Fluff N Crunch

This week I interview Richard, the designer of Frightshow Classics, a line of d100-based horror adventures available on DriveThruRPG, and created in the spirit (and system) of Pacesetter’s Chill 1e and the Cryptworld. If you’re looking for easy-to-run stories that offer a great 70s/80s/Kolchak the Night Stalker vibe, look no further…

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Get Fightshow Classics on DriveThruRPG: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/23052/yeti-spaghetti-and-friends

Chill 1e Action Table: http://tinyurl.com/2s49mvxt

Would either of these well-known properties make for a good tabletop RPG setting? If so, is there a system out there already that would fit the mood and themes of the property? We dig into both in this episode and try to answer these questions. And for free, we've thrown in a compelling argument that the 1997 Starship Troopers film is a heaping pile of trash and that you should ignore it as a source of information about that story or setting. Read the book! #masseffect #starshiptroopers #sciencefiction #rpg #ttrpg Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

Warhammer is huge - it’s fantasy, it’s an iconic dark future, it’s miniatures, and rpgs. And in this episode we tackle a top-level overview of it so that we can, in future episodes, make sense of the individual rpgs in the line. #warhammer #40k #darkfuture #spacemarines #chaos Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

I’m joined today by John Houlihan, the Creative Lead for the Achtung! Cthulhu RPG, and we talk about - and unbox - the new Starter Set for the game. This box includes abbreviated rules, a 60-page adventure, six pregenerated characters, maps, tokens, and more, and I think it would be great for someone new to the game or for someone who’s been playing it for years.

We also discuss the upcoming D-Day campaign book and how it differs some from existing campaign books like Shadows of Atlantis and The Serpent & the Sands.

Check out the new A!C Homepage: https://www.achtungcthulhu.com/

And the new free PDF quickstart materials: https://tinyurl.com/58827baa

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Just when you thought your collection of Star Trek Adventures books was complete, Modiphius drops the news that they're coming out with a second edition of the rules later this year! The book promises more world content, "streamlined" rules, and compatibility with the current edition. Deftly avoiding baseless conjecture, we offer up our wishlists of what we would like to see in this book...and what we would like to not see in it, too. Sign up for the Star Trek Adventures email update list from Modiphius here: https://tinyurl.com/3s68sjbw Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

Here i am today with Al Spader, lead writer for Modiphius' upcoming Federation-Klingon Tactical Campaign, to talk about what story content, new rules, character options, and other ideas are in this book and how you can use it in your Star Trek Adventures campaign. We discuss the tactical campaign subsystem in some detail and talk a lot about the story possibilities in this 200+ page volume, available soon from Modiphius and at your FLGS. #STA #startrek #startrekgaming #modiphius #ttrpg #rpg Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39 Modiphius Product page: https://modiphius.us/products/star-trek-adventures-the-federation-klingon-war-tactical-campaign Star Trek Adventures Second Edition Info Page: https://www.modiphius.net/en-us/pages/star-trek-adventures-2e-signup?mc_cid=578be5c37e&mc_eid=8c697fda54

10 months after our first discussion of AI usage in and related to TTPRGs, we revisit the subject, reviewing some of the tool available now, and diving into the politics of AI usage. #ttrpg #ai #midjourney #chatgpt Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

Herein I discuss Castles & Crusades, from Troll Lord Games, and how it differs from 5e mechanically as well as in the feel it seeks to promote at the table and in stories. TLG is so confident in their system that they give away the PDF version of a recent printing of the Players Handbook for free! Links to that and other things are below. As always, get involved in the conversation - what do you think of C&C? What questions do you have about it? Leave a comment below or join our Discord. #castles&crusades #trolllordgames #rpg #ttrpg #frp Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39 Download the C&C PHB for free: https://trolllord.com/product/cc-players-handbook-7th-printing-alternate-cover-free-pdf/ Check out the game's homepage on TLG's site: https://trolllord.com/castles-crusades/

Herein we discuss a challenge that many (probably most) GMs face: how to restart a campaign after you've had a break for real-world reasons. We have some ideas about how to get ready as GM, how to get your players ready, and how to go about deciding when within the story to pick things up. Maybe you start exactly where you left off...maybe you fast-forward the story...maybe you retcon some things. We discuss all of these, and from a practical perspective as related to Jeremy's restart of his Kingmaker campaign. Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

Herein we discuss zones, range, and movement in 2d20 games, and how to embrace the narrative vibe of these...and give up counting gridsquares. Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39 Timestamps :50 Zones are subjective; you don't need to count squares anymore 1:37 Zones are narratively distinct areas, defined by what's in them and their borders far more than their objective size 2:30 Defining distance by understanding adjacent zones 3:30 Defining the separation between adjacent zones 4:25 Movement using zones - you're counting zones, not squares or measuring distance 5:28 Cinematic action is enhanced by using zones and zone-based movement 6:32 Some advice for using maps and/or minis with zones

We all face it at some point or another: the need or want to start a new campaign, possibly with new rules or a different setting, and beyond getting players onboard, there are other things we need to take care of in order to set ourselves up for success. Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

The Metacurrencies in 2d20 are essential to the gameplay and storytelling experience the system can help produce. However, knowing their mechanical effects and values is only half the issue; you need to use them proficiently (and often!) as a player. This listener suggested episode focuses on how to use Momentum, Threat, and Fortune/Determination effectively as a player - when to use them, when to maybe not, and how to view their availability during a session. Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCzk8ymniVxWjr8MjIu5eN7w

Herein Chris and I review Outgunned, from Two Little Mice, available on DriveThruRPG (link below). We think this is a great, simple system that will enable you to play high action one-shots or short campaigns in the spirit of 80s action movies like Rambo, Missing in Action, Lethal Weapon, Die Hard, and others in the genre. Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39Outgunned on DriveThruRPG: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/449021/outgunned

Lots of games present ways to quantify location, character, equipment, and story elements that are otherwise descriptive in nature. 2d20 games utilize a clever and flexible system of "traits" or "truths" (depending on the property you're playing) that serve as a clean and easily comprehensible means of connecting the qualitative to the quantitative, expressing important story elements in game terms. Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

Herein we discuss the mechanical and setting changes and expansions that will appear in the upcoming release of Ahris Remastered, on DriveThruRPG through the 2d20 WorldBulders program.

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Herein we discuss the three metacurrencies found in most 2d20 games: Momentum, Threat, and Determination/Fortune. We talk about how they work, how to get used to using them at the table, and why they're meant to be spent, not hoarded! Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

The first in our series of How To episodes, focusing this time on 2d20’s core mechanic - a resolution system that determines success or failure, as well as accompanying positive or negative (but always interesting) occurrences.

Moving forward, these episodes will be published as bonus episodes and collected together on our YouTube channel in a special playlist.

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Building on our discussion last year about Janissaries and Kipo, herein we discuss two other properties - both from book series - that could be used for new settings, campaigns, or short story arcs. We also discuss which existing game systems we think would be the best fits for each. Check out the links below to find out more about these two properties. 1632 on Amazon: https://a.co/d/euSSko7 1632 Homepage: https://1632.org/ Codex Alera on Amazon: https://a.co/d/3zVea04 Jannisaries and Kipo Episode: https://youtu.be/7CNV2IDyX78 Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

Herein we compare notes on what we each believe are the five best 2d20-based RPGs thus far published. We discuss why, we argue a little, and then we invite you tell us that we are wrong. Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Don't forget to subscribe to this YouTube channel! This is where the cool kids hang out, so don't be a square... Timestamps 1:07 Our hellos 2:52 Episode content begins here 3:54 Our #5s6:14 And on to #4 15:29 After a longer segment, we move to #3 21:02 We got through that pretty quickly, so now here's #2 29:15 Our top choices

As is now our annual tradition, we discuss our dreams, goals, and plans for the show, our gaming, and life in general in our last episode of the calendar year. And this time we're inviting you along for the ride in a far more active manner. Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Find the Ahris Fantasy RPG on DriveThruRPG: https://tinyurl.com/fkhys3u3

As is now our tradition, we wrap up the year with two episodes: our review of the preceding year, and our forecasts and plans for the one to come - in our gaming, the show, gaming at large, and life. We end 2023 - which we agreed was a good year for us both - discussing how well we met our goals and plans for the show as of a year ago, as well as some specific points that we agreed we'd like to cover, related to gaming and life. We end with some awards we'd hand out of it had awards to hand out. Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

In this week's episode we initially set out to discuss ways to overtly and covertly track time at the table so as to build tension and drama, give players a sense their progress (or lack thereof) toward accomplishing a goal, and to support focusing players during sessions. We realized that time - and lot of other things within a tabletop game - can be understood as one of many resources GMs can use to shape the story and mechanical action within encounters, scenes, sessions, and longer story arcs. Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

In this episode we discuss the setting and the system in the original science fiction RPG (yeah, we can argue that but we're sticking with our position!), first published in 1977. We also discuss some of the stories you can tell within the vast Traveller universe. Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Other links mentioned and resources for Traveller: A Forbes article about the game - great overview: https://www.forbes.com/sites/robwieland/2021/06/09/now-is-a-great-time-to-get-into-the-legendary-traveller-rpg/?sh=2c74ec8015c4 Traveller Map: https://travellermap.com/?p=-0.433!0.5!2 Mongoose Publishing: https://www.mongoosepublishing.com/collections/traveller-rpgs A massive Traveller wiki: https://wiki.travellerrpg.com/Main_Page Cepheus Engine SRD: https://www.orffenspace.com/cepheus-srd/

We explore two fiction IPs as potential fodder for game settings and/or adventures. We discuss which existing systems we might use, and why we think these non-gaming properties would be a good fit for the tabletop world. We'd love to hear from you with your suggestions along these same lines. Janissaries on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087GX9HNS?binding=hardcover&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_thcv Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

We finish our discussion of how canon characters from existing fiction properties can be used - and some advice on how to not use them - in tabletop RPGs. Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

How can you incorporate canon characters into RPGs without marginalizing the PCs or beloved and well-known characters from existing fiction? In this episode we discuss this thorny question, looking at Star Wars, Star Trek, and GI Joe as examples. Subscribe to this channel!Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe to our weekly podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch

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Herein we discuss how to modify Achtung! Cthulhu to use for playing 80s-style GI Joe stories.

Check out this great Joe reference site for characters and vehicles: https://www.3djoes.com/

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Yes, we are aware that there already is a GI Joe RPG out there...we don't care! This is our latest "Essential Elements" episode, in which we look at what story and character ideas must be present in a TTRPG to properly represent the source material in content and vibe. In our next episode, we'll talk about how to take these elements and, using the 2d20 system (which we think is better than the existing Joe RPG engine), we'll offer some ideas about how to run a GI Joe game at your table. Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

We think that religion offers much more story and character potential that we see in many games, and game publications, and so in this episode we discuss the issue - maybe gripe about it some, too, and definitely offer some ideas about how to address religion, faith, and how they can play out in a game for improved stories and characters.

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Let’s learn about Gumshoe, Pelgrane Press’s house system that has some unique features intended to optimize it for investigation-heavy stories.

Check out Pelgrane at the following links:

Nights Black Agents: https://pelgranepress.com/product-category/gumshoe/nights-black-agents/

Trail of Cthulhu: https://pelgranepress.com/product-category/gumshoe/trail-of-cthulhu/

TimeWatch: https://pelgranepress.com/product-category/gumshoe/timewatch/

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It looks like the designers went back to the woodshed and greatly improved on the beta version released a while ago, and this 320+ page book has a lot to offer the supers fan. Part 2 of 2. Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

It looks like the designers went back to the woodshed and greatly improved on the beta version released a while ago, and this 320+ page book has a lot to offer the supers fan. Part 1 of 2. Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

Join us for Act 3 of "Trouble on Beta Inari VII" as we bring to a close the first episode in our Captain's Log co-op game. Join our friendly Discord here: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Check out the character sheets and campaign info here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1juZygemCPwd3Tz5ff9Y3VOx_1MU4jps6?usp=sharing Subscribe to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch

Part 2 of our Captain's Log actual play, following the investigation of a missing survey team on a remote alien world...herein our heroes get into more trouble, discover something about the current status and whereabouts of the missing team, and realize that the clock is working against them.

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Check out the character sheets and campaign info here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1juZygemCPwd3Tz5ff9Y3VOx_1MU4jps6?usp=sharing

USS Tracy responds to a distress call from a small team surveying an alien world. Attached to a deep space exploration task force Tracy is an Oberth-class ship refitted with an improved hull, high-resolution sensors, and rapid-fire torpedo launches.

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Check out our crew and ship stats here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1juZygemCPwd3Tz5ff9Y3VOx_1MU4jps6?usp=sharing

Herein we create our ship, the command crew, and establish the foundation for the campaign's story. It was fascinating and fun to get creative with the help of the excellent random tables in the Captain's Log book and by discussing the process with each other. Listen to our podcast YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod And join our friendly Discord here: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Check out the character sheets and campaign info here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1juZygemCPwd3Tz5ff9Y3VOx_1MU4jps6?usp=sharing

Herein we create characters together, relying on the random tables in the CG rulebook for results and inspiration. We’ll use these characters in the co-op game we’re going to start playing shortly, which will become a regular feature on the show.

Following up our talk about Bond and a 2d20 1:1 ruleset, we discuss the tropes of spy and espionage stories, both for use within that genre of games and in others, too. Join our Discord at https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX and find us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

Although Ahris comes with around 60 monsters and NPCs ready to use, the flexible monster creation system will enable you to stat out any creature or foe from literature, mythology, your mind, or other properties. In this episode we build two iconic monsters, no prep involved. Listen to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX

We dig deeply into the contents, presentation, and potential of the new Captain's Log solo rpg in this episode, following up our conversation with Jim Johnson last week. Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX

Jim Johnson, Star Trek Adventures Line Manager, joins us to talk about the newest release for STA: Captain's Log - the solo RPG book. Don't miss this one - this is great content if you want to play solo, play GM-less, or use it as a supplement to your regular STA game. There's a lot to this book!

Links mentioned:

Continuing Conversations Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/star-trek-adventures-continuing-conversations/id1534755873

Jim's Captain's Log YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVAnIScalX09TzMS_UUMccyQcGXTTuN3m

Fluff n Crunch podcast (that's us!): https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch

Fluff n Crunch Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX

Herein we discuss how Talents are created in Ahris and create a few...and discover just how flexible the system is. If you want to make really original characters, this is the way to go. Listen to the podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX

Herein we discuss the quickstart released in early July - the system and setting, and the sorts of stories we think one could tell with them.

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Herein we discuss the quickstart for Dreams and Machines and how the rules differ in quite a few ways from standard 2d20, and what those might mean for gameplay. If you want to get right to DaM, skip to the 10-minute mark. Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX

Following our "Essential Elements" episode last week, we lay the foundation for a 1:1 Bond game, and by extension other 1:1 games, using the 2d20 SRD, and promise to work on it over the next month or so to make it playable.

Join us on our Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX

Herein we discuss what makes a Bond story, and therefore what must be included in order to fit as a TTRPG. In order next episode we take the 2d20 SRD for another joyride as we work out ideas for a 1:1 - one player, one GM - game system for Bond.

Herein we discuss the whole book and come to a surprising difference of opinions about it.