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In Volume 1 of The Best of The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast, we're cracking open the vault and revisiting some of the wildest, weirdest, and most unforgettable moments from the show's history. We're talking chicken wing sauce on the cards, Catwoman miniatures, Turkey Man, the Wood Booger, anal beads, Chris playing with a pig, Steve Dice Clay, Tony's bathroom habits and night terrors, and almost getting kicked out of Origins Game Fair. It's wild, crazy, bananas, boombastic, brilliant, magnificent, monumental and meshugenah - it's The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast.
Sam Richardson (Detroiters, The After Party) joins Heather, Nick and Matt to talk about building gaming PCs and Roguelite RPGs! Check out our brand new merch at kinshipgoods.com/getplayed Follow us on social media @getplayedpodMusic by Ben Prunty benpruntymusic.com Art by Duck Brigade duckbrigade.com For our exclusive show Get Played DLC, ad-free main feed episodes, our complete back catalogue including How Did This Get Played? episodes go to patreon.com/getplayed Join us on our Discord server here: https://discord.gg/getplayed Wanna leave us a voicemail? Call 616-2-PLAYED (616-275-2933) or write us an email at getplayedpod@gmail.com Advertise on Get Played via Gumball.fm All of our links can be found at linktree.com/getplayedpodSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
//The Wire//1900Z February 23, 2026////ROUTINE////BLUF: SECRET SERVICE NEUTRALIZES GUNMAN AT MAR-A-LAGO. BUILDUP CONTINUES IN MIDDLE EAST AS MASS EVACUATIONS BEGIN. CONFLICT REMAINS INTENSE IN MEXICO.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events-Mexico: Following yesterday's intense fighting in Jalisco, most airlines have canceled flights out of Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. The main hospital in Guadalajara was evacuated for a few hours, after CJNG forces threatened to attack the facility due to rumors that wounded Federal forces were being treated there. The National Guard base in San Juan de Los Lagos was attacked with explosives (possibly RPGs), which resulted in several casualties.Far to the north, schools throughout Baja and Tijuana have been cancelled for all levels of education until further notice, and various Cartel-affiliated social media pages have declared a 10:00pm curfew for civilians, announcing that anyone caught outside after this hour will be shot.Concerning casualties sustained so far, Government forces report a total of 25x KIA as of this morning, most of which occurred as a result of the attack on the National Guard base. For CJNG, casualties are not known, as they usually withdraw with their wounded/dead without disclosing casualty figures until much later (if at all).Analyst Comment: Officially, the position of the Federal government is that absolutely nothing is happening whatsoever. This morning, President Sheinbaum stated several times that no blockades were in place, no engagements took place at all this morning, and everything is perfectly calm. This is mostly a lie, as multiple arson attacks have been reported this morning, but it's the story that the federales are sticking to. It is true that the knee-jerk response yesterday was an intense flash-in-the-pan, however much more substantial resources are staging throughout the nation, as many different cartels get ready for a protracted fight, if that is the chosen course of action.At lower levels of government, officials are not taking any chances. Authorities being concerned enough to cancel classes and close businesses in Baja is interesting as most people thought that this state was entirely controlled by the Sinaloa Cartel...not CJNG. This also means that conflict is likely to spread throughout the country, not just Jalisco where the violence first began. Cross border-conflict has not yet been observed in American border towns just yet, however with the speed at which hostilities have developed, a hot, shooting war can break out in any location at any time.-HomeFront-Florida: Over the weekend, a suspected assassination attempt was reported at Mar-a-Lago, after an assailant armed with a shotgun and incendiary materials breached the inner perimeter of the compound. Sunday morning, the US Secret Service posted a press statement confirming that one suspect had been killed at Mar-a-Lago after breaching a perimeter fence.Analyst Comment: Due to the sensitivity of the site, zero details have been provided on where the suspect breached the fence, or where the individual was engaged within the compound. No information has been posted regarding the shooter's identity or motive for the attack.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: In the Middle East, wartime preparations continue as before. Meanwhile on the diplomatic front, negotiations between the United States and Iran are scheduled to resume in Geneva on Thursday. Over the weekend, the Iranian diplomatic delegation was presented with a letter from the United States, outlining the proposals for limits on the Iranian missile program. As the Iranians have stated from the very start that their missile program itself is not up for discussion in any way, they returned the letter, reportedly unopened. At the time, most surmised that this was the last chance the Iranians h
"If [I] start thinking about the details, [I] will either go down the wrong pathand not record or [I'll] talk [my]self out of it." ISBW 22.3 I finally finished the archives, and learned quite a bit about myself, not all good things. We also touch on Hugo season, book club scams, and AI publicists. This post went live for supporters on February 20, 2026. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon! Notes I FINISHED THE ARCHIVES! Now I just have to figure out how to release them. Hugo voting is open! I'm playing Dispatch and Clair Obscur, which are going to be my nominations for the Best Game Hugo. Dispatch has made me think a lot about interactive fiction. Beware the newest book club scam. I want to stream some solo-RPGs. I'm considering ION HEART, Midnight Muscadines, and A Perfect Rock. Annalee Newitz and Charlie Jane Anders made pure gold with Our Opinions Are Correct. Check out my 2026 appearances thus far! Next one is Ret-Con in Durham, NC, March 6-8. Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing. Socials: Bluesky, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate Theme by John Anealio Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! — Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. You can also support by leaving a Spotify or Apple review! CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja, and files hosted by Libsyn. Get archives of the show via Patreon. February 23, 2025 | ISBW 22.3 | murverse.com "977 Episodes: What Have I Learned?" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 In case it wasn't clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.
In this episode of the Game Deflators podcast, hosts John and Ryan discuss their recent game pickups, including horror titles and RPGs, and share insights on the gaming industry, including Sony's monetization strategies and the closure of Bluepoint Games. They also review Michael Jackson's Moonwalker, highlighting its gameplay and nostalgic value, while addressing broader industry trends and controversies in fast news segments. 00:00 Introduction to the Game Deflators Podcast 01:27 Recent Game Pickups and Discussions 06:00 Current Gameplay Experiences 10:12 Fast News and Industry Insights 24:53 The Necessity of Mini Games in Storytelling 27:50 Monetization Strategies for PS5 33:00 The Closure of Bluepoint Games 38:42 Michael Jackson's Moonwalker: A Retro Review Find us on TheGameDeflators.com Twitter - www.twitter.com/GameDeflators Facebook - www.facebook.com/TheGameDeflators Instagram - www.instagram.com/thegamedeflators The views and opinions expressed on this channel are solely those of the author. The content within these recordings are property of their respective Designers, Writers, Creators, Owners, Organizations, Companies and Producers. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted. Permission for intro and outro music provided by Matthew Huffaker http://www.youtube.com/user/teknoaxe 2_25_18
Join the RPGBOT crew as they wrap up their Pulp Cthulhu experiment — answering listener questions, unpacking mechanics, debating wizard builds, and confirming once and for all that Pulp Cthulhu is less "existential dread" and more "Indiana Jones punches Nazis with a jetpack." Show Notes The finale Q&A session closes out the RPGBOT Quickstart series on Pulp Cthulhu with a reflective, mechanics-focused discussion on how the system actually played at the table. Framed as a conversation between players and Keeper, the episode explores whether the rules felt intuitive, what stood out, and how pulp action changes the traditional Call of Cthulhu experience. The discussion opens with character advancement — a system largely inherited from Classic Call of Cthulhu. Skills that succeed during play are marked, and during the development phase players roll to see if they improve — ironically increasing faster in weaker skills than stronger ones. This reinforces the system's organic growth model and is supplemented in Pulp by rewards like bonus Luck for completing story arcs. From there, the hosts explore how survivability mechanics shift the tone. Luck emerges as a defining feature of pulp play, enabling cinematic survival and bold risk-taking. The group reflects on moments where characters survived explosive stunts specifically because Luck allowed them to — a core distinction from the deadlier classic ruleset. Combat mechanics and optimization debates dominate the mid-episode. The team examines whether investing in unarmed combat can ever compete with firearms, concluding that while high damage bonuses and melee weapons help, impaling weapons and guns remain significantly deadlier due to extreme success multipliers. This highlights the game's grounded lethality — fists can work, but physics (and dice math) favor bullets. The Q&A also ventures into magic, psychic powers, and build decisions. Spellcasting is contextualized as powerful but dangerous, balanced by sanity costs and narrative risk. Psychic abilities, meanwhile, shine in investigation-driven play, especially those focused on information gathering rather than raw damage. Beyond mechanics, the episode emphasizes tone. Pulp Cthulhu thrives on cinematic improvisation and narrative escalation — encouraging Keepers to "yes-and" player creativity while maintaining credible stakes. The system sits between absurd heroics and genuine peril, echoing adventure films where quips and danger coexist. Balancing that tone is presented as the central challenge for running the game effectively. The session concludes with reflections comparing Classic and Pulp styles. Players note that pulp's higher success rates and survivability foster emotional investment and character attachment, contrasting with the grim inevitability of failure common in classic play. Ultimately, the Q&A serves as both debrief and endorsement — showcasing Pulp Cthulhu as a system that rewards boldness, supports cinematic storytelling, and invites players to lean into chaotic adventure while still respecting cosmic horror roots. Key Takeaways Character advancement mirrors Classic Call of Cthulhu — succeed during play, roll during development, and weaker skills grow fastest. Completing story arcs can reward extra Luck, reinforcing heroic pulp progression. Luck fundamentally changes survivability, enabling high-risk cinematic actions. Guns dominate combat efficiency due to impale mechanics and damage scaling. Melee can compete with investment and weapon choice, but fists alone lag behind ranged lethality. Psychic and investigative abilities often outperform damage powers in mystery-focused play. Spellcasting offers powerful tools but trades stability for sanity and narrative risk. Pulp tone encourages improvisation and cinematic problem-solving over tactical rigidity. Keeper skill lies in balancing absurd heroics with meaningful stakes. Compared to Classic, Pulp promotes character attachment through higher success and survivability. 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
AI game creatives just made another massive leap. In this episode, we break down 127 new creatives across Dark War, Top Heroes, Township and more and the quality jump in just one month is honestly insane.We're talking:• Full anime-quality world model sequences• AI influencers everywhere (grandmas, gamers, street interviews)• 50+ completely different “games” promoted under one title• Movie-level 4X fantasy ads• Hyper-niche creative strategy instead of broad targetingThis is not an incremental improvement. This is a structural shift in how UA works. If you run paid UA, creative production, or mobile marketing… this episode is mandatory.
Join us for a fast‑paced episode of the Pop Culture Gamers Podcast, packed with the latest in gaming and pop culture. We dive into Nobody Wants to Die, Taito Arcade 1 on Evercade, and Gamerscore hunts with Dino Escape and Little Cat: The Lost Key. We also break down Oblivion Remastered, Elder Scrolls Online, Kingdom Come Deliverance, Stalker 2, Atomfall, Rage, Elex 2, and Assassin's Creed Mirage. On the Movies, TV and Streaming, we chat about Predator: Badlands, Ballerina, the new Muppets Show, Marvel's Wonder Man, Seat Pea, and all the drama coming in Traitors USA Season 4.If you love gaming news, retro hits, big RPGs, survival titles, and the latest pop‑culture drops, this episode has it all.
Join the RPGBOT crew as they wrap up their Pulp Cthulhu experiment — answering listener questions, unpacking mechanics, debating wizard builds, and confirming once and for all that Pulp Cthulhu is less "existential dread" and more "Indiana Jones punches Nazis with a jetpack." Show Notes The finale Q&A session closes out the RPGBOT Quickstart series on Pulp Cthulhu with a reflective, mechanics-focused discussion on how the system actually played at the table. Framed as a conversation between players and Keeper, the episode explores whether the rules felt intuitive, what stood out, and how pulp action changes the traditional Call of Cthulhu experience. The discussion opens with character advancement — a system largely inherited from Classic Call of Cthulhu. Skills that succeed during play are marked, and during the development phase players roll to see if they improve — ironically increasing faster in weaker skills than stronger ones. This reinforces the system's organic growth model and is supplemented in Pulp by rewards like bonus Luck for completing story arcs. From there, the hosts explore how survivability mechanics shift the tone. Luck emerges as a defining feature of pulp play, enabling cinematic survival and bold risk-taking. The group reflects on moments where characters survived explosive stunts specifically because Luck allowed them to — a core distinction from the deadlier classic ruleset. Combat mechanics and optimization debates dominate the mid-episode. The team examines whether investing in unarmed combat can ever compete with firearms, concluding that while high damage bonuses and melee weapons help, impaling weapons and guns remain significantly deadlier due to extreme success multipliers. This highlights the game's grounded lethality — fists can work, but physics (and dice math) favor bullets. The Q&A also ventures into magic, psychic powers, and build decisions. Spellcasting is contextualized as powerful but dangerous, balanced by sanity costs and narrative risk. Psychic abilities, meanwhile, shine in investigation-driven play, especially those focused on information gathering rather than raw damage. Beyond mechanics, the episode emphasizes tone. Pulp Cthulhu thrives on cinematic improvisation and narrative escalation — encouraging Keepers to "yes-and" player creativity while maintaining credible stakes. The system sits between absurd heroics and genuine peril, echoing adventure films where quips and danger coexist. Balancing that tone is presented as the central challenge for running the game effectively. The session concludes with reflections comparing Classic and Pulp styles. Players note that pulp's higher success rates and survivability foster emotional investment and character attachment, contrasting with the grim inevitability of failure common in classic play. Ultimately, the Q&A serves as both debrief and endorsement — showcasing Pulp Cthulhu as a system that rewards boldness, supports cinematic storytelling, and invites players to lean into chaotic adventure while still respecting cosmic horror roots. Key Takeaways Character advancement mirrors Classic Call of Cthulhu — succeed during play, roll during development, and weaker skills grow fastest. Completing story arcs can reward extra Luck, reinforcing heroic pulp progression. Luck fundamentally changes survivability, enabling high-risk cinematic actions. Guns dominate combat efficiency due to impale mechanics and damage scaling. Melee can compete with investment and weapon choice, but fists alone lag behind ranged lethality. Psychic and investigative abilities often outperform damage powers in mystery-focused play. Spellcasting offers powerful tools but trades stability for sanity and narrative risk. Pulp tone encourages improvisation and cinematic problem-solving over tactical rigidity. Keeper skill lies in balancing absurd heroics with meaningful stakes. Compared to Classic, Pulp promotes character attachment through higher success and survivability. 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
We tend to run long, so this tangent from our Starfleet Academy episode was cut out. If you want to hear a little chatter about comics and RPGs, then it's here.
New episode featuring content creator, TMNT Super Fan and Retro Gamer Grace Guillory (@thequeen22).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-deal-with-courtney-harden--3678816/support.
We tend to run long, so this tangent from our Starfleet Academy episode was cut out. If you want to hear a little chatter about comics and RPGs, then it’s here. [ Full Show Notes ]The post Casual Tangent: Akira and Game Design first appeared on Nerd & Tie Network.
Every tabletop party eventually meets the same terrifying monster: Not a dragon. Not a lich. Not even a gelatinous cube. No — it's the moment the GM says: "Okay… what do you say to the Duke?" Suddenly the barbarian who decapitated three ogres can't order soup, the bard becomes a hostage negotiator, and someone is Googling "how to Persuasion check in real life." This episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast dives headfirst into the chaotic intersection of roleplay, mechanics, and social awkwardness — breaking down how social skills in TTRPGs, navigating complex social encounters, and roleplaying character interactions can turn conversations into some of the most memorable moments at the table. Show Notes In this episode, the RPGBOT crew explores the nuanced world of social skills in tabletop roleplaying games, unpacking how conversation, persuasion, deception, and negotiation function as core gameplay pillars alongside combat and exploration. The discussion centers on the challenge of translating real-world communication into structured mechanics — and how systems like D&D social interaction checks, Pathfinder diplomacy mechanics, and broader TTRPG roleplay frameworks attempt to balance player performance with character capability. The hosts examine how navigating complex social interactions in TTRPGs often requires collaboration between players and Game Masters. They discuss the importance of establishing expectations around roleplay depth, whether tables prioritize immersive acting or streamlined dice-driven resolution. Through examples ranging from tense political intrigue to comedic tavern banter, the episode highlights how roleplaying character personality traits, leveraging skill proficiencies, and creative problem-solving in narrative encounters can shape outcomes without drawing a weapon. Attention is also given to GM facilitation strategies, including setting clear stakes for social encounters, rewarding clever dialogue, and avoiding binary success/failure outcomes. The conversation underscores how layered NPC motivations, faction dynamics, and evolving story consequences elevate social encounter design for Game Masters beyond simple skill checks into meaningful storytelling tools. Ultimately, the episode frames social play as a vital storytelling engine — encouraging players to embrace vulnerability, experimentation, and collaborative narrative building. Whether negotiating peace treaties, bluffing through palace intrigue, or convincing a dragon not to eat you, mastering tabletop roleplaying social mechanics expands the emotional and strategic scope of any campaign. Key Takeaways Social encounters are a core gameplay pillar alongside combat and exploration in modern TTRPG design Balancing player roleplay ability vs character skill stats is essential for fairness and immersion Clear expectations at Session Zero help define roleplay depth and mechanical reliance Dice rolls should support narrative outcomes — not replace meaningful interaction GMs can improve engagement by defining stakes, motivations, and consequences for NPCs Layered social encounters encourage creative problem-solving beyond combat solutions Rewarding clever dialogue and character-driven choices strengthens table investment Failure in social situations should create story complications, not dead ends Strong social play enhances campaign tone, character development, and group collaboration Mastering TTRPG communication and persuasion mechanics leads to richer storytelling moments 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 tabletop party eventually meets the same terrifying monster: Not a dragon. Not a lich. Not even a gelatinous cube. No — it's the moment the GM says: "Okay… what do you say to the Duke?" Suddenly the barbarian who decapitated three ogres can't order soup, the bard becomes a hostage negotiator, and someone is Googling "how to Persuasion check in real life." This episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast dives headfirst into the chaotic intersection of roleplay, mechanics, and social awkwardness — breaking down how social skills in TTRPGs, navigating complex social encounters, and roleplaying character interactions can turn conversations into some of the most memorable moments at the table. Show Notes In this episode, the RPGBOT crew explores the nuanced world of social skills in tabletop roleplaying games, unpacking how conversation, persuasion, deception, and negotiation function as core gameplay pillars alongside combat and exploration. The discussion centers on the challenge of translating real-world communication into structured mechanics — and how systems like D&D social interaction checks, Pathfinder diplomacy mechanics, and broader TTRPG roleplay frameworks attempt to balance player performance with character capability. The hosts examine how navigating complex social interactions in TTRPGs often requires collaboration between players and Game Masters. They discuss the importance of establishing expectations around roleplay depth, whether tables prioritize immersive acting or streamlined dice-driven resolution. Through examples ranging from tense political intrigue to comedic tavern banter, the episode highlights how roleplaying character personality traits, leveraging skill proficiencies, and creative problem-solving in narrative encounters can shape outcomes without drawing a weapon. Attention is also given to GM facilitation strategies, including setting clear stakes for social encounters, rewarding clever dialogue, and avoiding binary success/failure outcomes. The conversation underscores how layered NPC motivations, faction dynamics, and evolving story consequences elevate social encounter design for Game Masters beyond simple skill checks into meaningful storytelling tools. Ultimately, the episode frames social play as a vital storytelling engine — encouraging players to embrace vulnerability, experimentation, and collaborative narrative building. Whether negotiating peace treaties, bluffing through palace intrigue, or convincing a dragon not to eat you, mastering tabletop roleplaying social mechanics expands the emotional and strategic scope of any campaign. Key Takeaways Social encounters are a core gameplay pillar alongside combat and exploration in modern TTRPG design Balancing player roleplay ability vs character skill stats is essential for fairness and immersion Clear expectations at Session Zero help define roleplay depth and mechanical reliance Dice rolls should support narrative outcomes — not replace meaningful interaction GMs can improve engagement by defining stakes, motivations, and consequences for NPCs Layered social encounters encourage creative problem-solving beyond combat solutions Rewarding clever dialogue and character-driven choices strengthens table investment Failure in social situations should create story complications, not dead ends Strong social play enhances campaign tone, character development, and group collaboration Mastering TTRPG communication and persuasion mechanics leads to richer storytelling moments 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
We had so much fun talking with Danielle Yang about the potential of tabletop role-playing games as a component of behavior analytic skill acquisition treatment from a research perspective. But in case that wasn't enough to give you a sense of what such an ABA session could look like, Danielle returns to run Rob and school psychologist/BCBA, Matt Carter, through a demo session of RPGs as a framework for teaching mindfulness and denial tolerance. Will Matt and Rob learn to be more flexible? Or will the impassable mushroom village be their doom? Interested in learning more about this topic? Danielle offers a deeper-dive course into the use of RPGs in treatment and skill planning. You can also join her Discord to chat with other RPG/ABA practitioners.
Malcom Craig drops by Derry & Toms to talk about his work in academia, roleplaying games, his authorship of the first ever academic article on Twilight 2000, the "macho men with Uzis" sub-genre of RPGs, the upcoming reboots of his Cold City and Hot War games, and panicking as children about how high priority your neighbourhood was in terms of Soviet megatonnage. Mostly, though, we're talking about Malcom's reading recommendation - THE ROBOT BRAINS by incredibly prolific but largely unheralded British author Sydney J Bounds. JOIN US!
In the thrilling conclusion of the RPGBOT.Pulp Cthulhu Actual Play, our heroes discover that Luck points are real, sanity is optional, and jetpacks are — scientifically speaking — extremely explosive plot devices. Bjorn steals the Necronomicon with telekinesis, Murray forgets who he is, everyone falls in love with the villain thanks to eldritch karaoke mind control, and the final boss fight is resolved using the timeless tactical doctrine of: "What if we shot the jetpack?" Featuring heroic sacrifice, catastrophic math, spontaneous dismemberment, and a helicopter extraction that arrives precisely when pulp cinema demands it — this episode delivers the important lesson that Call of Cthulhu isn't about surviving intact. It's about surviving spectacularly. Show Notes The finale opens with table banter and a brief plug for ongoing Pulp Cthulhu play opportunities before the Keeper resets the stage and reviews key mechanics — including luck recovery, spending luck for survival, and sanity system nuances. The players regain luck and receive a reminder of how it can modify rolls, negate damage, or even prevent death — rules that soon prove critical. A sanity check against newly transformed ghast enemies immediately escalates tension. Randall's character loses significant sanity and enters a bout of insanity, gaining amnesia and temporarily forgetting context and equipment while acquiring an "insane talent" that grants unusual resilience to pain. This mechanical disruption reinforces Call of Cthulhu's psychological stakes and introduces roleplay chaos at the outset of combat. Combat begins in the ritual chamber where Scarlet Arachnus attempts to complete her summoning. Gunfire exchanges with the ghasts while Arachnus deflects harm through magic. Randall lands a devastating critical hit on one creature, while Tyler pivots toward objective play — targeting the ritual itself. The Necronomicon becomes the center of the encounter as telekinesis is used to wrest control of the artifact from the villain, disrupting her casting momentum. The encounter spikes in complexity when Arachnus unleashes Siren Song, charming allies and nearly turning the party against itself. Iowa succumbs completely, while Tyler resists. Surrounded and nearly dead, Tyler resorts to a desperate solution — coordinating with Randall's jetpack maneuver. The resulting detonation obliterates Arachnus and the ghasts, collapses magical support sustaining the enemies, and nearly kills the party in the process. Randall survives only by spending luck to avoid certain death. After the blast, the ritual collapses, the remaining threats dissolve, and the survivors secure the artifact. Extraction arrives via helicopter — a fitting pulp cinematic conclusion — as the buried ruins vanish beneath the sand, ensuring their secrets remain hidden. The episode closes with post-session reflections on system feel and character impact, cementing the adventure as a chaotic but successful demonstration of Pulp Cthulhu's tone and mechanics. Key Takeaways Luck mechanics are central survival tools and dramatically influence outcomes Sanity loss meaningfully alters gameplay through narrative and mechanical disruption Insanity effects can produce both hindrance and unexpected advantages Objective-focused play (stealing the artifact) can end encounters faster than damage trading Mind-control effects reinforce Mythos horror stakes beyond physical threats Pulp tone encourages cinematic risk and heroic sacrifice Improvisation and environment use can resolve otherwise lethal encounters Narrative pacing culminates in high-stakes chaos followed by cinematic resolution Actual Play effectively demonstrates mechanics through emergent storytelling The finale showcases how Call of Cthulhu balances horror tension with pulp heroics 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
We start off with a little leveling up! Welcome to... The Shadows of Davokar campaign, diving deep into the perilous wilderness of the Symbaroum universe. This dark and immersive world is filled with ancient ruins, creeping corruption, and the ever-present danger of what lurks in the shadows. The adventurers will need all their wits and strength to survive the deep forests and face the many threats that await. We can't wait to share more these new episodes with you, so stay tuned for next week's drop! Be sure to like, subscribe, and leave us a comment with your thoughts on the new campaigns and what you're most excited for. As always, your support keeps the adventures alive! The Shadows of Davokar Campaign Embark on a perilous journey into the dark and mysterious depths of Davokar! Join us as we delve into The Shadows of Davokar, an epic new campaign using Free League Publishing's Ruins of Symbaroum for 5th Edition. Set in a world of ancient ruins, creeping corruption, and untold treasures, our adventurers must navigate treacherous wilderness, unearth forgotten relics, and confront the lingering shadows of a fallen empire. This campaign blends dark fantasy storytelling with thrilling gameplay, where every choice could mean glory or doom. In addition to Ruins of Symbaroum, we'll occasionally explore Ironsworn, a narrative-driven RPG of perilous quests and personal sacrifice. Together, these games promise unforgettable adventures and riveting tales.
In the thrilling conclusion of the RPGBOT.Pulp Cthulhu Actual Play, our heroes discover that Luck points are real, sanity is optional, and jetpacks are — scientifically speaking — extremely explosive plot devices. Bjorn steals the Necronomicon with telekinesis, Murray forgets who he is, everyone falls in love with the villain thanks to eldritch karaoke mind control, and the final boss fight is resolved using the timeless tactical doctrine of: "What if we shot the jetpack?" Featuring heroic sacrifice, catastrophic math, spontaneous dismemberment, and a helicopter extraction that arrives precisely when pulp cinema demands it — this episode delivers the important lesson that Call of Cthulhu isn't about surviving intact. It's about surviving spectacularly. Show Notes The finale opens with table banter and a brief plug for ongoing Pulp Cthulhu play opportunities before the Keeper resets the stage and reviews key mechanics — including luck recovery, spending luck for survival, and sanity system nuances. The players regain luck and receive a reminder of how it can modify rolls, negate damage, or even prevent death — rules that soon prove critical. A sanity check against newly transformed ghast enemies immediately escalates tension. Randall's character loses significant sanity and enters a bout of insanity, gaining amnesia and temporarily forgetting context and equipment while acquiring an "insane talent" that grants unusual resilience to pain. This mechanical disruption reinforces Call of Cthulhu's psychological stakes and introduces roleplay chaos at the outset of combat. Combat begins in the ritual chamber where Scarlet Arachnus attempts to complete her summoning. Gunfire exchanges with the ghasts while Arachnus deflects harm through magic. Randall lands a devastating critical hit on one creature, while Tyler pivots toward objective play — targeting the ritual itself. The Necronomicon becomes the center of the encounter as telekinesis is used to wrest control of the artifact from the villain, disrupting her casting momentum. The encounter spikes in complexity when Arachnus unleashes Siren Song, charming allies and nearly turning the party against itself. Iowa succumbs completely, while Tyler resists. Surrounded and nearly dead, Tyler resorts to a desperate solution — coordinating with Randall's jetpack maneuver. The resulting detonation obliterates Arachnus and the ghasts, collapses magical support sustaining the enemies, and nearly kills the party in the process. Randall survives only by spending luck to avoid certain death. After the blast, the ritual collapses, the remaining threats dissolve, and the survivors secure the artifact. Extraction arrives via helicopter — a fitting pulp cinematic conclusion — as the buried ruins vanish beneath the sand, ensuring their secrets remain hidden. The episode closes with post-session reflections on system feel and character impact, cementing the adventure as a chaotic but successful demonstration of Pulp Cthulhu's tone and mechanics. Key Takeaways Luck mechanics are central survival tools and dramatically influence outcomes Sanity loss meaningfully alters gameplay through narrative and mechanical disruption Insanity effects can produce both hindrance and unexpected advantages Objective-focused play (stealing the artifact) can end encounters faster than damage trading Mind-control effects reinforce Mythos horror stakes beyond physical threats Pulp tone encourages cinematic risk and heroic sacrifice Improvisation and environment use can resolve otherwise lethal encounters Narrative pacing culminates in high-stakes chaos followed by cinematic resolution Actual Play effectively demonstrates mechanics through emergent storytelling The finale showcases how Call of Cthulhu balances horror tension with pulp heroics 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 Episode 339, Don and Jamie kick things off by talking about their upcoming trip to TotalCon in Massachusetts. Then the gang dives into the games they've been playing, including Troyes, The Voynich Puzzle, 12 Rivers, On Mars, Toy Battle, 3 Tricky Pigs, and a feature review of Xenology by Dan Manfredini, published by Play to Z. After Tony T delivers his news segment, the fellas wrap things up with a discussion about how players interface with board games. Troyes: 00:05:45, The Voynich Puzzle: 00:11:07, 12 Rivers: 00:22:22, On Mars: 00:32:36, Toy Battle: 00:39:48, 3 Tricky Pigs: 00:53:50, Xenology Review: 00:56:47, News with Tony T: 01:25:09, Board Game User Interface: 02:26:17. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/ and Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/.
A kobold approaches! He's looking for someone to help him with his social skills to gain greater friends at the taverns. Do you roll for behavior analysis clinical skills? Or attack him with your +2 broadsword? While we've definitely discussed role-playing activities in training contexts, recent years have seen a huge increase in interest in gamification in learning a variety of skills. One area of research is in the use of tabletop role-playing games in therapeutic and clinical settings. But is there any research to back up the hype? This week we're joined by active RPG player clinical user, Danielle Yang, to dive into the research base as we work to answer the question: could the use of RPGs in treatment be considered behavior analytic? Interested in learning more about this topic? Danielle offers a deeper-dive course into the use of RPGs in treatment and skill planning. You can also join her Discord to chat with other RPG/ABA practitioners. And keep your eye out for a bonus episode this month where we'll be demoing just HOW a tabletop RPG could be used in a clinical setting. This episode is available for 1.0 LEARNING CEU. Articles discussed this episode: Arenas, D.L., Viduani, A., & Araujo, R.B. (2022). Therapeutic use of role-playing game (RPG) in mental health: A scoping review. Simulation and Gaming, 53, 285-311. doi: 10.1177/10468781211073720 Yuliawati, L., Wardhani, P.A.P., & Ng, J.H. (2024). A scoping review of tabletop role-playing game (TTPRG) as a psychological intervention: Potential benefits and future directions. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 17, 2885-2903. doi: 10.2147/PRBM.S466664 Helbig, K.A., (2019). Evaluation of a role-playing game to improve social skills for individuals with ASD. [Doctoral dissertation, University of Southern Mississippi]. Aquila Digital Community. https://aquila.usm.edu/dissertations/1673 If you're interested in ordering CEs for listening to this episode, click here to go to the store page. You'll need to enter your name, BCBA #, the two episode secret code words, and answers to the knowledge check questions to complete the purchase. Email us at abainsidetrack@gmail.com for further assistance.
This week on PS THIS IS AWESOME, Fred and Jake dive into the games they've been playing: Fred tackling the high‑intensity loot shooter ARC Raiders and the tactical fantasy strategy of Unicorn Overlord, while Jake is deep into Baldur's Gate 3 and the freshly released God of War: Sons of Sparta, exploring Kratos' early Spartan adventures in a surprise 2D Metroidvania.We kick off the news with a recap of the latest State of Play, where we saw everything from Kena: Scars of Kosmora and the Ghost of Yōtei Legends DLC, to PC news with Death Stranding 2, plus a variety of gameplay reveals including 4 Loop, Pragmata, Resident Evil Requiem, Control Resonant, Crimson Moon, Beast of Reincarnation, Saros, Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, and more. Remasters, surprises, and teases were everywhere, from Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered, Brigandine Abyss, and Dead or Alive 6: Last Round Free-to-Play, to Dead or Alive 7, God of War Trilogy Remake, and fan favorites like Rayman 30th Anniversary Edition, Mina the Hollower, and Neva: Prologue.We also cover the spookier side with Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, Silent Hill: Townfall, and Rev.NOiR, plus high-octane trailers for John Wick, Marathon: Server Slam Beta, Yakoh Shinobi Ops, Project Windless, Star Wars Galactic Racer, and 007 First Light. The PlayStation Plus segment brings a mix of classics and catalog highlights, featuring Marvel's Spider-Man 2, Tekken Dark Resurrection, Time Crisis, and Big Walk.Finally, we wrap up with all the exciting new releases hitting PS5 and PS4 this month, from aerial chaos in Aerial_Knights Dropshot, epic fantasy adventures like Avowed and Under the Island, quirky and dark RPGs like Calamity Angels: Special Delivery, Death Howl, and Soulslinger: Envoy of Death, to platformers, strategy games, and remasters such as KLETKA, Star Trek: Voyager – Across the Unknown, Showgunners, Prize Fighter: Heavyweight Edition, and the latest entries in Ys X: Proud Nordics. With so many genres and surprises, this episode has something for every PlayStation fan – from Qbert nostalgia to modern action and strategy chaos!Visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome to support the show and help us continue producing the content you love!Please, if you enjoyed the content — or even if you didn't quite enjoy this one — come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Share with your friends and help us grow our awesome PlayStation community!As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening.http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this installment of the Friendly Conversations about RPGs series, I am joined by Erik Schmidt of the Setting First YouTube Channel, Blog, and Discord (Links Below). Our topic for this discussion is the interplay of setting, character, and player perspective to help foster characters which feel believable and lead players toward play that feels natural and grounded in that setting. If you enjoy where this conversation goes and how it gets there, I encourage you to take a look at Erik's channel and follow the link to the Setting First Discord. Some Relevant Links from @SettingFirstRPG :Language!https://youtu.be/8xsdVDpDs-k?si=ECXBasr_2vHsQB4PBelieve!https://youtu.be/8xsdVDpDs-k?si=ECXBasr_2vHsQB4PTrust!https://www.settingfirst.com/gamemastering/players/2025/06/13/trust-in-post-apocalypse-campaigns.htmlTopical Links from our Discussion:"Immersion?"https://wp.me/pTI80-3kehttps://youtu.be/z1EgIITKUg4?si=qRD-soMbaY3Tv7gdhttps://youtu.be/LdqytLSQd9o?si=dr-ME-rKfi82XTUVhttps://youtu.be/5FYLrmQ7aMM?si=7FkjvMQ-f-v1tEsvPlaying "In-Character"https://wp.me/pTI80-3uNCONTACT ME:www.speakpipe.com/CastingShadowsPodcastLINKS:https://castingshadowsblog.comhttps://castingshadowspodcast.com
Why do GM's, Referees, Keepers, Loremasters of many other people that "run" RPG game do it? This was a question that Saul across online and since Saul GM's quite a bit he asked himself and other fellow GMs why they GM roleplaying games. As you would guess not all people that run RPGs do it for the same reason, though many peoples reason does overlap. Saul asked Jolene why she GMs and after that discussion they decided to record an episode on the subject. Thank you all for Listening! You can email us at gamingperspective.com@gmail.com Podcast Art by Jim D. Foster Episode Art by Michael Shean-Jones Music by Edna Poli, song Leaders of Tomorrow Available from Tribeofmusic.com Used under the Creative Commons License 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/usic
In this episode, I talk with George Strezov about how imagination, world-building, and instinct shape the way he writes music. We dig into growing up in Bulgaria, discovering film and game music through RPGs and early PC games, and why “vibe” often matters more than rules or theory. George shares how he thinks about atmosphere, writing to picture, and creating music that places the listener inside a world rather than explaining it. This is a conversation about how music works on a felt level — how it creates space, meaning, and immersion — and what happens when you trust instinct over formulas.
The gas leak isn't the only thing in the air; so is love!Whether you spent Valentine's day with that special someone or that special someone is you, we've got an episode full of our favourite romanceable NPCs in RPGs, with a game show twist! Nadia, Eric, and Victor tell on themselves while trying to read each other's minds. All that and more on a very lovely episode of Axe of the Blood God. Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Discord is introducing their age-verification system; what we're doing about it Timestamps: 09:28 - Main Topic - Valentine's Day Special - Round 1 - Fire Emblem 21:20 - Round 2 - Mass Effect 36:56 - Round 3 - Stardew Valley 52:04 - Round 4 - Harvest Moon 1:04:56 - Round 5 - Dragon Quest 1:09:44 - Round 6 - Final Fantasy 1:22:04 - Round 7 - Pokemon Champions 1:30:40 - Round 8 - Tales of Symphonia 1:37:32 - Round 9 - Baldur's Gate 1:44:56 - Round 10 - Love and Deepspace 44:37 - Random Encounters (minibosses) 01:20:30 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nothing says "pulp adventure" like pouring jet fuel into a moving car, chasing Nazis across the desert, watching a monocle explode off someone's face, and then accidentally triggering sanity-shattering cosmic horror before lunch. In this episode of the RPGBOT.Pulp Cthulhu Actual Play, Murray and Bjorn demonstrate that reckless engineering is a valid transportation strategy, grenades are a valid diplomatic strategy, and sprinting deeper into an ancient tomb filled with acid traps and reptilian nightmare monsters is apparently the safest plan available. If you've ever wondered how long it takes before someone loses their mind, their jet fuel, or their grip on reality — the answer is: about one car chase and a sandstorm. Buckle up. Show Notes Picking up from the escape sequence, the cast dives immediately into cinematic pulp chaos as the party chases their enemies across the desert in identical vehicles. The Keeper introduces chase mechanics, and Randall immediately weaponizes poor decision-making by injecting aerosolized jet fuel into the engine — a maneuver that miraculously succeeds and rockets the car forward. The pursuit becomes a back-and-forth exchange of hazards: dunes, quicksand, chasms, and barriers, all resolved through skill checks and player improvisation. The action escalates when the villains retaliate with occult spectacle. Scarlet Arachnus summons a supernatural sandstorm, forcing sanity checks as the players witness magic in action. The chase culminates in explosive pulp heroics — Tyler uses telekinesis to lob a grenade, annihilating an enemy squad and their fancy monocled leader in one cinematic blast. Despite the victory, Arachnus escapes toward a ritual site where her artifact awakens a buried desert city. The party follows into ruins that transition the tone from swashbuckling action to creeping cosmic dread. Exploration brings environmental puzzles and traps — light-reflection mechanisms, directional pedestals, acid-spraying carvings — that showcase investigative gameplay and collaborative deduction. Inside the tomb, tension mounts. Evidence of cult activity, sacrificial imagery, and partially dissolved remains reinforce the setting's horror roots. Soon the players encounter reptilian hybrid creatures resembling carved murals, triggering sanity rolls and frantic combat. Explosives thin the swarm but destabilize the chamber, forcing a desperate escape deeper into the complex. The episode closes on a classic cliffhanger: Arachnus prepares a ritual invoking cosmic forces as a forbidden tome levitates, mutates her followers into grotesque forms, and tears reality itself. The party arrives just in time to witness the ritual beginning — and the session ends on that looming confrontation. The overall tone blends humor, pulp action tropes, and creeping Mythos horror, demonstrating how Actual Play showcases system mechanics organically — from chases and sanity to puzzle-solving and narrative escalation. Key Takeaways Pulp Cthulhu chase mechanics emphasize cinematic momentum and risk/reward decision making. Player creativity (even reckless creativity) drives memorable moments and story direction. Sanity checks reinforce tone shifts when supernatural elements emerge. Explosives and improvisation can resolve encounters — but often create new problems. Environmental puzzles highlight investigation and teamwork over pure combat. Mythos horror escalates gradually through imagery, traps, and creature reveals. Narrative pacing uses alternating action and exploration to maintain tension. Cliffhangers remain an effective session-ending tool for serialized Actual Play. 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 Fifty Nineth 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, we talk games and stuff. 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: Urban Lofi Dreamscape by Sascha EndeLink: https://ende.app/en/song/12303-urban-lofi-dreamscapeSend a textContact 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
Nothing says "pulp adventure" like pouring jet fuel into a moving car, chasing Nazis across the desert, watching a monocle explode off someone's face, and then accidentally triggering sanity-shattering cosmic horror before lunch. In this episode of the RPGBOT.Pulp Cthulhu Actual Play, Murray and Bjorn demonstrate that reckless engineering is a valid transportation strategy, grenades are a valid diplomatic strategy, and sprinting deeper into an ancient tomb filled with acid traps and reptilian nightmare monsters is apparently the safest plan available. If you've ever wondered how long it takes before someone loses their mind, their jet fuel, or their grip on reality — the answer is: about one car chase and a sandstorm. Buckle up. Show Notes Picking up from the escape sequence, the cast dives immediately into cinematic pulp chaos as the party chases their enemies across the desert in identical vehicles. The Keeper introduces chase mechanics, and Randall immediately weaponizes poor decision-making by injecting aerosolized jet fuel into the engine — a maneuver that miraculously succeeds and rockets the car forward. The pursuit becomes a back-and-forth exchange of hazards: dunes, quicksand, chasms, and barriers, all resolved through skill checks and player improvisation. The action escalates when the villains retaliate with occult spectacle. Scarlet Arachnus summons a supernatural sandstorm, forcing sanity checks as the players witness magic in action. The chase culminates in explosive pulp heroics — Tyler uses telekinesis to lob a grenade, annihilating an enemy squad and their fancy monocled leader in one cinematic blast. Despite the victory, Arachnus escapes toward a ritual site where her artifact awakens a buried desert city. The party follows into ruins that transition the tone from swashbuckling action to creeping cosmic dread. Exploration brings environmental puzzles and traps — light-reflection mechanisms, directional pedestals, acid-spraying carvings — that showcase investigative gameplay and collaborative deduction. Inside the tomb, tension mounts. Evidence of cult activity, sacrificial imagery, and partially dissolved remains reinforce the setting's horror roots. Soon the players encounter reptilian hybrid creatures resembling carved murals, triggering sanity rolls and frantic combat. Explosives thin the swarm but destabilize the chamber, forcing a desperate escape deeper into the complex. The episode closes on a classic cliffhanger: Arachnus prepares a ritual invoking cosmic forces as a forbidden tome levitates, mutates her followers into grotesque forms, and tears reality itself. The party arrives just in time to witness the ritual beginning — and the session ends on that looming confrontation. The overall tone blends humor, pulp action tropes, and creeping Mythos horror, demonstrating how Actual Play showcases system mechanics organically — from chases and sanity to puzzle-solving and narrative escalation. Key Takeaways Pulp Cthulhu chase mechanics emphasize cinematic momentum and risk/reward decision making. Player creativity (even reckless creativity) drives memorable moments and story direction. Sanity checks reinforce tone shifts when supernatural elements emerge. Explosives and improvisation can resolve encounters — but often create new problems. Environmental puzzles highlight investigation and teamwork over pure combat. Mythos horror escalates gradually through imagery, traps, and creature reveals. Narrative pacing uses alternating action and exploration to maintain tension. Cliffhangers remain an effective session-ending tool for serialized Actual Play. 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
Send a textTroy and Ty are back with Weekender game highlights, hobby updates, and Space Marine skirmishes; it's the usual Playin' and Slayin' chaos. Ty then steps into full sales mode with his review of Relic Blade, aiming to convince Troy to play.There is also a video version of the podcast: https://youtu.be/3W_LlGDpz0gOur theme music is by *FADEBACK*
Ritual spellcasting is the part of tabletop roleplaying games where wizards stop blowing things up for ten minutes and instead argue about chalk circles, incense pricing, and whether chanting counts as a somatic component if you're holding snacks. In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we dive deep into D&D ritual casting mechanics, explore how Pathfinder and 5e ritual spells change encounter pacing, and discuss how to turn out-of-combat magic systems into storytelling tools instead of bookkeeping exercises. Because sometimes the real magic isn't Fireball — it's spending eleven minutes summoning a familiar while your party rogue steals your candles. Show Notes Ritual magic sits in a fascinating design space across modern tabletop RPG systems, particularly in Dungeons & Dragons 5e ritual spellcasting rules, where casting without expending spell slots reshapes resource management and exploration play. In this episode, the hosts explore how ritual casting in tabletop RPGs functions both as a mechanical subsystem and as a narrative lever for immersion. Rather than treating ritual spells like background noise, we discuss ways GMs and players can frame non-combat spellcasting mechanics as collaborative storytelling moments that reinforce tone, pacing, and worldbuilding. The conversation begins with a mechanical breakdown of how ritual casting works in D&D, including class access, preparation requirements, and opportunity cost. We compare approaches to ritual magic systems in Pathfinder and other TTRPGs, highlighting how design differences affect party planning and gameplay tension. Along the way, we touch on optimization considerations for players researching best ritual spells for utility and exploration, and how ritual access can shape character identity outside of combat encounters. From there, the discussion pivots toward table culture and presentation. Ritual casting is an opportunity to create sensory texture — chanting, environmental interaction, symbolic components — and we outline practical techniques for GMs seeking to immerse players through magical storytelling. This includes pacing strategies, spotlight balance, and methods for integrating ritual outcomes into ongoing campaign arcs rather than treating them as isolated mechanics. Finally, we address common pitfalls. Overuse can trivialize challenges, while underuse wastes design space. By framing rituals as collaborative scenes instead of background automation, tables can unlock deeper engagement with fantasy roleplaying immersion techniques and reinforce the feeling that magic is mysterious, costly, and meaningful. Whether you're optimizing your spellbook or building cinematic magical moments, this episode provides both system mastery and creative inspiration for getting more out of ritual spellcasting at your table. Key Takeaways Ritual spellcasting in D&D 5e allows slot-free utility casting but requires time investment and preparation planning Understanding how ritual casting works in tabletop RPG systems helps players optimize exploration and resource management Many best ritual spells for roleplaying immersion shine outside combat and define character identity GMs can elevate non-combat magic storytelling by emphasizing sensory description and table participation Ritual scenes are opportunities to reinforce pacing, spotlight sharing, and narrative tone Comparing ritual mechanics across Pathfinder and 5e highlights how system design affects tension and preparation Avoid trivializing obstacles — meaningful cost or risk keeps ritual magic engaging Treat rituals as collaborative scenes rather than background mechanics to enhance immersion Strong presentation transforms fantasy ritual casting experiences into memorable campaign moments 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
Harrigan (Go Bag) joins me to talk about firearms in RPGs. Games discussed Boot Hill, Top Secret, Bureau 13 Stalking the Night Fantastic, GURPS, Palladium's Recon, Twilight 2000, Cyberpunk 2020, Aces & Eights, and CY_BORG with some other honorable mentions. Go Bag Podcast https://www.gobagpod.comHarrigan's Hearth https://harriganshearth.substack.comNatalie and Tara Try Stuff: 18th Century Baked Rice Pudding https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMSWzCAWYQASeth Skorkowsky: Cyberpunk 2020 Review (Friday Night Firefight starts around 10:45) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmdMnYm1znoJoin The Anchorite APA https://sites.google.com/view/anchorite/homeRay Otus did the coffee cup art for this showTJ provides music for my show.Spikepit https://www.youtube.com/@spikepit1 provided the "Have no fear" sound clip.Any comments made by me are mine alone and do not represent the opinion of anyone else and comments by callers and guests do not represent my opinion.
Hello loyal listeners, hope you like discussing RPGs and Initiatives, because if that's the case, you are in for a treat! Presenting team today is Fen, Audrey and Cara! Right after the usual Standee Catch-up, we have Audrey discuss The Cosmere Roleplaying Game System, one which we could define "a system with a plan", err, "a plot" - a fresh take on familiar d20-based mechanics. After that, we have a first attempt to bring the familiar format of "Cara's Reviews Corner" to RPGs with Splittermond, a spiritual successor to The Dark Eye RPG - how did she go? I guess I'll discover it with you! Finally, Fen brings back the boardgames with a review of Dante's Inferno. Where's the initiative, you ask? Oh, simply EVERYWHERE. Listen to the episode, you'll discover soon enough!
Ritual spellcasting is the part of tabletop roleplaying games where wizards stop blowing things up for ten minutes and instead argue about chalk circles, incense pricing, and whether chanting counts as a somatic component if you're holding snacks. In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we dive deep into D&D ritual casting mechanics, explore how Pathfinder and 5e ritual spells change encounter pacing, and discuss how to turn out-of-combat magic systems into storytelling tools instead of bookkeeping exercises. Because sometimes the real magic isn't Fireball — it's spending eleven minutes summoning a familiar while your party rogue steals your candles. Show Notes Ritual magic sits in a fascinating design space across modern tabletop RPG systems, particularly in Dungeons & Dragons 5e ritual spellcasting rules, where casting without expending spell slots reshapes resource management and exploration play. In this episode, the hosts explore how ritual casting in tabletop RPGs functions both as a mechanical subsystem and as a narrative lever for immersion. Rather than treating ritual spells like background noise, we discuss ways GMs and players can frame non-combat spellcasting mechanics as collaborative storytelling moments that reinforce tone, pacing, and worldbuilding. The conversation begins with a mechanical breakdown of how ritual casting works in D&D, including class access, preparation requirements, and opportunity cost. We compare approaches to ritual magic systems in Pathfinder and other TTRPGs, highlighting how design differences affect party planning and gameplay tension. Along the way, we touch on optimization considerations for players researching best ritual spells for utility and exploration, and how ritual access can shape character identity outside of combat encounters. From there, the discussion pivots toward table culture and presentation. Ritual casting is an opportunity to create sensory texture — chanting, environmental interaction, symbolic components — and we outline practical techniques for GMs seeking to immerse players through magical storytelling. This includes pacing strategies, spotlight balance, and methods for integrating ritual outcomes into ongoing campaign arcs rather than treating them as isolated mechanics. Finally, we address common pitfalls. Overuse can trivialize challenges, while underuse wastes design space. By framing rituals as collaborative scenes instead of background automation, tables can unlock deeper engagement with fantasy roleplaying immersion techniques and reinforce the feeling that magic is mysterious, costly, and meaningful. Whether you're optimizing your spellbook or building cinematic magical moments, this episode provides both system mastery and creative inspiration for getting more out of ritual spellcasting at your table. Key Takeaways Ritual spellcasting in D&D 5e allows slot-free utility casting but requires time investment and preparation planning Understanding how ritual casting works in tabletop RPG systems helps players optimize exploration and resource management Many best ritual spells for roleplaying immersion shine outside combat and define character identity GMs can elevate non-combat magic storytelling by emphasizing sensory description and table participation Ritual scenes are opportunities to reinforce pacing, spotlight sharing, and narrative tone Comparing ritual mechanics across Pathfinder and 5e highlights how system design affects tension and preparation Avoid trivializing obstacles — meaningful cost or risk keeps ritual magic engaging Treat rituals as collaborative scenes rather than background mechanics to enhance immersion Strong presentation transforms fantasy ritual casting experiences into memorable campaign moments 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 Leer mutates, swelling into a massive body, tearing through the Wayne Rehabilitation Centre as it absorbs energy. Guards vanish. Alarms scream. Bodies litter the halls.Monday strikes first, cutting into the creature's bandage-wrapped tentacles as the facility descends into chaos. Every blow only feeds it more. A massive water-rhino kaiju crashes into the madness.The Wayne Centre was built to contain monsters. Now it's feeding one.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!
Didi Braguinha e André Rumjanek mergulham em uma conversa franca sobre um dos elementos mais subestimados dos jogos de tabuleiro: o manual. Partindo de reflexões sobre aprendizado, desenvolvimento e os desafios de explicar um sistema para quem nunca teve contato com ele, eles analisam erros comuns de diagramação, excesso de informação, organização confusa e a difícil tarefa de equilibrar clareza com profundidade estratégica. O episódio discute como regras mal apresentadas podem transformar a experiência em um embate contra o próprio manual — e como boas soluções de design tornam o processo quase invisível.Entre exemplos práticos e comparações com RPGs, card games e jogos modernos complexos, a dupla debate glossários, tutoriais, livros de referência, preparação de mesa e o papel dos exemplos dentro das regras. A conversa revela como ensinar um jogo é parte fundamental da experiência e como decisões editoriais, iconografia e estrutura impactam diretamente a fluidez e a diversão na mesa.Para saber mais sobre este episódio e os jogos mencionados: Como Um Manual Pode Salvar (ou Arruinar) Um BoardgameSe 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
Hark and well met, noble Cabalists! Return ye now to the dust-laden tomes and candlelit halls of the Dungeon Master's Ludus, that ancient library of wisdom and whispered lore. On this day, the Lords gather in solemn counsel to ponder a matter most sacred to all who bear the mantle of Storycrafter - the elusive spark of inspiration. Come then, and let us speak of where ideas flare bright as dragonfire bringing forth sagas of brave heroes, dark ruins, and fearsome beasts.
There are two ways to learn a tabletop RPG: read the rulebook… or get shot at on a collapsing train while chasing occult Nazis across North Africa. In this RPGBOT.Quickstart actual play of Pulp Cthulhu, the crew demonstrates how cinematic pulp RPG sessions actually unfold — complete with relic thefts, hypnotized enemies, catastrophic dice rolls, and a physics-defying jetpack solution. If you've ever wondered how Call of Cthulhu actual play gameplay, learning Pulp Cthulhu through play, or tabletop RPG session flow examples look in the wild, this episode shows you — loudly, chaotically, and probably while someone is falling off a cliff. Show Notes This installment of the RPGBOT Quickstart actual play series transitions from theory into demonstration, showcasing how to learn Pulp Cthulhu gameplay mechanics through live play. Following prior episodes on system concepts and character creation, the cast introduces their pulp-era investigators — including an eccentric engineer and a circus-trained occult bruiser — tasked by an FBI occult task force to intercept Nazi relic hunters in 1935. The scenario begins aboard a desert-bound train headed toward a meeting with archaeologist Iowa Roberts, where the party examines a mysterious artifact that functions like a supernatural compass pointing toward the mythical desert city tied to forbidden lore. Their investigation is interrupted when the rival occult agent Scarlet Arachnus steals the relic during a catastrophic derailment, throwing the game immediately into cinematic action and demonstrating combat initiative, skill rolls, and survival mechanics in Call of Cthulhu actual play. Escaping a precariously hanging train car, the players confront armed enemies, navigate terrain hazards, and showcase mechanical problem-solving through teamwork and skill checks — highlighting how dice outcomes shape narrative consequences. The action continues across exposed train cars with firefights against heavily armed foes, illustrating tactical movement, cover usage, and pulp-style heroics. After surviving the encounter and sabotaging the collapsing train, the group scavenges supplies, uncovers clues, and discovers evidence of a larger occult plot: a map referencing desert pillars and connections to mythic texts associated with forbidden knowledge. Realizing they've handed the artifact to their enemies, they pivot to pursuit — commandeering and repairing a damaged vehicle, demonstrating mechanical repair gameplay and collaborative skill usage. The session concludes with the party navigating across the desert using improvised technology to track tire marks toward their adversaries — emphasizing exploration and skill-driven storytelling in tabletop RPG actual play teaching examples. Overall, this consolidated episode functions as a practical tutorial on how actual play sessions model rule application, improvisation, and narrative escalation, blending cinematic pulp action with procedural gameplay instruction. Key Takeaways Actual play is an effective way to learn Pulp Cthulhu rules and gameplay flow in context Character introductions reinforce narrative hooks and mechanical identity Skill checks drive storytelling outcomes — success and failure both move plot forward Combat showcases initiative, cover, and pulp-action pacing Environmental hazards highlight survival and problem-solving mechanics Collaborative play enables creative solutions beyond strict rules Resource scavenging and clue discovery reinforce investigation gameplay Vehicle repair and navigation demonstrate non-combat system depth Narrative escalation illustrates long-form campaign structure Session ends with forward momentum toward mythos investigation and pursuit 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 Band has a new tribe and a new home...and its got a basement Welcome to... The Shadows of Davokar campaign, diving deep into the perilous wilderness of the Symbaroum universe. This dark and immersive world is filled with ancient ruins, creeping corruption, and the ever-present danger of what lurks in the shadows. The adventurers will need all their wits and strength to survive the deep forests and face the many threats that await. We can't wait to share more these new episodes with you, so stay tuned for next week's drop! Be sure to like, subscribe, and leave us a comment with your thoughts on the new campaigns and what you're most excited for. As always, your support keeps the adventures alive! The Shadows of Davokar Campaign Embark on a perilous journey into the dark and mysterious depths of Davokar! Join us as we delve into The Shadows of Davokar, an epic new campaign using Free League Publishing's Ruins of Symbaroum for 5th Edition. Set in a world of ancient ruins, creeping corruption, and untold treasures, our adventurers must navigate treacherous wilderness, unearth forgotten relics, and confront the lingering shadows of a fallen empire. This campaign blends dark fantasy storytelling with thrilling gameplay, where every choice could mean glory or doom. In addition to Ruins of Symbaroum, we'll occasionally explore Ironsworn, a narrative-driven RPG of perilous quests and personal sacrifice. Together, these games promise unforgettable adventures and riveting tales.
Welcome to Dev Game Club, where this week we continue our series on Ultima IV. We talk about the boat, we talk about dungeons (a tiny bit), we deep dive into NPCs and consequences, we talk about the quests and how everything is in the world, and answer some listener email. Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Sections played: More of Ultima IV (Much more, in B's case) Issues covered: revisiting locations and finding new things, a game that does a lot with a little, everything existing in the world, getting to know the world, NPCs sharing sprites and being hard to remember, getting a ship and fighting your way on, broadside combat, dying to a waterspout, wanting to search the oceans, badly simulating tacking, riding a horse, being interrupted in any location, trying to replicate the tabletop experience, feeling like a "yes" game, whether what you do matters, can you be a thief, watering down a morality system, having a limited palette of options at any one time, layering frosting, taking out the friction and icky feeling, the niche audience of some RPGs, taking elements from older games and bringing them into modern games, asking questions of the player who is also the character, avoiding the uncanny valley, an aside into adventure mode, the horseshoe effect on NPCs, reaching the limits of what the human brain can contemplate, an aside into Dunbar's number, facing the same challenges, chunking chapters, feeling the anxiety of there being too much, coalescing your notes from time to time, the telescope moment and seeing the map, the lack of loot, preparing to do things, validating your assumptions, having to revisit everywhere, the friction of Pikmin, getting good controllers, handheld mode, the Wavebird, bouncing off character creation, character creation we've liked, wanting a story to wrap around a more specific character, the generic hero, having fun with a character creator, a freeing character creator. Games, people, and influences mentioned or discussed: Final Fantasy (series), Gold Box (series), Eye of the Beholder, Outer Wilds, The Witcher (series), Beowulf, Dungeons & Dragons, Wizardry (series), BioWare, Mass Effect, BioShock, Dishonored, CD Project Red, Cyberpunk 2077, Baldur's Gate III, Thief, Robin Hood, VtM Bloodlines, Undertale, Dark Souls, Land of the Lost, Dwarf Fortress, Planescape: Torment, Metroid / Castlevania, Richard Garriott, Sasha, Pikmin, Nintendo, Shigeru Miyamoto, Switch, PlayStation, Analog Pocket, Ashton Herrmann, Monkey Island, Wing Commander, Morrowind, Fallout 3, Dragon Age: Origins, Bethesda Game Studios, Blizzard, World of Warcraft, Diablo (series), Metal Gear Solid V, Hideo Kojima, Saint's Row IV, Call of Cthulhu, Asher, Cuphead, KyleAndError, Hitman, FFSZilla, MGS: VR Missions, Kirk Hamilton, Aaron Evers, Mark Garcia. Note: Because Ultima IV has very little music to speak of, I will be substituting music from later in the series in the openings to these episodes TTDS: 38:30 Links: Majuular Ultima IV video recommended by Chris Next time: Finish Ultima IV Twitch: timlongojr and twinsunscorp YouTube Discord DevGameClub@gmail.com
Episode 412 of PS This Is Awesome is packed with PlayStation news, hands-on impressions, and plenty of speculation as Fred and Jake catch up on what they've been playing — including ARC Raiders, Unicorn Overlord, and Kingdom Come Deliverance 2. We break down a massive, hour-long State of Play announcement, Sony officially unveiling the co-op focused Horizon: Hunters Gathering, Capcom dropping a playable Pragmata demo, and Ubisoft's low-key release of The Division: Definitive Edition without a true PS5 upgrade. There's also discussion around Capcom's live-action Resident Evil Requiem short film and what it signals for the franchise's future. Plus, we run through a stacked slate of new releases hitting PS5 this week — from horror and RPGs to racers and roguelites — before wrapping things up the only way we know how… Like Persona 5, Pentiment, PES 2021.Visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome to support the show and help us continue producing the content you love!Please, if you enjoyed the content — or even if you didn't quite enjoy this one — come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Share with your friends and help us grow our awesome PlayStation community!As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening.http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this week's episode of The RPG Cave, Garret and Ryan talk about the RPGs announced at the February 2026 Nintendo Partner Showcase! We also give our hands on impressions of the Monster Hunter Stories 3 Demo, as well as Ryan's full playthrough of Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance! ★ 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 Baker★ PLATINUM PRODUCERS ★Non-Smokin_JoeThe CaptainTim Paullin★ GOLD MEMBERS ★Adam KAnnaAwesomeDave1337BennyBrad MooreBrian ReeseCecily CarrozzaDan & LumaDannohhEmily O'KelleyHambone JonnyJon32LauraLigerWoods330Mr GigglesPeje EPSteven KellerTechMike
There are monsters in tabletop RPGs that exist to be fought, monsters that exist to be feared, and monsters that exist to make the Dungeon Master quietly whisper, "I hope you prepared spells with saving throws." Beholders fall squarely into that last category. This week on RPGBOT.Podcast, we're diving deep into Beholder-Kin — floating orbs of paranoia, laser violence, and architectural malpractice. From tiny gazers that exist solely to be annoying, to death tyrants that refuse to stay dead out of spite, we explore why beholders remain one of Dungeons & Dragons' most iconic, miserable, and tactically terrifying monsters. Along the way, we discuss dream-based reproduction, anti-magic cones, and why every beholder lair looks like it was designed to fail a building inspection on purpose. Show Notes Beholders are one of the oldest and most recognizable monsters in Dungeons & Dragons, and for good reason. They aren't just bags of hit points with flashy attacks — they're intelligent, paranoid, and cruel creatures that reshape both combat and storytelling the moment they appear in a campaign. In this episode, the hosts break down what defines beholders and their many variants, collectively known as Beholder-Kin, and why they're such effective villains across nearly every tier of play. The discussion starts with what makes beholders fundamentally different from other monsters. Their signature eye rays, combined with a central anti-magic eye, mean that fights against beholders rarely follow predictable patterns. Even experienced players are forced to react rather than execute clean plans. The randomness of eye rays creates chaos, but the creature's intelligence means that chaos is applied with intent — the rays may be random, but the targets absolutely are not. From there, the conversation expands into the many variants of Beholder-Kin found throughout D&D. Gazers, spectators, gauths, mind witnesses, beholder zombies, death kisses, and death tyrants all represent different expressions of the same alien biology. Each fills a distinct role, allowing Dungeon Masters to introduce beholder-themed encounters from the earliest levels all the way into high-tier play without losing flavor or threat. This flexibility is one of the reasons beholders remain so enduring in D&D design. Combat tactics play a major role in the episode, especially the importance of running beholders intelligently. A beholder that floats into melee range and trades bite attacks is a beholder being played incorrectly. These creatures thrive on distance, verticality, and environmental control. Their lairs are often carved with disintegration rays, filled with vertical shafts, traps, and contingency plans, and designed to punish creatures that rely on gravity. When played well, a beholder encounter feels less like a fair fight and more like surviving a hostile environment that actively hates you. The episode also dives into beholder lore and ecology, which somehow manages to be both fascinating and deeply unsettling. Earlier editions described grotesque physical reproduction, while modern D&D reframes beholder reproduction as a dream-based phenomenon where nightmares literally manifest new beholders into reality. This almost always results in immediate territorial violence, reinforcing the idea that beholders are incapable of peaceful coexistence — even with themselves. To balance the horror, the hosts also explore notable exceptions in D&D lore. Famous beholders like Xanathar embody tragic paranoia, while figures like Large Luigi — an omniscient beholder tavern owner in Spelljammer — prove that even reality-warping aberrations can choose hospitality over genocide. These examples highlight how beholders can serve not just as villains, but as unforgettable NPCs, information brokers, or narrative wild cards. The episode wraps by touching on player-facing options. While players can't normally play beholders, they can still interact with Beholder-Kin through warlock patrons, summoned spectators, or gazer familiars. Used carefully, these options let players brush up against beholder weirdness without completely breaking the game — though the temptation to do something irresponsible is always there. Key Takeaways Beholder-Kin work because they operate on multiple levels at once. Mechanically, they introduce chaos through randomized effects, but narratively they reward intelligent, ruthless play. A beholder encounter is never just about hit points — it's about positioning, preparation, and survival. These monsters scale exceptionally well across a campaign. From CR ½ gazers to CR 14 death tyrants, Beholder-Kin allow Dungeon Masters to introduce consistent themes without repeating the same fight. Each variant reinforces the core beholder identity while adding new tactical wrinkles. Lair design is not optional when using beholders. Their environments are an extension of their personality: vertical, hostile, and unapologetically unfair. A beholder fought on flat ground is missing half its threat. Finally, beholders remain iconic because they embody the strange heart of D&D. They're terrifying, absurd, overdesigned, and deeply committed to their own misery. Whether used as cosmic horror, dungeon boss, or omniscient bartender, Beholder-Kin remind us that sometimes the most memorable monsters are the ones that don't want to exist — but absolutely refuse to stop. 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
This episode is an interview with someone whom I never expected to meet but am hugely grateful for the opportunity to talk to about RPGs, comics, characters, and story. Andrew Kafoury is a writer, creator, and the publisher and head of story at Battle Quest Comics, hailing from Portland, Oregon in the USA. He founded the company in 2020 to be a home for like-minded story creatives and artists with a passion for compelling characters and exciting adventures. He oversees the publication of original, creator-driven comic projects while also contributing his own works. Andrew is the writer and creator of No'madd: The Unconquerable, The Young Nomads, Elatari, and Steel Siege, titles that blend action, mythology, and character-driven narratives.More of his work can be found at www.BattleQuestComics.com.Big thanks to Andrew for coming on the show!Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Voice Message:speakpipe.com/roleplayrescuePatreon:patreon.com/rpgrescue Email:roleplayrescue@pm.meBlogroleplayrescue.com Bluesky Social:https://bsky.app/profile/ubiquitousrat.bsky.socialRoleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore:https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Logo and artwork by MJ Hiblen:https://www.patreon.com/MJHiblenART/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This episode is an interview with someone whom I never expected to meet but am hugely grateful for the opportunity to talk to about RPGs, comics, characters, and story. Andrew Kafoury is a writer, creator, and the publisher and head of story at Battle Quest Comics, hailing from Portland, Oregon in the USA. He founded the company in 2020 to be a home for like-minded story creatives and artists with a passion for compelling characters and exciting adventures. He oversees the publication of original, creator-driven comic projects while also contributing his own works. Andrew is the writer and creator of No'madd: The Unconquerable, The Young Nomads, Elatari, and Steel Siege, titles that blend action, mythology, and character-driven narratives.More of his work can be found at www.BattleQuestComics.com.Big thanks to Andrew for coming on the show!Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Voice Message:speakpipe.com/roleplayrescuePatreon:patreon.com/rpgrescue Email:roleplayrescue@pm.meBlogroleplayrescue.com Bluesky Social:https://bsky.app/profile/ubiquitousrat.bsky.socialRoleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore:https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Logo and artwork by MJ Hiblen:https://www.patreon.com/MJHiblenART/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined makes one of the longest, most ambitious RPGs into something more manageable: a swashbuckling sprint through a book of fractured fairy tales. Whether or not you like that change of temp likely depends on your history with the series. Meanwhile, Nioh 3's first boss is the skill check from hell. Why would game designers build a wall between the player and the fun? Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at www.besties.fan. Want more episodes? Join us at patreon.com/thebesties for three bonus episodes each month!
Email the show: nintendopowblock@gmail.comOn this Direct Recap Show: Nintendo just dropped a Partner Direct packed with surprises—and the Switch 2026 lineup suddenly looks stacked.
Kenneth Hite moderates this panel with Crystal Mazur, Rick Meints, and Chris Spivey. We talk about how to introduce weirdness and horror into game settings. We talk about how to game design weird and examples of what that looks like for different RPGs.
Hey now and happy Cabal Wednesday! Today we bust into the episode talking about Don's first foray into tabletop roleplaying games, then get into some of the games we've been playing, including Rising Sun, In Front of the Elevator, Chu Han, Versailles 1919, and Bebop. Don and Jamie then put the spotlight on Cthulhu Dark Providence, the newest edition of Martin Wallace's classic A Study in Emerald, with Travis Chance lending his unique design flair to the mix. After that, Tony T gets down and dirty with his gaming news segment. And finally, the gang tackles a slew of listener-submitted questions. Rising Sun: 00:08:29, In Front of the Elevator: 00:19:21, Chu Han: 00:25:33, Versailles 1919: 00:32:54, Bebop: 00:39:08, Cthulhu Dark Providence Review: 00:56:47, News with Tony T: 01:33:15, Short Topic Extravaganza: 02:34:08. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/ and Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/.
Hey everyone, it's a new episode! This week, we are joined by Greg Moore as we talk about Anti RPGS, and then in t he secound half we talk about some new games and some PC Gaming.
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