Nerd council of Doom episode 10 - The quest for more money

Introduction

Good afternoon everyone. Yang Yan, Xiao the Dungeon Delver has come up from the minds of Moria and the Dungeon Minister freshly astute. Today we are here to plot world domination, oh, and uh, talk about some nerdy stuff. Gentlemen, how has your month been?

Monthly Recap

Yang Yan: Ah, it be best left unsaid.

Dungeon Minister: Ah, wedding season for you I believe?

Yang Yan: Indeed, that's been the best of it. Otherwise, it's been a runaround and things colliding and crashing. Belts tightening with FGE and Dungeon Delver. I've been busier than ever. Every day seems a little busier than the previous one, whether it's stuff on the show, my channel, or honeydews around the house. Just busy, busy, busy.

Dungeon Delver: I've had Harmony Ginger over as a special guest, not counting Mrs. Dungeon Delver, and it's been very busy. I've also been on Tim Imholz's show, which has been fun and interesting. Of course, we've got two live stream games. Yang, you're in one of those Gamma World games on Friday nights.

Dungeon Minister: Excellent. Now in serious news, Dungeon Delver, for years, you have been espousing the wonders and glory of Greyhawk. Do you like Greyhawk?

Dungeon Delver: I thought you were a Forgotten Realms guy?

Yang Yan: A little bit, a little bit.

Dungeon Delver: Do you feel at all responsible for the default Dungeons and Dragons 2024 setting? There's an old saying, "Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it."

Yang Yan: I'm on record as a guy who when I say Greyhawk, I mean the folio, the box set, and like 20 first edition AD&D modules. My Greyhawk stops the day Gary Gygax leaves the office. So, the fact that they're reintroducing Greyhawk now is as if somebody else’s Greyhawk campaign is being sold to us.

Changes to Greyhawk and the Cynical Marking

Yang Yan: Apparently, there are new cities and deities, and Blackmoor has been deleted. I think the reason behind the reintroduction and mapping Greyhawk is essentially just making sure the Grognards know who it belongs to. They're doing this with Star Frontiers as well, ensuring fans know it belongs to Wizards of the Coast.

Dungeon Minister: Cynical marking of taking turns with everything. Like Greyhawk, Al-Qadim, Maztica, and Birthright will eventually get some treatment.

Yang Yan: I tend to agree, though I also think it comes down to money. Much of what they've released has been duds, so they go back to popular settings like Greyhawk to draw people in.

Dungeon Delver: The nostalgia factor is certainly there. It feels like they're stripping away any aspirational aspects, which is disappointing.

The Art Choices

Yang Yan: Have you guys seen the art choices?

Dungeon Delver: Yes, like the Gold Dragon Tea Party cover, the art style doesn't fit for a Dungeon Master's guide cover. Competent, but not fitting. I believe these illustrations should be for specific situations but not core rulebook covers.

Dungeon Minister: Yeah, I have to agree. The covers don't strike the adventure or danger that should be inherent to the game.

Race Changes and Orcs

Dungeon Minister: Have you all seen the latest on Mexican Orcs and the accompanying art?

Yang Yan: Yes, the art style is simply not fitting for fantasy adventuring. Also, their clothing described as ponchos and wide-brim hats seems unnecessary and poorly reflective of adventure settings.

Dungeon Delver: The cozy and syrupy saccharine style doesn't invoke any sense of adventure or danger.

The Acolyte Series

Yang Yan: Who else has been watching the Acolyte? According to Disney plus subscribers, no one except for me. The Expanse-fail outdoor fire effect was bizarre.

Dungeon Minister: Yes, Disney's latest Star Wars series seems to be another misstep. People highlight inclusivity but miss that writing quality and creativity are the major points of criticism. There’s a way to do inclusive storytelling properly – but these shows aren’t hitting that mark.

Yang Yan: In your opinion, is there any redemption for Star Wars?

Dungeon Delver: I think so, but it will take a long cooling-off period, maybe 20 years.

Final Thoughts

Dungeon Minister: Do we have any other topics?

Dungeon Delver: Not much. Just keeping on. Got a top-secret project for the end of summer.

Yang Yan: Same here with Empire of the Undying Sun progressing well, and some upcoming launches scheduled.

Cleric Con Plug

Dungeon Minister: Also, cleric con.com, happening end of October, full of fun and games.

Final Announcements

Yang Yan: Everyone, subscribe to each other's channels for more great content. Thank you!

Keywords

• Greyhawk
• Nostalgia
• Art Choices
• Mexican Orcs
• The Acolyte
• Fantasy Adventure
• Cleric Con
• World Domination

FAQ

Q: Do the upcoming changes to Greyhawk mean the end of classic Greyhawk settings?
A: The introduction of the new Greyhawk setting is essentially seen as somebody else’s interpretation of Greyhawk, not the traditional setting. The classic elements will likely remain part of fan canon regardless of the official publications.

Q: Why are the art choices for the new D&D books controversial?
A: The controversy stems from the art's perceived incompetence in invoking the aspirational and adventurous spirit of Dungeons and Dragons. The covers seem more fitted for cozy adventures rather than dangerous and thrilling campaigns.

Q: What is the consensus on the Acolyte series?
A: The general consensus is that The Acolyte series is a disappointment. Many feel the show suffers from poor writing and uninspired creativity, hidden under the guise of forced inclusivity or checking diversity boxes.

Q: Are the changes to the racial characteristics in 5E significant?
A: Yes, the “Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything” rule removes fixed racial ability score modifiers, meaning all characters can allocate ability scores regardless of their race, thereby broadening class and race combinations.

Q: Can Star Wars be redeemed?
A: It’s believed that Star Wars needs a break, a cooling-off period for about 20 years, before it can potentially be revived and rediscovered by a new generation, free from the current over-saturation and controversial changes.

Q: What can we expect at Cleric Con?
A: Cleric Con is a game convention filled with various games run by notable personalities from the gaming community. It offers a great mix of classic and new game experiences, along with delicious meals and engaging content.