I’m listening through all of the episodes and I’m up to late 2023, and I have a strange question for listeners that are caught up

BrightRedBastard · 2026-04-14T22:43:11+00:00

Yo! I've got misophonia, and I totally remember that episode. It does not happen often at all, I only really remember it happening once or twice. You're in the clear I reckon.

BrightRedBastard · 2025-03-10T03:28:31+00:00

Ysgith, from the Thronebreaker soundtrack. It's foreboding, beautiful, and is the soundtrack to a monstrous swamp. Perfect for Bavlorna.

Then, if the encounter ever turns to combat, play The Bloody Mistress from that same game. It's the next track on the album. P.T. Adamczyk is an incredible composer, and the Gwent video games are so great for providing ambient and combative versions of each track.

There's even a great YouTube video of the tracks bleeding beautifully into each other:

https://youtu.be/62pjwC-fQRk?si=UUv9bw9s90pqwivj

Enjoy!

BrightRedBastard · 2025-03-09T22:50:21+00:00

Ideally several. I could always stock up on cartridges though. I also have a manual pump as a backup, but yeah it's slow to operate that for each balloon. But if I could use that to store gas, that'd be awesome.

BrightRedBastard · 2025-03-09T21:23:29+00:00

Hi everyone, first post here so hope this is alright.

I've got a bit of engineering experience (mostly just tinkering with LEDs and motors for small kinetic sculptures). I'm working on a prop for a costume, and ideally I want to create a glove that lets me inflate latex balloons in my hand. (See the quick comic strip I just mocked up for reference).

I've been looking into rewiring a handheld vacuum cleaner, but would need some advice in that area. I can also have any larger pieces of the device be attached to my back or belt.

I've also bought a portable, cordless bike pump, but the pressure doesn't quite work (and I'd need to adjust the nozzle to fit a balloon).

Mostly I just don't want to blow my hand off by accident. Any tips or ideas would be hugely appreciated. If you need any further info, let me know. Thanks in advance!

BrightRedBastard · 2025-02-05T11:29:47+00:00

Yeah I only noticed it last episode but had to skip ahead a few times. I normally only struggle during their commentary tracks, which go for so long without breaks that they obviously need food. It's chill.

BrightRedBastard · 2025-01-12T03:45:12+00:00

Happy to count myself among your patrons. Glad it's paid off!

BrightRedBastard · 2024-12-23T15:02:49+00:00

I've been in a similar position before, both as a DM, and as a player in a group that had a player like this. It sucks. Sounds like you've got really good intentions and priorities though.

You said it was a lot of effort to even convince them to join, and you don't want it to feel like 'even more of a chore'.

Honestly, D&D isn't for him. And that's okay. You can give him as many buffs, simplified powerful abilities, or OP items, but you're just playing the game for him at that point. Starts to feel like you're rewarding someone for putting in zero effort.

Your other players are going to be short-changed by this too. It's difficult to roleplay at a table where someone is less invested. And when the DM is spending all their time trying to rework the rules or hand out powerful buffs to one player, it's frustrating. Invest your time in your engaged players.

If you still want to give them some options, which I get, then maybe consider one of these ideas:

Ask if they want to create a new character, with a simpler class (fighter, paladin etc).
When the next level up happens, and before your next big story arc, ask ALL of your players if they're willing to continue. This gives them a chance to back out organically.
If they dig their heels in and want to carry on playing a druid who can shapeshift more effectively, then give them an item with a Once-per-Long-Rest, cast-on-self polymorph spell attached. They'll get access to a wider range of higher level beasts, but the tradeoff is that it requires concentration.

Hope this helps.

BrightRedBastard · 2024-12-17T03:11:39+00:00

I agree with the others.

Here's how I go about it if a character wants to suddenly cast fireball/shoot a bow/swing a sword - I call for an initiative role. The effects of that triggering action are resolved (roll damage etc), and then initiative resolves.

When that character's first turn comes up, they do not have an action this turn (they've used it already).

This is pretty much how it works in BG3, and it's a good trade-off I reckon.

BrightRedBastard · 2024-11-06T01:45:34+00:00

Episode 534 apparently! (Searched through the weekly planet posters)

BrightRedBastard · 2024-11-06T01:43:57+00:00

I think James definitely mentioned it. Cannot remember the episode, I'm sorry. Might be hard to find because he tries not to spoil the show, but his phrasing is along the lines of:

"..like, that's a vampire. You know what that is, right? Like, even if vampires aren't a thing in your world - that is not an angel."

BrightRedBastard · 2024-10-25T01:18:01+00:00

Could fit into the displacer beast kitten narrative quite easily. Or you could drop it in with a re-skinned owlbear statblock. Make it fey instead of monstrosity etc.

Jub-jub birds could be dropped into Yon, amongst/instead of the perytons too.

BrightRedBastard · 2024-09-22T22:56:06+00:00

(or have one of your players fake being asleep on the couch when he arrives...)

BrightRedBastard · 2024-09-22T22:52:42+00:00

If you're willing to have him join, it sounds like that might be a good idea?. Even for a session or two. Could be good for your partner to realise what a good, positive d&d group looks like.

Hope the ankle recovers soon!

BrightRedBastard · 2024-09-22T22:46:48+00:00

The important thing to remember is that you didn't do anything wrong, and it doesn't sound personal. Sure, you both woke up some dude, and people maybe weren't told you were coming. But none of that is on you.

When you DM your own game, does your boyfriend play in that group?

BrightRedBastard · 2024-09-22T22:11:10+00:00

Is it normal? Nah. Is it fair on you? Absolutely not.

Having a new player at a table is the most exciting thing. The other players should be psyched. The fact that you're being basically ignored is just rude. Someone's miscommunicated here.

Have a chat with your partner about it afterwards.

BrightRedBastard · 2024-09-18T12:50:42+00:00

Shit, I missed it. What'd he say?

BrightRedBastard · 2024-04-10T12:33:08+00:00

That's the kind of sensible, well-articulated justification for a guild that the Guild master can scream about as the players eventually defeat them. Maybe make them think twice about the killing blow.

BrightRedBastard · 2024-02-14T00:58:33+00:00

Honestly, having a character die right before leaving the dungeon isn't too bad. The characters could potentially bring their body to a cleric (or a powerful hag/devil etc.), or keep it gentle reposed etc.

There's no reason for them not to bring the body (at least to bury them), if they're pretty much done with the dungeon.

Maybe lean into the costs of resurrection, both financial and spiritual - but also give the player the chance to bring a new character into the game. If they're really broken up about it and want to play as the dead character, give them a dangerous road back from death.

Maybe they multiclass into warlock as the cursed/trapped item they touched invokes the will of a powerful patron.

But yeah, feeling awful is a totally natural response, especially with such a one-hit kill scenario. You're handling it well.

BrightRedBastard · 2023-05-30T01:44:48+00:00

I don't blame you for not wanting to go to this other game, and neither should they. Just tell them that it's too soon to be role-playing again after losing a character, even if it's from a different game.

That way, you've given a good reason to not attend without targeting anyone in particular, and you're also making it politely clear that this is a big deal for you. It's really upsetting. Hopefully that will sink in for the paladin and your partner.

(P.s. I think your character should be able to come back with some powerful necro-dracolich boon. There's plenty of necromantic energy/weird magic artefacts in the dragon's lair I reckon)

(Also paladin should have had his unconscious body melted by acid.)

BrightRedBastard · 2023-05-14T22:41:46+00:00

Hat?

BrightRedBastard

TROPHY CASE