It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time for another interview! This week, we talked with Homie and The Dude, also known as Bodhi (the son) and Tom (the dad). Homie and The Dude are a father and son TTRPG and MMA Podcast and creators of DnD supplements. They pride themselves in creating stuff they love to use in DnD and hope the rest of the community loves as well. Namely, you’ll find 40ish stat-blocked NPCs and NPC Packs, Unarmed Combat supplements, Family Made XL dice and an airship combat system overlay that will be launched on Kickstarter early in 2023. All of those assets are included in their actual play podcast set in floating islands called The Sky Realm. If you’d like to know more, one of the best ways to do so is to join their Newsletter of Holding (https://homieandthedude.com/newsletter-of-holding)
You can find them around the internet at:
Website: https://homieandthedude.com/
Discord: https://discord.com/invite/2UDfQmUr5W
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HOMIEandTheDUDE
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/homieandthedude
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HOMIEandTheDUDE
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homieandthedude/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HOMIEandTheDUDE
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@homieandthedude/
Do you prefer GMing or Playing, and why?
Bodhi: I prefer GMing. I love creating a safe and fun space for my players to creatively express themselves. For me though the main thing is that I live vicariously through my players feeling the highs and lows of their characters with them. It’s hard to describe the weird hormone high that I get after a session of being a GM. Im both exhausted and buzzing from putting everything i have emotionally into a game and riding the waves of emotions with my players. But all i can say is it’s the greatest feeling in the world.
Tom: I prefer playing. My main joy in playing DnD is roleplaying. I love leaving my RL problems behind and dissolving into the fun of interacting with our family and friends in Bodhi’s world.
What media has inspired your TTRPG work the most?
Bodhi: For me watching Lord of The Rings as a child was probably the thing that lit my fire and love for fantasy. However i have a saying “a GM is only as good as the obscure references that they make in their content” so at this point i draw from everything i have watched, read or witnessed as things that i can amalgamate into characters, places, quests and items.
Tom: Patrick Rothfuss’ The Kingkiller Chronicles. Simply the best fantasy series I’ve ever read. It has everything. A heroes’ arc, amazing combat, love, love lost, redemption, all of it.
What advice do you give to players looking to try TTRPGs?
Bodhi: Playing TTRPGs is one of the most freeing things if done well. I would say find a DM you like and that makes the space safe for everyone at the table to be able to give 100% of themselves to the moment. Then I would say for your first character, play something that suits your personality and dont bother using a whacky accent or voice. This will help you be more focused on what you’re saying/doing in Roleplay rather than how you’re saying/doing it. Also basic Roleplay advice i give every new player is:
Find a reason to say yes: so even if your character wouldn’t do something the group wants to do you need to remember that it is all about group storytelling so it’s ok to conflict the group’s decision a bit but eventually find a reason to join the overall decision and assist the group.
Assists are best: In sports helping someone score is called an assist. Apply the same principle to Roleplaying, setting up other players to have awesome moments or even just passing the metaphorical talking stick around the group gets everyone more involved and can allow for even the quieter of players to have amazing RP moments.
Tom: find a good group of people who are as enthusiastic about giving it a try as you are, and have fun diving into the adventure.
What celebrity would you like to GM or play an RPG with?
Bodhi:I would love to play in one of Brennan Lee Mulligan’s games as he is my all time favorite GM. He is my biggest inspiration when it comes to being a GM. I would also like to play in a game with Lou Wilson and Travis Willingham. They are two of my favorite Roleplayers of all time 🙂
Tom: The Dimension20 cast, but particularly Brendan Mulligan.
What do you think is absolutely essential in creating a safe space for all in a TTRPG game?
Bodhi: Session 0 is a must!! Also a consent form for content outlining players tiggers and topics they would like to avoid. Another important thing is having check-ins at the beginning of sessions to make sure people are still happy and content with how the game is going and the atmosphere at the table.
Tom: a good Session 0 for everyone to openly discuss what are the go/no-go aspects of the game. Also, continuous communication through check ins.
Something else you’d like us to know about you:
Bodhi: We are super proud of the work we are currently doing on our Airship Combat Overlay for D&D 5e which we will be launching as a Kickstarter in the new year.
Love to all the TTRPG people Bodhi out… (Mic drop)
Tom: We’re super proud to have been accepted into the TTRPG community. We take it seriously to be invited to be friends with so many amazing creatives, including you, Luna! You’re a badass! Thanks again, for inviting us to be part of your world 🙂
Well, we’re really happy you’re part of the community too! Thanks for being so amazing!
