Extinction

Thinking Critically: A D&D Discussion

Once again I welcome Lucas Zellers, a.k.a @SparkOtter, as we continue our theme from the Monster episode. We discuss a critical topic as Lucas takes us through his new project: Book of Extinction. The book gives game statistics and lore for D&D 5e, alongside real-world history for some of the world’s most famous extinct animals. The project comes at a critical time as earth’s sixth mass extinction accelerates, with more species likely to disappear in the next 20 years than in the last century alone according to the National Academy of Sciences. We discuss the possibility of society becoming numb to extinction, and how these natural events have inescapably shaped the Monster Manual.

• 02:00 - Extinction: The Core of D&D
• 08:39 - True Stories Behind Some of the Monster Manual's Extinct Creatures
• 23:58 - Dino Discussion
• 31:10 - Extinction-Level Events
• 38:01 - Content Deprecation
• 41:48 - TPE: Total Party Extinction

Find Lucas on:

• Scintilla Studios: https://scintilla.studio/extinction/
• DriveThru RPG: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/388997/Book-of-Extinction--Preview
• DMs Guild: https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Lucas%20Zellers
• Mage Hand Press: https://store.magehandpress.com/products/book-of-extinction-preview
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/sparkotter

Find Thinking Critically online: https://www.thinkingcritically.co.uk

References:

• S03E02 'Monster' episode of Thinking Critically
• Center for Biological Diversity: https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/new-dungeons-dragons-book-to-support-endangered-species-protection-2022-04-11/
• Atlas Games - Planegea: https://atlas-games.com/planegea

Patrons:

• Robert Hartley @RobertHartleyGM: https://www.patreon.com/RobertHartleyGM
• Optional Rule @optionalrule: https://www.optionalrule.com/
• Matthew Perkins @mperkinsDM: https://www.matthewperkins.net/
• Matt Street @mpstreet88: https://www.virtualtimehustle.com/

Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeod
Intermission Music: 'Chill' by Kevin MacLeod
Outro Music: 'Local Forecast - Elevator' by Kevin MacLeod