Episodes
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Here’s a rundown of the episode:
00:43 + Heard Any Good Rumours Lately? News from the Planes01:56 + Off To The Races: This episode features - nothing. We’ve covered all the races in the PHB!03:56 + You So Classy! This episode, we’re looking at Sorcerers15:55 + Background Check: Entertainer18:40 + Monster Menagerie: Jackalweres22:03+ Lore Academy: VoloTotal runtime 26:53
Sources & further reading:Sorcerer: PHB: 99-104
XGTE: 48-52
SCAG: 136-137
Entertainer: PHB: 130-131
Jackalwere: MM: 193
LinksNewsUltra Pro’s range of D&D merch
80’s Tees- D&D selection.
Volohttps://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Volo%27s_Guide_to_All_Things_Magical- Volo on the FR wiki
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volothamp_Geddarm- Wikipedia’s entry on Volo
Contact me:email
https://icastpod.com - Website
Instagram (most often used Social media)
Facebook
Twitter
Episode TranscriptCold openWelcome to I Cast Pod, a D&D podcast about creating characters, taking chances, rolling dice and having fun. I’m Mike, your DM and guide to all things dungeonesque and dragon-y. This episode is the end of season finale, and we’re talking about Entertainers, Sorcerers, Jackalweres, and Volo.
Heard Any Good Rumours Lately?WotC has been busy recently, in light of the Black Lives Matter movement and general social change of our time, adding disclaimers to some of its older content, which may be seen a racially or culturally insensitive, or gender biased. D&D includes many races and has never penalised players who choose to play any gender, which was already admirable, but these steps will continue to ensure that anyone can play without feeling excluded or maligned.
Ultra Pro showed off their ultra-cute vinyl Figurines of Adorable Power during the D&D Live 2020 livestream, including adorable Mimics, Flumphs, Owlbears and more. I’ve already seen the Red Dragon figure for sale and have been tempted…
80’s Tees now have a range of D&D based merch, both from the main game and from the 80’s cartoon spinoff, and includes character armour hoodies that make you look like you’re wearing the armour of Hank the Ranger, Bobby the Barbarian or Eric the Cavalier, with more to come.
Off to the RacesNoneWe’re skipping playable races in this episode, as we’ve actually covered all the races in the PHB. Now I know that there are many more playable races, but it seemed a good point to end the season, and give me time to buy one of the other sourcebooks. Do you think I should go for Vole’s Guide to Monsters, which contains Aasimar, Goblins, Orcs, Kenku, Tabaxi, Yaun-ti and more, or perhaps Mordekainen’s Tome Of Foes, that includes Gith, and… er, well, Eladrin. Let’s be honest, in terms of continuing to make content, it’s going to be Volo’s. I will also be looking into the Elemental Evil Player’s...
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Here’s a rundown of the episode:
00:43 + Heard Any Good Rumours Lately? News from the Planes.03:31 + Off To The Races: This episode features 08:54 + You So Classy! This episode, we’re looking at16:27 + Background Check: 18:23 + Monster Menagerie: 22:18+ Lore Academy:Total runtime 29:57
899 4 2 161
Sources & further reading:Half-orc: PHB - 40-41
Rogue: PHB - 94-98; SCAG: 134-136; XGTE: 44-47
Folk Hero: PHB - 131-132
Intellect Devourer: MM - 191
LinksNewshttps://dnd.wizards.com/products/tabletop-games/rpg-products/icewind-dale-rime-frostmaiden- WotC page on Rime of the Frostmaiden
https://dnd.wizards.com/products/fiction/comicsgraphic-novels/spine-world- At the Spine of the World
https://dnd.wizards.com/products/tabletop-games/rpg-products/icewind-dale-diceIcewind Dale Dice and Miscellany
https://dnd.wizards.com/products/tabletop-games/rpg-products/icewind-dale-platinum- Beadle and Grimm’s Platinum Edition
https://dnd.wizards.com/products/tabletop-games/miniatures/icewind-daleWizKids Icewind Dale Icons of the Realms
Illithidshttps://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Mind_flayerFR Wiki on Mind Flayers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSc17QXxfyU Baldur’s Gate 3 Live Gameplay Presentation - includes opening cinematic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9hU6UJX_pcFirst gameplay demo of BG3, featuring combat with Intellect Devourers.
Syrinscapehttps://syrinscape.com - syrinscape tabletop audio.
Episode TranscriptCold openWelcome to I Cast Pod, a D&D podcast about creating characters, taking chances, rolling dice and having fun. I’m Mike, your DM and guide to all things dungeonesque and dragon-y. In this episode, we’re talking about Icewind Dale, Half-orcs, Rogues, Folk Heros, Illithids and Intellect Devourers.
Heard Any Good Rumours Lately?There’s a new sourcebook coming! Icewind Dale: The Rime of the Frost Maiden ties in with not only R. A. Salvatore’s Icewind Dale trilogy of novels - the first he wrote containing the Drow ranger Drizzt Do’Urden, but also it apparently has some tie in to the upcoming Dark Alliance game. (And presumably the previous Icewind Dale CRPG,) Touted as a horror adventure module, with 320 pages and over 50 stat blocks contained within - the most in any 5e module so far, several of which will be for the Frostmaiden Auril, herself as she can appear in various forms. Journey to the frozen wastes of the far north, to the communities of Ten-Towns and help defeat an ancient evil, brave blizzards, fish for Knucklehead trout or participate in an as-yet unnamed Goliath sport! The release date is Sept 15th and it should retail for $49.99.
Want more Icewind Dale? IDW Publishing is going to be releasing At the Spine of the World on 21st Oct. The comic is set in...
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Episodes manquant?
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Here’s a rundown of the episode:
00:43: - Heard Any Good Rumours Lately? News from the Planes.03:25 + Off To The Races: This episode features Half-elves08:52 + You So Classy! This episode, we’re looking at the Ranger18:30 + Background Check: Guild Artisan23:16 + Monster Menagerie: The Hook Horror29:56 + Lore Academy: The UnderdarkTotal runtime - 34:56
Sources & further reading:Half Elf - PHB: 38-39
Ranger - PHB: 89-93, XGTE: 40-43, SCAG: 133-134
Guild Artisan - PHB: 132-133
Hook Horror - MM: 189
LinksNewshttps://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/lrdtobD&D Beyond - Legends of Runeterra: Dark Tides of Bilgewater
https://www.dmsguild.com/product/316467/The-Book-of-Weird-Magic- The Book of Weird Magic by Oliver Clegg
https://www.dndbeyond.com/marketplace/sourcebooks/mythic-odysseys-of-theros?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=moot&utm_campaign=TOF_+D%26D%2BMTG&utm_content=spider-+preorder&fbaid=23844632008460174&fbclid=IwAR3O09bVyZDKqt0rKkSpD5VMm8qgbz55CEuSpCbjIpTIomQmC6t6UheEQXI- Mythic Odysses of Theros on D&D Beyond
Underdark areashttps://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Underdark- FR Wiki on the Underdark
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Buried_Realms- FR Wiki on the Buried Realms
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Darklands- The Darklands
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Deep_Wastes- The Deep Wastes
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Earthroot - Earthroot
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Glimmersea- Glimmersea
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Great_Bhaerynden- Great Bhaerynden
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Northdark- Northdark
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Old_Shanatar - Old Shanatar
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Great_Rift- the Great Rift
Underdark denizenshttps://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Phaerimm - Phaerimm
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Aboleth-...
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Here’s a rundown of the episode:
00:42 + Heard Any Good Rumours Lately? News from the Planes.01:39 + Off To The Races: This episode features Tieflings07:27 + You So Classy! This episode, we’re looking at Paladins20:51 + Background Check: The Hermit23:42 + Monster Menagerie: Goblins28:18 + Lore Academy/AnnouncementsTotal runtime - 30:31
Sources & further reading: Tieflings:PHB: 42-43
Paladins:PHB: 82-88
SCAG: 131-133
XGTE: 36-39
Hermit:PHB: 134-135
Goblins:Monster Manual: 165-166
Linkshttps://dnd.wizards.com/dndlive2020- WotC’s red Nose Day event: Roll With Advantage
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Tiefling- FR Wiki on Tieflings
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiefling- Wikipedia on Tieflings
https://syrinscape.com- Syrinscape tabletop audio.
I'm also including a full transcript of each show in the show notes from now on, so you can go over my scripts and see where I've flubbed bits, or just check over some of the stats I mentioned. I'll go back and put transcripts into all previous shows up to this point too, but that might take a little while, so check back later if you can't see them for a particular episode. Thanks.
Episode 9 - Tieflings, Paladins, Goblins, and Hermits.Cold openWelcome to I Cast Pod, a D&D podcast about creating characters, taking chances, rolling dice and having fun. I’m Mike, your DM and guide to all things dungeonesque and dragon-y. In this episode, we’re talking about Tieflings, Paladins, Goblins and Hermits - Red Nose Day and other podcasts too!
Heard Any Good Rumours Lately?Between 18th-20th June, WotC are doing a series of live play D&D events called D&D live: Roll With Advantage, with various celebrities DM’ing and playing, including Deborah Ann Woll, Felicia Day, Brian Posehn, Amy Acker, Janina Gavankar, Matthew Lillard, David Harbour, Brandon Routh and more, to help Red Nose Day. WotC are also creating a special adventure, called Return to the Glory, available via the DM’s Guild, as well as event apparel, showing a Snowy Owlbear with a red nose AND a way to participate remotely through their live event portal - with proceeds going to Comic Relief US and the Red Nose Day fund - link in the show notes.
Off to the RacesTieflingOriginally introduced to D&D in the Planescape setting, Tieflings were described as a mix of human and, “something else”… implying that they had heritage that originated in the lower planes, which were evil. Tieflings were said to be descended from Fiends, but because their ancestral evil was many generations ago, they are not classed as half-fiends. This was changed in 4th Ed. So that now their ancestors made a bargain with devils to increase their power. They get their name from the the German “Tief” meaning deep, or low and the suffix “ing’ as in offspring. German also has another connected word: “Teufel” meaning devil, which may also have contributed.
Tieflings are generally maligned in society, due to their infernal heritage. Descended from a pact that happened generations ago, where the essence of Asmodeus, overlord of the nine hells, was infused into their bloodline, in order to make him a racial god, and ensure he had enough followers to gain godly powers. They carry vestiges of this demonic ancestry in their physical appearance - with large, prehensile tails that curl around their legs when they get...
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Here’s a rundown of the episode:
00:41 + Heard Any Good Rumours Lately? News from the Planes.01:24 + Off To The Races: This episode features 10:17 + You So Classy! This episode, we’re looking at 18:30 + Background Check: 22:31 + Monster Menagerie: 27:17 + Lore Academy:Total runtime - 32:54
Sources & further reading: GnomesPHB: 35-37SCAG: 114-115XGTE: 178 (names only)
MonkPHB: 76-81
NoblePHB: 135-136
FlumphMonster Manual: 135
Linkshttps://discord.gg/QC9d2YQ- Discord server to chat with me and others
https://dnd.wizards.com/remote/freematerialWotC free materials page
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Flumph- FR Wiki on Flumph’s
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Bahamut - FR Wiki on Bahamut
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahamut_(Dungeons_%26_Dragons)- Wikipedia on Bahamut
Welcome to Syrinscapesyrinscape.com - Syrinscape tabletop audio
Episode TranscriptCold openWelcome to I Cast Pod, a D&D podcast about creating characters, taking chances, rolling dice and having fun. I’m Mike, your DM and guide to all things dungeonesque and dragon-y.
In this episode, we’re talking about Gnomes, Nobles, Flumphs, Monks and Bahamut!
Heard Any Good Rumours Lately?Off to the RacesGnomeGnomes love life. They try to enjoy as much of it as possible, which considering they live for 3-5 centuries, means they’re here for a good time AND a long time. Despite this lengthy lifespan, Gnomes still worry that they won’t get to see and do everything they want to do in the time that is given to them.
Gnomes love to explore, create, invent, investigate and play, well into their adult lives.
Gnomes love to laugh, enjoying jokes and pranks. Their workshops erupt in peals of laughter as often as minor explosions and plumes of smoke.
Gnomes speak as fast as they think, which is generally pretty fast. Standing at slightly over 3 feet tall, and weighing 40-45 pounds, with tan faces and fair hair that has a tendency to strike out on it’s own in several directions at once, bright eyes and a cheerful disposition. Males are often bearded, and in contrast to their hair, their beards are well-kempt and often styled into forks or points.
These diminutive peoples, called the forgotten folk by some, are some of the least populous and influential in the world. Not having a major presence on the world stage would infuriate some races, but not the Gnomes - they revel in the anonymity it affords them and the protection that brings.
Legend tells that Gnomes first sprang forth on Faerûn from mystic gems buried deep in the earth. This explains both their love of gems and their predilection for living in underground warrens. The forest Gnomes came from emeralds, diamonds became the rock Gnomes, and rubies became the deep Gnomes, or Svirfneblin.
Gnomes tend to live in secluded, hidden places, away from...
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Bonus Episode #2 - A Brief History of D&DIntro
Now in it’s 5th edition, Dungeons and Dragons is experiencing a resurgence into popular culture, in large part due to the internet, and live streaming shows such as Critical Role; Acquisitions Incorporated, and Force Grey, as well as thousands of other live play shows, streams, youtube channels and podcasts.
It has spawned countless other games, influenced most of the forms of entertainment we enjoy in some form or another and brought to the world the concept of “Levelling Up”. Without it, there’d be no World of Warcraft, or video games like The Witcher 3, and the entire field of gamification might never have arisen to help us enjoy our to-do lists. D&D has become a cornerstone of geek culture.
It wasn’t always so popular though. In fact during the 80’s, it was positively vilified … but we’ll get to that later. Join me now as I delve into the sprawling corridors of history to discover what D&D is, and how it came about.
The beginningFirst, we need to travel back to 1971 before even your wizened and grey-bearded host was born - to a game called Chainmail, that was written by Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren.
Gary was a long time miniature war-game veteran - the type still played by Military buffs around the globe today, as well as Warhammer and its variants. Essentially you have an army, represented by miniature figures. You enact or reenact battles by manoeuvring the army around the playing field using rulers and resolve battles by rolling dice, with the help of a referee.
Gary saw that there was potential in expanding the rules of wargaming, which he felt could be constricting. In addition, Gary wanted to get away from using only 6 sided dice, as there was an inherent bell curve when rolling 2 of them: 2’s and 12’s were rare rolls, whereas 6’s 7’s and 8’s are more common due to the increased combinations of numbers that can result. Gary initially used numbered poker chips 1-20, to ensure a 5% chance of getting any particular number. Later, he found a school supply catalogue that had dice shaped like all the Platonic solids, including the now-famous Icosahedron: A 20 sided die that will forever be known as the D20, thanks to D&D.
ChainmailBetween 1968 & 1971, Gary and his friend Jeff Perren worked on what would become 16 pages of rules for a new type of game. They called it Chainmail, it differed from traditional war-games in 2 major ways: First, some of the miniatures, instead of representing multiple units, were instead known as ‘Hero’ units, that could withstand much more punishment than ordinary units. Secondly, just for fun, rules were included for magical fantasy settings. Things like wizards, spells, elves and … dragons! Gary was a big fan of Robert E Howard’s Conan series, and hoped to bring some of the swashbuckling adventure to tabletop gaming.
In 1971, Chainmail was published by a games company started by a friend of Gary’s. It was the company’s biggest hit, making around $300 per month.
Dave ArnesonDave Arneson, having already collaborated on a high seas naval combat game with Gary, modified Chainmail further to include improvisatory play, and moved the setting to a dungeon in order to make games easier to deal with. Dave also added an experience system, necessitated by his player groups wanting to play games that spanned multiple sessions. Characters now earned experience points, based on what they do in the game. Earn enough points and the character goes up a level. Dave also took a different approach to being the game’s referee too, instead of just acting as an arbitrator of the rules, he also performed as a kind of guide to the dungeon and the world itself, describing the scenery and encounters.
Gary and Dave agreed to collaborate again after talking about what Dave’s group were up to, with Gary trying to codify new rules from Dave’s notes and
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Here’s a rundown of the episode:
00:41 + Heard Any Good Rumours Lately? News from the Planes.04:39 + Off To The Races: This episode features Humans08:32 + You So Classy! This episode, we’re looking at the Fighter17:47 + Background Check: The Outlander20:05 + Monster Menagerie: The Ettin24:18+ Lore Academy: None this time, listen to find out why24:33 + The Infamous: TiamatTotal runtime - 30:45
Sources & further reading:Humans - PHB: 29-31 SCAG: 100-112, XGTE:(Names) 181-192
Fighters - PHB: 70-75 XGTE: 27-31, SCAG: 127-128
Oulander background - PHB: 136-137
Ettin - Monster Manual: 132
Linkshttps://www.icastpod.com/episode/episode-4-soldiers-and-beholders-and-dwarves-oh-my I Cast Pod episode 4, which includes the Soldier background - useful for Fighter builds.
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Tiamat- FR Wiki on Tiamat
https://amzn.to/3d90UV4- Amazon affiliate link to Tyranny of Dragons
https://amzn.to/3aVVTxi - Amazon affiliate link to Hoard of the Dragon Queen
https://amzn.to/3aSEshd- Amazon affiliate link to Rise of Tiamat
https://syrinscape.com - Syrinscape tabletop audio. (Not an affiliate link)
Episode TranscriptCold openWelcome to I Cast Pod, a D&D podcast about creating characters, taking chances, rolling dice and having fun. I’m Mike, your DM and guide to all things dungeonesque and dragon-y. In this episode, we’re talking about Death Metal, Ettins, Tiamat, Fighters, and Outlanders.
Heard Any Good Rumours Lately?I finally took delivery of my package of The Depths of Drasted - a limited edition boxed set of CD and one shot 5E compatible adventure, from the death metal band, The Black Dahlia Murder - who I’m already a big fan of. The adventure is designed to take around 3 hours to complete, so perfect for a one shot, and the character sheets all start at level 5, (“simply because at level 5 you have access to all the cooler spells and abilities” according to the booklet.)
The adventure takes place in the long-deserted ruins of the city of Drasted, which in its prime was a centre for magical learning, but has been abandoned for long ages. Stories tell of this repository of knowledge being home to many powerful and magical artefacts, ripe for plunder - but superstitions abound of this dark and foreboding place being home to an ancient force that rose up from under the city, poisoning it’s inhabitants and turning some into horrific abominations beyond the limits of flesh and imagination. In fact, as you enter a pall falls over the group and there seems to be an ominous green glow emanating from somewhere out of sight…
The set contains:
The CD of the album VerminousA 24 page adventure booklet, with hand drawn artwork for items, enemies, maps, and page borders as well as tables for slime mutations and temporary insanity. A custom set of green dice, with a variation of the biohazard symbol on the ‘one’ face, (apart from the D4, where it is in the middle on each face.)A DM screen featuring artwork from the album’s cover Custom pre-generated character sheets for Sloan McCord, cleric; Dux Lefevre, wizard; Wagner Lionheart, fighter; Walker Garrotte, fighter; and Chance... -
Here’s a rundown of this episode:
00:30 + Dragons in human culture 01:58 + You Down With OG D&D? (Yeah You Know Me)04:34 + The Magazine That Bears Their Name08:22 + 2E Or Not 2E?10:40 + Close Encounters of the Third Edition Kind12:17 + May the Fourth Edition Be With You14:07 + State of Play 16:07 + Colour Me Chromatic20:04 + Metallics-a25:21 + The DracolichTotal runtime - 27:48
Further ReadingMonster Manual: 83-118
Linkshttps://dnd.wizards.com/articles/features/draco-historia- WotC on draconic history through the various editions
Here Be Dragons - Scientific American Blog Networkblogs.scientificamerican.com › observations › here-be-... - Scientific American on Dragon ubiquity
https://allthatsinteresting.com/dragon-legends- All That’s Interesting on Dragon legends
Episode TranscriptIn this, our first bonus episode, we’re talking about dragons.
Dragons are ubiquitous across human culture and no one really seems to know why. Studies of Vervet monkeys showed that they have an innate fear of lions, eagles and snakes. Add those together in the right ways and you could end up with something that looks like a dragon, so perhaps humanity’s obsession with the creatures is in part, evolutionary? Or perhaps the tales sprang from earlier times when we unearthed the fossilised remains of dinosaurs without the knowledge we have about them now? Those huge lizards seem primed for tales about gigantic flying beasts with preternatural powers, such as bringing rains or breathing fire. They permeate even into today’s pop culture too, with the Hobbit and Game of Thrones both displaying impressive versions. In antiquity they were features in the Chines, Greek and Moari cultures, amongst others. The Babylonians had a serpent diety-monster called Tiamat - a name which may be familiar to you, or will be by the end of this episode.
In the 1970’s the creatures made their way into a game that evolved from tabletop war-games into something more fantasy based, which provided an ideal home for these reptillian monstrosities…
So listen on, intrepid adventurer, but beware - for here be Dragons!
You down with OG D&D? (Yeah You Know Me)Originally there were six types of Dragons in D&D: Black, White, Blue, Green, Red, and Golden. Dragons took up pages 11-14 of the Monsters and Treasures booklet for OD&D. Considering that most monsters at the time warranted only a paragraph or two, it showed how important Dragons were to the game - they are in the title, after all.
In their original incarnation, dragons looked quite similar to their later and current versions. They already had set alignments - Golden dragons were lawful, while chromatic dragons were chaotic - and breath weapons that were different for each colour: Acid for black, cold for white, Chlorine gas for the greens, lightning for blues, fire for reds and either fire or gas for the golden. They also each inhabited unique terrains and represented different challenges for players of certain levels. Levels 5-7 would battle white dragons, 9-11 would face reds and 10-12 could fight golden dragons. They could also appear in different age groups, which defined their hit points and breath weapon damage.
One major difference with...
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Here’s a rundown of the episode:
00:45 - Heard Any Good Rumours Lately? News from the Planes.01:07 + Off To The Races: This episode features Halflings08:30 + You So Classy! This episode, we’re looking at Druids 18:12 + Background Check: The Sage21:16 + Monster Menagerie: Not Dragons22:04 + Lore Academy: The Harpers26:29 + The Infamous: Elminster AumarTotal runtime - 35:15
Sources & further reading:Halflings: PHB: 26-28; SCAG: 108-110; XGTE: Racial feats - 73-75, Names - 179
Druid: PHB: 64-69; SCAG: 126-127; XGTE: 21-26
The Harpers: SCAG: 54, 123, 127, 147
Linkshttps://i.redd.it/3pmztddrf0v11.jpg - 5E race size comparison chart
https://dnd.wizards.com/remote/freematerial- WotC free material for its Play at Home, Stay at Home campaign during Covid lockdown.
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Elminster_Aumar - FR wiki on Elminster
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elminster- Wikipedia on Elminster
https://dnd.wizards.com/dungeons-and-dragons/what-dd/heroes/elminster - WotC on Elminster
https://amzn.to/2K81xBH- Amazon’s list of Elminster novels, by Ed Greenwood (affiliate link)
https://dnd.wizards.com/dungeons-and-dragons/story/faction/harpers- WotC on the Harpers
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Harpers- FR wiki on the Harpers
https://syrinscape.com- Syrinscape tabletop audio
Episode TranscriptCold openWelcome to I Cast Pod, a D&D podcast about creating characters, taking chances, rolling dice and having fun. I’m Mike, your DM and guide to all things dungeonesque and dragon-y. In this episode, we’re talking about … Halflings, Harpers, Druids, Elminster - but not Dragons. Listen on to find out why.
Heard Any Good Rumours Lately?Stay at Home, Play at Home - free resources
Off to the RacesHalflingSmall in stature but large of heart, halflings enjoy a good meal, a blazing hearth, good drink and good conversation. Lovers of peace and home comforts, some halflings live in remote agricultural communities, while others, tempted by the wonders of new lands and new foods, form nomadic travelling societies, constantly moving in their caravan of covered wagons or boats, chasing the horizon.
Thought of by most other races as plucky, lucky and deft, The Halflings, or Hin, are nimble, and courageous - sometimes beyond their apparent means. Halfling tales are often peppered with lucky escapes and narrow squeaks.
Like Tolkien’s Hobbits, D&D halflings in general stand about 3ft tall, which makes them smaller than most other races, including Gnomes.
This, along with their stout nature, tends to make them… less than intimidating, for the most part, which has lead to them surviving for centuries by going either unnoticed, or at the very least appearing as no threat to anything else. Their complexion ranges from pale and ruddy, to tan and they usually sport brown or sandy brown wavy hair. Brown or hazel eyes are common and males often sport...
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Here’s a rundown of the episode:
00:59 - Heard Any Good Rumours Lately? News from the Planes01:10 - Off To The Races: This episode features the Elves09:06 - You So Classy! This episode, we’re looking at Clerics16:09 - Background Check: Sailor18:45 - Monster Menagerie: The Carrion Crawler21:50 - Playing Safe: How to play D&D online during lockdown25:42 - The Infamous: Minsc and Boo!Total runtime - 32:08
Sources & further reading:Elves: PHB: 21-25, SCAG: 105-108, XGTE: 176 (Names only)
Cleric: PHB: 56-63
PHB Appendix B: Gods of the Multiverse: PHB 293-299
SCAG: Clerics: 125-126
SCAG: Religion in the Realms: 19-20
SCAG: The Faerûnian Pantheon: 21-23
SCAG: The Gods of Faerûn: 23-41
SCAG: The Gods of Mulhorand: 41
XGTE: Cleric: 17-20
Sailor: PHB - 139
Carrion Crawler: MM - 37
Linkshttps://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Elf- Forgotten Realms Wiki on Elves.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Nightmare- John Henry Fuseli’s painting of The Nightmare, depicting a demon or incubus sitting on her chest as she sleeps, which almost certainly stemmed from folklore regarding elves.
https://dnd.wizards.com/remote- Wizards of the Coast on how to play D&D remotely.
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Carrion_crawlerForgotten Realms Wiki on the Carrion Crawler
How to Play D&D Online | Roll20 Tutorial - YouTubewww.youtube.com › watch - Roll20 How to play D&D online tutorial
How to play D&D online – and actually enjoy yourself ...www.techradar.com › how-to › how-to-play-dd-online-and-actually-e…- TechRadar’s take on how to play D&D online
New Player's Guide: How to Play D&D Online - Posts - D&D ...www.dndbeyond.com › posts › 750-new-players-guide-how-to-play-…- D&D Beyond’s guide to playing online
https://nerdist.com/article/how-to-play-dungeons-and-dragons-online/- Nerdist on playing online
https://www.dndtomb.com/how-to-play-dnd-online/- DnDTomb on playing online
https://dm-helper.itch.io/dm-helper- DM Helper software
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Here’s a rundown of the episode:
01:30 - Heard Any Good Rumours Lately? News from the Planes.01:57 - Off To The Races: This episode we discuss Dwarves.08:00 - You So Classy: Looking at the Bard class.13:33 - Background Check: Join the army! We check out the Soldier background.16.54 - Monster Menagerie: The nightmarish Beholder is this episode’s focus. Geddit? Focus!24:36 - Lore Academy: Ever wanted to tear a planet apart? We talk about The Sundering(s)27:00- The Infamous: The Drowse ranger Drizzt Do’UrdenTotal runtime: 32:37
Further readingDwarves: PHB: 18-20, SCAG:103-105, XGTE: 176 (Names only)
Bard: PHB: 51-55 SCAG:122-124 XGTE: 12-16
Soldier: PHB: 104-141
Beholder: MM: 26
Drizzt Do’Urden: PHB: 21 (illustration)
R. A. Salvatore’s novels (affiliate link) I recommend starting with Homeland, which is The legend of Drizzt, book 1: https://amzn.to/3a6xtSr
Linkshttps://discord.gg/g7HbME- the I cast pod Discord server. Come and chat with me!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WJHNxqXVWAA J Pickett on Dwarves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m73NN7_ETU - the Dungeon Dudes on Bards
https://geekandsundry.com/explore-the-unusual-history-of-the-beholders/Geek and Sundry on Beholders, including video by Mr. Rhexx.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CRIFPSIZbI&feature=emb_rel_pauseMr Rhexx, on Beholders
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Beholder- Forgotten Realms Wiki on Beholders
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beholder_(Dungeons_%26_Dragons)- Wikipedia on Beholders
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Large_LuigiForgotten Realms Wiki on Large Luigi.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bstyqFw3H8- Jorphdan on The Sundering
https://geekandsundry.com/who-the-heck-is-drizzt-dourden-one-of-dds-iconic-characters-explained/- Geek and Sundry’s Guide to Drizzt Do’Urden.
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Drizzt_Do%27Urden- The Forgotten Realms Wiki on Drizzt.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drizzt_Do%27UrdenWikipedia’s page on Drizzt.
Episode TranscriptCold openWelcome to I Cast Pod, a D&D podcast about creating characters, taking chances, rolling dice and having fun. I’m Mike, your DM and guide to all things dungeonesque and dragon-y.
I hope you’re all well and not too stir crazy for those of you that are self isolating and social distancing! Hopefully you’ve had some extra time...
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Here’s a rundown of the episode:
01:02 - Heard Any Good Rumours Lately? News from the Planes.04:23 - Off To The Races. This episode features the Dragonborn as its playable race to discuss.11:02 - You So Classy! This episode, we’re focussing on the Barbarian.17:36 - Background Check. Talking about the Urchin background and ways it can inform your roleplay of your character.19:28 - Monster Menagerie. Starting with the Aaron A. Aaronson of D&D Monsters - The Aarakocra.25:40 - Lore Academy. The Spellplague and its effects.29:41 - The Infamous. Legendary characters from Dungeons and Dragons. This episode, we learn about Tymora.Total runtime - 33:17.
Sources & further reading: DragonbornPHB: 32-34; SCAG: 112-114; XGTE: 74, (Racial feats,) 175-176 (Dragonborn names.)
BarbarianPHB: 141
XGTE: 8
SCAG: 121
Linksposter-barbarian-know-nothing-passion-rage-can-sunder-mountains-may-speak-passion-diydespaircom- Barbarian Quote
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c4/2c/40/c42c40f371f67ce113250a26f87d58fb.jpg - Barbarian quote 2
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Aarakocra- Aarakocra
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Syranita- Syranita, Patron God of Aarakocra.
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Akadi- Akadi, Queen of air.
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Aerdrie_Faenya - Aerdrie Faenya, Elven goddess of the Seldarine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk7Xcd4OyBI- AJ Pickett on Aarakocra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa9OyLmkSq8&t=134s- WebDM on Aarakocra (& Kenku)
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Spellplague- The Spellplague
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDyqSsJPIs4- Jorphdan on the Spellplague
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmYD-vyZv3U - Poohead189 (what a username!) on the Spellplague
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMSOYUaZcBo - Jorphdan on Tymora (First half of video is on Torm.)
Episode TranscriptCold openWelcome to I Cast Pod, a D&D podcast about creating characters, taking chances, rolling dice and having fun. I’m Mike, your DM and guide to all things dungeonesque and dragon-y. I’m excited about this episode as this marks the transition to how I think the show will be going forward. I wanted to do episode 1 & 2 as beginner episodes and the focus going forward will still be learning and have the beginner in mind - but I wanted to create all new sections to discuss things like playable races and classes, as well as famous NPC’s and characters from D&D, and loads of other good info. So let’s get...
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Welcome to the second episode of i cast pod, a podcast about Dungeons and Dragons! Every two weeks I’m going to be talking about various aspects of D&D, with plenty of tips and tricks to add flavour to your own roleplay sessions.
Here’s a rundown of the episode:
00:49 - What’s Involved? (In being a DM,.)1:38 - What Makes A Good DM?03:30 - What Makes A Bad DM?4:58 - Responsibilities6:14 - Session 08:40 - Rules You Should Know10:47 - House Rules11:42 - Homebrew Vs Pre-Built Campaign12:43 - Preparation Time13:14 - Maps & Minis Vs Theatre Of The Mind15:16 - Describing The Scene17:27 - Tools21:02 - Music & Ambient Sounds21:38 - NPC Tips22:41 - Designing Encounters & Scenarios23:23 - Monsters24:10 - Handling Awkward Players27:15 - It’s OK To Have To Look Things Up28:10 - The DM Screen & DM Magic29:53 - Reward Your Players30:39 - DM Guidelines31:41 : Wrap upTotal runtime: 32:42
Linkshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkVdb9Yr8fc05_VbAVfskCA- Matt Colville’s Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/user/wilwheaton - Will Wheaton’s Youtube channel
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/facilitatorCollins Dictionary definition of ‘Facilitator’.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/ D&D Beyond - online DM tools.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/sac/sage-advice-compendium#RulesReferences - The Sage Advice Compendium - loads of good DM rules stuff.
http://roll20.net/ - Roll20 online TTRPG playing site
https://www.fantasygrounds.com/home/home.php- Fantasy Grounds
https://dm-helper.itch.io/dm-helper- DM Helper
https://www.dndbeyond.com/encounter-builder - D&D Beyond Encounter Builder
Mapping:
https://inkarnate.com/Inkarnate - Browser based map maker
https://www.wonderdraft.netWonderdraft - Desktop based map maker
https://www.profantasy.com/products/cc3.aspCampaign Cartographer - Windows based map maker
https://azgaar.github.io/Fantasy-Map-Generator/ Azgaar - another browser based map maker. Links with:
https://watabou.itch.io/medieval-fantasy-city-generator Medieval Fantasy City Generator
Music/Sounds
https://syrinscape.com- Syrinscape
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Welcome to the first episode of I cast pod, a podcast about Dungeons and Dragons! Every two weeks I’m going to be talking about various aspects of D&D, with plenty of tips and tricks to add flavour to your own roleplay sessions.
Here’s a rundown of the first episode:
1.01: Intro to your host - I DM, but I’m no expert!2.09: News - D&D Video games, Comics, Books, Merch & movie news from around the web.4.43: What is D&D? 6.41: D&D Basics8.54: Three Aspects of Play:9.37: Exploration10.32: Roleplaying13.19: Combat17.51: Getting Started19.20: Don’t I Need to Know a Lot to Play, Like Lore, and Maths?20.10: Rolling Characters21.37: Choose a Race22.26: Choose a Class24.24: Choose Your Alignment25.57: Background26.26: Ability Scores29.38: Playing the Game30.43: Ability Checks33.20: Crits and Failures34:28: Advantage and Disadvantage34.59: CloseLinks from the show:
Free basic rules PDF - It even has a blank character sheet template near the end.
https://media.wizards.com/2018/dnd/downloads/DnD_BasicRules_2018.pdf
Free, prebuilt character sheets from the starter set
https://media.wizards.com/downloads/dnd/StarterSet_Characters.pdf_
Character sheet for people with Dyslexia
https://www.geeknative.com/70088/dd-character-sheets-for-players-with-dyslexia/
More character sheet variants for people with Dyslexia
https://www.dyslexic-charactersheets.com
A handy table to work out modifier scores from ability rolls:
[https://dnd5e.info/using-ability-scores/ability-scores-and-modifiers/ - Click on ‘Customisation options on the left, then “Ability Scores and Modifiers”]
SyrinScape Fantasy & Sci-Fi Sounds player: (Used for some awesome sound effects during the show,)
[https://store.syrinscape.com/what-is-syrinscape/?att_icastpod]
I also used Freesounds.org for a few effects:
https://freesound.org
All content is copyrighted respective their original creators unless otherwise stated.
Episode TranscriptCold OpenWelcome to I Cast Pod, a podcast about D&D. I’m Mike, your host, DM, and guide to all things dungeonesque and dragon-y. In our first episode, I’m going to be talking about what D&D is, and how to get started playing. We’ll cover D&D basics, game etiquette, the three aspects of play: Exploration, Role Playing, and Combat, Character Creation, Hits, Crits and more.
So if you have just dipped your toe into the deep, deep waters of D&D - perhaps by watching or listening to Critical Role, The Adventure Zone, Acquisitions Incorporated, or any of a number of live play streams or podcasts or seen it on TV shows such as Community, Stranger Things, or Rick and Morty - the latter two of which actually have official D&D modules available now to play - and thought D&D looks like fun; or maybe you played a little in your youth and want to get back into it; or maybe you’ve just always been D&D curious, but have never had the chance to get involved - then this episode is for you.
A Little About MeSo before we go any further, I figured I’d tell you a little bit about myself - in relation to D&D, so don’t worry, this won’t be my entire backstory!
I currently act as DM for a local group in my city that runs out of a cafe after hours. I have both played and DM’d in the past - but I’m no D&D expert. I have no degrees in Lore, my main playtime has been with 5th edition, which is the most recent version. I have a vague...
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A trailer for the upcoming podcast, "i Cast Pod!" A Dungeons and Dragons discussion show.
