Podcasts about session zero

If your evil character isn't at least pretending to be helpful, they're not evil—they're just unemployed. In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the hosts dive deep into the dark, morally murky world of evil characters in tabletop RPGs. With Ash leading the charge, the conversation focuses on how to play a character with evil tendencies without destroying the game, the party, or your friendships. The hosts explore different shades of evil alignments, the narrative value of morally compromised PCs, and offer practical advice on how to maintain group cohesion when one of the players is clearly up to no good. From selfish rogues to power-hungry warlocks, the cast lays out the dos and don'ts of roleplaying antagonistic characters responsibly. This episode balances philosophical alignment discussion with real-world table etiquette, all while keeping things lighthearted, insightful, and occasionally disturbing in the best way. If you've ever wanted to play the villain—but not be one—this is your guide. Check out our Best of Season 1 and Best of Season 2 playlists! Get in on the DungeonFlow Beta at DungeonFlow.app MATERIALS REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes RPGBOT.Podcast S2E9 – Alignment (part 1 of 2) RPGBOT.Podcast S2E9 – Alignment (part 2 of 2) Content from RPGBOT.net Otherworldly Patrons and You – DnD 5e Dark Gifts or Distinctive Quirks? – DnD 5e Villains – RPGBOT.Podcast S2E58 Other Stuff Book of Vile Darkness (3e) (affiliate link) Monstrous Races (affiliate link) Tasha's Cauldron of Everything (affiliate link) Way of the Wicked (affiliate link) Key Takeaways: Evil characters can enhance a TTRPG story if they're crafted with intention and communication. Session Zero is the place to set expectations and make sure everyone is on board. A "safe sociopath" in-game should never be a real-life problem player. Evil characters should elevate the story—not just hog the spotlight or sow chaos. It's okay to play dark themes—but not at the cost of trust at the table. Redemption arcs and “gray morality” often make more compelling characters than cartoon villains. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

With the first arc of our Fallout 2d20 campaign completed, we sit down with some coffee to reflect on the game. We talk about the 2d20 system's strengths, campaign story arcs, funky dice, perk cards, and immersive mechanics. Looking ahead, we think about future campaign goals, new characters, and deeper dives into Fallout-style survival gameplay. Want more Fallout 2d20? Check out: Post: Fallout 2d20 Campaign & RPG Resources Podcast: Gore and Lore in Fallout – Campaigns & Coffee Podcast: Fallout Zones Chapters 0:00 Intro & Fallout Campaign Overview1:17 First Impressions of the Fallout 2D20 System3:38 Luck as a Game-Breaking Stat?6:05 Perks, PDFs, and the Art of Scavenging8:22 Critiques: Special Dice, Proprietary Components10:23 What Didn't Work—Or We Didn't Use13:40 Cheat Sheets and GM Tools14:44 Favorite In-Game Moments16:42 Character Growth and Future Arcs20:15 Would You Play It Again?21:56 Combat Mechanics and Cover23:04 Planning the Next Arc: Session Zero Redux24:56 Minion Mailbag: Dungeon Guard Duty Snacks26:10 Outro Listen to the Episode Watch to the Episode Watch Fallout 2d20 Wrap-up (Campaigns & Coffee) on YouTube. Show Notes Fallout 2D20 system wrap-up after six sessions Reflections on long break and return to post-apocalyptic play Mechanics discussion: perks, action points, special dice, and the role of luck Praise and critiques: rulebook usability, proprietary materials, and gameplay smoothness Favorite moments: Pip-Boy puzzles, Nurse 17's goldfish crusade, and ghoul roleplay Hopes for future arcs: deeper scavenging, zone maps, and expanded character growth Josh contemplating retiring "Lucky Buck" Session Zero for planning future campaign direction Bonus question: Best snack for dungeon guard duty Featured Image The door from Vault 81 in Fallout 4.

Meet Flitlik and Vlinaggin, our new... heroes!  We delve into new characters and the homebrew rules of FRONTIERS including The Fated Number, the Event Die and Settlement Stats. Theme song by Grant Craven Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/noquestcast

Unlock the secrets to crafting captivating worlds with the incredible Chip Watchorn! Join us as we delve into the foundational concepts of TTRPG cartography, from Chip's own inspiring journey and the vital role a good map plays in your campaign, to essential principles and the different types of maps every GM should consider. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to refine your skills, Chip shares invaluable insights on where to start, fundamental techniques (both analog and digital), and how to avoid common pitfalls, setting you on the path to creating immersive and engaging worlds for your players to explore. Cartograph - The Mapmaking TTRPG If you'd like to get yourself a copy of Cartograph by Brandon Lee, published by The Ravensridge Press, check out the link here! We hope you're learning a lot from your attendance at SZU and that you continue listening as classes are released! Additionally, feel free to follow us using the social links below, or by clicking the icons. Feel free to share our show with anyone who loves Dungeons and Dragons, other TTRPGs, and actual-play podcasts! Finally, if you would be so kind, we would appreciate a review on whatever platform you're listening on. It would mean a lot and help to support our podcast and allow us to grow! Thanks so much for listening! Social Media LinkTree - A Full List of Our Links Instagram - @SessionZeroHeroes Facebook - @SessionZeroHeroes Bluesky - @szhpodcast.bsky.social X- @Session0Heroes © 2023 Session Zero Heroes. All rights reserved.

Welcome back to Camp Studston for a grand summer of fun activities, earning Builder Badges, and hunting terrible monsters! Join Master Brickithon, Pilfer the Pirate, and Oleg the Exchange Student as we expand on their world, adapting it for play using the Bump in the Dark RPG. • • • Patreon: patreon.com/improvtabletop Twitter / Instagram / Facebook / TikTok: @ImprovTabletop Email: ImprovTabletop@gmail.com Donations: ko-fi.com/improvtabletop • • • Audio Credits The theme song for The Tension Builders is "Melodic Marauders Scared Stupid" by Ned Wilcock. The following songs are used courtesy of the YouTube Audio Library License. "TipToes" by Myuu • • • This actual play episode uses the Bump in the Dark RPG rules by Jex Thomas. This is a fanmade work of parody. Improv Tabletop is not affiliated with the LEGO brand or its owner The LEGO Group.

Session Zero of our Alien RPG campaign, Destroyer of Worlds.Music by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/music.htmlChat with us in the Official Discord Server: https://discord.gg/AjvtemjSupport the channel at https://www.patreon.com/Roguewatson

Show us your favorite things to include in your session 0! Phil and Senda are joined by invisible third panda Ryan Boelter (our editor) in celebration of their 100th show with us. Thanks Ryan!! Check MORE

Join us for the first ever installment of the Session Zero University's Book Club, a place where we grab a piece of TTRPG content and take a deep dive into it, discussing how it works and the exciting elements we're excited to try. Today, we'll be discussing 1985 Games' Obojima: Into the Tall Grass, a D&D world inspired by Studio Ghibli and The Legend of Zelda. We'll dive into the new species, subclasses, magic items, mechanics, monsters, and more, so sit back, relax, have a scone and some tea, and enjoy this episode of Session Zero University's Book Club! To find out more about Obojima and order more, check out the 1985 Games website below (not a sponsor). https://1985games.com/pages/obojima We hope you're learning a lot from your attendance at SZU, and that you continue listening as classes are released! Additionally, feel free to follow us using the social links below, or by clicking the icons. Feel free to share our show with anyone who loves Dungeons and Dragons, other TTRPGs, and actual-play podcasts! Finally, if you would be so kind, we would appreciate a review on whatever platform you're listening on. It would mean a lot and help to support our podcast and allow us to grow! Thanks so much for listening! Social Media LinkTree - A Full List of Our Links Instagram - @SessionZeroHeroes Facebook - @SessionZeroHeroes Bluesky - @szhpodcast.bsky.social X- @Session0Heroes © 2023 Session Zero Heroes. All rights reserved.

Die zweite Staffel The Last of Us steht in den Startlöchern – und Marcel & Micha kriechen aus ihren Bunkern, um über ein Genre zu reden, das sie lieben: Post-Apokalypsen im Rollenspiel!

This time... On City On A Hill...Cameron leads a few of us through a session zero of sorts for an upcoming oneshot in the Marvel Multiverse system! Join Emma and I, as we make characters and Cameron explains the system!Oh, and we are now on BlueSky so come see us! Link down below!Cameron - twitch.tv/CameronPlusDeanna - twitch.tv/1Geek411Emma - https://twitter.com/iamnotprepaired - https://twitter.com/1Geek411 - twitch.tv/1Geek411Big thanks to our supporters! Grizzly Rich, JD, Bryan, Sir Lord Epicname, Andrew, Christina, Tonyhttps://www.patreon.com/cityonahillgamingCheck us out at @cityonahillgaming.bsky.social on BlueSky or email us at cityonahillgaming@gmail.comUs on the Discord - https://discord.gg/N2Qj8fk5wELeave us a rating/review on iTunes or whatever awesome podcast app you use. And tell us where you listen to the fun!

Turn of Fortunes Wheel Session 0 Sometimes we can't all get together at the same time, so instead of missing out we're branching off on an alternate adventure that doesn't always need the same people  Join us as we explore Sigil and the outlands, there is a glitch in the multiverse and its up to us to correct it!  Join Dave, Chayse, Raf, Morley and Matt as the Arcane Dice podcast  Not only can you listen to the arcane dice podcast from wherever you enjoy your podcasts you can also watch our episodes on YouTube!! https://www.youtube.com/@arcanedicepodcast5065/featured  

This week we take a shambling and rambling look at Green Ronin's forthcoming "Fifth Season" roleplaying game, based on N.K. Jemisin's multi-award winning "Broken Earth" trilogy.

This time... On City On A Hill...Cameron leads a few of us through a session zero of sorts for an upcoming oneshot in the Marvel Multiverse system! Join Emma and I, as we make characters and Cameron explains the system!Oh, and we are now on BlueSky so come see us! Link down below!Cameron - twitch.tv/CameronPlusDeanna - twitch.tv/1Geek411Emma - https://twitter.com/iamnotprepaired - https://twitter.com/1Geek411 - twitch.tv/1Geek411Big thanks to our supporters! Grizzly Rich, JD, Bryan, Sir Lord Epicname, Andrew, Christina, Tonyhttps://www.patreon.com/cityonahillgamingCheck us out at @cityonahillgaming.bsky.social on BlueSky or email us at cityonahillgaming@gmail.comUs on the Discord - https://discord.gg/N2Qj8fk5wELeave us a rating/review on iTunes or whatever awesome podcast app you use. And tell us where you listen to the fun!

Every Game Master will eventually face player conflict at the table—whether it's clashing playstyles, rules disputes, or personal disagreements. But how you handle it can mean the difference between a game-ruining argument and a quick resolution that keeps the fun going. In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, we dive into:

Wanting to create your own world full of thriving cultures, intriguing locations, interesting mechanics, and clever characters but you're struggling to figure out HOW? Well, you've come to the right place. Teaching Assistant Doug Grosser assists us in delving into the vast world of worldbuilding to share with us the structure of design, the methods of diving into details, and preparing everything you need to throw your characters into the world of your imagination! Come learn all the tips and tricks you'll need to build your world! Check Out Doug's Voice-Acting If you were as entranced by Doug's voices during this episode as we were and want to work with him on a project you're developing desperate for a phenomenal voice, then check out Doug's VO Resume Site and get in contact with him today. You won't be disappointed! We hope you're learning a lot from your attendance at SZU, and that you continue listening as classes are released! Additionally, feel free to follow us using the social links below, or by clicking the icons. Feel free to share our show with anyone who loves Dungeons and Dragons, other TTRPGs, and actual-play podcasts! Finally, if you would be so kind, we would appreciate a review on whatever platform you're listening from. It would mean a lot and help to support our podcast and allow us to grow! Thanks so much for listening! Social Media LinkTree - A Full List of Our Links Instagram - @SessionZeroHeroes Facebook - @SessionZeroHeroes Bluesky - @szhpodcast.bsky.social X- @Session0Heroes © 2023 Session Zero Heroes. All rights reserved.

Get a copy here: https://vastgrimm.com/ Music Attribution: Theme: Captain's Log/The Doctor-Side B, by: Glitter in the Darkness Sound Effect from Cosmic-scapes from Pixabay Sound Effect from Simon Finta from Pixabay Follow us!

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This is an audio rip of the YouTube series which can be found here.LINKS!Imperium Maledictum on DTTRPG: www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/305328The Questionnaire (written by Matt): docs.google.com/presentation/d/1zNTdgOz...3 Skulls Discord: Discord: https://3skulls.tv/discord3 Skulls social media links & current project info: https://3skulls.pub============================CHAPTERS(00:00) Introduction(00:32) Player Intros(03:00) GM experience of 40k(05:59) Campaign Pitch(08:07) Campaign Notes(10:50) PC Intros(14:25) 10 QUESTIONS(14:33) Q1. Family(19:17) Q2. Belief(22:22) Q3. Motivation(24:45) Q4. Fear(28:46) Q5. Free Time(31:50) Q6. Ally(35:53) Q7. How the PCs met(36:44) Q8. First Mission Together(38:57) Q9. First Guild Mission(40:09) Q10. Connection to Patron(43:09) Short-Term Goals(50:47) Long-Term Goals(56:04) Foundry Overview(01:00:37) Outro============================The YouTube video was sponsored by Molten Hosting: https://moltenhosting.comThis channel is a proud supporter of both BlackLivesMatter and TransLivesMatter. Find out how you can support both of these movements at the links below:https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.cohttps://transrightshumanrights.carrd.co

In dieser Folge von Talk to Play tauchen Marcel und Micha kopfüber in den finsteren Abgrund von Trophy Dark – einem Rollenspiel, das eure Charaktere mit Haut und Haar verschlingt.

Hi guys! This is the 33rd video in my series on How to be an Awesome GM. I hope you enjoy it! Spread the word, share it with friends. :) You can now listen to me on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Locals, and Rumble, as well as YouTube. Links are below!Joe's Links:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3NYr1znhg7i0aSQoyUcI6o?si=0c71530927984ea1Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/joethelawyers-analog-mancave/id1441356270Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/joethelawyerLocals: https://joethelawyersanalogmancave.locals.comEmail: analogmancave@gmail.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/analogmancave Twitter: https://twitter.com/analogmancave Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077311317522 MeWe: www.mewe.com/i/joed15 Webpage: www.analogmancave.com

Hi guys! This is the 32nd video in my series on How to be an Awesome GM. I hope you enjoy it! Spread the word, share it with friends. :) You can now listen to me on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Locals, and Rumble, as well as YouTube. Links are below!Joe's Links:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3NYr1znhg7i0aSQoyUcI6o?si=0c71530927984ea1Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/joethelawyers-analog-mancave/id1441356270Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/joethelawyerLocals: https://joethelawyersanalogmancave.locals.comEmail: analogmancave@gmail.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/analogmancave Twitter: https://twitter.com/analogmancave Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077311317522 MeWe: www.mewe.com/i/joed15 Webpage: www.analogmancave.com

As a pre-cursor to the start of an all new homebrew adventure for the 2025 Glass Cannon Live! tour, the crew got together in studio to talk about ideas for their new characters, party roles and how these people fit in to the world of Ascension! Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/rB71uN8Ifac Join Troy Lavallee, Joe O'Brien, Skid Maher, Matthew Capodicasa, Sydney Amanuel, and Kate Stamas as they tour the country. Get your tickets today at glasscannonnetwork.com/live-tour. Access exclusive podcasts, ad-free episodes, and livestreams with a 30-day free trial with code "GCN30" at jointhenaish.com. For more podcasts and livestreams, visit glasscannonnetwork.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The rotation continues to rotate as Matt gets his next shot and decides to run Symbaroum from Free League. We spend this session zero chatting about broad ideas for our characters, our faction, and the world itself. Join us on our Discord: https://discord.gg/tQGJVsrnNp Follow us on Blue Sky and X @BlackLodgeRPG and on Mastadon @ BLTN Recorded on 1/30/25 Music: Intro Theme: Dances and Dames by Kevin MacLeod. Free League: https://freeleaguepublishing.com/games/symbaroum/ 00:00:00 Intro 00:04:08 Trivia 00:08:42 Discussion Start

Players and GMs, are you trapped with a constant stream of the traditional Medieval High Fantasy? Have you attempted to convert the Dungeons and Dragons rules in such a way as to play new themes only to be met with days of work and poor results? Perhaps, it's because you need a new system. Join Hartly Llosa, creator of the Nightbringer system to talk to us about breaking free of the D&D-only mindset and teach us how we can explore new systems, worlds, themes, and more! Check out the Nightbringer TTRPG on Kickstarter We hope you're learning a lot from your attendance at SZU, and that you continue listening as classes are released! Additionally, feel free to follow us using the social links below, or by clicking the icons. Feel free to share our show with anyone who loves Dungeons and Dragons, other TTRPGs, and actual-play podcasts! Finally, if you would be so kind, we would appreciate a review on whatever platform you're listening from. It would mean a lot and help to support our podcast and allow us to grow! Thanks so much for listening! Social Media LinkTree - A Full List of Our Links Instagram - @SessionZeroHeroes Facebook - @SessionZeroHeroes Bluesky - @szhpodcast.bsky.social X- @Session0Heroes © 2023 Session Zero Heroes. All rights reserved.

Starting off the new season with utter chaos! Tom - The GumshoeJay - The ChosenMikel - The DivineKelly - The Vessel (our Homebrewed Playbook) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I've returned to my Blood of the Avatars D&D campaign after a four year hiatus. This is a session zero we had as we prepared to get the campaign going again.Check Out my NEW PODCAST - Lex Out LoudCall the Game Master's Journey voice mail: 951-GMJ-LEX1 (951-465-5391).If you're a new listener, and you'd like to go back to the beginning, here's a link to Episode 1.If you're interested in worldbuilding and/or my D&D campaign setting of Primordia, check out the first worldbuilding episode. You can go to this page to see all the episodes that discuss worldbuilding.Check out my latest D&D supplement, Adventurers of Primordia.

Join us for your first class at Session Zero University: Intramural One-Shots with Professor Cameron Hoogendyk (Dr. Roger James Biddenbocker) who will be sharing not only WHY you should run one-shots, but also the when, where, what, who, and how of running one-shots! Although this isn't a "required class" you'd be missing out on a lot of golden information if you don't sit down and learn the ins and outs of one-shot sessions/campaigns from long-time GM Cameron! We hope you're learning a lot from your attendance at SZU, and that you continue listening as classes are released! Additionally, feel free to follow us using the social links below, or by clicking the icons. Feel free to share our show with anyone who loves Dungeons and Dragons, other TTRPGs, and actual-play podcasts! Finally, if you would be so kind, we would appreciate a review on whatever platform you're listening from. It would mean a lot and help to support our podcast and allow us to grow! Thanks so much for listening! Social Media LinkTree - A Full List of Our Links Instagram - @SessionZeroHeroes Facebook - @SessionZeroHeroes Twitter - @Session0Heroes © 2023 Session Zero Heroes. All rights reserved.

Join us as we begin our @Dungeons & Dragons liveplay of Tyranny of Dragons with this Session Zero! You can buy Tyranny of Dragons here: https://amzn.to/3XJvuND

This week we dip our toes back into the waters of hell!  We backdoor pilot one of our upcoming season 2 12 shows Session Zero, and we use the battle between heaven and hell as our test subject.  Rob Bass takes us through creating warbands for this one-of-a-kind game. This link here folks  https://jordanrannells.com/ https://waywardraven.com/ […]

In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, we tackle one of the most chaotic challenges a GM can face—dealing with "murder hobo" players. These are the characters who loot, kill, and destroy indiscriminately, often derailing campaigns and leaving the game world in ruins. But fear not! We'll explore why players lean into this style, how to redirect their energy, and ways to introduce meaningful consequences without stifling their fun. From setting clear expectations in Session Zero to crafting moral dilemmas and dynamic consequences, this episode is packed with tips to help you manage and channel the chaos. Tune in and learn how to keep your game engaging and balanced, no matter what your players throw at you!

Why does every D&D session eventually turn into: 5% storytelling, 10% rolling dice, 85% lying to NPCs and starting fires? In this week's RPGBOT.Podcast, we dive into the mechanics of deception, the ethics of lying, and why arson is the unofficial party pastime. Tune in for laughs, insights, and a light-hearted debate about why your characters can't stop lighting things on fire. SUMMARY In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the hosts dive headfirst into the tangled web of deception mechanics in role-playing games, with a focus on Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. They explore the nuances of lying, from the rules of deception and insight checks to the moral and mechanical implications of bending the truth in-game. Key topics include: Passive vs. Active Skills: What's the difference, and why does it matter when your rogue is trying to bluff their way into a royal banquet? The Ethics of Deception: When is it just role-play, and when is it too much? Spoiler alert: It involves a bard and a dragon. Player Agency vs. Simplified Rules: How do new editions balance ease of use with meaningful gameplay, and what does it mean for deception-heavy campaigns? Session Zero Magic: Why setting expectations early can prevent your party from devolving into a group of pyromaniac con artists. Sprinkled with hilarious anecdotes of chaotic character antics and light-hearted debates on topics like "the prevalence of arson in RPGs," this episode is a must-listen for players and DMs alike. Whether you're a veteran tabletop gamer or just figuring out why your bard keeps trying to seduce everyone, this discussion will leave you laughing—and maybe questioning your party's motives. LINKS d20SRD.org - Skills Archives of Nethys - Deception 2024 Player's Handbook Other Stuff Lou Diamond Phillips EPISODE TAKEAWAYS Communication is key to a cohesive RPG experience, especially in the digital age. Deception in RPGs is nuanced, with varying definitions that impact gameplay. Insight and deception mechanics differ across game editions, offering unique challenges. Player agency is crucial for meaningful outcomes in deception scenarios. Active skills like Insight enhance engagement, while passive skills can hinder storytelling. Simplified rules can sometimes create confusion rather than clarity. Charisma often plays a central role in deception mechanics. Rolling for checks is generally more engaging than relying on passive assessments. Secret rolls can heighten tension and unpredictability in gameplay. Failure should remain an option to keep gameplay dynamic and engaging. Pathfinder 2's approach to deception mechanics feels more dynamic compared to D&D 5e. Session Zero is vital for aligning player and DM expectations about deception and storytelling. High passive skills can reduce tension, diminishing the stakes of deception. Humor and unexpected character actions often add depth to gameplay. Arson is a hilariously recurring theme in many RPG campaigns. Game mechanics should always serve the story, not hinder it. Context is critical in deception checks—mechanics alone aren't enough. Players are often willing to believe lies that work in their favor. Understanding player motivations enhances storytelling and gameplay. A good balance between humor and strategy enriches the gaming experience. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra Twitter: @RPGBOTDOTNET Facebook: rpgbotbotdotnet Bluesky:rpgbot.bsky.social Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games Twitter: @GravenAshes YouTube@ashravenmedia Randall James @JackAmateur Amateurjack.com Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

Why does every D&D session eventually turn into: 5% storytelling, 10% rolling dice, 85% lying to NPCs and starting fires? In this week's RPGBOT.Podcast, we dive into the mechanics of deception, the ethics of lying, and why arson is the unofficial party pastime. Tune in for laughs, insights, and a light-hearted debate about why your characters can't stop lighting things on fire. SUMMARY In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the hosts dive headfirst into the tangled web of deception mechanics in role-playing games, with a focus on Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. They explore the nuances of lying, from the rules of deception and insight checks to the moral and mechanical implications of bending the truth in-game. Key topics include: Passive vs. Active Skills: What's the difference, and why does it matter when your rogue is trying to bluff their way into a royal banquet? The Ethics of Deception: When is it just role-play, and when is it too much? Spoiler alert: It involves a bard and a dragon. Player Agency vs. Simplified Rules: How do new editions balance ease of use with meaningful gameplay, and what does it mean for deception-heavy campaigns? Session Zero Magic: Why setting expectations early can prevent your party from devolving into a group of pyromaniac con artists. Sprinkled with hilarious anecdotes of chaotic character antics and light-hearted debates on topics like "the prevalence of arson in RPGs," this episode is a must-listen for players and DMs alike. Whether you're a veteran tabletop gamer or just figuring out why your bard keeps trying to seduce everyone, this discussion will leave you laughing—and maybe questioning your party's motives. LINKS d20SRD.org - Skills Archives of Nethys - Deception 2024 Player's Handbook Other Stuff Lou Diamond Phillips EPISODE TAKEAWAYS Communication is key to a cohesive RPG experience, especially in the digital age. Deception in RPGs is nuanced, with varying definitions that impact gameplay. Insight and deception mechanics differ across game editions, offering unique challenges. Player agency is crucial for meaningful outcomes in deception scenarios. Active skills like Insight enhance engagement, while passive skills can hinder storytelling. Simplified rules can sometimes create confusion rather than clarity. Charisma often plays a central role in deception mechanics. Rolling for checks is generally more engaging than relying on passive assessments. Secret rolls can heighten tension and unpredictability in gameplay. Failure should remain an option to keep gameplay dynamic and engaging. Pathfinder 2's approach to deception mechanics feels more dynamic compared to D&D 5e. Session Zero is vital for aligning player and DM expectations about deception and storytelling. High passive skills can reduce tension, diminishing the stakes of deception. Humor and unexpected character actions often add depth to gameplay. Arson is a hilariously recurring theme in many RPG campaigns. Game mechanics should always serve the story, not hinder it. Context is critical in deception checks—mechanics alone aren't enough. Players are often willing to believe lies that work in their favor. Understanding player motivations enhances storytelling and gameplay. A good balance between humor and strategy enriches the gaming experience. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra Twitter: @RPGBOTDOTNET Facebook: rpgbotbotdotnet Bluesky:rpgbot.bsky.social Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games Twitter: @GravenAshes YouTube@ashravenmedia Randall James @JackAmateur Amateurjack.com Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

This episode, Sam and Stephen talk about Session Zero. Again. But this time it's important! It was important the first time too. Sam also brought a build!Raat Raseer, Ysoki DriverFollow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSEWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkBuy The Starfinder 2nd Edition Playtest Starfinder 2E SubredditSupport the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The boys sit down with special guest, Shenuque Tissera, to talk about a brand new campaign, brand new characters, a brand new setting and a brand new GM; as Niall takes the reins for an exciting homebrewed adventure that takes the players into a corporate hellscape. Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/noquestcast Special Guest: Shenuque Tissera (@shenuque) Theme Music by Niall Spain No Quest for the Wicked uses trademarks and/or copyrights owned by Paizo Inc., used under Paizo's Community Use Policy (paizo.com/communityuse). We are expressly prohibited from charging you to use or access this content. No Quest for the Wicked is not published, endorsed, or specifically approved by Paizo. For more information about Paizo Inc. and Paizo products, visit paizo.com.

We're getting geared up for some new campaigns to begin. Both our Dragonlance and Journey to Ragnarok campaigns are coming near their finale, so we've begun thinking about what's next up. Just in time, DM Chris sent out his Player's Guides for the upcoming Lord of the Rings campaign that he's going to be running in the new year. In this episode, Tony, Chris, and Dave discuss what makes a good Player's Guide, what to include, what to leave out, and how they can help to start your campaign off on the right foot before your players ever get to the table.2:53 What's different in this campaign from other campaigns?3:23 Session Negative One; giving your players time before Session Zero to reflect on choices.8:30 The types of choices in different settings that the players might want to reflect on. Including the one-sheet Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen campaign guide.11:45 Some campaign settings, like Lord of the Rings, require a lot of information prior to starting the campaign. These Player Guides can also be helpful as fodder for character backstories.13:55 Depending on how experienced your group is will provide how much additional information you send along. Don't send a 20-page Player Guide to the newbie player, the PHB is MORE than enough.15:50 Building excitement about the new campaign.18:30 Assembling the Player's Guide can serve as a focusing mechanism for you as you build out the campaign.23:50 Setting the flavor, tone, and rules of the road before players ever come to the table.25:05 The excitement for the campaign is not just for the players, it's for the DM as well. Injecting something new keeps your game table fresh.30:20 Final Thoughts.

Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign. Visit the Sly Flourish Blog Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Podcast Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: Midgard Worldbook Tales of the Valiant Obsidian for TTRPGs

DM John goes over the details of his upcoming heists campaign, and some details about the characters are shared along the way. Please join us for another actual play Dungeons and Dragons adventure. Find additional content at knightsofroleplay.com. Royalty Free Music: Kevin MacLeod: https://incompetech.com Michael Ghelfi Studios: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelGhelfiMusic Plate Mail Games: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/4847/Plate-Mail-Games  Tabletop Audio: https://tabletopaudio.com Assorted Podcast Resources and Recommendations: https://www.dmsguild.com/ https://dnd.wizards.com/ https://www.dndbeyond.com/ https://drivethrurpg.com/ https://koboldpress.com/ https://www.lokebattlemats.com/ https://www.mcdmproductions.com/ https://nordgamesllc.com/shop/ https://www.ragingswanpress.com/ https://rollandplaypress.com/ https://slyflourish.com/ https://www.thearcanelibrary.com/ https://wizkids.com/collectible-miniaturesfigures-non-game/ https://1985games.com/collections/dungeon-craft https://www.etsy.com/shop/DearKou https://www.etsy.com/shop/Mirinesse Scrying Stones by Stratagem

I talk about my Session Zero. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/radio-grognardks/support

What is love? (Baby, don't hurt me!) In the context of tabletop RPGs, sex and relationships and all the matter around them can be tricky business to navigate for players and Storytellers alike. In the context of romance and Changeling, there are all sorts of specific considerations to think about. What are the norms of chivalrous courtship in this or that noble's jurisdiction? How do cantrips complicate physical pleasure and emotional fulfillment? Can a redcap truly feel love? Questions of this sort abound in the pages of the supplements, as it sometimes seems like every other characters has some kind of sexual or romantic thread to their story. This episode is not an exhaustive treatment of everything that might come up in the game... but we try to cover some important topics and give some pointers about handling at the table. As for links...! We alluded to the recent episode at our sibling-show, Mage: the Podcast, on this topic; check it out at https://magethepodcast.com/adding-romance-to-games-with-friday-stout-and-sebastian-yue/. We made reference as well to our Session Zero episode (https://changelingthepodcast.com/podcast/episode-38-session-zero/) on hashing out discussion around sensitive topics before you jump into a chronicle. And as usual, you can reach out to us strictly platonically at: Discord: https://discord.me/ctp Email: podcast@changelingthepodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082973960699 Mastodon: https://dice.camp/@ChangelingPod Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/changelingthepodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChangelingThePodcast your hosts Josh Hillerup (any pronoun) theorizes that non-binary polycules are held together by them-ical bonds. Pooka G (any pronoun/they) prefers to get to know people in the deuterocanonical sense. Love, love is a verb; Love is a doing word Fearless on my breath— —Massive Attack, "Teardrop"

In this episode, we begin setting the stage for our short series taking place in The Ninth World. Meet the characters, some of the background around the setting, and hear the gears turning as we set mysteries up for our next Mini-Series. Check out us and read about the setting of Welcome To Chugwater: https://linktr.ee/sytycfanon --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sytycfanon/support

Jessica Gerth and Jaclyn Lewis   This week, we share Chris's interview with Jessica Gerth and Jaclyn Lewis! Jessica (@chaoscommunicationconverse) is a speech pathologist who utilizes TTRPGs to enhance communication and social skills among her students. Jaclyn (@wranglerofchaos) is a writer, youth worker, and game master who wrote "Rolling with the Youth," a book focusing on fostering safe and fun spaces through role-playing games. Together, they emphasize the importance of inclusivity in gaming, aiming to provide all children, regardless of their backgrounds or abilities, a place at the table!   Before the interview, Chris and Rachel discuss their shared sense of optimism for the future of AAC, and some of the possible sources for their positive outlook. They connect this optimism with the concept presuming potential, which requires an unwavering belief that students have the potential to grow and make progress!   Key ideas this week:   The Power of Role-Playing Games (RPGs) in Education and Therapy: Jessica and Jaclyn emphasize how tabletop role-playing games, like Dungeons & Dragons, can be used for educational and therapeutic purposes. These games provide opportunities for language development, social skills practice, and creativity. Jessica shares how she incorporates elements of these games into her work with students, particularly those on the autism spectrum, helping them with communication and engagement.   Inclusivity in RPGs: The interview highlights the importance of creating inclusive spaces in role-playing games. Jaclyn discusses her work on making RPGs accessible to everyone, particularly younger players and those from diverse backgrounds. She and Jessica both emphasize the role of representation, where characters like Yumi, who uses an AAC device, offer both visibility and understanding of different abilities within the game.   Safe and Supportive Game Environments: Jessica and Jaclyn explore how to create a safe environment for players through tools like "Session Zero," where expectations are set, and safety tools like the X-card, which allow players to signal discomfort. This ensures that games are not only fun but also emotionally and socially supportive for players of all backgrounds and abilities.   Links from this Episode:   “Rolling with the Youth” by Jaclyn Lewis: https://www.indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/Rolling-with-the-Youth.html   Visit talkingwithtech.org to listen to previous episodes, find new resources, and more!   Help us develop new content and keep the podcast going strong! Support our podcast at patreon.com/talkingwithtech! .

We are BACK! And this week we have the continued saga of us using the incredible system "Session Zero" to create a fantasy world! For those that haven't listened to last week's episode, "Session Zero" is an incredible deck based system that allows you to craft incredible stories for characters and even worlds with a lot of depth and detail. So buckle up friends and join us for a wild ride in creating this new world!

Welcome back for another episode with your Table Talk girlies! This week we're doing something a little different and creating characters using this amazing system we found at PAX Unplugged this last year called "Session Zero"! We walk you through the basics of how it can be used and how you can create your characters and then we make some ourselves! Be sure to tune in next week as we use the same system to start a world building project!

We introduce the new players and characters for Campaign 3!This episode is brought to you by the generous donations of our amazing Show Sponsors: Laura Pickrahn, Irene Viorritto, Darrell DeLaney, Charles Compton, Deviouspoptart, Nastasia Raulerson, David Scrams, Elizabeth Clark, Rebekah Gowman, deviouspoptart, Eðvarð Arnór Sigurðsson, Michael Clark, Jerry Theuns, Mark Stanley, and Shelby Johnson.

Batman returns! And with him, as always, is his trusty sidekick, Robin. But someone else has come slinking into Gotham, too...   This session zero sees us refreshing ourselves on the DC Heroes system and deciding on campaign goals, then playing through a short intro scenario. It's a real blockbuster! Something-something CAT-astrophe! (I'll see myself out.)   Back us on Patreon for lots of bonus content and an opportunity to game with members of the Order! https://www.patreon.com/esotericrp   Want to chat with us on Discord? https://discord.gg/suQp4JU3Tj Featuring: Des as "The Batman" Kenny as "Robin" Rainy as "Catwoman"

Content Warning: Profanity, sexual references, descriptions of violence, Drug/Alcohol use, and homebrewed rules. ********************* Support us on Patreon, or our Merch shop Linktree to all our links Join our Discord Show art by Nyltin ********************** Music from Epidemic Sound  (referral link) Hosting by Podbean (referral link) Shadowrun is owned by The Topps Company, Inc. and Catalyst Games ********************** What The Dice intros the new Season with the new system, the rules, safeties, and the new players!

Avatar is back, baby! Join us in Republic City as we dip back into the elemental wonder of the Avatarverse. When you're a mega-successful film and entertainment magnate like Iknik Blackstone Varrick, what can you do to increase your success? Start a theme park, of course! During this campaign, we'll follow the antics of three coworkers trying to maintain the magic of the happiest place in the four nations, all the while trying to cover up their own mysterious pasts. • • • Patreon: patreon.com/improvtabletop Twitter / Instagram / Facebook / TikTok: @ImprovTabletop Email: ImprovTabletop@gmail.com Donations: ko-fi.com/improvtabletop • • • Audio Credits Varrick World's theme song is “Tiptoe Out the Back” by Dan Lebowitz, used courtesy of the YouTube Audio Library License. The following music was used for this media project: Music: Guzheng City by Kevin MacLeod Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7523-guzheng-city License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Artist website: https://incompetech.com • • • This actual play episode uses the Avatar Legends RPG rules by Magpie Games.

Spine of Eternity, Part I (One Shots) To cleanse our salty palate, Chowder and Pat invite two guests to a session 0 for an indie game called Spine of Eternity: Everyone Wants to Be a Star – featuring the game's creator! Get to know new voices, systems and characters as we embark on a new journey. Find merch, videos and a whole bonus podcast at DicePopuli.com! Check out the early-access Spine of Eternity at https://worstgirleva.itch.io/everybody-wants-to-be-a-star - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CAST Taeemul "Chowder" Chowdhury Game Master @taeemulc (Instagram) Eva Terra Creator @WorstGirlEva (Xitter) Patrick Brehm @pattyiceofficial (Instagram) Imani Bryant - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Created by Colin Ketchen, Ryan Mossbarger and Josh Palumbo Production, Editing & Original Music by Colin Ketchen