RPG Reanimators

Episode Notes In this episode, we meet with horror author Hailey Piper to discuss queer horror as a genre and how we might apply some of her expertise from novel writing to emphasize queer themes, characters, and narratives in horror TTRPGs. We also discuss lots of queer media recommendations and TTRPG systems, as well as a mildly concerning amount of Shrek - possibly due to some cross-contamination between Beth of the David Behaviour podcast and Fiona of the What am I Rolling podcast (mostly Beth though...) Links: You can find Hailey at her website, Bluesky, and IG and check out A Game in Yellow releasing in August and Teenage Girls Can Be Demons in September! The Gender as Body Horror YouTube video referenced You can find us on Discord, YouTube, and Bluesky, and support us on Patreon if you would like. All music and sound effects are sourced under attribution-free creative commons licensing. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Todd Keisling, a horror author renowned for his thought-provoking works like Scanlines and Devil's Creek, dives deep into the art of crafting personal horrors in storytelling. He discusses the nuances of character evolution and the importance of motivations in relatable characters. The conversation also highlights how to create compelling antagonists and the therapeutic aspects of writing to confront personal fears. Additionally, Keisling shares insights on overcoming creative blocks and the balance of mood and spontaneity in writing.

Episode Notes In this episode, we ask our consulting expert Fiona of the What am I Rolling? podcast (and many other podcasts) about a variety of topics, including techniques to help teach new RPGs to players new and old, some best-practice methods to promote accessibility and using safety tools in RPGs, as well as improv techniques which can help players and GMs. You can find a link to Fiona's awesome lines and veils spreadsheet in our lab's google drive here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1b2HEKM7Qi88rgFJpNfwjwPvqHfExw0B6IN6NKY9xih4/edit?usp=sharing so you can make a copy for yourself You can find more of Fiona's stuff via the WAIR podcast website and YouTube channel 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 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.