The Dungeon Crawl The Dungeon Crawl

This D&D Direct was... lackluster compared to last year. It appeared to be more of a Hasbro merch grab then it was informing the D&D public of anything of serious note. But, that being said, there was some interesting and important details to still be gleaned from this D&D direct. I truly think this D&D direct says more about the future of D&D, and the current state of D&D, then anything else that has happened in recent memory (besides maybe the whole OGL fiasco). 

So get cozy, grab a snack, and listen to my thoughts on this D&D Direct, as well as the thoughts from a new D&D player as a special guest! 

Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/dungeoncrawlnetwork

Links & Discord - https://linktr.ee/dungeoncrawlpod     

Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com
Additional sound effects obtained from https://www.audioblocks.com/and Synrinscape
Music from https://filmmusic.io
"Unseen Horrors" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Support the show

Improvisation or Improv and D&D are often referred to each other in the same sentence. I have even discussed the common phrase of “Yes, And” many different times on this podcast, but have never delved into much detail on what exactly that entails. D&D at it’s core is an Improv based game, there isn’t a script, there isn’t a set path (in good games), and you and your group are constantly creating on the fly. So if we’re going to be playing an Improv game then we should learn Improv skills and elements that will make our games even better.

Insert the wonderful book by Kelly Leonard and Tom Yorton from the world renowned comedy theatre The Second City in Chicago. This book takes the skills they have used and taught in The Second City for decades and repurposes them to be used in different settings instead of just on a stage. Reading through this book gave me a lot of insight into ways to enhance my own D&D game and experience, but also how to be a better member in groups. So let’s discuss how we can utilize these Improv skills to enhance your D&D game, and TTRPG experience. 

Book mentioned - Yes, And: How Improvisation Reverses "No, But" Thinking and Improves Creativity and Collaboration--Lessons from The Second City by Kelly Leonard and Tom Yorton : https://www.amazon.com/Yes-Improvisation-Reverses-Creativity-Collaboration-Lessons/dp/0062248545

Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/dungeoncrawlnetwork

Links & Discord - https://linktr.ee/dungeoncrawlpod     

Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com
Additional sound effects obtained from https://www.audioblocks.com/and Synrinscape
Music from https://filmmusic.io
"Unseen Horrors" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Support the show

One Shots are an important part of the microsystem that is D&D and TTRPGs. They are an easy way to introduce newcomers to a system, to play with a group of people you don't particularly know very well, try out some new ideas, or just take a break while somebody else runs a game for you for once. They are one of the main sources of things you can buy on DMsGuild or DriveThruRPG as they are easier and quicker for authors to make instead of creating an entire campaign.

So let's talk about One Shots, and what makes them so special. Hop into the discord or into the YouTube comments and let me know what your favorite (or least favorite) one shot story/memory is!

Book mentioned - Mini Dungeon Tome by AAW Games : http://mdt.aawgames.com

Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/dungeoncrawlnetwork

Links & Discord - https://linktr.ee/dungeoncrawlpod     

Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com
Additional sound effects obtained from https://www.audioblocks.com/and Synrinscape
Music from https://filmmusic.io
"Unseen Horrors" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Support the show

So it’s been a long while since you’ve last played D&D, and now it feels as if there’s a strange barrier between you and D&D. So how do you get back into D&D and return after a long break? I’m not sure if I have that answer myself, yet after creating this episode I do think I’m closer to it. It can be difficult to reignite your passion for something after a long break from it. Our brains can make something we used to love seem so terrifying. 

This is a strange stream of consciousness type of episode, let me know if you enjoy this type of episode or if you prefer the more informational ones. This was helpful for me to explore why I not only enjoy D&D (like the last episode), but also a few things to keep in mind while I begin again. 

Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/dungeoncrawlnetwork

Links & Discord - https://linktr.ee/dungeoncrawlpod     

Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com
Additional sound effects obtained from https://www.audioblocks.com/and Synrinscape
Music from https://filmmusic.io
"Unseen Horrors" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Support the show

After surfing through the web I discovered a heartwarming post about what keeps DMs going when the going gets tough. It made me reflect upon my own experiences as a DM and on the many reasons why I enjoy being a DM. I think being a Dungeon Master comes with a set of anxieties and fears that is separate from being a player, and understandably so, you are the eyes, ears, noses, and well... everything else of the players as they experience the world you've created. But, there are so many reasons why you should be a DM regardless, it is an experience wholly unique to the TTRPG landscape and improv storytelling. 

So come with me and discover many reasons why you should be a DM if you are on the fence, nervous, or even if you've never thought about it.  

Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/dungeoncrawlnetwork

Our links & Discord - https://linktr.ee/dungeoncrawlpod     

Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com
Additional sound effects obtained from https://www.audioblocks.com/and Synrinscape
Music from https://filmmusic.io
"Unseen Horrors" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Support the show

A lot has happened in the D&D space... Multiple OGL updates... some leaks... some tweets... and lots and lots of raging. Let's get an update on it all and chat about what this OGL update means for the future of D&D, and also the future of TTRPGs as a whole. We'll likely be seeing the ramifications of this for years to come, and I for one, am looking forward to it.

(Also apologies for the not so lovely audio in this episode, my mixer was in the process of dying and is now no longer working, but wanted to get this up) 

Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/dungeoncrawlnetwork

Our links & Discord - https://linktr.ee/dungeoncrawlpod     

D&D OGL Update & Post/Survey - https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1439-ogl-1-0a-creative-commons

Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com
Additional sound effects obtained from https://www.audioblocks.com/and Synrinscape
Music from https://filmmusic.io
"Unseen Horrors" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Support the show