Create an EPIC Campaign in 12 Hours with Knave 2e!

[@QuestingBeast]

Thanks Baron! It's awesome to see the random tables at work.

[@JohnAslin]

Already backed, but this is a great example of the utility of Ben's well-researched design work. Hopefully, this'll sway others, who haven't backed the project yet.

[@captaindudeman3613]

Bravo Baron! I was just responding to a person in the comment section of the WASD20 Knave 2e preview video who couldn't see the value random roll tables in creating a setting or even a world to adventure in. Then viola you come along and drop the epitome of how to practically use this alongside your imagination to procedurally create a tonally consistent and flavor packed narrative sandbox to play in. Then you give it to us! I love it!

[@witchesbruise8792]

Great video! A lot of RPG players never use random tables - every encounter is planned and every beat born from the head of the DM. I did that for years but since then, I found that random tables really add a ton of wonder and spice to my game - they push me to make something I wouldn't have thought of myself and make my world feel alive. This was a really good short and impactful demonstration of how D&D can really shine when using awesome tables like the one's Ben has made.

[@HereComeMrCee-Jay]

Exactly, tables aren't a crutch... actually they create constraints and prompts that challenge one's ability to form narrative around and operationalize to the results. They push the DM, they open up the adventure, and they generally end up improving the gaming experience.

[@bobhill-ol7wp]

Don't really need random tables to do that, DMing for years and most prep is a just single sentence so it was by it's very nature completely random and based on cues from players on theories on what was happening.

[@icanusernamebetterthanyou3853]

The way I see it, the entire point of dice in RPGs is to help create happy storytelling accidents.

[@tc0930]

Yeah, I agree 100%. I'm a writer and I used to create everything but using the random tables just opens things up and gets me making connections I otherwise would not have. It makes my job easier but also prompts me into some really fun situations I otherwise would not have thought up as easily (if at all). I've been playing Shadowdark and using their random tables. The Baron's videos have been incredibly instructive for me, personally, when it comes to campaign building as a GM.

[@solaris_cc4353]

Curious about your process of finding new things to study. The biodiversity of the African rift lakes is an extremely specific subject to research, and it makes me think of the lenghts I could go to improve my game.

[@salamiraccoon]

to me it feels like something you'd find sparks your interest after riding the wikipedia train or just going with youtube reccomended videos. Eventually you find something wierdly specific and if it sparks your interest enough you go look up more about that topic *shrug*

[@tagg1080]

He is some kind of geopolitical professor I believe.

[@andershusmo5235]

I agree with Thomas' reply, it really does sound a lot like something that you stumble upon and keep reading about out of sudden newfound interest. Probably while you were supposed to be doing something else lol. The broader message isn't necessarily to study various biomes of the world, but to let your curiosity guide you - just about anything that interests you can be brought in to improve your game.

[@patrickgaron1728]

I read D&D adventures/modules because I like to see how designer creates worlds and encounters. I don't take (or have not) the time to do that to that extent you did. Looking at 7 minutes of 12h of work you did sounds fun. With all your good work, I can see why you can publish this OSR adventure! congrats, it's inspiring!

[@HeikoWiebe]

Thank you! The last two videos were gold for me. The use of random tables can get the creativity flowing like crazy. I created a small region with maze rats after your last video, and that contains enough adventure hooks and exploration for several sessions to come in such a short time. The best thing is that you can easily expand from there.

[@mikecarson7769]

Nice to see this video! Yeah, Ben produces excellent work creatively and mechanically, and Knave 2e appears to be packed with good stuff.

[@johnathanrhoades7751]

Already backed and am already using the tables from the preview. Can’t wait to get the full thing! I would love to try the system as well at some point, but the tables are definitely my main reason for backing.

[@yvindheilo229]

Already backed! Thanks for reviewing. Ben Milton is a great game designer!

[@ByDylanYoung]

@DungeonMasterpiece which would you say has better tables to work with, Maze Rats or Knave 2E -- or are they basically the same?

[@minimoose7890]

Very cool. Clearly Ben can make amazing random tables to help run games or inspire content. --How about a video more focused on the rules of the Knave system?

[@Rusty126]

Definitely going to have to check this out. And that dungeon monster sounds like something right out of Dwarf Fortress.

[@valasafantastic1055]

Looks great! I love random generation tables. I constantly make my own and am working on my own TTRPG. You can bet it will have plenty of useful dice charts. I’ll look into this one as part of my random dice charts collection.

[@DungeonDad]

I've heard real good things about Knave

[@nsideddice]

The preview pdf just dropped for Kickstarter backers. I've been excitingly waiting for that because of this video.

[@BillNyeTheBountyGuy]

Easiest back, if it's just more of the Maze Rat goodness it's all gold.

[@GREENSP0RE]

Been quite enjoying half day hexes myself via Mouseritter. Especially nice that you can plop a denser subhex into them based on adventuring hours for a super dangerous "aboveground dungeon" area. Or scale the other direction should players get capable of more powerful travel options. Good stuff. Using multiple random tables and combining them for each thing in a hex is the real secret sauce to keep things fresh.

[@MemphiStig]

This game is on my list, and I'll be getting it as soon as the budget allows. Great video.

[@SoDopeStavi]

Baron, could you explain your dungeon layout sheet? I am having a difficult time understanding how things are interconnected. Also, Ben rules.

[@DungeonMasterpiece]

Its just squares representing rooms. Small connecting rectangles are doors. L is locked, S is stuck. Dotted lines show where levels connect, but you'll need to read the key to see how.

[@SoDopeStavi]

@@DungeonMasterpiece Sweet. I guess I was more confused on how the different levels layers upon one another. I can see it now. Thanks, Baron!

[@jonathanfetter-vorm5448]

I’m sold. On a side note: I love your videos and approach to DMing. Have you done a video about how you run combat? Theater of the Mind or do you run minis? I’d love to see a video about your opinions on both

[@brucemaximus3797]

Tables? **Looks into Kickstarter deets** Ooh-ho-ho; TABLES! **Slams money into backing**

[@claytonharting9899]

Wow, this is incredible, Im already invested in this campaign! Maybe I’ll try running a knave campaign, this seems fun

[@samuelbastable2002]

Thank you so much Baron De Ropp, this video has totally convinced me into potentially backing Knave 2e!

[@jynirax]

Well I'm sold. On your channel and the product. Very cool stuff.

[@magnustherad1516]

I’d love more videos like this and the previous which demonstrate how to actually use systems and run them in practice. I’m currently a week away from starting a WWN campaign and the setting creation process was somewhat frustrating just because I kept getting lost in the sheer volume of tables haha. Great vid as always, all hail the Baron!

[@Metal_Horror]

This video is very informative. My concern with random table generation is related to consistency; I worry that I'll roll something that really doesn't match the setting/tone and it'll detract from the verisimilitude. I know that I'm free to discard rolls that don't work for the campaign, but I much prefer to minimize that, to "roll with the punches" (see what i did there ;). I see a lot of tables lately, and I'm really falling in love with the idea of randomly generating settings, then coming up with the lore to explain everything and tie it all together. This video has helped and given me some confidence. Oh, and a million bonus points for Knave. Thanks for the upload--subscribed!

[@captaindudeman3613]

I feel that way too, if used at the table for anything more than a description or an encounter i.e. something briefly requires your attention to put into play, then its good. If not, then you'd better have strength in improv to make the world on the fly as you go. I find this best use of most of these kinds of d100 or other tables is for prep and for inspiration fuel for building up your setting/environments. Otherwise your sitting at the table going how do i pull this all together and discarding/rerolling hyper aware that you're halting play and everyone's waiting on you.

[@HereComeMrCee-Jay]

The challenge of integrating disperate results is precisely what gets the creative juices flowing. And this isn't like fudging an attack or check roll, it just a creative process, so give yourself the grace to make adjustments. If the result just doesn't seem to work with your theme, adjust to a setting appropriate thing inspired by, but different from the table result. For ex, a wolf becomes a cheetah, a sword becomes a scimitar, a candle becomes a lantern, etc. Best of luck to you.

[@Metal_Horror]

@@HereComeMrCee-Jay I love it. Thanks.

[@stochasticagency]

Totally agree with the abstract concept of space over time for how long it takes "on average" to cross a hex. An idea I've used since playing Forbidden Lands.

[@jobobminer8843]

It's videos like this that reveal to me just how much variety there is in needs and wants from GMs. This is all almost completely useless to me but you present this as if it's super helpful which implies that your needs as a GM are very different from my own.

[@johngleeman8347]

I do love random table generation. Very tempting.

[@FrankyDCrafter]

Just backed it!

[@kyleharder3654]

Good video, I’m interested in the half day hex map. It’s a good idea to make each hex more significant

[@96Logan]

So great! This is gonna be saved for later reference

[@jasonp9508]

I love the art you have in this video. Did you generate it with AI? Or just image searching? Or some other means? If AI, which one? Looks awesome.

[@RunnerLogan]

I wondered the same thing myself. It looks too specific to not be AI generated. Amazingly specific art.

[@lm2jag]

I'd also be interested

[@jasonp9508]

We’ve made some good use of Midjourney in my group, both as DMs illustrating settings/NPCs, and for players illustrating PCs. It’s not everything we wish it were, but AI art is fast becoming an inspiring communications tool in our storytelling. Would love some tips from Baron if he’s getting such great results.

[@RyuuKageDesu]

My current hex map uses a full day travel. Similar idea. I'll have to try multiple hexes per day, and see how it feels.

[@teathomas]

I’d be interested to see your map drawing process

[@RPG_Bliss]

Great idea !

[@colbyboucher6391]

I wonder where the "What? I prep in two hours or less" crowd is right now

[@DungeonMasterpiece]

Watching my last video where I prepped an adventure in 15 minutes haha

[@michaelbrockelhurst4227]

I'm curious about the tool you used for the dungeon layout. I've never seen one quite like it. What did you use?

[@DungeonMasterpiece]

Google drawing lol

[@michaelbrockelhurst4227]

@@DungeonMasterpiece Hah! Shoulda known it would be easy.

[@markgnepper5636]

Great stuff friend 👏 👍

[@MADGator]

This is a great example if how Knave can be used to set up a campaign or even one-shot for any fantasy TTRPG! Will we continue to see more Knave content from you in July for RPG Independence Month? (A month free from Hasbro RPG content on KZbin in protest of their tyranny and intimidation.)

[@yorkdukeyork]

The Recluse and the Rift is a good title.

[@fadeleaf845]

My favourite part of this type of situation prep is that you have tensions between factions that could motivate players to side with them or otherwise act diplomatically. Wouldn't the militant chief be the one to defend against the gnoll marauders? Would the tribes appreciate getting to rebuild their lost settlement? Can you get information and/or resources to prepare fighting against Talonsting? Do the cultists know a secret about the militant chief that would discredit him? Even complex games like D&D 5e or Pathfinder 2e could benefit from having an adventure structured like this.

[@licoriceog3676]

Hi Baron, love your stuff like always but I have a question. How do you get your images for your videos? Do you use a ai art generator or find them yourself?

[@ecclenctica]

DM with a tie. What kind of crazy cosplay is this?

[@JKevinCarrier]

Nice! I was going to pass on Knave -- do I really need yet another D&D retro-clone? -- but you just sold me.

[@beetledjuice3062]

Knave is dooope!

[@theophrastusbombastus1359]

Bummed I missed out on Shadowdark, but I was able to get in on this one

[@trondbirkeland8094]

Excellent! Impressive illustrations. Where do you get them from?

[@imoweenlodestone5447]

This is a great prep system. It will speed up the process of making a campaign.

[@lycaonlycos2140]

Are your monster and dungeon pictures ai generated and if so which are you using?

[@Flint138]

Knave 2e is the best BANG-FOR-YOUR-BUCK purchase a GM can use to create a TTRPG of ANY MILIEU!

[@docmysterio71]

Where are you getting your images from? They are really high quality and not the type you'll find with Google search.

[@paid.intern]

Did you make those illustrations?!

[@CScott-wh5yk]

How do you find the art? Google search?

[@An_introverts_retreat]

Midjourney ai I am guessing

[@edwardromero3580]

Great video. I have to ask, where do you get the art that appears in your videos? Is that AI generated based on your prompts? Really curious.

[@Metal_Horror]

It does look like AI generated stuff, doesn't it? I love that stuff. It really enables us non-artists to create awesome visual content quickly.

[@TheK5K]

Another backer here - the quality of Ben's work is obvious from reviews like this and the earlier release. Buy it, use it, play it!

[@jannevalkeapaa]

I'm currently working on my own mythic GM emulator based RPG system where GM needs about 15-30min preparation before a session. In the prep GM defines all the big stuff and details are found while the game. -- Family and work, "only" 12h prep is impossible.

[@vincentcleaver1925]

You went pretty quickly over the dungeon as adjacent cubes. Care to expand on what you did there, please?

[@DungeonMasterpiece]

I just smashed some squares together and then rolled up prompts. When it made sense to connect them, I did so.

[@vincentcleaver1925]

@@DungeonMasterpiece I was thinking it was like dice drop. Kewl

[@BanjoSick]

I do that while playing. 12h, how bloated can it get?

[@agilemonk6305]

Greetings Baron. It often looks like you are wearing a yamaka (kippah). Wondering if you were a Hebrew/Jewish brother?

[@lucaricciardi8253]

So you just birthed a series of tropes? My compliments😔

[@bigbiggoblin2873]

Noice

[@VengerSatanis]

Cha'alt is the eldritch, gonzo, science-fantasy, post-apocalyptic campaign setting you need in your life (OSR / D&D compatible). Cha'alt!

[@HeathBadhwar]

That's no ordinary ooze

[@PichulRixth]

12 hours of prep? Let me know when you can get it down to a lazy 12 minutes.

[@DungeonMasterpiece]

See my prior video

[@PichulRixth]

I have! I guess you’re covering both extremes. Some people really enjoy the prepping, I’m the minimalist.

[@ZeroPhoenixTheLastBladeTheory]

Nice AI art

[@Barquevious_Jackson]

0:50 -It's a place with rivers in Africa, ITS JUST LIKE WAKANDA BRO! And you draw the driest looking place ever, I have no clue why you compared it to a different biome and connected it to a reddit-beloved fictional place.

[@BuckFu]

I can do it in under twelve hours.

[@DungeonMasterpiece]

My goal was eight hours, but I went over because of a bachelor party this weekend. .... Oh alcohol

[@BuckFu]

@@DungeonMasterpiece I actually thought you meant to say 12 minutes. 🤦🏻‍♂️ I was listening to this while mowing the yard and misunderstood. I thought you were doing what you did in your last video but using Knave 2nd edition. But your building an entire area, my bad.

[@youcantbeatk7006]

Based and AIpilled. Glad to see more content.

[@itzybitzyspyder]

So...a dungeon put together by manatees?

[@atlasdm]

Shame on you for supporting Ben Milton and Knave 2e. Ben lied to us Kickstarter backers and sold advanced copies of what was supposed to be a Kickstarter exclusive cover at a convention before ANY of the backers got their books. I still don't have mine as of this post. Then he treated us like we were the bad guys for complaining when the exclusive cover was renamed "premium edition." Don't support ANY content creator that lies and then disrespects their backers. Shame on you both!

[@TheHexeract]

is it me or does this guy seem incredibly disingeious

[@DungeonMasterpiece]

It's just you. Knave's tables are straight up some of my favorite.

[@danquaylesitsspeltpotatoe8307]

So you do all the work not using the software! which is sheets of data! this paid advertisement is bad!

[@admiralsnackbar2811]

9 rooms per level is too small 25 rooms per level minimum makes for a proper dungeon crawling experience.

[@pointynoodle]

Good video but please never mention anything from marvel 🙏🙏🙏 hearing wakanda causes me physical pain

[@Illersvansen]

So do you KZbinrs have an agreement where you take turns promoting your own products or what?