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What does religious faith look like in your games? Do you encourage your players to make religious faith a key part of their PCs, whether or not their character class is mechanically built around it? Andy and Chris discuss–but not before a few detours into the Dune setting, Tolkien (again), and more.

Is tabletop roleplaying “just” an escapist diversion? How and why do we approach a hobby like gaming when news and politics and life in general are so heavy and overwhelming? Chris and Andy talk about the value of creative action in times of stress.

The hosts dive into their recent festive gaming adventure where they crafted a dungeon to save Christmas. They discuss the delicate balance between player engagement and structured gameplay in tabletop RPGs. The conversation turns to the complexities of managing long-term campaigns, including a challenging experience with Band of Blades. They also reflect on adult tabletop gaming, tackling mental health challenges, and the need for tailored resources. Lastly, they share their passion for creating unique campaigns and the collaborative storytelling that brings their games to life.

It’s our annual holiday tradition–a TTRPG actual play in which we run the roleplaying scenario that we designed in the last episode! Join Chris and he GMs a motley band of heroes try to save Christmas. The game system we’re using is Caltrop Core (https://caltropcore.com/), adapted for this holiday-cheer-filled scenario!

It’s that time of year again! Join Chris and Andy with special guests, John Corey and Kyle Latino, as they build a dungeon live on air! This is part 1 of 2. In the next episode Chris will run the dungeon for a bunch of lovely folks.

Andy and Chris talk about the feelings they have about different methods of getting a random number. Rolling a die is great; drawing a chit from a bag is bad.

The hosts dive deep into Baldur’s Gate 3, exploring its influence on tabletop RPG dynamics and the significance of player choices. They discuss the complexities of wealth management in games, contrasting different Dungeons & Dragons editions. Niche collectibles and their quirky communities also take center stage, alongside a fun quiz linking gaming to economic concepts. Lastly, they analyze the financial aspects of hiring in-game assassins and how character classes shape storytelling and gameplay experiences.

In this discussion, Matt Wilson, a seasoned Game Master renowned for his intricate campaigns like Masks of Nyarlathotep and the Enemy Within, shares his insights on crafting epic RPG experiences. He delves into the balance between adapting published material and creating unique narratives. Tips for engaging players and maintaining momentum are explored, along with effective campaign management strategies. Wilson emphasizes the importance of thematic elements, compelling villains, and structured preparation for unforgettable gaming adventures.

Andy and Chris talk about running games on holidays and what exactly makes it so compelling. They also talk about the upcoming D&D DMG, Alien tie-in novels, and The Left Hand of Darkness.

Have you ever used a mini-game in a tabletop RPG–a game that steps completely outside the official rules of your RPG to resolve a particular situation? We discuss Chris’ experimental one-shot in which he tried out some fun mini-games. Also discussed: Chris’ experience reading The Silmarillion.