In this engaging discussion, China Miéville, celebrated author of works like Podido Street Station and The City and the City, shares his insights on the magic of RPGs. The conversation dives into nostalgic memories of early 2000s gaming, exploring the balance of creativity and game mechanics. They unpack unique magical systems, pondering the relationship between ritual and storytelling. Miéville also reflects on the evolution of RPGs and the emotional connections they forge, particularly as he brings up his own creative projects like 'Tales of Argosia.'
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Return to AD&D After Hiatus
Dirk and Blythy shared their experience of returning to AD&D role-playing in the early 2000s after a decade's break.
They found it exciting to create their own adventures and play with the old rules from their youth.
insights INSIGHT
Creative Freeform Play Revived
In the early 2000s, their AD&D gameplay was more creative and freeform due to less external influence.
Their magic play reflected a permissive attitude shaped by childhood experiences, allowing for more imagination and experimentation.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Inventive Magic Character Concept
Dirk created a sorcerer character Azir Voon who collected monsters' eyeballs to extract powers.
This inventive approach showed how they added personal creativity beyond strict AD&D rules.
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The Complete Michael Palin Diaries includes three volumes: Diaries 1969-1979: The Python Years, Halfway To Hollywood: Diaries 1980 to 1988, and Travelling to Work: Diaries 1988-1998. These diaries offer insights into Palin's life during his Monty Python days and his subsequent career in film and television.
The City and the City
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China Miéville
China Miéville's "The City & The City" presents a unique dystopian world where two cities, Besźel and Ul Qoma, occupy the same physical space yet remain largely invisible to each other's inhabitants. The narrative follows a murder investigation that forces the protagonist to navigate the complex rules and social structures governing the interaction, or rather, the non-interaction, between the two cities. The novel explores themes of surveillance, identity, and the nature of reality itself, challenging readers to question their perceptions of the world around them. Miéville's intricate world-building and thought-provoking themes make it a compelling read for fans of science fiction and urban fantasy. The novel's unique premise and exploration of societal structures make it a standout in the genre.
Perdido Street Station
China Miéville
Magic in RPGs is a continuing obsession for Dirk the Dice and Blythy in this latest episode of the podcast.
We talk about Advanced Dungeons and Dragons (AD&D) and Powers and Perils (Pee & Pee) and marvel at how we played in the early 2000s, when we didn’t know any better and were more willing to freeform and ‘make stuff up’.
Also in this episode, we are pleased that GROGSQUADer China Miéville provided his first, last and everything.
I think that I need to find out more about Tales of Argosa .
Mike and Roger over at Improvised Radio Theatre with Dice have an interesting discussion about magic – following our mention of it last time.
The GROGNARD Files 
