Stack o’ Dice

In this first special content episode, we take some time to get to know a little about our first player, Michael, and we go over the highlights as we create his mystic character, Wamberbash Bensonmum. The mystic is a new-ish class in 5e; it was introduced last year in Wizards of the Coast's officially unofficial Unearthed Arcana, and we thought it'd be fun to give it a try. Psionic (or mental) magic has featured to varying degrees ...

Today we continue our special content series as we get to know our next player, Thane, and we go over the highlights as we create his cleric character, Peter Greyhawk. Magic-using classes in the world of Vardalon are a little interesting at the outset, since magic is a thing of legend and the stuff of tales. If it ever existed, it was eons ago, so picking a cleric is a fun way for Thane to start.

If you haven't already, please take...

In this special episode we round out the party by getting to know Meredith, and we go over the highlights as we create her barbarian, Tira Ironstag. ...

Okay, okay—we were trying to stick to the "Getting to Know You" series this week, but felt it was important to sneak this one in prior to dropping our first actual play session. We hope you find it, uh, rewarding.

One of the things you may notice when we start releasing actual play episodes is that our experience point awards may seem rather paltry compared to what you're used to seeing in the Player's Handbook or during your games...

In this final special "Getting to Know You" episode, we meet Rhett the Dungeon Master, the guy behind the screen. After being introduced to Dungeons ...

We have one last episode to share this week before we shift to actual play episodes next week. We have some finishing touches to apply before we start, so we'll get those done and be ready to share the fun on Monday!

In this episode, we run Meredith's character, Tira, through a mini gauntlet to help her understand how combat works in D&D 5e. We also see how the militia in Arden really digs into its fairy tale books to wrangle up so...

In this first episode, we meet our friends Wamberbash, Tira, and Peter in the world of Vardalon. Things are looking pretty bad in the town of Arden: someone (or something) is attacking people in the nearby forest, the dwarves of Ironstag Delve are trying to reestablish themselves after the collapse of their ancestral home, and wounded strangers are appearing in town. What could it all mean? And what lies in store for both the town ...

After meeting under less-than-auspicious circumstances last time, Wamberbash, Tira, and Peter decide to take a trip. Not everyone is happy about it, but when they arrive, a mystery awaits. What lies ahead? What is that thing glinting along the roadside? And what in Vardalon is a grul? Give us a listen to find out!

Thanks for sharing our story; we really appreciate your support and hope you enjoy what we're doing. We're having fun s...

At the end of our last actual play episode, you may have heard a segment that is new in your experience of tabletop games: the Norse Battle. This special episode shares exactly what this segment is for, where it comes from, and why we like to use it as a way to wrap up each game. Once you've listened to it, please share what you think about it, and if you use something similar, we'd love to know how you use it.

As always, we want t...

In our last episode, Wamberbash led his new friends to his woodland home, only to find that his beloved spoon was nowhere in sight. After a fruitless search and a nighttime journey fraught with bad dice rolls, they spotted a fire in a clearing up ahead. What lies in the clearing? Will Wamberbash ever find his spoon? Did you remember to pack your puer cha? Let's find out together in this episode!

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In the previous episode we followed our heroes through a terrible fight in the forest. When the dust settles, they need to figure out what happens next, now that it seems their task is done. What will they do with their mysterious prisoner? Why is the forest acting so strangely? Will Wamberbash ever find another notebook? Let's find out together in this episode!

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After talking with a mysterious being with ties to Tira's ancestor, the party moves on to face a daunting challenge high in the mountains overlooking Arden. A series of puzzles awaits them in a place that's been undisturbed for centuries. What will they find there? What lies at the challenge's end? What perils could possibly await our friends? Listen in to this episode to find out!

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It's a party, and you're invited!

Adventuring is hard. That's why it's important to celebrate achievements! We'll record a special leveling episode each time the party levels. This is the first in what (we hope) will be plenty of level-up celebrations.

Follow the leveling process as we talk through what benefits Tira, Womberbash, and Peter gain for hitting this milestone. From squat thrusts to HP envy, this episode has it all!

As a...

Do one-dimensional NPCs in your games have you feeling. . . blue? In this special episode, Rhett wants to share a really neat NPC creation technique. The original idea comes from an interview between Satine Phoenix and Taliesin Jaffe in an episode of Satine's excellent GM Tips series.

GM Tips video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQZR4smjUEc

This video inspired Rhett to create a spreadsheet version of the technique Taliesin introd...

As a refreshing mountain breeze atop the Three Sisters plays through our heroes' hair, they find themselves faced with a difficult decision. A great prize and an important task lie on the other side of this choice, heralding a difficult time ahead. What is this all about? Whatever will our heroes do? And was that really a pickup line Wamberbash threw out there? Listen in now and see for yourself!

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Trouble is brewing in the tiny, remote town of Arden as bandits threaten the villagers' way of life. The heroes ready their weapons as the mayor rallies the desperate townspeople in the only defensive structure they have--the palisade on the Rock. What fearsome foes will our heroes face? Who will survive the day? Find out in this brand new episode!

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After the fight with the bandits in the previous episode, the heroes now have to deal with some very real consequences of the things they experienced during their first big battle. Questions arise, clothes are changed, and horse water is discovered. See what happens now by tuning in!

Thanks for sharing our story; we really appreciate your support and hope you enjoy what we've put together. We're having fun sharing our adventure wit...

It's party time for Tira, Womberbash, and Peter. The Heroes of Arden make their way to the village green and engage in several different important conversations with those close to them. This evening of recognition is an important step in the lives of these young adventurers, but something much deeper awaits them at the Great Stag Inn.

Thanks for sharing our story; we really appreciate your support and hope you enjoy what we've put...

The party's hopes for a restful night's sleep have been dashed by a disturbing dream unlike any they've ever had. The question of what it all means is on our heroes' minds as they set forth at last to Flenmoor, the large city to the north. They hope to find answers there. But a long road lies ahead, and the country is still quite wild. Join us as we continue our exciting story together!

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