting gets an attack roll as well. Magic attacks are based on caster’s magic stat with bonuses at higher level. Miss will mean the same as a save did.

Randy:

Prefer spells be re-written completely & would like more evocativenames. Coarsal’s Conflagration (common parlance- Fireball)- think of it as a nod to Vance.

Might combat spells be automatically cast ( i.e., no disruption), butdebuffed a bit so that they do not dominate. EX: Lightning Bolt: less damage, but still affect multiples.

Or some spells could be offensive, but be incantations such as:

Fireball (maybe increase damage), Haste(ritual version [affectsa group of folks for s specified time amount maybe in rounds orminutes]/incantations version [cast at the spur of the moment,maybe in combat/maybe not, only affects one person and duration is but a couple rounds maximum])

So, some spells could be cast in a variety of forms: combat,ritual, incantation or mix Rituals take anywhere from Minutes to years in preparation, collection of components, performance of rites, and casting time. However, these should be highly useful and/or powerful/game changing.

Random Geek-itude

The d12 Days of Horde Wars- Christmas Holiday Special giveaway!

12 PDFS given away over the next 3-4 weeks.

We will need your email ,but will determine the winner based upon random roll

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Episode 166 Streamed Live Tuesday November 21, 2023

Main Topic: Combating Combat -Things to consider as you design a combat system for a fantasy TTRPG.

What kinds of feel or experience do you want combat to give?

Frenetic, fog of war, cinematic/heroic action, gritty blood-n-bone combat, other?

Emulation vs. Simulation
Need to decide if BALANCE is important, and HOW to handle it

Complexity can often stall the game.

How “old-school” do you go? (all attacks do d6, weapon vs. armor,speed factor, phases)
How should the offense and defense capabilities interact?

D&D: AC, attack roll, damage rolls vs HPS

Armor as DR, wounds vs vitality

Simplified comparison: combat skill vs defensive skill/opposed rolls.

Include a separate Dodge/Parry/Block/Evade mechanic?

How many actions does a character get per turn? And how does it affect combat

Movement: double moves, running, AOO’s, withdrawals

Attack: melee, range, spell, number of attacks,

Other types: speaking, opening a door, interacting with an object.

Do actions effect initiative order?
Character types and limitations if any in combat.

Armor and weapon limitations.

Combat skill limitations.

Who gets to be good at what?

Can wizards wear armor and cast spells?

Can warriors sneak around?

Spell disruption (OSR vs 3.X vs 13th age)
Fear of Magic dominance

How does the initiative system interact with combat?

Is it turn-based? Side initiative (OSR), individual (3.X,Savage Worlds), # actions based on speed(GURPS/Hackmaster/Shadowrun), He who starts the fight goesfirst/free form, highest roll goes first then around the table inclockwise order (horde Wars)

How important is it?

OTHER considerations:

Setting and Rules often feed into each other.

If the game is mainly about combat, then perhaps the combat system should be robust and detailed.

If the game is meant to be about the story that gets told around thetable, then maybe the system needs to be more fluid with interchangeable pieces to increase or decrease complexity in thesystem.
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Episode 158 Streamed Live Tuesday September 26, 2023
Main Topic: Big Geek Con 1- Post Shenanigans Report
People to thank
Workers/helpers:
A special nod goes to Randy’s wife & K. Scott
Appreciation to Joe Hardin and His wife, L. Neumann, Martenson, Greg T., Larry E., and Fladey ( for donations to raffle) as well as David Guyll (donations for raffle- extreme number of miniatures).
The GMs:
Fladey, Larry N., Larry E., Martenson, Kelley, Tim, and Benny S., Darth Thiek (Commander -style tourney), Halcyon, J. Demo, Nathan Lindy, and Geoff S.
Special Kudos:
Ben R. playing with Bennie.
Bennie gave away his prize to a friend
Far travelers: Darth Thiek, Fladey and guest, Abub.
Nathan Lindy: ran Horde Wars like a boss!
Business end
Set up
Advertising
Setting up GMs and sessions
How did we do?

of Attendees

Friday: 34
Saturday: 47
Games played by BG and favorite things
Randy - games played: Modern War by young 13 year old (his own homebrew), Cheating Death- by Tim Scott : TPK and a mighty screw up on my part, and 13th age by Larry E.- enjoyable ,but more guffaws by moi. (very tired)
Randy’s Favorites: Loved my theme of not reading the dice right, loved my kids’ game(great ideas and cool thing), watching Horde Wars tables fill up non-stop, & inspired by my running of my module(very first session), and meeting the various dudes from the chat on this show.
Joe - games played: Rifts Coalition Wars, Extreme Xcrawl, Horde Wars, Dungeon Crawl Classics, Palladium Fantasy, and 13th Age
Joe’s Favorites: Meeting folks from the live stream, you guys ROCK! Getting some gaming in after a long break.
Food: hot dogs, pulled pork, chips, cookies, soda, water, candy bars.
Good/Bad/Ugly
Suggestion Box:
Sound buffering
Credit card payment option on site
Stagger early games
Late start Friday/end Sunday
AC/Fans needed
Place merchandise closer to entrance
Advertise at local games stores
People buying weekend pass should get two “raffle” tickets (or more incentive)
If possible buy stuff to raffle
Game sign up online if possible
Tabletop events and dates set earlier
45 minute registration pre-game
Floating GM each slot
Encourage folks to show up ten minutes before games
More variety of diet pop
Add a space on sign-in sheet for email and to text notifications
Kids play place
How about Big Geek Con 2?
Shameless Plug Time:
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Episode 157 Streamed Live Tuesday September 19, 2023

Main Topic: Handling PC Death (a revisit)

Should it be on the table at all?
How much does it suck to have your PC to die mid-session?
Types of Death? Fair (Player poor choices or fairly rolled combat deaths). VS Unfair (GM Fiat/unfair targeting of a PC/1 save or die)
Classic D&D solution: Raise Dead/Resurrection
Basket full of PCs (old school Dark Sun)
How is Death handled in Games outside of the fantasy genre?
How has your opinion on PC death changed/evolved/stayed the same since EP7?
Death Mechanics You’ve seen in a game?

Squishing Gaming Myths - Roll Players vs Role-Players

Is there a divide?

Does it matter?

Why or why not?

Can the two gamers mix?

Random Geek-itude Report from Big Geek Land

Big Geek Con: September 22-23, 2023, at the Four Points Hotel in Saginaw, MI.

This coming weekend is THE weekend!

Tickets sold day of show: $40 whether you come Friday(22nd) orSaturday(23rd).

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Episode 156 Streamed Live Tuesday September 12, 2023

Mental Illness as badge of Honor

https://dotesports.com/dnd/news/first-canonically-autistic-dnd-character-arrives-in-the-book-of-many-things

Main Topic: Planescape Reimagined

The Great Wheel Cosmology:https://srd.dndtools.org/srd/environment/planesDescriptionsAndCosmology.html

Randy’s Big IDEA: The prime (Prime Plane) is prime real estate throughout the Multiverse and all the other planes want it. Why? It is the only plane that is not dedicated to a single idea or alignment. It has desirable resource (its residents) and it is not primarily dedicated to a single idea or alignment.

Sigil:City of Doors is run by a Great Council of Dominant representatives of non-deity level leaders from the planes of the multiverse They are in a constant political dance called the Kreigstanz in an attempt to outmaneuver each other. This keeps them from mounting a full assault on the prime material plane. Of course, many of these powerful individuals will do a little ‘invading” secretly or sometimes not so secretly from time to time.

Lady of Pain: head of the table- a powerful entity who can keep out powerful immortal creatures due to the nature of the City of Doors. She has a seemingly endless horde of warriors called Dabus who do not speak, but only act. They might be constructs or a race of mute beings, no one knows for sure because as they die their bodies dissipate into nothing or meld into the streets of Sigil.

The Factions: these could be human/PC race led organizations that attempt to win favors from the Great Council, the Lady of Pain, or perhaps to just keep an eye on the dealings of these planar entities who would wish to dominate the Prime Material Plane.

The PORTALS: These exist as the only way to access Sigil and only the Lady and Dabus have control to their access at least officially.

Joe’s Big IDEA:
Skip Sigil and keep the focus on the PCs’ homeworld as much as possible.

PCs’ home world has occasional invaders from the wider multiverse, maybe other prime worlds
Invasion forces vary in strength
Forces are after a valuable resource (make one up lazy!)
May be a single force, maybe multiple
May be independent forces, maybe coordinated
Can easily be used to springboard a campaign
Can be used as a one shot “Stop The Invaders” adventure

-- get to ground zero

-- battle to penetrate a stronghold

-- find and eliminate the leader/close portal (not necessarily connected)
Squishing Gaming Myths: D&D is NOT a GOOD TTRPG.

It is just the most popular.

It doesn’t represent magic well.

Levels are dumb and skills are where it’s at.

It is just an adventure game, no roleplaying support.

It doesn’t work past level 6/10/12

It is too complicated.

Report from Big Geek Land

Big Geek Con: September 22-23, 2023, at the Four Points Hotel in Saginaw, MI. “Do Not try that at a Small Con!” We got some good help working on the non-gaming stuff.

Tickets sold day of show: $40 whether you come Friday(22nd) or Saturday(23rd).

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Episode 153 Streamed Live Tuesday August 22, 2023

Shout out the Geeapaloozapodcast

Two of our Cabin Con buddies have started a Twitch podcast on general gaming: https://www.twitch.tv/geekapaloozapodcast

Main Topic: Gaming Facts or Fiction?

Old DnD Research:https://www.dndresearch.com/blog/2020-survey-result-update-1-demographic-of-ttrpg-players#/

RAW vs RAI vs Homebrew Rules: Is it a big deal at most tables?

https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?398993-On-RAW-RAI-amp-RAF

Gamer Funk: are gamers are a smelly bunch? Banned!: https://www.theregister.com/2019/04/05/stnky_gamers_banned/

Con Crud:If you go to a convention will you likely come home with the plague? https://publichealthinsider.com/2018/08/31/gaming-cosplay-and-con-crud-oh-my/

Gamers have low social skills: Can gamers interact socially outside of the table? https://digitalcommons.pace.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1199&context=honorscollege_theses

Gamers are smart: Does the average gamer have an IQ that is above average? Video gamers article: https://technave.com/gadget/Study-suggests-that-PC-gamers-have-highest-average-IQ-22139.html

TTRPGs have been and is still a boy’s club: Are there any women in the house? Video games: https://techpenny.com/roleplaying-gamer-demographics-trends/

TTRPGs: https://blog.gitnux.com/tabletop-gaming-statistics/

D&D Weirdness: Leveling Up

Old school: Gain XP then gain level after you train..
New school: Gain XP then gain level & mid-adventure or in-between encounters

Level Caps on non-humans- too weird. But having a level cap on Mortals seems reasonable

Everything increases at the same time

Defeating opponents/gaining treasure to get stronger.

Training – Use a mentor who advises and occasionally offers insight, and adventure seeds.
Level caps: Make them setting/table specific
How to get exp: add in goals based exp (some examples in different versions)
Everything increases: have to redesign the game on some level to make this change

Random Geek-itude: Report from Big Geek Land

“Cry Havoc, and remember, you just ‘Try That at a Small Con!” ( Thanks Venger!)

1 Month away folks!

Suggestions: Kids 13 and under free with an adult (max two kids per adult) and adult must accompany the child during the whole time.

Tickets sold day of show: $40 whether you come Friday(22nd) or Saturday(23rd).

Tragedy at Taigon’s Falls at BGE:
https://biggeekemporium.com/product/tragedy-at-taigons-falls/

Big Geek Con Discord thread for games:

https://discord.com/channels/758861997697138759/1142771211298938890

Shameless Plug Time:

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Episode 152 Streamed Live Tuesday, August 15, 2023

Special Guests DM Blackwall and DM Nate

Horde Wars Basicis available on BGE

Campaign Analysis: So, you all meet in a bar.

Should Pcs be generated together (“session zero”) or individually/separately?
Should the Pcs know each other?
Many ways to start a campaign (the first adventure):
In a tavern with a mysterious stranger.
Hired as Caravan guards.
In media res.
Mission Impossible- your mission if you choose to accept it. No reason. Module or homebrew…just begin.
Full sandbox: players choose their starting place and see if the PCs meet up, maybe via some sort of event?
Jazzing up these beginnings:
Mysterious meeting with hermit sage outside the city.
PCs are mercenaries on a merchant ship defending against Pirates.
PCs are the only survivors of a battle on a hilltop.
PCs begin at the entrance of … (insert module or adventure)
PCs are lead to an alchemist who turns out dead ...

D&D Weirdness: Randomness

Why are we in the RPG sphere so attached to randomness?
The need for some element of failure/success
The random elementbrings excitement.

Removes arbitrary choices.
Combining success/failure with severity of effect:
Rolling a hit then getting 1 damage on a random roll, for instance?
Lean into randomness to improve the experience:

Make the success roll pivotal so it influences the effect, like the way crits work.

Dice Superstitions

Unlucky/lucky dice and players.

Don’t touch another gamer’s dice.

Put new dice through rituals to make them roll well

Must have dice of one-color set.

Roll with specific dice every time.

Random Geek-itude

Big Geek Con: September 22-23, 2023, at the Four Points Hotel in Saginaw, MI

Big Geek Adventures: Tragedy at Taigon’s Falls is done and will be posted on BGE soon!

Horde Wars Basic: https://biggeekemporium.com/product/horde-wars-basic/

Find Horde Wars at Grand Con: https://www.grand-con.com/exhibitors-2023

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Deities of Your Campaign

Episode 150 Streamed Live Tuesday August 1, 2023

Main Topic: Deities in Your Campaign

Pantheons or Monotheistic settings.
Using the real world mythologies in your game.
Creating your own.
Using a game’s settings deities as written.
No deities
To what extent should they take front stage in a campaign?
Can you call down the gods?
What are the eternal consequences of deities in a campaign?

DnD Weirdness: Adventuring Part 2 - The Campaign World’s Adaptation to adventuring

Adventuring Companies
Traditional organizations sending out adventurers

Folk referring to “adventurers” and understanding it as a thing

Adventurers become the pioneers/colonizers and/or troubleshooters

150th episode Giveaway

Give away one ticket to BG Con 1 on September 22-23,2023.

Random Geek-itude: Report from Big Geek Land

Big Geek Con: September 22-23, 2023, at the Four Points Hotel in Saginaw, MI. – be there or be square!

Shameless Plug Time:

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Episode 147 Streamed Live Tuesday July 11, 2023

The Main Hobby is Busted

Baldur’s Gate 3 video game: https://news.yahoo.com/baldurs-gate-3s-commitment-d-190000993.html
Cohors Cthuhlhu Game - https://youtu.be/96Eb7ZFgtVE
We need a true alternate hobby culture…fight the power!

Main Topic: DnD Weirdness

Exploring the weirdness of Dungeons.
That they exist at all.
Old school dungeons don’t stay empty

If you lean into the last point, empty dungeons don’t stay empty, it can serve the atmosphere of your game world. What fills the dungeons? How is it filled? Why do dungeons not stay emptied? Answering these questions, some or all, can be a fun way to add depth and perhaps a dit of quirkiness to your game.
Some related points:

Are the monsters attracted?

Are they spawned?

Does this impact the surrounding area?

Can the attraction/spawning cause overflow?

Where do these monsters come from?

Randy is convinced he is not an really an OSR player/DM.

There are many things about OSR style play to like.

Less number of spells

Encumbrance

Resource tracking

ZERO to HERO
However there many things to not like:
1 HP PC
XP charts w/insanely slow progression

Spell segments/weapon speed

THACO

Vancian Magic

Random Geek-itude

Big Geek Con: September 22-23, 2023, at the Four Points Hotel in Saginaw, MI.

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We go into detail with Best of Dragon vol 2, detailed notes to follow.

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Episode 144 Streamed Live Tuesday June 20, 2023

Main Topic: Monster Mash #14 - Slimes, Oozes, etc.

Over the various editions of Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) there have been a few standard monsters in this category. They are generally amorphous, unintelligent, slow moving and are more like hazards than creatures. What makes them creatures is they grow, likely reproduce, and “attack” by some form of acid. In essence, they try to break down their victims and absorb them.
These creatures have not organization or culture. Those attacked are done so opportunistically, not from any type of desire or motivation. Something lands on or near them and they attempt to digest it.

The standard creatures are: Black Pudding, Gray Ooze, Green Slime, Ochre Jelly, Yellow Mold, and the Gelatinous Cube. The gelatinous cube is a little different from the others as they use pseudopods to attack and can actively move to a target. Later, Violet Fungi, Shriekers, and Gas Spores were added to this category as “fungus creatures”. These are a bit more complex, but still unintelligent.

We discuss:

1) Their differences over the editions

2) Memorable encounters

3) Alternate takes or uses in encounters
Random Geek-itude: Report from Big Geek Land

Big Geek Con: September 22-23, 2023
Four Seasons Hotel in Saginaw, MI. – be there or be square!

NEW:
1) Kids 13 and under free with an adult (max two per adult) adult must accompany the child

2) Tickets will sold day of show: $40.

3) EP150 give away few tickets for Big Geek Con.

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Episode 143 Streamed Live Tuesday June 13, 2023
A short discussion of “fauxSR”, being an online disagreement about the OSR, with guest Ryan David of Nerdcognito Main Topic: Monster Mash #13: Here there be DRAGONS Part 2
We pick up from the discussion on ep142 and begin with “ecology”. How do dragons fit into the world and what considerations should be made. These considerations can be political, territorial, existential, etc. We also discuss some of our favorite dragon encounters, and some alternate ways to use them in your campaigns.

Should the concern be with how much they eat?
How do they fly?
Is it wrong to present tribute?
How rare should they be?
Bestial or Intelligent?
Is it really all that it’s cracked up to be? Best of Dragon Magazine Vol. #1:

Review and highlights…perhaps even hit the table of contents. Usefulness of such magazines back in the day and today? Where are they now? Opinion on articles? Any specific one you liked?
Those who tried to replace them: Gygax Magazine, Kobold Quarterly, etc?

Current Day: Mad Scribe magazine - #2 soon to be out with the article from yours truly.

Random Geek-itude

Report from Big Geek Land

Big Geek Con: September 22-23, 2023 at the Four Winds Hotel in Saginaw, MI. – be there or be square!

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Episode 140 Streamed Live Tuesday May 23, 2023

Main Topic: What is the Player’s job at the game table?

Talked about the job of the DM and a few ways it can be approached. Let’s do the same for the folks on the other side of the screen.

Don’tbe a jerk.
Learn the rules related to your character.
Build characters that get along well in a group environment. Try to do things that are not just fun for you.
Know what you want to do on your turn (especially/mainly in tense moments such as combat). Pay attention during such moments.
Try to fit in with the group’s style. If not, then kindly excuse yourself.
Realize your PC isn’t the star and could bite the bullet. There is plenty of extra paper to make a new PC.
Do NOT try tobreak the game with your uber-PC.
Don’t overly gimp your PC to become a drain on the group.
Don’t be overly cautious…engage the scenario/challenge/situation.
If the game is long term, try to get the $ to invest in a copy of the rules.
Do NOT cheat!

Campaign Analysis: Homebrew vs Published/pre-made World.

Played Hyperborea, used pre-made adventure -thoughts on the session.

Random Geek-itude: Report from Big Geek Land

https://tabletop.events/conventions/big-geek-con-2023

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Episode 139 Streamed Live Tuesday May 16, 2023

Special Note: Big Geek Con 2023 tickets on SALE!
https://tabletop.events/conventions/big-geek-con-2023

Main Topic: What’s the DM’s job?

Relevant links:

https://gnomestew.com/how-different-rpgs-define-the-gms-role/

https://gnomestew.com/game-master-referee-storyteller-whats-in-a-name/

https://www.escapistmagazine.com/judging-the-game/

https://www.escapistmagazine.com/its-not-your-story/

https://dwelleroftheforbiddencity.blogspot.com/2020/11/the-dm-as-storyteller-versus-dm-as.html

https://gnomestew.com/storyteller-or-facilitator-two-approaches/https://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Role-Playing_Game_Manifesto_(DnD_Other)

https://www.enworld.org/threads/rather-long-dm-as-judge-vs-dm-as-storyteller-in-5ed.321691/

DMRoles:
World Builder

Adversary

Storyteller

Judge

The Judge referees the interaction of the PCs with the environment. This comes from D&D’s wargaming roots. In the old days wargaming rules were a lot less cut and dry and in addition to the two players there was a judge who would not only make sure that both sides followed the rules but who would make rulingswhen people did things that went outside the rules. This is the same thing that a DM as Judge does, make sure that the players follow the rules and make rulings when they do things that fall into the grey areas of the rules or completely outside them.

The Storyteller crafts a story to share with their players. The player characters are the protagonists of the story as the storyteller guides them through it. Through play, the characters experience the story. His job is to make that story unfold and guide the players through it. The players are to play their characters and move through the story.

Random Geek-itude

Big Geek Con: Friday & Saturday 9/22-23,2023
Tickets: $30 (both days)

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Episode 138 Streamed Live Tuesday May 9, 2023

Special Guest: DM Blackwall & N. Lindy(?)

Main Topic: Campaign Analysis:

Campaign types - advantages and disadvantages
Our first effort: Hyperborea by Jeffrey Talanian of North WindAdventures: https://www.hyperborea.tv/

Types - Railroad vs Sandbox vs A Mixture

Also Procedural and Amusement Parks

What type is our Hyperborea game going to be?

A Cabin Con Moment: Re-cap CC17 May 4-7, 2023

We had a great time! Lots of napping between games as we are a bit older and not in a rush. Much gaming was had by all: 13th age, Deadlands, Warp Shell, GI Joe, Fallout, Blade Runner and Horde Wars! There were also some board games, and outdoor games (limited due to weather) and even Ping Pong.
We had our traditional bonfire and Werewolf session on Friday which is always a lot of laughs. To celebrate Cinco de Mayo, we had a pitch-in taco dinner. One attendee smoke pork for everyone – YUMMY!

Report from Big Geek Land

BGE gets an update for physical products. Gift Cards coming soon!

Big Geek Con will be on Tabletop Events for ticket sales

September 22-23,2023

Four Seasons at Sheraton in Saginaw MI

If we get 10+ rooms booked we get a larger space to game.

Got several folks lined up to be there and run games potentially including the Horde Wars dudes!

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Episode 137 Streamed Live Tuesday May 2, 2023

Anvil: Iron Age Magazine #1

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/anvil-iron-age-magazine-issue-1/x/27459496#/

Pinkertons of the Coast Update:https://news.yahoo.com/magic-raid-wasnt-first-time-162558008.html

Main Topic: Monster Mash #11 ORCS & More!

Orcs, goblins, bugbears, hobgoblins, kobolds, and gnolls through the editions.

Some say they are misunderstood. Some say they are stand-ins for the “other”. Honest research into the origins of our shared hobby will reveal that these monsters, for monsters they are without doubt, are formed from bits and pieces of myth and legend and glued together with the imaginings of Gygax andcompany, and tempered by the literary greats such as Tolkien and Lovecraft. Neither nuance nor depth was not given to these vile creatures as they serve the game as opponents to the player characters.

Torn from real-world myth, these bestial humanoids have served as in-game punching bags for decades. Created by demons, these inherently evil villains serve to sow chaos and destruction on the side of darkness generally opposed by humanity and its allies. The embodiment of all of our worst sins, these can remind us of real-world monsters giving us a way, in game, to struggle against and hopefully to defeat them.

Though some details have changed though the years and editions, the essence has changed little. The possible exception is in recent years in the newest edition with its slack-jawed adherence to ideological inclusivity. Barring the more recent silliness the general structure is:
Orc: The foot soldiers

Goblin/Kobold: Small vicious tricksters

Hobgoblin/Bugbear/Gnolls: larger enforcers/leaders/scouts

Also discussed: The humanoids’ place in an ecology and alternate takes on the foes.

Cabin Con is Upon Us

Randy:(2) 13th age games:

Level 7 “Nimielle’s Hope (The Egg)” Campaign Continues.

Level 1: Into the Great Wide Open

Shared campaign “rules” - 1) can only level @ CC and 2) level every 3 sessions.

Deadlands “mega-adventure”: for a posse of 4-5 Seasoned characters

Joemay do a sandbox/use our incomplete Dungeon23 materials

Report from Big Geek Land

Big Geek Con Only change from last week: Tickets to be sold on tabletop.events

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Episode 137 Streamed Live Tuesday April 25, 2023

Main Topic: DnD Myths

The Game Itself

Satanic panic

No board non-sense

Just playing pretend.

Too many esoteric tomes to try to master to learn how to play.

Killing things and taking their stuff…that’s all there is to it.

White Supremacy

RAW is the only way

RAI is a thing

The Players

Nerds no girlfriends, all smart

No girls allowed.

Plays in their mom’s basement especially if an adult.

Stinky gamer

Non-inclusive

LARPing as an excuse for Questionable Underground Meetings

The Haters

D&D is a kid’s game

Real Gamers move on to better games

It is just hack-n-slash

400 Subs Give-Away

Congrats to BigBadRPGfor winning the paperback version of ICRPG Master Edition

Quick Hit- Hard target: TPK’s - Yea or Nay???

Fair play or unfair?
Does the campaign have to end?
Fudge the dice?
Should set one up on purpose?

Big Geek Con Details:
$30 for Friday & Saturday 9/22-23,2023 (30 people minimum)
Guestroom Rates for September 22-23, 2023 (Discounted for 10 or more)
King $104 – discounted from $124.
Double Queen $114 – discounted from $144.

Four Points by Sheraton

4960 Towne Centre Road, Saginaw, MI 48604
11 miles from MBS International Airport42 miles from Flint Bishop
116 miles from Detroit Metro International Airport.

TICKETS TO BE SOLD ON BGE!

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Episode 134 of our SHOW, and the date is Tuesday April 11,2023. (J)Main Topic: OSR Glut…time to Move onOneDnd (now just 5th edition revised in 2024) is looking to be leaning to virtualRPGPundit: https://youtu.be/VqL9bi0bdlA?t=603 (time stamped)Dungeon Masterpiece (old one) : https://youtu.be/4wlSCwp_JVA Forget the OSR?Oversaturated? https://retroroleplaying.com/2011/08/long-list-of-old-school-games-and-clones/ Another clone: Shadowdark, Swords & Wizardry, etc?Legacy Gamemastering commented: https://youtu.be/qBK1ya0atac Can the masses be captured by OSR clones?Don’t we need something new?We have leave woke companies alone:Hasbro/Wotc, Paizo, Goodman games, Pelgrane press 2nd ed 13th age: https://robheinsoo.blogspot.com/2022/08/13th-age-2e-same-core-team.html Is this not the time to strike?DnD Movie: Does streaming it support WoTC/Does it even matter?Is watching the DnD movie via streaming putting $ in Hasbro/WoTC’s pocket?Do/Should you care if it’s good? Doesn’t look like it’s is going to break even: https://boundingintocomics.com/2023/04/03/dungeons-dragons-honor-among-thieves-predicted-to-be-a-flop-despite-better-opening-weekend-box-office-haul-than-originally-predicted/ Shadiversity https://youtu.be/a8yOIB8-9VI Critical Drinker : https://youtu.be/xFmLlpsD6EM Greg Gillespie(author of Barrowmaze): https://youtu.be/MaelKOjzA3oDungeonCraft(Prof DM): https://youtu.be/whWtgc3PwTo A Cabin Con Moment- Less than one month out.- What are we doing about it?- A couple of new faces- How many games/DMs do we need?With 20 people total and 3 slots/day- 4 games of 5 players each day Th-Sat and Sunday one slot. - Survey Results:How many games(adventure) do you usually prep for CC as a DM?How many times do you like to run that game(adventure) over the 4-day weekend?How many slots per day do you like to play?How many slots in total would you like to play over the four days?Would you stay to 4p-6p to play a 2nd slot on Sunday?Segment #4: Random Geek-itudeCall Ins and EmailsReport from Big Geek LandBig Geek Con: September 22-23, 2023 Saginaw MICHIGANShameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show. We are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well.Cash SupportPayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tipAnchor: https://www.anchor.fm/biggusgeekusKo-fi: https://ko-fi.com/biggusgeekus Patreon: https://patreon.com/BiggusGeekusOn the Web: Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.comEmail: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.comBig Geek Emporium: https://biggeekemporium.com/

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This week we have special guests DM Blackwall and Nathan Lindy of Horde Wars (upcoming) to discuss using minis and terrain in our tabletop games. We also discuss Advancement and getting older.

Shownotes upcoming

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Episode 132 Streamed Live Tuesday March 28,2023Main TOPIC: Alignment in RPGsDefinition: ethical and moral perspectiveAlignment for role playing games was introduced in Dungeons and Dragons back in the late 1970s and is used in many modern games as well. Players use it as an aid to help in playing their characters consistently. DMs and GMs use it for same purpose NPCs and monsters. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alignment_(Dungeons_%26_Dragons)

In DnD the 9 alignments are a kind of short-hand, used instead of what can be a convoluted code or moral description. However, the description of these alignments can be vague. Many prefer Palladium’s alignments and the do’s and don’ts lists it provides as a more concrete system. https://imgur.com/gallery/DmKvb- Should alignment have mechanical effects?- Tracking character’s alignment…is it a worthwhile activity?- What about character classes or archetypes being required to have a certain alignment?- Favorite System for alignment or would you rather just drop it/ignore it all together. Alignment Languages(DnD):Lawful good, lawful evil, chaotic good, chaotic evil, and neutrality also have common languages spoken by each respectively. One can attempt to communicate through the common tongue, language particular to a creature class, or one of the divisional languages (lawful good, etc.). While not understanding the language, creatures who speak a divisional tongue will recognise a hostile one and attack.

General thoughts- Do they add value?- Do they seem kind of silly? Campaign Report: HyperboreaWe are planning a play through of the game. we are familiarising ourselves with the rules and will give bi-weekly updates on the game focusing on how we like the basic mechanics, the setting, the play of certain classes/races, and the overall grooviness of the tone of the game. Comments on where we are on our read-throughs.Quick Hit - Hard Target: DMPC’s - Yes/No/MaybeHard NoShameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show. We are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well.Cash SupportPayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tipAnchor: https://www.anchor.fm/biggusgeekusKo-fi: https://ko-fi.com/biggusgeekus Patreon: https://patreon.com/BiggusGeekusOn the Web: Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.comEmail:thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.comBig Geek Emporium: https://biggeekemporium.com/

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Episode 131 Streamed Live Tuesday March 21, 2023

Main Topic: 10 games You can and Should Play if you don’t want no stink’in D&D!

Randy’s List: (will populate asap)

Joe’s List:

Hyperborea

Shadowrun

Dungeons and Delvers

Stars Without Number

Mutants and Masterminds

Chronicles of Aeres

Rifts

Earthdawn

Scarlet Heroes

Castles and Crusades

We briefly discuss each one listing its merits and sometimes a flaw or two. Joe’s list has many he hasn’t played yet, but is committed to playing them each over the coming year. The purpose is to highlight the vast array of games available that haven’t the baggage of WOTC and have some support or extended game lines. Also these games have online communities or fan bases that can answer question or just provide a new group of friends.
We had such a great response from live chat that we kicked our next segment to next week:

To Be Continued: Alignment in roleplaying games

Random Geek-itude

Call Ins and Emails: Joe finally resolved his sound sharing issue and we listened to John of the Red Dice Diaries podcast ask us what we think of the newestversion of Hyperborea. Its in our list of games to recommend, so there is that.

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Episode 130Streamed Live Tuesday March 14, 2023 (National Pi Day!)

Main Topic: Monster Mash #9 - using NPCs as Monsters

1) NPCs & their most common types, characteristics & powers throughout the editions.OD&D: Page 15 Book III dungeon encountered Monsters (NPC’s?) all couldto see in the dark
BECMI/Rules Cyclopedia: RC p.155 and humanoids by alphabetical order
1e & 2e: alphabetical order- Monster description discusses options
3.x: build as needed, but as Pcs with more limited gp equivalent gear: large table in DMG with sample low medium and higher-level NPCs
4e: by alphabetical order, but in MM special examples…don’t build as PCs
5e: at the back of MM are certain NPC archetypes with particular powers don’t’ build as PCs…Appendix B- Stats for NPCs

2) Ecology & influence of monster in the campaign world & how best to use themHow do they fit?
What role as foes?
Do PCs eventually reach a level where NPCs are the best and challenge?

3) Named NPCs in IP Canon: Should you use these NPCs in your game?
Game IP: Elminster, Drizzt, Mordenkainen, etc
Fiction IP: Gandalf, Darth Vader, the Joker, etc

NPC generators:0e/RC: https://agathokles.pythonanywhere.com/chargen
1e/2e: https://www.dwarvenautomata.com/leveled-npc-generator/
3e: https://dnd3rd.sourceforge.net/and resource page: https://forum.rpg.net/index.php?threads/3-5-d-d-3-5-npc-generator-and-other-tools.479319/
4e: https://donjon.bin.sh/4e/random/#type=npc
5e: https://www.thievesguild.cc/npc/

4.) Our favourite examples

Derdrom- Morded backwards- tricky npc wizard…more just a one trick pony
Ravenlock- first NPC friend
Beauregard – NPC lord from Elysium. A thorn in the PCs side for years.

Segment #2: Quick Hit- Hard Target - The Paladin and AlignmentLawful A-hole or Lawful Stupid?
General Champion of “choose an alignment” or “some concept”
Do they have to be LG?

Random Geek-itudeMad Scribe Magazine #1 by Mad Scribe Games: Issue #1 on sale now at DriveThru(boo!), Walmart, Amazon and B&N. Available in pdf and print.

Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show. We are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well.

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Shownotes to follow ...

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Episode 128 Streamed Live Tuesday, February 28, 2023

Weekly WOTC Crap Wrap-Up: Dark Sun is problematic, according to WOTC's Kyle Brinks
https://www.wargamer.com/dnd/dark-sun-problematic

Main Topic: MASTER YOUR GAME PREP - Randy has a game prep Masterclass! His evolution through the editions of play from little more than drawing a dungeon to 6 - 8 hrs for one session of play. Randy has been on all sides of this aspect of running a ttrpg.

Quick Hit/Hard Target: Multiple PCs: Hirelings, shared pool of characters, stable of characters - all explored.

Support
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Episode 127 Streamed Live Tuesday, February 21, 2023

The Red Room Redacted: The Red Room has been booted from DriveThru RPG following posting their book "Men", in a fit of inconsistent application of "Standards" ... or some such.

BGE is down due to a tech error AND potential hosting shenanigans. We hope we do not have to move hosts AGAIN.

Main Topic: Race/Species/Ancestry, Which words is best. The FINAL word is Race. It is what has been used for decades and brought no harm to anyone, despite rumors to the contrary. Other words simply add nothing of value.

Quick Hit: Split the party, is it a good idea. Final verdict: It depends... obviously.

Our Links:

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Episode 126 Streamed Live Tuesday February 14, 2023

Nerdcognito: https://www.nerdcognito.com/

Weekly WoTC crap round up: State of the Hobby- the DnD movie, playing 5e & MtG, etc. Are most folks still that concerned about the issues?
Jenny Di - https://twitter.com/TheBasicExpert1/status/1623383430963810304?t=JBaz148u05SXj8vjG6-twg&s=01
DM’s not wanted https://youtu.be/yFaAHc8Qye4

Monster Mash Special: Homebrewed Monsters

With all the available monster books why would you bother?
Does changing one or two aspects make a beasts seem new
How careful should you be to keep verisimilitude, or does it matter?
Do homebrew monsters make the game better?
Do you prefer standard or homebrewed beasts?
How about a world where every creature is completely homebrewed?
What good and bad experiences have you had with homebrewed monsters?

Our Hobby: Ways we participate? And Why?

Playing games (mostly TTRPG’s), talking about playing games, watching/listening to youtube/podcasts about gaming, participating in media, attending conventions, or organizing your own, consuming other media related to our hobby: live plays, watching movies, watching videos, and reading books, talking about gaming, creating games and game products.

Random Geek-itude: Report from Big Geek Land
Shameless Plug Time: If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show.

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Episode 125 Streamed Live Tuesday February 7, 2023

Be sure to check out Nerdcognito: https://www.nerdcognito.com/

WoTC Trash Again x2

D&D Beyond shut down for a while this past weekend https://youtu.be/_n0zdSCzkB8
WotC’s Kyle Brink says White Men can’t leave the hobby fast enough
Diversity and Dragons: https://youtu.be/yVjRJdBXA4M
Mr. Max Boivin: https://youtu.be/UtywtAOWRLE
Done with WoTC

TTRPGs vs Other RPG-like Games With Special Guest: Patrick Demo of Pointy Hat Games

Board Games: Talisman, Heroquest (V1.0 and 2.)0, Descent, D&D Adventure System: (Wrath of Ashardalon, Castle Ravenloft etc), Runewars , Gloomhaven
Video Games: Goldbox Games, Legend of Zelda, Baldur’s Gate (original), Mass Effect, Skyrim
Card Games: Expedition(https://expeditiongame.com/), Pathfinder Adventure Card Game (https://paizo.com/pacg)

Do these games adequately re-create the TTRPG experience?
What audience do these serve?
Are they worth the effort when compared to a true TTRPG?
Do you want or need miniatures for any of them?
How well do you like them, ie, the categoriesof games?
Which are your favorites and why?

Random Geek-itude: Report from Big Geek Land

Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show, also we are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well.

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Episode 124 Streamed Live Tuesday January 31, 2023

Main Topic: DM Blackwall and Horde Wars D12 System

Questions/Comments Related to the Game

Where does the game fall on the OSR-Modern-Indie scale?
Is it simulationist/gamist/narrativist?
High/low Fantasy or grim gritty?
P.2 Rule zero without using rule zero is alive in this game it seems?
Why the d12? Auto success on a 12, but no auto fail?
The clockwise initiative system…why did you go with this?
What is the purpose of the Afflictions and its comparison to Hit Points? 1 Healing Potion per day…why this choice?
Death in 1d4 rounds once you hit zero hit points. I like it. Have you thought of not letting players know how long they have? That is, roll behind the screen…my preference.
Simplified Creature types, but more granular damage types. Why the difference?
Object Vulnerability Example of play P.11.
Seems you have some level of abstraction say with encumbrance and creative solutions seems to be encouraged in the way players might solve challenges.
Why level 12 cap?

OGL 1.0a, Yeah, we won!!!...so what now?

Lots of opinions by youtubers:
https://youtu.be/VUBinw9H2DA(Professor DM)
https://youtu.be/IlzdFy0vB8k(RPGpundit)
https://youtu.be/Df6K65pHO9Q(Tenkar)
https://youtu.be/URY3fhm6R18(Diversity & Dragons)
https://youtu.be/HX5iZ5r8hyE(the dungeon delver)...and many others.

In the end:So what? Not enough? Back into their loving arms(should you?)
Is the creative commons going enough?
Folks like us aren’t going back.
I’m glad for the creators whose livelihood is saved but they should take the time to pivot

Random Geek-itudeReport from Big Geek Land
BGE,Dungeon 23, BGA or BGCon

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Episode 123 Streamed Live Tuesday January 24, 2023

Tired of OGL stuff yet?Recent news and thoughts:

DnD Shorts https://youtu.be/J4kGMsZSdbY
T-shirted Historian https://youtu.be/jP2JLWPX_LI
Done with WoTC so maybe we should just move
Dungeoncraft https://youtu.be/4oV9Fnkyyfc
Grim's Project: https://postmortemstudios.wordpress.com/2023/01/24/opendnd-public-domain-roleplaying-panza-draft-1-0

Main Topic: What do we want from a Dungeon?

We used Dungeons by Central Casting to inspire the creation of a dungeon
(Thanks to Ryan David @nerdcognito and Max @legion of myth for the suggestion)

From both player and DM perspective, what makes for a good dungeon?

Even with a Mad God, how random/funhouse before it loses its verisimilitude?
Random monsters: many? few? with a theme?
Traps and tricks: many? few?
Mega?
Past dungeon experience: successes/failures
Mapping the dungeon - details or broad strokes
Flavor text: more or less?
How do they fit in the campaign world?
Using Central Casting: Dungeon - not sure it’s my cup of tea

Random Geek-itudeCall Ins - One from John at Red Dice Diaries re: Hyperborea RPG (tech fail)
Joe’s Birthday he is 56 … the old geezer!
News for theEmporium

Giveaway 2.0- the Double Whammy Giveaway!Guess the number of official3.5 game books by Wizards of the Coast that Randy currently owns in hardcopy. Consider: supplements, sourcebooks, or modules. (28)

Winner gets TWO of the following fabulous prizes:

C&C’s Monsters & Treasures by Troll Lord Games (the good guys)/5th printing
Cardboard heroes Castles- the Keep by SJ games (sorry)in the shrink
Legends & Lairs: Mythic Races – by Fantasy Flight Games
Star Wars: Edge of the Empire RPG (BETA) by Fantasy Flight Games

Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show, also:
We are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well.

Cash SupportPayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus
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Much Ado about D&D w/special guest Grim JimEpisode 122 Streamed Live Tuesday January 17, 2022

Shout out to Nerdcognito! Twitter: @Nerdcognito, https://www.nerdcognito.com/
Merch at Big Geek Emporium! https://biggeekemporium.com/big-geek-merch/

Main Topic: Much Ado About D&D w/Special Guest- Grim JimGrim details his background from picking up Fighting Fantasy adventure books at the tender age of 8 to running his own independent game company Postmortem Studios: https://post-mort.com/

YouTube: https://youtu.be/XnrTdF8scX0
Blog: https://talesofgrim.wordpress.com/
Grim’s latest is Wightchester: Prison City of the Damned
PDF - https://tinyurl.com/ynan34m9
Print Book - https://tinyurl.com/35vvc2be

We then get into some history ofthe OGL and discuss the latest shenanigans at Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast.

Related Links:
OGL 1.1
Paizo Speaks
https://youtu.be/b4aTpzsU388
https://youtu.be/Jobead_Nq8A
DnD Beyond Post
https://youtu.be/LTXkxy2KjXU
https://youtu.be/51tZquziqF0
DnDBegone
Critical Role "Response"
https://youtu.be/7y-nITUilGM

Random Geek-itudeDungeon 23 Report
Taigon’s Falls Update - Draft 1B sent to my editor!!!Giveaway 2.0- the Double Whammy Giveaway! (thanks to the generosity of Martenson!)The 2nd Giveaway of the Year Announcement…well sort of

You can win your choice of TWO of the following fabulous prizes:

C&C’s Monsters & Treasures by Troll Lord Games
Cardboard heroes Castles- the Keep by SJ games
Legends & Lairs: Mythic Races – (DnD 3e) by Fantasy Flight Games
Star Wars: Edge of the Empire RPG (BETA) by Fantasy Flight Games

Guess the number of official 3.5 roleplaying game books by Wizards of the Coast that Randy currently owns in print. Consider only: core books, supplements, sourcebooks, and modules.

Our Links
Website
Store
PayPal
Ko-Fi

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Episode 121 Streamed Live Tuesday January 10, 2023

Main Topic: Done with D&DWith the OGL 1.1 “leaked”, where does that leave the true fans and indie creators in our hobby? Where does that leave many traditional publishers who use OGL 1.0 for their works? It seems to us that we must look to new games and new ideas in the hobby and away from Wizards of the Coast whether or not the new “stance” pans out to be true or not. We cannot trust that WOTC will not pull the rug out from all of us to bolster their flagging profits.

DMDave – https://www.patreon.com/posts/76837590
ReferencedGizmodo link:https://gizmodo.com/dnd-wizards-of-the-coast-ogl-1-1-open-gaming-license-1849950634

Many have tackled this topic:
Diversity & Dragons: https://youtu.be/4LYgW-tM0vgand https://youtu.be/PzoHOZ8Xt7k
RPGPundit: https://youtu.be/TJ1ZlGOV804
T-shirted Historian: https://youtu.be/k5347CLcq6M
Professor DM: https://youtu.be/yydxzM8p4RI
Tenkar: https://youtu.be/e6mTl6eInA4

Segment #3: Random Geek-itudeReport from Big Geek Land
BG Emporium News
Progress on Tragedy at Taigon’s Falls (BG Adventure)
Deadline to D.Gyull is Sunday January 29, 2023, God willing.
Deadline to BGE: February 30,2023
Rifts Session 2 REPORT

First Giveaway of the New Year! Guess the number of official Planescape products that Randy owns, and you can win your choice of one of the following fabulous prizes: Answer is 30

C&C’s Monsters & Treasures by Troll Lord Games /5th printing
Cardboard heroes Castles- the Keep by SJ games in the shrink
Legends & Lairs: Mythic Races – d20 supplement by Fantasy Flight Games
Star Wars: Edge of the Empire RPG (BETA) again by FFG

Winner: Martenson in chat

Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show, we are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well.

Cash SupportPayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus
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Email:thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com
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Episode 120 Streamed Live Tuesday, January 3 2023

Main Topic: Learning New Rpgs

This new years we plan on on covering more tabletop RPGs that aren’t Dungeons and Dragons
How many times do you play a game before you know if it is for you?

Do you prefer to

watch a ‘how to” video on Youtube or elsewhere?
be taught by an experienced play/gm?
dive in with friends and see what happens?
read it yourself and teach it to your fellows at the table?

Should everyone commit to buying the book after a few sessions?

The games on the list for 2023:

Rifts
Dungeons and Delvers
Castles and Crusades

Dungeons23 – Our Take

We hope to be using Dungeons by Central Casting to create a dungeon over many segments. (Thanks to Ryan David @nerdcognito and Max @legion of myth for the inspiration and suggestion)

Loose Background – The Mad God created this dungeon. The god’s name is unknown as is the reason why he made this dungeon in the first place. It is a dangerous place which attracts adventurers as well as its denizens. It also has a strange propensity to “acquire” rare treasures from across the world.

Random Geek-itude

Report from Big Geek Land

New happenings for the Emporium, Big Geek Con, and Randy’s adventure.

Randy will have an article posted in Mad Scribe Magazine- https://www.patreon.com/user?u=80594713
SJW staff writer for Troll Lord Gamesinsults OSR and twitter mob loses their collective mind at the game company’s response.

Related videos:
https://youtu.be/HzRgqrOjKLwDiversity & Dragons
https://youtu.be/3QeAu_B_LU8more Diversity & Dragons
https://youtu.be/q-A0oixzbU0RPGPundit

Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show, also:

We are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well.

Cash SupportPayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus
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Anchor:https://www.anchor.fm/biggusgeekus
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On the Web:Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com
Email:thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com|
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Year End ReviewEpisode 119 Streamed Live Thursday, December 29, 2022

Main Topic: Highlights Of The YearDeep Dive into 13thage
Lots of Guests: Bruce Lombardo, T-Shirted Historian, Shadow of Shadow And Son, Legacy Gamemaster, Patrick (Potpourri with)
Monster Mash episodes began
Revisited some topics: Stats/Attributes, High Level, OSR, Alignment, Ending a Campaign
The Satanic Panic
Contests: 100th episode giveaway: Grimtooth’s Ultimate Trap Collection, Riddle of the Sphinx Old Skool- WEGS RPG
Episode 100
Controversies: The Woke, ONEDND, OGL 1.1, other WOTC mistakes
Comic Book Woes: sexuality changes, Isom #1, DC and Marvel missteps, few movies shows worth watching: Spider Man and Black Adam
Retro Reviews: White Plume Mountain, Ravenloft

Hopes for Next yearBiggus Geekus changes?
Big Geek Emporium
Big Geek Con

Random Geek-itudeReport from Big Geek LandRed book Dungeons and Delvers from NerdCognito EP#154
Rifts Session 1: SSDI campaign/Rules questions
OGl 1.1 – Doomed? https://youtu.be/lKCOr6Ag0XA

Our Links:PayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus
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We discuss at least ten words folks wag their fingers at. And why they are good for your game. In addition, we take a tour of other "problematic" nerd issues.

master, slave, barbarian, savage, oriental, exotic, race, species, gypsy, no

Links to resources discussed:
Articles:
https://screenrant.com/dungeons-dragons-lore-changes-removed-dd-5e-why/
http://www.lisefrac.net/log/on-making-the-drow-less-problematic/
https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-and-dragons-orcs-racist/
https://screenrant.com/dungeons-dragons-dated-offensive-problematic-changes-update-alignment/
https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2022/10/warhammer-40k-what-really-went-down-with-female-space-marines.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20180708153619/http://www.dogwithdice.com/whitewolfaredead/
https://www.enworld.org/threads/deadlands-is-retconning-the-confederacy-away-they-lost-the-war-no-longer-playable.667444/

Videos:
https://youtu.be/fgWlPcyi34U?t=1078
https://youtu.be/Z146pflU3KU

Chronicles of Aeres: https://www.thechroniclesofaeres.com/
Nerdocognito: https://www.nerdcognito.com/

Our Links
PayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus
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Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com
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Episode 117 Streamed Live Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Main Topic: Demons & Devils In Dungeons and Dragons

Mythological etymology:Demons: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demon
Devils: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil

Demons and Devils have been in Dungeons and Dragons since the beginning and continuing to the current edition. They have been forces of evil all along until the current edition, in which all creatures seem to have a human’s breadth of perspective. These creatures are mostly possessed of great supernatural powers and physical might, which make them fearsome foes to battle. Their appearance varies greatly, but they tend to be largegrotesque.

In myth demon and devil are interchangeable terms, but in DnD they are distinct creatures. Devils prefer order and to lure mortals to wickedness, while demons are unpredictable and prefer outright destruction. They also hail from different planes of existence, devils from The Nine Hells, demons the Abyss. However, mortals are not likely to think the difference very important.

Important Links:
https://www.kurry.fi/viki/index.php/Blood_war_(Planescape)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellbound:_The_Blood_War
https://screenrant.com/dungeons-dragons-satanism-controversy-demons-devils-tanarri-baatezu/
https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_and_Dragons_Satanic_Panic
https://pelgranepress.com/2014/05/01/13th-sage-13-campaign-uses-for-devils/

Chat Spotlight: D&D is Undermonetized/barbarian is a dirty wordhttps://comicbook.com/gaming/news/wizards-of-the-coast-presidents-believes-dungeons-dragons-is-really-under-monetized/

Tenkar: https://youtu.be/k491Ex3MnH0
Venger: https://youtu.be/dReB-0ffHfw
OGGM: https://youtu.be/Vuzzc9MN8VE

Random GeekitudeReport from Big Geek Land
Total Party Skills:https://youtu.be/u48l56HZY9A
Randy played Rifts again

Our Links:
PayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus
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Anchor:https://www.anchor.fm/biggusgeekus
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Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com
Email:thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com
Big Geek Emporium: https://biggeekemporium.com/

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Episode 116 Streamed Live Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Our condolences to Kevin Siembeida https://www.palladiumbooks.com/

Our Recent Gaming: OSE- The Black River Valley Campaign now on hiatus
Randyplayed Rifts on Legion of Myth this past Friday Dec 2, 2022
Big Geek Emporium gets a server upgrade, site upgrades coming soon!

Main Topic: Monster Mash #6-The Drow

Mythological etymology: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_elf
Their first appearance in DnD books: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drow
Description: cruel, wicked, depraved, dreaded, EVIL blackskinned elves w/white hair

OD&D/Basic/Rules Cyclopedia: no mention
1e: The origin of the drow for DnD
Magical equipment: Adamantite alloy- cloaks, boots, weapons (KO poison coating/-4 saving throw), armor of highly magical quality. MR= 50% +2%/LEVEL weakness to light.

GDQ series of modules they encounter Lolth and the city of Erelhei-Cinlu. Mentions Drow war partys of certain compositions will have female leaders and males could be level 4 clerics.

2e: Monstrous Compendium II and Monstrous Manual - noble houses and merchant families, worship of Lolth, priestesses high place in society, Drider and Dreagoloth. Forgotten realms: Drizz’t and Menzoberranzan get the spotlight

3.x: Explicitly states society is Matriarchical

4e:MM-worship the Spider Queen, once creatures of the Feywild ,but followed Lolth down a dark path/ Surface raiders/live in a matriarchical theocracy, Males cannot serve as priests.

5e:MM - a mix of 1e/2e and 3e but more generic. Lolth still their spider queen and females rule/males drool.
Ecology & influence:They work well as behind the scenes as puppet masters
They are great villains for mid to high level and as boogey-men for low level.
Used to show a decadent society and how such a depraved society works.

“Controversy”: see RECEPTION https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drow#Conception_and_creation

Chat Spotlight: How do you handle inertia at your gaming table?

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Streaming Medial Mentioned: Movies Plushttps://www.mymoviesplus.com/

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House Rules in D&D: Yea or Nay?

Episode 115 Streamed Live Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Main Topic: House Rules in D&D and other RPGs

What is a House Rule? Definition: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/house-rule
Does removing a rule, class, feature, spell, etc count as a house rule?
Is there a difference between a house rule and homemade setting?
Is filling in the gaps of the rules system the same as a house rule? That is, if a game has no grappling rules so you add some in due to a situation showing in a game or perhaps due to your desire to have them?
Players’ Perspective: How much is too much? How much warning do you need?
GM’s Perspective: When should you make a house rule?
Is interpreting a questionable/unclear rule (RAI???) a house rule? https://www.dungeoneersguildgames.com/single-post/confounded-ruleslists some examples from 1e AD&D
RAW vs House Rules: table experience effects, at individual tables, in shared/league play: Adventurer’s League, RPGA, PF Society, ect
Are they worth it? Time investment, presenting clearly to players for understanding, do they make the game better? Is it ok if it is just the GM’s preference? Can players make them individually or due to consensus, or even against the will of the GM?
What type (if any) benefit from using house rules? Are there any games in which you shouldn’t make house or rules or if so, do them with a light touch?
Where do you land on them in general?

A Bit of a Rifts Rant: Character gen and organization- do better please. Seems that RIFTS is annoyingly convoluted.

Chat Spotlight: Speculation as to the OGL/SRD for ONEDND

Random Geek-itude: Report from Big Geek Land

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Joe started out solo, but was joined by Bruce Lombardo of Dix Division, Hungar the Starvarian, then Randy joined in.

links: Bruce: https://youtube.com/@YourBuddy75
Hungar: https://youtube.com/channel/UCHmL5dT_lLONt5ZnJ2eA1Nw
Scrying Dutchman's Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/scryingdutchman/the-modern-adventurers-guide-to-guns-and-gear-a-5e-add-on

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Episode 114 Streamed Live Tuesday November 15, 2022

Main Topic: Attributed to AttributesThe attributes of a character:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attribute_%28role-playing_games%29

Compare and contrast the DnD attributes: STR, DEX, CON, INT, WIS, CHA

Other systems:Target Number systems- DnD 3.X +Savage Worlds: https://www.uptofourplayers.com/ready-to-roll/savage-worlds-rules/

Marvel Superheroes RPG (FASERIP): https://rollhighordie.com/what-is-marvel-faserip/

Roll and keep systems- L5R, Vampire: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vampire:_The_Masquerade#Game_system

https://rollandkeep.fandom.com/wiki/Introduction_and_Design_Goals#What_is_Roll_and_Keep?

Rolemaster/CoC: percentile system: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolemaster#Basic_game_mechanics

Fate: descriptive attributes- https://fate-srd.com/fate-core/basics

Should attributes play a large role in the general power level of your PC?
Should attributes modify skills, or should skills be separate?
How many levels of differences would be ideal? What is the best way to scale?
How detailed should the modifiers be and exactly what should they modify?
How many attributes should you have?
Which is currently your favorite attribute system?

Is it really all that its cracked up to be? Fright Night retro review

Actor comparison:

1985: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089175/fullcredits/

2016: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1438176/fullcredits

Randy’s Rating**1985: 7/10

2011: 4/10**

Joe’s Rating**1985: 8/10

2011: 1/10

Chat Spotlight:** Do you like AI art in RPG books?

Random Geek-itudeReport from **Big Geek Land

D&D used as therapy:**

https://www.superjumpmagazine.com/dungeons-and-dragons-and-therapy-an-interview-with-dr-megan-connell/

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Episode 113 Streamed Live Tuesday November 8, 2022

Main Topic: Monster Mash: Giants, Ogres, and Trolls, oh my!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_giants_in_mythology_and_folklore

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_(Dungeons_%26_Dragons)

Giants have a long history in Dungeons and Dragons, likely due to its creators’ love of mythology. Beings of large size (typically 7 feet or larger) feature in many myths and legends around the world. Their legendary fierce nature translates well in the tabletop arena. Giants are fearsome foes in any version of the game, which makes them great at nearly any level. What makes low level characters run screaming at a clearly unmasculine register, makes for solid challenges later in the game.

There is also great variety in this creature type, giving the enterprising DM a lot of material over the many editions to have something that fits his world, or simply his table. From the brutish ogre, to the exotic oni, to the enigmatic storm giants, there is something for everyone to like.

Some alternate takes:

1.) Arcana Evolved: Giants once dominated the realm. Now they seek to re-establish this dominion in an epic war.

2.) Giants are truly rare and enigmatic keepers of ancient lore.

3.) A-la Pacific Rim: Giants are a real world-wide threat consuming all the world’s resources, growing so voracious they must be stopped. Perhaps giants are emissaries of Titans, mysterious masters of the giants from another world.

Question for the Chat: What makes for a good gaming convention?

A Cabin Con Moment: Cabin Con Cult Mixer and BBQ hosted by Mr. Demo.

Random Geek-itude

Report from Big Geek Land

WoTC has huge drop in 3rd quarter of 2022: https://www.wargamer.com/dnd/mtg-wizards-of-the-coast-revenue-2022-q3

Professor Dungeon Master’s take:https://youtu.be/C3oOTDvsBxc

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Episode 112 Streamed Live Tuesday November 1, 2022

With Surprise guest: TShirted Historian

The edition wars can be heated, especially considering the “That’s not DnD” refrain. This just shuts down discussion of one or more “problematic” versions of the game. Most if not all of these “editions” have something good to contribute, even if the game design went in a direction you don’t like (3rd, 4th, and 5th). There has not been “A” DnD since the 1970’s when it was ODnD. After that there have been multiple versions. Some with small rules changes, some larger. Some with tone changes to one degree or another.

These are all versions of DnD. Not the same, but not completely different either (maybe 4e)

Campaigns end, but what situations indicate they should. The total party kill (TPK) is a go to end, as is boredom. Does there need to be a plan? Should the plan be “in case”, or “on purpose”? is this plan just the DM’s or does he consult the players? The answers are a varied as the many game tables out there.

The Thief/Rogue class has at least as many versions as Dungeons and Dragons. The class began as a class that generally contributed very little to combats, except the occasional back stab, to outperforming the fighter in straight up melee. The class has always had a lot of use outside of combat, from general pilfering to being a walking encyclopedia to being a socialite.

Links to topics discussedhttps://www.pcgamer.com/this-dandd-campaign-has-been-running-for-40-years/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogue_(Dungeons_%26_Dragons)

**The Thief:

1e:** https://tablo.com/david-thomson/1st-ed-ad-and-d-the-thief

2e: https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/Thief

3e: https://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/3e_SRD:Rogue

3.5:https://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Rogue

Pathfinder 1e: http://pathfinder.d20srd.org/coreRulebook/classes/rogue.html#rogue

4e: https://dnd4.fandom.com/wiki/Rogue

5e: https://www.5esrd.com/database/class/rogue/

13th Age: https://www.13thagesrd.com/classes/rogue/

Report from Big Geek LandMinor updates for our various projects

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Episode 111 Streamed Live Tuesday October 25, 2022

Main Topic: The Many Faces of Evil in D&DSee Episodes #38: What does evil do? & 80: Evil Campaigns and PCs

What is evil: https://www.britannica.com/topic/seven-deadly-sins
D&D evil vs Real World evil.

Should we stray from the definition of evil in D&D.

How evil do you get with Monsters or NPCs?

Is there a line short of graphic description?

Where is that line?

Should you put limits on the evil your NPCs or monsters will do?

Are certain topics just off the table or maybe just best described in general?

Does the X-card or its various incarnations come into play here?

How devious should the DM be with his evil characters?

Just up to his ability or up to the ability of his players to detect (not spell)?

Does the DM make the game less fun if his intelligent villains are played to the hilt?

Oppressively evil world - World of Darkness, Midnight, or Ravenloft

Are these fun to play?

Can it be too much?

How much of a chance must the characters have?

Player Characters:

Should they be allowed to portray evil and if so to what degree?

Would all PCs have to be evil?

Can they get along and if so, what is the point?

Is back stabber-y the inevitable end of such a game?

That is, could a character be evil and if so, how so that they can go along with the party?

Stealing Topics: All editions of D&DAll Editions of D&D by Tabletop RPG Reviews: https://youtu.be/g7bAUCcsuG4

Legion of Myth: https://youtu.be/J-wNxSPptog

What are our takes on all these editions?

Random GeekitudeCall Ins and Emails

Big Geek Updates

Palladium HQ visit

Biggus Geekus will be on Legion of Myth- this coming Friday 10/28/22

Thoughts on Black Adam movie https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/black_adam

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Ravenloft - The Spooky D&D Setting

Episode 110 Streamed Live Tuesday October 18, 2022

Main Topic: Ravenloft - The Spooky D&D SettingRavenloft was released October 1983. This is a very popular module that spawned sequels, a setting, and many supplements over the various editions for Dungeons and Dragons. Set in the fictional region called Barovia, the PCs must find a way to defeat the vampire Strahd von Zarovich to leave this cursed land, as it is surrounded by poisonous mists that the PCs will find difficult to circumvent.

This adventure features original art by fan favorite Clyde Caldwell and iconic isometric maps by David Southerland. Encounters range in difficulty with iron golems being fearsome for the suggested 6th to 8th level characters.

There are some railroad-y elements to the adventure: the mists, the reincarnated lover, the “need” to have a fighter who wields a longsword, to name a few. Another feature is the tarot-inspired plot generator which provides replay with different outcomes. This original module provides a sort of mini setting in addition to the adventure itself. Subsequent adventures, supplements and setting build on the original theme, expanding it into a full-blown gothic-horror setting.

Relevant links:

https://youtu.be/8vutGHA9fZw

https://youtu.be/2nWwVdRY2yM

Old Boxed Set

Revised Box Set

Ravenloft II

Ravenloft Advanced

Created

Fan Site

Holiday One Shots:10 Monsters Good for Halloween 1-Shot

Christmas

Thanksgiving

Valentine’s Day

Geekosphere - Big Geek Updates

D&D Documentary

She-Hulk’s Last Episode

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Creating Engaging DnD EncountersEpisode 109 Streamed Live Tuesday, October 11, 2022

Main Topic: Creating Engaging DnD Encounters1. Types of Encounters

Combat: primarily concerned with fighting

Puzzle/Skill Challenge: challenge the PCs’ skills or the players’ wits

Social/RP: roleplay and interaction with NPCs

Random vs pre-set
Making them good
The use of professionally created adventure encounters
Be careful to not get in a rut.
Creating Encounters for jaded/experienced players vs new players

A CC Moment - Biggest and Geekiest of all events in the universe!It’s about time for the annual business meeting (what is this?).

Random GeekBiggus GeekusUpdates

On DC’s Gay Superman book https://boundingintocomics.com/2022/10/10/dc-comics-announces-the-cancelation-of-tom-taylors-woke-superman-son-of-kal-el-series/

Safe Spaces in our hobby somehow trending again

Riddle of the Sphinx Contest! - Guess the number of dice in the fishbowl: The answer was 691

The Winner was ArnMan! He chose Old Skool- WEGS RPG deluxe bag

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Retro review of D&D’s White Plume Mountain

Episode 108 Streamed Live Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Main Topic (Part 1): Retro-Review: White Plume MountainSummary of the module

WoTC 3.5e version vs. TSR 1e

Favorite and not-so favorite parts

What changes or additions might you make?

how would you rate it?

Main Topic (Part 2): D&D - Pushing Boundaries (Settings and Adventure Modules)Original Settings: Greyhawk, Forgotten Realms, Mystara

Others that pushed boundaries past standard fantasy fare:

Dragonlance

Ravenloft, Masque of the Red Death

Dark Sun

Birthright

Spelljammer

Planescape

Eberron

Council of Wyrms

Kara-Tur, Maztica, The Horde, Theros

Lankmar

Ravnica, Strixhaven and Theros

Honorable Mention 3rd party Campaign Settings for D&D:

The Scarred Lands

Golarion

Midgard

Ptolus

Complete List of DnD Sttings

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_%26_Dragons_campaign_settings

The modules/adventures

Top 25 adventures of all time(?): https://rpggeek.com/geeklist/49682/greatest-dd-adventure-modules-all-time-composite-r

S3 Expedition to the Barrier Peaks

I6 Ravenloft

WG7 Castle Greyhawk

Terrible Trouble at Tragidore

EX 1 Dungeonland and EX2 Land beyond the Magic Mirror

X2: Castle Amber

T1-T4 Temple of Elemental Evil

The Ruins of Undermountain

Big Geek News/UpdatesEmail!

BG Emporium

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Big Geek Con

**New Contests:

Riddle of the Sphinx!**Guess the number of dice in the fishbowl in the video and win a choice of:

Star Wars Edge of the Empire (Beta Rules)

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, 2e

WEGS Old Skool RPG Deluxe

500 Sub Contest!Once we reach 500 subs on youtube, one luck random viewer will receive

Paranoia 2e Boxed Set (with extras)

More details forthcoming

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Episode 107 Streamed Live Tuesday September 27 ,2022

Programming Note:Joe was solo for half of the show. He was joined by Bruce Lombardo of Dix Division: https://www.youtube.com/c/brucelombardo75

Main Topic: Retro-Review: White Plume MountainSummary of the 1e module

Was a TSR module. Good DM advice.

Made in the Old School ‘DIY’ way. Light on story, big on expandability.

Big Geek UpdatesBG Emporium: We showed of pics of the new design.

https://biggeekemporium.com/

Geekosphere:The OSR is DYING?!?!?

Bruce and Joe react to Gamers on Games laughable video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2R3sOoGAbU&t=196s

Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/GamersOnGames

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Episode 106 Streamed Live Tuesday September 20, 2022

Main Topic: D&D - Pushing Boundaries: TSR/WoTC often pushed boundaries

Does D&D just have to be high fantasy? The Various Editions and the Boundaries they pushed:

Old DnD (Oe) First of its name, Gygax and Arneson create a masterpiece of a game: no winners and never-ending story, delve into dungeons to get loot and gain power

BECMI/RC Level to 36, immortals, XP for roleplaying, completing goals as well as defeating monsters, more classes, added weapon mastery, select personality and background, Mods -3 to +3

1e Advanced More guidance, adventure types: dungeon, outdoor, town, focus on adventure and RP, Magic Resistance based on 11th level, race/class combos

Foolishness: https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/473/759/2148159/

Other media: The Dungeons and Dragons Cartoon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_%26_Dragons_(TV_series)

2e Advanced: THAC0, Standard magic resistance, Dragons awesome, Character Class groups, Spell caps, Specialty priests, settings, more narratively focused, bloat, The four horsemen: Parkinson, Elmore, Caldwell, Easley

Foolishness: Removing Gary Gygax: https://boingboing.net/2014/08/12/how-gary-gygax-lost-control-ov.html

Monstrous Compendium Binders: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monstrous_Compendium

*Caving: (Removal of Devils and Demons) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_%26_Dragons_controversies#TSR_removes_Satanic_monsters

3e Selling to WoTC: https://www.enworld.org/threads/ryan-dancey-acquiring-tsr.661632/ in 1997- http://gamecabinet.com/news/TSRWotC.html

WoTC purchased by Hasbro- https://money.cnn.com/1999/09/09/deals/hasbro/

The OGL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Game_License

The Creation of 3e: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Editions_of_Dungeons_%26_Dragons#Dungeons_&_Dragons_3rd_edition New approach, character build, Stat mods increased, FRW saves, Unified XP chart, Feats, skills, BAB and ascending AC, D20 checks high/good and low/bad, magic shop, CR, New Setting: Eberron

Chances taken: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Vile_Darkness

D&D The Movies: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_%26_Dragons_(film_series)

4e: big changes, new direction, every class has powers: daily, at will and encounter, miniatures & maps required, informed by video games such as wow, cartoonish art/anime, divided fan base and gave room for PF. New setting: Points of Light: The Nentir Vale

The Creation of 4e: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Editions_of_Dungeons_%26_Dragons#Dungeons_&_Dragons_4th_edition

Foolishness: Advertisement leading up to 4e: “Hey, let’s alienate old fans.” https://youtu.be/sbbqMoEwDqc

Funny: https://youtu.be/4UqFPujRZWo

5e: Lots of 3e stuff and bits of 4e (short and long rests), optional feat system, controlled character build, easy mode, characters rarely die, legendary and lair actions, DnD Beyond digital components become significantly useful after 2-3 editions of empty promises

Foolishness: https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2020/07/dd-wizards-of-the-coast-adds-disclaimer-to-legacy-content.html https://www.wargamer.com/dnd/spelljammer-race-controversy-hadozee

YouTube: Critical Role and the Rise of Actual Plays: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_Role

ONE D&D Prediction!

Big Geek Updates!

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Episode 105 Streamed Live, Tuesday September 13 ,2022

Geekosphere

Ø Call-In (no emails) Taylor of Clerics Wear Ringmail

Ø Played last Thursday- OSE/B/X-flaws in the system: death and dying, hiring retainers, the Barbarian in OSE may suck, not a fan of the five saving throws, and other?

Ø Big Geek Emporium: POD ready!

Ø Big Con update

Ø Big Geek Adventures: art, map making

Main Topic: The Great D&D Modules & AdventuresØ BECMI (or OD&D): https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/155271.Dungeons_and_Dragons_BECMI_and_Mystara_Adventure_Modules

Ø AD&D 1e: https://dnd-wiki.org/wiki/1e_Modules

Ø AD&D 2e: https://dnd-wiki.org/wiki/2e_Modules

Ø 3.X: https://dnd-wiki.org/wiki/3.5e_Adventures

Ø 4e: https://dnd-wiki.org/wiki/4e_Adventures

Ø 5e: https://dnd-wiki.org/wiki/5e_Adventures

Ø 3rd party Adventures: Judges Guild: Dark Tower, Tegel Manor, Caverns of Thracia

Ø White Wolf’s Sword & Sorcery imprint: Rappan Athuk, OSR: Barrowmaze, Paizo: Rise of the Runelords

Ø How and why do they bind us?

Ø Do organized play adventures do the same?

Ø What experience do newer D&D fans have that is similar.

Ø The difference between good and just good memories/Chasing Nostalgia

Ø Can newer modules produce the same reaction/memories?

Mordenkainen’s Magnificent Mechanics - Savage WorldsChar gen: die types for stats, edges, and hindrances,

Leveling up: ranks: novice, seasoned, veteran, heroic, and legendary

Dice Conventions: raises and acing [die explosions]

Cards & Bennies

3 wounds and soak rolls vs HPS/Shaken/death rules

Wild Cards (PCs) vs Extras

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Episode 104 Steamed Live Tuesday September 6, 2022

Main Topic: D&D and RPG SundryWe take a night off from fully planned and amazingly detailed gaming discussion for a more off the cuff discussion with our homies on the stream and elsewhere.

A. Played 5e dnd 1-shot this past Saturday- game is without doubt very soft

B. The Hadozee Controversy: https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/statement-hadozee

C. BG Emporium updates

D. Biggus Modulus updates

E. Big Geek Con update

F. Call-ins/emails/reviews from Itunes

G. Fighting the power- Rings of Power first episode https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_lord_of_the_rings_the_rings_of_power

H. Random topics of geekery!

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**Episode 103 Streamed Live Tuesday August 30, 2022

Main Topic: ARTIFACTS, Simply The Coolest!**1.) History of Artifacts in DnD: OD &D and BECMI

2.) AD & D Era: 1e and 2e- The Best? And why we loved it

3.) 3e – 5e ‘s Take on Artifacts

4.) Links: https://dungeonsdragons.fandom.com/wiki/Artifact and https://annex.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_major_artifacts_in_Dungeons_%26_Dragons

5.) Our favorites and why

6.) How to best use them in a campaign.

7.) Should all magic items be more like artifacts?

**Mordenkainen’s Magnificent Mechanics:

3.X:** unified die mechanic(mostly), SR, CR (conceptually- as a guide for the fledgling DM), Fort/Ref/Will, ease of multiclassing(conceptually), BAB

Pathfinder (exception 3.75): CMB/CMD

4e: No Comment

5e: Advantage/Disadvantage, easy to learn/teach, HD for healing,

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Monster Mash #4: Golems & Constructs

Episode 102 Streamed Live Tuesday August 23, 2022

Geekosphere ONE D&D coming 2024, but sign up now for playtest document: https://youtu.be/OpI7J9vtbnw

Main Topic: Monster Mash #4 - Golems & Constructs

1) Their first appearance in DnD: Golems and other constructs had their start all the way back in the Greyhawk Supplement for OD&D in 1975. There were many variants over the editions: Obsidian, Wood, Bronze in NX, BECMI, RC Modrons appeared in 1e Necrophidius Golem, Stone Guardian, caryatid column in 2e Inevitables (modrons and maruts) in Planescape Big four and a total of 74 types other types in 3e Warforged of Eberron: https://eberron.fandom.com/wiki/Warforged and http://eberronunlimited.wikidot.com/warforged#toc0 (+) No Modrons until Dragon 414 in 4e. Big four, animated objects, clockwork creatures, Modrons, Marut in 5e

2) Their most common types, characteristics & powers throughout the editions. Golems: immune to magic, no sneak attack, SR, could go berserk, unique ways to kill PCs especially Clay and Iron

3) Ecology & influence of monster in the campaign world. Built by spellcasters, eternal guardians, odd defenders, generally difficult to defeat, even for the creator, great higher-level foes, usually limited influence on the world and campaign

4.) How best to use them? They should be guardians of ancient/hidden treasures. They should be challenging and terrifying. My Favorite Examples: 3.X: Demonflesh Golem that was programmed to act like it was Demogorgon as well as to frustrate spellcasters and terrify 2e characters.

5.) Mythological: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golem

6.) 3+ alternate takes:

a.) What if the technique to creating golems were lost to time?

b.) A powerful wizard summons an Ultron-like creature bound eons ago in the plane of law (Mechanus).

c.) Consider a world not unlike Eberron wherein constructs are a part of life, a highly magical world. Suddenly one day, they all stop working.

Mordenkainen’s Magnificent Mechanics:

OD+D: nothing comes to mind

BECMI/BX/: stat mods(lower), domain play emphasized, power of spells, CLW though slight difference

TSR Era DnD: monster immunities, PC fragility, save or suck spells/conditions, stat boosting items/situations hard to come by, power of spells

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Episode 101 of our SHOW and the date is Tuesday 16,2022. (R)

Big Geek Emporium!

The Alt-Drive is Live!!!

Main Topic: Starting a New Campaign

Choose setting and rules setOld tried and true stuff

Brand new setting

Brand new system

Starting characters-restrictions

Choosing the Players & Setting the IRL parametersOnline vs F2F

Previous players vs new players

Same old group vs mix-it-up

Time/days/length of sessions/length of campaign/# of players

The First SessionPCs meet at the tavern.

PCs know each other

PCs being hired to complete a mission.

A more organic start

PCs start at the entrance to the dungeon.

In media res

Differing ApproachesSandbox/Open ended but with some limitsLinear Adventure or homebrewed storyline

Combination: Sandbox & Linear Adventure

No/low prep/wide open TRUE SANDBOX

What are you looking for in a DnD Style Adventure/Campaign SettingSize? Style? Details?

OSR or OSR adjacent or DnD version X

How about something New, but familiar?

Our New Campaign & 1st Session last weekWe began a new campaign. Analysis:

Homebrew setting: Hymyr/ OSE/3rd level PCs/F2F/Mixed group new & old/ Began at the negotiation table with patron for a mission/assumed PCs had worked together before

This differs a bit from a standard campaign as I am hoping to playtest a module (perhaps a series of them/setting) and build up to a true Mudsword RPG.

GeekosphereD & D Campaign Cases: https://www.wargamer.com/dnd/campaign-case-creatures-review

Is your DM too strict? https://www.pcgamer.com/ai-dungeon-ttrpg-campaign-game-master/

Come on DC grow a pair: https://screenrant.com/why-dc-still-release-flash-ezra-miller-controversy/

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Episode #100 Streamed Live Tuesday August 9, 2022

Gencon 2022 Report from Patrick Demo of Point Hat Games

Main Topic: We finally made it, or did we?

I. Our own personal history with D&D and RPGs

II. Biggus Geekus – A retrospective

III. Biggus Geekus- the future

IV. Thanks to: Wherein we give thanks to those who helped.

Geekosphere

Call-ins/emails – let’s do it!!
Episode #100- Milestone Contest - thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com

Grimtooth’s Ultimate Traps Collection by Goodman Games (Kickstarter edition)

Zaslov https://theculturednerd.org/2022/08/warner-bros-discoverys-ceo-david-zaslav-confirms-that-major-changes-are-on-the-horizon-for-the-dceu/
A totally boss take down of woke Hollywood losers: https://youtu.be/NXIoEmyofoQ

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Spotify, Stitcher, Apple Podcasts and virtually everywhere you get your podcasts

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The Penultimate Potpourri Episode

Episode 99 Streamed Live Tuesday August 2, 2022

With Patrick Demo of Pointy Hat Games http://www.pointyhat.games

Main Topic: Safety Tools Re-Dux1. Brought up again by twitter?

What are they? https://www.loremaster.io/safety-tools-in-ttrpg/

a.) Session Zero

b.) C.A.T.S.

c.) X-card

d.) Lines & Veils

e.) More: https://thegiftofdice.itch.io/safety-tools-and-wellbeing-a-curated-list

The value of safety tools in F2F, Online, and Convention play.
When will it end?

Staying PositiveKing Waspinator inspired https://youtu.be/SUuPyD7Xisk

With the rpg hobby in general
With your own personal games
With the nerd culture in general
Why don’t we focus on positive things?
Are they simply not interesting enough?
How do we keep it interesting?
Why are rants and complaints content always so much more interesting?

Gencon 2022: Pointy Hat and P. Demo1.) What are the current requirements to attend and vend at the show?

2.) How excited are you to go?

3.) Do you expect to have a good outing: sales, time value and fun?

4.) What about the BiPoC room?

5.) Other concerns/comments.

Geekosphere1. Catalyst Games fires Blaine Pardoe

https://amgreatness.com/2022/07/29/my-publisher-canceled-me-in-favor-of-an-activist-who-threatened-my-life/

https://townhall.com/columnists/blainepardoe/2022/08/01/pummeled-into-silence--conservative-censorship-hits-scifi-n2611063

https://bleedingfool.com/news/catalyst-games-lab-caves-to-cancel-culture-trolls-fires-long-time-battletech-writer/

https://youtu.be/-hhgCu_1KXY

Catalyst statement: https://bg.battletech.com/forums/general-discussion/statement-regarding-blaine-lee-pardoe/

Contest of Champions- and the winner is….
How goes Big Geek Emporium?
Episode #100: We go down memory lane and show where we are going

Contest-Send an email in this week to thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com with a comment that epitomizes Biggus Geekus for a chance to win Grimtooth’s Ultimate Traps Collection by Goodman Games (Kickstarter edition).

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Monster Mash: The Tarrasque

Episode 98 Streamed Live Thursday July 28, 2022

Shout outs:

Honey Badger Radio: https://youtu.be/5lFI8YRz2eM

The Basic Expert: https://youtu.be/DH51HdIvE2k at the 20:22 mark

Legion of Myth clip coming soon: https://www.youtube.com/c/LegionofMyth

Future Appearances

Red Room: 7/29 at 11am

T-Shirted Historian: 7/30 time TBD

Main Topic: Monster Mash - The Tarrasque

Topical Links:

https://thecampaign20xx.blogspot.com/2014/07/everything-you-need-to-know-about.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarasque

https://mythus.fandom.com/wiki/Tarasque

1) Its first appearance in DnD books

2) Its most common characteristics & powers throughout the editions.

3) Ecology & influence of monster in the campaign world.

4) How best to use them? Our favorite examples.

5) Mythological etymology:

6) 3 alternate takes on the creature

a) 13th age: https://www.13thagesrd.com/monsters/

b) The 5e Book of the Tarrasque: page 7

c) The True Tarrasque: https://www.gmbinder.com/share/-M9usahTVHiYqci1OHYA

Venger Con Report1. Stayed until 10:30 am on Sunday

The ATTENDEES & Venger
The games: OSE, BECMI/Rules Cyclopedia, Venger’s own, “198?” Conan, homebrews, DCC
Venger Con 2?
Pics on will be up on the website or social media

Geekosphere1. Total Party Skills https://youtu.be/SUuPyD7Xisk

The D& D Movie trailer: https://youtu.be/IiMinixSXII
The Contest of Champions – Pushed to next week
“Planescape doesn’t suck or why doesn’t Max trust me?”: ;) https://youtu.be/ZvwwQsA1cko?t=1785

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Episode 97 Streamed Live Tuesday July 19, 2022

Main Topic: Alignment in D&DAlignment is defined as a categorization of the ethical and moral perspective of player characters, non-player characters, and creatures.

Yes, we have covered this before going to try to go in more depth. When did it originate? It seems pretty clear alignment began in Chainmail as a way to have the “good guys” and the “bad guys”. The good guys were Lawful, and the bad were Chaotic.

Later in Advanced Dungeons and Dragons, alignment became much more detailed and granular with the iconic 9 alignments. These have been debated on their meaning over the years, even though they were spelled out in the books.

Some links as food for discussion:

Changing Meaning of Alignment

https://grognardia.blogspot.com/2008/12/od-planes.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alignment_(Dungeons_%26_Dragons)

Tolkien and DnD Alignment

https://www.gamersdecide.com/articles/dnd-alignments-explained

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alignment_(Dungeons_%26_Dragons)

https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/PHB_Ch4_Alignment

5e Alignment

Alignment Tracking

https://rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/10032/whats-the-deal-with-alignment-languages

https://viridianscroll.blogspot.com/2021/04/what-are-alignment-languages.html

Inevitably the Palladium system rears its ugly head: https://imgur.com/gallery/DmKvb

Alignment has been connected to cosmology in Dungeons and dragons sometimes tightly as in The Great Wheel, and sometimes loosely as in The World Axis

Great Wheel

World Axis

The Planes

Also in discussion:

Alignment-based character classes (Paladin, Cleric, Barbarian, Thief, etc.)

Changing alignment and its effects on your character

Alignment languages

The Geekosphere1. Call-ins/emails

THE CONTEST OF CHAMPIONS:

enter win here: http://biggusgeekuspodcast.com/contest-entry/

Big Geek Emporium: biggeekemporium.com

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Episode 96 Streamed Live Tuesday July 12, 2022

Main Topic: OSR, Old School and the DnD divide with The Legacy GMhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OoPEzT5nq0c7ToEpWSe3A

We discuss many aspects of “Old School” or OSR gaming. Legacy GM (LGM) discusses his favorite games and gaming style. We go over some potential differences between OSR games and Old School feel. LGM talks about getting younger folks into older style games.

Then we discuss the, largely, sociopolitical divide in the hobby. We try to figure out why it is so stark a divide. Also, we discuss what we feel the essence of the divide is and take swipes at post modernism. We agree that likely the only way to bridge the gap is to set a good example of being accepting of the folks we are accused of hating but concede that it will only be a few of them we can hope to convince.

Segment #2: Like it Love it, or Leave itTSR (the original company-version 1.0) - Love

Psionics in D&D - Like

Movie Reboots - Leave

Contest of Champions-Finally!We’ve hit 250+. Now the give-away, you get to choose ONE

1) Feng Shui 2 by Robin D Laws

2) Traps & Treachery d20 book (sticker on cover) by FFG

3) Rackham Vale: Fantasy Adventures from the Art of Arthur Rackham (OSE related)

How are we doing it? To Be Announced.

Geek Culture

1.Call-ins/emails: Will have a whole show dedicated to the backlog. Likely next week. (7/19)

Steve Jackson Games: http://www.sjgames.com/ill/archive/July_08_2022/Roe_v_Wade

Venger Satanis: https://youtu.be/P-JS7o1EFEI

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Episode 95 Streamed Live Tuesday July 5, 2022

Main Topic: 5 Other Non-D&D RPGs to play

These are not D&D, play experience is different

Links to games mentioned savage worlds: https://peginc.com/savage-settings/savage-worlds/

mage the ascension: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/199/Mage-The-Ascension-Revised?term=mage+the

dungeon crawl classics: https://goodman-games.com/dungeon-crawl-classics-rpg/

legend of the five rings: https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/legend-of-the-five-rings-roleplaying-game/

heroes unlimited: https://www.palladiumbooks.com/modern/heroes-unlimited

1) Savage Worlds

a) Great for time-challenged: This is a game that is easy to understand and get to playing in no time.

b) Cheap barrier to entry. One book is all that is needed. pdf 10 bucks, hardback 40. (used to be cheaper)

c) Plays fast: target number is 4

d) The dice explosion mechanic is fun

e) Very deadly, approach fighting with care

2) Dungeon Crawl Classics

a) Though superficially like BX D&D, it differs enough to have a very different table experience.

b) Spells have a very wide array of effects, each having its own random table.

c) Character creation is fast and can be interesting with The Funnel.

d) Has a more Gonzo sword and sorcery vibe than D&D given the randomness of spells, fumbles, and crits

3) Legend of the Five Rings

a) May make wokeskolds irate "because reasons". Be exotic.

b) The exotic Roll and keep is a favorite dice mechanic of mine.

c) Combat, thought exotic, is very deadly, approach with caution, and use stealth or diplomacy when possible.

d) Has a lore that is very exotic in tone and well thought out. Edition changes has wrought some havoc on the lore though.

e) Very different play experience from D&D, some would call it ... exotic

4) Mage The Ascension

a) This more of a wish to play. Especially if the more emo elements remove. H/T to Heathendog at Legion of Myth

b) World of Darkness has some stark tonal differences to many other RPG. Its Dark man.

c) Freeform magic is always attractive to as a long time D&D wizard player.

5) Heroes Unlimited

a) I love a supers game. I like Paladium. Seems like a good fit.

b) Paladium's system will feel familiar to D&D players, but different at the same

c) This is another "would like to play" rather than a true recommendation. I already know the base system and understand it.

d) Like all Paladium's games, it is a self-contained game but can be used with their other offerings. It has enough of it's own lore to you going.

Geekosphere

Call-ins/emails: We have accumulated a large set of call ins. We will set up an episode just to clear them. Coming soon!
Wizards for Justice: https://twitter.com/WizardsJustice
The channel has reached over 200 subs.
Shout out to Venger Satanis’ Publishing imprint. Hopefully some of it is still available at Drivethru RPG, also he can be reached via email and accepts paypal directly.

http://vengersatanis.blogspot.com/

https://www.youtube.com/c/VengerSatanis

Random Shout Out to Wizard Tower Games. The company has an upcoming board game offering called d20 Delving. https://twitter.com/realwizardtower/status/1538194462811295744?s=20&t=vxpZ4gWg5alBOpGWtMRjOw

https://wizardtowergames.com/

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Episode 94 Recorded Thursday June 30th 2022

Joe flies solo to talk about how the latest nonsense from DriveThru should have us all looking for or making alternatives to the platform.

To support the show please go to:

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Links to Materia Discussed:

Lamentations of The Flame Princess (Raggi)

https://youtu.be/PufXMjSA-Kw

Total Party Skills (waspinator)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQkf5TOFKyM

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Episode 93 Streamed Live Tuesday June 21, 2022

Geek Culture1. Satine Phoenix & her husband: https://www.enworld.org/threads/d-d-celebrity-satine-phoenix-husband-jamison-stone-accused-of-abuse-towards-freelancers.689276/page-3

https://twitter.com/dndinacastle/status/1536742772694298625

And Venger’s response https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=847850639508484&set=gm.559008798995734

RDD @ UK Game EXPO: https://youtu.be/v80e0shnS2c
Venger Con 2022 (7/22-7/24): https://tabletop.events/conventions/venger-con-2022

D&D Lessons You wish you’d learned earlier1. DM’s Perspective

a. It’s not a competition

b. Play by the rules before you decide to house rule/homebrew

c. It’s more than just combat

d. Let the players be heroes

e. Prep less/game more

f. It’s more about the players than the game

g. Don’t lose confidence

h. Learn to be open to a bigger table

i. Prep efficiently

Player’s Perspective

a. It’s not just about my character

b. Help the DM

c. Help other player’s characters be cool

d. Do what is expected sometimes

e. Be helpful but not pushy

f. Know at least enough to run your character

g. Relax and have a good time

General Perspective

a. Know thyself: do not waste time on the new shiny if it isn’t in your wheelhouse.b. Discern want vs need (and can/will use) in purchases

c. Be willing to try a variety of RPG’s

d. Consider Alternate Locations/Variations

e. Cultivate your group.

f. Don’t be quick to get rid of books

**1 Random Question(s) How do you handle RPG nostalgia?

ToM vs Total grid/minis focused play.** Pros & Cons to using miniatures.

Pro: Aids in visualization and imagination

Con: Can be a pain to put on the table, expensive, take up space

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Episode 92 Streamed Live Tuesday June 14, 2022

Random Geek-itude

Eric July got his first shipment … of what? Not sure, but I’m ready for the Rippaverse: https://twitter.com/EricDJuly/status/1534615182705565696
https://boundingintocomics.com/2022/06/13/screenrant-star-wars-article-epitomizes-everything-wrong-with-the-lefts-racial-perspectives/
Just for fun: https://www.gamersdecide.com/articles/10-greatest-weapons-dnd-legendary-weapons-1

Main Topic: Stereotypes, Inclusion and Representation in D&D

I Definition Stereotype: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/stereotype

How Stereotypes can be good:

1.) Set base lines/make the world believable (need to see the normal before the abnormal becomes truly “weird”).

2.) Stereotypical NPCs/monsters allow players a more predictable way to react to the world making the exception more interesting and intriguing. ex: the friendly barkeep, the sagely, but forgetful wizard, kindly old priest, or the edgy rogue with a heart of gold.

3.) Definition Monsters: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/monster

monsters are essentially evil
frees folks from moral relativism
the game has alignment, so intention is that there is REAL evil and good in the game

When/how can Stereotypes be bad?

Depends on the temperaments of the folks at the table, and how the stereotype is delivered.

II Definitions of Inclusion:

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/inclusion

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/include

1.) Legion of Myth Nod: natural inclusion not forced diversity

2.) Not the inclusion we hear about today: https://www.cbr.com/dungeons-and-dragons-representation-inclusivity-plans/

3.) When has the hobby not ever been inclusive?

4.) How can Inclusion be good?

5.) When/how can Inclusion be bad?

III Definition Representation: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/represented

1.) Legion of Myth: Escapism not Representation

2.) Representation must have limits: from DM perspective, your world cannot really be representative of all things unless it becomes cartoonish 3.) Representation today: https://www.themarysue.com/representation-in-d-and-d/

4.) When/how can representation be good?

5.) When/how can representation be bad?

One Random Question: How much use/mileage do you get out of “good” monsters in D&D?

Open Discussion: Generating Good Content

Revisiting old stuff/deeper dive into old topics

Evergreen topics: Gm Advice

How To topics

Exploration of Actual Play

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Our fascination with OSREpisode 91 Streamed Live Tuesday June 7,2022

Random Geek-itude1. Batman Knights-Batman is possibly Bi-sexual https://youtu.be/zovi-CwUxrk

The Stranger Things Final Season Villain? https://www.themarysue.com/what-d-and-d-villain-stranger-things-final-season/
Vecna Statue: https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/51255/wizkids-unveils-dungeons-dragons-vecna-premium-statue
Shout out to Patrick Demo: Randy’s Orcus mini is no longer lonely in the Abyss of my miniature collection!

**Our fascination with the OSR

I.** Mile high View

Is the OSR Nostalgia?

A Return to your Roots?

A Re-focusing of what you think is important?

The Truth in D&D?

II. Exhibit A: BG’s recent Exploration of B-X through OSEWe played OSE Saturday: Are the mechanics solid? Does it have the right feel? Any quirks?

Some old adventure design stuff became glaringly apparent.

The sheer gonzo nature.

III. Building Back BetterShould we:

1.) play OSR & just remove the warts as we see them

2.) to start fresh from 3.x – removing the cumbersome rules

3.) do our own thing from scratch OR

4.) Create a cool/fun setting (Hymyr) and just play all the variants of DnD and enjoy them for what they are

1 Random Question: What keeps bringing you back to the table after all these years?

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Episode 90 Streamed Live Tuesday May 31, 2022

Random Geek-itude

Call-ins/emails: Taylor from Clerics Wear Ringmail on playing with “Randos”
Stranger Things Season 4 Tackles the Satanic Panic: link below

Main Topic: Dungeons and Dragons vs. The Satanic Panic and the Woke Mob

How are they similar?

How are they different?

Which was worse?

Does it matter now?

How did we fight the former and how do we fight the current?

Our experiences with it.

The Satanic Panic- the time when Dungeons and Dragons was thought to be connected to devil/Satan worship and the destruction of the youth.

60 Minutes: https://youtu.be/Cm_2S8E_UOI

B.A.D.D.: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patricia_Pulling

The BBC: https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26328105

The Nerdist - Part 1: https://nerdist.com/article/how-did-gaming-greats-navigate-the-satanic-panic-of-the-1980s/

The Nerdist - Part II: https://nerdist.com/article/how-dd-writers-fought-the-satanic-panic/

Groovy History: https://groovyhistory.com/satanic-panic-brief-history-hysteria

Demons and Devils Facelift: https://screenrant.com/dungeons-dragons-satanism-controversy-demons-devils-tanarri-baatezu/

The Grunge: https://www.grunge.com/179063/the-controversial-history-of-dungeons-dragons/

Stranger Things: https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/stranger-things-season-4-dungeons-and-dragons-satanic-panic/

Dark Dungeons (Chick Tract) https://www.chick.com/products/tract?stk=0046

Michael Stackpole: http://pc.gamespy.com/articles/539/539635p1.html

The Woke Invasion- The slippery slope of virtual signaling, SJW-madness, representation and woke insanity

Color Code to The Woke: https://www.therpgsite.com/pen-paper-roleplaying-games-rpgs-discussion/list-ttrpg-guide-to-woke-companies/

Woke RPG’s v Non-woke RPGs: https://medium.com/theuglymonster/woke-roleplaying-games-sell-better-than-not-woke-rpgs-cb5853fba7a2

Fighting against WOKE Culture: https://nypost.com/2021/01/31/10-ways-to-fight-back-against-woke-culture/(application to gaming)

POC Gamer: https://pocgamer.com/2019/08/02/decolonization-and-integration-in-dd/

Orcs = Black People: https://www.wired.com/story/dungeons-dragons-diversity/

Playing in the Mud:

Setting motivates rules, right?

3.X is the new old hotness…or is it?

What things do we wish to leave behind from 3.X?

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Episode 89 Streamed Live, Thursday May 24, 2022

Random Geek-itude1. Call-ins/emails: John and Taylor

Warner Bros does something right: https://variety.com/2022/film/news/wonder-twins-movie-canceled-hbo-max-1235254892/
DC Fails again: https://screenrant.com/batman-bisexual-bruce-wayne-dc-fans-react/
Demogorgon mini to be released: https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-demogorgon-demon-lord-critical-role/

Main Topic: Part One - Cultivating a Gaming GroupShould every player play in every game?

Choosing the right players: setting & system preferences or limitations, RP level, action level, exploration level

Playing with random players- game store, internet, or message board

When to bow out?

Main Topic: Part 2 - Setting up Fantastic Locations & SituationsThe idea: something exotic, interesting, challenging

How important is it to make a location fantastic?

Show the mundane consistently to accentuate the fantastic

How can you generate these neat ideas? Movies, comics, books, paintings/pics (internet), modules/adventures

How important is it to most games that you have these places?

How do you place such ideas in a world trying to maintain some verisimilitude?

Examples …

One Page Dungeons: https://www.dungeoncontest.com/

Random Question: Do you ever see yourself not playing TTRPGs?

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Episode 88 Streamed Tuesday May 17, 2022

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands1. Call-ins/emails none so far

We’ve lost two great ones in comics- George Perez: https://www.vulture.com/2022/05/george-perez-death-marvel-dc-comic-book-artist.html and Neal Adams: https://nypost.com/2022/04/30/neal-adams-legendary-comic-book-creator-and-batman-artist-dead-at-80/
Midnight rpg being re-released…yep its 5e: https://www.enworld.org/threads/what-if-sauron-won-check-out-this-trailer-for-the-midnight-rpg.688317/
Dark tower Kickstarter is live!: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/devillich/original-adventures-reincarnated-7-the-dark-tower?ref=53cnov

Main Topic: CC16- Re-cap and Lessons Learned

Good1. Great time, ran smoothly,

loved not running any games
played a lot
DCC is good
OSR feel/style and D&D 3e
bed for everyone
experience with lots of games: Wasteland Express, Fireball island, D&D 3.5 variant, DCC 3rd level XCrawl & Funnel, Shiver, Fallout, Aliens, 13th Age, Trivia contest of Awesome!

Pics of CC16

Bad1. not enough time to visit

‘hot’ weather
some whining
not enough time to game

What We’ve Learned:1) Randy should run less games

2) Joe and Randy may be unique at CC

3) CC runs smoothly practically on its own.

Segment #3: Is it really all that it’s cracked up to be? Original Clash of the Titans (1981) vs the Clash of the Titans(2010) -

Randy’s Rating1981: 7/10

2010: 7/10

Joe’s Rating1981: 6/10

2010: 5/10

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Episode 87 Tuesday May 10,2022

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands

Call-ins/emails
Violence in DnD- REEEEEEEE!!!!: http://www.hopesandfears.com/hopes/culture/video-games/216625-dungeons-dragons-violence-ethics and Aaron the Pedantic Roundtable: https://youtu.be/2Kn0Z6k5Hxk
The DnD Movie History: https://www.slashfilm.com/853351/somehow-the-2000-dungeons-dragons-movie-got-two-straight-to-video-sequels/
Stephen King’s Dark Tower gets an RPG?: https://byodinsbeardrpg.itch.io/we-deal-in-lead
https://gizmodo.com/new-grants-are-helping-diversify-tabletop-gaming-scene-1848882030

Main Topic: For the Love of the Game – What We Love about Dungeons and Dragons

Oe: the original- a visionary style of game

BECMIE/RoC: sense of wonder conveyed from the cover of the little booklets

1e: level limits for non-human races, SAVE or DIE!!!!, lots of new spells

2e: specialty priests, Monstrous manual was in color (and liked the 3 ring binder approach)

3.x: ascending AC, actually got to use miniatures and maps in a meaningful way

4e: Very simple to learn 5e: cut out the majority of the build game, kept D&D core so easy to play, better for beginners

Patrick Reviews Doctor Strange 2: The Multiverse of Madness

A Cabin Con Moment: Two days until the DAY!!!! Mini-episodes over CC 16: Just Podcasting

Next Episode: The Satanic Panic vs The Woke Panic

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Episode 86 Streamed Live Tuesday May 3, 2022

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands

Call-ins/emails
https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/2022/04/sepulchre-of-grave-robber.html
We recommend Red Dice Diaries go watch it/listen to it
Dungeons and Dragons Rules Cyclopedia a $20 reprint from www.drivethrurpg.com very cheap entry into the hobby
Something to laugh at https://www.cbr.com/disability-representation-marvel-multiverse-ttrpg

Main Topic: Criticisms of Dungeons and Dragons

TSR DnD

OD&D: d6 hp for all classes, saving throw categories are weird, assumes knowledge of Chainmail. DM rolls PC stats, stats matter very little, all dungeon delving, spell descriptions often defined too loosely, race as class, alignment not explained BECMI/RC: THACO, alignment), weapon mastery, 36 levels, Turn Undead

1e: THAC0 counterintuitive, Descending AC counterintuitive, percentile for Thief skills, roll under for everyone else’s skills, alignment, con mods for different classes, weapon speed, armor vs weapon tables, damage vs S/M/L creatures, dragons sucked, dual classing

2e: druid fighting to gain levels, spell dice caps, Non Weapon Proficiencies, Bending the Knee to Satanic Panic

WoTC DnD

3.x: special maneuvers too fiddly, the build game, monsters built like PCs, No Lore Consistency

4e: same-y characters, start out a hero

5e: Art is crap, Turn Undead, Monster CR, 3 attuned items, Fighter while not weak seems Irrelevant, Skill system is weak, Bounded Accuracy is Dumb, Bending the Knee to Woke Panic

Random Question: Should every player try to GM at least once?

A Cabin Con Moment Next Thursday it begins…the greatest convention ever conceived & executed by mankind. Podcasting at CC16.

Next Episode: Monster Mash #3 or What We Love about D&D

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Episode 85 Streamed Live on Thursday April 28, 2022

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands

Call-ins & emails - John Alan Large

Thor: Love & Thunder Trailer- https://youtu.be/tgB1wUcmbbw

Total Party Skills: Brand antagonizing their fan base https://youtu.be/2GxDPnNg8qI

WoTC screws over Hungarian Game Company: https://youtu.be/4clIK3VmazM

Randy’s wife learn hilarious griefing lesson.

WriterDojo: https://www.writerdojo.com/

Main Topic: Incorporeal Undead

1. **Banshee, Ghost, Spectre, Shadow, Wraith

2. First appearance in DnD

3. What are the basic and most long enduring/interesting powers of each of those listed through the editions?

4. Ecology & Influence of Corporeal Undead in a campaign world

5. Alternate Takes:

1.) Make them more dangerous as spirits which cannot be hurt by mortal weapons

2.) What if incorporeal undead acted as spirit guides*3.) Harrowers*- an organization of incorporeal undead who hunger for life again even if it is only a semblance through taking over humans/demi-humans bodies.

1 random question: Is it GM or DM and does it matter?

The Batman Review: Randy explores the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

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Episode 84 Streamed Live April 19, 2022

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands

Call ins and emails - None
Interesting ability score generation method for “DnD” https://youtu.be/xpH4bhYYFwI
HASBRO purchases DnD Beyond : https://www.techspot.com/news/94209-wizards-coast-parent-company-hasbro-purchase-dd-beyond.html

Main Topic: What’s Stats got to do with it? Discussing Attributes in Dungeons and Dragons

Relevant Links:

https://www.dmingwithcharisma.com/2011/10/dd-stats-in-simple-language/

https://grognardia.blogspot.com/2021/05/whats-point-of-ability-scores-part-i.html

https://grognardia.blogspot.com/2021/05/whats-point-of-ability-scores-part-ii.html

https://grognardia.blogspot.com/2021/05/whats-point-of-ability-scores-final.html

The Big Six: S/D/C/I/W/CH

Why so many ability scores anyway?

How important ARE they in play?

How important SHOULD they be in play?

Other Stats: Hit Points, Armor Class, and Saving Throws (derived stats)

HPS: https://youtu.be/VM28Us0I7D8 vs “realism”vs RPGPundit’s idea of Risk assessment

Armor Class: https://youtu.be/QVSOuINso3w “dodging” or “evasiveness” and Armor = DR?

Saving Throws:Why not just “suck it dude” magic is power!?!

Other Games Cypher System, Savage Worlds, Vampire, Rifts (Palladium), etc.

RANDOM QUESTION: How long do your sessions last and what is your play preferred play?

Is it really all that its cracked up to be? Talisman 2nd edition:

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High Level Breakdown: Real or Fiction?

Episode 83 streamed live on April 12, 2022

The OutlandsProfessor DM says dumb stuff https://youtu.be/6aO_sSCOo9w

Main Topic: High Level in Dungeons and Dragons (DnD)Why do most games end before the highest levels?

https://www.thegamer.com/dungeons-dragons-player-level-campaign-statistics/https://www.enworld.org/threads/90-of-d-d-games-stop-by-level-10-wizards-more-popular-at-higher-levels.666097/

-PC power levels too ridiculous?

-GM unable to manage the abilities of the PCs or create challenges for them?

-are the rules just broken? Just too much to keep track of

-outside influences

-too much effort

Who plays to max levels?

**What makes high level “Hard” to play in DnD?

Tiers of play through the Editions**

5e: https://makeaskillcheck.com/5e-tiers-of-play/and http://dmsworkshop.com/2021/09/10/dnd-101-tiers-levels/

4e: https://dnd4.fandom.com/wiki/Tier

3.x: RPG.net

What about the EPIC Level handbook?

2e or lower: no tiers of play, but there were level titles

**Why does OSR seem to avoid it?

A Nod to SuperHero Games:

A Related Question (or two)**

What is the highest level/longest lasting campaign you ever played and enjoyed? Which is more important: long lasting or reaching the pinnacle of levels/powers?

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Episode 82 April 5, 2022

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands1. Call ins and emails – John Alan Large and his wife Hannah

Paizo to create a 5e conversion of an AP: https://paizo.com/products/btq02d54?Pathfinder-Adventure-Path-Abomination-Vaults
Christ a mutant? Tread carefully? https://www.cbr.com/immortal-x-men-reveals-jesus-christ-mutant-marvel/

Main Topic: Monster Mash - Corporeal UndeadDefinion (1): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Undead

*Defintion (2): https://www.definitions.net/definition/undead

Undead:*An undead is a being in mythology, legend or fiction that is deceased yet behave as if alive

The Undead we are discussing: skeletons(S) & zombies(Z), ghouls(G1) & ghasts(G2), wights(W) & vampires,(V) liches(L),n Death Knight (DK), and mummies(M**).

1. **First appearance in DnD

2. What are the basic and most long enduring powers of each of those listed?

3. Ecology & Influence of Corporeal Undead in a campaign world4. Some examples**of our best uses of these creatures or experiences encountering these when playing a character

5. **Alternate Takes on Corporeal Undead

6. Ranking Undead amongst the other monsters of fantasy.**

Segment #3: Level Drain, Yes or No?Effects that take away experience levels. Are there any other games besides DnD that does something like this (removes character advancement from a PC after a monster “attack”)?

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Episode 81 March 29, 2022

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands1. Cancel culture has no allies: https://www.giantfreakinrobot.com/cltr/brie-larson-being-canceled-for-controversial-new-video.html

Competitive DnD: https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-onslaught-board-game-wizkids/

Monster Mash #1 (introduction) - SHOUT out to Red Dice Diariesfor the idea!We hope to discuss the following:

1) Its first appearance in DnD books

2) Its most common characteristics & powers throughout the editions.

3) Ecology & influence of monster in the campaign world.

4.) How best to use them?

5.) Our favorite examples of how we have and continue to use them in our own games.

6.) Mythological etymology

7.) Rank from 10 all the way up to #1

Some Possible Candidates:

The Tarrasque

Giants

Orcs & Goblinkin

Demons & Devils

Dragons

Constructs

Bulette

Undead

Beholder

Mind Flayers

And Many More

WHEN IS IT OK TO TPK? Total party Kill (wipe,etc): when the adventure ends due to every PC being Killed.

Why do they happen? Whose fault? Player or Gm? Or the game itself? Bad dice rolls, bad player decisions, bad adventure design,
Consequences of TPK’’s:

Negative- possible campaign ending, player frustration, loss of motivation to playPositive- learn more about the game, starting a new campaign is invigorating, chance to try out a new character type/class/build

Can TPK’s be used to teach lessons (both to Players and DMs)? Practical example to be given (from *Saturday 3/28/22)
What are some of your own memories of TPK’s? Good, bad, or ugly

1 Random Question: When should you kick a player out of your group, and whose job is it?

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Episode 80 Thursday 24, 2022

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands

Calls ins/emails? John (Red Dice Diaries) and Taylor (Clerics Wear Ringmail)
3-D printing and gaming?
Mudsword is saved:
Are Hit Points Risk Assessment?
New DnD book:

and Pundit had to make a quick video about it:

Waspinator’s take on it:

Emperor’s Choice
Shadow’s Videos on Arduin:

**Evil Campaigns & PCs

Evil is:**1. Morally bad or wrong; wicked.

Causing ruin, injury, or pain; harmful.
Characterized by or indicating future misfortune; ominous.

The advantages or merits of an evil campaign/evil pcs if there are any.

What archetypes would you emulate in such a game?

Does it give the players a chance to explore their dark sides?

What kind of goals would make for a fun/worthwhile evil campaign?

Why play evil characters in a group oriented DnD game?

How about other games? Sci-fi, horror, etc.

Does it make it hard for the GM to motivate the PCs?

How evil should PCs go?

Evil pcs in a primarily good/heroic group

Do most evil games just devolve into backstabbing?

“1 Random Question”How do you decide who to invite into your group to play?

How should/could you vet potential new players to your group.

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Episode 79 Tuesday March 15, 2022

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands1. Call ins and emails

Congratulations on birth of son of Taylor from Cleric’s wear Ringmail podcast.
DC’s Days are numbered?
A Set of Faerie Dragons to celebrate pride week, hmmm
Set of kobolds- you decide which is the better deal: WizKids or ebay
Dragonlance on the horizon?

Default DnD AssumptionsWhat is DnD? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_%26_Dragons

When we sit down to play DnD what assumptions do we have from both the DM and Player sides of the screen? If these assumptions are not met when, if at all, does it start to seem like it is NOT DnD.

Is DnD generic Fantasy?I. Character types/classes, alignment, levels, xp, treasure, world expectations, monsters, combat, spells & magic, types of adventures, , other?II. OD&D, BECMI, and AD+D 1e or 2e

III. 3.x and onward (WoTC DnD)

IV. OSR in general

Gaming on the Cheap: How can you save money these days and still game?

Drop the peripheral stuff: minis, maps, cards, extra dice,etc

Buy only core books and create your own stuff

Play games that are free and available online such as 5e basic game or any other free starter set and extrapolate yourself.

Buy pdfs of books not hard copies.

Play online…saves gas money

Play longer, but less frequent sessions.

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Episode 78 Tuesday, March 8, 2022

Special Guest Host Patrick Demo!

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands1.) No calls ins or emails.

2.) A salty Brian Sanderson https://winteriscoming.net/2022/02/23/brandon-sanderson-salty-george-rr-martin-work-fromsoftware-elden-ring/

3.) A successful Brian Sanderson https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dragonsteel/surprise-four-secret-novels-by-brandon-sanderson

**5 Games

Joe:**Hackmaster

Rifts (Paladium)

Ars Magica

Champions

Aliens

Patrick:

Earthdawn

Shadowrun

Harn

Lone Wolf

Sliver

Lightning Round!

1) Why?

2) What quality does it have that is different from DnD?

3) Play or GM?

4) Do you have something ready for it now?

5) Is it good for Cabin Con?

To OSR or Not To OSR: Randy and Joe are waffling on the direction of Musdsword…

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Episode 77: Keeping it Real while Playing Pretend (Verisimilitude vs It’s just a game)

Episode 77 Tuesday March 1,2022

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands

Call-in from John Alan Large
Tiamat, again! https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/50487/wizkids-reveals-d-d-icons-realms-aspect-tiamat
Marvel Fans?: https://insidethemagic.net/2022/02/evangeline-lilly-canadian-trucker-protest-canceled-al1
Randy backed this OSE KS https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/exaltedfuneral/old-school-essentials-fantasy-rpg-box-sets

and https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/545820095/hell-on-the-high-plains-a-deadlands-booster-campaign

Main Topic: Keeping it Real (verisimilitude in gaming)Verisimilitude : the quality of seeming true or of having the appearance of being real

https://nerdarchy.com/balancing-rpg-verisimilitude-against-were-still-playing-a-game-right/

http://www.rickneal.ca/?p=308

https://www.reddit.com/r/rpg/comments/474xlb/an_idea_about_realismverisimilitude_in_fantasy/

Economics: bands of adventurers with tons of gold, flooding markets with goods

Religion: different religions and placing them believably within your campaign world

Ecology: big dragons and other awesome monsters

Community: life and death, diseases, poisons, accidents, industry, etc.

Politics: democracies, oligarchies, monarchies, all sorts …

A Cabin Con MomentPayment deadline passed…

Randy is waffling between running a 13thage game (50%) and running nothing (50%)

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Episode 76 Tuesday February 22, 2022

Welcome to T-shirted Historian!Check Him out at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXdOeid6BtTy-Z-q1wzxjQ

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands1. Call-ins/emails

I’m now sworn to Sunsworn!

Main Topic: Death and Taxes1. PC Death

a. Which system simulates death in a way you prefer? Your favorite?

b. When should death occur? At 0 HP, 4 wounds, -10 HP etc, death saves or just knocked out of the scene

c. How hard should it be to die? Campaign tone, character creation time investment

d. Save or die powers/spells? One roll vs many rolls, auto death vs lots of damage which might or might not cause death

e. Is there such a thing as too many hit points, too high defenses, or too high bonuses to saving throws?

Fudging dice rolls? Do you or do you not?

a. To save pcs

b. To save the BBEG/your story

c. To make the fight more interesting

d. TPK or No TPK

Food for Thought: Edition Wars and Gatekeeping- thought provoking video from the Waspinator: https://youtu.be/IrXaLuYCzgA

What Happened Last Time1-shot: Rippers (Savage Worlds) “The Third Hand of Kali”: Dropped someone’s PC in the first attack of the first encounter of the night. PC out…nearly dead!

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Episode 75 Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Main Topic: Renounce, Ridicule and Replace1.) Vanity Fair calls critics trolls: https://boundingintocomics.com/2022/02/10/amazon-prime-video-uses-vanity-fair-to-attack-critics-of-the-lord-of-the-rings-the-rings-of-power-as-trolls/

2.) Venger calls for DnD insurrection of some sort: https://youtu.be/m10NnMSQdMo

3.) The Waspinator: https://youtu.be/wNYG7tfeLY8

4.) For Canon’s Sake https://youtu.be/gRy--1DqF-8

5.) Nerdrotic https://youtu.be/QyResw8A_ssRc

All these speak to something serious for TTRPG gamers and nerds and reasonable folk alike- we need to stop funding this nonsense.

RENOUNCEBuying old TSR stuff from WoTC

Should we (Biggus Geekus/Joe & Randy) encourage this attitude?

Should we proselytize like E.July ?

What about the OSR?

How do we resist the allure of these properties?

RIDICULEMake fun of the IDEAS not the regular people.

Ridicule the people that make themselves open for it.

REPLACEWith what?

Do we need to try to compete with the 800lb gorilla in the room?

Do we focus on just finding a customer base?

Who is on the short list of creatives?

A Cabin Con MomentTime to get pumped up. It is less than one month to payment deadline about and less than 3 months to the main event. What’s your plans? What are you running?

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Episode 74 Livestreamed on February 8, 2022

Welcome Bruce Lombardo of Dix Division to the show.

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands1. Call-ins & emails – John Alan Large

Dark Souls/5E Further explained - https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dark-souls-roleplaying-game-5e-mechanics-interview-steamforged/
Zinequest becomes Zine Month! https://www.polygon.com/tabletop-games/22912969/kickstarter-alienating-creators-zine-quest-zine-month
Nostalgia Bait: https://boundingintocomics.com/2022/02/06/eric-july-people-who-eat-up-hollywoods-nostalgia-bait-are-part-of-the-problem/
https://cosmicbook.news/woke-superman-tanks-confirmed-dc-comics-sales-january
Discovery is buying DC (and take over WarnerMedia) and DC comics sales continue to plummet!

Revisiting Initiative1. Favorite Initiative system

a. Roll Once

b. Roll every Round

c. By Teams

d. Individual

e. Narrate

f. Mix and Match

g. Other

The Physical: Cards, dice , stats, or other?
How do we get a cinematic feel, and is it important?
How Important is Going First
How Important Are Minis?
How important is the time it takes at the table?

Random Question: Gatekeeping or Bridgebuilding … which one?

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Come see if Biggus Geekus can manage to finish this topic. We will also banter with live chat and discuss industry and geek news.

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13th Age Deep Dive Finale part 2

Episode 73 February 1, 2022

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands Instead of calls and emails we talk about the Ottawa Tucker Convoy

JP Sears video on the subject: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl88jzJK1Rs

Comic readers don’t like bi-sexual Superman? Shocking!?! https://www.outkick.com/sales-for-woke-superman-comics-tank/

Dark Souls RPG written with 5e rules: https://www.polygon.com/tabletop-games/22848850/dark-souls-tabletop-rpg-steamforged-teaser-trailer-5e

Do you agree or disagree or do we even care? https://www.cbr.com/tabletop-rpgs-changed-hobby-forever/

13th Age Deep Dive Finale part 2

DM Stuff & Monsters

Campaign advice (pp.183-92):

Loot distribution, true magic items, consumables, uniqueness of magic items, incremental advances, rituals, 10 session campaign, trap design, and tiered environments.

Monster Stats Damage is set value, abilities are triggered based upon rolls, escalation die or success of other attacks and leveled. Their stat blocks are small and manageable. Broken into roles (pp. 202)

Sizes: normal, large (double strength), huge (triple strength)

Some special abilities: fear, Death attacks= Last Gasp Saves, Group Abilities, Nastier Specials

Building Battles (pp. p.203) adventurer tier- 4 level 3 adventurers vs 4 Level 4 Monsters

Pros and Cons about 13th Age

Randy’s Pros: prep is easy, action is high, combat rules simple, monsters easy to run, great for new players to learn, and great for one shots of any level.

Randy’s Cons: predictable combat, Relationship Points can lead to chaos, OUT’s can detract from verisimilitude, and rules favor PCs too much

Joe’s Pros: Very familiar so easy to get into. Backgrounds are a nice way to not spell out EVERY skill

Joe’s Cons: Too many mechanics in favor of the PC. PCs start out as the Heroes instead of BECOMING the heroes. Backgrounds are a challenge to those who like structure.

1 Random Question Will the RPG hobby ever bounce back from the current woke/leftist invasion?

John “The Potatoe” Battle’s video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FseXEJ7myk4

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Episode 72 Tuesday, January 25,2022

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands1. Call-ins and Emails – John Alan Large of The Red Dice Diaries

DC shooting themselves in the foot or are they?

https://bleedingcool.com/comics/dc-comics-cancels-and-kills-off-the-justice-league/

and the New JLA?: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/19/e8/d6/19e8d691b6f2d5be601586a668d73163.jpg ( thanks to Eric Sciver: https://youtu.be/gp0WJoIvzJU for a great overview)

Cthulhu Awakens by Green Ronin: https://www.dicebreaker.com/games/cthulhu-awakens/news/cthulhu-awakens-rpg-green-ronin
13th age SRD: https://www.13thagesrd.com/ and the ARCHMAGE engine pdf: http://pelgranepress.com/media/SRD/CombatRules.pdf

Main Topic: 13thAge Deep Dive Part 3

The NewOne Unique Thing (OUT)

Relationship Points [RP]

Background Points [BP]

Failing Forward

Weapon & Armor Categories, Damage and Goods

Rallying

Rest and Re-charges

Full Heal Ups

Fleeing

1 Random Question: Is the GM just a player?

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Episode 71 Tuesday January 18, 2022

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands1. Emails and call – ins? John Alan Large (Red Dice Diaries): call in

Venger Con in trouble?: https://youtu.be/QFcpO9ghBfI
Free D&D Adventure: Work at Strixhaven's Firejolt Café in 'No Tears Over Spilled Coffee!': https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1118-free-d-d-adventure-work-at-strixhavens-firejolt
Mudsword: thoughts on the session and the game
Unpainted Tiamat: https://enjoysubway.com/dungeons-dragons-tiamat-miniature-is-now-available-unpainted-get-your-brushes-ready/
YouTube Appearances and shout-outs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLnVwzOad4c

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXdOeid6BtTy-Z-q1wzxjQ

https://youtu.be/xlM7UHZYniM at 00:45:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gh0dbbwWDhA&t=20s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBvQ43VP14k

Main Topic: 13thAge Deep Dive Part 2This is the first of a foray into the mechanics of 13th age. Here we will focus with some familiar type of rules and next time we will focus more on the Indie Aspects of the rules of 13thage.

The Familiar: Classes, Races, Stat Gen, HPS, Defenses, Combat

The Less Than Familiar: Death and Dying, Conditions, Spellcasting, The Escalation Die, Tiers of Play, Class Talent & Feats, Recoveries

Final Question: Response Videos?

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Episode 70 Tuesday January 11, 2022

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands1.) Call ins from Taylor of Clerics Wear Ringmail

2.) Discussion with live chat

3.) Industry news:

a) Champions of the Realm

b) Strixhaven Credit Omission

c) Removing slavery from TTRPGs

4.) Message from PedantryInMotion on twitter

Main Topic: 13thAge, Part 1A.) 13thage by Rob Heinsoo & Jonathan Tweet (2013) Overview

· It is similar to dnd: race/class/level and it is a d20 rolling game

· Has plenty of supplements, free adventures

· Used to have organized play: Tales of the 13th age

· Has lots of free stuff available:

PreGens

https://13thage.org/

The Archmage Engine

B.) Layout and look

· 321pages, color and decent art, trying to find things for PC creation can be quite annoying and if you know 3.X some confusion commences. It could use a good re-editing pass and a re-organization

· not the best of editing nor a good index

· useful charts and character sheet near pp.309-310

C.) Setting and Tone

· The setting is the Dragon Empire, and the icons are what make it tick.

· The quotes for each Icon, their allies and enemies, common knowledge, how they relate to the pcs (through the Relationship Points- story game element/resource), and True Dangers.

· High Adventure setting

· The world contains 13 ages so far and that 13 is the default one

· World described vividly and rife with adventure in mind

· PCs are Big Damn Heroes from the jump.

· Wide open to individual interpretation and encouraged to make it your own

· No gods defined. But they discuss how you could do it if you want. (pp.196-199)

· The Land is a big flat disk with oceans all around

· The civilized area is the Dragon Empire, map purposefully incomplete

· The 7 Cities (p.260) are Icons’ centers of power, and a smattering of small towns.

· At least two possibilities are mentioned with many entries, not expected to follow canon. (EX: The Dire Wood pp.264, and Gorogan’s Maw, pp.269)

· Some of the more exotic elements:

o The Living Dungeons pp. 265-66

o The Flying Realms pp.266-67

o Hellholes pp.269-70

o Migration Trail of the Koru Behemoths pp.272-74

o The Sea Wall pp.279-80

· The Overworld and Underworld are mentioned, but not given as much detail

Random Question: Do we need to rant?

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Episode 69Tuesday January 4,2022

From Silent Josh1. The END of DC & Marvel too!

https://youtu.be/tsO7g3Lp8YA

Superman Abused

Session 0 stuff: https://roleplayersrespite.com/dnd-session-0-checklist

Main Topic (Part 1): The Hickman Manifesto & RevolutionThe Hickman Manifesto:

A player objective more worthwhile than simply pillaging and killing.
An intriguing story that is intricately woven into play itself.
Dungeons with an architectural sense.
An attainable and honorable end within one to two sessions playing time.

a.) https://muleabides.wordpress.com/2012/03/23/manifesto-of-the-hickman-revolution/

b.) https://grognardia.blogspot.com/2012/03/roots-of-revolution.html

c.) https://grognardia.blogspot.com/2008/12/scrappy-doo-and-hickman-revolution.html

d.) https://monstersandmanuals.blogspot.com/2012/03/hickman-revolution-and-frustrated.html

e.) http://www.kungfuology.com/andybest/2012/08/35-dd-theory-the-hickman-revol.html

f.) https://youtu.be/dCmKwSzXMAE

g.) https://youtu.be/gKyr1uQqWJQ

h.) https://youtu.be/awf2FrPZGgw by OG GM

Segment #3: (Twofer) Am I just too old for this game?As we become well-aged and well-cured gamers, is learn new games, complex games, or just different games (mainly rpgs but can apply this to any) too much of a chore and simply not worth it?

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Episode 68 Streamed Live Tuesday December28, 2021

Call ins & Emails from the OutlandsNone

Silent Josh Presents:Weird Frontiers: https://www.enworld.org/threads/weird-frontiers-takes-dcc-west.684619

New Dragonlance Novel: https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2021/12/dd-theres-a-new-dragonlance-trilogy-in-the-works-for-2022.html

Main Topic: Pros and Cons of Spellcasting Systems

Main Types

Vancian: fire and forget Dungeons and Dragons
Sub-category of Vancian such as spell slots limited but adjustable: Arcana Evolved
Spell Points: Savage Worlds
Stat Drain: Cypher System
Spell check system: Dungeon Crawl Classics

Consequences for Spell Casting

DnD: hit while casting lose spell or can’t move during round that you cast. 3.x: AOO’s
Price for power: CoC and DCC spell check and bad fail means bad news…sucked through a portal, grow four tentacles, etc.
5e practically no way for spells to fail other than if they are counter-spelled.
Loss of abilities: Draining Stats (Cypher System), backlash (Savage Worlds) or physical damage or stunned (Shadowrun), etc.

What are pros and cons of each system?

Which systems to spellcasters seem the most powerful or the least powerful?

Segment #3: Gaming Goals for 2022A year end discussion of what plans Biggus Geekus has including plans for podcast/livestream, gaming, Mudsword,

Joe:

1) Play more games

2) Run some games

3) Get to writing more rules and setting for Mudsword

Randy:

1.) Play the crap out of Mudsword

2.) Have a working pdf ready to publish on DriveThru in time for Christmas purchase for 2022.

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Episode 67 Tuesday, December 21,2021

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands1. Call ins and emails: No Call ins and 1 email

RPGPundit discussion on what’s wrong with most 5e players and really the big difference between story games and RPGs: https://youtu.be/oDacPZsirRs
More on the Lore deletion from WOTC

Main Topic: The Right Game for the Right Job1. Which system is the right one?2. One system to rule them all? Should you choose a system designed for a specific type of game over a game you are familiar with and just try to manipulate it to make it “work”? Does it just “depend” or do you have strong preference one way or the other?

Have you ever thought a game would be better served by a different system?
Have you ever played a hacked version of game to run a style which the rules didn’t cover?
Are generic systems the solution? They cover all genres, right? Go GURPS, HERO SYSTEM or Savage Worlds! Do these systems struggle doing some genres well?
Do the physical components or design of mechanics fit certain ideas better? d20, dice pools, percentile only, etc.

Gaming Wishes- wherein we wax fondly of the possibilities

If you could, what non-RPG game would you like to play that you don’t seem to ever get to
What RPG would you like to GM though you never seem to get to
What RPG would you like to play take part in as a player, but never seem to get to

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Episode 66 Tuesday December 14,2021

With special guest co-hosts OG GM and Bruce Lombardo of Dix Division

Call ins & Emails from the OutlandsCall-ins & emails: Email from Web Warrior. To be addressed with Randy

Nu-TSR is at it again and then they are not:https://techraptor.net/tabletop/news/tsr-crowdfunds-campaign-to-stop-wizards-of-coast and then https://www.tenkarstavern.com/2021/12/bews-tsr-voluntarily-dismisses-legal.html
WOTC erases its own lore: https://twitter.com/alienropeburn/status/1470586389821542401?s=21

Main Topic: Save or Suck1. What are these things called “save or suck”?

DnD editions had plenty of these until 3.5, 4e (and Pathfinder to a lesser extent) & 5e.
Alternatives:

a.) Gradual effects

b.) Maybe lots of damage

c.) Hit Point Threshold

How bad do they suck or do they just force other interesting challenges/choices?
Do the “save or suck” spells imply a certain style of game vs the others? If so, what are the main differences?

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Episode 65 Tuesday, December 7,2021

Call ins & Emails from the OutlandsNo Emails and Call ins … Sad

Silent Josh Presents

Critical Drinker reviews MoTU Part 2: https://youtu.be/u9lXAt8gyJk
Tis the season: https://www.enworld.org/threads/gift-ideas-for-game-masters.684006/

Quick review of World of the Lost Sun, by RPGPundit https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/336819

Contest of Champions Update

Main Topic: Campaign Nuts & Bolts: Procedural Play- Sandbox/Hexcrawl

Procedural generation is a type of creation based on an algorithmic set of variables to produce a randomized but logical set of data.

from this reddit post: https://forum.rpg.net/index.php?threads/how-procedural-generation-for-sandboxes.834914/

Articles Related to the Discussion1.) https://psionicblastfromthepast.blogspot.com/2020/11/designing-content-with-hierarchical.html

2.) 2nd Comment- response to question- *https://www.reddit.com/r/DnD/comments/2miqiy/sandbox_campaigns/

3.) The Alexandrian* Hits it hard (as usual) : https://thealexandrian.net/wordpress/17308/roleplaying-games/hexcrawl

**Why Sandbox?

Why Not Sandbox?**1. How to Sandbox?

Using/creating Maps
Player Choice as a guide not a strait jacket
Keep Good if not Meticulous Notes
Modules are still helpful
The World Goes on With or Without the Players involvement
Prepping for Procedural Play
Hexcrawls (https://welshpiper.com/hex-based-campaign-design-part-1/)

Playing in the Mud:Should we have a more sandbox play test instead of modified module approach? It could reveal questions we’ve yet to consider in the design process. It could allow players to pursue the parts of their PC that they find interesting and might show us places we need to work on or shore up.

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Episode 64 Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Call ins & Emails from the OutlandsCall Ins From Taylor of Clerics Wear Ringmail

Silent Josh Presents:

Supes is finally “OLD”: https://screenrant.com/superman-action-comics-1036-redesign-gray-hair/
Roleplaying as a crow: https://www.dicebreaker.com/games/be-like-a-crow/news/be-like-a-crow-solo-rpg-kickstarter?fbclid=IwAR2i9is3LF5Jd53AS4Dl9oqaWdrcJ3M5zCebQMsOIL7RV64VdnEQ6sznZhQ
DnD Themed Restaurant in Lake Geneva, WI possibly in 2024: https://www.jsonline.com/story/entertainment/2021/11/19/dungeons-and-dragons-lake-geneva-restaurant-experience-being-planned/8650011002/?fbclid=IwAR2Yta0Pt-23uxkc3rvQlZGL3obKY1qFKLlwQYuFzgZHS8JK6wxZxoryQK0

**Main Topic: Campaign Nuts & Bolts: Using Published Modules

1.** You’ve got your system…What now?

2. Collect a series of modules or just pick one you like and start

3. Preparing to run the module

4. What if the published adventure is not ‘appropriate’ for your PCs?

5. Weaving the modules together

6. Photocopy maps, adventure specific art in book as well as NPC/monster pics

7. Running the module

8. Some Modules are harder to run than homebrewed adventures.

Like it, Love it or Leave it

Playing in the Mud:Last session: Campaign mistakes, spellcasting and movement, spell update

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Potpourri with Patrick Special Edition - Class Analysis: The Wizard

Episode 63 Tuesday, November 23,2021

See what Patrick is up to at: www.pointyhat.games buy his stuff especially Elemental Conflux!

Main Topic: Class Analysis: The WizardWizard defined: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/wizard

1.) Throughout DnD Editions

OD+D: The Magic User is described as the most powerful characters in the game

BECMI: The Magic User is a ‘human’ character, fears damage

AD+D 1e: Mentions that MU’s need high intelligence

AD+D2e: Wizard Group: mages & specialists

3.x:NOW FORMALLY CALLED WIZARDS - cautious adventurers

4e:powers and stuff, Balance attempted

5e: Cantrips be bad, Balance attempted

2.) Item creation: potions, scrolls and permanent items through the editions.

3.) Has any edition of DnD gotten the Wizard right?

4.) How do Wizards compare in other games?

Playing in the Mud: We discuss Wizard design considerations for Mudsword.

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Episode 62Tuesday, November 16 ,2021

Call ins & Emails from the OutlandsCalls-ins from Taylor of Clerics Wear Ringmail

Contest of Champions

Silent Josh Presents:DnD Movie: https://www.slashfilm.com/658391/dungeons-dragons-release-date-cast-and-more/

DnD TV Show: https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-g4-tv-show-announced/

Willow TV Show: https://tvline.com/2021/11/12/willow-tv-series-video-warwick-davis-cast-disney-plus/

Marvel Crumbling: https://cosmicbook.news/marvel-crumbling-disney-bob-chapek-rejects-kevin-feige-woke-content

Joe Has A Rant: There are many ways to run your Dungeons and Dragons Campaign

Main Topic: On The Clock:Tracking Campaign/Adventure time:

Tracking actions, initiative & spells

When is it time to end a campaign/session?

Character aging and “believable high-level PCs.

Is there a time to stop playing a character in a game/campaign besides at death?

Too many games and not enough time

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Please Subscribe, Like, share and rate us in all the places that you find us!

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few things that we like.Red Dice Diaries(with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat(with Eric Tenkar)

Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

Shadow of the GM(Barry)

Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog (Taylor)

Legion of Myth

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Episode 61 November 9, 2021

This week on Biggus Beekus we talk about the role of the Dungeon Master in you DnD game, and more broadly in tabletops RPGs: Is the DM just a player?

We dabble a bit in Project Mudsword: Is the current iteration of the game rules fun?

We also have the usual call ins and hobby news, including a new Actual Play: Battle for Beyond

(https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1099-join-the-battle-for-beyond-a-6-part-dungeons)

--See More--

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Call ins & Emails from the OutlandsCall Ins from John Alan Large

New Contest of Champions Winner Announced: We reached 100 YouTube subs

Paizo drops the word “phylactery”

Bugs and company get Ad& D stats…back in the day

Main Topic: The Narrative and/or the DiceWhich is more important: (1) what the dice determines or (2) what the story “needs”

Perspective:

Are the players the heroes in the story?

Are the dice sacrosanct?

Narrative control as in 13th Age and other games makes the game more about a group story. Does a changing party composition over its duration take the steam out of a campaign?

Is this a necessary result of Binary mechanics?

---Click for More---

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Episode 59 Tuesday October 26,2021

Call ins & Emails from the OutlandsCall-ins from: Jason, Taylor and John Allan Large

Interesting article: Arneson's Hit Points for Characters

http://playingattheworld.blogspot.com/

Contest of Champions #2

Wizard Tower Games “Controversy” https://twitter.com/realwizardtower/status/1452767531798781955/photo/1

Main Topic: How High is Too High to Play?FOCUS:DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS

1.) Preparing for High level while playing low or mid-levels: Plant the seeds

2.) Understanding the characters: wizards v fighters v clerics v rogues

3.) Understanding the limitations of the rules: Usually No Official rules beyond level 20

4.) Understanding the limitations of players: how bad do you want it?

5.) Understanding the motivations of your PC: It’s time for my close-up Mr. DeVille!

6.) Understanding the Power of Magic: He who casts Time Stop first, wins!

7.) Understanding High level foes and challenges: It cannot be the Tarrasque every week!

8.) Differences at high level depending on Editions

9.) Other Fantasy Games at high levels: Savage Worlds, 13th age, Warhammer, others

Like it Love it or Leave it

Dig this Setting:The 7 Spheres Campaign: A Case Study (Homebrew/House Rule?)

Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please help get the word out and check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support

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Our email is thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few things that we like.Red Dice Diaries(with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat(with Eric Tenkar)

Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

Shadow of the GM(Barry)

Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog (Taylor)

|Legion of Myth

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Episode 58Tuesday October 19, 2021

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands

1.) Call-ins & Emails

2.) Truth, Justice and … eh whatever: https://variety.com/2021/film/news/superman-new-motto-dc-fandome-1235090712/

3.) Contest of Champions #2- how goes it?

4.) THAC0 the clown

Main Topic: It’s Time to Level Up! “definition”: To "level" or "level up" means to gain enough XP to reach the next level.

Character Improvement/AdvancementWhat should “leveling up” mean practically?

Is it necessary?

What should it look like going from level 1 to level 2, or Novice to Seasoned?

Should there be a cap on advancement?

Pacing and Types of AdvancementShould you level in big chunks, small bits or incrementally and steady?

Should you use XP Charts such as classic DnD?

Incremental advances?

Milestones: DM caveat/fiat or when the story requires/allows it?

When your PC uses their skills?

Fail Example- Dungeon World: https://a-dungeon-world.fandom.com/wiki/Leveling

Success Example: Call of Cthulhu

GAMES with No AdvancementI would assume most TRAD games use some sort of advancement, but would games with no advancement be any fun/interest?

Elysium Connection: what about the small band of levels…6-10?

Like it Love it or Leave it

Playing in the Mud: wherein we discuss our progress and experiments with the OSR and our quest for a better DnD game- Mudsword the RPGWe played on Saturday…2ndlevel. Tested Saving throws (used ability mods). Joe’s PC failed a poison save (slow death…worked out narratively a way to save him). Not sure how I feel about it.

Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please help get the word out and check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support.

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Check us out on YouTubeand Odysee. Please Like and Subscribe.

Our email is thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few things that we like.Red Dice Diaries(with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat(with Eric Tenkar)

Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog (Taylor)

Legion of Myth

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Episode 57 Tuesday October 12,2021

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands

1.) Call Ins

Jason of Nerd's RPG Variety Cast

Taylor of Clerics Wear Ringmail

2.) Old email address

3.) New mail?

4.) Finally a Tarrasque figure: https://www.ign.com/articles/dnd-tarrasque-mini-statue-reveal-wizkids but of course $399.99...yeah, pass.

5.) Gay Johnathan Kent

6.) Arkhaven

7.) Eric July, RipperVerse

Main Topic: The Ultimate Topic: Alignment- yes or nor or maybe?1.) What is alignment for?

2.) The Various Dungeons & Dragons Alignment Systems along with a few others

OD+D: Character Alignment, Including Various Monsters and CreaturesAD+D 1e,2e, and 3.x DnD:9 alignment system: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alignment_(Dungeons_%26_Dragons)

4e DnD: A character’s alignment (or lack thereof) describes his or her moral stance

5e DnD: https://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/5e_SRD:Alignment

Palladium Alignment system: https://imgur.com/gallery/DmKvb

Pendragon:series of personality trait scales.

WOD: A morals system that just rates 1-10

3.) The Paladin & other alignment centered characters

4.) Favorite System or do we even want/need it?

Like it, Love it or Leave it

A Cabin Con Moment

The Business meeting is going to be Saturday, November 13th, 2021

What is its purpose? How does it actually go? Is I still useful after 15 years?

Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please help get the word out and check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support.

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Check us out on YouTubeand Odysee. Please Like and Subscribe.

Our email is thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few things that we like.Red Dice Diaries(with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat(with Eric Tenkar)

Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

Shadow of the GM(Barry)

Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog (Taylor)

Legion of Myth

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Episode 56 Friday October 8 ,2021

Call ins & Emails from the OutlandsJohn from Red Dice Diaries

Jason from The Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast

News from the Silence (news from Silent Josh):1.) Juiblex Figure

2.) Superman's Boyfriend?

3.) Metric System in DnD?

4.) https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-counterspell-5e-statblock-changes/

5.) https://screenrant.com/tabletop-rpg-campaigns-non-violent-apocalypse-world-pacifist/

6.) https://www.wargamer.com/dnd/alignment-rules-changes

7.) Legion of Myth: gatekeepers Episode 1: https://youtu.be/T19Tyl1Vqcw

8.) Critical role makes the bucks: https://youtu.be/UndkdHKgdl0

Main Topic: Bringing your world to Life (sparking interest longevity and enjoyment at the table for your campaign)

Players1. Gather people who can commit and want to play the game you are running

Let them play what they want within the framework of the world.
Share Spotlight Time
Watch to see what is most interesting to each player
Make the PCs the stars

DM1. Create cool and hate-able villains

Create interesting/exotic locations
Create memorable NPCs
Create challenging opponents (monsters)
Every so often, try to surprise the players
Make sure any rules changes are stated up-front

Like it Love it or leave it

Playing in the Mud:Joe didn’t get to play in the mud, but Randy did. Had 2 experienced Mud-sword wielders and 3 newbs Thursday night. Here is Randy’s report on undead/turning and Spell Saves.

Shameless Plug Time:

If you would like to support our show, please help get the word out and check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support.

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Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyVze8TfIB16j0PdmE4lOJg) and Odysee (https://odysee.com/@biggusgeekus:3).

Please Like and Subscribe. Rate us on Apple iTunes or your favorite podcatcher.

Our email is thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few things that we like.

Red Dice Diaries (with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah) https://reddicediaries.com/

Radio Grognard (with Glen Halstrom) https://anchor.fm/radio-grognard

The Tale of the Manticore (a unique dramatized quasi-actual play) https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/

Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (Jason) https://anchor.fm/jason376

Shadow of the GM (Barry) https://anchor.fm/gmsshadow

Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog (Taylor) https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/

Legion of Myth https://www.youtube.com/c/LegionofMyth

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Episode 55Wednesday, September 29,2021

Call ins & Emails from the OutlandsJason of Nerds RPG Variety Cast

John of Red Dice Diaries

A.) Joe cheated on Randy: https://youtu.be/RdQN0RNyT0U

Links on Dungeons and Dragons History

https://followmeanddie.com/2017/05/11/review-dave-arnesons-true-genius-robert-j-kuntz/

https://nerdvanamedia.com/gaming/fact-check-lorraine-williams-destroyed-not-created-tsr/13825/

https://dmdavid.com/tag/tag/lorraine-williams/

https://archive.org/details/60_minutes_on_dungeons_and_dragons/60_minutes_on_dungeons_and_dragons.flv

B.) Contest of Champions #2: and the winner is… hockeypuckjr

C.) Next edition of DnD announced? 50th anniversary 2024…5.5E? https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-2024-sixth-edition-fifth-edition/?fr=operanews

Main Topic:The Con GamePlanning, creating, and running a game at Conventions: Big cons, not-so-big cons, and CC

1) Timed or not

2) Pre-gens or not

3) Crunchy or Rules Light

4) Experienced Players or Newbs allowed

5) Scenarios: unique, challenging, not like most home scenarios

6) Managing the table

7) To Kill or not to Kill, is that even a question

8) Safety Tools

Like it, Love it or Leave it

Playing in the Mud:We didn’t get to play this past Saturday, but we discuss Turning Undead, Saving Throws, Spell descriptions, and Clerics.

Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please help get the word out and check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support.

Share with your friends and let us know if there is another way that you listen that we could support better.

Rate us on your favorite podcatcher such as iTunes, or Stitcher.Check us out on YouTubeand Odysee. Please Like and Subscribe.

Our email is thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few things that we like.Red Dice Diaries(with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar)

Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

Shadow of the GM(Barry)

Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog (Taylor)

Legend of Myth (Max and Heathendog)

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Episode 54Wednesday September 20, 2021

Call ins & Emails from the OutlandsCall Ins: Jason of Nerd’s RPG variety Cast and John of The Red Dice Diaries

Contest of Champions 2: Out of the Abyss (5e DnD hardback), Codex Infernus (Savage Worlds guide to Hell), or Maximum XCrawl (PF 1e version of X-Crawl)

Game Coming up this weekend.

Gen Con:GenCon 2021 Report from **Greg D.

FROG-GATE:** https://youtu.be/JtAoAWc7ObY

Kotaku Article Requires Discussion: https://kotaku.com/d-d-5th-edition-is-deeply-flawed-so-why-not-play-somet-1847698975

Main Topic: OOC Player Choices1) In-depth vs little planning vs No planning for PC backgrounds

2) Splitting Treasure: who gets what and when/group decision

3) Choosing a Character to play

4) Meta-game knowledge usage

5) Party leader

6) Keeping secrets/being the sneaky guy

7) Stealing from the party/self-interest or group interest

Like it, Love it or Leave it

Dig this Setting: Golarion - the world and setting for the Pathfinder RPG. Our discussion will be purely from a reference of 1st edition material.

https://www.tribality.com/2015/08/28/try-pathfinders-golarion-for-your-next-campaign-setting/

http://hastur.net/wiki/Golarion

https://www.enworld.org/threads/summary-or-intro-paragraphs-about-golarion.276843/

Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please help get the word out and check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support.

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Rate us on your favorite podcatcher such as iTunes, or Stitcher.

Check us out on YouTubeand Odysee. Please Like and Subscribe.

Our email is thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few things that we like.Red Dice Diaries(with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar):

1) Blog: https://www.tenkarstavern.com/

2) Podcast: https://anchor.fm/tavernchat

3) Video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIdpAASpAI7vu-bZx6pP_mQ

Why so many? He is the Czar of the OSR after all!Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

Shadow of the GM(Barry)

Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog (Taylor)

Legion of Myth https://www.youtube.com/c/LegionofMyth

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Episode 53Wednesday September 15,2021.

Call ins & Emails from the OutlandsWe played last Friday…together and it was Mudsword V.1

Contest of Champions 2

Call ins:

Jason Connerly of Nerd's RPG Variety Cast

Taylor of Cleric's Wear Ringmail podcast

Pat of Pointy Hat Games

5 quick treats (courtesy of our very own Silent Josh)

Tier and Levels in Dungeons and Dragons

Stupid THACO?

Descent again

50 Riddles for DMs

Becoming a Pro DM

Main Topic: Top-Down or Bottom-Up Campaign Design?scrivthebardnoblecrumpet

Advantages and Disadvantages

Played and/or run both

Some of the other types such as: Reactive, Mad libs, Randomization & Three-Beat Premise

Are Outside-In and Inside-out really different?

Top 10 inspirational Music

**Like it, Love it or Leave it

Playing in the Mud**After-action report from September 11 game

Used the RC- as a basis- it’s a bit weird if coming from AD&D

Stat Mods for Races < Stat Max/Min for races

The Rogue may need help: Momentum (13thage) or Gaining The Edge

Flexible weapons: a mace = sword = hammer = battle axe

The “Saving Throw” from White Box/S&W

Hit points

The Campaign World - if we build it will they come?

Difficulty/Danger level should be high

Sleep spell is BOSS!

Spell descriptions are better when short as possible

The place for game lore – mixed with rules or separate

Got up and running quick would be quicker with familiarity

Death rule is good

Cleric healing just enough to stave off death for a time

Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please help get the word out and check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support.

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Rate us on your favorite podcatcher such as iTunes, or Stitcher.

Check us out on YouTubeand Odysee. Please Like and Subscribe.

Feel free to send any questions or comments to or Email.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few things that we like.Red Dice Diaries(with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat with Eric Tenkar

Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

Shadow of the GM(Barry)

Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog (Taylor)

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Episode 52Wednesday September 8, 2021

Call ins & Emails from the OutlandsCall ins from Jason and JoeWe talk about Randy’s recent gaming and Joe’s lack, office work, and:

Ed Greenwood’s new campaign setting Kickstarter for 5e D&D

EnWorld’s rabbit hole discussing New School and Old School playstyles.

Naming Conventions in RPGsDefinition: A naming convention is a convention (generally agreed scheme) for naming things.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naming_convention

How important is it in tabletop roleplaying games?

If a GM decides on one, what should the players do?

What about a DM just following the players lead?

How Tolkien do we want to get?

Middle Earth Naming Guide

Elven Customs

Does it seem that most players/DMs even care?

Like it, Love it or Leave it

Playing in the Mud - Re-visiting coinage economics and encumbrance

Silver vs gold piece standard?

How much money is enough?

Accounting vs. abstraction?

How many coins weigh a pound?

What can you buy with your money?

Fallacy of the Adventurer's Backpack

Encumbrance and Treasure

Extra: The latest online bruhaha: The List

Shameless Plug Time:Please help get the word out and check out our website.

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Rate us on your favorite podcatcher such as iTunes, or Stitcher.Check us out on YouTubeand Odysee. Please Like and Subscribe.

Feel free to send any questions or comments to our email.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few things that we like.Red Dice Diaries(with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat(with Eric Tenkar)

Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

Shadow of the GM(Barry)

Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog (Taylor)

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Episode 51 Wednesday September 1, 2021

Call ins & Emails from the OutlandsJason

Taylor

Nod to Joe Richter- dropped his MOTU calls as we were arguing past one another in many cases and are gonna have to agree to disagree and move on…because neither of us are changing, Props to him for quadruple Bible reading however.

Main Topic: Class Analysis: A Gish (and Multi-classing in general)Where we discuss the history and define terms relating to the gish and multiclassing in general and through the carious editions of Dungeons and Dragons.

Definition: https://www.wordsense.eu/gish/

Good/Bad/Ugly

Is Multi-classing necessary?

Is Niche protection problems (3.x/Pathfinder)?

Favorite Rules edition for multiclassing?

Thumbs up or thumbs down for multiclassing?

Like it, Love it or Leave it

Playing in the Mud- Mudsword the RPG

1) The setting question again, and here is what I’m thinking:

2) Rules we’ll Be trying

Hollywood Sucks and hates the fans that made certain IPs popular

https://twitter.com/CultureCrave/status/1431361812243439619

Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please help get the word out and check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support.

Share with your friends and let us know if there is another way that you listen that we could support better.

Rate us on your favorite podcatcher such as iTunes, or Stitcher.

Check us out on YouTubeand Odysee. Please Like and Subscribe.

Our email is thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few things that we like.Red Dice Diaries(with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar):

1) Blog: https://www.tenkarstavern.com/

2) Podcast: https://anchor.fm/tavernchat

3) Video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIdpAASpAI7vu-bZx6pP_mQ

Why so many? He is the Czar of the OSR after all!Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

Shadow of the GM(Barry)

Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog (Taylor)

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A BG Retrospective: Rules, Rulings, and RolesEpisode 50 Wednesday August 25,2021

Special Guests:Patrick from Pointy Hat Games

Taylor from Clerics Wear Ringmail

Call Ins and messages:Jason

Taylor

Josh

The Positive Material PlanePlayed 5e 1-shot last Saturday…much fun…no short rest…pretty deadly challenging!

**Main Topic: Rules, Rulings & Roles

1. After 50 episodes:**A.) Technical side

B.) Letting each other speak: Joe, Randy & Guest(s)

C.) Show Focus

D.) Our journey to OSR Adjacent

E.) Mud-sword the RPG

2. Rules and rullingsA.) Rule Zero

B.) Is Game Balance same or different from having a CR system?

C.) Is the GM “just a player”?

D.) Safety tools

E.) Resource Management

The Contest of ChampionsContest Winner: Taylor! Congrats!

Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please help get the word out and check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support.

Share with your friends and let us know if there is another way that you listen that we could support better.

Rate us on your favorite podcatcher such as iTunes, or Stitcher.

Check us out on YouTubeand Odysee. Please Like and Subscribe.

Our email is thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few things that we like.Red Dice Diaries(with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar):

1) Blog: https://www.tenkarstavern.com/

2) Podcast: https://anchor.fm/tavernchat

3) Video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIdpAASpAI7vu-bZx6pP_mQ

Why so many? He is the Czar of the OSR after all!Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

Shadow of the GM(Barry)

Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog (Taylor)

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Episode 49Wednesday August 18, ,2021.

Call ins and EmailsJason of The Nerds RPG Variety Podcast

Our friend Josh shared WizKids announces sprue-based minis

The Positive Material PlaneThe Contest of Champions is next week…Episode 50! Enter Here

Main Topic: Top 10 Inspirational BooksCan we categorize them as to what RPG it best helps us with?

How do books motivate you?

Should you try to mimic Books at the table?

How about stealing the plot?

How valuable are Books for gaming research?

Do you ever read books specifically to get in the “mood” for a game/campaign?

Like it, Love it or Leave it

Dig this Setting: Eberronhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eberron

Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please help get the word out and check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support.

Share with your friends and let us know if there is another way that you listen that we could support better.

Rate us on your favorite podcatcher such as iTunes, or Stitcher.

Check us out on YouTubeand Odysee. Please Like and Subscribe.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few things that we like.Red Dice Diaries(with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar):

1) Blog: https://www.tenkarstavern.com/

2) Podcast: https://anchor.fm/tavernchat

3) Video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIdpAASpAI7vu-bZx6pP_mQ

Why so many? He is the Czar of the OSR after all!Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

Shadow of the GM(Barry)

Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog (Taylor)

--See More--

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Episode 48 Wednesday August 11,2021.

Joe is out this week due to illness

The Plane of Concordant Opposition (The Outlands)Laurel Hubbard apology.

Friend’s daughter no like-y our show … and that is fine!

The Contest of Champions UpdateThe prizes: Waterdeep Dragon Heist, Feng Shui 2, or (Labyrinth Lord) Advanced Edition Companion.

Game Review: Ankur- The Kingdom of the GodsSoon to be on KS as of September 1staccording to its author, Chris Miller.

Mono-Gamy or Poly-Gamy - which is better?

Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please help get the word out and check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support.

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Rate us on your favorite podcatcher such as iTunes, or Stitcher.

Check us out on YouTubeand Odysee. Please Like and Subscribe.

Our email is thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few things that we like.Red Dice Diaries(with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar):

1) Blog: https://www.tenkarstavern.com/

2) Podcast: https://anchor.fm/tavernchat

3) Video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIdpAASpAI7vu-bZx6pP_mQ

Why so many? He is the Czar of the OSR after all!Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

Shadow of the GM(Barry)

Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog (Taylor)

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Episode 47Wednesday July 28, 2021

Call ins & EmailsTaylor

John

Jason

The Positive Material PlaneGreat Minds think alike: we both picked “In the Name of the King” for Jason’s give-away competition.

Update on our 50thepisode/ viewership YouTube GIVE-AWAY?

Played Deadlands last week also, ran a short 13th age scenario

Dragons in Fantasy RPGshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon

Iconic: HALF OF THE NAME of the most famous of RPGS: Dungeons & DragonsWe discuss Types, Sizes, Rarity, Magic usage, Alignment, Combat, Dragons Beyond combat, etc.

Like it, Love it or Leave it

Dig this Setting: The World of Darkness https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_of_Darkness

We’ve not played this a lot...

Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please help get the word out and check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support.

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Rate us on your favorite podcatcher such as iTunes, or Stitcher.

Check us out on YouTubeand Odysee. Please Like and Subscribe.

Our email is thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few things that we like.Red Dice Diaries(with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar):

1) Blog: https://www.tenkarstavern.com/

2) Podcast: https://anchor.fm/tavernchat

3) Video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIdpAASpAI7vu-bZx6pP_mQ

Why so many? He is the Czar of the OSR after all!Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

Shadow of the GM(Barry)

Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog (Taylor)

The Negative Material PlaneSalvatore and knee bending

Crawford’s canon comments RPGPundit’s take

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe- Revelations on Netflix

Sandy Pederson roasted for “transphobic comments”

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Episode 46 Friday July 16 ,2021

Call ins & EmailsJason

Tim

The Positive Material PlaneUpcoming Contest, New twitter account

Resource Management in RPGS: Abstraction vs Accountinghttps://edowarsblog.wordpress.com/2011/12/26/supply-points-abstracting-resource-management-in-dd/

Systems to consider: OD+D – 5e, Savage Worlds: EX: Deadlands vs Necessary Evil, Post-Apocalyptic: Zombie Apocalypse vs RIFTS, 13th Age, others?

Why is it that "mundane" resource management (rations, fatigue) is generally seen as tedious, while "fantastic" resource management (power uses, item charges) isn't?

Would you want to play a game where "mundane" resource management takes center stage, and is as important to the game as the "fantastic" resource management is in games like D+D? [ https://www.enworld.org/threads/resource-management-in-rpgs.258753/ ]

Is resource management fun in RPGs?

Do abstract mechanics for resource management make the story hollow or less complete?

In fantasy games, is mundane resource management just a part of the game at the lowest levels?

Like it, Love it or Leave it

Dig this Setting: RIFTSThe core conceit of the setting is that dimensional rifts have opened all across Earth, letting through amazing and horrifying creatures from any possible plane of existence.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rifts_(role-playing_game)

Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please help get the word out and check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support.

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Rate us on your favorite podcatcher such as iTunes, or Stitcher.

Check us out on YouTubeand Odysee. Please Like and Subscribe.

Our email is thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few things that we like.Red Dice Diaries(with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar):

1) Blog: https://www.tenkarstavern.com/

2) Podcast: https://anchor.fm/tavernchat

3) Video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIdpAASpAI7vu-bZx6pP_mQ

Why so many? He is the Czar of the OSR after all!Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

Shadow of the GM(Barry)

Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog (Taylor)

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/biggusgeekus/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/biggusgeekus/support

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Episode 45 Wednesday July 14, 2021

Call ins & EmailsJosh

John

Taylor

The Positive Material Plane50th episode/YouTube subscriber contest

We played last week, Deadlands, Twitter account

**How Do You Roll (DnD styles)?

The Crawls:** Dungeon, Mega-Dungeon, Hex, Point, Urban

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeon_crawl

https://www.runagame.net/2014/03/the-hex-crawl.html

Jaquaying the Dungeon

https://slyflourish.com/pointcrawls.html

http://hillcantons.blogspot.com/2016/02/hexcrawls-vs-pointcrawls.html

The Drives:Character Driven

Plot Driven

Homebrew DM Plotted

Character driven/Pure Sandbox

GM managed: Limited Sandbox

https://youtu.be/hDxoI2uBzH0

**Episodic/ Module of the Week/Month

Adventure Paths

One Shot

Like it, Love it or Leave it**

Playing in the MudExperiment #1- the game last Thursday

Slow weapons, skill checks via backgrounds from 13th age, wizard spells, modifiers, and the one thing I studied in detail and didn’t really put in the adventure.

Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please help get the word out and check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support.

Share with your friends and let us know if there is another way that you listen that we could support better.

Rate us on your favorite podcatcher such as iTunes, or Stitcher.

Check us out on YouTubeand Odysee. Please Like and Subscribe.

Our email is thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few things that we like.Red Dice Diaries(with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar):

1) Blog: https://www.tenkarstavern.com/

2) Podcast: https://anchor.fm/tavernchat

3) Video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIdpAASpAI7vu-bZx6pP_mQ

Why so many? He is the Czar of the OSR after all!Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

Shadow of the GM(Barry)

Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog(Taylor)

The Negative Material PlaneMore Call-Ins, Kickstarter, Covid Fear/Risk assessment failures

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Episode 44 Wednesday July 7, 2021

Call insJason

John

Joe

Andy

The Positive Material PlaneGoing to play some OSR- Swords and Wizardry running one of the Classic Adventures reincarnated as a starting point tomorrow.

**Main Topic: GM Types

Do GMs GM different games differently?** I.E., do you GM Deadlands differently than 3.5 DnD?

Do you fit into one or more of these types? Creator, Director, Fanatic, Manager, Opponent, Player, and Romantic: https://gnomestew.com/what-type-of-gm-are-you/

On a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high) how important is the following characteristics for a GMBuilds or Buys scenario and/or setting

Prepares the adventure

Upkeep on campaign elements for consistency

Considers the players preferences and their character types

Sets appropriate challenges for the players

Ability to Improvise

Ability to read the room

Ability to pace the game

Knowing when to fudge rules or dice rolls

Understanding that it is about the players

Varies encounters

Rule consistency

Notify ahead of time of house rules

Well-read within the game rules

Well-read within the genre/setting/fluff

DM Test

DMs as alignments

Like it, Love it or Leave it

Back in My DayThe Dungeons and Dragons Cartoon (1983-85) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_%26_Dragons_(TV_series)

Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please help get the word out and check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support.

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Rate us on your favorite podcatcher such as iTunes, or Stitcher.

Check us out on YouTubeand Odysee. Please Like and Subscribe.

Our email is thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few things that we like.Red Dice Diaries(with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar):

1) Blog: https://www.tenkarstavern.com/

2) Podcast: https://anchor.fm/tavernchat

3) Video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIdpAASpAI7vu-bZx6pP_mQ

Why so many? He is the Czar of the OSR after all!Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

Shadow of the GM(Barry)

Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog(Taylor)

The Negative Material PlaneThe new-new TSR and all the nonsense of the kerfuffle.

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/biggusgeekus/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/biggusgeekus/support

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Episode 43 Recorded on Tesday June 22, released on Wednesday June 30, 2021

Call insJason of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast

Andy of Expedition to The Grizzly Peaks

The Positive Material PlanePlaying Swords & Sorcery Whitebox

Got Lion & Dragon in hardback

Main Topic: Top 10 Inspirational Movies for RPG GamingJoe’s List: Superman, Blade, Dune, The Holy Grail, The Dark Crystal, The Three Musketeers (1978), Iron Man, Army of Darkness, Wrath of Khan, Willow

Randy’s List: LoTR, Aliens, Princess Bride, Tombstone, Army of the Dead (Netflix), Conan, Hellboy, Star Wars, The Magnificent 7 & The Avengers

Honorable Mention: The X-men 1+2, Dog Soldiers, The Hateful 8, Blade Runner, Conan the Destroyer, The 13th Warrior, Ladyhawke, Shaun of The Dead, Near Dark, Mission Impossible, Unbreakable

Like it, Love it, or Leave it Each Host asks other Host 3 questions

Dig this Setting: X-CRAWL!!Think Pro Wrestling, Running Man, Let’s Make a Deal, & DnD all mixed together (3e, PF1)

Currently in a Beta version using DCC rules (free download at Goodman Games: https://goodman-games.com/blog/2020/10/08/xcrawl-classics-beta-rules-now-available/ )

Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please help get the word out asnd check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support.

Share with your friends and let us know if there is another way that you listen that we could support better.

Check us out on YouTubeand Odysee. Please Like and Subscribe.

Rate us on Apple iTunes or your favorite podcatcher.

Our email is thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would like to encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like.Red Dice Diaries(with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar):

1) Blog: https://www.tenkarstavern.com/

2) Podcast: https://anchor.fm/tavernchat

3) Video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIdpAASpAI7vu-bZx6pP_mQ

Why so many? He is the Czar of the OSR after all!Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

Shadow of the GM(Barry)

Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog(Taylor)

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/biggusgeekus/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/biggusgeekus/support

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Episode 42June 16,2021

Call insJohn Alan Large

Joe Richter

Taylor

The Positive Material Plane50th episode contest

Taylor has a podcast!

Main Topic: Class and Role: Melee AnalysisWarrior: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/warrior

DnD Focus : Through the DnD editions

Recall the old adages? Do you like to play them?

Have they lost their luster in later editions? If so, why?

Which DnD version of Fighter is your favorite one? Why?

Opinions on fighter sub-classes/variants

What might be some fun variants?

Like it, Love it, or Leave it: Hosts each get 3 questions

Dig this Setting: Necessary Evil

Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please help get the word out asnd check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support.

Share with your friends and let us know if there is another way that you listen that we could support better.

Check us out on YouTubeand Odysee. Please Like and Subscribe.

Rate us on Apple iTunes or your favorite podcatcher.

Our email is thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like.

Red Dice Diaries(with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar):

1) Blog: https://www.tenkarstavern.com/

2) Podcast: https://anchor.fm/tavernchat

3) Video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIdpAASpAI7vu-bZx6pP_mQ

Why so many? He is the Czar of the OSR after all!Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

Shadow of the GM(Barry)

Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog(Taylor)

The Negative Material Plane1.) Anchor App sucks!

2.) WOTC again! Launched survey on 6/14/21 Monday and took it down yesterday (Tuesday 6/15/21) . Hmmm…some folks got the NDA to answer survey questions?...about a VTT

Tenkar’s Tavern Chat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTl-PgeMX8Y&t=105s

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Episode 41 June 15, 2021

Call insJason

John Alan Large

The Positive Material PlaneOur hobby now allows such an easy entrance to producing/designing RPG products.

Main Topic: Playing the Whole GameLevel 1 (beginning) and level 20(max level) or Open-Ended (no end in sight or planned)

Youtube video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dd3Bc_6ks3U

Like it, Love it, or Leave it - Getting to Know your Hosts: 3 questions for each of us

Dig this Setting: RippersVictorian era Monster Hunting for Savage Worlds RPG – We both dig it!

Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please help get the word out and check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support.

Share with your friends and let us know if there is another way that you listen that we could support better.

Check us out on Youtubeand Odysee. Rate and review us on your favorite pod-catcher.

Free to send any questions or comments to thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few things that we like

Red Dice Diaries(with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar):

1) Blog: https://www.tenkarstavern.com/

2) Podcast: https://anchor.fm/tavernchat

3) Video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIdpAASpAI7vu-bZx6pP_mQ

Why so many? He is the Czar of the OSR after all!Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

Shadow of the GM(Barry)

Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog(Taylor)

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/biggusgeekus/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/biggusgeekus/support

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Episode 40 Tuesday June 8, 2021

Call insTaylorJason

Andy

The Positive Material Plane:

Further savage antics

We are Now on Odysee

Class and Role: Divine AnalysisHealer discussion

1.) Focus: The Cleric Through the DnD editions

2.) Recall the old adages? Do you like to play them?

3) Are they too good? Are they too generic?

4) Which DnD version of Cleric is your favorite one? Why?

5) What might be some fun variants?

6) What are some final thoughts on Clerics if any?

A Cabin Con MomentHow long until you start thinking about CC16 with gusto?

Like it, Love it, or Leave it (our thoughts on things)

No Negative Material Plane This Week

Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please help get the word out asnd check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support.

Share with your friends and let us know if there is another way that you listen that we could support better.

Check us out on YouTubeand Odysee. Please Like and Subscribe.

Rate us on Apple iTunes or your favorite podcatcher.Our email is questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like.Red Dice Diaries(with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar):

1) Blog: https://www.tenkarstavern.com/

2) Podcast: https://anchor.fm/tavernchat

3) Video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIdpAASpAI7vu-bZx6pP_mQ

Why so many? He is the Czar of the OSR after all!Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

Shadow of the GM(Barry)

Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog(Taylor)

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/biggusgeekus/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/biggusgeekus/support

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Episode 39 Wednesday June 2, 2021

Call InsAndy

Patrick

The Positive Material Plane1)We played the Sanctuary game- good times- dumb wizard, serial killer, assassins guild, and ghosts, oh my!

2) Taylor from Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog in response to us being “noisome”:

3) T-shirt idea: “Biggus Geekus, you just have to smell it to appreciate it”

RPG Collections & DownsizingCollector mentality - do you have it or not? Buying new RPGs: got to get it all or not? If you have space, then why ditch it?

A Cabin Con MomentDownsizing at CC. Advantages & Disadvantages of larger groups.

Dig this Setting: DEADLANDS! Wild west meets zombies while magic & technology collide.

Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please help get the word out and check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support.

Share with your friends and let us know if there is another way that you listen that we could support better.

Check us out on YouTube now as well. Rate us on Apple iTunes or other pod catchers.

Our email is questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like.Red Dice Diaries(with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar):

1) Blog: https://www.tenkarstavern.com/

2) Podcast: https://anchor.fm/tavernchat

3) Video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIdpAASpAI7vu-bZx6pP_mQ

Why so many? He is the Czar of the OSR after all!Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

Shadow of the GM(Barry)

The Negative Material PlaneRavenloft Re-visit: Xenophobia Represent!

Gatekeeping: Myth, False Narrative, or Choose your friends wisely?

Definition of gatekeeping first hit on inter webs:It simply means someone who feels as if they can judge the right or wrong way to do something. The idea of gatekeeping goes far beyond tabletop role-playing games, but for the purposes of this article, we'll keep it to just how it affects Dungeons and Dragons and other pen-and-paper games.

Many links:

https://bagamesco.com/gatekeeping-and-table-top-gaming/

https://www.dungeonmash.com/what-does-gatekeeping-mean-in-rpgs/

Believes Gatekeeping is a thing to worry about:

https://youtu.be/Fg9BJ9S3tTc

https://youtu.be/ZewXLUwEjXo

Believes Gatekeeping is not a thing:

https://youtu.be/Me72G6v-EI0

https://youtu.be/VJSI1oul36Q

Believes the SJW crowd/Woke are the Gatekeepers

https://youtu.be/jZ4hXkfRsFk

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Episode 38 Wednesday May 26, 2021

Call ins

Jason

Andy

Tim

The Positive Material PlaneBack to Sanctuary/SW game this coming weekend?

New Article Up: Orcs are Not Human

Main Topic: What Does Evil Do?

Definition of evil- profound immorality and wickedness, especially when regarded as a supernatural force1) The 7 Deadly Sins

2) How to Portray Evil as a GM?

3.) Which Deadly sins map onto the various villain archetypes above?

4.) It is ok to use very simple/cliched villains or villainous plots to

5.) Avoid detailed descriptions of acts of Extreme/grotesque Evil

6.) Generic evil might be worthwhile to use early on in a campaign until you know what makes the PCs tick.

A Cabin Con MomentThe post cabin con sadness…is it a thing? I immediately start thinking about next year and what I will do/run.

Ideas: CC swap meet (blanket barter- Joe), Dungeon Mastery Workshop, Teaching a Game Workshop, & 20+ player RPG 1-shot.

Beat This Game (in the ground): Swords & Wizardry WhiteboxPros and Cons

Shameless Plug TimeIf you would like to support our show, please help get the word out asnd check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support.

Share with your friends and let us know if there is another way that you listen that we could support better.

Check us out on YouTubeas well.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyVze8TfIB16j0PdmE4lOJg

Rate us on Apple Itune or other podcatchers.

Our email is questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like.

Red Dice Diaries(with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar):

1) Blog: https://www.tenkarstavern.com/

2) Podcast: https://anchor.fm/tavernchat

3) Video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIdpAASpAI7vu-bZx6pP_mQ

Why so many? He is the Czar of the OSR after all!Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

Shadow of the GM(Barry)

The Negative Material Plane

Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft again: (Raven-Woke)

Text Reviews:

https://www.polygon.com/22430494/dungeons-dragons-van-richtens-guide-to-ravenloft-review

https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2021/05/dd-van-richtens-guide-to-ravenloft-the-bols-review.html

Video Reviews:

Arron The Pedantic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1zvj2hIPDg&t=1043s

Prof DM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3qLgrt1kgk

Drow Lore retconned to stupid level (woke much?)

https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2021/05/dd-wotc-adds-three-new-types-of-drow-retcons-drow-lore.html

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Episode 37 May 19, 2021

Call-ins:

Jason of Nerd’s RPG Podcast

John of The Red Dice Diaries

Taylor of the Clerics Wear Ringmail blog

Patrick of Pointy Hat Games

The Positive Material PlaneReviews:

“5”: ‘Highly Recommended: Excellent, Funny, and Entertaining ‘

“1”: ‘Mouthbreathers: Their views are pretty rancid. Shame as they have some good things to say about games but they just can’t get past the whinging bitterness about their hobby being stolen’

Main Topic: Extreme PCs1. The comparison character: Fighty -Mc Fighter Man, Mr. Wizard, Holy HealBOt, and Sneaky Thief Dude- standard template

Cowardly or overly cautious
The Lone Wolf
The Unique Snowflake
Destiny’s Child
The Insanely Brave

A Cabin Con MomentCC15 debrief!

OSR love

Thanks to Patrick for videos and photos!

Dig this Setting: The Dragon EmpirePros: highly evocative geographical, political, monstrous, & cultural features:

Cons: Almost too many extremes for one small land mass

Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please help get the word out and check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support.

Share with your friends and let us know if there is another way that you listen that we could support better.

Check us out on Youtube now as well. Rate us on Apple ITunes or other podcatchers.

Our email is questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like.Red Dice Diaries(with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar):

1) Blog: https://www.tenkarstavern.com/

2) Podcast: https://anchor.fm/tavernchat

3) Video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIdpAASpAI7vu-bZx6pP_mQ

Why so many? He is the Czar of the OSR after all!Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

Shadow of the GM(Barry)

The Negative Material PlanePronoun issues on DrivethruRPG

Venger Satannis & RPGPundit revisited

Roll’in Bones with Ryan Howard interview with Venger Satannis

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Episode 36Wednesday, May 12, 2021.

Call ins

The Positive Material PlaneCabin Con starts tomorrow. How can we rationally talk about anything else?

The Elusive Game BalanceWhat is Game Balance?

"a state of equilibrium between two or more elements of a game."

https://evil-plan-banjo.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-first-question-of-game-balance.html

1) Is it an illusion?

Pro:https://mythcreants.com/blog/four-reasons-balance-matters-in-roleplaying-games/

Neutral: http://evil-plan-banjo.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-first-question-of-game-balance.html

Con:https://ruscumag.wordpress.com/2010/10/12/rpg-design-the-illusion-of-game-balance/

2) Within rules mechanics

3) Within the RP/Story part of the game

4) What does it mean for a game or mechanic to be broken

5) With your life

A Cabin Con MomentAgain, CC and balance. Elysium did we ever achieve it. Did it even matter?

**Dig This Setting Planescape

Sigil the city of doors is a waystation to access to all the planes. “Listen up CLUELESS and I’ll LANN you to the CHANT of the CAGE and all the BARMY SPIVS and BLOODS you may meet out on the planes.”**

Pros: made the planes playable, Sigil, the Factions, The Blood War!!!, The Cant, the unrivaled variety of the planes

Cons:The Planar CANT*, politics,shades of gray re: alignment and philosophy.

Shameless Plug Time:1.) If you would like to support our show you can

a) Share this podcast with your friends, especially on social media

b) Check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support.

2.) Check us out on YouTubewhere wenow have a channel:

3.) Feel free to send any questions or comments to questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com

Please check out a few podcasts that we like:Red Dice Diaries(with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play):

Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar):

1) Blog: https://www.tenkarstavern.com/

2) Podcast: https://anchor.fm/tavernchat

3) Video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIdpAASpAI7vu-bZx6pP_mQ

Why so many? He is the Czar of the OSR after all!Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

Shadow of the GM(Barry)

The Negative Material PlaneRe-visit Dice Are Screaming Podcast episode: “Au Revoir OSR”Responses by Keep off the Borderlands and Down in a Heap podcasts

Comments on Keep off the Borderlands about “bad actors” such as

Venger Satannis and RPGPundit…not sure why this is?

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Episode 35 Wednesday May 5, 2021 ( J )

The Call-In SegmentJason of Nerd’s RPG Podcast

John of The Red Dice Diaries

The Positive Material Plane1) It requires math and reading. Yes!

2) We have a YouTube channel now: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyVze8TfIB16j0PdmE4lOJg

3) Jeff Goldbloom and Dark Dice Actual Play

Wasting Time at the Table of TimeSometimes it’s the player’s fault. Sometimes it’s the DM’s fault. Sometimes it’s everyone’s fault.

A Cabin Con MomentHow do we waste time at CC? How can we fix it?

Dig This Setting: Ravenloft Pros and Cons

Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please help get the word out and check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support.

Share with your friends and let us know if there is another way that you listen that we could support better.

Check us out on YouTube now as well: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyVze8TfIB16j0PdmE4lOJg

Our email is questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like:

Red Dice Diaries(with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard( with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat(with Eric Tenkar)

Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

Shadow of the GM(Barry)

The Negative Material PlaneRavenloft, the Domain of Wokeness???

Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft (5e)

The Vistani are gypsies… SO what?

Here we go again with MCU Idiocy

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Episode 34Wednesday April 28, 2021

The Positive Material PlaneCall ins: Jason, Patrick, John, and New Caller Taylor!

Other: Our hobby invites all manner of participants: highly committed, casual and all flavors in between.

Potpourri With Patrick II1.) Dealing with Player conflict at the Table

2.) Homebrew vs Pre-Fab- adventures/campaigns/rules

3.) Fudging Dice rolls: Yay or Nay

4.) Interrupting the DM’s monolog, can it be justified?

5.) Splitting the Party: Yay or Nay

6.) Let the Players Help

A Cabin Con MomentHow to deal with Player conflict at CC?

Splitting the party at CC?

**Segment #4: Dig this Setting

(alternate segment)**

Dark Sun: 1991 2nd ed release, desert world/survival/city-states/Magic-ravaged/psionics more common campaign setting

Shameless Plug TimeIf you would like to support our show, please check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support Any contribution is much appreciated, and we thank you for your consideration.

Please share the podcast with your friends. Its available most places you can get your podcasts. If you have an app that’s unsupported, let us know!

Our email is questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like:Red Dice Diaries(with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard( with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat(with Eric Tenkar)

Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

Shadow of the GM(Barry)

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Episode 33Wednesday April 21,2021

The Positive Material Plane

Call-ins: Jason has a whopping 33

We are in a Golden Age of Options: Crowdfunding collection

Gaming Inspiration

Both Direct and Indirect

Movies, Books, Comics, Other Games, Miniatures, Maps, Not playing, Discussion of RPGs with friends, Browsing Internet,Other Podcasts, Biggus Geekus, YouTube, Music, Blogs

A Cabin Con Moment

What is inspiring about CC? Which is greater Before or After? What inspires you to prepare for CC?

Dig this Setting: The Forgotten Realms (1987 1e, 2e, 3e, 4e, and 5e):

Shameless Plug Time

A Changeup…

Please share the podcast with your friends. We really just want to get in people's ears. Its available most places you can get your podcasts.

Our email is questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like:

Red Dice Diaries(with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat(with Eric Tenkar)

Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

Shadow of the GM(Barry)

The Negative Material Plane

Comic books…I’ve lost that lov’in feeling.

Though there is some hope -creator owned,now watching Comic Book Men interested to see if they ever touch modern comics- woke/sjw/tokenism

There are also indie artists like ComicArtistPro Secrets on YouTube creating competition

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Episode 32 Wednesday, April 14, 2021

The Positive Material Plane

Call-ins (Jason Connerly, and John Alan Large)

Good news? Making games and making game systems

Managing the Known vs the Unknown

1)Player knowledge vs character knowledge

2) How does DM keep what he knows from influencing

3) How much of the campaign setting to share with the players

4) GM Screens- is all about The Known vs the Unknown

5) The Impact of Knowing vs NOT Knowing

A Cabin Con Moment

What do we know about CC15 so far? attendees, theme, games offered, Trivia Family Feud style, Biggus Geekus Youtube every night/day?

Dig this Setting - The World of Greyhawk

Discuss pros and cons, best/worst aspects, our experiences, memorable sessions/adventures/ campaigns, and rank it

Shameless Plug Time

If you would like to support our show, please check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support

Any contribution is much appreciated, and we thank you for your consideration.

Please share the podcast with your friends. Its available most places you can get your podcasts. If you have an app that’s unsupported, let us know!

Our email is questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like

Red Dice Diaries (with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat(with Eric Tenkar)

Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

Shadow of the GM (Barry)

The Negative Material Plane

A.) POC Gamer/Panzer Lion requests name removed from Candlekeep Mysteries and

More Here

B.) Multiple gendered pronouns on Wizkid miniatures

C.) General annoyance of folks coming into gaming and trying to change it with social agendas/woke idiocy…especially from those who don’t even play…see RPGPUNDIT

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The Positive Material Plane

Call ins: Jason of the Nerds RPG Variety Cast

3 great things about our hobby

Game & Gamer Mindsets

Def. of Mindset:a habitual or characteristic mental attitude that determines how to interpret and respond to situations.

Games and Their Mindsets:

Dungeons and Dragons (Clones +OSR, 13th Age , Pathfinder,Warhammer, Shadow of the Demon Lord, Rolemaster)

TSR vs WOTC Dungeons and Dragons

Definitional Characteristics of TSR/OSR vs WOTC DnD
3e and the FEEL of DnD

Savage Worlds (GURPs/Gurps-lite, Cortex System, Hero System)

RIFTS (Paranoia, Gamma World, Over the Edge)

Call of Cthulhu (Trail of Cthulhu, Alien the RPG)

Vampire and World of Darkness

Fate (other highly narrative games Dungeon World, Blades in the dark, Genesys)

Amber Diceless (Dragonlance fifth Age, Marvel Super Adventure Game)

Gamers and Their Mindsets

GM presents challenges and the PCs overcome them/GM must have balanced encounters

The world is open and dangerous … you never know what you might encounter.

GM is god in his world. His game – his rules

The GM is just a player/he is bound to the fate of the rulebook as well.

Player Agency is paramount. No railroading at all!

We’re here to play a game/run a module/play an adventure…get on the train

No restrictions on characters/all player ideas are perfectly fine and valid.

Building an elaborate back story is paramount to a good game experience.

GM is the enemy. Adversarial GM- I am trying to kill your character.

We are creating a shared story. Rule of cool only thing that matters.

PCs should only die at appropriately dramatic moments

Your character does not matter until he gets to the table.

Let’s just roll dice and kill stuff.

What is my motivation in this scene?

Balance is the key to the game.

Chaos and Randomization baby!

A Cabin Con Moment

What is your mindset at CC?

Beat This Game

3rd edition Dungeons and Dragons (2000)

Shameless Plug Time:

If you would like to support our show, please check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support

Any contribution is much appreciated, and we thank you for your consideration.

Please share the podcast with your friends. Its available most places you can get your podcasts. If you have an app that’s unsupported, let us know!

Our email is questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like:

Red Dice Diaries (with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat(with Eric Tenkar)

Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

Shadow of the GM(Barry)

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Episode 30 of our podcast and the date is Wednesday March 31, 2021.

The Positive Material PlaneWhat have you done this week related to RPGs that has been a net positive for you and why?

Discussing vs Playing RPGs and how to even it out1) Ignoring the podcast time, which do you/we do more of?

2) What do you think most gamers do more of, talk about or play?

3) Why don’t we play more?

4) Is discussion ever preferred over playing?

5) What is your preferred ratio of playing to discussing?

It’s Just a Game why make as big deal over it?*1) Is it just a game?

2) Does the fact that it’s a hobby matter?

3) When is this phrase* correct/appropriate to say and when isn’t it?

4) Does it matter if such a phrase* comes from a fellow gamer or non-gamer?

5) I think it may be a lifestyle hobby, at least for us.

6) Hobbies are important

A Cabin Con MomentIs cabin con a con? Is it just friends getting together to just play games? Is it just a vacation with pals? Or is it something more?

Beat This Game (in the ground)4e Dungeons and Dragons

Shameless Plug TimeIf you would like to support our show, please check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support

Any contribution is much appreciated, and we thank you for your consideration.

Please share the podcast with your friends. Its available most places you can get your podcasts. If you have an app that’s unsupported, let us know!

Our email is questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like:

Red Dice Diaries (with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat(with Eric Tenkar)

Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (Jason)

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Episode 29Wednesday March 24, 2021

The Positive Material Plane “Something positive about TTRPGs that we have learned over the years” We get to be heroes!

Call-Ins & SundryJason from Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast John from Red Dice Diaries

Making High level Play Playable (in D & D)1. What are the issues?

Why this topic? OSR friends, recent discussions on Tenkar’s Iron Rations
Making the campaign open to higher level play at the start.
Skip the temptation to make it Monty Haul.5. Managing player expectations. Defining/Clarifying PC goals.
Respect, expect, and encourage the use of your PCs awesome abilities!
Taking breaks: You can’t save the universe every other month nor can you defeat Smaug once each summer.
De Planes De Planes!!!

Class/Level vs Point-Buy System is the Wrong ArgumentApackage of “benefits” vs You want a granular advancement without a path.

A Cabin Con MomentHigh level at Cabin con. What are the moments? Was Elysium high level?

Beat This Game (in the ground)3rd edition Dungeons and Dragons (not 3.5 nor 3.x nor Pathfinder)

Shameless Plug TimeIf you would like to support our show, please check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support

Any contribution is much appreciated, and we thank you for your consideration.

Please share the podcast with your friends. Its available most places you can get your podcasts. If you have an app that’s unsupported, let us know!

Our email is questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like:

Red Dice Diaries(with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat(with Eric Tenkar)

Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

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Episode 28 Wednesday March 17, 2021

Call InsOur man, Jason C with some truth bombs!

Check out Iron Rations podcast from 3/12/21“Why 5e Doesn’t teach how to DM”

The Gaming NEWS:1) 3-D Printed Minis

2) Greg Gillespia’s Barrowmaze: Dwarrowdeep

3) The Terminator RPG Kickstarter is up

4) Encyclopedia Kickstarter is live- for DM’s & 15 different cities

5) Obvious leftist article on why DnD is dropping alignment

6) “Cook”-y Monster is up to it again- The Darkest House

A Potpourri of Gaming Topics1) Erik Tenkar on The Most influential Edition of DnD EVA!!!

2) Player & DM Expectations & The Matt Mercer Effect real or not? And is Critical Role scripted? Does it matter?

3) Downtime- oh what to do? Should we bother.

4) Minis or Theater of the Mind? Toys or no toys, that is the question.

5) Death Rules: good/bad/ugly

A Cabin Con MomentIt’s almost time. What are most looking forward to? What are we running? What Games for this year’s Con? THE T-SHIRT!!!

Beat This Game (in the ground) - Pathfinder 1epros and cons, best/worst mechanics, favorite sessions/campaigns/settings

Shameless Plug TimeIf you would like to support our show, please check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support

Any contribution is much appreciated, and we thank you for your consideration.

Please share the podcast with your friends. Its available most places you can get your podcasts. If you have an app that’s unsupported, let us know!

Our email is questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like:

Red Dice Diaries(with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat & all its related livestreams(with Eric Tenkar)

Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

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Episode 3, Sunday March 14, 2021

Call Ins

Fun times with Jason from NERDS RPG Variety

Jason discusses issues such as Player Agency, Bennies and other Hero Points, Our website (such as it is) and many other topics.

Wing’in It!

We discuss Race n Dungeons and Dragons, and how it has lost its savor.

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Episode 27 Wednesday, March 10, 2021

We open with our usual intro and we talk about recent and future games.

The Gaming NEWS

KS cancels Perfect RPG Campaign:

Zak Smith sues Gencon and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-3HX1-wrlQ

DnD Survivalist Guide KS with Douglas Niles

A Twofer

1) Player Agency - this is one of those terms like RPGs and replayability that is tough to define. We give it the Geekus treatment.

Stack Exchange: What is Player Agency and what is it good for

Ask Angry: Stealing Agency

2) Bennies, Hero Points and all that Jazz.

What are they good for? When should you get them? Yadda yadda.

A Cabin Con Moment

Is player agency a consideration at CC? How does it work well with such a convention style?

Beat This Game (in the ground) 13th Age

pros and cons, best/worst mechanics, favorite sessions/campaigns/settings

Shameless Plug Time

If you would like to support our show, please check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support

Any contribution is much appreciated, and we thank you for your consideration.

Please share the podcast with your friends. Its available most places you can get your podcasts. If you have an app that’s unsupported, let us know!

Our email is questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like:

Red Dice Diaries (with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat(with Eric Tenkar)

Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

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Sunday March 7, 2021

Call Ins

Fun times with Jason from NERDS RPG Variety Cast

-His GM stuff

-SW: edges his only negative (btw: we are old as well - 54)

-Re-skinning trolls/don’t say the name/

-Group think/Sourcing for certain skill checks

-No such thing as GM metagaming?

-GM keeps sheets behind lots of work

-Games as Therapy

John and Hannah from the Red Dice Diaries

-chuckled at our mention of her LARP experience

Wing’in It!

How different should different tasks look in the rules: e.g.: skill checks vs combat?

Face to Face is Da Bomb!

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Episode 26 Wednesday March 3, 2021

We begin with our typical intro and talk about upcoming games.

The Gaming NEWSBig Money KS

DnD Gets New Division at Hasbro

WOTC Gets a New Logo

WOTC Levels Up at Hasbro

WOTC Makes More Money Than Hasbro’s Toy Division

Production update for New DnD Movie and Magic TV Series

6 Things The New DnD movie needs, according to Dicebreaker

Hugh Grant in as villain for movie

When should GMs ask for dice rolls

Play D &D to Discover your Gender ID (actually … don’t do that)

Meta-GamingLengthy Definition or “using ooc knowledge to make ic decisions”

Reference articles:

Respect the Meta-Game

Dear GMs: Metagaming is your fault

Metagaming: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

A Cabin Con MomentHas metagaming been a concern of at CC? Have you even heard it bandied about?

Beat This Game (in the ground)

Savage Worlds:

We talk about:

· the pros and cons

· best/worst mechanics

· favorite sessions/campaigns/settings

Shameless Plug Time

If you would like to support our show, please check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support

Any contribution is much appreciated, and we thank you for your consideration.

Please share the podcast with your friends. Its available most places you can get your podcasts. If you have an app that’s unsupported, let us know!

Our email is questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like:

Red Dice Diaries (with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard( with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat(with Eric Tenkar)

Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast(Jason)

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Episode 25 February 24, 2021

1st Year Anniversary (roughly)

Our usual intro and gaming blather…

Special GuestGlen Halstrom ofRadio Grognard

The Gaming NEWSAnother roll20 ranking this week (I think I know what Uncategorized is) And even more

Pericle RPG

Ravenloft …again…: and again

Beadle and Grimm Strikes Again with Finger Puppets(?) ONLY $359!!!Jon Peterson’s Other book

Main Topic: CR & Predictability in RPGsWe discuss: Challenge Ratings and appropriately challenging encounters.

Angry GM CR, There’s a Better Way (Part 1)

Angry GM CR, There’s a Better Way (Part 2)

Balance Challenge and Antagonism

Encounter Balance

A Cabin Con MomentCR & Encounter Building in the old Elysium game-

Building A Better Gaming WorldShould OUR RPG/setting at least pay lip service to CR?

Shameless Plug TimeIf you would like to support our show, please check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support

Any contribution is much appreciated, and we thank you for your consideration.

Please share the podcast with your friends. Its available most places you can get your podcasts. If you have an app that’s unsupported, let us know!

Our email is questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like:

Red Dice Diaries (with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat(with Eric Tenkar)

Nerds RPG Variety Podcast (Jason- not Hobbs nor cousin)

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Tuesday February 16, 2021

We do our usual intro and discuss recent gaming.

Call Ins

Jason from Nerds RPG Variety Cast calls in to discuss various points relative to episode 23.

Wing’in It!

A rambling discourse of many RPG topics

Shameless Plug Time

If you would like to support our show, please check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support

Any contribution is much appreciated, and we thank you for your consideration.

Please share the podcast with your friends. Its available most places you can get your podcasts. If you have an app that’s unsupported, let us know!

Our email is questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

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Episode 24, Monday February 15, 2021

We do our usual intro and briefly talk about home games.

The Gaming NEWS:

Savage Pathfinder Q & A

Free League’s One Ring 2e KS good start (but read this short article)

We’re #2!! We’re #2!! …are you really?

A Mathematics Moment

We (or Randy to be honest) goes deep into the math of 5e’s advantage/disadvantage mechanic. Some reading can be found here

Main Topic: PC Progression: Zero to Hero … OR NOT?

We discuss RPG character progression (or advancement) types:

Zero-to-Hero as described at Gnome Stew

Hero to Superhero, Static and Others defined by us.

A Cabin Con Moment

We try all sorts of games at our private Con, the origin of which we detail.

Building A Better Gaming World

Zero to Hero in our game. Also Hero to Super Hero. So There!!!

Shameless Plug Time

If you would like to support our show, please check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support

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Send questions and comments to questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like:

Red Dice Diaries (with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat(with Eric Tenkar)

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Episode 23 February 10 ,2021

Call In: From Jason of Nerds RPG Variety Cast

The Gaming NEWS:Jon Peterson continues to provoke good discussion: “Does System Matter?”

Recall: The Blood War

Shadow of the Demonlord (been around a while)

1 on1 RPG play

Pathfinder spells to SW Powers

Keith Baker’s Eberron Remember the win

Main Topic: 5E Dungeons and Dragons- A Belated ReviewWe start with the Players Handbook: Rollout, Production Value, and Readability

WOTC’s replacement site for bad first printings

Phil, Joe and Randy State Their 5 Positives and 5 Negatives for DnD 5e

Char Gen, Classes and Races, Ability Scores, Spellcasting, Conditions, Bounded Accuracy

Bounded Accuracy explanation 1 (long read), Bounded Accuracy Explanation 2

A Cabin Con Moment5E at CC … reception, preferences etc.

Building A Better Gaming World5E things that we’d like to steal.

Shameless Plug TimeIf you would like to support our show, please check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support

Any contribution is much appreciated, and we thank you for your consideration.

Please share the podcast with your friends. Its available most places you can get your podcasts. If you have an app that’s unsupported, let us know!

Our email is questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like:

Red Dice Diaries (with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat(with Eric Tenkar)

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Episode 22 Recorded on Wednesday February 3, 2021

The Gaming NEWS:

Rob Kuntz, TLB Games and Legends of Roleplaying

Additional Info

Free Sunken City Map Package

Immersion and Roleplaying

Zinequest 3

Call Ins

We really appreciate the praise!

Red Dice Diaries- John Alan Large comments on episode 20 and about the OSR

Hobbs & Friends of the OSR - Jason Hobbs [Low Fantasy Gaming] comments on episode 21: Railroad vs Sandbox

Min-Topic - OSR Redux

Re-cap and re-hash our discussion on 3D with E.Tenkar and G. Halstrom on the Dungeons, Dragons , & Discourse livestream last week.

General thoughts on the 4-man Livestream:

good fun and even better company

the OSR is a welcoming DIY community in the best sense

Negatives to OSR games(maybe): Vancian magic, Low Level Play

Another Mini- Topic: The +1 [Newbie Player Advice] …First Timer Vs General newbie

Tl;dr don’t overdo it

A Cabin Con Moment

Old guard; OSR in the house!

Building A Better Gaming World

OSR is in the future.

Shameless Plug Time:

If you would like to support our show, please check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support

Any contribution is much appreciated, and we thank you for your consideration.

Please share the podcast with your friends. Its available most places you can get your podcasts. If you have an app that’s unsupported, let us know!

Our email is questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like:

Red Dice Diaries (with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Tavern Chat(with Eric Tenkar)

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The RR vs The SandboxEpisode 21. Wednesday January 27, 2021

We do the usual intro and chit chat.

The Gaming NEWS:Dragonlance Classic AnnouncedThe Rise of Offensive GamesAnd Virtue Signal The Game of Social JusticeThe Origins of Rule ZeroWhat’s an RPG?

Main Topic: The RR vs the SandboxWe define the terms from the interwebs:

Railroad

Linear game design

Carrot-and-stick

Sandbox Game Design

We discuss these definitions, and a number of questions with respect to hoe these terms coincide with module play, our preferences and experience.

A Cabin Con MomentDo we do RR or Sandbox at Cabin Con?

Building A Better Gaming WorldWe discuss level of campaign detail.

Shameless Plug TimeIf you would like to support our show, please check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support

Any contribution is much appreciated, and we thank you for your consideration.

Please share the podcast with your friends. Its available most places you can get your podcasts. If you have an app that’s unsupported, let us know!

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Things We Like:We would also like to encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like:

Red Dice Diaries (with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Special Announcement:We will be on Erik Tenkar’s Tavern Chat Livestream with Glen Halstrom (of Old man Grognard/Radio Grognard fame) this Friday evening at 8 pm EST called:

Dungeons, Dragons, and Discourse

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Is this OSR?Episode 20. Tuesday, January 19th, 2021

We do our usual intro and recent gaming reports.

The Gaming NEWS:DnD TV Show in the works: and oh and

The Origins of Rule Zero

A Bit more news on Savage Pathfinder: It launched today [ 1-19-21]. Did you back it?

How to roleplay?

Main Topic: Is this the OSR?We define and discuss various aspects of OSR play, what we like and don’t like. We hope its an accurate decription.

A Cabin Con MomentWe really haven’t played any OSR game at cabin con, but many are nostalgia types.

Segment #4: Building A Better Gaming WorldOSR influence in our game?

Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support

Any contribution is much appreciated, and we thank you for your consideration.

Please share the podcast with your friends. Its available most places you can get your podcasts. If you have an app that’s unsupported, let us know!

Our email is questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like:

Red Dice Diaries (with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard (with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore (a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

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Episode 19 Wednesday January 13, 2021

We have our usual intro and gaming situations.

The Gaming NEWS:Candlekeep Mysteries (announced 1-12-21)

Really just the Korvair Map Rug

Is this the way?

Origins pushed back to fall in hopes of F2F Con

Free maps

New Dragonlance Novel Announced?

Main Topic: Player Burnout (in RPGS)We define burnout and talk about how to recognize it. We also talk about solutions, and other deeper things.

A Cabin Con MomentDo you think we will ever tire/grow out of/burnout on CC?

Building A Better Gaming WorldWill we burn out of a game that we make for ourselves or others?

Support:If you would like to support our show, please check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support

Any contribution is much appreciated, and we thank you for your consideration.

Please share the podcast with your friends. Its available most places you can get your podcasts. If you have an app that is unsupported, let us know!

Our email is questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like:

Red Dice Diaries (with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play/rpg discussion

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Episode 18 Recorded on Wednesday January 6, 2021

We have our usual intro and gaming situations.

The Gaming NEWS:ENWORLD is 20 years old

Diversity woes for WOTC

Playing for Two

Main Topic: Combat in RPGsWe get into the nitty gritty of combat: initiative, movement, terrain, length, PC roles, PC vs Player skill, and a host of other questions.

Initiative types taken from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Initiative_(role-playing_games)

Some Questions taken from: https://rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/7040/how-do-i-make-and-use-tactically-interesting-terrain/7044#7044

A Cabin Con MomentA short bit on combat in Cabin Con games

Building A Better Gaming WorldPotential combat systems in our game

Support:If you would like to support our show, please check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support

Any contribution is much appreciated, and we thank you for your consideration.

Please share the podcast with your friends. Its available most places you can get your podcasts. If you have an app that is unsupported, let us know!

Our email is questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like:

Red Dice Diaries (with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)

Radio Grognard(with Glen Halstrom)

The Tale of the Manticore(a unique dramatized quasi-actual play/rpg discussion)

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Episode 17 Recorded on November 28, 2020 for release on December 31, 2020

We have our usual Intro and moaning about the lack of in person gaming.

Back in My DayWe talk about the Talisman board game from way back.

Main Topic: Making PCs in DnDWe compare and contrast how PCs are made in the various editions of DnD. In situations where our experience is limited and/or it is from Eons ago quotes were taken from https://rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/13212/what-are-the-big-differences-among-the-dd-editions

We also name preferences and compare to some other popular RPGs

A Cabin Con MomentCharacter building for Elysium, pros and cons.

Building A Better Gaming WorldWe discuss our preferences (so far) for our far off, near fictional game.

Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support

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Saturday November 28, 2020 pre-recorded for Wednesday December 23rd, 2020

Our usual intro and gaming situations

No Gaming News because we prerecorded

Main Topic: What we love about RPGsWherein we discuss the many things that draw us to RPGs. From escapism to socializing with our pals. The kinds of games and game genre we like best. Also, we discuss our who and where gaming preferences.

A Cabin Con MomentOur favorite things about our favorite gaming event of the year

Building A Better Gaming WorldShall we continue building?

Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support

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Wednesday December 16, 2020

Our usual intro and gaming situations

The Gaming News:Chris Pine to star in new Dungeons and Dragons movie

Seems a little late for the DnD Beyond App to just now get a dice roller

LotFR has something other than Samurai to play. It’s in the top 20 for 2020 at GeekNative.

Things We Actually Like:Tale of The Manticore

New Financial Backer!!!Thank you to Amy and Trent. You guys are great!!!

Main Topic: Get Off My Domain!We discuss the inclusion of a player’s domain. As in a castle, tower, or keep.

A Cabin Con MomentWe had a keep like structure for the glaives in Elysium. Mostly GM controlled.

Building A Better Gaming WorldShould we include this as a feature? An Option?

Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support

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Wealth in RPGs

Episode 14, Wednesday December 9,2020

We do the usual, the intro and we lament the lack of gaming for the week.

The Gaming NEWS:Free League to release Colonial Marines Supplement

Cypher Creator System

Gift Ideas for Players

Wealth in RPGs (and their value)We discuss tracking wealth, what we do with it as players, and it’s utility as a part of the game (or not).

Some useful articles:

https://theangrygm.com/nothing-here-but-worthless-gold/

https://mythcreants.com/blog/three-ways-of-handling-money-in-roleplaying-games/

http://bigballofnofun.blogspot.com/2009/12/rpg-wealth-lets-not-be-vague.html

A Cabin Con MomentGold issues with Elysium. And how it went awry.

Building A Better Gaming WorldMoney in our game system that is admittedly way out in the future, if ever.

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Thursday December 3rd, 2020

We opened with our usual intro but deviated the norm to play a few messages from John of The Red Dice Diaries. These were great and we appreciate the time he took to listen and comment. Thanks John!!!

Shout outs to Tenkar’s Tavern and Roleplay Rescue as well

We went on to discuss Randy’s lack of gaming and my excess of gaming.

The Gaming News:

Clarification #1: Comparing “Free League, the company who is responsible for Alien RPG/Tales from the Loop etc.) Revolutionary League (Anarchists) vs the Free League (the Indeps).

Clarification #2: GF9 made Korean Version-WOTC’s translator OK’d it but ended up having issues as well as issues with the French translations.

1.) Pinnacle to Savage Pathfinder (and Rise of the Runelords):

2.) Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything is the Beginning of ch-ch-ch-changes for D&D

3.) And more dumbness/Uggghhhh

4.) And EVEN more foolishness!

5.) WOTC to be sold…maybe???...nah…we will see

6.) Darth Vader has truly fallen

7.) Holiday gifts for your GM

PC Power Disparity And How To Handle It At The TableDefined as “a great difference”, we discuss its implications in tabletop play with Dungeons and Dragons as well as other games. We discuss its importance or lack thereof and whether, or not it is just a player issue or a system issue.

A Cabin Con MomentCabin Con had its own issues with disparity, we talk about that too.

Building A Better Gaming WorldWe determine that we at least want to acknowledge disparity when designing our game/world

Shameless Plug TimePlease share, like or review our podcast on Anchor, Breaker, Apple Itunes, Spotify, Stitcher, etc.

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Recorded Tuesday, November 24th, 2020

We open with the usual intro and talk about the next session of Savage Worlds

The Gaming NEWS1. GaleForce 9 sues WOTC breach of contract…another one?

And another?

Sweet towns and taverns maps
Pop-up terrain
Mophidius (of Conan fame- 2d20 system?) shows some art from the new DUNE RPG
The Yawning Portal ($350 price tag…YIKES!)
Tasha’s Cauldron Of Everything is Out

Rant Time: Frustrations with GMs and Players from the perspective of a Player and a GMWe discuss quite a few pet peeves about players and GMs. Chiefly, honesty, game mastery, and being “in the game” at the table.

A Cabin Con MomentWe discuss Cabin Con annoyances, or more accurately, the absence of them.

Building A Better Gaming WorldAvoiding many setting issues, such as over development, anachronistic, features, and leaning too heavily on Tolkein.

Shameless Plug TimeSpecial thanks to Glen at Radio Grognard and THACO’s HAMMER podcasts for giving us a listen and a shout out. Glen gives some good advice on gaming in general and is an old school gamer. Thanks a bunch Glen!

Please share, like or review our podcast on Anchor, Breaker, Apple Itunes, Spotify, Stitcher, etc.

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November 19th, 2020

Intro and gaming catchup where Randy and Joe talk about their latest in person Savage Worlds Fantasy game together.

The Gaming NEWS:1) Fun and annoyance with swords

2) New Old Survey for DnD

3) Reorg at Asmodee shuffles Star Wars mini games away from FFG

4) Free League is on Fire

5) Traveller Box Set on the Horizon

6) Blue Rose Quickstart

7) Vampire changes owner?

8) Non profit VTT

9) Nominate your fav rpg podcast

New GM Advice:Highlights: Play with friends, keep it simple, don’t fear mistakes or modules.

Link discussed:

Don’t Prep Plots…prep situations: https://thealexandrian.net/wordpress/4147/roleplaying-games/dont-prep-plots

A Cabin Con MomentFirst time GM failures and successes

Building A Better Gaming WorldNewbie friendly setting advise

Support Biggus Geekus!!!Please share, like or review our podcast on Anchor, Breaker, Apple Itunes, Spotify, Stitcher, etc.

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Episode 10: Magic systems and Making Magic Magical

This is Episode 10 and the date is Thursday November 12, 2020.

We had a special guest to our podcast, our good friend, fellow CabinCon attendee, and CEO of Pointy Hat Games: Patrick Demo!

Pointy Hat Games can be found here.

After our usual intro and recent gaming catch-up, Joe waxed poetic about HackMaster!

The Gaming NEWS:1) Beginner Box for PF2

2) RPG Dice Accessories Folding Tower

3) Starfinder Bundle of Holding

4) The Terminator Quick Start Rules out next month

5) Wizkid announces 2-D miniatures for 5E

6) Black Friday DnD 5e Gift Set reduced 25%

7) Wrath of the Immortals free to download from Drivethrurpg

8) Goodman Games Castle Amber reincarnated

9) Aliens Destroyer of Worlds HC

10) Starfall: DnD 5e adventure

11) Alternity by sasquatch Games

12) Heroes of the Cypher System

The Main Topic

Part 1: Magic Systems: How we Grade Them (Good/bad/Ugly)

Various Types for of magic systems for RPGs were discussed with Vancian getting the lowest grade and Hybrid with spell points being the most popular.

Part II. Making Magic Magical

How does the setting evoke a magical feel. We discussed some ways rules can help and well as evocative descriptions.

A Cabin Con Moment

We ruminated about size and how the last one was better that some previous cons.

Building A Better Gaming World

How magic interacts with the world is vital. We discuss what we would like if we had our druthers…

1.) Please like, share and/or review our podcast on Anchor, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Sticher, etc.

2.) If you’d like to support out show then please check out our website www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support where we have various ways for you to help keep the podcast going. Any support is appreciated and we thank you for your consideration.

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November 5, 2020

Intro and Our recent game together!

The Gaming NEWS:Dungeons and Dragons Live Action Show in the works at Hasbro (Thanks to Josh Z for the tip)

Magpie Games-Urban Shadows 2e( Dresden-esque/WOD and is PbtA game)

Mutants and Masterminds 3e releases The Super team Handbook

Beadle & Grimm’s Character Chronicles

The Dungenerator Randy kicked this one.

Main topic:Who Are you as a TTRPG Gamer?

Joe and I answer a potpourri (~12 that is) of questions related to who we are as TTRPG gamers. Seeing as how we just played a session this past weekend and it seemed that everyone had fun, for the most part.

We discussthis survey: http://captainjoy.chunkyboy.com/RPGs/PlayerQuiz.htmlOur Results***:

Randy***

Power Gamer: 25%

Butt-Kicker: 21%

Tactician: 58%

Specialist: 29%

Method Actor: 58%

Storyteller: 63%

Casual Gamer: 58%

Joe

Power Gamer: 42%

Butt-Kicker: 42%

Tactician: 50%

Specialist: 38%

Method Actor: 46%

Storyteller: 46%

Casual Gamer: 21%

We also discuss Robin Laws Gamer Styles (via ENWORLD: https://www.enworld.org/threads/what-kind-of-gamer-are-you.317745/)

Some Questions from US: Player & GM perspectives

Randy and Joe answer a baker’s dozen questions from Randy.

A Cabin Con MomentWe dare try to categorize our CabinCon crew by Robin Laws gamer styles.

Building A Better Gaming WorldWhere we brainstorm class roles as they pertain to game design

Support

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October 28, 2020

Intro:The usual intro and the obligatory gaming catch-up

Gaming news:1)New Pathfinder Board game- competitive/monster fighting (to be crowdfunded)

2)New Terminator RPG coming out by Nightfall games

3)Curse of Strahd Revamped: deluxe version $99(?)

4)The Dungeon Hobby Museum and FB site what is this? Hmmmmmm……

Main Topic: Let’s Start a CampaignWe discuss starting up a campaign. DM decision or group discussion. To have Session Zero or not. X Cards; what are they and do we need them. This and more in our main topic

A Cabin Con MomentElysium- a shared campaign world issues(*?)

World Building:To Balance or No to Balance- a PC’s story

Support Biggus Geekus!!!Please share, like or review our podcast on Anchor, Breaker, Apple Itunes, Spotify, Stitcher, etc. If you’d like to support the show then please go to biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support where we have several options.

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“It’s Worse than That, He’s Dead Jim” (handling PC death)October 22, 2020

The usual intro and the obligatory gaming catch-up

The Gaming News:Hickman & Weis have sued WOTC for breach of contract

Sexism/racism accusations at WOTC recently

Nazi Dracula Must Die! Kickstarter

Main Topic: Handling PC DeathIs PC death a thing that should be at the gaming table? Sure it sucks, but is that a bad thing? How does player investment figure in? How about resurrection? How about no resurrection? Does system matter? The geeks discuss these and other points.

A Cabin Con MomentDeath In Elysium: The Milk baths (movie: Wanted with A.Jolie and J. McElvoy)

The Infamous Banshee Incident

D&D 4-EVA CR sucks! I want a world that lives and breathes and PC ‘s can choose to bite off more than they can chew if they want. I also like a fleeing mechanic.

World Building:Tiers of Play.

Low level: gritty, life is cheap.

Mid-levels: well-known heroes of a region.

High level: world renown heroes/travelers of the world and the planes.

Should the game change at different tiers of play. Some ideas on if, why, and what.

Support Biggus Geekus!!!Please share, like or review our podcast on Anchor, Breaker, Apple Itunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Google Podcasts, and PocketCasts.

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Wednesday September 30th, 2020

We open with the usual intro and talk about the next session of Savage Worlds

The Gaming News:1) Fans (with some help) have made the final episode of DnD cartoon: REQUIEM2) Power Rangers RPG coming out soon (5e rules)

3) Hellboy RPG coming (5e rules)

Main Topic: Dungeons and Dragons though the Ages

Old DnD:OD&D (1974-1977) + Greyhawk (’75)

Holmes Basic (77’), Moldvay Basic set (81’) and D. Cook’s Expert creates B/X

Mentzer’s BECMI (83’-85’)à Rules Cyclopedia (AARON Allston revised BECMI in 1991):

Advanced DnD:1E AD&D (77’-79 all 3 core different years through 1989

2E AD&D (1989-2000) note: 2.5/Players Options (1995-2000):

3e DND (2000-2003) (WOTC) (4 yrs), 3.5 (2003-2007) (5 yrs)|

4e DND (2008-2010) (3 yrs) and 4.5 Essentials (2010-2014) (5 yrs)

5e DND (2014- present [2020])

Interesting Comparisons: https://rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/13212/what-are-the-big-differences-among-the-dd-editions

A Cabin Con MomentFavorite game this past Cabin con and why?

Sling’in M.U.D.D. (My Ultimate DnD)Hit Points again

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Thursday, July 30th, 2020

We open with the usual intro and talk about the next session of Savage Worlds

Segment #2: The Gaming NEWS:1.On the D&D Celebration2Batman Gotham City Chronicles: The Role Playing Game,

Main Topic: The Prep Scale1. How much is too much? And how much is too little?

Is there a ratio for hours played vs prepped? Both in general and for you specifically?
What kind(specifically what items)/how much do you do when you run a game? What is your process?
Can players tell if a GM has prepped? If so, what are clues?
What Level of prep would you prefer your GM do? What do you think makes for a better game or is that even a thing?
Do certain genres and/or systems require more or less prep?
Is Low/Medium/High Prep more important than Quality vs Wasted*

A Cabin Con MomentCovid Con Report from June 11-14, 2020

Attendance: 11 out of 23-25-ish last year

+1 Dog- Brego/tree doom

My Ultimate DnDWizards & spellcasting- Randy's latest thought with credit to DungeonCraft Professor Dungeon Master for the thought…love the idea of wizards learn spells, cast all they want, at a cost

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Saturday May 9th, 2020

We open with the usual and talk about not gaming. Listening to podcasts.

Main Topic: High and Low FantasyWe come up with some definitions, then compare and contrast. Fantasy literature and other media are also brough to bear.

A Cabin Con MomentNew date announced: June 11-14, 2020

We discussed games we prepped and COVID19 related attendance issues

The Gaming NEWSFree League doing Twilight 2000 4e

Also doing Aliens

and recently got LOTR

No Worldbuilding this time around!!!

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Saturday, May 9th, 2020

We open with the usual intro and talk about preparing for CabinCon, and our short-lived Deadlands game. Also Randy’s harrowing cellar escapade.

What is Adventure?We defined it and spoke at length about that and how to flavor it with heroism. How Lord of the Rings, Conan, and John Carter are a kind of foundation. Also how western culture figures in.

A Cabin Con MomentWe talk schedule and number of attendees with respect to our governor’s restrictions.

The Gaming NEWSNo News this time around

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Wednesday, October 7th, 2020.

This episode replaces Episode 2 from Sunday, April 5, 2020 due to it being lost.

We open with the usual intro and talk about how we are not gaming much.

The Gaming NewsMonte Cook’s Diamond Throne RPG Kickstarter

BG 3 Early Access yesterday 10/6/20

Campaigns vs. One-Shots:Campaigns and One-shot games are defined, compared and contrasted. The we say what we like about them. We express our general preference for campaigns while providing some good uses for one-shots.

A Cabin Con MomentThe end of one campaign, Elysium. Transition through another, the Black Blades. Culminating in a “West Marches” style campaign.

D.N.D. 4. EVA.(Our Magnum Opus)Hit Points, we talk about them.

World BuildingThe need for the game world to be dangerous and mysterious is discussed

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Tuesday, October 7th, 2020

This episode replaces our lost episode from March 1. Lost because I failed to download it from Skype before it was deleted. This is one of 2 that was lost in the same manner.

We open with the usual intro and lament at the lack of gaming in our lives.

The Gaming News:1. As the holiday season approaches GAMA has a cool charity

WOTC has an update to sage advice
Human teeth dice
Pelgrane to release 3 new books

**Politics and Gaming

1.** Is it needed?

2. Is it there when it seems not? (western culture tropes)

3. Must keep out modern political issues

4. Kill progressive (regressive) IDPol with FIRE!!!

5. Strong white male imagery missing

6. Skinny girl barbarian with giant sword

7. Equal representation in game text (male/female)

8. Diversity!!! The word race is problematic … somehow

9. This is tiresome.

A Cabin Con Moment: The end of an era - Elysium Destroyed.

Sling’n M.U.D.D. (My Ultimate DnD) Fighter/Wizard disparity. Is it really a problem?Where we talk about character roles and how that could solve this disparity at design-time. Other character types are discussed.

WorldbuildingWhere we discuss mile-high design topics like points of light v/s heavy civilization, and the ratio of humans to non-humans

Shameless Plug (or lack thereof):In this early episode we were daft and failed to encourage our listeners to help us out.

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The intro and outro music is Game Over by Jacob Lizotte at Dark Cabin Studios

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Wednesday, February 26th, 2020

Opening: This is our inaugural episode attempting to tell you a little bit about how we got into RPGs and the gaming hobby as well as what we hope to cover in this podcast.

Then we discussed our progression through the editions of DnD. We then discuss other games we tried…how our play changed and what helped form it.

Questions:

1) What do you recall of your first time?

2) What drew you to DnD?

3) What do you remember the most about our early games…say the first few years: BECMI through AD&D 1e

4) What other games do you recall us trying? Why do you think they never stuck?

5) Your thoughts on 2e, 3.X( Pathfinder 1e) , 4E and now 5E?

6) Your thoughts on the Editions of RPGs in general?

7) What are you up to now RPG-wise?

Cabin Con:once/year in the great white north of Michigan…actually not even in UP…the REAL BEST 4 Days of Gaming…not Gencon…

Joeseppie’s Rants: What’s bugs ya about DnD/RPGs in general? (Joe can’t rant on cue!!!)

The Gaming News:Companies cut ties with Judge’s Guild owner after racist/antisemitic comments

One of the offending comments

Love Domain 5e issues

Shameless Plug (or lack thereof):In our early episodes we were daft and failed to encourage our listeners to help us out.

Please share, like or review our podcast on Anchor, Breaker, Apple Itunes, Spotify, Stitcher, etc.

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Biggus Geekus: Recent Episodes

Joe Hardin and Randy Nichols

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