The Arcane Alienist

Here’s a recap of the games I played at North Texas RPG Con. Also, a call from Amy Lee.

I’m on my way to North Texas RPG Con. But first I have to get through the gridlock on I-35. Thanks to T. J. Drennan for the opening music.

In this episode I have calls from Evil Jeff, Daniel Norton, Karl Rodriguez, and Jason Connerly. Plus, a recap of my travels across the Greenest State in the Land of the Free. Be sure to check out these amazing podcasts: Minions & Musings (by Evil Jeff) Bandit's Keep (by Daniel Norton) Monsters and Treasure (by Daniel Norton & K.R. King) The GMologist Presents (by Karl Rodriguez) Nerd's RPG Variety...

Here's my first episode recorded using GarageBand for Mac. So the question is - What are the essential items you need to run an RPG on the fly?

A long overdue update on D&D with theater kids. Also a call from Daniel Norton of the Bandit’s Keep YouTube and Podcast.

In this episode I have calls from Joe, Karl, Mirke, and Jason, plus a brief recap of my second Knave/OSE group's last game session. Hindsightless (Joe Richer) https://open.spotify.com/show/3LMcaHlfCDZrjUGEYEZbYx The GMologist Presnets (Karl Rodriquez) https://open.spotify.com/show/2rN4slVxXBZpTDxweaR1Ap https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOx7VJObmeKlCjdSDkKZfTQ Mirke the Meek https://open.spotif...

I’ve got a couple of calls from Jason and an update on D&D with the a bunch of band kids and theater nerds. Nerds RPG Variety Cast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4oPnUnwitpUqn9saEkFaNf Also be sure to check out some cool solo play from Daniel Norton: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLWlyyPUNLSxVSJUJ5hxyqKMDZnE5LQ9M&si=HI05U8gB3qarjfdl

Now I’m running an Old School/New School campaign with high school kids. And more keep showing up! Products used at the table: Arcknight flat minis: https://arcknight.squarespace.com Monster Fight Club scenery: https://monsterfightclub.com/ Warlock stairs, ladders, and dungeon dressings: https://shop.wizkids.com/products/copy-of-warlock-tiles-stairs-ladders https://shop.wizkids.com/products/warloc...

Flying a ship takes coordination and discipline. Unfortunately, you're a bunch of raccoons… In this episode, I review the hilarious Raccoon Sky Pirates from Hectic Electron Games. You can find the game at their website: https://www.hecticelectron.com/ Also be sure to check out our live play of the game at the GMologist YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOx7VJObmeKlCjdSDkKZfTQ/a...

I am a couple of days away from getting back to running my homebrew setting, this time with a city-based adventure and a table full of teenage rookies for players. Here's a little bit of new lore and a question for the audience. Also, we have calls from Jason Connerly and Mirke the Meek regarding computers and video games in D&D. Be sure and check out Mrike's new podcast (and Jason's old one). Mir...

Some thoughts on the relationship between tabletop games and video games. Plus calls from Karl and Jason.

In this episode I circle back around to the metagame of Old School D&D - the understanding of what drives the game forward. Plus a fist-time call from the Original Jason (Hobbs) The Random Screed Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yqtTfxYKD1ap7X39InSFa Here's the episode of Hindsightless were Joe talks about a villain that gets to metagame: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7fak38SQGzXfn5vsSJs...

This is our final episode for Native American Heritage Month. I'll talk about some traditional games of chance as well as Naasii, a push your luck dice game from the makers of Coyote & Crow. https://shop.coyoteandcrow.net/products/naasii-a-coyote-crow-dice-game Be sure to check out Part 2 of our Coyote & Crow reveiw over on the GMologist Presents: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7EgR8...

In this episode for November is Native American Heritage Month, I want to highlight the Bobcat, and independent comic by Cherokee creator James Hostler. Set in Indian Territory, 1898, it’s a blend of superhero, western, steampunk, sci-fi, and historical fiction. Check it out online: https://www.thebobcat.net/ Notes on Cherokee Language: Gvhei = Bobcat Osiyo = Hello Ulihelisdi, nigade = Welcome, ev...

November is Native American Heritage Month. In this episode I am joined by frequent collaborator Karl (of The GMologist Presents) and my friend and fellow gamer Sarah to discuss Coyote & Crow (https://coyoteandcrow.net/). We cover the concept and the setting for the game, including the ways it helps players get drawn into an Indigenous mindset. This the first of two reviews. Our second one will ap...

Old school education had its “Three R’s” but what about old school gaming? Plus calls from Karl and Jason. The GMologits Presents (Karl Rodriguez) https://open.spotify.com/show/2rN4slVxXBZpTDxweaR1Ap https://youtube.com/@thegmologist9270?si=Gs5BhfTqSW-zscKD Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast (Jason Connerly) https://open.spotify.com/show/4oPnUnwitpUqn9saEkFaNf

In this episode, I have calls from Anthony Boyd (aka, Runeslinger) of the Casting Shadows blog/podcast/YouTube, and Jason Conerly of the Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast. We’ll discuss our recent Hollow Earth Expeditions game, and a little bit of debate about the nature of gunslingers. Casting Shadows/Runeslinger Blog: https://castingshadowsblog.com/ Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0sEnjb4ECR6CcfU6B...

The GMologist, Karl Rodriguez, joins me in this episode as we roll up a character and review We Deal In Lead, a weird west game from By Odin's Beard RPG. The game uses a version of the Cairn rules and is set in a realm inspired by Steven King's series, The Dark Tower. You can view this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/RBxZbNLv-wM?si=yW37eTuZyO6YjXI5 You can check out more about the game here: h...

Calls from Jason Connerly and the Pink Phantom. Be sure to listen to their latest episodes: Nerd's RPG Variety Cast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4oPnUnwitpUqn9saEkFaNf Phantom Thoughts: https://open.spotify.com/show/6FruRifoPx94Vbmi2jGCUr Also, here a link to the book series Jason mentions in his call: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XM3SG56

Let's talk about the greatest dark fantasy character of all time: The White Wolf, the Sailor on the Seas of Fate, the Eternal Champion, Elric of Melnibone. We also have calls from Jason and Daniel. Plus check out these cool OSE Spell Cards by David Nielson (links below). OSE Spell Cards... https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/408131/OldSchool-Spell-Cards-OldSchool-Essentials-OSE-B-X-OSR?src=hottes...

I have an idea for how wizards collect spells, inspired by the Knave with a little bit of Holmes Basic thrown in. Here are the two episodes of Bandit’s Keep I reference: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1XB2dZtiF4J3T11ztfFqcl?si=jQWRYbBvQ3emIx-eNGJNgA https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ieb5pUL4699m96r9QfqPj?si=IWBtkaH5RLefe3MpYph8TA And be sure to check out the Knave RPG by Ben Milton: In Print......

In this episode, we have calls from various podcasters about #RPGaDAY2023. Jason of Nerds' RPG Variety Cast Daniel of Bandit's Keep Karl & Amy of The GMologist Presents Be sure to check out their podcasts as well!

#RPGaDAY2023 comes to a close (Whew!). Maybe your favorite RPG is the friends you made along the way.

It's #RPGaDAY2023. In this episode: obscure role-playing games you may or may not have hear of.

It's #RPGaDAY2023 and we are finally caught up. In this episode, the scariest thing I have done to a DM and a very memorable encounter (both of which happen to be the same event).