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In this episode, hosts Dirk Knemeyer and David Heron sit down with Mikey Gilder, the Chief Creative Officer of Avantress Entertainment, known for their hit actual play show Legends of Avantress and the massively successful $9 million+ Kickstarter campaign for Neon Odyssey. The discussion explores the intersection of actual play performance and "crunchy" game design, examining how the rise of shows like Critical Role has fundamentally shifted the way players approach tabletop RPGs. Mikey shares candid insights into the transition from hobbyist to professional publisher, the painful lessons learned while creating The Crooked Moon, and the philosophy of "inverting the pyramid" to provide players with more mechanical "buttons to press" while maintaining narrative freedom. Listeners will find a deep dive into the realities of high-stakes crowdfunding, including how to balance expensive merchandising like plushies and minis with the core integrity of the RPG book.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard - Episode 1 This Week: Dragon Age: The Veilguard: The End of The Beginning, In the Entropy's Grasp, Shadows Crossing, The Singing Blade Next Week: Main quests: The Enemy of My Enemy, Into the Crossroads, Sea of Blood, and The Smuggled Relic CaseCompanion quests: An Unfamiliar Sense, Echoes of the Past, and Coffee with Crows. Quest Play Order: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15CuoHqMFD8bku1UnXVMNdAHFwmiKxEaFUnQu35cchfM/edit?usp=sharingSafe to Sell: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Hd3hUnPw2ShiaWhrNj3plZ5N-XK2rxASNiBlen9myk0/edit?usp=sharing What's a video game book club? Exactly what you think! Some clubs read books, we play video games. Join us! Discord: https://discord.gg/hfnusHE Email: squelchcast@gmail.com Listen: www.squelchcast.com Support: www.patreon.com/Squelch or www.twitch.tv/dan0play
Your favorite Blerds are back bringing you all of their thoughts on everything happening in nerd culture. This week, Shannon, Jaja and James are discussing the Xbox showcase and the most recent Nintendo Direct where a very surprising announcement was made. We're also talking about the impact of Streaming on RPG's. Is it hurting the genre? Plus other nerd news. Make sure to subscribe to us on Youtube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your podcast app of choice. Chapters 00:00-Celebrating the Knicks Championship Win 02:44- Weekly Nerdy Things 05:27-Showcase Highlights and Anticipated Games 08:16-Nintendo Direct Highlights 11:04-Kingdom Hearts 4 and Its Controversies 23:12-Upcoming Game Releases and DLCs 24:38-Xbox Showcase Highlights 28:51-September Game Releases and Competition 32:37-The Future of RPGs and Streaming Impact 37:02-The Evolution of Story-Driven Games 46:38-Next-Gen Console Release Speculations 49:26-Affordability and Economic Concerns in Gaming 53:03-The Role of Exclusives in Console Sales 56:13-Xbox's Business Strategy and Potential Layoffs 59:09-Warner Bros Sale to Paramount and Industry Implications 01:02:18-Exciting Anime Releases and Nostalgia Follow Us! https://linktr.ee/blerdsnerds National Resources List https://linktr.ee/NationalResourcesList Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK56I-TNUnhKhcWLZxoUTaw Email us: Blerdsnerds@gmail.com Follow Our Social: https://www.instagram.com/blerdsnerds/ https://twitter.com/BlerdsNerds https://www.facebook.com/blerdsnerds https://tiktok.com/blerdsnerds_pod Shannon: https://www.instagram.com/luv_shenanigans James: https://www.instagram.com/llsuavej Jaja: https://www.instagram.com/jajasmith3
Kelli Fitzpatrick is a science fiction writer, gamewriter, and teacher. She is the author of Captain Marvel: Carol Danvers Declassified (from BenBella Books, 2025) and is a contributing writer for the Star Trek Adventures role-playing game from Modiphius. Her Star Trek story “The Sunwalkers” won the 2016 Strange New Worlds contest from Simon and Schuster. Her short fiction has been published by Baen Books, Crazy 8 Press, Flash Fiction Online, and others, and her essays on sci-fi pop culture appear at StarTrek.com, Women at Warp, and in anthologies from Sequart and ATB Publishing. She has written for NASA's Hubble Space Telescope outreach team and Arizona State University's Interplanetary Initiative. She has over a decade of experience teaching high school and college courses. Find her at KelliFitzpatrick.com and on Bluesky @KelliFitzWrites. Derek Tyler Attico is a speculative fiction author, essayist, and award-winning photographer. In fiction, Derek has won the Excellence in Playwriting Award from the Dramatist Guild of America, and he is a two-time winner of the Star Trek Strange New Worlds short story contest (“Alpha & Omega,” “The Dreamer and the Dream”) published by Simon and Schuster. Derek is also the author of the bestselling, critically acclaimed “Star Trek novel The Autobiography of Benjamin Sisko” by Titan Publishing. Jim Johnson was born about the same time Apollo XII landed on the moon (and has always been kinda spacey) and shares a birthday with the Kindle. He is the author of the Pistols and Pyramids weird western series and the Potomac Shadows urban fantasy series. He's also written a bunch of other stuff in and around the SFF genres and pen and paper RPGs. He's currently the project manager and line editor for Modiphius's Star Trek Adventures RPG. Michael Dismuke is a Certified Professional in Talent Development and Certified Leadership Development and Succession Strategist. He is a national speaker/trainer and consultant, a freelance writer for the Star Trek Adventures RPG, and a published comic creator. Please check out this relevant link: Star Trek: Timelines Welcome to Dice in Mind, a podcast hosted by Bradley Browne and Jason Kaufman to explore the intersection of life, games, science, music, philosophy, and creativity through interviews with leading creatives. All are welcome in this space. Royalty-free music "Night Jazz Beats" courtesy of flybirdaudio.
Nobody expected the second half of the cleric episode to begin with a discussion about wolves conducting hate crimes against coyotes, crows acting as aerial bounty hunters, and the lasting trauma of Game of Thrones season eight. Somehow this naturally transitioned into Pathfinder clerics, giant dragon towers, vampire bat transformations, and a godless revolutionary whose greatest enemy remains organized religion. In hindsight, this was probably the only possible outcome. Show Notes In the second half of our Pathfinder 2e Cleric build series, we advanced our morally questionable holy figures from level 11 all the way to 20. Before we even reached the introduction, however, we somehow found ourselves discussing wolf vendettas, crow conspiracies, Game of Thrones, British pronunciation crimes, and Pulp Fiction-inspired monologues. Naturally, this was exactly the kind of preparation required for high-level clerics. Randall returned with his godless anti-religious war priest, continuing his crusade to dismantle divine authority while simultaneously benefiting from divine magic. The contradictions only made the character stronger. Ash continued building a dragon-obsessed kobold servant of Dahak, leaning heavily into domains, summoning magic, and draconic heritage feats. Tyler doubled down on his undead survival machine, creating a cleric who would rather become increasingly horrifying than ever experience death again. As the builds progressed, the characters became increasingly absurd. Randall evolved into a social revolutionary capable of literally preaching atheism to enemies. Ash transformed into a majestic kobold empowered by dragons and armed with enough fire to solve nearly any problem. Tyler embraced his inner vampire, eventually turning into a bat, draining enemies, and becoming nearly impossible to kill. High-level spells stole much of the spotlight. Summoning dragons, collapsing enemies with Implosion, unleashing Massacre, and transforming into avatars of divine power all showcased just how spectacular Pathfinder's spellcasters become in the late game. Meanwhile, Randall's philosophy remained unchanged: peace is important, and anyone who disagrees can discuss it with the business end of a glaive. By the time we reached level 20, our collection of short kings had somehow become terrifying demigods. None of them were remotely good people, but they were certainly memorable clerics. Key Takeaways Levels 11 through 20 dramatically increase a cleric's power through doctrines, master spellcasting, and powerful class feats. High-rank divine spells provide some of the most cinematic effects in Pathfinder 2e. Harm-focused builds can become incredibly durable through self-healing and defensive feats. Domain spells continue to scale well into the highest levels of play. Heritage feats can dramatically shape a character's identity and capabilities. Avatar provides one of the most flavorful capstone spells available to divine casters. Additional 10th-rank spell slots are difficult to pass up at level 20. Warpriests gain survivability but still lag behind dedicated martial classes in weapon proficiency. Pathfinder 2e offers many ways to support unusual character concepts, including technically illegal godless clerics. Team Fun Size successfully evolved from weird clerics into full-blown nightmares for any GM. 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
En este episodio especial del Geekrican Pod te traemos todo lo que necesitas saber sobre GAMERGY Puerto Rico 2026, el evento familiar que llegará al Centro de Convenciones de Puerto Rico el 29 y 30 de agosto de 2026. Invitados especiales, torneos, cosplay, exhibidores, juegos de mesa, RPGs, miniaturas y mucho más. ¡GAMERGYPR es mucho más que gaming! GAMERGYPR es cultura geek, es comunidad, es familia, ¡es un fin de semana lleno de diversión!
Every Warlock player starts with the same innocent thought: I just want a mysterious patron and some spooky magic. Three hours later you're reading invocation combinations like you're optimizing a tax return and trying to explain to the party why your character absolutely needed a sentient book, a telepathic connection to an ancient horror, and a cantrip that solves all of life's problems. Somehow, the answer is always Eldritch Blast. Show Notes We kick off our look at Warlocks by exploring the first four levels of one of the most customizable classes in 5e. From choosing your patron to selecting spells and invocations, we discuss how early decisions shape the entire character and why Warlocks punch far above their weight despite their limited spell slots. Along the way, we break down the strengths and weaknesses of Pact Magic, examine the importance of short rests, and discuss which options provide the biggest impact in the early game. We also talk about common traps, favorite spell choices, and how invocations turn a simple spellcaster into something uniquely weird. Whether you're building a blaster, a battlefield controller, or just someone who made a very questionable life decision with an extraplanar entity, levels 1 through 4 are where the foundation of your character really comes together. Key Takeaways Patron choice defines much of your playstyle and provides important features right from level 1. Warlocks rely on a small number of spell slots, making careful spell selection extremely important. Short rest recovery is a major source of the class's power and changes how the class feels compared to other casters. Eldritch Invocations are one of the most flexible customization systems in the game. Eldritch Blast often becomes the foundation of many builds, especially when combined with key invocations. Early-level spell choices can dramatically improve survivability, utility, and damage output. Level 2 is a major power spike thanks to invocations. Level 3 introduces Pact Boons, opening up very different character concepts and playstyles. Level 4 provides an Ability Score Improvement or feat, allowing players to further specialize their build. Warlocks reward planning and system mastery, but even simple builds can be highly effective. 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
Every Warlock player starts with the same innocent thought: I just want a mysterious patron and some spooky magic. Three hours later you're reading invocation combinations like you're optimizing a tax return and trying to explain to the party why your character absolutely needed a sentient book, a telepathic connection to an ancient horror, and a cantrip that solves all of life's problems. Somehow, the answer is always Eldritch Blast. Show Notes We kick off our look at Warlocks by exploring the first four levels of one of the most customizable classes in 5e. From choosing your patron to selecting spells and invocations, we discuss how early decisions shape the entire character and why Warlocks punch far above their weight despite their limited spell slots. Along the way, we break down the strengths and weaknesses of Pact Magic, examine the importance of short rests, and discuss which options provide the biggest impact in the early game. We also talk about common traps, favorite spell choices, and how invocations turn a simple spellcaster into something uniquely weird. Whether you're building a blaster, a battlefield controller, or just someone who made a very questionable life decision with an extraplanar entity, levels 1 through 4 are where the foundation of your character really comes together. Key Takeaways Patron choice defines much of your playstyle and provides important features right from level 1. Warlocks rely on a small number of spell slots, making careful spell selection extremely important. Short rest recovery is a major source of the class's power and changes how the class feels compared to other casters. Eldritch Invocations are one of the most flexible customization systems in the game. Eldritch Blast often becomes the foundation of many builds, especially when combined with key invocations. Early-level spell choices can dramatically improve survivability, utility, and damage output. Level 2 is a major power spike thanks to invocations. Level 3 introduces Pact Boons, opening up very different character concepts and playstyles. Level 4 provides an Ability Score Improvement or feat, allowing players to further specialize their build. Warlocks reward planning and system mastery, but even simple builds can be highly effective. 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 crew follows a lead to Monarch Books, hoping to learn more about the Psy-Divers and the mysteries of the Psy-Wilds. Getting inside is easier said than done. Especially when a suspicious eyeball insists on a million-dollar membership fee.While the others try not to ask too many questions, Clarence goes digging for answers. Hidden deep within Monarch Books, something mysterious is revealed:A doorway.A direct path into the Psy-Wilds... PLAY THE DUST WORLD RPG NOW:We've released the epic RPG Dust world and we want your help. Dust World PBTA is RPG Empire's sci-fi western game that's simple, fast, and Powered By The Apocalypse. Are you ready? Enter The Gun-Filled Lands Of An Obliterated Civilization. Play as gunslinging anime-inspired heroes on their mission to discover the truth behind the lost civilization and its technology.GET THE GUIDE NOW:https://www.therpgempire.com/shop/p/b2ck9ai8u8d7i6j5xs48oojt742uq2Dust world RPG Podcast is an actual play Role-playing podcast like the Adventure Zone Podcast or Critical Role. The setting is a sci-fi western a few hundred years after a great war burned the earth and a virus called white horse dissolved most organic matter into dust creating the wastelands.Dust World RPG is a Powered By The Apocalypse game. Dust World is a Tabletop Role-Playing game created by Paul Parnell Copywrite 2020. The setting was created by Paul Parnell and Michael Yatskar. The game was written by Paul-Thomas Parnell and Dumaresq de Pencier.OTHER PROJECTS FROM THE RPG EMPIRE:Strangers in the Pines: A Monster Of The Week actually play roleplaying podcast inspired by things like Gravity Falls, Stranger Things, and Fringe. It takes place in a small strange town called Pine Forge nestled in the Blackwood national park in Northeast Oregon, USA, and follows, the exploits of 3 unusual high school students as they try to unravel the mysteries of the Strangers in the Pines.https://www.therpgempire.com/strangers-in-the-pinesCONNECT WITH US:Join our Discord Server to chat with us and talk all things RPGs: https://discord.gg/2jnyGv9Follow and send us DMs on Instagram: @theRPGempireJoin the Empire!
Saudações, aventureiros! No episódio de hoje do Aventurando Podcast, Rafael Amon e Igor Cruz recebem Roma, do canal Aprenda RPG, para conversar sobre o aguardado lançamento de Oblívio, RPG criado em parceria com o GGTonho e publicado pela New Order Editora.Durante o papo, discutimos:A trajetória de Roma e GGTonho como criadores de conteúdo e como isso os levou a co-criar essa obra autoral A proposta de Oblívio RPG como sistema genérico de fantasia sombria e survival horror, onde a Escuridão não é apenas ausência de luz, mas uma força implacável Mecânicas claras, com grid simples para resolução de ações, e ambientação engajadora que mistura terror, mitos e escolhas difíceis financiamento coletivo iniciado em Catarse em 8 de setembro de 2025 Se você curte fantasia sombria e RPGs que trazem horror de verdade à mesa, esse episódio é ideal para se preparar para essa jornada.
This week, Zak and Aaron are back at it with something potentially positive, for a change! Namely, that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is receiving a 12-years-after-the-fact expansion entitled Songs of the Past, bucking industry trends and further solidifying the base game as one of the most important RPGs of the last 20 years.Never content to simply enjoy good news when it comes, Zak and Aaron instead find themselves consumed by several questions upon which they will pontificate into your ears for roughly the next hour.Please, enjoy.Sources:The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Songs of the Past - NEW Details You May Not Know - GamingBoltThe Witcher 3 sold another 5 million copies over the last year: 'This cements its place among the best-selling videogames in history' - PC Gamer It's Official: The Witcher 3 Songs of the Past Expansion Is Real and It's Coming Next Year - IGNGames – Fool's TheorySteamDB - The Witcher 3: Wild HuntListen to Beach Girl on SpotifyCheck Out MosscatMarket on Instagram
Somewhere in Golarion, a tiny halfling cleric stands on a battlefield declaring that war is bad and violence solves nothing. Seconds later, he charges into combat with a hammer-and-sickle-decorated glaive, threatening to enforce peace by force. Meanwhile, a dragon-worshiping kobold is handing out experimental body modifications like coupons, and an undead enthusiast is one bad day away from becoming a lich because dying once was already one time too many. Somehow, this became a cleric episode. Show Notes This week we tackled Pathfinder 2e Clerics from levels 1 through 10 and quickly discovered that none of us had any intention of making wholesome heal-bots. Instead, we ended up with a collection of morally questionable short kings dedicated to violence, dragons, and undeath. Before diving into the builds, we spent some time discussing Pathfinder's deities, faiths, and philosophies. Ash walked through the Laws of Mortality philosophy, which somehow manages to oppose religion while occasionally becoming just as fanatical as the people it criticizes. Randall immediately embraced the concept and created a pacifist war priest whose solution to conflict is apparently more conflict. Ash also shared details from a new Starfinder campaign involving amnesiac characters trapped aboard a failing space station, creepy recordings, reality-bending horrors, and accusations of stealing ideas from Randall. Ash clarified that any theft was actually from Knights of the Old Republic II, which is apparently perfectly acceptable. Once the episode officially started, we built three very different clerics. Tyler embraced undeath through Urgathoa, focusing on survivability and refusing to ever experience death again. Ash created a dragon-obsessed kobold devoted to Dahak with enough fire and draconic abilities to make every problem look flammable. Randall built a tiny anti-war field medic whose philosophy boils down to peace through overwhelming force. Along the way we discussed doctrines, domains, divine fonts, Battle Harbingers, favorite weapons, and why evil gods consistently seem to have the coolest toys. By the end of the first ten levels, we had accidentally assembled Team Fun Size: three short clerics with deeply questionable life choices and entirely too much confidence. Key Takeaways Pathfinder clerics are extremely front-loaded and gain many important features at level 1. Faiths and philosophies offer interesting roleplaying options but usually provide fewer mechanical benefits than traditional deities. Warpriests gain armor and weapon advantages while Cloistered Clerics focus more heavily on spellcasting. Divine Fonts are far more flexible after the remaster because they no longer depend on Charisma. Harm-focused clerics can become surprisingly durable through self-healing and temporary hit points. Domains provide powerful focus spells and can dramatically shape a cleric's playstyle. Battle Harbinger and class archetypes show how Pathfinder 2e can radically alter classes without creating entirely new ones. Short ancestries apparently became an accidental theme, resulting in Team Fun Size. Randall's anti-war cleric demonstrated that ideals and practical solutions do not always align. Ash's Starfinder campaign premise proves that creepy space stations never go out of style. 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
In this episode, Alan and Cat talk to software developer and award nominated writer, Matthew Kressel. They discuss writing with authenticity, writing unfamiliar cultures, Dungeons and Dragons, what writers can take from RPGs, Matt's new novels Spacetrucker Jess and The Rainseekers, AI, plagiarism, and much more. You can find The Rainseekers here: https://books2read.com/u/4N0Na8. You can find Spacetrucker Jess here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250392435/therainseekers.
Somewhere in Golarion, a tiny halfling cleric stands on a battlefield declaring that war is bad and violence solves nothing. Seconds later, he charges into combat with a hammer-and-sickle-decorated glaive, threatening to enforce peace by force. Meanwhile, a dragon-worshiping kobold is handing out experimental body modifications like coupons, and an undead enthusiast is one bad day away from becoming a lich because dying once was already one time too many. Somehow, this became a cleric episode. Show Notes This week we tackled Pathfinder 2e Clerics from levels 1 through 10 and quickly discovered that none of us had any intention of making wholesome heal-bots. Instead, we ended up with a collection of morally questionable short kings dedicated to violence, dragons, and undeath. Before diving into the builds, we spent some time discussing Pathfinder's deities, faiths, and philosophies. Ash walked through the Laws of Mortality philosophy, which somehow manages to oppose religion while occasionally becoming just as fanatical as the people it criticizes. Randall immediately embraced the concept and created a pacifist war priest whose solution to conflict is apparently more conflict. Ash also shared details from a new Starfinder campaign involving amnesiac characters trapped aboard a failing space station, creepy recordings, reality-bending horrors, and accusations of stealing ideas from Randall. Ash clarified that any theft was actually from Knights of the Old Republic II, which is apparently perfectly acceptable. Once the episode officially started, we built three very different clerics. Tyler embraced undeath through Urgathoa, focusing on survivability and refusing to ever experience death again. Ash created a dragon-obsessed kobold devoted to Dahak with enough fire and draconic abilities to make every problem look flammable. Randall built a tiny anti-war field medic whose philosophy boils down to peace through overwhelming force. Along the way we discussed doctrines, domains, divine fonts, Battle Harbingers, favorite weapons, and why evil gods consistently seem to have the coolest toys. By the end of the first ten levels, we had accidentally assembled Team Fun Size: three short clerics with deeply questionable life choices and entirely too much confidence. Key Takeaways Pathfinder clerics are extremely front-loaded and gain many important features at level 1. Faiths and philosophies offer interesting roleplaying options but usually provide fewer mechanical benefits than traditional deities. Warpriests gain armor and weapon advantages while Cloistered Clerics focus more heavily on spellcasting. Divine Fonts are far more flexible after the remaster because they no longer depend on Charisma. Harm-focused clerics can become surprisingly durable through self-healing and temporary hit points. Domains provide powerful focus spells and can dramatically shape a cleric's playstyle. Battle Harbinger and class archetypes show how Pathfinder 2e can radically alter classes without creating entirely new ones. Short ancestries apparently became an accidental theme, resulting in Team Fun Size. Randall's anti-war cleric demonstrated that ideals and practical solutions do not always align. Ash's Starfinder campaign premise proves that creepy space stations never go out of style. 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
Welcome, my good Cabalists. This day, the Lords of the Dungeon gather within the Ludus to discuss the rewarding of adventurers. Many a Game Master spends countless hours crafting challenges, encounters, and memorable characters, yet gives little thought to the rewards awaiting those who overcome them. A worthy reward is more than mere coin or treasure, it is the fruit of heroic labor and a force that gives greater meaning to the tale! Join us as we explore how thoughtful rewards can enrich your players' journeys and make their victories all the sweeter. Huzzah!
This week on The RPG Cave, Garret and Ryan discuss the RPGs that appeared at the Sony State of Play, Summer Game Fest and Day of the Devs! ★ LINKS ★► Get Exclusive Perks on our Patreon: https://patreon.com/carpoolgaming► Join our amazing Discord community: https://discord.gg/eBKUyABg8U► Get your Carpool Gaming merch: https://carpoolgaming.com/► Check us out on Twitch: https://twitch.tv/carpoolgaminglive► Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/carpoolgaming► Follow on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/carpoolgaming.com★ ULTIMATE PRODUCERS ★Brendan Myers AKA The_WinterGamerJohnathan Brown: https://linktr.ee/pme.jibJonas YoungTony BakerTrucker Sloth★ PLATINUM PRODUCERS ★Brian Reese★ GOLD MEMBERS ★Adam KAwesomeDave1337BennyBrad MooreCecily CarrozzaDan & LumaDannohhEmily O'KelleyJon32LauraLigerWoods330Mr GigglesPatrice MallettePeje EPSteven KellerTechMikeTim Paullin
Did you know that RPGS are to role play all the things? Like heroes and villians and mix up species and race and stature and gender and ALL THE THINGS. And indi press is bringing it! And Dillin Apelyan @superdillin and I dork out hard about it. OneShotPodcast.com has all the Dillon Apelyan pods and info. You will love this ep. Donate to The Dork Forest if you like the show. The paypal email jackie@jackiekashian.com and venmo is @jackiekashian. There is MERCH: www.JackieKashianStore.com is the direct. Links to everything is at www.dorkforest.com or www.jackiekashian.com Extra TDF/standup and a storytelling album are available here: https://thedorkforest.bandcamp.com/ YouTube has the videos: https://www.youtube.com/@JackieKashianInc And it's @jackiekashian on all the social mediaz. Audio and Video by Patrick BradyMusic is by Mike Ruekberg
Didi Braguinha, André Rumjanek e Googlebee comentam as principais notícias do universo dos jogos de tabuleiro e RPG, passando por anúncios de lançamentos, campanhas de financiamento coletivo e novas tendências que estão movimentando o hobby. Entre os destaques estão projetos que exploram inteligência artificial aplicada à criação de jogos, plataformas digitais para prototipagem e novidades apresentadas por editoras para os próximos meses.O episódio também aborda jogos que chamaram atenção pela proposta, presença de mesa e qualidade visual, além de campanhas de destaque no Catarse e Kickstarter. A conversa passa por board games competitivos, experiências de dedução social, títulos estratégicos e RPGs de mechas, oferecendo um panorama das novidades mais comentadas do momento para quem acompanha o mercado de jogos de mesa.Para saber mais sobre este episódio e os jogos mencionados: Mansões, Krakens e CastoresSe você ainda não conhece ou faz parte, fale conosco no nosso Fabuloso Discord.E para as redes sociais: Fabuloso Podcast no InstagramFabuloso Podcast no YouTubeFabuloso Podcast no TikTokPara comprar camisa do Fabuloso (e outras):Deselegante
This week on the pod, Dr. Shelly Jones drops by to discuss their work as a scholar who incorporates games and RPGs into their work--and their career as an author who has written a series of cozy mysteries set at a game store. https://shellyjonesauthor.com/Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-pageBeyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulationsCheck out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.comEnjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaireContact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.comBluesky: @beyondsolitaire.bsky.socialInstagram: @beyondsolitaireFacebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaireWebsite: www.beyondsolitaire.net
After two actual play episodes, we finally sat down to answer the important questions. Why was there a demon in the basement? Why were people making drugs out of supernatural whale juice? Why did our cult immediately choose violence as a conflict resolution strategy? And perhaps most importantly, how many times can you accidentally make things worse before it becomes your crew's official business model? As it turns out, the answer is "a lot." And somehow that's exactly how Blades in the Dark is supposed to work. Show Notes We wrapped up our Blades in the Dark series by pulling back the curtain on everything that happened during the score. Randall finally revealed what was actually going on behind the scenes, explaining the Grey Cloaks, the corrupt Bluecoats, the illegal refinery, and the fact that our crew only uncovered about thirty percent of the mystery. Somehow, despite missing most of the conspiracy, we still managed to completely ruin everyone's plans. From there, we dug into the mechanics that make Blades in the Dark feel different from traditional fantasy RPGs. We talked about consequences, stress, trauma, healing, advancement, and how the game expects complications to drive the story rather than stop it. Coming from games like Dungeons and Dragons and Pathfinder, we spent some time discussing how strange it feels when success and consequences regularly happen at the same time. The downtime system ended up being one of the most interesting parts of the discussion. Recovering from injuries, indulging vices, reducing heat, building territory, and even potentially spending time in prison all create opportunities for new stories instead of simply resetting everything between adventures. Apparently prison gangs and ghost cults can coexist surprisingly well. By the end of the episode, we came away with a better appreciation for how tightly the mechanics and setting work together. Blades in the Dark constantly rewards messy stories, weird complications, and players who are willing to embrace disaster. Which is fortunate, because disaster seems to be our party's greatest strength. Key Takeaways The crew only uncovered a fraction of the conspiracy surrounding the illegal refinery The Grey Cloaks hired the crew to expose corruption tied to the Bluecoats The operation involved trapped spirits, electroplasm extraction, and an imprisoned demon Blades in the Dark expects consequences to create new stories instead of ending them Stress and trauma are resources that players are encouraged to spend and manage Downtime activities allow characters to heal, reduce stress, train, and pursue projects Heat and Wanted Levels create long-term consequences for reckless crews Prison and faction politics can become entire story arcs in longer campaigns Claims and territory expansion give crews long-term goals beyond individual scores Advancement is tied to roleplaying choices and embracing character flaws The setting and mechanics are deeply connected, making the world feel integral to gameplay Our cult somehow solved a major criminal conspiracy while understanding only about thirty percent of what was actually happening Releasing a demon may not have been the original mission objective, but it certainly made the score memorable 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
Welcome to our One Hundred and Sixty-Seventh episode!Our podcast is dedicated to all things board games, RPGs, CGs and more.Pour your favourite beverage, pull up a comfy chair 'cuz we are ready to roll.In this week's episode, Jocelyn is back and we catch up on the dice bag and games we played.Until next time, on a Double Double ‘n Dice!--------------The following music was used for this media project:Music: Lobby Time by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://www.chosic.com/download-audio/29284/Music: Sunday Morning Coffee by Sascha EndeLink: https://ende.app/en/song/13693-sunday-morning-coffeeSend us Fan MailContact us: tripledpodcast@dm-north.comCheck us out on www.dm-north.comSupport us at ko-fi.com/dmnorthtvJoin the dmNorthTV DiscordNeed a dice bag? Contact Jocelyn and/or visit JoceStitch Etsy store
Welcome back to Pursuing Pixels. We've got the full crew in the house once again, and we've got all sorts of gaming goodies to discuss, so let's get into it... John gets things started off with a handful of RPGs that he's been digging into recently — including a couple of recent indie releases, alongside a couple of modern day entries to the genre from the veterans over at Square Enix. Randall takes over from there, and shines a little light on a semi-forgotten retro game from the legendary developers over at Treasure. Finally, Kevin closes things out with a spotlight on one of his all-time favorite competitive multiplayer games, as he revisits the original Super Mario Strikers on GameCube for the first time in ages. Timestamps: John's RPG Bonanza - 00:01:28 ↳ Deltarune - 00:01:43 ↳ In Stars And Time - 00:07:13 ↳ Dungeon Encounters - 00:12:14 McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure - 00:18:12 Super Mario Strikers - 00:28:04 Thanks for taking the time to listen! If you'd like to find us elsewhere on the Internet, you can find us at:
After two actual play episodes, we finally sat down to answer the important questions. Why was there a demon in the basement? Why were people making drugs out of supernatural whale juice? Why did our cult immediately choose violence as a conflict resolution strategy? And perhaps most importantly, how many times can you accidentally make things worse before it becomes your crew's official business model? As it turns out, the answer is "a lot." And somehow that's exactly how Blades in the Dark is supposed to work. Show Notes We wrapped up our Blades in the Dark series by pulling back the curtain on everything that happened during the score. Randall finally revealed what was actually going on behind the scenes, explaining the Grey Cloaks, the corrupt Bluecoats, the illegal refinery, and the fact that our crew only uncovered about thirty percent of the mystery. Somehow, despite missing most of the conspiracy, we still managed to completely ruin everyone's plans. From there, we dug into the mechanics that make Blades in the Dark feel different from traditional fantasy RPGs. We talked about consequences, stress, trauma, healing, advancement, and how the game expects complications to drive the story rather than stop it. Coming from games like Dungeons and Dragons and Pathfinder, we spent some time discussing how strange it feels when success and consequences regularly happen at the same time. The downtime system ended up being one of the most interesting parts of the discussion. Recovering from injuries, indulging vices, reducing heat, building territory, and even potentially spending time in prison all create opportunities for new stories instead of simply resetting everything between adventures. Apparently prison gangs and ghost cults can coexist surprisingly well. By the end of the episode, we came away with a better appreciation for how tightly the mechanics and setting work together. Blades in the Dark constantly rewards messy stories, weird complications, and players who are willing to embrace disaster. Which is fortunate, because disaster seems to be our party's greatest strength. Key Takeaways The crew only uncovered a fraction of the conspiracy surrounding the illegal refinery The Grey Cloaks hired the crew to expose corruption tied to the Bluecoats The operation involved trapped spirits, electroplasm extraction, and an imprisoned demon Blades in the Dark expects consequences to create new stories instead of ending them Stress and trauma are resources that players are encouraged to spend and manage Downtime activities allow characters to heal, reduce stress, train, and pursue projects Heat and Wanted Levels create long-term consequences for reckless crews Prison and faction politics can become entire story arcs in longer campaigns Claims and territory expansion give crews long-term goals beyond individual scores Advancement is tied to roleplaying choices and embracing character flaws The setting and mechanics are deeply connected, making the world feel integral to gameplay Our cult somehow solved a major criminal conspiracy while understanding only about thirty percent of what was actually happening Releasing a demon may not have been the original mission objective, but it certainly made the score memorable 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
Game night being derailed by players poor attitudes, unsure actions, and unreliability? Don't be that player. In this episode I talk about the social contract of tabletop RPGs and what YOU can do to support your DM and not be a distraction. #rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips Resources: Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast www.taking20podcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taking20podcast
In this special post-Expo episode of the Polyhedron Collider Cast, we unpack all the cardboard, conversations, and convention chaos from the UK Games Expo 2026! After spending three (and a bit) days exploring the halls of the Birmingham NEC, playing as many games as humanly possible, catching up with publishers, designers, and listeners, and carrying far more games than our backs would recommend, we're finally back behind the microphones to share our highlights from the UK's biggest tabletop gaming convention. We discuss the standout board games of UKGE 2026, the biggest surprises from the show floor, the hottest upcoming releases, and the indie gems that deserve more attention. From heavyweight strategy games and family favourites to exciting RPGs, miniatures, and prototypes, we cover the titles that made the biggest impression on us over the weekend. Of course, no UK Games Expo recap would be complete without the presentation of the prestigious Polyhedron Collider Awards 2026. Let us know your favourite UKGE 2026 moments over on our [Discord server]! Podcast Contents 00:00:00 Who is Andy? 00:12:00 The Shelf Dodger: Bunny Kingdom Town, A Carnivore Did It!, Machu Pichu, Mooki Island, Fliptoons 00:19:38 Miniature We are too Scared to Paint (Best Mini): Realms of Tiberium, Ocean City Miniatures, Corvus Belli, Gatehouse Gaming, Wyldwood from Tabletop Titans 00:29:00 Best Bling: UV tokens from ThinkitPrintitUK (https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ThinkitPrintitUK), CGE Lost Ruins of Arnak compass tokens 00:33:17 We're On The Tour (Best RPG): The Wildsea, The Last Caravan, Ghost in the Shell RPG, The Magnus Archives Roleplaying Game 00:45:56 The Bankruptcy Award (Best Crowdfunding Campaign): Song of the Wildkin, All's Well that Ends 00:53:54 Instabuy Game: Green City, Bunny Kingdom Town, Septima 01:00:29 Game We're Itching to Play Again: Viking Route, Tricky Traps 01:06:46 The Definitely Not Shit Award: Bridges of Shangri-La 01:13:22 Isle of Penguins ⭐Show Sponsor: E Toys World When you sign up to an account with E Toys World use this link [https://www.etoysworld.co.uk/discount/PHC10] to bag yourself a wee discount and help support the show. Let's face it, you were going to buy a board game anyway
Steven “S.M.” Stirling is a writer by trade, born in France but Canadian by origin and American by naturalization, living in New Mexico. His hobbies are mostly related to the craft of writing. He loves history, anthropology, and archaeology, as well as interest in the sciences. Steven has published over 40 novels, at least 5 of which are New York Times bestsellers and he has won awards including the Dragon Award for his novel, Black Chamber. Steven has been a Writers of the Future Judge since 2021. After writing for the early issues of Dragon Magazine in the 1970s Bill Fawcett became one of the founders of and lead designer at Mayfair Games. He has continued his board and electronic game design work including a number of RPGs and PC games. His first books were chosen path novels for TSR in the early days of D&D. His first fantasy series was Lord of Cragsclaw in the 1980s. Bill's historical "Mistakes" series includes It Seemed Like a Good Idea, It Looked Good On Paper and You Did What, How To Lose A Battle, How To Lose a War, How To Lose WWII, How To Lose a War at Sea, and How To Lose the American Civil War. Among his non-fiction books are Oval Office Oddities, 100 Mistakes that Changed History, 100 Leadership Mistakes that Changed History and 101 Stumbles in the March of History. As an author Bill has written or co-authored over a dozen fiction books plus close to fifty articles and short stories. Bill collaborated on several mystery novels with Chelsea Quinn Yarbro including the authorized Mycroft Holmes novels. He interviewed for and edited two oral histories of the US Navy SEALs Hunters and Shooters and The Teams. As an anthologist Bill has edited or co-edited over 40 SF anthologies. Bill Fawcett & Associates has packaged over 400 books science fiction, fantasy, military, non-fiction, and licensed books for major publishers. Find out more about Bill at,... www.billfawcett.com “ In a time in which entry for new creators is desperately difficult, WOTF is a path for identifying and nurturing excellence and giving it that first precious leg up. I received generous help and mentoring from established pros when I started out, and being a WOTF judge lets me ‘pay it forward' to the rising generation in a way that truly helps new writers and the field as a whole.” —S.M. Stirling Melissa Olthoff spent her youth daydreaming about riding dragons and slaying monsters. After joining the United States Air Force, she might not have gotten to ride a dragon or slay any monsters, but she had plenty of real-world adventures over the years—including flying the T-6, becoming a certified Air Traffic Controller, and her personal favorite, somehow surviving the shenanigans of her airmen. Eventually, she rejoined the civilian workforce as a responsible adult. Sort of. She now works as an accountant (seriously) and is back to daydreaming of adventure. Sometimes those daydreams even make good stories. Melissa currently resides in Tennessee with her husband, two children, and two dogs. Find out more about Melissa at,... www.MelissaOlthoff.com
Every adventuring party has that one person who looks at an ancient magical artifact and immediately thinks, I can improve this. In this episode, we continue our journey through the Artificer and explore what happens when a character combines magical talent, engineering confidence, and absolutely no respect for reasonable safety standards. The result is a class that can solve problems, create new problems, and somehow convince the rest of the party that both outcomes were part of the plan. Show Notes The Artificer continues to stand apart as one of the most unique classes in modern fantasy roleplaying games. In this second installment of our Artificer deep dive, we move beyond the basics and dig into the class features, mechanics, and choices that transform a clever inventor into a walking magical toolbox. We examine how the class blends spellcasting, utility, and support capabilities while maintaining remarkable flexibility. Along the way, we discuss infusions, equipment choices, subclass considerations, and the many ways Artificers can fill gaps in a party composition. Whether you're building a heavily armored front-line inventor, a battlefield support specialist, or a gadget-obsessed problem solver, the class offers an impressive range of options. As always, we explore both the strengths and limitations of the design, highlight practical build advice, and discuss how players can get the most value out of their magical inventions without accidentally turning every session into a product demonstration. Key Takeaways Artificers thrive on versatility and can adapt to a wide variety of party roles. Infusions remain one of the class's defining features and provide significant customization opportunities. Equipment selection often has a larger impact on performance than it does for many other classes. The class rewards players who enjoy planning ahead and thinking creatively about problem solving. Artificers excel at supporting allies through magical items, utility options, and flexible spellcasting. Resource management and preparation are important for maximizing the class's effectiveness. Different subclass choices can dramatically change how the character functions at the table. The class often shines brightest when solving challenges outside of combat. Creative use of tools and class features can frequently accomplish things that other classes cannot. Understanding how your infusions, spells, and equipment interact is key to building an effective character. 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
Having "too many interests" is actually an advantage.The real problem is letting your interests stay scattered, because scattered knowledge feels useless until you connect it into something you can explain, test, or share.1. Stop Treating Dabbling Like Failure“Jack of all trades, master of none” is usually used as an insult. But the fuller version changes the point: “oftentimes better than master of one.” Every topic you've explored gave you vocabulary, patterns, and tools. Architecture, tarot, Japanese history, RPGs, psychology, AI, and self-development all become raw materials.2. Connect Your Skill TreesThink of your interests like RPG skill trees. You've put points into different branches, but the power comes from cross-classing them. Geek Psychology exists because personality type, role-playing games, World of Warcraft, hypnosis, and self-development got mashed together. Original ideas often come from connecting two or three fields other people keep separate.3. Use AI to Speed Up the Loading PhaseDon't ask AI to replace your thinking. Ask it to orient you faster. Use it to find the first principles, the Pareto 20%, and the core concepts of a new domain. Then bring in your own judgment and ask, “What does this remind me of?”4. Turn Ideas Into ObjectsIdeas aren't finished while they're still floating in your head. Make a diagram, prompt, video, essay, framework, or tool. Once it exists outside your mind, you can explain it, stress-test it, improve it, and share it.5. Build the Weird ThingYour random interests are not the problem. The missing step is turning them into something in the real world.
Every adventuring party has that one person who looks at an ancient magical artifact and immediately thinks, I can improve this. In this episode, we continue our journey through the Artificer and explore what happens when a character combines magical talent, engineering confidence, and absolutely no respect for reasonable safety standards. The result is a class that can solve problems, create new problems, and somehow convince the rest of the party that both outcomes were part of the plan. Show Notes The Artificer continues to stand apart as one of the most unique classes in modern fantasy roleplaying games. In this second installment of our Artificer deep dive, we move beyond the basics and dig into the class features, mechanics, and choices that transform a clever inventor into a walking magical toolbox. We examine how the class blends spellcasting, utility, and support capabilities while maintaining remarkable flexibility. Along the way, we discuss infusions, equipment choices, subclass considerations, and the many ways Artificers can fill gaps in a party composition. Whether you're building a heavily armored front-line inventor, a battlefield support specialist, or a gadget-obsessed problem solver, the class offers an impressive range of options. As always, we explore both the strengths and limitations of the design, highlight practical build advice, and discuss how players can get the most value out of their magical inventions without accidentally turning every session into a product demonstration. Key Takeaways Artificers thrive on versatility and can adapt to a wide variety of party roles. Infusions remain one of the class's defining features and provide significant customization opportunities. Equipment selection often has a larger impact on performance than it does for many other classes. The class rewards players who enjoy planning ahead and thinking creatively about problem solving. Artificers excel at supporting allies through magical items, utility options, and flexible spellcasting. Resource management and preparation are important for maximizing the class's effectiveness. Different subclass choices can dramatically change how the character functions at the table. The class often shines brightest when solving challenges outside of combat. Creative use of tools and class features can frequently accomplish things that other classes cannot. Understanding how your infusions, spells, and equipment interact is key to building an effective character. 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
What happens when tabletop roleplaying moves beyond entertainment and becomes a tool for transformation? On this episode of Continuing Conversations, Jim and Michael sit down with storyteller, educator, and game designer Marcy Brown to explore how roleplaying games can unlock creativity, build empathy, and create deeper learning experiences for young people. As Lead Storyteller with the Mycelium Youth Network, Marcy helps shape spaces where storytelling, community, and youth empowerment intersect—using game-based learning to help students find their voice, build confidence, and imagine new possibilities. If you've ever wondered how RPGs can become powerful tools in the classroom, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. https://linktr.ee/studiotembo
This podcast is historically accurate. You can attack its weak point for massive damage. The era of the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii was a monumental one. The advent of high-definition visuals, the improvement of online play for consoles, and unprecedented console processsing power lead to seven-plus years of generation-defining video games. Naturally, we're here today to talk about the RPGs. Today, four RPGFan panelists compiled a list of ten RPGs that debuted on one or more of the above consoles, and they have a lot to say about them. So which panelist thinks highly of Folklore? How many BioWare games made the cut? How does Final Fantasy XIII figure into this? Listen for all that and more, in today's Retro Encounter! Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Aleks Franiczek, Ben Love, Matt Wardell; Edited by Zach WilkersonOpening and ending music by Miles MorkriGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom
Every tabletop group eventually reaches a point where someone says, We should absolutely not do that. In this episode, that point arrives roughly every thirty seconds. Faced with a secret ghost-harvesting operation, a trapped demon, corrupt Bluecoats, and enough evidence to bring down an entire criminal enterprise, our heroes make a series of carefully considered decisions such as stealing haunted jars, feeding a paralyzed rival to a demon, and debating whether releasing an eldritch horror is a reasonable business strategy. Somehow, these are not even the worst ideas discussed. Show Notes The second part of our Blades in the Dark actual play drops us back into the depths beneath a seemingly ordinary apothecary, where Roper and Talon discover that the illegal leviathan blood refinery is hiding something far worse than drug manufacturing. What begins as a simple investigation quickly spirals into ghost prisons, demonic experiments, and the sort of moral decision-making that only a cult dedicated to a vampire bat god could justify. After encountering a mysterious hospital-like corridor filled with dying victims, the crew discovers that the entire area has been sealed off from the ghost field using occult runes. The situation becomes even stranger when a dead body fails to trigger the usual supernatural alarms, leading Roper to investigate through the ghost field and uncover evidence of a much larger operation at work. Following clues deeper into the complex reveals the refinery's true purpose. Rather than merely refining leviathan blood, the operation is harvesting spirits from dying people and draining them to produce electroplasm. Rows of trapped ghosts, spirit jars, and meticulous records provide the evidence the crew needs, but things become personal when Roper discovers that an old rival named Flint is directly involved in the scheme. The score reaches peak Blades in the Dark chaos when the crew encounters a captive demon being drained for its blood. Faced with an immobilized enemy, a suffering demon, and absolutely no adult supervision, Talon and Roper decide that feeding Flint to the demon is the most efficient solution available. The plan works far better than anyone expected, which immediately makes it everyone's problem. Armed with demon blood, stolen spirit jars, incriminating documents, and several future psychological scars, the cult narrowly escapes while the facility collapses into supernatural disaster behind them. The result is a perfect demonstration of how Blades in the Dark rewards bold decisions, terrible ideas, and players who are willing to embrace the consequences of both. Key Takeaways The score showcases how investigation, stealth, and horror can blend seamlessly in Blades in the Dark. Attuning to the ghost field reveals hidden truths while often creating entirely new problems. The refinery's true purpose is harvesting spirits from dying people and converting them into electroplasm. Spirit jars, hospital records, and captured ghosts provide concrete evidence of the criminal operation. Teamwork mechanics allow players to combine actions and improve their chances of success during critical moments. Talon's alchemical abilities repeatedly save the operation, from paralysis poisons to perfectly timed smoke bombs. Roper's professional hatred of Flint becomes a surprisingly effective motivator. The crew discovers a demon being harvested for its blood, adding another layer to the facility's horrors. Sometimes the easiest way to deal with a rival is letting a demon handle the problem for you. Whether that is a good idea remains debatable. The episode highlights one of Blades in the Dark's greatest strengths: success often comes from turning disasters into opportunities rather than avoiding disasters entirely. 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
Sara's back on her chaos! Join us for a wild mini-series where we pit our old characters from steams past in a Survivor-style gameshow of epic shenaniganery! Join the DMs After Dark Discord! In case you haven't heard, our Redbubble has incredible RuneQuest art by Katrin Dirim available as shirts, stickers, pillows, and more, so check out all our new DMs After Dark merch!! If you enjoy our streams, podcasts (plural! have you checked out the Rene Plays Games podcast?), or just our general nerdiness, please consider giving us a 5-star rating on your podcast app of choice! Like, follow, and subscribe to our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram so you can comment & chat with us about all things RPGs. And, as always, come hang out and catch our live streams on our Twitch or catch up on our YouTube. Music in the Episode: DMs After Dark Theme by Dan Pomfret (@danfrombothbands)
The saga of Chris' yowling companion continues with a story of the broken foster cat! Then the gang gets into the game they've been playing including Dead of Winter, Star Wars The Deck Building Game, Dale of Merchants, Shackleton Base Expansion, Scales of Fate, and a feature review of Chaosmos from designers Matthew Austin, Dani Vigour, and Joey Vigour. Then after Tony T's wild and crazy news segment the Founders talk about the movies and TV shows they're excited about coming out this summer! Dead of Winter: 00:04:39, Star Wars The Deck Building Game: 00:15:13, Dale of Merchants: 00:20:51, Shackleton Base Expansion: 00:29:52, Scales of Fate: 00:35:53, Chaosmos Review: 00:43:35, News with Tony T: 01:22:26, Summer Movie Extravaganza: 02:14:30. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/, Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/ and Prester's Painting at https://www.presterspainting.com/
The Dragon Quest 40th Anniversary livestream has come and gone, and the reaction from fans has been... mixed. After years of silence, Square Enix finally reintroduced Dragon Quest XII, but the announcement raised lots of questions. Why was the game rebuilt from the ground up? What happened during development? Could starting over actually be the best thing that ever happened to the project? Joining me this week is Darryl from Final Fantasy Union as we discuss the Dragon Quest XII reveal, Square Enix's latest financial results, Capcom's remarkable resurgence, and the development philosophies that have separated Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy for nearly forty years. We also dive into the development history of Chrono Trigger, the legacy of Yuji Horii and Hironobu Sakaguchi, and why some classic RPGs continue to resonate with new generations of players decades after their release. Final Fantasy Union https://www.youtube.com/@FinalFantasyUnion Datalog https://www.youtube.com/@thedatalog Defenders of the Crystal Vol. 3 Kickstarter https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/finalfantasyunion/the-defenders-of-the-crystal-an-encyclopedia-of-jobs?ref=b0ixah Hitoshi Sakimoto 40th Anniversary Concert https://www.fairfield.co.uk/events/lmp-the-colours-of-harmony-2026 #DragonQuest #DragonQuestXII #JRPG #ChronoTrigger #FinalFantasy #SquareEnix #StateOfTheArc #ResonantArc Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Guest Introduction (1:25) 3. Hitoshi Sakimoto Concert | Meet Up With Us! (6:03) 4. Dragon Quest 40th Anniversary Livestream Reactions (14:03) 5. Square Enix Latest Financial Report (45:52) 6. Chrono Trigger Retrospective (59:29)
On this week's episode of The RPG Cave, Garret and Ryan give their annual SGF predictions for the world of RPGs. We also talk about the Dragon Quest and Witcher 3 announcements from this week. ★ LINKS ★► Get Exclusive Perks on our Patreon: https://patreon.com/carpoolgaming► Join our amazing Discord community: https://discord.gg/eBKUyABg8U► Get your Carpool Gaming merch: https://carpoolgaming.com/► Check us out on Twitch: https://twitch.tv/carpoolgaminglive► Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/carpoolgaming► Follow on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/carpoolgaming.com★ ULTIMATE PRODUCERS ★Brendan Myers AKA The_WinterGamerJohnathan Brown: https://linktr.ee/pme.jibJonas YoungTony BakerTrucker Sloth★ PLATINUM PRODUCERS ★Brian Reese★ GOLD MEMBERS ★Adam KAwesomeDave1337BennyBrad MooreCecily CarrozzaDan & LumaDannohhEmily O'KelleyJon32LauraLigerWoods330Mr GigglesPatrice MallettePeje EPSteven KellerTechMikeTim Paullin
KB is BACK and AJ Brown is officially gone as the Eagles have shipped him to the New England Patriots. KB gives his raw emotion thoughts on the move and why he's happy we can just move forward now. Then he dives into the Phillies California road trip and breaks down the positives and some unfortunate negatives. He dives through the latest Underground Stats & Info as well around the baseball diamond and then rounds out the show discussing the Waterdogs loss to Carolina in Baltimore. Onboarding Form: forms.gle/mZYnkiQcGv1ZxBSg9 Voicemail Line: speakpipe.com/UndergroundSportsPhiladelphia Support Our Sponsors! The City of Vineland: Looking for something unique? Don't miss the Philly Vintage Flea, a two-day vintage shopping experience at the Vineland Convention Center! on Saturday, May 16-and Sunday, May 17 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Shop over 100 top East Coast vendors with everything from ‘40s classics to early 2000s finds in a curated, pop-up style marketplace. Want the best picks? Grab an Early Bird ticket and get in at 11am, two hours early, which can make all the difference for rare pieces. And whether you're hunting for premium vintage or digging for deals, you'll find items starting as low as just a dollar, with most pieces in that sweet $10 to $50 range.Kids 12 and under get in free, and you'll save money when you buy tickets online. Get yours now at thephillyvintageflea.com! Looking for your next great gaming weekend? Then get ready for Concoction, a brand-new tabletop gaming convention from the team behind the Philadelphia Area Gaming Expo. Happening Friday, May 29th through Sunday, May 31st at the Vineland Convention Center, Concoction brings together players, creators, and exhibitors for a full weekend of board games, RPGs, live-play sessions, and community-driven events. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or just getting started, Concoction is built for everyone, with open gaming, scheduled events, vendors, and special programming in a modern, ADA-accessible space with free parking. Don't miss your chance to be part of the experience. Head to tabletop.events/conventions/concoction to learn more and grab your badge today! '47 Brand Shop for your favorite sports fan and get FREE SHIPPING on ALL orders with '47 Brand! 47.sjv.io/e1Nyor Kenwood Beer Visit kenwoodbeer.com/#finder and see who has Kenwood Beer on tap in YOUR area and crack open an ice cold Kenwood Beer to celebrate the good times! (MUST be 21+ to do so and PLEASE drink responsibly.) Merch & Apparel: www.phiapparel.co/shop + Use Code "UNDERGROUND" for 10% off! PLL App Download the PLL App in the App Store or Google Play Store and in the redeem code section, use code OTBPOD for 500 XP on your account! Biñho Get 10% off your next purchase with code BINHOBENNETT62 from our pals at Biñho! binhoboard.com?bg_ref=pDJkDdNO1y Follow Us! Twitter: twitter.com/UndergroundPHI Instagram: www.instagram.com/undergroundphi/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@undergroundphi KB: twitter.com/KBizzl311 Watch LIVE: YouTube: www.youtube.com/@UndergroundSportsPhiladelphia FB: facebook.com/UndergroundSportsPHI Twitch: twitch.tv/UndergroundsportsPHI Intro Music: Arkells "People's Champ" Outro Music: Arkells "People's Champ" #FlyEaglesFly #PhiladelphiaEagles #Eagles #Phillies #RingTheBell #MLB #Baseball #PLL #PhiladelphiaWaterdogs #podcastcharts #download #review #subscribe #UndergroundIndustries
Didi Braguinha, André Rumjanek e Googlebee comentam as principais notícias do universo dos jogos de tabuleiro e RPG, destacando o crescimento dos grandes eventos presenciais e os anúncios mais recentes do mercado nacional e internacional. O episódio aborda tendências da indústria, novos lançamentos, expansões aguardadas e a movimentação de editoras como Devir, Galápagos, Jambô e outras.Entre financiamentos coletivos, novidades para RPGs, jogos de cartas, jogos de estratégia e títulos licenciados, a conversa passa pelo impacto dos eventos na cultura dos jogos, pelas mudanças no catálogo das editoras e pelas expectativas em torno de produtos que chegam ao mercado nos próximos meses. Um panorama atualizado para quem acompanha o hobby e quer ficar por dentro das novidades.Para saber mais sobre este episódio e os jogos mencionados: Alemães, Gatos e PiratasSe você ainda não conhece ou faz parte, fale conosco no nosso Fabuloso Discord.E para as redes sociais: Fabuloso Podcast no InstagramFabuloso Podcast no YouTubeFabuloso Podcast no TikTokPara comprar camisa do Fabuloso (e outras):Deselegante
Seja apoiador do X do ControleCompre seus jogos na Nuuvem! MARCAÇÕES DE TEMPO(0:00) - Abertura(0:02:58) - Jogos proibidões(0:13:00) - Jogos que ajudaram em momentos difíceis (0:21:01) - A “mainstreamização” dos RPGs(0:31:19) - Mensagem de agradecimento(0:35:12) - EncerramentoCRÉDITOSApresentação: Guilherme Dias e PH Lutti LippeRoteiro: PH Lutti LippeEdição: Gabriel SalesThumbnail: Lucas G. FerreiraSiga o XdC: YouTube | Instagram | Bluesky | Threads | Tik TokNossas plataformas e redesContato: contato@xdocontrole.comContato para anunciantes e parcerias: comercialxdc@gmail.com
We're back, baby! ADHd20 has returned for season five, and we're kicking things off on our new tabletopsyturvy channel by asking one very inconvenient question:What if ease isn't laziness?Inspired by nature, mycelium networks, our cave-dwelling ancestors, AI assistants, and the deeply radical idea that maybe we don't have to make everything harder for ourselves, we're talking about ADHD, TTRPGs, and the path of least resistance.
Every villain thinks they're the hero of their own story. This episode proves that sometimes they're right, and that's what makes them dangerous. Joined by James D'Amato and Dillin Apelyan, we set out to discuss villain backstories and somehow end up creating a supernatural cat-themed criminal mastermind based on Tyler's cat Cora. The result is equal parts masterclass, therapy session, and cautionary tale about what happens when a cat gains both motivation and opposable thumbs. Show Notes This week we welcome James D'Amato and Dillin Apelyan from the One Shot Podcast Network to discuss the art of creating memorable tabletop RPG villains. Drawing from their new book, The Ultimate RPG Villain Backstory Guide, we explore how Game Masters can move beyond simple evil-for-the-sake-of-evil antagonists and build villains with goals, beliefs, flaws, and histories that make them feel alive. The conversation examines why great villains are often reflections of the heroes themselves. We discuss how similar experiences can lead one character toward heroism and another toward villainy, and why understanding a villain's motivations often makes them more frightening rather than more sympathetic. A villain does not need redemption to be compelling. Sometimes knowing exactly why they became terrible only makes their choices more horrifying. To demonstrate the process, the group builds a villain from scratch using exercises from the book. Starting with the simple premise of Tyler's attention-seeking cat, we gradually construct a complex antagonist with needs, ideology, grudges, and a worldview that justifies increasingly terrible behavior. The exercise highlights how quickly a few well-designed prompts can transform a joke character into someone players would genuinely remember. We also discuss villain archetypes, the value of supporting indie RPG creators, experiences within the broader tabletop community, and how character motivations can create richer stories at the table. By the end of the episode, listeners will have practical tools for creating antagonists who challenge players emotionally as well as mechanically. Key Takeaways Great villains are people first and villains second. The most memorable antagonists have understandable desires, fears, and motivations. Even when their actions are unforgivable, players should be able to understand how they arrived at those decisions. A villain does not need to be sympathetic to be interesting. Learning a villain's history is not about excusing their actions. In many cases, understanding their choices makes them even more terrifying because they knowingly embraced a destructive path. Villains become stronger when they reflect the heroes. Some of the best antagonists share experiences, values, or struggles with the protagonists. The difference is often how they responded to those challenges, creating powerful thematic contrasts. Motivation matters more than evil. Players engage more deeply with villains who are pursuing something meaningful to them rather than simply causing destruction. Goals, needs, and personal stakes create stronger stories than random cruelty. Villain archetypes are tools, not restrictions. The book's archetypes can be combined to create unique antagonists. Mixing traits from multiple archetypes allows Game Masters to build villains that feel distinct and unpredictable. Corruption is often more interesting than conquest. Some villains do not just want to win. They want to prove they are right by pulling others into their worldview, tempting heroes and bystanders to compromise their values along the way. The people around a villain matter. Followers, allies, rivals, and victims help define who a villain is. These relationships create story hooks, reveal personality traits, and show the broader impact of the villain's actions. Small details create memorable antagonists. A villain's habits, grudges, insecurities, and personal beliefs often leave a stronger impression than their grand plans. Players remember personalities more than stat blocks. Building villains can be surprisingly collaborative. The episode's running joke about Cora evolves into a fully realized antagonist because everyone contributes ideas and follows the logical consequences of those choices. Villain creation often works best as an iterative process. Every campaign can benefit from a villain who feels alive. Whether your antagonist is a dark lord, corrupt noble, cult leader, or attention-starved cat, giving them a believable history and motivation will make every encounter more meaningful. 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
Gaming and Sci-Fi News: What You Need to Know Discover the latest gaming and sci-fi news, including updates on Baldur’s Gate, new Conan the Barbarian film, and a tribute to voice actor Tom Kane. Perfect for gamers and sci-fi fans alike. Are you a gaming or sci-fi enthusiast looking for the latest updates? If so, you're in the right place! In this post, we'll cover some exciting news from the worlds of gaming and sci-fi, including the cancellation of Baldur’s Gate 4, the upcoming Conan the Barbarian film, and a heartfelt tribute to a beloved voice actor. Let’s dive in! The Cancellation of Baldur’s Gate 4 The gaming community was recently hit with disappointing news: Baldur’s Gate 4 has been officially canceled. This decision comes after the release of Baldur’s Gate 3, which, while visually stunning, failed to capture the magic of the original titles. For many gamers, Baldur’s Gate 1 and 2 are iconic, setting foundational standards for RPGs. Why Was Baldur’s Gate 4 Canceled? Lack of Player Engagement: Despite its hype, Baldur’s Gate 3 didn't reignite the passion for the franchise like its predecessors. Many players felt it focused too much on graphics at the expense of gameplay depth. Shifts in Development Focus: The team behind Baldur’s Gate has shifted resources to other projects, leading to the decision to cancel the sequel. Community Feedback: Developers often rely on community feedback, and the mixed reviews for Baldur’s Gate 3 likely influenced this decision. A Tribute to Tom Kane In a somber turn of events, the gaming and sci-fi communities mourn the passing of Tom Kane, a talented voice actor known for his roles in iconic franchises, including Star Wars. Kane brought to life several characters, including Jedi Master Yoda and Magneto, and his contributions to the industry will not be forgotten. Remembering Tom Kane Versatile Talent: Kane’s ability to adapt his voice for different characters made him a favorite among fans. Legacy in Voice Acting: His work in series like The Clone Wars and various video games has left a lasting impact on the industry. Community Reaction: Fans and colleagues alike have shared tributes, celebrating his life and career. The Return of Conan the Barbarian On a brighter note, the legendary Conan the Barbarian is making a comeback! A new film is set to be released, stirring excitement among fans of the franchise. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who famously played Conan in the original film, may return in some capacity. What to Expect from the New Film Sequel or Remake? While details are still scarce, it's rumored that the new film could be a sequel, possibly featuring an older Conan passing the torch to a new generation. Production Team: The involvement of experienced filmmakers is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the classic tale. Cultural Impact: Conan’s enduring legacy in the fantasy genre highlights the character’s significance, making this film highly anticipated. Conclusion In this post, we've explored the latest updates from the gaming and sci-fi worlds, including the unfortunate cancellation of Baldur’s Gate 4, a tribute to the late Tom Kane, and the exciting return of Conan the Barbarian. These stories remind us of the ever-evolving nature of our favorite genres. Key Takeaways Baldur’s Gate 4 has been canceled due to mixed reviews and development shifts. Tom Kane’s legacy as a voice actor will be cherished in the community. A new Conan the Barbarian film is on the horizon, promising to excite fans. The post Episode 514 – Lanterns, Disclosure Day, Baldur’s Gate 4 appeared first on Podcast4Scifi.
Send us Fan MailFresh off the milestone 100th episode, Ty and Troy kick off "Season 2" of Playin' & Slayin' with a discussion about new editions in tabletop gaming. They share recent gaming adventures, hobby projects, crowdfunding finds, books, podcasts, and video games before diving into when a new edition improves a game—and when it misses the mark. From Warhammer 40K and Age of Sigmar to Dungeons & Dragons, X-Wing, Space Hulk, and classic board games, the hosts explore how rules updates can breathe new life into a game or leave players behind.Playin' and Slayin' is proud to be a member of the Tabletop Battles Media Network. Find more podcasts like this one at https://tabletopbattles.com/
The Artificer is the only class in D&D where a player can confidently say, I have a solution for this, then spend forty-five minutes opening character sheets, checking infusions, reorganizing inventory, building a robot dog, enchanting a teapot, and accidentally inventing OSHA violations. Meanwhile the Barbarian solved the problem by hitting it with a chair twenty minutes ago. Show Notes This week we rolled up our sleeves, emptied the tool bag onto the workbench, and dove into one of D&D's most complicated and delightfully chaotic classes. The Artificer promises magic, gadgets, inventions, and endless customization, but it also comes with enough moving parts to make some Wizards nervous. We explored what makes the class tick, where it shines, and why it rewards players who enjoy fiddling with builds as much as actually playing them. The class is built around adaptability, magical crafting, and having an answer for almost every problem if you planned ahead enough. We dug into subclass choices and the different flavors of magical engineering. Whether you want potion-fueled support, a walking tank suit, magical artillery, or a robot companion ready to throw itself into danger, there is an option that fits. The discussion highlighted how each subclass dramatically changes the feel of the character while still keeping that core identity of magical problem solver intact. Of course, being an Artificer also means embracing analysis paralysis. Spells, infusions, tools, prepared items, crafting decisions, and magic item choices all compete for your attention. If you love optimization puzzles this class is paradise. If not, you may suddenly understand why the Fighter sleeps so well at night. Key Takeaways Artificers thrive on versatility and can fill support, utility, blasting, healing, and frontline roles depending on build choices. Infusions are one of the class's defining features and effectively let characters hand out custom magic items early in a campaign. Subclass selection heavily shapes playstyle: Alchemist focuses on support and healing Armorer becomes a magical tank Artillerist leans into blasting Battle Smith gains the Steel Defender companion The class rewards players who enjoy planning, tinkering, and character optimization more than simple turn-by-turn gameplay. Tool proficiencies and crafting are central to the fantasy, even if tables vary widely in how often they matter. The Artificer's spellcasting style is unique and leans heavily into using tools and infused objects as magical focuses. Waving lockpicks around while casting spells remains objectively funny. 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
KB is BACK and kicks things off with the Phillies LOVELY sweep of the San Diego Padres! He discusses Aaron Nola's incredible performance and brings his thoughts to the table on what it could mean for the Phils if Nola gets his season back on track. Then he discusses Cristopher Sanchez's record-breaking performance and why he's the best pitcher in baseball. Then KB is joined by Philadelphia Waterdogs attack Jake Taylor for this week's Waterdogs Weekly ahead of the 'Dogs Saturday Night Lacrosse matchup against the Carolina Chaos in Baltimore. Then he touches on Eagles OTAs and then rounds out the show talking about the Philadelphia Union firing Bradley Carnell and naming a new Sporting Director. Onboarding Form: forms.gle/mZYnkiQcGv1ZxBSg9 Voicemail Line: speakpipe.com/UndergroundSportsPhiladelphia Support Our Sponsors! The City of Vineland: Looking for something unique? Don't miss the Philly Vintage Flea, a two-day vintage shopping experience at the Vineland Convention Center! on Saturday, May 16-and Sunday, May 17 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Shop over 100 top East Coast vendors with everything from ‘40s classics to early 2000s finds in a curated, pop-up style marketplace. Want the best picks? Grab an Early Bird ticket and get in at 11am, two hours early, which can make all the difference for rare pieces. And whether you're hunting for premium vintage or digging for deals, you'll find items starting as low as just a dollar, with most pieces in that sweet $10 to $50 range.Kids 12 and under get in free, and you'll save money when you buy tickets online. Get yours now at thephillyvintageflea.com! Looking for your next great gaming weekend? Then get ready for Concoction, a brand-new tabletop gaming convention from the team behind the Philadelphia Area Gaming Expo. Happening Friday, May 29th through Sunday, May 31st at the Vineland Convention Center, Concoction brings together players, creators, and exhibitors for a full weekend of board games, RPGs, live-play sessions, and community-driven events. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or just getting started, Concoction is built for everyone, with open gaming, scheduled events, vendors, and special programming in a modern, ADA-accessible space with free parking. Don't miss your chance to be part of the experience. Head to tabletop.events/conventions/concoction to learn more and grab your badge today! '47 Brand Shop for your favorite sports fan and get FREE SHIPPING on ALL orders with '47 Brand! 47.sjv.io/e1Nyor Kenwood Beer Visit kenwoodbeer.com/#finder and see who has Kenwood Beer on tap in YOUR area and crack open an ice cold Kenwood Beer to celebrate the good times! (MUST be 21+ to do so and PLEASE drink responsibly.) Merch & Apparel: www.phiapparel.co/shop + Use Code "UNDERGROUND" for 10% off! PLL App Download the PLL App in the App Store or Google Play Store and in the redeem code section, use code OTBPOD for 500 XP on your account! Biñho Get 10% off your next purchase with code BINHOBENNETT62 from our pals at Biñho! binhoboard.com?bg_ref=pDJkDdNO1y Follow Us! Twitter: twitter.com/UndergroundPHI Instagram: www.instagram.com/undergroundphi/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@undergroundphi KB: twitter.com/KBizzl311 Watch LIVE: YouTube: www.youtube.com/@UndergroundSportsPhiladelphia FB: facebook.com/UndergroundSportsPHI Twitch: twitch.tv/UndergroundsportsPHI Intro Music: Arkells "People's Champ" Outro Music: Arkells "People's Champ" #Phillies #RingTheBell #MLB #Baseball #PLL #PhiladelphiaWaterdogs #Guest #Interview #JakeTaylor #DOOP #MLS #podcastcharts #download #review #subscribe #UndergroundIndustries
What are the best RPGs for someone who has never played a JRPG before? Which games teach the foundations of the genre without overwhelming new players? And which games can genuinely turn a casual player into a lifelong fan? We break down why games like Chrono Trigger, Dragon Quest, Pokémon Yellow, Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, Persona 5, Golden Sun, EarthBound, Suikoden II, Super Mario RPG, and Final Fantasy IV remain some of the most approachable and emotionally resonant entry points into the genre. Along the way, we talk about: Why turn-based combat is NOT outdated, the hidden brilliance of abstraction in classic JRPG design, why Pokémon “hacks into the childhood psyche”, how JRPGs teach players complex systems intuitively, why nostalgia is actually a good thing, and the games we'd introduce to our own children. Whether you're trying to introduce a friend, spouse, or child to JRPGs for the first time, or you're just reflecting on the games that shaped you, this was one of our favorite conversations in a long time. #JRPG #ChronoTrigger #FinalFantasy #Pokemon #Persona5 #EarthBound #Suikoden #GoldenSun #Nintendo #RetroGaming #VideoGames #ResonantArc Time Codes: 1. Introduction (0:00) 2. Chrono Trigger (4:09) 3. Dragon Quest (9:23) 4. Pokémon (19:19) 5. Ni No Kuni (31:30) 6. Persona 5 (43:00) 7. Golden Sun (50:05) 8. Earthbound (56:55) 9. Suikoden I & II (1:06:30) 10. Final Fantasy IV (1:17:43) Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc Subscribe Star: https://www.subscribestar.com/resonant-arc Twitter: https://twitter.com/resonantarc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resonantarc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resonantarc TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@resonantarc
In Episode 118 of The Secret Cabal Express, Don, Chris, Tony, and Jamie discuss the many motivations that draw people to tabletop gaming and keep them coming back for more. The gang explores competition, mastery, socialization, a sense of belonging, relaxation, flow state, evangelism, teaching, and the joy of collecting. Enjoy!
What a show we have planned for you today. We have lots of MAGA moments. Things that will make you proud to be on the Right side of the island.I love where we are right now as conservatives. I peruse the news every day, and I know that there are no pipe bombs waiting to go off. Now Democrats will shoot RPGs at us, but they bounce off, or they are Chinese-made and don't explode.Still Leftists are dangerous, and want to do us harm. The WH shooter, we discussed him yesterday, but we didn't discuss the man who had Trump House. He was killed by Leftists.I haven't checked, but what does Polymarket have on Ilhan Omar getting indicted?The fact that Republicans are naming names is significant. This is DefCon1 for Democrats. It's only one small step to the executioner's chamber, once you're called out.Omar is scared, and she has reason to be. Still, she claims that she's being targeted not for her alleged participation in the frauds, but for being a Muslim.[X] SB – Ilhan Omar says she's targeted for being a MuslimThese people are disgustingAnd believing in this weird sh*t…I'm going to revisit datacenters soon, as I've done a bit more research. Also, I will be discussing American restraint soon. And that show will be worth the price of admission.Right now I want to tell you why racism and Islamophobia is losing its grip.Black Leftists have pretty much used that up. In fact, here's Aaron McGruder, the creator of a Black cartoon called Boondocks.Time is running out. Moral currency used up. White Americans have lost sympathy for blacks.White people have stopped caring. Because they are suffering.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
KB is BACK and kicks off the show discussing the Phillies rough homestand vs the State of Ohio and how they continue to lose games they have ZERO business losing. Then he dives into Underground Stats & Info, Tyrese Maxey making the NBA All-Pro 3rd Team, the Knicks making the NBA Finals, and the Union being absolutely dreadful. Onboarding Form: forms.gle/mZYnkiQcGv1ZxBSg9 Voicemail Line: speakpipe.com/UndergroundSportsPhiladelphia Support Our Sponsors! The City of Vineland: Looking for something unique? Don't miss the Philly Vintage Flea, a two-day vintage shopping experience at the Vineland Convention Center! on Saturday, May 16-and Sunday, May 17 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Shop over 100 top East Coast vendors with everything from ‘40s classics to early 2000s finds in a curated, pop-up style marketplace. Want the best picks? Grab an Early Bird ticket and get in at 11am, two hours early, which can make all the difference for rare pieces. And whether you're hunting for premium vintage or digging for deals, you'll find items starting as low as just a dollar, with most pieces in that sweet $10 to $50 range.Kids 12 and under get in free, and you'll save money when you buy tickets online. Get yours now at thephillyvintageflea.com! Looking for your next great gaming weekend? Then get ready for Concoction, a brand-new tabletop gaming convention from the team behind the Philadelphia Area Gaming Expo. Happening Friday, May 29th through Sunday, May 31st at the Vineland Convention Center, Concoction brings together players, creators, and exhibitors for a full weekend of board games, RPGs, live-play sessions, and community-driven events. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or just getting started, Concoction is built for everyone, with open gaming, scheduled events, vendors, and special programming in a modern, ADA-accessible space with free parking. Don't miss your chance to be part of the experience. Head to tabletop.events/conventions/concoction to learn more and grab your badge today! '47 Brand Shop for your favorite sports fan and get FREE SHIPPING on ALL orders with '47 Brand! 47.sjv.io/e1Nyor Kenwood Beer Visit kenwoodbeer.com/#finder and see who has Kenwood Beer on tap in YOUR area and crack open an ice cold Kenwood Beer to celebrate the good times! (MUST be 21+ to do so and PLEASE drink responsibly.) Merch & Apparel: www.phiapparel.co/shop + Use Code "UNDERGROUND" for 10% off! PLL App Download the PLL App in the App Store or Google Play Store and in the redeem code section, use code OTBPOD for 500 XP on your account! Biñho Get 10% off your next purchase with code BINHOBENNETT62 from our pals at Biñho! binhoboard.com?bg_ref=pDJkDdNO1y Follow Us! Twitter: twitter.com/UndergroundPHI Instagram: www.instagram.com/undergroundphi/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@undergroundphi KB: twitter.com/KBizzl311 Watch LIVE: YouTube: www.youtube.com/@UndergroundSportsPhiladelphia FB: facebook.com/UndergroundSportsPHI Twitch: twitch.tv/UndergroundsportsPHI Intro Music: Arkells "People's Champ" Outro Music: Arkells "People's Champ" #Phillies #RingTheBell #MLB #Baseball #NBA #MLS #podcastcharts #download #review #subscribe #UndergroundIndustries
Bruce Bechtol details North Korea's massive military support for Russia and Middle Eastern proxies in Rogue Allies. North Korea has supplied Russia with 20,000 containers of munitions and 60% of its artillery shells for the war in Ukraine. In the Middle East, North Korea trained Syria in chemical warfare and constructed a 45-kilometer tunnel network for Hezbollah in Lebanon. Weapons like RPGs and machine guns are also supplied to Hamas. China remains a crucial facilitator, providing the dual-use technology necessary for North Korea's robust military-industrial complex. (3/4)JUNE 1958