3RPG Podcast

Abandoned temples are great places to send your doomed party, especially when its ancient and starving deity still lurks the halls. Join the 3RPG team as they create your next 1-shot: The Temple of Ichor. Comments: 43:50 - It really is just called a scroll shelf, or scroll holder, or if you're being fancy.... a wall scroll holder. If you want a fun scroll-related word, Capsae is a cylindrical cont...

You want session music? We have your session music (especially Jay!). Tune in this week for a playlist refresh that is certain to bring your campaign to the next level. Comments: Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience (Book) - Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 05:37 - Music 2.0 / Perfume soundtrack 08:29 - Avoid clichés, subvert the genre 10:49 - Session openings / ending themes...

Rolling for combat is a given in TTRPG, but are there other areas that can benefit from a bit more randomness? On this week's episode, the 3RPG team explores when to roll the dice and the ethics of fudging results. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 2:41 - When to use dice 7:59 - Failed rolls 9:15 - Degrees of success vs. pass/fail 13:14 - Good roleplay bonuses 14:54 - Random encounters, Zig when I zag 19:19...

Halloween provides the quintessential horror setting, but what if you want to go beyond pumpkins and candy corn? Join the 3RPG crew as they make a bigger, faster, more diabolically devious Halloween to inspire your next holiday session. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro - Hallow-comedy 4:00 - Costume confessional 15:04 - Costumes in rpg 22:47 - Trick or treat origins & ideas 28:00 - Jack-o-lantern reima...

Description: TTRPG touts the social aspect of gameplay, but what if characters disagree and want to split the party? Join the 3RPG team as they tackle the how and why of party splits and whether co-DMing could work in your world. Comments: In Deep Geek: https://www.youtube.com/indeepgeek Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 7:10 - Should you split the party? 10:43 - Avoiding boredom for the non-active party 16...

Two of our favorite things at 3RPG are trying new systems and supporting indie creators. In this episode, hosts Jay and Sandra get to sit down with Robby Howell, mastermind of the diceless TTRPG system, Enclave. Comments: To learn more and support the upcoming Kickstarter for Enclave Aspirant: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@robbylavagames Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=615776...

Description: Every character deserves their own unique moments to shine, but how do you ensure each player at your table gets a proper spotlight? Join the 3RPG hosts as they explore both GM and player ways to provide feel-good, memorable moments that everyone can feel great about. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 2:43 - Bards then and now 5:52 - Character space does not only mean hero moments 7:41 - Setup...

Description: Though faith is a common theme in fantasy TTRPG, deciding exactly when and how to incorporate elements into your story can be daunting. Join the 3RPG hosts as they explore the difference between harmful representation, respectful exploration and inspiration. Comments: See where the marshmallow thing all began - Top 10 of 2025 episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YsoV9MESnw&t=...

Description: Ever get eaten by a mimics disguised as a treasure chest? You may just be a loot goblin! On today's episode, the 3RPG hosts discuss the bounds of what loot is and how to make it both meaningful and memorable without breaking your game. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 4:13 - What is loot, exactly? 9:56 - Loot vs lore swag (and how often) 13:26 - Using 'Monkey's paw' items 15:33 - Novel loot id...

Description: We're told that its not the destination, but the journey, yet the calm spaces between encounters can quickly feel like one long, boring tavern crawl. Join hosts Sandra, Jay, and Chris as they spice up the downtime and also discuss their favorite video game inspirations. Comments: The Alexandrian Dragon Heist Remix - https://thealexandrian.net/wordpress/41217/roleplaying-games/dragon-h...

Description: While TTRPG is no replacement for proper therapy, table top gaming is known to offer benefits to mental health, social skills, and self exploration. Join us on the therapy couch as psychotherapist and author, Z.D. Gladstone explains the science behind why RPGs can be such a boon to our well-being. Timestamp: 00:00 Intro 1:29 - Introduction of psychotherapist, Z.D. Gladstone 6:08 - Con...

Description: Needing inspiration for your next campaign? The 3RPG hosts dig deep to bring some of the most wild and obscure folklore to liven up your storytelling. Comments: Writers commonly question if their use of folklore and mythology is inspiration or cultural appropriation. Learn the difference with this article by author Jeanette Ng: https://medium.com/@nettlefish/cultural-appropriation-for...

Description: By now you've probably asked "What's up with that Jay guy?" Let's find out as Chris and Sandra put the screws to their suspiciously Austrian bodybuilder sounding co-host and find out what's hiding out in that lil'noggin. Comments: Here I Stand - https://www.gmtgames.com/p-917-here-i-stand-500th-anniversary-reprint-edition-2nd-printing.aspx Project Zomboid - https://projectzomboid.com/...

Ever wonder what its like to go to one of the largest fan-focused conventions in the world? Madness... but also incredible amounts of fun. Join us for this special episode where co-host Sandra Rosner tries to distill 4 days of fandom overload at San Diego Comic Con into a single hour. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 5:50 - First time cosplay experience 9:36 - Cosplaying = instant community 12:40 - Gatekee...

Description: Names have the power to evoke strong associations to the people, places, and events they reference. Join the ThreeRPG as they explore the art of crafting memorable monikers in writing and campaign settings. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 4:30 - Methods for creating novel names 11:33 - Nicknames, honorifics, and avoiding faux pas 15:35 - Name conventions to support world building 17:56 - Name...

Description: Every town has a tavern, but they can be so much more than the rest stops of TTRPG. In this episode, the ThreeRPG team discusses ways to turn your next travel respite into a memorable and meaningful event. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 2:50 - Taverns and how to make them interesting 26:09 - Building a menu for your tavern 38:34 - Novel tavern ideas for your next campaign 43:08 - Real life t...

Description: Questions abound about the illusive Chris and we aim to answer them! Join Jay and Sandra as they grill their co-host, Chris, and learn why he loves snow globes and what made him D&D curious. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 2:15 - Artist origin story 4:20 - First TTRPG experience 7:35 - Best art advice received 8:57 - New players 10:52 - Breaking the rules 12:50 - Maps 14:22 - Overcoming c...

Description: The ThreeRPG team wades into the AI debate within the creative space, and Beyond the Ticking Clock: exploring elements of tension. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 3:59 - AI in the creative space 27:25 - Elements of tension For more games stuff by Jay Underwood and other creators check out: www.tanukigames.org To see more from Sandra Rosner: https://www.twitch.tv/ladyvonfrost https://www.insta...

Description: Jay and Chris summon their co-host, Sandra, for part interview, part roast, and all around chaotic-good time. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 2:55 - Writer origin story 6:30 - The boon of collaboration 9:00 - The study of books, genres, and 'reading in 3s' 13:20 - Rereading books 14:00 - Writing dialogue & developmental editing 20:20 - Biggest misconception of being a writer 21:55 - Writi...

Description: What makes a villain we love to hate, or hate to love? In this episode, the ThreeRPG team tackles the essentials for crafting a memorable BBEG. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 6:46 - Favorite villains 12:48 - The anatomy of a great villain 24:00 - Villains in our campaigns 38:57 - How to build a villain 49:04 - A cautionary note To see more from Sandra Rosner: https://www.twitch.tv/ladyvonfro...

Description: While TTRPG's roots lie in fantasy, campaign inspiration can come from any genre and medium. In today's episode, the ThreeRPG team explore their favorite non-fantasy movies and shows as table-top settings, and what things are forbidden from their tables. movies for inspiration things not to allow at the table. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 8:31 - Movies to inspire 12:55 - Sandra's picks 20:...

Description: Modules are awesome, but what if you have a killer idea for a new campaign? Take a peek inside the creative minds of ThreeRPG as they brainstorm a playable world in real-time. Timestamps: Brainstorming 00:00 Intro 10:10 - Genre and setting 17:22 - Creating the conflict 25:20 - exploring uncommon TTRPG genres World Creation 28:19 - finding your entry point 38:53 - building out from the...

Description: While nearly every story has a hero, attempting to define this crucial element can be notoriously difficult. Join ThreeRPG for a spirited discussion on what makes a hero and how to create memorable hero moments in your campaign. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 8:10 - What is a hero? The mono myth vs other structures 15:50 - Antiheroes 18:35 - Protagonist vs. hero vs. villain 27:15 - Do hero...

Chris, Jay, and Sandra give their top 10 lists of the most overrated and underrated features in RPG for 2025. 00:00 Intro Overrated: 8:00 - #10: leveling up (Jay), perception checks (Chris), Overly Complicated fantasy names (Sandra) 16:04 - #9: nine alignment system (Chris), Rulebook rigidity (Sandra), established D20 systems (Jay) 20:53 - #8: Over-use of digital battle maps (Sandra), generic mons...

Description: Session Zero is the cornerstone of an immersive campaign, so how do you set your table up for success? In this episode, the ThreeRPG team tackles everything from group cohesion and character creation to creating a safe environment for all of your players. Content warning - This episode involves discussions on trauma, SA, and gender. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 3:52 - what is session zer...