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Graham Walmsley talks with Craig about the creative process behind Play Unsafe, Cthulhu Dark, and CosmicDark.Back Cosmic DarkGet Cthulhu DarkGet Play UnsafeTunnels & TrollsToonGolden HeroesVampirethe MasqueradeTrail of CthuluThe Quiet YearAin't Slayed NobodyJG BallardTrophy DarkDarkenedHill and DaleMidsommarBlood on Satan's ClawWitchfinderGeneralWickerManWhat Moves the Dead byT King FisherFall of the House of UsherBetweenTwo FiresWhite LotusSuccession************************************Support the show for as little as $1 a month: Add this to the end of your link on DriveThruRPG to support the show: ?affiliate_id=1044145Example: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397612/Court-of-Blades--Scandal-Forged-in-the-Dark?affiliate_id=1044145Check out our live-streaming content on Twitch Don't miss our RPG Actual Plays, tutorials, and gaming content on YouTube Listen to an excellent board game podcast Go to the Writer's Room for 7th Sea Adventures!Check out the great games from A Couple of Drakes:Listen to Tales of the ManticoreFollow us on Facebook, Follow on BlueSky
Hold onto your purse strings, this could be a pricey one! This is essentially a promotional episode for an upcoming Kickstarter from Jess Levine and Riley Rethal, but I speak about a whole bunch of stuff I've backed, too. The Galactic & Going Rogue Kickstarter can be found here https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/galacticgoingrogue/galactic-and-going-rogue-two-ttrpgs-of-war-among-the-stars Here are the itch pages Galactic 2e https://metagame.itch.io/galactic and Going Rogue 2e https://jumpgategames.itch.io/going-rogue Other games mentioned: Cairn 2e Boxset by Yochai Gal https://yochaigal.itch.io/cairn-players-guide https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXpR9P6MGZo Tiny Fables by Josiah S Moore https://josiahsmoore.itch.io/tiny-fables (for Mausritter) plus Playful Void review https://idlecartulary.com/2025/03/15/bathtub-review-tiny-fables/ Sharky by Idle Cartulary https://idlecartulary.itch.io/sharky Mythic Bastionland by Chris McDowall https://chrismcdee.itch.io/mythic-bastionland Late pledge for Cold City and Hot War by Malcom Craig https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jonhodgsonmaptiles2/cold-city-hot-war Cosmic Dark by Graham Walmsley https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/grahamwalmsley/cosmic-dark Liquid Steel by Eduardo Mazzitelli & Enrique Alcatena https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/melsonian-arts-council/liquid-steel Liminal Horror by Goblin Archive https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/space-penguin-ink/liminal-horror-deluxe-edition "Warning" by Lieren of Updates From the Middle of Nowhere You can leave me an audio message via https://www.speakpipe.com/KeepOffTheBorderlands Email me at spencer.freethrall@gmail.com Follow me on BlueSky @freethrall.bsky.social or look me up on Discord by searching for freethrall You can find me in a bunch of other places here https://freethrall.carrd.co You can also hear me in actual plays on Grizzly Peaks Radio This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freethrall.substack.com
A successful politician recounts how thoughout his life he has been haunted by the memory of a chance childhood encounter with another world, accessed through a mysterious and elusive green door.Mr Spike's Bedtime Stories theme and incidental music composed by Graham Walmsley.Graham is the creator of role playing games including 'Cthulhu Dark' and 'Cosmic Dark' and you can find him on Substack at https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/ and Twitter @grahamwalmsleyIf you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.
The concluding part of this story to mark the 4th anniversary of the podcast. Once again, I'd like to thank everyone who has listened in the past and hope you continue to enjoy these tales in the months to come.Mr Spike's Bedtime Stories theme and incidental music composed by Graham Walmsley.Graham is the creator of role playing games including 'Cthulhu Dark' and 'Cosmic Dark' and you can find him on Substack at https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/ and Twitter @grahamwalmsleyIf you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.
Our guest of honor at 3W6 Con 2025, Graham Walmsley, joins us to discuss his new game, Cosmic Dark, British LARPs and his classic game Cthulhu Dark.
Two friends canoeing down the Danube encounter a terrifying, otherworldly presence which inhabits the islands on which they make their camp.This is a the first part of a story to mark the 4th anniversary of the podcast. I'd like to thank everyone who has listened in the past and hope you continue to enjoy these tales in the months to come.Mr Spike's Bedtime Stories theme and incidental music composed by Graham Walmsley.Graham is the creator of role playing games including 'Cthulhu Dark' and 'Cosmic Dark' and you can find him on Substack at https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/ and Twitter @grahamwalmsleyIf you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.
When Mr Stackpoole takes on a run down old country house, little does he realise that the truth behind the tales he hears about the reasons why its previous tenants left will soon become all too apparent to him and his family.Mr Spike's Bedtime Stories theme and incidental music composed by Graham Walmsley.Graham is the creator of role playing games including 'Cthulhu Dark' and 'Cosmic Dark' and you can find him on Substack at https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/ and Twitter @grahamwalmsleyIf you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.
In "Ligeia," an unnamed narrator mourns the loss of his ethereal, otherworldly wife. When he finally marries again, his second wife becomes ill and things take a mysterious turn which challenges the boundaries between life, death and love. Mr Spike's Bedtime Stories theme and incidental music composed by Graham Walmsley. Graham is the creator of role playing games including 'Cthulhu Dark' and 'Cosmic Dark' and you can find him on Substack at https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/ and Twitter @grahamwalmsley If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.
This take on Cthulhu Dark known as "Dark Meat" brings the holidays to Ain't Slayed Nobody with GM and system author Graham Walmsley.**Add our Patreon Feed to your Podcast App**https://open.acast.com/public/patreon/fanSubscribe/3607115This series is not suitable for listeners under the age of 18 and may contain material some people find disturbing.CONTENT WARNINGS:Harm to Children, Gore, Violence, ProfanityPlayer CharactersGraham Walmsley as GMNic Rosenberg as Penny WheatleyRoss Bryant as K.J. WheatleyCorbin Cupp as Wendell WheatleyProduction and CreativeEdited by Rina Haenze and Corbin CuppPatreon ShoutoutAnthony D., Bridget, Caolán M., Drew M., E.M.F.D., Heather P., India thank you terror, Killius Manjaro, Matthew C., Not That Nic, Skip M., Call Me Dirt, Dan F., firecop890, Jeff F., Jessen, Mario S., Michael H., mmm0rphine, Nathanael C., Tomboi LaCroix Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A group of friends gather around the fireside on Christmas Eve to hear their host relate the story of a most frightening experience which began for him a year ago to the very day. Mr Spike's Bedtime Stories theme and incidental music composed by Graham Walmsley. Graham is the creator of role playing games including 'Cthulhu Dark' and 'Cosmic Dark' and you can find him on Substack at https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/ and Twitter @grahamwalmsley If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.
When he is sent to interview a retired clergyman whose predictions has recently gained a certain notoriety, a newspaper reporter hears the tale of a most strange and unusual series of events which seem to have no rational explanation. Mr Spike's Bedtime Stories theme and incidental music composed by Graham Walmsley. Graham is the creator of role playing games including 'Cthulhu Dark' and 'Cosmic Dark' and you can find him on Substack at https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/ and Twitter @grahamwalmsley If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.
When a talented but shunned artist's friend is brought to visit his studio in an old part of town, the paintings he finds there reveal terrifying subject matter that may be based in more than just imagination. Mr Spike's Bedtime Stories theme and incidental music composed by Graham Walmsley. Graham is the creator of role playing games including 'Cthulhu Dark' and 'Cosmic Dark' and you can find him on Substack at https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/ and Twitter @grahamwalmsley If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.
This episode, Keepers Dave & Bridgett discuss ways to make space scary with Graham Walmsley. Patreon Plug & Update We have a Patreon! To back us you can click the button on the sidebar of our website, mu-podcast.com or head over to Patreon directly at www.patreon.com/mup! Let's take a moment to welcome our new backers to the show! New members Joe McMahon Skip Morton Joe Kontor The Discord Plug We have our MUP Discord and we are all there! We invite all of our listeners to come and enjoy the community of horror gaming and cute pet pics. Link in the show notes: MU Discord server invite link: https://discord.gg/vNjEv9D And thank you to our editor Gene for editing this episode. We have NEW EDITORS!!!!!!! Guys! Let's give a mighty GO PODS and a hearty welcome to our new editors!!!! Gene, a long time TTRPG human, artist, producer, and mastering engineer! Joe McMahon, a musician, photographer, and software engineer! Luca Veronese, an Anthropology student in the UK and enthusiastic audio drama creator and late night music show host. And of course we still have Nate, whom you met last episode for the Gaslight review. Nate has really been the third member of MUP for a while now, but we're glad to have a whole new cohort to join him. Welcome, welcome new editors and THANK YOU for supporting the show! Main Topic -- Tonight, we're here with some inspiration to help you make space… truly horrifying. As if it's not horrifying enough.
This episode, Keepers Dave & Bridgett discuss ways to make space scary with Graham Walmsley. Patreon Plug & Update We have a Patreon! To back us you can click the button on the sidebar of our website, mu-podcast.com or head over to Patreon directly at www.patreon.com/mup! Let's take a moment to welcome our new backers to the show! New members Joe McMahon Skip Morton Joe Kontor The Discord Plug We have our MUP Discord and we are all there! We invite all of our listeners to come and enjoy the community of horror gaming and cute pet pics. Link in the show notes: MU Discord server invite link: https://discord.gg/vNjEv9D And thank you to our editor Gene for editing this episode. We have NEW EDITORS!!!!!!! Guys! Let's give a mighty GO PODS and a hearty welcome to our new editors!!!! Gene, a long time TTRPG human, artist, producer, and mastering engineer! Joe McMahon, a musician, photographer, and software engineer! Luca Veronese, an Anthropology student in the UK and enthusiastic audio drama creator and late night music show host. And of course we still have Nate, whom you met last episode for the Gaslight review. Nate has really been the third member of MUP for a while now, but we're glad to have a whole new cohort to join him. Welcome, welcome new editors and THANK YOU for supporting the show! Main Topic -- Tonight, we're here with some inspiration to help you make space… truly horrifying. As if it's not horrifying enough.
When a young librarian is tasked with retrieving a certain old book, he finds himself entangled in a family feud where a forbidding secret of the past refuses to stay buried. Mr Spike's Bedtime Stories theme and incidental music composed by Graham Walmsley. Graham is the creator of role playing games including 'Cthulhu Dark' and 'Cosmic Dark' and you can find him on Substack at https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/ and Twitter @grahamwalmsley If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.
In "Dig Me No Grave," an old man's unsettling death leads his friend to carry out bizarre final instructions involving dark occult rituals. As they follow the deceased's cryptic demands, they uncover horrifying truths about his past and the malevolent forces tied to his existence. Mr Spike's Bedtime Stories theme and incidental music composed by Graham Walmsley. Graham is the creator of role playing games including 'Cthulhu Dark' and 'Cosmic Dark' and you can find him on Substack at https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/ and Twitter @grahamwalmsley If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.
In "The Voice in the Night" a ship's crew encounters a mysterious, disembodied voice pleading for aid from the darkness of the sea. The tale unfolds as the voice recounts a harrowing story of shipwreck, survival, and a frightful transformation. Mr Spike's Bedtime Stories theme and incidental music composed by Graham Walmsley. Graham is the creator of role playing games including 'Cthulhu Dark' and 'Cosmic Dark' and you can find him on Substack at https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/ and Twitter @grahamwalmsley If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.
After the disappearance of celebrated aviator Joyce-Armstrong, a notebook is found which chronicles his perilous journey to the upper reaches of the atmosphere where he discovers strange and wondrous creatures. However, not all the life he finds there is harmless... Mr Spike's Bedtime Stories theme and incidental music composed by Graham Walmsley. Graham is the creator of role playing games including 'Cthulhu Dark' and 'Cosmic Dark' and you can find him on Substack at https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/ and Twitter @grahamwalmsley If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.
Miskatonic Shoreside Conservatory's students face their final test. (Part 8)*Add our Patreon Feed to your Podcast App*https://open.acast.com/public/patreon/fanSubscribe/3607115This series is not suitable for listeners under the age of 18 and may contain material some people find disturbing.CONTENT WARNINGS:Suicide, Cutting, Self-Harm, Body horror, Death, Gore, Profanity, ViolencePlayer CharactersBridgett Jeffries as Keeper of Arcane LoreJosephine McAdam as LucyNic Rosenberg as NatashaCorbin Cupp as BuddyProduction and CreativeMiskatonic Shoreside Conservatory: Cthulhu Dark campaign written by Bridgett Jeffries. Cthulhu Dark system by Graham Walmsley.Editing, Sound Design and Production by Corbin CuppPatreon ShoutoutAlthalos, Anthony D., Bridget, Caolán M., Drew M., E.M.F.D., Heather P., India thank you terror, Killius Manjaro, Matthew C., Not That Nic, Skip M., Call Me Dirt, Dan F., firecop890, Jeff F., Jessen, Mario S., Michael H., mmm0rphine, Nathanael C., Tomboi LaCroixNew PatronsGeoff C. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Students are beginning to deteriorate under the weight of the program. (Part 7)*Add our Patreon Feed to your Podcast App*https://open.acast.com/public/patreon/fanSubscribe/3607115This series is not suitable for listeners under the age of 18 and may contain material some people find disturbing.CONTENT WARNINGS:Body horror, Gore, Profanity, ViolencePlayer CharactersBridgett Jeffries as Keeper of Arcane LoreJosephine McAdam as LucyNic Rosenberg as NatashaCorbin Cupp as BuddyProduction and CreativeMiskatonic Shoreside Conservatory: Cthulhu Dark campaign written by Bridgett Jeffries. Cthulhu Dark system by Graham Walmsley.Editing, Sound Design and Production by Corbin CuppPatreon ShoutoutAlthalos, Anthony D., Bridget, Caolán M., Drew M., E.M.F.D., Heather P., India thank you terror, Killius Manjaro, Matthew C., Not That Nic, Skip M., Call Me Dirt, Dan F., firecop890, Jeff F., Jessen, Mario S., Michael H., mmm0rphine, Nathanael C., Tomboi LaCroix Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The students explore the Hall of Memories in the aftermath of their practices. (Part 6)**Add our Patreon Feed to your Podcast App**https://open.acast.com/public/patreon/fanSubscribe/3607115This series is not suitable for listeners under the age of 18 and may contain material some people find disturbing.CONTENT WARNINGS:Gore, Harassment, Nonconsensual Kissing, Homelessness, Profanity, ViolencePlayer CharactersBridgett Jeffries as Keeper of Arcane LoreJosephine McAdam as LucyNic Rosenberg as NatashaCorbin Cupp as BuddyProduction and CreativeMiskatonic Shoreside Conservatory: Cthulhu Dark campaign written by Bridgett Jeffries. Cthulhu Dark system by Graham Walmsley.Editing, Sound Design and Production by Corbin CuppPatreon ShoutoutAlthalos, Anthony D., Bridget, Caolán M., Drew M., E.M.F.D., Heather P., India thank you terror, Killius Manjaro, Matthew C., Not That Nic, Skip M., Call Me Dirt, Dan F., firecop890, Jeff F., Jessen, Mario S., Michael H., mmm0rphine, Nathanael C., Tomboi LaCroixNew PatronsEmilia P., Isobel C., Bettina P. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The new students are introduced to their personal performance studios. (Part 5)**Add our Patreon Feed to your Podcast App**https://open.acast.com/public/patreon/fanSubscribe/3607115This series is not suitable for listeners under the age of 18 and may contain material some people find disturbing.CONTENT WARNINGS:Harm to children, Body horror, Dismemberment, Gaslighting, Gore, Homelessness, Profanity, ViolencePlayer CharactersBridgett Jeffries as Keeper of Arcane LoreJosephine McAdam as LucyNic Rosenberg as NatashaCorbin Cupp as BuddyProduction and CreativeMiskatonic Shoreside Conservatory: Cthulhu Dark campaign written by Bridgett Jeffries. Cthulhu Dark system by Graham Walmsley.Editing, Sound Design and Production by Corbin CuppPatreon ShoutoutAlthalos, Anthony D., Bridget, Caolán M., Drew M., E.M.F.D., Heather P., India thank you terror, Killius Manjaro, Matthew C., Not That Nic, Skip M., Call Me Dirt, Dan F., firecop890, Jeff F., Jessen, Mario S., Michael H., mmm0rphine, Nathanael C., Tomboi LaCroixNew PatronsClayton S., Bettina P. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bram Stoker's first published story tells of an artist, torn from his lover and held captive in the palace of a king, forced to create a work of art for him in order to win his freedom at the forthcoming Feast of Beauty. Mr Spike's Bedtime Stories theme and incidental music composed by Graham Walmsley. Graham is the creator of role playing games including 'Cthulhu Dark' and 'Cosmic Dark' and you can find him on Substack at https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/ and Twitter @grahamwalmsley If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.
Students take part in the bonfire initiation before classes begin. (Part 4)**Add our Patreon Feed to your Podcast App**https://open.acast.com/public/patreon/fanSubscribe/3607115This series is not suitable for listeners under the age of 18 and may contain material some people find disturbing.CONTENT WARNINGS:Blood, Cutting, Hallucination, Profanity, Self-Harm, Starvation, Suicide, Violence, Vomiting (no sfx), Water SubmersionPlayer CharactersBridgett Jeffries as Keeper of Arcane LoreJosephine McAdam as LucyNic Rosenberg as NatashaCorbin Cupp as BuddyProduction and CreativeMiskatonic Shoreside Conservatory: Cthulhu Dark campaign written by Bridgett Jeffries. Cthulhu Dark system by Graham Walmsley.Editing, Sound Design and Production by Corbin CuppPatreon ShoutoutAlthalos, Anthony D., Bridget, Caolán M., Drew M., E.M.F.D., Heather P., India thank you terror, Killius Manjaro, Matthew C., Not That Nic, Skip M., Call Me Dirt, Dan F., firecop890, Jeff F., Jessen, Mario S., Michael H., mmm0rphine, Nathanael C., Tomboi LaCroix Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The newest students arrive at Miskatonic Shoreside Conservatory and take inventory of their living quarters. (Part 3)**Add our Patreon Feed to your Podcast App**https://open.acast.com/public/patreon/fanSubscribe/3607115This series is not suitable for listeners under the age of 18 and may contain material some people find disturbing.CONTENT WARNINGS:Blood, Hallucination, Homelessness, Profanity, Self-Harm, Starvation, Water Submersion Player CharactersBridgett Jeffries as Keeper of Arcane LoreJosephine McAdam as LucyNic Rosenberg as NatashaCorbin Cupp as BuddyProduction and CreativeMiskatonic Shoreside Conservatory: Cthulhu Dark campaign written by Bridgett Jeffries. Cthulhu Dark system by Graham Walmsley.Editing, Sound Design and Production by Corbin CuppPatreon ShoutoutAlthalos, Anthony D., Bridget, Caolán M., Drew M., E.M.F.D., Heather P., India thank you terror, Killius Manjaro, Matthew C., Not That Nic, Skip M., Call Me Dirt, Dan F., firecop890, Jeff F., Jessen, Mario S., Michael H., mmm0rphine, Nathanael C., Tomboi LaCroixNew PatronsAskla Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Our three prodigies are ferried across the bay to the island home of the Miskatonic Shoreside Conservatory. (Part 2)**Add our Patreon Feed to your Podcast App**https://open.acast.com/public/patreon/fanSubscribe/3607115This series is not suitable for listeners under the age of 18 and may contain material some people find disturbing.CONTENT WARNINGS:Anxiety, Death, Drowning, Gunshot sound, Death of a loved one, Homelessness, Manipulation, Profanity, Suicide, Violence, Water submersionPlayer CharactersBridgett Jeffries as Keeper of Arcane LoreJosephine McAdam as LucyNic Rosenberg as NatashaCorbin Cupp as BuddyProduction and CreativeMiskatonic Shoreside Conservatory: Cthulhu Dark campaign written by Bridgett Jeffries. Cthulhu Dark system by Graham Walmsley.Editing, Sound Design and Production by Corbin CuppPatreon ShoutoutAlthalos, Anthony D., Bridget, Caolán M., Drew M., E.M.F.D., Heather P., India thank you terror, Killius Manjaro, Matthew C., Not That Nic, Skip M., Call Me Dirt, Dan F., firecop890, Jeff F., Jessen, Mario S., Michael H., mmm0rphine, Nathanael C., Tomboi LaCroixNew PatronsTiffany F., Elizabeth, Scot R. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Three promising artists arrive at the ferry terminal on their way to the prestigious Miskatonic Shoreside Conservatory. (Part 1)**Add our Patreon Feed to your Podcast App**https://open.acast.com/public/patreon/fanSubscribe/3607115This series is not suitable for listeners under the age of 18 and may contain material some people find disturbing.CONTENT WARNINGS:Anxiety, Automobile sounds (light horns, tire skid, impact), Death of a loved one, Homelessness, Isolation, Manipulation, Profanity, Suicide, Toxic relationships, Violence, Water submersionPlayer CharactersBridgett Jeffries as Keeper of Arcane LoreJosephine McAdam as LucyNic Rosenberg as NatashaCorbin Cupp as BuddyProduction and CreativeMiskatonic Shoreside Conservatory: Cthulhu Dark campaign written by Bridgett Jeffries. Cthulhu Dark system by Graham Walmsley.Editing, Sound Design and Production by Corbin CuppPatreon ShoutoutAlthalos, Anthony D., Bridget, Caolán M., Drew M., E.M.F.D., Heather P., India thank you terror, Killius Manjaro, Matthew C., Not That Nic, Skip M., Call Me Dirt, Dan F., firecop890, Jeff F., Jessen, Mario S., Michael H., mmm0rphine, Nathanael C., Tomboi LaCroixNew PatronsScott R., Mary B., Bethany S., Jeremy N. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Support the show! Today, we're talking to Graham Walmsley, the celebrated game designer behind tabletop RPGs like Cthulhu Dark and A Taste for Murder, larps like Will That Be All, and lovecraftian scenarios for games like Trail of Cthulhu. He's also the author of two non-fiction books called Stealing Cthulhu about telling lovecraftian stories and Play Unsafe about techniques for being a better player of tabletop games. This year, he's got two new games out, Cosmic Dark, a sequel to Cthulhu Dark about corporate employees in space, and Darkenwood, a GM-less game about a nightmarish forest. Show Notes: 01:41 Introducing Graham 03:07 Starting with Lovecraft 12:08 What is weird fiction? 16:55 All the cool stuff in Cosmic Dark 26:24 Rules, advice, setting 39:22 Infectious Enthusiasm: Lumberjills by Moira Turkington 41:50 Tyranny of Numbers 43:44 RePlay 46:25 All Advice is Advice for Myself The Indie RPG Newsletter
Big game hunter Sanger Rainsford is stranded on an island in the Caribbean. There he meets the enigmatic General Zaroff who puts to him a most unusual proposition. Mr Spike's Bedtime Stories theme and incidental music composed by Graham Walmsley. Graham is the creator of role playing games including 'Cthulhu Dark' and 'Cosmic Dark' and you can find him on Substack at https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/ and Twitter @grahamwalmsley If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.
In "For the Blood is the Life," the narrator is visited in Italy by a friend, a Scandinavian artist, and relates to him the strange tale behind a figure which can apparently be seen lying on top of a small mound on the hillside near his villa. Mr Spike's Bedtime Stories theme and incidental music composed by Graham Walmsley. Graham is the creator of role playing games including 'Cthulhu Dark' and 'Cosmic Dark' and you can find him on Substack at https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/ and Twitter @grahamwalmsley If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.
An artist and his model are disturbed by unsettling dreams and the sight of a strange watchman at the church across from his studio. Soon after they find a mysterious book on the shelves in his library their lives take a tragic turn. Mr Spike's Bedtime Stories theme and incidental music composed by Graham Walmsley. Graham is the creator of role playing games including 'Cthulhu Dark' and 'Cosmic Dark' and you can find him on Substack at https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/ and Twitter @grahamwalmsley If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.
Beginning with another reminder for your Movie Monday entries. This month's movie is Terry Gilliam's Time Bandits (1981). Please see the various methods of contacting the show below.I respond to a couple of messages kindly sent in by Jason Connerley of Nerd's RPG Variety Cast before comparing chances of success in various RPGs I've played.Systems mentioned: Chris McDowall's Into the Odd, David Black's Black Hack, Gary Gygax & Dave Arneson's original Dungeons & Dragons, Advanced, Basic and Fifth Edition D&D, Brandish “Runehammer” Gilhelm's Index Card RPG, Pelle Nilsson's Mörk Borg, Chaosium's Call of Cthulhu, Free League's Vaesen, Pith by Free Thrall Games, Graham Walmsley's Cthulhu Dark. Podcasts & YouTube Videos: Rich Fraser's Cockatrice Nuggets, Yochai Gal & Brad Kerr's Between Two Cairns, Anthony “Runeslinger” Boyd's Casting Shadows, Colin Green's Spikepit, Riley's Diegetic Advancement, ivanmike1968. Coming soon: Andy Goodman's Grizzly Peaks Radio - Plague of Fools Honourable mention: Scott Dorward of The Good Friends of Jackson Elias Music by Timothy J. Drennon "Warning" by Lieren of Updates From the Middle of Nowhere Leave me an audio message via https://www.speakpipe.com/KeepOffTheBorderlands You can email me at spencer.freethrall@gmail.com You can find me in a bunch of other places here https://freethrall.carrd.co You can also find me on Discord by searching for FreeThrall/KeepOffTheBorderlands#7623 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freethrall.substack.com
In "The Wood of the Dead" an unnamed narrator describes how, after stopping at a country inn a during a country ramble, he encounters an enigmatic old man. After he learns from he inn-keeper's daughter of the character's strange history and the connection between him and a nearby grove, he is party to a mysterious event. Mr Spike's Bedtime Stories theme and incidental music composed by Graham Walmsley. Graham is the creator of role playing games including 'Cthulhu Dark' and 'Cosmic Dark' and you can find him on Substack at https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/ and Twitter @grahamwalmsley If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.
In 'Man-Size in Marble' two newly-weds rent a country cottage to escape the bustle of the city. At first they are very happy, but before long an ancient superstition regarding their house has strange and terrible repercussions. Mr Spike's Bedtime Stories theme and incidental music composed by Graham Walmsley. Graham is the creator of role playing games including 'Cthulhu Dark' and 'Cosmic Dark' and you can find him on Substack at https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/ and Twitter @grahamwalmsley If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.
In "The Signal Man" our narrator relates the details of a chance encounter with a signal-man on a lonely stretch of railway and the tale he is told of a mysterious spectral figure that has repeatedly appeared there. Mr Spike's Bedtime Stories theme and incidental music composed by Graham Walmsley. Graham is the creator of the role playing game 'Cthulhu Dark' and you can find him on Substack at https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/ and Twitter @grahamwalmsley If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.
An unnamed narrator tells of his imprisonment by the Inquisition and the subsequent torture which he undergoes at their hands. Mr Spike's Bedtime Stories theme and incidental music composed by Graham Walmsley. Graham is the creator of the role playing game 'Cthulhu Dark' and you can find him on Substack at https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/ and Twitter @grahamwalmsley If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.
"Monkeys" concerns a respected and experimental surgeon who, after accompanying a friend to Egypt, becomes fascinated with a mummified corpse. For him this fascination leads a terrible conclusion. My thanks to Graham Walmsley for the marvellous opening and closing themes he has composed for the podcast. Graham is the creator of the role playing game 'Cthulhu Dark' and you can find him on Twitter @grahamwalmsley If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.
In an very special episode of the podcast I am joined by Scott Dorward of The Good Friends of Jackson Elias for a reading of Frank Belknap Long's classic mythos tale "The Hounds of Tindalos" The story tells of one Halpin Chalmers who, with the assistance of the narrator, conducts an experiment with a mysterious drug in order to view the depths of time and space. Unfortunately for him, his travels draw him to the attention of the dangerous entities which inhabit its strange and unearthly angles. You can find more of Scott and the Good Friends of Jackson Elias at https://www.blasphemoustomes.com My thanks to Graham Walmsley for the marvellous opening and closing themes he has composed for the podcast. Graham is the creator of the role playing game 'Cthulhu Dark' and you can find him on Twitter @grahamwalmsley If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.
In The Tapestried Chamber, or The Lady in the Saque we learn of a General Browne, recently returned from America, whose stay at an old friend's stately home results in a most unexpected and unpleasant encounter. My thanks to Graham Walmsley for the marvellous opening and closing themes he has composed for the podcast. Graham is the creator of the role playing game 'Cthulhu Dark' and you can find him on Twitter @grahamwalmsley If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.
Will our explorers survive or succumb to the asteroid or each other in this gripping Cosmic Dark finale? (Part 3 of 3)If you'd like to follow the progress of Cosmic Dark, follow author Graham Walmsley:https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/**Add our Patreon Feed to your Podcast App**https://open.acast.com/public/patreon/fanSubscribe/3607115This series is not suitable for listeners under the age of 18 and may contain material some people find disturbing.CONTENT WARNINGS:Body Horror, Classism, Disfigurement, Gaslighting, Isolation, Medical Procedures, Profanity, Self-harm, Suicide, ViolencePlayer CharactersGraham Walmsley as GMJared Logan as RigginRina Haenze as CadeScott Dorward as Lachlan "Lucky"cuppycup as GaryProduction and CreativeGame Rules and Setting: Cosmic Dark by Graham WalmsleyOriginal Music Selections by Graham Walmsley include "Intro," "Safe Space," "Climax" and "Trumpet Theme"Some ambience tracks by Wes Otis at Plate Mail Games and Tabletop Audio Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International LicenseEdited by cuppycup, Rina HaenzeTranscriptions: Sabrina Haenze and Sonix.aiPatreon ShoutoutAlthalos, Anthony D., Caolán M., Drew M., E.M.F.D., Heather P., India thank you terror, Kevin M., Killius Manjaro, Lancey Pants, Matthew C., Mikah S., Skip M., Steven H., Call Me Dirt, Dan F., firecop890, Jeff F., Jessen, Mario S., Michael H., mmm0rphine, Nathanael C., Not That Nic, Tomboi LaCroixNew PatronsJulia C., Bob S., Paddy H. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tensions mount as the crew embarks on a rescue mission in this episode of Cosmic Dark. (Part 2 of 3)If you'd like to follow the progress of Cosmic Dark, follow author Graham Walmsley:https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/**Add our Patreon Feed to your Podcast App**https://open.acast.com/public/patreon/fanSubscribe/3607115This series is not suitable for listeners under the age of 18 and may contain material some people find disturbing.CONTENT WARNINGS:Body Horror, Choking Sounds, Disfigurement, Gaslighting, Isolation, Medical Procedures, Profanity, Self-harm, Suicidal Tendencies, ViolencePlayer CharactersGraham Walmsley as GMJared Logan as RigginRina Haenze as CadeScott Dorward as Lachlan "Lucky"cuppycup as GaryProduction and CreativeGame Rules and Setting: Cosmic Dark by Graham WalmsleyOriginal Music Selections by Graham Walmsley include "Minimal Theme," "Intro," "Approach," and "Climax"Some ambience tracks by Wes Otis at Plate Mail Games and Tabletop Audio Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International LicenseEdited by cuppycup, Rina Haenze, Kevin BerreyTranscriptions: Sabrina Haenze and Sonix.aiPatreon ShoutoutAlthalos, Anthony D., Caolán M., Drew M., E.M.F.D., Heather P., India thank you terror, Kevin M., Killius Manjaro, Lancey Pants, Matthew C., Mikah S., Skip M., Steven H., Call Me Dirt, Dan F., firecop890, Jeff F., Jessen, Mario S., Michael H., mmm0rphine, Nathanael C., Not That Nic, Tomboi LaCroixNew PatronsJulia C., Bob S., Paddy H. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In Cosmic Dark, a brand new game from Graham Walmsley, our team of space workers experiences unsettling effects on the asteroid they are mining. (Part 1 of 3)If you'd like to follow the progress of Cosmic Dark, follow author Graham Walmsley:https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/**Add our Patreon Feed to your Podcast App**https://open.acast.com/public/patreon/fanSubscribe/3607115This series is not suitable for listeners under the age of 18 and may contain material some people find disturbing.CONTENT WARNINGS:Body Horror, Disfigurement, Gaslighting, Isolation, Medical Procedures, Profanity, Self-harm, Suicidal Tendencies, ViolencePlayer CharactersGraham Walmsley as GMJared Logan as RigginRina Haenze as CadeScott Dorward as Lachlan "Lucky"cuppycup as GaryProduction and CreativeGame Rules and Setting: Cosmic Dark by Graham WalmsleyOriginal Music Selections by Graham Walmsley include "Minimal Theme," "Intro," "Descending," and "Alien Landscape"Some ambience tracks by Wes Otis at Plate Mail Games and Tabletop Audio Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International LicenseEdited by cuppycup, Rina Haenze, Kevin BerreyTranscriptions: Sabrina Haenze and Sonix.aiPatreon ShoutoutAlthalos, Anthony D., Caolán M., Drew M., E.M.F.D., Heather P., India thank you terror, Kevin M., Killius Manjaro, Lancey Pants, Matthew C., Mikah S., Skip M., Steven H., Call Me Dirt, Dan F., firecop890, Jeff F., Jessen, Mario S., Michael H., mmm0rphine, Nathanael C., Not That Nic, Tomboi LaCroixNew PatronsJulia C., Bob S., Paddy H. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the wilds of Alaska, a gold prospector and his companion marvel at a strange light in the sky over a five-peaked mountain. That evening as they make camp, a visitor brings with him a curious and horrifying tale of his experiences in the chasm beneath. My thanks to Graham Walmsley for the marvellous opening and closing themes he has composed for the podcast. Graham is the creator of the role playing game 'Cthulhu Dark' and you can find him on Twitter @grahamwalmsley If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.
"The Corpse Light" by Dick Donovan (whose real name was J. E. Preston Muddock) tells of a respected and level headed medical man whose journey past a supposedly haunted mill brings him an experience that challenges his sceptical nature. My thanks to Graham Walmsley for the marvellous opening and closing themes he has composed for the podcast. Graham is the creator of the role playing game 'Cthulhu Dark' and you can find him on Twitter @grahamwalmsley If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.
Many thanks to listener C.L. Larsson who requested these two short tales by H.P. Lovecraft. In "What The Moon Brings" an unnamed narrator tells of a moonlight stroll which by turns becomes strange and horrifying in nature. The second tale, "The Thing in the Moonlight," is an extract from a letter written by Lovecraft to Donald Wandrei of a dream wherein a traveller has a ghastly encounter under the light of the moon. My thanks to Graham Walmsley for the marvellous opening and closing themes he has composed for the podcast. Graham is the creator of the role playing game 'Cthulhu Dark' and you can find him on Twitter @grahamwalmsley If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.
This episode, Keepers Dave & Bridgett conduct a deep dive on Graham Walmsley's Cthulhu Dark! Campus Crier The Campus Crier is where we talk about recent Mythos-related events and happenings in the world. This episode was recorded on April 20, 2023, and here's Keeper Bridgett with a report on Chaosium Con 2023! Patreon Plug & Update We have a Patreon! To back us you can click the button on the sidebar of our website, mu-podcast.com or head over to Patreon directly at www.patreon.com/mup! Speaking of backers, we have a belated thank you to Rachel Cutler, Graham Walmsley I'm hosting the next movie night, and guess what, Dave? It's gonna be on April 29th! The weird thing, it will have already happened by the time this show drops! Lol. It was an AMAZING time. Laugh were had. Unless it was a sad movie, then likely… laughs were still had. The Discord Plug We have our MUP Discord and we are all there! We invite all of our listeners to come and enjoy the community of horror gaming and cute pet pics. Link in the show notes: MU Discord server invite link: https://discord.gg/vNjEv9D And thank you to our editor Max (or maybe Dave) for editing this episode. Thanks Max (or maybe Dave)! Bridgett's Pet Pick Shout Out This episode I'd like to shout out Leo, from listener and hype squad of the show, Evan Perlman! Leo is pictured at daycare with a dashing smile and model levels of posing. This Portuguese water dog is absolutely STUNNING! Thanks for sharing Leo with us, Evan, and thanks for breaking the bottle over the back of the "fresh MUP" ship each time it sails. Main Topic That Graham interview was so fantastic. I hope we can get him back sometime before 2033. At least 2032. To build on that conversation, which I was sorry to miss, I wanted to get us talking about Cthulhu Dark and other rules light investigative games. We both have experience with CD, so let's start with a couple questions about the gameplay. First– let's discuss the rules– because they're decadent! What are your favorite parts of running or playing in a CD game? What is a favorite story from a CD game that couldn't happen in a game with more mechanics? What do you think is different when playing a CD scenario? What do you think is different when running a CD scenario? What do you think is different when designing a CD scenario? Do you miss anything from CD or other rules light investigative games? How would you design a rules light game differently?
This episode, Keepers Murph & Bridgett welcome back author, creator, and game designer Graham Walmsley! Patreon Plug & Update We have a Patreon! To back us you can click the button on the sidebar of our website, mu-podcast.com or head over to Patreon directly at www.patreon.com/mup! The Discord Plug We have our MUP Discord and we are all there! We invite all of our listeners to come and enjoy the community of horror gaming and cute pet pics. Link in the show notes: MU Discord server invite link: https://discord.gg/vNjEv9D And thank you to our editor Max for editing this episode. Thanks Max! Bridgett's Pet Pick Shout Out This week I'm shouting out Trouble aka cat of listener Rach. They're seen lazily stalking a set of twinkle lights. Not at fast Zappy! Main Topic -- Welcome to Graham Walmsley! http://catchyourhare.com/graham.htm https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/4159/Graham-Walmsley https://twitter.com/grahamwalmsley
Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Ring of Thoth" concerns an academic who, whilst on a research trip to Paris, encounters a singular individual with a very unusual tale to tell.. My thanks to Graham Walmsley for the marvellous opening and closing themes he has composed for the podcast. Graham is the creator of the role playing game 'Cthulhu Dark' and you can find him on Twitter @grahamwalmsley If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.
To mark the second anniversary of my little podcast of classic macabre tales, I've chosen a rather special story by arguably one of the most greatest and most influential authors of the genre. First published in 1904, Montague Rhodes James's "Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad" tells of a Cambridge professor who visits a seaside town on the east coast of England to improve his golf game. What he inadvertently finds there however takes him to the very brink of sanity itself.... My thanks to Graham Walmsley for the marvellous opening and closing themes he has composed for the podcast. Graham is the creator of the role playing game 'Cthulhu Dark' and you can find him on Twitter @grahamwalmsley If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.
"The Cairn on the Headland" tells of an academic, who along with his companion discovers that an ancient Irish landmark holds a secret that would be best left undisturbed. My thanks to Graham Walmsley for the marvellous opening and closing themes he has composed for the podcast. Graham is the creator of the role playing game 'Cthulhu Dark' and you can find him on Twitter @grahamwalmsley If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.