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Golden Monkey Talk Show Topic: Defining Theme (Patreon)

Published:
2024-02-12 18:09:21
Imported:
2026-06
Tags:

Content

Good Afternoon, Patrons!

The topic for the talk show tomorrow is going to be defining theme! We talk about theme more than anything else. So we want to take the time to actually explain in detail what that means. Theme applies to your stories, your characters, everything! So ask your questions, and we are eager to address them during the talk show. See you soon!

Comments

Ryan Bell

How does theme impact your use of the rules for running a campaign? Can you give some examples of where you might change the rules for the purpose of meeting the theme? Are there instances where combat is run differently to make the stakes higher or certain items or spells in DND don't exist in the world, etc?

n0ze_

Themes can vary widely, which is a boon and a bane. How would you recommend approaching varying levels of concrete vs abstraction in theme for a D&D campaign? For example: Icebound vs Beneath Dark Wings. The theme of "survival" in Icebound vs "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions" in BDW. Both themes are capable of complex and rich narrative, but "survival" as a theme and concept may be easier for one to understand at a base level. This applies to both DM and player perspective.

Ravensinkwell

How does someone go about picking a theme? Do you pick the theme first or after you have an idea about a campaign or a character then have a theme?

Zansi

I don't find it very difficult to come up with a theme, but I struggle to find ways to tie that theme into different aspects of the story without making it feel forced. What are some areas to think about when tying in theme, and how do you go about making it feel natural within the narrative?

Nuclear Bleu

How do you guys unify a party that all have different character themes to make them all cohesive with each other?

Nuclear Bleu

How do you find a character voice that fits the theme of the character? Asked by someone with a limited accent/vocal range

bulbabum

How many times have you had to fully scrap a concept or idea (whether it be character creation or world building) because it strayed too far away from the core theme? You said previously that you put a lot of ideas on a shelf for future use but have there been times you were bummed out that a particular idea had to be shelved since it didn't work for what you originally intended?

Milo-Is-Tired

Is there a theme that you have been fascinated by but would never see yourself implement into a character/campaign/book and for what reason?

Fox

What are some of your favorite themes, character or story-wise? What themes do you find the most impactful?

Fungus Clown

Obviously you have the overarching themes in campaigns but how do you go about discovering deeper smaller themes within campaigns or characters?

Phoenix Galvin

How far away from the core theme can you get before it just start to seems out of place?

Nuclear Bleu

How do you decide on a theme for a setting like a nation or a city or even an entire planet? Do you stick with one or mix multiple together?

Josh Redcliffe

Do you find unexpected themes emerging in, or established themes going in, an unexpected direction in your games? How do you handle them?

13

Are we ever gonna get one of those huge iceberg videos abt avantris lore?

Kim Byrd

Thank you for this topic!!! Your discussions of theme helped me find the overall theme of my book series AND finish it! Keep doing what you're doing. <3

Nuclear Bleu

I think of theme as an overarching concept, would that be accurate or no?

Starkitn

I'm going to be DM'ing for the first time in a few weeks and my group is often crazy and chaotic, similar to how you all are in Witchlight. Do you have any advice in settling on, establishing, and running/using a theme?

Starkitn

Are there questions you should ask to help narrow down a theme?

Casualmonster

When it comes to creating a party, how should a DM handle a player with a really good character idea that just doesn't fit into the theme/setting of the story trying to be told?Is there something to be said for DM storytelling flexibility to fit in that character or could that be a rabbithole kinda problem?

Ivy99999

What do you do when you have the abstract solid northstar/theme in mind, but can't seem to narrow it down to a few words or a short phrase when trying to describe it?

Lone_Guard

Maybe due to a drastic event or a situation in a campaign, is it possible for a moment to arise where a character could face something that could possible alter their theme? Or pose a need to change from how they started as initially?

Anilu

How developed do you recommend the setting/world to be before character creation. I find I have a hard time making a character out of the blue with no context of the world or even the other party. Am I just an over thinker?

Fox

Question for Dagny: how has your day been? ❤️

Nuclear Bleu

What is the Tyranny of the Concept?

Jacky_alltrades

Do you have a three-word-theme-description for any of your other characters (that you'd be willing to share)? (And could you distil the theme of any of your campaigns in the same way?)