Live Play Example: Shadowdark RPG

🦇 A live play example of Shadowdark RPG! You can jump in on the fully funded Kickstarter here: www.kickstarter.com/projects/...
In this video, I take four gamers of various experience levels through a foray into the Eroding Isle of the Executioner. I include a few notes of GMing advice, too!
🔥 We didn't have occasion to light a torch in this session; the focus this time was on the initiative, exploration, and combat rules. If we'd lit a torch, there might have been a few fun opportunities to "attack the light" in such a watery place.
What would you have done to threaten the characters' torchlight? Let me know below!

[@ariodemien6150]

Love that you're using Owlbear Rodeo!

[@TheArcaneLibrary]

Such a magnificent VTT!

[@bensdecoypoondummy1189]

Owlbear is such a fantastic tool. Easy to learn and powerful enough for most needs

[@duncanmacphail2532]

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[@duncanmacphail2532]

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[@duncanmacphail2532]

Any Design Principle that Allows to His style of Multiversl Threat cause YO unever Can Precinctly Define a Single Principle Design is younger have to guess the prXX.

[@jarrodjanuary5486]

What a fun group. As an old gamer (50+) Shadowdark feels like 1e D&D without all the confusion. Love how Doc’s characters kept dying! Too fun!

[@thehoundsoftindalos8456]

I started playing D&D/RPGs 42 years ago. I SO WANT TO BACK THIS! It looks and feels like OD&D/AD&D.

[@thehoundsoftindalos8456]

I backed it!

[@Dyundu]

Dave’s character was giving me strong Hondo Ohnaka vibes, and I’m 100% here for that.

[@Pokayte]

I am very glad I am not the only person who immediately made that connection ;D

[@robertwinslade3104]

As someone who recently starting GMing for the first time with 5e and now understands exactly what other people complaining about OP player characters, power creep, and rules bloat were going on about, I am so looking forward to Shadowdark as a more stripped back, low power alternative! I might try to find some way of incorporating more of the gonzo DCC style weirdness in my games though; DCC seems to take it too far IMO with massive complicated effects tables for every spell, but my players have been loving the odd weird random effect table in my 5e game

[@Metal_Horror]

The beauty of the persistent initiative/always-on turn system suddenly dawned on me early on in the video. When the players are used to always playing in intervals, I think it will be a graceful way of handling party splits. You can have each member in a different room (maybe even a different town!) without things being overwhelming or chaotic. It's often the case that party-splitting can be groan inducing, since you can often expect an event to take a long time, leaving other players with nothing to do. I really think this style could potentially lead to an elegant way of adding flexibility to this sort of thing. Not to mention the obvious benefit of giving each player their fair share of the limelight. Anyway the game is very exciting. I love it all. And the aesthetic is awesome! Congratulations.

[@Mankcam]

Let's not kid anyone, this is D&D. It's just 100 times better than WotC's current D&D Definatly supporting Shadowdark on KS Great gameplay video, thanks for posting!

[@PrehistoricLizard]

Hope to see more examples of live play. David calming the shadows and Laurin bringing them back for vengeance were both great moments. And of course Doc's character croaking immediately haha.

[@dirtactual]

I have not been this excited for a TTRPG since 5e came out in 2014!

[@mikemcd15]

When using a VTT I found that the easiest way to keep initiative straight is to just put a note box on the screen in an unused section of the map - and type the names of all the characters in order of their turn (including the GM as well, of course)

[@TheArcaneLibrary]

Excellent idea!! I’m going to for sure use that going forward!

[@nschoenwald]

@@TheArcaneLibrary You could also duplicate the involved character and monster tokens and then just drag them in one line according to the initiative in some corner of the screen or map - whatever works best for you :)

[@TheArcaneLibrary]

@@nschoenwald Good call! That's a nice visual way to do it!

[@Tusitala1967]

Good times! Happy to see Owlbear Rodeo getting used here. Fun Fact: The green coloration on brass and copper is called verdigris.

[@TheArcaneLibrary]

I am entirely self conscious about the fact that I think I will pronounce that wrong, haha!

[@michaelmorrissey8983]

@@TheArcaneLibrary Easy Peasy! It's like "Vair - degree" or Ver - degree more or less. Enjoyed the live play and an opportunity to see Owlbear Rodeo in play, which I will be looking into. Congratulations on the success of Shadowdark & the Kickstarter there seems to be no stopping this train. Next stop...1 Million Dollars!

[@Tusitala1967]

@@TheArcaneLibrary You wrote a game. Somehow I think you've got this. ;-)

[@BearBronson]

Real talk, this will be fighting Mörk Borg as the main TTRPG to run on our game nights every month.

[@Mythblade]

Yes!!! I've been waiting for a live play of Shadowdark!

[@EricAyala-ot]

So far, this is one of the best actual plays! Great RP!

[@Hellvector]

This was a blast to watch! Thank you Doc for doing my dear little Wibbly Wicket justice, he met a glorious end! Kelsey, thank you so much for bringing this game to life, and you were all wonderful!

[@Kalstir515]

Im just coming into learning about Shadowdark, but it gives me such nostalgia for the 1e DnD games i played with the old school players 20 years ago. Havent DMed in years have preferred playing, but this makes me want to get a group together. ❤

[@samchafin4623]

That final frame! What a great group! I would love to see them again, not even as a proper continuation - just a completely new adventure, and no explanation of the rest of the action of this adventure 😆

[@gedanken23]

Gotta love that the dangers were food, music, and (floor) architecture. Props to Jessie for all the phat lewtz!

[@mikehallaron]

“Arnatho” sounds like Triumph the insult dog! Nice job on the role-play! Really helpful sample of shadowdark play for newbies here! Thanks all! 👍🏼

[@MarkTarsis]

Great actual play. 1 hour was about right for the time, made it easy to digest and see all the rules in play. I can see that this game is going to be very very good for first time and newer players. Not a lot of rules to explain, roll to cast is easier than spell slots. Luck tokens + stabilize rolls seems to take the edge off BX's too harsh death. Glad you highlighted reaction rolls and morale, which is new for 5e players. I can see this game not appealing to those wanting tactical combat. Though it would be easy to house rule in AoO, flanking, and so on. But the system seems like it works best just keeping it free flowing and lax.

[@johnweatherman5685]

Haven't had time to watch this till now, though I did support the Kickstarter. This was so much fun, and so much more like what my games have always looked like than so many of the live plays that seem to be on KZbin these days. Can't wait for the games to be out! This actualy makes on-line TTRPGs look a little more manageable, may have to get in contact with some old gaming friends who have scattered to the 4 winds these days. And YES, if any player bursts out in song at the table, they SO deserve success!

[@zionich]

I am happy to give this a watch. I was looking for a live play of it yesterday when I was considering backing it.

[@ThomasHerlofsen]

Good game everyone. Gonna up my Kickstarter pledge based on this.

[@TheArcaneLibrary]

That is so kind of you, thank you!

[@billcedarheath387]

Well done. Videos like this show those who only know 5e, that fun can be had outside the realm of D&D. ShadowDark rolls a nat 20 for casting light. The TTRPG world is illuminated for all to see.

[@DeusMachina71]

Personally this feels more to me like the D&D Gygax, Arenson and other earlier writers of the game envisioned than current Corperate WotC 5e D&D. It's definitely a more spiritually connected game to B/X and the OSR scene than 5e despite the marketing but I understand why she sold it in that manner. Plus the modernization of some of the rules isnt a bad thing at all, I think she cleaned it up nicely and added the right stuff. If I had one complaint I like a little more definition, it's extremely streamlined and I'd really like to see a bit more nuanced Advanced Shadowdark some day, either way it's it's easy fix at least for me.. I'm just happy to see a decent game get a good kickstarter reception

[@billcedarheath387]

@@DeusMachina71 I started playing D&D back in 1978. Modern D&D is too bloated for my taste. There was a time where homebrew was making your own classes up because they didn't exist in the rules. You used this thing called imagination and creativity to design your own world and the dungeons in it. Nobody called making a dungeon a "homebrew" like it is now. I'm glad to see Shadowdark as it feels like the days of old. It takes me back to the days of my youth and all is right in the dice rolling, monster slaying, dungeons are dangerous and they don't care about your feelings world.

[@steelmongoose4956]

Perhaps, but that light goes out after an hour of real time. 😃

[@scottendicott7970]

Finally the YT algorithm sent me something I want!

[@damienfeymont3433]

Yes same!!! So exited for this.

[@toddrohrer8680]

It looks like shadow dark is written in such a way DMs csn create new classes

[@hobbitonman]

This was so much fun to watch! I do wish we got to see an example of a "Near sized cube" because I too intend to use a vtt or minis with SD. lol

[@AndrewGarofalo]

The roll high d20 system seems to run very smoothly. And makes it easy for the GM.

[@ericfiszelson4303]

I just made my pledge on Kickstarter. So psyched about this project and looking forward to receiving my books 😊

[@MarkCMG]

Thanks for the video! This is coming along great!

[@vaultofphantasms]

Thanks for this! It's great to see the game in play.

[@dragon11c]

There seems to be a water theme here (?). I would make d4 timer for a check to see if the torch is put out by dripping water from above. Probably a DC 10-12 and if it goes out DC 15 to relight it. Provided they have flint and steel or a tinderbox, otherwise DC 18 for any other way that may have to be tried with possible bonus points for ingenuity. This is mainly because of the damp conditions that seem to be present.

[@TheArcaneLibrary]

I like that! :D

[@briandavison7033]

I run a lot of games online. It is great to get the added tips like initiative order.

[@geoffreynelson6413]

Omg…Kelsey “the only one tall enough to LOOK INSIDE the vessel…” The DM’s clue bat. “Not much for blunt objects” indeed.

[@sectorbob]

I call that "being hit by the clue by four!"

[@johnathanrhoades7751]

Love this. Just started an Old School Essentials campaign and am loving it. Will be pulling in the “always” on initiative for exploration (I like to leave it more Freeform in town, etc, but it’s still a helpful framework for me to keep in mind) and will be using ALL the tables. We’ll see if we want the real time torch. I like the less reliance on ability scores that B/X has, but this will be what I use as a “5e player’s first OSR” and may move to a roll to cast system if people want that.

[@grantdixon6556]

So excited to be backing this kickstarter!

[@1AngelAlita]

I like watching live plays of RPGs on KZbin but this is probably the most weird one I've seen.. ;)

[@WilliamLee_Exalted]

Love ShadowDark! Per the book it doesn't seem that there's any push or threat of time involved in this session. One of the great things about ShadowDark is "how much time is left on that torch, we better hurry". The woman seems to be taking the game more seriously than the dudes. Like you can have fun and still take it seriously. As I'm watching (only the 1st 30 mins) and can't help but roll my eyes when the guys speak lol. But as she said in the beginning 'these players are all different levels of experience'. It's a win if they all had fun though! Good video though!😊

[@ryanwiedeman5635]

fun to watch and listen for sure 🤩🙏

[@mateofantasma]

Nice vibes at the table, good stuff!

[@fchrisb804]

You all are hilarious! Great Job!

[@Yosherful]

"Does anyone have a hammer?" Hah.

[@TheWintersoldier84]

Kelsey's organ honking noise is S tier. Great foley.

[@michaelkeith7991]

Awesome great job everyone, last week I crafted sum HP color from space/FEY pieces and sum had pearls, and have plans to craft a organ, this way too cool

[@michaelkeith7991]

@@Dungeoncraft01.. thx pass the gift to a library or community project please

[@sentino68]

Can't wait to get my copy/ KS rewards!!

[@skrzynkapanamarcina]

Great heroes, great, beauty GM, great adventure :)

[@Gorehaven68]

Never split the party.

[@jerihoneywellart]

I just got around to seeing this! I also have my copy of Shadowdark RPG and i am in love with every aspect of it, the art, the writing, the mechanics, its everything I never knew I always wanted. Is it surreal to be playing a game you made?

[@nemooh]

This is fantastic!

[@dreamleaf6784]

Can't wait to play. I want to make a rag tag group with my 6 yo daughter and my wife. I hope I can find two more to make a four person group

[@kgadventuresttrpg]

I’m running this tonight I reworked it to fit into the gloaming. I’m changing my the sink hole to have an underground lake instead of the black dragon.

[@corybuckner9030]

Fantastic I love this... keep it going

[@JDStirlingGames]

Most excellent game, folks!

[@Grimlore82]

Kick ass!! Homies from the Discord!

[@spencercoker4077]

I was REALLY looking forward to this, but I was hoping for a more "tactical" live play showing of the mechanics. Hopefully the in the next event, more of the rules can be shown off, with not so much hamming it up from the players. I am really considering pledging, but I would like to see a more tactical demonstration to show off the rules.

[@TheArcaneLibrary]

We'll do more of them with various groups of players and play styles! Tenkar's Tavern also just posted a live play video that is very classic "old school" style and has a great demo of combat mechanics. I thought they did a wonderful job!

[@spencercoker4077]

​@@TheArcaneLibrary saw the live play on Tenkar's Tavern; loved it. Also watched live play on d20play and Grablag Gamers.

[@Eucrid]

GRUMBY BILLOWS!!

[@daitopc]

Congrats on your success Kelsey! I have a question if anyone knows about how random encounters work. You're rolling every couple of rounds to check for an encounter based on danger level, but when an encounter happens do you just choose a random monster to appear, or are you rolling on a table to decide the monster as well? Is the encounter always a monster or is it a trap / hazard sometimes? Is the monster predetermined in the adventures guide and only has a chance of being 'awoken' based on the rolls?

[@TheArcaneLibrary]

There is usually a random encounter table included with the adventure! :) And if there's not, I have a bazillion of them in the core book so you can fall back on those. :)

[@daitopc]

@@TheArcaneLibrary phenomenal! It's apparent how much effort was put into this, y'all have thought of everything. Thanks for the response 😊

[@patrickcreson7722]

I love seeing the live play. The only aspect of Shadowdark that I am a little fuzzy on is the XP distribution. Should I set an gp theshold for the XP? I see you gave 1 XP for a 100g gem, so is that a good rule of thumb? give 1xp whenever the party aquires an additional 100gp value? I realize that it is meant to be a bit abstract. I plan to run every premade adventure that I can find before I start creating my own or going off the cuff. I have run the adventure in the starter rules and I have to say that I love it! This is the only aspect that I have questions about.

[@TheArcaneLibrary]

Totally fair question since it's kind of a new concept! Pretty much all treasure except for the most fantastical stuff is worth 1 XP. If the characters find something that is super magnificent (like a magic sword), I'd give them 3 XP for it. So it's not really tied to exact numerical values, but more the overall importance of the treasure. I'd say 90% of treasure falls into the 1 XP category.

[@patrickcreson7722]

@@TheArcaneLibrary thanks for the clarification! I’ve been a fan for a few years now and I LOVE seeing all your hard work paying off. It was also nice to see Jesse on the stream! I don’t think I’ve seen her since you posted the wedding pic lol. I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of this book!

[@demongustavditters7150]

Lol I d never heard such a happy and sweet voice bodying an entire party for 1.5 hrs 😂

[@TheArcaneLibrary]

Hahahahahahaa, I view success as connected to how many gameplay rounds we can fit into one session! 😂

[@demongustavditters7150]

@@TheArcaneLibrary 😂 I love it! If you sit down for OSR your asking for intensity!

[@marionponteville7630]

French players waiting for this game too !

[@SERGIOBOUBA]

this is GREAT !!

[@toddrohrer8680]

I have a question will there be additional classes coming for shadow dark like paladin or ranger

[@TheArcaneLibrary]

The Kickstarter just hit a stretch goal where I'm going to design a new class, and ranger is taking a distant lead right now! :) I'll also be putting more classes out in Cursed Scroll zines (supplements for the game).

[@Grimlore82]

The shadows would mob onto the torch bearer, definitely.

[@ronaldlegere]

What's with the hammers? Looking forward to reading (and playing) the game!

[@TheArcaneLibrary]

Hhahhahaaaa, I removed hammers from the basic equipment list a long time ago during beta testing (they just take up a gear slot and serve no real purpose), and it became a long-standing joke! xD #HammerGate

[@ronaldlegere]

@@TheArcaneLibrary Makes sense, in my house we use everything BUT hammers to hammer things. Wrenches, spoons, rocks, "... weapons or other iron spikes" LOL

[@dreamleaf6784]

What do you use to play dnd online? Discord? And how to do that map like that?

[@TheArcaneLibrary]

I ran this with a mixture of Zoom (voice/video chat) and the online platform Owlbear Rodeo! They have great KZbin videos for getting set up and how to use their system.

[@guzimirHR]

You is evil young lady- I watched a bunch of old guys trying your game and they were dying before even meetig the monsters. 😄 I really wish you the best of luck and wish I could support your cause- you're one helluva lady.

[@TheArcaneLibrary]

Hahahahaha, this makes my day! :D Thank you!

[@thehermitthetower1126]

Kell-SEEEEEEE WOOP WOOP

[@rontalkstabletop]

Owlbear Rodeo!

[@TheArcaneLibrary]

Ain't it the best? I love it! Didn't even get to show off that is has a built-in time where you can visibly track the torch.

[@lukejackson3901]

Finally!!! ❤

[@BradDaeda]

Fun game!

[@francoisdumont4105]

Will there be a localized french version of this game? I can speak english fluently but as a game master, I find it a hassle to translate games.

[@mikec6111]

Have I been watching too many Shadowdark videos if I understood the hammer reference?

[@DanielForrester]

I asked the discord and then they had a link to the initial event.

[@TheArcaneLibrary]

Yes and good. ;D

[@JimmiWazEre]

I'm only a few minutes in, but I don't get why you bother rolling for initiative at the start if you're not going to enforce that initiative order? If it doesn't matter, why not just wait until it matters before you enter initiative?

[@MarkTarsis]

My guess is that Kelsey does a lot of in person play and, for combat, rolling init, highest goes first and then round the table works the fastest and she seems to like fast, smooth systems. But once you start doing that it becomes an easy idea to apply it to outside combat and have a "unified" concept of rounds. Rounds in combat and rounds outside of combat for exploration. The "go around the table outside of combat" is also useful at in person tables to make sure everyone has a chance to take part in the exploration part of the game. So, if she started doing that then unifying things like encounter rolls based on "rounds outside of combat" start to make a lot more sense. So basically, the game has some design elements for "track rounds outside of combat", but the game also doesn't break down if you don't enforce it. And that sort of relaxed, flow with it style of game also seems like an important part of Shadowdark's design. I'll also say that what works for Kelsey at her table may not work well for you and your group. For example, I may use Foundry VTT and "round the table" doesn't work well with there is no table. I'd likely just use the built in initiative tracker, everyone rolls and go in order of the rolls. That'd be easier and smoother. I also may do stricter rounds outside of combat, but that's because my brain likes more order/strictness and it's easier to accidentally skip over asking people "what is your character doing" when you're not with them in person. But everyone should play the game how it best works for them.

[@TheArcaneLibrary]

Well said! :)

[@colerape]

Ex-goblin union worker...that is a lot of built up rage!

[@Diablofan100]

Oh, like you wouldn't believe.

[@lukejackson3901]

Awesome characters lol

[@Skelfi]

What program is here used to play online?

[@zindarafalaraax3349]

Owlbear Rodeo.

[@CScott-wh5yk]

KZbin

[@mcdo0gal1985]

It’s mid-jan any update on physical drop?!

[@shotcallercos]

I'm going to play the FUCK out of this game

[@carlplesner2498]

Can you play solo and be your own dungeon master?

[@TheArcaneLibrary]

You would want to use an oracle system to help with that, but yes! I'm planning to do solo gameplay with Shadowdark using the Mythic GM Emulator! :D

[@couchchannel]

Muffins! Hafling MVP

[@trollishmc2920]

I love how the group has just decided to aggro the entire dungeon. Get it out of the way lol!

[@Diablofan100]

Old Goblin Mine ClearingTrick - why wander aimlessly through the mine, when you can let the mine come to you?

[@trollishmc2920]

@@Diablofan100 Efficient and practical - got to love it!

[@matthewmccloud4777]

Hi Kelsey! This looks amazing! I sent you an email a week or so ago about Origins, please let me know if I need to resend.

[@TheMatticuslong]

Where can I buy this now?

[@TheArcaneLibrary]

It's not yet out for sale, but I'm going to open up late pledges on the Kickstarter on April 18th or 19th! :) You'll be able to pledge for any of the tiers and get the associated digital PDFs right away. 👍

[@argentryins1472]

I tried to give this a like 15 times. Only worked once though.

[@fluidfox1436]

Good.

[@jessedotson5998]

The hammer!

[@sojournersawake]

33:35

[@ChaosNothingAD]

5e who?

[@duncanmacphail2532]

IN a Whirl of Creativity So Surpiose ON Man Once, it wa Never Necessary to Scar the Right Man 1 Time. Because To The Coward the Is NO Single point of Refuge Before a Personal {A} is Never aan Assult IN [A-D] ºøX= TSP Is s Such A Proufound CoNcept the The Implication Can Be Wolrd View Correct with Zero Correction Because a AS an 9

[@notreallydavid]

'wall mural' = 'mural'!

[@TheArcaneLibrary]

What about floor murals?! ;D

[@notreallydavid]

@@TheArcaneLibrary Not murals! (Latin 'murus' = 'wall') 'Florals', maybe - haha iss funy joke yes!

[@TheArcaneLibrary]

@@notreallydavid Hahaha!! I like it. :) Even if that's not the exact word, I now want to use it that way!

[@-Xabash-]

Unfortunately not my cup of tea. I was super hyped from the community. Best of luck, glad to hear others love it.

[@Dungeoncraft01..]

⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ Thank you👍 for watching and leaving a comment, Kindly message the TELEGRAM to acknowledge your Prize. 🏆

[@-Xabash-]

@@Dungeoncraft01.. wrong channel, Donkey. And clearly not official.

[@kevinkingmaker7395]

Two potential issues with Shadowdark: (1) Fragile characters. I would houserule that characters start with max HP at 1st level, (2) Replayability: Only 4 character classes limits the variety and replayability of the game. Supplements should focus on offering additional character class options.

[@kendallmerrick1470]

I can see how some people could justify those points as potential issues, but it was exactly this sort of mindset that made 5E less satisfying for me, and drove me back to OSR and other systems. Your mileage may vary, but for me, playing an RPG has always been much more fun for me and my players when we were fragile and were left to fill in a lot of the blanks ourselves. 1) Having vulnerable characters forces creative thinking or embracing the joy of rolling(meeting) a new character. 2) As recently mentioned on the 'BECMI Berserker' channel, the content of your character comes from the player, not from expanded character/class/feat options. As an example, just starting with a 'DWARF FIGHTER with a MISTRAL background' character could be played as a) generic Scottish Lothario, or b)a failed Music Idol who have decided to get back at their critics, or c) something completely different.

[@EaterOfWorlds78]

The key to understanding the OSR mindset, especially coming from more modern iterations that try to have a rule for everything, is realizing that more rules = more restrictions, not more options, and that high hit points are more suited for people who want to plan out a character build and play tabletop Skyrim, like on Critical Role or at most 5E/PF2E tables. OSR games are about facing intense and overwhelming danger, having to be creative in situations where the party cannot possibly win in a fight, sometimes having no survivable option but to flee and come back another day, and sometimes dying and getting retired to a place of honor among the dead. Powerful characters are a problem for GMs because it doesn't take long before every foe has to be a world-breaking juggernaut for the party to even break a sweat and, even then, the PCs rarely face any real danger. Modern games play mostly like character building vanity projects. Death is highly unlikely, permanent dismemberment or maiming can be hand-waved away by a low-level cleric, characters can heal from the most gruesome injuries that put them at death's door by getting a good night's sleep, and, even when there's the rare character death, it's usually no time before they're back on their feet and none the worse for wear. If that's your cup of tea, Shadowdark and especially more traditional OSR games probably aren't for you, honestly.

[@davidnelson456]

@@EaterOfWorlds78 Yes, well said. The possibility of easy death is the single greatest game mechanic. It keeps the tension very high and that's good for the game. Figuring how to navigate a hostile world while being weak is the spice of a great campaign. "Modern games play mostly like character building vanity projects." I loved this line, it sums up why I ran screaming from 5e.

[@MarkTarsis]

The "characters start level 1 at max HP" is a fairly common OSE/BX house rule and works pretty well. Luck tokens and the 1d4 rounds til death I think will also help keep the game from being as deadly as BX/OSE. But there's nothing wrong with using other mechanics to make death not quite as likely. I think the full core book has optional rules for tweaking 0 HP to be more and less deadly. We'll probably also have a glut of third party creators creating more classes. I'm sort of looking forward to seeing a good complete set of 5E classes.

[@EaterOfWorlds78]

@Mark Mealman There will certainly be lots of 3rd party classes, as well as official expansions, as well as plenty of homebrewing; and that's perfectly fine. I would just hate to see it hacked into a 5E clone by adding tons of skills, feats, and character options that end up expanding only what PCs CAN'T do rather than what they can. When it becomes a situation where you can't start a campfire or even attempt to do so because you didn't select the appropriate feat from a list of 500 to put on your 12-page character sheet but you can punch a dragon to death, the plot is lost altogether.

[@kyslippy]

Muffins are just ugly cupcakes

[@TheArcaneLibrary]

Awwwwww so true! But still delicious in their own way!

[@user-es8pq1mz1r]

Ugh.. Why do so many of these VTT players have to pretend to be actors? They come off sounding like a bad Monty Python skit.

[@TheArcaneLibrary]

I dunno, we're just having fun and goofing off a bit! :)

[@user-es8pq1mz1r]

​@@TheArcaneLibrary Some roleplaying is fine, but it's way too much bad acting to the point I couldn't stand watching the video anymore. But I will say this, the GM did a good job.

[@EaterOfWorlds78]

I realize that it's kind of necessary to showcase how the system works, but the sheer amount of meta talk at the table makes this hard to watch. The first rule at my table is that numbers talk in-game is kept to the minimum necessary to keep the game going- I'm not telling anyone an enemy's AC, their level, how many hit points they have, etc. We don't use words like "check", "bonus", "DC", or "modifier" if we can help it, just "roll ". As much hate as THAC0 gets these days, the beauty of that system was in the ease of keeping information that characters shouldn't know out of the table talk. You roll and tell me what AC you can hit with the roll, and I'll tell you if you hit or not. To be clear, I am a backer; and I don't think it's an issue that's baked into the game itself, just these types of showcase live play demonstrations. I can see Shadowdark being, at the very least, a great set of tools for my homebrew games, possibly even the skeleton system upon which I build the next campaign.

[@TheArcaneLibrary]

Part of the use of meta talk was because this was a demo and I wanted viewers to understand some of the rules behind it! Normally I don't think we'd go so heavy on it. Also, one of the players has only played TTRPGs a handful of times, so we wanted to help her out a bit. :)

[@AyarARJ]

I think there's a bit of table culture involved here, and is an orthogonal issue to the game system of course. Some players (the humans in the seats) enjoy system mechanics and when there's some shared knowledge of the mechanics, a little of the "meta" becomes a shared experience. It is a game, has rules and mechanics, rather than a GM blackbox for actors...in _some_ table cultures. Those cultures often feature open-rolling by the GM as well. Plus there's the benefit of getting more noive players up to speed and comfortable. I mean great if everyone is a veteran, but it's not always the case. Especially in recent months as some groups are trying out a non-WotC offering. On-boarding. But totally contextual and whatever is working and fun, is correct.