Sidekicks & Sidequests

AI tools are around. Ubiquitous and being forced upon us more and more into our hobbies. Certainly, they can be used for left-brain logistics...but when we surrender our right minds to generative LLMs that scrape the Internet and other peoples' hard work to deliver instant, soulless gratification...we lose that spark that make us us: HUMAN. So this panel will seek to inspire folks to write what th...

We join the table of Jess Mitchell and roll the dice to create Anton Stodgley. An elderly chap who drives a Tenser's Floating Disc Train...but he tells the missus he still works at the mine. This cabal of wizards is forcing him to tell lie after lie, and all he wants is to ask you help him prepare for a date with Mrs. Stodgley... And note: I've included the raw transcript from Zencastr for this ep...

We return to the table of the once Fr. Tom Bombadil now christened Fr. Chris once again! With the idea of a halfling courier on the mind, we explore the long and dedicated life of dear Wendell. But as we soon learn, Wendell is getting older and yearns to reconnect with his family before it's too late. Will you help deliver the letter that he cannot? And note: I've included the raw transcript from...

We join the table of Jeff Stein from The Storycrafters Podcast and mix-and-match. Danver Stargazer is a Verdan, one of the mutant goblinoids found in the Acquisitions, Inc. Setting Guide. By day he's a barback, and at night he's the lute player at The Ivories, a charming tavern of an eccentric owner with a collection of TEETH. And Danver could sure use your aid in finding a replacement and REAL Be...

We join the table of Mr. (Sean) Shickadance and riff an idea to life! Qbert was once a Gelatinous Cube that became True Polymorphed into...a guy, just a normal, regular guy. Now a tamer of slimes, he calls the sewers home and urban legends of him abound. But if you're brave enough to find him, he will need your help to face an even great threat! And note: I've included the raw transcript from Zenc...

We return to the table of Allison and are joined by Raenelle from The Kids Table DND and we "jaeger/kaiju" another character together! Meet your local teenage tree troll, Bernard (not to be confused with a certain duck animal companion)! Bernard, along with his trusty steed Shrek the Donkey, are knocker-uppers, working to ensure everyone in the hamlet arises each morning when they otherwise wouldn...

We join the table of Erin Whitford, my college friend and dystopian sci-fi writer of her first novel! We roll the dice to create Nora Swift, a goliath alchemist. She is a retired adventurer running her own shop. She needs your help to locate some missing pages from a book...and she's willing to produce a potion just for you! And note: I've included the raw transcript from Zencastr for this episode...

We join the table of Grant Kress, the Roll for Magic Item guy! We combine our tables to create an ancient grimlock named Tobias, who is the resident thatcher and roof repairman. With his tools and magic ring, this Circle of Spores druid is able to collect spores AND fix roofs. But while repairing the town church's roof, he overhears about a young missing bride/groom from a wedding...you should go...

We join the table of Andrew Kolb to create a Discworld-coded goblin hot dog vendor named Zigster! This ancient goblin is helping to keep the tradition alive with their tasty pork-products* called "Ziggy Piggies" and "The Plate" in every major metropolis or hamlet of your world! Zigster sends you on a Monster Hunt for his next batch of unique Ziggy Piggies in exchange for some crucial information.....

We join the table of Charlie the Inked GM to roll the dice to create Sarcastique Under-Tony! A wood elf hexblood in the employ of the Babushka, he is an accountant of ruthless efficiency and impeccable recordkeeping. While it's true he mostly deals in blood, ink, or coin, this CPA cares for the canines of the Feywild, which he needs your help to find a dog lost in a dark well in the depths of the...

We join the table of K a.k.a. The Canine Detective to roll the dice to create Victoria! One of the rare pterafolk, she enjoys retirement from her fieldwork as an adventurer doing [REDACTED] and now has taken up being a dog matchmaker for adventuring parties. But she only wants the best homes for these dogs of her. You won't like what happens if you break your canine contract and code of conduct......

We join the table of B. Dave Walters to roll the dice to create Yohannes! On the surface, this triton is a retired adventurer and schoolteacher. But underneath? She's a haunted Harper. There's a cult out there with treasure from the last mission she was on...you should make sure they don't have it anymore... HAPPY NEW YEAR 2026! And note: I've included the raw transcript from Zencastr for this epi...

B. Dave Walters told me not to leave good stuff on the cutting room floor. So enjoy as he fills in the blanks for the next guest to be able to use! And with that...Season 6 has come to a close. And note: I've included the raw transcript from Zencastr for this episode as well (will work to go back and retrieve and upload others as I'm able). Please note the transcripts are the UNEDITED version, not...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! For our fourth Parleys at the Platter special, I invited Lauren Walsh, Mandi Quin, Britt Anderson, Katherine, and Hank "DnDoodles" to discuss the fundamental elements that make D&D work: Art & Creativity! From the little brown books to the explosion of digital media, the world of art and creativity surrounding D&D continues to grow and expand over th...

We join the table of Tyler Smith to roll the dice to create Abaddon Cain! A bearfolk...literally...an awakened bear! With a modron friend Zero-One, Abaddon Cain is an adopted son of an auction house. He is eager to study magic and go to the Astral Sea...but there's a piece of his buddy that seems to be missing. Can you help him find it? MERRY CHRISTMAS 2025! And note: I've included the raw transcr...

We join the table of Bryce from the Big Flying Lizard Podcast to roll the dice to create Wrenglion! A quaggoth who fled the Underdark, now makes a living as a fisherman of a subterranean lake next to a great dwarven city. While he certainly has knowledge and secrets of the Underdark, he has more pressing matters: aberrations are beginning to appear within the sewers of this dwarven city, posing a...

We join the table of Tyler Kamstra of RPGBOT.net to roll the dice to create Tobias! He is an immortal naiad who lives in an inn by the river who makes moonshine! It's a comfy, spooky kind of place with a large family of halflings running the place, and spirits that come in for a drink before they pass along. Tobias ponders aloud where his missing sibling from the Feywild could be... And note: I've...

This was a panel/live episode I did at the second annual FateCon 2025 on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at the Bob Duncan Center in Arlington, TX! I was joined by Mandie Greenie, and we shared our thoughts, opinions, ideas, and more when it came to NPCs in our games. Then we rolled some dice between us and three audience members to create Zuri a teenage manticore inquisitor to a cult of Tiamat; if y...

We join the table of Hank a.k.a. "DnDoodles" to roll the dice to create Evelina! She is a middle-aged tortle blacksmith, making swords in a swamp...which are being used to help prop up her shop! She needs your help taking our a merchant who has wronged her...will you help out this rather odd smithy? And note: I've included the raw transcript from Zencastr for this episode as well (will work to go...

We join the table of Tanya DePass as they bring their character Alexander to the table! Alexander is an eladrin paladin-mercenary for hire, with a gruff exterior that hides a more endearing heart beneath. After you've gotten to know him, he finally opens up: he wants to meet someone from their past and he wants your help to find them! And note: I've included the raw transcript from Zencastr for th...

We return to the table of Jeri and KC of the Five Sided Fates! With a new Kickstarter launched for more "Futures & Friends", the Fates have brought us two characters near and dear to their hearts: O.S.S.H.A. and Princess Myneera! Both red heads (but not related), these characters have had all sorts of misadventures in their home games and within the decks of SpeedyRPG. In a first for the Rando...

We join the table of John M. Rodriguez of Heroes Wanted to bring his character Fenn to the podcast! She is a young lupine shifter, raised in isolation, surging in barbarian rage and wild magic. She is feared and misunderstood, but she's far from the terrifying beast they make her to be! She needs your help to figure out what's REALLY causing the trouble in the town that she's being blamed for! And...

We join the table of Mandie Greenie to roll the dice to create Irythil! They are a thri-kreen adult, working as literal muckraker in the streets of a major metropolis in your world. Invisible to most, they have learned a scandalous secret that could lead to some sensational journalism. Will you help them win a famous painting at auction to learn the truth? And note: I've included the raw transcrip...

We join the table of Britt Anderson to roll the dice to create Thorsten! He is a teenage troglodyte who is a ranch hand for the Trolldust's, just outside of Free Town. The cattle? Guinea pigs of course! Thorsten sure could use your help to follow the kid he's taken a shine to -- he's worried he's up to no good... And note: I've included the raw transcript from Zencastr for this episode as well (wi...

We return to the table of Nicole the GameMasterMom to introduce a character from the upcoming "Tales of Aetheria: An Unexpected Quest", Wren! You've seen her in the artwork and promotion of this Kickstarter, but this first book won't actually feature this young adventurer. So, we decided to get a hint and a preview (and invent some new confectionary lore?) of this half-orc grave cleric in training...