Red Game Table
By Utopologist
Music from each episode is listed on redgametable.com
For comments, questions, or just to talk, you can email me at utopologist@protonmail.com.
Red Game TableFeb 23, 2021
Matryoshka 3.9 - The Signal
Mels and Emiliano go to the Tajik SSR to investigate a plane that went down near Communism Peak under very bizarre circumstances.
For comments or questions, email utopologist@protonmail.com. Listen to Lina and Dan's labor news podcast Work Stoppage and watch Johnny's twitch stream Subversive History.
Talk with other listeners in the Work Stoppage discord.
Music used in this episode can be found at redgametable.com.
The pdf of Matryoshka: Cosmic Horror Investigation in the Cold War USSR can be downloaded at utopologist.itch.io/matryoshka. It's pay-what-you-want, so if you want the book but have nothing, you are just as welcome to the book as anyone. Physical copies (which contain some additional art and game content) can be ordered here.
Matryoshka 3.8 - The Singers of Songs
Mels and Pavel head to the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic to find a pair of researchers who disappeared while camping on a deceptively plain-looking tract of land.
For comments or questions, email utopologist@protonmail.com. Listen to Lina and Dan's labor news podcast Work Stoppage and watch Johnny's twitch stream Subversive History.
Music used in this episode can be found at redgametable.com.
The pdf of Matryoshka: Cosmic Horror Investigation in the Cold War USSR can be downloaded at utopologist.itch.io/matryoshka. It's pay-what-you-want, so if you want the book but have nothing, you are just as welcome to the book as anyone. Physical copies (which contain some additional art and game content) can be ordered here.
Matryoshka 3.x (interlude) - The Shadow Under Leningrad pt. II
The special investigators, joined by a former agent who specialized in the paranormal, come up with a plan to protect the people of Leningrad from the horrors below.
Featuring Jeremy from Invent The Future and A Terrible Influence.
For comments or questions, email utopologist@protonmail.com, and listen to Lina and Dan's labor news podcast Work Stoppage.
Music used in this episode can be found at redgametable.com.
The pdf of Matryoshka: Cosmic Horror Investigation in the Cold War USSR can be downloaded at utopologist.itch.io/matryoshka. It's pay-what-you-want, so if you want the book but have nothing, you are just as welcome to the book as anyone. Physical copies (which contain some additional art and game content) can be ordered here.
Matryoshka 3.7 - The Mother of Hounds, pt. 2
Underneath Vaduz, the team must navigate an unfamiliar and unfriendly labyrinth to accomplish their mission.
For comments or questions, email utopologist@protonmail.com, and listen to Lina and Dan's labor news podcast Work Stoppage.
Music used in this episode can be found at redgametable.com.
The pdf of Matryoshka: Cosmic Horror Investigation in the Cold War USSR can be downloaded at utopologist.itch.io/matryoshka. It's pay-what-you-want, so if you want the book but have nothing, you are just as welcome to the book as anyone. Physical copies (which contain some additional art and game content) can be ordered here.
Matryoshka 3.x (interlude) - The Shadow Under Leningrad pt. I
With the city of Leningrad under siege from the Nazis, a group investigates an interruption in bread delivery and discovers a much darker explanation than they could have dreamed of.
Featuring Jeremy from Invent The Future and A Terrible Influence.
For comments or questions, email utopologist@protonmail.com, and listen to Lina and Dan's labor news podcast Work Stoppage.
Music used in this episode can be found at redgametable.com.
The pdf of Matryoshka: Cosmic Horror Investigation in the Cold War USSR can be downloaded at utopologist.itch.io/matryoshka. It's pay-what-you-want, so if you want the book but have nothing, you are just as welcome to the book as anyone. Physical copies (which contain some additional art and game content) can be ordered here.
Matryoshka 3.6 - The Mother of Hounds, pt. I
The trio must go undercover in Liechtenstein to get their hands on a dangerous artifact before any other more nefarious ones can.
For comments or questions, email utopologist@protonmail.com, and listen to Lina and Dan's labor news podcast Work Stoppage.
Music used in this episode can be found at redgametable.com.
The pdf of Matryoshka: Cosmic Horror Investigation in the Cold War USSR can be downloaded at utopologist.itch.io/matryoshka. It's pay-what-you-want, so if you want the book but have nothing, you are just as welcome to the book as anyone. Physical copies (which contain some additional art and game content) can be ordered here.
Matryoshka 3.5 - The Storm
The team find themselves stranded in the Belarussian forest in the middle of a blizzard, and something is driving the animals out of their minds.
For comments or questions, email utopologist at protonmail.com and listen to Lina and Dan's labor news podcast Work Stoppage.
Music used in this episode can be found at redgametable.com.
The pdf of Matryoshka: Cosmic Horror Investigation in the Cold War USSR can be downloaded at utopologist.itch.io/matryoshka. It's pay-what-you-want, so if you want the book but have nothing, you are just as welcome to the book as anyone. Physical copies (which contain some additional art and game content) can be ordered here.
Matryoshka 3.4 - The Knife in the Dreaming
After a Soviet submarine in the Mediterranean disappears while hunting for the rumored French stay-behind submarine, the team heads for its last known location in hopes of finding both it and the imperialists.
For comments or questions, email utopologist at protonmail.com and listen to Lina and Dan's labor news podcast Work Stoppage.
Music used in this episode can be found at redgametable.com.
The pdf of Matryoshka: Cosmic Horror Investigation in the Cold War USSR can be downloaded at utopologist.itch.io/matryoshka. It's pay-what-you-want, so if you want the book but have nothing, you are just as welcome to the book as anyone. Physical copies (which contain some additional art and game content) can be ordered here.
Matryoshka 3.3 - Blackcurrants for the Devil
Matryoshka investigates the disappearances of everyone on a collective farm on the border of Estonia and Russia.
For comments or questions, email utopologist at protonmail.com and listen to Lina and Dan's labor news podcast Work Stoppage.
Music used in this episode can be found at redgametable.com.
The pdf of Matryoshka: Cosmic Horror Investigation in the Cold War USSR can be downloaded at utopologist.itch.io/matryoshka. It's pay-what-you-want, so if you want the book but have nothing, you are just as welcome to the book as anyone. Physical copies (which contain some additional art and game content) can be ordered here.
Matryoshka 3.2 - The Sea-mother
Emiliano summons Pavel and Mels to Algeria to help investigate sightings of figures coming out of the sea to take iron and steel back into the Mediterranean.
For comments or questions, email utopologist at protonmail.com and listen to Lina and Dan's labor news podcast Work Stoppage.
Music used in this episode can be found at redgametable.com.
The pdf of Matryoshka: Cosmic Horror Investigation in the Cold War USSR can be downloaded at utopologist.itch.io/matryoshka. It's pay-what-you-want, so if you want the book but have nothing, you are just as welcome to the book as anyone.
Matryoshka 3.1 - His Approach Is Swift
In September 1962, a pair of Matryoshka agents go to the forests of Cuba to help investigate a series of unexplained eclipses.
For comments or questions, email utopologist at protonmail.com and listen to Lina and Dan's labor news podcast Work Stoppage.
Music used in this episode can be found at redgametable.com.
The pdf of Matryoshka will be downloadable very soon at utopologist.itch.io/matryoshka.
Matryoshka 2.9 - The Atrocity Exhibition
A midnight conference call lets Division C know about a missing member of the team, which in turn leads them up close and personal with enemies they've only heard about until now.
For comments or questions, email utopologist at protonmail.com and listen to Dan's labor news podcast Work Stoppage.
As usual, music used in this episode can be found at redgametable.wordpress.com.
Once it's completed, the link to download the rulebook for Matryoshka will be shared here.
Matryoshka 2.8 - The Sixth Dictionary
The gang gets a tip from an old friend that sends them to Beirut, Lebanon to get some more clues about what's going on.
For comments or questions, email utopologist at protonmail.com and listen to Dan's labor news podcast Work Stoppage.
As usual, music used in this episode can be found at redgametable.wordpress.com.
Matryoshka 2.7 - Point Visser
Imprisoned by enemy forces, Matryoshka searches for a way to escape as well as to find out what the US Navy is protecting in the middle of the ocean as far away from land as possible.
For comments or questions, email utopologist at protonmail.com and listen to Dan's labor news podcast Work Stoppage.
As usual, music used in this episode can be found at redgametable.wordpress.com.
Matryoshka 2021 Holiday Special
In December 1991 amidst the chaos of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Tselinograd branch of Matryoshka is sent to rural Kazakhstan to investigate reports of people being "replaced."
For comments or questions, email utopologist at protonmail.com and listen to Dan's labor news podcast Work Stoppage.
As usual, music used in this episode can be found at redgametable.wordpress.com.
Matryoshka 2.6 - Point Nemo
The gang goes to interrogate their prisoner and ends up where they least expect.
For comments or questions, email utopologist at protonmail.com and listen to Dan's labor news podcast Work Stoppage.
As usual, music used in this episode can be found at redgametable.wordpress.com.
Matryoshka 2.5 - The Lockbox
Donatas and Pavel go to investigate what appears to be the victim of a fatal industrial accident coming back to life during his funeral.
For comments or questions, email utopologist at protonmail.com and listen to Dan's labor news podcast Work Stoppage.
As usual, music used in this episode can be found at redgametable.wordpress.com.
Matryoshka 2.? (interlude) - Archangel
In 1919, the British and the Americans have invaded Russia to support the White Russians in putting down the new socialist government. What's left of a Red Army machine gun unit make their way to Arkhangelsk to help take it back from the Whites and the imperialists, but along the way they encounter a fearsome mechanical foe that may be more than it appears.
The regular campaign will resume next episode!
For comments or questions, email utopologist at protonmail.com and listen to Dan's labor news podcast Work Stoppage.
As usual, music used in this episode can be found at redgametable.wordpress.com.
Matryoshka 2.4 - Gretchen's First Experience with the Sun
Matryoshka goes to Geneva to meet with a possible ally and ends up having to plan an art heist.
There are all kinds of weird audio things happening with Dan and M; sorry about that.
For comments or questions, email utopologist at protonmail.com and listen to Dan's labor news podcast Work Stoppage.
As usual, music used in this episode can be found at redgametable.wordpress.com
Matryoshka 2.3 - The Dreamer of Dreams
Pavel and Donatas head to the Arctic to find out why a Soviet research station went silent.
Apologies for the audio artifacts in Dan's audio; we don't know what caused it and minimized it as much as we could.
For comments or questions, email utopologist at protonmail.com and listen to Dan's labor news podcast Work Stoppage.
As usual, music used in this episode can be found at redgametable.wordpress.com
Matryoshka 2.2 - The Spinning Boy
Matryoshka is sent to the German Democratic Republic to investigate the appearance of some bodies burned in a ritual manner.
Apologies for the audio artifacts in Dan's audio; we don't know what caused it and minimized it as much as we could.
For comments or questions, email utopologist at protonmail.com and listen to Dan's labor news podcast Work Stoppage.
As usual, music used in this episode can be found at redgametable.wordpress.com
Matryoshka 2.1 - The Nine Doors of Consciousness
GRU Division C is back! It's 1969. While making plans to deal with some of the unsolved mysteries from the previous year, Matryoshka's home office undergoes some bizarre changes.
For comments or questions, email utopologist at protonmail.com
As usual, music used in this episode can be found at redgametable.wordpress.com.
At the time of recording I didn't know about it, but make sure to check out Dan's other show Work Stoppage all about labor news!
Matryoshka 2020 Holiday Special
(This was supposed to be released in the middle of some December holidays, but various factors including some COVID scares prevented this. However, I've been told that on the liturgical calendar, it's Christmas until Epiphany on January 6, so I'm clear.)
Matryoshka is sent to Arkhangelsk to investigate the mysterious disappearance of some children and the sightings of an odd bearded man who may be the only suspect.
For comments or questions, email utopologist at protonmail.com
As usual, music used in this episode can be found at redgametable.wordpress.com.
Matryoshka 1.7 - Leviathan
The season finale. The team, along with their new ally Jurgen, track down De Visser once and for all and settle some old scores with Rainer Frosch.
For comments or questions, email utopologist at protonmail.com
As usual, music used in this episode can be found at redgametable.wordpress.com.
Matryoshka 1.6 - Cycles, Awakenings
Division C gets the chance to interrogate an early figure from the case, finally gets some answers to some questions about what's been going on, and gets a lead that might take them to the source of all this.
For comments or questions, email utopologist at protonmail.com
As usual, music used in this episode can be found at redgametable.wordpress.com.
Matryoshka 1.5 - The Visitors
The team goes to a small town to investigate a simple ghost sighting in the woods. Of course, the forests are old and may hold more than ghosts.
(M's audio has an odd background sound for the first 20 or so minutes but it does improve.)
For comments or questions, email utopologist at protonmail.com
As usual, music used in this episode can be found at redgametable.wordpress.com.
Matryoshka 1.4 - The Parade
Division C follows a thread from an earlier case to a small village north of the Arctic Circle whose citizens have a bizarre secret.
For comments or questions, email utopologist at protonmail.com
As usual, music used in this episode can be found at redgametable.wordpress.com.
Matryoshka 1.3 - The God of Dreams
A skeleton crew of Matryoshka is sent behind enemy lines to the Aleutian Islands to track down a missing Soviet nuclear submarine.
As usual, music used in this episode can be found at redgametable.wordpress.com.
Matryoshka 1.2 - De Visser
Matryoshka is sent to rural northern Russia to investigate several sightings of an ominous figure around a group of quiet farming villages.
(Taylor's mic has some weird feedback throughout, but especially near the end. We apologize for the inconvenience.)
Music can be found at redgametable.wordpress.com
Matryoshka 1.1 - The One Who Knows The Silence In The Earth
This is the best place to start if you're new to Red Game Table or Matryoshka!
In 1968, Matryoshka is sent to Azerbaijan to investigate a curious issue of people not being able to get in or out of their apartment building
(Ethan mispronounces Bernhard's name as "Berhard" because he typed it in wrong on his spreadsheet. We apologize for the error.)
Music: https://redgametable.wordpress.com/2020/06/16/2-1-the-one-who-knows-the-silence-in-the-earth/
Update on the state of the show
A very brief announcement. RGT lives!
Intermission - The Shadow Over Leningrad
Because we were missing too many players for our DW campaign, here's a special release of Call of Cthulhu:
During the Siege of Leningrad, a small Red Army squad is sent into enemy territory to recover supplies when they stumble onto a darker secret buried under the cold and wet soil.
Intro: Katyusha (some electronic remix)
Outro: "Nitsokhn Lid" (Victory Song), Yiddish Glory
The Pattern of Spring ep. 5 - Peace, Bread, Land
On their way to the Okin Islands to help free the Viridians, the gang picks up a new friend, makes some business deals, plans to collectivize the farms, and meets a friend of Germand the worm.
Intro: Michael Sandford
Outro: Grant McPhillips
The Pattern of Spring ep. 4 - Apalo's Shadow
The gang tries to figure out how to get off of Nacre, finds out what's in the tiny chest Joji found, and meet a new friend with geopolitical significance.
Intro: Michael Sandford
Outro: Grant McPhillips
The Pattern of Spring ep. 3: Culture Worm Castings
In order to pay the textile workers back for what they did, the gang infiltrates high society and gets deeper and deeper into the tangled web of interests and capital in Nacre.
Intro music by Michael Sandford
Outro music by Grant McPhillips
The Pattern of Spring ep. 2: Monkeywrenchers
Based on the success of their previous caper, the party is hired to help some textile workers secure their jobs in a rapidly industrializing field.
Intro music by Michael Sandford
Outro music by Grant McPhillips
The Pattern of Spring ep. 1: The Heist
Season 2 of Proles of the Game Table brings you a new campaign set in the fantasy world of Kezia.
In this game, the Proles introduce you to the industrializing city of Nacre, where their characters are hired to break into a mining magnate's private estate and steal a prize flower.
Intro music by Michael Sandford
Outro music by Grant McPhillips
Matryoshka 0.7 - The Dark Things in the Night
It ends here (for a bit)!
Division C makes it back to Moscow, where they meet up with Professor Yuzhlek, who knows a few things about what's going on. It's a race against time to find out what hit the university from the sky before an old foe shows back up.
Outro music: "Respawn", Vieveri
Matryoshka 0.6: The Veins of the Earth
(This is Season 0 of Red Game Table and isn't part of the canon of Matryoshka, if you're interested in that sort of thing.)
The gang interrogates Brown Jenkin, then finally catches up with the Sergeyovich brothers in Irkutsk, where they're trying to find the entrance to the Veins of the Earth. They learn something new and important about the world and get a little more information on Visser.
Intro music: "matryoshka (theme)" by Colleen Lenin Quine
Outro music: "Hurdy Hurry" by Phill Niblock
Matryoshka 0.5: The Sky Has Left Us Forever
(This is Season 0 of Red Game Table and isn't part of the canon of Matryoshka, if you're interested in that sort of thing.)
Vasily is back, but so is an old nemesis. The gang makes a new friend, learns about the corporation that's somehow connected to all of this, and actually finds one of the items they're looking for for once. Also the doctor makes some really bad decisions.
Intro music: "matryoshka (theme)" by Colleen Lenin Quine
Outro music: "Death Valley" by Rene Aubry
Matryoshka 0.4: In Search of Lost Time
(This is Season 0 of Red Game Table and isn't part of the canon of Matryoshka, if you're interested in that sort of thing.)
The team makes it to Vladivostok but has to deal with losing one of their members as well as infiltrating an underground bunker that definitely should not lead to where it does. The KGB makes another appearance and our heroes have to deal with bureaucracy thicker than Brezhnev's eyebrows.
Intro music: "matryoshka (theme)" by Colleen Lenin Quine
Outro music: "Manhunter" by HEXSYSTEM
Matryoshka 0.3: Trans-Siberian
(This is Season 0 of Red Game Table and isn't part of the canon of Matryoshka, if you're interested in that sort of thing.)
The GRU gang picks up where they left off, escorting Ms. Marsh onboard the Trans-Siberian Railway en route to Vladivostok. On the way, they investigate spooky sounds and encounter mysterious figures who may not be what they seem....
Outro music: "From The Sea / It Looms", Leon Vynehall
Matryoshka 0.2: The Shadow Over Tallinn
(This is Season 0 of Red Game Table and isn't part of the canon of Matryoshka, if you're interested in that sort of thing.)
ALERT: There is strange audio tearing starting around 15 minutes in, but it only lasts for about 6 or 7 minutes.
Picking up where they left off last time, GRU Division C heads to Tallinn, the capital of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic, to investigate an antiques dealer who may know something about what the party found in Siberia. Along the way, they meet up with a local KGB agent (played by our friend Johnny Samyavadi!) and hijinks ensue.
CORRECTION: Most people in Estonia speak Estonian and not Finnish. Estonian is very close to Finnish, but it is a separate language. We regret the error.
Outro music: Prelude in E minor, Gerry Mulligan Sextet
Matryoshka 0.1: Cold Dead Hand
(This is Season 0 of Red Game Table and isn't part of the canon of Matryoshka, if you're interested in that sort of thing.)
GRU Division C (code-named "Matryoshka") is sent on their first assignment: investigate a nuclear missile silo in the frozen north of Siberia which has gone silent. HEADS UP: A non-player character commits suicide in this episode around the 51 minute mark. It's quick and not lingered on, but if that upsets you, please skip to 00:51:20 or just hit your "advance 30 seconds" button if listening on a podcast app.
Outro music: "All This I Do For Glory" - Colin Stetson