TABLETOP TALK - Third Floor Wars Jared Logan (Stream of Blood) - ep.119
May 11, 2021
Jared Logan, a stand-up comedian and the mastermind behind Stream of Blood, unpacks his journey from childhood pretend play to the world of RPGs. He shares insights on how GMing enhances comedy, drawing parallels between crowd work and improvisation. Learn about his approach to running RPGs, focusing on spontaneity over rigid planning. Jared also discusses the surge in RPG popularity, emphasizing storytelling and tactical depth. Plus, he highlights the importance of diverse voices in gaming and offers tips for new players.
01:48:40
Running A Long 4e Campaign For Comedians
- Jared ran a long D&D 4e campaign for comedians, building maps and minis to level 13.
- Despite mixed opinions of 4e, the right group and GM made it rewarding.
Ditch The Railroad
- Avoid railroading; make games open-ended so player choices matter.
- Anticipate branches but favor improvisation and follow players' leads.
Action Drives Drama
- Jared favors action over long planning because action creates drama and lets the GM play.
- Games that reward decisive moves produce better storytelling and engagement.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
First exposure to role‑playing
01:59 • 2min
From comics to RPG curiosity
04:05 • 9min
Board games, CCGs and gaming taste
13:32 • 2min
College, theatre, and stepping away
16:01 • 3min
Becoming a stand‑up comedian
19:23 • 3min
How GMing informed his comedy
22:14 • 4min
Running D&D with comedians
26:18 • 5min
Introducing newcomers to RPGs
31:19 • 4min
Ad break
34:50 • 1min
Spark for creating role‑playing content
35:54 • 6min
Building Stream of Blood team
42:07 • 5min
Streaming changed his play
47:25 • 7min
Ad break
54:02 • 2min
Avoiding the railroad and embracing openness
56:07 • 6min
GMing style: action over planning
01:02:10 • 5min
Prep approach for Blades and Vampire
01:07:21 • 2min
Listening, silence, and player scenes
01:09:49 • 4min
Casting guests and diversity goals
01:14:04 • 8min
Why RPGs are booming now
01:21:46 • 5min
Handling criticism and staying humble
01:26:34 • 2min
Stream evolution and technical growth
01:29:01 • 3min
Measuring success and favorite moments
01:31:49 • 5min
Upcoming shows and new lineups
01:37:10 • 3min
Why non‑players should try RPGs
01:39:49 • 3min
Where to find Jared's work
01:42:48 • 7min
Outro
01:49:26 • 14sec
#
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Robin D. Laws
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Old School Essentials
The award-winning role-playing game of fantastic adventure, monsters, and magic.
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World of Darkness
Tokyo
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Lee Gold
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Steve Crow
#121
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The Hobbit
or There and Back Again
J.R.R Tolkien
Published in 1937, 'The Hobbit' is a children's fantasy novel that introduces readers to the richly imagined world of Middle-earth.
The story follows Bilbo Baggins, a home-loving hobbit, who is persuaded by Gandalf to join Thorin and his twelve dwarves on a quest to reclaim their treasure from the dragon Smaug.
During the journey, Bilbo encounters various creatures, including trolls, goblins, and the mysterious Gollum, and discovers a magical ring that renders the wearer invisible.
The novel is a prequel to 'The Lord of the Rings' and explores themes of personal growth, courage, and unexpected heroism.
#7008
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Dungeons and Dragons
Darren Brewster
Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game.
It's known for its rich world-building, immersive storytelling, and collaborative gameplay.
Players create characters and embark on adventures, guided by a Dungeon Master who narrates the story and controls non-player characters.
D&D's open-ended nature and its emphasis on creativity and imagination have made it a beloved game for decades.
It has inspired countless other games and has had a significant impact on popular culture.
#10041
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Blades in the Dark integrates crafting into downtime actions, which are essential to the game's cadence.
Crafting is a long-term project requiring multiple actions, competing with activities such as stress reduction and preparing for future jobs.
Players can dedicate limited resources to crafting, leading to significant campaign changes.
The game encourages long-term projects that can alter core assumptions, offering rewarding experiences, such as improving a ship's engine.
This system highlights the importance of downtime and the impact of long-term crafting projects on the game world and campaign narrative.
#
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#5439
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The awakening
Kate Chopin
Published in 1899, 'The Awakening' by Kate Chopin is a groundbreaking novel that delves into the inner life of Edna Pontellier, a young mother living in New Orleans and on the Louisiana Gulf coast.
The story follows Edna's 'awakening' to her own desires and yearning for independence, which is accelerated by her relationship with Robert Lebrun.
As Edna begins to question the societal norms that confine her, she starts to pursue her passion for painting, learns to swim, and engages in affairs that symbolize her rebellion against her prescribed roles as a wife and mother.
The novel is rich in symbolism, particularly the sea, which represents freedom, empowerment, and ultimately, Edna's tragic yet liberating end.
Through Edna's journey, Chopin critiques the restrictive roles of women in Victorian society and highlights the complexities of selfhood and women's liberation.
#1
• Mentioned in 1,759 episodes
1984
George Orwell
Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism.
The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother.
Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative.
He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination.
The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.
Join Craig, and his guest Jared Logan, as they talk about Jared's career as a standup comedian and GM for Stream of Blood. They discuss what makes RPGs so great and Jared gives actionable advice on how to make your games better.
Check out the skit he mentions here: https://youtu.be/6yQhMkyDS5s
Check out his Twitch channel: https://www.twitch.tv/streamofblood
Check out his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRDlweRakB38iTuECaEjAVQ
Get his comedy albums: https://www.jaredlogan.com/bio#:~:text=About%20Jared&text=He%20was%20a%20regular%20cast,available%20on%20iTunes%20and%20Spotify.
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