Roll For Topic

John Corey, on loan from The Splatbook, comes on to talk about Vaesen and then helps Chris design a 1 Page RPG.

Andy and Chris, with clear eyes and full hearts, chat about their experiences at Roll For Topic Con 2022. They start by using the “Stars and Wishes” framework and then immediately deviate into a less structured conversation.

Beset with pre-convention GMing anxiety, Andy and Chris describe their game prep challenges and brainstorm solutions to some of the questions and problems they face. After passing through the depths of GM despair, will they recapture their enthusiasm for convention GMing by the end of this episode? Spoiler: YES!

Andy and Chris brainstorm a deadly, yet survivable, 10x10x10 room. But not before recent family vacations prompt more musings about the mysterious Natural World outside our basements, and the “GM brain” curse of constantly thinking about gaming when you should be admiring the great outdoors.

Join Andy (holed up in an airBnB somewhere in the hinterlands of Colorado) and Chris (holed up in his office) as they chit-chat about their recent travels and how they cannot stop thinking about running games.

Andy and Chris try very hard not to step on Brian Jacques toes while designing an adventure for a mouse!

What kind of door would simultaneously beg players to open it, yet fill them with dread at the prospect of doing? Chris and Andy devise a creepy-yet-compelling door sure to cause your players to argue about whether and how to open it.

Oh no! Andy and Chris walk fail their investigation check and walk right into a trap! As penance they have to design a series of traps for a technomancer’s dungeon.

What would you say is the coolest boat there is? Andy, Chris, and guest GM Nate put their minds together to try and create a really cool boat you can drop into your tabletop RPG.

Listen as Andy and Chris continually fail to not reference videogames as they design an arena boss rush! This question was sent into us by Ryan out in Korea. Thanks, Ryan!

Can Chris and Andy design a shop for a roleplaying game that’s actually interesting to visit? Listen as they brainstorm a quirky shop that provides not only items for your players to purchase, but opportunities for investigation and adventure. Episode 87 appendix (aka show notes): The Deep House, a horror movie that takes place entirely … Continue reading "Episode 87 — Design an...

Test your might and win the prize of listening to this episode where Chris and Andy take on the design challenge of: “Create a festival” (a topic added by Tim Saucer)! Chris reminisces way too much his stint in Indiana and Andy relives some memories of horrible footwear. Then they imagine a totally normal festival … Continue reading "Episode 86 – Create a Festival!"

What space object or event would be so insanely interesting that even the most dedicated PCs will divert course to go check it out? Chris and Andy brainstorm three space anomalies that even the least curious characters couldn’t stop themselves from investigating.

Big news in this episode! Roll for Topic isn’t on its own anymore–we’re now part of a brand-new podcast network. After discussing this news (and nerding out about Michael Moorcock’s Elric novels), Chris and Andy puts their GM brains together to come up with an idea for an underwater adventure that sounds not just workable, … Continue reading "Episode 84 — Underw...

Andy and Chris ambush Peter Dillman, creator of the Dillman’s Dungeon: A Gamer’s Retreat Kickstarter campaign, and force him to design an ambush scenario for a fantasy roleplaying game. Along the way we learn all about Peter’s amazing vision for an “Air D&D” venue to host gaming getaways. Show notes: The Dillman’s Dungeon Kickstarter campaign. … Contin...

Ever given the player characters a magic item that seems to have no practical use… only to have the players figure out a good use for it anyway? Andy and Chris brainstorm up several such “useless” magic items you could drop into your campaign.

We’re starting something new with this episode! Join as we roll on our brand new Table of Design Challenges to determine a random GM design challenge for Andy and Chris to create on air. The first challenge is to create a love triangle that can be added to any D&D campaign!

It’s a brand new year! We start with Chris’ reflections on running last episode’s live game, and then Andy and Chris both talk about GMing goals for 2022—as well as about plans for the podcast!

Join Nicole, Cory, Phill, and Brandon as they explore the crazy sci-fi dungeon we created in Episode 78! With Chris as GM, they encounter space pirates, escape from space bugs, and do many other exciting space-related things. The system used to run this game is the excellent Caltrop Core, which puts the divisive d4 to … Continue reading "Episode 79 — Play-a-Dungeon 2021!"

It’s our annual Build a Dungeon Special! Andy and Chris are joined by John Corey and Kyle Latino to brainstorm and build out a dungeon/adventure live on-air. Our next episode will be a play-through of the dungeon with some other special guests. Enjoy!

It’s our last “normal episode” of the year! Listen as Andy and Chris talk about what locations and time periods would make for great RPG settings.

Do the family, friends, and loved ones of your PCs play a role in your campaigns? Are they mostly there to disadvantage the PCs, or do they contribute something more to the game?

It’s Halloween one-shot season! Andy and Chris are both prepping spooky one-shots, and talk about how to quickly ease players into game rules that are new to them and make the most of the session.

This episode takes an unusual turn as Chris and Andy chat about the experience of “imposter syndrome”—of feeling unworthy to participate in this hobby we all love. After a heartfelt discussion, the episode closes out with a more upbeat talk about Halloween one-shots.

Andy and Chris discuss ways to get your players more invested in a roleplaying game—but not before they pursue tangents including Jack Vance’s “Dying Earth” novels and how to handle keeping-watch sequences at the table.