Galaktacus Episode 22: I Am Nintendo

My buddies over at the Galaktacus podcast honored me by inviting me on for their latest episode to discuss the fine art and frustrations of dungeon mastering! If you're reading this blog you know the topic could fill an entire series of podcasts, but it was a great discussion. Galaktacus is a killer podcast dedicated to general nerdery run by some very smart and funny dudes and is highly recommended! (Also Kettner is the guy who got me back into D&D in my adult life, so he deserves extra accolades for that one!)

Check it out here!

Ways Magic Mike XXL is Kinda 60% of What I Want in a D&D Campaign:

-It's a road trip.

-So much friendship.

-Complications occur along the way that necessitate changes of plans.

-These changes involve meeting interesting people; new ones are encountered as well as people from the characters' pasts.

-These complications lead the party down new, unexpected pathways that allow the characters to reach their destination, albeit changed because of what they've learned along the way. 

-The story doesn't focus on the challenges presented to the characters, but instead showcases how the characters decide to deal with the challenges as they arise. 

-The relationships between the characters are built around shared experiences; it's like looking in on a campaign that's been going on for years, with callbacks to past encounters.

-Character growth! Self-discovery!

-The characters work as a team, there's sometimes intraparty conflict, but it's dealt with without mean-spiritedness.

-The party dynamic is inclusive, not based around power trips or antagonism.

-Everybody has their niche and a chance to shine, even the quiet guy who sits back most of the time.

-Goofiness levels are about as high as they can get in my games without things falling apart. 

-Everybody is having a great time. 

The missing 40%:

-There were obviously no examples of zombies puking out worms that are exploding in wet pops because the zombie is on fire.

-Moral dilemmas.

-High weirdness (the young lady headbutting everything in a motorcycle helmet is a start.)

-The serious parts where everybody gets quiet/freaked out.

-Swords.

-Donkeys and Fiend Folio monsters.