Have to Look That Up

Do we have a GM crisis or a player crisis?  It depends…Big thank you to Jason (https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/jason376), BJ (https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/arcanealienist), and Che (https://shows.acast.com/roleplayrescue) for calls and comments!  Please check out their shows!MUSIC:Keep Calm and Podcast - "Coffee &Conversation." Keep Calm and Podcast is a collection of royalty free podsafe music that can be used in podcasts. Available at ⁠https://www.podcast.co/music⁠Mr. Smith - "Insomnia" - available at ⁠https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomniaThe song featured in the introduction clip is from Belly's"Now They'll Sleep."  Belly reunited for a fantastic new albumyears ago ("Dove") and are still making music.Please leave me a voice message at https://www.speakpipe.com/HaveToLookThatUp 

NOTES DGS Presents – the Dead Games Society crew is back! https://www.youtube.com/@DGSPresents   Dungeon Crawl Classics – Free Quickstart https://goodman-games.com/blog/2023/12/22/free-dcc-quick-start-rules/   Shadowdark Free Quickstart: https://www.thearcanelibrary.com/products/shadowdark-rpg-quickstart-set-pdf Judge James at the Living 4 Crits channel (“Shadowdark Sundays”): https://www.youtube.com/@Living4Crits MUSIC: Keep Calm and Podcast - "Coffee &Conversation." Keep Calm and Podcast is a collection of royalty free podsafe music that can be used in podcasts.  Available at ⁠https://www.podcast.co/music⁠ Mr. Smith - "Insomnia" - available at ⁠https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia   The song featured in the introduction clip is from Belly's "Now They'll Sleep."  Belly reunited for a fantastic new album years ago ("Dove") and are still making music. Please leave me a voice message at https://www.speakpipe.com/HaveToLookThatUp

The re-start of the podcast with some new ideas for topics. Please leave me a voice message at ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/HaveToLookThatUp MUSIC: Keep Calm and Podcast - "Coffee & Conversation." Keep Calm and Podcast is a collection of royalty free podsafe music that can be used in podcasts.  Available at ⁠⁠https://www.podcast.co/music⁠⁠ Mr. Smith - "Insomnia" - available at ⁠⁠https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia⁠   The song featured in the introduction clip is from Belly's "Now They'll Sleep."  Belly reunited for a fantastic new album years ago ("Dove") and are still making music. LINKS The band Lake Street Dive and how they used D&D/d20 for song creation: https://atwoodmagazine.com/lsdgt-lake-street-dive-good-together-album-interview-music-feature/ https://www.premierguitar.com/podcast/dipped-in-tone/how-to-write-songs-with-a-20-sided-die-with-lake-street-dives-bridget-kearney RPG Links: Basic Fantasy RPG: https://www.basicfantasy.org/.  CAIRN: https://yochaigal.itch.io/cairn-players-guide and https://yochaigal.itch.io/cairn-wardens-guide STARS WITHOUT NUMBER: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/230009/stars-without-number-revised-edition-free-version Worlds Without Number fantasy RPG: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/348809/worlds-without-number-free-edition   MORK BORG: https://jnohr.itch.io/mrk-borg-free WORLD OF DUNGEONS: https://johnharper.itch.io/world-of-dungeons SHADOWDARK: https://www.thearcanelibrary.com/products/shadowdark-rpg-quickstart-set-pdf CALL OF CTHULHU: https://www.chaosium.com/content/FreePDFs/CoC/CHA23131%20Call%20of%20Cthulhu%207th%20Edition%20Quick-Start%20Rules.pdf RUNEQUEST: https://www.chaosium.com/content/FreePDFs/RuneQuest/CHA4027%20-%20RuneQuest%20Quickstart.pdf DUNGEON CRAWL CLASSICS: https://goodman-games.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023_DCC_QSR_completeLinks_ScreenRes.pdf Dungeons & Dragons 5e: HTTPS://MEDIA.WIZARDS.COM/2018/DND/DOWNLOADS/DND_BASICRULES_2018.PDF.  Pathfinder Archives of Nethys: https://www.aonprd.com/.     

It's been everything, everywhere, all at once, but we are back to chat a bit about "old school" LINKS: Che Webster's Roleplay Rescue MUSIC: Keep Calm and Podcast - "Coffee & Conversation." Keep Calm and Podcast is a collection of royalty free podsafe music that can be used in podcasts. Available at https://www.podcast.co/music Mr. Smith - "Insomnia" - available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia

DISCUSSION: A bit of rambling about our recent "Free RPG Day" DCC funnel adventure, how poorly I roll, setting expectations, and some "RPGconomic" discussion about why WOTC adventures are not dangerous after call-ins from Jason (Nerd's RPG Variety Cast) and a good question from BJ (The Arcane Alienist). MUSIC: Keep Calm and Podcast - "Coffee & Conversation." Keep Calm and Podcast is a collection of royalty free podsafe music that can be used in podcasts. Available at https://www.podcast.co/music Mr. Smith - "Insomnia." Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia

A bit of a review of gaming in Singapore and some rambling... MUSIC: Mr. Smith - "Insomnia." Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia

A short update on some recent games and thoughts as I return to Singapore. Apologies for the audio quality of the segments recorded at the airport. MUSIC: Mr. Smith - "Insomnia." Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia

A short note about some of the horrible things people are doing back in the USA - and a big recommendation to go listen to the latest Asians Represent! podcast, Episode 54 on Black and Asian Communities: Strength and Solidarity (https://aznsrepresent.carrd.co/). Simply awesome. Also check out: Secret Nerd Podcast (https://anchor.fm/secretnerd-podcast) MUSIC: Mr. Smith - "Insomnia." Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia

Discussion about the original TSR Marvel Super Heroes game, what inspired me to think about it this week, and some random thoughts with lots of Friday afternoon background noise. My apologies if the noise gets too loud during the second half of the pod. Links Jason's Nerd's RPG Variety Cast /9https://anchor.fm/jason376) Classic Marvel Resources (https://classicmarvelforever.com/cms/) PODCAST RECOMMENDATIONS Potions and Potpourri /(https://www.buzzsprout.com/1771468) Cantrips and Coffee (https://anchor.fm/cantripsandcoffee) MUSIC: Music Clip: Aloha Friday Song by Kimo Kahoano Mr. Smith - "Insomnia." Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia

Content warning: this episode is about BASEBALL Games Pocket Pennant Run: https://payhip.com/pocketpennantrun Payoff Pitch: https://sidelinestrategy.com/ Tabletop Baseball (Sports) Channels and Podcasts: Kurt Bergland's Baseball World The Replay Gamer Digital to Dice podcast MUSIC: Mr. Smith - "Insomnia." Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia

Feedback on the funnels - and a bit of luck CALL-INS: Jason, Nerd's RPG Variety Cast Joe, Hindsightless Che, Roleplay Rescue MUSIC: Mr. Smith - "Insomnia." Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia IMAGE ON PODCAST EPISODE: From Goodman Games - "Goodman Games stands with Ukraine!"

CLASSICS series: discussing the Dungeon Crawl Classics (DCC) Funnel Goodman Games DCC Home Page Link to DCC Quick start rules (with funnel adventure Portal Under the Stars) For more DCC joy, please check out the Spellburn podcast. For MCC love, listen to Glowburn IMAGE for podcast episode is from page 27 of the DCC Core Rulebook (Goodman Games) at the bottom of the occupation table. Let this inspire you to go funnel... MUSIC: Opening clip from one of my favorite songs ever made, Belly's "Now They'll Sleep" Background music from Fesliyan Studios (https://www.FesliyanStudios.com) Mr. Smith - "Insomnia." Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia

A little bit of talk about Fantastic Lairs and Sly Flourish's Lazy DM Approach to Prep Sly Flourish website: https://slyflourish.com/ Fantastic Lairs site RPG Alliance Role Players for Ukraine (2-3 April): https://warhorn.net/events/role-players-for-ukraine Podcasts from down under (NZ): Toa Tabletop (formerly "Mud & Blood") Jewels from NZ Call-ins from Jason (Nerd's RPG Variety Cast) and Joe (Hindsightless) MUSIC: Mr. Smith - "Insomnia." Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia

A long ramble about time in Singapore and some gaming. Here are links to stuff in the episode: Battle Quarters at Xpidemix (63 East Coast Road #01-03, Singapore, Singapore) - the store where I gamed, check it out! Kelsey Dionne's fantastic work lives at the Arcane Library (https://www.thearcanelibrary.com/) Podcast recommendation: The Slovenly Trulls: https://www.cantbekilledcreations.com/slovenlytrulls Joey Royale's Pizza Party: streams on the Goodman Games Twitch Channel. The premiere can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlQMBp58tvk MUSIC: Mr. Smith - "Insomnia." Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia

Short Aloha Friday discussion of a few great free online I've found, and then Tunnels and Trolls! More on the 6083 RPG here: https://www.missioncontrol6083.com/ Cantrips and Coffee podcast Hodag RPG Itch site! Tunnels and Trolls Site Music Clip: Aloha Friday Song by Kimo Kahoano MUSIC: Mr. Smith - "Insomnia." Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia

An update and discussion of my thoughts on AD&D 1e, playing 5e, getting back to in-person gaming and perhaps some open table gaming. MUSIC: Mr. Smith - "Insomnia." Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia

A short update on some of the Goodman Games Fifth Edition Fantasy games we've run LINKS: Grogtalk: YouTube and website Goodman Games Fifth Edition site Music Clip: Aloha Friday Song by Kimo Kahoano MUSIC: Mr. Smith - "Insomnia." Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia

Thanks to Jason (Nerd's RPG Variety Cast) for the call and prompt for this short topic. If you are interested in the Gauntlet game, please check out https://archive.org/details/arcade_gauntlet Music Clip: Aloha Friday Song by Kimo Kahoano MUSIC: Mr. Smith - "Insomnia." Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia

A short(er) episode about this past Empire of the Cyclops Con MUSIC: Mr. Smith - "Insomnia" Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia

This one is definitely a ramble. I almost did not release this, but then I thought about my one fan with all of her multiple personalities, waiting in agony without any new Dead Games Society lessons... so here it is. This is a bit of a discussion of playing and enjoying D&D, or even "5e," without worrying too much about what WOTC (Hasbro) may or may not do. Check out Empire of the Cyclops Con, online convention 5-7 November, at https://tabletop.events/conventions/empire-of-the-cyclops-con. I still have spots open for my Saturday 6 Nov 8 pm US east coast time DCC game "Frost Fang Expedition" MUSIC: Mr. Smith - "Insomnia" Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia

I discuss the start of my Call of Cthulhu journey. Check out Menion's podcast (especially the recent CoC episode): Confessions of a Wee Tim'rous Bushi Check out Empire of the Cyclops Con, online convention 5-7 November, at https://tabletop.events/conventions/empire-of-the-cyclops-con. I still have spots open for my Saturday 6 Nov 8 pm US east coast time DCC game "Frozen in Time." Thanks to Che from Roleplay Rescue, Jason from Nerd's RPG Variety Cast, Joe from Hindsightless, and the legendary DM Kojo! MUSIC: Mr. Smith - "Insomnia" Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia

Start of perhaps a somewhat regular series on some aspects of Dungeons and Dragons 5e that I enjoy and help keep me in the hobby. Truth be told - most of the reasons I discuss can really apply to how you run or play almost any game... LINKS Roleplay Rescue episode on the Infinite Game Jason's Nerd's RPG Variety character creation with Joe for Cyberpunk 2020 MUSIC Mr. Smith - "Insomnia" Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia

This is the first of what I hope will be a recurring episode on minimal game preparation. Specifically I talk about the work of Sly Flourish (Mike Shea) and his brilliant Lazy DM series. He has a kickstarter running now for the newest book: The LINKS: Mike's Sly Flourish website The Lazy DM's Companion Kickstarter BONUS: Fantastic Lairs Music: Mr. Smith - "Insomnia" Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia

Short update on where I hope to go with the podcast, topics, games, and other items... Podcast recommendation: Jason's Nerd's RPG Variety Podcast, Cyberpunk Character Creation with Joe Richter Bundle of Holding for Numenera Discovery: https://bundleofholding.com/presents/DiscoverNumenera Music: Mr. Smith - "Insomnia" Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia

Short discussion of "labels" and how to bridge "narrative" and "OSR" games... which is really to say that it may be better to try lots of different games, regardless of "labels," to figure out what things you like that can make your favorite game even better. Podcasts Referenced: Roleplay Rescue, Talking Labels, Communication, and Play Styles with Lieren (episode 912): https://anchor.fm/rpgrescue/episodes/912-Talking-Labels--Communication--and-Play-Styles-with-Lieren-e15opq2 Mud & Blood, Interview with Chris McDowall (episode 91): https://9littlebees.com/mab091-chris-mcdowall-interview/ Mud & Blood, Interview with Rob Schwalb (episode 22): https://9littlebees.com/mab022-rob-schwalb-interview/ Free Stuff: Yochai Gal's Positronic Library, available at https://yochaigal.itch.io/the-positronic-library Cthulhu Reborn: https://cthulhureborn.wordpress.com/ Convicts & Cthulhu: https://cthulhureborn.wordpress.com/downloads/downloads-convicts-cthulhu/ Music: Mr. Smith - "Insomnia" Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia

In what was intended to be a shorter episode, I talk a bit much about VTC/zoom/teams online fatigue, nostalgia, getting into new "older" games, and some RPGconomic theory about big corporate RPG strategy, like what WOTC is or is not doing with D&D, and whether it matters.

A short update now that we are free and "safely" adjusting to life in Queensland... Two podcasts to consider: Miskatonic University Podcast Mythras Matters

Some quick thoughts at the airport, flying away to freedom

The day we leave quarantine

Short talk about nostalgia and a search for some "nostalgia equivalent" games

A short discussion about maps and inspiration. Almost free...

Short update on the quarantine situation, shortened by weekend lounging and then work... Topics include some brief talk of Dying Earth, D&D Beyond, and homebrews for 5e Last days/hours for the Goodman Games Dying Earth DCC Kickstarter: getting closer to $300K and already has tons of stretch goal bonus material for set backers...

Short follow-up on traveling games and a bit more on TOP SECRET NEW WORLD ORDER Call-ins from Jason (Nerd's RPG Variety Cast) and B.J. (Arcane Alienist)

"Aloha Friday" Froth-Tribute-Cast... it's been a while since I've done one of these, but wanted to try and restart: Hodagrpg is still making one rpg a week for free! The latest is Wilderness d8 Wizards of the Coast is making more Magic:The Gathering and D&D crossovers, and to celebrate have recently free adventures: download here Any Planet is Earth is getting an update from d66 Kobolds Random table of Starship mission hooks from Crated Land Map of the week from Dyson: the Undercrofts of Githaleon

Start of a discussion on TOP SECRET NEW WORLD ORDER, which can be found here at Solarian (formerly TSR Games) Thanks to Jason (Nerd's RPG Variety Cast) and Che (Roleplay Rescue) for the calls and great comments - sorry these took a while

Update on day 7 - halfway there. A short discussion about role playing games while traveling.

We are almost halfway through - talking about some sport, DCC Day, Jack Vance and Dying Earth, and a bit on coffee. Links: Purple Sorcerer Games runs fantastic FREE on-line tools (with mobile apps) for your DCC (or any) game. Check out the tools at https://purplesorcerer.com/tools.php. They are currently running the annual pledge drive to raise money to support these tools - so if you are able, please consider a donation here: PLEDGE DRIVE

Short update from quarantine outside on the balcony as the sun sets...

Day 4 in quarantine - the rain may be stopping. I take most of the episode to answer Che's (of Roleplay Rescue) question about how to deal with the "dark side" of quarantine. Things to consider: Living 4 Crits - Judge James is daily vlogging and starting to explore 5e Saturday Morning D&D Show - youtube and podcast

Day 3 in Sydney quarantine- dark, dreary, and rainy outside. Bit of a delay in uploading this one - some talk of resuming our 5e adventures and call-ins. Thanks to call-ins from: Joe - Hindsightless Jason - Nerd's RPG Variety Cast Che - Role Play Rescue Spencer/Free Thrall - Keep off the Borderlands Book recommendations: The Poppy War (series) - R. F. Kuang

It's morning in Quarantine... downtown Sydney, quiet due to the current lockdown. A few more thoughts on quarantine, an "unboxing," and discussion about Star Frontiers and Top Secret New World Order.

Short update from the "temporary home" in quarantine in Sydney and a few ideas for gaming. Podcast to check out: Jewels from NZ

Short update on what I am doing and a bit of Froth-tribute for this Tuesday - some links to free stuff and a nice underground labyrinth path random table from Le Chaudron Chromatique: Links: Hodag RPG: https://hodagrpg.itch.io/ War! FOR THE PLANET KARRAVAN Dag's Summer Tour Underground Land Bridges Labyrinth: https://chaudronchromatique.blogspot.com/2021/05/labyrinth-underground-bridges.html Wands and Wizards ("Harry Potter and the Fight for 5e" by GMBinder: Source book Review of Wands and Wizard on Geek Native: https://www.geeknative.com/129433/wands-wizards-is-an-impressive-harry-potter-to-dd-5e-adaptation/

Short discussion of a few thoughts for the week and some call-ins. Podcast to check out: Mad Jay's discussion with Kira Magrann: Talking NextPunk with Kira Magrann - Diceology 39, and Diceology Thanks to the calls from BJ (Arcane Alienist), Jason (Nerd's RPG Variety Cast), and Colin (Spikepit).

A short discussion of some resources to use, either for inspiration or for gaming: Fantastic Lairs: Boss Battles and Climactic Encounters for 5e (https://fantasticlairs.com) A free Star Wars RPG using D&D 5e: https://www.sw5e.com/ Random Table for mega dungeon hooks: https://hackslashmaster.blogspot.com/2021/06/on-megadungeon-hooks.html Tool to help you give XP in a different way ("Bingo-style"): https://githyankidiaspora.wordpress.com/2021/06/04/bingo-style-experience-points-after-a-few-months-of-leveling-up/ Free map - a great dungeon to challenge your players: https://acornafloat.blogspot.com/2021/05/my-daughters-dungeon.html

"Five" minute Friday focus on a few great science-fiction RPG resources: Talking about Star Frontiers... Joel Priddy at Abominable Fancy published a wonderful "FKR" Landshut variant of Star Frontiers, available for free here: https://abominablefancy.blogspot.com/2021/05/the-starshut-rules.html I've probably mentioned the FKR Star Wars game "Galaxy Far Away," found at https://d66kobolds.blogspot.com/2020/09/galaxy-far-away-star-wars-this-is-fkr.html. It's a great little game to play in the Star Wars universe- perhaps even the Mandalorian-era post "Return of the Jedi" setting. There is an actual play of this game on the ggnore podcast: https://ggnorecast.com/2021/02/02/204/ We should have a random table - so here's a great one for your sci-fi/Star Wars game to help generate some sci-fi villain crime enterprises: https://triumphdespair.wordpress.com/2013/08/28/h-is-for-hutt/

Discussion about my experience with Star Frontiers and then some discussion about about science fiction and science fantasy games, following the talk on the recent Nerd's RPG Variety Cast shows. Longer than I thought it would be. Resources to check: "Protect the Frontier" on Black Gate - a review of Star Frontiers Frontier Explorer - free pdf magazines on Star Frontiers and other material for science fiction RPGs Podcast Recommendations: Dead Games Society discussion of Star Frontiers N.K. Jemisin on the Ezra Klein Show - a master class in world-building (please note that this is the "old" Ezra Klein Show on Vox, now called "Vox Conversations" as Ezra moved to The NY Times) Great call-ins from: Jason (Nerd's RPG Variety) Che (Roleplay Rescue) Spencer/Free Thrall (Keep off the Borderlands)

Short tribute to Froth and the "Five-Minute Friday" - it's definitely not as good as the real thing and runs a bit long, but hopefully this gives folks something interesting to check out this weekend. Specifically - Dungeon Con, if only for the virtual village and inn: Link to visit the Dungeon Con Virtual Village and Inn (and see the convention line-up): https://goodman-games.com/blog/2021/05/28/friday-lineup-for-dungeon-con-online/ Dungeon Con sign-up and events page: https://tabletop.events/conventions/dungeon-con-online

Talking about what a minimal rpg (or DM) set would be, after first rambling about approaches to "minimalism" and trying to see what sparks more joy - 5e or DCC. References: The inspiration for a minimal rpg set came from Kelsey at the Arcane Library (website: https://www.thearcanelibrary.com) and her fantastic minimal DM set video If you are interested in minimalism more broadly, please check out: The Minimalists Marie Kondo "Youtube" channels to explore: Kelsey's Arcane Library Dael Kingsmill's Monarchs Factory (making Australia proud) The introduction music is sampled from the start of Belly's "Now They'll Sleep." They can be found at https://bellyofficial.com, where they are very excited about the bees...

Some thoughts on reading RPG books in public, starting with Dungeon Crawl Classics. Then I start a brief tangent discussion on the current 5e hardback books Wizards of the Coast produces. There is some talk of the original TSR Marvel Superheroes RPG. I thought it would be a short episode, but I suppose I rambled on for quite a bit... Thanks to Che for the call-in (Roleplay Rescue) Links mentioned: Classic Marvel (TSR game) Forever Indie RPG Reading Club by Paul Beakley Podcast to consider: Diceology by Mad Jay Zero

Trying to conclude my discussions with some thoughts on the Free Kriegsspiel Revolution (FKR). Links to content mentioned in the show: d66 Classless Kobolds has a lot of FKR material: Basic explanation of FKR and 20 games to answer the d66 kobolds design challenge to build an "FKR game" Darkworm Colt from Norbert Matausch has a lot of great FKR content. Norbert also publishes the Never-ending Drachenschwanz zine, found at https://matausch.itch.io/ Lastly, Revenant Quill posted a list of good FKR games Podcasts to Consider: The Lost Bay: https://anchor.fm/thelostbay Glowburn: http://podcast.glowburn.org Thanks to Call-ins from: Daniel from Bandit's Keep Jason from Nerd's RPG Variety Cast Che from Role-play Rescue The introduction contains a clip from Belly's "Now They'll Sleep," from the 1995 release "King." I would put King on my list of 5 albums for a desert island, only 5 albums to listen to forever, etc... it's that good.