How Brennan Lee Mulligan Runs a Campaign (Behind the Scenes)

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ม.ค. 2025

ความคิดเห็น • 115

  • @dimension20show
    @dimension20show  5 ปีที่แล้ว +141

    Welcome to the OFFICIAL D20 Channel! Subscribe and ring the bell to catch all new episodes and other surprises!
    DON'T SLEEP. Sign up for DROPOUT: bit.ly/2mBCVZM
    Become a member of the CollegeHumor channel today [ bit.ly/2kpp0oz ] for access to OUR ENTIRE DROPOUT LIBRARY (including full seasons of WTF101, Dimension 20, Um Actually, and more)!

    • @assortedramblings9132
      @assortedramblings9132 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I just searched on TH-cam for Brennan Lee mulligan. I may or may not be addicted to him. If you're reading this, you're hilarious and I love your dm work and unhinged rants. You rock

  • @Julesdoesstuff
    @Julesdoesstuff 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1180

    That little eye roll at “and then emily multi classed” is. One of the main moods of this show and I love it

  • @MKCovers
    @MKCovers 5 ปีที่แล้ว +670

    Brennan, you can't make me cry at a behind the scenes for a D&D campaign, that's not fair ಥ‿ಥ

  • @sourwitch2340
    @sourwitch2340 5 ปีที่แล้ว +655

    Brennan saying "They thought this was a funny battle but it was the serious one" should have been in the Brennan being the bad guy compilation. Don't care if the point was villains Brennan plays, that line was evil.

  • @lexi.cmk.turner
    @lexi.cmk.turner 4 ปีที่แล้ว +89

    My life mantra at this point is to make decisions that would make Brennan go "hell yeah"

  • @xsariax
    @xsariax 5 ปีที่แล้ว +571

    A few years ago I finally pumped enough courage from my heart to try D&D but no one wanted to DM, so I decided to do it and make my own story (not knowing ANYTHING about it). When it came time to play, I realized very quickly how much everything can derail and how people will ask questions that you don't know the answer to, so I had to make up shit half the time. It was tons of fun! Watching Dimension20 has definitely learned me up good, though, I'll tell you hwhat. I've made a couple more homebrews since then, one of them being a Disney D&D that I'm rewriting because it can be so much better.
    But anyway, thanks for making Dimension20 and giving us more inspiration to be weird, and to feel okay being weird.

    • @andyme3541
      @andyme3541 5 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      hey making stuff up on the spot is a DM stable. The good players will wait till games end to say 'Hey going forward that on the spot rule you made up doesn't seem fair' and you have time to hash it out and work out what works.

    • @xsariax
      @xsariax 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@andyme3541 Yep. I'm not saying I'm perfect now but I know I've improved with the feedback from the players.

    • @bradleyhurley6755
      @bradleyhurley6755 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      It should be at the top of every DM tips list... there is always that one player who will screw everything you had planned up. If you are unlucky its because they are a jerk and love messing games up...if you are lucky its because they were so engrossed in the story they stopped thinking about it as a story and just behaved how their character would. My last game, the players had fun, but they didn't touch nearly half of the interactions I had prepared for.

    • @whiteflagsfly
      @whiteflagsfly ปีที่แล้ว

      Disney D&D... do you mind if I steal that idea for my own homebrew campaign?

  • @TPRJones
    @TPRJones 5 ปีที่แล้ว +205

    Before The Unsleeping City, New York was just some place that sometimes shows up in movies but mostly I didn't care about it very much. But now I get the lore, and I may be more invested in New York than I've ever been in any place I've ever lived. I have a parasocial relationship with a city now. Thanks, Brennan.

    • @itslexactually
      @itslexactually ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Ugh why does every New Yorker have a parasocial relationship with New York… /s

    • @acelibrarian
      @acelibrarian ปีที่แล้ว

      ​@@itslexactually have you ever been there? It's magical.

  • @philosynfonie7307
    @philosynfonie7307 5 ปีที่แล้ว +253

    Dimension 20 has introduced me to D&D and also convinced me to DM a campaign for my friends, in a World that is a version of Narnia post Prince Caspian with more gods, bc that is the stuff I KNOW. I know all the maps and what races hail from where. I am so exited to DM.

    • @xsariax
      @xsariax 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      That sounds like so much fun :D.

    • @sentientbeans
      @sentientbeans 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Congrats!

  • @MeonLights
    @MeonLights 2 ปีที่แล้ว +50

    The Wall Street fight was a truly brutal one. They were caught on the back foot coming from a win, they were outnumbered and the ritual was so scary and on top of that half their rolls were SO bad. It was truly a marathon. And to go from that into the final battle was brutal.

    • @StrawberryCrush2000
      @StrawberryCrush2000 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      it's probably my favorite d20 battle

    • @ziwuri
      @ziwuri ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@StrawberryCrush2000 well then you must've not seen A Starstruck Odyssey

  • @simoncanniffe9978
    @simoncanniffe9978 4 ปีที่แล้ว +92

    'session 0 where there's no cameras rolling' he says over footage of session 0

  • @iiJow
    @iiJow 5 ปีที่แล้ว +239

    Brennan is proof you don’t need to die to press F to pay respects

  • @gamegraves
    @gamegraves 5 ปีที่แล้ว +69

    Ooops underestimated the spoiler warning

  • @justinberling4946
    @justinberling4946 5 ปีที่แล้ว +31

    4:56 is such an important philosophy when running the game.
    Love this.
    Brennan is a master DM.
    I'd love a tour behind his DM screen though.

  • @RK-ck6pl
    @RK-ck6pl 5 ปีที่แล้ว +190

    Two cast members talk the boss into paying off their debts by doing little bits. And you somehow talk the boss into letting you play D&D (with custom made props) for a living..
    Bravo

    • @dominicwilliams8680
      @dominicwilliams8680 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      ?

    • @jacobclements3652
      @jacobclements3652 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@dominicwilliams8680 total forgivness

    • @Summyer
      @Summyer ปีที่แล้ว

      What???

    • @RK-ck6pl
      @RK-ck6pl ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@Summyer You're the third person to question this but it seems pretty simple. I'll have to assume you guys don't watch the rest of this channel and that's why you don't understand my references.

    • @Summyer
      @Summyer ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@RK-ck6pl I... Don't. It was randomly recommended on my feed that's why I got curious. Is there something wrong with that?

  • @nay-knee7779
    @nay-knee7779 5 ปีที่แล้ว +115

    I don't think it's goofy or weird that you get to be a professional DM. You nail it and keep us coming back for more like players. I'm just jealous a bit. Keep it up lol

    • @andyme3541
      @andyme3541 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      At the same time it is, I mean ten years ago the idea your job could be... being a DM? Yeah no that sounds stupid hell five years you'd have gotten stares. It's weird, cool weird and gods I love that we have reached this point... but it's still freaking weird.

  • @xerothedarkstar
    @xerothedarkstar 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    That thank you at the end, damn man. This is not a zero sum game, thank you for giving us this.
    Something about acts of worship not lessening the worshipper, or whatever Nods' speech was to Bobby.

  • @wophful
    @wophful 5 ปีที่แล้ว +56

    I think it’s so cool how fantasy high and unsleeping city have their own strong suits. Like fantasy high’s characters are so good and memorable but Unsleeping City’s lore feels intricate and interesting.

  • @meganmiranda8110
    @meganmiranda8110 4 ปีที่แล้ว +26

    No, THANK YOU Brennan and D20! This show gives me so much joy, I cannot fully express into words. The creativity behind every season is astounding. But more than that, the emotionality and characterization is beautiful. I cannot wait to see what comes from you all and pray this never stops.

  • @nicolaoakley2778
    @nicolaoakley2778 5 ปีที่แล้ว +28

    My friends all wanted to start playing DnD, and I agreed to be DM, knowing nothing about the game. Watching some of the series on this chanel has seriously helped me get into it and find motivation to learn as much as I can about the game to make it as fun as possible.

  • @davetoms1
    @davetoms1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Brennan Lee Mulligan is a gift to the world
    and all of our lives are better off because
    he shares his intense passion for D&D

  • @derektafoya1152
    @derektafoya1152 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Y'all rock so damn much, you've given my life a wonderful gift . Not just for the watching entertainment but for being a guiding light for my own first campaign to GM for . Brennan's flexibility is what I'm awe of and frees up what I used to think wasn't possible . My son (13) is losing his mind laughing at his blunders not knowing basic combat tactics, it's just a blast to see him interact with a world I literally made up on the fly .

  • @Mon-mon_the_boy8484
    @Mon-mon_the_boy8484 5 ปีที่แล้ว +26

    Thank you
    I love this stuff

    • @Mon-mon_the_boy8484
      @Mon-mon_the_boy8484 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      If you see this Brennan Pls know you're an inspiration to many young D&D players out there like me ☺️

  • @garrettcarter5622
    @garrettcarter5622 5 ปีที่แล้ว +96

    "But you are going to pay for this by losing two NPCs that you like."
    Speak for yourself, I was glad to see Mr. Higgins shot in the head. I believe it was after, "Okay, if that's what *you* want," that made me absolutely hate him. The fact that this teacher chose to be a condescending jackass to a panicking student trying to get help for their ACTUALLY DEAD friends made him irredeemable to me.

    • @Bells_Haven
      @Bells_Haven 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      I mean he did go to hell, so. Lol

    • @fairyscout4255
      @fairyscout4255 3 ปีที่แล้ว +19

      Noo the 2 npcs are doreen and arthur bro

  • @alricaneshama
    @alricaneshama 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    @Dimension 20
    I was introduced to your channel by my hubby, he thought that I would enjoy Fantasy High. I instantly became addicted and not only binged all of it but subscribed and added notifications as well.
    I played once, sadly it wasn't all that fun.
    There were 3 people in total and the campaign was soo boring. The DM was droll, he put in zero effort.
    The one I binged, now that's the kind of game I would LOVE to play.
    Especially with those from Fantasy High and Brennan Lee Mulligan as DM.
    He gets into each character and makes it not just entertaining but so believable.
    As well as those playing, they get so into it. You believe they all are these characters (including the DM).
    So, thank you for sharing your gaming with us.
    💖💖💖💖

  • @kaydecena
    @kaydecena 5 ปีที่แล้ว +25

    Corn cuties, Brennan. Corn cuties, not corn people.

  • @jebron319
    @jebron319 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I loved that they sucked in the first fight with the corn monsters and their teacher was like "this is life and death stop f-ing aorund"

  • @majorfallacy5926
    @majorfallacy5926 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    "the biggest issue with dim20 is time management, that's what separates it from a home game"
    Man you must've been lucky with your home games then

  • @TaterNorth4781
    @TaterNorth4781 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    I actually got some ideas from Fantasy High for my campaign that's also set in a school. I didn't noticed how fun it is to set modern campaigns until I watch this and doing my own

  • @Hambrrgr
    @Hambrrgr 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I always love behind the scenes like these.

  • @nathanokeefe7063
    @nathanokeefe7063 4 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Thanks to Unsleeping City, I created a campaign where my wife plays as a housecat that's also a wizard, in a modern-day version of the city of Corvallis, OR, because it's one of the best cities for cats to live in the US. I'm using 5E as a base, but it's mixed with my own homebrew including Rifts.

    • @Toulin
      @Toulin 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      This sounds amazing! Are you doing a group or just a duet game?

    • @nathanokeefe7063
      @nathanokeefe7063 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@Toulin It's just me and my wife. :)

    • @Toulin
      @Toulin 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@nathanokeefe7063 Nice! What sorts of hijinks does a wizard housecat get in to?

    • @nathanokeefe7063
      @nathanokeefe7063 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@Toulin Well, she surprised me by going evil. She's trying to kill humans who mistreat cats.

    • @Toulin
      @Toulin 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@nathanokeefe7063 Ha! I love that. I looked up Rifts and went down a very inspiring rabbit hole. Thanks for that! My BF and I play a duet game set in my homebrew world, but after watching Unsleeping City, I want to do a "real life" setting. I was thinking something in the Northwest since it's so magical already.

  • @BlackShadow1991
    @BlackShadow1991 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Always intriguing and useful to listen to the DM's insight :)

  • @sylasm6403
    @sylasm6403 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Dimensions 20 has Re-sparked my love for D&D

  • @cboehm24
    @cboehm24 2 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Still think that first season of Unsleeping City was an incredible accomplishment--both from the story creation perspective and from the individual actors/players creating/playing their roles. It trips all of the things that make playing RPGs incredible--joining history, philosophy, imagination, and group creative spirit. Also, [SPOILER] making Robert Moses, of all people, the villain was a stroke of complete genius.

  • @urktheturtle2988
    @urktheturtle2988 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    This channel is so good, I love you guys.

  • @gpvs2
    @gpvs2 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    More Dimension 20 content. Hell yeah!

  • @glowing_purple_girl
    @glowing_purple_girl 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Allow me to steal the idea for a session zero for my own campaigns, thank you very much-!
    For real though, D20 has always got me looking for little tips on how to write a good campaign, thank you, players and DM alike for inspiring me to do more tabletop stuff with my pals

  • @echognomecal6742
    @echognomecal6742 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Brennan Lee Mulligan: highly enjoyable human, want him as a neighbor.

  • @MissLilyputt
    @MissLilyputt 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    What an awesome job though. To be able to come up with a story that takes you on a journey with your friends, where things can be derailed and fun or insanity ensues, and you can do it in person or online is amazing.
    I’m hoping that maybe, just maybe, one day, there could be a P4A perk that you can see in person the taping of the show or being a side character in the campaign for a day or even just have an NPC named for the donor.

  • @margusgrenzmann3977
    @margusgrenzmann3977 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This show drew me in to d20 and still subscribed.

  • @Varrizwatches
    @Varrizwatches 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I so want to play a game with Brennan as the DM..

  • @Stark21293
    @Stark21293 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Everyone can agree that Brennan is hands down a master DM……but I’m willing to bet that THATS his “normal”.

  • @jadedcatz7067
    @jadedcatz7067 5 ปีที่แล้ว +27

    YES!!! GOOD!!! I ENJOY THIS MUCH!!! YES!!!! THAN!!!! KYOU!!!!

  • @IpooWhenIPee
    @IpooWhenIPee 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I fuckin love this guy.

  • @izraakazekeen
    @izraakazekeen 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Dang i would love to get a chance to be playing as a pc for brennan & he’s our DM 🤤. It’s a bucket list for sure !

  • @gargamellenoir8460
    @gargamellenoir8460 5 ปีที่แล้ว +74

    I thought he would say "The biggest challenge with Dimension 20 comes from Emily Axford" :D
    EDIT : Also please lift the ban on international Dropout users for the Discord. It really sucks that we don't get to chat with the other fans, cast and crew, and it feels really unfair.

    • @raffitz
      @raffitz 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      If instead of subscribing to dropout international, you pay through youtube (by joining the CollegeHumor channel), you get access to mostly the same content plus the discord.

    • @fairyscout4255
      @fairyscout4255 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@raffitz hm

    • @voidify3
      @voidify3 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      The discord is no longer subscriber exclusive

  • @dylanmiller6335
    @dylanmiller6335 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    My favorite moment of Brennan summed into a meme has to be
    *Brennan* :creates the box of doom
    *Brennan* :sees the box of doom “AAAAH”

  • @ikeekieeki
    @ikeekieeki 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Brennan is precious

  • @Milshare
    @Milshare 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Brennan, you rock, man! :)

  • @michaelhumphrey5695
    @michaelhumphrey5695 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    You're welcome Brennan

  • @ISEGaming
    @ISEGaming 5 ปีที่แล้ว +51

    O shoot there's spoilers in this, I didn't know that [SPOILER] [SPOILERS]. If you havn't seen the whole series, don't look at 3:10 as I haven't seen them on YT yet :(

    • @michaelsnow3
      @michaelsnow3 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Same

    • @rodanandme
      @rodanandme 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Dropout is only $4.20 a month if u wanna binge the rest of Unsleeping City and start Fantasy High Sophomore Year

  • @Dvinven
    @Dvinven 4 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    You are the handsomest man I've ever seen and the voices you can do are incredible. You are very welcome.

  • @fawkes9718
    @fawkes9718 5 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    This was so interesting. I've been watching all the behind-the-scenes content just trying to find one of the answers in this video, which was: how do the players all seem to be so comfortable with and knowledgable about their characters right off the bat?
    The only other question I still have is: how did you take several people who have never played D&D before and make them expert roleplayers? Like seriously, the cast is incredibly good at acting realistically, even when it might not be the best or most practical option for their character, like Adaine attacking her sister on the first day, when she was aware that Aelwyn was much more powerful.
    My guess would just be that they are actors? But it takes some really committed people to put themselves in dangerous situtions for the sake of authentic roleplaying...

    • @lunavixrn5651
      @lunavixrn5651 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      These people are all actors and improv comedians, and several of the main cast had played DND before Fantasy High. I believe Emily, Murph, and Lou (as well as Brennan) had experience. Ally didn't, I'm only guessing that Siobhan didn't, and Zac is anybody's guess. But they definitely know how to improv and are experienced actors, all of them.

  • @Sumtinrandom
    @Sumtinrandom 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    When I first saw that collegehumor was doing these D&D videos and podcasts I assumed they were mostly just trying to capitalize on the succes of Critcal Role and hoping to 'stand out' by using a high-school premise. It didn't take me long to realize that roll20 is actually increadibly creative and original, far beyond running a normal D&D game. This unsleeping city campaign, with its novel, yet recognizable setting, the countless of absolutely brilliant ideas derived from tropes and themes almost everyone can relate to (the 80's stock-broker asshole who got cursed to be a rat, the jewish golem who has a crush on Lady liberty, the TV novella-esque fued between the abandoned housewife and her ex's fiance from Staten Island)... It's just so fucking good!

  • @jester9215
    @jester9215 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Brennan you god damn beautiful person

  • @emily_042
    @emily_042 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I really need to get Dropout....

  • @RelicasSnow
    @RelicasSnow 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Brenan i will send you all my toilet paper and hand sanitizer if you make a capmaign setting book 0.0

  • @WhatsUpGazpacho
    @WhatsUpGazpacho 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    HEY I'M QUESTING HERE 😂😂😂

  • @bobbyhill2951
    @bobbyhill2951 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Season 3 please

  • @PassiveWealth
    @PassiveWealth 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I absolutely both loved and hated that part in the Wall Street fight where Pete just gets Power Word Killed. The looks on their faces (and probably mine too) were priceless.

  • @urktheturtle2988
    @urktheturtle2988 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    nice

  • @jackrhodes8207
    @jackrhodes8207 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Will you be posting more unsleeping city on you tube or will it only be on Dropout

    • @natalycotes9824
      @natalycotes9824 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      As far as I know, the rest of the episodes will only be available on dropout but if you want some free Dimension 20 content tune in wednesdays on dropout's twitch channel to check out fantasy high live!! Sophomore year!! It's wild!

    • @jackrhodes8207
      @jackrhodes8207 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks I’ve been watching it’s great

  • @nikalusward2151
    @nikalusward2151 ปีที่แล้ว

    I know it’s been out for three years but I just spoiled a season for myself.

  • @Bethanysnow
    @Bethanysnow 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I will listen to this man read a phone book. And now due to this fuckin nonsense my players know dnd starts with "say hi intrepid heros"

  • @Ayse-x8d3u
    @Ayse-x8d3u 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Has Brennan ever shown his DM screen and orginizatational layout?
    Asking for a DM friend..
    Me. I'm my friend. Brennan PLZ if you haven't. I will sub to all your Screen spreading content.

  • @Trigun99
    @Trigun99 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Generic awesome comment to increase TH-cam analytics

  • @alicelaybourne1620
    @alicelaybourne1620 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    My nephew moved and took his friends with him, so no more D&D for me. I miss it, and these episodes make it worse. Wish I could find like minded folks to campaign with.

  • @spacepirate1449
    @spacepirate1449 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I dont understand

  • @justbeyondthecornerproduct3540
    @justbeyondthecornerproduct3540 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    This should have had major spoiler warnings on it!

  • @romanwolf0072
    @romanwolf0072 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    not first

  • @kylepmore2842
    @kylepmore2842 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Can this turd host an entire Adventure Zone arch?

  • @mataskersys5
    @mataskersys5 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    First

  • @Skavoc
    @Skavoc 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Oh man not even a spoiler tag for this one. Real classy. Guess I don't have to watch the rest of the season. Jesus fuckin christ.

  • @manuelprsnl
    @manuelprsnl 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Wait is this spoiling stuff that hasn't been released yet?

  • @FCastle23
    @FCastle23 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Stop paywalling content

    • @pocketuniverseproductions6547
      @pocketuniverseproductions6547 5 ปีที่แล้ว +33

      There can be no content without the paywall. The people creating the content are doing it as their job. They have families. They have mortgages. They need health insurance. They're supposed to starve, so you can get free stuff? Grow up. And if you want to pay the least possible, watch all the free youtube stuff, then pay about $5 to get a month of DropOut and binge the rest.

    • @hq4287
      @hq4287 5 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      What other economic model would you suggest

  • @bluepearl9204
    @bluepearl9204 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Is a crown of candy coming to youtube when its finished