That RPG Podcast

That RPG Podcast is a podcast about tabletop roleplaying games and the art of game mastery, where we create roleplaying game adventures on the fly from prompts submitted by our listeners.

Interview with 9th Level Games

In this episode of That RPG Podcast, we talk about what we're thankful for: food in TTRPGs (via Max Miller's Tasting History), how to make fair rulings as a GM, and design a hunting feast adventure that takes place on a gas planet. But we're most thankful for our special guests this month: Join us for an interview with 9th Level Games' designers Heather and Chris O'Neill, as they talk about their newest games powered by the Polymorph system: Thunder Road Vendetta and Wrastlevania. Need some sage advice for your table from our Dear GM? Have an adventure hook you're itching to run? Drop us a line at https://thatrpgpodcast.com. Join the Conversation 👍 Don't forget to subscribe for more RPG tips! 🎞️ Watch the Youtube version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLH1R9eChdk ❤️ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/osrplus 🎲 Play Advanced Old School Revival (OSR+): https://osrplus.com 💬 Chat with us on Discord: https://discord.gg/yxncZegr3h #RPGDesign #TTRPG #RPG #dungeonsanddragons #dnd #gamemastery #gamemastertips #tabletoprpg #roleplaying

11-17
01:22:53

How to Make Fair Rulings in Your RPG Adventures

In this episode of That RPG Podcast, we talk about what we're thankful for: food in TTRPGs (via Max Miller's Tasting History), how to make fair rulings as a GM, and design a hunting feast adventure that takes place on a gas planet. But we're most thankful for our special guests this month: Join us for an interview with 9th Level Games' designers Heather and Chris O'Neill, as they talk about their newest games powered by the Polymorph system: Thunder Road Vendetta and Wrastlevania. Need some sage advice for your table from our Dear GM? Have an adventure hook you're itching to run? Drop us a line at https://thatrpgpodcast.com. Join the Conversation 👍 Don't forget to subscribe for more RPG tips! 🎞️ Watch the Youtube version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv7juZiKZVs ❤️ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/osrplus 🎲 Play Advanced Old School Revival (OSR+): https://osrplus.com 💬 Chat with us on Discord: https://discord.gg/yxncZegr3h #RPGDesign #TTRPG #RPG #dungeonsanddragons #dnd #gamemastery #gamemastertips #tabletoprpg #roleplaying

11-10
39:32

Tools Not Rules: The Death of Sigil, Max Miller's Tasting History, and Tipple

In this episode of That RPG Podcast, we talk about what we're thankful for: food in TTRPGs (via Max Miller's Tasting History), how to make fair rulings as a GM, and design a hunting feast adventure that takes place on a gas planet. But we're most thankful for our special guests this month: Join us for an interview with 9th Level Games' designers Heather and Chris O'Neill, as they talk about their newest games powered by the Polymorph system: Thunder Road Vendetta and Wrastlevania. Need some sage advice for your table from our Dear GM? Have an adventure hook you're itching to run? Drop us a line at https://thatrpgpodcast.com. Join the Conversation 👍 Don't forget to subscribe for more RPG tips! 🎞️ Watch the Youtube version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEh5xG2w60M ❤️ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/osrplus 🎲 Play Advanced Old School Revival (OSR+): https://osrplus.com 💬 Chat with us on Discord: https://discord.gg/yxncZegr3h #RPGDesign #TTRPG #RPG #dungeonsanddragons #dnd #gamemastery #gamemastertips #tabletoprpg #roleplaying

11-03
30:44

Adventure Hook: At Fortune's End

In this episode of That RPG Podcast, we talk about the xenomorphs in Apple TV's Alien: Earth, how to design memorable monsters for your campaigns, and interview resident "Magic Engineer" C.R. Rowenson, author of The Magic System Blueprint and upcoming LitRPG novel, Spawn Point. In this month's adventure hook, we plunge into the depths of cosmic horror inspired by Dan Simmon's lost expedition novel, The Terror. Need some sage advice for your table from our Dear GM? Have an adventure hook you're itching to run? Drop us a line at https://thatrpgpodcast.com. Join the Conversation 👍 Don't forget to subscribe for more RPG tips! 🎞️ Watch the Youtube version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vce2o6Q4ui0 ❤️ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/osrplus 🎲 Play Advanced Old School Revival (OSR+): https://osrplus.com 💬 Chat with us on Discord: https://discord.gg/yxncZegr3h #RPGDesign #TTRPG #RPG #dungeonsanddragons #dnd #gamemastery #gamemastertips #tabletoprpg #roleplaying

10-27
52:12

An Interview with Magic Engineer C.R. Rowenson (Author of LitRPG Spawn Point)

In this episode of That RPG Podcast, we talk about the xenomorphs in Apple TV's Alien: Earth, how to design memorable monsters for your campaigns, and interview resident "Magic Engineer" C.R. Rowenson, author of The Magic System Blueprint and upcoming LitRPG novel, Spawn Point. In this month's adventure hook, we plunge into the depths of cosmic horror inspired by Dan Simmon's lost expedition novel, The Terror. Need some sage advice for your table from our Dear GM? Have an adventure hook you're itching to run? Drop us a line at https://thatrpgpodcast.com. Join the Conversation 👍 Don't forget to subscribe for more RPG tips! 🎞️ Watch the Youtube version: https://youtu.be/q_GSLhH9ww4 ❤️ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/osrplus 🎲 Play Advanced Old School Revival (OSR+): https://osrplus.com 💬 Chat with us on Discord: https://discord.gg/yxncZegr3h #RPGDesign #TTRPG #RPG #dungeonsanddragons #dnd #gamemastery #gamemastertips #tabletoprpg #roleplaying

10-20
55:57

How to Design Engaging Monsters For Your RPG Adventures

In this episode of That RPG Podcast, we talk about the xenomorphs in Apple TV's Alien: Earth, how to design memorable monsters for your campaigns, and interview resident "Magic Engineer" C.R. Rowenson, author of The Magic System Blueprint and upcoming LitRPG novel, Spawn Point. In this month's adventure hook, we plunge into the depths of cosmic horror inspired by Dan Simmon's lost expedition novel, The Terror. Need some sage advice for your table from our Dear GM? Have an adventure hook you're itching to run? Drop us a line at https://thatrpgpodcast.com. Join the Conversation 👍 Don't forget to subscribe for more RPG tips! 🎞️ Watch the Youtube version: https://youtu.be/cVFd-b3PzG0 ❤️ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/osrplus 🎲 Play Advanced Old School Revival (OSR+): https://osrplus.com 💬 Chat with us on Discord: https://discord.gg/yxncZegr3h #RPGDesign #TTRPG #RPG #dungeonsanddragons #dnd #gamemastery #gamemastertips #tabletoprpg #roleplaying

10-13
31:20

Making Monsters Great Again: Alien: Earth & Tales from Elsewhere: Clockworld

In this episode of That RPG Podcast, we talk about the xenomorphs in Apple TV's Alien: Earth, how to design memorable monsters for your campaigns, and interview resident "Magic Engineer" C.R. Rowenson, author of The Magic System Blueprint and upcoming LitRPG novel, Spawn Point. In this month's adventure hook, we plunge into the depths of cosmic horror inspired by Dan Simmon's lost expedition novel, The Terror. Need some sage advice for your table from our Dear GM? Have an adventure hook you're itching to run? Drop us a line at https://thatrpgpodcast.com. Join the Conversation 👍 Don't forget to subscribe for more RPG tips! 🎞️ Watch the Youtube version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j80N4ACHy-U ❤️ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/osrplus 🎲 Play Advanced Old School Revival (OSR+): https://osrplus.com 💬 Chat with us on Discord: https://discord.gg/yxncZegr3h #RPGDesign #TTRPG #RPG #dungeonsanddragons #dnd #gamemastery #gamemastertips #tabletoprpg #roleplaying

10-06
40:59

Adventure Hook: Tales from the Whispering Well

In this episode of That RPG Podcast, we talk about First Encounter RPG by Fire & Fables Studios, how to run immersive downtimes in play, and build a Greek mythology-themed adventure set in a Dying Earth dystopia. Not every odyssey begins with beasts and brawn: join us as we explore the outer limits of your characters' interior worlds with OSR+'s parley, journey, and montage mechanics. Need some sage advice for your table from our Dear GM? Have an adventure hook you're itching to run? Drop us a line at https://thatrpgpodcast.com. Join the Conversation 👍 Don't forget to subscribe for more RPG tips! 🎞️ Watch the Youtube version: https://youtu.be/yz3OCqV5KKY ❤️ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/osrplus 🎲 Play Advanced Old School Revival (OSR+): https://osrplus.com 💬 Chat with us on Discord: https://discord.gg/yxncZegr3h #RPGDesign #TTRPG #RPG #dungeonsanddragons #dnd #gamemastery #gamemastertips #tabletoprpg #roleplaying

09-22
35:24

How to Design Engaging Scenes in Your RPG Adventures

In this episode of That RPG Podcast, we talk about the Critical Role's Campaign 4 controversy, how to play evil characters cooperatively (with inspiration from Apple TV's The Studio), and discuss how to incorporate robust interactivity in your roleplaying games. This month's adventure hook features a trip to a spooky town in the vein of Stranger Things, where haunted teenagers face their fears while investigating a mysterious "Whispering Well"; like those teens, you don't want to leave your players in a dark, so follow our tips for writing engaging scenes in your RPG adventures. Need some sage advice for your table from our Dear GM? Have an adventure hook you're itching to run? Drop us a line at https://thatrpgpodcast.com. Join the Conversation 👍 Don't forget to subscribe for more RPG tips! 🎞️ Watch the Youtube version: https://youtu.be/E3p8i3tBwJs ❤️ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/osrplus 🎲 Play Advanced Old School Revival (OSR+): https://osrplus.com 💬 Chat with us on Discord: https://discord.gg/yxncZegr3h #RPGDesign #TTRPG #RPG #dungeonsanddragons #dnd #gamemastery #gamemastertips #tabletoprpg #roleplaying

09-15
20:21

How to Play Evil Heroes Collaboratively in RPGs

In this episode of That RPG Podcast, we talk about the Critical Role's Campaign 4 controversy, how to play evil characters cooperatively (with inspiration from Apple TV's The Studio), and discuss how to incorporate robust interactivity in your roleplaying games. This month's adventure hook features a trip to a spooky town in the vein of Stranger Things, where haunted teenagers face their fears while investigating a mysterious "Whispering Well"; like those teens, you don't want to leave your players in a dark, so follow our tips for writing engaging scenes in your RPG adventures. Need some sage advice for your table from our Dear GM? Have an adventure hook you're itching to run? Drop us a line at https://thatrpgpodcast.com. Join the Conversation 👍 Don't forget to subscribe for more RPG tips! 🎞️ Watch the Youtube version: https://youtu.be/OpYl_2Zbod0 ❤️ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/osrplus 🎲 Play Advanced Old School Revival (OSR+): https://osrplus.com 💬 Chat with us on Discord: https://discord.gg/yxncZegr3h #RPGDesign #TTRPG #RPG #dungeonsanddragons #dnd #gamemastery #gamemastertips #tabletoprpg #roleplaying

09-08
45:34

The Search for the Southern Oracle: A Greek Mythology-Themed RPG Adventure

In this episode of That RPG Podcast, we talk about First Encounter RPG by Fire & Fables Studios, how to run immersive downtimes in play, and build a Greek mythology-themed adventure set in a Dying Earth dystopia. Not every odyssey begins with beasts and brawn: join us as we explore the outer limits of your characters' interior worlds with OSR+'s parley, journey, and montage mechanics. Need some sage advice for your table from our Dear GM? Have an adventure hook you're itching to run? Drop us a line at https://thatrpgpodcast.com. Join the Conversation 👍 Don't forget to subscribe for more RPG tips! 🎞️ Watch the Youtube version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7kM5Hs44H4 ❤️ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/osrplus 🎲 Play Advanced Old School Revival (OSR+): https://osrplus.com 💬 Chat with us on Discord: https://discord.gg/yxncZegr3h #RPGDesign #TTRPG #RPG #dungeonsanddragons #dnd #gamemastery #gamemastertips #tabletoprpg #roleplaying

08-18
45:51

How to Run Immersive Downtimes in Your RPG Adventures

In this episode of That RPG Podcast, we talk about First Encounter RPG by Fire & Fables Studios, how to run immersive downtimes in play, and build a Greek mythology-themed adventure set in a Dying Earth dystopia. Not every odyssey begins with beasts and brawn: join us as we explore the outer limits of your characters' interior worlds with OSR+'s parley, journey, and montage mechanics. Need some sage advice for your table from our Dear GM? Have an adventure hook you're itching to run? Drop us a line at https://thatrpgpodcast.com. Join the Conversation 👍 Don't forget to subscribe for more RPG tips! 🎞️ Watch the Youtube version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ov5wYi1nSk ❤️ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/osrplus 🎲 Play Advanced Old School Revival (OSR+): https://osrplus.com 💬 Chat with us on Discord: https://discord.gg/yxncZegr3h #RPGDesign #TTRPG #RPG #dungeonsanddragons #dnd #gamemastery #gamemastertips #tabletoprpg #roleplaying

08-11
29:08

First Encounter RPG, Murderbot, and Restful Magic

In this episode of That RPG Podcast, we talk about First Encounter RPG by Fire & Fables Studios, how to run immersive downtimes in play, and build a Greek mythology-themed adventure set in a Dying Earth dystopia. Not every odyssey begins with beasts and brawn: join us as we explore the outer limits of your characters' interior worlds with OSR+'s parley, journey, and montage mechanics. Need some sage advice for your table from our Dear GM? Have an adventure hook you're itching to run? Drop us a line at https://thatrpgpodcast.com. Join the Conversation 👍 Don't forget to subscribe for more RPG tips! 🎞️ Watch the Youtube version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnaQZRPACw8 ❤️ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/osrplus 🎲 Play Advanced Old School Revival (OSR+): https://osrplus.com 💬 Chat with us on Discord: https://discord.gg/yxncZegr3h #RPGDesign #TTRPG #RPG #dungeonsanddragons #dnd #gamemastery #gamemastertips #tabletoprpg #roleplaying

08-01
44:40

An RPG Adventure Hook... In Space!

In this episode of That RPG Podcast, we talk about how tariffs may affect tabletop gaming, share tips for game masters to balance encounters and avoid fudging the dice, build a tyrant as a BBEG, and explore the outer wilds in a Spelljammer-adjacent adventure. Freedom at your table means more than rolling the dice: learn how everything from adventure cadence, radical transparency in game mastery, and an open-door policy at the table can improve your players' enjoyment of the game. Need some sage advice for your table from our Dear GM? Have an adventure hook you're itching to run? Drop us a line at https://thatrpgpodcast.com. Join the Conversation 👍 Don't forget to subscribe for more RPG tips! 🎞️ Watch the Youtube version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfClYWS0MTE ❤️ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/osrplus 🎲 Play Advanced Old School Revival (OSR+): https://osrplus.com 💬 Chat with us on Discord: https://discord.gg/yxncZegr3h #RPGDesign #TTRPG #RPG #dungeonsanddragons #dnd #gamemastery #gamemastertips #tabletoprpg #roleplaying

07-14
39:42

How to Balance Encounters in Your RPGs

In this episode of That RPG Podcast, we talk about how tariffs may affect tabletop gaming, share tips for game masters to balance encounters and avoid fudging the dice, build a tyrant as a BBEG, and explore the outer wilds in a Spelljammer-adjacent adventure. Freedom at your table means more than rolling the dice: learn how everything from adventure cadence, radical transparency in game mastery, and an open-door policy at the table can improve your players' enjoyment of the game. Need some sage advice for your table from our Dear GM? Have an adventure hook you're itching to run? Drop us a line at https://thatrpgpodcast.com. Join the Conversation 👍 Don't forget to subscribe for more RPG tips! 🎞️ Watch the Youtube version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2r814vxm9Gs ❤️ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/osrplus 🎲 Play Advanced Old School Revival (OSR+): https://osrplus.com 💬 Chat with us on Discord: https://discord.gg/yxncZegr3h #RPGDesign #TTRPG #RPG #dungeonsanddragons #dnd #gamemastery #gamemastertips #tabletoprpg #roleplaying

07-07
26:57

Tariffs in Tabletop Gaming, Free Action, and Tyrant BBEGs

In this episode of That RPG Podcast, we talk about how tariffs may affect tabletop gaming, share tips for game masters to balance encounters and avoid fudging the dice, build a tyrant as a BBEG, and explore the outer wilds in a Spelljammer-adjacent adventure. Freedom at your table means more than rolling the dice: learn how everything from adventure cadence, radical transparency in game mastery, and an open-door policy at the table can improve your players' enjoyment of the game. Need some sage advice for your table from our Dear GM? Have an adventure hook you're itching to run? Drop us a line at https://thatrpgpodcast.com. Join the Conversation 👍 Don't forget to subscribe for more RPG tips! 🎞️ Watch the Youtube version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnbIYTkb5Zg ❤️ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/osrplus 🎲 Play Advanced Old School Revival (OSR+): https://osrplus.com 💬 Chat with us on Discord: https://discord.gg/yxncZegr3h #RPGDesign #TTRPG #RPG #dungeonsanddragons #dnd #gamemastery #gamemastertips #tabletoprpg #roleplaying

07-01
37:13

Avoiding Toadtalitarianism at Your Table: Safety & Inclusion in RPGs

In this episode of That RPG Podcast, we review the new Daggerheart RPG, analyze good and evil in Andor Season 1 and 2 through the lens of the OSR+ ethos system, and discuss safety tools that help foster a more inclusive environment in RPGs. Crafting a fictional moral philosophy for your characters might be hard work, but maintaining a moral standard in the real world is even harder; hopefully these tips make your life as a game master easier and give your table peace of mind. Need some sage advice for your table from our Dear GM? Have an adventure hook you're itching to run? Drop us a line at https://thatrpgpodcast.com. Join the Conversation 👍 Don't forget to subscribe for more RPG tips! 🎞️ Watch the Youtube version: https://youtu.be/dUqJKFih74k ❤️ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/osrplus 🎲 Play Advanced Old School Revival (OSR+): https://osrplus.com 💬 Chat with us on Discord: https://discord.gg/yxncZegr3h #RPGDesign #TTRPG #RPG #dungeonsanddragons #dnd #gamemastery #gamemastertips #tabletoprpg #roleplaying

06-01
01:36:16

Game Master, Not Helicopter Mom: How to Transform Worldbuilding into Adventure Design

In this episode of That RPG Podcast, we talk Project Sigil, PC characterization via The White Lotus, and a wizardly megadungeon right out of a Jack Vance novel. Sometimes as game masters we get carried away with our worldbuilding, writing so much material for our players to consume that getting into the game feels like homework. Don't be a helicopter mom! Use our pre-session zero tips to make your players invested in the game you worked so hard on. Need some sage advice for your table from our Dear GM? Have an adventure hook you're itching to run? Drop us a line at https://thatrpgpodcast.com. Join the Conversation 👍 Don't forget to subscribe for more RPG tips! 🎞️ Watch the Youtube version: https://youtu.be/MJHNjMrhkX4 ❤️ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/osrplus 🎲 Play Advanced Old School Revival (OSR+): https://osrplus.com 💬 Chat with us on Discord: https://discord.gg/yxncZegr3h #RPGDesign #TTRPG #RPG #dungeonsanddragons #dnd #gamemastery #gamemastertips #tabletoprpg #roleplaying

05-01
01:10:42

Hang Onto Your Butts & Pivot: Gaslighting Players, False Hydras, & Railroads

In this episode of That RPG Podcast, we talk about gaslighting players (and gaslighting your players!), reinventing the false hydra, and the wall at the edge of the world. Are you a game master who rolls with the punches, or the type who meticulous plans out every scene? We share tips for either approach. So hang onto your butts and pivot as we dive into this early spring episode full of tricks and tricksters. Need some sage advice for your table from our Dear GM? Have an adventure hook you're itching to run? Drop us a line at https://thatrpgpodcast.com. Join the Conversation 👍 Don't forget to subscribe for more RPG tips! 🎞️ Watch the Youtube version: https://youtu.be/-SNLiLcCUPs ❤️ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/osrplus 🎲 Play Advanced Old School Revival (OSR+): https://osrplus.com 💬 Chat with us on Discord: https://discord.gg/yxncZegr3h #RPGDesign #TTRPG #RPG #dungeonsanddragons #dnd #gamemastery #gamemastertips #tabletoprpg #roleplaying  

04-01
01:33:51

Vibes Not Visions: Tips to Manage Play Expectations in RPGs

In this episode of That RPG Podcast, we talk about managing the social contract at the table, simulating horror in RPGs, and wild magic golems run amok. We all come into the game with different expectations of play, with game masters looking to execute their vision for how the campaign will play out, and players looking to fulfill whatever archetype they based their characters on. But rigid expectations like these can come into conflict with the "vibes" of the table, which arise naturally as play evolves. Need some sage advice for your table from our Dear GM? Have an adventure hook you're itching to run? Drop us a line at https://thatrpgpodcast.com. Join the Conversation 👍 Don't forget to subscribe for more RPG tips! 🎞️ Watch the Youtube version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idQWEBHcOK0 ❤️ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/osrplus 🎲 Play Advanced Old School Revival (OSR+): https://osrplus.com 💬 Chat with us on Discord: https://discord.gg/yxncZegr3h #RPGDesign #TTRPG #RPG #dungeonsanddragons #dnd #gamemastery #gamemastertips #tabletoprpg #roleplaying

03-01
01:38:35

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