Show Notes
Why does every D&D session eventually turn into: 5% storytelling, 10% rolling dice, 85% lying to NPCs and starting fires? In this week’s RPGBOT.Podcast, we dive into the mechanics of deception, the ethics of lying, and why arson is the unofficial party pastime. Tune in for laughs, insights, and a light-hearted debate about why your characters can’t stop lighting things on fire.
SUMMARY
In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the hosts dive headfirst into the tangled web of deception mechanics in role-playing games, with a focus on Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. They explore the nuances of lying, from the rules of deception and insight checks to the moral and mechanical implications of bending the truth in-game.
Key topics include:
- Passive vs. Active Skills: What’s the difference, and why does it matter when your rogue is trying to bluff their way into a royal banquet?
- The Ethics of Deception: When is it just role-play, and when is it too much? Spoiler alert: It involves a bard and a dragon.
- Player Agency vs. Simplified Rules: How do new editions balance ease of use with meaningful gameplay, and what does it mean for deception-heavy campaigns?
- Session Zero Magic: Why setting expectations early can prevent your party from devolving into a group of pyromaniac con artists.
Sprinkled with hilarious anecdotes of chaotic character antics and light-hearted debates on topics like “the prevalence of arson in RPGs,” this episode is a must-listen for players and DMs alike. Whether you’re a veteran tabletop gamer or just figuring out why your bard keeps trying to seduce everyone, this discussion will leave you laughing—and maybe questioning your party’s motives.
Materials Referenced in This Episode
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Tyler Kamstra
Ash Ely
- Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games
- Twitter: @GravenAshes
- YouTube @ashravenmedia
