Backstory. Character development. It’s one of the most discussed topics in the TTRPG space. And the 3 Wise DMs were faced with the question when a friend offered to run a Call of Cthulhu one-shot for our group. This was followed by a Google Doc with twenty in-depth questions as to the character’s background, motivations, loves, and fears. For a one-shot.

If you’ve ever asked yourself the question, “is there such a thing as too much character backstory?”, then this is the episode for you!

3:25 DM-Player communication: how much is the DM looking for and how much can you use in-game?

4:40 The context of this question really depends on this game being a one-shot, as opposed to a continuing campaign.

7:00 Will this level of prep increase the level of investment in the character?

9:00 No matter how much you develop the idea of the character… you have no idea how they will play until the game starts.

12:50 This question depends very much on the system that you’re playing (including DM Chris’ very old-school D&D way of creating his author, Thomas Albright.)

19:45 Will this level of character backstory and development allow a more immersive one-shot?

22:50 We might not do twenty questions… but maybe we could?

26:00 The level of immersion with teasers that the Keeper of Arcane Lore is creating for this one-shot.

30:05 Meeting your players where they are.

34:05 Final Thoughts.

You’ve been the DM for a long time (maybe even Forever!) and one of your players has finally said those magic words: “I think I wanna run a game.”

So, with all your wisdom, all your experience, all your skills – how do you help the new DM along in the game so that they have a good

time and the table has a good time? So that they want to get back into the DM chair?

For all you Forever DMs, and all you Prospective DMs, this is the episode for you!

2:05 3WD drops their Birthday Game Challenge!

2:45 The Wizard Washburn gets run through his 70th Birthday Adventure by our own Chaos Engine, Little One, Hawk Morgan’s BFF, Bonnie!

5:50 The easiest way to help… be a resource (and DM Chris’ first question on the die roll for a Potion of Healing.)

7:55 The trepidation that a new DM has when running a game for experienced DMs.

10:00 Always allow the new DM the room to breathe and create their own game.

12:00 Let the new DM decide how much they do or don’t need your help – and how the way you play your character can be the biggest help.

13:45 “Take small bites.” And how running a game makes you a better player: DM Empathy.

15:40 “Investing in Loss.” Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable.

17:20 Two Forever Tips for a New DM: Use pre-gens and run a concise game.

19:00 Don’t make your DM dance when they’re new.

24:00 DM Dave sees DM Chris’ Death Sword and raises him the Dragon Slaying Longsword of +50 and our tangent into the Design Teams at WotC not talking to each other in Dragonlance and Curse of Strahd.

25:50 DM Dave relates a story that illustrates what we’re talking about.

29:15 DM Tony shares how he didn’t mentor DM Thorin well in one of his first games he ran for them.

32:50 Final Thoughts.

Possession. Dominate. Alignment shifts. There are a multitude of times where the rules make the DM take control of one of the player characters in the game. But, is that a good thing?

In this episode, Tony, Chris, and Dave sit down to discuss an issue that came up in DM Chris' Tales of the Yawning Portal campaign that he's running for 2 new players to the hobby and a run-in with a dwarven ghost.

1:45 DM Chris’ question that arose with Possession.

3:35 DM Tony’s initial thoughts.

4:35 The first time DM Dave makes the point that 2 players in a game can really change how the game flows.

9:40 The changes that have occurred with certain charm effects.

11:10 Roleplaying yourself out of these situations to reveal secrets and clues, plot points, etc.

13:55 Do your prep, know what’s coming up… or don’t!

16:10 How to use these types of effects to dial up the tension on players.

17:35 The problem with immediate alignment changes.

22:48 Realize how powerful these effects can be and use them judiciously.

24:30 How gaming has changes over the decades – the difference between Gauntlet and Final Fantasy – and how you can always fall forward into story.

26:20 DM Chris’ style of being a fan of his players.

30:50 How these types of events change with more than 2 players – the Banshees attack in Dragonlance!

35:25 Final Thoughts.