Dragon Talk - An Official Dungeons & Dragons Podcast

It's not often you get to talk to fan of Dungeons & Dragons who also happens to be involved in governing at the state level. Steve Hobbs is a State Senator and he splits sessions at the Capitol building in Olympia with D&D sessions with his friends. He is the co-founder of OrcaCon, a budding convention in Bellevue, and even has a podcast of his own called Geeks of Cascadia. Shelly and Greg talk to Steve about the wonders of D&D and how he's proposing laws and policies that can benefit the games industry of the area. In Lore You Should Know, Chris Perkins discusses the githyanki, especially as to how they are involved Dungeon of the Mad Mage. Here's a guide to when each segment on the podcast begins: 00:00: Intro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble 10:50: Lore You Should Know with Chris Perkins 31:50: Interview with WA State Senator Steve Hobbs 1:22:05: Outro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble

Zack Loran Clark and Nick Eliopulos have been playing D&D together for years, writing intricate backstories they shared only with other members of their group. They decided to channel that love of cooperative storytelling - and their experience editing books - to work in authoring their own fantasy tale together in a unique way. Greg and Shelly may have author envy. LYSK - Chris Perkins returns to discuss Lost Terrors of the Deep, D&D monsters from the sea. Here's a guide to when each segment on the podcast begins: 00:00: Intro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble 14:40: Lore You Should Know with Chris Perkins 33:00: Interview with Zack Loran Clark and Nick Eliopulos 1:22:40: Outro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble

Behind every great game designers is… D&D. Rob Daviau, creator of the Legacy type of board game, calls in to speak to Greg and Shelly about where his career in games began: July 1981 with his first session of D&D. He then discusses how legacy games in which you play a series of board game sessions and change the components and rules over time was inspired by the storytelling of a continuous D&D campaign. There is also some talk of Betrayal Legacy, the latest game from Avalon Hill that mashes up the already powerful randomized storytelling mechanic of Betrayal with the persistence of legacy games. In Lore You Should Know, Ari Levitch joins to talk about the Cult of Rakdos and the Gruul Clans from Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica. Here's a guide to when each segment on the podcast begins: 00:00: Intro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble 12:10: Lore You Should Know with Ari Levitch 42:25: Interview with Rob Daviau 1:35:35: Outro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble

It should make sense that improv comedians have jumped into playing D&D but it's one of those things we need to speak to performers to really understand. Justin Michael and Eric Martin are two such performers and they essentially Dungeon Mastered an original Audible series of comedians telling a crazy story about the movie-popcorn butter capital of Northern California. The plot points were outlined but all of the performances and details were improvised, not unlike how D&D sessions unfold. Check it out! https://www.audible.com/pd/Bad-Reception-Audiobook/B07FK3WRFJ. On Lore You Should Know, Ari Levitch dishes on some new monsters and NPCs you will find in Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica. Here's a guide to when each segment on the podcast begins: 00:00: Intro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble 14:00: Lore You Should Know with Ari Levitch 31:15: Interview with Justin Michael and Eric Martin 1:21:30: Outro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble

We at Dragon Talk believe the children are our future. We plan to teach them well and let them lead the way by reading them the amazing children's books – The ABCs of D&D and The 123s of D&D – out everywhere now. Author Ivan Van Norman & illustrator Caleb Cleveland join hosts Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble for a fun interview detailing their experiences introducing D&D to their kids, what the challenges were putting the books together and important parenting advice by Shelly. Lore You Should Know – Ari Levitch talk about two guilds in Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica – the Orzhov Syndicate and shady House Dimir. Here's a guide to when each segment on the podcast begins: 00:00: Intro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble 13:55: Lore You Should Know with Ari Levitch 47:20: Interview with Ivan Van Norman & Caleb Cleveland 1:39:55: Outro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble

Most Dungeon Masters are happy with a satisfying end to a story arc in 20-30 sessions of play as a description for a long-running campaign, but Robert Wardhaugh puts that all to shame with his epic storytelling that has continued non-stop for more than 36 YEARS. We check in with Robert since Shelly and Greg spoke to him about 18 months ago on what's happened in the story, how he juggles so many active players, and his methods for keeping the stakes high through family lines. Plus, a little late for Halloween but always relevant, Chris Perkins describes how to include scary monsters in your D&D sessions for fun and horror. Here's a guide to when each segment on the podcast begins: 00:00: Intro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble 08:50: Lore You Should Know with Chris Perkins 33:10: Interview with Robert Wardhaugh 1:26:05: Outro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble

Bluejay is a veteran streamer on Twitch and she came to the studio to speak to hosts Shelly Mazzanoble and Greg Tito about the rise of D&D streaming, and what D&D fans can expect at TwitchCon 2018. Watch all the games and panels live this weekend (Oct 26-28) on twitch.tv/dnd. In Lore You Should Know just in time for Halloween next week, Chris Perkins goes in depth on other domains of dread besides Barovia. Here's a guide to when each segment on the podcast begins: 00:00: Intro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble 07:30: Lore You Should Know with Chris Perkins 25:45: Interview with Bluejay 1:19:50: Outro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble

D&D has an iconic look and feel that's developed over the 44 year history of the brand. Authors Michael Witwer, Sam Witwer, Jon Peterson and Kyle Newman call in to talk to Greg and Shelly about their extensive research, their D&D collections, and which D&D class each of them assume in the party of authors behind this book. (Jon is the magic-user.) Art & Arcana is available everywhere now – including a collector's edition with special goodies & covers designed by Hydro74. In Lore You Should Know, Ari Levitch delves into two of the guilds from the upcoming Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica: the Azorius Senate, and the Boros Legion. Here's a guide to when each segment on the podcast begins: 00:00: Intro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble 14:00: Lore You Should Know with Ari Levitch 41:05: Interview with Michael Witwer, Sam Witwer, Jon Peterson and Kyle Newman 1:55:45: Outro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble

There are tons of fans of D&D who approach the game in different ways. Two of them are doing something cool in the Chicago area by bringing the love of well-roasted coffee beans and gaming together with the Initiative Coffee Company. Brian Thomas and LaTia talk with Shelly Mazzanoble and Greg Tito about their love of D&D, running events at public spaces, and their experience working with Holly Conrad to release Strix's Snickety Snooks coffee beans to raise support for Anxiety Gaming. https://www.initiativecoffeeco.com/helpaction/snicketty-snooks. And on Lore You Should Know, Mr. Chris Perkins explains what's going on with Halaster's apprentices in Undermountain in Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage. Here's a guide to when each segment on the podcast begins: 00:00: Intro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble 19:35: Lore You Should Know with Chris Perkins 42:10: Interview with Brian Thomas & LaTia 1:28:00: Outro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble

Years ago, Chris Perkins brought in Matthew Mercer to talk through the story that become Waterdeep: Dragon Heist, and hosts Shelly Mazzanoble & Greg Tito brought both of them into the studio to discuss that whole process. Along the way, Matt dishes on stuff he's doing with a little show called Critical Role, what it was like at the Stream of Many Eyes, and the feedback these two high-level Dungeon Masters sometimes endure. In Lore You Should Know, Chris Perkins details what's happening in Undermountain setting the stage for when Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage comes out in November. Here's a guide to when each segment on the podcast begins: 00:00: Intro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble 08:35: Lore You Should Know with Chris Perkins 34:40: Interview with Matthew Mercer & Chris Perkins 1:36:11: Outro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble

Friends of the show, Wolfgang Baur and Meagan Maricle from Kobold Press, come back to discuss all of the fun monsters available in the Creature Codex. Many monsters are described, and we hear a bunch about the process Wolfgang and Meagan go through when designing, editing and publishing a book like this. In Lore You Should Know, Ari Levitch returns to discuss the Izzet League and the Simic Combine, two of the guilds featured in the Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica. Here's a guide to when each segment on the podcast begins: 00:00: Intro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble 17:00: Lore You Should Know with Ari Levitch 37:50: Interview with Wolfgang Baur & Meagan Maricle 1:35:05: Outro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble

Who thought chocolate and peanut butter would go together so well? Authors Patrick Rothfuss (The Name of the Wind) and Jim Zub (Avengers, Legends of Baldur's Gate comics) call in to talk about their four-issue series pitting the characters of the popular animated show against the wonders of D&D lore and mechanics. "Two Cool Hosts" Greg Tito and Shelly Mazzanoble drop a whole bunch of bombs in their semi-professional opening. Speaking of mixing chocolate & PB, we have a special Lore You Should Know: Ari Levitch takes a break from getting Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica out the door and tells us everything about two of the guilds featured in the book: The Golgari Swarm and the Selesnya Conclave. Here's a guide to when each segment on the podcast begins: 00:00: Intro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble 17:55: Lore You Should Know with Ari Levitch 42:40: Interview with Patrick Rothfuss & Jim Zub 1:40:45: Outro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble

It's always great to speak with Bob. The creator of Drizzt Do'Urden and many of the most iconic characters in the Forgotten Realms called in to speak with Greg and Shelly about the latest book featuring the drow from down under. Lore You Should Know: Chris Perkins prepares for the fall season by letting us know all about vampires in Waterdeep which you can add to your Waterdeep: Dragon Heist campaign. Here's a guide to when each segment on the podcast begins: 00:00: Intro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble 08:20: Lore You Should Know with Chris Perkins 21:15: Interview with R.A. Salvatore 1:06:50: Outro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble

Game designer and author extraordinaire Matt Forbeck calls in to Dragon Talk to discuss the new series of four pick-your-path Endless Quest books he wrote which are out now in stores everywhere! Each of the four books have a protagonist that's one of D&D's iconic classes (Fighter, Wizard, Rogue or Cleric). Endless Quest allows readers young and old to choose which direction the story goes & they are chock full of D&D lore from the last few adventures. Hosts Shelly Mazzanoble and Greg Tito drink coffee and snap their way through life. On Lore You Should Know, Chris Perkins tells us all about the Code Legal in Waterdeep. Here's a guide to when each segment on the podcast begins: 00:00: Intro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble 04:20: Lore You Should Know with Chris Perkins 26:10: Interview with Chris Perkins & Kate Irwin 1:18:35: Outro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble

We get the skinny on all things Waterdeep: Dragon Heist from writer Chris Perkins and art director Kate Irwin including the inspiration for the cute little urchins depicted in four two-page art spreads in the book. Waterdeep: Dragon Heist is in game stores on Friday, September 7 – TOMORROW! - grab it & start playing in the City of Splendor! The adventure will be out everywhere on September 18. To get into the swing of the story, check out Podcast of Waterdeep on the Dungeon Delve RSS feed – an effort from the D&D audio community telling a continuous story across 10 podcast episodes starting on September 10. Lore You Should Know – Chris Perkins let's us know all about the Walking Statues in Waterdeep and where they came from. Here's a guide to when each segment on the podcast begins: 00:00: Intro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble 12:30: Lore You Should Know with Chris Perkins 31:30: Interview with Chris Perkins & Kate Irwin 1:15:22: Outro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble

Waterdeep: Dragon Heist is coming to game stores on Sept. 7 and to celebrate we have Victoria Rogers & Josh Perault on to discuss Podcasts of Waterdeep, ten episodes of a continuous story recorded by artist from the D&D liveplay community. Victoria, DM of the Broadswords, and Josh, from the Taking Initiative podcast, teamed up to outline this storyline you will be able to download from the Dungeon Delve RSS starting on September 10. Learn about Podcast of Waterdeep at dnd.wizards.com/powd. On Lore You Should Know, Chris Perkins tells everyone about some of the more obscure named wizards in the Forgotten Realms. Here's a guide to when each segment on the podcast begins: 00:00: Intro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble 09:05: Lore You Should Know with Chris Perkins 22:35: Interview with Victoria Rogers & Josh Perault 1:11:05: Outro with Greg Tito & Shelly Mazzanoble

Speaking with the folks behind digital games who are inspired by D&D is always such a joy and Arnie Jorgensen and Alex Thomas from Stoic Studio were no different. Alex and Arnie have just shipped their latest installment of The Banner Saga, finishing up a trilogy of tactical storytelling RPGs set in a world inspired by the Norse. Shelly Mazzanoble was not around for this interview, sadly, but she and Greg Tito introduce this segments with usual banter and musical performances. In LYSK, Chris Perkins details some of the fun named wizards in the Forgotten Realms you can use as inspiration in your games! Here's a guide to when each segment on the podcast begins: 00:00: Intro with Greg Tito 10:10: Lore You Should Know with Chris Perkins 24:05: Interview with Stoic 1:16:10: Outro with just Greg Tito

It's the triumphant return of Shelly Mazzanoble (@shellymoo) to Dragon Talk! She returns to help Greg Tito (@gregtito) introduce the interview he did with Surena Marie and Brandon Stennis, two of the cast-members from Rivals of Waterdeep. They discuss what it was like at the Stream of Many Eyes, how the group formed, and playing D&D for the first time. Lore You Should Know: Chris Perkins explains all about the Bregan D'aerthe, a faction of drow led by Jarlaxle Baenre. Here's a guide to when each segment on the podcast begins: 00:00: Intro with Greg Tito 17:55: Lore You Should Know with Chris Perkins 41:00: Interview with Surena Marie & Brandon Stennis 1:24:35: Outro with just Greg Tito

Syrinscape is an awesome tool for Dungeon Masters to add sound effects and music to their game with a simple-to-use interface. Benjamin Loomes and Jenny Bendel stop by the office to record some voices for the Waterdeep: Dragon Heist sound pack coming to Syrinscape on September 7, and we pulled them into our studio to talk about developing Syrinscape, being a Wizards employee back in the day, and opera singing. In Lore You Should Know: Where do mind flayers come from? Chris Perkins lets us all know! Here's a guide to when each segment on the podcast begins: 00:00: Intro with Greg Tito 09:25: Lore You Should Know with Chris Perkins 28:35: Interview with Syrinscape 1:11:00: Outro with just Greg Tito

Alex Kammer is a longtime D&D fan and collector, and he also just happens to be the founder of GameholeCon, co-owner of True Dungeon and an incredibly nice person. He called in to speak to Shelly and Greg about their recent trip to Origins Game Fair, what the Game Hole actually is, and Alex's collection of all TSR products in the original shrink wrap. WHAT? In an extended segment of Sage Advice, Jeremy Crawford (managing editor and lead rules designer for D&D) takes a slew of user-submitted questions and answers with his own personal flair. Here's a guide to when each segment on the podcast begins: 00:00: Intro with Greg Tito 11:19: Sage Advice with Jeremy Crawford 1:15:15: Interview with Alex Kammer 2:02:46: Outro with just Greg Tito