The Storyscribe Podcast
By Blake Oliver
The Storyscribe PodcastMay 01, 2022
The OGL Controversy isn't as Bad as you Think
With all the hype going around the Wizards of the Coast and Dungeons and Dragons Open Game License update, a lot of misunderstandings and inflammatory comments are being made. In this episode, hear some of the actual language from WotC, how copyright applies, and why a lot of the changes have been blown out of proportion.
Caveat: I am a writer (with a vested interest in understanding copyright law to the best of my ability), not a lawyer. Nothing in this podcast can be constituted as legal advice. Further info can be found from Legal Eagle and Opening Arguments.
Alignment in D&D
This episode is all about how to think about alignment when playing a character in D&D. Enjoy this podcast? Share it out!
Character Progression: XP versus Milestone
A common compaint of D&D players is the lack of character progression. Nothing feels worse than sitting through a session and getting no XP; it doesn't feel much better waiting to be level 5 for ten sessions because progression is so slow. Here are a few thoughts on the systems and how to use them.
Sustained Silent Reading
How you as an English teacher (or not one) can encourage reading for your students.
The Three Act Structure
Today we're looking at the three act structure: what it is, how it works, and what it looks like when it doesn't.
No More Mr. Oliver
In which the protagonist shares why he won't be a teacher anymore.
Language Point Variant Rule for D&D 5e
In this episode I discuss the variant rule that I use at my table for how languages work in my home D&D 5e game!
Creating Story-Driven Characters for Dungeons and Dragons
While different groups have different focuses, I run a story-heavy game. Central to the game is not combat, but the arc of the campaign and the arcs of each character. Here are the steps I walk my players through when creating characters for my campaign and the same steps I go through when I create a character.
Five Vital Moments in (Almost) Every Fantasy History
When looking around in the various fantasy histories of different fantasy works, there are five moments that stand out. These stand out for a reason and can help you build your own fantasy world or appreciate the fantasy worlds you experience on the page, on screen, or at the table.
Review of Monsters of the Multiverse
A review of Monsters of the Multiverse from Wizards of the Coast.
Review of Tal'dorei Campaign Setting Reborn
A quick review of my latest acquisition: the Tal'dorei Campaign Setting Reborn-- the first setting used in Critical Role and which has now been made even more popular by the Amazon Prime series: The Legends of Vox Machina!
Eight Places for Dungeons and Dragons Inspiration
The eight places I recommend looking for inspiration for your game at your TTRPG table. The first five tips work for dungeon masters and players alike, but the last three lean heavily toward the dungeon/game master.
Story Talk: The Witcher Netflix Series
This episode talks about the Witcher T.V. series, seasons 1 and 2. This episodes contains spoilers.
Table Culture Rules in Table Top Role Playing Games
The thirteen rules of being at my table for a TTRPG, which I discuss during session 0 with my players. Some cross into some common mechanics, but most are about being the best player with me and with the group. Most rules have been adapted from the various systems I’ve run at the table: Dragon Age, Witcher, or another TTRPG. These rules help me run a game which is fun for me and the majority of my players and might help you run a better game for yourself.
Dissertation Conclusion
Finishing this series of Writer's Archives: my dissertation with the conclusion and some thoughts for how we think about what we watch, read, and play.
Writer's Archive episodes cover academia and academic thinking when coming to reading, writing, and viewing stories.
Chapter Three: Racism and Seeking Asylum in Saga by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples
This episode is the second to last in this season's Writer's Archive episodes and focuses on one of my favorite graphic novels, Saga by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples.
Writer's Archive episodes cover academia and academic thinking when coming to reading, writing, and viewing stories.
Chapter Two: American Gods and the Expectation of Assimilation
This episode is a Writer's Archive episode which continues my dissertation with the second chapter, focusing on American Gods and ideas of an American identity.
Writer's Archive episodes cover academia and academic thinking when coming to reading, writing, and viewing stories.
Chapter One: Nationalism and "The Other" in A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
This episode discusses how fantasy literature can provide a means for us to deconstruct nationalist rhetoric in reality.
(The Works Cited wouldn't post when I worked on this, but I've got the original paper published on my blog now, with the Works Cited.)
Episode 5: Coming Back to the Mic
Talking about COVID, writing, and coming back out of depression to create.
Episode 4: Tasha's Cauldron of Everything and an Introduction to Speculative Fiction Theory
In this episode I will begin with talking about the changes to Origins in Dungeons and Dragons given out by Tasha's Cauldron of Everything before starting my introduction to speculative fiction theory.
Episode 3: The Story of Politics Over the Last Four Years (in Brief)
In this episode I discuss briefly how the stories we tell ourselves are shaped by the news (and plug one of my favorite educational tools for exploring the bias in media: the media bias chart. If nothing else, it is a hope that we can shape our realities back toward a reality unaffected by misinformation pushed by Trump since his quest for the presidency began.
It's also NaNoWriMo, so check out the website if you would like to participate!
Episode 2: Sanity and Dungeons and Dragons 5e
A little on how I use sanity at the table in Dungeons and Dragons 5e; a recommendation for anyone planning to run a horror game for Halloween.
Episode 1: Thoughts on Fantasy, Sci-fi, and Race
This episode begins with a brief look at some of my past academic work into speculative fiction and then moves into looking at how the conversation is currently playing out in the world of Dungeons and Dragons.
Episode 0: Preview
An episode which introduces me, the podcast, and, inadvertently, my difficulty with podcasting so far.