It's Christmastime and the gang is talking all aspects of the holiday!  Hear what each of the guys would love to see under their tree and what they have planned for the season!  Plus, all the news you could want (or not want)!  Siobhan also invades a news segment with some "fan" insight to a story that carried over from the Speakeasy -- "Dungeons and Drag Queens."  Top off your eggnog and strap in for a fun Christmas chat; dragons optional.
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The News:
More Pop Gaming Media "Best Builds"
Drag Queens Leveraging the Hobby
CD Projekt Red Dev Trashes Fans
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Fan Fiction has always existed, but now, the lines between fanfic and canon are blurred.  The barrier for entry of user created schlock into canon has all but been removed.  Is this a good or a bad thing?  How does this effect the hobby and your table?  After the news, RD, Bert, and Kyle discuss holiday games at the TTRPG table.  What role do these play and why do they exist?
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The News:
RuneQuest Video Game Coming Up!
"Best" Holiday Board Games
Pamela Anderson's Reboots
A Reading from Ryan's "Favorite" Source
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RD has no voice and the gang pick up the slack!  Drizzt Do'Urden is too "problematic" for Wizards of the Coast to produce in a TV show.. or possibly any "old Drizzt" materials according to the pop gaming media and your average SparkleTroll.  The news features a story that makes RD vow to revisit it on the next Speakeasy.  Lastly, the guys rattle off movies that are better Dungeons and Dragons movies than the existing DnD films.
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The News:
DnD Christmas: Bah, Humbug!
Asmodee Restructuring and Buying Studios
EVERYONE WANTS This Game!
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With the TTRPG scene buzzing about Elon Musk potentially buying Hasbro and/or Wizards of the Coast, the guys weigh in with pros... AND cons of a possible Musk takeover.  You might be surprised about who has apprehension!  Then, after the news, the gang talks about a push in gaming to intentionally produce games as a mental health tool!  But wait, it's worse!  ...a mental health therapeutic designed for children.  
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The News:
New tech "changing" the way you play DnD?
9-year-old RD wants THAT
Revisiting the wallpaper copyright case
Alien: Earth details are unsettling
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You do not need to check your glasses or rub your eyes... Ryan has invited BDubs of the #BrOSR to pop in to the big show.  Never shying away from a conversation with anyone, this special episode does not disappoint!  With the noticeable shift in power, poise, and presentation, RD had to find out the "State of the BroSR."  BDubs does not disappoint talking about general bro theory, Brozer, and the perceived shift in power in this niche of our niche.  Of course, "Where's Jeffro?" comes up and the guys find some common ground and diverging philosophy with the new number one in the BrOSR.
 

We hop on the controversy carousel and FINALLY give our thoughts on the old argument about paladins.  Which of the gang believes they must be Lawful Good (and human) and who is playing the tiefling holy warrior?  Then, we tackle the news with pop gaming garbage that boggles the minds of each of the guys.  Lastly, we take a trip to Reddit where a LOT of SparkleTrolls and NuGamers are bemoaning that "DnD is too hard!"  Crunch is good!
 

The whole gang is here and Ryan David leads the discussion around what "bones" are a must-have for the perfect fantasy role playing game?  Spanning from philosophy to mechanics, the crew nominate elements that they simply couldn't exclude from their own "perfect D&D."  The news is just one article -- but what an article it is!  Do you know what your dice type tells the table about YOU?  After that silliness, the guys discuss aberrations including personal favorites and weaker entries.
 
 

Wizards of the Coast has further GUTTED 2024 Dungeons and Dragons.  Thanks to a leak and preview materials, we review all of the options and play choices that new to the hobby players and 5e folks alike now have had erased!  It's not just an attack on most current players and old school classic gamers, it's open season for anything that doesn't fit the VTT model.  Ryan and Kyle dig into the most egregious deletions and wonder how the DMG can provide any insight to a new GM and/or group.