The Splatbook

In which John, Ben, and Jess roll up characters for three different OSR systems: Dungeon Crawl Classics, Dolmenwood, and Shadowdark, bringing Sindar, Hrannick, and Korv to life. As they fill the sheets out, they explore how every detail sparks anticipation for play, and how what's left off of a character sheet can reveal clever, intentional design.Dungeon Crawl ClassicsDolmenwoodShadowDarkCheck out John's new podcast: Zombie StrainsContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Roll For Topic

In which John, Jess, and their guest, Stephen Dewey, discuss the design his game To Serve Her Wintry Hunger. Together they dive into the magic of games built around evocative questions and emotional pacing. Stephen shares how he uses rules to do the heavy lifting and reinforce the emotional weight of the story. Along the way, they explore emotional cadence, the reliability of tightly written rules, and how mechanics can echo dread, wonder, and everything in between.Check out John's new podcast: Zombie StrainsContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Roll For TopicFollow Stephen:Calvary Gamestwitch.tvpatreon.combluesky

In which John, Jess, and Ben explore the many flavors of chaos a player can bring. We discuss the role of emotional intelligence at the table, the energizing and disrupting impact of unruly players, and how Chaos Goblins—love them or not—might actually be the secret teachers of the TTRPG world.Check out John's new podcast: Zombie StrainsContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Roll For Topic

In which John and Ben discuss their preoccupation with physical RPG books. We end up all over the place; moving from consumerism, status seeking, and how our hobbies define us.Check out John's new podcast: Zombie StrainsContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Roll For Topic

In which John, Jess, and Ben explore how games become vessels that hold our friendships, memories, and the people we've loved. We share the stories of how we met through games and the powerful farewell of a friend whose story ended both in-game and in life. We discuss how through games, we are not just individuals but part of a vast, interconnected web of relationships held by the stories we tell each other.Check out John's new podcast: Zombie StrainsContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Roll For Topic

In which John and Jess talk with Gareth Hanrahan about the adventure and setting guide The One Ring – Moria: Through the Doors of Durin and Gar's return to forging adventures in the depths of Khazad-dûm. We explore corruption, dread, and shadow, contrasting them with elvish hope, and discuss the Balrog's looming presence—diabolically lurking in the deeps and on the random encounter table. Along the way, we delve into Tolkien's sparse yet evocative monster palette, the challenge of adding creatures to Middle-earth, and the breathtaking maps and art that bring this Moria adventure to life.Moria: Through the Doors of DurinBooks by GarethThe Sword Triumphant Dagger in the HeartCheck out John's new podcast: Zombie StrainsContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Roll For Topic  

In which we play Fängelsehåla and chat with its designer, Garry, about his elegantly interconnected rules and old-school aesthetic. As Runnen, Kallax, and Klippan, we battle through a dungeon's entrance, ride a bat, and uncover a secret tunnel. Along the way, we discuss the tactile joy of the Doom Stack, the balance between fairness and flexibility in game design, and what makes Fängelsehåla feel like the RPG you found at your granny's house. Dieku GamesBug Buster Pre-launchGarry's Podcast/YouTubeCheck out John's new podcast: Zombie StrainsContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Roll For Topic 

In which Tony Vasinda and JP Coovert join John for a quick chat about RPG  Zine Month!FukuzatsuPlus One ExpDevelopment Hell!Midnight MarathonJP CoovertTourist HoleSilver Age Quickstarthttps://zombiestrainspodcast.com/Contact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Roll For Topic

In which John, Ben, Jess, and Matt chase the true meaning of a White Whale campaign—is it the time itself or the change it brings? Inspired by a recent Roll for Topic episode, we ask whether long campaigns are a dream worth chasing or a relic of the past, and if one session can deliver catharsis, why play 50? Along the way, we explore shifting gaming priorities, honoring old gaming loves, and what truly makes a game fulfilling.https://zombiestrainspodcast.com/Contact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Roll For Topic

In which John, Ben, and Jess play as goblins in Grant Howitt's game Goblin Quest. They become an increasingly chaotic gaggle of goblins, swapping in a new goblin character each time their previous goblin dies. Together they trebuchet to the top of the Wizard's Tower to become the Belle of the Ball and attempt to fulfill all their Goblinoid hopes and dreams, leaving only a few fallen goblins in their wake. Contact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Roll For Topichttps://zombiestrainspodcast.com/

This is normally an off week for The Splatbook, so I thought i would share an new podcast project I have been working. Zombies Strains is an attempt to understand how zombie movies came to dominate the horror genre after the year 2000. How did it all start? What makes a good zombie movie? We answer attempt to answer all of these questions and more in... Zombie Strains It's Andy's turn to present his baseline zombie film. His choice, The Girl with All the Gifts (2017), is strikingly different than John's. Fast zombies? Check. Fast transmission? Check. Hordes of children who turn into zombies at the scent of humans? That's new! Andy and John discuss this thought-provoking movie as they take another step on their zombie journey.https://zombiestrainspodcast.com/Contact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Roll For Topic

With Jess on secret special assignment, Ben and John sit down to talk about how RPGs are evolving. Are board games getting closer to RPGs? Are RPG play styles segmenting the RPG community? Is that a new thing? In this far-ranging discussion, we cover all of these topics and more. Contact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Roll For Topic

Please join the Splatbook Players as game master Jess runs the gang through a delightfully dark session of "To Serve Her Wintry Hunger", a story-telling RPG by Stephen DeweyTo Server Her Wintry HungerStephen Dewey PatreonContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Roll For Topic

Please enjoy part 2 of an actual play of Ben's in development table-top RPG, Wick &Wander. Illustrations by Claire DonaldsonContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Roll For TopicClaire Donaldson Art

Please enjoy part 1 of an actual play of Ben's in development table-top RPG, Wick &Wander. Illustrations by Claire DonaldsonContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Roll For TopicClaire Donaldson Art

Hey Splatheads! We were not able to produce a full episode this week, so we are just dropping in to say hello. We will be back in two weeks with a new actual play of Ben's game Wick and Wander Contact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Roll For Topic

Happy Halloween! Please enjoy this spooooky actual play of our One Page RPG - Air Boo-N-Boo: Haunt the Rental. GMed by Christopher Salzman of the Roll for Topic podcast.Contact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Roll For Topic

With the spooky season upon us, John, Jess, and Ben dive into the world of one-page RPG design. In this episode we make and RPG, and next episode we will play it. SpooOooookkyyy!!!Doctor Magnet HandsSexy Battle WizardsSad Vampire Boy FriendAdvance Skeleton SiegeContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Roll For Topic

John and co-host Matt Wilson are honored to be joined by Kenneth Hite and Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan to talk about GUMSHOE games, Cthulhu movies, and of course ... Trail of Cthulhu 2nd EditionBack the new edition here!!!Strange Harvest (Movie)Dream EaterKen and Robin Talk About StuffContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Roll For Topic

Fantasy artist Hailee Smith joins the Splatbook crew. We discuss art as process, AI, and how much fun it was to design the new Splatbook logo. Cloud CurioDragonologyContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Roll For Topic

John and Ben are joined by Tim Saucer to talk about running your own games at conventions. We also talk about creating emotional experiences in RPGs, and our RFTCON experience in general.Contact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Roll For Topic

John is joined by his two new co-hosts, Ben Donaldson and Jess Rhiannon, to talk about the new Players Handbook 2024. Who will play it? Are we converting our campaigns to the new edition? Ooooo the mysteries contained herein!  NOTES:2024 Player's HandbookContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Roll For Topic

Tony Vasinda (aka Plus One Tony) joins John to talk about their GenCon experience, how to iterate your game's design, and why zines are the best! And we sneak in some rumblings about the OSR, of course. BECAUSE THAT IS ALL ANYONE TALKS ABOUT Notes:RPG Zine ClubOSR Rules FamiliesPosters, Posers and POSR(s)Butter PrincessContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!

In honor of the release of Alien: Romulus, Andy Rau from Roll for Topic joins John for a discussion of the Alien franchise. What makes a great Alien movie? And does Alien:Romulus hit the mark? Plus an update on the Alien RPG from Free LeagueAlien: Romulus TrailerAlien RPGAlien RPG 2n EditionContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!

Just chillin'Contact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Roll For Topic

Are you tired of all the RPG podcasts publishing their "GenCon Reflections" episodes? Well tooooo baaaad. Here is ours. We have an interview with Amber Seger, and a special guest appearance from Kyle's mom. Plus, Kyle shares some huge life changing news. Contact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Map Crow YouTubeMap Crow PatreonThe Cloud CurioRoll For Topic

John and Kyle discuss modern magical settings, and John's plan to put his poor gaming group through an OSR Dolmenwood campaign. Tuns out Kyle has been playing a long game that has all lead up to this point. DolmenwoodDolmenwood SoundtrackStar Borg! Contact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Map Crow YouTubeMap Crow PatreonThe Cloud CurioRoll For Topic

Due to unrelenting popular demand John, Andy, and new guest Joel Boonstra tackle the first volume of Robert A Caro's pentalogy of the "Times of Lyndon Johnson". Mission Accomplished, so quit sending me harassing email, jeez.The Path to Power99% Invisible: The Power BrokerContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Map Crow YouTubeMap Crow PatreonThe Cloud CurioRoll For Topic

We are so tired y'all. So thank you for sending us some juicy questions to answer.Sincerely DepartedGame WizardsThe Elusive ShiftBen Robbins Website - Lame MageFirebrands GamesYazeba's Bed & BreakfastJubenshaContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Map Crow YouTubeMap Crow PatreonThe Cloud CurioRoll For Topic

Somewhere... in space...this could all be happening RIGHT NOW! Star Borg: Episode 2 - The Hypercore of MadnessJohn and Kyle are joined by Andy Rau and Ben Donaldson for an epic actual play of Star Borg! The new TTRPG collaboration between Kyle and JP Coovert.Star BorgContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Map Crow YouTubeMap Crow PatreonThe Cloud CurioRoll For Topic

Somewhere... in space...this could all be happening RIGHT NOW! Star Borg: Episode 1 - The Ship of DoomJohn and Kyle are joined by Andy Rau and Ben Donaldson for an epic actual play of Star Borg! The new TTRPG collaboration between Kyle and JP Coovert.Star BorgContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Map Crow YouTubeMap Crow PatreonThe Cloud CurioRoll For Topic

Kyle is joined by his "favorite person in the whole wide world (!?)", Evan Torner. Which is fine. John is not the least bit jealous. He is just over here working his fingers to the bone editing this podcast. Toiling away on the show notes mines. It's fine. Everything is fine. But then at the end Kyle says he is sad John was not here, so John just does not know how to feel. They talk about D&D combat or something. Oh, and Matt is here. JK! Evan is awesome, and this is a really insightful episode. Check out his article from 50 Years of Dungeons & Dragons.The Website of Dr Evan TornerCombat in Dungeons & DragonsContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Map Crow YouTubeMap Crow PatreonThe Cloud CurioRoll For Topic

YouTuber JP Coovert join John and Kyle to talk about a new Mork Borg hack he and Kyle are working on, making a living creatively, comic books, and making art as process.JP on YouTube!Star Borg announcementContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Map Crow YouTubeMap Crow PatreonThe Cloud CurioRoll For Topic

Jess returns to the show and we breakdown some of Wraith Curse of the Night Sword. Kyle claims that Jess is now his favorite game master, John is sad, but then we all talk about our therapists.Contact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Map Crow YouTubeMap Crow PatreonThe Cloud CurioRoll For Topic

Kyle and John talk about ADHD and RPGs. This very rapidly devolves into absolute silliness.AADL GM Like A Pro panelAvery Alder Politicizing and Queering Game MechanicsContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Map Crow YouTubeMap Crow PatreonThe Cloud CurioRoll For Topic

Kyle and John do a deep dive into the "rules platforms". What are they? What makes them useful? or limiting? Year Zero SRDAGE SystemGUMSHOE Reference DocumentMETAgamingContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Map Crow YouTubeMap Crow PatreonThe Cloud CurioRoll For Topic

Please enjoy this re-release our first ever published episode! Contact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Map Crow YouTubeMap Crow PatreonThe Cloud CurioRoll For Topic

The Splatbook Players present: Wraith Curse of the Night Sword, Part 2. Being an actual play of The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying   for Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition. Featuring Jess Rhiannon the Ranger "Telconiel", Kenny Webb as "Gorf" the dwarven story teller, John Corey as the Bardling "Ulfar", and Kyle Latino as The Loremaster. Wraithcurse of the Nightsword is an original scenario developed by Kyle Latino. The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game for 5E was adapted from The One Ring RPG 2nd Ed by Michele Garbuggio. The One Ring RPG 2nd Ed was created by Francesco Nepitello and Marco Maggi. Published by Free League Press. All based on the work of J.R.R TolkienLord of the Rings RoleplayingFree League PublishingMusic for this Episode by Francis RobertsCalvinballContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Map Crow YouTubeMap Crow PatreonThe Cloud CurioRoll For Topic

The Splatbook Players present: Wraith Curse of the Night Sword, Part 1. Being an actual play of The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying  for Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition. Featuring Jess Rhiannon the Ranger "Telconiel", Kenny Webb as "Gorf" the dwarven story teller, John Corey as the Bardling "Ulfar", and Kyle Latino as The Loremaster. Wraithcurse of the Nightsword is an original scenario developed by Kyle Latino. The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game for 5E was adapted from The One Ring RPG 2nd Ed by Michele Garbuggio. The One Ring RPG 2nd Ed was created by Francesco Nepitello and Marco Maggi. Published by Free League Press. All based on the work of J.R.R TolkienLord of the Rings RoleplayingFree League PublishingMusic for this Episode by Frances RobertsCalvinballContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Map Crow YouTubeMap Crow PatreonThe Cloud CurioRoll For Topic

Kyle and John honor the work of game designer Jennell Jaquays today by talking about one of John's all time favorite adventure modules: The Enchanted Wood, for SPI's DragonQuest RPG from 1981. Jenelle JaquaysTimothy TrumanThe Enchanted Wood Cover ArtThe Enchanted Wood PDFThe DragonQuest Players AssociationContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Map Crow YouTubeMap Crow PatreonRoll For Topic

Kyle is back, refreshed, and ready to go! We discuss some wonderful email and Splatphone messages, and generally have a silly time. Happy 2024!Priest by Matt ColvilleThe Elusive Shift by Jon PetersonParker Series by Richard StarkParker Graphic Novels by Darwin CookeThe Transcendental Gallery of Anti-Realism by Kyle LatinoThe King of Elfland's Daughter by Lord DunsanyFlame and Crimson by Brian MurphyContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Map Crow YouTubeMap Crow PatreonRoll For TopicThe Cloud Curio

Kyle is off hatching nefarious plans with the Cloud Curio Cohort, so Andy and Matt join John to talk about early RPG influences, and how they shapes the games we run today.SPIs DragonQuestRolemaster 2nd EdGURPS 2nd EdThe New SunFlame and Crimson - A History of Sword and Sorcery Contact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Map Crow YouTubeMap Crow PatreonRoll For TopicThe Cloud Curio

With Kyle busy, busy, busy with the final Monstrous illustrations, John invites two former guests (Andy Rau, and Matt Wilson) to talk about three John Carpenter movies: "The Apocalypse Trilogy". Please enjoy this bonus episode. The ThingPrince of DarknessIn the Mouth of MadnessList of American movies 1982John Carpenter QuoteDelta Green: Impossible LandscapesThe King in Yellow - Project Gutenberg John Carpenter IMDB Contact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Map Crow YouTubeMap Crow PatreonRoll For TopicThe Cloud Curio

Kyle's dander is up about what he has been hearing about the MCDM RPG on the internet. We reluctantly wander into the "OGL Fiasco", and then review our gaming life for 2023The MCDM RPGPathfinder 2e RemasterDolmenwoodBanner SagaContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Map Crow YouTubeMap Crow PatreonRoll For TopicThe Cloud Curio

Our friend Ben Donaldson joins the show to talk about the game he is working on: Wick and Wander - A post-post-apocalypse pastoral punk PbtA card based table top RPG. Say that five times fast.RFTCON SplatacularWick and Wander Card Art Contact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Map Crow YouTubeMap Crow PatreonRoll For TopicThe Cloud Curio

It is finally here folks. We talk about Table Top RPG design, using Free League's Lord of the Rings Roleplaying for 5E as a lens for our discussion.Lord of the The Rings 5EThe One Ring 2nd EdSeth Skorkowsky - Quantum OgresTomb of the Serpent KingJP CoovertMap Crow - Map Making PlaylistMatt Colville - Your First Adventure Contact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Map Crow YouTubeMap Crow PatreonRoll For TopicThe Cloud Curio

Kyle and John answer a great email and a couple of juicy Splatphones. Check the show notes for a couple of important fundraisers! Jennell Jaquays has a long road backThe Enchanted WoodEliminate Medical Date in MichiganNerfedMonster Man. A Show about Monsters because Monsters are greatBig Trouble in Little ChinaArchipelagoThe Good Friends of Jackson Elias 

John and Kyle take a follow up splatphone message, talk about "play to lose" games, and celebrate the fact that Monstrous has funded! Whoo hoo!Today's "And Remember" is from Tales of the Lone Lands. A supplement to Free League Publishing's The One Ring RPGContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Map Crow YouTubeMap Crow PatreonRoll For TopicThe Cloud Curio   

This episode of The Splatbook was recorded on 10/1/2023 as part of Map Crow's live YouTube stream to promote the Monstrous Kickstarter. We hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed recording it. THE MONSTROUS KICKSTARTER IS LIVE!!!!Back it now!NSFW Clips of people being mean to Kyle in the movie RenfieldContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Agnostic and Old RoadsRoll For TopicThe Cloud CurioMap Crow YouTubeMap Crow Patreon   

Listener Ryan calls in a Splatphone that requires our full attention. What is Diegesis? Is narrative immersion possible? or even desirable in an RPG? John and Kyle discussTHE MONSTROUS KICKSTARTER IS LIVE!!!!Back it now!Contact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone! SHOW NOTESDown We GoDown we go using MonstrousKyle appears on Monster ManGod SendInto the Weird Blue YonderRoll For TopicThe Cloud CurioMap Crow YouTubeMap Crow Patreon 

Well, well, well... It turns out there is a Blade Runner RPG and no one bothered to tell John. We discuss the first Blade Runner film, and the new Blade Runner RPG Kyle Campaign just started. THE MONSTROUS KICKSTARTER IS LIVE!!!!Back it now!Contact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone! SHOW NOTESBlade RunnerBlade Runner RPGAgnostic and Old RoadsRoll For TopicThe Cloud CurioMap Crow YouTubeMap Crow Patreon