The Monster's Playbook
By The Monster's Playbook
Set in Minneapolis, MN, our current campaign (The Cover Story) follows the exploits of journalist and ex-cultist Kira Ashwood, supernatural social outcast Mark Clayton, Special Agent Casey Davis, and professional sorceress Theo Nessos as they battle monsters threatening the city.
The Monster's PlaybookApr 23, 2024
Forged in Fire Pt. 4 - Balance (S3E29)
The Kingdoms of There have a vital purpose. A threat to them is a threat to everything. Unfortunately, there are so. Many. Threats. And only Kira, Anna, Mark and Theo—and their friends—know enough to face them. But around here? Knowing is WAY more than half the battle.
Content Warning: Brief mention of suicidal thoughts
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week we're once again featuring a promo for No Latency. Check out this actual play pod on their website, and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice)
Miah Detjen-Wander as Theo Nessos (The Searcher)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen-Wander and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Forged in Fire Pt. 3 - The Right Decision (S3E28)
So here's the plan: Fight fire with fire. It's simple, but it won't be easy. The forge is under the control of an unscrupulous wing of the Magio, the stones that will serve as materials are… unstable at best, and even once they find this forge, what kind of weapon will be strong enough to save the whole world?
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week we're featuring a promo for No Latency. Check out this actual play pod on their website, and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice)
Miah Detjen-Wander as Theo Nessos (The Searcher)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen-Wander and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Forged in Fire Pt. 2 - A Bird in a Cage (S3E27)
What do you do when you're walking around with a weapon that can destroy everything? Keep it pointed at the bad guys. The hunt is on for a legendary forge that can craft vital resources out of the team's most dangerous liabilities. They have more than one mystic stone imbued with the flames from the end of the world. I guess using that stone to build something is.... certainly An Option.
Content Warning: This episode includes depictions of dissociative disorders and confronting an abuser. Additionally, there is a short scene at the end of the episode depicting home hospice care (1:41:30-end).
If you or a loved one are experiencing difficulties, please contact the professionals who can help you. And for more information about Dissociative Identity Disorder visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week we're also featuring a promo for another actual-play podcast, Mage Hand High Five. Check out this Dungeons and Dragons pod on their website, and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice)
Miah Detjen-Wander as Theo Nessos (The Searcher)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen-Wander and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Forged in Fire Pt. 1 - Forward (S3E26)
Okay, it's time once again to ask our favorite question: What the hell do we do now!? The immediate threat from The Magio has been handled, but now an even bigger threat looms. And some of the biggest players in the game want Mark, Theo, Kira and Anna to get on the front lines in a battle they're only just beginning to understand. Lock and load, people.
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week we're also featuring a promo for another actual-play podcast, $2 Creature Feature. Check out this fellow Monster of the Week pod on their website, and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice)
Miah Detjen-Wander as Theo Nessos (The Searcher)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen-Wander and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
The Midnight Council Pt. 3 - Blood of the Centaur (S3E25)
All families have secrets. But when your family is the head of a magical organized crime outfit, your secrets are going to be a little bit bigger than most. We'll have to go pretty deep to get to the bottom of this one. Deep like all the way into the underworld. So pack light, and dress warm. We're going to finish this one way or the other.
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week we're also featuring a promo for another actual-play podcast, The Sprouting. Check out this Call of Cthulhu pod on their website, and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice)
Miah Detjen-Wander as Casey Davis (The Freelancer) and Theo Nessos (The Searcher)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen-Wander and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
The Midnight Council Pt. 2 - One Step at a Time (S3E24)
The Magio has one rule above all others: You do not contact the dead. And Theo Nessos is about to break it. She's going to get to the bottom of the one mystery that's defined her adult life: How and why did Selena Nessos die?
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week we're also featuring a promo for another actual-play podcast, 5 GMs in a Trenchcoat. You can check them out on their website, and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice)
Miah Detjen-Wander as Theo Nessos (The Searcher)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen-Wander and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
The Midnight Council Side Story - Littlebear (S3E23)
Project Littlebear. One of the notorious Nathaniel Rose's pet projects. But what is it? Donovan and Kira go behind enemy lines to see what's behind the project. But where Nathaniel Rose is involved, you just KNOW it's not gonna be a teddy bear factory.
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice)
Miah Detjen-Wander as Casey Davis (The Freelancer) and Theo Nessos (The Searcher)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen-Wander and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
The Midnight Council Pt. 1 - Date Night (S3E22)
If you thought the Nessos siblings were spooky, wait until you meet the rest of The Family. Something is happening behind closed doors in the Magio, and when it comes to our local magical Casa Nostra, that's literally never good.
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week we're also featuring a promo for The Storyteller Squad. Check out this fellow Monster of the Week pod on their website, and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice)
Miah Detjen-Wander as Theo Nessos (The Searcher)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen-Wander and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Ghosts of the Past Pt. 3 - Sonoma (S3E21)
What did you think we meant by "ghosts of the past"?! Someone very important comes back into our story that we thought we might never see again. But… she's been changed, man. She's seen some things. And some stuff. And stunningly, the person best equipped to help her might just be a stoner ghost who just wants to hang out, bro.
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week we're also featuring a promo for another actual-play podcast, Deck of Many Aces. Check out this D&D pod on their website, and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice)
Miah Detjen-Wander as Theo Nessos (The Searcher)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen-Wander and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Ghosts of the Past Pt. 2 - The Young King (S3E20)
The Undying Soldier seems to have made her move, so it's all hands on deck to try to put a stop to the very annoying cult she serves, and the sinister machine she's helping to fuel. To make the stakes even higher, if they can't steal that machine back, they'll have no way to stop the oncoming apocalypse. So y'know. No pressure.
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice)
Miah Detjen-Wander as Theo Nessos (The Searcher)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Ghosts of the Past Pt. 1 - Treasure Machine (S3E19)
The thing about prophecies is you can never be sure if you're better off ignoring them or obeying them. The team decides to split the difference and investigate some mysteries. Can we get in touch with Ember? Can we track down the Heat Sink to stave off the apocalypse? And can we learn anything else from the catchy little ditty we heard by that robot from the future?
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week we're also featuring a promo for Dumb Dumbs and Dragons. Check out this D&D 5e pod on their website, and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice)
Miah Detjen as Theo Nessos (The Searcher)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Home Front Pt. 2 - Study Hall (S3E18)
Now that they've caught their breath, it's time to make a plan. Some big things are happening in the world of the Cover Story, which means the hunters are going to have to do some big things themselves to keep their friends and their world safe. The team is hitting the books, and the bad guys are about to learn that knowing is way more than half the battle.
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week we're also featuring a promo forthe RPG Goblin. Check out this new pod on their LinkTree and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice)
Miah Detjen as Theo Nessos (The Searcher)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Home Front Pt. 1 - Garage Sale Weekend (S3E17)
What do you do after you've trudged through hell and battled the devil himself? If you're Mark Clayton, you go shopping! It's a desperate quest for some normalcy on our show this week. Which always works out GREAT!
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week we're also featuring a promo for another actual-play podcast, Gals and Goblins. Check out this Dungeons and Dragons 5e pod on their LinkTree, and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice)
Miah Detjen as Theo Nessos (The Searcher)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Book Club: Covering the Story (S3 Act 1)
So much has happened, but what does it all mean? Well, we can't tell you everything, but we can tell you how we feel about it. Join the cast as we reminisce on everything that's happened in the first Act of the final Season of The Cover Story. Let's indulge in all that intensity as we revisit the Family Business, Dead Sea, Reaper, Face to Face and Witchwood arcs. WE HAVE A LOT OF FEELINGS!!!!
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
-------
Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice)
Miah Detjen as Casey Davis (The Freelancer) and Theo Nessos (The Searcher)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Witchwood Pt. 4 - Into the Fire (S3E16)
It's time to finally face down Tower—or whatever she's become—as well as her new ally. And if that ally lives There, it is not going to be good. This week on the Cover Story? The Truth Hurts.
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week we're also featuring a promo for another actual-play podcast, Slay the Stars. Check them out on their website, and be sure to listen to their new limited series, Bella's Comet here, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice)
Miah Detjen Theo Nessos (The Searcher)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Witchwood Pt. 3 - Into the Sea (S3E15)
It's true what they say: "Nothing Lives in the Sea Kingdom." But that doesn't mean there isn't something bad lurking inside. Turns out you don't have to be alive to cause problems, and the people our heroes are after are causing some SERIOUS problems.
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week we're also featuring a promo for another actual-play podcast, The Thorne Files. Check out this fellow Monster of the Week pod on their website, and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice)
Miah Detjen-Wander as Theo Nessos (The Searcher)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Blades in the Dark Pt. 2: I Didn't Think I'd Get This Far (Bonus)
Ace, Echo and Wicker head to the very top of the bottom as their hunt for the Glasstown thieves leads them to a Matriarch of the Bridgeway. But their true goal leads them deeper into the underbelly of the town than they'd planned. And the score they're after is not what it seems. As long as they stick to the deal and don't open the case, they should be okay… right?
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the GM
John Wander as Ace (The Hound)
Lauren Johnson as Echo (The Whisper)
Miah Detjen as Wicker (The Lurk)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Blades in the Dark Pt. 1: Welcome to Brickwall (Bonus)
What happens when you take a dyed-in-the-wool crew of Monster of the Week lifers and make them play a different system? Well, it's delightful, that's what. Welcome to Blades of Brickwall. A Blades in the Dark miniseries set in the homebrew city of Brickwall. Ace, Echo and Wicker are a crew of small-time criminals who get a job that could put them in the big leagues and almost immediately find themselves in over their heads. I mean like... instantly.
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the GM
John Wander as Ace (The Hound)
Lauren Johnson as Echo (The Whisper)
Miah Detjen as Wicker (The Lurk)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Book Club: In a World
Welcome back to BOOK CLUB! This time John had the chance to talk with David (Trials of the Apocalypse), Quinn (Monster Hour) and Natalie (The Storyteller Squad) about how they create game worlds that capture the hearts and minds of players and audiences alike. This is an amazing peek behind the curtain of some of our favorite shows that you won't want to miss!
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
Thank you to our wonderful guests for joining us this episode. Be sure to check out their shows wherever you get your podcasts.
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Cast:
John Wander
Jonny Grubb
Quinn Majeski (Monster Hour)
David Easley (Trials of the Apocalypse)
Natalie Fuinha (The Storyteller Squad)
This episode was edited by Miah Wander
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Witchwood Pt. 2 - Into the Dark (S3E14)
The Witchwood is an ancient tree, a boundless source of arcane power. But for years, it's been lost to the world. Turns out, it's not so lost anymore! Good news: the team's new ally can use powerful magic again. Bad news? So can whoever has found it. Yeah, we don't know what they're up to but we know we want to stop them.
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week we're also featuring a promo for the Stories and Sorceries podcast. Check out this D&D 5e pod on their Twitter and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice)
Miah Detjen as Theo Nessos (The Searcher)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Witchwood Pt. 1 - Into the Fog (S3E13)
It's another case of bad news, worse news. Bad news? Otherworldly fog is invading the city. Worse news? Kira's apprentice Gad has gone missing investigating it. By now the team knows that the best way to get ahead of something weird is to bring in something weirder. And that's exactly what they do by reaching out to someone from Mark's mother's former coven.
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week we're also featuring a promo for another actual-play podcast, Seasons of Skyrend. Check out this pod on their website, and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice)
Miah Detjen as Theo Nessos (The Searcher)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Face to Face Pt. 4 - Less Afraid (S3E12)
It’s time for an assault on the Stroud Manor. That’s where their friend Aaron is, it’s where their enemy Nathaniel Rose is. It’s time to finally put an end to this. But what, exactly, has Nathaniel been doing this whole time? And will it be too late to stop him? Content Warning: This episode contains violence, body horror, and dissociative episodes.
Face to Face Pt. 3 - Bound in Blood (S3E11)
The team gets a lead on their arch-nemesis… from their other arch-nemesis. But Nathaniel Rose isn’t the only monster stalking the city tonight. It’s time for those famous last words: “Let’s Split Up, Gang!” But this’ll probably go all right. … Right?
Content Warning: This episode contains violence and some brief moments of body horror.
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week we're also featuring a promo for another actual-play podcast, The Lucky Die. Check out this DnD 5e pod on their website, and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice)
Miah Detjen as Casey Davis (The Freelancer) and Theo Nessos (The Searcher)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Off the Books: Goat Crashers with Shrimp & Crits! (Bonus)
We turned some shrimps into goats. That’s right, we invited the crew of Shrimp and Crits to play a little game called Goat Crashers with Miah and Lauren. It’s simple, the players are goats and they want to party!! Problem is, the humans are hosting the party and they don’t want goat guests. So the goats have no other option but to PARTY HARD and access their power of chaos. -------
If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
Thank you to Shrimp and Crits for joining us for this chaotic one-shot. You can find them on their website, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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Cast:
Miah Detjen as the Goat Master
Lauren Johnson as Gina the Fainting Goat
Ian Mauldin as Jerry Rice the Pygmy Goat
Cap as Bucephalus aka "Bucky" the Satanic Goat
Katie as Sad Janice the Big-Horned Goat
Ryan as Ken. Griffy Jr. the Fancy Goat
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Face to Face Pt. 2 - The Lion and the Mouse (S3E10)
With a missing friend and a killer on the loose, things are getting a little tense around supernatural Minneapolis. And they’re about to get worse. Because whoever’s out there hurting people, isn’t only hurting them. They’re harvesting. But for what purpose? And will the team be able to stop them in time? Content Warning: Dissociative Episodes
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week we're also featuring a promo for Tabletop Tiddies! Check out this queer and feminist TTRPG podcast on their website, and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice)
Miah Detjen as Casey Davis (The Freelancer) and Theo Nessos (The Searcher)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Face to Face Pt. 1 - Doc (S3E9)
An unexpected phone call puts the team on their very least favorite kind of case: A Missing Person. And, in true Cover Story fashion, it gets worse. There’s a serial killer on the loose. A set of gruesome murders around the city may be something less-than-natural. And with that kind of danger out there, you do NOT want to have one of your friends missing.
Content Warning: Dissociative Episodes
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week we're also featuring a promo for Merely Roleplayers. Check out this roleplaying audio drama on their website, and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice)
Miah Detjen as Casey Davis (The Freelancer) and Theo Nessos (The Searcher)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Reaper Pt. 3 - Paths (S3E8)
Confrontation! The team finds themselves up against an enemy where just killing it might not be an option. So they'll have to fight smarter, not harder, if they're going to make it out. As always, after the fight comes something even worse: Consequences. Content Warning: Dissociative episodes, emotional abuse
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice)
Miah Detjen as Theo Nessos (The Searcher)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Reaper Pt. 2 - Injured Things (S3E7)
It's just about as normal a week as we get around here. Bowling dates, long shifts at work, and quality time with loved ones. But someone with familiar glowing tattoos seems to be following our heroes around the city. Is this who we think it is? Or is it—somehow—even worse?
Content Warning: Reference to Self-Harm
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week we're also featuring a promo for the podcast Ghosts on a Train. Be sure to check them out on their website, and listen to them wherever you get your podcasts.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice)
Miah Detjen as Theo Nessos (The Searcher)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Off the Books: Goons in Toyland (Bonus)
A child’s imagination brings a toy to life, helping them forget the world as it is and protecting the child from what lurks in the shadows. Like many kids, they grow up and unfortunately lose or outgrow their toys. Some lost toys are not always unloved toys. Sometimes they are misplaced. This may be the case for Polly the lost Polly Pocket, Commander Midnight the lost GI Joe, Mikey the lost Mr. Mike Rockin' Robot and Queen Wildberry Empress of Shadow aka Snuggles the lost Furby. Growing up is tough, but nostalgia is forever.
Join us for this special one-shot of Goons in Toyland GM'd by Miah!
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
Be sure to check out Goons in Toyland by Mr. Ray over on his Itchio page and support other game creators this International Tabletop Day!
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Cast:
Miah Detjen as The GM
Jonny Grubb as Commander Midnight
Sarah Baker as Polly Pocket
Brittney as Queen Wildberry Empress of Shadow (Storyteller Squad)
Pat as Mr. Mike Rockin' Robot (Trials of the Apocalypse)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Book Club: Act Like a Hero (Bonus)
Welcome back to Book Club! This one is a must for anyone looking to level up their roleplaying. Lauren had the absolute pleasure to speak with fellow podcasters and self-proclaimed "theater kids" Allard (The Dice Crisis), Cap (Shrimp and Crits), Ghost (Dungeons and Pop), and Heather (Nameless Monsters). Come listen as we discuss the highs and lows of roleplaying, tips for getting into character, and advice for better roleplaying with others around the table. -------
If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
Thank you to Allard, Cap, Ghost and Heather for joining us for this episode. Be sure to check out their show links below!
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Cast and Special Guests:
Lauren Johnson
Allard (The Dice Crisis)
Cap (Shrimp and Crits)
Ghost (Dungeons and Pop)
Heather (Nameless Monsters)
This episode was edited by Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Reaper Pt. 1 - Making Plans (S3E6)
The team is out of the Dead Sea, but they're not out of the woods yet! The first steps back on solid ground are shaky. Obviously, they've wound up in the last place on Earth they want to be. Plus, something is wrong with Mark's "brother" Lowry. And who's that sneaking around? It's The Invisible Family. And they do not like being interrupted.
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week we're also featuring a promo for the podcast, Pest Control. Check out this fellow Monster of the Week pod on their website, and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.
Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Protector)
Miah Detjen as Theo Nessos (The Hex)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
The Dead Sea Pt. 2 - Nothing Lives in the Sea (S3E5)
It's a return to THERE. But this time, they have a couple of advantages. First, they already have a guide. But more than that, with Mark's history returned, he can fully navigate the mysterious Kingdom of the Sky. That advantage will only take them so far, because Kira Ashwood is in the Sea Kingdom. And you know what they say about the Sea…
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week we're also featuring a promo for another actual-play podcast, Cybertopia. Be sure to check them out on their Itchio website, and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice)
Miah Detjen as Theo Nessos (The Hex)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
The Dead Sea Pt. 1 - Where is Kira Ashwood? (S3E4)
Kira Ashwood is missing. Her hunt for The Tower sent her somewhere Anna, Theo and Mark cannot follow. The good news is, they have an ally who will know how to track her down. The bad news is, they might not like what they find.
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week we're also featuring a promo for another actual-play podcast, Raven's Realm. Check out this Dungeons and Dragons 5e pod on their LinkTree and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice)
Miah Detjen as Theo Nessos (The Hex)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Family Business Pt. 3 - The Grim Ledger (S3E3)
The true culprit has been sussed out, but what is she up to? Kira, Anna, Mark and Theo track down the villainous Tower, and do what they can to get to the bottom of her sinister plans. What they find will take them deeper than they may want to go… Content warning: Substance abuse -------
If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week's promo is for the actual-play podcast, A Fools Quest. Be sure to check them out on their website, and wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Protector)
Miah Detjen as Theo Nessos (The Hex)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Family Business Pt. 2 - Four Wings (S3E2)
Content Warning: Self-harm
"I'm Quatraile!" Mark, Theo, Kira, and Anna meet a mysterious captive with more secrets than she knows what to do with. But getting her free isn't going to be easy. And not just because of the horde of monsters descending on the team. There's something odd going on with the girl. Something… not quite alive.
In Memory of Betsy: This episode is dedicated to our dear friend Betsy, who recently passed away from Stage 4 Cholangiocarcinoma. Betsy was a badass, a talented writer, and a wonderful human being who we miss greatly. If you're able, please join us in donating to Betsy's Go Fund Me or to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation. Thank you for being our friend, Betsy. -------
If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week we're also featuring a promo for another actual-play podcast, The Dice Collectors. Be sure to check them out wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Protector)
Miah Detjen as Theo Nessos (The Hex)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Book Club: Safety First (Bonus)
Welcome back to BOOK CLUB! The fictional worlds we build in TTRPGs can get pretty dangerous, but the people at the table should always feel safe. Jonny talks with Natalie, Keeper of the Storyteller Squad and Zoe, GM of The Writer’s Room to talk about what makes roleplaying a uniquely vulnerable experience for players and GMs alike, how to make your table welcoming to all, and how working with your players to build and maintain a safe space to game can make your stories so much better
In Memory of Betsy: This episode is dedicated to our dear friend Betsy, who recently passed away from Stage 4 Cholangiocarcinoma. Betsy was a badass, a talented writer, and a wonderful human being who we miss greatly. If you're able, please join us in donating to Betsy's Go Fund Me or to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation. Thank you for being our friend, Betsy.
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Safety Tools Resources:
- X-Card by John Stavropoulos
- The Digital RPG Consent Checklist
- Toolkit: The OK Check-In
- TTRPG Safety Toolkit by Kienna Shaw and Lauren Bryant-Monk
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, subscribe to our Patreon, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
Special thanks to our guests Natalie and Zoe for joining us. Be sure to check out The Storyteller Squad and The Writer's Room wherever you get your podcasts.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
Natalie: Keeper, The Storyteller Squad
Zoe: Narrator, The Writer's Room
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Family Business Pt. 1 - Investigators (S3E1)
SEASON THREE PREMIERE!! Life has gone back to what passes for normal for Mark, Theo, Kira and Anna. But a new mystery comes knocking—literally. Mark is summoned to take on an investigation for a familiar client: Rex Crook. But what does it mean to go into business with the city's pre-eminent supernatural crime lord? And what could he possibly need help with?
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week we're also featuring a promo for another actual-play podcast, Dice Populi. Be sure to check them out on their website, and wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Protector)
Miah Detjen as Theo Nessos (The Hex)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Book Club: Covering the Story (Act 3)
That was nuts, right!? In this edition of BOOK CLUB we'll answer Jonny's favorite question: "What was everybody's least favorite part?" We'll look back on not just the last, biggest mystery of the year, but at the entire second season. We'll look at how far our characters have come, and talk about how some of them will be moving forward, even as others are moving on.
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Protector)
Miah Detjen as Casey Davis (The Freelancer) and Theo Nessos (The Hex)
Sarah Baker as Tiff Torres (The Hex)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Season 2 Epilogue (S2E33)
It's over. It's finally over. But then… nothing is really over. The threat is ended, but the damage is done. As Mark, Kira, Anna and Theo reflect on the havoc The Drum has wrought on the world and on their lives, Casey looks forward to the future. As they know better than anyone: No matter what happens, the most important thing is what you do next.
Content Warning: This episode contains mentions of child abuse and dissociative disorders. To learn more about Dissociative Identity Disorder visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Submit your questions for our Season 2 Q&A by midnight February 21st by DMing us on social media, emailing us at monstersplaybook@gmail.com, or in our Discord Server.
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch or support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week we're also featuring a promo for another actual-play podcast, Goblets and Gays. Check out this queer, Pathfinder 2e podcast on their website, and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Protector)
Miah Detjen as Casey Davis (The Freelancer) and Theo Nessos (The Hex)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
The DRUM Pt. 6 - Humanity (S2E32)
THE BATTLE OF THE BARN. The Drum descends upon the Dress Barn. Will Casey, Mark, Theo, Kira and Anna be able to stand against the combined might of the Director and his minions? Maybe, if Captain Torres, Donovan, Dockers, The Sparks Brothers, Mark's Mom and all of Dawnbreak have anything to say about it!
Content Warning: This episode contains mentions of child abuse and dissociative disorders. To learn more about Dissociative Identity Disorder visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch or support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week we're also featuring a promo for another actual-play podcast, Power Word Fail. Be sure to check them out on their website, and wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Protector)
Miah Detjen as Casey Davis (The Freelancer) and Theo Nessos (The Hex)
Sarah Baker as Tiff Torres (The Hex)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Book Club: Deep Cuts (Bonus)
Book Club editor edition! Wondering how The Monster's Playbook sounds so good? Or who's the music magician behind some of your favorite podcasts? Miah geeked out with fellow podcast editors Ian from Shrimp and Crits and Matt from Debate This! learning about how they fell into the seat of podcast editor, what are their computer setups and what grinds their audio gears. Take a peak behind the curtain into the world of poor posture, low lighting, 12-button computer mice, and big headphones of our beloved audio engineers.
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch or support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better. And check out Shrimp and Crits and Storyteller Squad on the Podcast Nexus server (formerly CastJunkie).
Thank you to Ian and Matt for joining us for this installment of Book Club! Be sure to check out their shows wherever you get your podcasts. You can find Ian on Shrimp and Crits, and Matt on Debate This!
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Cast:
Miah Detjen (Editor, The Monster's Playbook)
Ian Mauldin (Editor, Shrimp and Crits and Monster Hour)
Matt Cole (Editor, Debate This! and Storyteller Squad)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
The DRUM pt. 5 - The Director (S2E31)
Pieces are being moved into place on both sides of the board. The end, as they say, is nigh. Mark and Kira are learning more about themselves than ever before, but what will they do with what they learn? Captain Torres is reuniting with allies from her past, for better and for worse. Anna and Theo are getting downright experimental with their magical skills. And Casey? She’s about to go to war with the highest authority in her world: The Director, himself.
Content Warning: Violence, Death
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch or support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week we're also featuring a promo for another actual-play podcast, Ballad of the Seven Dice. Be sure to check them out on their website and listen to them wherever you get your podcasts.
Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Protector)
Miah Detjen as Casey Davis (The Freelancer) and Theo Nessos (The Hex)
Sarah Baker as Tiff Torres (The Hex)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
The DRUM Pt. 4 - Infiltration (S2E30)
Sneaking into your own workplace shouldn’t be this stressful. But EARS isn’t just any office. It’s the home base of the secretive and sinister Drum, and the deeper in they go, the harder it will be to get out in one piece.
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch or support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week we're also featuring a promo for another actual-play podcast, Slay the Stars. Check out this DnD 5e pod on their website, and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.
Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Protector)
Miah Detjen as Casey Davis (The Freelancer) and Theo Nessos (The Hex)
Sarah Baker as Tiff Torres (The Hex)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Off the Books: Bid Around the Bush (Bonus)
Have you ever watched a reality tv series like Storage Wars and thought, "Man, I wish there was a ttrpg for this"? Look no further than Bid Around the Bush, a one-page GM-less game, where the PCs try to make a profit from abandoned storage units. Join Jonny, Miah, John and special guest Ian Mauldin for this wild one-shot as their characters battle it out and risk it all in the hopes of finding treasure, not just trash, in their storage units.
Content Warning: Sexual Themes
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch or support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
Special thanks to Ian for playing with us this episode. Be sure to check out his podcast, Shrimp and Crits on their website, and buy yourself Bid Around the Bush for $1 over on Ian's Itchio.
Cast:
Jonny Grubb as Brett Havers
John Wander as Collin Grey
Miah Detjen as Bradi Wayne
Ian Mauldin as John Lasthand Jr.
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
The DRUM Pt. 3 - Preparation (S2E29)
Knowledge is power. And Mark, Casey, Theo, Tiff, Anna & Kira are going to need as much of both as they can get. The Drum isn’t just any threat and this won’t be just any mission. They’ll only get one shot. So they better not miss…
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch or support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
This week we're also featuring a promo for Don't Wreck Yourself. Check out this pod on their website, and on Twitter, and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Protector)
Miah Detjen as Casey Davis (The Freelancer) and Theo Nessos (The Hex)
Sarah Baker as Tiff Torres (The Hex)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
The DRUM Pt. 2 - Blooming Silence (S2E28)
Sick of being on the wrong side of the upper hand, the team plans to move against The Drum. Fortunately, they’ve made just about as many friends as enemies. And it’s time to call in some favors.
Content Warning: This episode contains instances of dissociative episodes. To learn more about Dissociative Identity Disorder visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch or support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week we're also featuring a promo for the Debate This! podcast. Check them out on their website, and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Protector)
Miah Detjen as Casey Davis (The Freelancer) and Theo Nessos (The Hex)
Sarah Baker as Tiff Torres (The Hex)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
The DRUM Pt. 1 - Agent M (S2E27)
Captain Torres returns. With horrible news. She's uncovered a troubling operation begun years ago by none other than The Drum. But it gets worse. Because somehow, the operation involves Kira Ashwood herself. And they're running out of time to try and stop it.
Content Warning: This episode contains instances of dissociative episodes. To learn more about Dissociative Identity Disorder visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch or support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week we're also featuring a promo for another actual-play podcast, Bad Heroes. Check out this Pathfinder 1E pod on their website, and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Protector)
Miah Detjen as Casey Davis (The Freelancer) and Theo Nessos (The Hex)
Sarah Baker as Tiff Torres (The Hex)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Book Club: Covering the Story (Act 2)
Welcome back to BOOK CLUB. We're entering the final arc of our season, and rushing headlong into finally going up against the sinister Drum that's been hounding our heroes all season. But that isn't the only thing they've been up against. Exciting new characters, unsettling reunions, and Mark finally got a bird! Let's check in with our players and their characters before we step into the final act.
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Support the Show: Follow The Monster's Playbook on social media, support us on Ko-Fi, and check out our merch store by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Protector)
Miah Detjen as Casey Davis (The Freelancer) and Theo Nessos (The Hex)
Sarah Baker as Tiff Torres (The Hex)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Double Cross Pt. 3 - Salt in a Mortal Wound (S2E26)
It's the final faceoff against the enemy team. But there's more going on here than the present tense. Their enemy has ties to everything from the Drum to the Invisible Family itself. And the only thing more important than winning today is finding out how to fight for tomorrow.
Content Warning: This episode contains instances of dissociative episodes and verbal abuse. To learn more about Dissociative Identity Disorder visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
DirectMe Profile (Support the Show): Follow The Monster's Playbook on social media, head to our website, and check out our new merch store by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
This week we're also featuring a promo for another actual-play podcast, Once Upon a Monster of the Week. Check out this fellow Monster of the Week pod on their website, and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.
Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Protector)
Miah Detjen as Casey Davis (The Freelancer) and Theo Nessos (The Hex)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.
Double Cross Pt. 2 - Ashworld (S2E25)
Kira and Tommy may be locked up, but they're not alone. Will another group of prisoners help them escape? Or are they another threat? Meanwhile, Mark, Anna, Casey and Theo try to call in some big guns to fight their way in. Trouble is, those big guns might just belong to their enemy.
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If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends!
Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.
Support the Show: Follow The Monster's Playbook on social media, head to our website, and check out our new merch store by heading to our DirectMe Profile.
This week's promo is for Nameless Monsters. Check out this fellow Monster of the Week pod on their website, and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Cast:
Jonny Grubb as the Keeper
John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine)
Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Protector)
Miah Detjen as Casey Davis (The Freelancer) and Theo Nessos (The Hex)
This episode was edited by Miah Detjen and Lauren Johnson.
Theme song by Jonny Grubb.
Cover art by Gabe Schmidt.
Incidental music from Epidemic Sound.