Have to Look That Up
By Brian
Have to Look That UpOct 21, 2022
55: Is October for the OSR or baseball playoffs?
It's been everything, everywhere, all at once, but we are back to chat a bit about "old school"
LINKS:
Che Webster's Roleplay Rescue
MUSIC:
Keep Calm and Podcast - "Coffee & Conversation." Keep Calm and Podcast is a collection of royalty free podsafe music that can be used in podcasts. Available at https://www.podcast.co/music
Mr. Smith - "Insomnia" - available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia
54: Outdoor Survival
DISCUSSION: A bit of rambling about our recent "Free RPG Day" DCC funnel adventure, how poorly I roll, setting expectations, and some "RPGconomic" discussion about why WOTC adventures are not dangerous after call-ins from Jason (Nerd's RPG Variety Cast) and a good question from BJ (The Arcane Alienist).
MUSIC:
Keep Calm and Podcast - "Coffee & Conversation." Keep Calm and Podcast is a collection of royalty free podsafe music that can be used in podcasts. Available at https://www.podcast.co/musicMr. Smith - "Insomnia." Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia
53: Singapore Recap
A bit of a review of gaming in Singapore and some rambling...
MUSIC: Mr. Smith - "Insomnia." Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia
52: Back in Singapore
A short update on some recent games and thoughts as I return to Singapore. Apologies for the audio quality of the segments recorded at the airport.
MUSIC:
Mr. Smith - "Insomnia." Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia
51: More important things (and please go listen to latest Asians Represent!)
A short note about some of the horrible things people are doing back in the USA - and a big recommendation to go listen to the latest Asians Represent! podcast, Episode 54 on Black and Asian Communities: Strength and Solidarity (https://aznsrepresent.carrd.co/). Simply awesome.
Also check out:
Secret Nerd Podcast (https://anchor.fm/secretnerd-podcast)
MUSIC: Mr. Smith - "Insomnia." Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia
50: Aloha Friday "Froth" Tribute - Marvel
Discussion about the original TSR Marvel Super Heroes game, what inspired me to think about it this week, and some random thoughts with lots of Friday afternoon background noise. My apologies if the noise gets too loud during the second half of the pod.
Links
Jason’s Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast /9https://anchor.fm/jason376)
Classic Marvel Resources (https://classicmarvelforever.com/cms/)
PODCAST RECOMMENDATIONS
Potions and Potpourri /(https://www.buzzsprout.com/1771468)
Cantrips and Coffee (https://anchor.fm/cantripsandcoffee)
MUSIC:
Music Clip: Aloha Friday Song by Kimo Kahoano
Mr. Smith - "Insomnia." Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia
49: (Delayed) Opening Day 2022
Content warning: this episode is about BASEBALL
Games
Pocket Pennant Run: https://payhip.com/pocketpennantrun
Payoff Pitch: https://sidelinestrategy.com/
Tabletop Baseball (Sports) Channels and Podcasts:
Kurt Bergland's Baseball World
MUSIC: Mr. Smith - "Insomnia." Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia
48: Classics Recitation
Feedback on the funnels - and a bit of luck
CALL-INS:
Jason, Nerd's RPG Variety Cast
Joe, Hindsightless
Che, Roleplay Rescue
MUSIC:
Mr. Smith - "Insomnia." Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia
IMAGE ON PODCAST EPISODE:
From Goodman Games - "Goodman Games stands with Ukraine!"
47: Classics 201: The Funnel
CLASSICS series: discussing the Dungeon Crawl Classics (DCC) Funnel
Link to DCC Quick start rules (with funnel adventure Portal Under the Stars)
For more DCC joy, please check out the Spellburn podcast. For MCC love, listen to Glowburn
IMAGE for podcast episode is from page 27 of the DCC Core Rulebook (Goodman Games) at the bottom of the occupation table. Let this inspire you to go funnel...
MUSIC: Opening clip from one of my favorite songs ever made, Belly's "Now They'll Sleep"
Background music from Fesliyan Studios (https://www.FesliyanStudios.com)
Mr. Smith - "Insomnia." Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia
46: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love 5e: (More on) Sly Flourish and Fantastic Lairs!
A little bit of talk about Fantastic Lairs and Sly Flourish's Lazy DM Approach to Prep
Sly Flourish website: https://slyflourish.com/
RPG Alliance Role Players for Ukraine (2-3 April): https://warhorn.net/events/role-players-for-ukraine
Podcasts from down under (NZ):
Toa Tabletop (formerly "Mud & Blood")
Call-ins from Jason (Nerd's RPG Variety Cast) and Joe (Hindsightless)
MUSIC: Mr. Smith - "Insomnia." Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia
45: Singapore!
A long ramble about time in Singapore and some gaming. Here are links to stuff in the episode:
Battle Quarters at Xpidemix (63 East Coast Road #01-03, Singapore, Singapore) - the store where I gamed, check it out!
Kelsey Dionne's fantastic work lives at the Arcane Library (https://www.thearcanelibrary.com/)
Podcast recommendation:
The Slovenly Trulls: https://www.cantbekilledcreations.com/slovenlytrulls
Joey Royale's Pizza Party: streams on the Goodman Games Twitch Channel. The premiere can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlQMBp58tvk
MUSIC: Mr. Smith - "Insomnia." Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia
44: Aloha "Froth Tribute" Friday with Tunnels and Trolls
Short Aloha Friday discussion of a few great free online I've found, and then Tunnels and Trolls!
More on the 6083 RPG here: https://www.missioncontrol6083.com/
Music Clip: Aloha Friday Song by Kimo Kahoano
MUSIC: Mr. Smith - "Insomnia." Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia
43: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love 5e - Acceptance
An update and discussion of my thoughts on AD&D 1e, playing 5e, getting back to in-person gaming and perhaps some open table gaming.
MUSIC: Mr. Smith - "Insomnia." Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia
42: Aloha Friday and Happy New Year
A short update on some of the Goodman Games Fifth Edition Fantasy games we've run
LINKS:
Goodman Games Fifth Edition site
Music Clip: Aloha Friday Song by Kimo Kahoano
MUSIC: Mr. Smith - "Insomnia." Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia
41: The Aloha "Froth-Friday" Gauntlet
Thanks to Jason (Nerd's RPG Variety Cast) for the call and prompt for this short topic.
If you are interested in the Gauntlet game, please check out https://archive.org/details/arcade_gauntlet
Music Clip: Aloha Friday Song by Kimo Kahoano
MUSIC: Mr. Smith - "Insomnia." Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia
40: Recap for the Citizens of the Empire
A short(er) episode about this past Empire of the Cyclops Con
MUSIC: Mr. Smith - "Insomnia"
Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia
39: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love 5e: WOTC-U-L8R
This one is definitely a ramble. I almost did not release this, but then I thought about my one fan with all of her multiple personalities, waiting in agony without any new Dead Games Society lessons... so here it is.
This is a bit of a discussion of playing and enjoying D&D, or even "5e," without worrying too much about what WOTC (Hasbro) may or may not do.
Check out Empire of the Cyclops Con, online convention 5-7 November, at https://tabletop.events/conventions/empire-of-the-cyclops-con. I still have spots open for my Saturday 6 Nov 8 pm US east coast time DCC game "Frost Fang Expedition"
MUSIC: Mr. Smith - "Insomnia"
Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia
38: Getting the Call
I discuss the start of my Call of Cthulhu journey.
Check out Menion's podcast (especially the recent CoC episode): Confessions of a Wee Tim'rous Bushi
Check out Empire of the Cyclops Con, online convention 5-7 November, at https://tabletop.events/conventions/empire-of-the-cyclops-con. I still have spots open for my Saturday 6 Nov 8 pm US east coast time DCC game "Frozen in Time."
Thanks to Che from Roleplay Rescue, Jason from Nerd's RPG Variety Cast, Joe from Hindsightless, and the legendary DM Kojo!
MUSIC: Mr. Smith - "Insomnia"
Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia
37: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and "Love" 5e
Start of perhaps a somewhat regular series on some aspects of Dungeons and Dragons 5e that I enjoy and help keep me in the hobby. Truth be told - most of the reasons I discuss can really apply to how you run or play almost any game...
LINKS
Roleplay Rescue episode on the Infinite Game
Jason's Nerd's RPG Variety character creation with Joe for Cyberpunk 2020
MUSIC
Mr. Smith - "Insomnia"
Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia
36: Embracing the Way of the Lazy DM
This is the first of what I hope will be a recurring episode on minimal game preparation. Specifically I talk about the work of Sly Flourish (Mike Shea) and his brilliant Lazy DM series. He has a kickstarter running now for the newest book: The
LINKS:
The Lazy DM's Companion Kickstarter
BONUS: Fantastic Lairs
Music: Mr. Smith - "Insomnia"
Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia
35: Where do we go from here?
Short update on where I hope to go with the podcast, topics, games, and other items...
Podcast recommendation: Jason's Nerd's RPG Variety Podcast, Cyberpunk Character Creation with Joe Richter
Bundle of Holding for Numenera Discovery: https://bundleofholding.com/presents/DiscoverNumenera
Music: Mr. Smith - "Insomnia"
Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia
E34: Aloha Friday "Froth Tribute"
Short discussion of "labels" and how to bridge "narrative" and "OSR" games... which is really to say that it may be better to try lots of different games, regardless of "labels," to figure out what things you like that can make your favorite game even better.
Podcasts Referenced:
Roleplay Rescue, Talking Labels, Communication, and Play Styles with Lieren (episode 912): https://anchor.fm/rpgrescue/episodes/912-Talking-Labels--Communication--and-Play-Styles-with-Lieren-e15opq2
Mud & Blood, Interview with Chris McDowall (episode 91): https://9littlebees.com/mab091-chris-mcdowall-interview/
Mud & Blood, Interview with Rob Schwalb (episode 22): https://9littlebees.com/mab022-rob-schwalb-interview/
Free Stuff:
Yochai Gal's Positronic Library, available at https://yochaigal.itch.io/the-positronic-library
Cthulhu Reborn: https://cthulhureborn.wordpress.com/
Convicts & Cthulhu: https://cthulhureborn.wordpress.com/downloads/downloads-convicts-cthulhu/
Music:
Mr. Smith - "Insomnia"
Available at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/nomad/insomnia
S1 E33: Don't call it a comeback - but feel free to call it a long, rambling rant
In what was intended to be a shorter episode, I talk a bit much about VTC/zoom/teams online fatigue, nostalgia, getting into new "older" games, and some RPGconomic theory about big corporate RPG strategy, like what WOTC is or is not doing with D&D, and whether it matters.
S1 E32: Post-quarantine, post-lockdown update from Brisbane
A short update now that we are free and "safely" adjusting to life in Queensland...
Two podcasts to consider:
S1 E31 BONUS - At the airport
Some quick thoughts at the airport, flying away to freedom
S1 E31: Freedom (quarantine day 14)
The day we leave quarantine
S1 E30: Quarantine Day (lucky) 13
Short talk about nostalgia and a search for some "nostalgia equivalent" games
S1 E29: Quarantine Day 12
A short discussion about maps and inspiration. Almost free...
S1 E28: Quarantine Day 11
Short update on the quarantine situation, shortened by weekend lounging and then work... Topics include some brief talk of Dying Earth, D&D Beyond, and homebrews for 5e
Last days/hours for the Goodman Games Dying Earth DCC Kickstarter: getting closer to $300K and already has tons of stretch goal bonus material for set backers...
S1 E27: Quarantine Day 10
Short follow-up on traveling games and a bit more on TOP SECRET NEW WORLD ORDER
Call-ins from Jason (Nerd's RPG Variety Cast) and B.J. (Arcane Alienist)
S1 E26: Quarantine Froth-Tribute-Cast (Day 9)
"Aloha Friday" Froth-Tribute-Cast... it's been a while since I've done one of these, but wanted to try and restart:
Hodagrpg is still making one rpg a week for free! The latest is Wilderness d8
Wizards of the Coast is making more Magic:The Gathering and D&D crossovers, and to celebrate have recently free adventures: download here
Any Planet is Earth is getting an update from d66 Kobolds
Random table of Starship mission hooks from Crated Land
Map of the week from Dyson: the Undercrofts of Githaleon
S1 E25: Quarantine Day 8
Start of a discussion on TOP SECRET NEW WORLD ORDER, which can be found here at Solarian (formerly TSR Games)
Thanks to Jason (Nerd's RPG Variety Cast) and Che (Roleplay Rescue) for the calls and great comments - sorry these took a while
S1 E24: Quarantine Day 7
Update on day 7 - halfway there. A short discussion about role playing games while traveling.
S1 E23: Quarantine Day 6
We are almost halfway through - talking about some sport, DCC Day, Jack Vance and Dying Earth, and a bit on coffee.
Links:
Purple Sorcerer Games runs fantastic FREE on-line tools (with mobile apps) for your DCC (or any) game. Check out the tools at https://purplesorcerer.com/tools.php. They are currently running the annual pledge drive to raise money to support these tools - so if you are able, please consider a donation here: PLEDGE DRIVE
S1 E22: Quarantine Day 5
Short update from quarantine outside on the balcony as the sun sets...
S1 E21: Quarantine Day 4
Day 4 in quarantine - the rain may be stopping. I take most of the episode to answer Che's (of Roleplay Rescue) question about how to deal with the "dark side" of quarantine.
Things to consider:
Living 4 Crits - Judge James is daily vlogging and starting to explore 5e
Saturday Morning D&D Show - youtube and podcast
S1 E20: Quarantine Day 3
Day 3 in Sydney quarantine- dark, dreary, and rainy outside. Bit of a delay in uploading this one - some talk of resuming our 5e adventures and call-ins.
Thanks to call-ins from:
Joe - Hindsightless
Jason - Nerd's RPG Variety Cast
Che - Role Play Rescue
Spencer/Free Thrall - Keep off the Borderlands
Book recommendations:
The Poppy War (series) - R. F. Kuang
S1 E19: Quarantine Day 2
It's morning in Quarantine... downtown Sydney, quiet due to the current lockdown. A few more thoughts on quarantine, an "unboxing," and discussion about Star Frontiers and Top Secret New World Order.
S1 E18: Quarantine Day 1
Short update from the "temporary home" in quarantine in Sydney and a few ideas for gaming.
Podcast to check out:
S1 E17: Leaving Los Angeles
Short update on what I am doing and a bit of Froth-tribute for this Tuesday - some links to free stuff and a nice underground labyrinth path random table from Le Chaudron Chromatique:
Links:
Hodag RPG: https://hodagrpg.itch.io/
Underground Land Bridges Labyrinth: https://chaudronchromatique.blogspot.com/2021/05/labyrinth-underground-bridges.html
Wands and Wizards ("Harry Potter and the Fight for 5e" by GMBinder: Source book
Review of Wands and Wizard on Geek Native: https://www.geeknative.com/129433/wands-wizards-is-an-impressive-harry-potter-to-dd-5e-adaptation/
S1 E16: Packing
Short discussion of a few thoughts for the week and some call-ins.
Podcast to check out: Mad Jay's discussion with Kira Magrann: Talking NextPunk with Kira Magrann - Diceology 39, and Diceology
Thanks to the calls from BJ (Arcane Alienist), Jason (Nerd's RPG Variety Cast), and Colin (Spikepit).
S1 E15: "Aloha Monday Froth Tribute" - Points of Inspiration to Start the Week
A short discussion of some resources to use, either for inspiration or for gaming:
Fantastic Lairs: Boss Battles and Climactic Encounters for 5e (https://fantasticlairs.com)
A free Star Wars RPG using D&D 5e: https://www.sw5e.com/
Random Table for mega dungeon hooks: https://hackslashmaster.blogspot.com/2021/06/on-megadungeon-hooks.html
Tool to help you give XP in a different way ("Bingo-style"): https://githyankidiaspora.wordpress.com/2021/06/04/bingo-style-experience-points-after-a-few-months-of-leveling-up/
Free map - a great dungeon to challenge your players: https://acornafloat.blogspot.com/2021/05/my-daughters-dungeon.html
S1 E14: Aloha "Froth Tribute" Friday
"Five" minute Friday focus on a few great science-fiction RPG resources:
Talking about Star Frontiers... Joel Priddy at Abominable Fancy published a wonderful "FKR" Landshut variant of Star Frontiers, available for free here: https://abominablefancy.blogspot.com/2021/05/the-starshut-rules.html
I've probably mentioned the FKR Star Wars game "Galaxy Far Away," found at https://d66kobolds.blogspot.com/2020/09/galaxy-far-away-star-wars-this-is-fkr.html. It's a great little game to play in the Star Wars universe- perhaps even the Mandalorian-era post "Return of the Jedi" setting. There is an actual play of this game on the ggnore podcast: https://ggnorecast.com/2021/02/02/204/
We should have a random table - so here's a great one for your sci-fi/Star Wars game to help generate some sci-fi villain crime enterprises: https://triumphdespair.wordpress.com/2013/08/28/h-is-for-hutt/
S1 E13: Final Frontiers in Sci-Fi
Discussion about my experience with Star Frontiers and then some discussion about about science fiction and science fantasy games, following the talk on the recent Nerd's RPG Variety Cast shows. Longer than I thought it would be.
Resources to check:
"Protect the Frontier" on Black Gate - a review of Star Frontiers
Frontier Explorer - free pdf magazines on Star Frontiers and other material for science fiction RPGs
Podcast Recommendations:
Dead Games Society discussion of Star Frontiers
N.K. Jemisin on the Ezra Klein Show - a master class in world-building (please note that this is the "old" Ezra Klein Show on Vox, now called "Vox Conversations" as Ezra moved to The NY Times)
Great call-ins from:
Jason (Nerd's RPG Variety)
Che (Roleplay Rescue)
Spencer/Free Thrall (Keep off the Borderlands)
S1 E12: "Froth-Tribute" Friday - Your Weekend Gig List ("Dungeon Con")
Short tribute to Froth and the "Five-Minute Friday" - it's definitely not as good as the real thing and runs a bit long, but hopefully this gives folks something interesting to check out this weekend. Specifically - Dungeon Con, if only for the virtual village and inn:
Link to visit the Dungeon Con Virtual Village and Inn (and see the convention line-up):
https://goodman-games.com/blog/2021/05/28/friday-lineup-for-dungeon-con-online/
Dungeon Con sign-up and events page:
https://tabletop.events/conventions/dungeon-con-online
S1 E11: Let's Spark Joy
Talking about what a minimal rpg (or DM) set would be, after first rambling about approaches to "minimalism" and trying to see what sparks more joy - 5e or DCC.
References: The inspiration for a minimal rpg set came from Kelsey at the Arcane Library (website: https://www.thearcanelibrary.com) and her fantastic minimal DM set video
If you are interested in minimalism more broadly, please check out:
"Youtube" channels to explore:
Kelsey's Arcane Library
Dael Kingsmill's Monarchs Factory (making Australia proud)
The introduction music is sampled from the start of Belly's "Now They'll Sleep." They can be found at https://bellyofficial.com, where they are very excited about the bees...
S1 E10: Required Reading Sessions
Some thoughts on reading RPG books in public, starting with Dungeon Crawl Classics. Then I start a brief tangent discussion on the current 5e hardback books Wizards of the Coast produces. There is some talk of the original TSR Marvel Superheroes RPG. I thought it would be a short episode, but I suppose I rambled on for quite a bit...
Thanks to Che for the call-in (Roleplay Rescue)
Links mentioned:
Classic Marvel (TSR game) Forever
Indie RPG Reading Club by Paul Beakley
Podcast to consider:
Diceology by Mad Jay Zero
S1 E9: The Old, the New, and the Free - Part 4
Trying to conclude my discussions with some thoughts on the Free Kriegsspiel Revolution (FKR).
Links to content mentioned in the show:
d66 Classless Kobolds has a lot of FKR material: Basic explanation of FKR and 20 games to answer the d66 kobolds design challenge to build an "FKR game"
Darkworm Colt from Norbert Matausch has a lot of great FKR content. Norbert also publishes the Never-ending Drachenschwanz zine, found at https://matausch.itch.io/
Lastly, Revenant Quill posted a list of good FKR games
Podcasts to Consider:
The Lost Bay: https://anchor.fm/thelostbay
Glowburn: http://podcast.glowburn.org
Thanks to Call-ins from:
Daniel from Bandit’s Keep
Jason from Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast
Che from Role-play Rescue
The introduction contains a clip from Belly's "Now They'll Sleep," from the 1995 release "King." I would put King on my list of 5 albums for a desert island, only 5 albums to listen to forever, etc... it's that good.
S1 E8: The Old, the New, and the Free - part 3
More lengthy discussion about some of "new" RPG games/systems (to me, at least) - with thoughts on PBtA and cypher system games from an outsider's view.
Mentioned on this show:
Good historical look at the OSR is found at the OSR Simulacrum blog.
If you have not seen No Thank you Evil, a great RPG for kids (and anyone), check it out at the website: http://www.nothankyouevil.com
For some FKR inspiration, check out https://d66kobolds.blogspot.com
Podcast recommendation: The Rolistes
Thank you to the call-ins from:
Jason: Nerd's RPG Variety Cast
Daniel: Bandit's Keep
Che: Roleplay Rescue
The introduction features a clip from Belly's "Now They'll Sleep," a track from the excellent album King. Still always fills me with joy to hear the opening of this song...
S1 E7: The Old, the New, and the Free - Part 2
More discussions about old school gaming and a look at Matt Finch's "Zen" moments in his Old School Primer
Links:
Jason from Nerd's RPG Variety Cast
The Unbreakable D&D Supplement series https://unbreakablerpg.com
Matt Finch’s Quick Primer for Old School Gaming, found at Lulu
Podcasts to peruse:
Bastionland podcast: https://anchor.fm/bastionland
DM of none: https://dmofnone.libsyn.com
Introduction song is an excerpt from Belly's "Now They'll Sleep." I could listen to this all day...