Mage: The Podcast

Adam’s riding solo on this one, and he’s pulling a bundle of helpful tricks and tips out of his Storyteller’s saddlebag—especially for folks just starting out running Mage games. If you’re a veteran, you might hear some familiar ground, but if you’re new to the Storyteller’s seat, this one’s a gold mine.Show Notes 🔍 Mysteries in MageHow to prep, run, and avoid dead-ends in investigative stories using the Three Clue Rule, leads vs. evidence, and flexible scene design. 📉 Failing ForwardWhy a botched roll doesn’t have to mean failure. Let the players move forward with consequences instead of slamming the brakes. 🎲 Let It RideOne roll covers an entire scene—less stress, more fun. A simple rule to keep the tension without constant dice-checking. 🏙️ Portraying Cities with FlavorBring your setting to life! Split the city into districts, add landmarks and “scenic encounter” tables to make your urban Mage game sing. ⏰ Faction ClocksA slick little tool to track what NPC factions are up to, using clocks to show progress and raise stakes in the background. 😈 Villain AdviceThree time-tested tips: Let worthy foes emerge from play Keep villains offscreen and safe until the big showdown Don’t be afraid to let bad guys run away when things go south 📚 Source of InspirationMuch of this wisdom comes from Justin Alexander’s book So You Want To Be A Game Master and his legendary blog The Alexandrian, with Mage-friendly tweaks and examples sprinkled in. 🎧 Related EpisodeMissions, Mysteries, and Magick: Paranormal Investigation in Mage - Using weird ⁠artifacts⁠, team dynamics and investigations that make sense in the World of Darkness.

Adam and Terry discuss Mage20 Sorcerer. What do the sorcerers and psychics of the World of Darkness get up to when they can't learn Sphere magick?Mage the Podcast social media linksWebsitehttp://magethepodcast.comPatreonhttps://bit.ly/MagePatreonBlueskyhttps://bsky.app/profile/magethepodcast.bsky.socialMastodonhttps://dice.camp/@magethepodcastThreadshttps://www.threads.net/@magethepodcastDiscordhttps://discord.gg/7rsy59Zz

Adam interviews Jiba Anderson, author of the Bata'a chapter in Forbidden and Forgotten Orders.Griot EnterprisesRocbottom StudiosMage the Podcast social media linksWebsitehttp://magethepodcast.comPatreonhttps://bit.ly/MagePatreonBlueskyhttps://bsky.app/profile/magethepodcast.bsky.socialMastodonhttps://dice.camp/@magethepodcastThreadshttps://www.threads.net/@magethepodcastDiscordhttps://discord.gg/7rsy59Zz

Terry and Michael Mercere discuss six of the Houses of the Order of Hermes.Michael's book Riddle of the SphinxCheck out OoH Tradition Book and OoH Tradition Book Revised.Mage the Podcast social media linksWebsitehttp://magethepodcast.comPatreonhttps://bit.ly/MagePatreonBlueskyhttps://bsky.app/profile/magethepodcast.bsky.socialMastodonhttps://dice.camp/@magethepodcastThreadshttps://www.threads.net/@magethepodcastDiscordhttps://discord.gg/7rsy59Zz

Atalanti Evripidou, an author and social psychologist passionate about Greek mythology and tabletop gaming, joins the discussion. She delves into the Sisters of Hippolyta, emphasizing their role in reshaping narratives of equality and female identity. The conversation showcases the blending of ancient Greek traditions with modern storytelling, along with character development insights. Atalanti also shares her creative process, the significance of community, and even a sweet nod to traditional Greek desserts, intertwining culture with narrative.

Adam interviews Satyros Brucato on his Solificati chapter in Forbidden & Forgotten Orders.Brucato's Recommendations:The Magician's Reflection by Bill WhitcombThe Doors of Perception by Aldous HuxleyThe Alchemists of Kush by Minister FaustMaynard James Keenan biographyGary Lachman books:Aleister Crowley: Magick, Rock and Roll, and the Wickedest Man in the WorldA Secret History of ConsciousnessTurn Off Your MindOccultureCoyote Wallace's bookRed ShoesValhalla with a Twist of LetheMage the Podcast social media linksWebsitehttp://magethepodcast.comPatreonhttps://bit.ly/MagePatreonBlueskyhttps://bsky.app/profile/magethepodcast.bsky.socialMastodonhttps://dice.camp/@magethepodcastThreadshttps://www.threads.net/@magethepodcastDiscordhttps://discord.gg/7rsy59Zz

Adam chats with longtime contributor Rachelle Udell. Rochelle shares her journey through Mage projects—from her early days to her favorite, The Fallen Tower: Las Vegas—and dives into her hefty chapter on the Ngoma in Forbidden and Forgotten Orders. With wit and warmth, she unpacks magical lore, quirky pronunciations, and rich traditions that keep the Mage universe alive. Enjoy this friendly ride through mystical realms!Show Notes Forbidden and Forgotten Orders. ⁠ Rachelle’s work⁠ on DriveThruRPG Chicago By Night (Vampire: the Masquerade 5th Edition) The Fallen Tower: Las Vegas Bitter Road Mage: The Ascension Revised Edition Orphans Survival Guide Crusade Lore The Disparate Alliance

Josh Heath, host of Werewolf the Podcast, and Josh Hillrup, co-host of Changeling the Podcast, dive into the eerie depths of Tokyo in the World of Darkness. They explore themes of revenge and moral ambiguity in the dark narratives, while reflecting on personal experiences. The conversation shifts to Tokyo's tumultuous history and how it shapes supernatural elements, with insights into local mythologies and changeling folklore. They also critique art representation and discuss the unique concept of Tomorrow Gardens, all while weaving humor throughout the discussion.

Adam sits down with Kim Godwin to chat about about her chapter inForbidden and Forgotten Orders, an upcomingMage: The Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition book. Kim shares her love for TTRPGs, her experience with Mage, and how she reworked the Kahu faction with a stronger cultural foundation. She highlights the importance of preserving traditions while adapting for survival. Kim also shares insights on her horror fiction, webcomics, and a pile of exciting TTRPG projects. Lots of fun, magic, and creativity in this one!Show Notes Kim’s writing credits How Kim reworked the Kahu to better reflect Polynesian culture and history Kim’s experience writing forScion,Trinity,Cursebourne, and other tabletop TTRPGs. Kim’s other projects, including her horror short stories, webcomicTouching the Abyss, and upcoming TTRPGs.

Today we’ve got something special—two deep dives into the world of magic and role-playing!We sit down with Douglas Rushkoff—media theorist, writer, and host of the Team Human podcast—to explore how RPGs, especially Mage: The Ascension, serve as tools for reality manipulation and self-discovery. We talk about the changing face of magic in society, its impact on public figures, and how Storytellers can weave magical sensibilities into their campaigns.Then, we chat with Richard Metzger, lifelong explorer of the occult and host of the Magic Show. He takes us on a journey through the cultural evolution of magic, its place in pop culture, and intriguing ideas like radionics that could bring a whole new layer to modern RPGs.Show Notes Douglas Rushkoff Vampire: The Masquerade, GURPS, and Magic: The Gathering. Genesis P-Orridge and Psychic TV. Ursula K. Le Guin’s A Wizard of Earthsea and Taoist philosophy Douglas’s book,Survival of the Richest: Escape Fantasies of the Tech Billionaires Donald Trump, Norman Vincent Peale and The Power of Positive Thinking. Douglas’s Substack newsletter. Richard Metzger Bewitched and mythical figures like Merlin. Aleister Crowley’s magick as act of willpower Radionics: electronic devices believed to manipulate reality, as explored by figures like John W. Campbell and William Burroughs (search on Etsy). The Magick Show, featuring interviews with 55+ magicians, witches, and scholars! Arden Leigh, chaos magician and Grant Morrison’s magical heir Alan Moore’s The Great When Grant Morrison’s The Invisibles