The Tavernkeep’s Guide!

When you wish upon a star... wait, no, we don't want THEM showing up...   In this episode, we talk about lines, veils, and wishes. We discuss them each in greater detail than our previous episodes on the topic of safety tools or session zero, and we discuss how the relate to each other, and how to resolve potential conflicts with them. (Hint: There's a priority ranking for them.)   If you want to...

No spooky castle, no spooky lightouse, no spookiness, we're back with the Bartender in the Tavern to discuss ways to lay out scenes and combats.   There are pros and cons to each of the three main ways, and we discuss them. We also have a brief discussion about systems and how that affects it as well.   Check out our socials and tell people about the show if you want to show your support!   Patreo...

The choppy waves crashed upon the rocky shores. It hissed and boomed over and over, a lullaby to restless souls dashed upon the rocks. Unfortunately, I stood on the shore and yelled, disturbing this peace.   Join us as we serve our time at the Lighthouse, growing restless and mournful. It's a contemplative Wretched & Alone game. Also, there's ghosts!   If you liked this episode and want more,...

You find a strange and unfamiliar tavern. You must determine whether things go wrong from here. Roll a d20, 2d6, draw 3 playing cards, draw a tarot card, and spend 3 Overdoing The Bit points to see what you can find!   We discuss Resolution Systems in this one. Let us know what your favorite systems are.    Yes, we're aware that we completely forgot about dice pools, both totals and match-type. Ma...

Let's split up and look for clues! It'll be totally fine!   Today, we're discussing splitting the party, why you shouldn't, why you should, and how to handle it when it happens! If you want to support us, check out our links!   Itch: https://the-tavernkeeps-guide.itch.io/ Patreon: Here Discord: Here Tumblr: Here Mastodon: Here Bluesky: Here Contact Us: Thetavernkeepsguide@gmail.com Art by Hermit's...

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! Itc...

"The best laid plans of mice and men oft go awry." Many a DM has faced this, or the more TTRPG themed version, "no plan survives first contact with the party."   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.   If you want to support us, check out our links! Patreon: Here Discord: Here Tumblr...

We'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...

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 som...

I 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 h...

We 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!   If you want to support us, check out our links! Patreon: Here Discord: Here Tumblr: Here Mastodon: Here Bluesky: Here...

I 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...

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! Patreon: Here Discord: Here Tumblr: Here Tiktok: Here Ma...

Well, 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.    Addit...

If 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 m...

So, 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 su...

Congratulation, 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 wa...

A 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 wa...

The 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...

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 wo...

Due 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 navigat...

Where 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...

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.   Patreon: Here Twitter: Here Discord: Here Tumblr: Here Tiktok: H...

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!   Project Olive Branch: Here Patreon: Here Twitter: Here Discord: Here Tumblr: Here Tiktok: Here Mastodon: Here Bluesky: Here Contact Us: Thetavernkeepsgui...

We 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!   Patreon: Here Twit...