Smosh Mouth Episode #61: In The Mind Of The Dungeon Master w/ George Primavera
Release Date: September 9, 2024
Hosts: Shane Topp (Short) & Amanda Lehan-Canto (Tall)
Special Guest: George Primavera
1. Introduction
In episode #61 of Smosh Mouth, hosts Shane Topp and Amanda Lehan-Canto welcome their special guest, George Primavera, a seasoned Dungeon Master (DM) and Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) expert. The trio delves deep into the world of tabletop gaming, exploring George's journey, experiences, and insights into professional DMing.
2. George's Background and Career
George begins by sharing his multifaceted career in the gaming sphere. He co-produces the Hero Club podcast with his friend Nick, where they record live D&D sessions that are later edited into immersive audio dramas. Additionally, he collaborates with Critical Role on a show called Reslayer's Take Badass, adapting the Hero Club format into the expansive universe of Exandria. George manages to juggle multiple D&D games weekly, highlighting his dedication and expertise.
George [02:30]: "My bread and butter is weirdly my job now."
Shane [02:34]: "Whoa. Five different ones?"
3. Dungeons & Dragons as a Career
The conversation shifts to the evolution of D&D from a hobby to a viable career path. George attributes this shift to a renaissance in tabletop gaming, bolstered by mainstream successes like Stranger Things and influential shows like Critical Role. He emphasizes the importance of adapting and evolving within the game, especially with upcoming rule changes from Wizards of the Coast.
George [21:05]: "Having its little renaissance, Stranger Things made it kind of cool."
Shane [25:16]: "How do we break Shane's bad luck?"
4. Experiences with DMing and Playing
George discusses the nuances of DMing versus playing. He expresses a preference for ruling the game as a DM, finding it more engaging than being a player. George appreciates the balance between structure and improvisation, allowing him to guide the narrative while accommodating unexpected player actions.
George [27:44]: "I love DMing. I don't have as much fun playing as when I do DMing."
Shane [28:04]: "What makes doing it for content so hard is you kind of have to keep it moving."
5. Personal Stories: Musical Theater and COVID
George recounts his early career as a musical theater performer in New York, sharing a pivotal moment that led him away from the stage. A disastrous off-Broadway performance involving a challenging patter song caused him to pivot towards voiceover work and eventually, professional DMing. The COVID-19 pandemic further propelled his career shift, as lay-offs pushed him to focus entirely on his passion for D&D.
George [04:30]: "I’ve been DMing since before I was DMing."
Shane [05:33]: "Can you talk about it?… It was like 40 car crashes consecutively."
6. Luck in Gaming
A significant portion of the episode explores the concept of luck in gaming. George staunchly believes in luck, citing his experiences of both good and bad fortune during gameplay. In contrast, Shane shares his struggles with consistently poor rolls, leading to humorous anecdotes about rerolls and character mishaps.
Shane [47:53]: "You mentioning that your friends rolled natural ones brings me to something I wanted to ask, which is do you believe in luck?"
George [48:09]: "Yeah, 1,000%. How could you not believe in luck?"
7. Specific Gaming Sessions and Stories
Shane details a memorable D&D one-shot campaign he ran with George, Nick, and Alex Tron. The campaign centered around antagonistic heroes facing off against a suave demon named Merlot. Despite meticulous planning, the players' unexpected actions led to humorous and chaotic developments, showcasing the unpredictable nature of tabletop gaming.
Shane [33:12]: "And they're like, oh, yeah, let's turn to the camera and strike a pose."
George [42:27]: "You got to the place you wanted to get to in a really fun, unexpected way. That's like the DM thing, man."
8. The Creative Process of DMing
George emphasizes the balance between planning and improvisation in DMing. While he outlines general story arcs, he allows room for player creativity, often adapting on the fly based on their decisions. This flexibility ensures that each session remains dynamic and engaging, preventing the narrative from becoming too rigid.
George [44:15]: "It sort of depends if I'm DMing like a 10 session campaign for Hero Club. I usually have like a pretty good idea of where I want."
Shane [45:27]: "We were playing like an Indiana Jones kind of campaign."
9. The Future of Gaming and D&D
The discussion moves towards the future of D&D and tabletop gaming. George highlights the growing diversity of tabletop RPGs and the importance of maintaining the game's relevance through continuous dialogue and rule updates. The hosts express excitement about upcoming D&D content and the potential for new gaming adventures.
George [26:10]: "I do think it's also, like, a smart play to keep the game relevant."
Shane [60:07]: "How about bad luck, zombies and aliens all at once?"
10. Conclusion
As the episode wraps up, George presents Shane and Amanda with customized rubber dice sets to "refresh their luck," adding a playful and heartfelt touch to their camaraderie. The hosts express their gratitude, highlighting the supportive dynamic between them and George. They encourage listeners to check out George's various projects and the ongoing Smosh vs Aliens series.
George [48:41]: "We're just gonna refresh your luck with some fresh dice sets for you guys."
Shane [63:39]: "Thank you so much."
Notable Quotes
- George [02:30]: "My bread and butter is weirdly my job now."
- Shane [05:33]: "It was like 40 car crashes consecutively."
- George [27:44]: "I love DMing. I don't have as much fun playing as when I do DMing."
- Shane [33:12]: "And they're like, oh, yeah, let's turn to the camera and strike a pose."
- George [48:09]: "Yeah, 1,000%. How could you not believe in luck?"
- George [42:27]: "You got to the place you wanted to get to in a really fun, unexpected way. That's like the DM thing, man."
- George [48:41]: "We're just gonna refresh your luck with some fresh dice sets for you guys."
Final Thoughts
Episode #61 offers an engaging exploration into the world of professional DMing and the evolving landscape of tabletop gaming. George Primavera provides invaluable insights into balancing multiple gaming commitments, the artistry of storytelling in D&D, and the intricate dance between preparation and spontaneity. Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the realm of Dungeons & Dragons, this episode is a treasure trove of experiences and wisdom.
To stay updated on George Primavera's projects and catch upcoming episodes of Smosh vs Aliens, be sure to follow their respective channels and platforms.