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Characters Without Stories

Leisure EN ↓ 55 episodes

Characters Without Stories is a tabletop role playing game podcast about the roads not yet traveled. Every episode I bring in a friend to tell me about their unplayed character and their approach to creating characters. I cover all kinds of RPGs - from indies to D&D. I've had some fascinating conversations about how our characters intersect with and reveal our identities and how play is a gateway to understanding ourselves. I hope you'll give it a listen. Thank you and may all your characters find their stories.

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Episodes

Madame Azlu, Sailor of the Sea of Stars - Confronting Ableism with Rachel Voss (D&D 5e) 26.09.2022 31:49

Rachel Voss brings Madame Azlu to the table. Madame Azlu sails across the Sea of Stars, chasing constellations in a crystal ship. Rachel and I discuss how our characters are influenced by our lives and the media we consume, including disabled characters in D&D, and how TTRPGs have given her the opportunity to confront the ableism she deals with in the real world. This character is built for D&...

Farthing, the Accidental Pirate - Being a Badass with Mobility Aids with Wesley Magee-Saxton (D&D 5e) 12.09.2022 33:25

Wesley Magee-Saxton brings Farthing to the table. Farthing is a disabled high elf who became an accidental stowaway and an accidental pirate. Wesley and I discuss finding inspiration in historical research, creating magical items that help bring disabled characters to life in D&D, and how characters who need mobility aids can still be badass. This character is built for D&D 5e. Wesley is a...

Requiem, the Reluctant Tiefling - Searching for Found Family with Neineyes (D&D 5e) 29.08.2022 30:57

Stevie brings Requiem to the table. Requiem is a Tiefling Warlock who pledged her service to Asmodeus to save her girlfriend, losing everything in the process. Stevie and I discuss the unique origins of the tiefling race, finding inspiration in unusual places, living your authentic self in TTRPGs, and how the idea of found family is central both to D&D and to the queer community. This characte...

Qurr the Birbarian - Building Better Backstories with Jay (D&D 5e) 15.08.2022 23:00

Jay brings Qurr to the table. Qurr is an Aarakocra Barbarian on a mission to prove herself to the goddess Syranita. Jay and I discuss how introducing randomness into character building can help bring characters to life, creating detailed backstories that leave room for growth, how an aarakocra might adjust to a city built for non-flying characters, and how even a pun can inspire a character. This...

Bart Biggityburg, Tortle Marathon Runner - Playing Against Type with Mxlpxl (D&D 5e) 26.07.2022 29:40

Andrew Rahman brings Bart Biggityburg to the table. Bart is a Tortle Drakewarden Ranger who has trained to be a championship marathon runner. Andrew and I discuss turning the tables on common misconceptions about what a character can do, finding inspiration in myth and fable, and using game mechanics to tell a story. This character is built for D&D 5e. Andrew Rahman has been playing D&D fo...