Rene Plays Games
Hi! I’m Rene (pronounced Rainy) and I want to share my love of roleplaying games with you! Join me as I play through smaller publisher games, talk design and gaming topics with friends, and explore all the ways you can be a better game master or player.
Listen on:
Episodes
Tuesday Aug 06, 2024
Tuesday Aug 06, 2024
Welcome back to the developing trilogy of the bot-human construct Nomad ISIL-8 in NOTORIOUS and OUTSIDERS by Jason Price, a.k.a. Always Checkers Publishing.
ISIL-8 has narrowly avoided the Trade Alliance and escaped through FTL travel to a remote corner of the galaxy. Through interrogating the mystic-marked assassin nomad and covert communications to ally nomads and other contacts throughout the galaxy, the bot-construct narrows down their answers to a small section of space on their star chart. But, as they close in, a terrifyingly well-encrypted message from an Old Empire base goads ISIL-8 to a crystalline planet known as Nos, where the mystic-marked have been living in refuge for years.
The assassin warns ISIL-8 that it's a trap, but the allure of answers and freedom for their clone batch siblings is too great... On Nos, ISIL-8 finds that Ka Lirra's efforts to deprive the Old Empire of the bot-construct army did not end their efforts, as a new species known as Ghol have taken over the program with incomplete notes, which has led to unfortunate results.
Will ISIL-8 be able to stop the cloning facilities and free their kind? The trilogy nears its conclusion...
Did you like all those sound effects and music?! All episodes during the month of August will be using music from Monument Studios, who is running a Kickstarter campaign for their Fantasy+ collection of TTRPG music, ambience, sound effects, and more! Click the link to sign up and be notified when the campaign goes live and get TONS of incredible, professional quality music for your tabletop games!
Where to Follow Rene Plays Games:
Instagram | Facebook | X/Twitter | Threads | DMs After Dark
email: RenePlaysGamesPod@gmail.com
Music in the Episode:
Theme Song written & produced by Dan Pomfret | @danfrombothbands
Dying Light B by Monument Studios
Slow Burn A by Monument Studios
Odyssey by Monument Studios
Sci Fi Idle Ambience by Monument Studios
Friends by Monument Studios
Idle Synths by Monument Studios
Boss Fight B by Monument Studios
Out of Time Atmos by Monument Studios
Chase by Monument Studios
Weak Blaster A by Monument Studios
The Moment Before by Monument Studios
Explosion in Distance by Monument Studios
Explosion A by Monument Studios
Explosion C by Monument Studios
Get Out Atmos by Monument Studios
Intervention by Monument Studios
Simple Hybrid Combat by Monument Studios
Deception by Monument Studios
Alice Theme A by Monument Studios
Eleventh Hour by Monument Studios
Reload A by Monument Studios
Blaster A by Monument Studios
Laser by Monument Studios
Tuesday Aug 13, 2024
Tuesday Aug 13, 2024
Welcome to another episode of Perspective Checks where I sit down with friends and folks from the TTRPG world and discuss a topic of their choice!
This month's episode concerns the power of music, ambience, and sound in TTRPG play, and I'm joined by brothers Noah & Tyler that make up Monument Studios, which is launching a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign for their upcoming Fantasy+ app full of music, ambience, and sound effects for fantasy, horror, sci-fi, and more.
We talk about their history with music, how their journey led them to doing ambience and tailoring things towards the TTRPG hobby space, and more.
The Kickstarter launches on August 20th, but you can click here to sign up for the pre-launch and get notified when it goes live. There will be tons of audio assets in every tier, as well as bonus maps from Domille's Wondrous Works, VTT assets, and stretch goals to get Discord plug-ins and more.
Where to Follow Rene Plays Games:
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter/X | Threads | DMs After Dark
email: RenePlaysGamesPod@gmail.com
Music in the Episode:
Tavern Fiddle by Monument Studios
Heroic Orchestra Mix B by Monument Studios
Tuesday Aug 20, 2024
Tuesday Aug 20, 2024
Welcome back for the explosive finale of our trilogy following the bot-human construct Nomad ISIL-8 in NOTORIOUS and OUTSIDERS by Jason Price, a.k.a. Always Checkers Publishing.
The Admiral's Fleet has taken over Nos and set up Chedo Robay and his Ghol assistants to reverse engineer the cloning program designs stolen by ISIL-8's first lead, Ka Lirra (as Aura Day). The Trade Alliance has followed ISIL-8's ship's signature out to Nos and is rooting around for exclusive IP about the clones themselves, and ISIL-8 is just trying to put an end to the program once and for all...
In the end, our bot-human construct tracks down their target in a crystalline cavern, but is busy dealing with the Ghol as the Admiral gets away... Will ISIL-8 stop the cloning program and set those similar to them free? Or will the Old Empire continue experimenting until they have the unbeatable army they need to end the New Uprising?
Did you like all those sound effects and music?! All episodes during the month of August will be using music from Monument Studios, who is running a Kickstarter campaign for their Fantasy+ collection of TTRPG music, ambience, sound effects, and more! Click the link to sign up and be notified when the campaign goes live and get TONS of incredible, professional quality music for your tabletop games!
Where to Follow Rene Plays Games:
Instagram | Facebook | X/Twitter | Threads | DMs After Dark
email: RenePlaysGamesPod@gmail.com
Music in the Episode:
Theme Song written & produced by Dan Pomfret | @danfrombothbands
To the Stars by Monument Studios
Stardust Instrumental by Monument Studios
Starscape by Monument Studios
Loading Screen B by Monument Studios
Simple Pulse by Monument Studios
Pre Battle by Monument Studios
Call to Arms by Monument Studios
Hollow by Monument Studios
Alice Guitar by Monument Studios
Foreshadow B by Monument Studios
Aggressive Maneuvers by Monument Studios
Eleventh Hour by Monument Studios
Paragon by Monument Studios
At the End of All Things by Monument Studios
Tuesday Aug 27, 2024
Tuesday Aug 27, 2024
We're back to Mining Media for this month, because I keep seeing "How do you hack 5e to do Pokemon?!" and I don't have the hair to tear out over it... so let's talk bringing everyone's favorite monster catcher/befriender to the table!
The thing about Pokemon is that it's so much more than just an 8-bit handheld video game now, there's multiple TV series, video game series, manga, movies (even a live-action one with the guy who plays Deadpool!), a card game! So where do you begin thinking about how to port to the table with dice?
I think the thing that most RPGs made to replicate the Pokemon experience miss is the relationship between the Trainer and the Pokemon. Lots of games have been made that break down the battle mechanics of the games REALLY well, but that's really not as interesting as the story of the Trainers in a world with Pokemon, which makes the environmental storytelling potential INCREDIBLE.
So here are the take home points:
If you're looking for games to play that can do Pokemon, I'd recommend Animon Story by Zak Barouh, or the podcast Critical Ditto's hack of Monster of the Week, appropriately called Pocket Monster of the Week
Focus less on the combat and worrying about the numbers when battling, and more on the relationship and out-of-combat potential of your 'mon pals. Those are going to be what make your story shine more than the battling.
Lean into the possibilities of the world where creatures can have such profound impacts on their surroundings, and make interesting encounters about problems from those that don't just have solutions involving combat.
Make your evil organizations understandable given the truths of the region you're playing in and make sure they're defensible by the NPCs in the world, otherwise why would they still be around?
And, if you're still reading this, go get some of the Pokemon Adventures manga, they're so good...
Download Rene's One-Page RPG One Last Quest and bring back your favorite characters for one more mission as elderly versions of themselves!
Where to Follow Rene Plays Games:
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter/X | Threads | DMs After Dark
email: RenePlaysGamesPod@gmail.com
Music in the Episode:
Theme Song written & produced by Dan Pomfret | @danfrombothbands
Chaconne Dreamy by Monument Studios
Tuesday Sep 03, 2024
Tuesday Sep 03, 2024
Hello and welcome to a new solo RPG series, switching up tone completely and exploring the wonderfully cozy journaling game Koriko: A Magical Year by Jack Harrison & Mousehole Press, creators of other incredible solo games like Artefact, Orbital, and Bucket of Bolts (Jack also did layout for Notorious & Outsiders, so clearly he knows what he's doing)!
Koriko is a game about a teenage witch leaving their home village to spend one year in a new city where they will work their craft, expand their horizons, and learn to be the witch they are destined to become. Very obviously paying homage to its inspirations, Koriko is a beautiful book in both art and writing, and I'm very excited to break away from my usual method of solo journaling strictly through audio to actually write in a journal to create the incredible artifact that sticking to this ritual will become.
Volume 1: Departure introduces Eugenia "Genie" Finch, our young witch with excellent style, wild ginger hair, and a three-eyed mink familiar named Mog who is leaving her northern forests village of Bonetto to find somewhere new.
Where to Follow Rene Plays Games:
Instagram | Facebook | X/Twitter | Threads | DMs After Dark
email: RenePlaysGamesPod@gmail.com
Music in the Episode:
Theme Song written & produced by Dan Pomfret | @danfrombothbands
Handel Improv by Monument Studios
Mindfulness Harp by Monument Studios
Elven Glade from TabletopAudio.com
Magic Shoppe from TabletopAudio.com
Secret Garden from TabletopAudio.com
Wizard's Tower from TabletopAudio.com
Large Book, Manual, Page Turn 5 sound effect from ZapSplat
Tuesday Sep 10, 2024
Tuesday Sep 10, 2024
Welcome to another episode of Perspective Checks where I sit down with friends and folks from the TTRPG world and discuss what they love about this wonderful hobby!
I was so honored to have this month's guest Michael Low on to chat about his philosophy in all things TTRPGs. Michael is a teacher and game designer whose work you can hear on his podcast Stories RPG, his writing classes which use RPGs over at Luck of Legends, and check out all his games on his Itch.io page!
Not only am I a *huge* fan of Michael's approach to games, his dedication to all ages meaning telling universal, core stories, but I was lucky enough to catch him on the day that he got the thumbs up to talk all about his new project InfiniBrix, which he's creating with Rob Hebert aka Nerdy Paper Games that uses the toys you have around the house to tell stories!
I could gush all day about just being able to nerd out with Michael, but I hope you enjoy our chat! It's probably my longest Perspective Checks, and I will not apologize for a single second!
Tuesday Sep 17, 2024
Tuesday Sep 17, 2024
Welcome back for episode 2 of Koriko: A Magical Year by Jack Harrison & Mousehole Press, who just so happen to be running a Kickstarter campaign to print some of their other great games like Artefact, Bucket of Bolts, and CounterPart! Go check it out!
In this episode, our teenage witch Genie settles into the city of Koriko and meets her first Confidants - NPCs who will be recurring throughout the story as we feel like interacting with them, interspersed with the moments and events of every day life throughout the year. We start using the gameplay loop of tarot cards and dice stacking as we make our way through the next 6 volumes that will make up our Magical Year!
Where to Follow Rene Plays Games:
Instagram | Facebook | X/Twitter | Threads | DMs After Dark
email: RenePlaysGamesPod@gmail.com
Music in the Episode:
Theme Song written & produced by Dan Pomfret | @danfrombothbands
Covert Ops from TabletopAudio.com
Elven Glade from TabletopAudio.com
Haven from TabletopAudio.com
Magical Shoppe from TabletopAudio.com
Solemn Vow from TabletopAudio.com
Reverie, Part 2 by Vindsvept
Tuesday Sep 24, 2024
Tuesday Sep 24, 2024
Welcome back to Mining Media where we turn your binging into better TTRPG experiences by using every monitoring drone we have access to to analyze every last bit of information and set our performance stability to 98% efficiency.
This week we're talking about The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells, a far future dystopian sci-fi series that follows Murderbot, the Sec-Unit with freedom from its governor module as it explores the universe with free will for the first time and protects humans from being stupid and hurting themselves while just trying to watch its media.
It's an incredible series and inspired my character ISIL-8 in my NOTORIOUS Trilogy Mode series.
The take home points are:
Go smaller with your adventure arcs and keep them contained to small 1-2 location scenarios which build on the bigger world and campaign / story you're weaving at the table
Consider how perspectives would flavor interactions between characters based on the major player factions of the world (governments, corporations, guilds) and the people who operate within them (humans, non-humans, family units, etc.)
Homework: take one of your favorite books, episodes, etc. and plot it out like a pointcrawl with different types of encounters to be undertaken in a small, contained arc.
In case you're reading this and are feeling incredibly generous, I started a Ko-Fi page to cover the cost of podcast hosting, video conferencing, and transcription software subscriptions. No pressure, but if you donate I'll virtually hug and/or hi-five you, your call.
Where to Follow Rene Plays Games:
LinkTree | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter/X | Threads | DMs After Dark
email: RenePlaysGamesPod@gmail.com
Music in the Episode:
Theme Song written & produced by Dan Pomfret | @danfrombothbands
Let's Stay In by Braden Deal from Uppbeat | https://uppbeat.io/t/braden-deal/lets-stay-in
Tuesday Oct 01, 2024
Tuesday Oct 01, 2024
Welcome back to more Koriko: A Magical Year by Jack Harrison & Mousehole Press!
In this episode, our teenage witch Genie and her friendly 3-eyed mink Mog are pretty well established in the city of Koriko, and people are starting to come to her for help! We see some friends made from the last volume and make some new acquaintances in the city, as well, including the city itself, as Genie continues to learn more about herself, her magic, and the world beyond Bonetto as Spring comes and goes in Koriko.
Where to Follow Rene Plays Games:
LinkTree | Instagram | Facebook | X/Twitter | Threads | DMs After Dark
email: RenePlaysGamesPod@gmail.com
Music in the Episode:
Theme Song written & produced by Dan Pomfret | @danfrombothbands
Anvil Square Day by Monument Studios
The Calm Inspirational Seeker B by Monument Studios
Deception by Monument Studios
Bringer of Rain by Vindsvept
Crystal Forest by Vindsvept
Spellbound, Part 2 by Vindsvept
Winter's Morning by Vindsvept
Halfling Lodge from TabletopAudio.com
Rain Cafe Lo-Fi by Aaron from Pixabay
The Ghost of Shepardx2 by Geoffrey Burch from Pixabay
Lucid Dreaming by | e s c p | https://www.escp.space https://escp-music.bandcamp.com
Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
Welcome to another episode of Perspective Checks where I sit down with friends and folks from the TTRPG world and discuss what they love about this wonderful hobby!
This month's episode is a big one! Worldbuilding is an integral part of storytelling in RPGs, whether you're playing in an established universe like many big named systems provide, or are drawing maps and leaving blanks in the Powered by the Apocalypse emergent narrative style of newer indie games. The shared world that the characters interact with is as much a part of the story as the actions of the characters, reacting and responding to provide new obstacles and opportunities.
In this episode, I speak with Ross about his experience bringing pre-colonial Filipino mythology to the forefront in the excellent actual play Blades of Mayari, an exploration of the culture and heritage of the players using FATE. Ross and the cast of the show have done their homework and approach the lore and real-world mythology and culture of the Philippines with the respect and sensitivity it requires. We mostly talk about this setting specifically, but do branch out a bit to talk about the act of drawing inspiration from these historical cultures from the right place.
I highly recommend you check out Blades of Mayari, which has completed its first season and should be coming back soon for more!
Additionally, Ross recommended the following books & online resources if you're interested in learning more about Filipino history and mythology:
Outline of Philippine Mythology by F. Landa Jocano
Dictionary of Philippine Mythology by Ferdinand Blumentritt
History of the Philippines: From Indios Bravos to Filipinos by Luis H. Francia
Barangay: Sixteenth-Century Philippine Culture and Society by William Henry Scott
The Gods Must Be Crazy - A Philippine Mythology Podcast
The Aswang Project - A Free Resource for Philippine Mythology & Folklore
I made a Ko-Fi if you feel absurdly generous and want to help cover podcast hosting costs & all the upkeep. I'm still working on whether I want to offer anything special over there or just give my extreme gratitude (maybe some stickers or something in the mail) to those who donate, but no pressure whatsoever :)
Where to Follow Rene Plays Games:
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter/X | Threads | DMs After Dark
email: RenePlaysGamesPod@gmail.com
Music in the Episode:
Theme Song written & produced by Dan Pomfret | @danfrombothbands
Tuesday Oct 15, 2024
Tuesday Oct 15, 2024
Welcome back to more Koriko: A Magical Year by Jack Harrison & Mousehole Press!
In this episode, Summer brings the heat! Genie hangs out with some familiar confidants and gets new perspectives into their places in Koriko, as well as gets a peek behind the curtain, according to Koriko & Ace, glimpsing a bit more of the truth about this incredible city. Lastly, we end with a contentious new confidant and Genie's first impression isn't her best...
I made a Ko-Fi if you feel absurdly generous and want to help cover podcast hosting costs & all the upkeep. I'm still working on whether I want to offer anything special over there or just give my extreme gratitude (maybe some stickers or something in the mail) to those who donate, but no pressure whatsoever :)
Where to Follow Rene Plays Games:
LinkTree | Instagram | Facebook | X/Twitter | Threads | DMs After Dark
email: RenePlaysGamesPod@gmail.com
Music in the Episode:
Theme Song written & produced by Dan Pomfret | @danfrombothbands
Windswept Realms, Volume II by Vindsvept
Tuesday Oct 22, 2024
Tuesday Oct 22, 2024
It's Spooky October One-Shots time!
For the first of the three Halloween horror one-shots, Rene sits down with Troy from the DMs After Dark to play Wraithound by Cezar Capacle, an incredible Brazilian game designer whose philosophy I love so much, so it's very exciting to finally play one of his games on the podcast!
Wraithound is a zero-prep, GM-less game where you play ghost hunters of an ancient order, tasked with investigating and dealing with supernatural threats. The game uses 2d6 and a standard deck of playing cards (jokers included) to create a location with escalating threats and obstacles to overcome until you confront the final boss!
Definitely go check out more of Cezar's games and let me know which you pick! I've got quite a few more to get to myself! In fact, you should go look into and back his new fantasy project Everspark!
Tuesday Oct 29, 2024
Tuesday Oct 29, 2024
Spooky October one-shot #2, and this time it's a DEEP conspiracy of actual terror and horror, we're playing Delta Green by Arc Dream Publishing!
Specifically, we're playing the scenario Music From A Darkened Room, an investigation for Agents that takes them into 1206 Spooner Avenue, Meadowbrook, New Jersey, and IT. IS. NOT. OKAY.
Content Warnings: Suicidal ideation, Dead Children, Violence, and probably a lot more, so be safe, please!
I was lucky enough to be joined by two bonafide horrorheads in Amber (published horror author) and Christian (published horror scenario writer) from the DMs After Dark, my streaming crew and local best gaming buds, who helped make this session a lot better, since real terrifying horror is usually not my strength!
I hope that you enjoy, but sincerely hope that you do so safely, because this game can be very, very dark. We try to keep it light, but if any content upsets you, make sure you take care of yourself.
I made a Ko-Fi if you feel absurdly generous and want to help cover podcast hosting costs & all the upkeep. I'm still working on whether I want to offer anything special over there or just give my extreme gratitude (maybe some stickers or something in the mail) to those who donate, but no pressure whatsoever :)
Where to Follow Rene Plays Games:
LinkTree | Instagram | Facebook | X/Twitter | Threads | DMs After Dark
email: RenePlaysGamesPod@gmail.com
Music in the Episode:
Theme Song written & produced by Dan Pomfret | @danfrombothbands
Dark 1 Hour Mix by Monument Studios
Horror Action Scene Setter by Monument Studios
Thursday Oct 31, 2024
Thursday Oct 31, 2024
There we already 5 Tuesdays in October, but why not upload a 6th episode just for Halloween?!
For a Halloween special Rene played alongside Jess from the DMs After Dark and returning guest Lynn (matrimonally obligated to occasionally game) for some Ghost Club RPG by Andrew Dowell (with some extra gear and archetypes from the New Kids Expansion)! Unlike our other spooky one-shots, this one is perfect for the younger crowd, with a minimal amount of truly terrifying content, landing somewhere between Scooby Doo antics and young adult content like Lockwood & Co. or Dead Boy Detectives.
Join Zoe "Bunny" Hunt, Eleanor "Dandelion" Harrington, and Remington "Twinkles" Paige as they investigate the terror of Twin Falls - The Haunted Mansion.
I made a Ko-Fi if you feel absurdly generous and want to help cover podcast hosting costs & all the upkeep. I'm still working on whether I want to offer anything special over there or just give my extreme gratitude (maybe some stickers or something in the mail) to those who donate, but no pressure whatsoever :)
Where to Follow Rene Plays Games:
LinkTree | Instagram | Facebook | X/Twitter | Threads | DMs After Dark
email: RenePlaysGamesPod@gmail.com
Music in the Episode:
Theme Song written & produced by Dan Pomfret | @danfrombothbands
All Hallows Eve from TabletopAudio.com
The Attic from TabletopAudio.com
Barovian Castle from TabletopAudio.com
Haunted from TabletopAudio.com
Haunted Ramparts from TabletopAudio.com
House on the Hill from TabletopAudio.com
Vampire Castle from TabletopAudio.com
Tuesday Nov 05, 2024
Tuesday Nov 05, 2024
Welcome back to more Koriko: A Magical Year by Jack Harrison & Mousehole Press!
In this episode, Autumn tests Genie. We meet a few new Confidants and catch up with older friends in the tail end of the year as the emotionally charged prompts make their appearance. Heading into the final two Volumes of our Koriko AP, Genie doubles down and vows no more holding back.
I made a Ko-Fi if you feel absurdly generous and want to help cover podcast hosting costs & all the upkeep. I'm still working on whether I want to offer anything special over there or just give my extreme gratitude (maybe some stickers or something in the mail) to those who donate, but no pressure whatsoever :)
Where to Follow Rene Plays Games:
LinkTree | Instagram | Facebook | X/Twitter | Threads | DMs After Dark
email: RenePlaysGamesPod@gmail.com
Music in the Episode:
Theme Song written & produced by Dan Pomfret | @danfrombothbands
Forest Shrine by Monument Studios
Something in the Dark by Monument Studios
Passion by Monument Studios
Cyberpunk Bar by TabletopAudio.com
Lonesome West by TabletopAudio.com
Sombre by Vindsvept
Storm by Vindsvept
Woodland Murmur by Vindsvept
Tuesday Nov 12, 2024
Tuesday Nov 12, 2024
Welcome to another episode of Perspective Checks where I sit down with friends and folks from the TTRPG world and discuss what they love about this wonderful hobby!
This month I sat down with Gloria a.k.a. GlowPinkstah, a prolific content creator, TTRPG actual play podcaster, streamer, YouTuber, and advocate for body positivity throughout all media! We talk about all things body representation, playing hot fat characters, how games depict (or don't) all kinds of body shapes and sizes, and how mainstream depictions have created a default negative connotation with fat characters.
Gloria was super fun to talk to, an amazing person to follow online, and has some of the best character names I've ever heard.
Listen to all of her content at Charm Party, and see her as a guest on Castleton and Somebody's Heroes!
I made a Ko-Fi if you feel absurdly generous and want to help cover podcast hosting costs & all the upkeep. I'm still working on whether I want to offer anything special over there or just give my extreme gratitude (maybe some stickers or something in the mail) to those who donate, but no pressure whatsoever :)
Where to Follow Rene Plays Games:
LinkTree | Instagram | Facebook | X/Twitter | Threads | DMs After Dark
email: RenePlaysGamesPod@gmail.com
Music in the Episode:
Theme Song written & produced by Dan Pomfret | @danfrombothbands
Tuesday Nov 19, 2024
Tuesday Nov 19, 2024
Welcome back to more Koriko: A Magical Year by Jack Harrison & Mousehole Press!
Winter comes to Koriko, and Genie is coming up on the end of her Magical Year. She spends time with her Confidants, even meeting a few new ones, and pushes her limits as the city's witch. She steps a bit outside of her comfort zone, but sometimes that's the only way to grow. The season ends with a heartfelt gathering and gift from her friends.
I made a Ko-Fi if you feel absurdly generous and want to help cover podcast hosting costs & all the upkeep. I'm still working on whether I want to offer anything special over there or just give my extreme gratitude (maybe some stickers or something in the mail) to those who donate, but no pressure whatsoever :)
Where to Follow Rene Plays Games:
LinkTree | Instagram | Facebook | X/Twitter | Threads | DMs After Dark
email: RenePlaysGamesPod@gmail.com
Music in the Episode:
Theme Song written & produced by Dan Pomfret | @danfrombothbands
Court of the Count by TabletopAudio.com
Winter Encampment by TabletopAudio.com
Collegium Magica by TabletopAudio.com
The Madding Crowd by TabletopAudio.com
Winter's Tale by Vindsvept
Into The Mind's Eye, Part I by Vindsvept
Moment's Respite by Vindsvept
Night of the Fae by Vindsvept
Necromancer by Vindsvept
Winter's Quest by Vindsvept
Tuesday Nov 26, 2024
Tuesday Nov 26, 2024
Welcome back to Mining Media where we turn your binging into better TTRPG experiences by reminiscing on the innocent wonder of winter holiday magic in our youths... or was that just me?
This month I want to talk about mining holiday movies for ideas for your festive one-shots, whether you take a break to do something silly or expand the lore of your ongoing game's universe or prep something entirely from scratch for holiday shenanigans - there's gold in them there cheesy movies.
Take home points & some ideas based on holiday movies:
Everything in the one-shot should reinforce the themes of the holidays - community, charity, family (found or otherwise), innocence, memory, and tradition.
If it can't reinforce these themes, lean hard into the setting - go full winter wonderland.
A Muppet Christmas Carol (or any Christmas Carol, really, but Muppets >>>) - have your party experience visitations from ghosts of past, present, and future based on their actions throughout the campaign (or make specific backstories part of the character creation), then give them a chance to right their wrongs before it's too late.
Nightmare Before Christmas - This one's all setting. Have a transplanar hub where the spirits of the holidays are literally their own demiplanes or extradimensional areas, then have some of the traditions of the holiday they know of & what the party sees clash. While they figure out the true spirit of the holiday, chaos has escaped (or gotten in) and they have to fix things!
Die Hard - This one's perfect, just recreate it and reskin everything. Holiday celebration at an isolated location, lots of bad guys doing bad things, the party has to balance stealth and efficacy achieving their goals, with each success and failure heightening the tension in the race between party & bad guys to succeed.
Klaus - The party finds themselves in an isolated location for the holidays, but there is no festive cheer or spirit because the village/area is inhabited by two factions at war. The party must make connections on both sides, earn little bits of trust, find ways the two sides can connect and come together for the holiday, and just as things seem to be going well, one small infraction threatens all that progress - how will the party bridge the gap?!
Hot Frosty / Jack Frost - An inanimate object is awakened by true holiday magic, but for the most part it's just causing trouble. While most of the town is up in arms and wants this thing brought to justice, the few who've seen it in action can explain that it's naive and means well, the disasters aren't its fault! Fix the problems, find the magic being, and help everyone see the good in it or something equally cheesy.
Now go get your notebook, pop on some cheesy holiday movie, and tell me what you come up with!
Tuesday Dec 03, 2024
Tuesday Dec 03, 2024
Welcome back to more Koriko: A Magical Year by Jack Harrison & Mousehole Press!
Genie's Magical Year has come to an end, and the last few weeks of the year mean she faces the big decision - does she stay in Koriko? Return home to her mentor? Or move on and go somewhere new? I don't think anyone will be surprised by the answer, but there are some really nice moments in this episode to close out our time in Koriko.
What an incredible experience and I hope that you all enjoyed it. Oh, and listen to Yvette Young's incredible song Always (and the Fireside Version, too!).
"Am I a fool for laughing at the memories? Rainy days spent watching time slip through my fingertips. And I'll pull away. I'll tell myself it's better. Maybe now is not our time to be but I can't deny that always - I will love you always."
Tuesday Dec 10, 2024
Tuesday Dec 10, 2024
Welcome to another episode of Perspective Checks where I sit down with friends and folks from the TTRPG world and discuss what they love about this wonderful hobby!
2024's Perspective Checks episodes come to a close with Star from the *amazing* Characters Without Stories podcast as we talk about failure in TTRPGs. Star is a wonderful person I've met this past year and have been lucky enough to chat with on a few occasions, and we break down how failure in games like D&D 5e can leave you feeling a little let down, and how other games take different approaches that can make failure feel so much more meaningful and still satisfying.
You've got homework! Go out there and find a new game that feels like it fits the kinds of stories you like telling at the table and TRY IT. Make a character, test out how it feels when you succeed and see how it prompts you when you fail. Think about why it frames it this way versus another mode of resolution. What do you like/not like?
Games mentioned in the episode (probably missed a few):
Brindlewood Bay
Call of Cthulhu
Blades in the Dark
general design principles from the Powered by the Apocalypse engine
Spire/Heart: The City Beneath