Critical Role & Sagas of Sundry: Dungeon Master Tips with Amy Vorpahl

Host: Dan Casey
Guest: Amy Vorpahl, Game Master of Sagas of Sundry: Goblin Mode
Episode: Dungeon Master Tips (w/ Amy Vorpahl) | Quests N’ Answers
Release Date: February 5, 2025

1. Introduction to Game Mastering

Dan Casey welcomes listeners to a special episode of Question Answers, focusing on the art of game mastering (GMing) in tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs). He introduces Amy Vorpahl, the Game Master for the current season of Sagas of Sundry: Goblin Mode, highlighting her unique perspective and experiences in DMing.

2. Amy’s Journey into Tabletop RPGs

Amy shares her entry into the world of TTRPGs during her freshman year of college.
Notable Quote:

"I actually started later than I think most people have. I didn't start until my first day of my freshman year of college." ([03:04])

She recounts how her acting background influenced her approach to role-playing, immediately falling in love with the immersive storytelling aspect of the games.

3. First Experiences as a Dungeon Master

Amy discusses her initial challenges when attempting to DM for the first time, highlighting a traumatic first session where she struggled with improvisation under pressure.
Notable Quote:

"It was like, I'll open the book and whatever comes out, you know, I'd been doing improv. I could improvise this, and I couldn't. I stumbled. I almost started crying." ([09:25])

Despite this rocky start, Amy persevered, eventually gaining confidence through subsequent DMing opportunities, including running a session for Mothership.

4. Advice for New Dungeon Masters

Amy offers valuable advice for aspiring DMs, emphasizing the benefits of using homebrew campaigns over pre-written modules for longer campaigns.
Notable Quote:

"If you're gonna run a module campaign or a pre-written campaign, your entire job is memorization. Like that's it. That's your job. And that's not that fun. Homebrew. There's so much freedom. You actually have to prepare so much less and pretend that you've prepared more." ([14:08])

She advocates for collaborative storytelling, suggesting that DMs should engage with players to refine and enhance the narrative experience.

5. The "Rule of Cool" vs. Strict Rules Adherence

The conversation delves into balancing creativity with game mechanics. Amy introduces the concept of the "Rule of Cool," which prioritizes enjoyable and imaginative actions over strict rule adherence, especially in the early levels of gameplay.
Notable Quote:

"Rule of cool gets toss. Oh, it's really cool. Really cool." ([18:56])

Dan and Amy agree that while rules provide structure, allowing flexibility can lead to more engaging and memorable game sessions.

6. Building Player Investment Through Backstories

Amy highlights the importance of integrating player backstories into the overarching narrative, enhancing the depth and personalization of the campaign.
Notable Quote:

"I got on the phone with each one of them for 30 minutes to an hour, and we built full back stories. And now I know what to do." ([38:10])

Dan shares his experience of how detailed player backstories can unexpectedly become pivotal plot points, enriching the storytelling process.

7. Rewarding Aspects of Dungeon Mastering

Amy expresses her love for the performative and collaborative nature of DMing, likening it to the "theater kid energy." She appreciates the creative freedom and the ability to foster a safe, inclusive space for players to express themselves.
Notable Quote:

"It's the theater kid energy that is just. It feels like... it's the closest as an adult I've ever gotten to that feeling of people, you know, creating something together in a very performative way." ([43:37])

Dan echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the liberating aspect of embodying different characters and contributing to a shared narrative.

8. Enhancing World-Building and Storytelling

The discussion shifts to practical tips for world-building, such as defining material resources, magic systems, and societal laws within the game world. Amy advises DMs to consider the logical consistency of their worlds to maintain immersion and player engagement.
Notable Quote:

"Materials matter and it takes about five... laws can be. You can make four laws that are just like, don't if you hurt anybody." ([57:24])

She underscores the significance of detailed world-building in creating a believable and engaging setting for players.

9. Recommendations for RPG Systems

While primarily focused on Dungeons & Dragons, Amy expresses her admiration for other RPG systems like Call of Cthulhu and Werewolf. She appreciates their unique mechanics and the depth they bring to character creation and storytelling.
Notable Quote:

"I really do enjoy Call of Cthulhu... They all stack skills really, really makes it feel like you've got a unique character." ([51:10])

10. Conclusion and Promotions

As the episode wraps up, Amy promotes her personal projects, including her social media handles and an upcoming video game demo available at playvesper.com. Dan encourages listeners to explore Amy’s work and stay engaged with future episodes of Goblin Mode.

Final Thoughts:

This episode provides a comprehensive exploration of the role of a Dungeon Master, offering both personal anecdotes and practical advice. Amy Vorpahl’s insights into balancing narrative creativity with game mechanics, the importance of player collaboration, and effective world-building make this a valuable resource for both novice and experienced DMs. Her passion for storytelling and fostering inclusive gaming environments shines through, inspiring listeners to enhance their own TTRPG experiences.

Notable Quotes Recap:

• "I didn't start until my first day of my freshman year of college." ([03:04])
• "I'll open the book and whatever comes out... I almost started crying." ([09:25])
• "Homebrew... there's so much freedom." ([14:08])
• "Rule of cool gets toss. Oh, it's really cool." ([18:56])
• "I got on the phone with each one of them... we built full back stories." ([38:10])
• "It's the theater kid energy that is just... creating something together." ([43:37])
• "Materials matter and it takes about five... laws can be." ([57:24])
• "I really do enjoy Call of Cthulhu... unique character." ([51:10])

Connect with Amy Vorpahl:

• Instagram: @vorpalsord
• Video Game Demo: playvesper.com
• Collaborations: Play Vesper Instagram

Stay Tuned: For more insights and adventures, listen to upcoming episodes of Sagas of Sundry: Goblin Mode on Geek & Sundry’s YouTube channel and your favorite podcast platforms.