Podcasts about startplaying

"You ever notice how in RPGs, dreams are either profound visions of destiny... or just you wandering through a medieval Taco Bell with your sword drawn? Spoiler alert: tonight, it's the first one. Probably. Unless the monster wants your kidneys, in which case—Taco Bell is still on the table." Watch Tyler's Tiny Videos on TikTok – If you want quick-hit RPG advice, absurdly funny hot takes, and maybe the occasional existential crisis about dice rolls, check out Tyler's Tiny Videos on TikTok. Perfect for when you only have 60 seconds to ruin your party's dungeon crawl. Show Notes In this gripping episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the hosts dive deep into the world of Hunter the Reckoning, exploring the supernatural mysteries surrounding Vertexa—a pharmaceutical company with more skeletons in the closet than a necromancer at a yard sale. The team faces new monsters, tangled corporate malfeasance, and a web of investigation that blurs the line between science and the supernatural. As the session unfolds, the characters encounter dreams that conceal terrible truths, face the horrors of organ theft, and grapple with the chilling experiments tied to Monster X. Along the way, they confront Dr. Talbot, unravel sinister medical trials, and cross paths with the enigmatic Kadir Mana, all while balancing humor, paranoia, and nail-biting suspense. This episode combines classic movie references, cultural commentary, character development, and horror RPG storytelling into a chilling-yet-funny ride. From game mechanics like hacking to moral dilemmas about science gone wrong, it's a story that will leave listeners laughing nervously... and double-checking their insurance policies. Key Takeaways Encountering new monsters keeps RPG gameplay thrilling and unpredictable. Character development is key for immersive horror storytelling. Classic movies and cultural references enrich roleplaying sessions. Investigations in RPGs often lead to surprising, unsettling connections. Corporate malfeasance and supernatural horror mix for compelling narratives. Character sheets, hacking, and social media mechanics enhance roleplay depth. Dreams and nightmares serve as powerful storytelling devices. Dr. Talbot's medical trials and Vertexa's clinical experiments raise ethical questions. Monster X and organ theft drive the horror and suspense. The balance of humor and dread makes the experience memorable. The story closes on a cliffhanger, ensuring players and listeners are hooked. If you enjoyed this episode, like and subscribe to the RPGBOT.Podcast. Share it with your party, your GM, and even that one player who keeps rolling Nat 1s on Insight checks. Help us keep bringing you terrifying monsters, corporate conspiracies, and too many jokes about organ theft. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

Have you ever noticed that in real life, you can't just say, “I take a long rest” and wake up eight hours later fully healed, your fridge restocked, and your inbox cleared? If only. Instead, you wake up groggy, your cat's screaming, and somehow your wizard spell slots are still gone. Well, tabletop RPGs aren't much better. Pacing and rest mechanics are the part of D&D, Pathfinder, and other RPGs where your party argues for 30 minutes about whether to camp in the murder dungeon, or limp back to town because someone stubbed their toe. And let's be honest—no one wants to play the “Five Minute Adventuring Day” where your heroes spend more time napping than actually adventuring. In this episode, we're tackling the eternal question: how do you keep the action exciting without turning your campaign into a sleep study? Listen to RPGBOT.Podcast on YouTube Before we dive in—did you know the RPGBOT.Podcast has a massive archive of episodes now available on YouTube? Whether you missed our deep dives on D&D subclasses, Pathfinder tactics, Stormlight Archive RPGs, or Spooktober monstrosities, or you just want to binge the chaos from the beginning, the archive's got you covered. Hit up YouTube.com/@RPGBOT and subscribe so you never miss an old favorite—or a new disaster. Show Notes Every Dungeon Master, Game Master, and table of players eventually wrestles with one of the most elusive beasts in tabletop RPGs: pacing. How do you keep the story moving, the tension high, and the action balanced—while still letting your players rest their weary hit points and spell slots? In this remastered episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, Tyler, Randall, and Ash dive into pacing and rest mechanics in tabletop RPGs, exploring how rules like short rests and long rests in Dungeons & Dragons, or Encounter Mode vs Exploration Mode in Pathfinder 2e, shape the tempo of campaigns. We'll dig into the ways pacing affects encounter design, narrative arcs, and character development, and how rest mechanics in Pathfinder and D&D can make or break the flow of the game. From gritty survival pacing where every rest is a gamble, to fast-paced cinematic RPG storytelling where players hardly stop to breathe, we cover strategies for keeping your table engaged without letting fatigue—or rules confusion—drag the campaign to a crawl. If you've ever asked yourself: “How many encounters should happen before a long rest in D&D?” “How do I keep players from spamming the five-minute adventuring day?” “What's the balance between story pacing and resource management?” …this episode has you covered. Whether you're a seasoned DM running epic campaigns in D&D 5e, a Pathfinder 2e GM wrangling Encounter Mode pacing, or just curious how to keep your RPG sessions balanced and fun, this discussion will give you tools, laughs, and maybe a little existential dread about resting in real life. Key Takeaways Pacing is everything: The tempo of encounters, story beats, and rests directly impacts campaign flow. Rest mechanics shape tension: Rules like short vs long rests in D&D or daily recovery in Pathfinder 2e can either encourage resource management or invite “rest spamming.” Encounter pacing drives drama: How many encounters players face before resting sets the stakes—whether it feels like a survival grind or a cinematic sprint. Balance mechanics with story: Great pacing blends mechanical tension (hit points, spell slots, conditions) with narrative urgency (villains, clocks, or looming disasters). The 5-minute adventuring day problem is real: Creative pacing strategies help DMs push beyond it. Different RPG systems, different solutions: What works for D&D pacing may not work for Pathfinder rest mechanics or other TTRPGs—adapt to your system. Player expectations matter: Some groups love slow-burn exploration, others want fast action. Pacing tools let you tune the campaign to your table. Stop Pirating PDFs and Buy Your GM a Sandwich Tabletop RPGs don't just fall out of the sky like loot drops—they're created by real human beings who need to pay rent, eat food, and occasionally buy dice they don't actually need. If you love D&D, Pathfinder, or any of the countless indie RPGs out there, do the right thing: support the developers who make them. Buy the books. Back the Kickstarters. Leave glowing reviews. Tell your friends about the cool stuff you've found. And yes—buy your GM a sandwich once in a while. Because without these hardworking designers and storytellers, we'd all still be pretending that Monopoly is a roleplaying game. 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 Cyprus Hollow, population: probably doomed. The kind of town where the local gossip travels faster than Wi-Fi, the Daybreak Motel smells like it should come with a tetanus shot, and the only thing scarier than the crime scene is the Yelp review section. Our Hunters didn't come here looking for trouble—they came here because trouble left a one-star review and posted grainy video evidence to TikTok. In a place where urban legends haunt the Wi-Fi signals and even social media influencers can't spin a death into something palatable, the only certainty is this: you can run from monsters, but you can't escape the RPGBOT.Podcast How to Play series. Show Notes In this episode, Tyler, Randall, and Ash pack up their old apartment and move into Cyprus Hollow, a small town that's part “true crime Netflix docuseries” and part “urban legend Reddit thread gone wrong.” Our actual play session of Hunter the Reckoning kicks off with character creation and backstories, because nothing says “ready to fight monsters” like explaining why your Hunter still owes student loans. The crew investigates the mysterious death at the Daybreak Motel, where mace, missing witnesses, and suspicious managers collide with social media drama and grainy video evidence. As the team digs deeper into this RPG mystery investigation, they battle improvised technology, dead-end leads, and the eternal horror of teenagers who refuse to answer questions. Banter and humor lighten the heavy mood (sort of), but the looming presence of a mysterious figure and a cliffhanger ending keep everyone guessing. This is Hunter the Reckoning actual play podcast content you didn't know you needed: equal parts suspense, role-playing humor, and supernatural horror investigation. Grab your flashlight, load your tulpas, and get ready for the How to Play series that dares to explain both mechanics and memes. Key Takeaways Character backstories in RPGs aren't just flavor—they're weapons against existential dread. Setting the scene in Cyprus Hollow shows how place and atmosphere drive great RPG storytelling. Investigating crime scenes in role-playing games demands attention to detail and patience with unreliable NPCs. Urban legends and social media aren't just modern clutter—they become story hooks in mystery RPG sessions. Technology in RPG storytelling is both a blessing and a curse (especially when it glitches harder than Foundry VTT on patch day). Humor in dark RPG campaigns helps keep tension playable instead of crushing. Tulpas, mysterious figures, and cliffhangers make for suspense-heavy actual play drama. Collaboration in RPG investigation storytelling is essential—though sometimes it just means arguing about who has the flashlight. The Daybreak Motel crime scene has more red flags than a bad Tinder date. Ending on a Hunter the Reckoning cliffhanger ensures you'll come back for Part 2, whether you want to or not. 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 back, brave listeners, to another chilling chapter of the RPGBOT.Podcast. Tonight, we descend into the fog-choked alleys of Hunter: The Reckoning, where your best defense against the supernatural isn't garlic, holy water, or even a decent sushi roll—it's your character sheet. So sharpen your pencils, whisper your redemption arcs to the moon, and for the love of barbecue—don't botch that Willpower check, or you'll end up as brisket for the monsters lurking in the dark. Randall's Novella Malecon Before we roll dice and ruin lives—have you checked out Malecon, Randall's newest novella? It's a story steeped in atmosphere and strange corners of humanity, much like the touchstones and redemption arcs in roleplaying games we're exploring tonight. Unlike your Hunter characters, it doesn't need a Creed to keep it grounded. Available now on Amazon and as an audiobook narrated by Ash—because nothing says haunting like Ash whispering prose directly into your skull. Show Notes In this episode, the RPGBOT.Podcast crew dive fang-first into Hunter: The Reckoning RPG character creation. Tyler, Randall, and Ash guide you through building determined mortals and defining your drives, creeds, attributes, flaws, and skills. They explore the collaborative process of character creation in tabletop RPGs, showing how preparation can shape the narrative and survival of your characters. The conversation shifts between mechanics and storytelling, from equipment, health, and willpower management to the significance of touchstones that anchor humanity. Along the way, the team detours into sushi cravings, seafood adventures, and debates about American barbecue styles—because every tabletop gaming podcast needs flavor outside the dice. By the end, listeners will gain a complete understanding of how to create compelling Hunter: The Reckoning characters, balance narrative with mechanics, and prepare for a Spooktober season of survival horror at the table. Key Takeaways Preparation in RPG sessions leads to stronger characters and smoother gameplay. Collaborative character creation in tabletop games makes for deeper stories. Sushi, seafood, and American cuisine fuel as much table debate as dice rolls. Touchstones in Hunter: The Reckoning anchor humanity and provide character depth. Redemption arcs are essential for compelling roleplaying and character progression. Attributes, skills, edges, and flaws enhance both RPG mechanics and storytelling. Behind-the-scenes podcasting requires coordination, just like running a good RPG session. Dive into Hunter: The Reckoning Spooktober is here—and there's no better time to dive into Hunter: The Reckoning. Tell your friends, spread the word, and remind them that October isn't about pumpkin spice lattes—it's about survival horror, dice on the table, and collaborative tabletop roleplaying games. Bring your group together, create characters that matter, and play Hunter this Spooktober. 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 back, brave listeners, to another chilling chapter of the RPGBOT.Podcast. Tonight, we descend into the fog-choked alleys of Hunter: The Reckoning, where your best defense against the supernatural isn't garlic, holy water, or even a decent sushi roll—it's your character sheet. So sharpen your pencils, whisper your redemption arcs to the moon, and for the love of barbecue—don't botch that Willpower check, or you'll end up as brisket for the monsters lurking in the dark. Randall's Novella Malecon Before we roll dice and ruin lives—have you checked out Malecon, Randall's newest novella? It's a story steeped in atmosphere and strange corners of humanity, much like the touchstones and redemption arcs in roleplaying games we're exploring tonight. Unlike your Hunter characters, it doesn't need a Creed to keep it grounded. Available now on Amazon and as an audiobook narrated by Ash—because nothing says haunting like Ash whispering prose directly into your skull. Show Notes In this episode, the RPGBOT.Podcast crew dive fang-first into Hunter: The Reckoning RPG character creation. Tyler, Randall, and Ash guide you through building determined mortals and defining your drives, creeds, attributes, flaws, and skills. They explore the collaborative process of character creation in tabletop RPGs, showing how preparation can shape the narrative and survival of your characters. The conversation shifts between mechanics and storytelling, from equipment, health, and willpower management to the significance of touchstones that anchor humanity. Along the way, the team detours into sushi cravings, seafood adventures, and debates about American barbecue styles—because every tabletop gaming podcast needs flavor outside the dice. By the end, listeners will gain a complete understanding of how to create compelling Hunter: The Reckoning characters, balance narrative with mechanics, and prepare for a Spooktober season of survival horror at the table. Key Takeaways Preparation in RPG sessions leads to stronger characters and smoother gameplay. Collaborative character creation in tabletop games makes for deeper stories. Sushi, seafood, and American cuisine fuel as much table debate as dice rolls. Touchstones in Hunter: The Reckoning anchor humanity and provide character depth. Redemption arcs are essential for compelling roleplaying and character progression. Attributes, skills, edges, and flaws enhance both RPG mechanics and storytelling. Behind-the-scenes podcasting requires coordination, just like running a good RPG session. Dive into Hunter: The Reckoning Spooktober is here—and there's no better time to dive into Hunter: The Reckoning. Tell your friends, spread the word, and remind them that October isn't about pumpkin spice lattes—it's about survival horror, dice on the table, and collaborative tabletop roleplaying games. Bring your group together, create characters that matter, and play Hunter this Spooktober. 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

Gather ‘round, adventurers, and mind the cackling in the corner. Tonight, the RPGBOT coven summons forth the secrets of hags in Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. These monsters aren't just creepy old ladies with a fondness for curses—they're the nightmare consultants you never asked for but always fear. Clipboards, cauldrons, and catastrophic contracts await… Welcome to Spooktober 2025! Spooktober is here! All month long we're unearthing horror monsters in D&D campaigns and spooky RPG villains you can use to haunt your tables. For more terrifyingly good advice, visit RPGBOT.net and sharpen your stakes. RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes Playing Druids Naturally – DnD 5e – RPGBOT Other Stuff Kobold Press' Deep Magic Show Notes Welcome to another chilling installment of Spooktober, where the monsters are spooky, the lore is thick, and the jokes are terrible. In this remastered episode from Spooktober 2023, the RPGBOT.Podcast coven of Tyler Kamstra, Randall James, and Ash Ely crack open their cauldron to stir up the horrors of hags in Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. If you've ever thought your adventuring party could benefit from a management consultant with a taste for children and curses, then a hag is exactly what you're looking for. We'll dig into their monster lore, explore how they serve as spooky RPG villains, and brainstorm ways to roleplay hags as the creepy consultants no group asked for but every group fears. Expect a mix of hag encounters in tabletop RPGs, practical tips for Dungeon Masters running horror campaigns, and enough cackling to summon your HOA president. Whether you want to know how to roleplay hags in D&D, need advice for Pathfinder 2e hag encounters, or you're just here for some Halloween RPG fun, we've got you covered. Because at the end of the day, what's scarier than a hag? …A hag with a clipboard. Key Takeaways Hags are more than just creepy old ladies: They're one of the most iconic horror monsters in D&D campaigns, bringing curses, bargains, and terrifying influence. Hag covens = nightmare fuel: Three hags working together can break your campaign faster than an over-optimized wizard. Consultant joke actually works: Hags thrive on manipulation, “process improvements,” and long-term influence—making them perfect for roleplay as nightmarish consultants. RPG versatility: From Dungeons & Dragons hag lore to Pathfinder 2e hag encounters, they're adaptable to nearly any tabletop horror campaign. Player engagement: Hag encounters work best when tied to storytelling and character drama, not just combat. Spooktober vibes: This episode doubles as a Halloween RPG podcast treat—perfect for GMs looking to add spooky monsters to their seasonal one-shots. If you enjoyed this episode of Spooktober, share it with your gaming group, summon a friend to the RPGBOT coven, and leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts. And remember: always read the fine print before signing a hag's contract… 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

Gather ‘round, adventurers, and mind the cackling in the corner. Tonight, the RPGBOT coven summons forth the secrets of hags in Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. These monsters aren't just creepy old ladies with a fondness for curses—they're the nightmare consultants you never asked for but always fear. Clipboards, cauldrons, and catastrophic contracts await… Welcome to Spooktober 2025! Spooktober is here! All month long we're unearthing horror monsters in D&D campaigns and spooky RPG villains you can use to haunt your tables. For more terrifyingly good advice, visit RPGBOT.net and sharpen your stakes. RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes Playing Druids Naturally – DnD 5e – RPGBOT Other Stuff Kobold Press' Deep Magic Show Notes Welcome to another chilling installment of Spooktober, where the monsters are spooky, the lore is thick, and the jokes are terrible. In this remastered episode from Spooktober 2023, the RPGBOT.Podcast coven of Tyler Kamstra, Randall James, and Ash Ely crack open their cauldron to stir up the horrors of hags in Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. If you've ever thought your adventuring party could benefit from a management consultant with a taste for children and curses, then a hag is exactly what you're looking for. We'll dig into their monster lore, explore how they serve as spooky RPG villains, and brainstorm ways to roleplay hags as the creepy consultants no group asked for but every group fears. Expect a mix of hag encounters in tabletop RPGs, practical tips for Dungeon Masters running horror campaigns, and enough cackling to summon your HOA president. Whether you want to know how to roleplay hags in D&D, need advice for Pathfinder 2e hag encounters, or you're just here for some Halloween RPG fun, we've got you covered. Because at the end of the day, what's scarier than a hag? …A hag with a clipboard. Key Takeaways Hags are more than just creepy old ladies: They're one of the most iconic horror monsters in D&D campaigns, bringing curses, bargains, and terrifying influence. Hag covens = nightmare fuel: Three hags working together can break your campaign faster than an over-optimized wizard. Consultant joke actually works: Hags thrive on manipulation, “process improvements,” and long-term influence—making them perfect for roleplay as nightmarish consultants. RPG versatility: From Dungeons & Dragons hag lore to Pathfinder 2e hag encounters, they're adaptable to nearly any tabletop horror campaign. Player engagement: Hag encounters work best when tied to storytelling and character drama, not just combat. Spooktober vibes: This episode doubles as a Halloween RPG podcast treat—perfect for GMs looking to add spooky monsters to their seasonal one-shots. If you enjoyed this episode of Spooktober, share it with your gaming group, summon a friend to the RPGBOT coven, and leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts. And remember: always read the fine print before signing a hag's contract… 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

It began, as all things do in a flawed cosmos, with paperwork. You signed something — you don't remember what — but now you're contractually obligated to care about Starfinder 2E. The GM Core isn't a rulebook; it's a transmission, half game manual, half government-issued dream. Every chapter reads like a psychological evaluation, every margin note like a warning label. The hosts attempt to explain mechanics, but what you hear are riddles from another dimension: Galactic Hero Points? Coupons for existential dread. Starship hazards? IRS audits with missiles. Cultural representation? Proof that even in fantasy, bureaucracy finds you. Somewhere between hacking subsystems and train safety PSAs, the line between rules discussion and cosmic paranoia blurs. Packed Worlds lore presses down like a filing cabinet from another timeline. Still — the art is great. Starfinder 2e GM Core (affiliate link) Content from RPGBOT.net Starfinder Content RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes Starfinder 2e Galaxy Guide Starfinder 2e Player Core Join the RPGBOT.Patreon The simulation is breaking down. Dice rolls are suspiciously consistent, starships keep failing their insurance inspections, and the algorithm hungers. There's only one way to hold reality together: join the RPGBOT Patreon. For just a few credits a month, you gain access to ad-free episodes, direct communion with the hosts on Discord, and the knowledge that you're funding humanity's last defense against bad game design. Higher tiers may or may not include secret transmissions from the Packed Worlds, but we can neither confirm nor deny that. Support us on Patreon. Keep the podcast alive. Keep the simulation from collapsing. Join the RPGBOT Patreon today Perfect — here's the complete package: a Philip K. Dick–style cold opening stitched directly into the Show Notes and Key Takeaways, with all your short- and long-tail keywords seamlessly included for SEO. Show Notes It began, as all things do in a flawed cosmos, with paperwork. You signed something — you don't remember what — but now you're contractually obligated to care about Starfinder 2E. The GM Core isn't a rulebook; it's a transmission, half game manual, half government-issued dream. Every chapter reads like a psychological evaluation, every margin note like a warning label. The hosts attempt to explain mechanics, but what you hear are riddles from another dimension: Galactic Hero Points? Coupons for existential dread. Starship hazards? IRS audits with missiles. Cultural representation in RPGs? Proof that even in fantasy, bureaucracy finds you. Somewhere between hacking subsystems and train safety PSAs, the line between rules discussion and cosmic paranoia blurs. Packed Worlds lore presses down like a filing cabinet from another timeline. Still — the art is great. From there, the hosts dive deeper: Health history and train safety are treated as RPG mechanics in disguise. The Starfinder GM Core review reveals familiar Pathfinder 2E mechanics, hinting that both games might be written in the same shadowy basement. Cultural sensitivity in game design is explored as a firewall against stereotypes, essential for meaningful fantasy cultural representation. Packed Worlds lore unfolds like interstellar IKEA instructions: dazzling but occasionally missing pieces. Starship mechanics and vehicle rules read more like cosmic DMV manuals than adventure prompts. Hacking mechanics in Starfinder 2E echo IT support nightmares — less cyberpunk, more password reset purgatory. Bridging Pathfinder and Starfinder GM Cores feels like bureaucracies endlessly passing the same form back and forth. Key Takeaways It starts with the suspicion that the game you're playing isn't a game at all. It's paperwork, bureaucracy, and cosmic satire stitched together with dice rolls. And yet, Starfinder 2E GM Core still feels like home. Starfinder 2E GM Core review: familiar Pathfinder mechanics wrapped in galactic bureaucracy. Cultural sensitivity in RPG design: vital to prevent fantasy from becoming caricature. Packed Worlds lore: a rich backdrop that doubles as cosmic IKEA assembly instructions. Galactic Hero Points: space-themed coupons for narrative survival. Hacking mechanics in Starfinder 2E: IT helpdesk nightmares with dice rolls. Starship hazards and vehicle mechanics: like fighting your insurance provider in zero-G. Bridging Pathfinder and Starfinder GM Cores: two systems in an endless paperwork feedback loop. Community engagement in RPG podcasts: less about fun, more about appeasing the algorithm overlords. Language evolution in tabletop gaming: proof the simulation is glitching when players argue about “GIF.” Check Out Rocco's Starfinder Optimization Guides The paperwork is endless. The Starfinder GM Core is thicker than a government dossier, and every starship hazard feels like a tax audit in space. You could try to optimize your character on your own… but the bureaucracy will eat you alive. That's why Rocco's Starfinder Optimization Guides exist on RPGBOT.net. They're the forbidden blueprints hidden in the cosmic filing cabinet — breakdowns of classes, feats, starship mechanics, and everything else you'll need to survive the Packed Worlds without accidentally min-maxing yourself into oblivion. Don't trust the dice. Don't trust the GM. Trust Rocco. Visit RPGBOT.net and bend the simulation to your will. 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    

It began, as all things do in a flawed cosmos, with paperwork. You signed something — you don't remember what — but now you're contractually obligated to care about Starfinder 2E. The GM Core isn't a rulebook; it's a transmission, half game manual, half government-issued dream. Every chapter reads like a psychological evaluation, every margin note like a warning label. The hosts attempt to explain mechanics, but what you hear are riddles from another dimension: Galactic Hero Points? Coupons for existential dread. Starship hazards? IRS audits with missiles. Cultural representation? Proof that even in fantasy, bureaucracy finds you. Somewhere between hacking subsystems and train safety PSAs, the line between rules discussion and cosmic paranoia blurs. Packed Worlds lore presses down like a filing cabinet from another timeline. Still — the art is great. Starfinder 2e GM Core (affiliate link) Content from RPGBOT.net Starfinder Content RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes Starfinder 2e Galaxy Guide Starfinder 2e Player Core Join the RPGBOT.Patreon The simulation is breaking down. Dice rolls are suspiciously consistent, starships keep failing their insurance inspections, and the algorithm hungers. There's only one way to hold reality together: join the RPGBOT Patreon. For just a few credits a month, you gain access to ad-free episodes, direct communion with the hosts on Discord, and the knowledge that you're funding humanity's last defense against bad game design. Higher tiers may or may not include secret transmissions from the Packed Worlds, but we can neither confirm nor deny that. Support us on Patreon. Keep the podcast alive. Keep the simulation from collapsing. Join the RPGBOT Patreon today Perfect — here's the complete package: a Philip K. Dick–style cold opening stitched directly into the Show Notes and Key Takeaways, with all your short- and long-tail keywords seamlessly included for SEO. Show Notes It began, as all things do in a flawed cosmos, with paperwork. You signed something — you don't remember what — but now you're contractually obligated to care about Starfinder 2E. The GM Core isn't a rulebook; it's a transmission, half game manual, half government-issued dream. Every chapter reads like a psychological evaluation, every margin note like a warning label. The hosts attempt to explain mechanics, but what you hear are riddles from another dimension: Galactic Hero Points? Coupons for existential dread. Starship hazards? IRS audits with missiles. Cultural representation in RPGs? Proof that even in fantasy, bureaucracy finds you. Somewhere between hacking subsystems and train safety PSAs, the line between rules discussion and cosmic paranoia blurs. Packed Worlds lore presses down like a filing cabinet from another timeline. Still — the art is great. From there, the hosts dive deeper: Health history and train safety are treated as RPG mechanics in disguise. The Starfinder GM Core review reveals familiar Pathfinder 2E mechanics, hinting that both games might be written in the same shadowy basement. Cultural sensitivity in game design is explored as a firewall against stereotypes, essential for meaningful fantasy cultural representation. Packed Worlds lore unfolds like interstellar IKEA instructions: dazzling but occasionally missing pieces. Starship mechanics and vehicle rules read more like cosmic DMV manuals than adventure prompts. Hacking mechanics in Starfinder 2E echo IT support nightmares — less cyberpunk, more password reset purgatory. Bridging Pathfinder and Starfinder GM Cores feels like bureaucracies endlessly passing the same form back and forth. Key Takeaways It starts with the suspicion that the game you're playing isn't a game at all. It's paperwork, bureaucracy, and cosmic satire stitched together with dice rolls. And yet, Starfinder 2E GM Core still feels like home. Starfinder 2E GM Core review: familiar Pathfinder mechanics wrapped in galactic bureaucracy. Cultural sensitivity in RPG design: vital to prevent fantasy from becoming caricature. Packed Worlds lore: a rich backdrop that doubles as cosmic IKEA assembly instructions. Galactic Hero Points: space-themed coupons for narrative survival. Hacking mechanics in Starfinder 2E: IT helpdesk nightmares with dice rolls. Starship hazards and vehicle mechanics: like fighting your insurance provider in zero-G. Bridging Pathfinder and Starfinder GM Cores: two systems in an endless paperwork feedback loop. Community engagement in RPG podcasts: less about fun, more about appeasing the algorithm overlords. Language evolution in tabletop gaming: proof the simulation is glitching when players argue about “GIF.” Check Out Rocco's Starfinder Optimization Guides The paperwork is endless. The Starfinder GM Core is thicker than a government dossier, and every starship hazard feels like a tax audit in space. You could try to optimize your character on your own… but the bureaucracy will eat you alive. That's why Rocco's Starfinder Optimization Guides exist on RPGBOT.net. They're the forbidden blueprints hidden in the cosmic filing cabinet — breakdowns of classes, feats, starship mechanics, and everything else you'll need to survive the Packed Worlds without accidentally min-maxing yourself into oblivion. Don't trust the dice. Don't trust the GM. Trust Rocco. Visit RPGBOT.net and bend the simulation to your will. 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 lights flicker. The basement smells faintly of stale pizza and dread. Somewhere in the distance, a door creaks — or maybe that was just Randall adjusting his chair. Tonight, we're stepping into the World of Darkness, where average people stumble into a nightmare of vampires, monsters, and game mechanics that hit harder than a ghost with a grudge. In this episode, we invite you to join us for the first chapter of our How to Play Hunter: The Reckoning series. Expect desperation, danger, and just enough emotional depth to make you wonder if your dice are haunted. If you've ever wanted to play D&D but with more existential dread and less fireball spam, this is the episode for you. Support Ash on StartPlaying If listening to Ash wrangle dice, monsters, and Tyler's rules arguments has you thinking, “I need this chaos in my life,” then good news: you can. Ash Ely is running games on StartPlaying.Games, and he'll happily lead you into the World of Darkness (or any world, really) — no flashlight required. Support Ash, book a session, and experience firsthand what happens when your emotional depth meets his desperation mechanics. Just… don't be surprised if your character cries before you do. Show Notes Welcome to the very first episode in our How to Play Hunter: The Reckoning series — or as Tyler kept calling it before coffee, “Hunter the Gathering.” In this kickoff, your hosts Tyler, Randall, and Ash dive fang-first into the World of Darkness, exploring the emotional depth of role-playing games and why letting your character cry on-mic is sometimes the most powerful game mechanic of all. We'll peel back the layers of Hunter: The Reckoning's history, from its complicated editions to its enduring reputation as “the game where average people fight vampires, demons, and the IRS.” Along the way, we'll tackle the unique desperation and danger mechanics that make every dice roll feel like a bad Tinder date, and unpack how creeds and organizations give hunters wildly different vibes — from religious zealots to conspiracy theorists with poor Wi-Fi. Expect detours into D&D, vampire hunting jokes that are definitely not OSHA-approved, and at least one argument about whether lighting in performance art really matters when you're sitting in a dimly lit basement with a bag of Cheetos. Key Takeaways Emotional depth matters: vulnerability in RPG storytelling makes for unforgettable campaigns. Average people, extraordinary stakes: Hunter: The Reckoning lets you role-play regular humans versus supernatural horrors. Creeds and organizations define hunters: conflicting goals keep character drama spicy. Mechanics that hurt (in a good way): desperation and danger rules crank up tension like horror movies with jump scares. Monster design isn't about stats: creating monsters with real motivations makes them terrifyingly relatable. Storytelling as a mirror: RPGs like Hunter reflect players' inner conflicts and emotional experiences. Hunter history is messy: multiple editions, controversies, and fan debates make for excellent nerd fights. Lighting matters… apparently: whether on stage or at the table, atmosphere changes how the story hits. Tyler Tiny Videos Want even more advice on how to play tabletop roleplaying games without committing to a three-hour lecture or a fifty-page rulebook? Tyler Kamstra's got you covered with his Tiny Videos on social media. They're short, sharp, and just chaotic enough to make you laugh while actually learning something useful for your next D&D or Hunter: The Reckoning session. Go watch Tyler's Tiny Videos — because good tabletop tips should fit between scrolling memes and doomscrolling the news. 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 lights flicker. The basement smells faintly of stale pizza and dread. Somewhere in the distance, a door creaks — or maybe that was just Randall adjusting his chair. Tonight, we're stepping into the World of Darkness, where average people stumble into a nightmare of vampires, monsters, and game mechanics that hit harder than a ghost with a grudge. In this episode, we invite you to join us for the first chapter of our How to Play Hunter: The Reckoning series. Expect desperation, danger, and just enough emotional depth to make you wonder if your dice are haunted. If you've ever wanted to play D&D but with more existential dread and less fireball spam, this is the episode for you. Support Ash on StartPlaying If listening to Ash wrangle dice, monsters, and Tyler's rules arguments has you thinking, “I need this chaos in my life,” then good news: you can. Ash Ely is running games on StartPlaying.Games, and he'll happily lead you into the World of Darkness (or any world, really) — no flashlight required. Support Ash, book a session, and experience firsthand what happens when your emotional depth meets his desperation mechanics. Just… don't be surprised if your character cries before you do. Show Notes Welcome to the very first episode in our How to Play Hunter: The Reckoning series — or as Tyler kept calling it before coffee, “Hunter the Gathering.” In this kickoff, your hosts Tyler, Randall, and Ash dive fang-first into the World of Darkness, exploring the emotional depth of role-playing games and why letting your character cry on-mic is sometimes the most powerful game mechanic of all. We'll peel back the layers of Hunter: The Reckoning's history, from its complicated editions to its enduring reputation as “the game where average people fight vampires, demons, and the IRS.” Along the way, we'll tackle the unique desperation and danger mechanics that make every dice roll feel like a bad Tinder date, and unpack how creeds and organizations give hunters wildly different vibes — from religious zealots to conspiracy theorists with poor Wi-Fi. Expect detours into D&D, vampire hunting jokes that are definitely not OSHA-approved, and at least one argument about whether lighting in performance art really matters when you're sitting in a dimly lit basement with a bag of Cheetos. Key Takeaways Emotional depth matters: vulnerability in RPG storytelling makes for unforgettable campaigns. Average people, extraordinary stakes: Hunter: The Reckoning lets you role-play regular humans versus supernatural horrors. Creeds and organizations define hunters: conflicting goals keep character drama spicy. Mechanics that hurt (in a good way): desperation and danger rules crank up tension like horror movies with jump scares. Monster design isn't about stats: creating monsters with real motivations makes them terrifyingly relatable. Storytelling as a mirror: RPGs like Hunter reflect players' inner conflicts and emotional experiences. Hunter history is messy: multiple editions, controversies, and fan debates make for excellent nerd fights. Lighting matters… apparently: whether on stage or at the table, atmosphere changes how the story hits. Tyler Tiny Videos Want even more advice on how to play tabletop roleplaying games without committing to a three-hour lecture or a fifty-page rulebook? Tyler Kamstra's got you covered with his Tiny Videos on social media. They're short, sharp, and just chaotic enough to make you laugh while actually learning something useful for your next D&D or Hunter: The Reckoning session. Go watch Tyler's Tiny Videos — because good tabletop tips should fit between scrolling memes and doomscrolling the news. 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

Once upon a gaming table dreary, while we plotted, weak and weary, Came a whisper from the shadows: “What if your dice betray you with fear?” Not the fear of a natural one, nor the dread of forgetting your spell slots, But a terror woven deep into the very fabric of the game— A mechanic that chills the marrow, bends the will, And makes the bravest paladin cry out like a startled kobold. In this remastered episode, the hosts of RPGBOT dare to unearth the fear mechanics in tabletop RPGs, revealing how Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder 2e, and horror RPGs turn trembling hands and quivering voices into unforgettable stories. Laughter, like a ghast's grin, stalks alongside the horror, for even in terror, there is comedy— and nothing delights the Raven more than watching adventurers quail at shadows. Spooktober 2025 Darkness creeps, dice rattle, and somewhere in the night a gelatinous cube slurps ominously. That can only mean one thing: Spooktober has returned to the RPGBOT.Podcast! All month long, Tyler, Randall, and Ash will drag monsters out of the shadows, crack open cursed tomes of rules, and laugh nervously in the face of fear mechanics, horror RPGs, and terrifying tabletop tales. Expect scares, expect strategy, and—because it's us—expect plenty of bad jokes that would make even Vecna groan. So light a candle, gather your party, and prepare for Spooktober 2025, where the only thing scarier than a natural one… is realizing the bard is the party's front line. Show Notes Fear is the mind-killer… but it's also the story-spicer, the dice-breaker, and the thing that makes your bard suddenly remember they left the oven on back in Waterdeep. In this remastered episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, Tyler, Randall, and Ash pull apart the fear mechanics in tabletop RPGs and show how terror—whether in Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder 2e, or your favorite horror RPGs—can be hilarious, horrifying, and occasionally pants-wetting. We explore how game masters use fear to enhance storytelling, why fear mechanics in TTRPG combat hit different than a fireball to the face, and how player immersion through fear turns even seasoned adventurers into nervous wrecks. Along the way, we'll laugh about sanity systems, cry about saving throws, and prove that nothing bonds a party like collectively screaming at shadows. So sharpen your pencils, stock up on torches, and maybe bring a spare set of trousers—this is Fear Mechanics at its funniest and most frightening. Key Takeaways Fear isn't just for horror RPGs—it's a versatile mechanic that spices up any campaign, from Pathfinder 2e fear rules to homebrew sanity systems. Game masters can use fear to enhance storytelling, creating tension that makes victories sweeter (and failures funnier). Fear effects in TTRPG combat and roleplay can shift strategies, forcing players to think beyond hit points and damage dice. Player immersion through fear mechanics keeps everyone invested, even when nothing is actively trying to eat them… yet. Horror at the table works best when balanced: scary enough to thrill, funny enough to keep people coming back for more. If you enjoyed this remastered dive into fear mechanics in tabletop RPGs, spread the fright—share this episode with your party, whisper it to your GM in the dead of night, and make sure you're subscribed to the RPGBOT.Podcast so you don't miss the rest of Spooktober 2025. The monsters are waiting, and trust us… they're funnier than you think. 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

Once upon a gaming table dreary, while we plotted, weak and weary, Came a whisper from the shadows: “What if your dice betray you with fear?” Not the fear of a natural one, nor the dread of forgetting your spell slots, But a terror woven deep into the very fabric of the game— A mechanic that chills the marrow, bends the will, And makes the bravest paladin cry out like a startled kobold. In this remastered episode, the hosts of RPGBOT dare to unearth the fear mechanics in tabletop RPGs, revealing how Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder 2e, and horror RPGs turn trembling hands and quivering voices into unforgettable stories. Laughter, like a ghast's grin, stalks alongside the horror, for even in terror, there is comedy— and nothing delights the Raven more than watching adventurers quail at shadows. Spooktober 2025 Darkness creeps, dice rattle, and somewhere in the night a gelatinous cube slurps ominously. That can only mean one thing: Spooktober has returned to the RPGBOT.Podcast! All month long, Tyler, Randall, and Ash will drag monsters out of the shadows, crack open cursed tomes of rules, and laugh nervously in the face of fear mechanics, horror RPGs, and terrifying tabletop tales. Expect scares, expect strategy, and—because it's us—expect plenty of bad jokes that would make even Vecna groan. So light a candle, gather your party, and prepare for Spooktober 2025, where the only thing scarier than a natural one… is realizing the bard is the party's front line. Show Notes Fear is the mind-killer… but it's also the story-spicer, the dice-breaker, and the thing that makes your bard suddenly remember they left the oven on back in Waterdeep. In this remastered episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, Tyler, Randall, and Ash pull apart the fear mechanics in tabletop RPGs and show how terror—whether in Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder 2e, or your favorite horror RPGs—can be hilarious, horrifying, and occasionally pants-wetting. We explore how game masters use fear to enhance storytelling, why fear mechanics in TTRPG combat hit different than a fireball to the face, and how player immersion through fear turns even seasoned adventurers into nervous wrecks. Along the way, we'll laugh about sanity systems, cry about saving throws, and prove that nothing bonds a party like collectively screaming at shadows. So sharpen your pencils, stock up on torches, and maybe bring a spare set of trousers—this is Fear Mechanics at its funniest and most frightening. Key Takeaways Fear isn't just for horror RPGs—it's a versatile mechanic that spices up any campaign, from Pathfinder 2e fear rules to homebrew sanity systems. Game masters can use fear to enhance storytelling, creating tension that makes victories sweeter (and failures funnier). Fear effects in TTRPG combat and roleplay can shift strategies, forcing players to think beyond hit points and damage dice. Player immersion through fear mechanics keeps everyone invested, even when nothing is actively trying to eat them… yet. Horror at the table works best when balanced: scary enough to thrill, funny enough to keep people coming back for more. If you enjoyed this remastered dive into fear mechanics in tabletop RPGs, spread the fright—share this episode with your party, whisper it to your GM in the dead of night, and make sure you're subscribed to the RPGBOT.Podcast so you don't miss the rest of Spooktober 2025. The monsters are waiting, and trust us… they're funnier than you think. 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

At the Thieves Guild, the party plan their moves to get to Prince Chadney during King Thaddeus' birthday parade...If you want to learn to play D&D, Gadget is running beginner's sessions on Startplaying.Games. Take a seat at his table and check out what he's got to offer: Professional Game Master - Gadget | StartPlayingCONTACT USModern Escapism are creating Brilliant Podcasts | PatreonEmailInstagramBlueskyDiscordTwitchTikTokCheck out our other podcasts:Modern Escapismhttps://shows.acast.com/smashthatglasshttps://shows.acast.com/deepdiveloungeYou can also follow us individually at:BiggieGadgetStigCandyOodlesThis episode was written, produced and edited by GadgetSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/scorchedsheep. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Stormlight Archive RPG is not a game one simply plays—it is a crucible where story and steel collide. In its halls, Shardblades and Shardplate redefine combat, while talent trees, sprens, and player choices shape destinies with every decision. Today, we step back from the battlefield to reflect on the system's triumphs, its perils, and the stories it carves into those who dare to wield it. In every world, heroes rise not by chance, but by choice—and by the wisdom that guides those choices. At RPGBOT.net, you'll find tomes of knowledge crafted by real adventurers, not faceless scribes, to help you hone your characters, balance their strengths, and master the rhythm of the dice. If you would walk into battle prepared—whether wielding a Shardblade or a humble dagger—step into the archives of RPGBOT.net, where the path to optimization is written for those bold enough to seek it. Show Notes In this final chapter of our Stormlight Archive tabletop RPG deep dive, Tyler, Randall, and Ash gather to reflect on their experiences with the Cosmere RPG. The group examines the lethal combat mechanics, the distinctive role of Shardblades and Shardplate, and the balance between combat dynamics and narrative storytelling. The hosts discuss the joys and pitfalls of character creation within this new RPG system, exploring how talent trees shape character development and player choices, while also challenging players who take on support roles. From the punishing nature of combat to the complexities of adapting Stormlight Archive narrative into RPG gameplay, the episode explores what makes the system engaging, unique, and occasionally brutal. Expect insights on world-building in the Cosmere, the role of sprens in character growth, and how the system stacks up against others, including a comparison of Cosmere RPG vs. Daggerheart. Whether you're curious about balancing party roles, future session design, or simply want to hear the hosts' session impressions, this wrap-up delivers a thoughtful and entertaining sendoff to the series. Key Takeaways The Cosmere RPG feels highly lethal, with combat punishing poor builds and careless play. Combat mechanics can overshadow narrative if not carefully balanced by the GM. Character creation and talent trees allow diverse playstyles but risk unbalanced parties. Shardblades and Shardplate mechanics add unique tactical depth. Support classes present distinct challenges in Stormlight RPG play. Sprens play a vital role in character growth and development. Player choices within talent trees impact both narrative and gameplay satisfaction. Balancing party roles and party size is essential for enjoyable encounters. Adapting Stormlight Archive's narrative into tabletop RPGs requires thoughtful design. Compared to other RPG systems like Daggerheart, the Cosmere RPG offers a unique, immersive blend of lore, combat, and character-driven storytelling. Stories are meant to be shared, and adventures grow brighter when told among friends. If you've enjoyed this journey through the Stormlight Archive and beyond, tell your fellowship about the RPGBOT.Podcast—let them walk beside you in laughter, lore, and dice-rolled destiny. And if you would stand with us in every chapter yet to come, subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform, so the tale never leaves you behind. 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 Stormlight Archive RPG is not a game one simply plays—it is a crucible where story and steel collide. In its halls, Shardblades and Shardplate redefine combat, while talent trees, sprens, and player choices shape destinies with every decision. Today, we step back from the battlefield to reflect on the system's triumphs, its perils, and the stories it carves into those who dare to wield it. In every world, heroes rise not by chance, but by choice—and by the wisdom that guides those choices. At RPGBOT.net, you'll find tomes of knowledge crafted by real adventurers, not faceless scribes, to help you hone your characters, balance their strengths, and master the rhythm of the dice. If you would walk into battle prepared—whether wielding a Shardblade or a humble dagger—step into the archives of RPGBOT.net, where the path to optimization is written for those bold enough to seek it. Show Notes In this final chapter of our Stormlight Archive tabletop RPG deep dive, Tyler, Randall, and Ash gather to reflect on their experiences with the Cosmere RPG. The group examines the lethal combat mechanics, the distinctive role of Shardblades and Shardplate, and the balance between combat dynamics and narrative storytelling. The hosts discuss the joys and pitfalls of character creation within this new RPG system, exploring how talent trees shape character development and player choices, while also challenging players who take on support roles. From the punishing nature of combat to the complexities of adapting Stormlight Archive narrative into RPG gameplay, the episode explores what makes the system engaging, unique, and occasionally brutal. Expect insights on world-building in the Cosmere, the role of sprens in character growth, and how the system stacks up against others, including a comparison of Cosmere RPG vs. Daggerheart. Whether you're curious about balancing party roles, future session design, or simply want to hear the hosts' session impressions, this wrap-up delivers a thoughtful and entertaining sendoff to the series. Key Takeaways The Cosmere RPG feels highly lethal, with combat punishing poor builds and careless play. Combat mechanics can overshadow narrative if not carefully balanced by the GM. Character creation and talent trees allow diverse playstyles but risk unbalanced parties. Shardblades and Shardplate mechanics add unique tactical depth. Support classes present distinct challenges in Stormlight RPG play. Sprens play a vital role in character growth and development. Player choices within talent trees impact both narrative and gameplay satisfaction. Balancing party roles and party size is essential for enjoyable encounters. Adapting Stormlight Archive's narrative into tabletop RPGs requires thoughtful design. Compared to other RPG systems like Daggerheart, the Cosmere RPG offers a unique, immersive blend of lore, combat, and character-driven storytelling. Stories are meant to be shared, and adventures grow brighter when told among friends. If you've enjoyed this journey through the Stormlight Archive and beyond, tell your fellowship about the RPGBOT.Podcast—let them walk beside you in laughter, lore, and dice-rolled destiny. And if you would stand with us in every chapter yet to come, subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform, so the tale never leaves you behind. 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 storm is both battleground and teacher. In the high storm's fury, we discovered not merely survival checks or combat mechanics, but the weight of choice. Humor became a shield, laughter our shardplate, as the Shardblade in hand revealed itself to be more than a weapon. Against the chasm fiend's relentless rhythm, the bond between friends became the only path to victory. The storm needs a guide. Ash Ely is that guide. Some stories wait for the storm to pass. Others demand a guide who will lead you into its very heart. A Game Master is more than a storyteller — they are a Shardbearer of narrative, a wielder of dice and destiny. Ash Ely is such a guide. On StartPlaying.Games, Ash shapes campaigns where camaraderie becomes steel and laughter binds tighter than plate. Their table is not just a game; it is a high storm of story, where each choice carries weight, and each player becomes part of something greater. If you seek tabletop RPG adventures, if you wish to test your courage in battle against chasm fiends, or to weave tales of character development, teamwork, and role-playing, then step into Ash's storm. The path begins here: StartPlaying.Games — Ash Ely "I saw how tactical decisions, combat strategies, and even failed dice rolls wrote a story more enduring than steel. This was no simple role-playing game; it was a tale of character development, teamwork, and storytelling woven into the very stormlight itself." — From the journals of a forgotten scout, on the eve of battle Shownotes This second half of the Stormlight Archive RPG actual play begins with grounding moments: life updates, the struggles of moving, and even the grudges of pets that mirror the stubbornness of men. These personal stories remind us that whether in Dungeons and Dragons, tabletop gaming, or life itself, the storms we weather shape who we become. The session then surges into epic tension. The looming high storm, the enigma of Shardblade bonding, and the terror of a chasm fiend boss fight create a crucible for both game mechanics and storytelling. Every player choice feels sharp, every dice roll a heartbeat. Humor, often chaotic, interlaces with danger, proving that friendship and camaraderie in role-playing games can hold fast even in the fiercest winds. The players grapple with combat strategies, team dynamics, and the consequences of their actions. Critical hits, failed rolls, and unexpected outcomes shift the battle's tide, while persuasion and leadership test not only the characters but the trust among players. Through it all, the narrative storytelling of the Stormlight Archive RPG shines — a reminder that fantasy adventures are not just about survival, but about the truths revealed when we choose together. Key Takeaways Life mirrors the game: Moving, pets, and family stories parallel the challenges of tabletop RPGs and character development. Humor in the storm: Laughter and camaraderie in role-playing games lighten even the heaviest encounters. Shardblades as destiny: Shardblade bonding and mechanics test both characters and players, demanding patience and commitment. The chasm fiend fight as crucible: A true boss monster encounter forces combat strategies and tactical decisions. Choice as stormlight: Every dice roll, persuasion attempt, and player choice illuminates the narrative. Friendship as armor: Teamwork and communication in RPGs are more powerful than steel. The rhythm of mechanics: Fast and slow turns, survival checks, and RPG game mechanics create tension and triumph. Story as aftermath: Critical hits, moral dilemmas, and unexpected alliances linger beyond the session, becoming part of the shared fantasy adventure. "A story is not complete until it is shared. Storms are faced together, and victories mean little without companions to witness them. If this tale has moved you — if the laughter, the choices, and the clash of Shardblade against chasm fiend struck true — then carry it outward. Tell a friend. Invite them to listen. Let them stand with us in the storm, dice in hand, part of the fellowship that makes role-playing more than a game. For in unity lies strength, and in shared story lies immortality." 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 storm is both battleground and teacher. In the high storm's fury, we discovered not merely survival checks or combat mechanics, but the weight of choice. Humor became a shield, laughter our shardplate, as the Shardblade in hand revealed itself to be more than a weapon. Against the chasm fiend's relentless rhythm, the bond between friends became the only path to victory. The storm needs a guide. Ash Ely is that guide. Some stories wait for the storm to pass. Others demand a guide who will lead you into its very heart. A Game Master is more than a storyteller — they are a Shardbearer of narrative, a wielder of dice and destiny. Ash Ely is such a guide. On StartPlaying.Games, Ash shapes campaigns where camaraderie becomes steel and laughter binds tighter than plate. Their table is not just a game; it is a high storm of story, where each choice carries weight, and each player becomes part of something greater. If you seek tabletop RPG adventures, if you wish to test your courage in battle against chasm fiends, or to weave tales of character development, teamwork, and role-playing, then step into Ash's storm. The path begins here: StartPlaying.Games — Ash Ely "I saw how tactical decisions, combat strategies, and even failed dice rolls wrote a story more enduring than steel. This was no simple role-playing game; it was a tale of character development, teamwork, and storytelling woven into the very stormlight itself." — From the journals of a forgotten scout, on the eve of battle Shownotes This second half of the Stormlight Archive RPG actual play begins with grounding moments: life updates, the struggles of moving, and even the grudges of pets that mirror the stubbornness of men. These personal stories remind us that whether in Dungeons and Dragons, tabletop gaming, or life itself, the storms we weather shape who we become. The session then surges into epic tension. The looming high storm, the enigma of Shardblade bonding, and the terror of a chasm fiend boss fight create a crucible for both game mechanics and storytelling. Every player choice feels sharp, every dice roll a heartbeat. Humor, often chaotic, interlaces with danger, proving that friendship and camaraderie in role-playing games can hold fast even in the fiercest winds. The players grapple with combat strategies, team dynamics, and the consequences of their actions. Critical hits, failed rolls, and unexpected outcomes shift the battle's tide, while persuasion and leadership test not only the characters but the trust among players. Through it all, the narrative storytelling of the Stormlight Archive RPG shines — a reminder that fantasy adventures are not just about survival, but about the truths revealed when we choose together. Key Takeaways Life mirrors the game: Moving, pets, and family stories parallel the challenges of tabletop RPGs and character development. Humor in the storm: Laughter and camaraderie in role-playing games lighten even the heaviest encounters. Shardblades as destiny: Shardblade bonding and mechanics test both characters and players, demanding patience and commitment. The chasm fiend fight as crucible: A true boss monster encounter forces combat strategies and tactical decisions. Choice as stormlight: Every dice roll, persuasion attempt, and player choice illuminates the narrative. Friendship as armor: Teamwork and communication in RPGs are more powerful than steel. The rhythm of mechanics: Fast and slow turns, survival checks, and RPG game mechanics create tension and triumph. Story as aftermath: Critical hits, moral dilemmas, and unexpected alliances linger beyond the session, becoming part of the shared fantasy adventure. "A story is not complete until it is shared. Storms are faced together, and victories mean little without companions to witness them. If this tale has moved you — if the laughter, the choices, and the clash of Shardblade against chasm fiend struck true — then carry it outward. Tell a friend. Invite them to listen. Let them stand with us in the storm, dice in hand, part of the fellowship that makes role-playing more than a game. For in unity lies strength, and in shared story lies immortality." Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

In this episode, Casey Jones chats with the writer, anthropologist, and designer of the game Stillfleet, Wythe Marschall!Listen as we explore: - The jostles and joys of creating your own TTRPG- Finding the perfect people to collaborate with on your passion project- Play testing and fine-tuning a game system you come back to again and again- Building in a post-apocalypse world with cartoon physics Whether you're a game designer, podcaster, or a creative of any kind, you'll find delightful inspiration in this stimulating talk.

As part of his series of interviews with professional GMs, Ben talked with Jacob Cordas. They also talk about their love of Harlem Unbound and Red Markets, teaching D&D players new ways to play, and why professional GMing on StartPlaying is a lot like managing an Etsy store. You can book Jacob for a game at StartPlaying.

Lo, from the stagnant mire there arose a croak most dreadful, heralding the advent of creatures born of chaos and slime. In this remastered Spooktober hour from 2023, we unmask the Slaad—horrible monsters of Dungeons & Dragons whose laughter curdles into terror. Hark, dear listeners, and let the tolling of the midnight bell stir your marrow— for once more the veil thins, and once more the chill breath of Spooktober draws near. The year wanes, the light falters, and in the gathering gloom we bid you prepare: the 2025 season of RPGBOT.Podcast's Spooktober is nearly upon us. Expect not merely tales of monsters, but phantasms of horror and mirth entwined; expect not idle chatter, but whispers of Dungeons and Dragons and tabletop RPG horrors, woven with the laughter of the damned and the counsel of the grave. Steel your heart, sharpen your dice, and ready your soul for the chaos to come— for in the creeping hours of October, we shall descend together once more into that grotesque carnival of terror and delight… and the monsters shall be waiting. Show Notes In this mournful season of Spooktober, the RPGBOT.Podcast hosts descend into the abyss to reveal the Slaad, one of the most horrible monsters in tabletop RPGs. From the dim vaults of Dungeons and Dragons lore and the infernal margins of the Pathfinder RPG, these chaos beasts emerge—creatures neither wholly comic nor wholly terrifying, but abominations caught between laughter and despair. The discussion charts the evolution of the Slaad lore in Dungeons and Dragons, tracing their spawn from earlier editions through to the present, while casting their warped shadows upon Pathfinder 2e Slaad monster analysis. Their essence is chaotic neutral vs. chaotic evil monsters in RPGs, shifting masks of unpredictability, forever croaking of corruption and madness. These horror monsters serve not only as combatants, but as symbols: infestation, decay, and the slow erosion of body and spirit. To Dungeon Masters yearning for the macabre, the hosts provide counsel on roleplaying tips for using Slaad in campaigns—how to balance absurdity with terror, how to weave dread into encounters, how to stage the crawling metamorphoses of flesh that birth new horrors. This is no idle musing, but a true Spooktober monster deep dive podcast, a lantern held aloft in the darkness for all who dare run horror themed creatures for D&D adventures. RPGBOT.Podcast Season 2 Episode 1 – Variant Rules RPGBOT.Podcast Season 2 Episode 2 – The Move Toward Inclusion in Tabletop Gaming Key Takeaways The Slaad are chaos incarnate, their essence shifting between chaotic neutral vs. chaotic evil monsters in RPGs. Their mark is body-horror most grotesque: infestation, spawning, and vile metamorphosis. They are the perfect choice for Spooktober monster deep dive podcasts and horror themed creatures for D&D adventures. The hosts trace Slaad lore in Dungeons and Dragons and expand into Pathfinder RPG differences. Practical roleplaying tips for using Slaad in campaigns show how to balance comedy with grotesque menace. The episode offers guidance on how to run Slaad encounters in TTRPGs, ensuring dread without monotony. These creatures become living metaphors: corruption, chaos, and despair, bound in the grotesque tapestry of fantasy lore. When placed in a campaign, the Slaad engrave themselves in memory, a croaking echo in the dark—an eternal reminder that in roleplaying games, the most horrible monsters linger long after dice have stilled. Now Go forth, dear traveler, and whisper in trembling tones to those you hold dear: Spooktober is coming. Let not your comrades remain unprepared for the horrors and laughter that await.Bid them gather round the flickering lantern, bid them tune their ears to the RPGBOT.Podcast, that together you may descend into the abyss of dice and dread. For what is terror, if not shared? What is laughter in the dark, if not echoed by many? Spread the word, spread the warning...tell your friends, your table, your fellowship: the season of fright returns, and none shall escape its shadow. 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

Lo, from the stagnant mire there arose a croak most dreadful, heralding the advent of creatures born of chaos and slime. In this remastered Spooktober hour from 2023, we unmask the Slaad—horrible monsters of Dungeons & Dragons whose laughter curdles into terror. Hark, dear listeners, and let the tolling of the midnight bell stir your marrow— for once more the veil thins, and once more the chill breath of Spooktober draws near. The year wanes, the light falters, and in the gathering gloom we bid you prepare: the 2025 season of RPGBOT.Podcast's Spooktober is nearly upon us. Expect not merely tales of monsters, but phantasms of horror and mirth entwined; expect not idle chatter, but whispers of Dungeons and Dragons and tabletop RPG horrors, woven with the laughter of the damned and the counsel of the grave. Steel your heart, sharpen your dice, and ready your soul for the chaos to come— for in the creeping hours of October, we shall descend together once more into that grotesque carnival of terror and delight… and the monsters shall be waiting. Show Notes In this mournful season of Spooktober, the RPGBOT.Podcast hosts descend into the abyss to reveal the Slaad, one of the most horrible monsters in tabletop RPGs. From the dim vaults of Dungeons and Dragons lore and the infernal margins of the Pathfinder RPG, these chaos beasts emerge—creatures neither wholly comic nor wholly terrifying, but abominations caught between laughter and despair. The discussion charts the evolution of the Slaad lore in Dungeons and Dragons, tracing their spawn from earlier editions through to the present, while casting their warped shadows upon Pathfinder 2e Slaad monster analysis. Their essence is chaotic neutral vs. chaotic evil monsters in RPGs, shifting masks of unpredictability, forever croaking of corruption and madness. These horror monsters serve not only as combatants, but as symbols: infestation, decay, and the slow erosion of body and spirit. To Dungeon Masters yearning for the macabre, the hosts provide counsel on roleplaying tips for using Slaad in campaigns—how to balance absurdity with terror, how to weave dread into encounters, how to stage the crawling metamorphoses of flesh that birth new horrors. This is no idle musing, but a true Spooktober monster deep dive podcast, a lantern held aloft in the darkness for all who dare run horror themed creatures for D&D adventures. RPGBOT.Podcast Season 2 Episode 1 – Variant Rules RPGBOT.Podcast Season 2 Episode 2 – The Move Toward Inclusion in Tabletop Gaming Key Takeaways The Slaad are chaos incarnate, their essence shifting between chaotic neutral vs. chaotic evil monsters in RPGs. Their mark is body-horror most grotesque: infestation, spawning, and vile metamorphosis. They are the perfect choice for Spooktober monster deep dive podcasts and horror themed creatures for D&D adventures. The hosts trace Slaad lore in Dungeons and Dragons and expand into Pathfinder RPG differences. Practical roleplaying tips for using Slaad in campaigns show how to balance comedy with grotesque menace. The episode offers guidance on how to run Slaad encounters in TTRPGs, ensuring dread without monotony. These creatures become living metaphors: corruption, chaos, and despair, bound in the grotesque tapestry of fantasy lore. When placed in a campaign, the Slaad engrave themselves in memory, a croaking echo in the dark—an eternal reminder that in roleplaying games, the most horrible monsters linger long after dice have stilled. Now Go forth, dear traveler, and whisper in trembling tones to those you hold dear: Spooktober is coming. Let not your comrades remain unprepared for the horrors and laughter that await.Bid them gather round the flickering lantern, bid them tune their ears to the RPGBOT.Podcast, that together you may descend into the abyss of dice and dread. For what is terror, if not shared? What is laughter in the dark, if not echoed by many? Spread the word, spread the warning...tell your friends, your table, your fellowship: the season of fright returns, and none shall escape its shadow. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

In this wandering dissection of the 2025 Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set, the hosts circle through memory and mechanics, weighing cardboard against imagination, and finding, amid the tokens and rules, not a doorway into wonder but the echo of all the starter sets that came before, fuller, deeper, better. Starter Set: Heroes of the Borderlands (affiliate link) Randall has written Melancon, a novella that lingers like the dusk on a Southern porch, where memory and shadow wrestle in the same long sentence; you will read it in print upon Amazon, or hear it carried on Ash's voice in the audiobook, the cadence of the tale winding as though the story itself remembered you before you found it. Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Show Notes There is a starter set, and though the box is new, the echoes within are old, older than dice or leveling mechanics, older than the crafting of character sheets and the fragile permanence of tokens, and it bears the mark of Wizards of the Coast as if that brand were a lineage stretching back to the dim histories of Dungeons and Dragons, and we, who have seen the 2024 starter set, the 2014, the 1983, and all the ones before that, sit and hold this one in our hands and feel the weight of it, and the hollowness, too. The hosts circle round like storytellers on a porch, voices interwoven, sometimes bantering, sometimes harsh in judgment, and they speak of game mechanics, of adventure design, of character creation, and of the difference between a board game's bones and the living marrow of a tabletop RPG. And as they speak, one sees the ghost of better boxes, more cohesive adventure modules, more patient stories. There is praise for the components—tokens and maps, the paper like a relic of promises—but criticism too, for what is an adventure review if not an elegy for what might have been? The adventure structure is straight as an arrow and as empty, the plot like a house without rooms, and though it may shelter the new player, it does not nourish them. And so the tale winds: the physical versus digital experience, the cruel disappointment of shallow design, the lingering hope that future offerings may redeem this one. It is the story of a set that wanted to be Dungeons & Dragons, but settled, instead, for something less. Key Takeaways The 2025 D&D Starter Set carries the name but not the soul of its predecessors; the history of D&D starter sets looms over it like a shadow. Its adventure modules are linear and lack the depth that breathes life into role-playing games. Though the physical components—tokens, sheets, crafted bits of board-game echo—serve their purpose, they cannot mask the thinness of the adventure design. Character creation and leveling mechanics receive mention but not reverence; they are steps without dance. The box is priced like a promise (“a $50 product”) but delivers less than it should. The hosts weigh the player experience and declare that better paths exist for those beginning their journey into Dungeons and Dragons. In comparing starter sets, the verdict is clear: this one feels less like a gateway into wonder and more like a door that does not open all the way. And so if you have followed us through this wandering road of tokens and rules and promises unkept, then carry it further: share this podcast with the ones at your own table, let them hear our voices as you have, and rate and review us upon the great digital ledgers—Apple Podcasts, Spotify, all the places where stories are measured not in pages but in stars and numbers—so that others, lost or searching, may stumble into this circle of talk and stay a while. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

In this wandering dissection of the 2025 Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set, the hosts circle through memory and mechanics, weighing cardboard against imagination, and finding, amid the tokens and rules, not a doorway into wonder but the echo of all the starter sets that came before, fuller, deeper, better. Starter Set: Heroes of the Borderlands (affiliate link) Randall has written Melancon, a novella that lingers like the dusk on a Southern porch, where memory and shadow wrestle in the same long sentence; you will read it in print upon Amazon, or hear it carried on Ash's voice in the audiobook, the cadence of the tale winding as though the story itself remembered you before you found it. Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Show Notes There is a starter set, and though the box is new, the echoes within are old, older than dice or leveling mechanics, older than the crafting of character sheets and the fragile permanence of tokens, and it bears the mark of Wizards of the Coast as if that brand were a lineage stretching back to the dim histories of Dungeons and Dragons, and we, who have seen the 2024 starter set, the 2014, the 1983, and all the ones before that, sit and hold this one in our hands and feel the weight of it, and the hollowness, too. The hosts circle round like storytellers on a porch, voices interwoven, sometimes bantering, sometimes harsh in judgment, and they speak of game mechanics, of adventure design, of character creation, and of the difference between a board game's bones and the living marrow of a tabletop RPG. And as they speak, one sees the ghost of better boxes, more cohesive adventure modules, more patient stories. There is praise for the components—tokens and maps, the paper like a relic of promises—but criticism too, for what is an adventure review if not an elegy for what might have been? The adventure structure is straight as an arrow and as empty, the plot like a house without rooms, and though it may shelter the new player, it does not nourish them. And so the tale winds: the physical versus digital experience, the cruel disappointment of shallow design, the lingering hope that future offerings may redeem this one. It is the story of a set that wanted to be Dungeons & Dragons, but settled, instead, for something less. Key Takeaways The 2025 D&D Starter Set carries the name but not the soul of its predecessors; the history of D&D starter sets looms over it like a shadow. Its adventure modules are linear and lack the depth that breathes life into role-playing games. Though the physical components—tokens, sheets, crafted bits of board-game echo—serve their purpose, they cannot mask the thinness of the adventure design. Character creation and leveling mechanics receive mention but not reverence; they are steps without dance. The box is priced like a promise (“a $50 product”) but delivers less than it should. The hosts weigh the player experience and declare that better paths exist for those beginning their journey into Dungeons and Dragons. In comparing starter sets, the verdict is clear: this one feels less like a gateway into wonder and more like a door that does not open all the way. And so if you have followed us through this wandering road of tokens and rules and promises unkept, then carry it further: share this podcast with the ones at your own table, let them hear our voices as you have, and rate and review us upon the great digital ledgers—Apple Podcasts, Spotify, all the places where stories are measured not in pages but in stars and numbers—so that others, lost or searching, may stumble into this circle of talk and stay a while. 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 RPGBOT crew brave technical glitches, angry chasm fiends, and their own questionable tactics in the Stormlight Archive TTRPG—somehow surviving long enough to bond a Shardblade and argue about the rules. Want to roll dice with Ash Ely? You can! Ash is running games right now on StartPlaying.games — sign up to join his tables and bring your own chaos straight to the adventure. Show Notes What happens when a group of seasoned RPG players and podcasters try to explore the Stormlight Archive TTRPG gameplay while also fighting their greatest nemesis: technical difficulties? Chaos, laughter, and some surprisingly good strategy. In this episode, the RPGBOT crew dive into Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere RPG session and tackle everything from collaborative character creation to survival strategies in tabletop campaigns. Along the way, they explore the chasms of Roshar, narrowly avoid becoming lunch for a chasm fiend, and stumble their way into a Shardblade bonding that changes the party forever. This is not just a deep dive into fantasy adventure game mechanics and Cosmere lore, it's also a reminder that sometimes the biggest boss fight is your own internet connection. Expect plenty of table banter, a mix of strategy and combat in Stormlight Archive RPG, and the occasional rules lawyer moment when someone tries to figure out exactly how healing and recovery in RPG combat works mid-fight. If you've ever wanted to know how storytelling through Cosmere role-playing feels when the stakes are survival, or if you just enjoy hearing gamers yell “We did it!” after almost dying in the chasms, this episode is for you. Key Takeaways Technical difficulties are the real BBEG – even the most prepared podcasters get crit-hit by audio gremlins. Collaborative character creation isn't just fun; it sets up all the chaos and heroics that follow. Lore-driven gameplay in fantasy RPGs adds immersion and weight—knowing the world changes how you play it. Chasm fiend encounters in tabletop RPGs are terrifying, hilarious, and an excellent way to test teamwork. Combat in Stormlight Archive RPG is as much about strategy as it is about rolling well. Survival strategies in tabletop campaigns matter—sometimes “run away” is the best spell. Healing and recovery in RPG combat are clutch; without them, the only thing you're bonding with is the afterlife. Storytelling through Cosmere role-playing proves why Sanderson's worlds are so good for the tabletop. Shardblade bonding in role-playing games changes character dynamics—and makes players feel way cooler than they deserve. The unpredictability of RPGs keeps every session fresh, funny, and full of unexpected discoveries. Like what you heard? Support the show by sharing this episode with your fellow adventurers, leave us a review on your favorite podcast app, and don't forget to check out more RPG, Dungeons and Dragons, and Cosmere TTRPG content at RPGBOT.net. 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 RPGBOT crew brave technical glitches, angry chasm fiends, and their own questionable tactics in the Stormlight Archive TTRPG—somehow surviving long enough to bond a Shardblade and argue about the rules. Want to roll dice with Ash Ely? You can! Ash is running games right now on StartPlaying.games — sign up to join his tables and bring your own chaos straight to the adventure. Show Notes What happens when a group of seasoned RPG players and podcasters try to explore the Stormlight Archive TTRPG gameplay while also fighting their greatest nemesis: technical difficulties? Chaos, laughter, and some surprisingly good strategy. In this episode, the RPGBOT crew dive into Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere RPG session and tackle everything from collaborative character creation to survival strategies in tabletop campaigns. Along the way, they explore the chasms of Roshar, narrowly avoid becoming lunch for a chasm fiend, and stumble their way into a Shardblade bonding that changes the party forever. This is not just a deep dive into fantasy adventure game mechanics and Cosmere lore, it's also a reminder that sometimes the biggest boss fight is your own internet connection. Expect plenty of table banter, a mix of strategy and combat in Stormlight Archive RPG, and the occasional rules lawyer moment when someone tries to figure out exactly how healing and recovery in RPG combat works mid-fight. If you've ever wanted to know how storytelling through Cosmere role-playing feels when the stakes are survival, or if you just enjoy hearing gamers yell “We did it!” after almost dying in the chasms, this episode is for you. Key Takeaways Technical difficulties are the real BBEG – even the most prepared podcasters get crit-hit by audio gremlins. Collaborative character creation isn't just fun; it sets up all the chaos and heroics that follow. Lore-driven gameplay in fantasy RPGs adds immersion and weight—knowing the world changes how you play it. Chasm fiend encounters in tabletop RPGs are terrifying, hilarious, and an excellent way to test teamwork. Combat in Stormlight Archive RPG is as much about strategy as it is about rolling well. Survival strategies in tabletop campaigns matter—sometimes “run away” is the best spell. Healing and recovery in RPG combat are clutch; without them, the only thing you're bonding with is the afterlife. Storytelling through Cosmere role-playing proves why Sanderson's worlds are so good for the tabletop. Shardblade bonding in role-playing games changes character dynamics—and makes players feel way cooler than they deserve. The unpredictability of RPGs keeps every session fresh, funny, and full of unexpected discoveries. Like what you heard? Support the show by sharing this episode with your fellow adventurers, leave us a review on your favorite podcast app, and don't forget to check out more RPG, Dungeons and Dragons, and Cosmere TTRPG content at RPGBOT.net. 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  

Lolth's Not Your Mom, But She's Definitely Disappointed in You Follow Ash Ely on social media for more tabletop mischief, hot takes, and behind-the-scenes RPGBOT energy. Want to do more than just listen? You can play in his games directly—Ash runs tables on StartPlaying.games where you can sign up, roll dice, and probably regret trusting that one suspicious NPC he voices just a little too well. Show Notes In this Spooktober installment, Tyler, Randall, and Ash descend into the Underdark to talk about everyone's favorite spider-themed frenemies: the drow. But don't expect a simple “they're all evil” hot take—this conversation is about how to use drow effectively and responsibly at the table. Highlights include: History lesson (with bite): From Scottish folklore to Gygax's caverns, the word “drow” has been through some things. The big problem: Why “evil by biology” is lazy design and a headache for modern tables. The fix: Treat drow as cultures, factions, and ideologies rather than one-note villains. Tactics and terror: How to make them scary with ambushes, traps, lair design, and coordinated squads instead of tired stereotypes. DM toolbox: Drow of the Underdark (3.5e) for rich lore and mechanical bits. Keith Ammann's The Monsters Know What They're Doing and MOAR for tactical framing. The RPGBOT Masterclass on How to Defend Your Lair for designing unforgettable encounters. Adventure seeds: Trade cartels, perpetual-darkness devices, and drow coup-plots that give your players moral choices beyond “roll initiative.” RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes How to Defend Your Lair with Keith Ammann – RPGBOT.Masterclass S2E95 How to Defend Your Lair with Keith Ammann – RPGBOT.Masterclass S2E95 Other Stuff Drow of the Underdark (3.5) (affiliate link) MOAR The Monsters Know What They're Doing (affiliate link) The Monsters Know What They're Doing (affiliate link) Key Takeaways Scary ≠ racist: Make drow terrifying by leaning on culture, politics, and goals—not skin color or species. Design like defenders: Build lairs that use elevation, darkness, traps, and chokepoints to punish rash adventurers. Run them as a team: Drow squads should coordinate roles like special ops, not fight as isolated stat blocks. Texture matters: Factionalize your drow societies—zealots, moderates, and opportunists—to create story oxygen. Bring the right books: Ammann's tactics, 3.5e's Drow of the Underdark, and RPGBOT's own lair-design masterclass turn “complicated” into “compelling.” If you enjoyed this dive into the Underdark, share the RPGBOT.Podcast with your gaming group. Tell your GM. Tell your rogue. Heck, tell that one friend who always wants to play a brooding elf in black leather. The more you spread the word, the more we can keep producing guides, laughs, and lair-defense strategies. 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  

Lolth's Not Your Mom, But She's Definitely Disappointed in You Follow Ash Ely on social media for more tabletop mischief, hot takes, and behind-the-scenes RPGBOT energy. Want to do more than just listen? You can play in his games directly—Ash runs tables on StartPlaying.games where you can sign up, roll dice, and probably regret trusting that one suspicious NPC he voices just a little too well. Show Notes In this Spooktober installment, Tyler, Randall, and Ash descend into the Underdark to talk about everyone's favorite spider-themed frenemies: the drow. But don't expect a simple “they're all evil” hot take—this conversation is about how to use drow effectively and responsibly at the table. Highlights include: History lesson (with bite): From Scottish folklore to Gygax's caverns, the word “drow” has been through some things. The big problem: Why “evil by biology” is lazy design and a headache for modern tables. The fix: Treat drow as cultures, factions, and ideologies rather than one-note villains. Tactics and terror: How to make them scary with ambushes, traps, lair design, and coordinated squads instead of tired stereotypes. DM toolbox: Drow of the Underdark (3.5e) for rich lore and mechanical bits. Keith Ammann's The Monsters Know What They're Doing and MOAR for tactical framing. The RPGBOT Masterclass on How to Defend Your Lair for designing unforgettable encounters. Adventure seeds: Trade cartels, perpetual-darkness devices, and drow coup-plots that give your players moral choices beyond “roll initiative.” RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes How to Defend Your Lair with Keith Ammann – RPGBOT.Masterclass S2E95 How to Defend Your Lair with Keith Ammann – RPGBOT.Masterclass S2E95 Other Stuff Drow of the Underdark (3.5) (affiliate link) MOAR The Monsters Know What They're Doing (affiliate link) The Monsters Know What They're Doing (affiliate link) Key Takeaways Scary ≠ racist: Make drow terrifying by leaning on culture, politics, and goals—not skin color or species. Design like defenders: Build lairs that use elevation, darkness, traps, and chokepoints to punish rash adventurers. Run them as a team: Drow squads should coordinate roles like special ops, not fight as isolated stat blocks. Texture matters: Factionalize your drow societies—zealots, moderates, and opportunists—to create story oxygen. Bring the right books: Ammann's tactics, 3.5e's Drow of the Underdark, and RPGBOT's own lair-design masterclass turn “complicated” into “compelling.” If you enjoyed this dive into the Underdark, share the RPGBOT.Podcast with your gaming group. Tell your GM. Tell your rogue. Heck, tell that one friend who always wants to play a brooding elf in black leather. The more you spread the word, the more we can keep producing guides, laughs, and lair-defense strategies. 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  

Building Heroes, Breaking Dice, and Blaming Foundry VTT" (A deep dive into character creation for the Stormlight Archive RPG, with more heroic paths than your GM bargained for.) RPGBOT is now on TikTok with funny Tiny Videos. If you've ever wanted quick takes on tabletop gaming, absurd jokes about TTRPG character creation, or a one-minute guide to why your heroic path matters, we've got you covered. Find us on TikTok and share the chaos with your party. Show Notes In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the hosts dive into the nuts and bolts of Stormlight RPG character creation. Whether you're building in Foundry VTT, or just curious about the mechanics of the Stormlight Archive role-playing game, this episode covers everything from choosing ancestries and cultures to shaping heroic paths, distributing attributes, and developing personal goals. Along the way, expect plenty of humor, a few strong opinions about TTRPG character building, and some good-natured roasting of dice that never roll high enough. The crew emphasizes how collaborative character development in tabletop RPGs creates better stories, and why the Cosmere setting makes role-play more immersive. You'll hear practical insights into how ancestry and culture choices impact gameplay, why attributes and skills are essential for effective character building, and how heroic paths in the Stormlight Archive RPG add unique abilities and playstyles. Plus, they dig into why Foundry VTT tools for Stormlight RPG make the whole process smoother, even if you occasionally click the wrong button and accidentally delete your character sheet. Highlights include: Why role-playing games are secretly just an excuse for group storytelling. What it really means to define a character's personal goals beyond “survive.” How the Stormlight RPG offers character advancement beyond level 20, and why you'll need more caffeine if you try it mid-campaign. Why collaborative character creation in TTRPGs is the real key to having fun. Key Takeaways Character building is collaborative and creative, especially in the Stormlight Archive RPG. Foundry VTT enhances character creation with tools that make the process smoother and more engaging. Choosing ancestry and culture in tabletop RPGs significantly impacts gameplay and role-play. Heroic paths in the Stormlight RPG shape playstyle and unlock unique abilities. Attributes and skills for effective character building are essential for both new and seasoned players. Defining personal goals in character development provides depth and narrative hooks. The Stormlight RPG character creation guide demonstrates how players can evolve beyond level 20. Immersion in the Cosmere setting makes role-play more rewarding and hilarious. Call to Action If you enjoyed this discussion of Stormlight RPG character creation, share the episode with your friends in the gaming community. Post it in your tabletop gaming group chat, bring it up at your next TTRPG session, or recommend it to that one friend who always takes three hours to finalize their character sheet. Because building characters is better when you build them together. 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

Building Heroes, Breaking Dice, and Blaming Foundry VTT" (A deep dive into character creation for the Stormlight Archive RPG, with more heroic paths than your GM bargained for.) RPGBOT is now on TikTok with funny Tiny Videos. If you've ever wanted quick takes on tabletop gaming, absurd jokes about TTRPG character creation, or a one-minute guide to why your heroic path matters, we've got you covered. Find us on TikTok and share the chaos with your party. Show Notes In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the hosts dive into the nuts and bolts of Stormlight RPG character creation. Whether you're building in Foundry VTT, or just curious about the mechanics of the Stormlight Archive role-playing game, this episode covers everything from choosing ancestries and cultures to shaping heroic paths, distributing attributes, and developing personal goals. Along the way, expect plenty of humor, a few strong opinions about TTRPG character building, and some good-natured roasting of dice that never roll high enough. The crew emphasizes how collaborative character development in tabletop RPGs creates better stories, and why the Cosmere setting makes role-play more immersive. You'll hear practical insights into how ancestry and culture choices impact gameplay, why attributes and skills are essential for effective character building, and how heroic paths in the Stormlight Archive RPG add unique abilities and playstyles. Plus, they dig into why Foundry VTT tools for Stormlight RPG make the whole process smoother, even if you occasionally click the wrong button and accidentally delete your character sheet. Highlights include: Why role-playing games are secretly just an excuse for group storytelling. What it really means to define a character's personal goals beyond “survive.” How the Stormlight RPG offers character advancement beyond level 20, and why you'll need more caffeine if you try it mid-campaign. Why collaborative character creation in TTRPGs is the real key to having fun. Key Takeaways Character building is collaborative and creative, especially in the Stormlight Archive RPG. Foundry VTT enhances character creation with tools that make the process smoother and more engaging. Choosing ancestry and culture in tabletop RPGs significantly impacts gameplay and role-play. Heroic paths in the Stormlight RPG shape playstyle and unlock unique abilities. Attributes and skills for effective character building are essential for both new and seasoned players. Defining personal goals in character development provides depth and narrative hooks. The Stormlight RPG character creation guide demonstrates how players can evolve beyond level 20. Immersion in the Cosmere setting makes role-play more rewarding and hilarious. Call to Action If you enjoyed this discussion of Stormlight RPG character creation, share the episode with your friends in the gaming community. Post it in your tabletop gaming group chat, bring it up at your next TTRPG session, or recommend it to that one friend who always takes three hours to finalize their character sheet. Because building characters is better when you build them together. 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

Hydra fights, Dark Sun dilemmas, Unearthed Arcana chaos—what could go wrong? Want more Unearthed Arcana deep dives? The RPGBOT.Podcast has you covered. You can find our backlog of episodes on every major podcast platform, where we break down the latest D&D playtest material and show you how to wrangle it into your campaigns without summoning your own TPK. Show Notes In this episode, the RPGBOT.Podcast crew saddles up for an apocalyptic romp through Pathfinder Hydra encounters, the gritty survival world of Dark Sun, and the latest Unearthed Arcana subclasses. We start by revisiting a Hydra battle that demanded every ounce of tactical brilliance (and a fair bit of screaming). From there, we dive deep into Dark Sun—where scarcity, moral dilemmas, and Mad Max vibes dominate play. The hosts then dig into new subclass content: the eco-warrior Circle of Preservation Druid, the crowd-pleasing Gladiator Fighter, the life-siphoning Defiled Sorcerer, and the fear-driven Sorcerer King. Along the way, we tackle the eternal question of whether Strength is viable for Intimidation, explore multi-classing optimization, and share DM tips for balancing player knowledge with campaign secrets. It's a mix of theorycrafting, subclass reviews, and a healthy dose of comedy—because what's Dark Sun without a laugh before the water runs out? Key Takeaways Hydra encounters in Pathfinder = epic, sweaty, and strategy-heavy. Dark Sun campaigns bring unique challenges: scarcity, moral dilemmas, and Mad Max vibes. Circle of Preservation Druids = conservationists with a vengeance. Gladiator Fighters use charisma as a weapon (and crowd engagement as a combat mechanic). Defiled Sorcerers introduce life-draining spellcasting mechanics. Sorcerer King subclasses lean into control, fear, and psionics. Strength for intimidation is officially fun again. Multi-classing optimization remains a go-to for tactical players. Campaign success = good mechanics + solid DM/Player communication. Subclass excitement shows Unearthed Arcana is moving in a promising direction. If you enjoyed this episode, like and subscribe to the RPGBOT.Podcast on your favorite platform. Share it with your tabletop roleplaying friends—because nothing says friendship like convincing them to fight a Hydra in Dark Sun with only a rusty dagger and a half-baked subclass build. 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

Hydra fights, Dark Sun dilemmas, Unearthed Arcana chaos—what could go wrong? Want more Unearthed Arcana deep dives? The RPGBOT.Podcast has you covered. You can find our backlog of episodes on every major podcast platform, where we break down the latest D&D playtest material and show you how to wrangle it into your campaigns without summoning your own TPK. Show Notes In this episode, the RPGBOT.Podcast crew saddles up for an apocalyptic romp through Pathfinder Hydra encounters, the gritty survival world of Dark Sun, and the latest Unearthed Arcana subclasses. We start by revisiting a Hydra battle that demanded every ounce of tactical brilliance (and a fair bit of screaming). From there, we dive deep into Dark Sun—where scarcity, moral dilemmas, and Mad Max vibes dominate play. The hosts then dig into new subclass content: the eco-warrior Circle of Preservation Druid, the crowd-pleasing Gladiator Fighter, the life-siphoning Defiled Sorcerer, and the fear-driven Sorcerer King. Along the way, we tackle the eternal question of whether Strength is viable for Intimidation, explore multi-classing optimization, and share DM tips for balancing player knowledge with campaign secrets. It's a mix of theorycrafting, subclass reviews, and a healthy dose of comedy—because what's Dark Sun without a laugh before the water runs out? Key Takeaways Hydra encounters in Pathfinder = epic, sweaty, and strategy-heavy. Dark Sun campaigns bring unique challenges: scarcity, moral dilemmas, and Mad Max vibes. Circle of Preservation Druids = conservationists with a vengeance. Gladiator Fighters use charisma as a weapon (and crowd engagement as a combat mechanic). Defiled Sorcerers introduce life-draining spellcasting mechanics. Sorcerer King subclasses lean into control, fear, and psionics. Strength for intimidation is officially fun again. Multi-classing optimization remains a go-to for tactical players. Campaign success = good mechanics + solid DM/Player communication. Subclass excitement shows Unearthed Arcana is moving in a promising direction. If you enjoyed this episode, like and subscribe to the RPGBOT.Podcast on your favorite platform. Share it with your tabletop roleplaying friends—because nothing says friendship like convincing them to fight a Hydra in Dark Sun with only a rusty dagger and a half-baked subclass build. 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

Ben invited Matt from Warlock's Sanctum Games to discuss his work as a professional GM and his experience on the platform StartPlaying. We talked about the ups and downs of professional GMing, running games that aren't Dungeons & Dragons, building and managing a community of players and GMs, and StartPlaying as a creation of the Silicon Valley tech start-up pipeline. You can book Matt for a game at his StartPlaying page.

So Your Players Think They're Safe? Release the Aboleth! Want more Dungeons & Dragons monster tips, horror encounter design, and campaign advice? Visit RPGBOT.net—where real humans craft real tools for roleplayers and dungeon masters. Show Notes The RPGBOT.Podcast crew takes a deep dive into one of the most disturbing D&D monsters ever created: the Aboleth. These ancient aquatic horrors are more than slimy tentacle-fish—they're campaign-defining villains that bring cosmic horror, body horror, and psychological dread to any tabletop RPG. The hosts break down: How to use Aboleths in D&D campaigns as long-term masterminds instead of one-off encounters. Why their perfect memory makes Aboleths terrifying villains who can twist your world's history. The nastiest Aboleth lair actions and encounter design tactics to challenge even high-level adventurers. How to run underwater adventures in 5e without losing tension or immersion. Tips for roleplaying Aboleth thralls and the body-horror impact of their mucus-breathing curse. How to weave Aboleths into cosmic horror storylines that rival Lovecraftian nightmares. This episode blends mechanics, lore, and villain design into a perfect toolkit for dungeon masters who want to unleash aquatic monster encounters their players will never forget. Key Takeaways Aboleths are best used as campaign villains, not just combat encounters. Their lore and psychic abilities can reshape a world. Body horror is central—their mucus curse forces players to roleplay slime-breathing, making encounters unforgettable. Aboleths shine in cosmic horror campaigns where memory, paranoia, and legacy matter. Their lair actions and psychic domination make them one of the most dangerous aquatic monsters in TTRPGs. Dungeon masters can elevate horror games by pairing Aboleths with underwater settings, forgotten history, and long-term psychological threats. Ready to terrify your players? Subscribe to the RPGBOT.Podcast and visit RPGBOT.net for more D&D monster guides, tabletop RPG horror tips, and encounter design advice. Because nothing ruins game night quite like discovering your lungs now breathe slime. 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

So Your Players Think They're Safe? Release the Aboleth! Want more Dungeons & Dragons monster tips, horror encounter design, and campaign advice? Visit RPGBOT.net—where real humans craft real tools for roleplayers and dungeon masters. Show Notes The RPGBOT.Podcast crew takes a deep dive into one of the most disturbing D&D monsters ever created: the Aboleth. These ancient aquatic horrors are more than slimy tentacle-fish—they're campaign-defining villains that bring cosmic horror, body horror, and psychological dread to any tabletop RPG. The hosts break down: How to use Aboleths in D&D campaigns as long-term masterminds instead of one-off encounters. Why their perfect memory makes Aboleths terrifying villains who can twist your world's history. The nastiest Aboleth lair actions and encounter design tactics to challenge even high-level adventurers. How to run underwater adventures in 5e without losing tension or immersion. Tips for roleplaying Aboleth thralls and the body-horror impact of their mucus-breathing curse. How to weave Aboleths into cosmic horror storylines that rival Lovecraftian nightmares. This episode blends mechanics, lore, and villain design into a perfect toolkit for dungeon masters who want to unleash aquatic monster encounters their players will never forget. Key Takeaways Aboleths are best used as campaign villains, not just combat encounters. Their lore and psychic abilities can reshape a world. Body horror is central—their mucus curse forces players to roleplay slime-breathing, making encounters unforgettable. Aboleths shine in cosmic horror campaigns where memory, paranoia, and legacy matter. Their lair actions and psychic domination make them one of the most dangerous aquatic monsters in TTRPGs. Dungeon masters can elevate horror games by pairing Aboleths with underwater settings, forgotten history, and long-term psychological threats. Ready to terrify your players? Subscribe to the RPGBOT.Podcast and visit RPGBOT.net for more D&D monster guides, tabletop RPG horror tips, and encounter design advice. Because nothing ruins game night quite like discovering your lungs now breathe slime. 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

Strap on your Shardplate and call your Spren—Episode 2 of our How to Play Stormlight Archive RPG series takes a lore-heavy dive into the Cosmere, exploring worldbuilding, Knights Radiant, and everything you need to roleplay in Roshar's storm-tossed setting. Our archive episodes of the RPGBOT.Podcast are now available on YouTube! Relive every tangent, deep dive, and Shardblade-sharpened insight while YouTube autoplay keeps you binging. Show Notes In this second episode of the Stormlight Archive RPG series, the RPGBOT crew explores the lore of Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere and how it translates into tabletop roleplaying games. If Episode 1 was about concepts and themes, Episode 2 is all about the deep cuts—ancient oaths, cosmic forces, and worldbuilding that makes campaigns shine. We discuss the Knights Radiant, their broken history, and the role of Heralds in shaping the moral landscape of the world. From the caste system of Alethi culture to the gender-based taboos that define everyday life, players will discover how to use social structures as storytelling tools. The conversation covers iconic magical elements like Shardblades and Shardplate, how Spren bonds give Radiants their powers, and the dangers of the Everstorm. We also dive into Shadesmere—the Cognitive Realm—and how it offers surreal roleplaying opportunities. Finally, we examine the influence of Honor, Cultivation, and Odium, and the shocking revelation that the Parshendi are the Voidbringers, reframing the conflict of Roshar in ways ripe for campaign drama. This is your guide to using Stormlight Archive lore in tabletop RPGs—whether you're designing your own system, adapting 5E, or just looking for inspiration to roleplay in the Cosmere. Key Takeaways Cosmere lore fuels storytelling: Stormlight Archive's worldbuilding is more than flavor—it's a blueprint for RPG campaigns. Alethi society and caste systems: Lighteyes vs. darkeyes and cultural taboos create ready-made roleplaying conflict. Heralds and Radiants in RPGs: Legendary figures and broken oaths inspire both heroic arcs and tragic backstories. Shardblades & Shardplate explained: More than magic gear—they're political, cultural, and narrative game-changers. Spren bonds in roleplaying: Spren are like emotional support familiars with snark—perfect for deep roleplay dynamics. Shadesmere and the Cognitive Realm: A surreal alternate plane for campaigns, complete with “dead-eyed” Shardblades. The Everstorm as a narrative clock: A looming apocalyptic threat that keeps tension high in every story. Honor, Cultivation, and Odium in RPG storytelling: Cosmic forces that anchor themes of growth, oaths, and destruction. Singers, Parshendi, and Voidbringers: Lore that reframes morality, turning NPCs into complex factions for campaigns. If you want to roleplay in the Stormlight Archive or bring Cosmere lore into your tabletop RPG, this episode is your deep dive into the storm. Listen now, then explore guides and mechanics at RPGBOT.net, where real humans craft real tools for roleplayers. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ Meet the Hosts: Tyler Kamstra – The tactical mind behind RPGBOT.net, Tyler sees the Pathfinder action economy like Neo sees the Matrix. Randall James – Technologist, lore enthusiast, and fully prepared to duel Peter Jackson over which LotR edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare. Fueled by sarcasm and sweet, sweet table-flipping energy. 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

Strap on your Shardplate and call your Spren—Episode 2 of our How to Play Stormlight Archive RPG series takes a lore-heavy dive into the Cosmere, exploring worldbuilding, Knights Radiant, and everything you need to roleplay in Roshar's storm-tossed setting. Our archive episodes of the RPGBOT.Podcast are now available on YouTube! Relive every tangent, deep dive, and Shardblade-sharpened insight while YouTube autoplay keeps you binging. Show Notes In this second episode of the Stormlight Archive RPG series, the RPGBOT crew explores the lore of Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere and how it translates into tabletop roleplaying games. If Episode 1 was about concepts and themes, Episode 2 is all about the deep cuts—ancient oaths, cosmic forces, and worldbuilding that makes campaigns shine. We discuss the Knights Radiant, their broken history, and the role of Heralds in shaping the moral landscape of the world. From the caste system of Alethi culture to the gender-based taboos that define everyday life, players will discover how to use social structures as storytelling tools. The conversation covers iconic magical elements like Shardblades and Shardplate, how Spren bonds give Radiants their powers, and the dangers of the Everstorm. We also dive into Shadesmere—the Cognitive Realm—and how it offers surreal roleplaying opportunities. Finally, we examine the influence of Honor, Cultivation, and Odium, and the shocking revelation that the Parshendi are the Voidbringers, reframing the conflict of Roshar in ways ripe for campaign drama. This is your guide to using Stormlight Archive lore in tabletop RPGs—whether you're designing your own system, adapting 5E, or just looking for inspiration to roleplay in the Cosmere. Key Takeaways Cosmere lore fuels storytelling: Stormlight Archive's worldbuilding is more than flavor—it's a blueprint for RPG campaigns. Alethi society and caste systems: Lighteyes vs. darkeyes and cultural taboos create ready-made roleplaying conflict. Heralds and Radiants in RPGs: Legendary figures and broken oaths inspire both heroic arcs and tragic backstories. Shardblades & Shardplate explained: More than magic gear—they're political, cultural, and narrative game-changers. Spren bonds in roleplaying: Spren are like emotional support familiars with snark—perfect for deep roleplay dynamics. Shadesmere and the Cognitive Realm: A surreal alternate plane for campaigns, complete with “dead-eyed” Shardblades. The Everstorm as a narrative clock: A looming apocalyptic threat that keeps tension high in every story. Honor, Cultivation, and Odium in RPG storytelling: Cosmic forces that anchor themes of growth, oaths, and destruction. Singers, Parshendi, and Voidbringers: Lore that reframes morality, turning NPCs into complex factions for campaigns. If you want to roleplay in the Stormlight Archive or bring Cosmere lore into your tabletop RPG, this episode is your deep dive into the storm. Listen now, then explore guides and mechanics at RPGBOT.net, where real humans craft real tools for roleplayers. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ Meet the Hosts: Tyler Kamstra – The tactical mind behind RPGBOT.net, Tyler sees the Pathfinder action economy like Neo sees the Matrix. Randall James – Technologist, lore enthusiast, and fully prepared to duel Peter Jackson over which LotR edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare. Fueled by sarcasm and sweet, sweet table-flipping energy. 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

Snacks, Ghosts, and Shardblades: How to Play Stormlight Archive RPG (Part I)” Because nothing says “epic fantasy” like kettle chips, Cajun cuisine, and the looming threat of narrative-driven permanent injuries. Want to dive deeper into tabletop roleplaying games? Whether you're a first-time player or a veteran rules lawyer, visit RPGBOT.net for guides, advice, and resources to make your games smarter, funnier, and way more effective. In this first installment of How to Play the Stormlight Archive RPG, the hosts take listeners on a whirlwind ride from snack aisle recommendations to Southern Gothic ghost stories before plunging headfirst into the mechanics of the Stormlight RPG. The episode opens with food talk—everything from dill pickle kettle chips and Louisiana's famous Zapp's Voodoo chips to gas station fried chicken and boudin blanc. With a dash of humor and cultural flavor, the conversation eases into spooky tales of Savannah and New Orleans before pivoting into the main course: the Stormlight RPG's unique mechanics. Listeners get an in-depth look at how the game emphasizes both strategic combat and narrative storytelling. From the mysterious plot die to heartbeat-linked Shardblade summoning, the mechanics elevate roleplay by weaving tension and consequence into every roll. Combat in Stormlight plays out with distinctive pacing—10-second rounds, strategic positioning, and careful maneuvering—creating a rhythm that rewards tactical play. The hosts also break down status effects, the permanence of injuries, and the recovery mechanics that keep characters on the razor's edge of risk and survival. The balance between crunch and narrative immersion is front and center, showing how this RPG captures the scope and stakes of Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere setting. Key Takeaways Snack wisdom: Dill pickle kettle chips and Zapp's Voodoo chips are peak gaming fuel; Chick-fil-A fries are their only redeeming quality. Food detour: Louisiana and New Orleans offer unforgettable culinary experiences—from gas station chicken to boudin blanc. Spooky vibes: Savannah earns the title of America's most haunted city, grounding the episode's Southern Gothic interlude. Plot die: A signature mechanic that introduces unexpected twists and narrative complications. Combat pacing: Unlike D&D's 6-second rounds, Stormlight's 10-second rounds encourage more complex decisions. Shardblades: Summoning is tied to the rhythm of heartbeats, adding tension to critical combat moments. Tactical movement: 25-foot standard speed, with penalties for firing ranged attacks up close. Status conditions: Meaningful and potentially crippling, shaping the flow of battle. Injury and death: Permanent injury or character death can raise narrative stakes dramatically. Rest and recovery: Players can restore health and focus through both solo recovery and tending to allies, creating teamwork-driven downtime. Design philosophy: Striking a balance between mechanical complexity and accessible storytelling makes the game compelling. Loved this discussion? Be sure to subscribe to the RPGBOT.Podcast, share the episode with your gaming group, and check out RPGBOT.net for more guides, insights, and tools to sharpen your tabletop adventures. And remember—next time you roll initiative, bring snacks that live up to your Shardblade. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ Meet the Hosts: Tyler Kamstra – The tactical mind behind RPGBOT.net, Tyler sees the Pathfinder action economy like Neo sees the Matrix. Randall James – Technologist, lore enthusiast, and fully prepared to duel Peter Jackson over which LotR edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare. Fueled by sarcasm and sweet, sweet table-flipping energy. 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

Snacks, Ghosts, and Shardblades: How to Play Stormlight Archive RPG (Part I)” Because nothing says “epic fantasy” like kettle chips, Cajun cuisine, and the looming threat of narrative-driven permanent injuries. Want to dive deeper into tabletop roleplaying games? Whether you're a first-time player or a veteran rules lawyer, visit RPGBOT.net for guides, advice, and resources to make your games smarter, funnier, and way more effective. In this first installment of How to Play the Stormlight Archive RPG, the hosts take listeners on a whirlwind ride from snack aisle recommendations to Southern Gothic ghost stories before plunging headfirst into the mechanics of the Stormlight RPG. The episode opens with food talk—everything from dill pickle kettle chips and Louisiana's famous Zapp's Voodoo chips to gas station fried chicken and boudin blanc. With a dash of humor and cultural flavor, the conversation eases into spooky tales of Savannah and New Orleans before pivoting into the main course: the Stormlight RPG's unique mechanics. Listeners get an in-depth look at how the game emphasizes both strategic combat and narrative storytelling. From the mysterious plot die to heartbeat-linked Shardblade summoning, the mechanics elevate roleplay by weaving tension and consequence into every roll. Combat in Stormlight plays out with distinctive pacing—10-second rounds, strategic positioning, and careful maneuvering—creating a rhythm that rewards tactical play. The hosts also break down status effects, the permanence of injuries, and the recovery mechanics that keep characters on the razor's edge of risk and survival. The balance between crunch and narrative immersion is front and center, showing how this RPG captures the scope and stakes of Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere setting. Key Takeaways Snack wisdom: Dill pickle kettle chips and Zapp's Voodoo chips are peak gaming fuel; Chick-fil-A fries are their only redeeming quality. Food detour: Louisiana and New Orleans offer unforgettable culinary experiences—from gas station chicken to boudin blanc. Spooky vibes: Savannah earns the title of America's most haunted city, grounding the episode's Southern Gothic interlude. Plot die: A signature mechanic that introduces unexpected twists and narrative complications. Combat pacing: Unlike D&D's 6-second rounds, Stormlight's 10-second rounds encourage more complex decisions. Shardblades: Summoning is tied to the rhythm of heartbeats, adding tension to critical combat moments. Tactical movement: 25-foot standard speed, with penalties for firing ranged attacks up close. Status conditions: Meaningful and potentially crippling, shaping the flow of battle. Injury and death: Permanent injury or character death can raise narrative stakes dramatically. Rest and recovery: Players can restore health and focus through both solo recovery and tending to allies, creating teamwork-driven downtime. Design philosophy: Striking a balance between mechanical complexity and accessible storytelling makes the game compelling. Loved this discussion? Be sure to subscribe to the RPGBOT.Podcast, share the episode with your gaming group, and check out RPGBOT.net for more guides, insights, and tools to sharpen your tabletop adventures. And remember—next time you roll initiative, bring snacks that live up to your Shardblade. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ Meet the Hosts: Tyler Kamstra – The tactical mind behind RPGBOT.net, Tyler sees the Pathfinder action economy like Neo sees the Matrix. Randall James – Technologist, lore enthusiast, and fully prepared to duel Peter Jackson over which LotR edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare. Fueled by sarcasm and sweet, sweet table-flipping energy. 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

Turning Your TTRPG Into a Chemically Enhanced Nightmare (for the Players, Not the GM) Missed an episode? Accidentally ingested a memory-erasing toxin? No worries! Archived episodes of the RPGBOT.Podcast are now available on YouTube. Binge the banter, savor the strategy, and relive every rules argument—now with video thumbnails. Show Notes Welcome to the episode where the RPGBOT.Podcast crew rolls a Constitution save against bad design decisions and fails—deliberately. In this delightfully dangerous deep dive, Tyler Kamstra, Randall James, and Ash Ely explore one of the most tragically underused tools in the Game Master's arsenal: poison. Not the “ha ha, you take 1d4 damage and feel kind of bad” kind—no, we're talking the really nasty stuff. The stuff that makes players sweat, forget what color their dice are, and suddenly develop a deep appreciation for the paladin's aura of protection. Join the crew as they: Dissect why poison is so often mechanically boring despite being conceptually metal. Share hilarious war stories about poorly-timed venomous traps and failed fortitude saves. Explore how different TTRPG systems handle poison: from D&D's "mild inconvenience" to Pathfinder's "goodbye, pancreas." Offer deliciously evil advice for GMs looking to flavor their campaigns with a little more toxic attitude. Brainstorm better mechanics for poisons that do more than just slap a couple HP off your barbarian and call it a day. Create fictional poisons on the fly—some of which should never be spoken of again. Looking at you, Ash's Spiteful Slime Surprise. Debate whether ingesting a cursed Hot Pocket counts as a magical poison effect (spoiler: it does, and it bypasses resistance). Key Takeaways: D&D poison mechanics are weaker than a kobold's slap fight. It's time for GMs to spice things up with custom creations. Pathfinder 2e offers a better structure, but still leaves room for homebrewed horrors. Poisons should be scary, situational, and strategic. They can shape encounters, plotlines, and even the economy. "Save or suck" poison effects? Lazy. Instead, give toxins progressive effects or interactable consequences. Players love meaningful danger. If your rogue wants to coat their dagger in acid-laced possum venom, let them—then make them regret it just a little. GM tip: If the party stops eating anything in-game, congratulations. You've weaponized cuisine. Bonus insight: Nothing ruins a tavern meal like realizing the stew is a dexterity check away from cardiac arrest. Call to Action: Feeling inspired to poison your friends in the most entertaining and legally safe way possible? Subscribe to the RPGBOT.Podcast wherever you listen, and check out our archives now on YouTube. Share the show, leave a review, and let us know your favorite toxin-laced TTRPG tales. Because nothing says “game night” like a little slow-acting doom in your fantasy casserole. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ Meet the Hosts: Tyler Kamstra – The tactical mind behind RPGBOT.net, Tyler sees the Pathfinder action economy like Neo sees the Matrix. Randall James – Technologist, lore enthusiast, and fully prepared to duel Peter Jackson over which LotR edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare. Fueled by sarcasm and sweet, sweet table-flipping energy. 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

Turning Your TTRPG Into a Chemically Enhanced Nightmare (for the Players, Not the GM) Missed an episode? Accidentally ingested a memory-erasing toxin? No worries! Archived episodes of the RPGBOT.Podcast are now available on YouTube. Binge the banter, savor the strategy, and relive every rules argument—now with video thumbnails. Show Notes Welcome to the episode where the RPGBOT.Podcast crew rolls a Constitution save against bad design decisions and fails—deliberately. In this delightfully dangerous deep dive, Tyler Kamstra, Randall James, and Ash Ely explore one of the most tragically underused tools in the Game Master's arsenal: poison. Not the “ha ha, you take 1d4 damage and feel kind of bad” kind—no, we're talking the really nasty stuff. The stuff that makes players sweat, forget what color their dice are, and suddenly develop a deep appreciation for the paladin's aura of protection. Join the crew as they: Dissect why poison is so often mechanically boring despite being conceptually metal. Share hilarious war stories about poorly-timed venomous traps and failed fortitude saves. Explore how different TTRPG systems handle poison: from D&D's "mild inconvenience" to Pathfinder's "goodbye, pancreas." Offer deliciously evil advice for GMs looking to flavor their campaigns with a little more toxic attitude. Brainstorm better mechanics for poisons that do more than just slap a couple HP off your barbarian and call it a day. Create fictional poisons on the fly—some of which should never be spoken of again. Looking at you, Ash's Spiteful Slime Surprise. Debate whether ingesting a cursed Hot Pocket counts as a magical poison effect (spoiler: it does, and it bypasses resistance). Key Takeaways: D&D poison mechanics are weaker than a kobold's slap fight. It's time for GMs to spice things up with custom creations. Pathfinder 2e offers a better structure, but still leaves room for homebrewed horrors. Poisons should be scary, situational, and strategic. They can shape encounters, plotlines, and even the economy. "Save or suck" poison effects? Lazy. Instead, give toxins progressive effects or interactable consequences. Players love meaningful danger. If your rogue wants to coat their dagger in acid-laced possum venom, let them—then make them regret it just a little. GM tip: If the party stops eating anything in-game, congratulations. You've weaponized cuisine. Bonus insight: Nothing ruins a tavern meal like realizing the stew is a dexterity check away from cardiac arrest. Call to Action: Feeling inspired to poison your friends in the most entertaining and legally safe way possible? Subscribe to the RPGBOT.Podcast wherever you listen, and check out our archives now on YouTube. Share the show, leave a review, and let us know your favorite toxin-laced TTRPG tales. Because nothing says “game night” like a little slow-acting doom in your fantasy casserole. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ Meet the Hosts: Tyler Kamstra – The tactical mind behind RPGBOT.net, Tyler sees the Pathfinder action economy like Neo sees the Matrix. Randall James – Technologist, lore enthusiast, and fully prepared to duel Peter Jackson over which LotR edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare. Fueled by sarcasm and sweet, sweet table-flipping energy. 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

Can You Survive a Highstorm with Just a Character Sheet and Poor Life Choices? We Tried the Cosmere RPG. Missed an episode? Don't worry—archive episodes of the RPGBOT.Podcast are now available to listen to on YouTube. Whether you're a veteran listener or just discovering us, you can now catch up on every rules breakdown, hot take, and character optimization deep dive. Just search for RPGBOT.Podcast on YouTube and hit subscribe! Show Notes: In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the hosts crack open the covers of Brotherwise Games' Cosmere RPG, diving headfirst into the Stormlight Handbook and World Guide. From spren to highstorms, the episode is packed with crunchy mechanics, deep lore, and just enough existential dread to make Brandon Sanderson proud. The gang begins with a brief height-based tangent (because no TTRPG is complete without weirdly tall characters), before delving into the key mechanical and narrative innovations of the system. Topics include: The Plot Die, a unique mechanic that lets narrative tension escalate like a Shardbearer duel. A look at the Personal Goals system, designed to reward character growth beyond “I punch it harder now.” The complexity curve compared to D&D 5e and Pathfinder—spoiler alert: this one's for the lore nerds and narrative junkies. Character creation as a journey through Roshar's cultures, forms, talents, and Radiant oaths. Magic systems in the Cosmere—ambitious to adapt, but steeped in storytelling potential. The fear of breaking someone else's toys when homebrewing in a tightly structured setting like the Cosmere. From audience engagement to the challenge of niche game design, the episode hits on what makes this RPG exciting, where it might fall flat for some players, and how deeply it leans into the lore-rich worlds of Brandon Sanderson's imagination. Cosmere RPG Way of Kings (affiliate link) Wu Chang RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes CRAFTING THE COSMERE w/ Andrew Fischer and Lydia Suen: Adapting Brandon Sanderson's Fantasy World into an Epic RPG Key Takeaways: The Cosmere RPG is rich in narrative design, rewarding players who invest deeply in character goals and world lore. Understanding the Cosmere is essential—newcomers may feel lost, while superfans will feel right at home. The Plot Die is an innovative mechanic that injects narrative control and surprise into gameplay. The system's mechanics echo other RPGs, but with enough unique twists to stand out. Character progression is closely tied to personal goals, not just combat or loot. The game leans hard into world-building, making Roshar feel alive and immersive. Homebrewing in the Cosmere can be intimidating, especially for GMs concerned about canon. This TTRPG is ideal for dedicated Sanderson fans, narrative-focused groups, and players who want an experience that feels emotionally and thematically weighty. RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast are made from 100% real humans, not processed generative AI paste. Our team thinks critically, jokes frequently, and sometimes argues about whether gelatinous cubes have a sense of fashion. We're proud of the content we create, because it's built on passion, research, and the occasional poorly-timed dad joke. Ready to explore more RPG deep dives, mechanics breakdowns, and ridiculous tangents? Head to RPGBOT.net for optimization guides, homebrew inspiration, and every episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast. Whether you're storming Roshar or surviving a tavern brawl, we've got your back. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ Meet the Hosts: Tyler Kamstra – The tactical mind behind RPGBOT.net, Tyler sees the Pathfinder action economy like Neo sees the Matrix. Randall James – Technologist, lore enthusiast, and fully prepared to duel Peter Jackson over which LotR edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare. Fueled by sarcasm and sweet, sweet table-flipping energy. 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 Gehenna: It's Like Hell, but With Worse Real Estate and More Bureaucracy” Announcement: Missed an episode? Repent your sins and redeem yourself on YouTube, where archived episodes of The RPGBOT.Podcast are now available for your listening pleasure. Come for the laughs, stay for the existential dread. Show Notes – Episode Title: “Gehenna: Evil Slopes and Infernal Bureaucracy” Summary: In this infernal episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the hosts return from Gen Con only to plummet straight into the burning basalt slopes of Gehenna—a plane so depressing it makes the Shadowfell look like Disneyland. They dive into the lore of the plane's inhospitable geography, wildly impractical city design, and the kinds of inhabitants that only a sadistic game designer could love. Along the way, we meet Nymicry (a city that wants to eat you), the Tower of Arcana (where bureaucracy is tattooed into your skin), and the city of Portent (built on a corpse, because why not). The hosts explore the goddess of torture, debate whether the Rogue class needs therapy or just a rebrand, and try to answer the ultimate question: “Why would anyone go to Gehenna… on purpose?” 2014 Dungeon Master's Guide (affiliate link) 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide (affiliate link) Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes (affiliate link) Forgotten Realms Wiki - Gehenna Ghengis Sean  RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes The Abyss Archeron Arcadia The Beastlands Bytopia Carceri Celestia The Ethereal Plane The Feywild Hell Part 1 Hell Part 2 Limbo Mechanus Pandemonium The Shadowfell Key Takeaways: Gehenna is the DMV of the multiverse—agonizingly slow, unbearably hostile, and absolutely full of paperwork. Gen Con was great! Unlike Gehenna, which is a hostile volcanic rockslide with a bad attitude. Every layer of Gehenna slopes downward, because gravity hates you too. Nymicry is a mimic the size of a city, proving once again that your GM can be too creative. The Tower of Arcana is where contracts are etched into skin, because parchment is for cowards. Portent is a yugoloth-shaped city with a throne that whispers spoilers into your ear. The only native species are bar guests, who seem suspiciously like people who got stuck at Gen Con after dark. Leviatar, the goddess of torture, rules with cruelty and creativity—think “Hellraiser meets HR onboarding.” Torch is a city where crime is a feature, not a bug. Bonus: there's a blood swamp. Rogues are cool, but maybe need a PR team—they're mechanically solid but struggle to stand out. Gehenna is full of flavor, if your flavor is emotional suffering and lava. At RPGBOT.net and The RPGBOT.Podcast, our brains are made of real meat. We are not the fever dream of a rogue algorithm trying to understand humor. We are, tragically, real people—with dice in one hand and sarcasm in the other. RPGBOT: It's Soylent Green for the RPG crowd—made from actual humans, not generative AI. Want more planar deep-dives, class analysis, and volcanic despair? Visit RPGBOT.net for guides, breakdowns, and the kind of nerdy brilliance that even Gehenna can't melt. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ Meet the Hosts: Tyler Kamstra – The tactical mind behind RPGBOT.net, Tyler sees the Pathfinder action economy like Neo sees the Matrix. Randall James – Technologist, lore enthusiast, and fully prepared to duel Peter Jackson over which LotR edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare. Fueled by sarcasm and sweet, sweet table-flipping energy. 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

Bask in the divine glow (and probably a few judgmental stares) as we ascend into the celestial tiers of tabletop gaming. Wings, halos, and passive-aggressive deities await. Did you miss out on our earlier, holier episodes? Good news! RPGBOT.net is now uploading archived episodes of the RPGBOT.Podcast to YouTube. That means you can binge our past wisdom, war crimes, and winged lectures while pretending to work or praying for better dice rolls. Subscribe now, and receive one free celestial side-eye from a planetar of your choice. SHOW NOTES Summary: The team cracks open the heavens and explores all things Celestial—those upper-planar beings with immaculate vibes and judgmental glowing eyes. From the serene beauty of devas to the bureaucratic nightmare of Inevitables, this episode dissects how Celestials work in your TTRPGs: their lore, how to use them as plot devices, and what happens when your party tries to seduce them (again). With their signature blend of encyclopedic knowledge and chaotic sarcasm, the RPGBOT crew explores: What even is a Celestial? (Hint: It's not just a cleric who moisturizes.) The pantheon of celestial creatures — from unicorns to couatls to things that make angels look like interns. How to use Celestials in your campaigns as guides, gatekeepers, or judgmental ex-boyfriends from the Upper Planes. Playing Celestial-adjacent characters without becoming the party's shining buzzkill. Why DMs love Celestials as moral speed bumps, divine errand runners, and "plot with wings." Alignments, ethics, and radiant damage—aka, “why your murderhobo has trust issues.” Campaign concepts involving Celestials: The angelic war in heaven, the paladin's divine caller ID, and the fallout from killing something with a name like "Seraph of Eternal Grace." KEY TAKEAWAYS: Celestials aren't just pretty faces with glowing swords—they can be plot-critical entities with vast powers and even vaster egos. They work great as moral foils, quest-givers, or that one NPC who insists on “just talking things out.” Radiant damage is what happens when light therapy goes wrong. Celestials in tabletop games should feel alien, awe-inspiring, and occasionally bureaucratic—like divine HR. If your party sees wings and decides to fight first, you might be the problem. The line between “savior” and “divine stalker” is thinner than an astral thread. Couatls are snakes that glow, fly, read your thoughts, and judge your fashion choices. Not all angels are good, not all demons are evil, and not all players understand subtlety. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra 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

Battlecry!, Bigatures, and the Tank Fallacy: Pathfinder 2e's New Expansion Yells Into the Void (And We Love It!) You can now listen to archive episodes of the RPGBOT.Podcast on YouTube! Catch up on past adventures, deep dives, and spicy takes—now just a click away. Show Notes: In this episode, Tyler Kamstra, Randall James, and Ash Ely sound the alarm for Battlecry!, the latest Pathfinder 2e expansion that drops more mechanics than a dwarven siege engine. The Commander class steals the spotlight, offering the kind of battlefield support that makes your bard feel inadequate. Meanwhile, the Guardian shows up to shout "Taunt!" like it's 2004, then dares you to punch it in the face. New ancestries like the Jotunborn get critiqued (spoiler: they're tall, but not necessarily compelling), and the hosts break down how Pathfinder continues to make tactical party play both crunchy and fun. Also: AI voice acting is ruining everything, and Tyler wants his dang bigatures back. PF2 Battlecry Paizo Blog: Diamond Bankruptcy Update West Virginia Radio Quiet Zone Key Takeaways: Radio Silence Zone: It's real, it's weird, and it's the perfect setting for your next post-apocalyptic one-shot. AI is coming for your dice: The rise of AI in creative industries has the hosts (rightfully) worried—and not just about the quality of CGI. Battlecry is awesome: It brings bold new options with the Commander and Guardian classes, plus new ancestries, archetypes, and updated warfare mechanics. The Commander Class: A tactician's dream—boost allies, manage actions, and scream commands like a fantasy Napoleon. The Guardian Class: Not a traditional tank, but it taunts like one. Understanding the “tank fallacy” is key to using this class well. Reactions matter: Timing is everything. Pathfinder's layered action economy shines even brighter with these new mechanics. New archetypes = spicy builds: There's a lot to chew on for optimizers and roleplayers alike. Magic items and warfare: Updated systems offer more fun without bogging the game down. Diamond Comics' bankruptcy: A reminder of how fragile RPG distribution really is. The LotR extended editions debate: Nobody is neutral. Randall might duel Ash in a Cracks of Doom showdown. Call to Action: If you're a Pathfinder player, Battlecry is more than just a shout—it's a full-blown battle hymn. Whether you're a tactical mastermind or just here for the yelling, grab a copy of Battlecry, roll up a Commander or Guardian, and make your table tremble. Don't forget to subscribe to the RPGBOT.Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, and check out our archive of episodes now available on YouTube! Whether you're catching up or diving deep, we've got all the crunchy game mechanics, hot takes, and spicy builds you crave. Listen, laugh, optimize. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ Meet the Hosts: Tyler Kamstra – The tactical mind behind RPGBOT.net, Tyler sees the Pathfinder action economy like Neo sees the Matrix. Randall James – Technologist, lore enthusiast, and fully prepared to duel Peter Jackson over which LotR edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare. Fueled by sarcasm and sweet, sweet table-flipping energy. 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

Strap in, space cadets—we're about to hyperjump into a galaxy where healing is done with stickers, rats are adorable, and gravity is optional. Past episodes of the RPGBOT.Podcast are now available on YouTube! Revisit our greatest hits, deepest takes, and most unhinged tangents with your eyeballs and your earholes. Just search for “RPGBOT.Podcast” on YouTube or follow the links from RPGBOT.net to join the chaos chronologically. Episode Summary: In this cosmic critique, the RPGBOT crew beams aboard the Starfinder 2e Player Core, phasers set to “analysis.” Between Randall's family hijinks and Ash's surprise character death, we dive deep into the shiny new mechanics, ancestries, and classes of Paizo's sci-fi sequel. We break down the gear, the grit, and the glorious Vesk while exploring how the Pathfinder-compatible system tries to balance heavy armor with heavier expectations. Whether you're building a star-powered Solarian or arguing with your GM about mixing Mystics into your Pathfinder campaign, this episode explores how Starfinder 2e hits orbit and what could still use a systems check. Starfinder 2e Player Core Starfinder Galaxy Guide (affiliate link) Paizo Blog: Diamond Bankruptcy Update Content from RPGBOT.net Starfinder 2e Articles RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes Starfinder 2e Galaxy Guide Review Key Takeaways: Randall's Weekend: Begins with dad jokes and ends with accidental inspiration for a space opera. Ash's Casual Casualty: Reminds us that player death is just character growth…with extra paperwork. Starfinder 2e Overview: It's not Pathfinder in space—it's Pathfinder adjacent with lasers. New Ancestries: Vesk: Lizardfolk? Yes. Fashion icons in power armor? Also yes. Isoki: Ratfolk who are more adorable than lethal—until they're not. Core Classes Breakdown: Envoy: Space Bard meets morale manager. Mystic: Heals, hurls psychic blasts, looks mysterious in low lighting. Operative: Basically John Wick in zero-g. Solarian: Wields the power of the sun like it's a casual Tuesday. Soldier: Power armor, big guns, and bigger “pew pew” energy. Gear Mechanics: No more "+3 laser rifles." It's about quality tiers, not raw numbers. Healing System: Bye-bye potions, hello med patches. It's healing… but make it cyberpunk. Cross-Compatibility: Yes, Starfinder 2 and Pathfinder 2e can play nice—but only if your GM survives the sanity check. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra 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

Oops, All Corpses: Making TPKs Fun, Fair, and Hilariously Devastating Now on YouTube! That's right—RPGBOT.net is bringing the RPGBOT.Podcast archive to YouTube, so now you can re-live your favorite episodes or finally hear all the ones you missed while you were rolling death saves. Whether you're commuting, cooking, or crying over your latest character sheet, we've got you covered with full episodes, remastered for maximum tabletop chaos. Episode Notes In this hilariously grim episode, the RPGBOT.Podcast crew puts the "fun" back in "TPK." That's right—we're talking about Total Party Kills: when the dice betray you, the GM stops pulling punches, and your entire party is wiped out like yesterday's initiative order. Tyler, Randall, and Ash dissect the delicious disaster of a good ol' fashioned TPK—from the tactical errors that cause them to the storytelling opportunities they unlock. Whether your death was noble, stupid, or hilariously ironic, the gang's got hot takes and hard truths about why sometimes, failure is the most fun you can have with your character sheet still smoking. Also: funeral pyres, surviving by plot armor, and the one time someone definitely had it coming. RPGBOT.Pocast Episodes RPGBOT.Podcast Episode 10 – Horror RPGBOT.Podcast Episode 9 – Death RPGBOT.Podcast S2E10 – Session 0 Mörk Borg Cult: Heretic – RPGBOT.News S2E32 Fate of the Norns – RPGBOT.News S3E33 Doomed Forgotten Realms – RPGBOT.News S2E50 Content from RPGBOT.net Fate of the Norns – A Review DnD 5e – Practical Guide to Summoning Spells Other Stuff Leroy Jenkins Planescape: Torment Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft (affiliate link) Topics Covered: What actually qualifies as a TPK (spoiler: one wizard running off doesn't count). When to kill 'em all—and when to fudge the dice. How to make character death meaningful and not just “you slipped in a trap again.” Player buy-in and embracing the end like a dramatic Shakespearean hero. GM tips for turning a TPK into a launchpad for the next arc (or next party). The glory of high-stakes gameplay—because sometimes, you really should fight the dragon at level 3. Key Takeaways: Not all TPKs are bad: A well-earned TPK can be an epic finale, a new beginning, or a group-wide punchline. Fairness matters: If you're going to kill the party, make sure they had a fighting chance—or at least a cool last stand. Story is king: A good TPK should feel like a narrative climax, not just a punishment for bad tactics (though sometimes it's both). Session Zero helps: Set expectations early—if your GM is a killer DM, your group should know they're not here for storytime with Elmo. Debrief after death: Processing character loss together helps the group move forward—and maybe even laugh about it. Use TPKs creatively: Whether as a tragic end, a heroic sacrifice, or the cursed prequel to the real campaign, lean into the drama. Reincarnation is a thing: In fantasy RPGs, death might not be the end—unless it really needs to be. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra 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

A candy dungeon, a dragon cult, and a bag that eats you—what could go wrong? You asked. We delved. You can now listen to past and present episodes of the RPGBOT.Podcast on YouTube! Whether you're deep cleaning your dice bag or prepping tonight's game, catch every optimization hot take and dragon-fueled derailment in high-def audio (and our beautiful logo in glorious static 1080p). Subscribe at YouTube.com/@RPGBOT — because dragons sound better at 1.25x speed. Episode Summary: The RPGBOT crew cracks open Dungeon Delves, the newest D&D 5E adventure anthology packed full of dragons, dungeons, and just enough whimsy to leave your party questioning reality. From solo player escapades to pastry-themed peril, the hosts review each of the anthology's adventures, exploring what works, what doesn't, and what got eaten by a Bag of Devouring. Spoiler alert: It's not just gear. Along the way, they celebrate user-friendly design, lament undercooked storylines, and argue over which dragon deserves to headline the next Broadway musical. Art and Arcana (affiliate link) Dragon Delves (affiliate link) Fizban's Treasury of Dragons (affiliate link) Key Takeaways: Adventure anthologies are great modular tools for GMs looking to plug-and-play without months of prep. Solo character adventures introduce exciting mechanical wrinkles and make a case for letting that one friend who always plays rogues just go for it. Hoard magic items are flavorful, fun, and make players feel very important. Art and layout are top-tier. Even the dragons look like they moisturize. Death at Sunset and The Will of Orcus are clear standouts—fun, well-paced, and full of dragon drama. A Copper for a Song and Sandstone City left the crew hungry for more danger and depth (and less polite puzzle-solving). Good adventure design balances meaningful player choices with challenge. Not every dungeon needs a TPK, but it should at least try. Remember: If a Bag of Devouring starts to wiggle, you're already dead. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra 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

Warlocks, Mystic Arcanum, and Our Deeply Cursed MySpace Past – Now Optimized for Maximum Emotional Damage! Tired of forgetting what Tyler said about multiclassing back in 2021? Want to relive the glory days of your favorite hot takes, Warlock rants, and deeply cursed jokes? Good news! RPGBOT.net is proud to announce that archived episodes of the RPGBOT.Podcast are now available on YouTube. That's right—every mispronounced spell, every wizard tangent, every moment of Tyler realizing he's said something horrible is now accessible. Search “RPGBOT Podcast” on YouTube and hit that play button like it owes you an Eldritch Invocation. A huge thanks to our guest, Gabe Greenspan — actor, writer, professional chaos gremlin, and the only person brave enough to optimize Warlocks and still talk about MySpace unironically. Gabe's insight runs as deep as his playlist is unhinged, and if you enjoyed this episode, you need to check out his other work: Total Party Skill – where razor-sharp theorycraft collides with chaotic actual play Tabletop Tunes – the ultimate soundtrack for your bard, your boss fights, or your brooding warlock vibes And learn more about Gabe at gabegreenspan.com, where the comedy's punchy, the projects are plentiful, and the bio page probably isn't haunted. Probably. Because let's be honest—every optimized Warlock deserves a killer theme song and a guest appearance from someone cooler than their DM. Show Notes This episode, we go from Dial-Up to Die-Resonance. The RPGBOT crew welcomes back Gabe Greenspan for part 2 of the Warlock optimization series using the D&D 2024 ruleset. After a brief trip down memory lane to the pixelated glory of MySpace Top 8s and AIM away messages, the conversation dives headfirst into Warlock mechanics from level 10 all the way to 20. Tyler, Randall, and Ash—plus Gabe—discuss spell selection, Mystic Arcanum picks, Eldritch Invocations, and the emotional weight of choosing your level 20 capstone. There's an alarming amount of love for spells that make you omnipresent, and maybe a bit too much nostalgia for the early internet. You'll laugh, you'll optimize, and you might question your teenage social media presence. From the philosophical (“What does it mean to be a Warlock?”) to the practical (“Why is Misty Step still doing so much work?”), this episode gives you the strategy, humor, and memes you need to build a Warlock that slaps—whether you're blasting, hexing, or sipping potions made of regret. Key Takeaways MySpace Trauma is Real: The team explores how early internet experiences shaped their current personalities... and also their spell lists. Spell Selection Is Everything: Choosing the right spells is like curating your Top 8—deeply personal, slightly toxic, and possibly game-breaking. Mystic Arcanum = Late Game Power: Learn which spells will turn your Warlock from “mysterious loner” into “arcane juggernaut.” Leveling with Purpose: Level 10 through 20 contains major decision points that define how your Warlock handles endgame content, narrative moments, and group synergy. Multiclass Temptations: Warlocks continue to be the gateway class for players who want to dip a toe in every magical pond. Warlock 2024 Is Glowing Up: The new rules breathe life into a class that was already beloved. Now it's leaner, meaner, and finally makes sense at higher levels. Meta Humor + Mechanics = RPGBOT: Balancing crunchy optimization with existential jokes is our specialty—and also the entire episode. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra 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're Not Saying You Should Jump… But Here's How to Survive When You Inevitably Do RPGBOT.net Presents Past Mistakes in Glorious 1080p Want to see how deep the rules rabbit hole really goes? Or maybe you just miss hearing Tyler's voice explain gravity damage like it's a TED Talk about falling down stairs. Either way, rejoice! Past episodes of the RPGBOT.Podcast are now available on YouTube. That's right—you can watch us talk about jumping in TTRPGs while quietly judging our dice rolls and decisions. Head to YouTube and search RPGBOT.Podcast, or visit RPGBOT.net to catch up on all the physics-defying, rules-lawyering, gravity-defying goodness. Show Notes – Jumping (Yes, Really) In this remastered episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the gang takes a long, hard leap into the mechanics of jumping in tabletop role-playing games. Whether you're trying to cross a chasm, leap onto a moving cart, or just escape your problems with a dramatic rooftop exit, this episode breaks down how jumping actually works—and how it should work—across Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder systems. Tyler, Randall, and Ash discuss the rules-as-written, the rules-as-abused, and the physics-as-ignored, covering how different systems treat vertical leaps, long jumps, and gravity's cruel embrace. Expect intense debates on standing jumps, running starts, and whether barbarians are just kangaroos in plate mail. And yes, Tyler did the math. Again. Key Takeaways: D&D 5e's jump rules are deceptively simple, which means players either forget they exist or completely break them with Strength scores that shouldn't be legal. Pathfinder 2e offers more structured mechanics, but the math still gets wild when people start asking how fast someone can fall upward. Movement matters. A running start can double your jump distance—unless you forgot you're wearing heavy armor and just did a faceplant off a ledge. Gravity always wins. Unless you're a monk, a bird, or someone with Feather Fall queued up like an escape clause. Vertical jumps are not your friend. Want to leap 10 feet straight up? Better bring a ladder or a wizard. Fall damage is a harsh mistress. DMs often improvise gravity as punishment for clever ideas. Ash thinks jumping is overrated. Also, he doesn't trust horses. This is probably unrelated, but important. Randall's Rule of Cool: If a cinematic leap sounds awesome, do it—and then figure out the rules after you land. Tyler's Law of Calculated Regret: Always check your jump distance before describing your character leaping across a 30-foot canyon. DMs should know the jump rules—but also know when to throw them out the window like a rogue with a running start and nothing to lose. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra 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