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Shadowdark Western Reaches is D&D done right. (extended) (Patreon)

Published:
2025-03-26 23:17:01
Imported:
2026-06
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Videos

Content

PDM previews Arcane Library's latest and explains how to run a sandbox campaign.

Files

Previews only

Western Reaches

Comments

Bagel-Man

Can’t wait to hold those books

DM DooM

My only regret is that there wasn't a higher tier to back at...

John

You were NOT the only one underwhelmed by the Greyhawk boxed set. I remember being rather disappointed with it as well. In fact Greyhawk was enough of a mess to try to actually use that Forgotten Realms became my childhood go to, and that was REALLY Lore heavy from the get go. I'm looking forward to seeing what Kelsey has for us with the Western Reaches. My daughters are just getting old enough that they can start gaming, especially in a rules light system like SD and a sandbox setting is perfect for introducing TTRPGs, avoiding getting too bogged down my metaplots and copious Lore. Thanks for the preview!

Russell Miller

Keep up these type of videos. Love hearing about indie RPGs! Looking at the Kickstarter now. And The Chauffeur is my favorite Duran Duran. That is saying something.

John Clark

Thanks for the review! Really good insight. I was the opposite, when I got Grayhawk in 1980 I nerded out on the lore. Love that stuff. But as a DM, this is much better!

Anthony Johnston

GRR Martin DOES need to get back to work. How much $ to contract Deathbringer to go provide some "motivation?" Glad you are hunkering down to finish Deathbringer RPG, PDM. Wish GRR had a quarter of your work ethic & dedication. Good luck & can't wait for the final product. I backed SD Western Reaches at almost the highest tier & plan the same for Deathbringer when it launches. Met Kelsey at Gary Con & glad she is enjoying the fruits of her labor.

Scott

A good preview. I backed Shadowdark on kickstarter originally because I saw your video on it. If your friend Kelsey Dionne accuses you of showing too much, you can say you showed just enough to get at least one more person to back the project!

Bark Madly

This video has me Hungry Like The Wolf for some new Shadowdark 😉

Evil Chad

DeathBringer & ShadowDark (Western Reaches) ... I am so ready. This will be the BEST RPG sandwich... EVER! Can't wait. Thanks as always PDM.

Jay

PDM, videos such as the one you have made here are one of the many reasons I truly enjoy your channel. It’s the content you make that gets viewers excited about playing the game and leaves a lasting sense of inspiration. Shadowdark’s Western Reaches sparks off all kinds of imaginative ideas about what to include in the game and you provide advice on how to present it while approaching the game in a sandbox format while holding the players and their characters in the spotlight. It’s easy to appreciate the way you explain ideas and material, making it simple enough for even those new to the hobby to easily understand. The Arcane Library really knocked it out of the park and made a game that is approachable to new players along with producing some quality products. I’ve had the web page for “Shadowdark RPG: The Western Reaches” open on my browser since it appeared in my feed as a “Notify upon launch”. I will be submitting my pledge in just a few more days. I was “All In” on Kelsey’s first Kickstarter and will likely follow suit on this one as well. Anyway, thanks for the great GM advice to coincide with this sneak peek inside the new books and review. I too, had the Grayhawk Boxed set back in the day and we played it just like a sandbox setting as you suggested. Turns out and it worked out great for my players. Just one quick question. Do you think DM Scotty’s Luck Dice Rules could be used effectively with Shadowdark? This question popped into my head as I always seem to pontificate over dice probability and how often do some of my players seem to constantly get bad dice rolls in combat when they are supposed to be heroes. I hope to reduce some of the randomness that doesn’t quite make sense for so-called competently skilled characters. Scotty’s Luck Dice rules seem to fix many of the issues I find with the swingy nature of the D20 and wonder if it would work with Shadowdark and as one of the possible solutions. Thanks for all you do. Now get back to making the Deathbringer RPG and take more of my money!

Jay
>>169037598

The one thing I really enjoyed about the Greyhawk Boxed Set was that big map I pinned up on the wall. That's about all I used the rest was just a kid improving and it worked out great.

MrGunn

Dear PDM, I hope you are on the mend and recover quickly. Great plug for a great product. I was all in on day one of The Western Marches Kickstarter. I also heard that Shadow Dark had a big showing at this year’s Gary Con, which was wonderful to learn. Finally, great GM advice in this video as well. You don’t need 800 pages of lore and every dungeon mapped, you just need to stay one session ahead of your players, good stuff. Have a great time doing what ever it is you do. Best regards, MrGunn

MrGunn
>>169049734

@Jay Insightful comments. Regarding your question, I think EZD6s hero dice economy or DeathBringer dice would translate well into Shadowdark, give it a try and let us know how it worked out.

MrGunn
>>169039392

@Anthony Johnston LOL GRRM is too busy spending his gold and carousing to write books for us plebs.

MrGunn
>>169038182

@John Clark I luv me some lore too, forever GMs always do.

Jay
>>169049734

I enjoy EZD6 and that might be a good option. Not sure if you know of Scotty's Luck Dice Rules on Quest Givers. They work a little bit different and were intended to mitigate some of the issues with bad dice rolls in DnD. Think I bought the rules on Quest Givers for about a $1.00 or so a few years back. I would explain how they work but much like PDM, and out of respect for Scotty, I will have to direct you to Quest Givers for his rules. I think you might find them worth the buck for so for the PDF. Anyway, thanks for the feedback. Think I will test out using the EZD6 and DeathBringer Dice on Shadowdark as you suggest. Much appreciated.

Scott Miller

This new Shadow Dark content sounds pretty cool! It’s great to get all this content but please don’t burn yourself out! Hope you can find some time to take a break and play some games.

James C

I backed it the first day because of the troll decal and FOMO kicked in. Well played Kelsey, well played.

Stu Keller

Thanks a lot, Prof. Now I'm going to buy Shadowdark. I can do without lunch for a week or two ...

madcurry

Thanks for the excellent coverage. I want to see this top 2 million. I played shadow dark twice at PAX unplugged and have run it once for my friends. It really is D&D without all the crap! Hope you feel better soon!

Glenn Fleetwood

Hidden Shrine of Tamoachan... or Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth? You kinda mixed them like a cocktail there... :)

Mounim al-Meziani

Sigh, alright, I'll pledge. This is just in my lane haha