The Vintage RPG Podcast Monsters
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Dec 8, 2025 What defines a monster? The hosts explore the irresistible appeal of monsters in RPGs, delving into how dinosaurs fit into monster lore. They trace the rise of cryptids and critique historical texts that mislabel people as monsters. The conversation shifts to the evolving depictions of orcs and kobolds, questioning the notion of inherent evil. Finally, they tackle a provocative idea: are humans the most monstrous creatures of all? Get ready for a thrilling 12-week exploration of monsters ahead!
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Twelve Weeks Of Monster Posts
- Stu prepared 12 weeks of monster posts for VintageRPG and links them to his recent book.
- He uses these posts to showcase many monster books and illustrations for the coming year.
Monsters Change With Cultural Lens
- Monster definitions shift with cultural context and personal perspective.
- Stu Horvath sees dinosaurs and cryptids as different classes of creatures rather than default 'monsters'.
The Word 'Cryptid' Shaped The Concept
- The term 'cryptid' is recent and shaped how we group regional legends.
- Stu notes the word was coined in 1983, which helped formalize creatures like Bigfoot and Mothman as a category.
