Episodes
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Welcome to Episode 16 of ‘What Is Roleplay?! This episode we are joined by John Dodd to discuss dungeons
The intrigue of The Dungeon – why would someone build this, what was it for, how did it get here? You’re not supposed to be there!Maps as promises – they guarantee excitement, adventure and maybe treasureMega-dungeons – Architecturally impossible structures that might prove impossible to explore in one lifetimeThe joys of having almost too much space and level of detail to exploreThe beauty of sci-fi and fantasy allowing you to bend the realms of what is reasonable to create impossible mega-structuresDungeons are a nightmare – you’re in the dark with no idea what you are doing or where you are going. Perfect fodder for an adventure.Key Things A Dungeon Needs:Light – Yet there is an absence of it and the dungeon doesn’t want you to have it! The contrast of light & dark. Dark as a representation of the unknown.Treasure – If someone has gone to all the trouble of building a dungeon there must something interesting down there! A great evil? A King’s ransom? Why is it there? There has to be something that draws people in to the dungeon, where they know they shouldn’t beWhat Now? – So you have a reason to be there and you’ve used light to find the treasure. But you’ve got to wonder what now? Something or someone has taken over this Dungeon, as they’re never being used for their original purpose. What happens next? Most dungeons don’t have a back door! How are you getting out?Actual Play: Chris & John explore a Dungeon deep under modern day London, found by accident during tunnelling works for the Elizabeth line. It’s an icehouse build by a chryomancer (the assistant to the regional Chyromancer), who set out to make a million from selling ice to rich Victorians. Look out for the monstrous subway trains and the hidden entrances in the grounds of the abandoned Mansion! Ice-locks abound!!Here are the beautiful maps John draw of this Dungeon during the actual play chats with Chris. Download images & scenario hereLinks to things we discussed:
Games:
Dungeons & DragonsFighting Fantasy by Steve Jackson & Ian LivingstoneFighting Fantasy: Deathtrap DungeonD&D: The Temple of Elemental EvilD&D: Forgotten Realms – MenzoberranzanWarhammer 40K – Space HulkDelve & Rise by Anna BlackwellDungeon Master (Atari Game)Moria, from The Lord of the RingsShadow of MoggCY_BORGParanoiaBooks, Authors, Publishers etc:
Wizards of the CoastGames WorkshopThe Big Book of Battle MatsSubterranea BritannicaNeverwhere by Neil GaimonAdventure Tourism Podcast by Chris BisetteThe Time Machine by HG WellsDragonmeet ConventionWorldconMore about John
Twitter – @AutomaticDoddFacebook – facebook.com/john.dodd.9022Website – TheDodd.comLuna Press Publishing – .lunapresspublishing.comMore about Us
CM Lowry on Twitter – @cmlowryauthorCM Lowry’s website – All About ChrisWebsite – beyondcataclysm.co.ukPatreon – Patreon.com/beyondcataclysmWith music generously provided by:Powerplant & Imploders.
The post What is Roleplay #16: Dungeons with John Dodd first appeared on Beyond Cataclysm.
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Welcome to Episode 15 of ‘What Is Roleplay?! This episode we are joined by Côme Martin to discuss diceless rpg
Chris & Côme discuss many different Roleplaying Games that don’t use dice & explore the spectrum of games from completely controlled by fate, to the other end of the spectrum where the only narrative input in the game is the things your saying to one another around the table.The mechanics of dice use and how they can be replaced with other items such as a pack of cardsThe ways that a deck of cards can be broken into different groupings for use in roleplay. Côme prefers cards to dice as it gives you a wider range of optionsThe option that cards give you for editing – you can change the deck by writing on the cards as you go through them so that they next time you use that card it has a different effect.Using pick up sticks, Jenga, runestones, Tarot cards or tokens as help prompts as part of roleplay instead of dice.Diceless roleplay gives the players and the Games Master (GM) a little more power over outcomes, rather than being ruled by chance.Games play without any prompts & GM-less play – the joys of improvisation.Worldbuilding and lore writing – how diceless play can make for really interesting world building experiencesActual Play: Christof & Martin star in a spring time coming of age adventure set in the Viking era. Magic spells and finger bones abound!Links to things we discussed:
Games:
Meanwhile on the SubwayTwo SummersLucky for NoneUnboundFeathered Adventures3 Games about LifeDreadStar CrossedFate of the NornsNot The End Millennial Apartment HuntersDixitMysteriumFiascoMicroscopeA Set of ScrubsISBN CoffeeBelonging Outside Belonging [System]Free Kriegsspiel Roleplaying (FKR) [System]Lost & Found [System]Books, Authors & Publishers:
Wanderhome by Jay DragonPossum Creek GamesBully Pulpit GamesMore about Côme
Twitter – @comemartin_Itch – comemartin.itch.ioInstagram – instagram.com/comemartin_/Website – LudosphereMore about Us
CM Lowry on Twitter – @cmlowryauthorCM Lowry’s website – All About ChrisWebsite – beyondcataclysm.co.ukPatreon – Patreon.com/beyondcataclysmWith music generously provided by:Powerplant & Imploders.
The post What is Roleplay #15: Diceless Roleplay Games with Côme Martin first appeared on Beyond Cataclysm.
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Welcome to Episode 14 of ‘What Is Roleplay?! This episode we are joined by Johan Nohr to discuss design
Everyone can draw – as adults we stop being creative because we fool ourselves into thinking that we cannot do it.How the independent games scene allows people to explore new ways of designing and laying out games that go against the safe mainstream game publishing normsHow good graphic design helps to communicate the feel of the game and draws the player inThe beauty of getting something hand drawn or hand made in the era of digital designOver the top art-punk designs that skew all design norms vs minimalism and the use of white spaceHow tactility helps improve the player’s experience of role playing games – use of techniques such as foiling, embossing, gloss vs matt papers and printing on the book ribbons.The differences between screen readers & printed books. The problem with PDFs being set up as if they were books when they could be better designed for onscreen use. The plus’ of digital versions when it comes to accessibility.Listen as Chris & Johan do an actual play where they design a ridiculously meta game entitled ‘GamePOD’, intended to be published on an editable 8-track tapeAn encouragement to experiment with and enjoy roleplay and roleplaying games.Links to things we discussed:
Games:
MÖRK BORGDelveUmbraMausritterOld School EssentialsCY BORGGozrMedieval Margin-agerieMORK ORGISBN CoffeeBooks, Authors & Publishers:
Stockholm KartellSquareHex PublishersAll Rolled Up PressMore about Johan
Twitter – @artbynohrItch – jnohr.itch.ioWebsite – Stockholm KartellMore about Us
CM Lowry on Twitter – @cmlowryauthorCM Lowry’s website – All About ChrisWebsite – beyondcataclysm.co.ukPatreon – Patreon.com/beyondcataclysmWith music generously provided by:Powerplant & Imploders.
The post What is Roleplay #14 – Design with Johan Nohr first appeared on Beyond Cataclysm.
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Welcome to Episode 13 of ‘What Is Roleplay?! This episode we are joined by Rugose Kohn to discuss Melee Combat
Trigger warning for violence and body horror!Melee combat is usually gritty and visceral hand to hand combat as opposed to more removed and antiseptic approach such as aerial bombardment.How early roleplaying games have sort of set the standard of combat as just charging in headlong and hoping for the best where as more modern systems make that approach obsolete and involve more subtilties.Experimentation as an exciting approach to roleplaying.How gravitating towards combat can squash creativity, whilst finding other ways to deal with the encounter can open up really interesting outcomes.Systems that use interesting mechanics to deal with managing conflict such as Powered by The Apocalypse, Lichoma & Fiasco, which emphasise story telling rather than melee combat.Rugose shares a fun experience of melee combat in a game of MÖRK BORG at GenCon 2022.Chris & Rugose get into some actual play featuring a hardware store in Colorado, billy clubs, concealed hammers and a dishevelled criminal known only as Dobie. Broken arms and lost eyeballs ensue…Links to things we discussed:
Games:
MÖRK BORGRed Box DnDTwilight 2000Into The OddWarhammer Fantasy RPG5e DnDPowered By The ApocalypseLichomaLancerFiascoFour BorgBooks, Authors & Publishers etc:
Stockholm KartellBogfolk Co-opGen ConFilm
Monty Pythons ‘Holy Grail’Conan The BarbarianRamboDumb & DumberMore about Rugose
Twitter – @RugoseKohnItch – rugose-kohn.itch.ioWebsite – rugosekohn.comMore about Us
CM Lowry on Twitter – @cmlowryauthorCM Lowry’s website – All About ChrisWebsite – beyondcataclysm.co.ukPatreon – Patreon.com/beyondcataclysmWith music generously provided by:Powerplant & Imploders.
The post What Is Roleplay? #13 – Melee Combat with Rugose Kohn first appeared on Beyond Cataclysm.
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Welcome to Episode 12 of ‘What Is Roleplay?! Join Chris & Dave as they get very silly in an All Outta Bubblegum actual play special!
A brief explanation of the rules of All Outta BubblegumA safety talkCounting for funSetting the scenePizza delivery mishaps and corner shop catastrophesMore countingListen as the game unravels as we run out of bubblegumConclude with us that you don’t always have to spend hours prepping before a fun rpg session – you can take inspiration from things around you and have a great laugh in the processLinks to things we discussed:
Games:
All Outta BubblegumFREE PDF DownloadMovies:
They Live!More about Us:
CM Lowry on Twitter – @cmlowryauthorCM Lowry’s website – All About ChrisWebsite – beyondcataclysm.co.ukPatreon – Patreon.com/beyondcataclysmWith music generously provided by:Powerplant & Imploders.
The post What is Roleplay #12 – All Outta Bubblegum actual play first appeared on Beyond Cataclysm.
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Welcome to Episode 11 of ‘What Is Roleplay?! This episode we are joined by Guilherme Gontijo to discuss Design
How design is very similar across the board, and how the differences often just come down to execution?Why does design matter?It is more than just style or a taste aestheticDesign is more about translating ideas on the abstract plane into visualsGood design helps roleplay games (RPG) creators to communicate the ideas, mood and feel of a game visuallyYou can fit a whole lot of fun into a small amount of space with good designThe DIY ethos and how the punk spirit has influenced the Indie RPG sceneFunding the beauty in both minimalist as well as heavily illustrated RPGs such as MÖRK BORGThe major importance of remaining faithful to ideas – starting at the essence of the idea and allowing it to inform the design. Making an alliance with the idea and not allowing outside influences to change it & allowing open ended questions to remain.Italian ‘Giallo‘ horror movies and their influence on Gontijo’s game Blurred LinesListen as CM Lowry & Gontijo live design a new game where monks fall into temptation to one of the seven deadly sins and end up in a sepia hell where everyone is in perpetual motion. The working title? ‘No Rest for the Wicked!’Links to things we discussed:
Games:
Vaults of VaarnHoney HeistLasers & FeelingsMÖRK BORGBlurred LinesBooks, Authors & Publishers:
Grant HowittJohan NohrDriveThruRPG.comitch.ioMore about Guilherme
Twitter – @gontijolabItch – gontijo.itch.ioWebsite – gontijolab.comMore about Us
CM Lowry on Twitter – @cmlowryauthorCM Lowry’s website – All About ChrisWebsite – beyondcataclysm.co.ukPatreon – Patreon.com/beyondcataclysmWith music generously provided by:Powerplant & Imploders.
The post What is Roleplay #11 – Design with Guilherme Gontijo first appeared on Beyond Cataclysm.
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Welcome to Episode 10 of ‘What Is Roleplay?! This episode we are joined by Spencer Campbell to discuss Stats
Laying out some of the basic types of stats that are used in roleplaying gamesThe concept of Min/MaxThe good, the bad and the ugly of StatsFocusing on skills and approaches rather than just a list of statsExploding dice!How stats enable us to connect with our character and the world of the gameLinks to things we discussed:
Games:
RuneThe Lumen SystemThe Lasers & Feelings SystemEnd of the WorldDungeons & Dragons 5th EditionNovaSavage WorldsSpireREAPBooks, Authors & Publishers:
Fantasy Flight GamesWizards of the CoastMore about Spencer
Twitter – @GilaRPGsSpencer on itch – gilarpg.itch.ioGila RPG website – Gila RPGsMore about Us
CM Lowry on Twitter – @cmlowryauthorCM Lowry’s website – All About ChrisWebsite – beyondcataclysm.co.ukPatreon – Patreon.com/beyondcataclysmWith music generously provided by:Powerplant & Imploders.
The post What is Roleplay #10 – Stats with Spencer Campbell first appeared on Beyond Cataclysm.
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Welcome to Episode 9 of ‘What Is Roleplay?! This episode we are joined by Cezar Capacle to discuss Chance & Probability
Be amazed by Cezar’s amazing productivity levels – 20+ games in three years!What on earth are “Conflict Resolution Mechanics”?We explore mechanics within various games systems that make good use of chance and probabilityListen as Cezar’s technique of ‘playstorming’ builds a game within the actual play section, involving a Knight, a Ford Fiesta, Glory & Chaos!Links to things we discussed:
Games:
PushDungeons & DragonsMÖRK BORGDeath in SpaceCall of CthuluMothershipDreadSpectacularsIronswornPowered by the ApocalypseGrimdarkLucky for NoneSavage WorldsStuckDerelict DelversBooks, Authors & Publishers:
Adams MediaThe Die Decides by CM LowryRowan, Rook & DecardOdd Jobs: RPG Micro-settings Vol. 1 by Sasha Sienna & Jonathan SimsMacGuffin & Co PublishersLoot The RoomTim ClareThe Ultimate RPG Character Backstory Guide, Expanded Genres Edition by James D’AmatoPodcasts:
Cezar Capacle on Dieku PodcastCezar Capacle on the Yes Indie’d PocastMore about Cezar
Capacle Twitter – @capacleCapacle on itch – capacle.itch.ioCapacle on Bento – bento.me/capacleMore about Ud
CM Lowry on Twitter – @cmlowryauthorWebsite – beyondcataclysm.co.ukWith music generously provided by:Powerplant & Imploders.
The post What is Roleplay #9 – Chance & Probability with Cezar Capacle first appeared on Beyond Cataclysm.
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Welcome to Episode 8 of ‘What Is Roleplay?! This episode we are joined by James D’Amato to discuss Personal Play
An important, yet often undiscussed, topic – personal play encompasses anything in game play that you do on your own – things like world building, rolling dice to create a character, and writing character backstories.The realisation that roleplaying isn’t just the time we spend around a table with other people.‘Play’ is something that we are encouraged to grow out of as we reach adulthood – in reality it is fun and therapeutic for adults too!Personal play as a good option for folks who don’t get to game with others as often as they’d like.Links to things we discussed:
Games:
Dungeons & DragonsThe Traveller RPGMÖRK BORGWe Sail BeyondMicroscopeParanoiaSpireIn The Blue LightSkyjacksIllimat BoardgameBooks, Authors & Publishers:
Adams MediaThe Die Decides by CM LowryRowan, Rook & DecardOdd Jobs: RPG Micro-settings Vol. 1 by Sasha Sienna & Jonathan SimsMacGuffin & Co PublishersLoot The RoomTim ClareThe Ultimate RPG Character Backstory Guide, Expanded Genres Edition by James D’AmatoPodcasts:
The One Shot PodcastThe Skyjacks PodcastRusty Quill PodcastMore about James
James D’Amato Twitter – @OneShotRPGFind James’ book here – The Ultimate RPG GameplayWith music generously provided by:Powerplant & Imploders.
The post What is Roleplay #8 Personal Play with James D’Amato first appeared on Beyond Cataclysm.
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Welcome to Episode 7 of ‘What Is Roleplay?! This episode we are joined by Marx Shepherd to discuss Life Paths
So, this episode was released a bit out of order… it’s not episode 3, but actually 7! It’s also worth noting that Marx no longer runs the Yes Indie’d Podcast!
We cover tables, and rolling from them!Anime, and super super anime things.Defining a character’s development through guides mechanics.Staying within the boundaries of genre without having to work too hard.Links to things we discussed:
Games:
Powered by the ApocalypseSengokuTreasures of the Troll KingFuzionBubblegum CrisisTravellerPathfinderMork BorgSpireBlades in the DarkBooks:
Play Dirty by John WickThe Die Decides by CM LowryDuncton Wood by William HorwoodPodcasts:
Yes Indie’d Podcast All my fantasy children by Jeff StormerMore about Marx
Marx Shepherd – @IAmPhophosYes Indie’d PodcastIn*Die ZineFind their games at marxofhighwater.itch.ioWith music generously provided by:Powerplant & Imploders.
The post What is Roleplay #7 Life Paths with Marx Shepherd first appeared on Beyond Cataclysm.