Brennan Lee Mulligan DM Improv Tips | Escape from the Bloodkeep Episode 3

[@kevinwheeler7427]

I really need to rewatch Blood Keep. I had no idea how improvised this whole situation was, but knowing Brennan I’m not surprised at all.

[@TheDungeonCoach]

I know right!! 💜

[@UchihaKat]

Brennan had to improv SO much this season. not only the whole Avanash detour, but also the entire fight in the finale itself. Then again, I guess when you're regularly DMing Emily Axford and Ally Beardsley, you gotta be good at working on the fly. XD

[@callmelimitbreaker]

Coach, have you watched the DM roundtable with Matt, Brennan and Aabria? Brennan has a 2 minute monologue of running on rails that's amazing to hear and process as a DM.

[@theeshychick]

Came here to also mention that round table. So insightful and learning how each one approaches a season zero was fascinating. I also appreciate they talk about the difference in these live plays compared to unrecorded home games and how that affects preparing. 10/10 highly recommend.

[@Daxthemonk]

The amount of improve in this campaign is nuts and the amount that BLM adapted and evolved his story to fit it was ridiculous! SPOILERS below The pregnancy was completely improved and he turned the baby into the now lord of darkness! What the hell is that!

[@LeMayJoseph]

Great GMing is what it is

[@VenzyntRoleplay]

That's something I've learned as well; too much freedom/sandbox can negatively impact pacing and momentum in a campaign.

[@TheDungeonCoach]

I’m in the middle of that right now lol, UHG

[@srock2545]

Hey Dungeon Coach, I would really love a video "Top 10 Reminders about Home game vs. Professional game expectations" video. I love watching these shows, and wanting moments like these at my table, but it is so easy to forget that home games are different. Dm Pacing, PC death, playing on rails, Rule of cool vs. Rules as written, what to expect from players, what to expect from yourself....all play different at home. But these "live play" games are the only ones I regularly see- it can effect your expectations, and impressions, and positively and negatively effect your table and ability to enjoy the game. Would love to hear your top thoughts on what as consumers we need to remember as we watch all of these shows. This breakdown series is fantastic and I look forward to the rest. Thanks so much and congratulations on going full-time!!!

[@LeMayJoseph]

Loving these breakdowns! I’d still love to see more of them for the other D20 series!

[@noxiousbones]

Rails are good. Roller coasters are fun! Player driven narrative is my favorite. Yet it still needs structure to an extent combining the shenanigans with improvised structure sounds like the scariest rollercoaster ever, and will definitely be a memorable game.

[@DungeonMasterJosh]

I love the mini and also the book. There was sooo much good content in it and it gave me lots of ideas to try at my table. I even reviewed it on my channel. Thanks DC, you're amazing!

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Wait what?? I’ll have to go check it out!! Thanks Josh!

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Just watched it! Hit me up and send me a friend request on discord!

[@CriticalCoen]

That bit when they realize that Avanash released Hamhead, she took the crown and they see the anvil sinking in the lava though.

[@srock2545]

And yes, please make a video about Railroading versus Rails. I feel like the online conversations about it are almost always PC focused and players complaining about horror stories. I also think some players are more sensitive about player agency than others. And I think navigating that is a conversation I would love to hear more about from a DM stance as we are also dealing with pacing and rails versus player forward momentum and agency. I feel like this subject has become very popularly toxic in the Fandom and I would love to see more positively constructive conversations about it between players and DMs.

[@mrksimka1159]

Avanash not only a good demonstration of improv in D&| but also a good example at how properly make A Malkavian in VtM be it PC or NPC change my mind.

[@razorsedge64ify]

One big strategy for "soft roading" players to the main point while allowing them to get there naturally can actually be taken from multiple games like bg3, new vegas ect ect Make all roads point to where you want them to go, but with completly different goals for why you would go there. That way when players naturally stumble on something leadkng them there they think its their own agency which it mostly is. You want them to go to a specific city? Not only can you pepper details about its importance all over, you can place its silhouette on the horizon. Mabey one village needs supplies from this city, mabey a completly seperate camp across the map is heading to that city. Mabey a wizard fucks them over and turns out to be a city official. Its kind of railroading in the sense that you want them to go to the city, but let them discover many ways there and when a few hook their interest drop the others so that it dosent seem like you peppered it all in

[@przemysawjozwiak144]

This breakdown is your interesting answer for your other video call "Player Facing vs DM Facing?" ;)

[@TheDungeonCoach]

That is true! The concept is definitely in this one, you are right! 😆

[@airdragon11studios]

Yessss!!! More blood keep breakdowns!!!

[@teeseeuu]

What's going to happen to my bones?

[@TheDungeonCoach]

I’ll keep them safe here in the comment section 💜

[@chrisd5169]

I missed Brennan cutting out her tree transport when I watched it but seeing it now…it does feel kind of odd because why would the *character* unprepare that spell

[@sarabjorkgren6915]

💜💜💜

[@FryMinis]

👋

[@thesaltybeard1793]

Ngl chief I'm here cause of the bones

[@Castheknotted]

In my brain i wanted to have the crown maker ask them to get him to sky lightning to seal the pieces of the crown together. Gets them into the sky

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Oooooo interesting book there! I love it!!

[@matthewbarker4109]

Can we get that mini somehow