Cantrips and Coffee

We changed our format, and because of that had to find something else to drink coffee to. Luckily, Seth Skorkowsky, fantasy author and TTRPG Youtuber extraordinaire, jumped in to make sure the pot was full. Listen to our very first episode of Cold Brew where we'll be giving an unscripted and mostly unedited dive into different, singular topics each time. This episode, Jodi and Ruin sit back and ta...

Harry, Emrys and Zamere are back in our second episode exploring the world of Zweihander. In our last episode, our players played a series of games at a wedding, and learned of a missing bride token. Tasked with its recovery, they were promised 2 gold crowns a piece; however, it surely can't be that easy, can it? Grab a mug, fill it full of the hot stuff: it's time for part two of "A Bitter Harves...

Zweihander is an epic, low fantasy, grim-dark game that pulls a lot of inspiration from history. Because not everyone is a history buff, we're taking a look at various media that could help inspire you to GM or play it. Our sources for this episode include: - The Dragon Prince , by Melanie Rawn - Kingdom of Heaven (2005, Ridley Scott) - Berserk, by Kentaro Miura - Dark Souls (FromSoft) - The Shatt...

At 667 pages of hardcover beauty, Zweihander doesn't mess around. The system is so complex and gigantic we just knew we couldn't look at it the same way we did all the others. In the first episode of our show's new format, we dive head first into a world of grim and perilous humanity, starting with a light hearted wedding, before getting into a whole lot of dark fantasy.  Welcome to Cantrips...

Welcome back to the Natural 20 Cafe, we gather here to drink coffee and discuss all things tabletop. Each week we get together with four topics, and debate the finer points, hoping to inspire. This week, we look at: 1. Which IP would we love to see turned into a TTRPG system? 2. What differences does setting bring to TTRPGs and which do we prefer? 3. What's "objectively" cooler, magic or tech? 4....

Cyberpunk Red is a long established TTRPG franchise, but it takes inspiration from a ton of sources. The great thing? Most of it involves popular movies and novels, and can actually fit in with our everyday lingo. We're taking a look at lore that inspires R. Talsorian's hit game this week, and it may or may not include our hosts personal story of shame and regret. Settle on in as we look at BladeR...

Edgy, hyper-stylistic, and cybernetically enhanced, Cyberpunk Red is the newest edition of the renowned game created by R. Talsorian Games. Fresh off the release, we delve into the ins and outs of this alternative history, dystopian future tabletop game. Does it actually hack it with the top systems, or is it just a dirty, big corpo, critical mess sold to the ignorant bourgy. Guess you're about to...

Cybernetic enhancements, post-apocalyptic anarchy, and corporate warfare-- welcome to Cyberpunk Red, the fourth edition of R. Talsorian's techno fueled TTRPG. The world as we know it has never existed, and in its place an alternate timeline shapes a grim future where survival depends on how deadly, cool, or sexy you can make your body through technological adaptations. If you ain't modded, you're...

Facts: escape rooms aren't meant for everyone, and being a cutthroat makes you rich. Welcome back to the Natural 20 Cafe, we're here to discuss all things tabletop. Each week we gather with four topics, and debate the finer points, hoping to inspire. This week, we look at: 1. Should the table change established lore of systems? 2. How has digitization of tabletop session changed the original inten...

Things are looking a little different this week on Espresso. Instead of finding new resources to help you run the system, we complete a deep dive on the established lore of GODS by Arkhane Asylum. In a world so rich and developed-- more than most other new systems-- what does that mean for running and playing in this world? Listen to find out what we think. Welcome to Cantrips and Coffee, where ea...

Arkhane Asylum's dark fantasy TTRPG GODS captivated us during play, but how does a game in pre-release actually stack up against established franchises? Listen as we unpack all there is to know about this brewing system, and whether or not you should buy day one. Welcome to Cantrips and Coffee, where each month we roast up a fresh batch of episodes on different tabletop roleplaying games. In our "...

The old gods have long forsaken their land, and in their stead, faith in the One God spreads like wildfire through the Cult of the Black Sun. But the Cult hides dangerous knowledge, and persecutes anyone who may stand in their way. Political and religious ideologies clash, and those who are scorned seek shards of power to reap their revenge. Journey with us this month as we explore GODS, by Arkhan...

Where does inspiration for campaigns come from? What are the pros and cons of accessibity of TTRPGs? What are unique items that have made the scenario? And, what about TTRPGs keep us coming back every time? As an added bonus: just why does Cade see a Terry's Chocolate Orange as an affront to humanity? Settle in to the Natural 20 Cafe for Side Table, as we delve into only the most important questio...

2020 has been a wild ride, but sometimes things happened to make it all seem irrelevant—like newborn children and jolly fat men. In celebration of the better parts of this year, we bring you a special holiday treat: a one shot of Dadlands by the McElroy Family. Put down the coffee, top up the mug with some of that holiday cheer and join us as we have one daaaaaaad Christmas. Welcome to Cantrips an...

We're back at it with Dungeon Crawl Classics by Goodman Games, but this time we take a look at the celebrated Appendix N, creating a curated list of resources. If you were just as intrigued by DCC as we were, this episode is dedicated to letting you know which materials you need to explore to get started. Welcome to Cantrips and Coffee, where each month we roast up a fresh batch of episodes on dif...

It's self proclaimed as the "Deadliest game alive", but does it walk the walk? This week on Cantrips and Coffee, we put down the mugs and have a tough conversation about the system, and also why it may just be the Pokemon Nuzlocke challenge of tabletop.  Welcome to Cantrips and Coffee, where each month we roast up a fresh batch of episodes on different tabletop roleplaying games. In our "anything...

Deadly traps, grueling combat, custom dice, and a tiny cow? Dungeon Crawl Classics doesn't mess around, and the C&C crew may have bit off more than we can chew in this Appendix N inspired fantasy Tabletop RPG. Listen as poor townsfolk venture forth to find their fortune, only to be met with horrific (and vaguely comedic) death. Welcome to Cantrips and Coffee, where each month we roast up a fresh b...

In our very first Side Table episode, we gather at The Natural 20 café and talk about the rise of nerd culture, our personal introductions to tabletop games, the necessity of house rules, and skill rolls versus play autonomy.   Welcome to Cantrips and Coffee, where each month we roast up a fresh batch of episodes on different tabletop roleplaying games. In our "anything but D&D" format, w...

In our first Espresso episode, we talk about how you can get started playing Chaosium's Call of Cthulhu. Ruin and Cade discuss which of H.P. Lovecraft's stories will inspire Keepers and Investigators most, and which module is a must have. Welcome to Cantrips and Coffee, where each month we roast up a fresh batch of episodes on different tabletop roleplaying games. In our "anything but D&D" format,...

In our sophomore episode, we give an in depth analysis and review of Chaosium's Call of Cthulhu. Listen as we discuss what makes this system unique, and whether you should spend your hard earned dollars on it, or let it slumber eternally in the depths of the ocean. Welcome to Cantrips and Coffee, where each month we roast up a fresh batch of episodes on different tabletop roleplaying games. In our...

In our inaugural episode, we try our hands at Chaosium's Call of Cthulhu, using their quick start scenario: The Haunting. Welcome to Cantrips and Coffee, where we explore tabletop RPGs and review them to help you decide if it's worth your time. In our "anything but D&D" format, we provide weekly episodes, where each month is focused on a different series. Join us next time for our in depth ana...

Our teaser for the upcoming series on tabletop reviews and coffee talk. Join us every Monday, starting November 2, 2020, as we explore different rpg systems, review, and recommend, all while trying to stay caffeinated.