Podcasts about cypher system

The new MDR team learns more about their office. Catch the video episode on Youtube here. We're proud to be giving away the Asteroid Blues dice set from our friends over at Dispel Dice! Use this link to enter: https://gleam.io/Cshyb/will-save-x-dispel-dice If you liked this episode, please consider supporting us on our Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/willsavethepodcast Or check out our sweet sci-fi fantasy swag on our merch store. https://shop.willsavethepodcast.com/ We'd love if you rate us on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen, follow us on social media, and check out our website WillSaveThePodcast.com for more! No Save for the Wicked is David G. - Kevin Decker Taylor B. - Dain Miller (No Quest for the Wicked) Gavin H. - Niall Spain (No Quest for the Wicked) Marvin J. - Jon Swan Game Master - Vinnie Rodriguez Special gratitude for our partner Syrinscape! They're responsible for how great our music is. Get 50% off your first month with code "willsave" and check out the sound sets we use at https://rebrand.ly/syrinscapeattributionsforwillsave And thanks as always to Cypher System, Epidemic Sounds, Syrinscape, and Dispel Dice!

Crash GMs Cypher System for Beth, Ellie, Io, & Jen. This session: Our adventure begins on the first day of the Holy Convocation, an event where incarnations of the local deities gather together to NOT be horribly killed. Follow this series on… RSS: https://aaronbsmith.com/cogwheel/tag/cogworld-s1/feed/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cogwheelgaming Mastodon: https://is.aaronbsmith.com/@cogwheel Not on Mastodon? Consider these instances: gamepad.club dice.camp mastodon.art chirp.enworld.org tabletop.vip MP3 Download: Cogworld S1 Ep 01: Convocation (Cypher System) Music Used: “Christofori’s Dream” by christofori is licensed as Public Domain and can be downloaded from http://modarchive.org Keep us ad free by supporting us on Patreon! Thanks to our current Patreon Patrons (as of this upload…): Cindy (Patron Emeritus), Ellie, Liv Dromen, ShanShen, and Walter!

Another interim episode to update you on the happenings around here and say Happy Thanksgiving! We're proud to be giving away the Asteroid Blues dice set from our friends over at Dispel Dice! Use this link to enter: https://gleam.io/Cshyb/will-save-x-dispel-dice If you liked this episode, please consider supporting us on our Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/willsavethepodcast Or check out our sweet sci-fi fantasy swag on our merch store. https://shop.willsavethepodcast.com/ We'd love if you rate us on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen, follow us on social media, and check out our website WillSaveThePodcast.com for more! No Save for the Wicked is David G. - Kevin Decker Taylor B. - Dain Miller (No Quest for the Wicked) Gavin H. - Niall Spain (No Quest for the Wicked) Marvin J. - Jon Swan Game Master - Vinnie Rodriguez Special gratitude for our partner Syrinscape! They're responsible for how great our music is. Get 50% off your first month with code "willsave" and check out the sound sets we use at https://rebrand.ly/syrinscapeattributionsforwillsave And thanks as always to Cypher System, Epidemic Sounds, Syrinscape, and Dispel Dice!

Ever accidentally make a deal with the devil in a three-piece suit, get hit in the face with canned soup, and still manage to save an Appalachian town from a coal-eating mountain? The RPGBOT crew did, and somehow, it's not even the weirdest part of their charity stream. Grab your molasses taffy, kiss your dynamite goodbye, and prepare for the most chaotic train robbery–slash–exorcism this side of the Blue Ridge. It's the Old Gods of Appalachia finale, and nobody's walking away clean. Support MD Anderson Cancer Research This series raised funds for the MD Anderson Cancer Research Center, one of the world's leading hospitals dedicated to ending cancer through research, treatment, and education. The fight doesn't stop when the dice stop rolling. You can continue that mission right now by visiting  https://mdanderson.donordrive.com/participants/9351 to give what you can. Every contribution supports life-saving work and honors those who continue the battle against cancer every day. Because together, we can help make cancer history. In Part 1, Jessie and Isaiah arrived in Williams Holler, where labor, faith, and eldritch horror were all part of the same sermon. In Part 2, the pair unearthed cursed coal, Tommyknockers, and a very bad reason to keep digging. In Part 3, they barely escaped the mines—only to find not-deer, haunted orchards, and a preacher whose god might be listening a little too closely. Now, in Part 4, it all comes crashing down—literally. Our heroes steal a train, strike a deal with a devil in a suit, and decide the only way to save Williams Holler is to blow the mountain itself to hell. With flaming undead, eldritch roots, and GM-donated chaos (plus one extremely aggressive can of Campbell's Chunky Soup), this finale is a combustible mix of tension, sacrifice, and Appalachian legend. Highlights include: Jessie and Isaiah team up with Jam for one final run into the mines. A mysterious Railroad Man appears, offering a deal with infernal fine print. The players literally hijack a train to ram into a coal-fed, living mountain. The long-awaited Giant GM Intrusion arrives—turning the mountain into a wrestling ring for titans. The crew makes emotional sacrifices as Jam races to plant dynamite before it's too late. Reverend Timit returns—with canned soup as his chosen weapon of faith. The mountain collapses, salvation comes at a cost, and the town must decide what living free really means. The episode wraps with heartfelt thanks to donors, reflections on Cypher System mechanics, and a moving reminder of why these charity events matter. Key Takeaways Chaos is the point – Trains, devils, and GM intrusions combine into one unforgettable finale. The Cypher System encourages cinematic storytelling – Fast, flexible, and fueled by narrative moments over crunch. Community storytelling makes charity shine – Every donation shaped the game, creating real-time chaos and connection. Emotional stakes matter – Jessie, Isaiah, and Jam's story lands because it balances horror with heart. The mountain is more than a monster – It's a metaphor for endurance, corruption, and the cost of labor. Reverend Timit's soup throws deserve their own rulebook. The crew raised over $1,000 for cancer research – Proof that gaming communities can make a real-world difference. Shout Out to the Old Gods and Monte Cook Games Special thanks to Steve Shell, Cam Collins, and the DeepNerd Media team for creating Old Gods of Appalachia, and to Monte Cook Games for crafting the Old Gods of Appalachia Roleplaying Game that makes this Appalachian nightmare come alive at the table. Experience it yourself: Listen to the award-winning Old Gods of Appalachia podcast at OldGodsofAppalachia.com Buy the RPG from Monte Cook Games: montecookgames.com/old-gods-of-appalachia-rpg Play your own story of coal, faith, and fire—and see how long you can survive the holler. The mountain may have fallen, but the Old Gods are far from silent. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

Ever accidentally make a deal with the devil in a three-piece suit, get hit in the face with canned soup, and still manage to save an Appalachian town from a coal-eating mountain? The RPGBOT crew did, and somehow, it's not even the weirdest part of their charity stream. Grab your molasses taffy, kiss your dynamite goodbye, and prepare for the most chaotic train robbery–slash–exorcism this side of the Blue Ridge. It's the Old Gods of Appalachia finale, and nobody's walking away clean. Support MD Anderson Cancer Research This series raised funds for the MD Anderson Cancer Research Center, one of the world's leading hospitals dedicated to ending cancer through research, treatment, and education. The fight doesn't stop when the dice stop rolling. You can continue that mission right now by visiting  https://mdanderson.donordrive.com/participants/9351 to give what you can. Every contribution supports life-saving work and honors those who continue the battle against cancer every day. Because together, we can help make cancer history. In Part 1, Jessie and Isaiah arrived in Williams Holler, where labor, faith, and eldritch horror were all part of the same sermon. In Part 2, the pair unearthed cursed coal, Tommyknockers, and a very bad reason to keep digging. In Part 3, they barely escaped the mines—only to find not-deer, haunted orchards, and a preacher whose god might be listening a little too closely. Now, in Part 4, it all comes crashing down—literally. Our heroes steal a train, strike a deal with a devil in a suit, and decide the only way to save Williams Holler is to blow the mountain itself to hell. With flaming undead, eldritch roots, and GM-donated chaos (plus one extremely aggressive can of Campbell's Chunky Soup), this finale is a combustible mix of tension, sacrifice, and Appalachian legend. Highlights include: Jessie and Isaiah team up with Jam for one final run into the mines. A mysterious Railroad Man appears, offering a deal with infernal fine print. The players literally hijack a train to ram into a coal-fed, living mountain. The long-awaited Giant GM Intrusion arrives—turning the mountain into a wrestling ring for titans. The crew makes emotional sacrifices as Jam races to plant dynamite before it's too late. Reverend Timit returns—with canned soup as his chosen weapon of faith. The mountain collapses, salvation comes at a cost, and the town must decide what living free really means. The episode wraps with heartfelt thanks to donors, reflections on Cypher System mechanics, and a moving reminder of why these charity events matter. Key Takeaways Chaos is the point – Trains, devils, and GM intrusions combine into one unforgettable finale. The Cypher System encourages cinematic storytelling – Fast, flexible, and fueled by narrative moments over crunch. Community storytelling makes charity shine – Every donation shaped the game, creating real-time chaos and connection. Emotional stakes matter – Jessie, Isaiah, and Jam's story lands because it balances horror with heart. The mountain is more than a monster – It's a metaphor for endurance, corruption, and the cost of labor. Reverend Timit's soup throws deserve their own rulebook. The crew raised over $1,000 for cancer research – Proof that gaming communities can make a real-world difference. Shout Out to the Old Gods and Monte Cook Games Special thanks to Steve Shell, Cam Collins, and the DeepNerd Media team for creating Old Gods of Appalachia, and to Monte Cook Games for crafting the Old Gods of Appalachia Roleplaying Game that makes this Appalachian nightmare come alive at the table. Experience it yourself: Listen to the award-winning Old Gods of Appalachia podcast at OldGodsofAppalachia.com Buy the RPG from Monte Cook Games: montecookgames.com/old-gods-of-appalachia-rpg Play your own story of coal, faith, and fire—and see how long you can survive the holler. The mountain may have fallen, but the Old Gods are far from silent. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

Ellie GMs for Beth, Crash, Io, & Jen. This episode: The adventurers are hired to seal a dungeon so nothing can move back in. Of course, they have to clear it out first … Follow this series on… RSS: https://aaronbsmith.com/cogwheel/tag/plus-ultra-s2/feed/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cogwheelgaming Mastodon: https://is.aaronbsmith.com/@cogwheel Not on Mastodon? Consider these instances: gamepad.club dice.camp mastodon.art chirp.enworld.org tabletop.vip MP3 Download: Plus Ultra S2 Ep 03: Matlock Tor by Daylight (Cypher System) Music Used: “The Digital Dragon” by Drozerix is licensed as Public Domain and can be downloaded from http://modarchive.org Keep us ad free by supporting us on Patreon! Thanks to our current Patreon Patrons (as of this upload…): Cindy (Patron Emeritus), Ellie, Liv Dromen, ShanShen, and Walter!

Ever looked at a monster stat block and thought, "That's cool… but what if it was full of wasp parasites, haunted by Victorian metaphors, and could bend reality like a jaded demigod?" Well buckle in, because Keith Ammann—monster maestro and author of Making Enemies—is back to teach us how to create RPG nightmares smarter than your party's wizard, sneakier than a rogue with reliable talent, and more layered than a Dark Souls boss. Buy Keith's Books Keith Ammann's books, including The Monsters Know What They're Doing, Live to Tell the Tale, How to Defend Your Lair, and now Making Enemies, are all available through your friendly local game store or online via your favorite bookseller. Find more at themonstersknow.com—and level up every system at your table. Get your own copy of Making Enemies and start building smarter monsters today! Support local shops first, but if they don't have it in stock? Use the affiliate link in our show notes and help us keep the show going too! Buy it here! (affiliate link) Show Notes The Monsters Know author Keith Ammann returns for his third masterclass to discuss his new book, Making Enemies. We explore everything from designing creatures with realistic biological traits, to metaphorical monsters rooted in culture, to how to mess with your most OP players using quirks and weaknesses. Keith breaks down monster creation for five game systems: D&D 5e, Pathfinder 2e, Cypher System, Call of Cthulhu, and Shadowdark—and why your eldritch beast might benefit from wasp logic or a cursed Victorian metaphor. Making Enemies (affiliate link) Keith Ammann TheMonstersKnow.com Keith's Existing Books The Monsters Know What You're Doing (affiliate link) Live to Tell the Tale (affiliate link) MOAR The Monsters Know What You're Doing (affiliate link) How to Defend Your Lair (affiliate link) RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes KEITH AMMANN STRIKES BACK (Remastered) How to Defend Your Lair with Keith Ammann MOAR The Monsters Know What They're Doing with Keith Ammann Key Takeaways Making Enemies works as both a practical toolkit and a design philosophy for creating smarter, more thematic monsters in tabletop RPGs—across multiple systems from D&D to Cypher. Keith talks about using real-world biology and evolution (think wasps, cephalopods, and parasitoids) to create monsters that defy typical humanoid/mammal tropes. It's unsettling... and that's the point. Monsters as metaphors: Your horrors can represent societal fears, personal anxieties, or moral dilemmas—but choose stories your table wants to confront and conquer, not retraumatize. Phased monsters (like Dark Souls bosses) add tactical and narrative depth—now adapted for multiple RPG systems and not just legendary D&D bosses. Weaknesses and Quirks: Make monsters memorable by letting players discover and exploit lore-backed vulnerabilities—not just AC and HP pools. Magic in Monster Design: Keith breaks down four ways monsters wield magic—spellcasting, innate magic, psionics, and reality-bending—each with different narrative implications. Listen Back: Previous Keith Ammann Episodes You can hear Keith talk more about monster decision-making, smart combat encounters, and defeating TPK machines like a pro in our earlier interviews: Masterclass #1 – The Monsters Know What They're Doing Masterclass #2 – How to Defend Your Lair Bonus – Combat Tactics, Intelligence Checks, and Mastering Boss Fights Catch up on all Keith episodes at RPGBOT.net/podcast or wherever you get your shows. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

Ever looked at a monster stat block and thought, "That's cool… but what if it was full of wasp parasites, haunted by Victorian metaphors, and could bend reality like a jaded demigod?" Well buckle in, because Keith Ammann—monster maestro and author of Making Enemies—is back to teach us how to create RPG nightmares smarter than your party's wizard, sneakier than a rogue with reliable talent, and more layered than a Dark Souls boss. Buy Keith's Books Keith Ammann's books, including The Monsters Know What They're Doing, Live to Tell the Tale, How to Defend Your Lair, and now Making Enemies, are all available through your friendly local game store or online via your favorite bookseller. Find more at themonstersknow.com—and level up every system at your table. Get your own copy of Making Enemies and start building smarter monsters today! Support local shops first, but if they don't have it in stock? Use the affiliate link in our show notes and help us keep the show going too! Buy it here! (affiliate link) Show Notes The Monsters Know author Keith Ammann returns for his third masterclass to discuss his new book, Making Enemies. We explore everything from designing creatures with realistic biological traits, to metaphorical monsters rooted in culture, to how to mess with your most OP players using quirks and weaknesses. Keith breaks down monster creation for five game systems: D&D 5e, Pathfinder 2e, Cypher System, Call of Cthulhu, and Shadowdark—and why your eldritch beast might benefit from wasp logic or a cursed Victorian metaphor. Making Enemies (affiliate link) Keith Ammann TheMonstersKnow.com Keith's Existing Books The Monsters Know What You're Doing (affiliate link) Live to Tell the Tale (affiliate link) MOAR The Monsters Know What You're Doing (affiliate link) How to Defend Your Lair (affiliate link) RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes KEITH AMMANN STRIKES BACK (Remastered) How to Defend Your Lair with Keith Ammann MOAR The Monsters Know What They're Doing with Keith Ammann Key Takeaways Making Enemies works as both a practical toolkit and a design philosophy for creating smarter, more thematic monsters in tabletop RPGs—across multiple systems from D&D to Cypher. Keith talks about using real-world biology and evolution (think wasps, cephalopods, and parasitoids) to create monsters that defy typical humanoid/mammal tropes. It's unsettling... and that's the point. Monsters as metaphors: Your horrors can represent societal fears, personal anxieties, or moral dilemmas—but choose stories your table wants to confront and conquer, not retraumatize. Phased monsters (like Dark Souls bosses) add tactical and narrative depth—now adapted for multiple RPG systems and not just legendary D&D bosses. Weaknesses and Quirks: Make monsters memorable by letting players discover and exploit lore-backed vulnerabilities—not just AC and HP pools. Magic in Monster Design: Keith breaks down four ways monsters wield magic—spellcasting, innate magic, psionics, and reality-bending—each with different narrative implications. Listen Back: Previous Keith Ammann Episodes You can hear Keith talk more about monster decision-making, smart combat encounters, and defeating TPK machines like a pro in our earlier interviews: Masterclass #1 – The Monsters Know What They're Doing Masterclass #2 – How to Defend Your Lair Bonus – Combat Tactics, Intelligence Checks, and Mastering Boss Fights Catch up on all Keith episodes at RPGBOT.net/podcast or wherever you get your shows. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

The new Lumon employees talk to Ellie. We're proud to be giving away the Asteroid Blues dice set from our friends over at Dispel Dice! Use this link to enter: https://gleam.io/Cshyb/will-save-x-dispel-dice If you liked this episode, please consider supporting us on our Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/willsavethepodcast Or check out our sweet sci-fi fantasy swag on our merch store. https://shop.willsavethepodcast.com/ We'd love if you rate us on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen, follow us on social media, and check out our website WillSaveThePodcast.com for more! No Save for the Wicked is David G. - Kevin Decker Taylor B. - Dain Miller (No Quest for the Wicked) Gavin H. - Niall Spain (No Quest for the Wicked) Marvin J. - Jon Swan Game Master - Vinnie Rodriguez Special gratitude for our partner Syrinscape! They're responsible for how great our music is. Get 50% off your first month with code "willsave" and check out the sound sets we use at https://rebrand.ly/syrinscapeattributionsforwillsave And thanks as always to Cypher System, Epidemic Sounds, Syrinscape, and Dispel Dice!

What if I told you your tabletop RPG doesn't need skills… or stats… or even weapon proficiencies? Today we commit a little RPG heresy—and ungovern the cylinder. The Jaunty Mantis returns with another episode of chaotic brilliance, high-level RPG design debate, and extremely questionable metaphors. Today, Jesse and Matty tackle a deceptively simple question: Do tabletop RPGs actually need their core features? Ability scores, skill systems, weapon proficiencies—are they essential, or are they just D&D legacy baggage we keep carrying around? Along the way we detour into Rifts (of course), Pendragon, Cypher System, Dungeon World, and a whole lot of “players will self-regulate anyway,” plus Cad Bane impressions, Star Wars hot takes, and an alarming amount of content centered around “ungoverning the cylinder.” If you're a curious gamer, game designer, TTRPG theorist, or someone who just likes watching nerds lovingly complain about Palladium Books, you're in the right place. Send us your questions at jauntymantis@gmail.com Like, subscribe, and forcibly ungovern your cylinder responsibly.

Ever outrun a demon deer with too many teeth, watched a mine explode for reasons you definitely didn't cause, and then discovered a whistle that works like a horror movie pause button? No? Then you haven't listened to Part 3 of the Old Gods of Appalachia charity stream, where the RPGBOT crew learns the hard way that in Williams Holler, even the local wildlife deserves a GM intrusion. Support MD Anderson Your donation today could help save someone's tomorrow. The RPGBOT team streamed this series to support the MD Anderson Cancer Research Center, a world leader in cancer treatment, research, and prevention. You can continue that mission right now by visiting  https://mdanderson.donordrive.com/participants/9351. Every dollar fights for better treatments and a future free of cancer. In Part 1, Jessie and Isaiah arrived in Williams Holler and learned two things: the town is (1) deeply superstitious, and (2) definitely full of supernatural creatures. After a chilly sermon and a backyard horror encounter, the party descended into the mine for "community service." In Part 2, things got darker underground—literally and metaphorically. Armed with lanterns, folk tales, and a little moonshine, the group met Tommyknockers, broke into an ancient part of the mine, found cursed artifacts, and narrowly escaped through collapsing tunnels. Now, in Part 3, they face what's waiting above ground: hungry not-deer, orchard-bound protections, and a whole new misunderstanding about what they unleashed beneath the mountain. Let's grab our rifles, run uphill, and hope Jam's whistle can save us again. Show Notes Recorded live as part of a charity stream benefiting MD Anderson Cancer Research, this episode continues the flight for survival through Old Gods of Appalachia, using the Cypher System. As Jessie, Isaiah, and Jam escape through the woods, they're hunted by not one but two things that are not deer—abominations with antlers, claws, and too many reasons to drag trespassers back into the mountain. Episode highlights include: Clue the dog becoming the true MVP A silent whistle that scares off eldritch horrors Evidence that the orchard is protected by something older, and possibly hungrier, than anything underground Jessie's moment of terror in the creek, reminding us how trauma echoes The return of Mr. T and his legendary rifle skills Hard questions about why ancient boundaries were broken—and who (or what) wants to mend them Key Takeaways Environmental horror works best when nothing is safe – Water, dirt, light, and air all become points of tension. Player intrusions build cinematic moments – The ability to introduce surprise allies or repel enemies makes scenes feel like horror films. Animals matter – Clue the dog's ferocity creates bond and bravery, giving the party both plot and emotional stakes. The orchard hints at deeper power – Something about the trees turns horrors away, but no one knows if it's a shield or a cage. Group trauma drives the narrative – Jessie's flashback and Isaiah's guilt contextualize the horror on a personal level, not just a cosmic one. Mr. T is officially the coolest person in Williams Holler – Long rifles, gold chains, dead-eyed deer standoffs: what more do you want? Shout Out to the Old Gods and Monte Cook Games Huge thanks once again to Steve Shell, Cam Collins, and the entire DeepNerd Media team for creating Old Gods of Appalachia, and to Monte Cook Games for bringing the series to the table with the Old Gods of Appalachia Roleplaying Game. To experience this world for yourself: Listen to Old Gods of Appalachia wherever you get your podcasts Buy the RPG at montecookgames.com/old-gods-of-appalachia-rpg Bring some "not a deer" terror into your next campaign The Old Gods are whispering. Let them in—in your ears, and at your table. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

Ever outrun a demon deer with too many teeth, watched a mine explode for reasons you definitely didn't cause, and then discovered a whistle that works like a horror movie pause button? No? Then you haven't listened to Part 3 of the Old Gods of Appalachia charity stream, where the RPGBOT crew learns the hard way that in Williams Holler, even the local wildlife deserves a GM intrusion. Support MD Anderson Your donation today could help save someone's tomorrow. The RPGBOT team streamed this series to support the MD Anderson Cancer Research Center, a world leader in cancer treatment, research, and prevention. You can continue that mission right now by visiting  https://mdanderson.donordrive.com/participants/9351. Every dollar fights for better treatments and a future free of cancer. In Part 1, Jessie and Isaiah arrived in Williams Holler and learned two things: the town is (1) deeply superstitious, and (2) definitely full of supernatural creatures. After a chilly sermon and a backyard horror encounter, the party descended into the mine for "community service." In Part 2, things got darker underground—literally and metaphorically. Armed with lanterns, folk tales, and a little moonshine, the group met Tommyknockers, broke into an ancient part of the mine, found cursed artifacts, and narrowly escaped through collapsing tunnels. Now, in Part 3, they face what's waiting above ground: hungry not-deer, orchard-bound protections, and a whole new misunderstanding about what they unleashed beneath the mountain. Let's grab our rifles, run uphill, and hope Jam's whistle can save us again. Show Notes Recorded live as part of a charity stream benefiting MD Anderson Cancer Research, this episode continues the flight for survival through Old Gods of Appalachia, using the Cypher System. As Jessie, Isaiah, and Jam escape through the woods, they're hunted by not one but two things that are not deer—abominations with antlers, claws, and too many reasons to drag trespassers back into the mountain. Episode highlights include: Clue the dog becoming the true MVP A silent whistle that scares off eldritch horrors Evidence that the orchard is protected by something older, and possibly hungrier, than anything underground Jessie's moment of terror in the creek, reminding us how trauma echoes The return of Mr. T and his legendary rifle skills Hard questions about why ancient boundaries were broken—and who (or what) wants to mend them Key Takeaways Environmental horror works best when nothing is safe – Water, dirt, light, and air all become points of tension. Player intrusions build cinematic moments – The ability to introduce surprise allies or repel enemies makes scenes feel like horror films. Animals matter – Clue the dog's ferocity creates bond and bravery, giving the party both plot and emotional stakes. The orchard hints at deeper power – Something about the trees turns horrors away, but no one knows if it's a shield or a cage. Group trauma drives the narrative – Jessie's flashback and Isaiah's guilt contextualize the horror on a personal level, not just a cosmic one. Mr. T is officially the coolest person in Williams Holler – Long rifles, gold chains, dead-eyed deer standoffs: what more do you want? Shout Out to the Old Gods and Monte Cook Games Huge thanks once again to Steve Shell, Cam Collins, and the entire DeepNerd Media team for creating Old Gods of Appalachia, and to Monte Cook Games for bringing the series to the table with the Old Gods of Appalachia Roleplaying Game. To experience this world for yourself: Listen to Old Gods of Appalachia wherever you get your podcasts Buy the RPG at montecookgames.com/old-gods-of-appalachia-rpg Bring some "not a deer" terror into your next campaign The Old Gods are whispering. Let them in—in your ears, and at your table. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

Have you ever gotten up for a full day's work in a haunted coal mine and thought, "Boy, I really hope that bird in a cage doesn't stop singing and doom us all"? No? Then you clearly weren't with the RPGBOT crew in Part 2 of our Old Gods of Appalachia charity stream—where coal dust has claws, headlamps are your best friend, and it turns out you can get shot-in-the-foot vibes without ever firing a gun. Buckle up, y'all. Things are getting deep, dark, and very dusty. Support MD Anderson Cancer Research Before we go further, remember: this campaign was part of a live charity event supporting MD Anderson Cancer Center, one of the top cancer hospitals in the world. Their mission is simple but critical: end cancer for patients everywhere through advanced research, treatment, and compassionate care. You can still make a difference. Donate today at https://mdanderson.donordrive.com/participants/9351 — every dollar helps bring hope, healing, and lifesaving treatment to real people in the fight for their lives. Previously, on the RPGBOT charity stream: Jessie and Isaiah arrived in Williams Holler—an Appalachian company town where coal mine doom meets fire-eyed-almost-deer and fatal sermons about salvation through suffering. After a run-in with a not-deer and a meet-and-greet with Mister T and his questionable Applejack theology, our heroes found themselves deep in the mines for mandatory community service, hammering rocks for redemption. Episode 2 picks up right where we left off: with moonshiner chaos, clumsy pickaxe injuries, Tommyknocker rituals, and a collapsing mine shaft that proves this town is as deadly belowground as it is above. In this episode of the RPGBOT Podcast, the gang digs deeper into Old Gods of Appalachia—both narratively and literally—as they're sent into the bowels of the Williams Holler coal mine to "earn their keep" under the watchful eye of foreman Josh CC. Join Jessie and Isaiah as they: Learn about Tommyknockers—ghostly Appalachian mine spirits who love pennies and hate eye contact. Perform citation-needed rituals involving canaries, fish bits, and whispered thanks. Fail basic pickaxe maneuvers (looking at you, Isaiah) and experience the dark gift of GM intrusions, brought to you by generous donors. Discover strange, ancient artifacts deep underground—hint: they might belong to the town's ominous apple orchard daughter. Encounter a creature that definitely isn't a dog made of coal and bad vibes. Try desperately to outrun physics, collapse, and tiny angry men with stone axes through lightless tunnels. All while raising money for MD Anderson Cancer Research, whose work helps real people—unlike some podcast characters we could name. Key Takeaways Horror is better underground: Claustrophobic tunnels, unstable lanterns, and monster-dust dogs? That's premium Appalachian fear. Cypher System shines in survival tension: Speed and might rolls build both narrative and actual sweat. Tommyknockers are the coal miner's cryptid: They warn you with knocks—if you leave them snacks and don't embarrass them. GM intrusions are extra spicy during charity games: The more you donate, the more you make the players quietly panic. Jessie can shoot, quip, and pull people out of holes: The perfect outlaw protagonist energy. This mine is getting worse by the minute: Strange artifacts, broken elevators, dead canaries? It's all very "maybe we leave now." Basket of weird fruit: The orchard, Mr. T, and a thing calling itself "the green" are part of a cosmic tug-of-war that's barely begun. Thank You to the Old Gods and Monte Cook A huge thank-you to Steve Shell, Cam Collins, and the DeepNerd Media team for creating the masterwork that is Old Gods of Appalachia. Their audio drama is the gold standard of Appalachian horror storytelling—and the Old Gods of Appalachia Roleplaying Game, built on Monte Cook Games' Cypher System, brings that dread to your table with terrifying finesse. Want to experience this world for yourself? Listen to Old Gods of Appalachia wherever you get your podcasts Buy the RPG at montecookgames.com/old-gods-of-appalachia-rpg Bring some "not a deer" terror into your next campaign Let the Old Gods whisper you home. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

Have you ever gotten up for a full day's work in a haunted coal mine and thought, "Boy, I really hope that bird in a cage doesn't stop singing and doom us all"? No? Then you clearly weren't with the RPGBOT crew in Part 2 of our Old Gods of Appalachia charity stream—where coal dust has claws, headlamps are your best friend, and it turns out you can get shot-in-the-foot vibes without ever firing a gun. Buckle up, y'all. Things are getting deep, dark, and very dusty. Support MD Anderson Cancer Research Before we go further, remember: this campaign was part of a live charity event supporting MD Anderson Cancer Center, one of the top cancer hospitals in the world. Their mission is simple but critical: end cancer for patients everywhere through advanced research, treatment, and compassionate care. You can still make a difference. Donate today at https://mdanderson.donordrive.com/participants/9351 — every dollar helps bring hope, healing, and lifesaving treatment to real people in the fight for their lives. Previously, on the RPGBOT charity stream: Jessie and Isaiah arrived in Williams Holler—an Appalachian company town where coal mine doom meets fire-eyed-almost-deer and fatal sermons about salvation through suffering. After a run-in with a not-deer and a meet-and-greet with Mister T and his questionable Applejack theology, our heroes found themselves deep in the mines for mandatory community service, hammering rocks for redemption. Episode 2 picks up right where we left off: with moonshiner chaos, clumsy pickaxe injuries, Tommyknocker rituals, and a collapsing mine shaft that proves this town is as deadly belowground as it is above. In this episode of the RPGBOT Podcast, the gang digs deeper into Old Gods of Appalachia—both narratively and literally—as they're sent into the bowels of the Williams Holler coal mine to "earn their keep" under the watchful eye of foreman Josh CC. Join Jessie and Isaiah as they: Learn about Tommyknockers—ghostly Appalachian mine spirits who love pennies and hate eye contact. Perform citation-needed rituals involving canaries, fish bits, and whispered thanks. Fail basic pickaxe maneuvers (looking at you, Isaiah) and experience the dark gift of GM intrusions, brought to you by generous donors. Discover strange, ancient artifacts deep underground—hint: they might belong to the town's ominous apple orchard daughter. Encounter a creature that definitely isn't a dog made of coal and bad vibes. Try desperately to outrun physics, collapse, and tiny angry men with stone axes through lightless tunnels. All while raising money for MD Anderson Cancer Research, whose work helps real people—unlike some podcast characters we could name. Key Takeaways Horror is better underground: Claustrophobic tunnels, unstable lanterns, and monster-dust dogs? That's premium Appalachian fear. Cypher System shines in survival tension: Speed and might rolls build both narrative and actual sweat. Tommyknockers are the coal miner's cryptid: They warn you with knocks—if you leave them snacks and don't embarrass them. GM intrusions are extra spicy during charity games: The more you donate, the more you make the players quietly panic. Jessie can shoot, quip, and pull people out of holes: The perfect outlaw protagonist energy. This mine is getting worse by the minute: Strange artifacts, broken elevators, dead canaries? It's all very "maybe we leave now." Basket of weird fruit: The orchard, Mr. T, and a thing calling itself "the green" are part of a cosmic tug-of-war that's barely begun. Thank You to the Old Gods and Monte Cook A huge thank-you to Steve Shell, Cam Collins, and the DeepNerd Media team for creating the masterwork that is Old Gods of Appalachia. Their audio drama is the gold standard of Appalachian horror storytelling—and the Old Gods of Appalachia Roleplaying Game, built on Monte Cook Games' Cypher System, brings that dread to your table with terrifying finesse. Want to experience this world for yourself? Listen to Old Gods of Appalachia wherever you get your podcasts Buy the RPG at montecookgames.com/old-gods-of-appalachia-rpg Bring some "not a deer" terror into your next campaign Let the Old Gods whisper you home. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

Ellie GMs for Beth, Crash, Io, & Jen. This episode: Hugh, Steinunn, and Temüülen encounter Delka, the 4th adventurer hired to be in their group, and proceed to get to the bottom of the underground temple. Follow this series on… ▶RSS: https://aaronbsmith.com/cogwheel/tag/plus-ultra-s2/feed/ ▶Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cogwheelgaming ▶Mastodon: https://is.aaronbsmith.com/@cogwheel Not on Mastodon? Consider these instances: gamepad.club dice.camp mastodon.art … Continue reading "Plus Ultra S2 Ep 02: An Allegory of Truth and Time (Cypher System)"

The team explores. Catch the video episode on Youtube here. We're proud to be giving away the Asteroid Blues dice set from our friends over at Dispel Dice! Use this link to enter: https://gleam.io/Cshyb/will-save-x-dispel-dice If you liked this episode, please consider supporting us on our Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/willsavethepodcast Or check out our sweet sci-fi fantasy swag on our merch store. https://shop.willsavethepodcast.com/ We'd love if you rate us on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen, follow us on social media, and check out our website WillSaveThePodcast.com for more! No Save for the Wicked is David G. - Kevin Decker Taylor B. - Dain Miller (No Quest for the Wicked) Gavin H. - Niall Spain (No Quest for the Wicked) Marvin J. - Jon Swan Game Master - Vinnie Rodriguez Special gratitude for our partner Syrinscape! They're responsible for how great our music is. Get 50% off your first month with code "willsave" and check out the sound sets we use at https://rebrand.ly/syrinscapeattributionsforwillsave And thanks as always to Cypher System, Epidemic Sounds, Syrinscape, and Dispel Dice!

The RPGBOT crew descends into the haunted hollers of Appalachia—where faith, fire, and coal run deep, and the locals don't much care for outsiders asking questions. Between GM intrusions, cursed deer, and whiskey-soaked theology, our heroes quickly learn that in Old Gods of Appalachia, salvation's a dangerous business. Welcome to the mines, y'all—hope you brought your holy water and your lucky charm. Support the MD Anderson Cancer Center If you're looking to make a meaningful impact today, please consider donating to MD Anderson. Your gift supports cutting-edge cancer research, world-class patient care, and education & prevention efforts — all part of their mission to "Make Cancer History®." MD Anderson Cancer Center MD Anderson treats patients from around the globe, advances new therapies through clinical trials, and drives programs that prevent cancer before it starts.

The RPGBOT crew descends into the haunted hollers of Appalachia—where faith, fire, and coal run deep, and the locals don't much care for outsiders asking questions. Between GM intrusions, cursed deer, and whiskey-soaked theology, our heroes quickly learn that in Old Gods of Appalachia, salvation's a dangerous business. Welcome to the mines, y'all—hope you brought your holy water and your lucky charm. Support the MD Anderson Cancer Center If you're looking to make a meaningful impact today, please consider donating to MD Anderson. Your gift supports cutting-edge cancer research, world-class patient care, and education & prevention efforts — all part of their mission to "Make Cancer History®." MD Anderson Cancer Center MD Anderson treats patients from around the globe, advances new therapies through clinical trials, and drives programs that prevent cancer before it starts.

Ellie GMs for Beth, Crash, Io, & Jen. This episode: We meet Hugh, Steinunn, and Temüülen as they investigate ancient ruins for pay while the world's magic changes. Follow this series on… ▶RSS: https://aaronbsmith.com/cogwheel/tag/plus-ultra-s2/feed/ ▶Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cogwheelgaming ▶Mastodon: https://is.aaronbsmith.com/@cogwheel Not on Mastodon? Consider these instances: gamepad.club dice.camp mastodon.art chirp.enworld.org tabletop.vip MP3 Download: Plus Ultra S2 Ep … Continue reading "Plus Ultra S2 Ep 01: My World's On Fire, How About Yours: Part 2 (Cypher System)"

Just a state of events happening over here at Will Save! Can't wait to see y'all next week. Catch the latest video episode on Youtube here. We're proud to be giving away the Asteroid Blues dice set from our friends over at Dispel Dice! Use this link to enter: https://gleam.io/Cshyb/will-save-x-dispel-dice If you liked this episode, please consider supporting us on our Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/willsavethepodcast Or check out our sweet sci-fi fantasy swag on our merch store. https://shop.willsavethepodcast.com/ We'd love if you rate us on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen, follow us on social media, and check out our website WillSaveThePodcast.com for more! No Save for the Wicked is David G. - Kevin Decker Taylor B. - Dain Miller (No Quest for the Wicked) Gavin H. - Niall Spain (No Quest for the Wicked) Marvin J. - Jon Swan Game Master - Vinnie Rodriguez Special gratitude for our partner Syrinscape! They're responsible for how great our music is. Get 50% off your first month with code "willsave" and check out the sound sets we use at https://rebrand.ly/syrinscapeattributionsforwillsave And thanks as always to Cypher System, Epidemic Sounds, Syrinscape, and Dispel Dice!

What happens when you mix time travel, cybernetics, and dinosaurs — and then get stuck 90 million years in the past? We're diving into Predation, the wildest RPG you've never played. Strap in, game mothers, dungeon masters, and dice goblins — this episode we're reviewing Predation, the dinosaur-heavy RPG from Monte Cook Games built on the Cypher System! We unpack what makes Predation such a unique blend of science fiction, time anomalies, and genetically modified dinosaurs. From player-driven companion mechanics to the game's faction conflicts, we dig into what works, and what's missing.

The team bonds. Catch the video episode on Youtube here. We're proud to be giving away the Asteroid Blues dice set from our friends over at Dispel Dice! Use this link to enter: https://gleam.io/Cshyb/will-save-x-dispel-dice If you liked this episode, please consider supporting us on our Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/willsavethepodcast Or check out our sweet sci-fi fantasy swag on our merch store. https://shop.willsavethepodcast.com/ We'd love if you rate us on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen, follow us on social media, and check out our website WillSaveThePodcast.com for more! No Save for the Wicked is David G. - Kevin Decker Taylor B. - Dain Miller (No Quest for the Wicked) Gavin H. - Niall Spain (No Quest for the Wicked) Marvin J. - Jon Swan Game Master - Vinnie Rodriguez Special gratitude for our partner Syrinscape! They're responsible for how great our music is. Get 50% off your first month with code "willsave" and check out the sound sets we use at https://rebrand.ly/syrinscapeattributionsforwillsave And thanks as always to Cypher System, Epidemic Sounds, Syrinscape, and Dispel Dice!

The work begins. We're proud to be giving away the Asteroid Blues dice set from our friends over at Dispel Dice! Use this link to enter: https://gleam.io/Cshyb/will-save-x-dispel-dice If you liked this episode, please consider supporting us on our Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/willsavethepodcast Or check out our sweet sci-fi fantasy swag on our merch store. https://shop.willsavethepodcast.com/ We'd love if you rate us on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen, follow us on social media, and check out our website WillSaveThePodcast.com for more! No Save for the Wicked is David G. - Kevin Decker Taylor B. - Dain Miller (No Quest for the Wicked) Gavin H. - Niall Spain (No Quest for the Wicked) Marvin J. - Jon Swan Game Master - Vinnie Rodriguez Special gratitude for our partner Syrinscape! They're responsible for how great our music is. Get 50% off your first month with code "willsave" and check out the sound sets we use at https://rebrand.ly/syrinscapeattributionsforwillsave And thanks as always to Cypher System, Epidemic Sounds, Syrinscape, and Dispel Dice!

RPG System: Cypher System (cypher-system.com)Years after Prince Ren found eight of the treasures of Rule, Octopon has been restored to its former glory. However, without all thirteen treasures, the Dark Water still plagues the world of Mer. Now, Ren's child will assemble a new crew of misfits to find the remaining Treasures, no matter what stands in their way! ◇ Visit happyjacks.org/piratesofdarkwater for a full list of this campaign's videos and podcasts. CAST:  GM: Vixie Belle (she/her) https://linktr.ee/pocketdragonpub Lloyd (He/They) https://druggeddwarf.carrd.co/ Ari, Daughter of Ren (She/They) Joe Shiz-Haw (He/Him) Khomu, a Grizzled Warrior (He/Him) Courtney (she/her) Ozzmynd, Former Pirate of the Maelstrom (she/her) Samm Star (she/they/fae) https://Lusttforlifeex.carrd.co Sophie, Career Pirate who Fights Dirty (they/she) Consider supporting the show on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/happyjacksrpg ◇ Subscribe to our other podcast feeds! We have a weekly tabletop RPG talk show based on topics sent in from fans around the world, and a great collection of One-Shots if you prefer bite sized adventures. ◇ You can watch us on Youtube or Twitch! Hang out with other tabletop roleplaying fans in our Discord community! Tags: happyjacksrpg, tabletop, gaming, rpg, advice, dnd, d&d, podcast, roleplaying, happy jacks, stream, streaming, twitch, youtube, dm, gm, dming, gming, game master, dungeon master, campaign, dungeons and dragons, hjrpg, ttrpg, freeleague, electricstate

Ellie GMs for Beth, Crash, Io, & Jen. This episode: In this Season Finale, the party know where the dragon egg is, now they just need to reach it before Iago. Follow this series on… ▶RSS: https://aaronbsmith.com/cogwheel/tag/plus-ultra/feed/ ▶Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cogwheelgaming ▶Mastodon: https://is.aaronbsmith.com/@cogwheel Not on Mastodon? Consider these instances: gamepad.club dice.camp mastodon.art chirp.enworld.org tabletop.vip MP3 Download: Plus … Continue reading "Plus Ultra Ep 27: It's a Kind of Magic (Cypher System)"

A quick update from Marvin's outie, Jon! We're proud to be giving away the Asteroid Blues dice set from our friends over at Dispel Dice! Use this link to enter: https://gleam.io/Cshyb/will-save-x-dispel-dice No Save for the Wicked is David G. - Kevin Decker Taylor B. - Dain Miller (No Quest for the Wicked) Gavin H. - Niall Spain (No Quest for the Wicked) Marvin J. - Jon Swan Game Master - Vinnie Rodriguez Special gratitude for our partner Syrinscape! They're responsible for how great our music is. Get 50% off your first month with code "willsave" and check out the sound sets we use at https://rebrand.ly/syrinscapeattributionsforwillsave And thanks as always to Cypher System, Epidemic Sounds, and Dispel Dice!

RPG System: Cypher System (cypher-system.com)Years after Prince Ren found eight of the treasures of Rule, Octopon has been restored to its former glory. However, without all thirteen treasures, the Dark Water still plagues the world of Mer. Now, Ren's child will assemble a new crew of misfits to find the remaining Treasures, no matter what stands in their way! ◇ Visit happyjacks.org/piratesofdarkwater for a full list of this campaign's videos and podcasts. CAST:  GM: Vixie Belle (she/her) https://linktr.ee/pocketdragonpub Lloyd (He/They) https://druggeddwarf.carrd.co/ Ari, Daughter of Ren (She/They) Joe Shiz-Haw (He/Him) Khomu, a Grizzled Warrior (He/Him) Courtney (she/her) Ozzmynd, Former Pirate of the Maelstrom (she/her) Samm Star (she/they/fae) https://Lusttforlifeex.carrd.co Sophie, Career Pirate who Fights Dirty (they/she) Consider supporting the show on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/happyjacksrpg ◇ Subscribe to our other podcast feeds! We have a weekly tabletop RPG talk show based on topics sent in from fans around the world, and a great collection of One-Shots if you prefer bite sized adventures. ◇ You can watch us on Youtube or Twitch! Hang out with other tabletop roleplaying fans in our Discord community! Tags: happyjacksrpg, tabletop, gaming, rpg, advice, dnd, d&d, podcast, roleplaying, happy jacks, stream, streaming, twitch, youtube, dm, gm, dming, gming, game master, dungeon master, campaign, dungeons and dragons, hjrpg, ttrpg, freeleague, electricstate

Our eyes open. We're proud to be giving away the Asteroid Blues dice set from our friends over at Dispel Dice! Use this link to enter: https://gleam.io/Cshyb/will-save-x-dispel-dice If you liked this episode, please consider supporting us on our Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/willsavethepodcast Or check out our sweet sci-fi fantasy swag on our merch store. https://shop.willsavethepodcast.com/ We'd love if you rate us on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen, follow us on social media, and check out our website WillSaveThePodcast.com for more! No Save for the Wicked is David G. - Kevin Decker Taylor B. - Dain Miller (No Quest for the Wicked) Gavin H. - Niall Spain (No Quest for the Wicked) Marvin J. - Jon Swan Game Master - Vinnie Rodriguez Special gratitude for our partner Syrinscape! They're responsible for how great our music is. Get 50% off your first month with code "willsave" and check out the sound sets we use at https://rebrand.ly/syrinscapeattributionsforwillsave And thanks as always to Cypher System, Epidemic Sounds, and Dispel Dice!

RPG System: Cypher System (cypher-system.com)Years after Prince Ren found eight of the treasures of Rule, Octopon has been restored to its former glory. However, without all thirteen treasures, the Dark Water still plagues the world of Mer. Now, Ren's child will assemble a new crew of misfits to find the remaining Treasures, no matter what stands in their way! ◇ Visit happyjacks.org/piratesofdarkwater for a full list of this campaign's videos and podcasts. CAST:  GM: Vixie Belle (she/her) https://linktr.ee/pocketdragonpub Lloyd (He/They) https://druggeddwarf.carrd.co/ Ari, Daughter of Ren (She/They) Joe Shiz-Haw (He/Him) Khomu, a Grizzled Warrior (He/Him) Courtney (she/her) Ozzmynd, Former Pirate of the Maelstrom (she/her) Samm Star (she/they/fae) https://Lusttforlifeex.carrd.co Sophie, Career Pirate who Fights Dirty (they/she) Consider supporting the show on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/happyjacksrpg ◇ Subscribe to our other podcast feeds! We have a weekly tabletop RPG talk show based on topics sent in from fans around the world, and a great collection of One-Shots if you prefer bite sized adventures. ◇ You can watch us on Youtube or Twitch! Hang out with other tabletop roleplaying fans in our Discord community! Tags: happyjacksrpg, tabletop, gaming, rpg, advice, dnd, d&d, podcast, roleplaying, happy jacks, stream, streaming, twitch, youtube, dm, gm, dming, gming, game master, dungeon master, campaign, dungeons and dragons, hjrpg, ttrpg, freeleague, electricstate

RPG System: Cypher System (cypher-system.com)Years after Prince Ren found eight of the treasures of Rule, Octopon has been restored to its former glory. However, without all thirteen treasures, the Dark Water still plagues the world of Mer. Now, Ren's child will assemble a new crew of misfits to find the remaining Treasures, no matter what stands in their way! ◇ Visit happyjacks.org/piratesofdarkwater for a full list of this campaign's videos and podcasts. CAST:  GM: Vixie Belle (she/her) https://linktr.ee/pocketdragonpub Lloyd (He/They) https://druggeddwarf.carrd.co/ Ari, Daughter of Ren (She/They) Joe Shiz-Haw (He/Him) Khomu, a Grizzled Warrior (He/Him) Courtney (she/her) Ozzmynd, Former Pirate of the Maelstrom (she/her) Samm Star (she/they/fae) https://Lusttforlifeex.carrd.co Sophie, Career Pirate who Fights Dirty (they/she) Consider supporting the show on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/happyjacksrpg ◇ Subscribe to our other podcast feeds! We have a weekly tabletop RPG talk show based on topics sent in from fans around the world, and a great collection of One-Shots if you prefer bite sized adventures. ◇ You can watch us on Youtube or Twitch! Hang out with other tabletop roleplaying fans in our Discord community! Tags: happyjacksrpg, tabletop, gaming, rpg, advice, dnd, d&d, podcast, roleplaying, happy jacks, stream, streaming, twitch, youtube, dm, gm, dming, gming, game master, dungeon master, campaign, dungeons and dragons, hjrpg, ttrpg, freeleague, electricstate

Our introduction to the game and to each other. We're proud to be giving away the Asteroid Blues dice set from our friends over at Dispel Dice! Enter to win an Asteroid Blues set from DIspel Dice! Use the link: https://gleam.io/Cshyb/will-save-x-dispel-dice If you liked this episode, please consider supporting us on our Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/willsavethepodcast Or check out our sweet sci-fi fantasy swag on our merch store. https://shop.willsavethepodcast.com/ We'd love if you rate us on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen, follow us on social media, and check out our website WillSaveThePodcast.com for more! No Save for the Wicked is David G. - Kevin Decker Taylor B. - Dain Miller Gavin H. - Niall Spain Marvin J. - Jon Swan Game Master - Vinnie Rodriguez Special gratitude for our partner Syrinscape! They're responsible for how great our music is. Get 50% off your first month with code "willsave" and check out the sound sets we use at https://rebrand.ly/syrinscapeattributionsforwillsave And thanks as always to Cypher System, Epidemic Sounds, and Dispel Dice!

RPG System: Cypher System (cypher-system.com)Years after Prince Ren found eight of the treasures of Rule, Octopon has been restored to its former glory. However, without all thirteen treasures, the Dark Water still plagues the world of Mer. Now, Ren's child will assemble a new crew of misfits to find the remaining Treasures, no matter what stands in their way! ◇ Visit happyjacks.org/piratesofdarkwater for a full list of this campaign's videos and podcasts. CAST:  GM: Vixie Belle (she/her) https://linktr.ee/pocketdragonpub Lloyd (He/They) https://druggeddwarf.carrd.co/ Ari, Daughter of Ren (She/They) Joe K (He/Him) https://JoeLovesStories.carrd.co Khomu, a Grizzled Warrior (He/Him) Courtney (she/her) Ozzmynd, Former Pirate of the Maelstrom (she/her) Samm Star (she/they/fae) https://Lusttforlifeex.carrd.co Sophie, Career Pirate who Fights Dirty (they/she) Consider supporting the show on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/happyjacksrpg ◇ Subscribe to our other podcast feeds! We have a weekly tabletop RPG talk show based on topics sent in from fans around the world, and a great collection of One-Shots if you prefer bite sized adventures. ◇ You can watch us on Youtube or Twitch! Hang out with other tabletop roleplaying fans in our Discord community! Tags: happyjacksrpg, tabletop, gaming, rpg, advice, dnd, d&d, podcast, roleplaying, happy jacks, stream, streaming, twitch, youtube, dm, gm, dming, gming, game master, dungeon master, campaign, dungeons and dragons, hjrpg, ttrpg, freeleague, electricstate

RPG System: Cypher System (cypher-system.com)Years after Prince Ren found eight of the treasures of Rule, Octopon has been restored to its former glory. However, without all thirteen treasures, the Dark Water still plagues the world of Mer. Now, Ren's child will assemble a new crew of misfits to find the remaining Treasures, no matter what stands in their way! ◇ Visit happyjacks.org/piratesofdarkwater for a full list of this campaign's videos and podcasts. CAST:  GM: Vixie Belle (she/her) https://linktr.ee/pocketdragonpub Lloyd (He/They) https://druggeddwarf.carrd.co/ Ari, Daughter of Ren (She/They) Joe K (He/Him) https://JoeLovesStories.carrd.co Khomu, a Grizzled Warrior (He/Him) Courtney (she/her) Ozzmynd, Former Pirate of the Maelstrom (she/her) Samm Star (she/they/fae) https://Lusttforlifeex.carrd.co Sophie, Career Pirate who Fights Dirty (they/she) Consider supporting the show on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/happyjacksrpg ◇ Subscribe to our other podcast feeds! We have a weekly tabletop RPG talk show based on topics sent in from fans around the world, and a great collection of One-Shots if you prefer bite sized adventures. ◇ You can watch us on Youtube or Twitch! Hang out with other tabletop roleplaying fans in our Discord community! Tags: happyjacksrpg, tabletop, gaming, rpg, advice, dnd, d&d, podcast, roleplaying, happy jacks, stream, streaming, twitch, youtube, dm, gm, dming, gming, game master, dungeon master, campaign, dungeons and dragons, hjrpg, ttrpg, freeleague, electricstate

Ellie GMs for Beth, Crash, Io, & Jen. This episode: The party spend the night in the tower and wake to find a familiar guest, followed by another, larger guest. Follow this series on… ▶RSS: https://aaronbsmith.com/cogwheel/tag/plus-ultra/feed/ ▶Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cogwheelgaming ▶Mastodon: https://is.aaronbsmith.com/@cogwheel Not on Mastodon? Consider these instances: gamepad.club dice.camp mastodon.art MP3 Download: Plus Ultra Ep 26: … Continue reading "Plus Ultra Ep 26: Distant Early Warning (Cypher System)"

Ellie GMs for Beth, Crash, Io, & Jen. This episode: The party meet with the skai of the monastery in the mountains. Follow this series on… ▶RSS: https://aaronbsmith.com/cogwheel/tag/plus-ultra/feed/ ▶Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cogwheelgaming ▶Mastodon: https://is.aaronbsmith.com/@cogwheel MP3 Download: Plus Ultra Ep 25: Such Great Heights (Cypher System) Music Used: “Deadly Windmills” by JAM is licensed as Public Domain and … Continue reading "Plus Ultra Ep 25: Such Great Heights (Cypher System)"

This week, Ian is recounting his adventure to the distant city of Indianapolis to be counted among the record 72,000 attendants of GenCon 2025. Join us as he gives a recap of the games he played, shows off the games he purchased, and poorly describes some game mechanics (I was tired, okay?).   Here's a list of the games mentioned this week, plus places where you can find them (if they aren't available at your FLGS): Pirate Borg by Luke Stratton  (Limithron) - https://www.limithron.com/ If I Were A Lich, Man by Lucian Kahn (Hit Point Press) - https://hitpointpress.com/products/if-i-were-a-lich-man-box-set The Quiet Year by Avery Alder (Indie Press Revolution) - https://www.indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/The-Quiet-Year-updated-bag-set.html L.G.B.T. (Longsword, Glock, Bat, Taser), Axolotl With a Gun, and Kobolds & Trench Coats by Jonathon Boyle (Bright Bard Games) - https://brightbardgames.com/ Last Flight of the Pandora by Jake and Mike Rieman (Two Pancakes Games) - https://www.twopancakes.com/ The Cypher System and No Thank You, Evil! by Monte Cook Games - https://www.montecookgames.com/store/ The Gang by John Cooper and Cory Heath (Thames & Kosmos) - https://store.thamesandkosmos.com/products/the-gang Hanari by Antoine Bauza (R&R Games) - https://rnrgames.com/hanabi   Our website is live! Head on over to undercommontaste.com to find links to all of our social media, streaming sites, Patreon, Itch store, and Discord. Our theme song is Massacre Anne, written and performed by Mary Crowell, and used with permission. You can find Mary's work online at marycrowell.bandcamp.com, or on Patreon at patreon.com/DrMaryCCrowell. Our logo was illustrated by David Sutherland. You can find David's work online at instagram.com/wilex_73, or on DeviantArt at deviantart.com/davidsutherland.  

Livestreaming as always Friday at 2pm UK time (9am ET)! This week we'll be talking about D&D Japan's new adventure, more details about the Forgotten Realms books, Daggerheart plans, the new edition of the Cyper system, and much more! D&D Releases New Japanese Campaign 'Oni's Right Hand' More Details Revealed for Forgotten Realms Digital Expansions Alternate Covers of Upcoming Forgotten Realms Books Revealed Purple Dragon Knight Retooled as Banneret in D&D's Heroes of Faerun Book Dhampir and Other Species To Be Included in Astarion's Book of Hungers Maps Feature on D&D Beyond Becomes Free to Use D&D Video Game The Temple of Elemental Evil Returns To Steam Sirius Dice Reveals 'D&D: Baldur's Gate 3 Treasure Packs' D&D: WizKids Unveils Stranger Things Minis – ‘Heroes of Hellfire' Tariffs: 'De Minimis' Exemption Ended, Affects Individual Game Orders Entering US Celebrating 50 Years of Chaosium! John Kovalic Looks Back On Over Two Decades Of Munchkin Critical Role's The Mighty Nein Reveals First Look, Season 1 to Air on November 19th Renegade Announces Dungeon Crawler Carl RPG Daggerheart Playtesting New Transformation Mechanic New Daggerheart Kickstarter Announced, Chris Perkins, Jeremy Crawford's Plans Revealed Sword World to Get Official English Translation Spicy DnD Romcom Novel ‘Date Knight' is Now Available There's A New Edition Of The Cypher System Coming Hellfinder - A Modern Horror Hack of Pathfinder 2nd Edition TTRPG Kids Review List

Ellie GMs for Beth, Crash, Io, & Jen. This episode: The party meet the giona, feathered lizard people who serve Sacnicte, the Steward of Time. Follow this series on… ▶RSS: https://aaronbsmith.com/cogwheel/tag/plus-ultra/feed/ ▶Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cogwheelgaming ▶Mastodon: https://is.aaronbsmith.com/@cogwheel MP3 Download: Plus Ultra Ep 24: Slightly All The Time (Cypher System) Music Used: “Deadly Windmills” by JAM is licensed … Continue reading "Plus Ultra Ep 24: Slightly All The Time (Cypher System)"

Ellie GMs for Beth, Crash, Io, & Jen. Now that the party has fast travel (flying car edition) enabled, they're off in search for a missing ugag. Follow this series on… ▶RSS: https://aaronbsmith.com/cogwheel/tag/plus-ultra/feed/ ▶Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cogwheelgaming ▶Mastodon: https://is.aaronbsmith.com/@cogwheel MP3 Download: Plus Ultra Ep 23: Is It Fast Enough So We Can Fly Away? (Cypher System) Music … Continue reading "Plus Ultra Ep 23: Is It Fast Enough So We Can Fly Away? (Cypher System)"

Ellie GMs for Beth, Crash, & Io as they play student's enrolled in the other Mo's other super-powered school. It's time for mini-golf! Follow this series (of one-shots) on… ▶One-Shots RSS Feed: https://aaronbsmith.com/cogwheel/tag/one-shot/feed/ ▶Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cogwheelgaming ▶Mastodon: https://is.aaronbsmith.com/@cogwheel MP3 Download: One-Shot: Mo's School for the Delinquent And Disturbed (Cypher System) Music Used: Bubble Machine by Drozerix … Continue reading "One-Shot: Mo's School for the Delinquent And Disturbed (Cypher System)"

Crash GMs for Beth, Ellie, Io, & Jen as they play super-powered teens in a boarding school. This episode: The team has acquired the required hat. Now they need to convince a giantess to feed a child. Follow this series on… ▶Mo's School RSS Feed: https://aaronbsmith.com/cogwheel/tag/MSFGY/feed/ ▶Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cogwheelgaming ▶Mastodon: https://is.aaronbsmith.com/@cogwheel MP3 Download: Mo's School For … Continue reading "Mo's School For Gifted Youth Ep 10: Food Run (Cypher System)"

Ellie GMs for Beth, Crash, Io, & Jen. The party investigate a formerly flying city that has been turned to glass. Follow this series on… ▶RSS: https://aaronbsmith.com/cogwheel/tag/plus-ultra/feed/ ▶Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cogwheelgaming ▶Mastodon: https://is.aaronbsmith.com/@cogwheel MP3 Download: Plus Ultra Ep 22: I Don't Mind You Coming Here (Cypher System) Music Used: “Deadly Windmills” by JAM is licensed as Public … Continue reading "Plus Ultra Ep 22: I Don't Mind You Coming Here (Cypher System)"

Crash GMs for Beth, Ellie, Io, & Jen as they play super-powered teens in a boarding school. This episode: The team awakens as super-powered animals in the Plus Ultra setting. Felim is unchanged. Follow this series on… ▶Mo's School RSS Feed: https://aaronbsmith.com/cogwheel/tag/MSFGY/feed/ ▶Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cogwheelgaming ▶Mastodon: https://is.aaronbsmith.com/@cogwheel MP3 Download: Mo's School For Gifted Youth Ep 9: … Continue reading "Mo's School For Gifted Youth Ep 9: Wild Magic (Cypher System)"

Crash GMs for Beth, Ellie, Io, & Jen as they play super-powered teens in a boarding school. This episode: The team climbs a water tower to fight Associate Professor Abhorrent. Follow this series on… ▶Mo's School RSS Feed: https://aaronbsmith.com/cogwheel/tag/MSFGY/feed/ ▶Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cogwheelgaming ▶Mastodon: https://is.aaronbsmith.com/@cogwheel MP3 Download: Mo's School For Gifted Youth Ep 8: Tower Defense (Cypher … Continue reading "Mo's School For Gifted Youth Ep 8: Tower Defense (Cypher System)"

Crash GMs for Beth, Ellie, Io, & Jen as they play super-powered teens in a boarding school. This episode: The Waxinator returns! Now. with a name that's far less cool! Follow this series on… ▶Mo's School RSS Feed: https://aaronbsmith.com/cogwheel/tag/MSFGY/feed/ ▶Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cogwheelgaming ▶Mastodon: https://is.aaronbsmith.com/@cogwheel MP3 Download: Mo's School For Gifted Youth Ep 7: Just Super, Part … Continue reading "Mo's School For Gifted Youth Ep 7: Just Super, Part 2 (Cypher System)"

Crash GMs for Beth, Ellie, Io, & Jen as they play super-powered teens in a boarding school. This episode: Everyone in town has superpowers! Chaos ensues. Follow this series on… ▶Mo's School RSS Feed: https://aaronbsmith.com/cogwheel/tag/MSFGY/feed/ ▶Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cogwheelgaming ▶Mastodon: https://is.aaronbsmith.com/@cogwheel MP3 Download: Mo's School For Gifted Youth Ep 6: Just Super (Cypher System) Music Used: Building … Continue reading "Mo's School For Gifted Youth Ep 6: Just Super (Cypher System)"

Crash GMs for Beth, Ellie, Io, & Jen as they play super-powered teens in a boarding school. This episode: The cafeteria staff are all out sick after a work retreat gave them food poisoning. The teens fill in to help with lunch. Follow this series on… ▶Mo's School RSS Feed: https://aaronbsmith.com/cogwheel/tag/MSFGY/feed/ ▶Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cogwheelgaming ▶Mastodon: https://is.aaronbsmith.com/@cogwheel … Continue reading "Mo's School For Gifted Youth Ep 5: Lunch Bunch (Cypher System)"

Welcome to Here, After, a brand new story set in the Faeforge Academy world of Evastria. This story is set in a far corner of the world, where people have been isolated from the rest of the world since before they remember. In fact, to the people here, the word Evastria is meaningless.Join our new story, led and GM'd by Kris Gideon (Rain in our main story) as they are joined by Em Ervolina, Bee Zelda, Wall E, and Michael Sinclair II. We will be featuring Monte Cook Games' Cypher System as well as The Herbalist's Primer by Anna Urbanek.Future Episodes of Here, After will be released first on the Faeforge Academy patreon, before later coming to the main feed. We hope you enjoy something new, as more magic awakens in the world of Evastria.

"Crunchy rules or simple vibes? Political intrigue or straight-up dungeon brawls? Survival in a dying world or low-power fantasy feels?" The latest RPGBOT.Podcast dives into everything you love (and fear) about tabletop RPGs that aren't D&D or Pathfinder. From decision trees to help you find your perfect game match, to the storytelling magic of Powered by the Apocalypse, and the chaotic survival of Mork Borg, there's something for everyone if you're willing to look past what you already know. Tune in if you've ever wondered, "Is my game too crunchy, or am I just lazy?" Summary In this episode, the hosts take a deep dive into the diverse landscape of tabletop RPGs, offering a wealth of insights into various systems, mechanics, and themes. They introduce the concept of decision trees, a practical tool to help players identify RPGs that align with their preferences. The discussion covers the spectrum of complexity, from the intricate 'crunch' of detailed systems to the simplicity of more streamlined games. Key highlights include: The Cypher System and Genesis: An exploration of these versatile systems, focusing on their mechanics and adaptability to different genres. Powered by the Apocalypse Framework: A look at its elegant simplicity and flexibility, making it an excellent choice for narrative-driven campaigns. Legend of the Five Rings vs. Adventures in Rokugan: A comparison of political intrigue-focused gameplay with combat-centric mechanics, illustrating the range of experiences within fantasy RPGs. Mörk Borg: An examination of its dark, nihilistic themes, where traditional heroism gives way to survival in a grim and decaying world. The conversation also ventures into niche areas, such as the unique storytelling potential of solo RPGs, and highlights specific systems like Numenera, with its futuristic exploration themes, and One Ring 2E, celebrated for its low-power fantasy and rich Tolkien-inspired lore. The hosts emphasize the importance of understanding a game's mechanics and setting realistic expectations to maximize the enjoyment of any RPG experience. Links Almost everything below is an affiliate link and Tyler doesn't want to copy+paste this a zillion times Achtung Cthulhu Adventures in Rokugan Alien RPG ALIEN RPG - A review ALIEN RPG: Cinematic Scenario Cycle Review ALIEN RPG - RPGBOT.News S2E34 All Flesh Must Be Eaten Apocalypse World Battletech Bladerunner Call of Cthulhu Candela Obscura Colostle CY_BORG Cyberpunk Red Cypher Core Rulebook Death in Space Death in Space – A review Delta Green Doctor Who RPG Doctors and Daleks FFG Star Wars Fallout RPG Forbidden Lands Genesys Core Rulebook Imperium Maledictum Warhammer 40000 Roleplay: Imperium Maledictum - A Review Legend of the Five Rings Lord of the Rings Roleplay 5e Marvel Multiverse RPG Masks Mork Borg Mörk Borg - A Review Mörk Borg Cult: Heretic - A Zine Review Mörk Borg Cult: Heretic - RPGBOT.News S2E32 Numenera Old Gods of Appalachia Pirate Borg Pulp Cthulhu Ruins of Symbaroum Ruins of Symbaroum - A Review Ruins of Symbaroum - RPGBOT.News S2E46 Shadowdark RPGBOT.Podcast - ShadowDark RPG Adventure Designer Kelsey Dionne Shadowrun Symbaroum The One Ring 2e The One Ring 2nd Edition - A Review The Walking Dead RPG Vaesen Vaesen & the Mythic Britain and Ireland Expansion - A Review RPGBOT.Podcast - Zoe Franznick Reviews Free League's Vaesen Vampire: The Masquerade How to Play Vampire: The Masquerade Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay Werewolf: The Apocalypse SPOOKTOBER - HOW TO PLAY WEREWOLF Takeaways Tyler's Interests Tyler loves wizards and wants to be one. Game Mechanics and Decision-Making The decision tree helps players find suitable RPGs. "Crunch" refers to the interaction with game mechanics. The Captain Crunch scale measures game complexity. Understanding game mechanics enhances the RPG experience. RPG Systems The Cypher System is easy to learn and play. Genesis is a generic system based on Fantasy Flight's Star Wars. Powered by the Apocalypse is a versatile framework. Powered by the Apocalypse games are easy to learn. Fate is complex and math-heavy. The Year Zero Engine is simple yet effective. Solo RPGs can be rewarding experiences. Character Creation and Progression Character creation in RPGs can vary significantly. Character progression in One Ring 2E requires patience and strategy. Adjusting difficulty can enhance the gameplay experience. Thematic and Genre Elements Monster Hearts is popular in the LGBT community. Legend of the Five Rings emphasizes political intrigue (combat is discouraged). Merc Borg presents a nihilistic view of RPGs. Adventures in Rokugan is more combat-focused than its predecessor. Colossal is a unique solo RPG experience. Mercord uniquely advocates for real-world arson in its gameplay. Numenera presents a science fantasy setting a billion years in the future. Players in One Ring 2E are grounded, facing impossible odds. Exploring the themes of low-power fantasy can lead to rich storytelling. Gameplay Depth The intrusion system adds depth to gameplay. The Eye of Sauron and Gandalf rune add depth to gameplay. Solo play in One Ring 2E is well-implemented and enjoyable. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra Twitter: @RPGBOTDOTNET Facebook: rpgbotbotdotnet Bluesky:rpgbot.bsky.social Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games Twitter: @GravenAshes YouTube@ashravenmedia Randall James @JackAmateur Amateurjack.com Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

Welcome to Here, After, a new story set in an untouched corner of Evastria. Today we give you a behind the scenes look at our Session 0, as Kris leads our cast through the process of starting a new campaign. You will also get a primer on Monte Cook Games' Cypher System, the TTRPG that we have chosen to tell this new story.Cast:Kris Clark - @kissofhemlockIan Gould - @ianggouldBee Zelda - @beezelda_WallE - @WallE132Em Ervolina - @emilyervMichael Sinclair II - @michaelcritsThe Faeforge Academy is a proud member of The Fandomentals Network.To find more stories in the world of Evastria follow us on YouTube and TwitchWe are proud to be affiliated with Green Leaf Geek, a dice shop where you can find handmade and curated dice sets! Visit Greenleafgeek.com and use the code “FAEFORGE” on checkout for 10% off your order. *Does not apply to Custom Dice Orders*Faeforge Academy is also affiliated with Found Familiar coffee! So go to https://foundfamiliar.com?sca_ref=1012867.pccsDMqAdY and use the code “Faeforge” at check out for 10% off your order!If you enjoy the show and want to help us make more and better content please consider joining our PatreonTheme music by Dave Cole of the Four Orbs Podcast. For additional music search dcolemusic on YouTube. Additional background music and ambiance found at http://tabletopaudio.com and epidemicsound.comThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy