How to Boil a Frog | RPG Mainframe

[@freddykingofturtles]

I just started having fewer notable NPC's that are more detailed. Absolute success, such a good idea!

[@everthingtotal8798]

This new format is the best RH has done yet. I Really love it. Also, the 'lane' widening toward the end and 'choosing' when to offer choice is so helpful.

[@midwesternspectre]

Loved the comment about the bite size method for creativity. I ended up with more time between our first and second sessions than originally intended and went totally ape populating my world with NPCs and new locations. By the time the second session ended, the PCs are still firmly within the realm of stuff I thought about already, but I still wanna work on the game in the meantime. I think I'll use the bite size method to refine the encounters they're sure to get into now that they're (finally, I think lol) going to enter this adventure's dungeon.

[@TrairFrair]

In terms of adding nostalgia to the end of a campaign, you can see this in the final episodes of critical role vox machina. Old villains resurface, old allies are used as hostages, an old hubtown is partially and repeatedly obliterated. Cool call backs, with a twist of a knife.

[@robertpeetsalu5745]

I totally agree with your points. I'm developing a fantasy RPG where both the adventures and the character progression is driven by player character goals. I'm trying to bake all the good GM'ing practices into the game rules, the GM tools and the premise of the game. For example the game I've decided to make it a city-based game to make consequences of player actions and NPC attitudes matter cause players stay in one city for many sessions. This also supports the small scale boomerang adventures, more personal stories and lets PCs pursue many different goals without having to split the party or worry about travel time when switching between different PC goals. PC goals also give the GM clear leads on what the party will do next and how to challenge them in a way that they'll care.

[@Grimlore82]

This was inspiration for my custom Sanity system for my highly modded Curse of Strahd campaign. Magic cannot help, moral boosting, empathy, etc through RP is what raises Sanity. It changed the way my players play the game. This really helped remove the whole invincibility hero aspect. The Sanity system really helps the players feel the real life repercussions for being forced to deal with the horrors of Ravenloft.

[@TrairFrair]

I like it. Got the Curse of Strahd for Christmas, and felt really bad about it after the ogl debacle helped me leave 5E. Really cool to see how I might modify that setting and their mechanics.

[@Grimlore82]

@@dagothur6739 my table is all about changing systems, as soon as our copies of Shadowdark RPG gets here, we are changing. However in 2019 when they bought the book for me to run we were enjoying the 5e system. This was before all the power bloat had really taken hold. Mind you, my table happily agreed to keeping it to a human centric game. PHB and Xanathers only. Classic classes too. I have added a lot of custom content and enlarged the map. I believe you have a misconstrued idea of my table. Which is understandable, as I did not spend the hour to fully type out how much I have done (not changing rules) but keeping it very RP.

[@Joshuazx]

I don't believe a sanity mechanic is appropriate for D&D. "It is a cheap effect to roll a die and tell the players their scared" James Edward Raggi IV.

[@Grimlore82]

​@@Joshuazxthat is because you are not at my table, do not understand the buy in the players have. Nor have you seen how I utilize it, or the mechanics that go with it.

[@michaelpatton9909]

Imo. On the Evil alignment thing. I'd say just RP it accurately. If your a bunch of good heroes and you find out the dirty evil sh** one of your party is doing... what would you hero do? Most likely it would end up with the evil person either dead, or shackled. That showdown and capture would be fun, no doubt. For the group and that PC. Its mot personal per se, but its accurate. If an evil dude decides to role with a bunch of good heros... hes doing it at a risk. ❤ Have fun!

[@michaelpatton9909]

Ps. If he escapes, that's a new evil baddie for the DM to use. Which would be a pretty cool omage for the PC who made that character.

[@fredmclovin194]

I love that mailbag song 🐸

[@lilcwa]

This epic Mainframe episode presents a real wealth of useful GM advice with remarkable compassion and positivity. The game space today really benefits from content like this. I hope these priorities continue to remain prominent for you as you move forward toward new creative discoveries with continuing success. Respect and regards, Chris AKA Li’l C 🛡

[@FMD-FullMetalDragon]

It's very cool you are putting these episodes on KZbin now. These are great.

[@johnmagowan6393]

IF WAR IS WHAT YOU WANT, WAR IS WHAT YOU SHALL GET, FRUIT VENDOR!

[@NemoOhd20]

Thanks, B. Great stuff as always.

[@chrisragner3882]

Hank, I enjoyed all of this. Great insight for writers and gamers alike. I feel emboldened to continue.

[@JScottGaribay]

This Mainframe Jahn is fi-yah! Thank you for these videos.

[@Joshuazx]

35:33 "no, no, no, no. Rise and fall...Work that yoyo." Professor DM described this as alternating moments of hope and moments of doubt. A story should alternate hope and doubt because this rhythm creates tension and interest. Give the players a helpful thing, then present them with a bad thing, and repeat.

[@cadenceclearwater4340]

I love this podcast series ❤

[@jayemm61771]

Thanks for being human Hank. Like many other humans, I to have difficulty committing time to everything in my life. Watching too many game, master videos makes me feel like a slacker!! Keep up the good work, and the shield wall will provide.

[@d_sullv]

What up Hankerin'? Long time absorber of your content, from even before rebranding the channel as Runehammer. Just wanting to let you know I've really been digging the RPG Mainframe series, it's really reminiscent of some of the content from the lost-to-the-ages Mad Adventurers Society. Keep on being a Big Ol' Badass and elevating the game!

[@johnmagowan6393]

Moose sound? I'm here for the goofy songs and odd noises. It makes me feel validated. I can't DM for shit but I can make a funny song at the drop of a hat!

[@FlintFireforge]

Awesome points!

[@rogerreed9885]

This was very helpful. I'm running a superhero game and this helped remind me to keep it grounded, so it adds weight to the big battles.

[@Grimlore82]

Be sure to like, subscribe, ring that bell!

[@SheppyHand]

Dude, love the production value on the intro

[@Joshuazx]

I think one solution for you to consider is when you tell people you're running a new game, tell them "I'm running a game for Alignment A Player Characters. If that sounds like something that interests you want to, do this. If that does not sound like something that interests you, see you later space cowboy."

[@rynowatcher]

I am always interested in "creative block" descriptions. I will add this be a use I think it is related: You never know how your audience will receive your creativity. The things you thought were garbage that you phoned in might be someone's favorite part and the bit you thought was a banger might not get a good reception. Your feelings about a peice are not nessicarily going to factor into how your audience receives it.

[@JohnSmith-tc7ti]

Is there a longer discussion on dealing with evil aligned characters in a good party? I feel like there is more depth to that issue.

[@Runehammer1]

not for me. evil blows

[@Thagomizer]

You guys play Shadows of Brimstone much?

[@Runehammer1]

nope just did some of the art

[@freddykingofturtles]

I've played several evil characters that never had trouble and I've played with good characters that broke parties. The unspoken rule is that your character values the party and won't sabotage it unless it's more interesting than annoying.