Step 6 takes flight in Episode 44. We take a hard look at our first alternate step for Zealotry. Are wings broken in RPGs? We're about to find out. Citadel also gets its turn under the microscope, and we discover that it's already pretty good, but there's still plenty of room to improve. Show Notes: https://nerdyshow.com/2020/03/rpg-from-scratch-design-episode-44-stoopid-attacks Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Mar 30, 2020•40 min
The gang puts on their fancy new digs and their crummy old ones to ascend above the camp's formidable walls and deal with the team of skilled snipers who've been raining on their parade. It turns out to be both more and less dangerous than they feared! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 23, 2020•1 hr 36 min
In this episode, the mighty Doug joins Liam and Josh as we wade into Step 6, focusing on Death with a sprinkle of theology as we talk about the direction and purpose of Zealotry going forward. Thanks everyone for your patience! This one was released a little off-schedule, but after the 16th, we will be back to our regular release schedule as long as Covid 19 stays on the periphery. Show Notes: https://nerdyshow.com/rpg-from-scratch-design-43-hecka-dooms Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...
Mar 16, 2020•1 hr 20 min
The prisoners are freed, and there are no guards in sight, but they're still trapped in the fort and surrounded by enemies. Still hunting for their lost divining utensil, the gang storms the Larsan armory, ready to give them what-for, only to discover that a pair of monstrous meanies beat them to the punch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 24, 2020•1 hr 18 min
Liam and Josh dig into the value of names in Game Design. We also discuss problems caused by Cookie Cutter Builds in RPG systems and try to build our own optimized 2 and 3-man parties to see if we always come to the same conclusions. Flame Orbs gets a total overhaul. Is it too good now? Let us know! Show Notes: https://nerdyshow.com/2020/02/rpg-from-scratch-design-episode-42-flame-war Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Feb 17, 2020•48 min
The gang seizes the moment and goes full Thin Lizzy on the Larsan fort and take advantage of the confusion. They decide that more prisoners should be released, if not for the sake of pure compassion, then for their outspoken commitment to chaos. In so doing, they meet a familiar voice... and then his face. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 10, 2020•1 hr 12 min
Liam, Josh, and Maxx throw down on some of the most common GM'ing questions. How do you do loot? Skill checks? What about huge differences in power between player characters? Most importantly, how do you make a good villain? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 04, 2020•40 min
The gang finally ventures outside the city proper and enmesh themselves in the vibrant and honest lives of the rural peoples of the land. Though they be strange of speech and impressively aromatic, they adapt quickly enough to land a 17-course meal of sauerkraut and ADVENTURE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 27, 2020•1 hr 27 min
Liam and Josh review what benefits and limitations that going barehanded as a mage means in our system, as well as setting a roadmap for all of our Zealots in the future. We also end up creating a few items that will drive more dastardly characters to salivate. Show Notes: https://nerdyshow.com/2020/01/rpg-from-scratch-design-episode-40-jazz-hands Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 20, 2020•39 min
Flummoxed and frustrated by the consequences that starting a city-wide riot has caused, the gang goes on a search for Stitto and revisits their priorities now that their timeline has accelerated. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 13, 2020•1 hr 16 min
Maxx, Liam, and Josh talk about where the Paths are headed now that we're at the halfway point of their development. Should they have followers? New game mechanics? How powerful should you expect to be at Step 10? What level would John Wick be? Show Notes: https://nerdyshow.com/2020/01/rpg-from-scratch-design-episode-39-volcano-girls Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 06, 2020•31 min
Is a riot the perfect opportunity to investigate a murder? What about the disappearance of Gaylene? No time to dwell on it. Paz needs intel, and she needs it before the city tears itself apart. Join the gang as they make some risky, and frankly irresponsible, plays trying to control the damage they've unleashed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 30, 2019•1 hr 18 min
Stealth. What is it? Where is it? Oh, you must have succeeded your check. Also, what kind of technology is normal for our world, and what does that mean for our mechanics? We also take a hard look at a perennial foe that could possibly take the place of Undead. https://nerdyshow.com/2019/12/rpg-from-scratch-design-episode-38-marked-for-death Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 23, 2019•42 min
Liam and Josh review the much-anticipated and hyped D&D 5E supplement "Strongholds & Followers" by Matthew Colville and MCDM Productions. Show notes: https://nerdyshow.com/2019/12/rpgfs_strongholds_and_followers/ You can find the book in hardcover or PDF at https://shop.mcdmproductions.com/products/strongholds-followers-hardcover-pdf Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Dec 18, 2019•22 min
The gang bucks expectations and decides to get ahead of the upcoming discord by inciting the riot themselves! They get a full tour of the city with a gang of Skimmer Hooligans while they chase down Ajax and contend with Talon, his terrifyingly competent bodyguard. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 16, 2019•1 hr 40 min
Liam and Josh dig deep into intimidation, diplomacy and bluff to figure out exactly how all of you are going to swindle NPCs out of everything they own and love. We also throw some real world diseases into the mix with some sick rules. Show Notes: https://nerdyshow.com/2019/12/rpg-from-scratch-design-episode-37-the-triple-threat Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 09, 2019•41 min
Our world gets a new team sport, and it's all the rage. Preceeding the big game, despite the city's typical brand of danger, it is overcome with love and good cheer for the away team. Excited to get to work, but more excited for the upcoming event, the gang recruits Obed and a volatile fan-favorite to aid them in the search for Larsan influence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 02, 2019•1 hr 27 min
In this quick one, Liam and Josh add some exoticism to our world by naming regions and their respective languages. We also talk about the validity of Initiative and Battle Order and how they pertain to our game, and discuss the problems for GMs who prefer to go gridless. Show Notes: https://nerdyshow.com/2019/11/rpg-from-scratch-design-episode-36-prying-open-my-minds-eye Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Nov 25, 2019•43 min
In this episode, the gang meets their handler and argues back and forth about which mission makes the most sense for them. Uncertain, they decide to hit the town to celebrate landing a 3-job deal before coming to a decision. Show Notes: https://nerdyshow.com/2019/11/leyliners002 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 18, 2019•1 hr 35 min
Our setting lacks obvious protagonists, so we create a few. Are you more at home in a continent-spanning adventurer's guild? How about an ancient order of ascetics that has the trust of the people? No, you want to skulk through the city as a spy with a heart of gold! Whatever you or your players fancy, we've got the plot hooks to land 'em. Show Notes: https://nerdyshow.com/2019/11/rpg-from-scratch-design-episode-35-whos-the-good-guy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Nov 11, 2019•50 min
The debut episode of our new Actual Play show, where a group of Anthropomorphic Scoundrels adventure and scheme in Earth's far-flung post-post-apocalyptic future. Follow the gang as they adventure and scheme in a violent and vibrant bay city full of listener-created characters living interwoven lives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 04, 2019•1 hr 49 min
The gang wraps up Step 5 by polishing off Death, Command, Fire, and Champion! We also create a new undersea villain to plague all of your oceanic aspirations! Show Notes: https://nerdyshow.com/2019/10/rpg-from-scratch-design-episode-34-ol-stumpy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 28, 2019•49 min
The story of Snarfs and Marshals goes out in a blaze of glory. Who brought the ships to the harbor? Where is the Sub-Governor? DOES Whitsnarf have a fire marshal? All is answered in the stunning conclusion of Gloomtown! Show Notes: https://nerdyshow.com/2019/10/rpg-from-scratch-gloomtown-07-battlefield-promotions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 21, 2019•1 hr 10 min
Josh and Maxx talk about what can be done to help first-time GMs deal with planning combat encounters, generic enemies, and we round out the edges of Step 5 Zealotry, Ice, and Marksman! Show Notes: https://nerdyshow.com/2019/10/rpg-from-scratch-design-episode-33-planting-the-zealot-tree Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 14, 2019•41 min
The gang gets right up in the meat of the issue and all is revealed as every possible bit of excrement strikes the turbines. They deal with the supposed mutiny of their own fire Marshall and the very real mutiny of the Sub Governor's forces. Show Notes: https://nerdyshow.com/2019/10/rpg-from-scratch-gloomtown-06-four-cutthroats-on-heirloom-boats Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 07, 2019•1 hr 8 min
In this episode, we refine what's at the core of Marksmam before diving DEEP into Step 5. We tackle Citdadel, Marksman, and then show our clear favoritism for Radiance and support classes in general. Show Notes: https://nerdyshow.com/2019/09/rpg-from-scratch-design-ep-32-the-5-steps-of-the-magical-method Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 30, 2019•58 min
The gang discovers a major conspiracy and gets frickin' ROWDY in the lakeborne town of Catchsnarf and try not to burn the whole place down in the process, ignorning every temptation. Show Notes: https://nerdyshow.com/2019/09/rpg-from-scratch-gloomtown-05-there-house Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 23, 2019•32 min
Liam and Josh fix Professions in our Artifacts game and completely destroy Marksman, but worry not, adventurers. We can rebuild him. We can make him better. Stronger. Faster. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 16, 2019•39 min
Speaking with the Emperor's authority, the gang plows through every level of false bureaucrat determined to impede their progress towards the center of the sickness plaguing the Snarftowns, discovering innovations heretofore unheard of by mortal men... but just barely. Show Notes: https://nerdyshow.com/rpg-from-scratch-gloomtown-04-fire-marshal-arts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 09, 2019•58 min
We discuss new ways to level up and introduce a host of new artifacts into the world of our game. Need a really bad flashlight? How about a fanny pack? We've got you covered! Show notes: https://nerdyshow.com/2019/08/rpg-from-scratch-design-episode-30-secret-level Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 02, 2019•49 min
