Shows
The Tavernkeep’s Guide!The Golden Wheel Quests: The Eyes Have It!We're going on an adventure! Well, the Bartender is going on an adventure, while the Tavernkeep builds a mages tower to have an adventure in!
We're playing a micro-TTRPG called The Eyes Have It. You've never heard of it? Yeah, that tracks, as it was made byThe Tavernkeep and has just been released! Go get it now on itch! It's a charity thing.
If you want to support us, check out our links!
Itch: https://the-tavernkeeps-guide.itch.io/
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In this episode, we discuss how to handle the situations where your party catches you off-guard, what can cause these moments, and how to roll with them.
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Contact Us...2025-04-1931 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!Castle of Memories: Episode 3We're back here, whever here is. It's a bit spooky, a bit moody, and kind of lonely. Good thing I have these weird cards with pictures on them with me!
In this episode, Derrin Thonfelt make his way into the Great Library. The place may be full of books and knowledge, but is it also the place where his story finds its end? Tune in to find out! This episode is a tad shorter than usual, but that's how it goes when anything might happen.
If you liked this episode and wa...2025-04-0530 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!Tales from the Tavern's Tables: Con of the North 2025!We have returned from a long and perilous journey into a strange, far-off land. We bring with us tales of heroism, treasure, vanquishing our enemies, jargonny deck builders, surrealist hexcrawls, and confusing omens!
This episode is all about Con of the North 2025 and how it turned out for us. Sit down and listen to the tales of the con. If you can, please like, share, or spread the podcast in some way. We really appreciate it.
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2025-03-0855 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!Castle of Memories Episode 2I have once again found myself in this dark place. Ominous, foreboding, mysterious. Beasts and monsters beyond my imagination may lie in wait. No, this isn't the bathroom at a roadside Denny's, it's Castle of Memories!
In this episode, Derrin Thonfelt plunges forward into the Greenhouses, searching for that which he lost. WIll he find it, or will the echoes of his past and the shadows of those he left behind consume him? Tune in to find out! This episode is a tad shorter than usual, but that's how it goes when anything might happen.2025-02-0828 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!Ways to PlayWe talk a lot of big game, but what about small game, or solo game? What can someone play if they have no one to play with?
In this episode, we discuss ways to play TTRPG's that you can do if you don't have a group. These might be the solution to your chronic scheduling issues!
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Contact Us: Thetavernkeepsguide@gm...2025-01-2549 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!Minisode: The Castle of Memories EpisodeI seem to forgotten something important. I also seem to have forgotten something not important. I also seem to have forgotten a lot of things. In summary, I have amnesia.
In this Minisode, we're playing Castle of Memories, a solo-ttrpg about recovering your memories and risking going further to get more tools and items. It's a bit crunchier than previous minisodes, and long enough to possibly be the start of a larger series. If you liked it, check it out on itch.io.
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Additional Mu...2024-12-2827 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!Side Quests!We've been on a long and terrible journey, but hey, we got a trinket! We even got lore! That's what sidequests are good for!
We discuss sidequests in this episode, give three categories with 2 subcategories, and discuss why you should use sidequests in your game!
If you want to support us, check our links, and tell others about the show!
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Contact Us: Thetavernkeepsguide@gmail.com...2024-12-1447 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!TTG Minisode: A Fool's ErrandWell, it's that time again. Join me in the empty tavern, and enjoy a tale. It's time for another Minisode. The Tavernkeep's Minisodes: They're Not Mini! This time, we are playing A Fool's Errand
I am a jester in King Lyric's court. It is my job to advise the king and re-frame petitioner's causes to warn the king of the conspiracy against him. It is a thankless job, and a fruitless task.
Additional Music "Ask Rufus" by audionautix.com
This music is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. Rea...2024-10-1957 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!Making Memorable SessionsIf you have ever played a TTRPG, or partook in a campaign, you likely have a few stories on times you really got into it. Those moments are vital and important to the TTRPG experience.
In this episode, we discuss advice and tips on how to make it more likely that your sessions are remembered. We can't guarantee that they WILL be memorable, as that isn't up to you, but this tips should help you make better sessions, more interesting sessions, and hopefully the kind of sessions you WANT to remember.
If...2024-10-0540 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!OneD&D vs 2024 D&DSo, the cool new thing is out! It's finally here! So, how does the Tavernkeep and the Bartender feel about it? Well, instead of just talking about it, we're here to review the past and present!
Join us as we discuss the differences between the initial announcement of this new thing, known as OneD&D at the time, and the current version, known as the 2024 Version of D&D 5e!
If you want to support us, the best way to do so is the social media links! Truly, that's your best option, and we really...2024-09-2131 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!ProgressionCongratulation, listening to this episode means you have enough XP to level up! First, progress in your class 1 stage, then level up 2 skill dice, then select a new ability from your class's list.
In this new episode, we discuss progression in TTRPG's, and the three main forms of progression. We discuss the pros and cons, and give examples of each of these.
If you want to support us, the best way to do so is the social media links! Truly, that's your best option, and we really appreciate it!
...2024-09-0734 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!Making Interesting NPC'sA cloaked figure approaches you, bearing a dusty tome as they do so. Once they reach you, they open up their tome, and speak, in a melodic tone, "Hello and welcome to the Golden Wheel Tavern!"
In this new episode, we discuss NPC's and how to make them interesting. We share our tips and tricks on making characters your party will actually want to know about.
If you want to support us, the best way to do so is the social media links! Truly, that's your best option, and we really appreciate it!2024-08-2435 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!Solo Minisode: Darling Amongst the DustThe Bartender is unavailable today, so we're going on an adventure! Join me on The Tavernkeep's Travels, as we wander through a terrible land.
Having just emerged from his Shelter, Johnathan Stanton faces a terrible world around him. He now tries to survive in a world more dangerous than ever. Unfortunately, the wasteland he finds himself in seems to be intent on making sure he fails.
If you want to support us, the best way to do so is the social media links! Truly, that's your best option, and we really appreciate it!
...2024-08-1041 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!Reddit Rules Review!House rules are a staple of the TTRPG genre. While the rules are useful and are what makes a system, changing the rules to better fit what your group wants or needs is integral to the true TTRPG experience.
In this episode, we review houserules from reddit, possibly providing rules alternatives, and new ideas, These are, of course, just our opinions.
If you want to support us, spreading the word and sharing on the social medias is the best way to help us grow. We appreciate it so much!
...2024-07-2752 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!Solo TTRPG Minisode: BloodlessDue to unforeseen circumstances, the bartender is taking a long rest via Gritty Realism Rules (DMG pg. 267), and so it's just the Tavernkeep! Alone, in the dark, the Tavernkeep has decided the best way to spend the time is playing a TTRPG, specifically a solo TTRPG called Bloodless!
A vampire at the end of his wits, just hoping to make it home before sunrise, Simon Beldevon has to try to navigate a troublesome night. Will he make it to his safe-house, tomes in hand, or will he become a victim of the very thing he w...2024-07-1334 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!Session ZeroWhere did it all begin? Was there a time before time itself? What was the great prime cause? Why are we here, and why do we exist at all?
We have no idea how to answer those questions, but in this episode we'll discuss session zero, which is sort of the same, right? We discuss what a session zero is, what it's for, why you should use it, and how to use it!
If you want to support us, spreading the word and sharing on the social medias is the best wa...2024-06-2935 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!Homebrew!Who wants some mead, maybe some ale? Well, too bad. We're talking about homebrew, not microbrew.
What is homebrew? How do you use it? What kinds are there? We cover all that in this episode of The Tavernkeep's Guide!
If you want to show your support, please spread the word and boost us on social medias, we really appreciate it.
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2024-06-1542 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!One-Shots!
If you only had one shot, one opportunity, what would you do with it? What system would you run?
In this episode, we discuss One-Shots. What are they, and how do they work? Well, tune in for this episode, and learn how to one-shot like a pro!
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2024-06-0140 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!New Player OnboardingWe were all new at some point, so how do we help those who might be coming into the hobby after us? That's the topic for today.
We discuss tips for DM's and players trying to bring in new players, as it's how the hobby grows.
Remember to like, share, subscribe, rate us, or whatever else you can do to interact and help spread the word. It really means a lot to us right now!
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Bluesky: Her...2024-05-0447 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!Failing ForwardSometimes you try your best, and you don't succeed. It's okay though, the DM knows how to handle it.
In this episode, we discuss the idea of Failing Forward, which allows the story to continue even if the party rolls only nat 1's. It's not giving the party free successes, but rather making their failures cost something while not stalling out the game.
Remember to like, share, subscribe, rate us, or whatever else you can do to interact and help spread the word. It really means a lot to us right now!
2024-04-2030 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!Brainstorm: Nature God ApocalypseThe gods have died, and the world is fading. It's up to the adventurers to... barely make ends meet.
In this episode, we brainstorm a campaign from a few themes. This was an exercise in improvisation and campaign-building, and a slight break from our usual format, but we had a lot of fun, and we hope you did to!
Please share the podcast through whatever channels you have available to you, we really appreciate it!
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2024-04-0647 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!Safety Tools!It's dangerous to go alone, take these!
In this episode, we discuss safety tools. These are useful barriers for discomfort, and can actually elevate the experience for everyone at your table. You might not think you need them, and maybe you don't, but there's a good chance you use at least one of them, without even really acknowledging it.
As always, please spread the word of our podcast, we appreciate anything you do to increase our reach!
Correction: The "Let's Not" card is from Fiasco, not Warhammer.
Content warning: there are...2024-03-2341 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!Tales from the Tavern's Tables: Con of the North 2024 Recap!We have returned from a long and perilous journey into a strange, far-off land. We bring with us tales of heroism, treasure, vanquishing our enemies, magical girl princesses defeating aliens with power of friendship and fashion, and changing hearts with power of rock and roll.
This episode is all about Con of the North 2024 and how it turned out for us. Sit down and listen to the tales of the con. If you can, please like, share, or spread the podcast in some way. We really appreciate it.
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T...2024-03-091h 11The Tavernkeep’s Guide!Encounters, How do they work?This one is brought to you by one of our tiktok viewers. We were asked on how to run encounters.
This episode is a guide to both playing and running encounters. Tips, tricks, and tools reside within.
Please like, subscribe, share, follow, comment, and whatever other means of interacting you can. It really helps us out, and we appreciate it so very much!
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2024-02-2400 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!Sell High, Buy-In Low!Buy-In, Immersion, Suspension of Disbelief. These are terms used to describe a certain phenomenon in gaming, or group activities in general. It's when a person is sucked into the game that the world around them melts away, and the players embody their characters.
We discuss Buy-In, what it means, what can affect it, what can effect it, and whether or not you need it.
Remember to follow, like, subscribe, comment, favorite, or engage with the content wherever you see it, and spread it to others wherever you can, we really appreciate it...2024-02-1036 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!A Journey? FOR HEROES?!The Hero's journey is well known in literary circles, and has become pervasive across almost all story-telling media. If the story being told is one of a hero, then it is likely to be compared to, if not based off of, this idea.
In this episode, we discuss the Hero's Journey, it's steps, how to possibly use it in your campaign, and how we feel about it overall.
Remember to like us, rate us highly, follow, and do whatever else it is that you do to show that you love our wo...2024-01-2744 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!Magic Item Distribution: Monty Hall, or Scrooge?
We all love magic items. They provide power, and opportunity. They are a great reward for players. All DM's have to ask themselves an important question though. "How do I get these items to my players?"
In this episode, we discuss a few different ways of distributing magic items, our favorites, and of course we have our quiz and monster minute.
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2024-01-1345 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!Quests: A DM’s To-Do list for Players
Quests: we all know them, but why do we have them? Are they necessary? What service do they provide? What kind of quests are there? In this episode, we hope to answer these questions, as the DM said we need to in order to kill the BBEG.
Your quest for this episode is to like us, follow us, rate us, and share us wherever you find us, including all our social medias!
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2023-12-3032 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!Confounding Conundrums, or Rather, Puzzles!We hope this episode doesn't confuse you, it's just a discussion on puzzles! We discuss the anatomy of puzzles, types of puzzles, and how to hand them with ease.
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2023-12-0244 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!Spellcombos!
Some spells can be combined to be greater than the sum of their parts, which is exciting, interesting, and sometimes overpowered. We discuss all sorts combos, some that work, some that don't, some that should never be written down, and some that are just funsies!
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2023-11-181h 01The Tavernkeep’s Guide!Personal DM Styles!What do you like, in a DM?
We all have preferred style, for both DM'ing and playing. We discuss a few axes along which DM's and can vary, our personal styles, and what we prefer as players!
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2023-10-211h 16The Tavernkeep’s Guide!The Rules Extravaganza!When the Bartender's away, the Tavernkeep will play!
On this episode of The Tavernkeep's Guide, we discuss rules, the easily forgotten, the often homebrewed, and the obscure. These are great tools for players and DM's, and have a lot of potential!
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2023-10-071h 23The Tavernkeep’s Guide!Character Arcs!Trials and troubles, falls from grace and failures, growth and redemption, all this and more, and guest adventurers!
On this episode of The Tavernkeep's Guide, we discuss character arcs, what players want from them, what characters want from them, and how to utilize them as a DM!
Make sure to give us a rating wherever you listen, and follow us on our socials, it really helps!
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Ti...2023-09-0949 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!Sandbox Vs Railroads!All aboard the Kalimari Express!
We're here to discuss sandboxes, railroads, sandboxes to railroads, railroads to sandboxes, and railroads through sandboxes! It's everything you need to know, minus anything that isn't in this episode! Hop aboard and enjoy the ride!
Make sure to like, subscribe, rate highly, and bongle whatever dongles you have in your podcatcher of choice, it really helps us out!
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Art...2023-08-2659 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!Opening Scenes!You all meet in a tavern! ... What do you mean you've heard that before?
You know what, we're going to discuss opening scenes in today's episode!
Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen, and give us a good rating!
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2023-08-1253 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!Modern Settings for D&DDo you want to drive a car as a halfling? Do you want to cast magic on your work boss, not the BBEG kind? Well, you should probably go play a system built for that.
If you don't want to learn a new system though, or your group is hesitant to switch, we're here for you, discussing the different types of modern D&D settings and how to make them work for you!
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M...2023-07-2945 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!NPC InteractionDo you, as a DM struggle with setting DC's for your charismatic bard? Are you unsure how a PC should react to the players' requests? We're here to discuss the rules and our own ways of running NPC and PC interactions!
Rules of NPC interaction are rarely discussed, but here we are! We also discuss PC on PC checks, and NPC on PC checks as well, in our usual roundabout fashion!
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Art by H...2023-07-1551 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!Backstory Knives!Are you a DM looking for a way to traumatize your players and their characters? Here you go!
In this episode, we discuss "backstory knives" and other tools for weaving your characters into the world and keeping your players enthralled. We also discuss why players should offer up backstory to the DM, allowing the DM to make a more interesting story for them.
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2023-07-011h 05The Tavernkeep’s Guide!DMPC’s and SidekicksIs your party lacking something? Can't quite handle the monsters like you used to? You might be suffering from PD, party disfunction. If you suffer, from PD, ask your DM if a DMPC or sidekick is right for you!
We discuss our DMPC's, sidekicks, the difference between them, how to apply them in your TTRPG's, and their purpose.
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2023-06-1757 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!MulticlassingI heard you like D&D classes, so we put extra classes in your classes. It's multiclassing!
We discuss multiclassing, the rules, benefits, detriments, favorite combination, and best dips.
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2023-06-0351 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!Martial Vs CasterSwords are cool. Magic is sweet. But which is better? That's not what we're discussing.
Instead, we're discussing a common argument in the D&D space, the power level difference between martials and casters. We discuss why the gap exists, what problems exacerbate it, and how you, both as a player, and as a DM can be more cognizant of the issue and how to work on it.
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2023-05-2031 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!Two Player TTRPG’sOh no, there's two of us, and there's only one TTRPG! I guess we'll just have to share!
On today's episode, we discuss two-player TTRPG's. Even though you don't have a party, two is more than enough to have a great time! We discuss the pro's and con's, and how it varies from your typical group TTRPG's.
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2023-05-0630 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!Party RolesWhat are we doing here? Why do we exist? What's our purpose in life? Is this really what we should be doing? If you ask these questions of yourself, that's your issue to solve. If your TTRPG character is asking that of themselves, then this is the episode for you!
We're discussing party roles and how they apply in combat, social, and exploration situations. We also discuss why they're important, why they're not, and how to play around with roles.
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...2023-04-2231 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!System Burnout & Fluff V. CrunchDo you feel burnt out by your TTRPG system? Are there too many rules? Too few rules? Too fiddly? Too loose? You may be suffering from a Fluff and Crunch imbalance.
On this episode, we discuss the challenges balance of these two aspects of games, and why it's so very important to understand your preference in regards to these. We also discuss how to avoid or treat system burnout, especially for DM's.
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2023-04-0835 minThe Tavernkeep’s Guide!The Unconventional and the Conventions!We went a Convention, and we've come back to bring the wisdom we learned with you!
We have feelings about Cons, how it differs from your normal home games, and what can be brought back to our home games!
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2023-03-2533 min