It's a question we had often disregarded as 'impossible' or 'unlikely' — we're fans of Critical Role, Acquisitions Incorporated, High Rollers, and so many other shows. What could we possibly do that those shows aren't already doing?
But then we had an idea...
What if we made a TRPG live play show where every cast member played their character featured in Idle Champions, with a different 'formation'/cast for each adventure? And what if when you played Idle Champions during the week leading up to each episode, you could affect the episode through decisions you made? And what if the events in each episode would then affect Idle Champions afterwards? What could that look like?
We've tried doing interactive integrations with TRPG shows before, with High Rollers and Acquisitions Incorporated: The "C" Team, so we had some ideas when it comes to these kinds of projects. What would happen if we took our lessons learned and made our own show, featuring a cast of amazing people playing the very Champions they have in Idle Champions?
Idle Champions Presents
Join Dungeon Master B Dave Walters (A Darkened Wish, Silver & Steel) as he takes Krystina Arielle (Sirens of the Realms, Star Wars: The High Republic Show), Erin M Evans (Brimstone Angels, Dungeon Scrawlers), and Mark Meer (Mass Effect, Baldur's Gate Enhanced Edition) and a rotating cast of guest Champions on a grand tour of the Sword Coast across two different adventures based on Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms, starting with Idle Champions Presents: The Unfair Seas on February 22nd.
- Idle Champions Presents: The Unfair Seas (February 22, March 1, and March 8) features special guests Vivid Vivka (Sirens of the Realms), and Luke Gygax. Our first adventure sees the Champions in a seaside town along the Sword Coast, where they investigate the mysterious disappearance of a merchant vessel.
- Idle Champions Presents: A Fool's Errand (March 15, March 22, and March 29) features special guests Adam Bradford (Beyond Heroes and forthcoming Heores of the Planes), and Jen Kretchmer (Beyond Heroes, Silver & Steel, and forthcoming Heores of the Planes).
Vote for the Show You Want to See
Daily votes will have both an In-Game Effect and a Livestream Effect. For example, if players vote for one of two Champions to be granted a boon for the next episode of Idle Champions Presents, that Champion would be granted a corresponding boon in Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms! We don't want to spoil everything that players will be able to vote for, but here's an idea of what a few of the daily votes might look like:
- Inspiring Choice — Which (of two) Champion should receive inspiration?
- In-Game Effect: The winner gains an in-game buff for the next week after the vote completes.
- Livestream Effect: The winner gains inspiration (advantage on an ability check, a saving throw, or an attack roll) at the start of the next episode.
- You're the DM Now! — Do the Champions meet goblins, or kobolds? Who explores the darkness? What funny affliction affects the chosen Champion?
- In-Game Effect: these effects vary from nothing to altering the event structure of an event or replacing all the enemies faced during an adventure. It will vary from question to question. Have you ever wondered what would happen if you fought an army of Abyssal Chickens instead of Goblins on an adventure?
- Livestream Effect: We don't know how this will affect the show, but chances are it will be hilarious.
- Dice Roll! — Which Champion gains an Iris D6™?
- In-Game Effect: Idle Champions Players get their own D6 to roll in-game for a variety of prizes. If you roll a '6' you get an extra-special prize -- and there's some bad luck protection to help you get all the prizes so long as you participate in every Dice Roll! throughout the season.
- Livestream Effect: The chosen Champion gains a special Iris D6â„¢ to add to one of their D20 rolls in the next episode.
This is just two examples of the kinds of choices players will be able to make. We've been working closely with B Dave Walters to craft additional choices and surprises to reveal over the course of the series!
But wait, there's more: we are introducing Weekly Challenges each week that will vary between easy, medium, and difficult challenges to earn additional votes for daily votes. You can save these votes up for as long as you wish, using them all on the final vote in Week 6 if you wish. The choice is up to you!
The first vote begins on Tuesday, February 16 at 12PM PT in-game. You'll want to check in every day if you want the most chances to influence Idle Champions Presents — and don't worry if you miss a vote, the In-Game Effects are applied automatically so you won't miss out entirely!
What do I need to know?
We can't wait to see how this all comes together! We hope you'll join us in discussion about Idle Champions Presents on Twitter using the #IdleChampionsPresents hashtag and tagging @IdleChampions.