The Arcane Alienist

Follow The Arcane Alienist
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Email: arcane.alienist@gmail.com. The diary of a RPG game master (and occasional player). Right now I’m world-building and running an OSE campaign through Fantasy Grounds. I also run D&D 5e, Traveller (Mongoose 2e), and have been known to dabble in other systems, including FATE and Fantasy Flight Star Wars. • Cover art by Dave Bone (www.ironseer.com) #oldschoolessentials #d&d5e

B. J. (aka “GameDoc”)


    • Mar 30, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 25m AVG DURATION
    • 232 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from The Arcane Alienist with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from The Arcane Alienist

    Review: Black Powder and Brimstone

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2025 41:05


    My quick review of Black Powder and Brimstone by Benjamin Tobitt. I also, this episode's cover art is the map to my Black Sword Hack have solo game, as suggested by a call from the GMologist. I made it using Inkarnate.

    A Brother's Lament (Part 5) - Black Sword Hack Solo Play

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2025 51:59


    It's the conclusion of my first solo adventure with Black Sword Hack. Dolen and his "niece" Thorn confront the twisted mortician Fedro and uncover his plans for an undead army. But is he the real master or just a minion of Chaos?I also have a call from our good friend Riley, host of the excellent Diagetic Advancement podcast. Be sure to give it a listen!Special music for this episode curtesy of Bleupanda at⁠⁠⁠⁠Pond5⁠⁠⁠⁠.Send me a message!Email me at arcane.alienist@gmail.comLeave a voicemail at⁠⁠⁠Speakpipe⁠

    A Brother's Lament (Part 4) - Black Sword Hack Solo Play

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2025 22:27


    Part 4 of my solo adventure with Black Sword Hack. Dolen speaks to s suspicious fellow at the Morticians' Guild and seeks help from a former adversary.Special music for this episode curtesy of Bleupanda at⁠⁠⁠Pond5⁠⁠⁠.Send me a messag! Email me at arcane.alienist@gmail.com Leave a voicemail at⁠⁠Speakpipe

    A Brother's Lament (Part 3) - Black Sword Hack Solo Play

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2025 36:36


    Part 3 of my solo adventure with Black Sword Hack. Dolen enters the city slums in search of a wayward nobleman and answers about his brother's death.Special music for this episode curtesy of Bleupanda at⁠⁠Pond5⁠⁠.Send me a message! Email me at arcane.alienist@gmail.com Leave a voicemail at⁠Speakpipe

    A Brother's Lament (Part 2) - Black Sword Hack Solo Play

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2025 24:32


    The second installment of solo play featuring Dolen of Ulber, as he says farewell to his brother and reflects on his origins and how he came to be a courier in the service of House Fulluando.Special music for this episode curtesy of Bleupanda at⁠Pond5⁠.Thanks toMirke the Meek for his call in this eposiode. Make sure you listen to his podcast.Other great podcasts referenced in this episode were theGMologist Presents andDiegetic Advancement.Send me a message!Email me at arcane.alienist@gmail.comLeave a voicemail atSpeakpipe

    A Brother's Lament (Part 1) - Black Sword Hack Solo Play

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2025 19:32


    After character generation and word-building, it's finally time for solo play with Black Sword Hack. Meet Dolen, once a barbarian thrall, now an agent of a powerful merchant house, as he prepares to deal with a personal tragedy. Special music for this episode curtesy of Bleupanda at Pond5. Be sure to catch the latest episode of Cerebrevore, where Arlen and Karl join me to discuss Star Wars. Leave a comment here, or reach out to me directly! You can email me at arcane.alienist@gmail.com You can leave a voice message through Speakpipe

    Worldbuilding with Black Sword Hack - Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2025 22:56


    In this episode, we compete our basic worldbuilding with cities, signs of the apocalypse, and a prompt to get the first adventure under way. Leave a comment, or reach out to me directly! You can email me (arcane.alienist@gmail.com) or leave a voice message through my http://www.speakpipe.com/ArcaneAlienist" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Speakpipe account.

    Worldbuilding with Black Sword Hack - Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2025 28:34


    In this episode we get one step closer to solo play with Black Sword Hack as I fill in the major factions of the campaign setting and put them on the map using the tools from the rulebook.

    Black Sword Hack Character Creation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2025 24:51


    Meet my randomly generated Black Sword Hack character. He's not your average piece of Frazetta beefcake. Check out an example of BSH solo play at the Kill Ten Rats RPG YouTube channel.

    An Overview of Black Sword Hack

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2025 29:17


    Here's a relatively quick overview of Black Sword Hack, the sword & sorcery game that ponders the question: "What is best in life?" You can purchase the complete "Ultimate Chaos Edition" or get the free SRD for the game at The Merry Mushmen website.

    black hack sword srd merry mushmen
    A Mörk Borg Christmas - Preview

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2024 3:50


    As we close out the holiday searon and head to the New Year, I want to thank all my listeners. Now go watch our Mörk Borg Christmas Special actual play "Holiday Hellions" at the GMologist YouTube Channel.

    A Grendel Roasting on an Open Fire

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2024 32:40


    I've got calls about Mörk Borg from Riley of Diagetic Advancement and from Karl and Amy of the GMologist Presents, and a recap of the latest D&D with Theater Kids in which we see why random rolls and referee rulings are the raddest route to robust roleplaying. Also, be sure to check out this episode of Analytic Dice, where Kevin and Gabe discuss Black Sword Hack. It really stirred up some interest in that game for me.

    Mörk Borg Solo Play - The Rancid Maze, Part 7

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2024 52:46


    The final installment of my Mörk Borg solo play using ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sölitary Defilement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Eldar Rottentoe discovers the corruption that plagues the Rancid Maze of Chrud Nech. Will he survive? Special music for this episode courtesy of romulosandri, from ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.pond5.com.⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Indigenous People's Month 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2024 4:18


    Happy Indigenous People's Month and Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Not much content here, but this month I did appear on two other podcasts discussing Indigenous Americans in fiction and roleplaying games: Nerd's RPG Variety Cast discussion of Steven Graham Jones novel The Only Good Indians The GMologist Presents discussion of Indigenous people in roleplaying games

    Mörk Borg Solo Play - The Rancid Maze, Part 6

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2024 47:19


    Another installment of my Mörk Borg solo play using ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sölitary Defilement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Eldar Rottentoe must survive an encounter with the walking dead deep within the Rancid Maze of Chrud Nech. Special music for this episode courtesy of romulosandri, from ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.pond5.com.⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Mörk Borg Solo Play - The Rancid Maze, Part 5

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2024 29:07


    I've got a call from the GMologist, followed by another installment of my Mörk Borg solo play using ⁠⁠⁠⁠Sölitary Defilement⁠⁠⁠⁠. Eldar Rottentoe survives a knife fight and discovers a deadly new magical power. Special music for this episode courtesy of romulosandri, from ⁠⁠⁠www.pond5.com.⁠⁠⁠

    Mörk Borg Solo Play - The Rancid Maze, Part 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2024 42:46


    Another installment of my Mörk Borg solo play using ⁠⁠⁠Sölitary Defilement⁠⁠⁠. Eldar Rottentoe goes deeper into the Rancid Maze of Chrud Nech and makes a new friend (much to the chagrin of Urm). Special music for this episode courtesy of romulosandri, from ⁠⁠www.pond5.com.⁠⁠

    Procedures on Deck

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2024 17:43


    In this episode I recount the latests OSE/Knave game, where I tested out my latest idea - the combat procedure deck.

    Mörk Borg Solo Play - The Rancid Maze, Part 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2024 26:06


    Another installment of my Mörk Borg solo play using ⁠⁠Sölitary Defilement⁠⁠. Eldar Rottentoe enters the Rancid Maze of Chrud Nech and must overcome his first battle with its inhabitants. I also have a call from Karl Rodriquez of The GMologist. Be sure to go over to Kickstarter and back Reaver, an amazing game by Joe Salvador of Raven God Games. You can find interviews and actual plays at the GMologist YouTube Channel (linked above) as well as some discussion of Reaver on the latest episode of Cerebrevore.

    One Round With A Grease Dragon

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2024 29:44


    In this episode I have the latest installment of D&D with Theater Kids, wherein an epic battle with a dragon takes only one round to resolve. Also, we have calls from Joe Richter of the Hingsightless podcast and Riley from Diagetic Advancement. September is suicide awareness month. Help is available at 988 Lifeline. Just call or text 988 or visit the website.

    Mörk Borg Solo Play - The Rancid Maze, Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2024 28:08


    Here's the second installment of my Mörk Borg solo play using ⁠Sölitary Defilement⁠. The story picks up as Eldar Rottentoe confronts a band of goblins guarding the entrance to the Rancid Maze of Chrud Nech. CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains a reference to suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact a healthcare professional or go to the closest emergency room. Help is also available through the national 988 Lifeline. Just call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org to live chat with someone. Special music for this episode courtesy of romulosandri, from ⁠www.pond5.com.⁠

    Yo Ho! International Talk Like a Pirate Day 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2024 11:01


    Just a short episode to commemorate International Talk Like a Pirate Day with some reflections on two of my most pirate-like characters. Also, anyone up for Pirate Borg?

    Mörk Borg Solo Play - The Rancid Maze, Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2024 28:27


    In this episode, I dive into Mörk Borg solo play using the supplement Sölitary Defilement by 1d10+5. Listen as Eldar Rottentoe and his weird little dog approach the Rancid Maze of Chrud Nech! I also have calls from Joe Richter of the Hindsightless podcast and Riley of Diagetic Advancement. Special music for this episode courtesy of romulosandri, from www.pond5.com.

    Making a Mörk Borg Character

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2024 36:14


    In this episode we go dark and experimental with Mörk Borg character creation and first person narrated solo play. Meet the esoteric warlock, Eldar Rottentoe, and his vicious little dog, Urm. It's mud core, but it's good clean fun. Special music for this episode courtesy of romulosandri, from www.pond5.com. It can be found here: https://www.pond5.com/royalty-free-music/item/124082052-greed-terror-horror-thrilling-ambient-texture-soundtrack-atm

    RPGaDay 2024 #31 - The Friends We Made Along the Way

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2024 5:17


    It's time for #RPGaDay2024Check out all of this year's prompts at www.autocratik.com

    RPGaDay 2024 #30 - People I'd Like to Game With

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2024 3:52


    It's time for #RPGaDay2024Check out all of this year's prompts at www.autocratik.com

    RPGaDay2024 #29 - Awesome Appa

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2024 4:52


    It's time for #RPGaDay2024Check out all of this year's prompts at www.autocratik.comD&D Beyondhttps://www.dndbeyond.com​Demiplane https://app.demiplane.com/home

    RPGaDay 2024 #28 - An Anecdote (Sort of) About Gadgets (Sort of)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2024 3:39


    It's time for #RPGaDay2024Check out all of this year's prompts at www.autocratik.com

    RPGaDay2024 #27 - Marvelous Miniature

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2024 3:05


    It's time for #RPGaDay2024Check out all of this year's prompts at www.autocratik.comOwlbear from Nolzur's Marvelous Minis​https://us.thearmypainter.com/products/d-d-monsters-paint-setArcKnight flat plastic minis​http://arcknight.squarespace.com

    RPGaDay 2024 #26 - Superb Screen

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2024 3:14


    It's time for #RPGaDay2024Check out all of this year's prompts at www.autocratik.com

    RPGaDay 2024 #25 - Dice

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2024 2:00


    It's time for #RPGaDay2024Check out all of this year's prompts at www.autocratik.com

    RPGaDay 2024 #24 - Acclaimed Advice

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2024 8:52


    It's time for #RPGADay2024Be sure to check out all of this year's prompts at www.autocratik.com

    RPGaDay 2024 #22 & 23 - Notable NPCs and Peerless Players

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2024 8:42


    It's time for #RPGaDay2024Check out all of this year's prompts at www.autocratik.comDugh the Dwarf will appear here on August 24th​https://youtu.be/6yFaU3ujJh8?si=VfJkxoNwsTdFziDU

    RPGaDay 2024 #21 - A Classic Campaign

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2024 2:49


    It's time for #RPGaDay2024 !Check out all of this year's prompts at www.autocratik.comU1-U3 Bundle (1e AD&D)​https://www.dmsguild.com/product/110325/U1U3-Underwater-Series-1e-BUNDLE?src=also_purchased&filters=0_0_0_0_0_45346_0_0Ghosts of Saltmarsh (5e D&D)​https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Saltmarsh-Hardcover-Adventure/dp/0786966750

    RPGaDay 2024 #20 - An Amazing Adventure

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2024 3:36


    It's time for #RPGaDay20204 !Check out all of this year's prompts at www.autocratik.comThe Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh https://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/17069

    Call-In Roundip

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2024 34:37


    Today I am taking a pause on #RPGaDay2024 to answer some calls from various esteemed colleagues. Be sure to check out their content at the links below. Also, as mentioned in this episode, I will be running games at this year's Big Texas Comicon in San Antonio. There's a link to that below as well. If you'll be in the area, come check it out. Mirke the Meek https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mirke-the-meek Spikepit (by Collin Green) https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spikepit The GMologist (by Karl Rodriguez) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOx7VJObmeKlCjdSDkKZfTQ Nerd's RPG Variety Cast (by Jason Connerly) https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason376 Phantom Thoughts (by the Pink Phantom) https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/phantomthoughts Big Texas Comicon https://bigtexascomicon.com/

    san antonio meek pink phantom rpg variety cast jason connerly
    RPGaDay #18 & 19 - Memorable Moments and Sensational Sessions

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2024 11:04


    It's time for #RPGaDay2024!Check out all of this year's prompts at www.autocratik.com

    RPGaDay 2024 #17 - An Engaging Community

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2024 2:20


    It's time for #RPGaDay2024!Check out all of this year's prompts at www.autocratik.comI think my answer for today's prompt should come as no surprise.

    RPGaDay 2024 #16 - Quick to Learn

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2024 1:53


    It's time for #RPGaDay 2024!Check out all of this year's prompts at www.autocratik.comWhite Box: Fantastic Medieval Adventure Gamehttps://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/190631/white-box-fantastic-medieval-adventure-gameBasic Roleplayinghttps://www.chaosium.com/basic-roleplaying/?srsltid=AfmBOorPo2y_zkvrDtmeehTFDjmFzbUgq26OGvNy9j3Nstn_ZgAOBY4Q

    RPGaDay 2024 #15 - Good Gear

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2024 6:27


    It's time for #RPGaDay20204!Check out all of this year's prompts at www.autocratik.com

    Review: Tales of the Vailant, Part 2/Call-In Roundup

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 51:38


    In this episode, I have some calls from several fellow podcasters (links below) about Deadpool, trolls, and character building, I also have second installment of my review of Tales of the Valiant, this time discussing tool proficiencies, magic, and more metacurrency. Joe Richter (Hindsightless) https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/joe-richter9 Daniel Norton (Bandit's Keep) https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/daniel-norton Jason Connerly (Nerd's RPG Variety Cast https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason376

    tales deadpool valiant rpg variety cast
    RPGaDay 2024 #13 & 14 - Evocative Environments and Compelling Characters

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2024 7:43


    It's time for #RPGaDay 2024!Check out all of this year's prompts at www.autocratik.com

    RPGaDay 2024 #12 - Well Supported Campaigns

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2024 3:00


    It's time for #RPGaDay 2024!Check out all this year's prompts at www.autocratik.com

    RPGaDay 2024 #11 - One Shots

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2024 2:16


    It's time for #RPGaDay 2024!Check out all of this year's prompts at www.autocratik.comhttps://annarchive.com/dungeon.htmlhttps://cairnrpg.com/adventures/

    RPGaDay 2024 #10 - I Want My RPGtv

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2024 5:23


    It's time for #RPGaDay 2024!Check out all of this year's prompts at www.autocratik.comhttps://www.mongoosepublishing.com/collections/traveller-rpgs

    RPGaDay 2024 #9 - An Accessory I'd Like

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2024 4:00


    It's time for #RPGaDay 2024!Check out all of this year's prompts at www.autocratik.com

    RPGaDay 2024 #8 - Accessories

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2024 3:56


    It's time for #RPGaDay 2024!Check out all of this year's prompts at www.autocratik.com
Old School Spell Cards:https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/408131
Dragon Shield Card Sleeves:https://www.dragonshield.com/en-us/card-sleeves/all-sleeves?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAqW4Mpzwczt1r5krsA5R8Gs9Gl1Hs&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqMS_9dXehwMVXgKtBh0l0AGmEAAYASAAEgJsxPD_BwE

    RPGaDay 2024 #7 - Good Form(at)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2024 2:31


    It's time for #RPGaDay 20204!Check out all of this year's prompts at www.autocratik.com
Shadowdark RPGhttps://www.thearcanelibrary.com/pages/shadowdark

    RPGaDay 2024 #6 - Easy to Use

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2024 4:49


    It's time for #RPGaDay 2024! Check out all of this year's prompts at www.autocratik.comTodays prompt was “RPG that is easy to use” but I wasn't paying attention and talked about “easy to play”. But I guess that's the same thing, isn't it? Anyway, here's a family of games that are easy to to use/play:https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/2503/fire-ruby-designs

    RPGaDay 2024 #5 - Great RPG Writing

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2024 4:22


    It's time for #RPGaDay 2024!Check out all of this year's prompts at www.autocratik.comCoyote & Crow RPGhttps://coyoteandcrow.netCoyote & Crow Play Sessionshttps://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrq-VHIZJHpBVAYF4DNJkV9xodWEGFMno&si=mgRFhmfu4m5Z-bj1

    RPGaDay 2024 #4 - Great RPG Artwork

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2024 4:11


    It's time for #RPGaDay 2024!Check out this year's prompts at www.autocratik.comTraveller Comics - Far Trader #1-3 & Riftbreaker #1https://www.mongoosepublishing.com/products/far-trader-issue-1-comicMarvel Multiverse RPGhttps://www.marvel.com/rpgMarvel Multiverse RPG Play Sessionshttps://youtu.be/XSwD1QhcWRM?si=A8JVh2geh6fkYFYzhttps://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrq-VHIZJHpBqnhFk0pRCafDePVPOBo78&si=Fdrk0I2uEVKI1Sm1https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrq-VHIZJHpBgBuObQS0JfWAs--hscbWz&si=L_V4JmYzAWLw4PbU

    Claim The Arcane Alienist

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel