Miskatonic University Podcast

This episode, Keepers Bridgett and Evan discuss Target Audiences with Zach from Pretending to be People! Patreon Plug & Update Hey, guys! We have a patreon. That’s right. That’s how we pay our editors, web hosting, storage, spam filters, website fees, and more! And our backers make it possible. See, our backers are our target audience. They also enjoy weird or horrific roleplaying games. And they also choose to hang out with Evan and I every other week. You hear that Evan? People pay to be here. They pay to keep us going? ….What’s wrong with them? I don’t know, but we’re not in a position to look a gift horse in the mouth. Fees are going up. We need the money. And we need subscribers. So, do just like our newest backer: Matthew Dawkins just did, head over patreon.com/MUP and subscribe. For as little as two bucks a month, you too can support Bridgett as she rudely interrupts and laughs over me. Or, you can force us to continue to pander to our corporate overlords, such as this episode’s sponsor: Ad for MythosMarket Cosmic Prediction Market For Zach You’ve probably heard from your bros about their little prediction markets. “Oooh I can place a bet on the election! Ooh I can do a little insider trading on a celebrity death!” WHO CARES? Your bros are thinking small.  You know how to play the big markets. When will Great Cthulhu rise? When will the stars be right again? How long until laws and morals are thrown aside and all people shout and kill and revel in joy? You’ve studied the books bound in human skin. You’ve correlated the contents of your mind. You have the inside track on the apocalypse, and you use that knowledge on Mythos Market, the cosmic prediction market. The Discord Plug MUP has a Discord and we are all there! We invite all of our listeners to come and enjoy the community of horror gaming and cute pet pics. Link in the show notes: MU Discord server invite link: https://discord.gg/vNjEv9D  And thank you to our editor Ben for editing this episode.  Main Topic  Hello, everyone, and welcome everyone to the Main Topic! Tonight, we are here discussing: target audiences. We’re going to define what that is, discuss why it matters, and give you some tools, tricks, and support to recognize how these strategies directly impact you! Homework Dear listener, tell us – what’s YOUR target audience? Let us know on the Discord, channel ep-360.

This episode, Keepers Bridgett & Evan discuss horror gaming ideas based on the culture, folklore, and history of Mexico with Carlos Salazar! Patreon Plug & Update Are you excited to be getting out into the world with us? Learning new things? Encountering previously-unimagined terror? Well. Honey. Doing that is not free.  That’s correct! We didn’t all get good enough grades for a study abroad scholarship… I think I’ve taken the college metaphor as far as it can go. OK. The point is, YOU can be our spiritual, temporal, and financial benefactors, by heading over to patreon.com/MUP to subscribe. For as little as two bucks a month, you can help us pay our editors, pay for web hosting, and pay for storage.  And hey, we get it. If monetary support isn’t possible, a like, a share, a nomination to your favorite podcast awards, or a review goes such a long way! Because if you don’t engage, or support, then we’re forced to include ads from our backers, like this unholy nonsense from backer James (Ibis): [In obnoxious 90s commercial screech]: Nahum Gardner’s Ba-LAaaasted Heath Sunbathing, in the West Arkham Hills mini-mall! Get a tan that is out of this world! (Editors: Gnarly 90’s guitar riff here?) Funky fake tan colors? NO WAY! Nahum Gardner uses the power of the cosmos to help you achieve color that is OUT OF THIS WORLD!  …OK. That’s as long as I can do that voice. James, thank you! And curse you. The Discord Plug MUP has a Discord and we are all there! We invite all of our listeners to come and enjoy the community of horror gaming and cute pet pics. Link in the show notes: MU Discord server invite link: https://discord.gg/vNjEv9D  And thank you to our editor EQUINOX for editing this episode.  Bridgett’s Pet Pic Shout Out  Tonight’s Pet Pic Shout Out is of Jackson Elias, the puppers of Targard and Bev in Stitches! He’s got his eyes on you… he’s seen beyond sight… he knows beyond knowing… and hims still the bestest boy! Love you Targard!  Main Topic  Welcome everyone to the Main Topic! Tonight we are discussing horror gaming ideas based on the culture, folklore, and history of Mexico! Previously we’ve touched on the idea of looking into specific cultures for inspiration for your horror gaming, like when we dove deep into the Depression-era Mississippi Delta in our two Sinners episodes with our guest Quinn Murphy. And we’ve talked about the ways that the idea of “madness” evolves and shifts across cultures and across time.  And just to revisit a couple of general ground rules here when we start to play with the Mythos and horror and real-life cultures:  The Mythos is not responsible for factual, historical evils that humans commit. We don’t mess around with tropes of backwards tribes who worship the mythos because they haven’t been enlightened by white man. The stories and mythologies of real-world cultures are not “secretly, actually” referring to Mythos entities. We don’t do misery tourism. Define and deny racial fetishizing OK! So! Carlos, let’s dive in! Cosmic perspective in a Mexican and Mexican American tradition Curanderismo: Mexican-American Folk Psychiatry by Ari Kiev Curanderismo: Mexican American Folk Healing, 2nd Ed. by Robert T Trotter II, Juan Antonio Chavira, Luís D León Daily Life of the Aztecs Bless Me Ultima, Rudolfo Anaya Mexican Gothic, Silvia Moreno-Gracia Fever Dreams of a Parasite, Pedro Iniquez Folklore from different populations and how to use them as a jump off point for Mythos horror  Mesoamerican systems of writing and the almost near destruction of Mesoamerican texts  Also – yesterday was Mexican Independence Day! And we are just now entering Hispanic Heritage Month. Happy coincidences! Homework Dear listener, tell us – have you dabbled in horror gaming inspired by Mexico? Where would you like our Study Abroad program to go in the future? Let us know on the Discord, channel ep-359. 

This episode, Keepers Bridgett and Evan discuss Survival Horror with Matthew Dawkins! Patreon Plug & Update Do you enjoy this content? Would you like to help us create more of it? Would you love to go to sleep at night knowing that you did your part to directly support this show and our surrounding community? Well. Do we have news for you!  You can be the hero that MUP deserves, and needs, by heading over to patreon.com/MUP to subscribe. For as little as two bucks a month you can help us pay our editors, pay for web hosting, and pay for storage. Do you know how much storage we go through each month? We need monetary support!  And listen, if monetary support isn’t possible, a like, a share, a nomination to your favorite podcast awards, or a review goes such a long way! Because if you don’t engage, or support, then we’re forced to include ads from our backers, such as this gem from Antonio Marchen:  This episode is brought to you by Grandma Sally’s Soap Shop, your online source for handcrafted soaps, beauty products, and other personal care items. We make our products in small batches using traditional methods, natural ingredients, and Grandma Sally’s own proprietary premium tallow blend.   Unlike mass-produced corporate soaps, Grandma Sally’s products are rendered slowly over an open fire in an authentic iron cauldron. Quality is assured by the watchful gaze of powers older than mankind. Customers describe our cleansers as “surprisingly fresh,” “deeply satisfying,” and “uncomfortably personal.” At Grandma Sally’s, we put a little bit of ourselves into every product. And sometimes… a little bit of somebody else. The Discord Plug MUP has a Discord and we are all there! We invite all of our listeners to come and enjoy the community of horror gaming and cute pet pics. Link in the show notes: MU Discord server invite link: https://discord.gg/vNjEv9D  And thank you to our editor NATE for editing this episode.  Main Topic  Welcome everyone to the Main Topic! Tonight we are discussing Survival Horror. What it is, what it isn’t, what makes it unique, and how to use this subgenre of horror as a vehicle to enhance and diversify your storytelling.  And to help, we’ve brought on prolific writer, award winning content creator, and honestly one my favorite GMs of all time, Matthew Dawkins! Matthew, please introduce yourself to the people! So, we’re jumping into Survival Horror. Before we proceed, let’s first define it- Matthew, what is survival horror? What is it NOT? Let’s clarify by contrast, what is survival horror compared to cosmic horror, investigative horror, apocalyptic, or psychological horror? What type of core elements can you expect from survival horror? According to the internets:  scarce resources, Isolation   unreliable combat,  unexpected attacks,  puzzle solving,  evade versus confront enemies,  vulnerable characters,  maze-like environments,  perception limitation  What types of gamers or playstyles would be most attracted to survival horror? What do you personally enjoy most about survival horror? What are your favorite games/system that rely on this texture of storytelling? Ten Candles Mutant Year Zero Twilight 2000 Alien: the RPG Locus https://cobblepath-games.itch.io/locusrpg This War of Mine https://awakenrealms.com/games/awaken-realms/this-war-of-mine The World Below https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/500655/the-world-below-core-rulebook What should you remember when creating survival horror content? Accounting for PC deaths early in the session? Connect with Matthew Dawkins https://www.patreon.com/matthewdawkins https://www.matthewdawkins.com https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/onyx-path/jadestorm Homework Dear listener, tell us – what is your take on survival horror? Where has it be done well in your gaming experience? Got links? Drop em! 

This episode, Keepers Bridgett & Evan welcome back Heinrich Moore to discuss collaborative RPG projects, such as scenarios and anthologies. Patreon Plug & Update Did you know that crowdfunding is a collaborative way to support your favorite podcast? We have a Patreon, through which you can support us! You can directly support the show, and our surrounding community, by becoming a Patron!  That’s right! You can head over to patreon.com/MUP to subscribe. For as little as two bucks a month you can help us pay our editors, pay for web hosting, and pay for my therapy when I have to deal with technical issues on the web hosting.  And listen, if monetary support isn’t possible, might I remind you that the black market rates for a gently used kidney are very attractive right now?  Evan, no. No, we are not having our listeners sell a kidney to support the show, because you know they would. I didn’t say it had to be *their* kidney! But… fine. If we can’t get some of that sweet, sweet black market organ money, I guess we’ll have to sell space to advertisers, like this one! [Heinrich: Obed’s Seafood thinks you shouldn’t have to settle for soggy, bland fish sticks, fish filets and crab cakes. Your family deserves only the best, so why not give them the seafood that’s harvested from our own hidden fishery in New England, reef-caught and fresh-frozen. How do we attract such fantastic fish? That’s Obed’s secret!  From our boats to your table, Obed’s Seafood stays crispy and tasty. Ask for Obed’s in your grocer’s seafood aisle. – A division of Marsh Family Industries.] And if you would like to create a mythos or horror-related ad for us to read, please visit the Patreon Chat on our Discord.  The Discord Plug Yes, MUP has a Discord and we are all there! We invite all of our listeners to come and enjoy the community of horror gaming and cute pet pics. Link in the show notes: MU Discord server invite link: https://discord.gg/vNjEv9D  And thank you to our editor GENE for editing this episode.  Main Topic  Welcome everyone to the Main Topic! Tonight we are discussing collaborative RPG projects, such as scenarios and anthologies. And we have with us, fresh off masterminding the phenomenally successful Year of the Goat anthology… HEINRICH MOORE! Heinrich, you’ve been with us on MUP before, for a special episode where we played through your Guide to Character Creation. But for those few folks who don’t know you yet, tell us who you are! [Heinrich does so] Year of the Goat was an anthology of 12 scenarios, by 12 different authors, and in bringing it to life, Heinrich and I learned a LOT. We want to pass those lessons on to the listeners, both to encourage you to try putting together your own collaborative projects, and to help you get over some of the barriers. Level-set: What is a Collaborative Project? Why do it? A written project where two or more people are contributing text, editing, art, or other skills and content. It can have one or two people leading the project, or be a collaboration of equals Some critical tools and tips for doing this well: Clear Concept Concept paper Topics – what’s in scope and not Any content restrictions Clear format and requirements Templates Style guide Word Count Clear roles and responsibilities Writing Editing (different kinds) – who has final say over text? Art (including providing inspiration or public domain art) Marketing (including promos, submitting for nominations, making videos, sending to reviewers) Deadlines and contingencies Payment split – ideally, decide on this BEFORE ANYONE DOES WORK  Homework Dear listener, tell us – have you led a collaborative writing project for Call of Cthulhu or another system? Have you been part of one? How did it go, and how could it have gone better? Come to the Discord, channel ep-357, and share what you’ve learned!

This episode, Keepers Bridgett and Evan discuss ways to make a scenario your own with Holly and Lex of the RPG Reanimators! Patreon Plug & Update Bonjour, les auditeurs! We have a Patreon, through which you can support us! You can directly support the show, and our surrounding community, by becoming a Patreon!  That’s right! Head over to patreon.com/MUP to subscribe. Because we know how things are out there, our tiers are surprisingly affordable! Oh… I don’t mean t-i-e-r-s, although the backer tiers are quite reasonable. I mean our actual tears, from our actual eyes. We’re selling them in little glass vials. Bringing in such esteemed guests as the RPG Reanimators IS NOT CHEAP! Help us. Help us, guys. Don’t make us sell our tears.  And listen guys– if monetary support isn’t in the cards for you? A like, a share, a referral, a nomination, engagement on spotify, engagement on Discord… all of those points of contact truly do make a significant difference. So yes, please, back us on Patreon!  And if you would like to create a mythos or horror-related ad for us to read, please visit the Patreon Chat on our Discord. Like this one! [Movie trailer announcer voice] Asenath Waite is ready to make her way through life alone. The only woman enrolled at Miskatonic University, she doesn’t have time for romance. But when she meets Edward Derby, it’s more than just a fling on the doorstep. Can she learn to let go and have fun? Can he be the man she wants him to be? They’ll just have to… Waite and See. A new romantic comedy, coming this fall. And if you’d like to make Evan apologize to you in person for the terrible, terrible puns in that ad, you can do that! At… The Discord Plug Our MUP Discord and we are all there! We invite all of our listeners to come and enjoy the community of horror gaming and cute pet pics. Link in the show notes: MU Discord server invite link: https://discord.gg/vNjEv9D  And thank you to our editor BEN for editing this episode.  Main Topic  Welcome everyone to the Main Topic! Tonight we are discussing ways to make a scenario your own! This is a natural continuation of episode 355, where we talked about how to develop your own GM style. So once you know yourself a little better, how can you take that and make changes to the scenarios you run to make them reflect your own way of doing things?  Define: Making it your own: written scenarios? Improv?  Address: Why does it matter? Perspective: Some things you can adjust to make it your own:  Plot points, structure, rules Areas of focus: action, emotion, mystery, suspense, NPC interactions, level of OOC humor, tactics Tone and pacing Move it to a setting you love (time, place) Lean into certain kinds of horror you like – body horror, weird science, chases, absurdity Personal “calling card:” a certain NPC or voice; a plot or setting element; a running joke with players (or an audience) who know you;  Presentation: lean into things that reflect how you like to move and speak at the table or online What things can you adapt in a scenario to suit your storytelling style? Clarify: Is this something you can do as a new GM, or do you need to really have a sense of who you are first? Should you feel obligated to change things? How do you know if players walk away feeling like this is an experience they can only get with you GMing it? Homework Dear listener, tell us – what do you do to make a scenario your own? Join the Discord and on channel: ep-356, give us your best tips and tricks. I feel like this is going to be a hot topic. I just have that feeling. Let’s see if I’m right.

This episode, Keepers Bridgett and Evan welcome GMs Alex and Nathan of the RPG Reanimators to discuss how to hone your GM Style! Patreon Plug & Update Hellloooo, listeners! We have a Patreon, through which you can support us! You can directly support the show, and our surrounding community, by becoming a Patron!  That’s right! Head over to patreon.com/MUP to subscribe. We have tiers as low as $2 a month, or $24 a year, or $240 a decade! And listen guys– if monetary support isn’t in the cards for you? A like, a share, a referral, a nomination, engagement on spotify, engagement on Discord… all of those points of contact truly do make a significant difference. So yes, please, back us on Patreon!  And if you would like to create a mythos or horror-related ad for us to read, please visit the Patreon Chat on our Discord. It’s easy, fun, and leads immediately to spiritual enlightenment and emotional fulfillment. Just ask backer Steve-O who suggested the following ad: Are you a new student at the Miskatonic or spending a pleasant summer strolling the seven hills of Arkham, you can have all the comforts of home. Wondering witch house to stay at? Ma’s Boarding House in Arkham is the next best thing to being at home with your own Ma. Three hot meals a day with laundry included. Bringing a pet with you? Ask about staying in our pet-friendly attic loft. When you’re far from home, let Ma’s Boarding House in Arkham take care of you. You’ll never stay anywhere else. And if you’d like to hobnob with other Patreon supporters of high moral character and super personal hygiene, you can find them at… The Discord Plug Our MUP Discord and we are all there! We invite all of our listeners to come and enjoy the community of horror gaming and cute pet pics. Link in the show notes: MU Discord server invite link: https://discord.gg/vNjEv9D  And thank you to our editor EQUINOX for editing this episode.  Main Topic Welcome GMs Alex and Nathan of the RPG Reanimators to help us discuss how to hone your GM Style! GM Style Points to consider:  Viewpoint & Tone: What’s your attitude towards the story  (e.g., humorous, serious, cynical, or empathetic)?  Does your personality shape the narrative?  Structure & Pacing: Note if they tell stories chronologically (linear) or use flashbacks and non-linear jumps to build suspense. Evaluate how quickly or slowly events unfold to maintain tension.  Sensory Details: Look for the balance between showing and telling. See if they rely heavily on figurative language (metaphors, similes) or use dialogue and raw thoughts to paint a picture. Content Engagement: How much agency do you provide your players? How included are they in the narrative?  How do we hone? Practice Feedback Soundboarding Engaging with storytellers whose style we wish to implement Trying new things 

They explore shrinking scope and lowering stakes to create intimate, personal horror. They suggest swapping cults and monsters for unconventional threats or making players the problem. They talk about pacing tricks like timers and hourglasses to raise urgency. They recommend starting after the catastrophe and shifting tone, era, or clue emphasis to keep scenarios fresh.

Keeper banter turns to creative ways to return retired player characters, from massive injury recoveries to haunted rescues. They explore sanity resets, one last rides for doomed heroes, and grim costs for cheating death. Discussions include extradimensional returns, later-life comebacks with family dynamics, and the importance of group consent before reviving a character.

They explore how to start a scenario, defining the opening scene and what it must accomplish. They list must-establish elements and hooks that win player buy-in. They highlight memorable opener types: meeting, crisis, action, atmospheric, and reworked slow starts. They recommend standout authors and invite listeners to share favorite beginnings.

They dig into teaching tabletop RPG rules while you play, explaining when play-as-you-go works best. They compare pregens, quick creation, and prelude sandboxes for onboarding. They explore system design that eases learning and offer practical tips like using intro scenes, delaying technical explanations, and setting expectations for streamed games.