Roll For Topic

In the last episode, we planned a Wild West adventure and “dungeon.” Now, we force a gang of hapless players through it! Guest players John, Ben, Toby, and Brandon team up to take on the sinister Snake Oil Kid and his gang. Will things go smoothly and according to plan? Or will they veer wildly … Continue reading "Episode 105 — Actual Play: Snake Oil’s Last Score"

It’s the holidays which means it’s the return of Roll For Topic’s traditional Build-a-Dungeon/Play-a-Dungeon! This episode we design a “dungeon” with our pals, Kyle and John, from The Splatbook. Next episode we’ll run what we came up with as an actual play. You can listen to these episodes in whatever order you’d like. Happy holidays!

This week Andy and Chris are joined by Toby to talk about encumbrance systems. Listen as they slowly convince themselves that encumbrance isn’t all bad. This topic was added by listener, Wulf Mungus. Thanks, Wulf!

Andy and Chris recap their Halloween roleplaying experiences before tackling a tricky design challenge: can they come up with an interesting way to use cellphones as part of a roleplaying experience?

Chris and Andy are joined by guest GM Alban to discuss how you might build an entire adventure around a performance. Is that a performance by the PCs, or by the players? We discuss that, with side forays into topics like Ars Magica, finding GM inspiration in the natural world around you, and more!

Can you believe we’ve produced 100 episodes? What a wonderful ride it’s been. Join Andy and Chris for a special episode of reflection on the last four years of roleplaying and podcasting. This episode departs from our usual format and asks you to indulge Andy and Chris as they discuss what they’ve learned and where … Continue reading "Episode 100 — Looking Back at 100...

What makes a “good” cult in a game? They also have a few pamphlets for you to read—and if you join them in their study they’d be happy to answer any questions you might have!

Chris and Andy brainstorm a tactile system for marking the passage of time or health in an RPG! But not before Chris a ridiculous action movie, and Andy pitches a ridiculous mashup of a certain intergalactic hunter and a certain murder-mystery RPG.

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!