Storyteller Conclave (Storyteller Conclave)

Where to begin? Rob and Sara discuss the fundamentals of creating a story for tabletop roleplay, and how the game system you choose influences how that story will be told. We begin by discussing various games, and the particular types of stories they’re good for telling with – specifically, we mention D&D, Palladium, DREAD, the ÆonVerse (Adventure!, Aberrant, Trinity), the World of Darkness, 7th Sea, and WR&M). Choosing the correct game system can make or break how your story is told around your table, by enhancing the aspects of the story you wish to focus on, such as dramatic heroics, pulp action, horror / tension, combat, etc. If choosing a game system whole-cloth doesn’t work for your story, there’s always homebrewing! Writing your own setting and applying existing rules to it, or adding / removing / rewriting rules to better enhance how your story is told is a practice as old as gaming itself! We briefly discuss the pros and cons of homebrewing your own setting. We also discuss how to enhance a pre-written setting if writing your own isn’t your goal, by using established characters and set-pieces, but how to still subvert expectations so even the old can feel new and exciting! As this is our first episode of our podcast, we had no listener questions, but we found a few at Reddit’s /r/DMAcademy subreddit that we tossed at one another to answer. We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) – Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 1 Worlds of Potential appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

Systems and methods for adjudicating the intricacies of social combat – Persuasion, intimidation, influence, seduction, extortion, etc. From puppeteering politicians from the shadows, to out-glamming your nemesis at the Count’s gala ball, Rob and Sara discuss it all! We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) – Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 2 War of Words appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

NPC’s are a necessary part of any story. Be it a bar keep, enchanter, local constable, or King. Each has a purpose but also has a story of their own. In this episode we discuss NPC creation and when too much can be good or bad. Joining us this week is another fine storyteller and friend, Chris Rummel. We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) – Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 3 – Managing NPCs appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

Every story needs a good villain! But what IS a villain, exactly? What makes a good villain? What about antiheroes and antagonists? This episode, we explore the ins-and-outs of building the best Big Bad Evil Guy for your game, and how they can interact with your story! We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) – Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 4 Villains, Antagonists, and Henchmen (Oh My!) appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

We all have dice, paper and pencils right? But what do we need to run a game in the 21st century? What tools do you bring to the table? What makes it easier and when do we stop? Rob and Sara explore the advances in technology that is designed to make our games bigger and better, from Virtual Table Tops (VTTs), to 3d printing, to background music and sound effects. We’re joined by special guest Sean Treppa, who has used much of the tech we discuss first-hand, to help us navigate the merits and flaws of the plethora of options available. We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 5 Tools of the Trade – Gaming in the Digital Age appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

It can feel positively daunting to be the Storyteller for the first time, whether this is your first game ever, or you’re a player moving behind the DM screen. Rob and Sara share their advice for new Storytellers, for what game to pick, what supplies you need, and common dos and don’ts for telling your story! We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 6 So, You Want to Be a Storyteller appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

Players are a crucial part of our group – without them, we have no game! This episode, we discuss how to find players and form your specific group, what different types of players to expect, and common pitfalls to avoid when inviting 3-5 very diverse individuals to your gaming table. We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 7 Player and Group Dynamics appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

Characters are the gears that make our stories move, and of all characters in our stories, the Player Characters are the most important. A major role of the Storyteller is helping the players create and play interesting and dynamic characters. This episode we discuss tips, tricks, and common pitfalls for helping turn your PCs from walking stereotypes into living, breathing, 3-dimensional characters! We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 8 Creating Dynamic Characters appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

We play roleplaying games in countless ways, across all ages, genders, creeds, and cultures. No matter the game being played, though, we are a group of people gathered around a table for common purpose. What rules and etiquette do we observe? How do we make sure everyone is respected and has fun, and the game is able to run as smooth as possible? This episode, we discuss the often unspoken rules of the table that helps keep the game running, rather than being several hours of herding cats! We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 9 Gaming Group Etiquette appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

As storytellers we run games and focus on plot hooks, compelling story and intriguing scenes. But all of this can feel thrown out the door when someone is missing. It throws off our groove and can get quite frustrating. How do we handle when players are late very late or miss a session? And what do you do if it becomes a habit? This episode dives into managing a game when players are missing from the table. We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 10 Managing with missing players appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

Gaming groups come and go, life gets in the way, and sometimes this means we have to step away from the game for months or years. Dusting off the books and storytelling again after a hiatus can be intimidating! This week, we discuss what it’s like to get back behind the DM screen, and the challenges it presents. We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 11 Dusting Off the Books appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

Classes and Levels and Dice are almost synonymous with tabletop roleplaying games. This isn’t always the case, though! This week we explore the pros and cons of various gaming systems and the advancement and resolution systems therein. We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 12 Classes, Levels, and Roleplay (oh my!) appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

Storytelling styles are as unique and individual as the storytellers themselves! Some of us prefer action-packed combat games, while others prefer sly political manipulation. Some like lighter gatherings with pizza and beer, while others are more serious, preferring more production value and intensity. Sometimes, this can even shift from game to game! This week, Rob and Sara discuss different storytelling styles, and their various pros and cons. We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 13 Storytelling Styles appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

Writing campaigns can feel daunting. There’s so much to write, so much story to tell, and it has to be engaging for your players every step of the way. This week, we begin the task of breaking down the process of writing a campaign, address common pitfalls, and give tips for tackling that overwhelming process into small, manageable bites. We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 14 Campaigns – The Small Bites appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

One-shot games are great if you only have a short story to tell, want to dabble in a new system, or don’t have the time to run a regular recurring game. However, writing single-session games poses unique challenges from writing longer campaigns. This week, Rob and Sara discuss the art of the one-shot! We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 15 Writing One-Shots appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

Writing long, epic stories can be a daunting task. The sheer enormity of the task can overwhelm even the most seasoned storyteller. This week, Rob & Sara discuss tips and techniques for creating large plots and story arcs with complexity, while keeping your story on track! We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 16 Playing the Long Game appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

Arguably, the most notable aspect of any role playing game is the world in which it takes place. Whether that world is a reflection of our own real world, with magic and vampires lurking in the shadows; or a magical land of dragons and floating islands, the world you build is a character in the story unto itself. But, creating these worlds from scratch is no easy matter! In fact, it may be among the most difficult tasks in the art of Storytelling. This week, Sara and Rob are discussing the basics of world-building, so you too can feel more confident in smithing your own setting from scratch! We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 17 World-Building appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

As with any form of storytelling, tabletop roleplaying games can bring up challenging emotional situations, both in and out of character. When emotions begin to rise, it’s not always easy to handle the situation in a constructive way. This week, we are joined by special guest and licensed clinical social worker Matthew Stewart-Fulton, as we discuss the various types of difficult situations that may arise, and ways we might address them with everyone’s best interests in mind. We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 18 Handling Difficult Situations at the Table appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

World-building is a huge and complicated topic. One of the most important aspects of building an interesting world is societies, and the customs, politics, religion, and sub-factions that makes up the greater whole. After all, what is a world without interesting people to live in it? This week, Rob and Sara take a stab at outlining the process of creating interesting people to live in the worlds you write. We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 19 World-building pt. 2 : Societies appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

As our multi-show discussion of world-building continues, we begin our delve into the big question of “What makes our world unique from our own world?” As this is a large topic to cover, this week, we focus exclusively on gods! What are interesting ways of writing divine entities? Will your world have one? Many? How do they interact with the world, and each other? Rob and Sara discuss all these things and more! We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 20 World-building pt. 3 : Gods and Pantheons appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

Part 4 of our discussion of world-building continues the topic of “What makes your world unique.” Is it magic? Strange creatures? Are there odd elements or plants that cause supernatural things to occur? Are there aliens, or super-powered people? How do these oddities function in your world, and how is the world affected by their presence? This week, Rob & Sara attempt to break this giant topic down for you! We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 21 World-building pt. 4 : Other Strangenesses appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

The discussion about world-building continues this week, as we broach the topic of creating the physical geography of your world. What is the overall scope of your world? How much detail do you need? Sara and Rob discuss the broad topics, as well as tips and guidelines for making your maps feel organic and lifelike, while not getting bogged down in the details. We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 22 World-building pt. 5 : Geography appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

The discussion about world-building continues this week, as we step back into the history of our world. What lore exists? What events shaped its creation? Sara and Rob discuss the broad topics, as well as tips and guidelines for making your maps feel organic and lifelike, while not getting bogged down in the details. We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 23 World-building pt. 6: History appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

We decided to take it back to our discord today. You’ve sent us questions and had some great discussions that we never really got to. So this episode is all about that : questions and discussions. We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Questions and Discussions appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

Stories can be told in so many ways, and each one is unique as the Storyteller. The world-building and rules systems can certainly lend structure and direction to a story, but it’s the genre, style, and theme that truly add the flavor! This week, Rob & Sara discuss what brings that unique flavor to our stories We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 25 Genre, Style, and Theme appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

Haunted stories of revenge or greed turned sour could fill libraries. But how do you find a middle ground between slasher and Zom Com? Why, with dread, fear, anticipation and a bit of theatrics! This week Rob and Sara disturb the topic of the darker storytelling as they step into horror. We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 26 Danse Macabre appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

Many game systems offer the opportunity to divine the future for both dramatic and mechanical effect. Since Storytellers are rarely granted ACTUAL glimpses of the future, however, this can make for some sticky storytelling situations! Join Sara & Rob as they discuss how to handle divination! We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 27 Handling Divination appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

This week, our topic comes from our Top Tier Patreon, Nox-in-a-Box! Nox requested that we spend some time talking about our favorite game systems, and what really speaks to us about those systems that gave them a special place in our hearts. Thanks, Nox! We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 28 Our Favorite Games (Patreon Submission) appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

The pacing of your story can be tricky to do right. It is an important aspect of storytelling, but is difficult to quantify, which makes it likewise difficult to learn. This week, Sara & Rob will delve into the topic of pacing, to help you get your story moving at the right speed at the right time! We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 29 Pacing appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

In light of the holiday, Sara and Rob will be giving thanks and reflecting on “hopeful settings”. This week will cover not only hope and thankful moods but also Sara and Rob’s own reflections on the past 30 episodes of the podcast. We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 30 A Story of Hope appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

Environmental Storytelling can be the difference between a world feeling static, and feeling alive. But what is “Environmental Storytelling”? How does one use it to bring a feeling of life to their world? This week, Rob & Sara discuss what it is, and how best to use it to change your environments from lifeless backdrops, to “real” places that exist in a living, breathing world. We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 31 Environmental Storytelling appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

The environment in a story helps set the stage, give flavor, and explain where the players are in the mind’s eye. But can it also be an antagonist? How does biting winds, pounding rain, and a rock slide change a story? This week, Rob & Sara discuss the pitfalls, slippery slopes and challenging moments weather can bring to a story. We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 32 Player vs Environment appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

We spend hours discussing the ins and outs of running role playing games, but how do we set a game up? How do you organize several people to make characters, and agree upon a setting, system, and story? This week Sara and Rob discuss the concept and implementation of a Session Zero, a test bed for both storytellers and players to explore the system and characters. We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 33 Session Zero (Patreon Submission) appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

Happy Holidays, everybody! As our regular show recording falls on a major holiday this year, we’ve prerecorded, so our gift to you can be another episode of the show. Rob & Sara discuss holiday themes in games – giving gifts, adding holidays to your world building, and the best ways to do this. We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 34 In the Spirit of the Holidays appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

Wishing everyone a great start to the new year from Rob & Sara! We’ve had many great episodes so far, and we’re looking forward to many more in 2020. To get the new year started, though, we wanted to make this show about YOU! So, this week, we’re taking listener questions and making those our topics. Thank you to everyone who listens, submits questions, and supports us. Here’s to you! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 35 Listener Appreciation / New Year appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

The success of live play shows, especially Critical Role, has brought D&D into the mainstream! But, as D&D has moved from our basements and livingrooms to our computers and televisions, how has this changed the landscape for us as players and storytellers alike? This week, Sara & Rob examine “The Matthew Mercer Effect,” and what the mainstreaming of D&D looks like for the future. We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 36 Celebrity D&D and the Matthew Mercer Effect appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

Running a tabletop role playing game can be a very rewarding activity. However, the effort, concentration, and responsibility involved can sometimes make it feel a bit more like a JOB than a GAME. When this happens, even the most experienced storyteller can begin to feel burned out and unmotivated to continue. This week, Sara and Rob discuss what causes Storyteller Burnout, and ways to identify and recover from it! We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 37 Handling Burnout appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

This week’s show comes from our Patreon supporter Nox-in-a-Box, who asks, “How do you make player choices matter to your story? Please speak a bit about dynamic storytelling!” Making player choices feel meaningful, and being able to adapt your story to those choices is very important to a good experience, and Sara & Rob are happy to share their thoughts! We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 38 Dynamic Storytelling (Patreon Submission) appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

Have you ever felt overwhelmed with the prospect of coming up with a “new story”? Don’t know if you can do it? Sara and Rob are going to give it a try, in an hour! Join us this week as we see if you can create a story in just an hour (well, 40mins). We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 39 The 1-Hour Story appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

Games use “random encounters” all the time, but what are they? How can we best use them, and avoid them feeling TOO random? This week, Rob & Sara dissect the Random Encounter, and try to take the “random” out of it! We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 40 Taking the “Random” Out of Random Encounters appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

Tabletop role-playing games tell all types of stories, from action, to adventure, to horror and revenge! But what about romance? In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, Sara & Rob will discuss the best way to involve romance plots in your games, and make them fulfilling and comfortable for everyone at the table! We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 41 Romance in TTRPGs appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

Who built this dungeon!? A psychopath?? It’s an endless maze of corridors that lead nowhere, rooms that seem to have no purpose but to house elaborate puzzles with statues and tiles, there are traps EVERYWHERE, and it’s filled with monsters too big to fit down here! Rob & Sara have some advice on turning your dungeons from madhouses into realistic environments that fit in your setting, but still capture the feel of exploration and danger that comes with dungeon crawling! We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 42 Who Built This Dungeon!? appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

In the first of our series of system spotlights – a series aimed at introducing our listeners to different RPG systems – we will be talking about the high-seas, swashbuckling adventures of 7th Sea! Set sail with Rob and Sara as we discuss the history, style, and game mechanics of Rob’s favorite game. We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 43 System Spotlight : 7th Sea appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

Tabletop roleplaying games allow us limitless potential to tell stories, with only our imaginations to set boundaries. This can make telling those stories daunting, though, trying to account for everything! This week, Sara & Rob discuss ways and reasons to limit the scope of your game to make things more fun and manageable for everyone at the table. We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 44 Story and Game Scope appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

Giant monsters demolishing whole cities! Fleets of ships firing barrages of cannons! Giant armies littering battlefields with broken bodies! Sara & Rob discuss the hows and whys of massive combat encounters, and how to make them move your story instead of hindering it! We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – Episode 45 Massive Combat appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

Because we’re cursed to live in interesting times, many of us are self-quarantined due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But, just because you shouldn’t gather in person right now, doesn’t mean you have to stop gaming! This week, we discuss tools for gaming remotely over the web. We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! We record every Wednesday, at 7pm Eastern. Listen live at podcastdetroit.com, Studio 4! Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG The post Storyteller Conclave – The Quarantine Episode appeared first on PodcastDetroit.com. PodcastDetroit.com - The Podcast Detroit Network

Plots in RPG can be all encompassing, but leave the characters to feel like they are on a ride. For this show, Sara and Rob dive into the delicate weave of crafting personal plots and stories that follow one character's journey We also take some time to answer a few listener questions from our Discord server! Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG

A Year ago...Rob and Sara discuss the fundamentals of creating a story for tabletop roleplay, and how the game system you choose influences how that story will be told. In this show they revisit their first show and discuss how much has changed in a year. Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at https://storyteller-conclave.blubrry.net

Encumbrance. Food. Water. Supplies. 50 feet of rope. Chalk. A tin pot. A tankard. 3 candles. Ink and Pen. 10 sheets of parchment. 20 arrows… are all these things REALLY necessary to keep track of? This week, Sara & Rob delve into the pros and cons of micromanagement in TTRPGs. Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at https://storyteller-conclave.blubrry.net  

White Wolf’s “World of Darkness” shattered the face of gaming forever when it began in 1991 with Vampire : The Masquerade. This week, Sara & Rob discuss this historic system, the MANY games that comprise it, and what makes it special in a new System Spotlight. Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at https://storyteller-conclave.blubrry.net

There’s plenty of talk about how to successfully start and run a tabletop RPG - and there should be! But what about ENDING one? Whether it’s the ending of a single session, or wrapping up your big campaign, Sara and Rob discuss how to wrap up your game in a way that’s dramatic and makes sense. Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at https://storyteller-conclave.blubrry.net

Sometimes, finding enough players to start a game is tough. Maybe you have a single friend who wants to give TTRPGs a try. Maybe you’ve got a plot that has a “main character,” and want to tell that story of a single individual’s journey. Sara & Rob discuss the pros, cons, fortes, and foibles of running games for one person. Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at https://storyteller-conclave.blubrry.net

Sometimes, finding enough players to start a game is tough. Maybe you have a single friend who wants to give TTRPGs a try. Maybe you’ve got a plot that has a “main character,” and want to tell that story of a single individual’s journey. Sara & Rob discuss the pros, cons, fortes, and foibles of running games for one person. Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at https://storyteller-conclave.blubrry.net

Valar Morghulis! TTRPGs typically center around the player characters engaging in dangerous adventures against deadly foes, delving into dungeons riddled with sadistic traps! But what happens if the character actually dies? This week, Sara & Rob discuss the implications of character deaths. Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at https://storyteller-conclave.blubrry.net

Do you crave action? Do you crave adventure? Then we have the game just for you! This week, Sara & Rob spotlight Adventure! Tales of the Æon Society, by White Wolf Games. Part of the “Æonverse,” Adventure! is a game of pulp action storytelling set in the 1920s! Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at https://storyteller-conclave.blubrry.net

Most gaming groups gather around one or two familiar games. It’s not uncommon to hear people refer to their “D&D group.” But what if you want to change things up? How do you bring a new, unfamiliar game system to the table? This week, Rob & Sara discuss the best ways to introduce new games to your established group. Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at https://storyteller-conclave.blubrry.net

Stories often take us to fantastic worlds unlike our own. From space travel to magic, we often include elements that are beyond our own reality. But, how much should we focus on HOW these things work? Do we meticulously detail the science and physics behind them, or do we simply accept that they work, and move on? This is the difference between “Hard” and “Soft” storytelling, which Sara & Rob explore this week! Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at https://storyteller-conclave.blubrry.net  

Do your players want to delve into the mines of Moria for secret treasure? Or have you always wanted to tell a story of Ice and Fire? Or perhaps be a second string unit for SHIELD? Sara and Rob this week will review the in’s and out’s adapting an existing IP to a tabletop RPG. Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at https://storyteller-conclave.blubrry.net

Arguably the best-known Cyberpunk TTRPG, Shadowrun melds dystopian future with fantasy and magic! The PCs are the eponymous “shadowrunners,” criminals for hire in a bizarre world of futuristic tech, evil corporations, and otherworldly magic. In another of our System Spotlights, Sara & Rob discuss this dystopian classic! Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com Tonight's lead in music: Errorbeauty & Serge Geyzelby -  Hacker Jon E Alpha - Heavy Day Nathaniel Wyvern - Total_Eclipse

“Dice” and “Role Playing” are like peanut butter and jelly - where one goes, the other always follows … or do they? Not every game uses dice to resolve tests! Cards, tokens, “special” dice, and even Jenga towers and Rock/Paper/Scissors can be used! This week, Sara & Rob look at alternatives to dice, as well as when and why you would use them. Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

In Tabletop RPGs, there is great variation in settings, themes, and game systems. But what do WE, as Storytellers, bring to the table? Not all Storytellers are cut from the same cloth, and our unique styles can turn the same system into wildly different games! This week, Sara & Rob discuss what makes a storyteller’s style unique to them! Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

Encounters are the building blocks of every good TTRPG. Combat, chases, social challenges, and even the lowly “random encounter,” are what make up the challenges we set before the players. This week, Rob & Sara begin the first of a series of episodes about Encounter Design, beginning with COMBAT. Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com  

Continuing our mini-series on Encounter Design, Rob & Sara delve this week into Social Encounters! From the bard seducing the tavern wench, to coaxing military secrets from a general at a high society mixer, to intimidating the local thieve’s guild, social encounters cover these all! Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

Beginning as a miniatures combat game, and expanding into one of the most recognizable franchises in gaming, BattleTech has certainly made its mark! This week, Sara & Rob present another System Spotlight, this time on the futuristic world of giant robot warfare, BattleTech, by Catalyst Games. Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

Continuing our mini-series on Encounter Design, Rob & Sara delve this week into Extended and Environmental Encounters! Winter winds whip up a snow storm on the way to Vardburg, the sun beats down on the makeshift raft as you slowly drift at sea, or perhaps you need to scale the Dragons Peak to find the lost temple of the eye! Pre-show tracks by Arcane Anthems: All These Dice (All My Life Parody) Barbarian (Seven Nation Army Parody) Bard (American Boy Parody) BBEG (Cradles Parody) Dungeon Master (Uprising Parody) Heed the Call (Blinding Lights Parody) Nat 1 Guy (Mr. Brightside Parody) Rakshasa (Bad Guy Parody) Rogue (Believer Parody) Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

We often associate Tabletop RPGs with dice, paper, and pencils. Some of us also include miniatures, terrain, and other visual aids. But how much further can you take the immersion of physical objects in your storytelling? This week, Sara & Rob discuss the utility of using props in your storytelling, as well as some of the do’s and don’ts. Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

Continuing our mini-series on Encounter Design, Rob & Sara delve this week into Random Encounters! Are you grossly underprepared for the current story and need “filler”? Did you forget to give them an important plot item and now you need someone to drop it conveniently? Is there a bit of drama between the players and it needs to bubble to the surface? All of these can seem random, but are they really? Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

“Powered by the Apocalypse” is a TTRPG system created in 2010 for the game Apocalypse World, but later adapted to other games such as Dungeon World, Monsterhearts, and Urban Shadows. It features narrative gameplay with heavy player collaboration. This week, Rob & Sara delve into what makes PbtA unique with another of their System Spotlights. If you are interested in Urban Shadows, check out their kickstarted for 2nd edition.. ending SOON! Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

Continuing our mini-series on Encounter Design, Rob & Sara delve this week into Puzzle Encounters! Do you need to walk on specific places to cross the trapped dungeon floor? Does the evil noble have an elaborate lock on his vault? Will the sphinx only answer your question after you’ve solved it’s riddles three? Using puzzles can add a dimension of fun to your game that simple combat and intrigue cannot! Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

From Storyteller Conclave to all our listeners, we wish you a very happy (and safe!) Thanksgiving! We are very thankful for every one of you! This week, Sara & Rob discuss holidays in our games - From worldbuilding and history, to how they might be celebrated and why, to having festivals and games and treats for your characters to experience in-game. Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com    

As we close our mini-series on Encounter Design, Rob & Sara discuss... the rest. Out of scope Encounters! Perhaps your players made a bet and gambling is on the table. Or what seems like a simple stop becomes a battle of the bards. Sometimes you have the beginning and end of a plot but no middle, perhaps some encounters? This episode wraps the discussion and helps "fill the gaps".  Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com  

Savage Worlds is a heroic game system wrapped in simple but unique rules. Dice, cards, and tokens are all mixed together to create a fun, exciting, and quick to action system. This week Rob & Sara walk you through the in’s and out’s of Pinnacle Entertainment’s Savage Worlds. Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

Not all role playing takes place at the table, with dice and paper. Some games are played in live-action, where the players act out the roles of their characters, and elaborate props and costumes are used. Live Action Role Playing (LARP) may differ significantly from TTRPGs, but at the core, we’re still telling compelling stories. Rob & Sara not only discuss the hoby, but share their own experiences! Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

One of the most iconic traditions in tabletop RPGs is getting treasure! But is “treasure” the only reward out there? What other forms of rewards can players & characters earn, and what can you do as a Storyteller if you give too much? This week, Rob & Sara discuss loot & rewards! Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

Tonight is our Listener Appreciation show. We hear all of our listener question on our Discord live chat and give away some fine gifts as a thank you for all of your support and community in this challenging 2020 year. Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

Regardless of what level of table top gaming you are in, either just a beginner or veteran, there are items you need or really want to pickup. Be it dice, bags, towers, vaults, books, tablets, tables or projectors we all have things we have collected or are looking to get. Sara and Rob get back to the basics of what started their gaming and what they have found. As well as some things they would love to see and have. Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

In another System Spotlight, Sara & Rob discuss Rules-Light systems, including Warrior Rogue & Mage by Stargazer Games and Dread by The Impossible Dream. WR&M is an amazingly light fantasy game system, and Dread is possibly the best Survival Horror game system ever created, using a Jenga tower for tests! Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

When we start out gaming our minds are filled with ideas, plans, and worry. Do I have the right books, dice, maps? Is the group going to show up? And do we have enough soda? But rarely to we take the time later to recall what it was we really needed to know. In this episode, Sara and Rob return to their roots and recall really what was necessary to start a game. Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

Creating a new story can be daunting, but even more so when you add in all the things you "think" you need. A deep rich world, a cast of NPCs, and a deep meaningful plot that connects with each player on every adventure. But the truth is most of that is just flavor. Episodic storytelling gives you the ease of moving into an adventure with a fresh step each time without mucking in the deeper plots that novels and movies seem to make standard. This episode, Sara and Rob explore the joy, art, and challenges in creating episodic adventures. Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

Many video games share the title of RPG with their tabletop / pen & paper counterparts. However, video games and TTRPGs differ in significant ways. What can we learn from our digital cousins, though? This week, Sara & Rob discuss the various lessons we can learn from video game RPGs to enrich our TTRPG experiences! Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

Giant Robots, a cloned alien race, ancient powerful masters of the universe, and a young pop star? Yes, all of this is part of a fantastic world of Robotech. This week Rob and Sara will be dusting off the epic space opera that is Robotech and discussing Palladium’s take, as well as where it has moved on to. Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

A shiny red button of ultimate destruction seems like a terrible idea, but is it? In this episode of StC, Sara and Rob explore what it means to give your players a single use item, something ultimately powerful but only once, and what it can mean for your story. Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

Fantasy stories often ignore the small details. Does the archer run out of arrows? Does the fighter have to repair his armor after the 30th fight? And how big is the bag of ammo the twin submachine gun toting Troll is carrying? But the drama can come when the small things matter. Perhaps having one more arrow, or a few less holes, or being forced to use those guns as blunt objects of destruction. Micromanagement has its rewards and drawbacks. This week Sara and Rob discuss the finer details of managing the little things. Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

Storytelling is a tool as old as society itself, and has been used to convey all fashions of emotions, ideas, and lessons. For as long as we have been using stories to uplift, though, we have also told darker tales - of caution, of horror, and of triumph over primeval darkness. What is it that draws us to stories of Dark Fantasy? Do we see validation of our darker aspects in the stories? Do we crave a deeper malevolence to triumph over to make that victory more meaningful? Is it just plain fun to tell spoopy stories? This week, Sara & Rob delve into the genre of Dark Fantasy, to see what makes it tick, and to explore the options we have available to us in the TTRPG world! Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

Legend of the 5 Rings by @FFGames has a long and storied past in the #TTRPG world. Starting in 1995 with both RPG and card game, it brings us to the world of Rokugan, a fantasy analogue to feudal Japan. Join Rob & Sara as we explore this complex game in another System Spotlight. Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com Episode Eulogy music: Long Road Ahead by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3996-long-road-ahead License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Typically, the Player Characters drive the plots of our Tabletop RPGs forward. And they should! The story is ABOUT them and their adventures, after all! The world should react to them and their choices accordingly. However, this isn’t always the case… Sometimes, the “hunters” become the “hunted,” and - for better or worse - the characters are put in a position to react to the plot happening TO them rather than BECAUSE OF them. Perhaps they’ve angered a powerful foe who now hunts them? Perhaps they’ve recovered a powerful item that the villain seeks to keep it from them? Or, perhaps even, our Player Characters are NOT the “good guys” in the story, and are sought by the law for their crimes! This week, Sara and Rob discuss how to handle a Reactive style of storytelling, and how it differs in narrative flow from the typical Proactive style of play. Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

As storytellers we are presented with the task of designing a story that others will be helping write, where randomness and fate will come into play and alter the flow. The question is, how do you carve it up into sessions and episodes that your players can enjoy, and what do you put into each session to make it feel like a story? This week Sara and Rob will examine what it takes to make your game feel like each session fits a greater narrative flow. Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

To celebrate our 100th episode, Sara & Rob take a retrospective look at the last year of COVID lockdown, and what it has taught us about gaming in the digital age using online tools. Gaming online has been around for a while via services like Roll20, but with quarantine forcing everyone to exercise those options, it has certainly placed it more into the spotlight. We discuss what we’ve learned, what the pros and cons are, what our major take-aways are, and how it might affect our in-person gaming in the future! Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

We all have times when we are not at our best. We finish a session, perhaps even on a good note, but days later just lose the drive to schedule the next. Or we approach the date for our next session and just don’t have the energy or state of mind to pull it together. This week Sara and Rob revisit ways to prepare and move beyond storyteller burnout.  Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

As Magpie games describe it, “Along with your fellow dragons, you and your clutchmates will protect Dragonia from the Darkness and discover the true value of friendship.” Is it the “my little pony” of RPGs? Perhaps it is…but what is wrong with that? You are playing baby dragons and friendship is the key to making your characters' magic work, but that doesn’t mean it’s just for little kids. Join Rob and Sara on a “magical” journey into the world of Epyllion. Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

During this pandemic, many of us are turning to digital tools to continue telling our stories, and the use of digital maps has exploded! There are many great map-making tools available, but using them can be intimidating for those who lack artistic talent. Well, great news! Map making doesn’t require artistic talent! This episode, Sara and Rob discuss the map making tools that are available, and how ANY storyteller can best use those tools to make amazing looking maps with the power of environmental storytelling. Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

Storyteller Conclave is 2 years old! It seems like only yesterday we were sitting together in a coffee shop, talking for hours about storytelling techniques, and only half-joking about starting a talk show of some sort. We’ve moved out of the original studio, and weathered (currently weathering?) a pandemic. Even through all that, we’ve managed to produce a show a week for over 100 episodes! Join Sara and Rob as they look back on the last 2 years, where they’ve been, and where they might be headed in the future! Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

When we sit down at the table we see a sheet with numbers, details, and items. But all too often we come up blank when trying to fill in the personality and tone of who they really are. How does one become their character? Is it just you in a different world or setting, a persona you wish you could be, or something fake and ingenuine that could be mistaken as insulting? This week's episode Rob and guest co-host Kathrine Moore, explore the fun, challenge and complexities we often miss when getting into character. Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

Traveller has been blazing across space since 1977. This sci-fi setting opened the doors to exploration, planet and space battles, and interstellar trading all while focusing on achievements, discoveries, wealth, titles, and political power. Traveller has robots, psionics, and ancient unknown civilizations to discover. So blast off this week with Sara and Rob as they review the long history and unique playstyle of Traveller! Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

Space has always captivated our imaginations. From Star Trek, to Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, Firefly, The Expanse, the list goes on! This week, Sara & Rob are joined by award winning author and YouTuber Seth Skorkowsky to discuss the topic of Space Opera stories! Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

One of the best aspects of roleplaying is that we can experience, in some small way, things that may be outside of our grasp. Usually, that means fantasy or sci-fi stories, like battling dragons, delving into ancient crypts, or fighting mega-corporations with our cyber-enhanced bodies. For some, though, roleplay can be an excellent tool to explore ourselves and our psyches as well. Perhaps there is a traumatic experience you wish to confront in the safety of a roleplaying game where no harm can come to you. Perhaps you are questioning if you are LGBTQ+ and feel safe exploring that question among friends with a fictional character, to see how that experience feels. This week, Sara and Rob discuss the concept of using roleplaying as a way to explore the human experience in a relatively safe environment.   Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

There are a number of ways a TTRPG game can go sideways. Perhaps the players killed your main villain in Session 1. Perhaps your players are fighting, and cannot be civil at the table together. Perhaps you believed every contingency was covered in your game preparations, but the players chose the one option you DIDN’T think of. This week, Sara & Rob discuss how to recover from the unexpected twists and turns - both in-character and out-of-character - that can make our games feel “ruined.”   Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

Set a billion years in the future, Numenara offers a glimpse of a distant civilization in “the Ninth World.” Using the Cypher system it explores the idea that a character starts with a sentence. In this week's episode, Sara and Rob dive into Monte Cook’s unique world and explore what it has to offer. Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

Each RPG has a feel and tone when it comes to how its rules play into the way the story is told. D&D, White Wolf, 7th Sea, and Mouse Guard all have very different takes on what a challenge is, how you can overcome it, and what the results are to the story. Some of these systems focus heavily on the narrative, and allow for a broad interpretation of how the rules play out, whereas others strive to describe in detail the interactions and consequences of each action. This week Sara and Rob explore the in’s and out’s of Tactical and Narrative styles of Storytelling.   Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

Fighting a group of Orcs, goblins, or running from a fleet of pirate ships all come with a certain sense of banter and conflict. But when players decide to raise that conflict within the team, the results can’t be controlled by the Storyteller. Feelings can be hurt, friendships soured, and games broken up all over something being taken too far. This week Sara and Rob talk about inner party conflict, and how to handle issue resolution at your table, so we can stay focused on enjoying the game.   Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave. Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave) Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com