Total Party Thrill: RPG Advice From Our Table to Yours

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane discuss leaving the real world behind in favor of cyberspace, alternate dimensions, and other simulation spaces as they discuss virtual realities. In the Dynasty Unwarranted campaign, the Rogue Traders meet an old friend, and the Minesweeper keeps everyone safe in the Character Creation Forge. (59m) Sponsors: Warlock: Support Kobold Press on Patreon! Nerdarchy: Back the Out...

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane talk about using and abusing tropes and avoiding clichés. In the Dynasty Unwarranted campaign, the Rogue Traders hide and live to fight another day, and the Acrobat lifts enemies up only to let them fall in the Character Creation Forge. (60m) Sponsors: Demigods: Check out this new Powered by the Apocalypse game from Jason Mills, now on Kickstarter! Rob Twohy: Let Rob conver...

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane continue their series on playing alignments as they discuss the default disposition of the every-hero, neutral good. In the Dynasty Unwarranted campaign, the Rogue Traders play a familiar game that presses hard against the fourth wall, and the Rescue Ranger saves lives and acorns in the Character Creation Forge. (57m) Sponsors: D&D Beyond: The official digital toolset, rule...

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane talk about how to breathe life into last-minute additions to the game world. In the Dynasty Unwarranted campaign, the Rogue Traders log on, and the Greensinger mixes music and the magic of nature in the Character Creation Forge. (50m) Sponsors: Elderwood Academy: Check out fine gaming accessories like dice, dice boxes, dice trays, deck boxes, and more! Warlock: Support Kobo...

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane catch up on the slew of recent Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition releases, including Ghosts of Saltmarsh, Beadle & Grimm’s Ghosts of Saltmarsh Sinister Silver Edition, Acquisitions Incorporated, and D&D Essentials. The Rogue Traders and Character Creation Forge have the week off. (68m) Sponsors: Demigods: Check out this new Powered by the Apocalypse game from Jason Mills, now...

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane spread the wealth in a discussion about what kind of loot to offer and how much of it to give. In the Dynasty Unwarranted campaign, the Rogue Traders serve punch and cake, and the Treasure Hunter finds hidden riches in the Character Creation Forge. (63m) Sponsors: Warlock: Support Kobold Press on Patreon! D&D Beyond: The official digital toolset, rules compendium, and chara...

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane discuss making the most successful film franchise of all time your own for your game as they cover the Marvel Cinematic Universe campaign setting. In the Dynasty Unwarranted campaign, the Rogue Traders sue for peace, and Spider-Man swings into the Character Creation Forge. (65m) Sponsors: D&D Beyond: The official digital toolset, rules compendium, and character builder for...

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane cross their fingers and rush the next hill as they discuss how to play compelling wartime scenarios. In the Dynasty Unwarranted campaign, the Rogue Traders plan a shindig, and Scorpion politely beckons in the Character Creation Forge. (64m) Sponsors: D&D Beyond: The official digital toolset, rules compendium, and character builder for 5e D&D! Kobold Press: Check out 5E Marg...

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane get their hands dirty as they dig in to discuss adventuring underground. In the Dynasty Unwarranted campaign, the Rogue Traders become the cops, and the Sapper lowers the boom in the Character Creation Forge. (63m) Sponsors: D&D Beyond: The official digital toolset, rules compendium, and character builder for 5e D&D! Kobold Press: Check out 5E Margreve Players Guide for 5th...

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane endure infighting and bullying to bring you a discussion on playing goblins. In the Dynasty Unwarranted campaign, the Rogue Traders suffer a tongue lashing, and the Bugbear Bear packs plenty of organic reach in the Character Creation Forge. (62m) Sponsors: Kobold Press: Check out Eldritch Lairs for 5th Edition now! The Iron GM: Makers of the Grimmerspace Starfinder setting....

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane celebrate another improbable milestone with tequila and two hours of mailbag questions. The Dynasty Unwarranted campaign takes the week off while the Modern Major-General wins hearts and minds in the Character Creation Forge. And seriously, thank you for listening. We never thought we’d make it for four years. (138m) Sponsors: Kobold Press: Check out the Empire of the Ghoul...

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane stay alert and inch their way through a cautious discussion of one of the original RPG experiences. In the Dynasty Unwarranted campaign, the Rogue Traders become hostile investors, and the Stardust Crusader ‘stands’ in harm’s way in the Character Creation Forge. (63m) Sponsors: The Iron GM: Makers of the Grimmerspace Starfinder setting. Elderwood Academy: High-quality dice...

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane continue the alignment series with the outlook of those who demand to re-write the rules for their own benefit as they discuss playing lawful evil characters. In the Dynasty Unwarranted campaign, the Rogue Traders put their faith in the Emperor, and Vegeta is over 9,000 in the Character Creation Forge. (58m) Sponsors: Kobold Press: The Kickstarter for Empire of the Ghouls i...

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane practice their table manners for a night of gossip, diplomacy, verbal jousting, and background heists. It’s the party of the season, and everyone will be there. In the Dynasty Unwarranted campaign, the Rogue Traders get cozy with the Kroot, and the Gourmand eats the competition alive in the Character Creation Forge. (54m) Sponsors: Kobold Press: The Kickstarter for Empire o...

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane prove death is only the beginning as they discuss dying, the afterlife, and resurrection… in games. In the Dynasty Unwarranted campaign, the Rogue Traders learn from their mistakes, and the Shinigami ferries souls to the afterlife in the Character Creation Forge. (54m) Sponsors: Elderwood Academy: High-quality dice and gaming accessories. Kobold Press: The Kickstarter for E...

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane sort through news and questions about 5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons in our first single-topic catch-all episode. In the Dynasty Unwarranted campaign, the Rogue Traders finally make a deal, and the Jockey rides to safety (and makes sure no one else does) in the Character Creation Forge. (62m) Sponsors: Kobold Press: The Kickstarter for Empire of the Ghouls is up now! Elderw...

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane discuss the best techniques for planting, nurturing, and harvesting those little nuggets of ideas that become your campaign: plot seeds! In the Dynasty Unwarranted campaign, the Rogue Traders recover some confiscated property, and the Human Cannonball literally leaps into the fray in the Character Creation Forge. (54m) Sponsors: Genuine Fantasy Press: Check out The Compendi...

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane take turns running this game, in a tag team discussion of campaigns led by more than one person. In the Dynasty Unwarranted campaign, the Rogue Traders take a seat, and the DMPC is comfortable out of the limelight in the Character Creation Forge. (62m) Sponsors: Genuine Fantasy Press: Check out The Compendium of Forgotten Secrets: Awakening, including the free player supple...

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane can’t be stopped once they get going with their discussion of railroading in RPGs. In the Dynasty Unwarranted campaign, the Rogue Traders see their plans blow up in their faces, and the Iron Horse works tirelessly in the Character Creation Forge (51m) Sponsors: Genuine Fantasy Press: Check out The Compendium of Forgotten Secrets: Awakening, including the free player supplem...

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane visit the stacks to borrow some knowledge about how to take the tedium out of in-game research. In the Dynasty Unwarranted campaign, the Rogue Traders find a line they won’t cross, and The Bookwyrm hoards information like gold in the Character Creation Forge. (61m) Sponsors: Kobold Press: Check out the Deep Magic series of PDFs for D&D 5th Edition! Important Links: Living M...

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane explore the depth and the darkness of the edgiest race in D&D as they discuss playing drow. In the Dynasty Unwarranted campaign, the Rogue Traders give community outreach a shot, and Drizzt Do’Urden ranges but isn’t a ranger in the Character Creation Forge. (59m) Sponsors: Kobold Press: Check out the Deep Magic series of PDFs for D&D 5th Edition! The Great American Novel RP...

Reluctantly crouched at the starting line, hosts I-Hsien and Shane pump and thump their engines for a full-throttle discussion about racing. In the Dynasty Unwarranted campaign, the Rogue Traders get some much needed leadership, and the Marathoner sets a brutal pace in the Character Creation Forge. (66m) Sponsors: Elderwood Academy: High-quality dice and gaming accessories. Important Links: The Ar...

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane pay a visit to the place where it all started: Middle Earth. In the Dynasty Unwarranted campaign, the Rogue Traders face misfortune, and the Rider of Rohan gallops to the rescue in the Character Creation Forge. (55m) Sponsors: The Great American Novel RPG: Support this awesome Kickstarter from friend of the show Christopher Grey! Kobold Press: Check out the Deep Magic serie...

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane tread down a well-worn path, right into the sweet embrace of evil. In the Dynasty Unwarranted campaign, the Rogue Traders sit down with a new frenemy, and the Purifier untaints your heart in the Character Creation Forge. (63m) Sponsors: Kobold Press: Check out the Deep Magic series of PDFs for D&D 5th Edition! Important Links: DSPN: Check out the other great shows on Don’t...

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane continue the alignment series by either picking no side, or picking all sides, or just straddling the line. In the Dynasty Unwarranted campaign, the Rogue Traders face betrayal from within their ranks, and the Binding Arbitrator issues verdicts that echo throughout the planes in the Character Creation Forge. (58m) Sponsors: Kobold Press: Check out the Deep Magic series of P...