Category Archives: Storyteller Conclave

Storytelling 202 : Multifaceted Encounters

May 3, 2023Storyteller Conclave209, May 2023, Narrative Storytelling, Storytelling 202storyteller-conclave

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:21:56 — 37.5MB)

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When discussing encounter design, we often break them into their simplest archetypes : combat, social, chase, etc. But, do encounters need to necessarily be only one of those categories? Can we mix a chase scene with a puzzle encounter? What would it look like? How would you go about balancing it, and playing it out? This week, Sara & Rob discuss multifaceted encounter design in this month’s Storytelling 202

Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave.

Listen to us on your favorite device!
Or Amazon Audible

Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave)
Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave

Please join us on Discord, to submit questions for the show, chat with Rob, Sara, and other Storytellers, and read over the detailed show-notes for more information and links to stuff we may not have been able to detail during the show! Discord : https://t.co/7H8p1lGYqG

Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

Repurposing Game Systems

April 26, 2023Storyteller Conclave208, April 2023, Game Systemsstoryteller-conclave

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:09:08 — 31.6MB)

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Finding the right game system to match the story you’re trying to tell can be a daunting task. Sometimes, the best move is to use an existing system in an unconventional way. This week, Rob & Sara discuss repurposing game systems for settings their mechanics DIDN’T have in mind.

Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave.

Listen to us on your favorite device!
Or Amazon Audible

Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave)
Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave

Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

Reactive play vs Proactive play with Jonah & Tristan Fishel

April 19, 2023Storyteller Conclave207, April 2023, Narrative Storytellingstoryteller-conclave

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:14:36 — 34.1MB)

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Reactive play vs proactive play: what they are, why it matters, and why playing proactively is more fun. We are joined by Jonah and Tristen Fishel, authors of Game Master’s Handbook of Proactive Roleplaying.

Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave.

Listen to us on your favorite device!
Or Amazon Audible

Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave)
Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave

Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

System Spotlight: Nations & Cannons (Flagbearer Games)

April 12, 2023Storyteller Conclave206, April 2023, System Spotlightstoryteller-conclave

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:16:51 — 35.2MB)

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The year is 1776. The British are coming, and the Continental Army is calling for heroes to win the day. Sara & Rob are taking this month’s System Spotlight to review the kickstarter, that launches April 11th!, 5e adventure titled Nations & Cannons. Join Sara, Rob, & their lead designer Pat Mooney, as we take the fight to the Redcoats in historical DnD 5e adventures!

Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave.

Listen to us on your favorite device!
Or Amazon Audible

Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave)
Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave

Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

Storytelling 202 : Workshop: Session Zero prompt

April 5, 2023Storyteller Conclave205, April 2023, Narrative Storytelling, Storytelling 202storyteller-conclave

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:39:14 — 45.4MB)

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This month’s storytelling 202 is a workshop, well at least for Rob & Sara. Session Zero’s have been discussed but what is it like to actually come up with the prompt for your players? How much do you disclose? This week the duo will challenge each other, assist, and compile some prompts for Session Zero!

Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave.

Listen to us on your favorite device!
Or Amazon Audible

Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave)
Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave

Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

Advancement and Power Escalation

March 29, 2023Storyteller Conclave204, March 2023, Narrative Storytellingstoryteller-conclave

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:09:40 — 31.9MB)

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When the characters are level 1, a goblin is a scary beast. But by level 5 they may be able to shake off a few rounds with a dragon. By level 10, they might be looking for what gods have been itching for a butt kicking. Expanding on last week’s topic of progression and advancement, Sara & Rob will be joined by Autumn M. Birt and Jesper Schmidt, award winning authors, to discuss how characters leveling up inevitably changes the plot and storytelling.

Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave.

Listen to us on your favorite device!
Or Amazon Audible

Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave)
Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave

Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

Single Player Games

March 22, 2023Storyteller Conclave203, Game Systems, March 2023storyteller-conclave

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:06:14 — 30.3MB)

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A little to unknown genre in TTRPGs are single player games, but they are making big strides. From 1,000 year old vampire to single player D&D, there are multiple ways to enjoy the space. But how does that play out for storytelling? This week Rob & Sara will review Single Player TTRPG Games.

Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave.

Listen to us on your favorite device!
Or Amazon Audible

Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave)
Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave

Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

Vertical vs Horizontal Progression

March 15, 2023Storyteller Conclave202, March 2023storyteller-conclave

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:24:29 — 38.7MB)

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Most TTRPGs feature an advancement system, where your character can grow and learn over time. Story outcomes can be greatly affected by the pace and degree by which the characters change as the story unfolds. This week, Sara & Rob discuss progression systems and power curves.

Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave.

Listen to us on your favorite device!
Or Amazon Audible

Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave)
Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave

Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

System Spotlight : Blades in the Dark

March 8, 2023Storyteller Conclave201, March 2023, Narrative Storytelling, System Spotlight, Tactical Storytellingstoryteller-conclave

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:47:55 — 49.4MB)

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Brought up multiple times by our community and the RPG community at large, we are proud to be reviewing Blades in the Dark. This game of daring scoundrels, in a fledgling crew, seek fortunes in the haunted streets of an industrial-fantasy city. A long time coming, this System Spotlight is one Sara & Rob have been looking forward to!

Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave.

Listen to us on your favorite device!
Or Amazon Audible

Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave)
Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave

Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com

Storytelling 202 : Character-Driven Plots

March 1, 2023Storyteller Conclave200, March 2023, Storytelling 202storyteller-conclave

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:25:03 — 38.9MB)

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As Storytellers, there’s a desire for “character-centric” plots. Often this involves bringing elements of a PC’s backstory into play. This week, Sara & Rob explore another way to tackle making a plot that focuses on a character – by looking at the consequences of their actions!

Listen to us live, every Wednesday night at 7pm EST, at http://www.mixlr.com/storyteller-conclave.

Listen to us on your favorite device!
Or Amazon Audible

Find us on Twitter (@st_conclave) – Instagram (st_conclave)
Support the show by joining our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/StorytellerConclave

Or find our older episodes at Https://Storytellerconclave.com