Biggus Geekus (Joe Hardin and Randy Nichols)

This week we discuss the top ten reasons we (collectively) play Dungeons and Dragons.

This week we discuss our latest face to face gaming: Savage Worlds Fantasy Companion! We also poke at WOTC and the blue-hairs a bit.

This week we discuss rules bloat in DnD and ttrpgs in general.

Episode 80 Thursday 24, 2022

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands

1. Calls ins/emails? John (Red Dice Diaries) and Taylor (Clerics Wear Ringmail)
2. 3-D printing and gaming?
3. Mudsword is saved:
4. Are Hit Points Risk Assessment?
5. New DnD book:
and Pundit had to make a quick video about it:
Waspinator’s take on it:
6. Emperor’s Choice
7. Shadow’s Videos on Arduin:

Evil Campaigns & PCs
Evil is:
1. Morally bad or wrong; wicked.
2. Causing ruin, injury, or pain; harmful.
3. Characterized by or indicating future misfortune; ominous.

The advantages or merits of an evil campaign/evil pcs if there are any.
What archetypes would you emulate in such a game?
Does it give the players a chance to explore their dark sides?
What kind of goals would make for a fun/worthwhile evil campaign?
Why play evil characters in a group oriented DnD game?
How about other games? Sci-fi, horror, etc.
Does it make it hard for the GM to motivate the PCs?
How evil should PCs go?
Evil pcs in a primarily good/heroic group
Do most evil games just devolve into backstabbing?

“1 Random Question”
How do you decide who to invite into your group to play?
How should/could you vet potential new players to your group.

Shameless Plug Time:

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Episode 76 Tuesday February 22, 2022

Welcome to T-shirted Historian!
Check Him out at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXdOeid6BtTy-Z-q1wzxjQ

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands
1. Call-ins/emails
2. I’m now sworn to Sunsworn!

Main Topic: Death and Taxes
1. PC Death
a. Which system simulates death in a way you prefer? Your favorite?
b. When should death occur? At 0 HP, 4 wounds, -10 HP etc, death saves or just knocked out of the scene
c. How hard should it be to die? Campaign tone, character creation time investment
d. Save or die powers/spells? One roll vs many rolls, auto death vs lots of damage which might or might not cause death
e. Is there such a thing as too many hit points, too high defenses, or too high bonuses to saving throws?

2. Fudging dice rolls? Do you or do you not?
a. To save pcs
b. To save the BBEG/your story
c. To make the fight more interesting
d. TPK or No TPK

Food for Thought: Edition Wars and Gatekeeping- thought provoking video from the Waspinator: https://youtu.be/IrXaLuYCzgA

What Happened Last Time
1-shot: Rippers (Savage Worlds) “The Third Hand of Kali”: Dropped someone’s PC in the first attack of the first encounter of the night. PC out…nearly dead!

Shameless Plug Time:
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This week we discuss why DnD only needs two classes ... maybe three.

Tickets for Big Geek Con 2024 on sale now:

https://tabletop.events/conventions/big-geek-con-2024

Shameless Plug Time:

If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show. We are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well.

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Shownotes to follow

Episode 94 Recorded Thursday June 30th 2022

Joe flies solo to talk about how the latest nonsense from DriveThru should have us all looking for or making alternatives to the platform.

To support the show please go to:
https://www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support

Please like share and subscribe!  

Links to Materia Discussed:

Lamentations of The Flame Princess (Raggi)
https://youtu.be/PufXMjSA-Kw

Total Party Skills (waspinator)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQkf5TOFKyM

This week we talk about advancement in your game, and how you might change it up. We also discuss Dune movie presentations. So watch out for spoilers!

Big Geek Con 2024 tickets are on sale!

https://tabletop.events/conventions/big-geek-con-2024

Support Our Show!

If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show, also we are on all the social, video and podcast places as well.

Cash Support

PayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus

Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tip

Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/biggusgeekus

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BiggusGeekus

On the Web: 

Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com

Email: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com

Big Geek Emporium:https://biggeekemporium.com/

Saturday November 28, 2020 pre-recorded for Wednesday December 23rd, 2020

Our usual intro and gaming situations

No Gaming News because we prerecorded

Main Topic: What we love about RPGs
Wherein we discuss the many things that draw us to RPGs. From escapism to socializing with our pals. The kinds of games and game genre we like best. Also, we discuss our who and where gaming preferences.

A Cabin Con Moment
Our favorite things about our favorite gaming event of the year

Building A Better Gaming World
Shall we continue building?

Shameless Plug Time:
If you would like to support our show, please check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support

Any contribution is much appreciated, and we thank you for your consideration.

Please share the podcast with your friends. Its available most places you can get your podcasts. If you have an app that is unsupported, let us know!

Our email is questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com

This week we make a Savage Worlds character!

This week we discuss nostalgia and whether it is good for the hobby, or bad.

Episode 78 Tuesday, March 8, 2022

Special Guest Host Patrick Demo!

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands
1.) No calls ins or emails.
2.) A salty Brian Sanderson https://winteriscoming.net/2022/02/23/brandon-sanderson-salty-george-rr-martin-work-fromsoftware-elden-ring/
3.) A successful Brian Sanderson https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dragonsteel/surprise-four-secret-novels-by-brandon-sanderson

5 Games

Joe:
Hackmaster
Rifts (Paladium)
Ars Magica
Champions
Aliens

Patrick:
Earthdawn
Shadowrun
Harn
Lone Wolf
Sliver

Lightning Round!

1) Why?

2) What quality does it have that is different from DnD?

3) Play or GM?

4) Do you have something ready for it now?

5) Is it good for Cabin Con?

To OSR or Not To OSR: Randy and Joe are waffling on the direction of Musdsword…

Shameless Plug Time:

If you would like to support our show, please visit the many places you can find us on the inter-webs:

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Episode 23 February 10 ,2021

Call In: From Jason of Nerds RPG Variety Cast

The Gaming NEWS:
Jon Peterson continues to provoke good discussion: “Does System Matter?”
Recall: The Blood War
Shadow of the Demonlord (been around a while)
1 on1 RPG play
Pathfinder spells to SW Powers
Keith Baker’s Eberron Remember the win

Main Topic: 5E Dungeons and Dragons- A Belated Review
We start with the Players Handbook: Rollout, Production Value, and Readability

WOTC’s replacement site for bad first printings

Phil, Joe and Randy State Their 5 Positives and 5 Negatives for DnD 5e

Char Gen, Classes and Races, Ability Scores, Spellcasting, Conditions, Bounded Accuracy

Bounded Accuracy explanation 1 (long read),  Bounded Accuracy Explanation 2 

A Cabin Con Moment
5E at CC … reception, preferences etc.

Building A Better Gaming World
5E things that we’d like to steal.

Shameless Plug Time
If you would like to support our show, please check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support

Any contribution is much appreciated, and we thank you for your consideration.

Please share the podcast with your friends. Its available most places you can get your podcasts. If you have an app that’s unsupported, let us know!

Our email is questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like:

Red Dice Diaries (with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)
Radio Grognard (with Glen Halstrom)
The Tale of the Manticore (a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)
Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar)

Part one of our Savage Worlds live play!

Episode 95 Streamed Live Tuesday July 5, 2022

Main Topic: 5 Other Non-D&D RPGs to play
These are not D&D, play experience is different

Links to games mentioned savage worlds: https://peginc.com/savage-settings/savage-worlds/
mage the ascension: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/199/Mage-The-Ascension-Revised?term=mage+the
dungeon crawl classics: https://goodman-games.com/dungeon-crawl-classics-rpg/
legend of the five rings: https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/legend-of-the-five-rings-roleplaying-game/
heroes unlimited: https://www.palladiumbooks.com/modern/heroes-unlimited

1) Savage Worlds     
 a) Great for time-challenged: This is a game that is easy to understand and get to playing in no time.    
 b) Cheap barrier to entry.  One book is all that is needed. pdf 10 bucks, hardback 40. (used to be cheaper)
 c) Plays fast: target number is 4
 d) The dice explosion mechanic is fun
 e) Very deadly, approach fighting with care
2) Dungeon Crawl Classics
 a) Though superficially like BX D&D, it differs enough to have a very different table experience.
 b) Spells have a very wide array of effects, each having its own random table.
 c) Character creation is fast and can be interesting with The Funnel.
 d) Has a more Gonzo sword and sorcery vibe than D&D given the randomness of spells, fumbles, and crits
3) Legend of the Five Rings
 a) May make wokeskolds irate "because reasons".  Be exotic.
 b) The exotic Roll and keep is a favorite dice mechanic of mine.
 c) Combat, thought exotic, is very deadly, approach with caution, and use stealth or diplomacy when possible.
 d) Has a lore that is very exotic in tone and well thought out. Edition changes has wrought some havoc on the lore though.
 e) Very different play experience from D&D, some would call it ... exotic
4) Mage The Ascension
 a) This more of a wish to play.  Especially if the more emo elements remove. H/T to Heathendog at Legion of Myth
 b) World of Darkness has some stark tonal differences to many other RPG.  Its Dark man.
 c) Freeform magic is always attractive to as a long time D&D wizard player.
5) Heroes Unlimited
 a) I love a supers game.  I like Paladium.  Seems like a good fit.
 b) Paladium's system will feel familiar to D&D players, but different at the same
 c) This is another "would like to play" rather than a true recommendation.  I already know the base system and understand it.
 d) Like all Paladium's games, it is a self-contained game but can be used with their other offerings. It has enough of it's own lore to you going.

Geekosphere
1. Call-ins/emails:  We have accumulated a large set of call ins.  We will set up an episode just to clear them.  Coming soon!
2. Wizards for Justice: https://twitter.com/WizardsJustice
3. The channel has reached over 200 subs.
4. Shout out to Venger Satanis’ Publishing imprint.  Hopefully some of it is still available at Drivethru RPG, also he can be reached via email and accepts paypal directly.
http://vengersatanis.blogspot.com/
https://www.youtube.com/c/VengerSatanis
5. Random Shout Out to Wizard Tower Games. The company has an upcoming board game offering called d20 Delving. https://twitter.com/realwizardtower/status/1538194462811295744?s=20&t=vxpZ4gWg5alBOpGWtMRjOw
https://wizardtowergames.com/

Shameless Plug Time:
Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com
Email: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com

New Discord Server Link https://discord.gg/PxuFrfybb7

Episode 127 Streamed Live Tuesday, February 21, 2023  

The Red Room Redacted:  The Red Room has been booted from DriveThru RPG  following posting their book "Men", in a fit of inconsistent application  of "Standards" ... or some such.  

BGE was down due to a tech error AND potential hosting shenanigans.  We  hope we do not have to move hosts AGAIN.  (up the next morning)

Main Topic:  Race/Species/Ancestry,  Which words is best.  The FINAL  word is Race.  It is what has been used for decades and brought no harm  to anyone, despite rumors to the contrary.  Other words simply add  nothing of value.  

Quick Hit:  Split the party, is it a good idea.  Final verdict:  It  depends... obviously.  

Our Links:  

Cash Support
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On the Web:
Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com
Email: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com
Big Geek Emporium: https://biggeekemporium.com/
Discord: https://discord.gg/PxuFrfybb7

notes to follow

Episode 10: Magic systems and Making Magic Magical

This is Episode 10 and the date is Thursday November 12, 2020.

We had a special guest to our podcast, our good friend, fellow CabinCon attendee, and CEO of Pointy Hat Games: Patrick Demo!
Pointy Hat Games can be found here.

After our usual intro and recent gaming catch-up, Joe waxed poetic about HackMaster!

The Gaming NEWS:
1) Beginner Box for PF2
2) RPG Dice Accessories Folding Tower
3) Starfinder Bundle of Holding
4) The Terminator Quick Start Rules out next month
5) Wizkid announces 2-D miniatures for 5E
6) Black Friday DnD 5e Gift Set reduced 25%
7) Wrath of the Immortals free to download from Drivethrurpg
8) Goodman Games Castle Amber reincarnated
9) Aliens Destroyer of Worlds HC
10) Starfall: DnD 5e adventure
11) Alternity by sasquatch Games
12) Heroes of the Cypher System

The Main Topic

Part 1: Magic Systems: How we Grade Them (Good/bad/Ugly)

Various Types for of magic systems for RPGs were discussed with Vancian getting the lowest grade and Hybrid with spell points being the most popular.

Part II. Making Magic Magical

How does the setting evoke a magical feel. We discussed some ways rules can help and well as evocative descriptions.

A Cabin Con Moment

We ruminated about size and how the last one was better that some previous cons.

Building A Better Gaming World

How magic interacts with the world is vital. We discuss what we would like if we had our druthers…

1.) Please like, share and/or review our podcast on Anchor, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Sticher, etc.

2.) If you’d like to support out show then please check out our website www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support where we have various ways for you to help keep the podcast going. Any support is appreciated and we thank you for your consideration.

3.) Questions can be sent to: questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com

Episode 86 Streamed Live Tuesday May 3, 2022

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands
1. Call-ins/emails
2. https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/2022/04/sepulchre-of-grave-robber.html
3. We recommend Red Dice Diaries go watch it/listen to it
4. Dungeons and Dragons Rules Cyclopedia a $20 reprint from www.drivethrurpg.com very cheap entry into the hobby
5. Something to laugh at https://www.cbr.com/disability-representation-marvel-multiverse-ttrpg

Main Topic: Criticisms of Dungeons and Dragons
TSR DnD
OD&D:  d6 hp for all classes, saving throw categories are weird, assumes knowledge of Chainmail. DM rolls PC stats, stats matter very little, all dungeon delving, spell descriptions often defined too loosely, race as class, alignment not explained BECMI/RC: THACO, alignment), weapon mastery, 36 levels, Turn Undead
1e: THAC0 counterintuitive, Descending AC counterintuitive, percentile for Thief skills, roll under for everyone else’s skills, alignment, con mods for different classes, weapon speed, armor vs weapon tables, damage vs S/M/L creatures, dragons sucked, dual classing
2e: druid fighting to gain levels, spell dice caps, Non Weapon Proficiencies, Bending the Knee to Satanic Panic

WoTC DnD
3.x: special maneuvers too fiddly, the build game, monsters built like PCs, No Lore Consistency

4e: same-y characters, start out a hero

5e: Art is crap, Turn Undead, Monster CR, 3 attuned items, Fighter while not weak seems Irrelevant, Skill system is weak, Bounded Accuracy is Dumb, Bending the Knee to Woke Panic

Random Question: Should every player try to GM at least once?

A Cabin Con Moment Next Thursday it begins…the greatest convention ever conceived & executed by mankind. Podcasting at CC16.

Next Episode: Monster Mash #3 or What We Love about D&D

Shameless Plug Time
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Podcast: Spotify, Stitcher, Apple Podcasts and virtually everywhere you get your podcasts

Cash Support PayPal: paypal.me/biggusgeekus
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Email: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com

Socials: (coming soon: gettr, rumble)
Twitter: @biggusgeekus
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Videos
Odysee: https://odysee.com/@biggusgeekus:3
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyVze8TfIB16j0PdmE4lOJg

Episode 58 Tuesday October 19, 2021
Call ins & Emails from the Outlands

1.) Call-ins & Emails
2.) Truth, Justice and … eh whatever: https://variety.com/2021/film/news/superman-new-motto-dc-fandome-1235090712/
3.) Contest of Champions #2- how goes it?
4.) THAC0 the clown

Main Topic: It’s Time to Level Up! “definition”: To "level" or "level up" means to gain enough XP to reach the next level.

Character Improvement/Advancement
What should “leveling up” mean practically?
Is it necessary?
What should it look like going from level 1 to level 2, or Novice to Seasoned?
Should there be a cap on advancement?

Pacing and Types of Advancement
Should you level in big chunks, small bits or incrementally and steady?
Should you use XP Charts such as classic DnD?
Incremental advances?
Milestones: DM caveat/fiat or when the story requires/allows it?
When your PC uses their skills?

Fail Example- Dungeon World: https://a-dungeon-world.fandom.com/wiki/Leveling
Success Example: Call of Cthulhu

GAMES with No Advancement
I would assume most TRAD games use some sort of advancement, but would games with no advancement be any fun/interest?

Elysium Connection: what about the small band of levels…6-10?

Like it Love it or Leave it

Playing in the Mud: wherein we discuss our progress and experiments with the OSR and our quest for a better DnD game- Mudsword the RPG
We played on Saturday…2ndlevel. Tested Saving throws (used ability mods). Joe’s PC failed a poison save (slow death…worked out narratively a way to save him). Not sure how I feel about it.

Shameless Plug Time:
If you would like to support our show, please help get the word out and check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support.

Share with your friends and let us know if there is another way that you listen that we could support better.

Rate us on your favorite podcatcher such as iTunes, or Stitcher.

Check us out on YouTube and Odysee.  Please Like and Subscribe.

Our email is thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few things that we like.
Red Dice Diaries (with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)
Radio Grognard (with Glen Halstrom)
The Tale of the Manticore (a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)
Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar)
Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (Jason)
Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog (Taylor)
Legion of Myth

Episode 144 Streamed Live Tuesday June 20, 2023

Main Topic: Monster Mash #14 - Slimes, Oozes, etc.

Over the various editions of Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) there have been a few standard monsters in this category. They are generally amorphous, unintelligent, slow moving and are more like hazards than creatures. What makes them creatures is they grow, likely reproduce, and “attack” by some form of acid. In essence, they try to break down their victims and absorb them.
These creatures have not organization or culture. Those attacked are done so opportunistically, not from any type of desire or motivation. Something lands on or near them and they attempt to digest it.

The standard creatures are: Black Pudding, Gray Ooze, Green Slime, Ochre Jelly, Yellow Mold, and the Gelatinous Cube. The gelatinous cube is a little different from the others as they use pseudopods to attack and can actively move to a target. Later, Violet Fungi, Shriekers, and Gas Spores were added to this category as “fungus creatures”. These are a bit more complex, but still unintelligent.

We discuss:
1) Their differences over the editions

2) Memorable encounters

3) Alternate takes or uses in encounters
Random Geek-itude: Report from Big Geek Land

Big Geek Con: September 22-23, 2023
Four Seasons Hotel in Saginaw, MI. – be there or be square!

NEW:
1) Kids 13 and under free with an adult (max two per adult) adult must accompany the child

2) Tickets will sold day of show: $40.

3) EP150 give away few tickets for Big Geek Con.

Shameless Plug Time:

If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show, also. We are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well.

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On the Web: 

Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com

Email: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com

Big Geek Emporium: https://biggeekemporium.com/

Episode 68 Streamed Live Tuesday December28, 2021

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands
None

Silent Josh Presents:
Weird Frontiers: https://www.enworld.org/threads/weird-frontiers-takes-dcc-west.684619
New Dragonlance Novel: https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2021/12/dd-theres-a-new-dragonlance-trilogy-in-the-works-for-2022.html

Main Topic: Pros and Cons of Spellcasting Systems

Main Types
1. Vancian: fire and forget Dungeons and Dragons
2. Sub-category of Vancian such as spell slots limited but adjustable: Arcana Evolved
3. Spell Points: Savage Worlds
4. Stat Drain: Cypher System
5. Spell check system: Dungeon Crawl Classics

Consequences for Spell Casting
1. DnD: hit while casting lose spell or can’t move during round that you cast. 3.x: AOO’s
2. Price for power: CoC and DCC spell check and bad fail means bad news…sucked through a portal, grow four tentacles, etc.
3. 5e practically no way for spells to fail other than if they are counter-spelled.
4. Loss of abilities: Draining Stats (Cypher System), backlash (Savage Worlds) or physical damage or stunned (Shadowrun), etc.

What are pros and cons of each system?
Which systems to spellcasters seem the most powerful or the least powerful?

Segment #3: Gaming Goals for 2022
A year end discussion of what plans Biggus Geekus has including plans for podcast/livestream, gaming, Mudsword,

Joe:

1) Play more games
2) Run some games
3) Get to writing more rules and setting for Mudsword

Randy:
1.) Play the crap out of Mudsword
2.) Have a working pdf ready to publish on DriveThru in time for Christmas purchase for 2022.

Shameless Plug Time:
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Come see if Biggus Geekus can manage to finish this topic.  We will also banter with live chat and discuss industry and geek news.  

Support the show:  
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13th Age Deep Dive Finale part 2  

Episode 73 February 1, 2022  
Call ins & Emails from the Outlands Instead of calls and emails we talk about the Ottawa Tucker Convoy
JP Sears video on the subject: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl88jzJK1Rs
Comic readers don’t like bi-sexual Superman? Shocking!?!  https://www.outkick.com/sales-for-woke-superman-comics-tank/
Dark Souls RPG written with 5e rules: https://www.polygon.com/tabletop-games/22848850/dark-souls-tabletop-rpg-steamforged-teaser-trailer-5e
Do you agree or disagree or do we even care?  https://www.cbr.com/tabletop-rpgs-changed-hobby-forever/

13th Age Deep Dive Finale part 2
DM Stuff & Monsters
Campaign advice (pp.183-92):
Loot distribution, true magic items, consumables, uniqueness of magic items, incremental advances, rituals, 10 session campaign, trap design, and tiered environments.
Monster Stats Damage is set value, abilities are triggered based upon rolls, escalation die or success of other attacks and leveled. Their stat blocks are small and manageable. Broken into roles (pp. 202)
Sizes: normal, large (double strength), huge (triple strength)
Some special abilities: fear, Death attacks= Last Gasp Saves, Group Abilities, Nastier Specials
Building Battles (pp. p.203) adventurer tier- 4 level 3 adventurers vs 4 Level 4 Monsters

Pros and Cons about 13th Age
Randy’s Pros: prep is easy, action is high, combat rules simple, monsters easy to run, great for new players to learn, and great for one shots of any level.
Randy’s Cons: predictable combat, Relationship Points can lead to chaos, OUT’s can detract from verisimilitude, and rules favor PCs too much  

Joe’s Pros: Very familiar so easy to get into.  Backgrounds are a nice way to not spell out EVERY skill
Joe’s Cons: Too many mechanics in favor of the PC. PCs start out as the Heroes instead of BECOMING the heroes.  Backgrounds are a challenge to those who like structure.

1 Random Question Will the RPG hobby ever bounce back from the current woke/leftist invasion?
John “The Potatoe” Battle’s video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FseXEJ7myk4

Shameless Plug Time:
If you would like to support our show, please visit the many places you can find us on the inter-webs:

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Episode 27 Wednesday, March 10, 2021

We open with our usual intro and we talk about recent and future games.

The Gaming NEWS
KS cancels Perfect RPG Campaign:
Zak Smith sues Gencon and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-3HX1-wrlQ
DnD Survivalist Guide KS with Douglas Niles

A Twofer
1) Player Agency - this is one of those terms like RPGs and replayability that is tough to define.  We give it the Geekus treatment.
Stack Exchange: What is Player Agency and what is it good for
Ask Angry: Stealing Agency
2) Bennies, Hero Points and all that Jazz.
What are they good for? When should you get them? Yadda yadda.

A Cabin Con Moment
Is player agency a consideration at CC? How does it work well with such a convention style?

Beat This Game (in the ground) 13th Age
pros and cons, best/worst mechanics, favorite sessions/campaigns/settings

Shameless Plug Time
If you would like to support our show, please check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support

Any contribution is much appreciated, and we thank you for your consideration.

Please share the podcast with your friends.  Its available most places you can get your podcasts.  If you have an app that’s unsupported, let us know!

Our email is questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like:
Red Dice Diaries (with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)
Radio Grognard (with Glen Halstrom)
The Tale of the Manticore (a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)
Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar)
Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (Jason)

Deities of Your Campaign

Episode 150 Streamed Live Tuesday August 1, 2023

Main Topic: Deities in Your Campaign

1. Pantheons or Monotheistic settings.

2. Using the real world mythologies in your game.

3. Creating your own.

4. Using a game’s settings deities as written.

5. No deities

6. To what extent should they take front stage in a campaign?

7. Can you call down the gods?

8. What are the eternal consequences of deities in a campaign?

DnD Weirdness: Adventuring Part 2 - The Campaign World’s Adaptation to adventuring

Adventuring Companies
Traditional organizations sending out adventurers

Folk referring to “adventurers” and understanding it as a thing

Adventurers become the pioneers/colonizers and/or troubleshooters

150th episode Giveaway

Give away one ticket to BG Con 1 on September 22-23,2023.

Random Geek-itude: Report from Big Geek Land

Big Geek Con: September 22-23, 2023, at the Four Points Hotel in Saginaw, MI. – be there or be square!

Shameless Plug Time:

If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show, also: We are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well.

Cash Support

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Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com

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The RR vs The Sandbox
Episode 21. Wednesday January 27, 2021

We do the usual intro and chit chat.

The Gaming NEWS:
Dragonlance Classic Announced
The Rise of Offensive Games
And Virtue Signal The Game of Social Justice
The Origins of Rule Zero
What’s an RPG?

Main Topic: The RR vs the Sandbox
We define the terms from the interwebs:

Railroad
Linear game design
Carrot-and-stick
Sandbox Game Design

We discuss these definitions, and a number of questions with respect to hoe these terms coincide with module play, our preferences and experience.

A Cabin Con Moment
Do we do RR or Sandbox at Cabin Con?

Building A Better Gaming World
We discuss level of campaign detail.

Shameless Plug Time
If you would like to support our show, please check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support

Any contribution is much appreciated, and we thank you for your consideration.

Please share the podcast with your friends. Its available most places you can get your podcasts. If you have an app that’s unsupported, let us know!

Our email is questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

Things We Like:
We would also like to encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like:

Red Dice Diaries (with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)
Radio Grognard (with Glen Halstrom)
The Tale of the Manticore (a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)

Special Announcement:
We will be on Erik Tenkar’s Tavern Chat Livestream with Glen Halstrom (of Old man Grognard/Radio Grognard fame) this Friday evening at 8 pm EST called:

Dungeons, Dragons, and Discourse

Episode 85 Streamed Live on Thursday April 28, 2022

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands

Call-ins & emails - John Alan Large

Thor: Love & Thunder Trailer- https://youtu.be/tgB1wUcmbbw
Total Party Skills: Brand antagonizing their fan base https://youtu.be/2GxDPnNg8qI
WoTC screws over Hungarian Game Company: https://youtu.be/4clIK3VmazM
Randy’s wife learn hilarious griefing lesson.
WriterDojo: https://www.writerdojo.com/

Main Topic: Incorporeal Undead

1. Banshee, Ghost, Spectre, Shadow, Wraith
2. First appearance in DnD
3. What are the basic and most long enduring/interesting powers of each of those listed through the editions?
4. Ecology & Influence of Corporeal Undead in a campaign world
5. Alternate Takes:
1.) Make them more dangerous as spirits which cannot be hurt by mortal weapons
2.) What if incorporeal undead acted as spirit guides
3.) Harrowers- an organization of incorporeal undead who hunger for life again even if it is only a semblance through taking over humans/demi-humans bodies.

1 random question: Is it GM or DM and does it matter?

The Batman Review: Randy explores the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Shameless Plug Time:
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Podcast:
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Cash Support
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Videos
Odysee: https://odysee.com/@biggusgeekus:3
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Episode 52 Wednesday September 8, 2021

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands
Call ins from Jason and Joe
We talk about Randy’s recent gaming and Joe’s lack, office work, and:
Ed Greenwood’s new campaign setting Kickstarter for 5e D&D
EnWorld’s rabbit hole discussing New School and Old School playstyles.

Naming Conventions in RPGs
Definition: A naming convention is a convention (generally agreed scheme) for naming things.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naming_convention
How important is it in tabletop roleplaying games?
If a GM decides on one, what should the players do?
What about a DM just following the players lead?
How Tolkien do we want to get?
Middle Earth Naming Guide
Elven Customs
Does it seem that most players/DMs even care?

Like it, Love it or Leave it

Playing in the Mud - Re-visiting coinage economics and encumbrance
Silver vs gold piece standard?
How much money is enough?
Accounting vs. abstraction?
How many coins weigh a pound?
What can you buy with your money?
Fallacy of the Adventurer's Backpack
Encumbrance and Treasure

Extra: The latest online bruhaha: The List

Shameless Plug Time:
Please help get the word out and check out our website.
Share with your friends and let us know if there is another way that you listen that we could support better.
Rate us on your favorite podcatcher such as iTunes, or Stitcher.
Check us out on YouTube and Odysee.  Please Like and Subscribe.
Feel free to send any questions or comments to our email.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few things that we like.
Red Dice Diaries (with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)
Radio Grognard (with Glen Halstrom)
The Tale of the Manticore (a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)
Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar)
Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (Jason)
Shadow of the GM (Barry)
Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog (Taylor)

Shownotes to follow

Monster Mash: The Tarrasque

Episode 98 Streamed Live Thursday July 28, 2022

Shout outs:

Honey Badger Radio: https://youtu.be/5lFI8YRz2eM

The Basic Expert: https://youtu.be/DH51HdIvE2k  at the 20:22 mark
Legion of Myth clip coming soon: https://www.youtube.com/c/LegionofMyth

Future Appearances
Red Room: 7/29 at 11am
T-Shirted Historian: 7/30 time TBD

Main Topic: Monster Mash - The Tarrasque

Topical Links:

https://thecampaign20xx.blogspot.com/2014/07/everything-you-need-to-know-about.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarasque
https://mythus.fandom.com/wiki/Tarasque

1) Its first appearance in DnD books
2) Its most common characteristics & powers throughout the editions.
3) Ecology & influence of monster in the campaign world.
4) How best to use them? Our favorite examples.
5) Mythological etymology:
6) 3 alternate takes on the creature
a) 13th age: https://www.13thagesrd.com/monsters/
b) The 5e Book of the Tarrasque: page 7
c) The True Tarrasque: https://www.gmbinder.com/share/-M9usahTVHiYqci1OHYA

Venger Con Report
1. Stayed until 10:30 am on Sunday
2. The ATTENDEES & Venger
3. The games: OSE, BECMI/Rules Cyclopedia, Venger’s own, “198?” Conan, homebrews, DCC
4. Venger Con 2?
5. Pics on will be up on the website or social media

Geekosphere
1.  Total Party Skills https://youtu.be/SUuPyD7Xisk
2. The D& D Movie trailer: https://youtu.be/IiMinixSXII
3. The Contest of Champions – Pushed to next week
4. “Planescape doesn’t suck or why doesn’t Max trust me?”:  ;) https://youtu.be/ZvwwQsA1cko?t=1785

Shameless Plug Time:
If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show.

We are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well.

Cash Support
PayPal: paypal.me/biggusgeekus
Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tip
Anchor: https://www.anchor.fm/biggusgeekus

On the Web:
Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com
Email: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com

Tickets for Big Geek Con on sale: https://tabletop.events/conventions/big-geek-con-2024

This week we discuss situations when you may need multiple DMs. Also the supposed Tencent issue.

Episode 79 Tuesday March 15, 2022

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands
1. Call ins and emails
2. Congratulations on birth of son of Taylor from Cleric’s wear Ringmail podcast.
3. DC’s Days are numbered?
4. A Set of Faerie Dragons to celebrate pride week, hmmm
5. Set of kobolds- you decide which is the better deal: WizKids or ebay
6. Dragonlance on the horizon?

Default DnD Assumptions
What is DnD? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_%26_Dragons

When we sit down to play DnD what assumptions do we have from both the DM and Player sides of the screen? If these assumptions are not met when, if at all, does it start to seem like it is NOT DnD.

Is DnD generic Fantasy?
I. Character types/classes, alignment, levels, xp, treasure, world expectations, monsters, combat, spells & magic, types of adventures, , other?
II. OD&D, BECMI, and AD+D 1e or 2e
III. 3.x and onward (WoTC DnD)
IV. OSR in general

Gaming on the Cheap: How can you save money these days and still game?
Drop the peripheral stuff: minis, maps, cards, extra dice,etc
Buy only core books and create your own stuff
Play games that are free and available online such as 5e basic game or any other free starter set and extrapolate yourself.
Buy pdfs of books not hard copies.
Play online…saves gas money
Play longer, but less frequent sessions.

Shameless Plug Time:
If you would like to support our show, please visit the many places you can find us on the inter-webs:

Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com click on support for ways to give us your money
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Email: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com
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Share this show with your friends and let us know if there is another way that you listen or watch that we could support better.

Please Subscribe, Like, share, and rate us in all the places that you find us.

Episode 34 Wednesday April 28, 2021

The Positive Material Plane
Call ins: Jason, Patrick, John, and New Caller Taylor!
Other: Our hobby invites all manner of participants: highly committed, casual and all flavors in between.

Potpourri With Patrick II
1.) Dealing with Player conflict at the Table
2.) Homebrew vs Pre-Fab- adventures/campaigns/rules
3.) Fudging Dice rolls: Yay or Nay
4.) Interrupting the DM’s monolog, can it be justified?
5.) Splitting the Party: Yay or Nay
6.) Let the Players Help

A Cabin Con Moment
How to deal with Player conflict at CC?
Splitting the party at CC?

Segment #4: Dig this Setting
(alternate segment)

Dark Sun: 1991 2nd ed release, desert world/survival/city-states/Magic-ravaged/psionics more common campaign setting

Shameless Plug Time
If you would like to support our show, please check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support Any contribution is much appreciated, and we thank you for your consideration.

Please share the podcast with your friends. Its available most places you can get your podcasts. If you have an app that’s unsupported, let us know!

Our email is questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like:
Red Dice Diaries (with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)
Radio Grognard( with Glen Halstrom)
The Tale of the Manticore (a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)
Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar)
Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (Jason)
Shadow of the GM (Barry)

This week we discuss and rank our top DnD monsters.

Episode 33Wednesday April 21,2021

The Positive Material Plane
Call-ins: Jason has a whopping 33
We are in a Golden Age of Options: Crowdfunding collection

Gaming Inspiration
Both Direct and Indirect
Movies, Books, Comics, Other Games, Miniatures, Maps, Not playing, Discussion of RPGs with friends, Browsing Internet, Other Podcasts, Biggus Geekus, YouTube, Music, Blogs

A Cabin Con Moment
What is inspiring about CC? Which is greater Before or After? What inspires you to prepare for CC?

Dig this Setting: The Forgotten Realms (1987 1e, 2e, 3e, 4e, and 5e):

Shameless Plug Time
A Changeup…

Please share the podcast with your friends.  We really just want to get in people's ears. Its available most places you can get your podcasts.

Our email is questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like:
Red Dice Diaries (with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)
Radio Grognard (with Glen Halstrom)
The Tale of the Manticore (a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)
Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar)
Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (Jason)
Shadow of the GM (Barry)

The Negative Material Plane
Comic books…I’ve lost that lov’in feeling.

Though there is some hope -creator owned,now watching Comic Book Men interested to see if they ever touch modern comics- woke/sjw/tokenism

There are also indie artists like ComicArtistPro Secrets on YouTube creating competition

Thursday December 3rd, 2020

We opened with our usual intro but deviated the norm to play a few messages from John of The Red Dice Diaries. These were great and we appreciate the time he took to listen and comment. Thanks John!!!

Shout outs to Tenkar’s Tavern and Roleplay Rescue as well

We went on to discuss Randy’s lack of gaming and my excess of gaming.

The Gaming News:

Clarification #1: Comparing “Free League, the company who is responsible for Alien RPG/Tales from the Loop etc.) Revolutionary League (Anarchists) vs the Free League (the Indeps).

Clarification #2: GF9 made Korean Version-WOTC’s translator OK’d it but ended up having issues as well as issues with the French translations.

1.) Pinnacle to Savage Pathfinder (and Rise of the Runelords):
2.) Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything is the Beginning of ch-ch-ch-changes for D&D
3.) And more dumbness/Uggghhhh
4.) And EVEN more foolishness!
5.) WOTC to be sold…maybe???...nah…we will see
6.) Darth Vader has truly fallen
7.) Holiday gifts for your GM

PC Power Disparity And How To Handle It At The Table
Defined as “a great difference”, we discuss its implications in tabletop play with Dungeons and Dragons as well as other games. We discuss its importance or lack thereof and whether, or not it is just a player issue or a system issue.

A Cabin Con Moment
Cabin Con had its own issues with disparity, we talk about that too.

Building A Better Gaming World
We determine that we at least want to acknowledge disparity when designing our game/world

Shameless Plug Time
Please share, like or review our podcast on Anchor, Breaker, Apple Itunes, Spotify, Stitcher, etc.

If you’d like to support the show then please go to biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support where we have several options.

Any contribution is appreciated, and we thank you for your consideration.

Email us at: questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com

Wealth in RPGs

Episode 14, Wednesday December 9,2020

We do the usual, the intro and we lament the lack of gaming for the week.

The Gaming NEWS:
Free League to release Colonial Marines Supplement
Cypher Creator System
Gift Ideas for Players

Wealth in RPGs (and their value)
We discuss tracking wealth, what we do with it as players, and it’s utility as a part of the game (or not).

Some useful articles:
https://theangrygm.com/nothing-here-but-worthless-gold/
https://mythcreants.com/blog/three-ways-of-handling-money-in-roleplaying-games/
http://bigballofnofun.blogspot.com/2009/12/rpg-wealth-lets-not-be-vague.html

A Cabin Con Moment
Gold issues with Elysium. And how it went awry.

Building A Better Gaming World
Money in our game system that is admittedly way out in the future, if ever.

Shameless Plug Time
Please share, like or review our podcast on Anchor, Breaker, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.

If you’d like to support out show then please Check out our website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com and click on the support tab.
Any contribution is appreciated and we thank you for your consideration.

Please remember that sharing this podcast is the most help you can give us. Thanks.

For questions Email us at: questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com

We discuss the value of Editions in TTRPGs and in D &D in particular.

notes to follow

High Level Breakdown: Real or Fiction?

Episode 83 streamed live on April 12, 2022

The Outlands
Professor DM says dumb stuff https://youtu.be/6aO_sSCOo9w

Main Topic: High Level in Dungeons and Dragons (DnD)
Why do most games end before the highest levels?

https://www.thegamer.com/dungeons-dragons-player-level-campaign-statistics/
https://www.enworld.org/threads/90-of-d-d-games-stop-by-level-10-wizards-more-popular-at-higher-levels.666097/

-PC power levels too ridiculous?
-GM unable to manage the abilities of the PCs or create challenges for them?
-are the rules just broken? Just too much to keep track of
-outside influences
-too much effort
Who plays to max levels?

What makes high level “Hard” to play in DnD?
Tiers of play through the Editions

5e: https://makeaskillcheck.com/5e-tiers-of-play/and http://dmsworkshop.com/2021/09/10/dnd-101-tiers-levels/
4e: https://dnd4.fandom.com/wiki/Tier
3.x:  RPG.net

What about the EPIC Level handbook?
2e or lower: no tiers of play, but there were level titles
Why does OSR seem to avoid it?
A Nod to SuperHero Games:
A Related Question (or two)

What is the highest level/longest lasting campaign you ever played and enjoyed? Which is more important: long lasting or reaching the pinnacle of levels/powers?

Shameless Plug Time:
If you would like to support our show, please visit the many places you can find us on the inter-webs:

Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com click on support for ways help out!
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Twitter: @biggusgeekus
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Email: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com
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Share this show with your friends and let us know if there is another way that you listen or watch that we could support better.

Please Subscribe, Like, share and rate us in all the places that you find us.

Shownotes to follow

This week we discuss how AI is used in our beloved hobby by WOTC/Hasbro and what we think about it.

Notes to follow

notes to follow

Episode 48 Wednesday August 11,2021.
Joe is out this week due to illness

The Plane of Concordant Opposition (The Outlands)
Laurel Hubbard apology.
Friend’s daughter no like-y our show … and that is fine!

The Contest of Champions Update
The prizes: Waterdeep Dragon Heist, Feng Shui 2, or (Labyrinth Lord) Advanced Edition Companion.

Game Review: Ankur- The Kingdom of the Gods
Soon to be on KS as of September 1staccording to its author, Chris Miller.

Mono-Gamy or Poly-Gamy - which is better?

Shameless Plug Time:
If you would like to support our show, please help get the word out and check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support.

Share with your friends and let us know if there is another way that you listen that we could support better.

Rate us on your favorite podcatcher such as iTunes, or Stitcher.

Check us out on YouTube and Odysee.  Please Like and Subscribe.

Our email is thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few things that we like.
Red Dice Diaries (with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)
Radio Grognard (with Glen Halstrom)
The Tale of the Manticore (a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)
Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar):
1) Blog: https://www.tenkarstavern.com/
2) Podcast: https://anchor.fm/tavernchat
3) Video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIdpAASpAI7vu-bZx6pP_mQ
Why so many? He is the Czar of the OSR after all!
Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (Jason)
Shadow of the GM (Barry)
Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog (Taylor)

Episode 103 Streamed Live Tuesday August 30, 2022

Main Topic: ARTIFACTS, Simply The Coolest!
1.) History of Artifacts in DnD: OD &D and BECMI
2.) AD & D Era: 1e and 2e- The Best? And why we loved it
3.) 3e – 5e ‘s Take on Artifacts
4.) Links: https://dungeonsdragons.fandom.com/wiki/Artifact and https://annex.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_major_artifacts_in_Dungeons_%26_Dragons
5.) Our favorites and why
6.) How to best use them in a campaign.
7.) Should all magic items be more like artifacts?

Mordenkainen’s Magnificent Mechanics:
3.X: unified die mechanic(mostly), SR, CR (conceptually- as a guide for the fledgling DM), Fort/Ref/Will, ease of multiclassing(conceptually), BAB
Pathfinder (exception 3.75): CMB/CMD
4e: No Comment
5e: Advantage/Disadvantage, easy to learn/teach, HD for healing,

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Creating Engaging DnD Encounters
Episode 109 Streamed Live Tuesday, October 11, 2022

Main Topic: Creating Engaging DnD Encounters
1. Types of Encounters
Combat: primarily concerned with fighting
Puzzle/Skill Challenge: challenge the PCs’ skills or the players’ wits
Social/RP: roleplay and interaction with NPCs

2. Random vs pre-set

3. Making them good

4. The use of professionally created adventure encounters

5. Be careful to not get in a rut.

6. Creating Encounters for jaded/experienced players vs new players

A CC Moment - Biggest and Geekiest of all events in the universe!
It’s about time for the annual business meeting (what is this?).

Random Geek
Biggus Geekus Updates
On DC’s Gay Superman book https://boundingintocomics.com/2022/10/10/dc-comics-announces-the-cancelation-of-tom-taylors-woke-superman-son-of-kal-el-series/
Safe Spaces in our hobby somehow trending again

Riddle of the Sphinx Contest! - Guess the number of dice in the fishbowl: The answer was 691
The Winner was ArnMan! He chose Old Skool- WEGS RPG deluxe bag

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Episode 96 Streamed Live Tuesday July 12, 2022

Main Topic: OSR, Old School and the DnD divide with The Legacy GM
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OoPEzT5nq0c7ToEpWSe3A

We discuss many aspects of “Old School” or OSR gaming. Legacy GM (LGM) discusses his favorite games and gaming style. We go over some potential differences between OSR games and Old School feel. LGM talks about getting younger folks into older style games.

Then we discuss the, largely, sociopolitical divide in the hobby. We try to figure out why it is so stark a divide. Also, we discuss what we feel the essence of the divide is and take swipes at post modernism. We agree that likely the only way to bridge the gap is to set a good example of being accepting of the folks we are accused of hating but concede that it will only be a few of them we can hope to convince.

Segment #2: Like it Love it, or Leave it
TSR (the original company-version 1.0) - Love
Psionics in D&D - Like
Movie Reboots - Leave

Contest of Champions-Finally!
We’ve hit 250+. Now the give-away, you get to choose ONE

1) Feng Shui 2 by Robin D Laws
2) Traps & Treachery d20 book (sticker on cover) by FFG
3) Rackham Vale: Fantasy Adventures from the Art of Arthur Rackham (OSE related)

How are we doing it? To Be Announced.

Geek Culture

1.Call-ins/emails: Will have a whole show dedicated to the backlog. Likely next week. (7/19)
2. Steve Jackson Games: http://www.sjgames.com/ill/archive/July_08_2022/Roe_v_Wade
Venger Satanis: https://youtu.be/P-JS7o1EFEI

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Email: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com

Episode 106 Streamed Live Tuesday September 20, 2022

Main Topic: D&D - Pushing Boundaries: TSR/WoTC often pushed boundaries
Does D&D just have to be high fantasy?  The Various Editions and the Boundaries they pushed:

Old DnD (Oe) First of its name, Gygax and Arneson create a masterpiece of a game: no winners and never-ending story, delve into dungeons to get loot and gain power  

BECMI/RC Level to 36, immortals, XP for roleplaying, completing goals as well as defeating monsters, more classes, added weapon mastery, select personality and background, Mods -3 to +3  

1e Advanced More guidance, adventure types: dungeon, outdoor, town, focus on adventure and RP, Magic Resistance based on 11th level, race/class combos

Foolishness: https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/473/759/2148159/   
Other media: The Dungeons and Dragons Cartoon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_%26_Dragons_(TV_series)

2e Advanced: THAC0, Standard magic resistance, Dragons awesome, Character Class groups, Spell caps, Specialty priests, settings, more narratively focused, bloat, The four horsemen: Parkinson, Elmore, Caldwell, Easley

Foolishness: Removing Gary Gygax: https://boingboing.net/2014/08/12/how-gary-gygax-lost-control-ov.html
Monstrous Compendium Binders: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monstrous_Compendium
*Caving: (Removal of Devils and Demons) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_%26_Dragons_controversies#TSR_removes_Satanic_monsters

3e Selling to WoTC: https://www.enworld.org/threads/ryan-dancey-acquiring-tsr.661632/ in 1997- http://gamecabinet.com/news/TSRWotC.html
WoTC purchased by Hasbro- https://money.cnn.com/1999/09/09/deals/hasbro/   
The OGL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Game_License

The Creation of 3e: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Editions_of_Dungeons_%26_Dragons#Dungeons_&_Dragons_3rd_edition  New approach, character build, Stat mods increased, FRW saves, Unified XP chart, Feats, skills, BAB and ascending AC, D20 checks high/good and low/bad, magic shop, CR, New Setting: Eberron

Chances taken: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Vile_Darkness
D&D The Movies: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_%26_Dragons_(film_series)

4e: big changes, new direction, every class has powers: daily, at will and encounter, miniatures & maps required, informed by video games such as wow, cartoonish art/anime, divided fan base and gave room for PF. New setting: Points of Light: The Nentir Vale

The Creation of 4e: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Editions_of_Dungeons_%26_Dragons#Dungeons_&_Dragons_4th_edition
Foolishness: Advertisement leading up to 4e: “Hey, let’s alienate old fans.” https://youtu.be/sbbqMoEwDqc
Funny: https://youtu.be/4UqFPujRZWo

5e: Lots of 3e stuff and bits of 4e (short and long rests), optional feat system, controlled character build, easy mode, characters rarely die, legendary and lair actions, DnD Beyond digital components become significantly useful after 2-3 editions of empty promises

Foolishness: https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2020/07/dd-wizards-of-the-coast-adds-disclaimer-to-legacy-content.html https://www.wargamer.com/dnd/spelljammer-race-controversy-hadozee

YouTube: Critical Role and the Rise of Actual Plays: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_Role

ONE D&D Prediction!
Big Geek Updates!

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Episode 137 Streamed Live Tuesday April 25, 2023

Main Topic: DnD Myths

The Game Itself

Satanic panic

No board non-sense

Just playing pretend.

Too many esoteric tomes to try to master to learn how to play.

Killing things and taking their stuff…that’s all there is to it.

White Supremacy

RAW is the only way

RAI is a thing

The Players

Nerds no girlfriends, all smart

No girls allowed.

Plays in their mom’s basement especially if an adult.

Stinky gamer

Non-inclusive

LARPing as an excuse for Questionable Underground Meetings

The Haters

D&D is a kid’s game

Real Gamers move on to better games

It is just hack-n-slash

400 Subs Give-Away

Congrats to BigBadRPGfor winning the paperback version of ICRPG Master Edition

Quick Hit- Hard target: TPK’s - Yea or Nay???

Fair play or unfair?
Does the campaign have to end?
Fudge the dice?
Should set one up on purpose?

Big Geek Con Details:
$30 for Friday & Saturday 9/22-23,2023 (30 people minimum)
Guestroom Rates for September 22-23, 2023 (Discounted for 10 or more)
King $104 – discounted from $124.
Double Queen $114 – discounted from $144.

Four Points by Sheraton

4960 Towne Centre Road, Saginaw, MI 48604
11 miles from MBS International Airport 42 miles from Flint Bishop
116 miles from Detroit Metro International Airport.

TICKETS TO BE SOLD ON BGE!

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Episode 55 Wednesday, September 29,2021

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands
Jason of Nerds RPG Variety Cast
John of Red Dice Diaries

A.) Joe cheated on Randy: https://youtu.be/RdQN0RNyT0U
Links on Dungeons and Dragons History
https://followmeanddie.com/2017/05/11/review-dave-arnesons-true-genius-robert-j-kuntz/
https://nerdvanamedia.com/gaming/fact-check-lorraine-williams-destroyed-not-created-tsr/13825/
https://dmdavid.com/tag/tag/lorraine-williams/
https://archive.org/details/60_minutes_on_dungeons_and_dragons/60_minutes_on_dungeons_and_dragons.flv

B.) Contest of Champions #2: and the winner is… hockeypuckjr

C.) Next edition of DnD announced?  50th anniversary 2024…5.5E? https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-2024-sixth-edition-fifth-edition/?fr=operanews

Main Topic: The Con Game
Planning, creating, and running a game at Conventions: Big cons, not-so-big cons, and CC

1) Timed or not
2) Pre-gens or not
3) Crunchy or Rules Light
4) Experienced Players or Newbs allowed
5) Scenarios: unique, challenging, not like most home scenarios
6) Managing the table
7) To Kill or not to Kill, is that even a question
8) Safety Tools

Like it, Love it or Leave it

Playing in the Mud:
We didn’t get to play this past Saturday, but we discuss Turning Undead, Saving Throws, Spell descriptions, and Clerics. 

Shameless Plug Time:
If you would like to support our show, please help get the word out and check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support.

Share with your friends and let us know if there is another way that you listen that we could support better.

Rate us on your favorite podcatcher such as iTunes, or Stitcher.

Check us out on YouTube and Odysee.  Please Like and Subscribe.

Our email is thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few things that we like.
Red Dice Diaries (with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)
Radio Grognard (with Glen Halstrom)
The Tale of the Manticore (a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)
Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar)
Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (Jason)
Shadow of the GM (Barry)
Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog (Taylor)
Legend of Myth (Max and Heathendog)

Episode 93 Streamed Live Tuesday June 21, 2022

Geek Culture
1. Satine Phoenix & her husband: https://www.enworld.org/threads/d-d-celebrity-satine-phoenix-husband-jamison-stone-accused-of-abuse-towards-freelancers.689276/page-3
2. https://twitter.com/dndinacastle/status/1536742772694298625
And Venger’s response https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=847850639508484&set=gm.559008798995734
3. RDD @ UK Game EXPO: https://youtu.be/v80e0shnS2c
4. Venger Con 2022 (7/22-7/24): https://tabletop.events/conventions/venger-con-2022

D&D Lessons You wish you’d learned earlier
1. DM’s Perspective
a. It’s not a competition
b. Play by the rules before you decide to house rule/homebrew
c. It’s more than just combat
d. Let the players be heroes
e. Prep less/game more
f. It’s more about the players than the game
g. Don’t lose confidence
h. Learn to be open to a bigger table
i. Prep efficiently

2. Player’s Perspective
a. It’s not just about my character
b. Help the DM
c. Help other player’s characters be cool
d. Do what is expected sometimes
e. Be helpful but not pushy
f. Know at least enough to run your character
g. Relax and have a good time

3. General Perspective
a. Know thyself: do not waste time on the new shiny if it isn’t in your wheelhouse.
b. Discern want vs need (and can/will use) in purchases
c. Be willing to try a variety of RPG’s
d. Consider Alternate Locations/Variations
e. Cultivate your group.
f. Don’t be quick to get rid of books

1 Random Question(s) How do you handle RPG nostalgia?

ToM vs Total grid/minis focused play. Pros & Cons to using miniatures.
Pro: Aids in visualization and imagination
Con: Can be a pain to put on the table, expensive, take up space

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Videos
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Pat is on once again to discuss magic in ttrpgs and a new game in development

Episode 62 Tuesday, November 16 ,2021

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands
Calls-ins from Taylor of Clerics Wear Ringmail
Contest of Champions

Silent Josh Presents:
DnD Movie: https://www.slashfilm.com/658391/dungeons-dragons-release-date-cast-and-more/
DnD TV Show: https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-g4-tv-show-announced/
Willow TV Show: https://tvline.com/2021/11/12/willow-tv-series-video-warwick-davis-cast-disney-plus/
Marvel Crumbling: https://cosmicbook.news/marvel-crumbling-disney-bob-chapek-rejects-kevin-feige-woke-content

Joe Has A Rant: There are many ways to run your Dungeons and Dragons Campaign

Main Topic: On The Clock:
Tracking Campaign/Adventure time:
Tracking actions, initiative & spells
When is it time to end a campaign/session?
Character aging and “believable high-level PCs.
Is there a time to stop playing a character in a game/campaign besides at death?
Too many games and not enough time

Shameless Plug Time:
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Share this show with your friends and let us know if there is another way that you listen or watch that we could support better.

Please Subscribe, Like, share and rate us in all the places that you find us!

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few things that we like.
Red Dice Diaries (with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)
Radio Grognard (with Glen Halstrom)
The Tale of the Manticore (a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)
Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar)
Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (Jason)
Shadow of the GM (Barry)
Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog (Taylor)
Legion of Myth

Episode 47 Wednesday July 28, 2021

Call ins & Emails
Taylor
John
Jason

The Positive Material Plane
Great Minds think alike: we both picked “In the Name of the King” for Jason’s give-away competition.
Update on our 50thepisode/ viewership YouTube GIVE-AWAY?
Played Deadlands last week also, ran a short 13th age scenario

Dragons in Fantasy RPGs
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon

Iconic: HALF OF THE NAME of the most famous of RPGS: Dungeons & Dragons
We discuss Types, Sizes, Rarity, Magic usage, Alignment, Combat, Dragons Beyond combat, etc.

Like it, Love it or Leave it

Dig this Setting: The World of Darkness https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_of_Darkness
We’ve not played this a lot...

Shameless Plug Time:
If you would like to support our show, please help get the word out and check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support.

Share with your friends and let us know if there is another way that you listen that we could support better.

Rate us on your favorite podcatcher such as iTunes, or Stitcher.

Check us out on YouTube and Odysee.  Please Like and Subscribe.

Our email is thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few things that we like.
Red Dice Diaries (with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)
Radio Grognard (with Glen Halstrom)
The Tale of the Manticore (a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)
Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar):
1) Blog: https://www.tenkarstavern.com/
2) Podcast: https://anchor.fm/tavernchat
3) Video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIdpAASpAI7vu-bZx6pP_mQ
Why so many? He is the Czar of the OSR after all!
Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (Jason)
Shadow of the GM (Barry)
Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog (Taylor)

The Negative Material Plane
Salvatore and knee bending

Crawford’s canon comments RPGPundit’s take

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe- Revelations on Netflix

Sandy Pederson roasted for “transphobic comments”

notes to follow

Episode 174 streamed live Tuesday January 16, 2024

Main Topic: What are the OSR’s of today? Old School Renaissance or Old School Revival

A little History:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_School_Renaissance

A couple of primers:

1. A Quick Primer for Old School Gaming (Matt Finch and Mythmere Games 2008): https://ia601802.us.archive.org/28/items/a-quick-primer-for-old-school-gaming/A%20Quick%20Primer%20for%20Old%20School%20Gaming.pdf

2. New OSR Primers (Lumpkin, Milton, & Perry):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VSa6hSvQAlyvkTfmqhix1Z2EoFJPR-CP/view

The Different Flavors of the OSR today

https://osrsimulacrum.blogspot.com/2021/12/a-historical-look-at-osr-part-v.html

“It was simply a rebirth of interest in old-school Dungeons & Dragons, specifically as its original designers intended it to be played. Its adherents had never entirely disappeared, but it was certainly a playerbase on life support for the longest time. Around 2007 began a renaissance, one that manifested in a variety of ways but at its heart was firmly rooted in mechanical compatibility with TSR-era D&D and a sharing of certain key design principles that went with those editions and the way their designers intended them to be played…”

The main four variants:

Classic OSR: The original wave. Has both compatibility and principles.

OSR-Adjacent: Some principles, some compatibility.

NSR: Principles, but not compatibility.

Commercial OSR: Compatibility, but not principles.

OTHERS:

FKR:Free Kriegsspiel Revolution

• Numbers don’t add up to a game.

• If the fiction fits, try it.

• You play worlds, not rules.

• https://followmeanddie.com/2021/10/02/fkr-free-kriegsspiel-revolution/

Great video by ben Milton of Questing beast for overview:https://youtu.be/d4lvrC3ZBzM

BRoSR:https://youtu.be/JIEW2r6deXs
“AD&D 1st edition with absolutely no house rules, do every single thing Gary told you to do." Also patron play / Braunstein where many domain level characters that would be NPC are run by the players"

More annoying links:

1) https://jonmollison.com/2022/11/10/brosr-principles-a-primer/

2) https://bdubsanddragons.blogspot.com/2021/11/bdubs-essential-guide-to-patron-play.html

3) https://bdubsanddragons.blogspot.com/2021/07/jeffrogaxian-time-keeping-vs-variable.html

Live Character Creation

Let’s create a character with as many random rolls as possible using Horde Wars!

Random Geek-itude

Big Geek Con 2

Dates: September 20-22, 2024 (Times TBD)

Four Points by Sheraton Saginaw

Our Links:

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Episode 124 Streamed Live Tuesday January 31, 2023

Main Topic: DM Blackwall and Horde Wars D12 System

Questions/Comments Related to the Game

1. Where does the game fall on the OSR-Modern-Indie scale?
2. Is it simulationist/gamist/narrativist?
3. High/low Fantasy or grim gritty?
4. P.2 Rule zero without using rule zero is alive in this game it seems?
5. Why the d12? Auto success on a 12, but no auto fail?
6. The clockwise initiative system…why did you go with this?
7. What is the purpose of the Afflictions and its comparison to Hit Points? 1 Healing Potion per day…why this choice?
8. Death in 1d4 rounds once you hit zero hit points. I like it. Have you thought of not letting players know how long they have? That is, roll behind the screen…my preference.
9. Simplified Creature types, but more granular damage types. Why the difference?
10. Object Vulnerability Example of play P.11.
11. Seems you have some level of abstraction say with encumbrance and creative solutions seems to be encouraged in the way players might solve challenges.
12. Why level 12 cap?

OGL 1.0a, Yeah, we won!!!...so what now?

Lots of opinions by youtubers:
https://youtu.be/VUBinw9H2DA(Professor DM)
https://youtu.be/IlzdFy0vB8k(RPGpundit)
https://youtu.be/Df6K65pHO9Q(Tenkar)
https://youtu.be/URY3fhm6R18(Diversity & Dragons)
https://youtu.be/HX5iZ5r8hyE(the dungeon delver)...and many others.

In the end:
So what? Not enough? Back into their loving arms(should you?)
Is the creative commons going enough?
Folks like us aren’t going back.
I’m glad for the creators whose livelihood is saved but they should take the time to pivot

Random Geek-itude
Report from Big Geek Land
BGE,Dungeon 23, BGA or BGCon

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Big Geek Emporium: https://biggeekemporium.com

Episode 90 Streamed Live Tuesday May 31, 2022

Random Geek-itude
1. Call-ins/emails: Taylor from Clerics Wear Ringmail on playing with “Randos”
2. Stranger Things Season 4 Tackles the Satanic Panic: link below

Main Topic: Dungeons and Dragons vs. The Satanic Panic and the Woke Mob
How are they similar?
How are they different?
Which was worse?
Does it matter now?
How did we fight the former and how do we fight the current?
Our experiences with it.

The Satanic Panic- the time when Dungeons and Dragons was thought to be connected to devil/Satan worship and the destruction of the youth.
60 Minutes: https://youtu.be/Cm_2S8E_UOI
B.A.D.D.: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patricia_Pulling
The BBC: https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26328105
The Nerdist - Part 1: https://nerdist.com/article/how-did-gaming-greats-navigate-the-satanic-panic-of-the-1980s/
The Nerdist - Part II: https://nerdist.com/article/how-dd-writers-fought-the-satanic-panic/
Groovy History: https://groovyhistory.com/satanic-panic-brief-history-hysteria
Demons and Devils Facelift: https://screenrant.com/dungeons-dragons-satanism-controversy-demons-devils-tanarri-baatezu/
The Grunge: https://www.grunge.com/179063/the-controversial-history-of-dungeons-dragons/
Stranger Things: https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/stranger-things-season-4-dungeons-and-dragons-satanic-panic/
Dark Dungeons (Chick Tract) https://www.chick.com/products/tract?stk=0046
Michael Stackpole: http://pc.gamespy.com/articles/539/539635p1.html

The Woke Invasion- The slippery slope of virtual signaling, SJW-madness, representation and woke insanity
Color Code to The Woke: https://www.therpgsite.com/pen-paper-roleplaying-games-rpgs-discussion/list-ttrpg-guide-to-woke-companies/
Woke RPG’s v Non-woke RPGs: https://medium.com/theuglymonster/woke-roleplaying-games-sell-better-than-not-woke-rpgs-cb5853fba7a2
Fighting against WOKE Culture: https://nypost.com/2021/01/31/10-ways-to-fight-back-against-woke-culture/(application to gaming)
POC Gamer: https://pocgamer.com/2019/08/02/decolonization-and-integration-in-dd/
Orcs = Black People: https://www.wired.com/story/dungeons-dragons-diversity/

Playing in the Mud:
Setting motivates rules, right?
3.X is the new old hotness…or is it?
What things do we wish to leave behind from 3.X?

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This week we talk about what an adventurer might do with a monster corpse. Eating it is just one option.

Notes to follow

Episode 72 Tuesday, January 25,2022

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands
1. Call-ins and Emails – John Alan Large of The Red Dice Diaries
2. DC shooting themselves in the foot or are they?
https://bleedingcool.com/comics/dc-comics-cancels-and-kills-off-the-justice-league/
and the New JLA?: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/19/e8/d6/19e8d691b6f2d5be601586a668d73163.jpg ( thanks to Eric Sciver: https://youtu.be/gp0WJoIvzJU for a great overview)
3. Cthulhu Awakens by Green Ronin: https://www.dicebreaker.com/games/cthulhu-awakens/news/cthulhu-awakens-rpg-green-ronin
4. 13th age SRD: https://www.13thagesrd.com/ and the ARCHMAGE engine pdf: http://pelgranepress.com/media/SRD/CombatRules.pdf

Main Topic: 13thAge Deep Dive Part 3

The New
One Unique Thing (OUT)
Relationship Points [RP]
Background Points [BP]
Failing Forward
Weapon & Armor Categories, Damage and Goods
Rallying
Rest and Re-charges
Full Heal Ups
Fleeing

1 Random Question: Is the GM just a player?

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Recorded Tuesday, November 24th, 2020

We open with the usual intro and talk about the next session of Savage Worlds

The Gaming NEWS
1. GaleForce 9 sues WOTC breach of contract…another one?
  And another?
2. Sweet towns and taverns maps
3. Pop-up terrain
4. Mophidius (of Conan fame- 2d20 system?) shows some art from the new DUNE RPG
5. The Yawning Portal ($350 price tag…YIKES!)
6. Tasha’s Cauldron Of Everything is Out

Rant Time: Frustrations with GMs and Players from the perspective of a Player and a GM
We discuss quite a few pet peeves about players and GMs. Chiefly, honesty, game mastery, and being “in the game” at the table.

A Cabin Con Moment
We discuss Cabin Con annoyances, or more accurately, the absence of them.

Building A Better Gaming World
Avoiding many setting issues, such as over development, anachronistic, features, and leaning too heavily on Tolkein.

Shameless Plug Time
Special thanks to Glen at Radio Grognard and THACO’s HAMMER podcasts for giving us a listen and a shout out. Glen gives some good advice on gaming in general and is an old school gamer. Thanks a bunch Glen!

Please share, like or review our podcast on Anchor, Breaker, Apple Itunes, Spotify, Stitcher, etc.

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Any contribution is appreciated, and we thank you for your consideration.

Email us at: questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com

House Rules in D&D: Yea or Nay?

Episode 115 Streamed Live Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Main Topic: House Rules in D&D and other RPGs

1. What is a House Rule? Definition: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/house-rule
2. Does  removing a rule, class, feature, spell, etc count as a house rule?
3. Is there a difference between a house rule and homemade setting?
4. Is filling in the gaps of the rules system the same as a house rule? That is, if a game has no grappling rules so you add some in due to a situation showing in a game or perhaps due to your desire to have them?
5. Players’ Perspective: How much is too much? How much warning do you need?
6. GM’s Perspective: When should you make a house rule?
7. Is interpreting a questionable/unclear rule (RAI???) a house rule? https://www.dungeoneersguildgames.com/single-post/confounded-rules lists some examples from 1e AD&D
8. RAW vs House Rules: table experience effects, at individual tables, in shared/league play: Adventurer’s League, RPGA, PF Society, ect
9. Are they worth it? Time investment, presenting clearly to players for understanding, do they make the game better? Is it ok if it is just the GM’s preference? Can players make them individually or due to consensus, or even against the will of the GM?
10. What type (if any) benefit from using house rules? Are there any games in which you shouldn’t make house or rules or if so, do them with a light touch?
11. Where do you land on them in general?

A Bit of a Rifts Rant: Character gen and organization- do better please. Seems that RIFTS is annoyingly convoluted.

Chat Spotlight: Speculation as to the OGL/SRD for ONEDND

Random Geek-itude: Report from Big Geek Land

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We talk about the magic items in our games and what, if any, good they are. Big Geek Con 2024 tickets on sale!: https://tabletop.events/conventions/big-geek-con-2024 $30 for 3 days! Sept 20 - 22 Four Points by Sheraton Saginaw 4960 Towne Centre Road Saginaw, MI 48604 https://tabletop.events/conventions/big-geek-con-2024 Our Links: PayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tip Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/biggusgeekus Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BiggusGeekus On the Web:  Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com Email: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com Big Geek Emporium: https://biggeekemporium.com/

Potpourri with Patrick Special Edition - Class Analysis: The Wizard

Episode 63 Tuesday, November 23,2021
See what Patrick is up to at: www.pointyhat.games buy his stuff especially Elemental Conflux!

Main Topic: Class Analysis: The Wizard
Wizard defined: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/wizard
1.) Throughout DnD Editions
OD+D:  The Magic User is described as the most powerful characters in the game
BECMI: The Magic User is a ‘human’ character, fears damage
AD+D 1e: Mentions that MU’s need high intelligence
AD+D2e: Wizard Group: mages & specialists
3.x: NOW FORMALLY CALLED WIZARDS - cautious adventurers
4e: powers and stuff, Balance attempted
5e: Cantrips be bad, Balance attempted

2.) Item creation: potions, scrolls and permanent items through the editions.
3.) Has any edition of DnD gotten the Wizard right?
4.) How do Wizards compare in other games?

Playing in the Mud: We discuss Wizard design considerations for Mudsword.

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Episode 92 Streamed Live Tuesday June 14, 2022

Random Geek-itude
1. Eric July got his first shipment … of what? Not sure, but I’m ready for the Rippaverse: https://twitter.com/EricDJuly/status/1534615182705565696
2. https://boundingintocomics.com/2022/06/13/screenrant-star-wars-article-epitomizes-everything-wrong-with-the-lefts-racial-perspectives/
3. Just for fun: https://www.gamersdecide.com/articles/10-greatest-weapons-dnd-legendary-weapons-1   

Main Topic: Stereotypes, Inclusion and Representation in D&D
I Definition Stereotype: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/stereotype

How Stereotypes can be good:
1.) Set base lines/make the world believable (need to see the normal before the abnormal becomes truly “weird”).
2.) Stereotypical NPCs/monsters allow players a more predictable way to react to the world making the exception more interesting and intriguing. ex: the friendly barkeep, the sagely, but forgetful wizard, kindly old priest, or the edgy rogue with a heart of gold.
3.) Definition Monsters: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/monster
- monsters are essentially evil
- frees folks from moral relativism
- the game has alignment, so intention is that there is REAL evil and good in the game

When/how can Stereotypes be bad?
Depends on the temperaments of the folks at the table, and how the stereotype is delivered.  

II Definitions of Inclusion:
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/inclusion
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/include

1.) Legion of Myth Nod: natural inclusion not forced diversity
2.) Not the inclusion we hear about today: https://www.cbr.com/dungeons-and-dragons-representation-inclusivity-plans/
3.) When has the hobby not ever been inclusive?
4.) How can Inclusion be good?
5.) When/how can Inclusion be bad?

III Definition Representation: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/represented
1.) Legion of Myth: Escapism not Representation
2.) Representation must have limits:  from DM perspective, your world cannot really be representative of all things unless it becomes cartoonish 3.) Representation today: https://www.themarysue.com/representation-in-d-and-d/
4.) When/how can representation be good?
5.) When/how can representation be bad?

One Random Question: How much use/mileage do you get out of “good” monsters in D&D?

Open Discussion: Generating Good Content
Revisiting old stuff/deeper dive into old topics
Evergreen topics: Gm Advice
How To topics
Exploration of Actual Play

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This week we conclude our Savage Worlds adventure

This week we break down this year's Big Geek Con

Episode 19 Wednesday January 13, 2021

We have our usual intro and gaming situations.

The Gaming NEWS:
Candlekeep Mysteries (announced 1-12-21)
Really just the Korvair Map Rug
Is this the way?
Origins pushed back to fall in hopes of F2F Con
Free maps
New Dragonlance Novel Announced?

Main Topic: Player Burnout (in RPGS)
We define burnout and talk about how to recognize it. We also talk about solutions, and other deeper things.

A Cabin Con Moment
Do you think we will ever tire/grow out of/burnout on CC?

Building A Better Gaming World
Will we burn out of a game that we make for ourselves or others?

Support:
If you would like to support our show, please check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support

Any contribution is much appreciated, and we thank you for your consideration.

Please share the podcast with your friends. Its available most places you can get your podcasts. If you have an app that is unsupported, let us know!

Our email is questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like:
Red Dice Diaries (with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)
Radio Grognard (with Glen Halstrom)
The Tale of the Manticore (a unique dramatized quasi-actual play/rpg discussion

Notes to Follow

Episode 114 Streamed Live Tuesday November 15, 2022

Main Topic: Attributed to Attributes
The attributes of a character:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attribute_%28role-playing_games%29

Compare and contrast the DnD attributes: STR, DEX, CON, INT, WIS, CHA

Other systems:
Target Number systems- DnD 3.X +Savage Worlds: https://www.uptofourplayers.com/ready-to-roll/savage-worlds-rules/
Marvel Superheroes RPG (FASERIP): https://rollhighordie.com/what-is-marvel-faserip/
Roll and keep systems- L5R, Vampire: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vampire:_The_Masquerade#Game_system
https://rollandkeep.fandom.com/wiki/Introduction_and_Design_Goals#What_is_Roll_and_Keep?
Rolemaster/CoC: percentile system: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolemaster#Basic_game_mechanics

Fate: descriptive attributes- https://fate-srd.com/fate-core/basics
1. Should attributes play a large role in the general power level of your PC?
2. Should attributes modify skills, or should skills be separate?
3. How many levels of differences would be ideal? What is the best way to scale?
4. How detailed should the modifiers be and exactly what should they modify?
5. How many attributes should you have?
6. Which is currently your favorite attribute system?

Is it really all that its cracked up to be? Fright Night retro review

Actor comparison:

1985: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089175/fullcredits/

2016: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1438176/fullcredits

Randy’s Rating
1985: 7/10
2011: 4/10

Joe’s Rating
1985: 8/10
2011: 1/10

Chat Spotlight: Do you like AI art in RPG books?

Random Geek-itude
Report from Big Geek Land
D&D used as therapy:
https://www.superjumpmagazine.com/dungeons-and-dragons-and-therapy-an-interview-with-dr-megan-connell/

Shameless Plug Time:
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Episode 40 Tuesday June 8, 2021

Call ins
Taylor
Jason
Andy

The Positive Material Plane:
Further savage antics
We are Now on Odysee

Class and Role: Divine Analysis
Healer discussion
1.) Focus: The Cleric Through the DnD editions
2.) Recall the old adages? Do you like to play them?
3) Are they too good? Are they too generic?
4) Which DnD version of Cleric is your favorite one? Why?
5) What might be some fun variants?
6) What are some final thoughts on Clerics if any?

A Cabin Con Moment
How long until you start thinking about CC16 with gusto?

Like it, Love it, or Leave it (our thoughts on things)

No Negative Material Plane This Week

Shameless Plug Time:
If you would like to support our show, please help get the word out asnd check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support.
Share with your friends and let us know if there is another way that you listen that we could support better.
Check us out on YouTube and Odysee.  Please Like and Subscribe.
Rate us on Apple iTunes or your favorite podcatcher.
Our email is questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like.
Red Dice Diaries (with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)
Radio Grognard (with Glen Halstrom)
The Tale of the Manticore (a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)
Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar):
1) Blog: https://www.tenkarstavern.com/
2) Podcast: https://anchor.fm/tavernchat
3) Video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIdpAASpAI7vu-bZx6pP_mQ
Why so many? He is the Czar of the OSR after all!
Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (Jason)
Shadow of the GM (Barry)
Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog (Taylor)

Episode 138 Streamed Live Tuesday May 9, 2023

Special Guest: DM Blackwall & N. Lindy(?)

Main Topic: Campaign Analysis:

Campaign types - advantages and disadvantages
Our first effort: Hyperborea by Jeffrey Talanian of North Wind Adventures: https://www.hyperborea.tv/

Types - Railroad vs Sandbox vs A Mixture

Also Procedural and Amusement Parks

What type is our Hyperborea game going to be?

A Cabin Con Moment: Re-cap CC17 May 4-7, 2023

We had a great time! Lots of napping between games as we are a bit older and not in a rush. Much gaming was had by all: 13th age, Deadlands, Warp Shell, GI Joe, Fallout, Blade Runner and Horde Wars! There were also some board games, and outdoor games (limited due to weather) and even Ping Pong.
We had our traditional bonfire and Werewolf session on Friday which is always a lot of laughs. To celebrate Cinco de Mayo, we had a pitch-in taco dinner. One attendee smoke pork for everyone – YUMMY!

Report from Big Geek Land

BGE gets an update for physical products. Gift Cards coming soon!

Big Geek Con will be on Tabletop Events for ticket sales

September 22-23,2023

Four Seasons at Sheraton in Saginaw MI

If we get 10+ rooms booked we get a larger space to game.

Got several folks lined up to be there and run games potentially including the Horde Wars dudes!

Shameless Plug Time:

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Episode 61 November 9, 2021

This week on Biggus Beekus we talk about the role of the Dungeon Master in you DnD game, and more broadly in tabletops RPGs: Is the DM just a player?

We dabble a bit in Project Mudsword: Is the current iteration of the game rules fun?

We also have the usual call ins and hobby news, including a new Actual Play: Battle for Beyond

(https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1099-join-the-battle-for-beyond-a-6-part-dungeons)

--See More--

Our Links:
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Episode 57 Tuesday October 12,2021

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands

1.) Call Ins
    Jason of Nerd's RPG Variety Cast
    Taylor of Clerics Wear Ringmail
2.) Old email address
3.) New mail?
4.) Finally a Tarrasque figure: https://www.ign.com/articles/dnd-tarrasque-mini-statue-reveal-wizkids but of course $399.99...yeah, pass.
5.) Gay Johnathan Kent
6.) Arkhaven
7.) Eric July, RipperVerse

Main Topic: The Ultimate Topic: Alignment- yes or nor or maybe?
1.) What is alignment for?
2.) The Various Dungeons & Dragons Alignment Systems along with a few others

OD+D: Character Alignment, Including Various Monsters and Creatures
AD+D 1e,2e, and 3.x DnD: 9 alignment system: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alignment_(Dungeons_%26_Dragons)
4e DnD:  A character’s alignment (or lack thereof) describes his or her moral stance
5e DnD: https://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/5e_SRD:Alignment
Palladium Alignment system: https://imgur.com/gallery/DmKvb
Pendragon:series of personality trait scales.
WOD: A morals system that just rates 1-10 

3.) The Paladin & other alignment centered characters
4.) Favorite System or do we even want/need it?
Like it, Love it or Leave it

A Cabin Con Moment

The Business meeting is going to be Saturday, November 13th, 2021
What is its purpose? How does it actually go? Is I still useful after 15 years?

Shameless Plug Time:
If you would like to support our show, please help get the word out and check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support.

Share with your friends and let us know if there is another way that you listen that we could support better.

Rate us on your favorite podcatcher such as iTunes, or Stitcher.

Check us out on YouTube and Odysee.  Please Like and Subscribe.

Our email is thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few things that we like.
Red Dice Diaries (with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)
Radio Grognard (with Glen Halstrom)
The Tale of the Manticore (a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)
Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar)
Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (Jason)
Shadow of the GM (Barry)
Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog (Taylor)
Legion of Myth

Episode 54 Wednesday September 20, 2021

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands
Call Ins: Jason of Nerd’s RPG variety Cast and John of The Red Dice Diaries

Contest of Champions 2: Out of the Abyss (5e DnD hardback), Codex Infernus (Savage Worlds guide to Hell), or Maximum XCrawl (PF 1e version of X-Crawl)

Game Coming up this weekend.

Gen Con:
GenCon 2021 Report from Greg D.
FROG-GATE: https://youtu.be/JtAoAWc7ObY
Kotaku Article Requires Discussion: https://kotaku.com/d-d-5th-edition-is-deeply-flawed-so-why-not-play-somet-1847698975

Main Topic: OOC Player Choices
1) In-depth vs little planning vs No planning for PC backgrounds
2) Splitting Treasure: who gets what and when/group decision
3) Choosing a Character to play
4) Meta-game knowledge usage
5) Party leader
6) Keeping secrets/being the sneaky guy
7) Stealing from the party/self-interest or group interest

Like it, Love it or Leave it

Dig this Setting: Golarion - the world and setting for the Pathfinder RPG. Our discussion will be purely from a reference of 1st edition material.
https://www.tribality.com/2015/08/28/try-pathfinders-golarion-for-your-next-campaign-setting/
http://hastur.net/wiki/Golarion
https://www.enworld.org/threads/summary-or-intro-paragraphs-about-golarion.276843/

Shameless Plug Time:
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Check us out on YouTube and Odysee.  Please Like and Subscribe.

Our email is thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com feel free to send any questions or comments to us.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few things that we like.
Red Dice Diaries (with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)
Radio Grognard (with Glen Halstrom)
The Tale of the Manticore (a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)
Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar):
1) Blog: https://www.tenkarstavern.com/
2) Podcast: https://anchor.fm/tavernchat
3) Video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIdpAASpAI7vu-bZx6pP_mQ
Why so many? He is the Czar of the OSR after all!
Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (Jason)
Shadow of the GM (Barry)
Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog (Taylor)
Legion of Myth https://www.youtube.com/c/LegionofMyth

This week we discuss high level play yet again, but with more feeling.

Episode 116 Streamed Live Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Our condolences to Kevin Siembeida https://www.palladiumbooks.com/

Our Recent Gaming: OSE- The Black River Valley Campaign now on hiatus
Randyplayed Rifts on Legion of Myth this past Friday Dec 2, 2022
Big Geek Emporium gets a server upgrade, site upgrades coming soon!

Main Topic: Monster Mash #6-The Drow

Mythological etymology: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_elf
Their first appearance in DnD books: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drow
Description: cruel, wicked, depraved, dreaded, EVIL blackskinned elves w/white hair

OD&D/Basic/Rules Cyclopedia: no mention
1e: The origin of the drow for DnD
Magical equipment: Adamantite alloy- cloaks, boots, weapons (KO poison coating/-4 saving throw), armor of highly magical quality. MR= 50% +2%/LEVEL weakness to light.

GDQ series of modules they encounter Lolth and the city of Erelhei-Cinlu. Mentions Drow war partys of certain compositions will have female leaders and males could be level 4 clerics.

2e: Monstrous Compendium II and Monstrous Manual - noble houses and merchant families, worship of Lolth, priestesses high place in society, Drider and Dreagoloth. Forgotten realms:  Drizz’t and Menzoberranzan get the spotlight

3.x: Explicitly states society is Matriarchical

4e:MM-worship the Spider Queen, once creatures of the Feywild ,but followed Lolth down a dark path/ Surface raiders/live in a matriarchical theocracy, Males cannot serve as priests.

5e:MM - a mix of 1e/2e and 3e but more generic. Lolth still their spider queen and females rule/males drool.
Ecology & influence:
They work well as behind the scenes as puppet masters
They are great villains for mid to high level and as boogey-men for low level.
Used to show a decadent society and how such a depraved society works.

“Controversy”: see RECEPTION https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drow#Conception_and_creation

Chat Spotlight: How do you handle inertia at your gaming table?

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Streaming Medial Mentioned: Movies Plus https://www.mymoviesplus.com/

Episode 107 Streamed Live Tuesday September 27 ,2022

Programming Note:
Joe was solo for half of the show. He was joined by Bruce Lombardo of Dix Division: https://www.youtube.com/c/brucelombardo75

Main Topic: Retro-Review: White Plume Mountain
Summary of the 1e module
Was a TSR module. Good DM advice.
Made in the Old School ‘DIY’ way. Light on story, big on expandability.

Big Geek Updates
BG Emporium: We showed of pics of the new design.
https://biggeekemporium.com/

Geekosphere:
The OSR is DYING?!?!?
Bruce and Joe react to Gamers on Games laughable video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2R3sOoGAbU&t=196s

Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/GamersOnGames

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We discuss Cabin Con18! Also many lesser issues.

Notes to follow

Episode 81 March 29, 2022

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands
1. Cancel culture has no allies: https://www.giantfreakinrobot.com/cltr/brie-larson-being-canceled-for-controversial-new-video.html
2. Competitive DnD: https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-onslaught-board-game-wizkids/

Monster Mash #1 (introduction) - SHOUT out to Red Dice Diariesfor the idea!
We hope to discuss the following:

1) Its first appearance in DnD books
2) Its most common characteristics & powers throughout the editions.
3) Ecology & influence of monster in the campaign world.
4.) How best to use them?
5.) Our favorite examples of how we have and continue to use them in our own games.
6.) Mythological etymology
7.) Rank from 10 all the way up to #1

Some Possible Candidates:

The Tarrasque
Giants
Orcs & Goblinkin
Demons & Devils
Dragons
Constructs
Bulette
Undead
Beholder
Mind Flayers
And Many More

WHEN IS IT OK TO TPK? Total party Kill (wipe,etc): when the adventure ends due to every PC being Killed.
1. Why do they happen? Whose fault? Player or Gm? Or the game itself? Bad dice rolls, bad player decisions, bad adventure design,
2. Consequences of TPK’’s:

Negative- possible campaign ending, player frustration, loss of motivation to play
Positive- learn more about the game, starting a new campaign is invigorating, chance to try out a new character type/class/build

3. Can TPK’s be used to teach lessons (both to Players and DMs)? Practical example to be given (from *Saturday 3/28/22)
4. What are some of your own memories of TPK’s? Good, bad, or ugly

1 Random Question: When should you kick a player out of your group, and whose job is it?

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Episode 69Tuesday January 4,2022

From Silent Josh
1. The END of DC & Marvel too!
https://youtu.be/tsO7g3Lp8YA
Superman Abused

2. Session 0 stuff: https://roleplayersrespite.com/dnd-session-0-checklist

Main Topic (Part 1): The Hickman Manifesto & Revolution
The Hickman Manifesto:
1. A player objective more worthwhile than simply pillaging and killing.
2. An intriguing story that is intricately woven into play itself.
3. Dungeons with an architectural sense.
4. An attainable and honorable end within one to two sessions playing time.

a.) https://muleabides.wordpress.com/2012/03/23/manifesto-of-the-hickman-revolution/
b.) https://grognardia.blogspot.com/2012/03/roots-of-revolution.html
c.) https://grognardia.blogspot.com/2008/12/scrappy-doo-and-hickman-revolution.html
d.) https://monstersandmanuals.blogspot.com/2012/03/hickman-revolution-and-frustrated.html
e.) http://www.kungfuology.com/andybest/2012/08/35-dd-theory-the-hickman-revol.html
f.) https://youtu.be/dCmKwSzXMAE
g.) https://youtu.be/gKyr1uQqWJQ
h.) https://youtu.be/awf2FrPZGgw by OG GM

Segment #3: (Twofer) Am I just too old for this game?
As we become well-aged and well-cured gamers, is learn new games, complex games, or just different games (mainly rpgs but can apply this to any) too much of a chore and simply not worth it?

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shownotes to follow

Episode 56 Friday October 8 ,2021

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands
John from Red Dice Diaries
Jason from The Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast

News from the Silence (news from Silent Josh):
1.) Juiblex Figure
2.) Superman's Boyfriend?
3.) Metric System in DnD?
4.) https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-counterspell-5e-statblock-changes/
5.) https://screenrant.com/tabletop-rpg-campaigns-non-violent-apocalypse-world-pacifist/
6.) https://www.wargamer.com/dnd/alignment-rules-changes
7.) Legion of Myth: gatekeepers Episode 1: https://youtu.be/T19Tyl1Vqcw
8.) Critical role makes the bucks: https://youtu.be/UndkdHKgdl0

Main Topic: Bringing your world to Life (sparking interest longevity and enjoyment at the table for your campaign)

Players
1. Gather people who can commit and want to play the game you are running
2. Let them play what they want within the framework of the world.
3. Share Spotlight Time
4. Watch to see what is most interesting to each player
5. Make the PCs the stars

DM
1. Create cool and hate-able villains
2. Create interesting/exotic locations
3. Create memorable NPCs
4. Create challenging opponents (monsters)
5. Every so often, try to surprise the players
6. Make sure any rules changes are stated up-front

Like it Love it or leave it

Playing in the Mud:
Joe didn’t get to play in the mud, but Randy did. Had 2 experienced Mud-sword wielders and 3 newbs Thursday night. Here is Randy’s report on undead/turning and Spell Saves.

Shameless Plug Time:
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Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyVze8TfIB16j0PdmE4lOJg) and Odysee (https://odysee.com/@biggusgeekus:3).  
Please Like and Subscribe.  Rate us on Apple iTunes or your favorite podcatcher.  

Our email is thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com.

We would also like to encourage you to check out a few things that we like.
Red Dice Diaries (with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah) https://reddicediaries.com/
Radio Grognard (with Glen Halstrom) https://anchor.fm/radio-grognard
The Tale of the Manticore (a unique dramatized quasi-actual play) https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/
Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (Jason) https://anchor.fm/jason376
Shadow of the GM (Barry) https://anchor.fm/gmsshadow
Clerics Wear Ringmail Blog (Taylor) https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/
Legion of Myth https://www.youtube.com/c/LegionofMyth

Episode 112 Streamed Live Tuesday November 1, 2022

With Surprise guest: TShirted Historian

The edition wars can be heated, especially considering the “That’s not DnD” refrain. This just shuts down discussion of one or more “problematic” versions of the game. Most if not all of these “editions” have something good to contribute, even if the game design went in a direction you don’t like (3rd, 4th, and 5th). There has not been “A” DnD since the 1970’s when it was ODnD. After that there have been multiple versions. Some with small rules changes, some larger. Some with tone changes to one degree or another.

These are all versions of DnD. Not the same, but not completely different either (maybe 4e)

Campaigns end, but what situations indicate they should. The total party kill (TPK) is a go to end, as is boredom. Does there need to be a plan? Should the plan be “in case”, or “on purpose”? is this plan just the DM’s or does he consult the players? The answers are a varied as the many game tables out there.

The Thief/Rogue class has at least as many versions as Dungeons and Dragons. The class began as a class that generally contributed very little to combats, except the occasional back stab, to outperforming the fighter in straight up melee. The class has always had a lot of use outside of combat, from general pilfering to being a walking encyclopedia to being a socialite.

Links to topics discussed

https://www.pcgamer.com/this-dandd-campaign-has-been-running-for-40-years/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogue_(Dungeons_%26_Dragons)
The Thief:
1e: https://tablo.com/david-thomson/1st-ed-ad-and-d-the-thief
2e: https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/Thief
3e: https://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/3e_SRD:Rogue
3.5:https://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Rogue
Pathfinder 1e: http://pathfinder.d20srd.org/coreRulebook/classes/rogue.html#rogue
4e: https://dnd4.fandom.com/wiki/Rogue
5e: https://www.5esrd.com/database/class/rogue/
13th Age: https://www.13thagesrd.com/classes/rogue/

Report from Big Geek Land
Minor updates for our various projects

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Saturday, May 9th, 2020

We open with the usual intro and talk about preparing for CabinCon, and our short-lived Deadlands game. Also Randy’s harrowing cellar escapade.

What is Adventure?
We defined it and spoke at length about that and how to flavor it with heroism. How Lord of the Rings, Conan, and John Carter are a kind of foundation. Also how western culture figures in.

A Cabin Con Moment
We talk schedule and number of attendees with respect to our governor’s restrictions.

The Gaming NEWS
No News this time around

Shameless Plug Time
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Much Ado about D&D w/special guest Grim Jim
Episode 122 Streamed Live Tuesday January 17, 2022

Shout out to Nerdcognito!  Twitter: @Nerdcognito, https://www.nerdcognito.com/
Merch at Big Geek Emporium! https://biggeekemporium.com/big-geek-merch/

Main Topic: Much Ado About D&D w/Special Guest- Grim Jim
Grim details his background from picking up Fighting Fantasy adventure books at the tender age of 8 to running his own independent game company Postmortem Studios: https://post-mort.com/

YouTube: https://youtu.be/XnrTdF8scX0
Blog: https://talesofgrim.wordpress.com/
Grim’s latest is Wightchester: Prison City of the Damned
PDF - https://tinyurl.com/ynan34m9
Print Book - https://tinyurl.com/35vvc2be

We then get into some history ofthe OGL and discuss the latest shenanigans at Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast.

Related Links:
OGL 1.1
Paizo Speaks
https://youtu.be/b4aTpzsU388
https://youtu.be/Jobead_Nq8A
DnD Beyond Post
https://youtu.be/LTXkxy2KjXU
https://youtu.be/51tZquziqF0
DnDBegone
Critical Role "Response"
https://youtu.be/7y-nITUilGM

Random Geek-itude
Dungeon 23 Report
Taigon’s Falls Update - Draft 1B sent to my editor!!!
Giveaway 2.0- the Double Whammy Giveaway! (thanks to the generosity of Martenson!)
The 2nd Giveaway of the Year Announcement…well sort of

You can win your choice of TWO of the following fabulous prizes:

1. C&C’s Monsters & Treasures by Troll Lord Games
2. Cardboard heroes Castles- the Keep by SJ games
3. Legends & Lairs: Mythic Races – (DnD 3e) by Fantasy Flight Games
4. Star Wars: Edge of the Empire RPG (BETA) by Fantasy Flight Games

Guess the number of official 3.5 roleplaying game books by Wizards of the Coast that Randy currently owns in print. Consider only: core books, supplements, sourcebooks, and modules.

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Our Links
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Store
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Tuesday February 16, 2021

We do our usual intro and discuss recent gaming.

Call Ins

Jason from Nerds RPG Variety Cast calls in to discuss various points relative to episode 23.

Wing’in It!

A rambling discourse of many RPG topics

Shameless Plug Time

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notes to follow

Episode 89 Streamed Live, Thursday May 24, 2022

Random Geek-itude
1. Call-ins/emails: John and Taylor
2. Warner Bros does something right: https://variety.com/2022/film/news/wonder-twins-movie-canceled-hbo-max-1235254892/
3. DC Fails again: https://screenrant.com/batman-bisexual-bruce-wayne-dc-fans-react/
4. Demogorgon mini to be released: https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-demogorgon-demon-lord-critical-role/

Main Topic: Part One - Cultivating a Gaming Group
Should every player play in every game?
Choosing the right players: setting & system preferences or limitations, RP level, action level, exploration level
Playing with random players- game store, internet, or message board
When to bow out?

Main Topic: Part 2 - Setting up Fantastic Locations & Situations
The idea: something exotic, interesting, challenging
How important is it to make a location fantastic?
Show the mundane consistently to accentuate the fantastic
How can you generate these neat ideas? Movies, comics, books, paintings/pics (internet), modules/adventures
How important is it to most games that you have these places?
How do you place such ideas in a world trying to maintain some verisimilitude?

Examples …

One Page Dungeons: https://www.dungeoncontest.com/

Random Question: Do you ever see yourself not playing TTRPGs?

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Podcast:
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Videos
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November 19th, 2020

Intro and gaming catchup where Randy and Joe talk about their latest in person Savage Worlds Fantasy game together.

The Gaming NEWS:
1) Fun and annoyance with swords
2) New Old Survey for DnD
3) Reorg at Asmodee shuffles Star Wars mini games away from FFG
4) Free League is on Fire
5) Traveller Box Set on the Horizon
6) Blue Rose Quickstart
7) Vampire changes owner?
8) Non profit VTT
9) Nominate your fav rpg podcast

New GM Advice:
Highlights: Play with friends, keep it simple, don’t fear mistakes or modules.

Link discussed:
Don’t Prep Plots…prep situations: https://thealexandrian.net/wordpress/4147/roleplaying-games/dont-prep-plots

A Cabin Con Moment
First time GM failures and successes

Building A Better Gaming World
Newbie friendly setting advise

Support Biggus Geekus!!!
Please share, like or review our podcast on Anchor, Breaker, Apple Itunes, Spotify, Stitcher, etc.

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Email us at: questions@biggusgeekuspodcast.com

We go into detail with Best of Dragon vol 2, detailed notes to follow.

Episode 156 Streamed Live Tuesday September 12, 2023

Mental Illness as badge of Honor

https://dotesports.com/dnd/news/first-canonically-autistic-dnd-character-arrives-in-the-book-of-many-things

Main Topic: Planescape Reimagined

The Great Wheel Cosmology:https://srd.dndtools.org/srd/environment/planesDescriptionsAndCosmology.html

Randy’s Big IDEA: The prime (Prime Plane) is prime real estate throughout the Multiverse and all the other planes want it. Why? It is the only plane that is not dedicated to a single idea or alignment. It has desirable resource (its residents) and it is not primarily dedicated to a single idea or alignment.

Sigil: City of Doors is run by a Great Council of Dominant representatives of non-deity level leaders from the planes of the multiverse They are in a constant political dance called the Kreigstanz in an attempt to outmaneuver each other. This keeps them from mounting a full assault on the prime material plane. Of course, many of these powerful individuals will do a little ‘invading” secretly or sometimes not so secretly from time to time.

Lady of Pain: head of the table- a powerful entity who can keep out powerful immortal creatures due to the nature of the City of Doors. She has a seemingly endless horde of warriors called Dabus who do not speak, but only act. They might be constructs or a race of mute beings, no one knows for sure because as they die their bodies dissipate into nothing or meld into the streets of Sigil.

The Factions: these could be human/PC race led organizations that attempt to win favors from the Great Council, the Lady of Pain, or perhaps to just keep an eye on the dealings of these planar entities who would wish to dominate the Prime Material Plane.

The PORTALS: These exist as the only way to access Sigil and only the Lady and Dabus have control to their access at least officially.

Joe’s Big IDEA:
Skip Sigil and keep the focus on the PCs’ homeworld as much as possible.

- PCs’ home world has occasional invaders from the wider multiverse, maybe other prime worlds

- Invasion forces vary in strength

- Forces are after a valuable resource (make one up lazy!)

- May be a single force, maybe multiple

- May be independent forces, maybe coordinated

- Can easily be used to springboard a campaign

- Can be used as a one shot “Stop The Invaders” adventure

-- get to ground zero

-- battle to penetrate a stronghold

-- find and eliminate the leader/close portal (not necessarily connected)
Squishing Gaming Myths: D&D is NOT a GOOD TTRPG.

It is just the most popular.

It doesn’t represent magic well.

Levels are dumb and skills are where it’s at.

It is just an adventure game, no roleplaying support.

It doesn’t work past level 6/10/12

It is too complicated.

Report from Big Geek Land

Big Geek Con: September 22-23, 2023, at the Four Points Hotel in Saginaw, MI. “Do Not try that at a Small Con!” We got some good help working on the non-gaming stuff.

Tickets sold day of show: $40 whether you come Friday(22nd) or Saturday(23rd).

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Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com

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Big Geek Emporium:https://biggeekemporium.com/

Episode 67 Tuesday, December 21,2021

Call ins & Emails from the Outlands
1. Call ins and emails: No Call ins and 1 email
2. RPGPundit discussion on what’s wrong with most 5e players and really the big difference between story games and RPGs: https://youtu.be/oDacPZsirRs
3. More on the Lore deletion from WOTC

Main Topic: The Right Game for the Right Job
1. Which system is the right one?
2. One system to rule them all? Should you choose a system designed for a specific type of game over a game you are familiar with and just try to manipulate it to make it “work”? Does it just “depend” or do you have strong preference one way or the other?
3. Have you ever thought a game would be better served by a different system?
4. Have you ever played a hacked version of game to run a style which the rules didn’t cover?
5. Are generic systems the solution? They cover all genres, right? Go GURPS, HERO SYSTEM or Savage Worlds! Do these systems struggle doing some genres well?
6. Do the physical components or design of mechanics fit certain ideas better? d20, dice pools, percentile only, etc.

Gaming Wishes- wherein we wax fondly of the possibilities
1. If you could, what non-RPG game would you like to play that you don’t seem to ever get to
2. What RPG would you like to GM though you never seem to get to
3. What RPG would you like to play take part in as a player, but never seem to get to

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Episode 22 Recorded on Wednesday February 3, 2021

The Gaming NEWS:
Rob Kuntz, TLB Games and Legends of Roleplaying
Additional Info
Free Sunken City Map Package
Immersion and Roleplaying
Zinequest 3

Call Ins
We really appreciate the praise!
Red Dice Diaries- John Alan Large comments on episode 20 and about the OSR
Hobbs & Friends of the OSR - Jason Hobbs [Low Fantasy Gaming] comments on episode 21: Railroad vs Sandbox

Min-Topic - OSR Redux
Re-cap and re-hash our discussion on 3D with E.Tenkar and G. Halstrom on the Dungeons, Dragons , & Discourse livestream last week.

General thoughts on the 4-man Livestream:
 good fun and even better company
 the OSR is a welcoming DIY community in the best sense

Negatives to OSR games(maybe): Vancian magic, Low Level Play

Another Mini- Topic: The +1 [Newbie Player Advice] …First Timer Vs General newbie

Tl;dr don’t overdo it

A Cabin Con Moment
Old guard; OSR in the house!

Building A Better Gaming World
OSR is in the future.

Shameless Plug Time:
If you would like to support our show, please check out our website at: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com/support

Any contribution is much appreciated, and we thank you for your consideration.

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We would also like to encourage you to check out a few podcasts that we like:

Red Dice Diaries (with John Alan Large and his wife Hannah)
Radio Grognard (with Glen Halstrom)
The Tale of the Manticore (a unique dramatized quasi-actual play)
Tavern Chat (with Eric Tenkar)

Episode 178 Streamed Live Tuesday February 13, 2024 Main Topic: Who is the true Dungeon Master…Gary or Dave? A review of two documentaries: 1.) Secrets of Blackmoor: A Tue History of Dungeons & Dragons https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9301886/plotsummary/?ref_=tt_ov_pl 2.) The Dreams in Gary’s Basement https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10621206/ Both movies painted their respective subjects in a good light Blackmoor for Mr Arneson’s part and Dreams for Mr Gygax. However neither treated the other’s subject in a bad light, letting the ages old schism remain in the past. Both mostly focused on the positive contributions each paid to our hobby. Secrets of Blackmoor went into great detail about how the tabletop RPG hobby sprung from war gaming, largely though Dave Arneson’s efforts. Dreams focused on Gary Gygax’s similar journey detailing the rise and fall of TSR and its eventual purchase by Wizards of The Coast. In light of these two documentaries, it seems the hobby owes it existence to both of these visionaries, though it is uncertain as to who gets top billing. At this point it hardly matters. Modules or Roll Your own? Modules/Pre-packaged Adventures Advantages: all encounters and stats done for you, plot ready to go, read-n-run (???), nice maps & visuals, and can dovetail with your own ideas(can even steal them from modules) and they can be fun to read. Disadvantages: may not fit your group, too railroad-y, costly($?), may need to shoe horn the current campaign/party situation into the adventure( Slavers series??/), politicization of games could creep in and long adventure paths/modules can be a lot to read and prepare even though it is all laid out for you. Rolling Your Own Advantages: easier to prep(theoretically), can react on the fly w/o worry of “messing” up the adventure, do not have to spend time reading, allows you infinite freedom and you can tailor it to your group from the start. Disadvantages: must make your own maps & prep time/write stats( ?), may need to use monster books/charts/random tables and “wing’in it” can result in non-sensical situations ( “ an aboleth, that doesn’t make any sense!”), inspiration can run dry, Big Geek Con 2: get ticket at - https://tabletop.events/conventions/big-geek-con-2024 September 20-22, 2024/$30 for those who are 13+ Parents must be always with their children. We are not babysitters. Four Points by Sheraton Saginaw 4960 Towne Centre Road, Saginaw, MI 48604 +1 989 790 5050 Shameless Plug Time: If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show. We are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well. Cash Support PayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tip Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/biggusgeekus Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BiggusGeekus On the Web:  Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com Email: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com Big Geek Emporium: https://biggeekemporium.com/

Ravenloft - The Spooky D&D Setting

Episode 110 Streamed Live Tuesday October 18, 2022

Main Topic: Ravenloft - The Spooky D&D Setting
Ravenloft was released October 1983. This is a very popular module that spawned sequels, a setting, and many supplements over the various editions for Dungeons and Dragons. Set in the fictional region called Barovia, the PCs must find a way to defeat the vampire Strahd von Zarovich to leave this cursed land, as it is surrounded by poisonous mists that the PCs will find difficult to circumvent.

This adventure features original art by fan favorite Clyde Caldwell and iconic isometric maps by David Southerland. Encounters range in difficulty with iron golems being fearsome for the suggested 6th to 8th level characters.

There are some railroad-y elements to the adventure: the mists, the reincarnated lover, the “need” to have a fighter who wields a longsword, to name a few. Another feature is the tarot-inspired plot generator which provides replay with different outcomes. This original module provides a sort of mini setting in addition to the adventure itself. Subsequent adventures, supplements and setting build on the original theme, expanding it into a full-blown gothic-horror setting.

Relevant links:
I6
https://youtu.be/8vutGHA9fZw
https://youtu.be/2nWwVdRY2yM
Old Boxed Set
Revised Box Set
Ravenloft II
Ravenloft Advanced
Created
Fan Site

Holiday One Shots:
10 Monsters Good for Halloween 1-Shot
Christmas
Thanksgiving
Valentine’s Day

Geekosphere - Big Geek Updates
D&D Documentary
She-Hulk’s Last Episode

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PayPal
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Episode #100 Streamed Live Tuesday August 9, 2022

Gencon 2022 Report from Patrick Demo of Point Hat Games

Main Topic: We finally made it, or did we?
I. Our own personal history with D&D and RPGs
II. Biggus Geekus – A retrospective
III. Biggus Geekus- the future
IV. Thanks to: Wherein we give thanks to those who helped.

Geekosphere
1. Call-ins/emails – let’s do it!!
2. Episode #100- Milestone Contest - thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com
   Grimtooth’s Ultimate Traps Collection by Goodman Games (Kickstarter edition)
3. Zaslov https://theculturednerd.org/2022/08/warner-bros-discoverys-ceo-david-zaslav-confirms-that-major-changes-are-on-the-horizon-for-the-dceu/
4. A totally boss take down of woke Hollywood losers: https://youtu.be/NXIoEmyofoQ

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