RPGBOT.Podcast

On this RPGBOT.Podcast, we look at Drow in Dungeons and Dragons. We dig ino the real-world history of Drow, then look at how we can use Drow in our games in a way that makes them scary antagonist without dipping into problematic tropes.

If you’ve enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, and rate us on Spotify or your favorite podcast app. It’s a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners.

MATERIALS REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE

• RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes
• How to Defend Your Lair with Keith Ammann – RPGBOT.Masterclass S2E95
• How to Defend Your Lair with Keith Ammann – RPGBOT.Masterclass S2E95
• Other Stuff
• Drow of the Underdark (3.5) (affiliate link)
• MOAR The Monsters Know What They’re Doing (affiliate link)
• The Monsters Know What They’re Doing (affiliate link)

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss variant rules. We examine the difference between house rules and variants, and review a collection of our favorite variant rules for DnD 5e and for Pathfinder 2e and debate which ones you should or should not use and why.

This episode was originally release January 5th, 2022

MATERIALS REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE

• Articles on RPGBOT.net
• The Fundamental Math of Character Optimization
• Oops All Elves
• The Monsterizer
• DnD 5e
• Dungeon Master’s Guide (affiliate link)
• Chapter 8 under Adjudicating Area Effects
• Chapter 9 under Resting and under Combat Options
• Pathfinder 2e:
• Gamemastery Guide
• Chapter 4
• https://2e.aonprd.com/Rules.aspx?ID=1297
• Other Stuff
• DnDBeyond Campaign Level Spread Chart – Taken from a video in 2019, so may be outdated

You can find more information at https://rpgbot.net/ - Analysis, tools, and instructional articles for tabletop RPGs.

If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It’s a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners.

If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings.

Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ

How to Find Us:

In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net

Tyler Kamstra

• Twitter: @RPGBOTDOTNET
• Facebook: rpgbotbotdotnet
• Bluesky:rpgbot.bsky.social

Ash Ely

• Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games
• Twitter: @GravenAshes
• YouTube@ashravenmedia

Randall James

• @JackAmateur
• Amateurjack.com

Producer Dan

• @Lzr_illuminati

In our latest episode, we take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey of Season 4 of the RPGBOT.Podcast. From unforgettable experiences to engaging with YOU, our amazing listeners, this season has been an adventure worth celebrating. We share personal anecdotes, express our heartfelt gratitude for your support, and offer exciting glimpses into what’s next as we prepare for Season 5. Join us as we look back on four years of epic storytelling, laughter, and growth—and get ready to roll into the future together.

Welcome, weary adventurers, to another celestial installment of the RPGBOT.Podcast! In this episode, our hosts take a divine deep dive into the luminous layers of Mount Celestia, the lawful good paradise of the D&D multiverse, where angelic beings reign supreme, the paperwork never stops, and even heaven has a dress code.

• 2014 Dungeon Master’s Guide (affiliate link)
• 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide (affiliate link)
• Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes (affiliate link)
• Forgotten Realms Wiki - Celestia
• The Roof is on Fire
• The Bad Touch

Prepare for an unholy amount of lawful good as our hosts grapple with questions like:

• Is Mount Celestia just an exclusive afterlife country club? The ultimate "gated community," where only the most virtuous souls get a keycard and an HOA compliance form.
• Do Celestials ever take a break? Or are they stuck in an eternal grind to keep their goodness rating at a solid 10/10?
• Why does the seventh layer feel like the VIP lounge of the cosmos? No one comes back to tell the tale—are they ascending to ultimate bliss or just getting locked in divine HR meetings forever?
• Is Bahamut’s realm the fantasy equivalent of an armored Renaissance Faire? A blend of knightly virtue, dragon-sized bureaucracy, and the world's most rigid chivalry standards.
• What’s with the mysterious black domes? Are they heavenly zen gardens or celestial prisons? And why do they sound like the plot of a horror movie?

The discussion takes unexpected turns as the hosts compare D&D’s Mount Celestia with Pathfinder’s Heaven, exploring celestial beings, alignment shenanigans, and the sheer logistics of running a flawless divine realm (spoiler: it’s harder than it looks). From beachfront property in the first layer to the moral implications of ascending through good deeds, the conversation proves that even perfection has a few cracks.

But wait, there’s more!

• Comedic interludes featuring celestial court jesters, the trials of divine pronunciation (is it Pay-lore or Pah-lore?), and the baffling existence of heavenly bouncers.
• A light roasting of the celestial bureaucracy, because even angels probably have to fill out divine TPS reports.
• A deep-dive into morality, questioning whether lawful good is just neutral good with extra paperwork.

Celestia might be a beacon of goodness, but our hosts aren’t convinced it’s the paradise it claims to be. Between the divine bureaucracy, alignment gatekeeping, and oddly exclusive policies, they make a compelling case for why sometimes, chaotic neutral might be the way to go.

Tune in to this hilariously insightful episode where philosophy meets comedy, and the afterlife gets a much-needed reality check!

If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It’s a quic...

"Crunchy rules or simple vibes? Political intrigue or straight-up dungeon brawls? Survival in a dying world or low-power fantasy feels?"

The latest RPGBOT.Podcast dives into everything you love (and fear) about tabletop RPGs that aren't D&D or Pathfinder. From decision trees to help you find your perfect game match, to the storytelling magic of Powered by the Apocalypse, and the chaotic survival of Mork Borg, there's something for everyone if you're willing to look past what you already know.

Tune in if you’ve ever wondered, "Is my game too crunchy, or am I just lazy?"

Summary

In this episode, the hosts take a deep dive into the diverse landscape of tabletop RPGs, offering a wealth of insights into various systems, mechanics, and themes. They introduce the concept of decision trees, a practical tool to help players identify RPGs that align with their preferences. The discussion covers the spectrum of complexity, from the intricate 'crunch' of detailed systems to the simplicity of more streamlined games.

Key highlights include:

• The Cypher System and Genesis: An exploration of these versatile systems, focusing on their mechanics and adaptability to different genres.
• Powered by the Apocalypse Framework: A look at its elegant simplicity and flexibility, making it an excellent choice for narrative-driven campaigns.
• Legend of the Five Rings vs. Adventures in Rokugan: A comparison of political intrigue-focused gameplay with combat-centric mechanics, illustrating the range of experiences within fantasy RPGs.
• Mörk Borg: An examination of its dark, nihilistic themes, where traditional heroism gives way to survival in a grim and decaying world.

The conversation also ventures into niche areas, such as the unique storytelling potential of solo RPGs, and highlights specific systems like Numenera, with its futuristic exploration themes, and One Ring 2E, celebrated for its low-power fantasy and rich Tolkien-inspired lore. The hosts emphasize the importance of understanding a game's mechanics and setting realistic expectations to maximize the enjoyment of any RPG experience.

Links

• Almost everything below is an affiliate link and Tyler doesn’t want to copy+paste this a zillion times
• Achtung Cthulhu
• Adventures in Rokugan
• Alien RPG
• ALIEN RPG - A review
• ALIEN RPG: Cinematic Scenario Cycle Review
• ALIEN RPG - RPGBOT.News S2E34
• All Flesh Must Be Eaten
• Apocalypse World
• Battletech
• Bladerunner
• Call of Cthulhu
• Candela Obscura
• Colostle
• CY_BORG
• Cyberpunk Red
• Cypher Core Rulebook
• Death in Space
• Death in Space – A review
• Delta Green
• Doctor Who RPG
• Doctors and Daleks
• FFG Star Wars
• Fallout RPG
• Forbidden Lands
• Genesys Core Rulebook
• Imperium Maledictum
• Warhammer 40000 Roleplay: Imperium Maledictum - A Review
• Legend of the Five Rings
• Lord of the Rings Roleplay 5e
• Marvel Multiverse RPG
• Masks
• Mork Borg
• Mörk Borg - A R...