The Jaunty Mantis TTRPG Podcast

Ever wonder what happens when your Nosferatu fashion designer fails a feeding roll? The Jaunty Mantis dives deep into the blood-soaked streets of Galveston and the creative chaos of running Vampire: The Masquerade. In this episode, Jesse and Chris get into the weird and wonderful mechanics of running Vampire: The Masquerade in Galveston, Texas — from ghostly visions after the 1900 hurricane to Nos...

What if your TTRPG character suddenly told you they were more than you ever imagined—and what if your RPG's combat and social rules were holding you back? Matty returns to the podcast and things get spicy fast as we dive into the evolving craft of tabletop RPGs. From character-changing playlists to Vampire: The Masquerade’s approach to social mechanics—and the eternal question of how much combat a...

What happens when you mix time travel, cybernetics, and dinosaurs — and then get stuck 90 million years in the past? We’re diving into Predation, the wildest RPG you’ve never played. Strap in, game mothers, dungeon masters, and dice goblins — this episode we’re reviewing Predation, the dinosaur-heavy RPG from Monte Cook Games built on the Cypher System! We unpack what makes Predation such a unique...

In this episode of The Jaunty Mantis, we riff on mechanical ways to make dinosaurs stand out at the table — beyond simple reskins or bigger HP pools. They cover size & reach, zone-based combat, fear/horror mechanics, animal companions and mounts, pack tactics, and inspiration from other RPG systems (Rifts, Exalted, 4E, Runehammer).

What happens when dinosaurs, blood magic, and gothic horror collide? In this episode of The Jaunty Mantis, hosts Jesse and Matty dive deep into Dungeons & Dragons design, building new 5e subclasses and settings inspired by the theme of prehistoric dread. Matty introduces a new Blood Hunter Order of the Sauran, blending primal instincts and dinosaur fury into a playable subclass for D&D. Me...

What if your next D&D campaign was ruled by dinosaurs? From cursed velociraptor gods to underground triceratops kingdoms, Jesse and Matty explore the wildest ways to bring prehistoric power into your tabletop worlds. What happens when you mix dinosaurs with tabletop roleplaying games? In this episode of The Jaunty Mantis, Jesse and Matty dive headfirst into the prehistoric—exploring how to bri...

Jesse interviews Richard Dansky, writer and line developer for Wraith: The Oblivion. They discuss his gaming roots, LARP experiences, professional work with White Wolf, and current projects including Nightmare Logic, Bridgewater, and the Video Game Writer’s Survival Guide.

Jesse and Chris dive into the renewed interest in D&D 4th Edition, reflecting on its tactical combat, iconic mechanics like skill challenges and the bloodied condition, and how its DNA lives on in modern RPGs like Lancer and Draw Steel. Plus, Jesse shares plans for a brutal Dark Sun 4E campaign. music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

Jesse and Chris dive into how tackling challenging RPG systems can sharpen your GM skills. Chris shares insights from running a Rolemaster campaign, where teaching complex mechanics has leveled up his GMing. Jesse talks about preparing for a Vampire: The Masquerade 5e game and using directive scenes to guide play. Together, they explore why clear player goals drive better stories, how learning mul...

Jesse is joined by Bill White, author of Tabletop RPG Design in Theory and Practice at the Forge, 2001–2012, for a discussion Historical RPGS, the magic of game mothering and a wide variety of other topics. music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

Jared Sorensen is the designer of innovative indie RPGs like Inspectres , Lacuna , octaNe , and the Parsley series. With over two decades in the hobby, he has consistently pushed the boundaries of tabletop storytelling, focusing on unique, tightly defined play experiences. Learn more at Memento Mori Theatricks . music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

Join Jesse as he shares his personal history with tabletop roleplaying games—how it all began, the characters who shaped his play, and how the hobby has influenced his identity, creativity, and community. A heartfelt oral history of a gamer’s evolving world. music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

Discover Chris’s lifelong connection to tabletop roleplaying games in this deep-dive oral history. From early adventures and evolving play styles to gaming community bonds and cultural influences, Chris reflects on decades of TTRPG storytelling and the meaning behind the dice. music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

Join Jesse, Chris, Kawika, and Alan as they set forth from the Port City of Norek in this Rolemaster Unlimited actual play. Based on the 1990 Iron Crown adventure from the Shadow World setting, the party begins their journey into a land of intrigue, danger, and high fantasy. music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

Jesse and Chris continue exploring the fusion of wargaming and role-playing with Warhammer 40k Crusade campaign ideas and a dive into Forbidden Psalm. They share narrative strategies, hobby enthusiasm, and lessons from chaotic skirmishes. music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

Join us for a roundtable deep dive into Modiphius' 2d20 system. We unpack mechanics like Momentum, and Threat across games like Dune, Fallout, and Star Trek Adventures—with plenty of hot takes and irreverent laughs. Perfect for players and GMs curious about what makes 2d20 tick. music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

Jesse and Chris talk long-term TTRPG pacing, messy player recaps, and setting clear stakes. From crafting downtime to handling high-impact choices, it’s a practical dive into running smoother, more memorable games—without needing a dedicated scribe. music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

Jesse and Chris talk about the shared space between wargaming and tabletop RPGs. They dig into player psychology, the joys of painting minis, and what happens when your army starts to feel like a party of adventurers. music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

Chris and Jesse explore how to craft engaging TTRPG encounters, sessions, and campaigns that skip the swords and spells. Discover tools, tips, and ideas for building non-combat adventures that captivate players and deepen storytelling. music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

Learn how to craft a compelling elevator pitch that sets the tone for your TTRPG campaign. This quick guide helps you hook your players, align expectations, and build excitement from your very first Session Zero. Perfect for GMs who want to start strong and keep players engaged. music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

Jesse and Karl explore how improv techniques influence tabletop roleplaying, from “yes, and” to scene framing. Discover how spontaneous storytelling skills can level up your game. music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

Chris, Will, and Jesse roll up characters in Rolemaster Unified, a modern take on the crunchy simulationist RPG from the 80s. Dive into stat-heavy builds, brutal crits, and old-school charm! music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

Join us for a deep dive into horror in tabletop RPGs with special guest Karl, a masterful Call of Cthulhu Keeper. We explore what makes horror storytelling work at the table, how to craft unsettling settings, and how game mechanics can enhance fear, tension, and dread. Karl also shares his personal journey as a gamemaster and the biggest skill upgrades that transformed his approach to horror. A mu...