Podcasts about ttrpgs

Kick off the New Year with a brand new episode of Strange New Pod as Julian and Giraffe sit down with writer and game designer Carlos Cisco for a wide-ranging conversation spanning Star Trek and tabletop RPGs.Carlos dives into his work as a writer on Star Trek: Discovery, his contributions to Star Trek Adventures, and his role in helping develop the brand new TTRPG Daggerheart. They also take a deep look at his latest release, Pistolheart, a Western-inspired supplement for Daggerheart that brings six-shooters, frontier justice, and genre-bending storytelling to the system.From Starfleet to the final frontier of the Old West, this episode explores storytelling across mediums, adapting tone and genre, and what it takes to build compelling worlds, whether on screen or at the table. As Data once said, "Saddle up, lock and load." (and roll some dice).Send us a textSupport the show

In this week's episode, we chat with Chris Pramas of Green Ronin Publishing! We hear about adapting a series of novels as a TTRPG, implementing spaceship combat without writing a physics textbook, and the importance of considering what a fantasy city would smell like. Our conversation goes deep into the lifecycle of a tabletop game, the economics of the publishing industry, and the complications of crowdfunding. Spoilers abound for The Expanse and Broken Earth novel series. Thanks to Reilly for editing out the part where Jake tried to say "Fifth Season" but accidentally said "Fifth Element".Chris Pramas is the founder and co-owner of Green Ronin Publishing. They're the publisher behind Mutants and Masterminds and Fantasy Age as well as some very in-depth adaptations. We talk about the adaptations for The Fifth Season as well as The Expanse in quite a bit of detail, but their original content like Lost Island of the Pirate Queen is also extremely fun and flavourful. This year has been their 25th anniversary, so they've been doing some cool monthly specials. Also, the bankruptcy of their physical books distributor has had them in a bit of a bind over the past few months, so possibly consider helping them out?Green Ronin Publishing also has some community sites for people interested in building their own game supplements:AGE Creators Alliance is for Adventure Game Engine supplements.Chronicle System Guild is for Sword Chronicle supplements, which is the genericized version of the A Song of Ice and Fire system.Atomic Think Tank is a forum for Green Ronin TTRPGs more broadly.Chris has some great recommendations for nonfiction history:SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome by Mary BeardThe Bright Ages: A New History of Medieval Europe by Matthew Gabriele and David M PerryReturn of a King: The Battle for Afghanistan, 1839-42 by William DalrympleWilliam Dalrymple and Anita Anand's podcast EmpireFinally, while we were putting these show notes together, we found the program for GenCon 2000, and it's an excellent examples of turn-of-the-century TTRPG graphic design. Head on over to our website to check it out. If you've enjoyed this interview, maybe go check out the first time we met Chris way back at OrcaCon 2025!For more conversations about publishing TTRPGs, go listen to our interview with David about self-publishing TTRPGs, our interview with Simon about minis (where we talk a lot about indie TTRPG publishing in the 90s), and our interview with Selius about publishing a third-party D&D supplement. For a discussion about TTRPG adaptations of sprawling fictional universes from the point of view of a GM, go listen to this episode with Jesse about playing a campaign in the Dune system.For some Flashlights where we talk about the history of Wizards of the Coast, here's the one where we talk about magazines and the birth of Paizo and here's the one where we talk about Chris Cox's tenure as Hasbro CEO. Thanks to Emmett for providing this week's intro! Emmett is one of the writers of the Heir of Smoke D&D supplement, which is extremely cool. If you like the music on the show, go check out more of Reilly's music. You can also listen to Reilly's DJ sets on Mixcloud.Follow us wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. You can also get episodes right from the source at our RSS feed. If you enjoy Campaign Spotlight, consider subscribing to our Patreon or supporting us on Ko-Fi. A special thanks to Hannah W, Jake K, Perry C, Elvin Prince, Jason K, and Smokie Derg for supporting us on Patreon!For more on the show, including links to all our social media, visit our website.   ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign. Visit the Sly Flourish Blog Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Podcast Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books Midgard Worldbook Tales of the Valiant Obsidian for TTRPGs

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This is a bonus episode to keep your ears occupied while Wythe and I take a much needed winter break! This episode of Thunderquack's Perfect Ten is from October 7th, 2025—right at the beginning of our Danse Macabre KS campaign! Tune in as I (Chris) chat with our buddy and collaborator, Michael Cohen about one of my favorite video games: Fromsoftware's 2022 ARPG... ELDEN RING (and how it relates to TTRPGs, of course). From Perfect Ten: "On this episode we're joined by Christopher Pickett, cohost of Why We Roll and creator of Danse Macabre: Medieval Horror Roleplaying, to talk about their perfect ten video game, Elden Ring, as well as the launch of their Kickstarter campaign." For more Perfect Ten and other Thunderquack shows: https://thunderquack.com/ Check out Stillfleet Studio's games, including Danse Macabre at https://stillfleet.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign. Visit the Sly Flourish Blog Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Podcast Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books Midgard Worldbook Tales of the Valiant Obsidian for TTRPGs

2025 was another interesting year in the TTRPG Industry, and I was once again joined by Shannon Appelcline, author of the "Designers & Dragons" series, to provide historical context to the events of the year.Shannon shared his insights on a variety of topics including the tariffs, AI, economy, and other headwinds for TTRPGs, as well as talking about where things are going for indie game design.https://www.youtube.com/c/BudsRPGreview---------Pre-order Dragons & Designers on Backerkit:https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/evil-hat/designers-dragons-originsDesigners and Dragons website:https://www.designers-and-dragons.com---------Fang Dungeon Bestiary Backerkit:https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/3381d640-ea27-40dd-9972-ee85087e1353/landingBug Busters Kickstarter Pre-order:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/diekugames/bug-bustersWeb Site & Storehttps://diekugames.comPatreon:https://www.patreon.com/diekugamesTo learn more about Dieku Games:https://diekugames.itch.iohttps://www.instagram.com/diekugames https://www.twitter.com/diekugameshttps://www.tiktok.com/@diekugameshttps://www.patreon.com/diekugameshttps://diekugames.blogspot.comhttps://discord.com/invite/372RdeeMZD#OSR #TTRPG #DND

Nerds, its time to get our dice out and get pedagogical up in here!Josh and Lee sat down with author, educator, and big ole' nerd in the hills, Adam Watson, to talk about his new book "Table Top-Roleplaying Games in the Classroom" and his journey from regular D&D enthusiast to man on a mission to fuse the fun of table top roleplaying with educational initiatives and help kids learn through strategically applied gaming!This was an amazing conversation and Lee even used some of Adam's strategies in his own classroom with incredible results! Check out the episode to hear what happened!What do you think? We want to know!Email us at hillshavenerds@gmail.comCome on our Facebook!www.facebook.com/The HillsHaveNerdsCome inside our Discord!https://discord.gg/cruXwRyQjmCheck us out on Youtube for live stream game nights and other stuff!www.youtube.com/@ThehillshavenerdsWe want to thank our Ko-fi supporters! You help us make the show even better.Brittany JohnstonNick De RosaYou can support us on Ko-fi for membership rewards!www.ko-fi.com/thehillshavenerdsLee makes great Retro RPG content on Youtube and streams!www.youtube.com/@Pixelbroleewww.twitch.tv/pixelbroleeIf you're interested in Adam's book go buy it! Its great! Tell him the Nerds sent ya!https://www.amazon.com/Tabletop-Role-Playing-Games-Classroom-Instruction/dp/1476697558Adam Watson's socialshttps://watsonedtech.blogspot.com/2025/12/tabletop-role-playing-games-in.htmlkyedrpg.comadamwatson.orgwww.youtube.com/@watsonedtechhttps://www.facebook.com/kyedrpg

Before leaving the city to do their sires' bidding, the budding coterie must attend the death day celebration of Prince Vencel Rikard.Content Warnings: Threats of violence; death; historical assumptions and stereotyping; language;CastStoryteller: Lex LopezAlexios: Tim DavisCatrinel: Rebecca SteigelfestRoland de Roncevaux: Rob MuirheadSadhbh: Erika WebbZorion de Iruña: Garrett GabbeyRecordingRebecca SteigelfestEditingRob MuirheadMusicDon't Look Back, by DaniHaDani and Maya BelsitzmanMiddle Eastern Dance (no lead vocals), by Maya Belsitzman and Matan EphratHimslenberg, by BlackbardArtLogo: Rob MuirheadCharacter Art: Jay Steel, BlueSkyKo-Fi: ko-fi.com/pathofnightYouTube: YouTube.com/@pathofnightFacebook: Facebook.com/PathofNightPodcastTwitter: @PathofNightPodBluesky: pathofnight.bsky.socialEmail: pathofnightpodcast@gmail.com

Vampire: The Masquerade has bled out....and risen as a vampire! Spooky! Our spooky month turned Thanksgiving month turned Holiday Season game has come to a close and it's time for us to talk about it! Listen in as we discuss the interesting book lay out choices, our characters' fates post campaign, and our favorite mechanics! And get excited as later this month on our Patreon, we will have friend of the podcast, Sabrina Hawthorne, on for a part two of our Post Mortem! We have a Patreon! Check it out if you want to support us and this podcast! https://www.patreon.com/TinyTablePodcast As always, if you have any TTRPGs you want us to try out, please email us at tinytablebusiness@gmail.com or contact us at any of the socials below! Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tinytablettrpg/ Tumblr - https://www.tumblr.com/blog/tinytablepodcast TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@tinytablettrpg Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnpc2lwtvgEEYVHL3WoxU-Q  

We conclude our interview with Adam Watson, diving into the value of TTRPGs for SEL (social-emotional learning) vs. academic performance in the classroom.Remember to like, share, subscribe, and comment (in any order you like!)Connect with us: teachersinthedungeon on Instagram and Facebook, @dungeonteachers on X, and teachersinthedungeon@gmail.com

Time for another Tabletop Tutorial, the series where I play two player TTRPGs with friends and we learn them together.   BIG OL' CONTENT WARNINGS FOR THIS EPISODE: Death, Alcoholism, Inappropriate Crude Body Humor, Body Horror, and probably a whole lot more, be careful with this one, please. It's heavy.   I'm once again joined by Troy from the DMs After Dark to play the heartbreaking two player TTRPG The Time We Have by Elliot Davis, a.k.a. moreblueberries, an excellent game designer as well as tabletop roleplaying mind from podcasts such as Talk of the Table and My First Dungeon, both regular staples in my podcast audio diet.   The Time We Have is a game about brothers in the post-apocalypse. There are a lot of potential settings provided with the game that cover more genres than near-future Earth, but the truth of the game is that one of you has been infected and only has 6 days to live. The two brothers sit on other side of a closed door and have conversations until the end or a hard decision must be made.    No spoilers for our episode, but safe to say Troy and I were both very moved by the session. The game has a rule that at the end of the game, you open the door and hug the other player, and for a game that gets this heavy, it's a very nice touch. Go get The Time We Have.   ----more---- Join the DMs After Dark Discord!   I made a Ko-Fi if you feel absurdly generous and want to help cover podcast hosting costs & all the upkeep. I'm still working on whether I want to offer anything special over there or just give my extreme gratitude (maybe some stickers or something in the mail) to those who donate, but no pressure whatsoever :)   Where to Follow Rene Plays Games: LinkTree |  BlueSky | Threads | Instagram | Facebook | DMs After Dark MECH | One Last Quest email: RenePlaysGamesPod@gmail.com   Music in the Episode (in order of appearance): Radio Sound FX from https://www.zapsplat.com Body Fall Glass B & Glass Crunching Steps by Monument Studios Lifeless Eyes Watching by Vindsvept Theme Song written & produced by Dan Pomfret | @danfrombothbands

We are playing Ex Tenebris: a star-spanning gothic investigation TTRPG.You can make a late pledge to the Ex Tenebris Kickstarter campaign here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/blackarmada/ex-tenebris?ref=7an243⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beyond the dark emptiness of space, beyond dreaming, lies the Tenebrium. Only you can unearth its mysteries, defeat the twisted horrors that lurk there, and keep humanity from becoming prey.In Ex Tenebris, you play a ragtag team of investigators, protecting the Republic of Stars from terrifying supernatural threats. You will face sorcerers and cults, dark technology from lost civilisations and the slobbering terrors lurking in the nightmare realm of the Tenebrium.In this episode:The team rest and recuperate, with hospital, painting and couch surfing.They gain a new pet.Galen investigates the Black GateAnd, the team decide what to investigate next.Plus: we discuss South Africa and zoos.Black Armada DiscordWe would like to invite our listeners to join the Black Armada discord, where you can hang out with the podcast crew. Join the discord here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/8GAtj9pRYy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CreditsOur players are:Joshua Fox ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/armadajosh.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Becky Annison as Tamzi (the resurrected) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/beckyannison.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eadwin Tomlinson as Galen (the tarnished badge) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/eadwin.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nick Bate as Hamda (the technarchologist) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/ickbat.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sue Elliott as Orion (the relic) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/suefacetm.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Black Armada create and publish TTRPGs here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://blackarmada.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nick creates and publishes TTRPGs as Ickbat here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ickbat.itch.io/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The music is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Orange Button⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ by Esther Garcia.

And this time, we talk about the Randomness that TTRPGs and D&D provide. Especially on how you can embrace that randomness at your tables in the right moments to make your game so much better.We talk about Rolling Dice and Improvisation and how TTRPGs are the only medium where you have the most control while not knowing what comes next and why that is the best thing ever!Check here for all further information:You can find us on the Web under these Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.doubledm.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/doubledm.bsky.socialhttps://www.instagram.com/doubledmpod/?hl=de⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/doubledm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you want to reach out to us via E-Mail use: doubledmpod@gmail.comOur Midroll Music is "Midnight Tale" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Our Outro Music is "Ascending the Vale" Kevin MacLeod (imcompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever watched your players stare at a clue for 25 minutes, slowly realizing they're not unraveling a mystery, you're watching them invent a brand-new conspiracy theory? In today's remastered episode, we dive into the magical art of mystery design: how to build suspense, reveal secrets, and gently nudge players away from wildly incorrect guesses like "the butler did it" when you absolutely, definitely did not even put a butler in this campaign. Show Notes In this remastered RPGBOT.Podcast episode, the crew digs deep into the craft of creating and running tabletop RPG mysteries: from puzzle-heavy one-shots to sprawling, campaign-defining enigmas. We break down how mystery structure changes the way players interact with the world, how clues can guide without railroading, and why your players always suspect the guy with the most ominous accent (even when he's just a blacksmith). We walk through best practices for investigation adventures in systems like Dungeons & Dragons 5e, Pathfinder 2e, and other TTRPGs that thrive on intrigue. You'll learn how to balance player agency with narrative direction, how to keep mysteries from stalling, and how to use secrets, lies, and misdirection to build an unforgettable experience. We also cover the common pitfalls: clue scatter, dead-end thinking, mystery over-engineering, and the infamous "GM explains the entire plot because nobody figured it out." Plus, we share our favorite tools, techniques, and design frameworks for ensuring your mysteries feel clever rather than confusing. If you've ever wanted to run a mystery adventure that has players gasping instead of groaning, theorizing instead of floundering, and celebrating instead of crying over red herrings—this episode is your blueprint for success. Key Takeaways Designing Effective Mysteries Structure mysteries around clear goals, accessible clues, and multiple pathways to solve the problem. Use redundancy in clue placement—no single point of failure. Think in terms of "information flow," not "plot." Building Engaging Clues Clues should connect characters, locations, motives, and secrets. Make clues tactile (objects), social (NPC testimony), and environmental (scene details). Each clue should move the investigation forward, even if only slightly. Keeping Players Engaged Allow players to propose theories—even absurd ones—and gently redirect when needed. Encourage table talk, but not paralysis. Let players feel smart by validating partial insights, even if they're not perfect. Managing Mystery Mechanics Investigation checks should reveal information, not gatekeep it. Provide clues through multiple skills: Perception, Investigation, Society, Arcana, etc. Remember: failure shouldn't stop the mystery, only add texture. Building Tension and Payoff Pace reveals to maintain suspense. Use NPCs, factions, and motives as engines for twists. Craft an ending that feels earned, surprising but inevitable. Avoiding Common Pitfalls Don't require players to think exactly like you. Don't hide vital information behind a single roll. Don't write an ending before understanding how the players will approach the mystery. 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 watched your players stare at a clue for 25 minutes, slowly realizing they're not unraveling a mystery, you're watching them invent a brand-new conspiracy theory? In today's remastered episode, we dive into the magical art of mystery design: how to build suspense, reveal secrets, and gently nudge players away from wildly incorrect guesses like "the butler did it" when you absolutely, definitely did not even put a butler in this campaign. Show Notes In this remastered RPGBOT.Podcast episode, the crew digs deep into the craft of creating and running tabletop RPG mysteries: from puzzle-heavy one-shots to sprawling, campaign-defining enigmas. We break down how mystery structure changes the way players interact with the world, how clues can guide without railroading, and why your players always suspect the guy with the most ominous accent (even when he's just a blacksmith). We walk through best practices for investigation adventures in systems like Dungeons & Dragons 5e, Pathfinder 2e, and other TTRPGs that thrive on intrigue. You'll learn how to balance player agency with narrative direction, how to keep mysteries from stalling, and how to use secrets, lies, and misdirection to build an unforgettable experience. We also cover the common pitfalls: clue scatter, dead-end thinking, mystery over-engineering, and the infamous "GM explains the entire plot because nobody figured it out." Plus, we share our favorite tools, techniques, and design frameworks for ensuring your mysteries feel clever rather than confusing. If you've ever wanted to run a mystery adventure that has players gasping instead of groaning, theorizing instead of floundering, and celebrating instead of crying over red herrings—this episode is your blueprint for success. Key Takeaways Designing Effective Mysteries Structure mysteries around clear goals, accessible clues, and multiple pathways to solve the problem. Use redundancy in clue placement—no single point of failure. Think in terms of "information flow," not "plot." Building Engaging Clues Clues should connect characters, locations, motives, and secrets. Make clues tactile (objects), social (NPC testimony), and environmental (scene details). Each clue should move the investigation forward, even if only slightly. Keeping Players Engaged Allow players to propose theories—even absurd ones—and gently redirect when needed. Encourage table talk, but not paralysis. Let players feel smart by validating partial insights, even if they're not perfect. Managing Mystery Mechanics Investigation checks should reveal information, not gatekeep it. Provide clues through multiple skills: Perception, Investigation, Society, Arcana, etc. Remember: failure shouldn't stop the mystery, only add texture. Building Tension and Payoff Pace reveals to maintain suspense. Use NPCs, factions, and motives as engines for twists. Craft an ending that feels earned, surprising but inevitable. Avoiding Common Pitfalls Don't require players to think exactly like you. Don't hide vital information behind a single roll. Don't write an ending before understanding how the players will approach the mystery. 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

Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign. Visit the Sly Flourish Blog Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Podcast Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books Midgard Worldbook Tales of the Valiant Obsidian for TTRPGs

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Alexei Vella is an artist, illustrator and game designer located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is the creator of They Feed on Fear, Liminal Space and many other games, including TTRPGs, Skirmish games and a lot more!Check out his work on the links below!https://alexei-vella.itch.iohttps://theyfeedonfear.comThank you for listening to Weird Games and Weirder People!Please subscribe to the show to keep up with new episodes!SUPPORT THE SHOW!If you would like to support the show, leave a review and/or join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weirdos' Cool Club⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! It will help keep the podcast going! It will help me pay collaborators! It will help me do this work more often and better! I will really help! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buttondown.com/old_skull/archive/join-the-weirdos-cool-club/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠You can also support me buy buying one of my games!Kosmosaursgot released in print, and it is my RPG inspired by Saturday morning cartoons about Space Dinosaur Rangers defending the galaxy from evildoers!  Get your copy right here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/kosmosaurs-pdf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get other games of mine on Exalted Funeral: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/search?q=Diogo+nogueira⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Or buy anything at DriveThruRPG using this link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drivethrurpg.com/?affiliate_id=338514⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Or buy something from my itch store:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://diogo-old-skull.itch.io⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SUBSCRIBE TO WEIRD TALES FROM THE OLD SKULL!The place where I share ideas, discoveries, weirdness, and the things I am developing, like new TTRPG books, zines, illustrations and a lot more. Lets get weird!Check out our latest post:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buttondown.com/old_skull⁠⁠⁠⁠

Allison and Ken of D12 Adventures chat about writing, refining, and balancing TTRPGs for kids. D12 Adventures is a kid-friendly, old-school solo gamebook series in the choose-you-own-adventure style. You can find the playtest demo and feedback form at https://lethiandunadan.itch.io/d12-adventures-the-trials-of-the-mad-mage-playtest-v01 Welcome to Area of Effect, a podcast from the creators of The Kids Table, where we discuss how tabletop RPGs benefit kids and answer your questions about playing TTRPGs with the kids at your table!  About us: When kids are at the table, everyone wins! Playing TTRPGs levels up kids' critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, & confidence. That's why we create our kid-inclusive D&D show, tips for playing with kids, and campaigns to bring the adventures home! Our Kids' Adventures:  Our Website Support Our Work:  Patreon Follow Us: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook #actualplay #dungeonsanddragons #familyshow

Smallest Salutations and welcome to the finale of Vampire: the Masquerade! Our trio is running out of time to find Mary Brighton before the sun rises and the trail runs cold. This investigation brings them places they'd never dare go…Brooklyn. Anastasia plans a trip. Damien is in his element. Evelyn meets her match. We have a Patreon! Check it out if you want to support us and this podcast! https://www.patreon.com/TinyTablePodcast As always, if you have any TTRPGs you want us to try out, please email us at tinytablebusiness@gmail.com or contact us at any of the socials below! Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tinytablettrpg/ Tumblr - https://www.tumblr.com/blog/tinytablepodcast TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@tinytablettrpg Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnpc2lwtvgEEYVHL3WoxU-Q  

Welcome to another episode of Perspective Checks where I sit down with friends and folks from the TTRPG world and discuss what they love about this wonderful hobby!   The last Perspective Checks of 2025 is a wonderful conversation with Kat The Dungeon Mom, a GM, actual play performer, teacher, mom, and so much more as a community member. We sit down to talk about raising the next generation of nerds, maintaining a curiosity and interested approach to new things in familiar spaces, and recontextualizing the concept of the broad, internet-sized TTRPG community more in terms of "the village," a smaller scope, more intimately involved group of people playing games and helping one another.   I cannot recommend the actual play All Our Faults that Kat is on enough, it is an amazing Monsterhearts 2 show that will make you feel things, and you should not shy away from feeling big things!   ----more---- Join the DMs After Dark Discord channel!   I made a Ko-Fi if you feel absurdly generous and want to help cover podcast hosting costs & all the upkeep. I'm still working on whether I want to offer anything special over there or just give my extreme gratitude (maybe some stickers or something in the mail) to those who donate, but no pressure whatsoever :)   Where to Follow Rene Plays Games: LinkTree |  BlueSky | Threads | Instagram | Facebook | DMs After Dark Rene's Games: MECH | MECH Cities 2 | One Last Quest email: RenePlaysGamesPod@gmail.com   Music in the Episode (in order of appearance): Rene Plays Games Theme written & produced by Dan Pomfret | @danfrombothbands

On this episode of WWR, we chat with higher ed specialist and designer of the S.A.N. (Simple and Narrative) game engine, Anthony Kurza. Join us as we discuss using TTRPGs to foster leadership and identity development, creating systems and adventures for students, teaching TTRPG design, and more! Make sure to check out Anthony's work: Website: kurzplaysgames.itch.io LinkedIn: Anthony Kurza To learn more about Stillfleet Studio and all of our games, head over to www.stillfleet.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are playing Ex Tenebris: a star-spanning gothic investigation TTRPG.You can make a late pledge to the Ex Tenebris Kickstarter campaign here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/blackarmada/ex-tenebris?ref=7an243⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beyond the dark emptiness of space, beyond dreaming, lies the Tenebrium. Only you can unearth its mysteries, defeat the twisted horrors that lurk there, and keep humanity from becoming prey.In Ex Tenebris, you play a ragtag team of investigators, protecting the Republic of Stars from terrifying supernatural threats. You will face sorcerers and cults, dark technology from lost civilisations and the slobbering terrors lurking in the nightmare realm of the Tenebrium.In this episode:We do belated setup for our Conspiracy, Maggots In The MeatThe team gets news of political speeches, protectors arriving, an emergency lockdown and an attack on a secure facilityNick throws Vinicus Bast under the busPlus: we discuss sport! Age, equipment and rules.Black Armada DiscordWe would like to invite our listeners to join the Black Armada discord, where you can hang out with the podcast crew. Join the discord here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/8GAtj9pRYy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CreditsOur players are:Joshua Fox ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/armadajosh.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Becky Annison as Tamzi (the resurrected) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/beckyannison.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eadwin Tomlinson as Galen (the tarnished badge) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/eadwin.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nick Bate as Hamda (the technarchologist) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/ickbat.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sue Elliott as Orion (the relic) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/suefacetm.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Black Armada create and publish TTRPGs here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://blackarmada.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nick creates and publishes TTRPGs as Ickbat here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ickbat.itch.io/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The music is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Orange Button⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ by Esther Garcia.

Sweden Rolls' Andreas Lundström was down at DreieichCon in Germany in mid November, and came home with some interviews, and a panel! The Future of TTRPGs was discussed, and Andreas was invited, along with Chris Pramas (Green Ronin & WFRP) Andy Law (WFRP & official map maker of Critical Role's Tal'Dorei and other stuff) and Tobias Hauser (from German publisher Donnerhaus).

The final finale of our first Riftlings arc! What happens when the world turtle finishes laying it's egg? Where will the Shell Islanders go? What's Jella figured out about the Skreegulls, and what's happening with the rest of the Leviathans around the Riftlands?FIND OUT! Plus, some hints about our next arc - and info about how to enter to win a free game as a gift!

Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign. Visit the Sly Flourish Blog Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Podcast Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books Midgard Worldbook Tales of the Valiant Obsidian for TTRPGs

This week! Candace The Magnificent, Liv Kennedy and Jeremy Cobb are joined by streamer, activist and incredible GM...Nikatine. We dive into her origin story and journey into all things nerdy, a wildly creative beginning sparked by her dad building a computer, and the early games that unlocked her imagination, from The Sims to StarCraft. The conversation then shifts into her path through streaming and her deep love of TTRPGs, which ultimately led to the creation of Issliss and the launch of Fablescraps as a TTRPG production studio. Nikatine discusses crafting Issliss from the ground up, how original concepts were able to hit the ground running, and how a deep passion for world-building allows the exploration of anxiety, fear, and the things that are truly terrifying, transforming those emotions into powerful creative fuel. The Halflings also discuss how Nikatine consistently shows up to represent and advocate for individual cultures and perspectives, and how themes of alienation and the search for belonging resonate strongly through her work, drawn from her own lived experiences. The episode concludes with two incredible Tales From the Table from Issliss...both of which amazingly feature our very own Candace! Links mentioned in this episode: Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nikatine YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nikatine Issliss: ⁠https://www.nikatine.com/issliss.html⁠ Blog: https://www.nikatine.com/blog Also - did you miss out on our first

The coterie goes their separate ways after the end of the night's festivities. But surprise visitors and unpleasant conversations still wait for them before they sleep.Content Warnings: Threats of violence; historical assumptions and stereotyping; language;CastStoryteller: Lex LopezAlexios: Tim DavisCatrinel: Rebecca SteigelfestRoland de Roncevaux: Rob MuirheadSadhbh: Erika WebbZorion de Iruña: Garrett GabbeyRecordingRebecca SteigelfestEditingRob MuirheadMusicDon't Look Back, by DaniHaDani and Maya BelsitzmanMiddle Eastern Dance (no lead vocals), by Maya Belsitzman and Matan EphratArtLogo: Rob MuirheadCharacter Art: Jay Steel, BlueSkyKo-Fi: ko-fi.com/pathofnightYouTube: YouTube.com/@pathofnightFacebook: Facebook.com/PathofNightPodcastTwitter: @PathofNightPodBluesky: pathofnight.bsky.socialEmail: pathofnightpodcast@gmail.com

This time, we continue our discussion of RPGs by suggesting Role Playing Games that share popular boardgaming mechanisms, as well as giving Tom tips for getting a game started. Plus, we have a new Tale of Boardgaming Horror, and we close the show with some Roses, Thorns, and Hula Hoops. 00:50 - A Story About Mail 02:22 - Eric at PAX Unplugged (inc. Hot Streak) 06:50 - Gift Guides, Dice Tower West and East 08:02 - RPGs for Boardgame Fans (detailed notes below) 37:55 - Tale of Boardgaming Horror 43:03 - Fromaggio 48:35 - Gnomic Parlament 52:13 - Carnuta 54:49 - Magic Number 11 56:54 - Insurrect10n -- Julie's Notes Where to go to get core book pdfs? DriveThruRPG https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/  Itch.io https://itch.io/  Cooperative play (yes the overwhelming majority of TTRPGs are cooperative) some extra cooperative leaning  Heckin' Good Doggos https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/405426/heckin-good-doggos  Teatime Adventures https://www.snowbrightstudio.com/teatime-adventures  Dice rolling - Also many many many ttrpgs use dice. Here are some examples D20 - D&D/Pathfinder https://www.dndbeyond.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorCdKoS-xSfI4e05Us81YGA4tHt8CmmaOWNN-9VTcnsAfXS5pBS, https://paizo.com/pathfinder  d100 (percentile): Call of Cthulhu https://www.chaosium.com/call-of-cthulhu-rpg/  Symbol-based dice: FFG Star Wars. https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/starwarsrpg/ , Fudge dice: Fate  https://evilhat.com/product/fate-core-system/    Area control Beak, Feather, & Bone https://possible-worlds-games.itch.io/bfb  Faction/War Song of Ice and Fire RPG http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/101026/A-Song-of-Ice-and-Fire-Roleplaying-A-Game-of-Thrones-Edition  Mutant: Year Zero https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/139453/MUTANT-Year-Zero--Roleplaying-At-The-End-Of-Days  Numenera: Destiny https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/240655/Numenera-Destiny  Coyote and Crow https://www.allplay.com/board-games/coyote-and-crow-the-roleplaying-game/    Action points -  Level Up D&D PbtA  Using Action points Feng Shui https://atlas-games.com/fengshui  C&S: Rebirth  Mythras    Deck builder/Bidding Ok not really but Redigo is "Hand Management"  https://letsplayredigo.com/  Games using a standard deck of cards Castle Falkenstein https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/2370/castle-falkenstein  Games using a custom or proprietary card deck - mostly they are being used instead of dice Dragonlance: Fifth Age https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/186462/dragonlance-fifth-age-dramatic-adventure-game-saga  Clockwork Dominion https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/489608/courier-repacked  My Closest Pick Torg Eternity:A Thousand Faces of Adventure http://torg-gamereference.com/    Pick up and Deliver Solo/journal: Courier https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/489608/courier-repacked   Delivered! https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/441018/delivered-a-solo-journaling-rpg  One shot Delivery Dragons https://shardsofblue.itch.io/delivery-dragons   Worker Placement? Become a GM Questions? Tales of Horror? tom@dicetower.com

Smallest Salutations! Grab your finest attire and most daring hair do because we are heading to the Elysium! As our coterie continues to search to Mary Brighton, they decide to go right to the source: her own clan. Will Mary's own clan have any more information on her whereabouts or will blood run thicker than water? Anastasia loses her cool. Damien bears his fangs. Evelyn pushes buttons. We have a Patreon! Check it out if you want to support us and this podcast! https://www.patreon.com/TinyTablePodcast As always, if you have any TTRPGs you want us to try out, please email us at tinytablebusiness@gmail.com or contact us at any of the socials below! Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tinytablettrpg/ Tumblr - https://www.tumblr.com/blog/tinytablepodcast TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@tinytablettrpg Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnpc2lwtvgEEYVHL3WoxU-Q  

Today is another meta discussion. On how to get new players into the hobby, or more exactly, what you need to do to explain TTRPGs to someone, and how the best way is not to try and explain them, but actually just to show them!With this episode, we want to talk about the difference between actually playing and talking about playing as well as what it means to be ready to play. Everyone has different expectations, and some don't even have any. So what do you do to get them all playing?Check here for all further information:You can find us on the Web under these Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.doubledm.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/doubledm.bsky.socialhttps://www.instagram.com/doubledmpod/?hl=de⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/doubledm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you want to reach out to us via E-Mail use: doubledmpod@gmail.comOur Midroll Music is "Midnight Tale" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Our Outro Music is "Ascending the Vale" Kevin MacLeod (imcompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Adam and Tiana talk about their new favorite video game: Dispatch. But to justify talking about it for an hour, we talk about the lessons we can learn from the game and how to apply them into TTRPGs.The Master Document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xHSJopmC5TPNcxnKFNxXKZRZlZKu_sgVIzwPAdJ1BxI/edit?usp=sharingJoin the Discord! https://discord.gg/gYSp3vcrqsDeath Campaign: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIN_3aqfME8Ut_xe36dWasRaSO-HKfYAp&si=gv4g3PVAPa4xV4m3Podcast edited by E (https://www.instagram.com/haul.away/)

Running high-level TTRPGs (level 11+) are different animals! In this episode I break down essential GM tips for these epic campaigns. Plus, I'll give you some advice on how you need to change your prep to run a legendary game.   #rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #roleplaying #highlevel Resources: Episode 45 - Minions - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-45-usining-minions-from-dd-4e-to-make-combat-better/  Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast www.taking20podcast.com  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taking20podcast  Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/taking20podcast.bsky.social

Join us for a movie that will definitely mess up your algorithms and most likely put you on a watch list if you search it online without including the words "movie" or "in fiction" afterwards. Look, the Swedish journalist who wrote the original book named it, if you've got a problem with that, take it up with him.Pluggables:Conor: @youngmrduffy on the socials, TTRPGs at third-country-press.itch.io, and https://bff.fm/shows/third-country-radioJake: database-ranger.bsky.social, @DatabaseRanger on X and Youtube, and @DBRangersPowerReviews on Facebook.Let's Be Superheroes: @letsbesuperheroes.bsky.social, and @Lets-Be-Superheroes on YoutubeTHE LEAGUE OF SWORDS KICKSTARTER: LAUNCHING SOON (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/leagueofswords/the-league-of-swords-season-1)MUTUAL FUND SPOTLIGHT: United American Indians of New England (uaine.org) amd their fund for the 2025 Day of Mourning: https://chuffed.org/project/116129-united-american-indians-of-new-england-uaine-fundraiserSupport the showSam: @DemiSemme on YouTube, Tumblr, BlueSky, and most other social media platforms (NOT eX-Twitter). Visit our Tumblrs at sixdegreesofstarwars.tumblr.com and ier-6d.tumblr.comTheme Music provided by Refractory Period: @RefractoryPeriodTheBand on Instagram, linktr.ee/RefractoryPeriodForever Mutual Aid LinksE-Sims for Gaza: https://gazaesims.com/Click to Help: https://arab.org/click-to-help/Anti-Imperialism support for people across the world, organized by Kandakat_alhaqq: https://linktr.ee/kandakat_alhaqqCampus Bail Funds: https://campusbailfunds.com/6DOSW is a Pro-Union podcast. Please support artists by contributing to the Entertainment Community Fund if you can: https://entertainmentcommunity.org/how-get-help-and-give-help-during-work-stoppageThe views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent.

Separated by guile and waylaid on the river, the heroes try to uncover the villain searching for their young charge.Content Warnings: Alcoholism, discussions of torture, discussions of death, loss, patriarchal society, depression, psychological abuse, discussion of systemic discrimination and abuse, discussions of dismemberment, manacles, discussion of shipwrecking, fire, implications of animal/creature abuse, sexual situations, sexualized use of a whip, fantasy racism,CastStoryteller: Rebecca SteigelfestEroll Cocksure, Jr.: Garrett GabbeyHerman Heinrich: Tim DavisJean-Paul Chevalier: Rob MuirheadVocessa: Erika WebbYuri Novgorad: Lex LopezRecordingRebecca SteigelfestEditingRebecca SteigelfestMusicpixabay.comArtLogo: Rob MuirheadKo-Fi: ko-fi.com/pathofnightYouTube: YouTube.com/@pathofnightFacebook: Facebook.com/PathofNightPodcastTwitter: @PathofNightPodBluesky: pathofnight.bsky.socialEmail: pathofnightpodcast@gmail.com

Dungeons! Dice! Danger! James plays the roll n write by Richard Garfield and man is it fantastic! And after a long pause, we've finally gotten back to our monthly TTRPGs. This time, it's a new Kids on Bikes campaign featuring animals. How did we get to that point? D and James have the answers.

For more exclusive content like this, including dozens of hours of behind the scenes outtakes, sign up to support the show at ko-fi.com/pathofnight

Elliot and Brian are joined by Devon Chulick, founder and CEO of StartPlaying, the largest online platform for players to find TTRPGs and Professional GMs. We discuss how the platform is allowing GMs to make a living in tabletop roleplaying games, how StartPlaying can help expand the hobby and introduce new games, and the power of community created through play.Talk of the Table is hosted by Elliot Davis and Brian Flaherty.Links:StartPlaying.comStartplayingDevon Devon Recommends:ShadowdarkDispatchOur Links:Support TotT on PatreonMany Sided NewsletterMany Sided Media DiscordCredits:Edited by Elliot DavisProduced by Many Sided MediaAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

That's a wrap on The Kids Table Season 2! This celebration episode is split into two halves. First, Allison & Ryan reflect on Season 2 of the campaign, Allison's surprise cameo, the vision behind the show, and decisions regarding where TKT is headed. Then, the the cast of Season 2 is reunited to answer your questions all about their experience being a part of The Kids Table and what they're looking forward to in Season 3! Welcome to Area of Effect, a podcast from the creators of The Kids Table, where we discuss how tabletop RPGs benefit kids and answer your questions about playing TTRPGs with the kids at your table!  About us: When kids are at the table, everyone wins! Playing TTRPGs levels up kids' critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, & confidence. That's why we create our kid-inclusive D&D show, tips for playing with kids, and campaigns to bring the adventures home! Our Kids' Adventures:  Our Website Support Our Work:  Patreon Follow Us: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook #actualplay #dungeonsanddragons #familyshow

Smallest Salutations! Two messy feedings now paint the walls of the Plaza Hotel. Our coterie convenes with twin interlopers, coerced into a corner during their hunt for Mary Brighton. The bloody panopticon of hotel security cameras promises critical records and damning truths. What awaits? Occult mysteries, inbound police, and the depths of the New York subway labyrinth. Anastasia takes charge. Damien gets fed up. Evelyn promises a boon. We have a Patreon! Check it out if you want to support us and this podcast! https://www.patreon.com/TinyTablePodcast As always, if you have any TTRPGs you want us to try out, please email us at tinytablebusiness@gmail.com or contact us at any of the socials below! Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tinytablettrpg/ Tumblr - https://www.tumblr.com/blog/tinytablepodcast TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@tinytablettrpg Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnpc2lwtvgEEYVHL3WoxU-Q

We're rereleasing one of our favorite episodes: the April 2024 discussion of Iron Lung. Hope you enjoy, and we'll see you in 2 weeks for a discussion of Wicked: For Good! --- This episode, Aaron and Leyla check out the indie horror game "Iron Lung!" We discuss how playing together revealed our "proclivities," ways to incentivize exploration, and the benefits of limited scope. The Atlantic article on the OceanGate sub IGN Article Following the creature in Iron Lung Iron Lung Official Trailer Jay Dragon's- "A Dozen Fragments on Playground Theory" (Aaron got the framing of the rules as a skeleton for play from this piece) Guardian article about cognitive test --- Our theme song is "Obsolete" by Keshco, from the album "Filmmaker's Reference Kit Volume 2." Our other projects: Aaron's TTRPGs- https://aaronsxl.itch.io/ Aaron's TTRPG Reviews- https://www.youtube.com/@aavoigt https://aavoigt.com/

In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian sits down with Jonathan from Latinos Against Spooky Shit, one of the most influential voices blending culture, comedy, and storytelling in the tabletop RPG community. This conversation explores how cultural identity, family traditions, horror folklore, and lived experience shape the stories we tell at the gaming table. Jonathan shares insight into building inclusive spaces, creating comedy that connects across cultures, and using humor to navigate topics of fear, representation, and community. We discuss: How cultural roots influence TTRPG storytelling The power of representation in Dungeons & Dragons and tabletop RPGs Why comedy and horror work so well together Building community through authentic content creation Creative challenges faced by tabletop creators online How to keep storytelling grounded, funny, and emotionally real Whether you're a Dungeon Master, player, writer, or TTRPG creator, this episode delivers inspiration, practical advice, and heartfelt perspectives on what makes tabletop storytelling meaningful. If you enjoyed this deep dive into cultural storytelling, follow The Bearded Nerd Podcast for more creator interviews, worldbuilding tips, Dungeon Master guides, and storytelling episodes. And check out Jonathan's work at Latinos Against Spooky Shit — one of the funniest and most authentic voices in the TTRPG community.

Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign. Visit the Sly Flourish Blog Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Podcast Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books Midgard Worldbook Tales of the Valiant Obsidian for TTRPGs

In this episode the Creativity Department explores the intersection of art education and collaborative storytelling with Cameron McKinstry, K12Art Chat Producer, Game Master, and Marketing Associate for Davis Publications. Listen in and hear how tabletop role playing games (TTRPGs) can benefit students and open new ways of thinking in the art room. From character and world design to visual, oral, and collaborative storytelling, TTRPGs open a rich landscape of artistic expression that can help foster creativity, critical thinking, and social skills.

Join us as Skyler, Creator and Creative Director at Session Zero Heroes, talks about One-Page TTRPGs: why they're useful, and how to create them. Whether you're hoping to create one for an upcoming one-page TTRPG jam, or to run a specific and simplistic game for your players, this information the tips Skyler shares from his experience will be invaluable in helping you create! We hope you're learning a lot from your attendance at SZU and that you continue listening as classes are released! Additionally, feel free to follow us using the social links below or by clicking the icons. Feel free to share our show with anyone who loves Dungeons and Dragons, other TTRPGs, and actual-play podcasts! Finally, if you would be so kind, we would appreciate a review on whatever platform you're listening on. It would mean a lot and help to support our podcast and allow us to grow! Thanks so much for listening! Social Media LinkTree - A Full List of Our Links Instagram - @SessionZeroHeroes Facebook - @SessionZeroHeroes Bluesky - @szhpodcast.bsky.social X- @Session0Heroes © 2023 Session Zero Heroes. All rights reserved.

Thrust into the deadly politics of Transylvania, the new coterie must learn more if they are to fulfill their sire's designs. But each of them holds their own secret desires and motivations, and trust doesn't come easily between Cainites.Content Warnings: Vampiric feeding; lack of consent; discussions of slavery; implied abuse; inhumanity; loss of control; historical assumptions and stereotyping; language;CastStoryteller: Lex LopezAlexios: Tim DavisCatrinel: Rebecca SteigelfestRoland de Roncevaux: Rob MuirheadSadhbh: Erika WebbZorion de Iruña: Garrett GabbeyRecordingRebecca SteigelfestEditingRob MuirheadMusicDon't Look Back - Instrumental Version, by DaniHaDani and Maya BelsitzmanMiddle Eastern Dance (no lead vocals), by Maya Belsitzman and Matan EphratJerusalén - Idan BalasThe Endless Nave - NadazJericho at Dusk - Alon Peretz ArtLogo: Rob MuirheadCharacter Art: Jay Steel, BlueSkyKo-Fi: ko-fi.com/pathofnightYouTube: YouTube.com/@pathofnightFacebook: Facebook.com/PathofNightPodcastTwitter: @PathofNightPodBluesky: pathofnight.bsky.socialEmail: pathofnightpodcast@gmail.com

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

This week, Percy and Nick sit down to discuss the politics of games and the different ways that TTRPGs have engaged with leftist and antifascist themes with a special guest: scholar of analog games PB Berge. You can see more work by our guest PB Berge at https://persephone.blue/ and https://gravesnail.itch.io/. You can read PB and Percy's recent co-authored article in the Analog Game Studies journal! Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Percival Hornak and Nicholas Orvis, and this episode was mixed and edited by Percival Hornak. Our core ensemble are Todd Brian Backus, Jovane Caamano, Anthony Sertel Dean, Christopher Diercksen, Ben Ferber, Kory Flores, Mieko Gavia, Tess Huth, Romana Isabella, Jon Jon Johnson, CJ Linton, C. “Meaks” Meaker, Leo Mock, Dex Phan, and Tristan B. Willis.  Our game of Wythe Marschall's Stillfleet features Christopher Diercksen as Geshra Veedle, Kory Flores as Peanut, Mieko Gavia as Kyrannis, Jon Jon Johnson as Private Taps, special guest Wythe Marschall as Cherric Shaddams, and Ben Ferber as the GM. If you'd like to help us continue exploring the intersections of theatre and tabletop roleplaying games, consider leaving us a review on your podcast app of choice or supporting us - and getting access to our patron-only bonus content - at patreon.com/dungeonsanddramanerds. You can find our social media and website links, including our cast bios, at the linktree in our show notes. And be sure to tune in soon for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

The researchers deal with all the wreckage caused by the massive World Turtle, Denizen reveals her theories about Leviathans, Mayor Madrigal copes with his failures, and the whole crew faces a final, political problem - who ARE these Inspiravalonian Knights!?