Thinking Critically: A D&D Discussion

This week I'm joined by Cyle Durkee from Play-Nerd Allies and Foundation for Inclusivity in Gaming, to talk about how to have a quality gaming session. Running a TTRPG is more an art than it is science, and as such involves several layers of nuance and considerations. The tail end of the show is dedicated to how to have those sometimes awkward, game-impacting conversations, and how you should think carefully if considering using a TTRPG as therapy. 11:29 - Streaming Tabletop Content 16:09 - Creating a Quality Community 31:25 - Communicating Effectively 44:58 - Talk to your Players Find Cyle on all things Play-Nerd Allies on: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/PlayNerdAllies Play-Nerd Allies: https://www.playnerdallies.com/ Play-Nerd Allies: https://www.twitch.tv/playnerdallies Rolling Together Twitch Team: https://www.twitch.tv/team/rollingtogether Foundation for Inclusivity in Gaming: https://figforall.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlliesNerd Find Thinking Critically online: https://www.thinkingcritically.co.uk Patrons: Joe from The Fourth Leg @jcd0818: https://anchor.fm/james-h-anderson Optional Rule @optionalrule: https://www.optionalrule.com/ Matthew Perkins @mperkinsDM: https://www.matthewperkins.net/ Matt Street @mpstreet88: https://www.virtualtimehustle.com/ Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeod Intermission Music: 'Chill' by Kevin MacLeod Outro Music: 'Local Forecast - Elevator' by Kevin MacLeod

This episode I'm joined by the eponymous Aaron of Aaron's Games! Although not the first published, this episode was the first recorded without any preparation notes, in the spirit of the episode topic! Aaron and I discuss the inherent nature of TTRPGs, and how what some might consider "chaos", others would say is improvisation. Through character anecdotes, Aaron expertly describes how to introduce chaotic characters while bridging alignments and play styles. 02:33 - The Inherent Chaos of TTRPGs 14:07 - Managing Chaotic Characters 29:28 - Mixing Alignments 43:57 - The Improvisation Engine Find Aaron on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1JtkK5IBFtYwmv6QOqxMhQ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AaronsGames_ God Punchers Twitter: https://twitter.com/godpunchers God Punchers Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godpunchers/ Insert Laughter Here: https://insertlaughterhere.co.uk/ Find Thinking Critically online: https://www.thinkingcritically.co.uk Patrons: Joe from The Fourth Leg @jcd0818: https://anchor.fm/james-h-anderson Optional Rule @optionalrule: https://www.optionalrule.com/ Matthew Perkins @mperkinsDM: https://www.matthewperkins.net/ Matt Street @mpstreet88: https://www.virtualtimehustle.com/ Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeod Intermission Music: 'Chill' by Kevin MacLeod Outro Music: 'Local Forecast - Elevator' by Kevin MacLeod

Minor 'Lost Mine Of Phandelver' spoilers in this episode. This week I host Derrick from the How Not To DM podcast (HN2DM), to once again talk about all the glorious mistakes we make! the most value from these kinds of discussions, however, is not what to avoid, but what can be learned. We are all beginners at some point, and so we share our experiences and how they can bring us all together in this hobby we love. 05:56 - The Biggest Mistake 18:54 - The Learning Experience 31:49 - What Makes a Good Player Find Derrick on:  How Not to DM: https://anchor.fm/hn2dm Twitter: https://twitter.com/HN2DM T4C Discord: https://discord.com/invite/FycFWE4KwY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hownottodm/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_v4UX77Yb_Fwrc3GAMTzjQ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hn2dm Find Thinking Critically online: https://www.thinkingcritically.co.uk Original 'Mistakes' episode: https://www.thinkingcritically.co.uk/mistakes And in Dungeons, Dice, and Dudes: https://linktr.ee/DDandD Patrons: Robert Hartley @RobertHartleyGM: https://www.patreon.com/RobertHartleyGM Optional Rule @optionalrule: https://www.optionalrule.com/ Matthew Perkins @mperkinsDM: https://www.matthewperkins.net/ Matt Street @mpstreet88: https://www.virtualtimehustle.com/ Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeod Intermission Music: 'Chill' by Kevin MacLeod Outro Music: 'Local Forecast - Elevator' by Kevin MacLeod

This episode brings us Nick from the Hidden GMs Podcast to talk about experimentation in TTRPGs. We discuss the benefits of trying different systems and how they can positively impact how you run your current game. No matter what game you play, everything is dependant on the trust between the players and the GM. One way you can experiment in your D&D 5e game is by handing more control over to your players, be that via extensive character knowledge, in game, or collaborative worldbuilding outside of the game. 03:04 - Trying New Systems 15:32 - D&D 5e Experiments 30:17 - Dynamic Campaigns 49:41 - Playing with the Narrative Find Nick on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/HiddenGMs Hidden GMs Podcast: https://hiddengmspodcast.com/ Find Thinking Critically online: https://www.thinkingcritically.co.uk References: Negative Modifier Podcast: www.negativemodifier.com Negative Modifier Charity Stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TTyPipaCWw Tabletop Journeys Against the Darkmaster: https://www.ttjourneys.com/archives/podcast/field-trip-against-the-dark-master-session-1 Halcyon Daze: Motorcycle Knights: https://redoakscreative.itch.io/halcyon-daze-motorcycle-knights 'Fudging' episode of Thinking Critically Patrons: Robert Hartley @RobertHartleyGM: https://www.patreon.com/RobertHartleyGM Optional Rule @optionalrule: https://www.optionalrule.com/ Matthew Perkins @mperkinsDM: https://www.matthewperkins.net/ Matt Street @mpstreet88: https://www.virtualtimehustle.com/ Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeod Intermission Music: 'Chill' by Kevin MacLeod Outro Music: 'Local Forecast - Elevator' by Kevin MacLeod

Once again I welcome Lucas Zellers, a.k.a @SparkOtter, as we continue our theme from the Monster episode. We discuss a critical topic as Lucas takes us through his new project: Book of Extinction. The book gives game statistics and lore for D&D 5e, alongside real-world history for some of the world’s most famous extinct animals. The project comes at a critical time as earth’s sixth mass extinction accelerates, with more species likely to disappear in the next 20 years than in the last century alone according to the National Academy of Sciences. We discuss the possibility of society becoming numb to extinction, and how these natural events have inescapably shaped the Monster Manual. 02:00 - Extinction: The Core of D&D 08:39 - True Stories Behind Some of the Monster Manual's Extinct Creatures 23:58 - Dino Discussion 31:10 - Extinction-Level Events 38:01 - Content Deprecation 41:48 - TPE: Total Party Extinction Find Lucas on: Scintilla Studios: https://scintilla.studio/extinction/ DriveThru RPG: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/388997/Book-of-Extinction--Preview DMs Guild: https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Lucas%20Zellers Mage Hand Press: https://store.magehandpress.com/products/book-of-extinction-preview Twitter: https://twitter.com/sparkotter Find Thinking Critically online: https://www.thinkingcritically.co.uk References: S03E02 'Monster' episode of Thinking Critically Center for Biological Diversity: https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/new-dungeons-dragons-book-to-support-endangered-species-protection-2022-04-11/ Atlas Games - Planegea: https://atlas-games.com/planegea Patrons: Robert Hartley @RobertHartleyGM: https://www.patreon.com/RobertHartleyGM Optional Rule @optionalrule: https://www.optionalrule.com/ Matthew Perkins @mperkinsDM: https://www.matthewperkins.net/ Matt Street @mpstreet88: https://www.virtualtimehustle.com/ Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeod Intermission Music: 'Chill' by Kevin MacLeod Outro Music: 'Local Forecast - Elevator' by Kevin MacLeod

I'm once again joined by Bart Wynants (a.k.a. @critographer), this time to talk about how to write TTRPGs. As with many tasks, mind set and habit formation is of upmost importance for success. Bart suggests embodying different 'roles' when writing TTRPG content: The "Architect" for big picture, macro level structure. The "Builder" for content creation and putting meat on the bones. And finally, the "Interior Designer" for beautifying and improving the user experience. This compartmentalisation can help forward momentum by focusing on what's important at that time. A unique aspect of writing for TTRPGs is how you have to keep several different kinds of audience in mind: DMs, players, and viewers/consumers. Each type demands unique considerations and concessions - listen to the episode to find the tips you need approach this and find success! 01:59 - Building the Habit 11:41 - Writing Reusable Adventures 20:46 - How Writing for a Module Differs from Prep 35:31 - Scripting an Actual Play 51:19 - 'The First Draft is Crap' Find Bart on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/critographer Raging Swan Press: https://www.ragingswanpress.com/ Hansor Publishing — The Gaia Complex: https://thegaiacomplex.com/hansor House of the Exorcist: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/375167/House-of-the-Exorcist Find Thinking Critically online: https://www.thinkingcritically.co.uk References: S01 E24 'Fudging' episode of Thinking Critically S03 E18 'Kickstarter' episode of Thinking Critically Patrons: Robert Hartley @RobertHartleyGM: https://www.patreon.com/RobertHartleyGM Optional Rule @optionalrule: https://www.optionalrule.com/ Matthew Perkins @mperkinsDM: https://www.matthewperkins.net/ Matt Street @mpstreet88: https://www.virtualtimehustle.com/ Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeod Intermission Music: 'Chill' by Kevin MacLeod Outro Music: 'Local Forecast - Elevator' by Kevin MacLeod

This episode I'm joined by Andrew & Vesna Gronosky from Shewstone Publishing, who leverage their extensive knowledge to discuss the implications of having a "history" in your TTRPG setting. The different lifespans of races can have a profound impact in their culture and what they consider important enough to record; what happened "a long time ago" to a human can be relatively "yesterday" to an elf. We can use these schisms to drive worldbuilding and roleplay opportunities. Fortunately for us, real life has volumes and volumes of inspiration, and most of the heavy lifting has already been done over the span of human history. 02:40 - Building on What We Know 09:42 - Cultural Differences 17:19 - History is Relative 23:03 - The Times They are a Changing 45:06 - Conveying "Facts" 49:20 - Making History Find Andrew & Vesna via Shewstone Publishing on: Magonomia, the RPG of Renaissance Wizardry: https://shewstone.com/magonomia Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShewstoneLLC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShewstonePublishing YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRYQd535twmEZ-8GF1Tt8jg LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shewstone Find Thinking Critically online: https://www.thinkingcritically.co.uk References: Ars Magica: https://www.atlas-games.com/arsmagica Pirenne Thesis (CW: discredited and shaped by anti-Muslim prejudice) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Pirenne Beyond Battles presentation, Gen Con Online 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW0YxEnsr8A Patrons: Robert Hartley @RobertHartleyGM: https://www.patreon.com/RobertHartleyGM Optional Rule @optionalrule: https://www.optionalrule.com/ Matthew Perkins @mperkinsDM: https://www.matthewperkins.net/ Matt Street @mpstreet88: https://www.virtualtimehustle.com/ Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeod Intermission Music: 'Chill' by Kevin MacLeod Outro Music: 'Local Forecast - Elevator' by Kevin MacLeod

This episode features Eli Royall from the We Play RPGs podcast family! We discuss how to establish canon in your setting, and the implications of having a standardised fiction. The second problem is how to communicate this to players and bridge that player/character divide; when a character has lived in the world for 50 years, how can the setting and DM effectively translate that into something players can use to guide their actions? 05:05 - The Duality of What's Canon 23:33 - The Player/Character Canon Canyon 40:02 - Accidental Fiction Find Eli on: We Play RPGs: https://weplayrpgspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grumpybadgerdice/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Grumpy-Badger-100522935831389 Royall Artisan Props: https://royallartisanprops.com/ Find Thinking Critically online: https://www.thinkingcritically.co.uk References: 'Relationships' episode of Thinking Critically 'Lore' episode of Thinking Critically Peach Garden Games Patrons: Robert Hartley @RobertHartleyGM: https://www.patreon.com/RobertHartleyGM Optional Rule @optionalrule: https://www.optionalrule.com/ Matthew Perkins @mperkinsDM: https://www.matthewperkins.net/ Matt Street @mpstreet88: https://www.virtualtimehustle.com/ Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeod Intermission Music: 'Chill' by Kevin MacLeod Outro Music: 'Local Forecast - Elevator' by Kevin MacLeod

This spicy episode I'm joined by Fruits from The Homebakery to talk all about flavouring our D&D campaigns. A large portion of the show is spent discussing the different classes and their subclass options, and how their baggage inherently affects the flavour of player characters. We then move on to introducing food and drink into your campaign, and how it's perhaps an often overlooked vehicle for enabling role play opportunities. 01:38 - Pre-Baked Classes 10:24 - Impact of Sub-Class on Backstory 29:15 - Flavourful Campaigns 34:33 - Fantasy Food & Drink 42:00 - Flavouring your Role Play 51:42 - Subversion Find Fruits on: Website: https://thehomebakery.carrd.co/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/the_homebakery Itch.io: https://itch.io/profile/thehomebakery DriveThruRPG: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/20294/The-Homebakery Blog: https://5ehomebakery.blogspot.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5e_homebakery/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHomebakeryFB/ Find Thinking Critically online: https://www.thinkingcritically.co.uk Patrons: Robert Hartley @RobertHartleyGM: https://www.patreon.com/RobertHartleyGM Optional Rule @optionalrule: https://www.optionalrule.com/ Matthew Perkins @mperkinsDM: https://www.matthewperkins.net/ Matt Street @mpstreet88: https://www.virtualtimehustle.com/ Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeod Intermission Music: 'Chill' by Kevin MacLeod Outro Music: 'Local Forecast - Elevator' by Kevin MacLeod

Once again I am joined by long time friends of the show and the inimitable hosts of Tabletop Journeys: Josh, Lewanika, and Glen. Their enthusiasm for TTRPGs is infectious and it's such a delight to provide a platform for their passion and talents. This episode about is what galvanises and moves us, as characters, players, and storytellers. It's interesting that PC motivation is not pre-baked in the building process, unlike backgrounds which are almost purely fluff and can sometimes have very little impact on gameplay. This has produced the idea of a "social contract" between players, the DM, and all their characters; an often implicit agreement that we're all in this together to build a great story, but achieving this can be harder than you might expect! The last two-thirds of the show are dedicated to us as human beings and why we love TTRPGs. The answer is as old as the hobby itself: there's no such high as collaborative worldbuilding with friends. 05:39 - Character Motivation 33:36 - What Keeps Us Coming Back 46:06 - Motivated Storytellers Find Tabletop Journeys on: Website: https://ttjourneys.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ttjourneys Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ttjourneys Traveler's Guide to the Multiverse: https://www.dmsguild.com/product/392937/The-Travelers-Guide-to-the-Multiverse Traveler's Guide to Collaborative Worldbuilding: https://www.dmsguild.com/product/380254/The-Travelers-Guide-to-Collaborative-Worldbuilding Find Thinking Critically online: https://www.thinkingcritically.co.uk and also now on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thinkingcritically References: 'Space' and 'Items' episodes of Thinking Critically Patrons: Robert Hartley @RobertHartleyGM: https://www.patreon.com/RobertHartleyGM Optional Rule @optionalrule: https://www.optionalrule.com/ Matthew Perkins @mperkinsDM: https://www.matthewperkins.net/ Matt Street @mpstreet88: https://www.virtualtimehustle.com/ Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeod Intermission Music: 'Chill' by Kevin MacLeod Outro Music: 'Local Forecast - Elevator' by Kevin MacLeod