The Fourth Pillar of Play
The Fourth Pillar of Play is a Dungeons & Dragons podcast focused on learning TTRPG game design while designing for our own DnD games. We discuss information and ideas from industry professionals all while applying our research and discussions towards creating authentic, original, and engaging Dungeons and Dragons content to enjoy and share!
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 50 minutes
- Episodes
- 51
- Years Active
- 2022 - 2023
A Year Gone By!
A Year Gone By! Tallon and Josh discuss all they have learned in a year creating -- ups, downs, and all-arounds! They also lay-out the plans for the first "off season," and the (possible) new format…
Dragons...Part Two! (Comparing Designs)
Dragons...Part Two! (Comparing Designs) Tallon and Josh "take wing" comparing even more designs of legendary green(ish) dragons!
Episode Links
Dragons...Part One! (Comparing Designs)
Dragons...Part One! (Comparing Designs) Josh and Tallon duck for cover while examining the iconic foe (and namesake) of Dungeons and Dragons -- the Dragon!
Episode Links
Rock vs. Boulder (Comparing Frost Giants)
Rock vs. Boulder (Comparing Frost Giants) Josh and Tallon review multiple designs for the frosty foes of fantasy; is there more to a Frost Giant than an axe and a....rock?!
Episode Links
A Dragon, a lion, and a goat walk into tavern... (Comparing Chimeras)
A Dragon, a lion, and a goat walk into tavern... (Comparing Chimeras) In part three of design comparisons, Tallon and Josh look at the various versions of the monstrous Chimera!
Episode Links
Comparing Designs -- Hounds...from Hell!
Comparing Designs -- Hounds...from Hell! Josh and Tallon take a gander at the not-so-good "puppers" from three different design sources; how are mechanics, lore, and philosophy connected?
Episode Lin…
Goblins in Esterach & The Monster Revergance Template
Goblins in Esterach & The Monster Revergance Template Tallon (and Josh in spirit!) talks through some thoughts based on the discussion from last last week, and takes a dive into the revergance templ…
Goblins! Goblins! Goblins! (Comparing Designs)
Goblins! Goblins! Goblins! (Comparing Designs) Josh and Tallon descend into the lair of one of Dungeon and Dragons' most iconic foes...the humble goblin! Looking at multiple versions of these low-le…
The Nullamancer Part Two: Abilities
The Nullamancer Part Two: Abilities What should an anti-magic class be able to do? Josh and Tallon go over some flavor-text for the new class and start brainstorming the best way to organize the abi…
Building Our First 5e Character Class -- The Nullamancer!
Building Our First 5e Character Class -- The Nullamancer! Tallon and Josh dive into creating a character class for 5e Dungeons and Dragons -- discussing articles and thoughts from professionals, and…
TTRPG "Missteps" with Todd!
TTRPG "Missteps" with Todd! Todd (Superpod Herocast) and Tallon discuss the design elements of TTRPGs over the years that have NOT blown us away.
Find Us Online!
- Website: www.fourthpillarofplay.co…
Forging Orogol -- The Greatest Evil (Part Two)
Forging Orogol -- The Greatest Evil (Part Two) Josh and Tallon finalize their ideas for Orogol, do some game design comparisons, and talk Baldur's Gate 3!
Find Us Online!
- Website: www.fourthpillar…
Forging Orogol -- The Greatest Evil (Part One)
Forging Orogol -- The Greatest Evil (Part One) Tallon and Josh use their tools and imaginations to start the story and the stats for the greatest evil on the face of Esterach!
Episode Links
Kickstarter Review -- Elements of Inspiration by Nord Games
Kickstarter Review -- Elements of Inspiration by Nord Games Josh and Tallon review a recently released Kickstarter by Nord Games, and discuss the game design elements, execution, and application at …
The History of the Devori (Part Four)
The History of the Devori (Part Four) Josh regales Tallon with his creative backdrop for the devils, demons, and elder horrors of Esterach. How much lore is too much lore? Designing a "choose-your-o…
Neutral Evil Fiends? (Part Three)
Neutral Evil Fiends? (Part Three) Josh and Tallon dissect the traits of Devils and Fiends in 5e, and then do a deep-dive into the nature of the neutral evil alignment.
Episode Links
Fleshing Out a Fiendish City! (Part Two)
Fleshing Out a Fiendish City! (Part Two) Tallon and Josh trade idea hooks for building the finer details that make-up the fiendish, still to-be-named city of dread!
Episode Links
A City of Fiends (Part One)
A City of Fiends (Part One) Josh and Tallon are back together this week as they dive into the creation of one of the most terrifying places on Esterach -- the city of Demons and Devils.
Episode Links
Update: State of Esterach!
Update: State of Esterach!
Find Us Online!
- Website: www.fourthpillarofplay.com
- Twitter: @4pillarplay
- Instagram: @fourthpillarofplay
Credits
Host: Josh Montgomery
Host: Tallon Larham (@tallon_larh…
LORE! Building a 5e Species -- The Yliastrian (Part Two)
LORE! Building a 5e Species -- The Yliastrian (Part Two) Tallon and Josh dive deep into the lore of the Yliastrians...and discuss how their unique place in the world will have an effect at the table…