Show Notes
Ever made a deal with a dragon? How about a dark force lurking in the shadows? In our latest RPGBOT.Podcast episode, we dive deep into the world of pacts, bargains, and contracts in
- TTRPGs RPGs like D&D and Pathfinder 2!
- Dragon Pacts in 3.5e
- Dark Gifts in Ravenloft
- Infernal Contracts in Pathfinder 2
- PLUS: Ash and Randall spill their DM crutches
Whether you’re a player or DM, this episode is packed with storytelling gold and tips on how to strike a deal (without losing your soul)!
Summary
In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, Ash, Tyler, and Randall dive deep into the world of pacts, bargains, and exchanges in role-playing games. They explore how these mechanics enhance both storytelling and gameplay, with examples from popular systems like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder 2.
The discussion starts with Dragon Pacts from 3.5e, where sorcerers could trade spell slots for spell-like abilities granted by powerful dragons. They also examine the Dark Gifts from 5e’s Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft, which offers players powerful abilities in exchange for dark, often risky consequences.
In this insightful conversation, the hosts analyze dark bargains, supernatural gifts, and infernal contracts in both 5e and Pathfinder 2. They highlight the delicate balance of power, agency, and storytelling potential that pacts bring to the table, particularly for Warlocks and their patrons. The hosts stress the importance of giving all characters attention and encourage DMs to integrate patrons more effectively into their games.
Wrapping up, Ash, Tyler, and Randall discuss various contracts in Pathfinder 2, including Infernal Contracts, Thrun Contracts, and divine intercessions, unpacking their hidden clauses and the intricate consequences. They also share their personal DM crutches, such as relying on combat and pre-made maps, and respond to a question of the week about their biggest DM habits.
Materials Referenced in this Episode
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Tyler Kamstra
Ash Ely
- Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games
- Twitter: @GravenAshes
- YouTube @ashravenmedia
