Claim OwnershipThe Arcane Alienist
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© B. J. (aka “GameDoc”)
Description
A podcast mostly about tabletop roleplaying games, from game theory and concepts to session recaps to sources of inspiration. I also occasionally delve into other nerdy things like board games, comics, books, movies, and television.
Email: arcane.alienist@gmail.com.
You can leave a voicemail message here or through Speakpipe:
http://www.speakpipe.com/ArcaneAlienist
#oldschoolessentials
#d&d5e
#mongoosetraveller
#talesofthevaliant
#morkborg
Email: arcane.alienist@gmail.com.
You can leave a voicemail message here or through Speakpipe:
http://www.speakpipe.com/ArcaneAlienist
#oldschoolessentials
#d&d5e
#mongoosetraveller
#talesofthevaliant
#morkborg
242 Episodes
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it's OSR October! What better way to observe it than to dive into my latest Swords & Wizardry game session. Send me a message!Email me at arcane.alienist@gmail.comLeave a voicemail at Speakpipe
The latest D&D with Drama Kids - the party slogs through the swamp in search of an evil priest, but find lizardfolk, hydras, dragons, and even a couple of lost elves. I also have some calls regarding the last episode from podcasters Joe Richter of Hindsightless and the Pink Phantom of Phantom Thoughts.Send me a message!Email me at arcane.alienist@gmail.comLeave a voicemail at Speakpipe
In this episode I just have some reflections on how people increasingly thinks of themselves as a collection of identity markers, not unlike the traits on a character sheet in an RPG. Send me a message!Email me at arcane.alienist@gmail.comLeave a voicemail at Speakpipe
It's #RPGaDay2025Each August, we take some time each day to reflect about the positives of the hobby. This year, I am combining several prompts at a time to create some adventure scenarios. Here's what I have for the days 21-31.Thanks to Autocratik and Casting Shadows for always putting this together for the RPG community.Give a listen to these other creators who have also been participating in RPGaDay this year:Phantom ThoughtsHIndsightlessThe Decahedron RPG PodcastThe GMologist PresentsNerd's RPG Variety Cast Send me a message!Email me at arcane.alienist@gmail.comLeave a voicemail at Speakpipe
It's #RPGaDay2025Each August, we take some time each day to reflect about the positives of the hobby. This year, I am combining several prompts at a time to create some adventure scenarios. Here's what I have for the days 11-20.Thanks to Autocratik and Casting Shadows for always putting this together for the RPG community.Send me a message!Email me at arcane.alienist@gmail.comLeave a voicemail at Speakpipe
It's #RPGaDay2025Each August, we take some time each day to reflect about the positives of the hobby. This year, I am combining several prompts at a time to create some adventure scenarios. Here's what I have for the first 10 days.Thanks to Autocratik and Casting Shadows for always putting this together for the RPG community.Send me a message!Email me at arcane.alienist@gmail.comLeave a voicemail at Speakpipe
Wait... Part 2? This is a crossover episode where Karl Rodriguez and I discuss some of the classic modules from the TSR era of D&D. You can find Part 1 of the conversation at The GMologist Presents. Send me a message!Email me at arcane.alienist@gmail.comLeave a voicemail at Speakpipe
In this episode we have calls from Evil Jeff (Minions & Musings) and Mike the Meek with comments about Sigmund Freud and alignment. I also give an update on my "D&D with Drama Kids" campaign and pose a question: What is on your charater's playlist?Check out my review of Superman with Jason on the latest Nerd's RPG Variety Cast.And here's the book Mirke mentions about How to Think Like a Roman Emperor. Send me a message!Email me at arcane.alienist@gmail.comLeave a voicemail at Speakpipe
Inspired by the chapter on alignment in the S&W Book o Options, I present a comparison of Michael Moorcock's cosmic balance and Freud's theory of personality. Also, I have calls from Daniel (Bandit's Keep), Joe (Hindsightless), and Mirke (Mirke the Meek).Here are the other books mentioned in this episodeThe Antidote by Oliver BurkemanThe Happiness Trap by Russ HarrisA Liberated Mind bu Steven C. HayesThe Swords Wizardy Book of Options by Matt Finch & James M. SpahnSend me a message!Email me at arcane.alienist@gmail.comLeave a voicemail at Speakpipe
This episode as some actual "alienist" content as I compare the way psychologists use theory and to make decisions in psychotherapy to the way a GM uses understanding of game design to make rulings at the table. I also have calls from Jason (Nerd's RPG Variety Cast), Karl (The GMologist Presents) and Mirke (Mirke the Meek).Take a look at Mirke's stuff on itch.io!Send me a message!Email me at arcane.alienist@gmail.comLeave a voicemail at Speakpipe
In this episode I discuss using embracing the emergent stories that come from just playing the game and seeing where it takes you.This is partially inspired by recent discussions by Che Webster and Anthony Boyd about the nature of roleplaying games and characters as protagonists on the past few episodes of Roleplay Rescue. Give them a listen!Also, we have a new episode of Cerebrevore out now, where I am joined by the GMologist and Darkfluid. Send me a message!Email me at arcane.alienist@gmail.comLeave a voicemail at Speakpipe
My quick review of Black Powder and Brimstone by Benjamin Tobitt. I also, this episode's cover art is the map to my Black Sword Hack have solo game, as suggested by a call from the GMologist. I made it using Inkarnate.Send me a message!Email me at arcane.alienist@gmail.comLeave a voicemail at Speakpipe
It's the conclusion of my first solo adventure with Black Sword Hack. Dolen and his "niece" Thorn confront the twisted mortician Fedro and uncover his plans for an undead army. But is he the real master or just a minion of Chaos?I also have a call from our good friend Riley, host of the excellent Diagetic Advancement podcast. Be sure to give it a listen!Special music for this episode curtesy of Bleupanda atPond5.Send me a message!Email me at arcane.alienist@gmail.comLeave a voicemail atSpeakpipe
Part 4 of my solo adventure with Black Sword Hack. Dolen speaks to s suspicious fellow at the Morticians' Guild and seeks help from a former adversary.Special music for this episode curtesy of Bleupanda atPond5.Send me a messag! Email me at arcane.alienist@gmail.com Leave a voicemail atSpeakpipe
Part 3 of my solo adventure with Black Sword Hack. Dolen enters the city slums in search of a wayward nobleman and answers about his brother's death.Special music for this episode curtesy of Bleupanda atPond5.Send me a message! Email me at arcane.alienist@gmail.com Leave a voicemail atSpeakpipe
The second installment of solo play featuring Dolen of Ulber, as he says farewell to his brother and reflects on his origins and how he came to be a courier in the service of House Fulluando.Special music for this episode curtesy of Bleupanda atPond5.Thanks toMirke the Meek for his call in this eposiode. Make sure you listen to his podcast.Other great podcasts referenced in this episode were theGMologist Presents andDiegetic Advancement.Send me a message!Email me at arcane.alienist@gmail.comLeave a voicemail atSpeakpipe
After character generation and word-building, it's finally time for solo play with Black Sword Hack.
Meet Dolen, once a barbarian thrall, now an agent of a powerful merchant house, as he prepares to deal with a personal tragedy.
Special music for this episode curtesy of Bleupanda at Pond5.
Be sure to catch the latest episode of Cerebrevore, where Arlen and Karl join me to discuss Star Wars.
Leave a comment here, or reach out to me directly!
You can email me at arcane.alienist@gmail.com
You can leave a voice message through Speakpipe
In this episode, we compete our basic worldbuilding with cities, signs of the apocalypse, and a prompt to get the first adventure under way.
Leave a comment, or reach out to me directly! You can email me (arcane.alienist@gmail.com) or leave a voice message through my http://www.speakpipe.com/ArcaneAlienist" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Speakpipe account.
In this episode we get one step closer to solo play with Black Sword Hack as I fill in the major factions of the campaign setting and put them on the map using the tools from the rulebook.
Meet my randomly generated Black Sword Hack character. He's not your average piece of Frazetta beefcake.
Check out an example of BSH solo play at the Kill Ten Rats RPG YouTube channel.
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