Themed Campaigns and Characters – Ep41

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Eric

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:13 — 30.5MB) | Embed

I know what Dan's next themed character is going to be...

If you have been gaming for a while, the concept of themed campaigns should not be a new one. Setting parameters for character creation and a focused direction for a campaign can be very rewarding.

In this episode we discuss the themes we have used and plan on using in the future.

Themed Campaigns and Characters – Ep41

Cast – Eric, Mike, Dan, Mark and Shawn

Running Time – 33:13

00:00 Intro

00:30 Topic: Themed Campaigns and Characters

Items Mentioned: Dungeons and Dragons, Harry Potter, Al Qadim, Hackmaster, Rolemaster, Mutants and Masterminds, True 20, Batman

06:38 TANGENT: The Legend of Butcher Boy

Item Mentioned: Hero System

09:50 Back on Topic

Items Mentioned: Gen Con, Shadowrun, World of Greyhawk, Call of Cthulhu

20:58 TANGENT: The Origin of the Sea Princes Campaign

21:40 Back on Topic

Items Mentioned: Conan, Legend of the Five Rings, The Last Samurai, Ken Watanabe, Heroes of Rokugan, Legend of the Burning Sands, Victoriana

27:07 TANGENT: Meeting at a Bar

Item Mentioned: Star Wars

28:00 Back on Topic

Items Mentioned: Singham, Dr. Who, Ravenloft, Krull, Carl’s Jr.

32:31 Outro

OFFICIAL TANGENT COUNT: 3

New Edition – Ep40

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Eric

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:59 — 32.0MB) | Embed

... nope, sorry. Not that New Edition.

Here we go again.

Wizards of the Coast has announced that a 5th edition of D&D is upcoming. Many of us saw the writing on the wall. To some it is a let-down, and others it is about time.

In this episode we tell you where we stand, along with our hopes and expectations.

New Edition – Ep40

Cast – Eric, Mike, Dan, Mark, Jayson and Shawn

Running Time – 34:58

00:00 Intro

00:30 Topic: The Next D&D

Items Mentioned: Wizards of the Coast, Dungeons & Dragons, Open Game License, Forbes Article, New York Times Article, World of Warcraft, Pathfinder, EN World

08:18 TANGENT: Beta Testing

Item Mentioned: D&D Playtest

09:04 Back on Topic

Items Mentioned: D&D Experience, GenCon, Paizo, DC Comics

21:21 TANGENT: Stop Making Crap

Items Mentioned: Steve Jobs, Nike

23:54 Back on Topic

Items Mentioned: Risk, Monopoly

32:32 TANGENT: Dan… the Edition Kiss of Death

Items Mentioned: Mutants and Masterminds, Hero System, Aces & Eights, Hackmaster

34:15 Outro

OFFICIAL TANGENT COUNT: 3

Victoriana Review – Ep39

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Eric

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:14 — 31.4MB) | Embed

Steampunk Shadowrun... I'm Sold!

Victoriana is a Victorian era RPG produced by Cubicle 7. Our first experience with the game was at GenCon 2010 and then again at GenCon 2011. Based on that, we decided to have a quick taste of the game (we also recorded our sessions ).

In this episode we talk about that experience and our take on the newest game in our repertoire.

Victoriana Review – Ep39

Cast – Eric, Mark, Dan, Jayson and Shawn

Running Time – 34:13

00:00 Intro

00:30 Topic: Victoriana Review

Item Mentioned: Victoriana

00:56 TANGENT: Why we did it this way

Items Mentioned: Promethean the Created, Call of Cthulhu, Dark Sun

02:07 TANGENT: Actual Play Experience

Items Mentioned: Wizards of the Coast, Steve Jackson Games

05:32 Back on Topic

Items Mentioned: Dr. Who RPG, Clockwork and Chivalry, Shadowrun

07:55 TANGENT: Our history of steampunk

Items Mentioned: The Difference Engine, Wild Wild West

09:08 Back on Topic

Item Mentioned: Team America World Police

20:10 TANGENT: Jayson’s Shadowrun wish

20:29 Back on Topic

Items Mentioned: Sherlock Holmes, Dungeons & Dragons, Warhammer Fanstasy Roleplay, Guy Ritchie, Gaming Paper, Chessex

32:04 TANGENT: D&D Maxim

Items Mentioned: Maxim Magazine, I Hit it With My Axe

33:18 Back on Topic

33:31 Outro

OFFICIAL TANGENT COUNT: 5

Maps – Ep38

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Eric

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 35:55 — 32.9MB) | Embed

by Donato Giancola

Like the red-headed stepchild, maps are usually underappreciated and overlooked by gamers. We were apprehensive (at first) about the subject carrying an entire show, but once we dug into it we realized how much maps influence and enhance the gaming experience.

A map can be the difference between a good gaming experience and a great one.

Maps – Ep38

Cast – Eric, Mike, Dan, Mark, Jayson and Shawn

Running Time – 35:54

00:00 Intro

00:31 Topic

Items Mentioned: Shadowrun, Rand McNally, World of Greyhawk, GURPS, Disc World, Legend of the Five Rings

05:00 TANGENT: Homebrew No More

05:56 Back on Topic

Items Mentioned: Forgotten Realms, Skyrim, Zork, Batman Arkham City, Lord of the Rings, The Bard’s Tale, Karen Wynn Fonstad, Anna Meyer, Gaming Paper, Flanaess Cartographic Society, Photoshop, Bryce7, Corel Draw, Campaign Cartographer, CanonFire!, Eric Anondson (map downloads)&(deviant art gallery)

19:18 TANGENT: We Love Gaming Paper

19:57 Back on Topic

Items Mentioned: Battletech, Europa, Dungeons & Dragons, Star Wars Gamer Magazine

22:43 TANGENT: OPIP (Other People’s Intellectual Property)

Items Mentioned: Wizards of the Coast, Star Wars RPG

24:50 Back on Topic

Items Mentioned: Cartographers Guild, Victoriana, Star Trek RPG

31:41 TANGENT: The Blue Dragon Inn

32:57 Back on Topic

Items Mentioned: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, Rogue Trader, Gamma World, Twilight 2000 (and 2013)

35:14 Outro

OFFICIAL TANGENT COUNT: 4

Other Cool Mapping Sites:

2012 New Year’s Resolutions and Challenges – Ep37

Posted on December 27, 2011 by Eric

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:14 — 34.1MB) | Embed

2012 New Year’s Resolutions and Challenges – Ep37

Challenge Accepted!

For the last episode of the year, we decided to make some commitments for the coming year. We’ve had a really good year and want to start 2012 off right.

2012 New Year’s Resolutions and Challenges – Ep37

Cast – Eric, Mike, Dan, Jayson and Shawn

Running Time – 37:14

00:00 Intro

00:24 Topic

Items Mentioned: Aces & Eights, Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, Lord of the Rings, Conan, Mutants and Masterminds, Captain America: The First Avenger, World of Darkness, The Stanley Hotel, The Shining, Jenga, GenCon, Supernatural

10:59 TANGENT: Gen Con Open Gaming Area

11:23 Back on Topic

Items Mentioned: Aliens, Predator

15:39 TANGENT: We’re all gonna die

16:23 Back on Topic

Items Mentioned: Warhammer 40k, Malifaux, The Sultan Gaming Table, Star Wars RPG, Call of Cthulhu, Sailor Moon

22:14 SIDETANGENT: New Years Challenges

Items Mentioned: Star Wars The Old Republic, True 20, GURPS, Blood Bowl, Talisman, BANG!, Munchkin, Carcassonne, Settlers of Catan, Stratego, Risk, Civilization, Axis & Allies, Fortress America, Savage Worlds, Doc Savage, Solomon Kane, Atomic Highway, Al Qadim, Legend of the Burning Sands, Legend of the Five Rings, Cadillacs and Dinosaurs, Twilight 2000, Gamma World, Chill

36:32 Outro

OFFICIAL TANGENT COUNT: 3

Actual Play Victoriana – Ep5

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Eric

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:33 — 90.7MB) | Embed

The game has just begun.

The Case of Penny Austin concludes.

The group meets the “master” behind Ivan and get a glimpse into the madness that created him.

Actual Play Victoriana – Ep5

Running Time – 49:33

Cast:

Eric – Narrator/Game Master

Mike – Dr. Vijay Safidbahd

Dan – Major Winston Parimore Barrington III, Ret.

Mark – Ford ‘Brick’ Maddison

Jayson – Lt. Reginald Higginbotham

Shawn – Lazlo Tiberius Beckford

Jennifer – Dr. Selina Ashbrooke Cornell

00:00 Last Time

01:07 Intro

01:27 The Game Concludes: The Penny Austin Case Finale

48:47 Outro

PC Plots and Betrayals – Ep36

Posted on December 20, 2011 by Eric

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:06 — 35.8MB) | Embed

No one is better with plots and schemes than the Bene Gesserit.

Something that is lost in a lot of organized or linear campaigns and adventures is the concept of character ambition. Some of the most compelling villains were once friends to the heroes and their betrayal makes them stronger characters in the story.

In this episode we dig into the concepts of plotting and betrayals.

PC Plots and Betrayals – Ep36

Cast – Eric, Mike, Dan, Mark, Jayson, Aaron and Shawn

Running Time – 39:05

00:00 Intro

00:26 TANGENT: Keeping Shawn the Anchor & What is your Craw?

01:27 Topic: PC Plots and Betrayals

Items Mentioned: Shadowrun, Steve Kenson, Dungeons & Dragons, Paranoia, Smallville RPG, Call of Cthulhu

16:39 TANGENT: Call of Cthulhu Old West

17:15 Back on Topic

Items Mentioned: World of Darkness, Friday the 13^th, Amber, Aces & Eights

25:57 TANGENT: National Lampoon’s Mordor Vacation

Items Mentioned: Lord of the Rings, National Lampoon’s Vacation

26:36 Back on Topic

Items Mentioned: Joe vs. the Volcano, Rogue Trader

31:41 TANGENT: Age of Worms

Item Mentioned: Age of Worms

32:48 Back on Topic

Items Mentioned: Captain Morgan, Navy Seals, The Marine

38:21 Outro

OFFICIAL TANGENT COUNT: 4

Actual Play Victoriana – Ep4

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Eric

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:55 — 84.2MB) | Embed

He would have an enormous schwanzstucker

The Case of Penny Austin continues.

In this episode, the kidnapper’s identity is revealed only to uncover a more sinister and grotesque plot.

Actual Play Victoriana – Ep4

Running Time – 44:54

Cast:

Eric – Narrator/Game Master

Mike – Dr. Vijay Safidbahd

Dan – Major Winston Parimore Barrington III, Ret.

Mark – Ford ‘Brick’ Maddison

Jayson – Lt. Reginald Higginbotham

Shawn – Lazlo Tiberius Beckford

00:00 Last Time

02:50 Intro

03:15 The Game Continues: The Penny Austin Case Part 4

45:11 Outro

Dragons – Ep35

Posted on December 13, 2011 by Eric

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:28 — 29.7MB) | Embed

Two badass dragons... but not what we are talking about.

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a dragon?

We answer this as we talk about fantasy’s most iconic creature.

Dragons – Ep35

Cast – Eric, Mike, Dan, Jayson and Shawn

Running Time – 32:27

00:00 Intro

00:23 Topic: Dragons

00:30 TANGENT: Yes, Mike… this is your topic choice.

00:54 Back on Topic

Items Mentioned: Dungeons & Dragons, Shadowrun, Skyrim, Council of Wyrms, Dragonlance, Record of Lodoss War, Dragonslayer, Dragonheart

07:22 TANGENT: Reign of Fire Sausage-fest

Items Mentioned: Reign of Fire, Conan, Rotten Tomatoes

09:27 Back on Topic

Items Mentioned: The Never Ending Story, Big Trouble in Little China, Fin Fang Foom, Legend of the Five Rings, Ladyhawke

18:46 TANGENT: Dragon Themed Characters

22:10 Back on Topic

Items Mentioned: The Hobbit, Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay

23:28 TANGENT: No More Ebay for Aaron

24:00 Back on Topic

Items Mentioned: World of Warcraft, Dragon Mountain

31:45 Outro

OFFICIAL TANGENT COUNT: 4

Actual Play Victoriana – Ep3

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Eric

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:57 — 86.1MB) | Embed

"Why do people do business with people with no face?" The Major.

We continue the Case of Penny Austin.

In this episode, the fallout of the Halfling Pub Massacre results in the apprehension of the Halfling actor. A carriage is arranged for and a plan is hatched.

Actual Play Victoriana – Ep3

Running Time – 46:56

Cast:

Eric – Narrator/Game Master

Mike – Dr. Vijay Safidbahd

Dan – Major Winston Parimore Barrington III, Ret.

Mark – Ford ‘Brick’ Maddison

Jayson – Lt. Reginald Higginbotham

Shawn – Lazlo Tiberius Beckford

00:00 Last Time

05:03 Intro

05:27 The Game Continues: The Penny Austin Case Part 3

46:11 Outro

Gamerstable

A roundtable podcast about tabletop roleplaying games and other nerd culture topics.

Themed Campaigns and Characters – Ep41

New Edition – Ep40

Victoriana Review – Ep39

Maps – Ep38

2012 New Year’s Resolutions and Challenges – Ep37

Actual Play Victoriana – Ep5

PC Plots and Betrayals – Ep36

Actual Play Victoriana – Ep4

Dragons – Ep35

Actual Play Victoriana – Ep3