Short Rest - Adam King and Ben Van Lier

During this Short Rest, I was joined around the campfire by Adam King of Viva La Dirt League and Ben Van Lier of ... Viva La Dirt League. We discussed D&D, art, cats, streaming, VLDL and D&D.
Check out Adam's instagram here: / adamkingfilm
Check out Ben's instagram here: / ben.van.lier
Thanks to Jen Toher for editing.
SUPPORT MY WORK:
If you want to support me financially, so I can make more of this sort of content, you can do so on Patreon. / roberthartleygm
Another way to support me is to browse some lovely Level Up Dice using my affiliate links. Simply clicking the links will help me, but buying some dice helps me, Level Up Dice AND you!:
US: bit.ly/LUDGMRob...
AUS: bit.ly/LUDGMRob...
SOCIALS:
Twitch: / roberthartleygm
Discord: / discord
Instagram: / roberthartleygm
Twitter: / roberthartleygm

[@sanjuancb]

Ultimately, I think Viva Dirt League DnD is a great watch because the team is legitimately having fun. After one episode I was like, "I would totally hang out with these guys, they are hilarious."

[@mrdzin1209]

I am REALLY. EXTREMELY. INCREDIBLY happy to see VLDL are being serious about the DnD campaign and actually putting time and effort into developing and expanding it, rather than just treating it as a simple gaming sessions.

[@RobertHartleyGM]

Me too.

[@zacharybufton4092]

Coming back and watching this again midway through 2024 is very interesting!

[@pilgrimgirl3182]

Rob: “My style of GMing is more narrative…”. After two decades of being a player (minor module DM XP between), i’m finally writing building my own campaign to run players through. i really appreciate this statement from you because it’s how i feel now. i’m trying to build a story with the intent of bringing players through. i don’t want to kill characters (though i will if i absolutely have to); i want to bring the players through the narrative for the fun and (dare i say) wonder of the the story. i found your channel [Robert] from being a long time VLDL fan. Lately, as i return yo my love of D&D and am working on composing an original homebrew world/campaign, i’ve been greatly appreciating your channel. Thank you for what you do. i hope you will continue to put out more advice-oriented videos of fledgling DMs like me. Thanks for everything Rob. Please continue to post.🖤✌️🎲 (Also, you’re very handsome. Okay, sorry, i’ll see myself out.😅)

[@mamuf]

I only got to this one now since I started binging NPC D&D a few weeks ago... thanks for sharing this here, it's a nice insight into the characters and the world building process. Gotta say I'd not even blink and immediatelly support you if you guys announced a TTRPG lore book for Azerim!

[@RobertHartleyGM]

...funny you should say that... Watch this space.

[@kasperpengell1984]

i love seeing this 2 years later that the answer to 3 of the four mysteries presented are the same answer

[@RobertHartleyGM]

@@kasperpengell1984 Refresh my memory? Which mysteries?

[@kasperpengell1984]

The part where chat asks what mystery they most want answered the tokens in front of ben or leathil or the voice in Bobs head...

[@ripper1117]

I had a theory that the entity was an essence of Baradun when he was stripped back to level 1, like what was taken out of him turned into this entity. Back when Bob read the mind of the guy that had gone crazy in Dead Frost, some of the words he heard were 'Betrayal, sorcerer, wizard, revenge, grow', and Baradun knows its a game so his entity is leading them to different things to kill to level Baradun (and the party) back up so he can restore all his power.

[@RobertHartleyGM]

No comment...

[@fideledefer4283]

I rather think it's the first sorcerer before Baradun who disappeared mistirously ...🤔

[@davidbarnett342]

Good mind you got there.

[@wjzav1971]

I usually thought that Verrderrin was the Kalephak but it being the essence of Baradun is kind of a fascinating theory too

[@TheUnsubScribe]

“Redacted”, eh?

[@PalleRasmussen]

08:52 Adam would be an awesome GM. He is very giving and as Matt Colville says; "You should be a river to your people".

[@MissGothicksoul]

59:44 Coming here to comment after watching NPC D&D Episode 112. Well done, Adam! You guessed well.

[@RobertHartleyGM]

He's a bloody genius!

[@Liesl_Frank]

Rob, I've beening loving watching your mad DM'ing skills during the VLDL DnD episodes. I literally binged up to episode 140 and now I have to wait a (whooooooole) week for each episode - the horror!!! Just watched ep 142 and cannot wait for Baradun to meet his father and grandfather (you're so evil 🤣🤣🤣) I just want to say that you blow me away with your acting skills and your accents Each time you pull a new accent out I go "f**k me - how many can he do???" I'm loving your green screen work on the series, but would have to say that my all time favourite (because you got the level of creepiness down pat) was the 'poppet' in the Future Hag's castle/theatre - that was frigging brilliant!!!

[@RobertHartleyGM]

Thank you so much, very kind of you to say so!

[@krypto7653]

I've delved into a rabbit hole that i can't crawl out off, love the DnD shenanigans🙏

[@gunjarman420]

This rabbit hole is unescapable

[@Dornpunzel]

Ben, if you read this: No matter if an outrageous "Playtech-customer-prick" or a mugger or a Dark Souls Newbie, or a depressed guy wanting to change his life, playing along and smile outside. We love you. I'd be glad to have such a friend in real life. 💌 Same to Adam, Rowan and Alan of course. You are so blessed to have each other.

[@claudiolentini5067]

Honestly, i would totallly watch a One Shot with Charles, Bernard, Eugene and Captain Isaac

[@johndaniels1197]

I'm joining a D&D game at a local game shop tonight. After watching the NPC D&D series, it seemed like too much fun not to go try it. Thank you for giving me a reason to go try something I might not have done otherwise.

[@RobertHartleyGM]

Woo! Hope you enjoy

[@zigmundwolf]

I'm a huge fan of Bob because he does stuff I've always wanted to do with my characters, but never had a chance to finish the story. It's nice to know that Ben is doing that for the story and style. Many players are too concerned about their safety and winning, but he easily overcome that. That's a great present for his companions and the audience

[@RobertHartleyGM]

Exactly!

[@Mirmi11]

Same. The parallels with one of my characters' arc were astounding for the most part of the current campaign, at least. And we never actually finished the story, so I guess she is now forever stuck with voices in her head, a cursed ring of insomnia which she "studies the effects of", seeing moving shadows, weird gem flying around her head, full of after-effects of random potions and mushrooms that she happened upon. We really were about to get somewhere interesting with the creature that infected her mind, and DM hinted at some cool ideas he had planned, and then... life. *sigh* So yeah. Seeing Bob's development itches that "merrily-merrily down the self-destructive path of losing your humanity and possibly turning into some eldritch monster in the end" scratch 😅

[@Zakkrifice]

That was a GREAT stream!! So good to see the connection and friendship between the guys (muppets)

[@kpr2]

Woohoo! I've been missing the NPC D&D campaign videos terribly & this is an unexpected treat. Rock on Rob & keep the amazing content coming!!!

[@jackwheeldon2184]

I agree! I've nearly rewatched all the old videos already

[@marmzy89]

I am watching the series with my wife and we are now at the Schargonrog entrence. It is great to see how this project grew! We bought the 5e books because of you and the vldl guys ! You seem to be the DM we always wanted so now my wife is learning from your style. You and the guys are great performers ! hope your projects go even further!

[@ludwikawykurz4345]

Adam and Ben! Thank you for that!

[@billycross2716]

Omg the deep lore on why i've only been getting d&d supercuts!

[@SinfulPriestess]

AHHHH, as a completionist it drives me nuts that we can't experience all of the stories you had planned for the other towns in the Dead Frost 🤣

[@RobertHartleyGM]

@@SinfulPriestess I do a Behind The Screen watchparty stream on my Twitch every week. I am afraid the Deadfrost episodes are lost to time now but we started saving them from ep 100.

[@SinfulPriestess]

​@@RobertHartleyGM I'll have to check those out! I'm heavily invested in this story so when I hear certain elements like Bonecaller that weren't fully explored in the main story but introduced in the Misfits I'm like OMG!!!!

[@pilgrimgirl3182]

“I think he [Rowan] would DM like Greg Davies on Taskmaster.” Love it! Huge fan of both VLDL and Taskmaster! Yes! Agree! 😆🖤👌

[@xixazazelxix]

this is really making me want a behind the scenes where we meet the camera and sound crew

[@dangerbuoy]

I’m a late comer, catching up on the series and it was fun to be able to watch this to help supplement the experience. Thanks for having it up!

[@Villham14]

I see the VLDL NPC DND (so many acronyms!) Campaign as more of a Linear adventure rather than a sandbox or railroad, i watched a DM Lair (i think?) Video on it and it immediately reminded me of the VLDL campaign. Also i dont even think of the world of Azerim as a video game anymore my subconscious head cannon has been that it was an immensely popular fantasy setting with so many stories to tell (like the D&D campaign) that skycraft was made. Also i frickin love the campaign and Robs DMing so much, i strive to be as good a DM as Rob at some point, the new tavern is awesome by the way!

[@RobertHartleyGM]

Well thanks! Glad you like it!

[@robertofulton]

Well Rob. I have no idea who these Viva La Dirt League chaps are but tha Ben chap looks like the kind of guy who would be incredibly funny but also consistently roll terribly in DnD. And that Adam chap looks like the kind of fella that would be introduced into a funny video series, possibly one about life in a retail electronics store, as the weak nerdy guy but whose sneakily evil as the post credit scene…..with a pay off they forget to realise for at least 3 years.

[@RobertHartleyGM]

Well, you're not going to believe this...

[@danilarygovskiy3542]

Thanks for this stream, I've just run out of episodes to watch :D P.S. I ran into the NPC D&D channel some time ago and this is literally all my D&D experience, but I'm enjoying it so much!

[@aria5207]

I've watched this on twitch and i was surprised to see it again on youtube! Watching it twice doubles the fun 🤗 keep it up guys! Looking forward for another d&d campaign soon 😘

[@beatcast5094]

Очень интересная беседа получилась. Я сейчас остановился на 180 серии d&d, но уже буквально завтра досмотрю до конца все те серии, что вышли. Роб, ты прекрасный ДМ. Выходит замечательная история

[@RobertHartleyGM]

@@beatcast5094 KZbin normally gives me the option of translating foreign messages directly, but it hasn't and also doesn't allow me to copy the text... so thanks, I guess.

[@beatcast5094]

@@RobertHartleyGM sorry, my fault. I wrote that the conversation turned out to be very interesting and I adore you as a DM who makes a wonderful story

[@mahumia]

Of course I'm late to discovering this, but I thought it was very insightful. I have not that much experience with D&D, but I do have almost 20 years experience with LARP (thanks for reminding myself that I am old) and have done a bit of story writing and GM-ing at a LARP. The whole thing of railroading vs sandboxing, and players gonna be players is so real. You brief a NPC with lots of background knowledge, and he is going to be ignored or killed, you have a canon fodder NPC for a quick fight, and the players are going to capture him and interrogate for hours... Write plot with option A-D on how to solve a certain puzzle, and players are going to come up with option E and F. What I really like about watching the VLDL D&D things, is that everyone is clearly having a blast, not taking themselves too seriously and it is both a good story and fast paced. I am absolutely horrible as a tabletop player, as I am constantly like 'uuuuh... choices... crap, I don't know what to do' as my flow gets interrupted due to it being turn-based and having to wait for the others (and there is so much lore and rules I know I do not know) and have to look up my stats constantly. So serious big respect for all of you!

[@Veronica.John10-10]

The reason the viewers have so much fun is because we're watching you laugh with each other as if we weren't there... We're living vicariously through you... having you as friends and fellow adventurers. Living alone in isolation is a devastating thing. Living vicariously through the entire Viva La Dirt League group has really kept me going. I would say that's the key to VLDL's success. I, for one, pretend that I'm one of your group hanging out with you, playing games with you, joking around making videos with you all. It sounds a lot creepier when I write it out...and a bit sad 😂

[@izu2743]

Thanks, Rob, I miss your VLDL D&D sessions so much, and this stream was such a pleasant surprise! I enjoyed the stream and the discussion greatly (especially the parts about D&D and art). It was fun too, and I wanted to thank all three of you for this (as much as for the thoughts and ideas you all shared with us). Hope things will get better soon, and you will be able to return to the gaming table and to shoot new sessions. And I agree it would be very, very interesting, if one day you play a necromancer (at least I'd like to see it so much). In fact, I have some thoughts on this matter and would like to ask your permission to share them with you, if you wouldn't mind another long comment (if not, I'll understand, don't want to misuse your time and attention). :)

[@OmgaCuteCatPic]

Bodger should become a famous giant poet. Go on tour and hold readings. Basically translate all of his inspirational speeches into giant and it becomes a best selling self help book. 😂

[@Robdoggierob]

I have always made a point to stay 4-6 episodes behind on the DND channel. That way I would always have something to watch when ever I did not have my kids that day. I accidentally caught up a few days ago with out even realizing it. Then I noticed that episodes had not been posted in quite some time. T'was a sad day. You guys make some of the best content on the youtubes. Any idea how long it will be before you are able to put out more videos? (Lock downs permitted of course.)

[@RobertHartleyGM]

Filming on Tuesday, greenscreen the next Tuesday, hopefully have ep 70 edited by the next week.

[@orangegoddess631]

absolutely loved this video! so interesting to hear the 3 of you talk about the "craft" aspect of acting and storytelling

[@DianaVeldkamp-Favors]

I played some D&D back in the early to mid ‘80’s (yes i have seen and been frustrated by several evolutions of the rules), but Rob your storytelling and fluid style of DM’ing is something i hadn’t seen in a very long time. I even met my husband from a different continent on a MUD! However, the need to find players and a DM, as well as the almost compulsive need to follow a storyline and masses of random encounters with no rest in AD&D were for me something that weakened the game to the point that i stopped playing at all for decades. Now my oldest son is interested in learning about it and possibly playing, so i am encouraging him to watch the VLDL sessions and get into the roleplay/backstory/development aspect of ‘living’ the character. His gaming evolution is precisely backwards from mine, he began with video games like Zelda and Final Fantasy, moved to Roblox and Minecraft to build his own stuff, and now wants to develop his ‘total freedom’ side and learn roleplaying. You guys are all really feeding his hunger as well as his creativity, so thank you - another soul lost to D&D! 💜💜💜

[@RobertHartleyGM]

One of us! One of us!

[@ajdunham1390]

I think the strength, in contrast to plays, novels, and movies, is that D&D is the character(s) vs the story itself. The internal, social, and world elements is always set in other mediums. In D&D, the players challenge the narrative of these elements.

[@VivaLaDnDLogs]

If Byron did join, would he be playing his D&D Logic character(s)? *Nevermind, already answered.

[@Mikeexteriorcleaning]

Im listening this a 2nd time over podcast

[@estraventhenerd6725]

HoLy. The Whole Stream Is Fun, Even The Description IS Hilarious Too. Abs-fruitly love it.

[@pilgrimgirl3182]

What do you enjoy most about D&D? For the first decade or so (i’m 38) i approached combat like a video game, acted as a “rules lawyer,” and primarily played it as a game to win. These days, i care much more about the RP experience, trying to be a cohesive and useful party member, and having fun partaking in the story the DM/GM lays out for us [the player party].

[@midlifecrisis2988]

I definitely think that if you could get them to NZ from Canada, Dingo and Felix would be hysterical.

[@AnubiraiPlus]

Since you haven’t been able to shoot since July and you’re all caught up on content. I think a live D&D session on KZbin would be a great way to come back into it. Sure still make cuts afterwards to add the green screen for future views. But a session with the audience involved would be awesome.

[@RobertHartleyGM]

Yeah it'd be cool but not the quality that they look for in stuff they put on their channels so not gunna happen. Don't worry though, not much longer to wait for ep70 and other stuff coming out in the meantime.

[@AnubiraiPlus]

@@RobertHartleyGM No matter, you all always bring just so much fun to the table, it’s awesome just to watch 🥰 I just love that you’re all actually very interactive with your audience. Whether even streaming or here in the comments, you just don’t get that with most content creators. You’re all just awesome 😎

[@kdemetter]

41:28 And in some cases a video game can also highlight the internal struggle. Like when you are forced to choose between different bad options like in the Witcher games. Similarly, in both D&D and in some games your choices can have serious consequences down the line which you will have to come to terms with

[@rmgibson88]

I know what I doing for the next 1 hour 40 minutes and 15 seconds 🤩🤩🤩

[@Nekorbmi]

hell yeah adam playing New World. I hope he foumd some enjoyment in it.

[@AnubiraiPlus]

Doing an NPC skit of B.O.B. could help bring more fans from the main channel to the D&D channel. I’ve loved what you all do for years, but I am not one to watch others play games. But you all have made watching a game of D&D so damn fun. I honestly wish my Enchantress and I could join you. But it was your work on the main channel that made me watch the first episode and then I just couldn’t stop. And to find that 3/4ths of you were playing characters from NPC was just epic. So maybe bringing B.O.B. into that world would make people check it out, and see where he came from.

[@RobertHartleyGM]

Yeah, maybe.

[@claudiolentini5067]

Eeepic Booob Mannn (cit.)

[@KillerKoala87c]

I 1000% would want to do the epic npc man campaign

[@Kaelygon]

1:10:24 I am a bit late discovering this vod. It still would be interesting having some one shot with all of the one dimensional characters.

[@luvlols4462]

would love to see Rob be a PC in Rowan's game

[@EtherRich23]

40:21 The strengths of books, theatre and films lie within how they portray the characters to the consumer (reader/audience). RPG’s strength is that it portrays what is going on in the consumer’s (player’s) mind

[@Veronica.John10-10]

Also, I love it when Baradun/Adam addresses the fourth wall by doing jokes about knowing he's in a video game. It's those little subtle things that make it chef's kiss 😘 I demand that he continue!! Lol

[@davidbarnett342]

Some pretty cool strangers

[@RobertHartleyGM]

Yeah, they were passing in the street and seemed like a laugh so I asked em to come chat.

[@mrbaab5932]

Baradun and Bob of the Dix Hedds.

[@Patmccalk]

Is it weird that I’ve come to tell time based on the release of npc-d&d episodes, lockdowns and time are vastly weird things lol

[@arronknox2884]

in ff14 we have a saying. "for science" then jump off the map just to see if it'll let you.

[@djbslectures]

Wait, is it canon that Taurak chose not to come back when the party (presumably) tried to resurrect him?

[@RobertHartleyGM]

No, it hasn't been said either way for definite yet.

[@djbslectures]

@@RobertHartleyGM Thanks!

[@azarkarmushakov5369]

Thank you for the great content! Regarding plot armor, if I may share my opinion, it shouldn't exist, because the feel of actual danger is the essential part of this content, it is what it makes it so enjoyable to watch. Therefore, respawning a character in case of death would be the same plot armor and must not be done. Only exception is if Baradun dies, he should come back as Lich Necromancer, an undead reincarnation of himself with the same consciousness, remembering everything, but different stats and skills and, maybe, leveling up with twice the speed to catch up with the team (as in videogames leveling up usually goes faster on the lower levels). As for consequence for bad decisions, leading to fatal end, the designing and writing the new character should be the price and punishment. Later, the party can remember the fallen friend, generating more content just by discussing his death and reminiscing him. What do you think?

[@TheMightsparrow]

Are you a fellow brit? The accent is familiar.

[@RobertHartleyGM]

From Yorkshire, born and raised. Lives in NZ for nearly 15 years

[@AleksandrStrizhevskiy]

Who are these random strangers you are interviewing?

[@mholmes9673]

I have a forensic background (genetics, not bones). Your google history can't be any worse than mine. If the frogs ate all the bugs and animals, that body could be a desiccated mummy by the time they get back (minus some gross decomp processes). That or a dried puddle of sludge and bones (Greg better buy a rug, because that stain is never coming out). That smell will be pretty much gone after that many months. Also you destroyed the entire honey production in Honeywood by killing all of the insects. So congrats on that.

[@RobertHartleyGM]

I hadn't considered the honey side of things! Whoops!

[@joshuaosiris]

That suck that you were locked down in your homes. I am glad I live in a place that can't do things like that to us.

[@RobertHartleyGM]

Interesting. I'm glad I live in a place that can. We all acknowledged that it was the right measure for the health of the country as a whole and knuckled down to deal with it.