We Speak Common

This week we've got our hands on a review copy of the Vampiric Bloodline subclass for Scourers. We'll tell you all about it and our thoughts on how it could lead to some interesting charters! We'll also talk about our Perfect Party Compositions, and some rather silly ones too. Maybe part composition doesn't mater, maybe it does? We'll delve into it all this week.  Check out the Vampiric Blood...

This week we're joined by TreantMonk to talk about the thing he's best at, optermisation. With Chris' help Joe is going to try and teach Ben a thing or too about how to build effective PC's. We'll also get into why optermisation isn't what you think it is and clarify what we mean when we use the word. Theres a lot of food for thought in this extra sized episode.  You can find TreantMonk on tw...

This week we're talking about the next level of build rich, world charcters. These tips and ideas work for bot Player Characters and NPC's!  Also we announced the winner of last weeks Monster's of the Old World Giveaway Didn't hear the one thing that'll get your creative brain going? let us know: Find us on twitter: @WeSpeakCommon Email us at wespeakcommon@hotmail.com Music: "Street Dancing"...

This week we delve in to the fantastic supplement to D&D 5e, Monsters of the Old World. As well as give one of YOU the chance to win a copy. We'll talk about our favorite parts of the book, the great creatures and how we plan to use them in our games to give you some ideas. The details for the giveaway can be found on our Twitter! Monsters of the old world features work by: Andrea Maffia, Anne...

This week we talk about building player character plots and using them effectively in game. We'll tell you how we do it, why its SUPER important, and how not to over shadow the main story or other characters. PLUS a Cleric being fought over by two gods and how to pull it off in game. Didn't hear the one thing that'll get your creative brain going? let us know: Find us on twitter: @WeSpeakCommon Em...

This week we tackle questions from Sir Paul Knight! We talk Verisimilitude, and gritty realism. Will it fit your game and players? Will it be fun or a chore. We also talk about our favorite D&D Modules AND Star Wars TTRPGs!  Didn't hear the one thing that'll get your creative brain going? let us know: Find us on twitter: @WeSpeakCommon Email us at wespeakcommon@hotmail.com  Music: "Street Dancing"...

This week Joe recovers from having four wisdom teeth pulled by reading up on Pathfinder. D&D strikes back in the studio and we go over how we put together our notes and world bibles for each campaign.  Didn't hear the one thing that'll get your creative brain going? let us know: Find us on twitter: @WeSpeakCommon Email us at wespeakcommon@hotmail.com   Music: "Street Dancing" by Time...

This week we're going on a journey through the Planes of Existence. Listener Felix got in touch via email to ask how we use the planes in our games. We'll talk you though the canon planar system, as well as some fun home brew options, we'll swim through the Astral Sea and talk about the long dead copses of gods that inhabit that space and go in depth on the closer planes that shadow our prime mate...

This week its USA Vs. UK.  We're joined by the amazing and awesome guys from World Forge, a podcast for creatives and world builders. Each episode they create something new and completely improvised. We'll be talking about how Sam and Piper got into D&D and table top gaming, the differences between the game and it's communities in the US and UK, and what they see UK D&D as from across...

This week, after receiving and all inspiring email from Andrew, we talk about adapting 5e to any divergent setting you can think of. In Andrew's case it includes aliens and future tech, but these skills should work for any setting. We talk about the magic of re-skinning and why you shouldn't be worried about breaking the game. Didn't hear the one thing that'll get your creative brain going? let us...

This week we talk about player conflicts after a listener gets in touch with some of their worries. We'll tell you what we think you can do to ensure you and your group are having the best time. Then we'll get creative with the Cleric, there's a couple interesting ideas to turn your game on it's head. Didn't hear the one thing that'll get your creative brain going? let us know: Find us on twitter:...

This week Ben tries to comprehend the incomprehensible, The Great Old Ones. Joe has tones of tips on how he is currently running a great old one patron. How that plays out in the game, the things the players see and hear, and its effects on the story.  Didn't hear the one thing that'll get your creative brain going? let us know: Find us on twitter: @WeSpeakCommon Email us at wespeakcommon@hot...

 This week we talk about rewarding your party. We'll go over Experience Points (and Milestones), Gold and Treasure, Magic items and Spell Books, and Boons. We'll give you our thoughts on the best way to utilise each type of reward, and they campaigns they suit.  Didn't hear the one thing that'll get your creative brain going? let us know: Find us on twitter: @WeSpeakCommon Email us at we...

This week we're talking about giving your players control of the story. How to adapt when they throw a spanner in your story works, whether to change your story or not and how to pull it off. We'll talk about our experiences we've had as DM's and players and how they've improved the game.   Didn't hear the one thing that'll get your creative brain going? let us know: Find us on twitter: @WeSp...

 This week Joe gives his tips on how to build encounters for a party at 20th level. The things you need to think about when planning for an epic tear level game and what you can do to make it memorable and work well! Didn't hear the one thing that'll get your creative brain going? let us know: Find us on twitter: @WeSpeakCommon Email us at wespeakcommon@hotmail.com Music: "Street Dancing" by Timec...

This week we take on a submitted topic. When you've been the DM for so long and you just want to play, how can you encourage your PC's to change to the dark side? We've got tips and tricks for you to use and we'll encourage you to take up the DM chair ourselves.  Didn't hear the one thing that'll get your creative brain going? let us know: Find us on twitter: @WeSpeakCommon Email us at wespea...

This week we'll talk you through getting your last minute D&D session ready! We've got hints and tips on how to stay on top of the planning, and a few techniques you can use to craft a solid session out of no where in 20 minutes.  Didn't hear the one thing that'll get your creative brain going? let us know: Find us on twitter: @WeSpeakCommon Email us at wespeakcommon@hotmail.com Music: "Street Dan...

This week we discuss the product announcements from the D&D live event 'The Descent'. The Adventures announced and what we are excited about with in them, as well as a couple of other interesting products. We delve into the game tales from our own games, and how to set up and pay off story arches for the characters. Didn't hear the one thing that'll get your creative brain going? let us know: Find...

This week we're joined by Phoebe to hear her thoughts on D&D. After only been a player for about a year and a half we talk about her perception of D&D Before and after playing, how its changed and what her advice is to other wannabe and new players. We'll also talk about the stigma and global perception of the game and it’s effects us and you. Didn't hear the one thing that'll get your creative br...

This week we follow on from Cursed items and talk about Sentient items... cursed or otherwise. We'll talk about the best ways to bring them into the game, and how to make them feel realistic. We'll talk about our tips for making each item interesting and different from the last. We'll even give you a couple of brief quests built around sentient items that you can flesh out and use in your next gam...

This week we're talking about two smaller topics that were suggested by you!  Cursed Items; how do you use them fairly, effectively and in a fun way as a DM? As a player what do you need to look out for? What do you do when you're cursed from that new great sword you love? And how do approach the subject with your DM? Lore; How can you as a DM seamlessly drop interesting lore into your games?...

Wow! 30 episodes, where has the time gone? We've got tons more stuff to talk about and some great content coming up. For this week we'll talk about changing up the published adventures for your own campaigns. Ben has been working with another DM to tie together multiple published campaigns and has plenty experience ripping and changing things, hopefully what he has to say and the questions Joe ask...

This week we deep dive into the idea of Magic in a D&D setting. What is it? How does it work? is it known or a mystery? These are the questions we'll attempt to answer, as well as talking about magic in our own world and a little Gothic horror. Find us on twitter: @WeSpeakCommon Email us at wespeakcommon@hotmail.com Music: "Street Dancing" by Timecrawler 82 From the Free Music Archive CC by NC 

This week, inspired by TreantMonk's recent discussion, we're talking about Optimisation Vs Role Play. What should you think about more when building a character, Stats or Story? Can they work together and ultimately do they go hand in hand? Welcome, to We Speak Common. Find us on twitter: @WeSpeakCommon Email us at wespeakcommon@hotmail.com Music: "Street Dancing" by Timecrawler 82 From the Free M...

After turning to Reddit to ask what new Classes you'd like to see in D&D we were given some amazing ideas and responses. This episode we're going to go through them and discuss how we think they would work in the game. Shout to all the people that got involved in the post, hope you like the episode! Find us on twitter: @WeSpeakCommon Email us at wespeakcommon@hotmail.com Music: "Street Dancing...