Wisdom of the Masters: Winging It
This article was first broadcast in Episode One Hundred Thirteen on 1st April 2020. Ostron: I thought you said this wasn't ever going to happen? Ryu: Yeah, I did, but then he taught me some stuff about Thieves’ Cant and here we are. Ostron: I thought you already knew Thieves’ Cant? Ryu: Hmm? Oh, uh, yeah. I meant I taught him. He definitely didn’t teach me. Nope. I mean, can you imagine it? Me, a rogue, who doesn’t know Thieves’ Cant? Ostron: Yeah, that’s highly unlikely, statistically speaking Ryu: Anyway, stuff and things, here we are. No! Peaches, stay. (grumbling sound) Ryu: Yes, you can play with KayDee's nightmare after, I just need you to stay. Lennon: Okay! Bike...
Heroes Rise, one hundred eleventh entry: Isolating Re-Forgotten Realms
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Archives of Candlekeep: Ooze On First
This article was first broadcast in Episode One Hundred Eight on 26th February 2020. Lennon: Ostron, I need you to sign this purchase order. Ostron: What's it for? Lennon: Cleaning supplies. Ryu: Why do we need new cleaning supplies? Lennon: Apparently HR has determined mops are a safety hazard and they're being abused by certain quasi-members of the staff. Ryu: Okay, you have to admit it was kind of funny when KayDee broke that slime trail and the Gath duplicate spilled the potion into itself and it was all glowy for a bit before it evaporated. Ostron: Hang on, this says the replacement cleaning supplies are more oozes! Lennon: What? where does it say that? Ostron: Requisition: 4 cubes, gel. 2...
Heroes Rise, one hundred sixth entry: The Clockwork Sorcerer’s Apprentice
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Heroes Rise: Dissonant Whispers – Monsters
Welcome, brave adventurers to the fourth episode of Heroes Rise: Dissonant Whispers, a Patreon Exclusive show for all backers regardless of tier that will air every few weeks exclusively on our Patreon page. If you like what you hear then head on over to our Patreon page to sign up. Tiers start from just $4 per month which will also get you access to the main Heroes Rise show unedited and early each week, and there's even some Heroes Rise swag up for grabs....
Archives of Candlekeep: Planar Tour: Feywild
This article was first broadcast in Episode One Hundred Five on 29th January 2020. Lennon: Oh dear gods why? Killer DM: Ryu's faerie dragon's gone back to the feywild for a bit. Ostron: And she didn't want to go with it? Killer DM: Oh goodness no. Every time she goes there I get into a fight. Lennon: I thought most feywild creatures were a little less aggressive than that? Killer DM: First of all, are you kidding? Second, I didn't say Ryu got into a fight; I get into a fight. Lennon: Don't tell me you have outstanding geases or something. Ostron: I thought you dealt in flaming horses. You're doing birds now? Lennon: What? Oh, wait are you kidding? Do...
Archives of Candlekeep: Planar Tour: Shadowfell
This article was first broadcast in Episode One Hundred Four on 22nd January 2020. Lennon (storytelling): It was a dark and stormy night Ryu: I'm not hearing a storm Lennon (storytelling sarcastically): Because someone is slacking off Ostron: At this point I've already used four spell slots just on ambiance. Magical darkness, mist cloud, control weather, wind gust, now you want lightning on command? Lennon: … well I’ve gotta set the mood right Ryu: Wouldn't it be easier to just meet in the Shadowfell at this point? Lennon: Well...
Unearthed Mundana: Painting Your Miniatures – Introduction to Colour Theory
This article was first broadcast in Episode One Hundred Three on 15th January 2020. Ryu: I'm sorry, you want me to what? Lennon: Break me into the workshop. Ryu: And these buckets of paint are for? Lennon: It's helping you too, actually. Ryu: Oh no, you are not dragging me into whatever insanity this is. Lennon: No, look; I know you're always complaining about how ROSTRO is imposing and disturbing so I figured a quick paint job...
Heroes Rise, one hundred second entry: The Best Defence Is A Good Offence
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Heroes Rise, one hundred first entry: Things We Don’t Know We Don’t Know
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Heroes Rise, one hundredth entry: Adam Bradford & Lauren Urban of D&D Beyond
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Unearthed Mundana: I Can’t Believe it’s not Thieves’ Cant
This article was first broadcast in Episode Ninety Nine on 4th December 2019. Ostron: Hey, there you two are! So I've been going over the script for How To Paint Your Miniatures and ...
Wisdom of the Masters: The Tone of your Campaign
This article was first broadcast in Episode Ninety Eight on 27th November 2019. Mikey: Okay what about this one ...
Heroes Rise, ninety-seventh entry: Dice, Dice, Baby! Featuring CritRoleStats
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Heroes Rise, ninety-sixth entry: Friendly Neighbourhood Spider Manoeuvres
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Wisdom of the Masters: PvP in D&D
This article was first broadcast in Episode Ninety Six on 13th November 2019. Killer DM: Mmmmm that felt almost too good. Lennon: I don't think I want to know Killer DM: Of course you do, Lennon; we both know you're constantly living vicariously through me and loving every minute of it. Lennon: I'm really not. Killer DM: Well keep lying to yourself then, but I just managed to get a TPK without any work at all. Ostron: Well, you are a big fan of the random rock fall. Killer DM: Oh no, it's even better than that; the party killed each other! PvP combat in fifth edition is so easy and it's great! Lennon: That's...
Wisdom of the Masters: Crafting Confusion
This article was first broadcast in Episode Ninety Five on 6th November 2019. Lennon: So, what do you think would happen if I tried to make some modifications to ROSTRO? Ryu: I think KayDee would probably harvest all your organs and then stuff you into it. You know how she is about that thing. Lennon: As with most subjects where she's involved, I try not to think about it. Ryu: Why do you want to fiddle around with that monstrosity anyway? Lennon: I was hoping to figure out a better way to get magic items made. The regular process is just...
Archives of Candlekeep: Psionics: The knowledge everyone hates
This article was first broadcast in Episode Ninety Four on 30th October 2019. Lennon: Hey Ostron, I have a question Ostron: No, it is not possible to use Peaches as a ramp for your bicycle if she angles her tail the right way. Ryu: No abusing my dinosaur! I will allow her to eat you! Lennon: Okay, that wasn't the question, though thank you for ruining my fun once again. My actual question is why are we starting this short rest with psionics in 3rd edition? Doesn’t it make more sense to start with 1e? Ostron: Oh, well, psionics from 1st and 2nd edition had convoluted and problematic rules that make it fairly...
Archives of Candlekeep: Psionics: The knowledge you never knew you forgot
This article was first broadcast in Episode Ninety Three on 23rd October 2019. Ostron: Really? You guys really want to do this? Ryu: Look, everyone keeps going on and on about psionics- Ostron: I don't. I try to avoid it, actually Lennon: Yes, but that's the point; people don't quite know why. What's wrong with psionics, why is it such a touchy subject? Ostron: All right, fine, follow me. Libby: Book Ostron: Thanks. Here. Ryu: ...
Heroes Rise, ninety-second entry: It’s way better than D&D… It’s Wendy’s
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Gnomish Workshop: House Rules
This article was first broadcast in Episode Ninety Two on 9th October 2019. Ryu: Oh, hey! You're awake! Ostron: It's midafternoon, what were you expecting? And the Gnomish Workshop isn't the safest place to take a nap anyway. Lennon: Yeah, but...
Archives of Candlekeep: Eberron Mechanics and Gameplay
This article was first broadcast in Episode Ninety One on 2nd October 2019. Mikey: Oooooh, this is what Ryu meant by “that big, magic-mechanical monstrosity starts using big words at us”! ROSTRO: While her intent with the labeling was no doubt pejorative, the choice of vocabulary was interestingly accurate. Mikey: … I see what she means. ROSTRO: I would also bring to your attention that given the topic being discussed, my participation could be considered verisimilitudinous. Lennon: Actually, that is a point. Huge machine run by magic is very Eberron. As we discussed previously, Eberron as a setting represents a significant departure from playing in the Forgotten Realms version of the game. However, lest...
Archives of Candlekeep: Eberron: Origin and Lore
This article was first broadcast in Episode Eighty Nine on 18th September 2019. Ostron: Oh bright Pelor what are all those colors? *sound of knife throwing* Lennon: Aww Ryu! You cut the fuse! Though that was a good shot with the knife! Ryu: Thanks. And you’re not setting off fireworks in here. We said you could do a couple of short rests focused on Eberron, not throw a party! Lennon: You guys always ruin my fun! Ryu: Really? You want me to get the hat? Lennon: Even that couldn’t bring me down, I'm having a great time, this is wonderful! Let me just go get the notes. Ostron: Keep in mind, if those notes required an actual...
Archives of Candlekeep: Ambulatory Corpses
This article was first broadcast in Episode Eighty Eight on 11th September 2019. ROSTRO: Please state the nature of the mathematical inquiry Ryu: First, you called us, second, what does this topic have to do with math? ROSTRO: The exercise involved more comparative analysis and referencing information from extraplanar sources than engaging in mathematical activities but my resources remained invaluable. It is also likely the handwritten note provided by Lennon was misinterpreted by Ostron. Ryu: Let me...
Heroes Rise, eighty-eighth entry: What Came First? The Chicken or the Tree?
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Archives of Candlekeep: The Nine Hells Primer
This article was first broadcast in Episode Eighty Seven on 4th September 2019. Lennon: Ostron said he was in the Candlekeep annex? Ryu: Yeah, he wanted-...
Unearthed Mundana: Actual Two Weapon Fighting
This article was first broadcast in Episode Eighty Six on 28th August 2019. Ostron: Who switched off the lights in here — Lennon, why are you in a barrel, and Ryu, what did you just hide behind your back? Ryu: I didn’t break into the vault and get two swords for Lennon, if that’s what you’re asking. Ostron: Two swords? Ok, why? Lennon: Well… hang on, let me get out of this barrel… Well, all the talk of John Wick last week got me thinking of a cool character concept I want to play, but I thought I should practice dual-wielding first -- you know, to get into character. Right,...
Adventurer’s Journal: Characters: Just make it up!
This article was first broadcast in Episode Eighty Five on 21st August 2019. Lennon: Ha! In your face ROSTRO RaeRae: You know it doesn't have a face. Lennon: Whatever, the point is, I just created an entirely new race and class to play in D&D, and I didn't have to touch my calculator once! Behold my Fire Giant Alchemical Archer! Ostron: Okay, so I'm assuming this is an Artificer with the Alchemist specialty and using a crossbow, that's Unearthed Arcana but still valid, but Fire Giants aren't a playable race. Is it balanced? Lennon: Pah! Forget balanced. There isn't a single homebrewed rule in here. Ostron: That's not possible. Lennon: It's perfectly possible. You just...
Wisdom from the Masters: Maintaining Villainy
This article was first broadcast in Episode Eighty on 17th July 2019. Mikey: Oh thank goodness. Given the topic I thought the Killer DM was going to be here again. She always seems to show up when I come out of the cave. Ostron: How bad was this fight? Does this mean you put the hat away for good? Ryu: What? No! We patched things up days ago. This time she's just sitting out from contempt. How did she put it? Killer DM: If other DMs don't know how to keep their best characters alive that's not my problem. They should just call me in to help. Ostron: I've been halfway...
Wisdom from the Masters: Realizing Villainy
This article was first broadcast in Episode Seventy Nine on 3rd July 2019. Lennon: Well the topic is “villainy”, but I don’t see the Killer DM hat. Ryu: Yeah, after I showed you how to break in to the vault last week, Ostron decided it wasn’t safe to keep the hat there. Lennon: Oh, so did he manage to hide it somewhere you couldn’t find it? Ryu: Not really. Ostron’s good, but...
Wisdom from the Masters: Non-combat Roles
This article was first broadcast in Episode Seventy Eight on 26th June 2019. Ostron: Ryu? Why are you teaching Lennon how to pick the lock on the vault? Ryu: Oh, well, I'm going to be DMing a bunch of new players so I wanted to brush up on how to teach people new skills. Ostron: I thought we have a policy against you DMing new people? Ryu: You have a policy against KayDee DMing new people. It's just going to be me. Ostron: What's that bunch of white and red fuzz I can see in your pocket? Ryu: What? Lint! I'm sure it's just lint. I washed these pants with some fuzzy towels....
Unearthed Mundana: Naval Ghost Stories
This article was first broadcast in Episode Seventy Seven on 19th June 2019. Lennon: Oh, the year was 1778 -- how I wish I was in Sherbrooke noooooow… Ryu: Lennon? Doing some remodeling on the guild house? Lennon: No, I'm going sailing! Building myself a boat, off to the high seas! Ostron: Sailing to where? Lennon: Oooh, avast, ye landlubber. You don't need a destination; the joy is in the sailing! Ryu: You have no idea what you're going to do out there, do you. Lennon: Look, Columbus didn’t need directions — Ryu: — and Columbus thought he landed in India! Lennon: Well… I’m sure inspiration will come to me! Ostron: Would you mind if we offered some suggestions? With the...
Heroes Rise, seventy-sixth entry: Mighty Ceremorphsing Power Illithids
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Wisdom from the Masters: The Blushing DM
This article was first broadcast in Episode Seventy Six on 12th June 2019. Ostron: Okay, that's a researching case, that's less urgent. Ryu: I think this one...
Wisdom from the Masters: You Signed Up For This
This article was first broadcast in Episode Seventy Five on 5th June 2019. Ostron: I realize what I'm asking here but could the KDM help? Lennon: Does she ever? Ryu: Oh come on, you know she does! But I don't think so in this case; I'm pretty sure KayDee doesn't get nostalgic about stuff like that, and everyone she DMed for in her first game is probably gone. Ostron: Yeah, people move away, get older, you lose touch...