The Lore Check

The Game is afoot (no, not a foot...afoot)! Devan and Brandon are joined by Taylor Pritchard to pretend that they are smart enough to analyze Detective stories and the games that come from them. We look at everything from the brilliance of detective protagonists we love, to the detailed and grueling (but still fun, of course) work of the hunt for PC's, to the chain-smoking and coffee needed to make it through such an investigation. All in service to remind us why detective stories are such a popular genre that awakens the imagination and wonder in many people.  This is a great episode for those who are either huge detective fans in general, or those who are wondering about starting a more mystery themed game for their gaming group (or possibly just a GM who wants to torture his players with an impossible mystery).  Join us as we present the most ELEMENTARY of ideas (yes, I did have to make that joke).    Intro Music: "King Numpty and his Knights (Part 1)" by TRG Banks Outro Music: "What Dreams Become" by Audiobinger   If you have comments and suggestions, feel free to reach us at thelorecheck@gmail.com.

It's time to dig a deep hole, grab what resources you can, and attempt human hibernation, everybody because the world is coming to an end!   It this episode, Devan and Brandon are re-joined by Anthony Wright and the recently back-from-the-dead Stephen Perez to discuss Post-apocalyptic gaming. What makes the end of the world, and the death of all our loved ones so much fun? Well listen in and fine out!  From wasteland raiders, to the establishment of new societies and moral codes, and even unclothed immortal nomads (yep I just said that) this episode has all the goodness that we have come to love from Fallout, Zombie Apocalypses, and Mad Max.    This is a great episode for Zombie apocalypse fans or general dooms-day preppers who want a positive spin on their pessimistic views of the world.    Intro Music: "King Numpty and his Knights (Part 1)" by TRG Banks Outro Music: "What Dreams Become" by Audiobinger   If you enjoy this episode please like an subscribe.  If you have comments and suggestions, feel free to reach us at thelorecheck@gmail.com. 

Well, that Got Dark! Devan and Brandon are joined by fellow gamer Stephen Perez the ironically joy and beauty found in the disturbing settings of Dark Games. The episode heavily features the Classic World of Darkness games such as Vampire the Masquerade and Werewolf the Apocalypse. But there is something here from all sorts of dark and tragic games with their doomed protagonists or corrupted anti-heroes.  This is a great episode for those who loved to stare into the abyss, even though they know its staring back. It is also a great game for World of Darkness fans who want to convince their friends to play this system (Even though Brandon's friends won't let him).  So come join us as we charge headfirst into the darkness and most of us come out unscathed.    Intro music: Southern Hospitality by Black Agnes Outro Music: Droves by Black Agnes    If you like the episode please like and subscribe.  If you have comments and suggestions, feel free to reach us at thelorecheck@gmail.com. 

It's time to face your fears!!! In the continuation of our genre series, Devan and Brandon explore the deep dark abyss that is horror. Our host address the issues concerning why people subject themselves to horror literature and games, and why it is so much fun. We also provide some tips for how a GM can successfully host a horror night. This is a great episode for those who hate horror movies (like Brandon), and are curious why some people might like them. It is also great for those who are curious about horror gaming or are trying to get their friends to play and just need a push. So join us as we engage the gaming genre that makes Cthulu, East Texas University, and Dark Heresy great.   Intro Music: "King Numpty and his Knights (Part 1)" by TRG Banks Outro Music: "What Dreams Become" by Audiobinger   If you have comments and suggestions, feel free to reach us at thelorecheck@gmail.com. 

It's time to get punky! In the next episode of our genre series, Devan and Brandon are joined by their first guest to discuss the gritty wonder that is cyberpunk/steampunk settings. This episode includes a look into the dark twist on the optimism of Sci-fi, an revealation of each of our ideal punk clothing styles, a history lesson about civil war vampires, and whole lot of Angst! Oh and our guest insults random people, for which we..... kinda apologize.    This is a great episode for fans of the Steampunk and Cyberpunk settings, or those junk wondering what all the fuss is about in those fandoms. It's also a great episode for those who want to know how Giant robot spiders would have impacted the civil war.    So join us as we talk about ALL THE PUNKS #bringbackthezeplin   Intro Music: "King Numpty and his Knights (Part 1)" by TRG Banks Outro Music: "What Dreams Become" by Audiobinger   If you have comments and suggestions, feel free to reach us at thelorecheck@gmail.com. 

JEFF GOLDBLOOM WOULD LOVE THIS EPISODE!!!...   Okay I don't know that for sure, but I believe it is true. In this installment of our genre check series, Devan and Brandon go through the Sci-Fi and Science Fantasy Genre. First, Devan provides an example of what it is like to be on other words. After that, we have to distinguish these two genres because we are nit picky nerds. Then we look towards the future and wonder about all the amazing possibilities that have yet to be explored. We end by providing tips for encouarging our GM's and players to maintain the world of tomorrow feel.....then something bad happens. But who cares!   This is a great episode for those who love the sci-fi genre and want to think about why it is so great or how it would transistion to games. It is also good for that GM still trying to convince his stubborn players to leave the classical fantasy setting in order to head to the stars in games like Star Wars, Star Finders, Last Parsec, or even 40K.     Intro Music: "King Numpty and his Knights (Part 1)" by TRG Banks Outro Music: "What Dreams Become" by Audiobinger   If you have comments and suggestions, feel free to reach us at thelorecheck@gmail.com.   

From the knights in shining armor, the power wizards reshaping reality, and the fearsome dragon kind reigning over their domain, FANTASY is by far the most common and possibly the most loved of all RPG genres. In this expisode Devan and Brandon kick of the GENRE Check series with the most classic examples we can. Listen in as we TRY (and probably suceed) and defining what fantasy is, discuss why we love the genre, and explain why maybe reading it just isn't enough sometimes. So join us as we talk about the setting that encapuslates D&D, Pathfinder, Warhammer, and Shintar.  This is a great episode for those who want to explain to their friends why your stories about playing a half-elf rouge are actually super cool and not lame at all. It could also just be for those who love the fantasy genre wonder what it woudl be like to become part of those realms.    P.S. this episode is Devan's first strike for questioning Power Rangers. He won't get many more. 

In this episode, Devan and Brandon geek out all over the cool and fantastic powers that our RPG characters have. From the over-the-top combat prowess of the warriors, to the mesmerizing arcane magic of the spellcasters, and even the nearly impossible technological wonders of sci-fi gear, there is so much to love and enjoy in roleplaying games. So join us to remember how these character powers and skills are more than a mechanic, and instead see them as electrifying elements to creating wonderful experiences in gaming.  This is a great episode for those who want to power game, but want to make sure that they don't lose the elements of a good story in the process. It is also good to those who simply want a reminder why super-powers are cool and delightful.  Also learn why Devan and Brandon would make some of the most unimpressive superheros ever!   Intro Music: "King Numpty and his Knights (Part 1)" by TRG Banks Outro Music: "What Dreams Become" by Audiobinger   If you have comments and suggestions, feel free to reach us at thelorecheck@gmail.com.   

For storytime, Devan begins by sharing the story of an infamous heist his players attempted that ended up more more likey a Three Stooges episode than Ocean's eleven.  In the main topic of this episode of the Lore Check, Devan and Brandon explore the nature of the game as a social event. From creating unique stories from various minds, to learning how to work as a time, to simply bonding with your friends and strangers over shared story experiences, we want to remind you how the gaming table is designed for people to come together. We will also take some time to discuss some hinderanes to this shared experience.   This is a great episode for those who want to know how roleplaying is a great social activity for their friends, or to get to know new people. 

Almost every table-top RPG uses dice (and those that don't won't be given the honor of mention). But how often do we just take the time to consider why we include these little plastic overlords into our games. Are they neccesary and do they make the game any better? Brandon and Devan share some memorable dice rolls and then they invite you as they consider the “assumption of the dice” to see how random chance and failure are essential parts in encountering the stories that shape the gaming experience.  This episode is to remind all those people who have ever cursed the dice and wished they didn't exist that it just wouldn't be the same.      Intro Music: "King Numpty and his Knights (Part 1)" by TRG Banks Outro Music: "What Dreams Become" by Audiobinger   If you have comments and suggestions, feel free to reach us at thelorecheck@gmail.com. 

The very core of the RPG industry is the actual roleplaying, but many times we forget why that is so crucial to these games, through the forest of rules, powers, and mechanics. Brandon and Devan begin by sharing their favorite characters they have ever roleplayed. This leads into their attempt to further explore the general topic of gaming as a whole, discussing throwing yourself into a  particular roles in the game can be so hard and yet so rewarding for the experience. Great episode for those wanting to really committ to role-playing or for those trying to convince their murder-hobo friend to take the story more serious.    Intro Music: "King Numpty and his Knights (Part 1)" by TRG Banks Outro Music: "What Dreams Become" by Audiobinger   If you have comments and suggestions, feel free to reach us at thelorecheck@gmail.com. 

Brandon grills Devan about his first time playing RPG's and his first time GM’ing. In this episode we will delight in the excitement of the new beginnings that RPG's offer us and investigate what draws us back to the table form these first experiences.  Great episode for people considering whether they should try RPG's or for those friends you are trying to convince to join you!   Intro Music: "King Numpty and his Knights (Part 1)" by TRG Banks Outro Music: "What Dreams Become" by Audiobinger   If you have comments and suggestions, feel free to reach us at thelorecheck@gmail.com.