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Loren makes videos
United Kingdom
Приєднався 23 лис 2022
I talk about story structure and how it relates to Dungeons and Dragons. Other topics I cover are ideation, character development, and creative writing.
Feel free to email me for collabs and professional enquiries at:
enquiries@lorenmakesvideos.com
New video every Sunday-ish evening GMT
Feel free to email me for collabs and professional enquiries at:
enquiries@lorenmakesvideos.com
New video every Sunday-ish evening GMT
Overcoming the Monster: Master Storytelling for D&D & TTRPG Adventure
Hello everyone, and welcome! In today's video, I’m talking about one of the seven plots, Overcoming the Monster and its applications to Dungeons and Dragons game writing. Christopher Booker first identified this narrative structure in his book The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories.
I’ll explore:
🧙♂️ What makes Overcoming the Monster the ideal plot to include in your adventure
🗡️ Its application in Dungeons & Dragons and other tabletop RPGs.
📜 The five stages of the plot and how you apply them
I’ll break down how to weave this structure into your adventure, it doesn’t matter if you’re an experienced game master seeking inspiration or a new storyteller curious about narrative frameworks. This video really does apply to everyone as you can take away just what you want from it.
Stay tuned for the rest of the series, where I’ll tackle the other six plots and their TTRPG applications
💬Share your favourite examples of the Overcoming the Monster plot in the comments below.
✨ Don’t forget to like and subscribe!
#DungeonsAndDragons #TTRPG #Storytelling #OvercomingTheMonster #SevenBasicPlots
-----------------------------------------------
Chapters:
00:00 - Start
01:14 - Stage 1
02:15 - Stage 2
03:04 - Stage 3
03:58 - Stage 4
05:06 - Stage 5
05:56 - First steps and outlining
06:54 - Pacing
07:17 - Writing a good ending
----------------------------------------------
Videos:
ua-cam.com/video/-MlMqVlyqWk/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/D6A8nzsnLtE/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/cHiaoLsC8nw/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/KDViDIh9IAY/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/MOgPyYl16Yc/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/gVf163Cwbr8/v-deo.html
-----------------------------------------------
Sources:
Plot: The art of story. Amy Jones. (2012).
amzn.to/3ZXnJ82
I’ll explore:
🧙♂️ What makes Overcoming the Monster the ideal plot to include in your adventure
🗡️ Its application in Dungeons & Dragons and other tabletop RPGs.
📜 The five stages of the plot and how you apply them
I’ll break down how to weave this structure into your adventure, it doesn’t matter if you’re an experienced game master seeking inspiration or a new storyteller curious about narrative frameworks. This video really does apply to everyone as you can take away just what you want from it.
Stay tuned for the rest of the series, where I’ll tackle the other six plots and their TTRPG applications
💬Share your favourite examples of the Overcoming the Monster plot in the comments below.
✨ Don’t forget to like and subscribe!
#DungeonsAndDragons #TTRPG #Storytelling #OvercomingTheMonster #SevenBasicPlots
-----------------------------------------------
Chapters:
00:00 - Start
01:14 - Stage 1
02:15 - Stage 2
03:04 - Stage 3
03:58 - Stage 4
05:06 - Stage 5
05:56 - First steps and outlining
06:54 - Pacing
07:17 - Writing a good ending
----------------------------------------------
Videos:
ua-cam.com/video/-MlMqVlyqWk/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/D6A8nzsnLtE/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/cHiaoLsC8nw/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/KDViDIh9IAY/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/MOgPyYl16Yc/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/gVf163Cwbr8/v-deo.html
-----------------------------------------------
Sources:
Plot: The art of story. Amy Jones. (2012).
amzn.to/3ZXnJ82
Переглядів: 271
Відео
The Top 10 Cliffhangers That Will Hook Your Players
Переглядів 16621 годину тому
Hello everyone and welcome! In this video, I explore cliffhangers - the storytelling tool that will keep your players hooked and eager for another gaming session. I’ll explore the 10 types of cliffhangers and show you how to use them effectively in your tabletop RPGs, including Dungeons & Dragons or other creative writing projects. 🚨 What You’ll Learn: • Why unexpected accidents and surprise tw...
5 Best Twists & Reveals To Shock And Surprise Your Players
Переглядів 15314 днів тому
Craft effective plot twists for adventure writing. You can use these techniques for Dungeons and Dragons campaigns or other RPGs! I talk about how twists add depth, surprise, and a dash of emotional engagement to your adventures. These 5 types of twists will help you create a strong narrative that will keep your players invested in the world you're building. We'll examine five key types of twis...
Who Is Lord Soth? The Sinister Story Arc Of A Dragonlance Supervillain
Переглядів 162Місяць тому
Hello everyone and welcome! In this video, I explore the dark and troubled past of Soth, the infamous Knight of Solamnia, as he rises to become one of the most feared and doomed figures in the Dragonlance universe. I take you through the tragic events that shaped Soth's destiny, from his squire beginnings to his eventual downfall into darkness. Get ready to uncover the secrets behind Soth's tra...
I Spent A Day At Dragonmeet 2024 And Got These Awesome Games
Переглядів 123Місяць тому
Hello everyone and welcome! I'm taking you on a short but sweet tour of Dragonmeet 2024 and showing you the games and books I bought from the convention! I'm focussing more on solo gaming and discovered some wonderful journalling RPGs, which I will talk about later. This was my first time attending the seminars, and I really enjoyed them. I'll link to their books below. Chapters 00:00 - Whistle...
Zagyg's Story Arc | The Mad Arch-Mage Who Became A Demigod
Переглядів 791Місяць тому
Hello everyone and welcome! In this video I'll be delving into the Zagig - or is that Zagyg's? lore. I track his story arc, using the story circle method and show how he changed along the way. Zagyg is an iconic character in the Greyhawk setting, and because of this, he crops up frequently in other character journeys, including the likes of Tasha, Fraz Urb'luu, and Iuz. If you want to be the fi...
The Making Of Ravenovia | A Short Story Of Strahd's Mother
Переглядів 742 місяці тому
Strahd’s mother, Ravenovia is a critical part of his lore, but her story is often underdeveloped. In this video, I want to delve more deeply into the relationship between Ravenovia, Lysaga, and Barov and how it affected the Strahd we all know and…dislike. I use Rosmary’s Baby as a starting inspiration for the beginnings of this psychological horror novella, titled Ravenovia. The first five chap...
What Lurks In The Shadows Of Tal-Yool Ruins?
Переглядів 2702 місяці тому
Join me on this SoloDark adventure as my characters delve into the mysterious Tal-Yool ruins. This historical site is shrouded in secrets and rumours, and my plucky band of adventurers have each been sent on a quest to retrieve a secret artefact. They need to work as a group to escape alive, but how honest are they going to be with each other? Will they reveal the true reason they’ve been sent ...
Rolling Up A Dungeon | Should I Leave This To Chance?
Переглядів 1232 місяці тому
Hello everyone and welcome! In the latest instalment of my SoloDark series, I’m designing my dungeon map. Because I’m both the GM and player I need to rely on randomisation to make sure I’m not influencing any of the rooms and difficulty. There are some great rolls and not so great, but I’d rather it be that way than build the dungeon I think I want. In the next session, I will put my character...
My Green Screen Fail! VLOG 002
Переглядів 442 місяці тому
Hello everyone, and welcome. In this video, I’m sorting out my green screen as the setup did not go according to plan during last session's video. I came up with a solution that involved some work, but we got there nevertheless! Please like and subscribe if you want to be the first to see my videos. 00:00 - Start 01:50 - Holes in the wall 02:24 - The cord is up! 03:21 - The final setup #solodar...
SoloDark Session 0 | Are My Characters Tough Enough?
Переглядів 4123 місяці тому
Hello everyone and welcome! In this video, I'm creating characters for my SoloDark adventure. Get ready to meet my PCs and learn more about their backstories and how I used a motivation emulator to make them. I’ve put together an exciting bunch of misfits who will be going on a legendary Shadowdark quest - well, as legendary as possible for level 1. I'll be sharing my gaming insights and what r...
So Much Prepping For SoloDark | Behind The Scenes VLOG 001
Переглядів 783 місяці тому
Hello everyone, and welcome! This is my first vlog, where I prep for my SoloDark adventure. I spend many hours making and prepping my videos, so I thought I might as well take you along this time. I rearrange my desk, camera, and filming setup to prepare for my one-player Shadowdark adventure. I will also give you a tour of my office/studio and explain how I write, make, and shoot my videos - p...
The Rise And Fall Of Fraz-Urb'luu | His Legendary Story Arc Explained
Переглядів 1,7 тис.3 місяці тому
Hello everyone and welcome! In this video, I explore the intricate world of Fraz-Urb'luu, the Prince of Deception, as we unravel the compelling narrative of his downfall. I use the story circle or plot embryo to show how his unique story fits the steps of the hero's journey. Because Fraz-Urb'luu's lore also intersects with Tasha, Zagyg, and Tsojcanth's stories, this video can also help people w...
The Armoury | How I write a Dungeons & Dragons Campaign
Переглядів 1613 місяці тому
Hello and welcome! In this video, I take you on an epic journey back to the Tudor-era Dungeons & Dragons style! I'll guide you through crafting an unforgettable DnD adventure, The Quiet Armoury. Will the players uncover hidden secrets within the Tower of London's mysterious armoury? More importantly, though, will they save Anne Boleyn in time? We’ll cover: - Armoury historical lore and how we c...
Transform Your D&D Ideas Into Bestselling Novels
Переглядів 3273 місяці тому
Hello everyone, and welcome! Are you a Dungeons and Dragons game writer or homebrew game master looking to transform your epic campaigns into bestselling novels? (aim high!) In this video, I'll guide you through the step-by-step process of turning your D&D ideas into a novel. Yes, you read that right. I discuss character development, character point of view, worldbuilding, plotting, and outlini...
Shadowdark Gameplay & Tips: The Halloween RPG Everyone's Obsessed With
Переглядів 2153 місяці тому
Shadowdark Gameplay & Tips: The Halloween RPG Everyone's Obsessed With
Iggwilv or Tasha? The Witch Queen’s Chaotic D&D Story Arc Explained
Переглядів 2,6 тис.4 місяці тому
Iggwilv or Tasha? The Witch Queen’s Chaotic D&D Story Arc Explained
Alien Romulus: Is It The Perfect Dungeon?
Переглядів 1104 місяці тому
Alien Romulus: Is It The Perfect Dungeon?
Tips From a Copywriter | Use Historical Lore For World Building
Переглядів 1075 місяців тому
Tips From a Copywriter | Use Historical Lore For World Building
Plan Your Session 0 Like a Storytelling Master in D&D
Переглядів 2515 місяців тому
Plan Your Session 0 Like a Storytelling Master in D&D
Vecna: The Tragic Story Arc of D&D's Most Powerful Lich
Переглядів 1,4 тис.5 місяців тому
Vecna: The Tragic Story Arc of D&D's Most Powerful Lich
Strahd von Zarovich: The Tragic Story Arc Of D&D's Most Notorious Villain
Переглядів 2825 місяців тому
Strahd von Zarovich: The Tragic Story Arc Of D&D's Most Notorious Villain
Make Your D&D Campaigns Better: Story Circle/Plot Embryo Method
Переглядів 925 місяців тому
Make Your D&D Campaigns Better: Story Circle/Plot Embryo Method
Royal Revelations: Level Up Your D&D Game With Tudor Lore
Переглядів 2536 місяців тому
Royal Revelations: Level Up Your D&D Game With Tudor Lore
Anakin Skywalker's Flaws: A Lesson in DnD Character Growth
Переглядів 1266 місяців тому
Anakin Skywalker's Flaws: A Lesson in DnD Character Growth
Craft an Epic Character Backstory with a Solo D&D Adventure!
Переглядів 1527 місяців тому
Craft an Epic Character Backstory with a Solo D&D Adventure!
Writing a Perfect Character Death in Dungeons & Dragons
Переглядів 5587 місяців тому
Writing a Perfect Character Death in Dungeons & Dragons
The 6 Conflict Types That Work Best for DnD Backstories
Переглядів 3388 місяців тому
The 6 Conflict Types That Work Best for DnD Backstories
Entering The Tower Of London | How To Write A Dungeons & Dragons Campaign
Переглядів 598 місяців тому
Entering The Tower Of London | How To Write A Dungeons & Dragons Campaign
Is Fallout the Perfect Dungeon Setting?
Переглядів 2638 місяців тому
Is Fallout the Perfect Dungeon Setting?
Awesome video...A fantastic overview...I love RPGs that play with this format...the world of darkness games or Stormbringer give interesting perspectives on this plot type.
Thanks so much, yeah you can't beat a werewolf/vampire adventure! The masquerade game reminds me of '1000 year old vampire' that I'm playing
Cool, there is so much narrative depth in playing vampires. @@lorenmakesvideos
This was great. Thanks for the video.
Thanks so much!
Great video!
Thanks so much!
The riddle has caused confusion in the comments, will you guess the right answer?
5:21 - FYI: Anne Boleyn died by a sword, not an axe. I honestly though you would have known that! 😄 Maybe you got your information from a BBC documentary?
I can only see/hear sword in the video and transcript let me know where you heard axe as a time stamp and I'll clip it
Oh I see where you've got that from I changed the riddle's answer to not make it google-able 😆 creative licence and all that
@ - Well, if the answer is changed, then the riddle doesn't make much sense, since it kind of hinges on the whole wood chopping metaphor. But then, I've never been good with riddles.
@@fleetcenturion yeah I was going for a bit of misdirection. But yeah it does rely on prior knowledge of her execution, which may not be common knowledge!
This is a great series. Very useful.
Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it 😊
Wonderful sinopisis.
Thank you!
Hi - thanks for the video. Hoping to buy this deck but the one on Amazon looks like no suits on the Minor Arcana but yours seem to have them. Please could you let us know where you got them from.
Hello I got this in-store HMV, there are a lot of fakes/copies online, so I'd recommend buying from a comic book store or directly from a site that doesn't have third party selling
zagyg yragerne ... ernst gary gygax, the master of the dungeon ...
This is a really interesting story! As someone who enjoys writing myself, I always love seeing the process of others.
@robbiekoala5420 ahh thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it and the process :)
Wow. This video explained a few things I did not know. Blanks have been filled in! Thank you. Your project of condensing GH lore and relating it is both thorough and concise. Again, my thanks!
@@joeyj6808 thank you glad you found it helpful!
I am very impressed with your knowledge of Greyhawk lore. Zagyg has always been a fave of mine, and it took many, many years to build up my own meager knowledge. It's very impressive to hear someone summarize it so succinctly in just a few minutes!
Thank you that is such a compliment! I was very mindful of not overloading his lore, so included - what I considered, were only the most significant life events, which shape who he is.
@@lorenmakesvideos It's kind of a big deal for me, which is why I commented. I ran Greyhawk campaigns for many years, and the City, the Castle and the Mad Archmage were pivotal parts of our game. It made me very happy to find the lore alive, well, and treated with respect. So, thanks again!
I like how you explained where the term "Cliffhanger" comes from, Loren Makes Videos. I didn't know that story. Thanks for the dive into Cliffhangers.
Thank you, yes it's an interesting little fact. One of those I never gave much thought, but the history behind it is quite fun!
@lorenmakesvideos I always appreciate your replies. Thanks.
What cliffhangers will you use in your adventures?
Another really helpful and useful video. This will absolutely enhance any campaign. Strangely I don't tend to use them in my games, it may be the autistic need for order and catharsis or it maybe bitter experience at the table that I never get to resolve cliffhangers if they are set up. I tend to write cames as completely resolving as I can.
That's really interesting. For me I use them a lot in my novels - between chapters, which may seep into my game design. Tbh I don't think I've written any in yet though. However the cliff hangers I may - or may not bake in, will definitely be designed to be resolved. Also, I'd be really annoyed if a DM left a cliffhanger open haha! So completely get the hesitation of using them, as that isn't a great experience. With my solo gaming though. I'd use it as a tool to develop a character, for example how they respond to x,y, and z. Even though I know what the outcome is the unknown is how the player/character reacts with oracle checks etc. so it's less about surprise but adds an opportunity for randomisation, and another facet to their experience and personality
@lorenmakesvideos thats really interesting because I want to run one or two superhero based Solos after my Pendragon campaign and obviously cliffhangers are a big part of comics media, so i may be useing some, so thanks for changing my brain Loren!!!! 😆
Happy to help haha!
I will use... (Find out next time)
I thought it was Xagyg Yragerne
I've never encountered that spelling, but it doesn't really matter, you could spell it with a z or x and it still reads the same
@@lorenmakesvideos only forword but not backwords
Many thanks for your thoughtful and condensed video!
Thanks so much! :)
Your channel is fantastic! I'm a happy new subscriber.
Thanks so much that's very kind of you!
Lukes Dad is Vader?????!!!! Spoilers. Lol 😮 But seriously this is a excellent video and really simple way of injecting some role play into games and I really, like your examples.
Hahat tbh I was more concerned with ruining someone's game with the Tasha Zybilna reveal in the first 10 seconds :D
@lorenmakesvideos haha! You made me so called out! I only got that book for the stats of old characters from the 80s D&D toys!!! Just don't tell anyone about the twists in Dragonlance! 😂
😆
I used a really fun identity twist in an adventure, where the players discover the body of a character they had been traveling with for several weeks. The body, however, was several MONTHS old. It was the scout that was leading their settlement's caravan out into a dangerous wilderness, so they started to question why they even went on the adventure at all, and who has actually been leading them this whole time...
ooh that's good, it has a shapeshifting vibe about it
Thanks for the explanation of twists in game adventures, Loren Makes Videos. I don't know if I even still have it, but I used to own a pin for wearing on my shirt that had a picture of Jim Carey, and said, Free Truman.
I think I remember those when the film first came out, well the tee shirts more specifically! Really good film
@@lorenmakesvideos Oh cool. I thought it was a good film too. Thanks for replying. Thanks for telling me about remembering the tee shirts, and the pins.
What type of plot twist would work best in your adventure?
All of the above. I happen to be a very big fan of twist heavy story telling so I’m naturally inclined to add a lot of twists into mine. For instance a character I intend for my party to meet early on is a lich with a damaged phylactery so when they came back to life they kept their body but lost their memories and much of their power. This is a twist of identity. The twist of motivation comes with this lich actually caring very deeply about the world and the people in it and is in fact working very hard to save it from being entirely wiped out as is foretold in an informed prophecy. Twist of perception comes from various trinkets and artifacts that were made by this lich and their cohort that attempt to alter people’s perceptions of reality in order to guide them into dangerous situations until they inevitably die and their soul can be harvested. Twist of fortune and of fulfillment fall in line entirely naturally as a result of all of these other twists, and depending on whether the players side with the lich to help them regain their power or kill the lich once and for all the players will trigger various forms of these twists.
@@Vearru that's amazing! Sounds like a rich storyline you have there :)
@@lorenmakesvideos Thank you!
The original Tasha was a girl gamer who wrote to Gary Gygax suggesting he create a spell that involved laughter. He invented Tasha's Hideous Laughter in her honour.
That's cool to know thanks for sharing!
Great research. I definitely like Tasha most as the evil powerfull witch; she is one of Greyhawk's finest antagonists and she makes a great archenemy of a high level adventurer group.
For sure, as a character I think she has some of the most in-depth lore!
Just found your channel. Thank you for providing the unadulterated lore.
Thank you!
The answer is of cause his little known connection to HM revenue and customs.
Apparently he works as a go-between as an enforcer for the student loans debt collection department 😆
Excellent as always. Thanks Loren!
That's very kind of you, thank you!
I always appreciate your character studies, Loren Makes Videos. Good work.
Thanks so much 😊
@lorenmakesvideos welcome. Thanks for saying so.
Lord F. Soth is one of my favourite characters in all of fantasy fiction not just RPGs. He's development is fascinating from a marketing point of view as well, With what TSR did with him. Awesome video.
Thanks so much! I need to make time to give some of the novels a read. May have to see if there are audiobooks!
@lorenmakesvideos there are audios avaliable, definitely...His Dragonlance misadventures are also worth the time if you haven't read them.
Ahh will def have a look!
Thank for the clear , structured and concise video .
Thanks for the video. Awesome story telling !
That's very kind of you!
Short and interesting video. Thanks
Thank you!
Timothy Spall would make a great movie Zagyg.
That's a really good observation! He would actually be ideal
Boy i want to that back in....80`s or 90`s.....many thanks for the video
Oh wow! Glad you enjoyed it 😁
I really think that Wizards should never have done anything with Iggwilv because it is really Gary's ex-wife. It is not fair to her to be seen as a villain. He replaced the E in EGG the initials in his name with an I and replaced the F and E with L and V for letters in the word wife.
That's really interesting thanks for sharing
And congrats to 300 subscribers!
Thank you my loose target was 300 by Christmas, so we're on to stretch goals now haha