Episode 13: A Quick and Dirty Guide to the Campaign Bible

If you want to sell your adventure, campaign, or home-brew world to your potential players, you need a “Campaign Bible.”  When TV writers and directors create a new series, they often have a “show bible” -- this document not only helps keep everyone on the same page, but serves as a sort of mission statement, establishing tone, theme, and the direction of the show, often serving as a selling point to producers and investors. This is also a good way to think about your game.  You can introduce your players to your campaign by writing a “campaign bible” and we’re here to help you do it well!

Master DM and WotC designer Chris Perkins shared one of his campaign bibles for a setting that never got off the ground, “Valoreign.”  We’ve decided to use his excellent campaign bible as an example and guide for how to create your own guide.  Link to Chris Perkins’ campaign bible for “Valoreign.”  A must-listen episode for DMs who want to start a new campaign!  

Matt and Rob’s “Guide to Making a Campaign Bible,” a guide and checklist for creating a document to introduce your players to a new setting or adventure!

Rob’s campaign bible for “Thunder on the Steppe,” an epic setting on horseback inspired by the history of the Mongol Empire.

Matt’s campaign bible for “Shattered Stars,” a swashbuckling age-of-sail setting inspired by Spelljammer!

Episode 10: Unwanted Advice II

There are new sub-classes out for 5th edition Dungeons and Dragons from the fine folks of Wizards of the Coast.  Matt and Rob review the [00:59] Brute Fighter (good...maybe, too good), the [06:25] Inventor Wizard (will some invent some better abilities?), and the [10:18] Shroomancer (a.k.a. the Circle of Spores Druid).  Then, it’s on to the most popular radio program in D&D history: Unwanted Advice!  We answer the questions that you didn’t ask to save your damn game from itself.  

[11:00] How do I get my players to role-play?  Why don’t they like anything but combat?

[20:25] My players befriended the wrong NPC!  I don’t know how to run their new hireling wizard! Help!

[25:55] Quote: “Is it good idea to let player be medusa???”

[29:05] How do I scam my party with cursed magic items?

[33:10] My players can’t play!  How do I help my players learn the rules?

Episode 8: Merc'd by Mercer: Learning from Critical Role

We all love Critical Role! But can you become a better Dungeon Master or a better player by watching the show?  Absolutely! 

Learn why Matt Mercer is such an amazing Dungeon Master!  (Hint: it’s NOT because of his voice acting.)  Can you play D&D as well as Ashley, Laura, Liam, Marisha, Sam, Taliesin, and Travis do?  Yes, you can!  Discover how to tap into your "RP-Generosity" and how to avoid the "grimdark" disease that plagues so many of our characters. 

DMs Matt and Rob chat about what you can take away from the new season of Critical Role and what is best left to the professionals.  A must-listen for Critters who want to run their own game of Dungeons and Dragons! 

Notes:
Listen to or watch Critical Role
The Alexandrian, "Three Clue Rule"