Inspiration Point

On this episode, we look at humor! They say dying is easy but comedy is hard. Hopefully this episode will make intentionally injecting humor into your games (or finding humor that's hiding) a bit easier!  NOTE: This is NOT about referencing movies or talking about memes or anything like that. It's about having fun and laughs while staying engaged with the game itself. Enjoy! Support the...

On this episode, we get into the idea of turn pacing and what seems to be the ideal target to shoot for. We also touch upon a lot of little things including our miniature-painting misadventures, and politeness at the table. We also have the best intro adjective thus far. For reference, here's the associated youtube clip ;) https://youtu.be/NanA8PQ1-1w?t=154 Site: https://inspirationpoint.buzz...

On this episode, we have a two-fer! :D First, we talk about setting expectations at the table, so that everyone knows what kind of game they're in for. After that, we decide to do another, and we look at the importance of going back to basics, including re-reading our core books, using old-school materials instead of digital, and more! Support the show

On this episode, we address an age-old challenge that many gamers have faced, and it's a comment that goes something like this: "Games are a waste of time. Why don't you do something useful, or learn some real skills? How will this help you in life?" Well, we're here with the answer, and the short version is that tabletop RPGs teach you (and help you improve) not just a fe...

On this episode, we do a little creative exercise and examine the lengths to which a rumor can impact our games by looking at one of the rumors found on page 444 of Nord Games' Spectacular Settlements. So, join us to see what could come of a rumor that says that dwarves and elves weren't always quite how we now know them. Join us for laughs, silliness, and an all-around good hang-out tim...

On this episode, we conclude The Hero's Journey with Act 3! The hero's journey is the structural outline for stories the world over (some say that literally every story is, at its core, the hero's journey). This can very much apply to how we create and run our tabletop RPGs, so join us as we delve into the parts that make up Act 3 of the hero's journey, which include The Road B...

On this episode, we cross the threshold of Act 2 of The Hero's Journey! The hero's journey is the structural outline for stories the world over (some say that literally every story is, at its core, the hero's journey). This can very much apply to how we create and run our tabletop RPGs, so join us as we delve into the parts that make up Act 2 of the hero's journey, which includ...

On this episode, we embark on the first part of a journey; a hero's journey, if you will. The hero's journey is the structural outline for stories the world over (some say that literally every story is, at its core, the hero's journey). This can very much apply to how we create and run our tabletop RPGs, so join us as we delve into the parts that make up Act 1 of the hero's jou...

On this episode, Adam decides to interview Andrew about his time working on Spectacular Settlements and really take a look at what the process of creating a book is like. Tune in for some encouraging words, and a realistic rundown of generally what goes into making the books for the games we all love so much! Nord Games: https://nordgamesllc.com/ Free Preview of Spectacular Settlements: https://no...

On this episode, we decide to talk about a bunch of tools that you can use to help improve your games. From books to websites to programs to physical objects, we do our best to give you a bunch of practical suggestions for places to look and things to use in order to make running your game (or playing in one) better in all kinds of ways. Enjoy! Also, if you think of any really useful stuff that we...

On this delight-filled episode, we welcome the incredibly, astonishingly, flabbergastingly, nigh-incomparably knowledgeable AJ Pickett of The Mighty Gluestick! The man wings his way into our virtual studio all the way from the picturesque lands of the very Newest Zealand to charm and enlighten us, and you as well. Join us as we talk about fun facts about dungeons and dragons and the fantasy worlds...

In this episode, Andrew and Adam decide to get creative...  DANGEROUSLY  creative, because they decide they're going to play around with the content Andrew has been working on for Nord Games upcoming book  DANGEROUS DESTINATIONS  ( check out the kickstarter here! ). We roll some dice, come up with some funny stuff, and wind up with a place that is something quite special indeed. Join us and u...

In this episode, Adam and Andrew take a look at what to do when the adventurers  aren't adventuring! Downtime is important, and it helps flesh out not only the characters, but the world they exist in, and helps to build the player's/character's investment in that world. Also mentioned in the show is the currently running Kickstarter from Nord Games: Dangerous Destinations! This is t...

In this episode, Andrew and Adam get to talking about a whole bunch of different things, and wind up talking about the first session of Andrew's Curse of Strahd session, and how things went. This wound up dovetailing nicely into how we can encourage folks who don't GM (or at least don't do it often) to give it a shot, and how we can be supportive. During the show, we mention an arti...

Welcome to season 2 of Inspiration Point! In our first episode for 2021, in the spirit of new beginnings, we want to think about how to bring new people into the hobby of playing tabletop role-playing games. What should you focus on? What should you leave out? Hopefully, after listening to this episode, you all will have a bit of an easier time introducing new folks to this hobby we love so very m...

In our nineteenth and final episode for the year of 2020, we welcome special guest Nathan Stamper on the show! Nathan is a skilled role-player, trained theater professional, and also the very first GM that Andrew ever had! Tune in to hear Andrew, Adam, and Nathan discuss a whole bunch of terrific strategies, tips, and techniques that can be pulled from the arena of theater and used to make our exp...

In our eighteenth episode, Andrew and Adam have gotten their hands on Cyberpunk 2077, and it's time to hash it out. They take a hard look at an incredibly ambitious game, and give their honest, heartfelt views on the product as it currently stands. So tune in, and get your cyber-ears on, because it's time to talk some Cyberpunk! Support the show

In our seventeenth episode, Adam and Andrew decide that it's time to talk about prepping. No, not doomsday prepping. Prepping for your games! We talk about why prep is important, take a look at some of the pitfalls of over-prepping, and think about the idea of the GM letting go of the reins a bit to allow the players to aid in building the world. After all, it is *cooperative* storytelling! S...

In our sixteenth (and belated Thanksgiving) episode, Andrew and Adam take some time to do something very important: think about what they're grateful for. We talk about food (Andrew even provides a super easy no-bake pie recipe!), family, games, and the magic that this hobby brings into all of our lives. Support the show

In part 2 of our fifteenth episode, Adam and Andrew discuss how being a player and a game master can be a real art form, and take a look at some ways we can all try to push ourselves and get the absolute most out of our experiences. Support the show

In part 1 of our fifteenth episode, Andrew and Adam undertake a fun creative effort and come up with two interesting villains, and some very interesting circumstances that surround them. Support the show

In our fourteenth episode, Adam wants to explore when (and when NOT) to pull punches or otherwise intervene to avoid character death. Heresy? Tune in to find out! After that, Andrew wants to talk about what randomness really brings to the table and why it's really so important to this experience we all love oh so very much. Support the show

In our thirteenth episode, Andrew thinks it's about time to help us break free of the comfort zone, and throws out a few ways we can try to do that. Adam, on the other hand, wants us to make the GM's life a tad more nice and comfortable. He thinks we should do this by loving our GMs in many, many ways. Support the show

In our twelfth episode, Adam brings up the ever-popular topic of homebrewing and creating our own cool stuff. Andrew decides to take a look at how allowing passive successes and not asking for too many checks can help our characters to feel more powerful, capable, and believable. Support the show

In our eleventh episode, we cover our new show format, Andrew wants to talk about the virtues of doing dumb, crazy things in-game, and Adam wants to talk about how to make dialogue sharp, meaningful, and how to avoid time-wasting conversation. Support the show