Around the Hearth

In this especially unusual Hex, José & Ian sit down with Open Hearth stalwart Tea-amat to discuss games with no particular GM. Some of these games have strict procedures to keep play on track; others are almost like tone poems, eschewing structure for pure vibes; what they have in common is an emphasis on gamer-motivated play. This comes with a new set of pitfalls to navigate, and opportunities to shine.Find out more about the Open Hearth Gaming CommunityOur websiteSupport us on Patreon!Our actual play podcast can be found hereFollow us on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/open-hearth-rpgBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/openhearthrpgMastodon: @[email protected] info:Email: [email protected]: https://lloydeaves.bandcamp.com/album/a-different-kind-of-hex"IMAGINE" by Boko Yout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtjOiRrpYagHelp Rae Recover Links Support or donate at https://patreon.com/swordqueengames or https://ko-fi.com/matthewarcillaTimecodes00:04:01 - Introduction/Pick yr poison00:11:54 - No gods, no GMs... no direction???00:22:44 - GM-less Games Lab: Mobile Frame Zero: Firebrands00:35:39 - What's a GM good for, anyway?00:42:56 - What is only possible without a GM?00:58:10 - "Nicies"01:06:24 - Pearls of Wisdom

Welcome to another episode of our new series on the Around the Hearth podcast feed: Known Territory: GMs Talk Games. Each episode we sit down with an experienced game facilitator who has played a specific TTRPG extensively. They will discuss how they pitch the game, best practices for running, useful tools, potential pitfalls, and more.This time we have designer and facilitator Mads aka madelancholy. They're here to talk about the classic Carved from Brindlewood TTRPG for Victorian horror and mystery: The Between. We talk about how to pitch the game, handling the different phases, the power of the Unscene, and much more.The BetweenMads on itch.ioSprigs and KindlingIf you dig this series, please rate, review, and subscribe.This episode's host is Lowell Francis,  designer and co-author of Hearts of Wulin. He's the ENnie-winning creator of the Age of Ravens blog and community manager for the Open Hearth Gaming Community. He's the co-author of the Transverse Noir series of Shadowrun novellas. You can find Lowell's work on YouTube, on Itch.io, and on DriveThruRPG.Help Rae Recover LinksSupport or donate at https://patreon.com/swordqueengames or https://ko-fi.com/matthewarcillaMusic: ‘Mission Control’ by Karl Casey @ White Bat AudioFind out more about the Open Hearth Gaming CommunitySupport us on Patreon!Our actual play podcast can be found hereFollow us on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/open-hearth-rpgBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/openhearthrpgMastodon: @[email protected]

Welcome to another episode of our new series on the Around the Hearth podcast feed: Known Territory: GMs Talk Games. Each episode we sit down with an experienced game facilitator who has played a specific TTRPG extensively. They will discuss how they pitch the game, best practices for running, useful tools, potential pitfalls, and more.This time we have designer, consultant, and co-creator of Asians Represent!, Agatha Cheng. She's here to talk about the amazing game Good Society, a diceless TTRPG of romance, passion, and drama. We talk about a lot, including the Kickstarter for Good Society 2nd Edition.Good Society 2nd Edition Kickstarter"2 Good 2 Society: Storybrewers do a lot with small changes in the new edition of the beloved Austen-like" (Rascal, Thomas Manuel)Games MentionedGood SocietyPasión de las PasionesWoolf Society: PercivalTake the UniverseGothic SocietyThinly VeiledAgatha on itch.ioCheck Open Hearth's free online gaming event: Shared Hearth happening Oct. 1st- Oct. 4th, 2026If you dig this series, please rate, review, and subscribe.This episode's host is Lowell Francis,  designer and co-author of Hearts of Wulin. He's the ENnie-winning creator of the Age of Ravens blog and community manager for the Open Hearth Gaming Community. He's the co-author of the Transverse Noir series of Shadowrun novellas. You can find Lowell's work on YouTube, on Itch.io, and on DriveThruRPG.Help Rae Recover LinksSupport or donate at https://patreon.com/swordqueengames or https://ko-fi.com/matthewarcillaMusic: ‘Mission Control’ by Karl Casey @ White Bat AudioFind out more about the Open Hearth Gaming CommunitySupport us on Patreon!Our actual play podcast can be found hereFollow us on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/open-hearth-rpgBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/openhearthrpgMastodon: @[email protected]

In this episode of the Open Hearth Podcast, host Dominik talks with a couple of community members about their gaming. This time Guy and Anders discuss things they recently played, cover three RPGs in more depth (Trespasser, The One Ring 2e, and Slugblaster), and then the group finishes up with some things they've been digging recently.Games Discussed:TrespasserThe One Ring 2eSlugblasterShared HearthRegistration is now open for the Shared Hearth free open gaming event October 1st - October 4th, 2026! More information at https://openhearthgaming.com/shared-hearthHelp Rae Recover Links Support or donate at https://patreon.com/swordqueengames or https://ko-fi.com/matthewarcillaFind out more about the Open Hearth Gaming CommunitySupport us on Patreon!Our actual play podcast can be found hereFollow us on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/open-hearth-rpgBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/openhearthrpgMastodon: @[email protected]    00:00 Introduction01:16 Anders & Trespasser 09:43 Guy & The One Ring 2e22:08 Dominik & Slugblaster34:07 Giving Me Life

In this episode, Gwen talks with community member & layout/designer David MK and game designer Will Munn about Arium the Worldbuilding RPG. They cover the game's core concepts, adaptability, and new elements added by Arium: Evolve.  The Kickstarter for the new boxed edition of Arium, which includes the new supplement, runs through Wed, Sept 16th, 2026. The Arium KickstarterArium's HomepageAquavertigo (David MK) Shared Hearth free open gaming event is coming October 1st - October 4th, 2026Help Rae Recover Links Support or donate at https://patreon.com/swordqueengames or https://ko-fi.com/matthewarcillaFind out more about the Open Hearth Gaming CommunitySupport us on Patreon!Our actual play podcast can be found hereFollow us on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/open-hearth-rpgBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/openhearthrpgMastodon: @[email protected]