I don't know anything about this man but he looks like the most respectable Dungeon Master I've ever seen.

@raccoon0413

4 жыл бұрын

he looks like a professor, doesn't he

@flamesofhellstudio

4 жыл бұрын

He looks like a lawyer. So he fits in with D&D. Because he can be a rules lawyer. Take rule breakers to rules court, and get them convicted of rules crimes, and sentenced to rules jail

@k-aw-teksleepysageuni8181

4 жыл бұрын

He plays with mostly women, so I'd imagine he must be GREAT.

@drowningin

4 жыл бұрын

You haven't seen him in cosplay. It's a totally different story

@JohnSmith-ox3gy

4 жыл бұрын

Do you want this man to rule over FATE and the LAWS OF PHYSICS?

Two words: Robert Howard. Read his stories. He is the best I know in describing an entire city or a battle with only a few sentences. Much more effective than bloated text.

@haveswordwilltravel

4 жыл бұрын

R.E.H. was a genius.

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

4 жыл бұрын

YES! Howard will be mentioned in my follow-up video on describing combat.

@markgarrett7428

4 жыл бұрын

Any specific works you'd suggest?

@GreekGeek73

4 жыл бұрын

All of his work is amazing. Start with Conan. But the description of Stygia in Hour of the Dragon is the best description of a city ever. Two or three sentences, and the city springs to mind.

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

4 жыл бұрын

@@markgarrett7428 "Tower of the Elephant" and "Red Nails"

When DMing, I bend the rules to what works for our group, so mechanical videos don't help as much, but these RP/flavor videos help a ton. Thanks, DC!

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

4 жыл бұрын

Share it. I'll do more if it gets views.

"Barbarian of Seville," he says with smooth transition.

@catfishcave379

4 жыл бұрын

I laughed and laughed at that reference.

@trouqe

4 жыл бұрын

@@catfishcave379 I think I may have to use this in my game now

@thor30013

4 жыл бұрын

@@catfishcave379 I was more amused by him referring to them as "discriminating" adventurers rather than "discerning" adventurers. Even if it was a slip of the tongue, It's funny.

@johnjaeger2968

4 жыл бұрын

@@thor30013 it wasn't a slip of the tongue. That has just beaten up a tobaxi couple in a most hateful manner

I love this, but would humbly suggest one important took, the leading question. I often have quirky thinking out of the box players who often have unexpected ideas, so I use the leading question to tell them, "I wasn't planning a stop here, but what about you?". So, for example at the door to the inn, I would say " so you go inside?" And a quick nod and we continue, but it gives the players a chance to jump in and take an action.

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

4 жыл бұрын

Great suggestions!

Not sure why KZread randomly gave me this video from over 15 months ago, but I highly appreciate it.

@nhear001

Ай бұрын

I know why it does, but regardless it’s a great video.

When you stop and said we can imagine the "large mahogany desk and frills around his collar" I thought damn NOW I see it...now I FEEL it too" which added the next level immersion that makes RPGs so great. I think you're cutting yourself short. Spending 10 seconds instead of 30 is fine but dropping it down to 3 seconds helps no one.

@JorisVDC

4 жыл бұрын

I get what you mean, this is to make it clear that you don't have to tell all the details. Players can ask, if what they imagine is how it is. Like 'is he a fat balding man, with opulent rings on all fingers?' Like this it becomes a co-operative story telling, which makes it all that more fun. Players are more involved and the DM can be inspired by the players and say: "Yes and...." which is the crucial sentence in improvisation.

@JohnSmith-ox3gy

4 жыл бұрын

I really wanted to know what rings he had on his hands. Seal, mark of a guild, bling or perhaps he is married. Hands tell alot about people.

@thebeatles9

3 жыл бұрын

describe objects and decor that wpuld help amplify the persona of the npc you are encountering

@wonder_platypus8337

3 жыл бұрын

Exactly. Like with the thief stealing the letter. If you just say they either successfully stole it or got caught you're taking away so many rp moments. Maybe they rummage through every desk and find a few gold pieces that they wouldn't have otherwise. Or a guard making there rounds forces the player to hide in an room or under a desk. Maybe they sneak around and incapacitate the guard before getting the hell out of there with the letter. No details don't have to be overwhelming but turning what could be a character defining moment into a 5 second dice role robs your player a chance to embody their characters. What if that guard caught the player and they had to kill or injurer them which the character feels immense guilt over because he was just a guard trying to feed his family. In my opinion Large plot points can be more easily railroaded than individual encounters or situations. If a player feels that they have control of their character moment by moment. They wont think twice about the story being more directed. (If that's required)

@brendanmcmannis3334

Жыл бұрын

@Paul Gauthier lol no they fucking wont

Your third point is the problem I've been stuck on that NO-ONE else I've found has seemed to address, thank you so so much!!

I am guilty of over-describing things. I really needed to hear this advice. Thanks Professor.

I love all of professor dungeon master’s videos!

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

4 ай бұрын

This is one of the better ones.

if my players asked for the reader digest version of the city I would pause take a sip of tea and proceed to describe how the city looks as the Roc swoops in and carried off his character evicerating it over the spiraling towers, his blood striking red atop the terracotta tiles of the rooves that overhang the sleepy cobbled streats that wind with serpentine sugjestion across the primordial slopes of the hillside, his pancreas carried off by one of the city's many stray dogs that go unnoticed by those with eyes for the higher concerns and profits of man.

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

3 жыл бұрын

+200xp. I'm literally doubled over with laughter. Showing my wife this. She was there for that game.

Very important video! thank you!

You're "crazy guy" minimalistic custom rules are what makes you unique! It's why I subscribed. Keep up the good work.

Great vid as always Dan. You've definitely helped me up my DMing skills and I've been playing since '78.

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

4 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Thanks for commenting!

@taintedplaces6913

4 жыл бұрын

He has a name?!

I regularly play in a VampireThe Masquerade game where we only have 3 players. Our Storyteller (DM), describes the flow just as the Professor describes here. We roll no dice in our games, save a few for very rare combat encounters and the story moves almost like a play or book. A brilliant video for beginners and experienced players alike. This should always come before UDTs and worries about initiative.

This has been the most helpful DnD video I have seen on KZread so far. It demonstrates the art of how to be more clear and concise. I’ve enjoyed immensely. Thank you!

@tonyc1036

3 жыл бұрын

This. I wanted to say this same thing. Over. And. Over. It's perfect. Thanks

Great stuff as usual. Spending all the time and planning effort to burgle the office is something some groups really enjoy, but it's always good to be aware that as a GM you don't have to use all that detail and spend all that time if you don't want to or the pace of the game would suffer. Some great tidbits about emphasis, focus, and giving players enough info to engage with the world and not be lost, too.

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for taking the time to comment!

Excellent video! I've GM'd for over 2o years and I still struggle with this. Great ideas!

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

4 жыл бұрын

It isn't easy. Thanks for commenting!

I've been writing simple descriptive key words in my game notes to remind me. It helps lighten the prep but keep the game flavorful.

"The guy that says you can play D&D without initiative?" Whaaaaaaaaaat I already love it and I need to know more.

@benjamindavis2475

6 ай бұрын

Initiative is only necessary when two characters are trying to do competing things at the same time. If you're both trying to stab each other, initiative decides who strikes first. But if you're stabbing a sleeping enemy, you just do it, no rolls necessary

This was excellent food for thought. I especially like the way he presents his case then closes with the mention of railroading which is the one accusation against this style. This was definitely a good way to spend ten minutes. Thank you.

To be fair, having to make a Spot Hidden roll to find your luggage is totally legit.

@LoneDiceGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Was looking for this comment! Haha!

Looks great! I’m watching it right now! You’ve just mentioned my favourite scenario and the first game I ever GMed “Shadows Over Bogenhafen” I really could have done with Dan’s tutorage as I was a teenager and wasn’t at all ready or prepared for what the players would eventually do. Their clever patient sleuthing in an instant turned into a murderous rampage when one of the players received severe injuries. They located the doctor’s house and started beating down the doctor’s door at like 4 in the morning. He grabbed a blunderbuss to defend himself but before any dialogue could be made one of the PCs shoot him between the eyes with a crossbow. All of a sudden even the quietest most reasonable players began acting like a gang of wild gorillas. Absolutely brilliant memories of playing it but I was personally devastated with how the investigation ended. They were massacred to a man by the local authorities aided by a large crazed posse who felt more than aggrieved at losing their only doctor.

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

4 жыл бұрын

Then the cult ritual went off and the town was decimated. Grim and perilous indeed.

@JD77ATH

4 жыл бұрын

Dungeon Craft Do you know I never even thought about the ultimate consequences of their failure. Almost thirty years of feeling bad about the outcome but never spared a single thought for the poor citizens of the Empire. Now I have another reason for feeling crap about it 😂

great advise. And I love playing with no initiative and I love even more the "everyone declares" and attacks and rolls at the time.

I think alot of D&D channels are about to get real popular with the new D&D movie coming out.

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

Жыл бұрын

We'll see. the B.O. is tracking lower.

Really is a brilliant invaluable video for bringing precise attention to those roleplaying moments where you can have blank faced PCs looking at you not knowing exactly how to respond to your, “So what do you do?”

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for commenting!

@JD77ATH

4 жыл бұрын

Dungeon Craft You’re so welcome. Thank you for making the best D&D videos I’ve ever watched

I'm normally self-conscious about listing my players' options because I don't want to railroad in my sandbox, but the James Bond example showed me how to do so. I'm definitely going to be returning to this

Had to revisit this episode several times which means it’s excellent, I’ve been able to cut a swath of time out of my narrative and focus on the good bits…thank you Prof. DM.

such a good vid, i keep coming back to watch it between almost every session!

Shadows Over Bogenhafen... A Master Classic. Well played, sir.

I so enjoy using your information to better our gaming campaigns. Thanks for all the ways you've improved our gaming and the fun we have while playing

Huh, interesting. I really like deep description of rooms if my character is looking around, or sneaking in. It really helps me create the room in my head, and see things I can use. For example, how can I say that I will pull the bookshelf down against an enemy if the DM didn't say there was one there? And I noticed that as a DM, I do overdetail a lot. I never had any player complain about it though. I guess it depends from table to table.

Suggesting the players options of what they could or should do through clever narration is truly helpful. Not only does it engage them more, but also keep ups the pace excellently. Especially for newer players; I can tell from my experience with my current group. 😊

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching and taking the time to share a comment!

Another thoughtful video. I appreciate your videos because you do a great job presenting both the “why” of your techniques as well as the “how”.

Thanks for another quality video. Your channel is definitely one of the best D&D channels out there. Looking forward to your next one!

Honestly love watching this channel to help with my role playing and story telling aspect of the game he really knows how to weave a wonderful tale!

I run on Thursdays, the days you upload, so it's always a race to see if I can inpliment the latest lessons into my session that gonna happen in a few hours! Love the content!

I think point 1 at least partially explains why my players seem slightly more engaged when I'm flying by the seat of my pants than when I'm sticking with the module I'm running. Because I have less planned and memorized, I tend to be more concise and stick with the few details that stick out to me, which for the size and temperament of the group I have, is probably a good thing. Guess it's time to look at how I can be more concise and engaging with all that prewritten stuff.

@theConcernedWyvern

Жыл бұрын

I'm a dm but as a player I loathed the descriptions in modules. I'd much prefer a short, concise description of 1-2 sentences and either answer player questions or Pepper in more detail as they explore/fight/interact, etc.

Incredibly helpful. As a DM that started quite recently guiding the party has been difficult. This is gonna help me to guide the party better. Thank you!

Great video. Was really looking forward to this one. Good advice, and am glad you spoke for the many DM's that are in denial. I agree. So many are great on advice and talk, but when it comes to seeing them in action it's as if they've forgotten everything they preach about. I think this an important subject that doesn't get talked about enough when as you say "move the game forward". Loved it, keep the great content coming. Cheers!!

PDM is the best. Whoever told you to create this channel, must be a genius. You should totally always listen to that person.

@eonhet7826

4 жыл бұрын

Would that have been... You, per chance?

@kerryoleary-spillane2689

4 жыл бұрын

Perhaps, rabbit...perhaps.

Your pathfinder goblin behind your shoulder is adorable

A navy blue-feathered arrow pierces Gimble's chest like a piece of paper. He tumbles onto the cobblestone road from the caravan, "Protect the duchess! But above all else, protect the cargo!" You see red eyes glowing in the trees as wolf-like roar booms from the rosewood leaves. I think you just helped me solve my description problem. I use to do this thing where I would use figures of speech all the time, and man - let me tell you - it was draining. :) Thank you so much!

Can not express how great this video is in making any RPG run smoother. Such a simple set of ideas that I am going to be kicking myself for not thinking of them 35 years ago.

This is a phenomenal video for me as a new dm with new players!!!! Thank you for taking the time to make this

Exceptional advice. I think this has helped me identify what causes me to struggle with pacing. Asking 'what do you do?' too soon, not 'Leading the Players' by presenting logical, dramatic options quick enough or failing to move the camera to where the real action is what kills my momentum the most.

Thank you sir, experience is knowledge. You did this consciously. This video deserves all thumbs up!

Move the camera... "After you searched the KZread finding one verbose guide after another, exhausted from cat video distractions, and the keys on your computer worn from use, you finally find a source of valuable tips presented concisely. He has no gimmicks but his directions are precise and intentional." THANK YOU!

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Mike. I spend a lot of time writing these and I'm grateful people appreciate the effort!

Excellent video. I haven't seen anyone else talking about this. Extremely well done.

Really nice summary. I do struggle sometimes not with being over descriptive but certainly not "moving the camera" enough. And I was aware of it, but at the same time was afraid to give them the feeling that I am controlling them. The examples you gave however really show that the storytelling has the solution :) pretty awesome! Subscribed!

To paraphrase some of the best advice from PDM and many others... Find out what your players like and spend your time on that. ... Role playing, roll playing, cinematic combat, shopping, grinding dungeon combat, 15th Century Venetian business law, etc.

I needed to listen to this a few days ago - top content! Good job.

I love all of your videos. But by far this is the best DMing advice I ever got.

This video has helped me sooooo much. You really do have max wisdom

Another fantastic episode. All the tips you provide are valuable in my campaign build.

Good stuff for old and new DM's! Player since 1980, DM since 1983. New subscriber since 30 seconds ago.

That was some of the best advice I've heard about narration. Thank you

I love all these videos! I feel like I should have been taking notes 20 videos ago but I just keep forgetting to bring a pen.

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

3 жыл бұрын

Lol. That's okay. Just watch them again from a different device so it feeds the algorithm!

Really good lesson in this vid as I am new DM and that last bit of information to help out unknowing new players with high proficiencies was a game changer.

Hey I just started to DM and your advice really helped me. I enjoy playing more because of your channel. Thank you

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

2 жыл бұрын

You’re very welcome!

Man this was just what I was looking for! For me this has been the most difficult and crucial part for me as a new dm

Such good advice. There is nothing left to say except, thank you.

I had an issue with over describing in my Dungeon World campaign and this video helped me out a lot. Shared!

I used to be a DM, now I work in art/game dev, and I have a small suggestion that could probably help. Try to advertise/market the channel towards worldbuilders and novel writers as well as D&D GM. I found it extremely helpful to look at D&D tips to help me get back into swing of proper storytelling within the script for my game, and I truly think you should add "storytelling/writing/worldbuilding advice" as a legit tag/description part. I hope your channel grows well and I'm on board to see what else you've got to share!

These tips are so important, one of the biggest problems in many games is the "What do you do?" When there is no choice to be made: "On your way to the village of Barovia, you come along a fork in the road. A sign says the road to the left leads to Barovia. What do you do?" or the "There's three tunnels, which one do you take?". Being clueless towards the difference between choices or one choice being obviously optimal is really boring. I think it comes from the fear of railroading, where games become too much of a sandbox. Giving the players information and a goal is not railroading.

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

3 жыл бұрын

RIGHT! I just wrapped an episode where I talk about objectives. It will air in October. It's called "What James Bond Films Can Teach About D&D"". Watch for it.

This video was great! Very informative and well delivered, thank you!

Articulating what most GM's FEEL, but never put into words. Excellent way to pass down that skill set. Thank you!

@brendanmcmannis3334

Жыл бұрын

ewwwwww

This was an amazing video, it would make the next steps in the game much easier to figure out. I'm excited to run my first campaign and I will definitely use this!

Thank you. Great advice. I've been trying to run a campaign with players new to gaming and they're often lost and reluctant about taking action. This advice will definitely help keep the flow of the game.

Great vid! I'm going to use this method because I definitely fall into the over describing trap.

As a DM, I found this super helpful, and honestly was exactly what I needed to hear! Thanks!

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

4 жыл бұрын

Stay tuned. How to describe combat drops in a couple weeks.

This video is pure value! Thank you for the funny examples.

This is some of your best advice to date. Love it.

Clear, concise, and very helpful. Thanks prof.!

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Great episode as always, Professor!

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

One of the most helpful videos I’ve seen. Thanks Prof.

KZread has absolutely REFUSED to let me miss this video.

I often use physical pictures. If players are traveling between to places, I'll look at the terrain and get a couple of real world pictures or drawings of mountains, a lake, a middle-ages town, etc. I don't show the players these, but I describe them as they travel or reach the town. The advantages are... you don't need to pre-write or read at the session a half-page of box text, you can dynamically decide how much detail to give (if they ask a question about the lake you can keep giving more details form the picture), it comes across as realistic (since it is), it is quicker to google pictures of mountains than write up box text, etc.

I've just started playing 5e as the DM with my kids. This was really helpful for me. Thanks!

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching and taking the extra time to comment!

Always appreciate your good work and insight! Keep it up! :D

I used to include the historical detail of various places, thinking I was adding to the depth and immersion. It turned out that I was the only one who was interested. So now, even if the history of an object is important to the plot,I share just that one bit of history and no more. It's definitely about what the players want to focus on.

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

As always, sound advice from the Professor. Will share this video to my Universitys DM's group!

This is a great video, I have watched it twice and plan to watch is another time at least until I feel like I have really absorbed the material. Thank you!!

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Scott! Working on a "How to Narrate Combat" video now. Stay tuned!

I do agree with most of what you present. However, it depends on the type of game IMO. A bit more description may be needed to draw the PC's into the world. But I do agree that every single thing in a room is unnecessary to point out. As a rule I would describe a room with 1. What can be seen immediately as you enter it. 2. Any smells or temperature, and 3. Any sounds if any. For example a cave. 1.2.and 3. "Rough hewn walls extend beyond the torchlight down the length of the cave. The damp smell and humid air is punctuated with the constant drips of water in the distance." Or a different cave might sound like. "The slick icy walls of the cave seem to have a life of its own as the howling winds call out like a warning. The frost from your own breath is more pronounced as you enter." or "Bones litter the entrance of the cave and as you enter the smell or rotting flesh hits you like wave on the shore." I would recommend using 2 or 3 of your senses when describing anything. Sight, Sound, Smell, Touch, even Taste if it makes sense to do so.

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

4 жыл бұрын

Great advice!

@joesgotmore

4 жыл бұрын

@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 Thank you. Really love your videos.

@benvoliothefirst

4 жыл бұрын

I agree, and would look at it like the newspapers "inverted triangle," where you start with a lot of broad strokes, and things become more and more laser-focused and brief as you move along. But it also depends on the players... I played with a new guy last week who didn't know the difference between an orc and a dwarf. I had a hard time relating to his life experience, but he got it after a few minutes and I think I made a new lifelong player out of him!

@PersonMan1234

4 жыл бұрын

This. I have never understood people desiring to blaze past everything descriptive. The whole point is to imagine yourself in another world, to play a person in another reality. How do you get into that with no description? I have had far more problems (as a player) with players trying to do things and not being able to do X because the scene or terrain wouldn't allow it, but it wasn't well described by the DM so they didn't know. 'I want to use mold earth to--' 'You can't, the floor is gravel.' 'Then i want to shoot an arrow into the window above the door and swing over.' 'You cant, the window is a stone arrow slit, no wood.' Etc.

I was actually going to request a video on narration a few days ago! Great content as always and even more things to try out with my upcoming session.

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

4 жыл бұрын

Let me know what other topic you want to see and I'll see if I can make it happen. Cheers!

@Evisela

4 жыл бұрын

@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 well now that you mention it... In my current campaign, I'm loosely following the lost mines of phandelver story, with all the officially sanctioned dungeoncraft twists and tricks, of course. That said, I've been really thinking about the lost mine itself and I want it to have more of a "temple of doom" feel with lots of traps and puzzles. However, I feel that I'm absolutely rubbish at coming up with interesting and fun puzzles. I know you somewhat touched upon it in this video as well as in your video on mystery campaigns, but I'd love a more in-depth look at the art of crafting a challenging, yet engaging puzzle without slowing the game down too much! Again, all your videos are absolutely of the line and I share them at every chance I get. The tips are so common sense and so easy to implement, it's simply brilliant! Thanks for saving many a common dungeon master from the evil clutches of boring exposition and the long arm of the rulebook :)

I'm running THE ENEMY WITHIN very soon. Thank you for the advice on the Bogenhafen scene.

This is your single most important video

I like his first tip, not only because you can avoid over explaining, but by keeping it brief, there are more opportunities to go with the flow of the players. What I mean is that a player could say, "is there a big goofy stuffed head of a moose on the wall" and if you like it and didn't think of it beforehand, it lacks contradiction

Easily your best advice really insightful. Your cinematic narration style is so much better than the dry, slow factuality that most GMs use. I'm actually building your advice into the rules of the game I am creating.

This is the best narration advice I've heard.

Absolute Gold as usual, Professor. My only constructive quibble might be to add that in addition to understanding what your players like and enjoy, that understanding what the characters can do is important. Bogenhafen is great until the DM realizes there are no rogues to swipe the note or to even search for it. Suddenly, the DM is looking for a way to give that one vital clue to the party. :) Admittedly, that dichotomy might take care of itself as players in a group without a rogue might not be the sort to enjoy Bogenhafen to begin with. Great episode. Always love to see the WFRP roots show. :)

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah. You definitely need a rogue for that scenario.

This is absolutely critical advice.

Anyone who's read LOTR knows that even the best can get carried away with describing the scenery (is that blasphemy)?!! Keep it up Professor!

@elrond3737

4 жыл бұрын

Or how about game of thrones/ song of fire and Ice. So many words and nothing happens and then a ton of stuff happens in a few pages.

Excellent content. The narration will be very useful as I hone my game mastering skills. I believe the shortened narration will free up some time from the usual over preparing.

Excellent advice indeed, heir professor. I shall use this tonight.

I just had a listen to your combat narration and I wholly agree with you, R.E.Howard's works are truly fantastic, and they get even better the more you read them. You have a natural flare for cinematography in your videos and you do relate to film and direction a lot. In this video I agree that you are once again spot on on how to improve the storytelling experience for people. There is a wonderful book that might personally interest you "The Visual Story" by Bruce Block. If you ever have the opportunity to attend one of his lectures on film making and the art of visual storytelling it's well worth it. Thank you for your videos and incites.

This is some of the best advice I've ever heard.

this video is so old, but its all i need. Ty D.Craft

Very useful to me. Thank you very much, Professor.

In terms of taking advantage of what your players already know, and so needing to describe less. You are in good company. Looking back to the origins of Sword and Sorcery and Robert E Howard and his stories of Conan, he took advantage of that in the very core of his world-building, using known terms and places to be the foundations of his fantastic world. Good job.