Mark V.

Tales From the TTRPG Dust Pan

Leisure EN ↓ 205 episodes

Dive into the world of tabletop role-playing games with this unfiltered podcast. Join host Mark V for an exploration of game design, actual play, and the fickelness of dice. From spontaneous rambles to curated game concepts, every episode offers a fresh perspective on the hobby. While the audio quality may not be studio-perfect, the content is guaranteed to spark your imagination. Discover a wealth of game ideas, both familiar and innovative, crafted by a host with years of experience in the TTRPG realm. Let the Adventures begin! The Blog: https://failedgamedesigner.blogspot.com/

Author

Mark V.

Episodes

Crowd sourced question: Is the party dynamic exclusive to TTRPGS? 12.11.2025 10:38

A short pod cast wherein I pose a question.. and talk input Lord if the rings… A decision I will likely regret.

A brief product review for “Canvas of Kings” as well as some design notes for AAIE. 11.11.2025 15:16

Have a great Tuesday .. my voice is shot but there’s no stopping the rolling Kia Studio.

Managing the spotlight in short games. 06.11.2025 16:16

Can I move the spotlight around to everyone when we are playing a short online games? Nope. Can I cater whole sessions just to give certain characters a chance to show? Yes.. yes I can.

A report from the trackless expanse. 04.11.2025 22:35

I talk about my very drowsy pathfinder game from Monday night … next time WE FIGHT

TTRPG dust bin goes digital.. 03.11.2025 21:56

Talking some video games on a fine Monday morning. Demo is: The secret of Weepstone

Am I running just for me? Dino need to readjust? 31.10.2025 17:14

A brain dum p about introspection, motivations and how I’m running games.

OH THE HORROR!!! 30.10.2025 14:38

My opinions and ideas about something I’m pretty bad at.. Running horror games. Happy Halloween 🎃

Gotta Lock In , on my hobby. 29.10.2025 26:15

A bit about getting back to doing my prep and trying to finish some TTRPG projects. Is there a design plan for AAIE? Sure … I just need to Lock In

Just a random idea …. 27.10.2025 14:17

One of those ideas that come from bits and pieces rattling about in my brain for years.

Wednesday night wrap up… the children yearn for emergent storytelling… 23.10.2025 22:58

An episode about last nights game. In which finally after three games some stories are bubbling up.

Updates weeknight games… more starfinder. This time with feeling 22.10.2025 31:21

All kinds of fun on this episode…

Star finder 2 character creation and quick takes about the game. 20.10.2025 31:24

Talking a bit about creating a character with Star finder 2. ( Hint I like the game just like I like pathfinder, even if I don't find it as versatile ) Also noting how when you go to play Starfinder 2 the group needs to be ready to strap in and accept Starfinder 2 as it's own thing - Sci Fantasy Fiction Roleplaying - https://paizo.com/starfinder

Thinking about actual plays 16.10.2025 19:35

A bit on actual plays and how they shouldn’t be how we measure our home games. Also run you game how you love… lean into it.

Brainstorming some chaotic combat. 15.10.2025 20:16

Good morning .. a quick brainstorm session.. uploaded from the Albany med shuttle.

Role-play round up 14.10.2025 27:13

What are we doing what am I reading.. role play round up for this lovely October week.

Lean into player ideas 10.10.2025 25:49

Listen to the players! They will be more engaged if the game master engages withe the thing they want for their characters.

One Shots in the dark 03.10.2025 19:20

A quick idea about what I would need to do to run better one shots

Another episode … but in this one I try to talk about things 01.10.2025 28:52

I talk about role playing games then go off about the Saudi’s buying EA. If that doesn’t sound appealing, please skip this one.

Silver Empress campaign update 29.09.2025 25:18

A recap of what went wrong and what went right in the mandate of the silver empress. We don’t play much .. but when we do .. KUMITE!

The players may have other ideas. 26.09.2025 13:12

I was listening to the “gnome stews gnomecast”podcast and just had some thoughts about what they were talking about. As the listener might expect they did an awesome job with the subject of players gettin fixated on unimportant things during a game. I largely agree with thier points . I just had my own take and felt inspired to riff on it for 13 minutes. I took a break and recorded this. Most of t...

Game design white board and other thoughts 24.09.2025 11:50

Musing about game design and an Idea deforestation AAIE that just might be worth implementing.

Using Movies to Pace your RPG's 21.09.2025 26:05

Thanks to Jay (AKA Sideburn Zombie) at the BAMF Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TJJkV19ddf3ERmoDAxGHT?si=583dcb58bc4840a6 I was inspired to revisit one of my old (March 21, 2014) blog posts about using movies, in this case Ghost busters as examples for Pacing your role playing game campaigns. IN this pod cast I revisit that post and extrapolate some of the ideas it contained. ttps://failed...

Some ideas about gamification of the party home 19.09.2025 21:16

This podcast is really about how much I love “The Magnificent Butcher”

Playing Pathfinder 2 on VTT and how I’m handling exploration 18.09.2025 19:27

Talking about the Wednesday night game. My continued fight with technology and some explanation of my exploration system.

Gaming this week + GM’s make a character for the game that you’re about to play. 15.09.2025 26:54

A bit about what’s going on this week, how to prep for it, other musings from Mile marker 119