The Tome Show

Continue Magazine

Lords of Waterdeep (Tome 194)

TheTome — Tue, 08 May 2012 13:48:40 +0000

In this episode we discussed Lords of Waterdeep, the latest board game from WotC set in the Forgotten Realms. It’s a game that is completely different than what WotC has put out before…and by in large, we really liked it. Join the Tome Show cast, along with Michael the “Online DM”.

Sponsors:

Tome Show feature on CNN GeekOut

Continue Magazine

Links:

“Online DM” Michael: Twitter | Blog

Latest Book Club is Death Mark:

Current Book Club are all comics including D&D #13-15, Infestation 2 D&D #1-2, D&D Annual 2012, and perhaps Forgotten Realms #1.

Dice Monkey Radio Episode 5

DiceMonkey — Sun, 06 May 2012 17:56:02 +0000

It’s finally here! A long time coming, but Dice Monkey Radio Episode 5 finally got itself edited! On this episode, we talk to my dad, Scotte Meredith, about what D&D was like back in the old timey days before DDI and numbered editions. Hope you enjoy!

Rodney Thompson Advice (Tome 193)

TheTome — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:24:14 +0000

Rodney Thompson, Wizards of the Coast Advanced Designer joins us for this episode. He talks about his work ranging from Star Wars Saga Edition to Lords of Waterdeep..and of course D&D. He gives some advice for DMs on how to handle splitting the party and he helps players go with the flow and teaches us how to handle it when the DM makes a call or house rule that we don’t agree with.

Sponsors:

Prismatic Art Kickstarter

Continue Magazine

Link:

Rodney Thompson: Twitter | Facebook | Rule of Three (WotC) | Official D&D Podcast (WotC)

Old Time Saving Throws

Brimstone Angels (Tome Book Club)

TheTome — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:39:15 +0000

In March 2012 we read the book Brimstone Angels discussed the book and interviewed Erin Evans. This is, perhaps, Tracy’s favorite D&D book of all time. Enjoy!

Sponsors:

Paperback - Kindle -

Links:

Erin Evans - Twitter | Website

Organized Play with Chris Tulach (Tome 192)

TheTome — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 01:52:03 +0000

In this episode we talk about participating in Organized Play the head of WotC Organized Play, Chris Tulach.

Sponsors:

Living Forgotten Realms (LFR)

Links:

Chris Tulach: Twitter | Website

Prismatic Art: Kickstarter | Google Plus | Twitter | Facebook

Wizards Play Network

Ashes of Athas

Living Divine

Wizards Events Page

Wizards Store Locator

Tracy’s Joining the Party article

Heroes of the Elemental Chaos (Tome 191)

TheTome — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 18:37:50 +0000

In this episode we review Heroes of the Elemental Chaos and are joined by Jeremy Morgan and Michael “the Online DM”.

Sponsors

Links

Jeremy: Blog | Twitter

Michael: Blog | Twitter

Behind the DM Screen Ep 3

TheTome — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 05:05:57 +0000

This month Jeff is trying to give a god more punch, Randall is fighting pirates in Mechanical, and Mike is starting a Gardmore Abby and wants your help (thetomeshow AT gmail DOT com, 919-BIZ-TOME).

Sponsor:

Jennisodes Jenn (Gamer to Gamer Ep 3)

TheTome — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 23:05:55 +0000

This month Tracy chatted with Jenn from the Jennisodes.

Sponsors:

Shadowbane (Tome Book Club)

TheTome — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 17:30:41 +0000

In February 2012 the Tome Show Book Club read Erik Scott DeBie’s Shadowbane, a Forgotten Realms novel set in Luskan with characters developing out of his previous book Downshadow. This book is part of the larger D&D novels story called the Abyssal Plague, although background knowledge of that event and the events of Downshadow are not needed (Jeff had not read Downashadow before this book and Tracy had not read any Abyssal Plague books). According to Jeff, “DeBie understands what it means to write in a shared world better than any other author writing in the Forgotten Realms and in Shadowbane he has crafted the perfect Realms story.”

If you want to know more bout Erik visit his website. If you want to know more about the Realms swing by Candlekeep and the FR Wiki.

If you want to buy Erik’s FR books, take a gander:

If you want to buy the next Book Club book it is Brimstone Angels by Erin Evans.

If you want to support the show, swing by Gamerati and Gamerati TV and tell them you appreciate them sponsoring the show.

Building Campaigns the Elder Evils Way (Tome 190)

TheTome — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 03:14:25 +0000

Ryan Costello Jr from the 3.5 Private Sanctuary (website I Facebook) and Know Direction (Facebook) joined Jeff for this episode (Tracy was sick but feeling much better now). We build a campaign using the guidelines from Elder Evils, the last 3.5 D&D book from WotC that was also 4e “compatible”.

Sponsors

2011 in Review, Look Ahead to 2012 (Tome 189)

TheTome — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 22:06:38 +0000

In this episode of the Tome Show Jeff and Tracy are joined by editor Sam Dillon (who didn’t edit this episode, so don’t blame him) and Icosahedraphelia host, Chris Heard.

Our sponsor is Gamerati and Gamerati TV.

And the following is the text of the interview with Mike Mearls:

Year in Review:

Tome Crew: How do you feel about the direction of design for the brand in the last year? What lessons have you learned from it?

Mike Mearls: So far, I think our overall direction is sound. We’ve gotten great feedback on our announcement of the next iteration, and it’s encouraging to see a groundswell of overall interest in D&D. To be honest, I was worried that people might just ignore what we had to say. I think I’ve learned that people love D&D and want to see it succeed. If you give them a chance to help make that happen, they’re more than happy to step up and take part.

TC: I’d like to hear the story of how the decision was made over the last year to revise the game…what brought us up to the announcement?

MM: The big realization was that with each edition, we were creating artificial divides within the D&D fan base. This divide affects the long term health of D&D as a whole because it makes it harder for people to find game groups or even discuss the game with other players. That doesn’t mean that new editions are strictly bad. Instead, it means we need to consider them very carefully and weigh the long term benefits and drawbacks, rather than focus solely on the short term.

When you have a splintered audience, your best bet is to find a way to bring people together. Our central idea is that regardless of what you like about D&D, you can find it in the next iteration. The basic approach is to preserve what’s there and express it in a compact, elegant way, rather than focus on inventing a new way to play D&D.

TC: 2011 was a big year for D&D branching into other mediums (comics, more/new board games, video games, movies, etc.). Has this been a successful movement for the brand?

MM: There’s a lot of interest in D&D out there, and we’ve seen that reflected in the enthusiasm for products outside of the traditional tabletop offerings. The truth is that many people play D&D for a period of time and then move on because life gets in the way. They still love D&D, though, and are willing to delve into it in whatever format fits their lives.

TC: D&D has had some big changes over the last year, could you tell us a bit about why this all came together at once (change in leadership, return of the boxed set, canceling minis and bringing them back, etc.)?

MM: I don’t think any of these things were part of some grand plan. In a lot of ways, the changes in products and such represent a few different attempts to innovate, shake things up, and keep the game fresh.

TC: What was your favorite moment in D&D from 2011?

MM: Running an adventure using some of the basic design principles that are in play for D&D Next. It was good to see a game that included role play, problem solving, investigation, and a couple of fights, fit into less than an hour. A close second would be running and playing five different editions of D&D with members of the R&D team. The thing that stuck out to me was that each edition of the game had its strengths, and in many ways those strengths could complement each other.

Look Ahead:

TC: What do you anticipate being the process for playtesting of D&D Next?

MM: We’re aiming to reach as many D&D players as possible, while ensuring that we get a good sense of what the players as a whole think. It’s easy to let a few, loud voices guide a playtest process, so we’re taking pains to design a system that gives everyone an equal chance to be heard.

TC: How can we expect the D&D Digital Tools to develop in the next year as Silverlight loses support and 4e enters its twilight?

MM: We’re continuing to support the tools by adding content through the magazines and loading materials from our books to it. In 2011, we made an effort to get feedback on which classes and races need more support, and 2012 is when you’ll see the fruits of those labors.

TC: What D&D product for 2012 are you most excited to get into people’s hands?

MM: I’ve seen some initial layouts and text for Ed Greenwood Presents Elminster’s Forgotten Realms, and that book is an amazing look at the Realms through the eyes of the world’s creator. Every time I have an approval meeting, I want to keep reading the text rather than just approve the layout and move on.

TC: With DDXP going away, what newer and bigger things can we expect from D&D at GenCon next year?

MM: We have some great plans for the show, but nothing we want to announce yet. D&D has always been an important part of GenCon, and this year we definitely want to step things up.

TC: What will your favorite moment in D&D be in 2012?

MM: Definitely GenCon. We have some nifty stuff planned.

Lillian Cohen-Moore (Gamer to Gamer Ep 2)

TheTome — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 02:13:10 +0000

In this episode Tracy talked to Lillian Cohen-Moore, a freelance journalist, a gamer, and an all around awesome person.

Gamer to Gamer is a podcast hosted by Tracy Barnett and has the intention to find out about gamers. Who are they? What do they play? How do they play?

Sponsor:

Unnamed DM Show (Ep 2)

TheTome — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 01:52:01 +0000

Mike, Randall, and Jeff are at it again. Jeff wants to know how to get his campaign back in gear, Randall is trying to figure out how to make is Myst-based game more dynamic…and Mike…Mike sticks to his time-limit.

This episode was recorded in early February 2012 and there were no name suggestions at that time. Many name suggestions have come in since then and we will discuss them on the next episode…but feel free to keep them coming in, you have another week or two before we make a decision.

Sponsor:

Dice Monkey Radio Episode 4

DiceMonkey — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:00:13 +0000

Welcome back!

In Episode 4, our special guest is Cam Banks, the lead designer of the Marvel Heroic RPG! We talk to him about D&DNext, Non-Disclosure Agreements, The Marvel Heroic RPG, and answer a call about prophecies.

News: D&DNext Marvel Heroic RPG

Everything I Need To Know I Learned form D&D (Tome Book Club)

TheTome — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:09:42 +0000

In this episode we discuss the book Everything I Need to Know I Learned from Dungeons and Dragons and talked to the author Shelly Mazzanoble.

Sponsors

The Judy Facebook Fan Page

Links

Shelly’s site

Cam and Jess Banks (Gamer to Gamer Ep 1)

TheTome — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 02:37:54 +0000

Welcome to the introductory episode of the Gamer to Gamer show (a Tome Show production) where host Tracy Barnett gets to know a bit more about gamers around the world. If you’d like to be a guest on Gamer to Gamer email thetomeshow@gmail.com. In this episode we meet Cam and Jess Banks.

Sponsor

Madness at Gardmore Abbey (Tome 188)

TheTome — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:36:46 +0000

A panel of Gardmore Abbey experts provides a review of the boxed set adventure while Jeff asks the questions you all want to know. We are joined by Sam Dillon (Tome Editor), Stewart, and Michael.

Sponsors:

Links:

Unnamed DM Show (Ep 1)

TheTome — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:00:57 +0000

Welcome to the as of yet Unnamed DM Show wherein once a month Mike Shea, Randall Walker, and Jeff Greiner will discuss their games and help each other make it better. Enjoy!

Sponsor

News: Menzoberranzan: City of Intrigue Pathfinder Beginner Box Adopt-A-Soldier Program

Dice Monkey Radio Episode 3

DiceMonkey — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:26:57 +0000

Well, it’s been a couple months in the making but Episode 3 is finally here! This was recorded back in November, but Christmas and college got in the way. Now, here it is! Episode 3, with special guest host Tracy from This is My Game and Sand and Steam.

Andrew, who left us a Voice Mail, we haven’t forgotten about you. Your VM will appear next episode. We merely recorded this before you called in.

Sponsor: Gamerati and Gamerati.tv

Today’s topic: Realism in your game Realms of Atlantasia

Advice section: Eclipse Phase

Book of Vile Darkness Review (Tome 187)

TheTome — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 02:39:12 +0000

In this episode Jeff and Tracy are joined by Mike Shea…Matt James also invited himself on the episode. In the episode we review the Book of Vile Darkness.

Sponsors:

Links:

D&D Comic by IDW (Tome Book Club)

TheTome — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 17:55:51 +0000

This installment of the Tome Show Book Club is all about the D&D comic book by IDW available at your local comic shop, Comixology, and in your local comic book reading app on the device of your choice.

Sponsor:

The New York Times article

Dice Monkey Radio Bonus Episode 1: DnD Next Speculation

DiceMonkey — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:00:55 +0000

This episode is a bit different than the last two: A bonus episode with no news, no editing, and 6 hosts!

The Hosts: Tim from Dice, Food, Lodging, Jenn of Jennisodes, Michael of Online Dungeon Master, Michael of The Id DM, Gary of GMSarli Games, and of course, myself.

Here’s a few links to follow along:

The Forbes article

The CNN article

The ENWorld article

DnD Next 1st Reaction RAW (The Tome)

TheTome — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:24:27 +0000

In this episode the Tome Show family (Sam, Tracy, and Jeff) discusses the announcement about the next “iteration” of the game of Dungeons and Dragons. It’s raw, unedited, and unscripted, brought to you by Gamerati and Gamerati TV. This is a topic to be discussed further in the future, but here’s our first reactions the night of the announcement.

We read many articles for our information…but all of them are linked from (and quoted on) the collection on ENWorld.

Pick of the Episode - Legend of Drizzt Boardgame

Raw Naked Tome!

TheTome — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 02:24:09 +0000

This episode had one rule, no preparation at all…and be awesome. I guess that’s two rules. It was a blast, it rambled, it gets awkward at times, and it was legendary!

This episode featured Matt Goetz (freelancer) and Fred Hurley as guests and a wild studio audience in the chat room. Man that was fun.

Typically we record episodes on Mondays at 8PM EST and you can find the live broadcasts on Mixlr. Join us! It’s crazy fun.

Sponsors:

Links:

Oh, I don’t know it was a crazy recording…I know we talked about HoNoToGroABeMo and Jeff awkwardly mentioned the Doctor WhoCast.

Pick of the Episode - Gale Force Nine’s Battlemats

Heroes of the Feywild (Tome 186)

TheTome — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 02:24:07 +0000

Reviewing Heroes of the Feywild with us in this episode is Michael the OnlineDM and Marcelo Dior. Check it out!

Sponsors:

Links:

Marcelo’s Podcast (in Portuguese)

Michael’s Blog

HoNoToGroABeMo (it’s over now…but you can still swing by)

Pick of the Episide - Pathfinder Ultimate Combat

Tome Ep 185: Advice with SRM

TheTome — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 14:33:52 +0000

Stephen Radney-Macfarland, freelance game designer for Pathfinder and Dungeons and Dragons joins us in this episode to run the gambit on advice. Enjoy!

Sponsors:

Links:

HoNoToGroABeMo

Neogrognard (Stephen’s site)

Into the Unknown: The Dungeon Survival Handbook

Dice Monkey Radio Episode 2

DiceMonkey — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:51:46 +0000

Show Notes:

Heroes of the Feywild

The Book of Vile Darkness

Online DM’s Website

The Star Wars D6 Campaign Framework

Stormy Weather: the encounter we come up with at the end of the show

Pick of the Episode - Legend of Drizzt Scenario pack miniatures

HoNoToGroABeMo Reminder

TheTome — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 23:11:16 +0000

Hey all,

Jeff here! I just wanted to send out a reminder that I am participating in HoNoToGroABeMo again this year. That stands for How Not to Grow A Beard Month. A bunch of geeks from around the internet shave on November 1st and then don’t shave again until December. Then we regularly (daily in my case) post thoughts and pictures of our manly face-manes and ask people to sponsor our beards (because it’s proven that money makes beards grow). All the money goes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. I’d love it if you’d all check it out and consider sponsoring my beard, even if just for a couple of bucks.

You can visit HoNoToGroABeMo here, and here you can see all of my posts exclusively…and naturally, this link will take you to the page where you can sponsor me!

Thanks for your support, and for helping women everywhere!

Tome Book Club: Neverwinter

TheTome — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:19:16 +0000

Neverwinter is book 2 in the Neverwinter trilogy by R.A. Salvatore. Tracy and I discussed the book and interviewed the author, R.A. Salvatore. Tracy and Jeff have very different experiences with the book, largely based on their unique history with the characters and stories (Jeff’s read them all and this was Tracy’s first Salvatore book). Enjoy!

Sponsors:

Links:

HoNoToGroABeMo - How Not to Grow a Beard Month

Jeff’s posts on HoNoToGroABeMo

Sponsor Jeff’s beard on HoNoToGroABeMo (funds to go support breast cancer research)

Tome Book Club: The God Catcher

TheTome — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 01:01:35 +0000

In this book club we discuss the novel, The God Catcher and interview the author Erin Evans.

Sponsor:

Pick of the Episode -

Link:

Erin’s Website

The DM’s Roundtable/4Geeks4e

Tome Ep 184: Mordenkainen’s Magnifient Emporium

TheTome — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 01:01:34 +0000

In this episode we look at Mordenkainen’s Magnificent Emporium, discuss the latest D&D news, and have a grand old time with guests Thadeous Cooper and Randall Walker.

Sponsor:

Pick of the Episode: Madness at Gardmore Abbey Links:

Thadeous: Website I Twitter Randall: Website I Twitter

Mordenkainen’s Magnificent Emporium

Dice Monkey Dicecast Ep. 1

TheTome — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 14:10:21 +0000

Introducing the DiceMonkey Dicecast, a Tome Show Production wherein once a month Mark Meredith will bring you gaming goodness with a rotating selection of guests. The guest for this introduction episode (which is coming out a bit later than expected while Mark learns the editing ropes) is Jeff Greiner…from the Tome Show.

Sponsor:

Madness at Gardmore Abbey

Shadowfell: Gloomwrought and Beyond

Links:

Dicemonkey articles about Prophecy: Part 1 I Part 2

Pick of the Episode - Shadow’s Witness

Tome Book Club: Midnight’s Mask

TheTome — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 01:58:52 +0000

In this episode we read, discuss, and interview the author (Paul S. Kemp)about the third book of the Erevis Cale trilogy. Our September book was God Catcher, and that episode should be out shortly, and our October book is Neverwinter. We will be joined on October 24th by R.A. Salvatore, hope you join us for the live broadcast!

Sponsor:

Links:

Mixlr Channel for live broadcast

New Life 2011 Contest Announcement

TheTome — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:47:16 +0000

Only several months late in the recording and a bit longer in the releasing. I want to apologize to all the entrants to the contest (and to some degree the sponsors if they find the delay inconvenient). But here it is, our contest winners (who should email thetomeshow At gmail to claim their prize(s))!

A new Book Club episode should be released very shortly as well!

Pick of the Episode - 3e Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting

The Tome Ep 183: Neverwinter Interview

TheTome — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 02:01:12 +0000

Game designers Erik Scott De Bie and Ari Marmell return to the show to tell us about their work on the exciting new campaign setting book, Neverwinter.

Sponsor:

Links:

Erik - Website I Facebook I Twitter

Ari - Website I Facebook I Twitter

Tome Book Club

Pick of the episode - Neverwinter Campaign Setting

Tome Ep 182: GenCon Retrospective

TheTome — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 15:16:36 +0000

In this episode we bring in an all-star panel of GenCon pros to discuss all things D&D from GenCon 2011. Joining Jeff and Tracy are Dave Chalker (Critical Hits) and Mike Shea (Sly Flourish). We discuss the new announcements (Lords of Waterdeep, RPG announcements, the return of minis, etc.) as well as current events (Neverwinter in it’s various forms). Along the way we also talk about some discussion that happened at the con regarding the general direction of the D&D brand from WotC as well as their desire to see improvements in their website. To wrap things up we let you know what we did, saw, and really enjoyed at the con. This is the last of the Tome Show’s coverage of GenCon 2011, we hope to see you there next year!

Sponsor:

Book Club: Dawn of Night

TheTome — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 21:39:33 +0000

We read Dawn of Night and were joined by Jeremiah McCoy and the author Paul S. Kemp.

In this the second month of the Tome Show Book Club…please leave us a comment to let us know how you’re liking it. We are currently scheduled to record book three of the series ~~August 31st, 2011 at 8PM EST~~ at a later time, feel free to swing by and listen in.

Our book for September is the God Catcher, I hope you join us for that one as well.

Find more information about the book club here!

Tome GenCon Special 7 - Exclusive Interview with Mike Mearls

SamDillon — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 23:49:18 +0000

The Tome Show brings you a special EXCLUSIVE GenCon episode!

This GenCon Special features an interview with MIKE MEARLS! In order to get this to you as fast as possible, we are releasing it without editing. Thanks to the Tome Show Sponsor, Noble Knight Games, and to listeners like you!