Characters Without Stories (Star)
Explore every episode of Characters Without Stories
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Jul 2022 | Bart Biggityburg, Tortle Marathon Runner - Playing Against Type with Mxlpxl (D&D 5e) | 00:29:40 | |
Andrew Rahman brings Bart Biggityburg to the table. Bart is a Tortle Drakewarden Ranger who has trained to be a championship marathon runner. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 15 Aug 2022 | Qurr the Birbarian - Building Better Backstories with Jay (D&D 5e) | 00:23:00 | |
Jay brings Qurr to the table. Qurr is an Aarakocra Barbarian on a mission to prove herself to the goddess Syranita. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 29 Aug 2022 | Requiem, the Reluctant Tiefling - Searching for Found Family with Neineyes (D&D 5e) | 00:30:57 | |
Stevie brings Requiem to the table. Requiem is a Tiefling Warlock who pledged her service to Asmodeus to save her girlfriend, losing everything in the process. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 12 Sep 2022 | Farthing, the Accidental Pirate - Being a Badass with Mobility Aids with Wesley Magee-Saxton (D&D 5e) | 00:33:25 | |
Wesley Magee-Saxton brings Farthing to the table. Farthing is a disabled high elf who became an accidental stowaway and an accidental pirate. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 26 Sep 2022 | Madame Azlu, Sailor of the Sea of Stars - Confronting Ableism with Rachel Voss (D&D 5e) | 00:31:49 | |
Rachel Voss brings Madame Azlu to the table. Madame Azlu sails across the Sea of Stars, chasing constellations in a crystal ship. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 30 Sep 2022 | What is Characters Without Stories? | 00:01:00 | |
Characters without stories is a TTRPG podcast about the roads not yet traveled. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 30 Sep 2022 | Why I'm still talking about D&D - A Response to the Hadozee Controversy | 00:03:03 | |
This podcast is about characters. And when it comes to characters in Dungeons and Dragons, there have been problems with how the game defines race from the very beginning. You may have heard about the most recent example, and oh boy it’s a doozy. For more information, here are some creators who have explored this controversy with clarity and depth. Please check out their work: Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 10 Oct 2022 | Altabella, a Diver Losing Her Humanity - Telling Sad Stories with Kurt Refling (Thousand Year Old Vampire) | 00:41:09 | |
Kurt Refling brings Altabella to the table. Altabella is a sea silk diver who is turned into a vampire, slowly losing her memory and becoming a predator in the process. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 26 Oct 2022 | Malcolm Cain, the Muscle who Lost his Face - Facing the Nightmare in the Mundane with Damianoddson (Call of Cthulhu 7e) | 00:51:32 | |
Damian brings Malcolm Cain to the table. Malcolm was the muscle of an art-smuggling business who finds his brother slain, leading him to become wrapped up in a shadowy conspiracy. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 07 Nov 2022 | Torden Stormborn, Herald of the Apocalypse - Playing Evil Characters with Thisasbstractthought (D&D 5e) | 00:28:51 | |
Abstract brings Torden Stormborn to the table. Torden is convinced he is the prophesied herald of the Everstorm, an apocalyptic maelstrom. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 21 Nov 2022 | Varqoor, the Mind Flayer Losing Control - The Problems with Races in D&D with VJ Harris (D&D5e) | 00:45:50 | |
VJ Harris brings Varqoor to the table. Varqoor is a mind flayer losing their hold on their host and finding their own path away from the Elder Brain as a spore druid. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 09 Dec 2022 | Janie the Juicer - When Your Character's Strengths Become Liabilities with JimHasFunOnline (Savage Rifts) | 00:33:59 | |
Jim S brings Janie to the table. Janie became a chemically-inhanced super soldier to gain the strength to find her missing sister. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 19 Dec 2022 | Ekra the Bird Bard Dad - Finding Your Own Language with Sophie Katz (D&D 5e) | 00:43:09 | |
Sophie Katz brings Ekra to the table. Ekra is a dad on a mission, a Kenku finding his own way to communicate in a world that considers him less than human. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 02 Jan 2023 | Skips the Silent Bard - Challenging Yourself as a Player with Joseph Speak (D&D 5e) | 00:33:38 | |
Joseph Speak brings Skips to the table. Skips is a sheltered monk who took a vow of silence thrust into a noisy world when dragon-induced tragedy strikes. He becomes a mime to find a way to honor his vow while exploring the world. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 17 Jan 2023 | Capitalism is the BBEG - A Response to Dungeons and Dragons' New Open Gaming License | 00:03:17 | |
Once again, I’m mad at something I love – or rather, I’m mad at the company that owns it. Once again, it’s Dungeons and Dragons. About a week ago, a draft copy of the new D&D Open Game License was leaked. Much more restrictive than the Open Game License that currently stands, these changes would hurt the independent third-party creators that built the community that Hasbro is trying to further exploit. We shouldn’t be surprised. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 17 Jan 2023 | Jurdgel Sharptooth, Goblin Customs Official - Gender Identity and Character Voices with Caroline Vahrenkamp (D&D 5e) | 00:39:35 | |
Caroline Vahrenkamp brings Jurdgel Sharptooth to the table. Jurdgel is a goblin customs official who would like nothing more than staying home with a cup of tea and a romance novel. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 30 Jan 2023 | Montgomery Whitlow, a Hunter on a Fool's Errand - Downward Arcs with Gamesinabunker (Vaesen) | 00:52:32 | |
Glenn Buettner brings Montgomery Whitlow to the table. Monty is a Vaesen hunter on a fool's errand to join his wife and daughter in the selkie world. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 14 Feb 2023 | Dreams of a Light Reborn, Anti-War Storyteller - Changing the World with a Story with PlotDoc (Exalted 2e) | 01:13:28 | |
PlotDoc brings Dreams of a Light Reborn to the table. Dreams is a storyteller who seeks to end a bloody war. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 27 Feb 2023 | Catalina and Esperanza, Twins at Odds - Drama and Romance with Character Creation Cast (Pasión de las Pasiones) | 00:47:18 | |
Ryan and Amelia bring Catalina and Esperanza to the table. Catalina and Esperanza are twins conniving to upstage one another. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 28 Mar 2023 | Luz Lozano, a Wizard and a Mess - Finding Comfort in Community with Morgan Nuncio (Urban Shadows 2e) | 00:46:03 | |
Morgan Nuncio brings Lucia “Luz” Guadalupe Lozano to the table. Luz is a young Latina wizard learning to control her magic and setting some fires in the process. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 12 Apr 2023 | Dex the Gnome Revolutionary - Representing Neurodiversity with Simon (Shadowrun) | 00:37:10 | |
Simon brings Dex to the table. Dex is a gnome hacker slowly becoming a revolutionary. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 24 Apr 2023 | Dewey Aberforth, a Handsome Fraud - Playing Selfish and Taking up Space with Natalie Marley (D&D5e) | 00:31:44 | |
Natalie Marley brings Dewey Aberforth to the table. Dewey is an accidental folk hero and a selfish jerk who happens to have a wonderful aquiline nose. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 23 May 2023 | Aya Bailey, the Rebellious Scion - Decolonizing TTRPGs with Quinn (Scion 2e) | 00:50:09 | |
Quinn brings Aya Bailey to the table. Aya has been called by the gods to serve, but chooses instead to serve the people through activism and direct action. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 06 Jun 2023 | Shasta and Alistair, a Girl and her Mask - The Masks We Wear with Jack (Pathfinder 2e) | 00:34:23 | |
Jack brings Shasta and Alistair to the table. Shasta is a young Aasimar monk traveling the world and Alistair is the god within the mask she wears. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 21 Jun 2023 | Gaming with Pride - How Playing TTRPGs Gives Us Space to Explore Identity | 00:23:28 | |
It’s Pride Month! While we can and should joyfully celebrate LGBTQIA+ people every day of the year, we come together in June to devote special attention - to pay respects for those who have fought for liberation, and to continue the struggle in the face of increasing hostility and repression. This episode I’m honoring my trans, non-binary, and queer guests by sharing their unique perspectives on how playing TTRPGs have shaped their identities.
Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 18 Jul 2023 | Niko de Cielo, a Better Jedi - Fandoms and Fixes with Natasha Ticotin (D&D5e) | 00:47:57 | |
Natasha Ticotin brings Niko de Cielo to the table. Niko is an Oath of Conquest paladin who will soon find out he's not the main character he thinks he is. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 03 Aug 2023 | Rhadamanthus the Ratkiller - Wrestling Angels with Owen Kerr (Dark Heresy) | 00:50:10 | |
Owen Kerr brings Asher Novaak, aka Rhadamanthus Lehrer, to the table. Rhadamanthus is an inquisitor hiding in plain sight as his own throne agent, trying to find the small victories in a world full of insurmountable odds. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 18 Aug 2023 | Dagamot the Hermit - Tarot and Tropes with Jordan Peacock (Coyote and Crow) | 00:45:49 | |
Jordan Peacock brings his tarot deck to the table. In this episode, Jordan and I collaborate to build three characters using tarot spreads. Dagamot, inspired by the Hermit card, is a reclusive healer with a painful past reevaluating his life on the road. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 11 Nov 2023 | Characters With Stories - an interview with The Moonstone Matriarchy | 01:36:00 | |
In this very special episode, I interview my costars on DnDenial's The Moonstone Matriarchy actual play stream, an all-women D&D game set in the home brew world of Solandria. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 01 Dec 2023 | Ed'varay Fiero, a Restless Ranger - Tributes and Transcendentalism with Beardic Inspiration (System Agnostic) | 00:58:10 | |
Nate (Beardic Inspiration) brings Ed'varay Fiero to the table. Ed'varay is a noble ranger, restlessly wandering in search of transcendental experiences. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 16 Dec 2023 | Tryp, a Newborn Hive Mind - Containing Multitudes with Wes Ascolese (The Wildsea) | 00:58:20 | |
Wes Ascolese brings Trypoxylus "Tryp" to the table. Tryp is a newborn hive mind formed from a group of Japanese stag beetles looking to learn about the world they are seeing with new eyes. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 30 Dec 2023 | An Unnamed Soldier – Coping with Fictional Trauma in Character and Out with Jeffrey Baker (D&D5e) | 00:45:55 | |
Jeffrey Baker brings an unnamed soldier to the table. The unnamed soldier is a grizzled drill sergeant who motivates his party through tough love and (bardic) inspirational speeches. Jeffrey and I discuss playing older characters with life experience, roleplay bleed and after care, and being the party dad. This character is built for D&D5e. Jeffrey Baker is a dad, LARPer, and game designer; Jeffrey has been playing TTRPGs ever since his older brothers would allow him to join. His creative well consists of using his personal life, theatre training, and LARP background to make fully realized characters. You can learn more about Jeffrey at: Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 13 Jan 2024 | Alehat, a Sly Slide - Playing Dangerous Games with Rook (Blades in the Dark) | 00:38:48 | |
Rook brings Dale Dorries, AKA Alehat to the table. Alehat is a greedy, rotten scoundrel feeding his retirement fund with ill-gotten gains. Rook and I discuss filling a role in a party, using characters to try out game mechanics, and being out for yourself. This character is built for Blades in the Dark. Roger Peters, who also goes by Rook, is the owner of Epic Sages, a multi-TTRPG focused hosting site. He’s played and/or ran various TTRPGs for over 15 years. You can learn more about Rook at: Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 27 Jan 2024 | Nix, a Children's Party Magician - Quirks and Quests with Alex (Quest) | 00:44:09 | |
Alex brings Nix to the table. Alex is a traveling magician who cheerfully becomes a hero. Alex and I discuss mad libs character creation, the nature of magic, and being inspired by a hat. This character is built for Quest. Alex, also known as Apples_n_Cinnamon, a ttrpg enthusiast and a blooming forever GM. They make TTRPG content somewhat sporadically but play in a variety of games in as many systems as possible! You can learn more about Alex at: Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 10 Feb 2024 | Otto Von Kurtzel, Mecha Grandpa - Family Ties with Joseph Byler (D&D5e) | 00:38:41 | |
Joseph brings Otto Von Kurtzel to the table. Otto is a family man who built a mech suit to help him live with a degenerative disease. Joseph and I discuss punching dragons, having people worth fighting for, and tinkering for good. This character is built for D&D5e. Joseph Byler, an aspiring TTRPG writer and nurse. They're also a proud redneck and leftist. You can learn more about Joseph at: Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 24 Feb 2024 | Riley and Jean-Pierre, a Masked Vampire - Code-Switching and Authenticity with Aetherius Bordeaux (Vampire the Masquerade 5e) | 01:36:41 | |
Aetherius brings Riley Howard/Jean Pierre Baptiste to the table. Riley is a Ministry kindred masquerading as Jean-Pierre, a Toreador in the Camarilla. Aetherius and I discuss being your authentic self, being the only Black player at the table, and writing strong yet flawed Black women. This character is built for Vampire the Masquerade 5e published by Renegade Game Studios. Aetherius Bordeaux is your new favorite Vampire Himbo. He is a mystery/thriller/horror content creator and lifelong answerer of the eternal question "whodunnit"? Aetherius is a theater kid turned TTRPG baby and has finally fought off his anxiety long enough to launch into content creation. You can learn more about Aetherius at: This episode, I recommend the podcast Gimme Da Loot. You can check it out here: Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 09 Mar 2024 | Exit, the Outsider - Character Building is Worldbuilding with Sam Dunnewold (Apocalypse World) | 01:00:24 | |
Sam Dunnewold brings Exit to the table. Exit is a scavenger living on the edges of a dangerous psychic mist and a society that demands they conform. Sam and I discuss building a character within the context of a post apocalyptic world, being brave because you have to be, and transparency in gaming. This character is built for Apocalypse World by D. Vincent and Maguey Baker. Sam Dunnewold is a Minnesotan game designer, screenwriter, and podcaster living in Hollywood like a chump. His podcast, Dice Exploder, breaks down a game mechanic every week with a friend. He's the designer of Doskvol Breathes and Space Train Space Heist, and he was a judge for the 2022 The Awards. Sam used to work for The Onion as a video editor, and he has no colon. You can learn more about Sam at: Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 06 Apr 2024 | Rhan Halvard, Paladin of Fate - Death and Destiny with Chriss Knight (D&D 5e) | 00:47:18 | |
Chriss brings Rhan Halvard to the table. Rhan was a wizard who became a revenant in the service of Istus when her attempt to change her fate had unexpectedly dire results. Chriss and I discuss death, grief, and catharsis, the role of fate in a fantasy story where gods are real, and how much backstory you truly need. This character is built for D&D5e. Chriss Knight is a life long creative who found her calling with D&D in college where she earned a degree in theatre. After a winding road of various career paths, she found her way back to TTRPGs and now runs her own podcast all about them, alongside running and playing in several games herself. You can learn more about Chriss at: Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 27 Apr 2024 | Tendertwig, Sweet Summer Child - Childlike Wonder with Tori Fica (Pathfinder 2e) | 00:41:34 | |
Tori Fica brings Tendertwig to the table. Tendertwig is a Leshy Oracle who moves through life with the confidence of a child - because they are actually only 1 year old. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 11 May 2024 | Orco the Magnificent, Sh*tty Wizard - Religious Rebellion with Grant Nordine (D&D5e) | 01:01:02 | |
Grant brings Orco the Magnificent to the table. Orco is not a very good wizard, but he gives it his best shot. Grant and I discuss religious trauma, high school theater, and the opposite of min-maxing. This character is built for D&D5e. Grant Nordine is the titular game master of Game Master Monday and the guide for Bella's Comet. Grant is an award-winning actor and writer with stage, film, music, and podcasting credits. As the GM of Game Master Monday, he runs a new one-shot in a new system with a new cast every episode. You can learn more about Grant at: Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 28 May 2024 | Lancelot, Blind Fighter - Testing Your Limits with Stephan Kelly (Coven and Crucible) | 00:56:48 | |
Stephan Kelly brings Lancelot to the table. Lance is a blind martial artist in a coven of witches, doing his best to leave the world a little bit better than when he found it. Stephan and I discuss building a character while you're building the system, testing the limits of system mastery, and an unfortunate jousting accident. This character is built for Coven and Crucible, a game created by Stephan, his wife roach, and his daughter Charlotte. Stephan Kelly is a retired fitness professional and theatre nerd who has channeled his optimism into creating TTRPGs and redefining masculinity. He is the "mechanics guy" at 13th Moon Games, a family run gaming company, and works there with his wife, daughter, and son. You can learn more about Stephan at: The Advanced Age Roleplaying Gamers Podcast is an actual play podcast with a group of friends who have been playing roleplaying games off and on together for nearly 40 years. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 08 Jun 2024 | Oba Manu, Family Guy - Parent Tropes and Pastoral Hopes with Navaar Seik-Jackson (Pathfinder 2e) | 00:48:22 | |
Navaar Seik-Jackson brings Oba Manu to the table. Oba is a dad who wants nothing more than to live the simple life, but is pulled back into adventuring for "one last job." This character is built for Pathfinder 2e by Paizo. You can learn more about Navaar at: Tales of Y’Vard is an actual play in the brand-new Mythcraft system. Join them as they become the scourge of their enemies. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 22 Jun 2024 | Kit, the Sea Witch - Friendship is Magic with Savannah Rayne (D&D5e) | 00:45:12 | |
Savannah Rayne brings Kit to the table. Kit is a con woman on the run in disguise as a man, who finds family and the confidence to harness her innate magic on a pirate ship. This character is built for D&D5e. You can learn more about Savannah at: The Slovenly Trulls podcast deep dives into the problematic lore and history of D&D with an emphasis on feminist analysis. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 06 Jul 2024 | Grammarye Praise-God Winthrop, Teenage Witch - Acting Out with Juicy Garland (Monsterhearts 2e) | 01:01:15 | |
Juicy Garland brings Grammarye Praise-God Winthrop to the table. Grammarye is a teenage witch and the black sheep of a family with a 400 year vendetta against the Salem Witch Trial judges who killed their ancestor. Juicy and I share our love for witchy touchstones like The Craft and The Witch (or as we say The VVitch), sympathize with Grammarye's desperate attempts at validation, and discuss how roleplaying in actual plays is different from home games. This character is built for Monsterhearts 2e by Avery Alder Juicy Garland is a Boston area drag queen and super nerd. She’s the original TTRPG drag queen and she’s on a mission to do big things with Tabletop Talespinners Network. You can find her in All Our Faults, a Monsterhearts actual play podcast, all around the Internet, or performing in Boston and New Hampshire. You can learn more about Juicy at: All Our Faults is a Monsterhearts 2 actual play podcast from the Tabletop Talespinners Network that tells the story of four teenagers and the supernatural forces that threaten to shatter their lives. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 20 Jul 2024 | Reyna the Lion - Being a Woman Online with Alejandra Wilhelm (D&D5e) | 01:00:47 | |
Content warning this episode for discussions of sexual assault and sexual harassment. We don’t go into any detail, but if this topic is a trigger for you, I recommend you skip it. Alejandra and I discuss parasociality, bad behavior on Discord, and roleplay on TikTok. We also talk about self-insert characters - from physical appearance to emotional trauma. This character is built for D&D 5e. Alejandra Wilhelm is a queer Latinx TTRPG creator, one half of the Table Talk Podcast duo and a TTRPG character artist. You can learn more about Alejandra at: The Storyteller Squad is a narrative-driven actual play podcast featuring magic, mystery, and vibrant characters inhabiting a world where the supernatural and the mundane intertwine in their Monster of the Week campaign. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 10 Aug 2024 | Looking Back on Two Years - Diversity Report and Giveaway Announcement | 00:11:31 | |
I've been bringing characters without stories and the creators who made them to the table for TWO YEARS! It felt like a good time to get reflective and talk about something I've been working on - diversifying my guests and the games we talk about. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 17 Aug 2024 | Don Rigals, Communist Clark Kent - Representation and Speaking Out with AC Lawrence (Call of Cthulhu) | 00:52:10 | |
Adrian Lawrence brings Don Rigals to the table. Don is a fur-obsessed secret communist delving into New York's underground to find his brother. Adrian and I discuss being outspoken about your political values, the power of representation, and not being "Mexican enough." This character is built for Call of Cthulhu. AC Lawrence is a Mexican-American DM who co-hosts a podcast named Dungeons & Degrees, where he interviews individuals in the TTRPG space to show that the path to creativity isn't just a single path. They also have been a part of many charity events for numerous causes that use TTRPGs as outreach to raise money. You can learn more about Adrian at: At Session Zero Heroes we believe in the power of storytelling through tabletop roleplaying games and use a variety of TTRPG systems to create these stories which we share through the podcast medium. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 07 Sep 2024 | Everett Nichols, a Protector Who Defends What Matters - Healing from the Past with DJ BeeZee (Old Gods of Appalachia) | 01:18:47 | |
Content Warning this episode for brief mentions of forced sterilization (49:03-49:53) and death of a child (57:40-57:48). DJ and I discuss healing from generational trauma, the union history of Appalachia, and how finding player agency in TTRPGs can be cathartic when we lack agency in our lives. This character is built for Old Gods of Appalachia, a Cypher System game by Monte Cook, based on the podcast of the same name. DJ BeeZee is an AuDHD Game Master for Hire and Co-Host of One Shot’s Tavern, a TTRPG podcast focused on learning about all of the tools and mechanics that TTRPGs across the spectrum offer in order to become better story tellers, game masters, and game designers. You can learn more about DJ at: The Thorne Files is a Monster of the Week Actual Play podcast filled with twisting mysteries, malevolent evils and character-lead drama. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 14 Sep 2024 | Chris Strausman, Socially Isolated Streamer - Growing Up and Showing Up with Blerdy Disposition (Call of Cthulhu) | 01:00:21 | |
Blerdy Disposition brings Chris Strausman to the table. Chris is a Twitch streamer with a lot of growing up to do, searching Reddit and relying on his followers to find his missing sister. Blerdy and I compare Lovecraftian horrors to YouTube comments, discuss the importance of being there for your community, both in and out of character, and talk about growing up in a landscape of social isolation and internet-only friendships. This character is built for Call of Cthulhu 7e. Blerdy Disposition is a Black, Queer Professional GM and Player. He makes TTRPG YouTube content, focused on covering either indie RPGs or player and GM advice. When he is not obsessing over Cthulhu mythos or niche RPGs, you can find him talking about his next favorite RPG of the month. You can learn more about Blerdy at: Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 29 Sep 2024 | Jessica Jeroux, Drow Archeologist - Transition and Leveling Up with Justin Gagliani (D&D 5e) | 01:18:14 | |
Justin Gagliani brings Jessica Jeroux to the table. Jessica is a drow trans woman pursuing knowledge of lost civilizations. Justin and I discuss what it means to be a trans woman in gender-segregated drow society, learning to explore and express your gender, and the narrative implications of D&D mechanics. This character is built for D&D 5e. Justin Gagliani is a co host of the So You Want to Be a Dungeon Master podcast, a TTRPG content creator, and a published writer. You can learn more about Justin at: Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 14 Oct 2024 | Chase Cameron, aka Showtime - Alternate Futures with Will Malkus (Masks: a New Generation) | 01:04:14 | |
WIll Malkus brings Chase Cameron, aka Showtime, to the table. Chase is a teenager who recently became a superhero when he found a watch that can stop time. Will and I nerd out on comics, deconstruct the women in refrigerators trope, and discuss how TTRPGs let us play out better futures. This character is built for Masks: a New Generation by Brendan Conway. Will Malkus is an ex librarian, ex music journalist, ex photographer, and current streamer, producer, and editor, mostly for the not-for-profit charity TTRPG Studio Live from the Apocalypse that he co founded in 2021. Outside of Live from the Apocalypse, you can usually find him lifting heavy things for fun like a freak or occupying various corners of the internet under the handle, aWillMScream. You can learn more about Will at: Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 18 Jan 2025 | Aria Godey, Pirate Captain - Embodying Your Character with SpunkyTaylor (Thirsty Sword Lesbians) | 00:59:09 | |
Taylor brings Captain Aria Godey to the table. Captain Aria is a pirate who touched a gold piece that is slowly consuming her and turning her into gold. Taylor and I discuss belonging as a Black creator in the TTRPG space, learning to accept that plus size bodies can be desired, and how cosplay informs character building. This character is built for Thirsty Sword Lesbians by April Kit Walsh. Taylor is a Black variety content creator and TTRPG performer located on the east coast. She loves to cosplay to bring her characters to life. You can learn more about Taylor at: Mentioned in the episode: Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 01 Feb 2025 | Sarge, Norma, and Harmony - Troupe Style Play with Andrew Beauman (Out of Orbit) | 01:18:27 | |
Andrew Beauman brings Sarge and Norma to the table, and we create Harmony together. Sarge, Norma, and Harmony are survivors of a spaceship crash hoping to make it back out of orbit. Andrew and I discuss troupe-style mechanics and playing multiple characters - and how that changes the way we create characters. We discuss finding empathy through TTRPGs and learning that not everything is made for our perspective. These characters are built for Out of Orbit, currently Kickstarting as part of Zine Month. Andrew Beauman is a game designer and artist with a background in graphic design and marketing. His first game was published through Zine Month 2024, titled Battle School. He also co-hosts a podcast called One Shot’s Tavern about exploring new ways to tell your story through different games. You can learn more about Andrew at: What's Your Damage? is a Fifth Edition actual play podcast taking place in a homebrew world based on Filipino mythology. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 15 Feb 2025 | Petty Dreadful, a Survivor - Breaking the Game with Rowan Zeoli (Deathmatch Island) | 01:02:28 | |
Rowan Zeoli brings Petty Dreadful to the table. Petty is a rage-fueled, attention-seeking drag queen Playing to Win. Rowan and I discuss gender performance, radical imagination, and the parallels between reality television and actual plays. Petty Dreadful is built for Deathmatch Island by Tim Denee. Rowan Zeoli is a journalist covering the intersection of progressive thought and niche cultural movements. She is co-founder of Rascal News, a worker-owned, reader-supported, tabletop journalism outlet. Her work has also appeared in Polygon, Tripsitter, Autostraddle, and The Fandomentals; where she’s covered gender, psychedelics, and the largest developments in actual play, from award winning indie programming to big budget productions. She is also co-founder of convention/non-profit WriteHive. You can learn more about Rowan at: Mentioned in the episode: DIE, Triangle Agency, Project ECCO by My First Dungeon, Yazeba's Bed and Breakfast and The Seven Part Pact by Jay Dragon, Rom Com Drama Bomb by Elliot Davis, and authors/activists Judith Butler, Mariame Kaba, and Angela Davis. No Quest for the Wicked is a story driven actual play podcast using Paizo’s sci-fi space opera system, Starfinder. Yes, indie'd! is a podcast of bitesize interviews with indie tabletop roleplaying Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||
| 02 Mar 2025 | Mogmoden, Sheltered Academic - Being Curious with Rene Legault (Fabula Ultima) | 00:52:00 | |
Rene Legault brings Mogmoden to the table. Mog is a teenage academic in the pursuit of practical knowledge and answers to intellectual mysteries in his first time venturing out into the world. Rene and I discuss creating characters who are curious about the world, imaginary bestiaries, and the drama of JRPGs. Mogmoden is built for Fabula Ultima by Emanuele Galletto. Rene Legault is one of the founding members of the DMs After Dark streaming group focused on highlighting small publisher and indie RPGs, and now the host of the Rene Plays Games Podcast featuring solo and group actual plays, interviews, and discussions about running better games, Rene is a dad and husband first, nerd second, wetland biologist by day, and internet person last. Okay, maybe nerd first. You can learn more about Rene at: Mentioned in the episode: Cezar Capacle's Random Realities and Ryuutama. Of Monsters and Mixed Successes is a character focused actual play Monster of the Week podcast full of Eldritch monstrosities and a surprising amount of shenanigans. Dungeons and Degrees is a conversation with friends talking about the games we love and the life we live around it. Cover art by The Curiographer Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: | |||