DMs After Dark

Modified Rolls - Running Games With Canon

In this episode of Modified Rolls, the DMs discuss their ideas and approaches to running games in popular fictional worlds with established lore.  From Disney, Pokemon, Avatar, and Conan to middle age book series and, technically, even Dungeons & Dragons itself, the DMs break down ways to make sure your games don't feel like second rate stories in beloved worlds.
 
Have you ever played or run a game in an established universe?  How was your experience and how far from the source material did you stray?  Let us know!
 
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Feel free to email us with questions, comments, or just to tell us how awful our ideas are at DMsAfterDark@gmail.com
 
Music in the episode:
Vivacity by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4593-vivacity License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Nowhere Land by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4148-nowhere-land License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license 

Avatar: Legends - Session 0 & Character Creation

Air. Water. Earth. Fire.
Avatar Aang and friends have come together to end the Hundred Year War and stop Fire Lord Ozai's campaign to impose Fire Nation rule on the Four Nations.  With the Air Nomads effectively wiped out, Avatar Aang and crew decide to build a new place in the world where all are welcome to cooperate and work toward a future where everyone comes together for a greater cause.  They choose the coastal village of Cranefish Town on the western shores of the Earth Kingdom to eventually become what will be known as Republic City.
In our first episode of our short Avatar: Legends series, Rene runs the DMs through Character Creation and we work together to come up with some ideas about what kind of story we want to tell in the world of Avatar.  A crew comes together, though not all for the same reasons, and discovers a menacing secret threatening the very foundation of Republic City.  Will they be able to bring balance to the city, or will they wind up on the wrong side of some dangerous people?
Content Warning: Mafia stereotyping, Swamp Ass, A War in Ba Sing Se?
As always, follow us and catch our live streams at https://twitch.tv/DMsAfterDark or catch up on our YouTube.
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Music in the episode:
Temple of the Manes by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4468-temple-of-the-manesLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Kids on Bikes Halloween-ish One-Shot

The last in our October spooky horror & (not-so-horrific) Halloween one-shot series here at DMs After Dark sees the DMs playing Renegade Game Studios' Kids on Bikes, a nostalgic tabletop RPG where the players assume the roles of kids, teens, and adults in small towns experiencing strange happenings.  Reminiscent of 80s movies like The Goonies, the 90s' Hocus Pocus, and, more recently, series like Stranger Things, Kids on Bikes really does a lot to nail the genre in a rules-light, fun game.
This session takes place in the fictional New England town of Monadnock, New Hampshire, and pulls together teens (and an awkward little brother) from different circles together to stop a long-forgotten ritual rekindled when the mayor reads off rediscovered, very old town documents.
Content Warning: Violence to children, kidnapping, bullying, evil plants?, human sacrifice, and lots (and lots) of dick jokes.
As always, follow us and catch our live streams at https://twitch.tv/DMsAfterDark or catch up on our YouTube
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Music in the episode:
Newer Wave by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/7016-newer-waveLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Neon Laser Horizon by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/7015-neon-laser-horizonLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Bluebeard‘s Breakdown Bonus

The DMs (& Deb!) discuss their experience playing Bluebeard's Bride and cope with the incredible tone and terror set upon them by Amber!  I don't think any of the players slept much after this episode, and it's a testament to how well written and designed this game is.  Hopefully you enjoy our suffering and can take something away for your own game of Bluebeard's!  Stay disloyal, DMs.
 
Please consider following us to catch our live streams at https://twitch.tv/DMsAfterDark or catch up on our YouTube.
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Music in the episode:
Come Play with Me by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3526-come-play-with-me License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license 

Bluebeard‘s Bride One-Shot

Continuing our horror-themed October one-shot series, DM Amber runs the group through the feminine horror game Bluebeard's Bride by Whitney “Strix” Beltrán, Marissa Kelly, and Sarah Richardson published by Magpie Games.  The group (and our first special guest appearance from friend of the show Deb) play the various aspects of one person - Bluebeard's Bride, a simple woman newly wed to the mysterious, powerful man.  Join us as we explore his manor and uncover secrets about Bluebeard and the bride herself.
 
Content Warning - This episode is very open about many themes and subjects that can be considered upsetting or difficult including violence, potential violence to children, domestic abuse, mutilation, self-harm, suicide, eating disorders, mental illness, sexual assault, rape, miscarriage, abortion, animal abuse, and body horror.  Please be safe and listen at your own discretion.
 
Please consider following us to catch our live streams at https://twitch.tv/DMsAfterDark or catch up on our YouTube.
And give us a like, follow, and subscribe to our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
 
Music in the episode:
Unease by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4562-unease License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Piece for Disaffected Piano Two by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4215-piece-for-disaffected-piano-two License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Industrial Music Box by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3910-industrial-music-box License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license 

Modified Rolls - How to Run Mystery

In this episode of Modified Rolls, the DMs discuss how to make those tricky mysteries that pop up in games work!  We talk about how mysteries can be implemented into whatever genre you like to run, how to avoid leading your characters on a set of rails, flexing your improv muscles, and, as always, share our favorite games for running mystery series.  Sara even pitches an amazing idea for a new game!
Have you had any experiences solving epic mysteries in your roleplaying games?  Tell us about it and how your characters cracked open the case.
Follow us and catch our live streams at https://twitch.tv/DMsAfterDark or catch up on our YouTube
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Music in the episode:
Mysterioso March by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4106-mysterioso-marchLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Mothership - DM Debrief

In this quick little bonus episode, Christian gives us a behind-the-screen look at how he approached his scenario for our Mothership one-shot.  He discusses his take on the system, his inspirations, and hopefully gives advice you can use if you want to run Mothership in the future!
Find out more about Mothership and their upcoming Kickstarter here.
As always, follow us and catch our live streams at https://twitch.tv/DMsAfterDark or catch up on our YouTube
Like, follow, and subscribe to our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Music in the episode:
Ghost Story by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3805-ghost-storyLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Mothership One-Shot

The first in our October spooky horror & Halloween themed one-shots, Christian runs us through a scenario of Tuesday Knight Games' space horror survival RPG Mothership.  Follow the crew as they investigate an unresponsive research vessel out in the reaches of space and visit a solar system orbiting a red giant that may have once held life... 
Find out more about Mothership and their upcoming Kickstarter here.
As always, follow us and catch our live streams at https://twitch.tv/DMsAfterDark or catch up on our YouTube
Like, follow, and subscribe to our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Music in the episode:
Ghost Story by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3805-ghost-storyLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Shadows of Esteren - Bonus Crew Review

A quick (and, admittedly overdue) chat about our experience with our first ever DMs After Dark series with Shadows of Esteren! The DMs talk about what they liked about the system, how the game captures the setting and themes of the world of Esteren, and look forward to more in the future.
Shadows of Esteren is a Celtic horror RPG published by Studio Agate, learn more and try it for yourself, let us know how it goes!
Join us every other Friday on Twitch where we'll be playing through our collection of RPGs in short series or one-shots.
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Music in the episode:
Melwan from Adeliane; Composed by François Rousselot. Lyrics : Benjamin TorvalPerformed by Clarisse May and the Budapest Symphonic Orchestra.; Available at https://esteren.bandcamp.com/album/adeliane

Modified Rolls - How to Run Horror Games

In this episode of Modified Rolls, the DMs discuss how to approach running horror games at the table.  We talk about how using language is key in the horror genre, how to strike fear into the hearts of your players, and the mechanics that make horror games work so well.  Amber, Christian, and for the first time, Troy all weigh in with their experience, while Jess, Sara, and Rene frantically take notes and learn.  Rene, specifically, exhibits his innocent cluelessness about everything horror.
Do you have a favorite horror RPG? Tell us about it and share your stories with us in the comments and on our social media!
Follow us and catch our live streams at https://twitch.tv/DMsAfterDark or catch up on our YouTube
Like, follow, and subscribe to our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Music in the episode:
Darkest Child by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3615-darkest-childLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license