Games Within Games in Your Dungeons and Dragons Game

[@Nerdarchy]

Help Support Nerdarchy by Shopping at YOUR Favorites Places on the Internet. Just use these links and shop as usual. Nothing changes for you- Amazon- amzn.to/2jf0boA Nerdarchy the Store- goo.gl/M4YZEQ Drive Thru RPG- goo.gl/6nf5zh Easy Roller Dice- goo.gl/1n0M1r D&D and Think Geek Gear- goo.gl/LZAV5z

[@BlueFenix01]

Here in Ireland we have a sport that has 3000 years of history and cultural significance called Hurling. It's said to be the fastest field sport in the world and for comparison has elements of Baseball, Hockey and Lacrosse. Players would use a somewhat axe shaped ash wood sticks to bring a baseball size ball between two posts on opposite ends of the pitch. It is believed that this sport was used to teach boys elements of warfare. The hurling stick being both axe shaped and similar to a shillelagh, the war weapon not the cantrip, the team work and that this was played with next to no protection. Many other sporting competitions have history to war. Looking at half the sports in the Olympic games, they are competitions of skills found in a warrior or fighter of Olympia. Even modern day games like your own Gridiron football has elements of military teachings. Positions of defense, offense, timing and strategy. To have a world filled with so much conflict as any in the D&D canon without the mention of some sport that is analogous to warfare and conflict seems a little strange to me. It's ingrained into so many cultures it make a country unrecognizable if it were to suddenly disappear. To leave it out of a worldbuilding exercise like D&D is to miss a huge amount of possible historical or cultural touchstones that would bring a location or event to life.

[@JohanFaerie]

I remember a story from someone else where they had a festival or something, and in it they had a big brawl, unarmed last man standing brawl. Their characters would sign up for it, hand in their weapons, along with all the npcs. mo magic was allowed, when the bell or whatever rang its a free for all. You got points for knocking people out and whoever got the most got a prize and then the last one standing got the title of champion and the big cash prize for that event. I dont remember all the details but only 2 or 3 of the PCs entered and didnt know exactly what they were getting themselves into so one of the casters entered and got knocked out which was funny.

[@Nerdarchy]

girclassgamer anything that changes it up is a great idea for a game. Nerdarchist Dave

[@thegitgudneighborhood]

Oh, thank you guys. This one's _super_ important, as stuff like this helps with world-building and giving characters more to do than fighty-fight stuff. - Awsm Chimera

[@Nerdarchy]

The Git Gud Neighborhood your welcome. Also it just adds fun things for players to do and interact with. Nerdarchist Dave

[@johnhast1979]

Like how Gladiatorial combat was used in the book ,War of the twins. Most of Cameron fights where closer to WWE stuff . Unless a powerful wizard get upset and a fighter dies or to punish someone their opponents weapon is real and the one they use is a prop. I love all the Dragonlance books

[@Nerdarchy]

John Hastings I've read a ton of Dragonlance. Flint the king was one of my favorites. Nerdarchist Dave

[@1Ring42]

One of our VtM sessions revolved around a street race.

[@jhansen4661]

I have a system of gambling not for just money but for magic items as well. In my homebrewed world buying and selling magical items is kinda illegal because if say the monarchs have a rebellion on their hands then a population armed with magical items would be the very thing they’d all dread. So the gambling for magical items is held in a secret and shady underground ring

[@Nerdarchy]

J Hansen sounds like a great backdrop for adventures or plot hooks. Nerdarchist Dave

[@gamesdisk]

I like the improved sound quality and camera stuff

[@Nerdarchy]

gamesdisk us too. Glad you like it. Nerdarchist Dave

[@rileymcphee9429]

A game we played a few times in the Army was slap happy. Basically two people join their right hands and take turns slapping each other with their left until one person gives up or, in rare cases, passes out. In DnD, this kinda game could incorporate strength, dexterity, and constitution. All abilities usually not represented in tavern-type mini games.

[@Tvillian]

My game Sunday had a carnival in town with an undefeated champion taking on all comers. Barbarian and Fighter went 1 on 1 with her. I was worried the other players would get bored and tune out but they we're really into it and got excited when the Fighter got on a roll and looked like he was going to win

[@crimfan]

I've done this A LOT. It's not super hard to come up with stories around gambling, especially in an urban type game. In a low level context, you could have the PCs be associated with the arena or gambling den, which can grow over time. I indeed wrote a basic set of gaming rules for D&D that was based very loosely on 21 (or Baccarat) but incorporated player skills. We've also played a good bit where gladiatorial combat also fit in. In one game I'm in, one of the PCs is based on a gladiator from Spartacus (the TV show that was on for a while). The analogs of the Romans have not been happy he's free and causing trouble. More than once we've been hooked into arena combats as he got challenged. Those were REAL fights, though, to the death. I've run races, performance competitions, and other things, too. They really add to a game and get it off a "save the world" track, which is a total cliche. One thing you should definitely do is put in some NPCs that players whose PCs wouldn't directly participate in gambling would be able to control during the scene. That way the pious cleric's player has something to do.

[@draxthemsklonst]

Gnomish BattleBots? Chocobo races? Okay.

[@Nerdarchy]

Matt Lynn FUCK yea! They are. I like this kids style. Nerdarchist Dave

[@draxthemsklonst]

Dave, Don't forget the archetypal inventor's fair, or if you're feeling lucky, a lumberjack competition in the feywild.

[@pretzelbomb6105]

Not everything has to be super huge. What game might you find in the back corner of a tavern? What are the children in the street playing? Do the village elders have a certain board or card game they enjoy? It’s the subtle things that really help deepen your world.

[@kennethschmidt3402]

Thank you guys for sharing what you know but also sharing your personalitys too

[@rawvoodoo]

I made a set of rules for Jugging which is the sport from Blood of Heroes. My characters will be able to play if they want. I just need to get them out of Barovia before I can introduce it to them.

[@PieMasterBob]

These are some great things I need to incorporate into the homebrew campaign I am working on.

[@Nerdarchy]

NinjaDeathBlade let us know what you come up with. Nerdarchist Dave

[@Mammothbronco]

I have always been a huge nerd, but tried to hide it for so long.... It's great to see stuff like Nerdarchy, makes me proud to be a nerd! Awesome video!

[@xaviersmith5685]

Actually I did once play a game in d&d I remember it greatly it was a talent show I bench pressed a bugbear I ran through a wall I shaped a skeleton into a spear and there him into the atmosphere

[@Nerdarchy]

Spoofy sounds like a good time. Nerdarchist Dave

[@Altyrell]

Rat Ball FTW!!!!! XD that was one of my many favorite Episodes & Moments from that particular Nerdarchy Series, because it was so out of left field [sort of speak] that they really had to "immerse" themselves into their Characters to channel & think on what would their respective Characters do and how would they react & counter-react.

[@Nerdarchy]

Altyrell it was one of my finer moments. Nerdarchist Dave

[@jakethegooze]

I recently wrote a drinking contest for my players, but I haven't had a chance for them to play it yet.

[@Nerdarchy]

jakethegooze awesome sure they'll appreciate it. Nerdarchist Dave

[@markbyrd7710]

Awesome stuff! What is y'alls favorite homebrewed gambling game in game? What is the concept? Mechanics?

[@YearlingStudio]

Mark Byrd In my game we play a variation of the card game Golf. But it's named Rolf after the first inkeepr that played it with them. It's fun to deal out actual cards and have the players actually play.

[@Nerdarchy]

Mark Byrd I've got the rules for ratball and aetherball written out somewhere. I've done dice games on the fly that I regret not writing down the rules to. Nerdarchist Dave

[@markbyrd7710]

Nerdarchy oooo can you send me a link? Or post it here?

[@YearlingStudio]

Mark Byrd golftips.golfweek.com/rules-4-card-golf-game-1852.html

[@henckel93]

Amazing work as always. I try to change things a bit. A bit difficult because I run on R20. On a side note, are you ever going to make another mageforge? In love watching those. I personally made some dust that cast a cone of cold when blown.

[@Nerdarchy]

René Henckel sounds great. We actually just compiled a bunch of mageforge into a product over on the store- nerdarchy.com/product/secrets-of-the-vault-mage-forge-vol-1/ I'm sure we'll be doing more mageforge vids as well. Nerdarchist Dave

[@crazyscotsman9327]

I always put in the option for my party to go into gladitorial games or into dice games against other people. This one time the party barbarian was so drunk he believed his wizard friend that the merchant he was betting with was cheating. My character proceeded to beat him silly take all of his gold and his clothing, then the wizard bribed the guards to look the otherway. And we got away with it lol.

[@battleraven5984]

Been looking for a few games I could through into my campaign

[@pretzelbomb6105]

I have a world building idea of different kingdoms based completely on each class, any ideas on how entertainment could help define each one? (Also, I’d love some name suggestions)

[@briangoslin2588]

Dont forget Cards

[@tange6711]

Keep up the good work guys. I watch all your content but just recently subscribed. I've been playing since I was a little boy around 8 but now I dm and have been for a couple years now. Anyway love your content

[@Nerdarchy]

theresa ange we are happy to be of service. Thanks for the kind words and sub. Nerdarchist Dave

[@jamescollette1296]

Came up with this one while at work for my own game. Tell me what you think. The Adder's Drinking Game Two players stand at a table (not sitting) and start drinking extremely dangerous alcohol. In this scenario, it will be Adder's Blood which is a semi-poisoned whiskey (I'll explain in a second.) Both players must make constitution checks for each shot simultaneously. When a player fails a check, they are forced to stop drinking and collapse to the ground. However, each successive drink increases the DC by one (starting at 12 for the first drink). After six drinks, taking a seventh drink causes a major risk. If on the seventh drink the player fails, they must also make a death saving throw or potentially die. If the player is immune to poison, they still collapse and lose the bet because it is still very potent alcohol. If both fail at the same time, it is a draw. I was thinking of adding a table for what happens after each drink, but one tends to know what happens when drinking this kind of alcohol. What do you guys think?

[@Nerdarchy]

James Collette I kind of wanted there to be adders on the table. Drinkers have to snatch the mugs without getting bit. We have intoxication rules somewhere. Makes it more interesting when it's not based off of a single roll. Our intoxication rules work similar to the exhaustion rules. All in all I like the game you came up with. Nerdarchist Dave

[@drakkonusfrostburn4038]

Please post a link to your Aetherball rules. Please 🙏

[@Nerdarchy]

Drakkonus Frostburn they are scrawled in a notebook. They'll have to be translated. Nerdarchist Dave

[@drakkonusfrostburn4038]

😲So there is hope! I really want to play Aetherball with my groups.

[@Troommate]

Gameception? :D

[@Nerdarchy]

Troommate boom! Mind blowing. Nerdarchist Dave

[@clericofchaos1]

sounds boring. anything that makes the pc's the spectators is boring. you're not playing at that point, you're essentially just listening to an audiobook. Now stuff like games and tournaments where the player's participate can be fun, but actual 1v1 tournaments don't really work, because now 3 of the 4 players are doing nothing until the current match ends.

[@Altyrell]

The "1v1 Tournaments" actually can work, simply have the entire party roll initiative and when it comes to the Players who aren't in the immediate Tournament Match can talk about what they are doing while the Match is going on. For Example, if the Fighter of the group is in the Match and has everyone's attentions, the Rogue (Thief) of the Group could sneak and take information from the overseers of the Tournament completing part of the Mission that the Group had been tasked in doing. Conversely, the Rogue (Assassin) could use the on-goings of the Tournament as a cover to assassinate a target that they had been tasked with assassinating. Not to mention, the Tournament could be what sparks the Party Members to join up, for example, the Rogue (either) could be caught and as the Rogue is trying to escape could unintentionally get into the Arena Field and the Fighter [perhaps behind the scenes of the Fighter, they could be told that during their Match, there will be a "signal" that indicates that the uprising that he had been tasked with aiding in] could see that the Rogue had gotten into the Arena, believing that the Rogue is the "signal" that triggers the uprising would cause the Fighter to come to the Rogue's aid and the other Party Members could also have behind the scenes reasons that would have them "jump in" and help the Fighter & Rogue out.

[@clericofchaos1]

nah, I hate when the party splits. requires too much effort on my part and takes waaaaaaaaaay too long to do anything.

[@Nerdarchy]

clericofchaos1 one of the keys is to make these back drops to other things going on the game like political intrigue or social interactions. Nerdarchist Dave

[@clericofchaos1]

What do you mean? Like the players are not participating in the event, it's just going on in the background? Oh and just out of curiosity, how do you feel about flying pc's? There are a lot of people out there that ban flying races outright and claim that it's very overpowered, but i think it's balanced because flying is a very situational ability. Most any given game will take place inside of structures or underground where flying would be useless and above ground there are so many natural elements the lessen the viability of flight, like heavy weather for example. It also just seems wrong to ban official races.

[@Altyrell]

Agreed because in said scenario, it could start out as the Rogue's "Side Mission" and get turned into the Mission of that Session. With the Rogue learning that their Target is going to be attending said event and learning that this could be the last time the Tournament ever happens (because the Tournaments had been lackluster as of late) which would make assassinating & getting away unnoticed difficult. So the Rogue would turn to his/her party members for assistance, with the Fighter of the group & possibly 1 or more of the group entering in as well so that if at least two of the group is facing against each other in a Match, they would be able to captivate the crowd's attention [while trying to make the match look legit without seriously injuring the other]. Therefore, while the entire audience (including the Rogue's Target & anyone that happens to be by the Target) is paying attention to the Match and not to whatever else. This would allow the Rogue to get advantage on their Stealth & Hide rolls, would (technically) give the Rogue their Surprise Crit from Assassinate (if they have it), allowing the Rogue to (if the dice gods are in favor of the Rogue) sneak into where their Target was at, assassinate the Target, and Stealth out of Dodge without getting caught. Then after a few minutes, the Rogue [using a disguise or whatever] could approach where their Target was at, seeking to talk to their Target setting up the signal to let the other party members know that the Rogue had been successful as the guards (or whomever) that went in to tell the Target that their was a person outside that wanted to discuss whatever with the Target. The guards would then discover that the Target had been killed, would sound a red alarm that would be the signal alerting to the Party that the mission had been a success.

[@benjaminfrost2780]

Gladiatorial Arena's people die in.....not much to be acted out there. *shrugs* a good point you made with the video just didn't like the attempt to turn Gladiator Fights into Theater like pro wrestling. They don't pretend to kill someone in a wrestling match...they just pin or submit them. Even then it was so hard to convince people it was real they started enforcing it was fake on the outset.

[@retrokungfu3535]

Man you guys sold out.

[@Nerdarchy]

RetroKungFu sold out to what? I hope we got a lot for it. Nerdarchist Dave

[@draxthemsklonst]

I don't do patreon, so actually I don't feel as much like a piece of shit by not supporting them now. Just saying. I tip the waiter, I say thanks to the nurse, or even a crossing guard there just for kids, you know?

[@draxthemsklonst]

+RetroKungFu Enthusiasm and creativity used to be a thing...I remember. Like: you can leave middle earth now, is boring, already.