Nerdarchy on TTRPG Discussions: Relationships Level Up Your Games
In this 21-minute video on Nerdarchy the YouTube channel Nerdarchists Dave and Ted explore relationships in roleplaying games and how tabletop RPGs can help us get better at relationships.
This video came about as a follow up to our Monday Live Chat and accompanying newsletter where the topic was Relationships. It occurred to Dave how RPGs break the mold when it comes to the old adage, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” The discussion begins there and branches off into various relationships being created around the gaming table.
The conversation identifies two sorts of relationships related to RPGs like player to player and player to NPC via the Game Master. Among players there’s ample opportunities to make first impressions whether this takes place within the context of games like when new characters join a campaign or a completely new campaign begins. These offer windows into exploring new relationship dynamics with your friends as well as their characters.
In the case of NPCs the relationship possibilities expand infinitely. From a GM perspective alone the individual gets a chance to consider countless relationship dynamics — as countless as the number of NPCs who appear during a campaign. In all cases when players take the time to explore relationship building the immersion in the game grows deeper.
In our own Adventures we put effort into creating compelling NPCs because we understand and enjoy the importance of relationships throughout a group of adventurers’ exploits. Establishing a relationship with NPCs in these adventures offers new insights and pathways to success along with more compelling and memorable encounters players will remember for a lifetime. Two adventures in particular — Death Pit and Winter Court Soiree — focus particularly on the potential for richer relationships and their affect on overall outcomes.
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