Dropout.tv: All Hail the Spworm

SniperGuy

Formerly CollegeHumor, Dropout.tv is owned by Sam Reich and has a really great set of programming including Dimension 20 D&D games, Um, Actually!, Game Changers, etc. Let's discuss them here!

If you've never seen any of this and are confused, here's a trailer for Fantasy High Freshmen Year, a great place to start!

https://youtu.be/p-eY2tDgXsY

They're currently doing Neverafter, a horror season. They also have Adventuring Party where they discuss the episodes and it's also hilarious. Dropout is a subscription service (and one I personally find extremely worth it) but a lot of seasons are free on YouTube, like Fantasy High season 1.

Zomro

Oh snap, I am all about having a D20 thread. It's pretty much why I subscribed to Dropout, though I do enjoy Game Changer and Um, Actually.

Current season is super cool so far. Brennan is nailing the horror imagery and Rick Perry and crew have absolutely killed it with the battle maps, such fantastic work.

SniperGuy

https://twitter.com/WorldsBeyondPod/status/1609418121936355330?s=20

Also Brennan and Lou from dimension 20, along with Aabria and Erika have made their own independent thing that seems rad so far. They have confirmed Dimension 20 is still going strong though.

What's everyone's favorite season? Will we ever get Junior Year? Who would win, Rick Diggins or Gilear? What is the Night Yorb?

Schrodinger

If anyone wants to be nice...

https://twitter.com/dropout/status/1620945560877563905

Monwyn

SniperGuy wrote: »

https://twitter.com/WorldsBeyondPod/status/1609418121936355330?s=20

Also Brennan and Lou from dimension 20, along with Aabria and Erika have made their own independent thing that seems rad so far. They have confirmed Dimension 20 is still going strong though.

What's everyone's favorite season? Will we ever get Junior Year? Who would win, Rick Diggins or Gilear? What is the Night Yorb?

I quote Starstruck all the time even though no one has any idea what I'm talking about. THE BALL IS ROLLING UP!

webguy20

I'm excited for something long form with more room for off the cuff experiences with the new Podcast from Brennan and crew, especially that crew. Aabria is solid(haven't seen much with her), and Lou and Erika are absolute all time greats.

I still love Escape from the Blood Keep. It was amazing, and watching Matt Mercer get to be a player was a hoot.

SniperGuy

Monwyn wrote: »

SniperGuy wrote: »

https://twitter.com/WorldsBeyondPod/status/1609418121936355330?s=20

Also Brennan and Lou from dimension 20, along with Aabria and Erika have made their own independent thing that seems rad so far. They have confirmed Dimension 20 is still going strong though.

What's everyone's favorite season? Will we ever get Junior Year? Who would win, Rick Diggins or Gilear? What is the Night Yorb?

I quote Starstruck all the time even though no one has any idea what I'm talking about. THE BALL IS ROLLING UP!

We'll SEE YOU IN THE STARS!

webguy20

Hot damn, if nothing else the Worlds Beyond Number is going to have a good February. 15k+ subscribers are checking it out on Patreon.

Bogart

I subbed to this for a year (there's a 10% discount promo code for doing so) after running through the free seasons on YouTube and am now approaching the end of Fantasy High's sophomore year. Brennan is insanely talented and the whole regular cast gels very well. Emily Axford is probably the player MVP for me but the list of incredible NPCs Brennan seemingly tosses out at whim is very long.

I prefer the edited, faster and more focused direction of this over CR these days, I think, and shorter runs for each story mean you don't spend episodes down a blind alley that doesn't turn out to be that interesting, personal arcs are juggled very well and it feels like everyone gets a turn in the spotlight.

I'll probably skip the Harry Potter inspired mini because I'm so sick of that shit I could throw up but I'm looking forward to the others.

Tarantio

Thanks to this thread, just realized that I know somebody involved here.

I went to college with Jessica Ross. She and I even acted together in a one-act play. She's tremendously talented.

I guess I should check out Tiny Heist. Thanks for this.

Bogart

I've also watched a few episodes of Game Changer, which is sometimes fantastic and sometimes not depending on whether the particular format that episode clicks.

Fencingsax

Bogart wrote: »

I subbed to this for a year (there's a 10% discount promo code for doing so) after running through the free seasons on YouTube and am now approaching the end of Fantasy High's sophomore year. Brennan is insanely talented and the whole regular cast gels very well. Emily Axford is probably the player MVP for me but the list of incredible NPCs Brennan seemingly tosses out at whim is very long.

I prefer the edited, faster and more focused direction of this over CR these days, I think, and shorter runs for each story mean you don't spend episodes down a blind alley that doesn't turn out to be that interesting, personal arcs are juggled very well and it feels like everyone gets a turn in the spotlight.

I'll probably skip the Harry Potter inspired mini because I'm so sick of that shit I could throw up but I'm looking forward to the others.

Wait, if you mean the one where Brennan, Lou, and Erika are players, it is actually pretty amazing.

Antinumeric

Critical role is "what if we got voice actors to play DnD" whereas dimension20 is "what if we got a bunch of improv artists to play DnD". I find Dimension 20 clicks a lot more than Critical Role, Brennan's titanic charisma really carries a lot of the show. Him calling Emily Axford's metagaming bluff is amazing.

I really need to sub to dropout, it's great knitting material.

Game Changer feels like British comedian gameshows (8 out of 10 cats *must* be an inspiration). I don't get the impression these sort of shows are common in the US, so I'm surprised it's worked so well.

Monwyn

Bogart wrote: »

I subbed to this for a year (there's a 10% discount promo code for doing so) after running through the free seasons on YouTube and am now approaching the end of Fantasy High's sophomore year. Brennan is insanely talented and the whole regular cast gels very well. Emily Axford is probably the player MVP for me but the list of incredible NPCs Brennan seemingly tosses out at whim is very long.

I prefer the edited, faster and more focused direction of this over CR these days, I think, and shorter runs for each story mean you don't spend episodes down a blind alley that doesn't turn out to be that interesting, personal arcs are juggled very well and it feels like everyone gets a turn in the spotlight.

I'll probably skip the Harry Potter inspired mini because I'm so sick of that shit I could throw up but I'm looking forward to the others.

You should note that Misfits and Magic spends basically its entire runtime dunking on Harry Potter so hard that JKR woke up this morning in the molten core of the earth.

Bogart

I am absolutely as tired of discourse about and dunking on that stuff as I am of the stuff itself.

SniperGuy

Bogart wrote: »

I am absolutely as tired of discourse about and dunking on that stuff as I am of the stuff itself.

Okay that's fair but you should be aware that it also has Evan Kelmp, Brennan's character who has a phone without a screen and is basically the dark lord but doesn't want to ge and it's absolutely hilarious.
The wizard duel he has is incredible. "The next thirty seconds are going to be really important for you. Do you have any family you want me to contact?" not as a threat, just as a "look I have no way of controlling what's about to happen to you" and it's amazing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OH5Kz3uXh8

abotkin

Yeah, I've been watching some of their stuff on youtube for a while, I really should just drop the cash and sub for a while and check it out more properly. I low key love Brennan Lee Mulligan already, my wife got us hooked on Um, Actually a year or two ago. Also, if you haven't heard it, his quitting bartending story is amazing.

override367

I was a little sad they aren't using the game system worlds without number because I like its insane magic system but I like all these people so I patreoned it for sure

SniperGuy

abotkin wrote: »

Yeah, I've been watching some of their stuff on youtube for a while, I really should just drop the cash and sub for a while and check it out more properly. I low key love Brennan Lee Mulligan already, my wife got us hooked on Um, Actually a year or two ago. Also, if you haven't heard it, his quitting bartending story is amazing.

Ooh I haven't heard this, how do I find it?

Also I listened to the stuff Worlds Beyond Number has up so far and maaaaan it's good

Monwyn

webguy20 wrote: »

I'm excited for something long form with more room for off the cuff experiences with the new Podcast from Brennan and crew, especially that crew. Aabria is solid(haven't seen much with her), and Lou and Erika are absolute all time greats.

I still love Escape from the Blood Keep. It was amazing, and watching Matt Mercer get to be a player was a hoot.

I shotgunned Escape from the Blood Keep over a weekend and simply could not stop laughing. Bones Guy is an all-time top-10 NPC.

Zomro

It's super hard to pick a favorite season, there are a lot that have so much to offer. Fantasy High S1 and S2 are fantastic, same with The Seven which is in the same world. Unsleeping City S1 and S2 are great and actually make a D&D modern campaign look fun. A Court of Fey and Flowers was incredible, Emily and Lou proved that they're basically siblings at this point.

Just so much amazing stuff. D20 also got me into some actual play podcasts. Brian Murphy and Emily Axford do Not Another D&D Podcast (NADDPOD) and Tiny Heist introduced me to the McElroys and then I discovered The Adventure Zone and I listen to them both regularly.

abotkin

SniperGuy wrote: »

abotkin wrote: »

Yeah, I've been watching some of their stuff on youtube for a while, I really should just drop the cash and sub for a while and check it out more properly. I low key love Brennan Lee Mulligan already, my wife got us hooked on Um, Actually a year or two ago. Also, if you haven't heard it, his quitting bartending story is amazing.

Ooh I haven't heard this, how do I find it?

Also I listened to the stuff Worlds Beyond Number has up so far and maaaaan it's good

Oh good, I found a nice video of it, because I'd definitely forgotten half the story. Here you go, it's an amazing story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INUcJOGN77s

Fencingsax

SniperGuy wrote: »

Bogart wrote: »

I am absolutely as tired of discourse about and dunking on that stuff as I am of the stuff itself.

Okay that's fair but you should be aware that it also has Evan Kelmp, Brennan's character who has a phone without a screen and is basically the dark lord but doesn't want to ge and it's absolutely hilarious.
The wizard duel he has is incredible. "The next thirty seconds are going to be really important for you. Do you have any family you want me to contact?" not as a threat, just as a "look I have no way of controlling what's about to happen to you" and it's amazing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OH5Kz3uXh8

Evan's phone not having a screen is my second favorite running joke

SniperGuy

The absolute funniest NPC I think is in the Seven

The guy who tries to recruit Penny Luckstone to the spy organization and eats a candy made out of horse and starts throwing up and shitting himself at the same time

I had to pause that several times because I couldn't breathe laughing

webguy20

Listening to the first prequel episode on worlds Beyond number and there has already been a Lou interlude with him going “wtf man, we’re supposed to go up from here?” With a cackle from Erika in the background. Its great.

Kanden

I just recently started getting into this, started with Fantasy High, about 4 or 5 episodes into season 2. It's wild how good Brennan is as a dm, I know he's got a background in improv but it never feels like something just dies on the vine, I think there's been like one thing the PCs did that he responded with "yeah that's just a thing, nothing important"

a vulture in one of the season 1 episodes

Fencingsax

Fencingsax wrote: »

SniperGuy wrote: »

Bogart wrote: »

I am absolutely as tired of discourse about and dunking on that stuff as I am of the stuff itself.

Okay that's fair but you should be aware that it also has Evan Kelmp, Brennan's character who has a phone without a screen and is basically the dark lord but doesn't want to ge and it's absolutely hilarious.
The wizard duel he has is incredible. "The next thirty seconds are going to be really important for you. Do you have any family you want me to contact?" not as a threat, just as a "look I have no way of controlling what's about to happen to you" and it's amazing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OH5Kz3uXh8

Evan's phone not having a screen is my second favorite running joke

My favorite joke in that game, btw, is Muggle being a slur.

Bogart

Finished Fantasy High season 2. Excellent, though the finale being via Zoom or something sucks, but hey ho the pandemic gonna pandemic. The live show with Brian David Gilbert as the Goliath who's a theatre kid in a beret was also very good value.

SniperGuy

Chungledown Bim is terrifying

DJ Eebs

The Fey and Flowers season is an all timer (even though the finale gets unfortunately truncated by scheduling problems), partially because everyone fully buys into the regency setting and partially because Emily and Lou go full chaos mode and they keep egging each other on to crazier and crazier ideas

Bogart

Watching Tiny Heist. Not familiar with the McIlroys before now but not overwhelmed with their genius so far. The guy playing a Lego man is funny, though.

Probably start A Crown of Candy next, about which I hear good things.

Dizzy D

Also a vote for Fey and Flowers as my favourite (and also for the strength of Lou and Emily as noble fuckabouts), though I like most of them from what I've seen.

Zomro

DJ Eebs wrote: »

The Fey and Flowers season is an all timer (even though the finale gets unfortunately truncated by scheduling problems), partially because everyone fully buys into the regency setting and partially because Emily and Lou go full chaos mode and they keep egging each other on to crazier and crazier ideas

ACoFaF was such a great time. Rue and Hob is one of the best RP romances I've seen, Andehera's awkwardness and eventual confidence is terrific, a PC being a Warlock patron is hilarious, and it's topped by the sheer chaotic charisma of the Lords of the Wing.

I think my favorite part about Emily and Lou in that season is how Chirp and Squak are these self centered party animals but also genuinely love and support each other.

webguy20

Emily is an amazing agent of chaos in whatever she is in while also being one of the most supportive “yes and” style of supportive character.

Sleep

If there’s anyone at the table as good at improv as Brennan it’s Emily.

webguy20

Sleep wrote: »

If there’s anyone at the table as good at improv as Brennan it’s Emily.

If you haven't heard her DM before you should check out Hot Boy Summer on the NADDPOD feed, with guest star Zack Oyama. Its like 4-5 episodes? Its fantastic. They have a sequel on the $10 patreon tier from last year which is also great.

SniperGuy

This episode of Neverafter is killing me, ep 11 "Big and Bad"

Gerard:

Telling the wolf joke about the bank and then the wolf going "I DO NOT WORK AT A BANK" and then telling him in a year and a day he has to tell him a joke that'll make him laugh or Gerard will die

can't stop laughing why is the horror season so good

Mvrck

What serendipitous timing on this thread. I just picked up a subscription and am up to the arcade episode on the first season of Fantasy High. What a great freaking twist that, of course, I should have seen coming.

Schrodinger

Mvrck wrote: »

What serendipitous timing on this thread. I just picked up a subscription and am up to the arcade episode on the first season of Fantasy High. What a great freaking twist that, of course, I should have seen coming.

Which twist?

Bogart

The Survivor episode of Game Changer is incredible.

Mvrck

Schrodinger wrote: »

Mvrck wrote: »

What serendipitous timing on this thread. I just picked up a subscription and am up to the arcade episode on the first season of Fantasy High. What a great freaking twist that, of course, I should have seen coming.

Which twist?

Spoilers up to the end of the Arcade Episode

Well it was a double twist - the first being that Bix was the one behind the kidnappings all along, and then, after the epic boss fight, that of course he was used by the actual enemies after he got caught and beat to shit. They should have considered him compromised from that moment on just by the fact he was left alive, and the fact the group never tried to check up on him with/about his sincerity is an awesome oversight used to great effect.

It makes me wonder what kind of twists and turns Brennan had laying in wait if after he got attacked someone would have done an insight check on his willingness to still help and he got found out right away.

Edit: And spoilers for having finished the first season:

Okay, so Goldenhorde having a tail was supposed to be a clue, right? Since Dragonborn traditionally do not? I clocked that in episode one, and thought it was a bit weird that he had one with Brennan being such an absolutely huge DnD fount of knowledge.