RPG Reanimators

Episode Notes In this episode, we dissect and reanimate The Code written by Christopher Lackey with Lynne Hardy for Call of Cthulhu 7e, and available as part of the Mansions of Madness vol. 1 collection from Chaosium (links below). We're also joined by special guest Jon Hook from the Modern Mythos podcast! Jon has been a huge fan of this scenario for some time, and shares his plans to transplant this scenario to the Gaslight setting, which he plans to run at Chaosium Con 2025! Reanimation starts around 1:10:55 Links: Mansions of Madness: Physical: ⁠⁠https://www.chaosium.com/mansions-of-madness-vol-1-behind-closed-doors-hardcover/?srsltid=AfmBOorzGWHzhApBWS8kGoTrhN2In7lwsCvndJxsc9d1xeZKJRhHqVa- PDF: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/310791/mansions-of-madness-vol-1-behind-closed-doors⁠ Plaintext handout resources: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1d3YyDVeiN3w6oXs-mw93q7DtXOUWr38i?usp=drive_link Choice Cuts 2, as mentioned during this episode: https://pnc.st/s/rpg-reanimators/63fcaee1/lights-out-spilsbury-9485-the-mummy-of-pemberley-grange-wreck-this-deck-choice-cuts-2 Jon's previous run of the code with Into the Darkness: https://youtu.be/weNoovb2AJc?si=gFOe8yqiEzhYgFXb RPG Reanimators Discord invite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/R8Q6aeyVk8⁠⁠⁠⁠ All music and sound effects are sourced under attribution free creative commons licensing. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes In this episode, we dissect and reanimate the Call of Cthulhu scenario UNLAND written by Scott Dorward, with the author himself! We dissect the creepy amusement park rides and talk about Silent Hill 2 more than a bit, while Scott shares how he runs this scenario very differently than written, as the scenario that made it to print became quite different than he'd originally envisioned it to be! The scenario is in the Fear's Sharp Little Needles collection, which is available here: ⁠https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/245289/fear-s-sharp-little-needles-26-modern-day-call-of-cthulhu-scenarios Additionally, our Beating Heart-tier Intern Zander made some awesome custom handouts and gave us permission to share them, available in our Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JT-mFFRhNrfkHJjC5VCVgx2aMi-4z12x?usp=sharing If you'd like to join our Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/R8Q6aeyVk8 ⁠⁠⁠⁠ All music and sound effects are sourced under attribution free creative commons licensing This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes In this episode, we meet with Good Friend Matt Sanderson to talk about his favorite Call of Cthulhu scenario The Burning Stars, written by David Conyers for Call of Cthulhu 6th edition. I describe this as "the most Call of Cthulhu-y-est scenario I have ever played" and for the first time, I'll recommend to anyone who has not already read or played this scenario to carefully consider if they want to spoil themselves on it by listening here, as it has a really fantastic twist that needs to come through at the table. You can purchase a PDF of the Terrors from Beyond collection which contains this scenario from Chaosium here: https://www.chaosium.com/terrors-from-beyond-pdf/ After this recording, we also got permission from Thom Raley of Into the Darkness to share the fantastic updated handouts that he hasmade for this scenario, which you can find in our Google Drive here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1IRMWBjHWd0ISXjiywCPKcca3fPpdEafP?usp=sharing All music and sound effects were made using attribution-free creative commons resources. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

The hosts dive into the clash between realism and explosive pulpiness in RPGs. They explore how tone and humor can shape player experiences, emphasizing the need for flexibility. Discussions revolve around the balance of mechanics and narrative, particularly with firearms and resource management. They also tackle the challenges of running games like Delta Green, where bureaucratic gameplay can clash with gritty realism. Communication and feedback emerge as vital tools for enhancing group dynamics and ensuring an enjoyable experience.

Episode Notes In this episode, we hack apart another game system, Cthork Borg, with its mad scientist creator Richard Kelly. Cthork Borg is a low-prep cosmic horror RPG set in the gloomy jazz age. As it's name suggests, it's an aberrant mutation from the Mork Borg core ruleset with some interesting changes by Richard that help it feel fresh, wriggling, and fun for GMs and players looking to try something a bit lighter than Call of Cthulhu, but still fully capable of delivering horrors at the table. We also talk about a lot of different games & systems in this interview: It's Alive! Cthork Borg APs Where to find Richard Kelly: https://kumada1.itch.io/cthork-borg ; https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/382082/cthork-borg Stygian, a game of Lovecraftian RPG inspiration: https://store.steampowered.com/app/779290/Stygian_Reign_of_the_Old_Ones/ Free copy of the Mork Borg Bare Bones edition: https://jnohr.itch.io/mrk-borg-free Richard's recommended games to check out: Behond the fence, Below the grave - https://t-akw.itch.io/beyond-the-fence-below-the-grave Mendicant Spell Vixens (not "Menda Can't Spell 'Vixens', as I have now learned) - https://kumada1.itch.io/mendicant-spell-vixens/purchase Hollow Halls - https://rotten-shotgun-games.itch.io/hollow-halls-shallow-grave-edition T.H.A.W. - https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/477078/thief-healer-arcanist-warrior All music and sound effects are sourced under attribution free creative commons licensing.

Episode Notes In this second Choice Cuts episode, we dissect and reanimate 3 short one-shot scenarios and a card game(?) back-to-back in the following order: Lex shares Lights Out, by Joe Trier (starts ~1:19) Holly shares Spilsbury #9485 by Adam Gauntlett (starts ~10:22) Alex shares The Mummy of Pemberly Grange by Allan Carey & Nic Holland (starts ~25:38) And Nathan shares Wreck this Deck, which is definitely not a YuGiOh! RPG (starts ~36:11) Lights Out and Spilsbury are part of the Fears Sharp Little Needles collection: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/245289/fear-s-sharp-little-needles-26-modern-day-call-of-cthulhu-scenarios Mummy of Pemberly Grange can be found here: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/329641/the-mummy-of-pemberley-grange And Wreck this Deck can be found here: https://blackarmada.itch.io/wreck-this-deck All music and sound effects are sourced under attribution-free creative commons licensing.

Explore the world of props and handouts in tabletop RPGs, revealing how they can elevate immersion and gameplay. Discover the balance between physical and digital tools, and appreciate the importance of clarity in design. Get inspired by creative handout ideas, from journals to maps, that enhance storytelling. Learn how sound effects and visual aids can boost player engagement. With plenty of humor and unique anecdotes, the discussion delves into practical advice for GMs looking to enrich their gaming sessions.

Episode Notes In this episode, we dissect and reanimate the Delta Green scenario Presence written by Shane Ivey. We give our tips and advice from having read, ran, and played this scenario both as a multi-session investigation, as well as an explosive one-shot! Also, here is the player-friendly map we referenced. You can find the scenario at: https://shop.arcdream.com/products/delta-green-presence-paperback (Physical) or https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/432077/delta-green-presence-apu8165 (PDF) And also check out both of our APs to see how different GMs can approach the same content: Nathan's 3-session run: https://youtu.be/tvRe-jKxKz4?si=cc5U9ETesof6ubq0 Alex's explosive one-shot run: https://youtu.be/TrBUoqyxcPE?si=FF9beTgb7wTJtib3 You can chat with other listeners on our Discord ⁠⁠⁠and Reddit, and find more resources and downloadable episodes on our free Patreon. All music and sound effects are sourced under attribution free creative commons licensing.

This week, the RPG Reanimators discuss the dreadful game of Bedlam Hall, an RPG where you regrettably play the staff of a manor somewhere between Downton Abbey, the Addams Family, and Lemony Snickett. This in an Aberration where we focus a full system, rather than just a scenario.Unfortunately, Bedlam Hall was written by David Kizzia and published with Monkeyfun Studios. If you would want to make the terrible decision of purchasing this system for yourself, you can find it secreted away from public view here: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/216652/bedlam-hall?src=hottest_filteredAll music and sound effects are sourced under attribution-free creative commons licensing.

Kingdoms - Consultation with Sophia TinneyIn this episode, we consult on the Kingdoms system with the author, Sophia Tinney! Sophia discusses the origin of the system, provides some guidance for game masters, and chats about the upcoming game Fever Dream Nexus. We reference our playthough of Kingdoms a fair bit in this episode, and you can find all 4 episodes (plus a session 0) on our It's Alive! AP series on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkzg78zoNtepyAka8Wu7QePVVYx2XRpWPYou can pick up a copy of Kingdoms at https://dapirate.gumroad.com/ and can also follow the progress of Fever Dream Nexus at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dapirate/fever-dream-nexus If you'd like to join our Discord for more discussions: ⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/R8Q6aeyVk8%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0All music and sound effects are sourced under attribution-free creative commons licensing.