On the Shoulders of Dwarves is a weekly podcast focusing on practical advice for role-players, with a lighthearted atmosphere and no GM screen. Every 30-40 minutes episode focuses on a specific subject, with the aim to provide useful suggestions for players and GMs who are looking to solve a probl…
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What do we mean when we say rewards beyond loot? Not just money, treasure or magic items.
What do we mean when we say rewards beyond loot? Not just money, treasure or magic items.
Some ways to make dumping information more interesting.
Some ways to make dumping information more interesting.
In today's episode we talk about two very different aspects of information management.
In today's episode we talk about two very different aspects of information management.
Compelling Characters and Where to Find Them.
Compelling Characters and Where to Find Them.
Some things to learn from an amazing video game
Some things to learn from an amazing video game
Let someone else do the work ;-)
Let someone else do the work ;-)
Today's episode we will be talking about ways that the GM can make their players feel uplifted.
Today’s episode we will be talking about ways that the GM can make their players feel uplifted.
Some GMing Mind Tricks coming right up
Some GMing Mind Tricks coming right up
What is GMing Anxiety and what can you do about it
What is GMing Anxiety and what can you do about it
How to fish for inspiration from the classical works of literature
How to fish for inspiration from the classical works of literature
A look at the indie games “Kiss Her Before the World Ends”, “Michtim”, “Spring on me“, “DeScriptors“
A look at the indie games “Kiss Her Before the World Ends”, “Michtim”, “Spring on me“, “DeScriptors“
How do you define a “hero” in your game?
How do you define a “hero” in your game?
Is there a name for that moment the GM laughs maniacally?
Is there a name for that moment the GM laughs maniacally?
Do you know which monster is the best? Uri checked
Do you know which monster is the best? Uri checked
How to build a realistic political landscape
How to build a realistic political landscape
When should you decide the whats and hows of your campaign?
When should you decide the whats and hows of your campaign?
How can you control the spotlight in your game?
How can you control the spotlight in your game?
Uri & Eran discuss causes and solutions to derailed adventures.
Uri & Eran discuss causes and solutions to derailed adventures.
How can we cultivate a sense of mystery in our game world (“Here be dragons”)
How can we cultivate a sense of mystery in our game world (“Here be dragons”)
What can you do to empower your fellow players?
What can you do to empower your fellow players?
Definitions (01:45) There are 2 types of RPG streamings - Around the table vs virtual conferencing. Technical Prerequisite (03:15) Streaming platforms: Twitch, youtube, facebook, etc. Consider OBS. What are the needed components to create a stream? Streaming software Conferencing software Overlays (see an example in our game “Folk vs. Medicine” using The Ward RPG) For a few nice examples of setup check out happy jacks http://www.happyjacks.org/ What cool things can you do when streaming (07:30) Audience involvement Interactivity (the audience can influence the game) Integration with social media Issue: Role Players (GM/players) as entertainer. (09:20) Minding your audience (12:50) Channel vs group: Franchises vs Critical Role (12:35) The attraction of Personas vs narrative (15:3) Pre-prep vs organic: Dimension 20 vs RollPlay (18:20) Some effects of streaming on the community (21:05) Expanding the roleplay community Lots of new GMs Fanart Custom art (the creation of a market) Summary (27:55) In short: contact Aviv on twitter (@icel). Taking the load off (29:20) Re-download the last episode Uri - Have started editing episodes. Visited Dragonmeet 2019 in the UK. Eran - Publishing Exotic Ingredients Aviv – The Burn (theburn.live) & Aces in Mechs (icel.itch.io). Email us at show@dwarfcast.net with questions, topic suggestions, and comments on this episode, and check out our Facebook group We have a Patreon page, in case you'd like to support us in a monetary fashion. Also, most links to DriveThruRPG are affiliate, which means we get a bit of money if you buy through them, with no added cost to you. Intro and outro based on On the Shoulders of Dwarves by the Cliches Duo. On the Shoulders of Dwarves is shared under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
Definitions (01:45) There are 2 types of RPG streamings - Around the table vs virtual conferencing. Technical Prerequisite (03:15) Streaming platforms: Twitch, youtube, facebook, etc. Consider OBS. What are the needed components to create a stream? Streaming software Conferencing software Overlays (see an example in our game “Folk vs. Medicine” using The Ward RPG) For a few nice examples of setup check out happy jacks http://www.happyjacks.org/ What cool things can you do when streaming (07:30) Audience involvement Interactivity (the audience can influence the game) Integration with social media Issue: Role Players (GM/players) as entertainer. (09:20) Minding your audience (12:50) Channel vs group: Franchises vs Critical Role (12:35) The attraction of Personas vs narrative (15:3) Pre-prep vs organic: Dimension 20 vs RollPlay (18:20) Some effects of streaming on the community (21:05) Expanding the roleplay community Lots of new GMs Fanart Custom art (the creation of a market) Summary (27:55) In short: contact Aviv on twitter (@icel). Taking the load off (29:20) Re-download the last episode Uri - Have started editing episodes. Visited Dragonmeet 2019 in the UK. Eran - Publishing Exotic Ingredients Aviv – The Burn (theburn.live) & Aces in Mechs (icel.itch.io). Email us at show@dwarfcast.net with questions, topic suggestions, and comments on this episode, and check out our Facebook group We have a Patreon page, in case you'd like to support us in a monetary fashion. Also, most links to DriveThruRPG are affiliate, which means we get a bit of money if you buy through them, with no added cost to you. Intro and outro based on On the Shoulders of Dwarves by the Cliches Duo. On the Shoulders of Dwarves is shared under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
Why is it important? (01:00) Who tracks the initiative? (03:50) Tracking init was considered one of the holy duties of the GM. But does it have to be? See our episode on Sharing GM Responsibilities. Different initiative mechanics: D&D (2E-5E) & Pathfinder (06:20): You roll a d20 for Initiative. (skip to 07:00 to hear us digress to D&D 1E). Pathfinder 2nd (08:14): The skill used for Initiative is determined by the circumstances. Shadowrun (09:08): Initiative score, a number of d6 determined by the type of thing you're doing, the space in which you act. Then initiative passes, reducing 10 after each pass. Exalted (10:53): Ticks ticking by. Phoenix Dawn Command (13:40): The players move the Torch around, every player gets one action in a cycle. Challenges act between turns, on their speed. Star Wars and Genesis (15:30): Two init skills, cool or vigilance. Results become slots, into which each PC or NPC can be inserted once per round. Conan D20 (17:20): You all act before NPCs unless an NPC has an ability or GM spends Doom. One Roll Engine (ORE) (19:15): Declaring at the same time, or by order of Sense stat from low to high. Widest first, Height is the tiebreaker. Getting hit means you're losing a die from a set. Savage Worlds (21:45): Everyone draws cards, some special abilities allow you to re-draw better. Mouse Guard (22:45): Acting in three rounds, choose from 4 options in secret. Apocalypse World (24:54): No such thing as structured gameplay, only different paces. Mistborn Adventure Game (26:52): During Conflicts, you declare actions by order of Wits, high to low, then act in the opposite order, low to high. Changing your declared action invokes a penalty on your roll, which can be quite harsh. (Eran did a whole review on the system, check it out at https://www.eranaviram.me/review-mistborn-adventure-game). Fate Core (28:40): based on skills usually Notice in combat and Empathy in mental Fate Accelerated (29:16): roll approach based on physical or mental combat. Dramatic Initiative (30:04): The person whose turn just ended decide who goes next. Unfortunately, I couldn't track the person who first wrote about this. If you know who this is - tell me. Additional thoughts on Initiative: Eran's new system (31:28) - some thoughts about the new system that Eran is working on. Duels (33:00) - how to resolve duels (“high noon” style) - example: Undeadwood card duel Castle Falkenstein (35:10) has an interesting system as well. You might want to listen to our episode on Opposed PC Rolls if you want to hear more. Summary (36:10) Taking the load off (37:10) Eran - Finishing up Hell's Rebels, how happy they are that the fight was easier than first perceived Uri - played a session 0 for my new Masks campaigns. Also, Escaping Thalamus's Lab is available on DriveThruRpg.
Why is it important? (01:00) Who tracks the initiative? (03:50) Tracking init was considered one of the holy duties of the GM. But does it have to be? See our episode on Sharing GM Responsibilities. Different initiative mechanics: D&D (2E-5E) & Pathfinder (06:20): You roll a d20 for Initiative. (skip to 07:00 to hear us digress to D&D 1E). Pathfinder 2nd (08:14): The skill used for Initiative is determined by the circumstances. Shadowrun (09:08): Initiative score, a number of d6 determined by the type of thing you’re doing, the space in which you act. Then initiative passes, reducing 10 after each pass. Exalted (10:53): Ticks ticking by. Phoenix Dawn Command (13:40): The players move the Torch around, every player gets one action in a cycle. Challenges act between turns, on their speed. Star Wars and Genesis (15:30): Two init skills, cool or vigilance. Results become slots, into which each PC or NPC can be inserted once per round. Conan D20 (17:20): You all act before NPCs unless an NPC has an ability or GM spends Doom. One Roll Engine (ORE) (19:15): Declaring at the same time, or by order of Sense stat from low to high. Widest first, Height is the tiebreaker. Getting hit means you’re losing a die from a set. Savage Worlds (21:45): Everyone draws cards, some special abilities allow you to re-draw better. Mouse Guard (22:45): Acting in three rounds, choose from 4 options in secret. Apocalypse World (24:54): No such thing as structured gameplay, only different paces. Mistborn Adventure Game (26:52): During Conflicts, you declare actions by order of Wits, high to low, then act in the opposite order, low to high. Changing your declared action invokes a penalty on your roll, which can be quite harsh. (Eran did a whole review on the system, check it out at https://www.eranaviram.me/review-mistborn-adventure-game). Fate Core (28:40): based on skills usually Notice in combat and Empathy in mental Fate Accelerated (29:16): roll approach based on physical or mental combat. Dramatic Initiative (30:04): The person whose turn just ended decide who goes next. Unfortunately, I couldn’t track the person who first wrote about this. If you know who this is - tell me. Additional thoughts on Initiative: Eran’s new system (31:28) - some thoughts about the new system that Eran is working on. Duels (33:00) - how to resolve duels (“high noon” style) - example: Undeadwood card duel Castle Falkenstein (35:10) has an interesting system as well. You might want to listen to our episode on Opposed PC Rolls if you want to hear more. Summary (36:10) Taking the load off (37:10) Eran - Finishing up Hell’s Rebels, how happy they are that the fight was easier than first perceived Uri - played a session 0 for my new Masks campaigns. Also, Escaping Thalamus’s Lab is available on DriveThruRpg.
Different types of Dice Mechanic - Exploding dice - What are they? And the effects they generate? (01:05) - The Wild Die ([Savage Worlds RPG](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/261539/Savage-Worlds-Adventure-Edition?affiliate_id=2966)) (03:50) - Min-max-mid die ([Sentinel comics the RPG](https://store.greaterthangames.com/sentinel-comics-the-roleplaying-game-starter-kit.html)) (06:30) - Escalation Die ([13th age RPG](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/118994/13th-Age-Core-Book?affiliate_id=29668)) (09:08) - Depletion Die (General OSR games) (12:34) - Hero point tracker die (We use it to track and add in pf2 and D&D 5e bardic inspiration ) (16:45) - Monument die ([Icarus RPG](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/273848/Icarus-How-Great-Civilizations-Fall?affiliate_id=29668)) (19:05) - Specialty dice : Crit die, sex position die, alignment die, chores dice (20:54) #### Summary (23:10) Clever use of dice mechanic influences the way we, the players, experience the game. #### Taking the load off (25:00) Uri - Uri's adventure “[Escaping Thalamus's Lab](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/294848/Escaping-Thalamuss-Lab?affiliate_id=29668)” is actually already available! [Click here to buy it](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/294848/Escaping-Thalamuss-Lab?affiliate_id=29668). Eran - [Aces in Mechs](https://icel.itch.io/aces-in-mechs) by our Technical dwarf Aviv “Icel” Manoach
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