"Goblin currency consists of toe-nails and boogers." I am alone, and still chuckled. As an old-school gamer (over 4 decades) I really miss the simple process of the old ideals of gaming. Thanks for the joy.
Have been rewatching these campaign vides like they're crack! Totally utilised the flowchart method to prep for my session this past weekend and it flowed like greased lightning. Thank you again Professor DM for all your wonderful lessons. Wish you good health and happiness.
Agreed! And i don't think i can wait another month for an update video 😭. Just amazing video...and honestly helped me solve my hex crawling problem im having in ToA. Thanks professor!
Gotta say I really love how you power down the game and make it soo much more down to earth instead of high flying shenanigans of superhero like characters. The grim, dark and dangerous feel of your games brings back memories of what D&D used to be like.
both have value but I prefer it to lean towards high fantasy hopeful but that doesn't mean I'm above lessening to others and stealing good ideas the exception for the high-fantasy/Hopeful is gothic horror I do have a soft spot for it in which these dark toned stuff will be more helpful
Just wanted to say as someone who is wanting to run a more grounded, low magic and grim dark game, this info is priceless. Going into specifics and showing examples is super helpful and giving me lots of inspiration. Thanks so much!
11:21 That reminds me of one my favorite adventures I've gone through as a player. TLDR: forest horror adventures are the best kind of adventures I was a solo player this time around, and it was played via discord, but the mood was nonetheless set tremendously. I was a Roman (or fantasy equivalent) Soldier named Spurius, and I was sent by the captain of a city's guard to relieve the watchman at a tower in the local forest. He said the watch would be easy, and gave me a sending stone (they were common in this world, but only functioned as linked pairs of stones). The long forest path was beautiful, the only suspicious thing being a large hoof-print that I explained away easily. The watchman seemed cheery and friendly, yet told me to always lock the doors. That's when I knew something was up. The first day went well, though I heard eerie noises at night. But it got worse. The days were fine, but night was a waking nightmare. I quickly stopped taking long rests as I began seeing red eyes in the forest and voices in the darkness. Then, the table and chair I sat at on the top of the tower had strange symbols carved into it beside where I scrawled my own name. My DM's descriptions were terrifying, and he's always been great at horror--especially in forests--so I expected that. Suddenly, when I was reporting to the captain through the sending stone, I received a monotone order, "Go into the forest." I yelled at it, but it just kept saying that, so I just put the stone in my bag to ignore it. Eventually I heard something downstairs--how could that be? I locked every door whenever I used it, I never left the tower. But then I saw it, the door was open. I peered out and saw nothing. But that night I awoke to a shadowy, cloven footed humanoid sitting in the corner. I set up for the rest of that entire night in a chair in the corner, my sword out, rambling to it angrily. No responses. The next night, nearing morning, I heard a knocking at the door. A familiar voice, the town's gate guard come to relieve me. I looked over at it--it was him! I got my things together and prepared to leave. He said he knew a shortcut through the woods, we were in a rush because the town was evacuating to get away from barbarian invaders, so it seemed reasonable. But then I noticed it was taking far longer than it should. I didn't know what direction I was facing. When I asked him, he just turned to me and smiled. When I tried to stab him, he blocked me and just laughed before running off cackling into the forest. By some miracle, I made it back, though it took me the entire night. I left that morning, when I returned, telling the captain what had happened, he simply said "We don't tend to talk about what happens out there. Anyway, I'm glad your watch went well, we were about to send someone to relieve you." Sorry for the long comment, but I just had to describe the story because it was so much fun to play out.
“Roads were the medieval version of the internet” ... so true ... where will we be in the next age? Still on RUclips watching your channel ... we know you are an immortal!
I love the approach to travel and I am definitely stealing it. It's the part of the game I struggle with describing or making meaningful the most and it just gets dull saying "Ok, 2 weeks of uneventful travel" yet again.
Thanks, Joseph! This is an old one. Glad you found it. Someone just suggested me doing an episode on the wilderness on FB. I'm cogitating--which means you'll get a video within 2-6 months.
Like so many other people I assumed that 5e was the best version since it was the newest and most popular. However, this channel has showed me the light. That OSR with revised rules is far superior on so many levels. Thank you!
Currently running this for my group. They just escaped the village and defeated the beast cultist surprisingly easily. So with no equipment and no torches or lanterns, they're now just outside of the glow from the burning village at 11:00 p.m. staring down the bone road. Or at least as far as they can in the pitch black. Their brilliant plan seems to be to make the journey at night, even though they're well aware of how dangerous the roads are. Yeah, I don't see this party surviving this campaign very long unless I really pull punches for them. I don't really like to do that, but I may have to for the sake of letting them experience the story.
Nice! This made my day. I love when people share their gaming experiences. If you haven't seen it yet, check out my Reviled Society videos: ruclips.net/video/95zr1mmx4vM/видео.html
How are PCs defeating beast cultists easily? Both your game and Professor's game? Are PCs really getting in range of a halberd and claws, and just punching, kicking, and biting? No equipment, armor... just clothing. So, HOW?!
So for my first time I split the d100 list into 6 sections (4 groups of 17, and 2 groups of 16) for that varable where the higher they rolled the better things got. I split each group into 4 sections as well. (Combat, weather, background, and social) The players have been playing these characters for a year and have reached level 9 and nearing the end of a campaign, With their own henchmen. So they are comfortable doing off hours side quests and split up often. Using the chart the fighter had a lot of weather then came across an orc warrior seeking a warriors death. They fought, gave the orc PC levels and the fighter narrowly escaped. The assassin of the party had a lot of rain. And then had a rival from her background intercept her and they locked blades and bows fighting in the trees. These created small vignettes that the players enjoyed. Still will tweak further plugging in more fun monsters and such. I really appreciate the system you made and have started watching episode 3!
It's great to hear your campaign report. My chart is very similar. 60-99% is uneventful or even helpful (you find a grove of apple trees, a passing peasant gives you a pie). A 100 is horrible, though. You meet the Vermin Lord and he still wants his keystone.
Awesome! This is exactly what a table top channel should be. Looking forward for many more of your insightful videos and congratulating you when your subs reach the level you deserve.. can’t believe I’ve missed this until now lol
Dungeon Craft EXACTLY!!! You have created a channel I look forward to seeing every week. It seems I have found a channel with many kindred spirits. Hoody-hoo
"Dislikes" and "Likes" count the same, so it's not a problem. Actually, it's good because it means more people are watching the videos. I want fans but you haven't really made it until you have haters.
D&D university, not d&d grade school. That’s what this is. High steaks, no holds bared role playing. I love it and this channel has single handedly done more for my dm’ing than any other channels combined. This game style makes me want to total party kill my current campaign just so I can do the level 0 adventure hooks. Still can’t get behind the maximizing of hit points though. Beggars can’t be choosers ;)
I'm really glad it's useful, Jabob. These videos are incredibly challenging to make, so it's gratifying when people enjoy it. Please spread the word and give me suggestions for topics.
Still waiting on baited breath how you work in the level 0 characters to level 1 and give the players the characters they made for lvl 1. Many videos talk about the importance of a session 0 before diving into a campaign but to me this is the best way to do it. You outline a heavy plot twist that can span many sessions and you give a guideline for how you expect the players to survive your world. It also gives the players (regardless of there final alignment choice) a staging point of survival together. Nothing is worse then a group of players that can’t get along and end up stealing from one another and not working together. A perfect fun way to setup a session 0 that’s really fun.
I don't want you holding you breath and turning purple. The real answer doesn't come until the December episode. But I don't think it's a spoiled, so here goes: after 2 sessions, I just say "you're 1st level now." In real life, episodes 1&2 were one evening of play. Episodes 3&4 (airing in November/December) were another session.
I’m currently DMing a high level campaign where players are pinned against the option to join a Githyanki cult, who’s joined forces with a red dragon elder hellbent on taking down Vlaakith the Githyanki ruler of the astral. Or defeat the cult and the dragon and bask in all that glittery gold! I’m wracking my brain each and every session to come up with crazier and crazier sessions for these hero’s of chaos! I’ll try and take a breath for the next video...
Brigands and goblins and boogers, oh my! 😮😮😮😮 Loving this serialised telling of your game. You have definitely established a sense of dread in this story. And the cliffhanger, dun dun duh!
Giving the players the illusion you have prepared a hole world :D ... I think that will be nice stuff for an other episode. Preparing a pool of universal scenes, that can be used in moments the players left planed areas. Improving to finish the session with that tools... something that can play the party 'alone' to buy time for the DM to construct the surprising situation into the the adventure :) My group does allways non planable actions. To play with flexible milestones and ' time buy acts' works fine (for us) So they have the freedom to do everything without leaving the borders of the adventure (mostly :D ) and if they left the area, in the next session I have found a way ;) I just have to win time to reach this sessions end ...
Staff development day... roflmao! My suspicions have just been confirmed! Dark world. I don't know if I would want be one your players or not! Oh hell... sure I would!
Your idea for travel has inspired me; going to write up a simple version that uses a deck of cards as the "spaces" with each suit representing a different type of encounter.
I love this video, it gave me the idea of how to start a pre-party association. This trek on the Bone Road is how the party memebers all know each other and meet back up years later as level 1 characters. That way, the whole "meeting at the tavern" or other D&D clichés can be worked around.
Please keep making these! Most of the other popular D&D/Fantasy channels are played out or have gone in directions I am unwilling to follow and for which I didn't sign on. Cheers!
A note about using tables. I created two tables using a 1d6 for each. The setting I was going for was a pulpy space fantasy with Egyptian motifs. The players had taken a portal to an island floating through space. The island was the corpse of a dead goddess that the Elven inhabitants still worshipped. I ran it in Dungeon World but I was aiming for Adventures on Dungeon Planet. Those two charts gave me so much narrative power. My players still talk about that adventure as being so distinct and interesting. The only prep I had done was those two charts. They fought strange golems with glowing eyes that had animal features like an Egyptian god might resemble. Thanks for another great video. I want to run a funnel using B/X D&D soon. Just got my physical copy of Rules Cyclopedia.
Staff Development Day = beer for lunch and wine for dinner; learning things about your coworker you wish you did not. For some, imagining goblins eating desperate females. Good times.
Like your campaign start. It is a pretty tight funnel for the PC's though. My world is more ecumenical and happy. Im playing a higher fantasy and I'm trying to start with a sandbox for the characters to choose from . But I do have a way I would prefer them to go. You have a logical consistency, a great reason to be on the road together, and an adventure you are pointing them to. They are generally driven be necessity.
I do this same technique on hex maps. i call it my "hex crawl" mechanic. Every hex they move produces a chance for something to happen, based on the type of terrain. (One of my fav events is "lost" where I roll to d6 to see which way they really move.) The only difference is that I also have a player keep track of time -- each hex takes so much time to cross. I have them pay living expenses once a month, so they have to go out and get adventuring gigs for cash so they can pay their bills...or they get to roll on the consequences table. (WOOOH!) As an aside, Lloyd Alexander's "The Prydain Chronicles" is worth a read for those who like "assistant pig keeper" type occupations as a start (like in DCC). They have an awesome bandit leader named Dorath -- he and the gang are recurring characters. PS...I footnote all of my sources too. I have an academic background too, but do not teach at a university.
@@murphybarrett4943 It depends. i think it really doesn't matter. I might just say a hex = 1 mile and it takes an hour to get through it (with all the gear and stuff), or I might say it is a full 10 hour day of travel and whatever the book says for the distance. I think the main thing is that you explain to the players the rules of the 'game within a game' that you have devised. Every game session has the potential to be a different kind of game that you might need to tell the players how the mechanics will work. I am not a fan of 5e, but in the DM guide there is a section on "Master of the Rules" which i interpret to mean that a good DM is able to modify existing rules, import from other systems, or create rules as needed for the game they are playing. i think I may have learned the hex crawl mechanic from DMing "Isle of the dread' from the 1980 TSR Expert set that i got for Christmas in 1981.
Last night, I sketched out a table of random encounters which uses a d30 for a take on The Keep on the Borderlands. It's been placed between Bissel and the Valley of the Mage (Greyhawk). I decided to have 1-10 as negative/hostile, 11-20 is neutral, 21-30 is positive/friendly. It's complicated by sub-tables. I like the old 2-20 (d8+d12) tables from the 1st-edition Monster Manual II. Then there are smaller tables with no more than half a dozen entries for Herd Animals, Strange Plants, Travelling Officials (including tax-collector and executioner), all more or less Neutral. If 30 is the result there's a table for Dungeon Parties. I chose some low-level parties from the old "Rogues Gallery" from 1st-edition. It also re-introduces the idea of hiring Men-At-Arms and the like. If the players are lucky enough to see this in action, they could decide to hire some grunts once they reach the Keep. Of course, there are almost enough entries for a d100 table, but the poor old d30 isn't used for anything else!
Well, my players ended up in the goblin caves. After trying for two in-game hours to traverse the road in the dark and getting turned around and going the wrong way a few times, they gave up and decided to camp just off the road. Early the next day they encountered brigands, which they also resolved without a fight. A player succeeded a persuasion check to convince The brigands that they were former town guards that quit because they didn't like the way they were treated in the low pay, which the brigands actually respected. The players convinced them that they had a better payday waiting if they went to the town since it was light on guards. So either the beastmen are still there and slaughter the brigands, or they've left, and the brigands slaughter any survivors that had hidden away. I rolled for it, and got the latter outcome. Can't wait to have this come back on them in the future. Then they checked off the road for water and good survival roles led them to a crystal clear pond. After they filled their water skins, a pervert emerged from behind the tree and offered to pay one of them five silver to touch his feet. Then 2 hours from their destination, goblins showed up. 12 goblins against eight level zero characters. They managed to kill a few, but ultimately we're overwhelmed and dragged down into the cells. Well, I'll see what becomes of them Tuesday. I don't expect them to make it out. I was actually hoping they would run into a monster I created on the road but it doesn't look like that will happen.
Didn't disappoint, great video! I know it's low fantasy but will this campaign integrate magic or will players only have the option of melee classes at lvl 1?
I already watch the campaing 6 times. Thanks for reorder the chapters. Best channel in the world; profesor DM and deathbringer saludos en español desde Lima Perú. Pd: Death Bringer speaks spanish?
Fantastic. I was trying to find this and couldnt. Knew it was here in either you or Runehammer but, Im old and my rememberer isn't what it used to be. If you tagged it with level zero funnel or something, it might help others find this. I now see this campaign is going to move toward B2. Love it even more. This was exactly what I was thinking of doing anyway. Im going to steal a good bit of your stuff, but I think the caves aren't going to be so grouped together in one location. I just never liked that mechanic. They might be a few hills down a trail from each other. If they are engaged in trade, it will be a decent trail, no doubt.
At 1:10 - isn't that the Lesser Ghost of Under Deeps miniature from Mithril? It's a great multi-purpose mini that I've used on many occasions. Fantastic video - it would be super if you had a link to your Bone Road encounter chart. :)
Dunno. That mini is so old I don't remember where I got it from. I do know I'm not happy with the paint job. Considered doing it over, but we were pressed for time and had to shoot.
Thank You. I love these charts... I was using something like this for Steampunk art/illustration prompts. Always thought they would be useful for an RPG. Now I want to modify them and see if that is indeed a good use.
maybe you cover this later , on the road does each row represent a quarter day? do you cover night scenarios if they havent reached their destination? to you treat the night as a row of the road where one of 6 types of encounter can happen?
Great question! It can be whatever length of time you want. If it's a very hostile stretch of road, each role is 1/4 of a day, A very safe stretch of road might require only one check per day.
Dungeon World has a supplement called Perilous Wilds, it has some excellent d12 based rules for overland travels. can be easily adapted for D&D or any system.
I managed to get a copy of XDM on download ( hard copy not available in my country for some reason) I git a lot out of it. I read it in one afternoon made copious notes I am steadily assembling my own rule book thanks to your channel
First if all: love this channel, very nice tips and ideas. May I ask: would you ever design travel with some encounters or set pieces already planned? Why/why not?
I love the way you run games, but my players and i play for a very long time each session and I quickly run out of prepared material from the previous sessions information and am forced to improvise, heavily. Should i just make many random tables and stock dungeons to make it easier?
I find random tables to be invaluable for just that reason. Also--here's a trick--just end the session early. It's better to end early than go on too long. Always leave the audience hungry for more!
@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 Very good point. You can have a talk about what players imagine would happen. What do they hope for? What do they fear? And the prep for the next session is already started.
Had to stop for a little storytime: So I was getting really engrossed in the recap, then as soon as you mention that the villains slaughtering the villagers, the knife sound effect got cut off by an ad saying, "The nice thing about a verbo vacation home. You always have it to yourself. Just you, and your people." Then it cuts back to the slaughtered villagers and I proceed to die. Turns out that was all the bad guys wanted all along.
it woudl be great if you could do a video on stones for building, limestone, and others in what is built or not built. I always struggle with creating buildings or underground buildings because i don't know the difference in and why the certain stones.
LOL. Only a teacher will get this. True story: my principal (a friend of mine) asked, "What can we do to improve staff development?" Me: "Remove my belt, tie, and all sharp objects from my immediate vicinity."
Dungeon Craft yep. That was me this past week. We start up in late July but get two weeks in October, a week off for Thanksgiving and two weeks for Spring Break, so it works out. But man this week was suicide watch time!!! Lol
How do you define a unit of distance? Is it a day, an hour, or just a metaphorical measure of how arduous the journey could be? That is, why would one trip be, say 6 squares and another 8? And if they return to the original starting point, would it be the same number of squares?
When using the bone road to travel with your players... What distance does each square represent? How much time does each square represent? Example does each square represent a mile travelled? Or does each square represent a day of travel?
Whatever unit the DM wishes. It's an abstraction. In a stretch of road in a hostile land, it may represent hours or a couple miles. Or it could be days. It's up to you.
Do you have a ton of terrain / models because you've collected it over the years, or do you prepare hundreds of bits and bobs before a campaign? The latter sounds like a nightmare. It just feels like you have the exact right minis for each thing you describe... How and when do you decide to prepare xyz models? This is something that has always confused me
Can anyone recommend a table like the one used in this video, or a link to the exact one. Fantastic content either way. So glad I found this channel! Edit; should have watched the whole thing before commenting :D
GREAT video. i'm amazed by both the details on the models and the incredible atmosphere you put into the game. Quick question... do you plan to share your notes for this campaign, such as the random encounter table? EDIT: oh... I stupidly asked that BEFORE finishing the video. So sorry.
No problem. Eventually, if this channel continues to grow, I'll have a place where people can download stuff like charts and character sheets. I'm still fine-tuning those things, though.
Professor DungeonMaster could you tell me the miniatures that you use in the video of which company are I know that some are reaper bones and Wizkids but the rest of them are, thanks.
In this video there are Kingdom Death: Monster and a few bandits are GW mercenaries. The guy with the book is HeroForge. I have a video in the pipeline that is a showcase of all my favorite figures. Look for it to air in January or February (DC is shot months in advance).
"Goblin currency consists of toe-nails and boogers."
I am alone, and still chuckled. As an old-school gamer (over 4 decades) I really miss the simple process of the old ideals of gaming. Thanks for the joy.
@psychotronik13 The joy was that it is NOT adult... it is a 12-year-olds version of currency because they are Goblins.
@psychotronik13 What is the point of being an adult if you can't be a little childish now and then? ;)
@psychotronik13 I sense a 40k orks player
Let's not forget the belly button lint & scum !
Have been rewatching these campaign vides like they're crack! Totally utilised the flowchart method to prep for my session this past weekend and it flowed like greased lightning. Thank you again Professor DM for all your wonderful lessons. Wish you good health and happiness.
Thank you. Those early episodes were a
labor of love.
*PCs at the start* : Huh, I wonder why these yokels never leave this backwater town?
*PCs on the road* : I miss that back water town o.o
“The Two River’s “ syndrome!
This is now my go to D&D channel. 5 star!!!! Fantastic. Full of amazing ideas. Thank you Professor Dungeon Master!
Thanks, Rob. That's very flattering. Please share.
Agreed! And i don't think i can wait another month for an update video 😭. Just amazing video...and honestly helped me solve my hex crawling problem im having in ToA. Thanks professor!
Thanks, Sean. The new episode is already up and new ones are on the way.
This isn't really d&d, and that's not a bad thing. It is rediculous heavy on the home brew.
Rob Brooks I’m in
Gotta say I really love how you power down the game and make it soo much more down to earth instead of high flying shenanigans of superhero like characters.
The grim, dark and dangerous feel of your games brings back memories of what D&D used to be like.
That's how I like it,. Glad we found each other.
@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 me too! For once RUclips algorithms actually worked!👍
both have value but I prefer it to lean towards high fantasy hopeful but that doesn't mean I'm above lessening to others and stealing good ideas the exception for the high-fantasy/Hopeful is gothic horror I do have a soft spot for it in which these dark toned stuff will be more helpful
“For educators on staff development day”
You, sir, are speaking my language! 😂👌🏻
Just wanted to say as someone who is wanting to run a more grounded, low magic and grim dark game, this info is priceless. Going into specifics and showing examples is super helpful and giving me lots of inspiration. Thanks so much!
This is the game I want to play. So creative and awesomely gritty!
Enjoy all the rest of the campaign updates. There are tons of them!
11:21 That reminds me of one my favorite adventures I've gone through as a player. TLDR: forest horror adventures are the best kind of adventures
I was a solo player this time around, and it was played via discord, but the mood was nonetheless set tremendously. I was a Roman (or fantasy equivalent) Soldier named Spurius, and I was sent by the captain of a city's guard to relieve the watchman at a tower in the local forest. He said the watch would be easy, and gave me a sending stone (they were common in this world, but only functioned as linked pairs of stones). The long forest path was beautiful, the only suspicious thing being a large hoof-print that I explained away easily. The watchman seemed cheery and friendly, yet told me to always lock the doors. That's when I knew something was up.
The first day went well, though I heard eerie noises at night. But it got worse. The days were fine, but night was a waking nightmare. I quickly stopped taking long rests as I began seeing red eyes in the forest and voices in the darkness. Then, the table and chair I sat at on the top of the tower had strange symbols carved into it beside where I scrawled my own name. My DM's descriptions were terrifying, and he's always been great at horror--especially in forests--so I expected that. Suddenly, when I was reporting to the captain through the sending stone, I received a monotone order, "Go into the forest." I yelled at it, but it just kept saying that, so I just put the stone in my bag to ignore it.
Eventually I heard something downstairs--how could that be? I locked every door whenever I used it, I never left the tower. But then I saw it, the door was open. I peered out and saw nothing. But that night I awoke to a shadowy, cloven footed humanoid sitting in the corner. I set up for the rest of that entire night in a chair in the corner, my sword out, rambling to it angrily. No responses.
The next night, nearing morning, I heard a knocking at the door. A familiar voice, the town's gate guard come to relieve me. I looked over at it--it was him! I got my things together and prepared to leave. He said he knew a shortcut through the woods, we were in a rush because the town was evacuating to get away from barbarian invaders, so it seemed reasonable. But then I noticed it was taking far longer than it should. I didn't know what direction I was facing. When I asked him, he just turned to me and smiled. When I tried to stab him, he blocked me and just laughed before running off cackling into the forest. By some miracle, I made it back, though it took me the entire night. I left that morning, when I returned, telling the captain what had happened, he simply said "We don't tend to talk about what happens out there. Anyway, I'm glad your watch went well, we were about to send someone to relieve you."
Sorry for the long comment, but I just had to describe the story because it was so much fun to play out.
“Roads were the medieval version of the internet” ... so true ... where will we be in the next age? Still on RUclips watching your channel ... we know you are an immortal!
I love the approach to travel and I am definitely stealing it. It's the part of the game I struggle with describing or making meaningful the most and it just gets dull saying "Ok, 2 weeks of uneventful travel" yet again.
Glad you enjoyed it. Keep watching campaign videos!
For me, this is one of the best D&D videos out there. I'd love to see your take on wilderness travel.
Thanks, Joseph! This is an old one. Glad you found it. Someone just suggested me doing an episode on the wilderness on FB. I'm cogitating--which means you'll get a video within 2-6 months.
Like so many other people I assumed that 5e was the best version since it was the newest and most popular. However, this channel has showed me the light. That OSR with revised rules is far superior on so many levels. Thank you!
Man, I love this channel.
Thanks!
Currently running this for my group. They just escaped the village and defeated the beast cultist surprisingly easily.
So with no equipment and no torches or lanterns, they're now just outside of the glow from the burning village at 11:00 p.m. staring down the bone road. Or at least as far as they can in the pitch black. Their brilliant plan seems to be to make the journey at night, even though they're well aware of how dangerous the roads are.
Yeah, I don't see this party surviving this campaign very long unless I really pull punches for them. I don't really like to do that, but I may have to for the sake of letting them experience the story.
Nice! This made my day. I love when people share their gaming experiences. If you haven't seen it yet, check out my Reviled Society videos: ruclips.net/video/95zr1mmx4vM/видео.html
How are PCs defeating beast cultists easily? Both your game and Professor's game? Are PCs really getting in range of a halberd and claws, and just punching, kicking, and biting? No equipment, armor... just clothing. So, HOW?!
thanks for the insight into travel. I can see how that strong encounter chart is really what I'm missing. I will give it a whirl!
Let me know how it works out!
So for my first time I split the d100 list into 6 sections (4 groups of 17, and 2 groups of 16) for that varable where the higher they rolled the better things got. I split each group into 4 sections as well. (Combat, weather, background, and social)
The players have been playing these characters for a year and have reached level 9 and nearing the end of a campaign, With their own henchmen. So they are comfortable doing off hours side quests and split up often.
Using the chart the fighter had a lot of weather then came across an orc warrior seeking a warriors death. They fought, gave the orc PC levels and the fighter narrowly escaped.
The assassin of the party had a lot of rain. And then had a rival from her background intercept her and they locked blades and bows fighting in the trees.
These created small vignettes that the players enjoyed. Still will tweak further plugging in more fun monsters and such.
I really appreciate the system you made and have started watching episode 3!
It's great to hear your campaign report. My chart is very similar. 60-99% is uneventful or even helpful (you find a grove of apple trees, a passing peasant gives you a pie). A 100 is horrible, though. You meet the Vermin Lord and he still wants his keystone.
Awesome! This is exactly what a table top channel should be. Looking forward for many more of your insightful videos and congratulating you when your subs reach the level you deserve.. can’t believe I’ve missed this until now lol
Thanks Terry. That means a lot to me. I try to make the channel I would want to watch. Please share!
Dungeon Craft EXACTLY!!! You have created a channel I look forward to seeing every week. It seems I have found a channel with many kindred spirits. Hoody-hoo
Man I really hope you get back to doing videos like this. I still re-watch these for inspiration!
I'm not sure who disliked this video.
As always, great job Professor!
"Dislikes" and "Likes" count the same, so it's not a problem. Actually, it's good because it means more people are watching the videos. I want fans but you haven't really made it until you have haters.
Some very cool ideas packed into this video.
Thank you. Please keep sharing, so we can grow this channel.
Crafting rumors is damn fun! I made a bunch when I ran my Groaning Gate Campaign.
Yes!
Always worth another view. I love all dungeon craft videos.
D&D university, not d&d grade school. That’s what this is. High steaks, no holds bared role playing. I love it and this channel has single handedly done more for my dm’ing than any other channels combined.
This game style makes me want to total party kill my current campaign just so I can do the level 0 adventure hooks.
Still can’t get behind the maximizing of hit points though. Beggars can’t be choosers ;)
I'm really glad it's useful, Jabob. These videos are incredibly challenging to make, so it's gratifying when people enjoy it. Please spread the word and give me suggestions for topics.
Still waiting on baited breath how you work in the level 0 characters to level 1 and give the players the characters they made for lvl 1.
Many videos talk about the importance of a session 0 before diving into a campaign but to me this is the best way to do it. You outline a heavy plot twist that can span many sessions and you give a guideline for how you expect the players to survive your world. It also gives the players (regardless of there final alignment choice) a staging point of survival together. Nothing is worse then a group of players that can’t get along and end up stealing from one another and not working together. A perfect fun way to setup a session 0 that’s really fun.
I don't want you holding you breath and turning purple. The real answer doesn't come until the December episode. But I don't think it's a spoiled, so here goes: after 2 sessions, I just say "you're 1st level now." In real life, episodes 1&2 were one evening of play. Episodes 3&4 (airing in November/December) were another session.
Wait a few months, until I have 6 or so episodes. Even a year. This way you'll have enough material. Unless your campaign sucks. Then kill away.
I’m currently DMing a high level campaign where players are pinned against the option to join a Githyanki cult, who’s joined forces with a red dragon elder hellbent on taking down Vlaakith the Githyanki ruler of the astral. Or defeat the cult and the dragon and bask in all that glittery gold!
I’m wracking my brain each and every session to come up with crazier and crazier sessions for these hero’s of chaos!
I’ll try and take a breath for the next video...
Brigands and goblins and boogers, oh my!
😮😮😮😮
Loving this serialised telling of your game. You have definitely established a sense of dread in this story. And the cliffhanger, dun dun duh!
Giving the players the illusion you have prepared a hole world :D ...
I think that will be nice stuff for an other episode.
Preparing a pool of universal scenes, that can be used in moments the players left planed areas. Improving to finish the session with that tools... something that can play the party 'alone' to buy time for the DM to construct the surprising situation into the the adventure :)
My group does allways non planable actions. To play with flexible milestones and ' time buy acts' works fine (for us)
So they have the freedom to do everything without leaving the borders of the adventure (mostly :D ) and if they left the area, in the next session I have found a way ;) I just have to win time to reach this sessions end ...
Really enjoying this series of videos.
Staff development day... roflmao! My suspicions have just been confirmed!
Dark world. I don't know if I would want be one your players or not! Oh hell... sure I would!
It's so dark, its hilarious.
Simple in the execution, clear, and infinitely mod-able. Well executed.
Once again I thoroughly enjoyed you insight and content!!! I'm loving this channel!!!
Thanks. Share with your cool friends.
Some fantastic ideas that I am stea....-borrowing/incorporating into my upcoming campaign. Thanks for the fantastic work and keep it up.
I have to say, this is a campaign I would totally enjoy playing in.
Your idea for travel has inspired me; going to write up a simple version that uses a deck of cards as the "spaces" with each suit representing a different type of encounter.
THAT is a cool idea! Now if your players travel, you won't have to worry about making a bunch of encounters. Cheers!
@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 thanks! I will write up a draft on the Dungeoncraft Facebook group and crowdsource some ideas for how it might work.
Cool!@@adamjchafe
I absolutely love these! I look forward to each one. I wish we can get these more often :D
I wish I could do them more often. But if I did, they wouldn't be as good.
well keep it up because these are fantastic. Every time you post one of these, I add something cool to my game!
Glad to hear it. This video and my decision to update on the 1st Thursday was due to your suggestion. So share with your friends and brag.
Great ideas! I used a similar mechanic but I used this to streamline everything. The name is perfect: "The Bone Road." 👍
I love this video, it gave me the idea of how to start a pre-party association. This trek on the Bone Road is how the party memebers all know each other and meet back up years later as level 1 characters. That way, the whole "meeting at the tavern" or other D&D clichés can be worked around.
god damn this guy is awesome! I've been searching for dark gore settings/adventures and I find this the obsolete winner!
Wait until you see the next campaign update, to air in the first week of November. I'm taping it today. It will be DARK.
That sounds exciting! Thanks for sharing this campaign.
Please keep making these! Most of the other popular D&D/Fantasy channels are played out or have gone in directions I am unwilling to follow and for which I didn't sign on. Cheers!
Cheers right back. Keep making suggestions on topics you want to see covered. I really listen.
i watch your vids over and over , there so great thanks Prof.
A note about using tables. I created two tables using a 1d6 for each. The setting I was going for was a pulpy space fantasy with Egyptian motifs.
The players had taken a portal to an island floating through space. The island was the corpse of a dead goddess that the Elven inhabitants still worshipped.
I ran it in Dungeon World but I was aiming for Adventures on Dungeon Planet.
Those two charts gave me so much narrative power. My players still talk about that adventure as being so distinct and interesting. The only prep I had done was those two charts. They fought strange golems with glowing eyes that had animal features like an Egyptian god might resemble.
Thanks for another great video. I want to run a funnel using B/X D&D soon. Just got my physical copy of Rules Cyclopedia.
Let's see them!
I am really enjoying your videos. I love the idea of making a random encounter table.
9:40 I know how I’m spending my next professional development day
Great discription for use of a chart of events.
Staff Development Day = beer for lunch and wine for dinner; learning things about your coworker you wish you did not. For some, imagining goblins eating desperate females. Good times.
Great video, sharing
Thanks, Steve. Those campaign updates take a long time to make (I"m making one now) and it's very encouraging to hear you dig them. Peace!
Like your campaign start. It is a pretty tight funnel for the PC's though. My world is more ecumenical and happy. Im playing a higher fantasy and I'm trying to start with a sandbox for the characters to choose from . But I do have a way I would prefer them to go. You have a logical consistency, a great reason to be on the road together, and an adventure you are pointing them to. They are generally driven be necessity.
I'm addicted to your channel.
Awesome! Pass these videos along to others!
I do this same technique on hex maps. i call it my "hex crawl" mechanic. Every hex they move produces a chance for something to happen, based on the type of terrain. (One of my fav events is "lost" where I roll to d6 to see which way they really move.) The only difference is that I also have a player keep track of time -- each hex takes so much time to cross. I have them pay living expenses once a month, so they have to go out and get adventuring gigs for cash so they can pay their bills...or they get to roll on the consequences table. (WOOOH!) As an aside, Lloyd Alexander's "The Prydain Chronicles" is worth a read for those who like "assistant pig keeper" type occupations as a start (like in DCC). They have an awesome bandit leader named Dorath -- he and the gang are recurring characters. PS...I footnote all of my sources too. I have an academic background too, but do not teach at a university.
How much distance/time does a hex represent when you do this?
@@murphybarrett4943 It depends. i think it really doesn't matter. I might just say a hex = 1 mile and it takes an hour to get through it (with all the gear and stuff), or I might say it is a full 10 hour day of travel and whatever the book says for the distance. I think the main thing is that you explain to the players the rules of the 'game within a game' that you have devised. Every game session has the potential to be a different kind of game that you might need to tell the players how the mechanics will work. I am not a fan of 5e, but in the DM guide there is a section on "Master of the Rules" which i interpret to mean that a good DM is able to modify existing rules, import from other systems, or create rules as needed for the game they are playing. i think I may have learned the hex crawl mechanic from DMing "Isle of the dread' from the 1980 TSR Expert set that i got for Christmas in 1981.
Last night, I sketched out a table of random encounters which uses a d30 for a take on The Keep on the Borderlands. It's been placed between Bissel and the Valley of the Mage (Greyhawk). I decided to have 1-10 as negative/hostile, 11-20 is neutral, 21-30 is positive/friendly.
It's complicated by sub-tables. I like the old 2-20 (d8+d12) tables from the 1st-edition Monster Manual II. Then there are smaller tables with no more than half a dozen entries for Herd Animals, Strange Plants, Travelling Officials (including tax-collector and executioner), all more or less Neutral.
If 30 is the result there's a table for Dungeon Parties. I chose some low-level parties from the old "Rogues Gallery" from 1st-edition. It also re-introduces the idea of hiring Men-At-Arms and the like. If the players are lucky enough to see this in action, they could decide to hire some grunts once they reach the Keep.
Of course, there are almost enough entries for a d100 table, but the poor old d30 isn't used for anything else!
Awesome! I love making up random tables for fun.
"For academics, that is staff development day." So true lol
I am remaking this video and will use this joke again.
@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 and I will be making random tables during my next Instructional meeting day :)
"Staff development day"....can't stop laughing at that one.
Great content, as always!
Bone Road: not to be confused with The Bone Zone. Very kinky those skeletons.
Well, my players ended up in the goblin caves. After trying for two in-game hours to traverse the road in the dark and getting turned around and going the wrong way a few times, they gave up and decided to camp just off the road. Early the next day they encountered brigands, which they also resolved without a fight. A player succeeded a persuasion check to convince The brigands that they were former town guards that quit because they didn't like the way they were treated in the low pay, which the brigands actually respected. The players convinced them that they had a better payday waiting if they went to the town since it was light on guards. So either the beastmen are still there and slaughter the brigands, or they've left, and the brigands slaughter any survivors that had hidden away. I rolled for it, and got the latter outcome. Can't wait to have this come back on them in the future.
Then they checked off the road for water and good survival roles led them to a crystal clear pond. After they filled their water skins, a pervert emerged from behind the tree and offered to pay one of them five silver to touch his feet.
Then 2 hours from their destination, goblins showed up. 12 goblins against eight level zero characters. They managed to kill a few, but ultimately we're overwhelmed and dragged down into the cells.
Well, I'll see what becomes of them Tuesday. I don't expect them to make it out. I was actually hoping they would run into a monster I created on the road but it doesn't look like that will happen.
More of these love the campaign sessions
I love these miniatures you have for the player characters and was wondering where their from? Danke!!
This is genius. Now I need to craft a bone road.
“Goblin currency is toenails and boogers” ... man, I’d be a rich man!
Goblin currency is toenails and boogers. Genius! 😁
What beautiful storytelling. Love the realism of medieval times.
So the sessions you speak about here were actually played by you and your group?
Yes. I’m making More of this type of Contant now. It takes weeks to make a single episode.
Didn't disappoint, great video! I know it's low fantasy but will this campaign integrate magic or will players only have the option of melee classes at lvl 1?
Magic is coming. It will be cool.
I already watch the campaing 6 times. Thanks for reorder the chapters. Best channel in the world; profesor DM and deathbringer saludos en español desde Lima Perú.
Pd: Death Bringer speaks spanish?
Fantastic. I was trying to find this and couldnt. Knew it was here in either you or Runehammer but, Im old and my rememberer isn't what it used to be. If you tagged it with level zero funnel or something, it might help others find this.
I now see this campaign is going to move toward B2. Love it even more. This was exactly what I was thinking of doing anyway. Im going to steal a good bit of your stuff, but I think the caves aren't going to be so grouped together in one location. I just never liked that mechanic. They might be a few hills down a trail from each other. If they are engaged in trade, it will be a decent trail, no doubt.
The Bone Road is getting a remake this summer. Stay tuned! It will probably air in the fall.
@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 Fantastic news.
At 1:10 - isn't that the Lesser Ghost of Under Deeps miniature from Mithril? It's a great multi-purpose mini that I've used on many occasions. Fantastic video - it would be super if you had a link to your Bone Road encounter chart. :)
Dunno. That mini is so old I don't remember where I got it from. I do know I'm not happy with the paint job. Considered doing it over, but we were pressed for time and had to shoot.
Goblins pick PC's nose: Comic relief
Goblin rip off same PC's nails as you escape with your life: Grimdark
Professor, any input on your distance traveled: space interval?
I assume there is some level of fluidity?
Thanks.
Thank You. I love these charts... I was using something like this for Steampunk art/illustration prompts. Always thought they would be useful for an RPG. Now I want to modify them and see if that is indeed a good use.
maybe you cover this later , on the road does each row represent a quarter day? do you cover night scenarios if they havent reached their destination? to you treat the night as a row of the road where one of 6 types of encounter can happen?
Great question! It can be whatever length of time you want. If it's a very hostile stretch of road, each role is 1/4 of a day, A very safe stretch of road might require only one check per day.
Dungeon World has a supplement called Perilous Wilds, it has some excellent d12 based rules for overland travels. can be easily adapted for D&D or any system.
Sending this to my DM!
Thanks, PyreGnome. New updates on the 1st Thursday of every month. Check out the Goblin Prison, out now.
I managed to get a copy of XDM on download ( hard copy not available in my country for some reason) I git a lot out of it. I read it in one afternoon made copious notes I am steadily assembling my own rule book thanks to your channel
Cool!
Thanks for the video.
Thanks for watching this. I'm doing a remake in 2023.
thank you for sharing
First if all: love this channel, very nice tips and ideas. May I ask: would you ever design travel with some encounters or set pieces already planned? Why/why not?
Oh, sure. If it's part of a larger plot, absolutely.
Great stuff! I'm trying to take notes but am a little confused. Is it a d100 or a d6 to roll for every square travelled?
Its a d100. He was just breaking the chart down into 6 categories.
"Roads were also the ancient aquivalent to the internet!"😆
I love the way you run games, but my players and i play for a very long time each session and I quickly run out of prepared material from the previous sessions information and am forced to improvise, heavily. Should i just make many random tables and stock dungeons to make it easier?
I find random tables to be invaluable for just that reason. Also--here's a trick--just end the session early. It's better to end early than go on too long. Always leave the audience hungry for more!
@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 Very good point.
You can have a talk about what players imagine would happen. What do they hope for? What do they fear? And the prep for the next session is already started.
Love this stuff
Had to stop for a little storytime:
So I was getting really engrossed in the recap, then as soon as you mention that the villains slaughtering the villagers, the knife sound effect got cut off by an ad saying, "The nice thing about a verbo vacation home. You always have it to yourself. Just you, and your people." Then it cuts back to the slaughtered villagers and I proceed to die.
Turns out that was all the bad guys wanted all along.
it woudl be great if you could do a video on stones for building, limestone, and others in what is built or not built. I always struggle with creating buildings or underground buildings because i don't know the difference in and why the certain stones.
Perhaps a revival of a very old video but if i may ask whats the strings music in this video because its not the two listed in the description
Staff development day.. amen brother!!!
LOL. Only a teacher will get this. True story: my principal (a friend of mine) asked, "What can we do to improve staff development?" Me: "Remove my belt, tie, and all sharp objects from my immediate vicinity."
Dungeon Craft yep. That was me this past week. We start up in late July but get two weeks in October, a week off for Thanksgiving and two weeks for Spring Break, so it works out. But man this week was suicide watch time!!! Lol
Glad you enjoyed it!
How do you define a unit of distance? Is it a day, an hour, or just a metaphorical measure of how arduous the journey could be? That is, why would one trip be, say 6 squares and another 8? And if they return to the original starting point, would it be the same number of squares?
When using the bone road to travel with your players... What distance does each square represent? How much time does each square represent? Example does each square represent a mile travelled? Or does each square represent a day of travel?
Whatever unit the DM wishes. It's an abstraction. In a stretch of road in a hostile land, it may represent hours or a couple miles. Or it could be days. It's up to you.
@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 Thank you Professor for your answer!!!
Just used this and tpk on first roll!
Do you have a ton of terrain / models because you've collected it over the years, or do you prepare hundreds of bits and bobs before a campaign? The latter sounds like a nightmare. It just feels like you have the exact right minis for each thing you describe... How and when do you decide to prepare xyz models? This is something that has always confused me
Peak Dungeon Craft right here my gingers.
I am LITERALLY editing a return to the Caves of Carnage video right now. Stay tuned.
Lol I just watched half of it this morning on Patreon@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 I too am a fan of Porks
it's also where village teens go to ... well...
Can anyone recommend a table like the one used in this video, or a link to the exact one.
Fantastic content either way. So glad I found this channel!
Edit; should have watched the whole thing before commenting :D
will this type of chart work for warhammer where encounters are much more dangerous and the players have a lot less access to healing?
haha, my spouse is a teacher, and i snickered at the 'staff development day'
That was a deep cut. Glad you got it. (And it seriously IS what I do on PD day).
@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 Next faculty meeting!
GREAT video. i'm amazed by both the details on the models and the incredible atmosphere you put into the game. Quick question... do you plan to share your notes for this campaign, such as the random encounter table? EDIT: oh... I stupidly asked that BEFORE finishing the video. So sorry.
No problem. Eventually, if this channel continues to grow, I'll have a place where people can download stuff like charts and character sheets. I'm still fine-tuning those things, though.
@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 any update on those resources? 🙏😊
"During Staff development." Sir, I feel seen. The "this could've been an email" people feel seen. Thank you.
Bonus: if you do this stuff at work or school you appear very studious and serious...
Professor DungeonMaster could you tell me the miniatures that you use in the video of which company are I know that some are reaper bones and Wizkids but the rest of them are, thanks.
In this video there are Kingdom Death: Monster and a few bandits are GW mercenaries. The guy with the book is HeroForge. I have a video in the pipeline that is a showcase of all my favorite figures. Look for it to air in January or February (DC is shot months in advance).
Have you posted that encounter chart anywhere?
Did you have a sheets of forest encounters?
You have some interesting minis. Did you make them?
No. They're a combination of Kingdom Death, Pathfinder, and one HeroForge.
@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 And warhammer Fantasy, I recognized Beastmen Gors, Empire Greatswords "Zweihanders"
This is so cool
Pick their noses! LOLS. - Brian