Episode 246: The Actual Episode

Hey everyone! We've got an important episode for you- we're joined by Damian the DM from Adventures in Erylia, to talk about something we've never really done a deep dive on: the process of creating and producing an Actual Play podcast! Damian has a lot to say, as he's spent the last several years creating one over on his own show! So strap in, and get ready for a wild ride.

And remember, for more podcasts, visit our friends at Crit Academy, Brute Force and Ignorance, The Kind GM, and D&D Character Lab! And for books, adventures, and videos, check out Goblin Stone, Loresmyth, Aurican's Lair, and Jeff Stevens!

We've only got a few more episodes left, so join us for another great one next time!

Episode 246: Real Talk About Actual Play

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Question(s) answered this episode:

1. When recording an Actual Play podcast, what are the best recording software options?

2. What are tips and hacks for short-cutting or expediting the post recording editing process?

3. How do you prevent or reduce side conversations that are fun at a normal game but would distract and annoy a podcast audience?

4. Similarly, how do you strike a balance of getting to know the players and keeping the focus of the pod on the characters?

5. Do you give PCs plot armor in an actual play? What are some reasons for or against?

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Noteworthy Links:

Extra Life, a charity gaming event in which we've taken part in previous years

Weapons of Legacy

Adventures in Erylia

Damian_the_DM on twitch

Zoom H6 and Zoom L12, two audio interfaces used by Damian

Hindenberg Journalist, an audio editing program Damian uses

Audacity, the audio editing program we use

Nowhere Men: The Nowhere Man Project, one of my other podcasts

DnD Beyond

The Kobold Fight Club, an online resource to design encounters in 5e D&D

Actual Play Podcasts discussed in this episode:

The Adventure Zone

Nerd Poker

Godsfall

Glass Cannon

Film Reroll

Critical Role

Stemming the Tide (from the people behind Encounter This!)

Episode 245: Soon To Be An Expired Podcast

We're back again on a very special day, and we're celebrating by bringing you all another great episode! How do you update character options from previous editions? Can you start a campaign in the middle of the action, rather than a "starting point" like a tavern? And what to do when an ability ruins the adventure you planned?

We discuss these topics and more, so leave your thoughts in the comments below!

And remember, for more podcasts, visit our friends at Crit Academy, Brute Force and Ignorance, The Kind GM, and D&D Character Lab! And for books, adventures, and videos, check out Goblin Stone, Loresmyth, Aurican's Lair, and Jeff Stevens!

See you next week, with a special guest!

Episode 245: Expired Ideas

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Question(s) answered this episode:

1. If you wanted to run a campaign based on an earlier edition, but the character options (races, classes, etc.) hadn't been updated to the current edition, how would you proceed?

2. How do you feel about starting session 1 in media res rather than a "starting point" like a tavern?

3. One of my players had a class feature that completely ruined my adventure. Was I in the wrong to house rule that ability away?

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Noteworthy Links:

Blade and Sorcery, a VR game JEff has been playing

Half-Life Alyx

Ikea

Abomination Vaults

Cthulhu

Dawn of Worlds

Wilden on DMs Guild

Shardmind on DMs Guild

Film Reroll presents Memento

Heroes Unlimited

Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail

Episode 244: Let's Start A Restaurant Instead Of A Podcast

Hello, everyone! We've got another good one for you, and this time we're talking about earning money and gaining recognition. But wait- NOT by adventuring? What's this about? Come hear us talk about letting your players start a business, and passing the blame- I mean credit- onto someone who doesn't necessarily deserve it. Share your thoughts below!

And remember, for more podcasts, visit our friends at Crit Academy, Brute Force and Ignorance, The Kind GM, and D&D Character Lab! And for books, adventures, and videos, check out Goblin Stone, Loresmyth, Aurican's Lair, and Jeff Stevens!

Catch us next time, when we've got another great episode ready to go!

Episode 244: Valar Dohaeris

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Question(s) answered this episode:

1. What should I do when my players would rather be store owners than adventurers?

2. Imagine an NPC pays the party to make them famous by staging a battle or giving them credit for some heroic act. How would you do this throughout a campaign?

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Noteworthy Links:

Dread Gazebo

Moonlighter

Critical Role, a mildly-popular D&D Actual Play group

Castle Crashers

Shackled City

Wildermyth

Fire Emblem

Episode 243: Good gods!

We're back again with another great episode this week. This time we're talking about deities- how does a mortal become one? And if bad turns to worse and you have to fight one, how can you level the playing field? We've got some fun ideas, so come with us and share your thoughts below!

And the winner of the final drawing for the fantastic leather book cover from MaumeeRiverLeather.com is...... BlackMagus2651! Congratulations! That brings our drawings to a close, so let me take this opportunity and thank all of the great people who made them happen. You are all awesome!

And remember, for more podcasts, visit our friends at Crit Academy, Brute Force and Ignorance, The Kind GM, and D&D Character Lab! And for books, adventures, and videos, check out Goblin Stone, Loresmyth, Aurican's Lair, and Jeff Stevens!

Until next time, remember: if someone asks you if you're a god, you say YES!

Episode 243: Encountering Gods

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Question(s) answered this episode:

1. How does a person become a god?

2. I'm going to be fighting a god soon, what's some advice you can give?

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Noteworthy Links:

Home Shopping Network

Happy Fun Ball, an SNL sketch that we mentioned in a bit that got cut from the episode

Extraordinary Expeditions, the newest kickstarter from Crit Academy

Fullmetal Alchemist

Percy Jackson

Sandman, a graphic novel series by Neil Gaiman

Tulpa, the belief that if enough people believe in something, it becomes true

The Apparition, the movie I was referencing when talking about tulpas. Here's a weird thing though: the movie isn't actually about a tulpa, it's just about an evil spirit that kills people. However, the marketing heavily implied the creature's power was based on belief (possibly based on an earlier version of the script, or possibly just a misunderstanding or intentional mislead of the movie's plot) which would have made for a much better movie IMO.

The Lord of Blades

Lichqueen's Beloved

Azeroth

Final Fantasy VII

Lavos, the endboss of Chrono Trigger

Wild Arms, one of my favorite JRPGs

Merlin, a 1998 movie with Sam Neill

The Simpsons

Nowhere Man 

Basket Case, a bizarre horror film

Zombieland: Double Tap

Cabin in the Woods

Event Horizon

Gonjiam Haunted Asylum

A Quiet Place Part 2

House of Ashes

Squid Game

Alien and Aliens, courtesy of the Film Reroll

Episode 242: After-Halloween Edition

Welcome back, everyone! I hope you had a wonderful Halloween (and if you didn't listen already, go check out our horror-themed Actual Play that went on the main feed on the 31st)! We're hitting the ground running this week, covering a grab bag of short topics- we talk survival, exotic mounts, new characters, and young characters. Come along with us, and share your thoughts below!

If you're looking to win something cool, there's still time! We have one more fantastic drawing for fantastic leather goods from MaumeeRiverLeather.com, and this last drawing- for the awesome leather book cover- is going to be taking place next Tuesday, November 9th. To enter the drawing, all you need to do is leave us a review on the platform of your choice, and send us a photo. Don't miss out!

And remember, for more podcasts, visit our friends at Crit Academy, Brute Force and Ignorance, The Kind GM, and D&D Character Lab! And for books, adventures, and videos, check out Goblin Stone, Loresmyth, Aurican's Lair, and Jeff Stevens!

Keep it safe out there, and we'll see you next time!

Episode 242: Exotic Survivability

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Question(s) answered this episode:

1. What methods would you recommend to let someone survive in a Bag of Holding for as long as possible?

2. When a PC dies, what level do you give to the new PC?

3. What is the strangest mount you've ever had?

4. How young is too young for a player character?

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Noteworthy Links:

Curse of the Azure Bonds

Red Hand of Doom

Yrthak

The Tumbler, an elemental-bound vehicle in Eberron capable of travelling through solid ground

Garg and Moonslicer, a writing prompt on Reddit that went viral

Episode 241: Extra, Extra Spoopy Edition

Happy Halloween Week, everyone! For the spooOOookiest time of the year, we've brought you the spooOOookiest episode of the year! This week we're making an impromptu horror dungeon just for you, using the five-room dungeon framework. Come along, and enjoy the ride!

This week's winner of Seawood Scribe's Witch class supplement is Michael T! Congratulations, Michael! You should be getting that in your e-mail soon. Be sure to leave Seawood Scribe a review, so he can continue making great products in the future!

And if you're looking to win something cool, you're in luck! We still have one more fantastic drawing for fantastic leather goods from MaumeeRiverLeather.com, and this last drawing- for the awesome leather book cover- is going to be taking place on Tuesday, November 9th. To enter the drawing, all you need to do is leave us a review on the platform of your choice, and send us a photo. Don't miss out!

And remember, for more podcasts, visit our friends at Crit Academy, Brute Force and Ignorance, The Kind GM, and D&D Character Lab! And for books, adventures, and videos, check out Goblin Stone, Loresmyth, Aurican's Lair, and Jeff Stevens!

Thanks for listening, and don't get TOO spooky... oh, who am I kidding? Get spooOOooOOky to the max!

Episode 241: Ye Olde Haunted House

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Question(s) answered this episode:

1. How do you make a spooky horror adventure?

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Noteworthy Links:

Army of the Dead, the best movie I watched this month

Mulva, the worst movie I watched this month

Emeril Lagasse, a celebrity chef from the 90s

Bonus_action, the creator of the Halloween-themed magic items from today's episode

Oberon's Guide to the Courts of Power, another great supplement from Seawood Scribe

Rise of the Runelords, Paizo's first Pathfinder Adventure Path

The 7th Guest, an FMV puzzle game for CD-ROM

Dumbwaiters

The Cake Is A Lie, the catch phrase from Portal

Clue, a murder mystery movie with Tim Curry and others

Episode 240: Episode Encountered!

Welcome back, everyone! This week we're joined by Freeman from Encounter This, a great podcast all about the monsters and villains you know and love from your favorite roleplaying games. With his help, we've brought a super-sized episode talking about monsters, villains, game mechanics- everything you could want! So strap in, get comfortable, and enjoy!

This week's winner of Seawood Scribe's Witch class supplement is James M! Congratulations, James! You should be getting that in your e-mail soon. Be sure to leave Seawood Scribe a review, so he can continue making great products in the future!

And if you're looking to win something cool, you're in luck! We still have one more fantastic drawing for fantastic leather goods from MaumeeRiverLeather.com, and this last drawing- for the awesome leather book cover- is going to be taking place on Tuesday, November 9th. To enter the drawing, all you need to do is leave us a review on the platform of your choice, and send us a photo. Don't miss out!

And remember, for more podcasts, visit our friends at Crit Academy, Brute Force and Ignorance, The Kind GM, and D&D Character Lab! And for books, adventures, and videos, check out Goblin Stone, Loresmyth, Aurican's Lair, and Jeff Stevens!

Thanks for listening, and be sure to catch us next week- when we have the spooOOooOOkiest episode of the year!

Episode 240: Big Borrowed Evil Guys

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Question(s) answered this episode:

1. What monsters make the best Big Bad Evil Guy?

2. What is your favorite villain trope and how often do you use them?

3. What mechanics would you borrow from other game systems, why, and how do you keep/make them balanced?

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Noteworthy Links:

Las Vegas

Arcade 1up, a series of slightly-miniaturized arcade cabinets for sale

Chaos Emeralds

Haguary, the first of many "suites" on Encounter This covering many different varieties of a given monster

Illithid Savant, a class designed specifically for Mindflayer PCs

The Borg

Mass Effect

Watchmen

Shrek

Shadow of Mordor, a Lord of the Rings game with a "Nemesis" system where enemies level up as you kill them or they kill you

Blades in the Dark, an RPG by Evil Hat games

7th Sea, an RPG that was made so that heroes cannot be killed doing ordinary things

Dishonored

Dark Souls

Matt Colville, a great Youtuber that covers tons of D&D-related topics

Star Trek

Challenge Accepted, a Skill Challenge supplement for 5e D&D from Crit Academy

Tearable RPG

GURPS

Zack McCracken and the Alien Mind Benders

Abomination Vaults, a new adventure path from Paizo