What Star Wars Can Teach About D&D (

[@goyasolidar]

Star Wars taught me three things related to D&D: 1) Shoot (stab) first. 2) Never go down a garbage chute. 3) Don't jump into bed with a new NPC until you determine whether you two are related.

[@taiganwind7787]

Goya Solidar -or that they can bleed.

[@williamthomas4125]

4) The Devil Mouse is evil.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

True. And with so many sperm donors--you never know. They oughta be an app for that....

[@GameNightTV]

Players walk through a strange market run by goblins (I haven't created any NPCs, gonna wing it) Player asks if there are any goblins selling food. "Yes, he has a small table with a basket of fish." "What's his name." (Uh....) "Gripp." Gripp the Goblin was with us for 36 more sessions and survived the whole campaign.

[@augustoluis6888]

I don't think Grumm should return, but they should recover his body for a proper burial. Make him go to a Valhalla sorta place where he will train for a Ragnarök sorta event, and if a player dies in combat he/she can meet him there.

[@benvoliothefirst]

Heartily seconded! Let him enjoy his eternal reward.

[@RobertWF42]

Don't forget that Luke and Ben meet Han Solo and Chewie in a seedy tavern in the beginning of Star Wars before going on their quest to save the kingdom (I mean galaxy). I think George Lucas was a secret D&D player. :-)

[@kythian]

I had one of those NPCs in a game over 20 years ago that my players still bring up. It was a halfling warrior in AD&D 2nd Ed, Zodal the Small. He was just supposed to be a throwaway character! He had three things I used to describe him; he wore a chain shirt, he was small, even for a halfling, and he waved hello and goodbye with both hands. THAT'S IT!!! Yet still he is remembered, over 25 years later! You can never know where the next Zodal the Small will come from.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Absoutely.

[@Dyrnwyn]

The Grumm story made me think that sometimes what players want is not what they or the campaign need. When they insinuate that they want Grumm to still be alive, they're really just nostalgic for the feeling of Grumm. Grumm, like so many beloved characters in our stories, was more than a fictional entity, he was a process. He was a story. When Grumm ended, he became complete. If you ever did bring Grumm back, he would feel somehow hollow to the players. A ghost wearing Grumm's skin. Instead of wanting to resurrect him, the players should think of creative ways to commemorate him in the game without trying to recreate his story. Ohhhhhhh, Star Wars, I get it...

[@immortalmonk2891]

Thank you for explaining this, and roasting EP 7-9

[@johnjones6115]

This is the best breakdown of the issues from TLJ. You're the best.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks, John.

[@immortalmonk2891]

My players attached to a throwaway NPC merchant, to the point of involving themselves in a war, (a war that wasn't part of the main plot as nobody had skin in the game until said NPC) just to save the NPC.

[@PeterKerenyi]

At least you've got the guts to say the truth about Star Wars. Besides the amazing content you make. Keep it up!

[@stevenumerator]

Hmm, you yourself said, “Don’t subvert player expectations, meet them and exceed them.” So I say, “Give them Baby Grumm!” I have spoken that this is the way. The little, bearded Grummling even comes with a book of bedtime stories that some normally gruff and grumpy but soft-hearted player character is pestered to read from every time the party stops for a long rest. The title: “Grumm’s Fairy Tales.” Okay, okay, I’ll see myself out now. No need to push. :)

[@miladoro]

This is excellent

[@markjenkins316]

Love your Stars Wars commentary, thank you

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

You're welcome!

[@thefightingfedora2976]

I think the ultimate lesson is don't love D&D because one day Disney will come along and destroy it.

[@herohiroguy]

Disney doesn't have t, WotC is doing destroying DnD themselves.

[@kalenplant2675]

@@herohiroguy How is WotC destroying D&D??

[@herohiroguy]

@@kalenplant2675 It sure is, a quick search is wotc destroying dnd beings up videos talking about all the different ways they are doing it, I when full OSR because of what they are doing.

[@kalenplant2675]

@@herohiroguy I just want your view on it man, not regurgitated crap from angry people online because as we know, the Internet will get angry over anything.

[@Cov1ngtonsGhOst]

If only yall knew then what we know now.

[@mykediemart]

Perfect video for today sir. I am more excited to see your videos then that movie masquerading as Star Wars. The heroes journey is what we all want in our movies and games. I regret I have only One like to give. Sharing this video to even my non DnD friends.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Many thanks, Myke!

[@Akiroslice]

Elegantly veiled movie critique. Thanks. My wife and I love your channel.

[@stever.8029]

I want to base an entire series of adventures around the life and times of Porkins.

[@TheDMGinfo]

My player's favourite NPC was a donkey they bought and it would follow them everywhere and was useless at carrying their stuff.

[@thewhitefelldm2664]

Luke meets Jabba the Hutt scene Skyrim soundtrack ;) thank you professor dungeon master you earned +1 inspiration

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

You're welcome. Share it!

[@haleg68]

Along the Grumm line of thought.. One of the best NPC's in a campaign I played in was a mimic. Instead of fighting it we fed it some rations then offered it a job as doorkeeper of the dungeon which was under a key shop in a city. We lured it with the promise of fresh pastries and cake which were way better than dry rations. Very memorable role-play moment because the dwarf could speak undercommon.

[@paulvalentine4157]

started watching mandalorien last night with the kids, they noticed right away that ir was just like DnD. but star wars. we looked up Jon Favreau wiki and it has a paragraph on how he credits dnd with his storytelling.

[@irishthump73]

Great episode! Aside from the excellent DM’ing tips, I was starting to feel grumpy and cynical for thinking the new trilogy is terrible. Glad to know I’m not the only one!

[@meraduddcethin2812]

Yet another well crafted video. One thing to mention is the when and how of removing the mentor. Once the 'kids' have leveled enough that they can handle things on their own, having a memorable and story-driving exit to the mentor is very important. It cements the 'old fool' as a beloved NPC and puts a bullseye on the baddie who brought him down.

[@sgt-slag]

Great DM'ing advice! Sharing with my son, who is preparing to run his first D&D game, in a few weeks. Been at this DM'ing stuff for 39 years... Still learning! Finding a few gold nuggets in your videos, to add to my dragon's hoard of treasures. Huge fan of X-DM -- amazing book, amazing techniques within it. And... It has amazing gamer humor in it, too. I laughed out loud reading it -- my D&D-playing family thought I'd lost it. ;-) Keep this stuff coming. I learned all of this, the hard, slow, torturous way. I am helping my son learn it fast, easy, and well. Your videos are a wonderful resource. Cheers!

[@paulsniadach6909]

The force was strong on this one!!! Keeping it real as always!!! Thank you good sir!!!

[@gogonomo5604]

I got my friend coming over tomorrow to play d&d for the first time. He is joining in on my sons campaign and I can't wait to unleash the dungeon craft and runehammer style of play onto him. Great story, fast combat and "don't let them see how the sausage is made". Your content is simply amazing and my go to place for d&d ideas, even the videos I've already watched. Keep up the great work.

[@tommynaclerio]

Those channels are the best by far!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks and let me know how it goes!

[@BusyBadger]

Just like Babe Ruth said in The Sandlot, "Remember kid, there's heroes and there's legends: Heroes get remembered, but legends never die." Don't take that literally though... Grumn's legend will be reduced if he's brought back from, what was presumably, his death.

[@danielrowan4716]

The Throw Away NPC can be solid gold. One of the most memorable for my group was a tavern mutt named Frank the Dog. It was simply an ambience piece in a murder mystery adventure in a large port city. I had no intent of having the animal be anything else, until the Druid cast Speak with Animals and interrogated it. Frank wound up providing a nugget that lead the party to discovering the murder was an undead monster disturbed from a centuries long sleep by an expansion of the city sewers. Frank is now legendary from two interactions in a campaign I ran 12yrs agon

[@williamhoover6902]

LOL... I totally agree.... I refuse to go. I will just remember the originals

[@dungeondumbo]

William Hoover ...you missed....nothing.

[@NochNi]

Your advice on NPC’s is spot on. I made probably 15+ NPC’s over the course of a year and the one that stuck was a prisoner I made up on the spot he joined the party and is now 11th level. Almost all of the comic relief comes from this NPC’s actions and commentary. He’s everyone’s favorite.

[@theChillDude]

“Grumm must return. You said yourself tweed man. Give player want they wants.”

[@spacedinosaur8733]

Or the Son of Grumm, looking to avenge his fathers death.

[@theChillDude]

“I am Grumm son of Gumm. I slay the milk drinking elves who murdered Grumm”.

[@ginandjuice007]

Wow, I just discovered your channel, and honestly, I am super impressed. I have had a WEG Star Wars gaming happening for 11 years, and it's been one of my most memorable game of all time. Each of us has a nemesis or villain that will show up once in a while and try to screw with us, and our GM has told this beautiful story. Having high powered characters I often wonder how he did it, and he told me something very simple that I use in my own games is scaling. Honestly I would love to sit down and converse with you on so many things. so impressed by your insights and I think very much in the same lines. Looking forward to watching more of your videos. (sorry this is long)

[@Wyocaster]

What's really funny is that admiral akbar actual DOES die in TLJ but it's so underplayed most people didn't even realize it happened

[@Cthu1hu]

Another great video. Your points on the Star Wars characters was articulated very well and made me realize precisely why I didn't like the newer movies.

[@36samson]

Old school DM/player (1e/2e)who got back into the hobby a year ago. 5e is awesome , the choices, and options for PC’s is a breath of fresh air but as a DM I find it extremely difficult to truly challenge my players without going to great lengths that border on cheating. Your channel and advice have helped me tremendously to combat this problem. Thank you, Professor, and keep up the good work.

[@freddaniel5099]

Don't listen to those who complain loudly about your preferred style of game not being theirs. My friends and I love your channel and enjoy your insight, experience, creativity and approach to the hobby. It's easy to find "how to overpower the game" advice on other channels if that is what someone is looking for. We students of Professor Dungeon Master need our mentor!

[@2010AZ]

My party's all time favourite npc was an orcish shaman that was supposed to appear once to sell info and potions to them midway through a dungeon. He was always kind of annoyed by them and became a recurrent shopkeeper throughout the campaign.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Lol. That's how it happens!

[@cristianogris4957]

Grumm had a son that no one knew about. The managed to recover his body and favorite weapon. He talks to the weapon and seeks its counsel in battle planning.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Cool idea!

[@MalkavX]

This was such a great video. Down to earth, very clear and precise ideas. I loved it.

[@markgregory3213]

I've been feeling bad about not watching the latest Star Wars films. Now, not so much. Thanks Professor!

[@rontalkstabletop]

I seriously don't understand why this video doesn't have more views. This is excellent!

[@MoragTong_]

What Star Wars can teach about Dungeons & Dragons: Don't let Disney buy your IP or it will be ripped into the abyss of eternal suckage.

[@foxunix101]

Ya it is a garbage fire.

[@GameNightTV]

Two words: Baby. Yoda.

[@ChrisGeisel5000]

It's been a garbage fire since the Prequels, Disney is just carrying on the tradition of completely misunderstanding the appeal of the original trilogy.

[@MoragTong_]

@@zacharyhoover5588 Or there are retards that will watch anything and sing its praises like a bunch of zealot fanboys. Isn't there a Jonas Brothers album you should be pirating right now?

[@terrybeal2252]

Disney did a great job with Marvel. Rogue One, Han Solo, and The Mandalorian are good but this trilogy just sucks.

[@SimonAshworthWood]

Re: NPCs who the players unexpectedly like... I was DMing a game with one player... I had this mage NPC, Felonius who, along with a thief NPC, Greegan, regularly bullied a dwarf NPC. When goblins took down Felonius in one of the party's first battles, I was surprised that my player didn't want him to die. 😯 As a result, I bent the rules to allow Felonius to survive on death's door and recover after much rest. Felonius might get killed later (his survival is not inevitable), but it depends on what happens in our campaign.

[@williamvieira6125]

I love how you think. Both for GM advice and film/screen writing perspective. I first saw "A New Hope" in 1977 when I was 5 years old. I can still recall the grandeur of the theater lobby and some scenes from the movie. You're correct about there being something inside us that resonates with traditional tales (DNA?), and this feels just right to us. Maybe it's a mystery to all humans. IDK BTW, I vote to leave Grumb be. His memory can be romanced by players for years to come. But...if you do decide to revive him, a planar adventure may be in order: have the party quest to find Grumb's soul. Once he's found, they can role-play their desire for him to return to the world of the living.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks for commenting. I'm fascinated by the Grumn responses.

[@bovrar2nd861]

Professor Dungeon Master had made so many good recommendations that I came here to thank you for them and the ones that will surely come. I just watched Skyfall and S.W. Episode IV, V & VI. The last one I will never forget, specially the funeral pyre scene (the moment here was very deep). I think this was a great way to start my 2020.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Great movies!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Michael Johnson I have not seen ROS.

[@gailevans2574]

played what you described !!! love every minute of it !!! started in the kings chamber and wallked in to a siege battle and then started the quest and ended in the kings chamber

[@pollo_cesar_]

Number eight is what I love of rpgs, how players can change the thing that you narrate and attach or hate others npcs. Something similar happen to in my campaign, I created a gravedigger that not talks to much (was a helper for a sidequest) I don’t know why the players created a mysterious background around him that I have to make him a villain... he ended to be a not too powerful cleric worshipper of the death but the players fear him to much that never make an attempt to stop him.

[@chummer2060]

Basically the same thing, but I wrote my campaign using Dan Harmon's story circle. One of my players agreed to let his character die in a very dramatic fashion. It devastated the party. That arc felt so rewarding.

[@PeteysPonderings1220]

Great video, appreciate your insight and ideas to help run the best game of DnD ever

[@mattm4557]

Great video sir. I personally think the challenges of running high-level games comes more from the level based systems itself then it does the imagination of the storyteller. In games like Exalted and Vampire, everyone is uber powerful and yet its still easy to write campaigns. It’s psychologically and mechanically limiting when you have a 1-20 level system.

[@chadsmith8966]

I also find it good to start with a terse descriptive of your character whether they're a PC, NPC, or otherwise. With a simple sentence, you can just run on the fly with any character. It also makes it easier to to remember a large cast of characters... and keeps notes to a minimum. Mostly you just want to sum up their personality and profession (which is often a descriptive in of itself). Examples: - Marty Mcfly: A young musician and lab assistant. - Falstaff: A heavy drinking, fun loving knight and swinger. - Macbeth: A corrupted noble driven insane by his own lust for power. - King Richard 1st: A battle hungry King. - Saint Olga: Loyal widow and Queen fueled by vengeance. - Brian Blessed: A hammy fellow with no inside voice. KZbin Examples: - God Emperor of Mankind: A grouchy, profanity spewing, manipulative godlike being - Jack the NPC: A wisecracking investigator/adventurer who's here for the lolz. My examples: - King Faen: Elvish gardener turned king. - Renard Silverhands: Cynical master swordsman and alcoholic. - Hygeia: Hippy herbalist and physician. - The Wanderer: A byronic warrior. - Aria Del Espada: A young, resourceful princess and aspiring mage.

[@Eltalstro]

I played the Star Wars RPG a bit back in the 90s. Worth a play.

[@spacedinosaur8733]

I enjoyed it immensely as well.

[@RPG_Bliss]

My characters role played with a minor villain so hard they eventual convinced him to turn on the big bad lol. He was supposed to be an epic combat to finish level 3 of my dungeon, but they sacked his room and learned what made him tick before confronting him. They now have their fav NPC 😅 who uses Time Magic. They love this guy!

[@jamesbreeden2669]

I would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season! If you had fun acting out Grumm's personality, then I say bring him back. I really enjoy your video!

[@cameronmaas2644]

My players love and actually adopted a throwaway dwarven teenager kid who speaks like morty that i created out of improve. Now he’s one of the favs

[@Z1gguratVert1go]

I think there aren't many modules for high-level characters because the higher level you are the more integrated into your campaign world you are. When you can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the most powerful well-known NPCs of your setting, your characters are now among the movers and shakers. It becomes more about accomplishing their goals and bless about merely surviving and getting rich. When my player characters were approaching level 20, I was worried that the DM was going to want them retired. We discussed it and neither of us wanted to do that so we elected to paraphrase an ex-president and declared "life begins at level 20!" I think low, middle, and high level gaming is like breakfast lunch and dinner. We may have a favorite meal of the day, but we're happiest when we have all three

[@mandodelorian4668]

A new video, huzzah! So about Grumm... what if Grumm did survive but he was severely hurt and bashed in the head, giving him that good old amnesia trope. While he has recovered physically he's had the mindset of "die a glorious death" scrambled into "give others a glorious death" and one day he shows up wanting to kill the PCs. Does he do it, do they kill him, can they figure it out and 'fix' him?!

[@TheSimpleMan454]

Needs more Grumm! Also, the two second character who became a staple in my current game: Donnie the requisitions officer. He was the guy who hero worshipped all the pilots he filled orders for, and was always tripping over himself when he met them in person. He appeared in two scenes in session one and very briefly in session three. After his little cameo, one of my players paid a visit to the bar and immediately said "I'm gonna look for Donnie." The guy's been in damn near every session since. They can't part with the dude.

[@jodykropholler9108]

Do not have Grumm return; however, do have Grumm's spirit haunt the players. He died saving them instead of finding death and redemption in glorious combat. Because of his shame from this failure his spirit became trapped and spiteful. He now resents the players for denying him his glorious death, and his spirit has begun following them. Their task is to figure this out and somehow provide Grumm a glorious death in the spirit realm. (Also, great video)

[@markjenkins316]

Son of Grum!

[@zugesinddoof9885]

Thanks you very much ... yes we can learn very much from Star Wars... also Episode 7 and 8, the fails you don't have to do :D. ... The question why some side NPCs become greate and important NPCS are overseen... May be the first Situation in the game, if they come with a benefit (for the moment, for the situation, for the party, for the players or born out of the chaos of a fail.... I think if they trigger the right emotions they get the focus... Darth Vadders, in his first scene your emotions build an archetype.... you know how he (should) work.... first Order General Huks, you think he should work as an evil general... We know what he became... I think the first moment must be planed very well (make own notice to remember that for next time) As every time, great video with good support thoughts :)

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks for your thoughtful commentary and for watching DungeonCraft!

[@TheDarthranc0r]

I completely agree about level. The journey to level 10 is usually the best part of the game. I've had more games die out after level 10 than at level 5.

[@jacob7718]

I think it would be fun to have a mentor that ends up corrupted or ideologically opposed to the players and they have to fight them. especially if the players really like the mentor. Imagine if Gandalf got a hold of the one ring and the fellowship had to put him down, it would be a real shock while also being quite sad (like it's not really his fault). He would have made an incredible reoccuring villain while also acting to reinforce the danger and importance of the main quest (IE destroying the ring).

[@gypsyfreek]

This is what Star Wars taught me about D &D, D6 system is best system

[@marceloave30]

loved your realistic approach to NPCs.

[@RPG_Bliss]

“Destroyed my childhood” 😂 In my house we don’t talk about episodes 8 and 9.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Amen.

[@russellharrell2747]

Prof DM: puts up pic of BABY YODA Me: AAAAAWWWWWW!!! Wait, what was this video about? Aw, look, it’s baby Yoda!!!!

[@AlexDeMiro]

If you haven't watched RotS yet, you're in for a surprise. The first hour had me watching in disbelief how similar to a regular D&D session the plot was. In the end I got the feeling I just observed 3years worth of a campaign, compressed into 2h... I'm not complaining, I actually enjoyed it.

[@ralphreichert8416]

Your right on about joseph campbell.

[@malhavok2995]

Amazing ! I never considered Star Wars like a D&D game. What you said makes absolute sense. 4 to 6 was a great campaign compared to 7-9.

[@NefariousKoel]

"Dey cannot kill Grumm. Grumm stronk. Stronk like owlbear. Stubborn like General Winter."

[@VICT0RLAZL0]

I noticed you comment alot about getting comments that are negative... I am glad they don't get you down and you continue to make amazing videos for us - Thank You. PS1. I can believe the second of the new Star Wars movie is so bad😭 He should never ever touch another beloved franchise again. PS2. Yes bring him back BUT his deep dark secret is that he now must work for some darkness that brought him back or be dead forever. He can work with the PC but then once they find the artifacts he must betray them and kill them (or run away with the item). His redemption arc is the final fight with the ultimate bad entety . As the hero's start to loose he will remember them and sacrifice himself to save them somehow knowing that although death is certain, sacrifice for love ones and friends is worth it. So hopefully your players will be happy he is back follow by angry when he betray them to sad happy when he sacrifice for them. PS3. Oh about the negative comments. We don't get to read them so we just hear you bitch about them lol. Maybe comment on the good stuff and be happy. Otherwise you will get grumpy 😉 Happy comment or just to the meat and potatoes. We don't need to know other people give you bad comments or are rude or whatever...that will just put us on a grumpy mod lol. Just an idea. Love your channel and I subscribe and became a patron 🤠👍

[@Smittumi]

I like the sequels, They've all got stuff in them I've enjoyed... But this is still rock solid advice once again!! Thanks, professor.

[@zreyon]

I had an NPC whose only description was "he's a young guard used as the errand boy by the mayor", and he was just supposed to ask them to meet the mayor. Well, it wasn't one of the more than 10 NPCs with backstory the one they fell in love with, it was this Gawyn boy who didn't even had a name before they asked it.

[@bonbondurjdr6553]

Good point about the characters in the new Star Wars trilogy; the whole main cast is overpowered. It really is just a fan fiction. In fact, I'd go one step further : I think it is infantilizing. Even old-school shows for kids were more intelligent than this trilogy... Anyway, always happy to see new videos from you! I love how you give insight in how to enhance the experience of D&D. A subject I would love for you to tackle is depth, complexity and engagement as I am having a lot of trouble with my group who **really** enjoys Pathfinder for, what I consider, pretty ridicule reasons, while I much more enjoy the engagement at the table, the way the game will be played and the relationships between the characters as a party! *Yes! Bring Grumn back!*

[@cyclone8974]

But Gandalf coming bad to life lead to one the coolest dialogs ever, when he talks to Pippin about death.

[@Astartes36]

Excellent as always! Merry Christmas Professor!

[@MondoJohnny]

Gandalf should have stayed dead he says! Not even skipping a beat!This is why im subbed right here!

[@matthewmccloud4777]

well done! Perfect illustration of the Campbellian (sp) Monomith!

[@SebastienBlaueCookieFan]

Very well made points, sir.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks, Sebastien!

[@Billchu13]

I was wondering how Finn and Rose survived a plane crash... too many hit points! Admiral Ackbar shout out! Thank you Professor DM! "I'm getting too old for this crap!" Booooom!

[@dockerydesigns]

Grumm returns, as an undead lieutenant. He seeks revenge against any who stopped him from achieving his goals. Party must confront him several times before recapturing his soul, and giving him a heroes place in the halls of his ancestors

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Great idea! I told my group I'm only bringing Grumn back if this video hits 10k views, which is looking unlikely. But your idea is one of the better ones.

[@stefanvoss6341]

@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 I’ll be looking for Grumm in a future campaign video 😉

[@tomdulski3729]

Hard to really overestimate just how important Star Wars is to generation X.

[@ViktorTheMusician]

Lesson Number 9: if you're gonna switch DMs every campaign, the least you could do is share notes.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

That is a good one. It also jogged a memory for me. I inherited by campaign from another DM in 1993. I might do a video on that. Thanks, Viktor!

[@Niyucuatro]

Not even NPCs have this effect of becoming universally loved/quoted. Even objects can have that. Like the cake in the first portal game.

[@BrodieHodges]

You have a chance to introduce imposter Grumn, so they can relive the tragedy all over again when they are forced to kill the imposter themselves. Imposter Grumn could be a magical monster (Doppleganger, devil, etc) or just a shady dwarf with disguise skills that wants to screw over the PCs for some reason.

[@DjigitDaniel]

EDIT: BRING BACK THE DWARF! Oh boy... Star Wars is such a sensitive subject for me... I love it so much, but as of late... *sigh* That said, Professor, you're spot on as always. Excellent recommendations and comparison/ analysis across all discussed franchises/ content. Also, Holy brain dump of gaming wisdom, Batman! Every sentence can be turned into a bullet for a DMing for Dummies appendix. Lastly... the new trilogy movies... yeah. I'll stick to Rogue One and The Mandalorian. Great video as always, Professor. And may the Force be with you, always.

[@rontalkstabletop]

Some solid advice here. And I agree with the Star Wars commentary as well.

[@LordReginaldMeowmont]

I can attest to the NPC part. My players loved a Nosferatu named Franky who was just there to give them quests and weasel them into owing him favors. He was just a sarcastic, witty douche and he was their favorite.

[@PRG013]

Many years ago, I actually played in a session with Grumm. He was awesome.

[@keilmyths10219]

I created an NPC in probably five minutes that was a big tough grunt, and when he wasn't fighting, he was sipping lemon tea from his silver mug. At one point the characters and the grunt got captured and had all their possessions (including the tea and mug) taken away. I slipped on accident and said that the grunt was still sipping his lemon tea, in prison, and he has been a player favorite ever since. It drives the Bard crazy to try and figure out where the tea is coming from.

[@magnaquam]

What Star Wars can teach us about D&D: Don’t let Rian Johnson be your DM.

[@haveswordwilltravel]

“RUIN” Johnnson.

[@haveswordwilltravel]

“RUIN” Johnnson.

[@CharlesChaldea]

Hmm. The bit about impromptu NPCs inexplicably becoming beloved may actually tie into the previous point, Professor... methinks it could be because of the difference in expectations, and presentation. If you're quietly designing an NPC in your head, alone, you've only your memory and your understanding to base them off of, and you might think of ways to sell their personality or make them memorable in your own time, then drop them off into the world for the players to meet, already pre-developed... but, when you make one on the fly, suddenly you're not the only factor in the creation process anymore, you've got like four other blokes and sheilas looking at you like chicks in a nest, each with their own expectations, having had their own days, just looking to have a good time and you as the dungeon master are receptive to that, so you may well inadvertently create a more likeable NPC with that indirect input rather than hours of thought on your own... Plus, the players can usually pick up on that subconsciously, right? Impromptu NPCs likely have a different air, a different vibe about them, they feel fresher, not rehearsed, "straight from the cranium", as the audience might say to a freestyler. The players feel like that NPC might not have even happened without their being there to instigate them-like they somehow contributed to this moment, and combined with your new on-the-fly creation process, that "say something now, figure out why later" type deal, it comes together as this perfect storm of memorability. I think that's a beautiful thing, at least how I've pictured it happening. Not to say that spending time writing up NPCs with their own goals and capacities isn't of value, just that those tend to feel a bit more played-up. Compare the community aspect and personability of knowing that your DM is doing a funny voice from behind a paper plate with a face crayoned onto it that he's holding there with a ruler to a dude whose make-up budget alone could probably pay your rent for two months, and who's probably spent that long rehearsing his delivery for this very day. One's only separated by a piece of dead tree flesh, the other looks like he's just here to do his job and get paid for it, whether or not you're entertained. So, I guess it's about connecting, that. The dungeon master being a human being and a player besides all of them probably lends itself to the thought that an NPC they just sort of popped into existence is one they can be more themselves with, and who knows? They may even have a better time re-hashng the process of creating motivations and things like that on the fly as the session progresses and plot develops. Now everyone's having fun! Only just thought of that thanks to you and your big brain bits of knowledge, thanks. ~

[@Jetwolf]

Truest DC ever on all counts. Except why we referring to initiative? :D Awesome Video thank you.

[@leonard8510]

Grumm needs to show up in the caverns of carnage to save the day in some fashion. Maybe a prisoner the players rescue who comes back to help.

[@jokertim777]

The NPCs that I have introduced that have the highest percentage of PC acceptance are those who are squires/henchmen/pet projects to the players' characters. Give a Dragonborn character a kobold follower, give a Thief a street urchin who has some pick pocketing skills, or give a Cleric a disciple seeking redemption/piety but lapses into blasphemy due to a dark past, etc. Make them smaller/weaker than the PC (so they don't upstage them), but still helpful to them through knowledge, social contacts, or skills/abilities. Make them act like a fan of the PC (polite, deferential, helpful, and concerned for their well being). Make sure they have a problem that they can't overcome without help from the PC (illiterate, poor combat/magic ability, unattractive to opposite sex, etc.) You'll know you have them hooked, when they don't want the NPC to die.

[@beholderstavern5515]

Hey again proffered I talked to DM Scotty in his comments (if you even know him) and I told him to check out your channel!

[@mm-sj1ux]

Grumm should not return, but meet the players down the river of styx and fight Hades. In their after life as a side quest. No matter how the players died, even if they died of old age...

[@ChanceIchio]

In regards to Player's loving NPC's, I had my player's fight a boss fight against a little girl Assassin with the power to disappear and reappear and sing a creepy little tune as she did her work of death, the party was able to defeat her through great hardships by removing her source of power, what they did not know was that her source of power was also tied to her vital functions, so The living Teddy Bear and Kenku in the group who wanted to help her have a better life are pretty sad at what they had done the Kenku holding her in his arms as she is slowly disinfectant in his arms, the Kenku in the depths of despair from not being able to save her. Fast forward to one of two one on one session to set stuff up for the next part of the campaign, the Kenku and Doppelganger members of the party meet another little girl, this one is a lost noble girl with amnisha, they take here into the group later introduce her to the Teddy Bear and remember what happened to the little assassin girl are determined to help this new little girl find her way home safely.

[@joe2125]

this is actually a great video. ive based my own DMing on everything in this video. Star Wars really is the perfect model for an adventure story. Id say this is crucial viewing for any new DM my only thing is that ive end up making like 4 “mentors”. Ive got a lot of killing to do. Perhaps a Red Wedding???

[@phookaziz3]

Option 1: epic recovery, burial, Valhalla adventure as Grumm’s epilogue Option 2: epic plane hopping journey to recover, and return Grumm’s soul, sundered from his body, allowing his final rest. Option 3: One option followed by the other, then possible reincarnation for Grumm. But is it still the same Grumm? (Sometimes dead is better) Did Grumm reincarnate as a child, or another being with variable amounts of memories of their previous life?

[@bruced648]

either a good story or an epic campaign. have a hierarchy of villains. the grunts (storm troopers) the subordinate minion (grey shirts) the champion(s) (sith) the bosses (sen Palpatine or gov tarkin) master villain (emperor) don't reveal the master plan of your villain. as the characters build the story thru encounters with the various underlings, they earn clues. add in npcs to train, advise and provide limited assistance. finally - as GM - know the villains final objective (take over a kingdom, raise an evil god or creature, open a portal with an evil that will betray the villain). how the players progress thru the story is up to them, but they can only progress if the GM provides the tools and clues for the players success.