Archives of Candlekeep: Actual Forgotten Realms: Al Qadim
This article was first broadcast in Episode One Hundred Fifty Eight on 24 March 2021. Lennon: There you are! Ostron, I need some teleportation. Ostron: Um, that’s not a spell you can use as a Warlock…I mean you’ve got thunder step but that’s not quite- Lennon: No, no, no, I need you to teleport me somewhere. Al Qadim, specifically. Ryu: I’m probably going to regret this but why? Lennon: Well, I’m trying to explore this alternative patron idea, and I know genies are an option. I hear there are a lot of genies in Al Qadim. Ostron: Umm…yeah, I might need some help with this. Libby: Book! Ostron (coughing): oh..okay…wow that’s a dusty one. Thanks Libby. Ah, yeah, I see your problem. There isn’t a place called Al Qadim. Lennon: Um, I’m pretty sure there is. I know I’ve heard about it. Ostron: Yeah, that’s sort of the problem; you’ve only heard about it and you don’t know the details. To be…
Heroes Rise, one hundred fifty-seventh entry: Don’t Judge A Book By Its Cover
Welcome, brave adventurers … to the one hundred fifty-seventh entry into our chronicle, recorded throughout the week, and released Wednesday, March 17th over at heroesrisepodcast.com.
Unearthed Mundana: What’s In A Stat?
This article was first broadcast in Episode One Hundred Fifty Seven on 17 March 2021. Ryu: Oh dear. Did someone fall off their mount in the market again? Lennon: What? No, I was giving a speech down in the village. It…wasn’t well received. Ryu: Well, I mean, your Charisma score is only what now, 15? You aren’t going to be able to work miracles with that. Ostron: Actually, with a crowd of bystanders that should have been more than fine. Ryu: How? A 15 is middle of the road; it’s what you have in a stat that you might use later and you want to just be okay with now. Ostron: That’s for adventurers. If you’re comparing them with common folk, he is way beyond them. Ryu: Okay, I’m confused. Lennon: Well, I’ll use my new charisma score to explain it to you. Most players and even DMs who play D&D tend to consider ability scores in the context…
Heroes Rise, one hundred fifty-sixth entry: Alternate Masters of the Demiplane
Welcome, brave adventurers … to the one hundred fifty-sixth entry into our chronicle, recorded on Saturday, March 6th, and released Wednesday, March 10th over at heroesrisepodcast.com.
Wisdom of the Masters: Managing NPCs
This article was first broadcast in Episode One Hundred Fifty Six on 10 March 2021. Libby (indignantly): Book! Lennon: Come on, it’s just a little sign, it can go on, what about that eyestalk? Ryu: Lennon, what are you doing to Libby? Lennon: Well…look, we have like seven research beholders around the Guild House, right? Ostron: Twelve. Lennon: Twelve!? Aw man, now I need more signs. Ryu: Signs…for the research beholders? Lennon: Yeah, I can’t keep them straight. I see one floating around and I’m never sure if it’s the one that I asked for the reference book to help with the show notes or the one I told to make me a sandwich. Ostron: Okay, I’ll grant you that telling the beholders apart is a bit tricky but do you really need to identify all of them? And Libby’s pretty distinctive anyway. Lennon: So you’re okay with unlabeled characters just running around? Ryu (shrugging): I like chaos. Then again, that’s not for everyone.…
Archives of Candlekeep: Take It In Strahd
This article was first broadcast in Episode One Hundred Fifty Five on 3 March 2021. Ryu: Okay, I realize the whole warlock thing is hitting you hard but this is too far. Lennon: What? Capes are cool, they should really make a comeback. Ryu: I’m fine with the cape, it’s the grey face paint and the red contacts. Isn’t that racist or something? Ostron: Against who? Grimlocks? They don’t generally raise objections in civil court. Ryu: All right fine, So why are you going all Dracula? It’s nowhere near Halloween. Lennon: Well, I figured new class, new Identity, and everyone thinks vampires are cool. Especially this one. Ostron: Which one? Lennon: Come on, I really tried with the makeup here. Guy in a castle? Unrequited love? Dark Lord? Ryu: I’m sorry, you’re trying to impersonate Strahd!? Lennon: There you go! Ostron: That…okay there are so many ways that’s a bad idea I don’t know where to start. Lennon: Oh come on. Look I did a…
Heroes Rise, one hundred fifty-fifth entry: Ricky’s Guide to Spookytown
Welcome, brave adventurers … to the one hundred fifty-fifth entry into our chronicle, recorded on Saturday, February 27th, and released Wednesday, March 3rd over at heroesrisepodcast.com.
Wisdom of the Masters: Zero Triggers
This article was first broadcast in Episode One Hundred Fifty Four on 24 February 2021. Lennon: No, I’m not doing it. Ostron: Look, we all understand you’re having issues with the transition but the reality is that your new…condition…changes things. Lennon: See, I don’t feel like it does, and I don’t want people acting like it does, if it’s all the same to you. Ostron: Fine, fine, we’ll…work around it. Ryu: Ostron? Ostron: Yes? Ryu: I have a problem with your plan. Ostron: Apparently you need to get in line. Ryu: I’m sorry? Ostron: Sorry, yes, what is it? Ryu: You want me to, and I’m quoting here, “catch the guard captain’s interest socially and ply him for information using feminine wiles.” Ostron: Yes? Ryu: I’m not really comfortable with what you’re implying here. Ostron: You’ve done that sort of thing before. Ryu: Because it was legitimately necessary! I’m a rogue! They’re the captain of the guard for an actual lich king. What’s wrong with torture? Ostron: I’m assuming…
Heroes Rise, one hundred fifty-fourth entry: It’s Getting Hot In Here
Welcome, brave adventurers … to the one hundred fifty-fourth entry into our chronicle, recorded on Saturday, February 20th, and released Wednesday, February 24th over at heroesrisepodcast.com.
Gnomish Workshop: Rolling Initiative
This article was first broadcast in Episode One Hundred Fifty Three on 17 February 2021. Lennon: Oh good, Ostron. I have some questions for you. Ostron: I did not tell the beholders to do that to your bed, you brought that on yourself. Lennon: No, It’s fine, the squeezing effect actually helps with lumbar support when I’m sleeping. Ryu: Um…what? Lennon: No, my question’s about time. Ostron: Why are you suddenly interested in that? Lennon: Well I was in a game yesterday and there was this scene going on in the middle of a mansion with all the characters spread out. The players said they were getting confused and I thought “Should I have them roll initiative? But they aren’t in combat. Is that allowed?” Ostron (yawning): Oh…that’s…an interesting subject actually- Ryu: Here, drink this. Ostron: What is it- Ryu (hurrying): Just drink it! All of it, down the hatch. Ostron: Okay….blech, ugh (coughing) wow. Um, that was gross. What was that? And why…