I absolutely love this series. It's odd going from the action packed 2 hour sessions to this. It makes me want to play D&D, write character background stories and setup adventures. So awesome.
I'm also dangerously close to DMing another campaign. It always turns out fine for the players but secretly I'm comparing myself to Perkins and cursing my own ineptitude.
+Bobgrey From his tutelage it's clear being a good DM isn't about killing players or the DM "winning". It's about presenting a story and adventure. Watching him DM you can see he challenges his players but he doesn't outright try to end them. Perkins is clearly more concerned with world building and how much fun his players are having, which I respect greatly. I loved the time he had the over powered dragon cultists wipe the group only to spare them and make that part of the over arching narrative. The idea of killing a group only to send them to hell and have them fight out or to capture them and have nearly naked adventurers escape certin death is a concept I have fiddled with a lot. Your players should be having fun above all else. You can add a sense of danger by giving them a guide or companion, then slaughter it and make them feel like they are next. Like the party camps in a copes of trees, guide 001 has second watch. He is loudly drug into the dark night and crunched apart, you can hear bone snap and flesh rip as he calls out for aid. Then it all goes silent. Roll initiative. You have the power to make it feel dangerous, exciting and amazing. The best part about being a DM is the incredible endless possibilities! What ho!
Mike Blodgett I'm not an experienced DM by any means. All of 2015 was my first and longest campaign. Second session I did almost kill the whole party with goblins by misinterpreting how challenge ratings works. But yea, Perkins is the reason I always try to incorporate player character backstory into the overall plot and take note of which players prefer combat to roleplay situations so everyone has a chance to shine. Its exhausting improv work since I don't do a ton of prep before sessions but it's so rewarding when everything clicks that I barely even miss being a player.
+Bobgrey When you are a DM you are a player in many respects. You are the old codger sending adventurers on a quest, you are the kobolds swarming a settlement, you are the gods, the devils and oblivion. Prep can help, Perkins said staying three steps ahead of the party is key. Your contingency plans need contingency plans. I ad-lib adventures to start with fresh characters. Each PC starts in its own part of the world. In turn you guide them into situations where they have to act. Each "choice" leads to disfavour with a band of thieves or cult members or a quest giver or whatever. Individually they are banished, sent on a quest or left for dead in part of a disreputable town. Once you have a group assembled the binding force should be set upon. There is an idea that four people (give or take) are instantly in harmony, best friends and want each other to succeed. Real characters probably don't care too much if one person or another dies. But infusing dependency on the group early can make them act with cohesion. Above all I take note from Captain Picard, even if you don't know what to do, under no circumstances let your crew know that. As a DM never panic, let all things flow. From the top let everyone know it's about fun. If you need a creative moment crack a book and thumb through like you need info on a rule. I'm no DM guru. This is all just my style. I can only hope it helps a bit. Allons-y!
+Bobgrey One of the best encounters I DMed (and I've not DMed many to be fair) was when I misjudged the CR rating on Shadows (they have a low CR but resistance to non-magical weapons so will eat low levels alive). Whole thing goes to shit as the party try to steal a magical hammer and spring a trap that releases Shadows who down the rogue (he was separated from the party and ganked 3 v 1) The sorcerer realises the whole thing is arse over tit and casts expeditious retreat on himself and just legs it out the door. The druid transforms into a giant spider and uses his webs to carry the rogue (who was first to the treasure... trap, shadows, combat and downed) out the roof of the temple. Sometimes you just have to screw up a bit and the encounter still works out, only better than expected. Also the Druid constantly brags about that time he carried (literally) the party through an encounter.
I haven't cried laughing in ages. The mental image of Jim Darkmagic crouched in a box with a rod of healing tucked in his bum is too much to deal with. Add Binwin's perpetual flatulance in an enclosed space and it's off the scale. Chris Perkins is a Lord among Dungeon Masters and the players are a thing of joy when they are in full swing. Have a magical day!
I absolutely love Viari's role throughout this entire game! He's so good at smooth talking and getting things to his advantage. He should be a permanent part of the team if he's able
Guys! Guys! Send these episodes to your friends! If you look it up the views are steadily dropping since the first episode. Spread the word about this magnificent series!
I just love in the background you can see Chris flicking through the DMG looking for a treasure to have gone missing. This is proper DM skills letting the table set up their story and preparing yours at the same time.
u know how u hope Christmas would be everyday well, this is just that. rather than waiting every year we got this every week. keep it up guys u are awesome.
A list of all the podcasts and live shows by AI: www.crplt.de/dnd-ai/ I know, nobody asked for it, I did it anyway. I was looking for something like that, could not find a decent source, so I made my own. Feel free to share. :) It’s a complete list of all the Acquisitions Incorporated adventures, both the podcasts and the videos (live-shows and the series)
Does anyone know what he used to make his maps? I know earlier they jokes about him making them by hand, but I can't seem to figure out what he actually used.
+pennyarcadeTV I feel so sorry for Binwin/Scott. He has been waiting to smash something ever since they stone shaped their way into the vault. I can tell by his posture and facial expression that he wanted blood sooooo badly :-( Why torture the dwarf? racists
This is a heist and stealth / interaction challenge from begining to end. The rogue, mage and cleric are doing just fine. It is his (Scott's own fault by design, you should always be able to contribute to the game in the three most common types of encounters: Combat, Intrigue/Interaction, and Exploration/Investigation Scott may just not have any ideas or is just waiting for combat every encounter. Many players (even expereinced ones) make this mistake. That being said, he's an excellent player for keeping his mouth shut and not talking about unrelated stuff during the game as others are talking.
The pronunciation of dais is such a geeky thing it could be a meme. :)A word that only crops up in rpg scenarios. Every group must have come across it at some point. Days, deez, dayus?
Great series. There are a lot of checks missing though. 0:55 to 1:31: Kerrrington Sway is only going to be asleep for a mere 1 minute with Sleep spell. Did Jim cast it via wand? 1:32 That is so a Deception check, though with the bribe just concluding it could have advantage. 11:01 Persuasion/deception check should have been made since it is during an alarm. Again likely with advantage. To search for a secret door falls under Investigate. To notice a secret door switch with perception is like finding the one book on a shelf that opens a secret door just by looking at the shelf from a hole in a box... pray for a 20. 22:10 Any time that O.Dran speaks as Auspicia, or Viari speaks as Veridy ("Allow me to present ....???") they should have to make a Deception check, especially if they can't recall a detail or pause too for too long? 25:49 Love the paranoia. 28:35 If they 'searched everyone in the room' including Omin/Auspicia in disguise, his disguise would be under scrutiny and he would lead to a Deception vs Perception check. *Poor Scott, he's drawing up a comic strip*
Come on guys! Wipperwill! You can take em... you'll never get another chance better than this one! I was yelling that at the computer, at a video that was obviously filmed weeks ago... I really just want to see another near party wipe like what happened against the dragon cultists...
I honestly thought that they were gonna find the key on the zentarium and then insist on omen and crew going into the vault to where the rod is now missing
Also, Carington was still under Jim's suggestion spell and was bound to continue to go along with everything for 8 hours. At most a couple hours had passed.
anyone know what that "I thoroughly hope you realize" reference is? this is the second time they have used this joke in AI. the first being Scott in the very first season while refering to dragons in heat.
Wait, did they completely ignore the secret passage? Chris, told them that Viari knows where it is and how to open it and than they just try to come up with a plan how to escape. I thought the secret door WAS the plan?
if not, close enough :p these guys critical role and since this week force gray on nerdist with Matt mercer as DM (again) and Chris Hardwick, Ashley jonson and more as pcs
This has really been the Patrick Rothfuss adventure.
Which is mostly what I really want anyway.
I'm still waiting for a Viari edition of Sia's "Chandelier"
It would be fun to have a 'Viari, behind the scene's' session. If only so he can do stuff that he has to talk his way out of in the Pax sessions.
I absolutely love this series. It's odd going from the action packed 2 hour sessions to this. It makes me want to play D&D, write character background stories and setup adventures. So awesome.
I'm also dangerously close to DMing another campaign. It always turns out fine for the players but secretly I'm comparing myself to Perkins and cursing my own ineptitude.
+Bobgrey From his tutelage it's clear being a good DM isn't about killing players or the DM "winning". It's about presenting a story and adventure. Watching him DM you can see he challenges his players but he doesn't outright try to end them. Perkins is clearly more concerned with world building and how much fun his players are having, which I respect greatly.
I loved the time he had the over powered dragon cultists wipe the group only to spare them and make that part of the over arching narrative. The idea of killing a group only to send them to hell and have them fight out or to capture them and have nearly naked adventurers escape certin death is a concept I have fiddled with a lot.
Your players should be having fun above all else. You can add a sense of danger by giving them a guide or companion, then slaughter it and make them feel like they are next. Like the party camps in a copes of trees, guide 001 has second watch. He is loudly drug into the dark night and crunched apart, you can hear bone snap and flesh rip as he calls out for aid. Then it all goes silent. Roll initiative.
You have the power to make it feel dangerous, exciting and amazing. The best part about being a DM is the incredible endless possibilities! What ho!
Mike Blodgett I'm not an experienced DM by any means. All of 2015 was my first and longest campaign. Second session I did almost kill the whole party with goblins by misinterpreting how challenge ratings works. But yea, Perkins is the reason I always try to incorporate player character backstory into the overall plot and take note of which players prefer combat to roleplay situations so everyone has a chance to shine. Its exhausting improv work since I don't do a ton of prep before sessions but it's so rewarding when everything clicks that I barely even miss being a player.
+Bobgrey When you are a DM you are a player in many respects. You are the old codger sending adventurers on a quest, you are the kobolds swarming a settlement, you are the gods, the devils and oblivion. Prep can help, Perkins said staying three steps ahead of the party is key. Your contingency plans need contingency plans.
I ad-lib adventures to start with fresh characters. Each PC starts in its own part of the world. In turn you guide them into situations where they have to act. Each "choice" leads to disfavour with a band of thieves or cult members or a quest giver or whatever. Individually they are banished, sent on a quest or left for dead in part of a disreputable town. Once you have a group assembled the binding force should be set upon. There is an idea that four people (give or take) are instantly in harmony, best friends and want each other to succeed. Real characters probably don't care too much if one person or another dies. But infusing dependency on the group early can make them act with cohesion.
Above all I take note from Captain Picard, even if you don't know what to do, under no circumstances let your crew know that. As a DM never panic, let all things flow. From the top let everyone know it's about fun. If you need a creative moment crack a book and thumb through like you need info on a rule.
I'm no DM guru. This is all just my style. I can only hope it helps a bit. Allons-y!
+Bobgrey One of the best encounters I DMed (and I've not DMed many to be fair) was when I misjudged the CR rating on Shadows (they have a low CR but resistance to non-magical weapons so will eat low levels alive). Whole thing goes to shit as the party try to steal a magical hammer and spring a trap that releases Shadows who down the rogue (he was separated from the party and ganked 3 v 1)
The sorcerer realises the whole thing is arse over tit and casts expeditious retreat on himself and just legs it out the door. The druid transforms into a giant spider and uses his webs to carry the rogue (who was first to the treasure... trap, shadows, combat and downed) out the roof of the temple.
Sometimes you just have to screw up a bit and the encounter still works out, only better than expected. Also the Druid constantly brags about that time he carried (literally) the party through an encounter.
I haven't cried laughing in ages. The mental image of Jim Darkmagic crouched in a box with a rod of healing tucked in his bum is too much to deal with. Add Binwin's perpetual flatulance in an enclosed space and it's off the scale.
Chris Perkins is a Lord among Dungeon Masters and the players are a thing of joy when they are in full swing.
Have a magical day!
Viari is such a good face for the group.
No kidding. Always leave the talking to the rogues!
Unless you have a Bard.
I always have to remind myself that he is in fact not a bard. I must be the lack of chandelier-dropping in this adventure.
What? I thought he was a bard? Is he a rogue really?
Yup,. All the characters are in the description of the video. But he sure plays him like a bard.
I absolutely love Viari's role throughout this entire game! He's so good at smooth talking and getting things to his advantage. He should be a permanent part of the team if he's able
To be fair, he's been the staple fourth character in AcqInc for a fair number of years, during the PAX shows
My sentiments exactly!
if I wanted a personal spokesman, I'm definitely hiring him! haha
"Did shomeone shay black powdah?!" ~Victor
Guys! Guys! Send these episodes to your friends! If you look it up the views are steadily dropping since the first episode. Spread the word about this magnificent series!
Oh my god I love this series so much!! I hope it never ends. NEVER. Chris Perkins
You jinxed it, it seems.
I just love in the background you can see Chris flicking through the DMG looking for a treasure to have gone missing.
This is proper DM skills letting the table set up their story and preparing yours at the same time.
That Kerrington Sway should check his previledge. Who is he to assume Auspicia Dran's gender?
Kerrington's from NC!
u know how u hope Christmas would be everyday well, this is just that. rather than waiting every year we got this every week. keep it up guys u are awesome.
Omg Jerry you sent a chill up my spine when you stood up to that guy. A+
YESS, so happy. Love seeing Pat.
Oh my god make it next week now.... Please!!! WHIPPOORWILL!!!!!!!
Binwin is so patient in this game
I can not consume enough of Acquisitions Incorporated media. Greatest show ever. Netflix should get in on this.
Oh shit, boys, this is going to be good!
*Only 18* 👇👇👇
615709.loveisreal.ru
THE INTRO IS FLIPPING AMAZING! Gets me in the right mood every time!!!
The outro does it for me too with that yarling singing!
I love how much verbal play Viari is getting in this episode.
I Love to watch these short sessions, they all keep adding up. Keep up the great work Acquisitions Incorporated, can't wait to see the next one!
"It's a bassoon solo." And nobody even blinks at that hilarity. Nice work Rothfuss.
Probably the worst moment of my day is when one of these episodes ends and I realize I have to wait another week to see the next one.
"I keistered it." "Well, it can cast heal..."
I lost it. I'm crying.
Fucking love these guys.
Please never stop doing these. They're fantastic.
11:35 OMG Stanley! I certainly hope you realise how happy this made me and I certainly hope you realise how much I miss the Daily Affirmation Podcast.
this is getting so good.. it was annoying at first having weekly episodes, but now the cliff hangers/story changes makes it epicly super dizzle
I Cannot get enough of this - it fulfills my every need until I see them again performing at PAX. Im naming my first born Whippoorwill
A list of all the podcasts and live shows by AI: www.crplt.de/dnd-ai/
I know, nobody asked for it, I did it anyway. I was looking for something like that, could not find a decent source, so I made my own. Feel free to share. :)
It’s a complete list of all the Acquisitions Incorporated adventures, both the podcasts and the videos (live-shows and the series)
Christian Ruppelt that's handy thanks man
24:28 yaasss! Pat's chandelier bit is my favorite!!
"Are there chandeliers here?"
The fourth time I've seen a realized that in theory the emissary is a half-elf, hence he's immune to magic sleep. But, oh well, who gives a damn
Just Recently Got Into D&D... This Keeps Me Sated Between Games. Thank You
This deserves so so many more views. Such a great show
This could(should) be a movie!
I love the idea of Dwarven "Battle by Combat." A quick remark by Jerry X)
Guys lets start copying these links and spreading the word about this series on the PAX videos so that they can get more views!
spread the GREEN FLAME
GREEN FLAME
+Nick L GREEN FLAME!
Green flame indeed
I love hanging from cliffs.
Oh no Chris forgot Fey Ancestry XD Poor drunk had no chance
Good point.
Amazing this need to be a continuous thing, love this group and look forward to many many more!
IIRC Binwin is chosen (of who i forget) and detects all secrets doors while underground.
Great stuff! Very fun to watch.
I look forward to these every week.
This just keeps getting better!
Does anyone know what he used to make his maps? I know earlier they jokes about him making them by hand, but I can't seem to figure out what he actually used.
He created them in Photoshop, so sort of by hand.
+pennyarcadeTV ohhhh okay, thanks a bunch!
+pennyarcadeTV I feel so sorry for Binwin/Scott. He has been waiting to smash something ever since they stone shaped their way into the vault. I can tell by his posture and facial expression that he wanted blood sooooo badly :-( Why torture the dwarf?
racists
Though not exactly what he used, check out Grid Cartographer for a program to make maps like that (no affiliation, just a happy customer)
This is a heist and stealth / interaction challenge from begining to end. The rogue, mage and cleric are doing just fine. It is his (Scott's own fault by design, you should always be able to contribute to the game in the three most common types of encounters: Combat, Intrigue/Interaction, and Exploration/Investigation
Scott may just not have any ideas or is just waiting for combat every encounter. Many players (even expereinced ones) make this mistake.
That being said, he's an excellent player for keeping his mouth shut and not talking about unrelated stuff during the game as others are talking.
i look forward to this every week! Must be longer videos!!!!!
incase it hasnt been seen on the others, new favorite series on youtube, keep it up guys!
The tension is real
Aagh! these always feel too short!
Best part of my week, right here.
The pronunciation of dais is such a geeky thing it could be a meme. :)A word that only crops up in rpg scenarios. Every group must have come across it at some point. Days, deez, dayus?
Thank you so much for making these!!!
Great series. There are a lot of checks missing though.
0:55 to 1:31: Kerrrington Sway is only going to be asleep for a mere 1 minute with Sleep spell. Did Jim cast it via wand?
1:32 That is so a Deception check, though with the bribe just concluding it could have advantage.
11:01 Persuasion/deception check should have been made since it is during an alarm. Again likely with advantage.
To search for a secret door falls under Investigate. To notice a secret door switch with perception is like finding the one book on a shelf that opens a secret door just by looking at the shelf from a hole in a box... pray for a 20.
22:10 Any time that O.Dran speaks as Auspicia, or Viari speaks as Veridy ("Allow me to present ....???") they should have to make a Deception check, especially if they can't recall a detail or pause too for too long?
25:49 Love the paranoia.
28:35 If they 'searched everyone in the room' including Omin/Auspicia in disguise, his disguise would be under scrutiny and he would lead to a Deception vs Perception check.
*Poor Scott, he's drawing up a comic strip*
Erik AC yes random man on the internet tell one of the lead designers how he should run his game
Wednesdays have become appointment viewing - i LOVE IT
Who do I need to bride or assassinate in order to elongate these episodes? I can't handle this weekly longing for more.
"Whippoorwiiiiiiill!" 100th time's the charm :)
hoping they continue with many more episodes! these are great (:
This episode ended on almost the exact same cliffhanger as the last one!
I would love to see something like this, but with Rolemaster or Ars Magica.
Viari deserves a raise after all that real time diplomacy.
I have to say, chosing a heist for these 30 min episodes was a really good idea.
As a dm, ive always wondered if the alarm really was the zhentarim, a third party, or just chris trying to get some action started.
Come on guys! Wipperwill! You can take em... you'll never get another chance better than this one!
I was yelling that at the computer, at a video that was obviously filmed weeks ago... I really just want to see another near party wipe like what happened against the dragon cultists...
Damn, I can't wait.....this is awesome guys. Keep it up!
What an amazing episode! Laughed out loud the whole time! :-D
What are the blue folder pack organisers the characters use? @PennyaracadeTV
Simple Officemate organizers: amzn.to/29yuWVE
I was wondering about them too.
Cheers
Commenting for later**
you could have said, how did we steal anything...we were locked in the vault and the other dude can confirm!
great sessions, keep it up. :) see you at pax east!
Nice! Can't wait for nr. 7!
Did Jim lose his concentration from the Suggestion spell he had casted on that guy?
Oh crap, them dwarves are getting guns now!
I'm 20:08 in, but I'm pretty sure the last words of this episode will be "roll for initiative."
I really hope that Portentia is behind this whole thing and it was all just a test.
TMW staying up until 3:30am was totally worth it.
I honestly thought that they were gonna find the key on the zentarium and then insist on omen and crew going into the vault to where the rod is now missing
FUCK YES!!!!!!
this show makes Wednesdays sooooooo much better
Ha, every time I see your name, I recite the Fight Club mantra in my head!
Nerdarchy in death I DO have a name....
and mine was Robert Paulson :)
Nerdarchy love the channel, guys. It'd be awesome to see you guys, Web DM and Aquisitions Incorporated on the same stage together.
I gotta say, fabulous work on the fantastic screenshots you use for the thumbnails!
-Ó-Ò-
3
"All fifteen inches." LOL
Carington's an elf, he can't be put to sleep by magic. Also there is a saving throw
Also, Carington was still under Jim's suggestion spell and was bound to continue to go along with everything for 8 hours. At most a couple hours had passed.
Tristan Froese the DM is the head designer I don't think that matters
anyone know what that "I thoroughly hope you realize" reference is? this is the second time they have used this joke in AI. the first being Scott in the very first season while refering to dragons in heat.
I love this series!
Wait, did they completely ignore the secret passage? Chris, told them that Viari knows where it is and how to open it and than they just try to come up with a plan how to escape. I thought the secret door WAS the plan?
did anyone else notice Jerry say "battle by combat?"
ah damn I wish you'd release this in 1 hour segments, such a wait with all these cliffhangers >.< loving the series so far
was really expecting one dwarf to be called Birdn Oises
Scott is sitting there like "LET ME OUT!!!"
These cliffhangers are killing me.
that karinton swee (the edmisery) was a half-elf......so no magic sleep.......for the rest good episode
Pat is using a Critical Role D20 :D
Finally, thank you
Yesss.... My favorite time of the week! First?
if not, close enough :p these guys critical role and since this week force gray on nerdist with Matt mercer as DM (again) and Chris Hardwick, Ashley jonson and more as pcs
Fuckin neato
I love these so much. xx
*"She's not my mistress, she's not even a woman"* Did you just assume my gender?
fall back on your turn so the dwarf can poke him in the ass and then pass him out.
Both more hilarious, and more likely with less Hp!
22:40 "I have that on dvd."
Longer please!
This is cruel and unusual punishment.... Haha I can make it to next week
WAIT A MINUTE, Omin is a HALF-ELF??!! :O
I used to like Matt Mercer. After watching these my new favorite DM is Chris Perkins
this is best fun to watch XD love it