Taking 20 Podcast

Running games for younger players has some similarities to running games for adults but there are some key differences that we all must be mindful of.  In this episode I interview Paul Lazrow of AdventuringPortal.com who is a professional DM for younger players.  We discuss the changes you should and should not make while running a game for children, the use of RPGs in education, and how children approach problems differently than adults.   #DnD #DungeonsandDragons #Pathfinder #AdventurePortal

Players, do you get disheartened when your character fails their acrobatics check and slips off the ice into the freezing river?  DMs, do you worry that your PCs may not be able to make it past a point in your adventure because they could fail the skill check, ability roll, or saving throw?  In this episode, we talk about both situations and describe the design concept of failing forward when it comes to adventures.

Earthfall on Golarion, much like the Cataclysm on Krynn, set the stage for the world that was to come for both good and for ill.  At first glance this appears to be just another massive comet strike but there is so much more going on behind the scenes.   Tune in to learn more about this world-shaping event.   #Pathfinder #Golarion #EarthFall

This week I get to answer some of the questions sent in to me by listeners, from how to work with players who can't game as long as others to the Kender controversy to what my favorite dessert is. You don't have to wait for mailbag episodes if you have questions.  Find me on social media @Taking20Podcast or send them to feedback@taking20podcast.com #AskADM #DungeonsandDragons #Pathfinder #DnD

There are relatively few people who thrive on interpersonal conflict and most people shy away from it in the real world.  But what about in your game or at your gaming table?  In this episode, I discuss how to handle arguments between characters, between characters and NPCs, between players and finally between players and GMs.   #DMTips #DnD #Pathfinder #DungeonsandDragons #Dungeons #Dragons

In this episode suggested by Daniel during a donation to ko-fi.com/taking20podcast, I talk about the good, bad, and ugly of allowing your players to harvest their kills and the situations you want to try to avoid if you allow it.  Also, I muttered a lot in this episode and will be going to sit in the sunshine after this to improve my mood. #DnD #Pathfinder #DungeonsandDragons

We've all been there.  We put together this little adventure of daring adventurers doing amazing things to save those that need saving.  Our bad guys are clever, the twist is unexpected and you've worked hours to make sure everything is balanced...and come game night, your players can't even be arsed to learn the quest giver's name or why clearing out the ankhegs is even important. In this episode, I discuss the difficulty of getting players to care, some techniques to make it easier, and close the episode wtih a little fireside chat with the players on the topic. #DnD #RPG #DungeonsandDragons #Pathfinder

By nature of any role playing game where dice are involved, death is a real possibility.  There is a huge difference, however, between one of your PCs dying and all of them.  In this episode I talk about how TPKs happen and what GMs can do before, during, and after the TPK to keep the campaign going using lessons learned from my TPK experiences in the past.

This episode idea comes courtesy of Lauren in California!   Character Downtime is mishandled by too many DMs.  They look at it as time the characters could better spend stabbing things in the face and discovering the Lost Place Settings of Korrak.  I think downtime has a place in nearly any adventure.  In this episode, I discuss why downtime is important and what activities can fill this time that still drives your story forward.

If you'll pardon the phrase, this week Jeremy gushes over an event from the Dragonlance campaign world, Krynn:  the Cataclysm.  This world-altering event was born from the pride of one man:  the Kingpriest who developed a twisted sense of the nature of good, believed the end justified the means, and made demands of the world's gods who responded with fire followed by silence.  Jeremy discusses this destruction, the events leading up to it, and the tragedy that followed.  Finally, he gives a brief tips on how to think about cataclysms and disasters in your world.