"It's about RPGs and stuff" ~ Free Thrall

Keep off the Borderlands

Leisure EN ↓ 325 episodes

Welcome to Keep off the Borderlands. Initially a podcast documenting my return to table top roleplay gaming following a thirty-year hiatus. Currently searching for excuses for why I haven't GM'd yet. You can leave me an audio message here or via Speakpipe at https://www.speakpipe.com/KeepOffTheBorderlandsEmail me at spencer.freethrall@gmail.comYou can also follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/FreeThrall and join the podcast Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/FreeThrall/ freethrall.substack.com

Author

"It's about RPGs and stuff" ~ Free Thrall

Category

Leisure

Podcast website

freethrall.substack.com

Latest episode

Jun 28, 2026

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Episodes

The Bastion Social 003 (Mythic Bastionland) (E250) 23.04.2024

To celebrate my 250th episode, I'm joined by the wonderful Barney Dicker of Loco Ludus for the long-awaited third installment of The Bastion Social where we take a look at the pre-print PDF of Chris McDowall's forthcoming Mythic Bastionland. Honourable mention: Pilgrimage of the Sun Guard, a solo adventure game by Amanda P. Featured in episode 198 https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Y9E2dcEXKnHnn4Ne...

But is it Really Roleplay? (4D Roleplaying, Jubensha, Braunstein) (E249) 18.04.2024

In this episode I that a look into 4D roleplaying as discussed by Sameøldji on episode 14 of their podcast The Four Dimensional Model of Roleplaying. https://open.spotify.com/episode/035cpq8HK6aK3ekVSI3ln9?si=UYL2wQVhTLqnoL-UWXIfyA I also came across a couple of YouTube videos that relate to the topic. Firstly, Quintin “Quinns” Smith takes a trip to Singapore to investigate the phenomenon of Juben...

Between the Borderlands: Twice as Mice (Mausritter: The Estate) (E248) 12.04.2024

Just sharing a surprise unboxing and a call from Colin Green of Spikepit (podcast). This month’s movie is Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal from 1982. Contributions submitted by the end of April 26th, please. See below for details on contacting the show. Leave me an audio message via  ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/KeepOffTheBorderlands You can email me at   ⁠spencer.freethrall@gmail.com⁠ You can find me...

Between the Borderlands: Virgins & Revisions (E247) 02.04.2024

Just a little Movie Monday feedback concerning Dragonslayer and Excalibur. This episode features contributions from: (in order of appearance) Jason Connerley of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (podcast & blog) Joe Richter of Hindsightless (podcast) Karl Rodriguez of the GMologist Presents… (podcast & YouTube) This month’s movie is Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal from 1982. Contributions submitted by the end...

Excalibur on Movie Monday (E246) 25.03.2024

It’s Movie Monday again and the movie for March was John Boorman’s Arthurian epic Excalibur from 1981. Liam Neeson meets Helen Mirren anecdote https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoY0J5jSbTM This episode features contributions from: (in order of appearance) Safer of Safer Fantasy Crafting (podcast) Karl Rodriguez of the GMologist Presents… (podcast & YouTube) Jason Connerley of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast...

Flogging a Dead Dragon & AOB (Further DragonSlayer Feedback) (E245) 20.03.2024

Well, March flew by all too quickly. This is me playing catchup before Movie Monday comes around again. This month’s movie is John Boorman’s Excalibur from 1981. Contributions are required for March 22nd. See details for contacting the show below. This episode features contributions from: (in order of appearance) Jason Connerley of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (podcast & blog) Menion (AKA Rob) of Confe...

Dragonslayer on Movie Monday (E244) 26.02.2024

Well, it’s Movie Monday again and this month’s movie was Matthew Robbins’ dark medieval fantasy Dragonslayer, a movie I’d not previously seen. This episode features contributions from: (in order of appearance) Jason Connerley of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (podcast & blog) Michael of Mirke the Meek (podcast) Joe Richter of Hindsightless (podcast) Menion (AKA Rob) of Confessions of a Wee Tim’rous Bushi...

Between the Borderlands: Dungeonmaster/Ragewar, A Missed Movie Monday (E243) 22.02.2024

Goblin’s Henchman kindly sent me a review of the former Movie Monday feature Dungeonmaster. I decided to give the movie a watch before listening to that review, having missed the movie the first time around. In this episode, I share my thoughts along with those of the Goblin’s Henchman-fronted Southwest Sofa Crew. The movie for next month is Matthew Robbins’ Dragonslayer from 1981. Submissions req...

The Bride of RPGs are Frankenstein's Monsters (E242) 17.02.2024

Featuring awesome messages from Ivan Podgwaite of IvanMike1968 (YouTube), Julz Burgisser of Jewels From NZ (podcast, Twitch), Jason Connerley of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (podcast, blog), Michael of Mirke The Meek (podcast), and Menion aka Rob of Confessions of a Wee Tim’rous Bushi (podcast). Media mentioned: Anthony and Ivan play Ubiquity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXW8hhw_7xc&list=PLZfuKgeD5f...

Between the Borderlands: More Bandits Banter Time (E241) 06.02.2024

Here’s more Time banter, featuring a message from Anthony “Runeslinger” Boyd of Casting Shadows (podcast & blog) concerning the Voyagers TV show, and mor feedback from Jason Connerley of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (podcast & blog), Karl Rodriguez of The GMologist presents… (podcast & YouTube), and Safer of Safer Fantasy Crafting (podcast). Honourable Mention: Daniel Norton of Bandit’s Keep (podcast &...

Between the Borderlands: Extra Time Bandits Bonus (E240) 03.02.2024

Here’s a little follow-up to Time Bandits Movie Monday, featuring a missed contribution from Mirke the Meek (podcast) and feedback from Jason Connerley of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (podcast & blog), Joe Richter of Hindsightless (podcast), Daniel Norton of Bandit’s Keep (podcast & YouTube) The movie for next month is Matthew Robbins’ Dragonslayer from 1981. Submissions required by February 23rd. See...

Time Bandits on Movie Monday (E239) 29.01.2024

Here it is! My first bash at Movie Monday, a feature previously hosted by Jason Connerley over on Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast. Jason kindly asked if I could take over hosting the feature, which I was more than happy to do, as he has some other things he would like to devote time to. One such project is his new solo play RPG blog that you can check out here https://nerdsrpgvarietycast.com As you’ve pro...

What are the Odds? (E238) 22.01.2024

Beginning with another reminder for your Movie Monday entries. This month’s movie is Terry Gilliam’s Time Bandits (1981). Please see the various methods of contacting the show below. I respond to a couple of messages kindly sent in by Jason Connerley of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast before comparing chances of success in various RPGs I’ve played. Systems mentioned: Chris McDowall’s Into the Odd, David B...

The Role of the Dice (E237) 14.01.2024

I begin with a reminder for your Movie Monday entries. This month’s movie is Terry Gilliam’s Time Bandits (1981). Please see the various methods of contacting the show below. I respond to a message from Michael of Mirke the Meek before contemplating the purpose of player dice rolls. Honourable mentions: Tim Gray’s Jaws of the Six Serpents, Daniel Norton & K.R. King of Monsters & Treasure - episode...

Between the Borderlands: The Substack Interpretation (E236) 11.01.2024

This is not a regular episode. This is Between the Borderlands. This is a follow-up episode regarding Substack’s decision to remove Nazi content. Special thanks to Joe Richter of Hindsightless. Leave me an audio message via  ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/KeepOffTheBorderlands You can email me at   ⁠spencer.freethrall@gmail.com⁠ You can find me in a bunch of other places here  ⁠https://freethrall.carr...

Between the Borderlands: The Substack Situation (E235) 10.01.2024

This is not a regular episode. This is Between the Borderlands. I just wanted to share my thoughts regarding the Substack approach to content moderation. Leave me an audio message via  ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/KeepOffTheBorderlands You can email me at   ⁠spencer.freethrall@gmail.com⁠ You can find me in a bunch of other places here  ⁠https://freethrall.carrd.co⁠ You can also find me on Discord by...

A Boy and His Podcast (E234) 06.01.2024

This episode is primarily a bit of housekeeping, a bunch of stuff that should have been mentioned in the last episode, some end-of-year gaming and the announcement that I will be taking over the hosting of Movie Monday, a feature previously hosted by Jason Connerley over on Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast. Movie Monday is a feature in which we choose a movie for listeners to watch each month and send in t...

The Seduction of Art (E233) 23.12.2023

In this episode, I answer messages from Jason Connerley of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast, Michael of Mirke the Meek, and Karl Rodriguez of The GMologist Presents… I take a very brief look at a bunch of RPG books I picked up this year including Modiphius’s The Troubleshooters RPG, Zedeck Siew and Munkao’s Reach of the Roach God, Luka Rejec’s UltraViolet Grasslands 2E, Ben Milton’s Knave Second Edition, C...

Next Stop King Goosey (The Curse of the Ganshogrr) (E232) 08.12.2023

This episode kicks off with a wonderful message Mirke the Meek, whose podcast has had me contemplating the format of my show. We then have a potted history of Traveller courtesy of Micheal “Chigowiz” Shorten of The Dungeon Master’s Handbook and a first-time call for Lex Mandrake of Dank Dungeons (creator of AZAG and 5B). Lex’s creations are available on both DriveThruRPG https://preview.drivethrur...

Get on the Gus Bus (Gus L) (E231) 28.11.2023

Here’s another brief episode as I attempt to get back in the saddle. Big thanks to Joe Richter of Hindsightless and Karl Rodriguez of The GMologist Presents… for the birthday wishes. I also have a call from new podcaster on the block Mirke the Meek. Be sure to check his show out here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mirke-the-meek/id1717660767 Find Gus L.’s blog All Dead Generations free stu...

OSR October - A Brief Debrief (E230) 28.10.2023

Some brief notes for a brief episode. Big thanks for calls from Jason Connerley of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast, Menion aka Rob of Confessions of a Wee Tim’rous Bushi, and Barry Dewey-Robertson aka GM Shadow of Shadow of the GM. Be sure to check out Gus L.’s blog All Dead Generations. Find the free stuff here https://alldeadgenerations.blogspot.com/p/pdf-adventure-archives.html Music by Timothy J. Dren...

Not The OSR October News (The Bizarre Brochure, Talk To Me)(E229) 07.10.2023

I begin by addressing OSR October and why I’ve been in two minds about involving myself in it before deciding it will be a good opportunity to take a look at some interesting products. I share some great calls from Joe Richter of Hindsightless, Jason Connerley of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast and Michael “Chigowiz” Shorten of The Dungeon Masters Handbook. There’s a little more about the awesomeness of C...

Two-Fisted Attack (FIST: Ultra Edition & PLANET FIST)(E228) 18.09.2023

Kicking things off in the traditional manner by responding to calls from Jason Connerley of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast, Anthony “Runeslinger” Boyd of Casting Shadows, and Nate Gillbreath of I’m Right, Your Welcome. I then take a look at CLAYMORE’s FIST Paranormal Mercenary RPG Box Set Kickstarter https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/frogappreciator/fist-paranormal-mercenary-rpg-box-set?ref=discovery&...

Week 4 & 5 #RPGaDAY2023 Revenant Roundup (E227) 31.08.2023

In this overdue episode, I respond to calls from John Alan Large of The Red Dice Diaries, Colin Green of Spikepit and Jason Connerley of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast followed by the remaining prompts 21 to 31 of #RPGaDAY2023. Find all the prompts here  https://www.autocratik.com/2023/07/this-august-10th-rpgaday.html?m=1 Find out more from David F. Chapman and Anthony ‘Runeslinger’ Boyd here Featuring…...

Week 3 #RPGaDAY2023 Reluctant Roundup (E226) 19.08.2023

In this episode, I respond to a couple of calls from Dr Samuel Johnson and Safer Fantasy Craft and John Alan Large of The Red Dice Diaries before addressing prompts 15 to 20 of #RPGaDAY2023. Find all the prompts here  https://www.autocratik.com/2023/07/this-august-10th-rpgaday.html?m=1 Find out more from David F. Chapman and Anthony ‘Runeslinger’ Boyd here Featuring… Lieren of Updates from the Mid...

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