Shows
GURPStalkWhat's the Frequency?What are Frequency Rolls and how can we use them effectively?Che and Pat discuss the frequency of appearance mechanism in GURPS, which determines how often NPCs like allies, contacts, patrons, and dependents show up in adventures. They discuss how to apply frequency rolls for NPCs, advantages, and disadvantages in open-world GURPS campaigns without defined adventures. Pat explains that GMs need to determine when to make these rolls based on their campaign structure rather than relying on the vague concept of "per adventure". They emphasize that these mechanics create opportunities for roleplaying and complications while taking p...
2025-10-0627 minGURPStalkEnhancements and LimitationsEnhancements and Limitations? What the heck are all these modifiers about?Pat and Che discuss GURPS Limitations and Enhancements, particularly how they can be used to create supernatural abilities and powers. Pat explains that limitations like "costs fatigue" or "unreliable" can reduce point costs and balance abilities, while enhancements like "reduced time" or "ranged" can modify abilities to work differently. They agree that while these mechanics might seem complicated to newcomers, they're valuable tools for fine-tuning characters, and recommend mastering the basic system before diving into these options.GOT A...
2025-09-2929 minGURPStalkAt DisadvantageWhy are Disadvantages at the heart of roleplay?This episode Che and Pat are discussing character creation in GURPS with a focus on disadvantages as meaningful roleplaying elements rather than just point sources. They emphasise that disadvantages should reflect character depth, create interesting dilemmas, and be limited to a reasonable number to maintain playability while adding flavour to characters. The conversation also covers adapting content from other game systems to GURPS, creating custom disadvantages, and the importance of self-control rolls in gameplay.Big thanks to Frank T for the call-in!
2025-09-2259 minGURPStalkTaking AdvantageWhat are Advantages and how on Earth do you select them for your campaign?In this podcast episode, Pat and Che discuss the different types of Advantages in the game system, categorised as mental, physical, and social, with further classifications as mundane, exotic, or supernatural. They review specific examples including Absolute Timing, Acute Senses, Affliction, Allies, and supernatural abilities like Blessed and Psychometry, explaining how these function in gameplay and how frequency roles determine how often social advantages like allies appear in long-form campaigns.The hosts also address listener questions about character advantages/d...
2025-09-1536 minGURPStalkForgotten TraitsWhat's all this stuff about social background at the beginning of the Basic Set rulebook? In this episode, Pat and Che discuss approaches to starting and maintaining roleplaying campaigns in GURPS, emphasizing the importance of establishing setting context, social backgrounds, and character goals before gameplay begins.They explore how often overlooked elements like status, wealth, cultural familiarity, and language skills can enrich the gaming experience and help players create grounded characters with meaningful connections to the game world. The hosts also address listener questions about adventure preparation.Big thanks to...
2025-09-0849 minGURPStalkCharacter PointsCo-hosts Che Webster (Roleplay Rescue) and Patrick Mullen (Cry Havoc T2K) discuss today's topic:What are Character Points and what can I spend them on? What's the point of these points?Pat and Che discuss the mechanics of character creation in GURPS, focusing on point allocation for attributes, advantages, and disadvantages. They explored different campaign settings and power levels, comparing their experiences with GURPS's character level descriptions.We talk about the point-based character creation system in GURPS, explaining how players can allocate points to attributes like strength, dexterity, IQ...
2025-09-0127 minGURPStalkCombat OrientationCo-hosts Che Webster (Roleplay Rescue) and Patrick Mullen (Cry Havoc T2K) discuss today's topic:Isn't the GURPS combat system fiddley and difficult? Isn't it really complicated to run fights?We discuss the combat system in GURPS, emphasizing its simplicity and effectiveness. Pat explains the simplicity and ease of use of the GURPS combat system, highlighting its one-second round concept. He emphasized that while GURPS is often perceived as a reality simulator, it is actually a fictional system designed to simplify combat actions into basic, simple tasks. We...
2025-08-2529 minGURPStalkGetting DiceyCo-hosts Che Webster (Roleplay Rescue) and Patrick Mullen (Cry Havoc T2K) discuss today's topic:What's is it with GURPS and the 3d6 roll low mechanism? Isn't that complicated and fiddley to deal with?We discuss the mechanics and simplicity of the GURPS (Generic Universal Role-Playing System) dice rolling system, particularly the 3D6 method. We emphasize that the system's bell curve nature mirrors real-world statistics and is intuitive once understood. Che highlights that while GURPS might seem complex due to its many options, it's actually straightforward, requiring only basic math skills.
2025-08-1829 minGURPStalkCharacter StartsCo-hosts Che Webster (Roleplay Rescue) and Patrick Mullen (Cry Havoc T2K) discuss today's topic:We've got our campaign idea fleshed out. How do we avoid analysis paralysis when our players sit down to make characters?We discuss character creation in role-playing games, focusing on a structured process that involves collaboration between the Game Master and players. We explore how this process can empower players to create characters that align with their vision while also fitting within the game's setting. We emphasize that our discussion is not meant to criticize...
2025-08-1129 minGURPStalkCampaign StartsCo-hosts Che Webster (Roleplay Rescue) and Patrick Mullen (Cry Havoc T2K) discuss today's topic: We're going to run our long-form game using the GURPS Fourth Edition rules. How do we get started setting up a campaign?We discuss the challenges and joys of adapting existing game settings to GURPS for long-form play, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the system's strengths while acknowledging time and work constraints. We discuss setting up a long-form campaign, focusing on the basic interrogatives of "who," "what," "when," "where," and "why." We emphasize the importance o...
2025-08-0433 minGURPStalkIs it really GURPS?We're here to talk about GURPS - the Generic Universal Role-Playing System published by Steve Jackson Games - and using it to run long-form roleplaying campaigns. Co-hosts Che Webster (Roleplay Rescue) and Patrick Mullen (Cry Havoc T2K) discuss topics arising from using the game system. The show is aimed at intermediate users of the rules who wish to progress towards deeper and more immersive role-play in whatever fictional worlds they imagine.This episode we deconstruct the name: GURPS. Is it really Generic and Universal? What about Role-Playing? Is is a System?CONTACTS:
2025-07-2836 min
Casting ShadowsOn Accommodating Imagination with Che Webster of Roleplay RescueIn this conversation with Roleplay Rescue's host and seeker of immersive and engaging play, Che Webster, we discuss some blog posts about techniques that Che is trying out to get more of what he wants out of play. As that quest is near and dear to my heart, I thought others might resonate with it as well. We talk about making room for imagination, facilitating a more active stance in our imaginations, and consider how we speak to one another when we play.
Podcasts mentioned in this episode:
Roleplay Rescue
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2024-04-121h 04
Roleplay RescueInto 2024As the New Year for 2024 arrives, where am I at with table top roleplaying games? What are my plans for the year ahead and what lessons am I carrying forward? Happy New Year! Welcome to 2024 and I wish you all the very best for the 50th anniversay of the publication of Dungeons & Dragons - that funny old boxed set that sparked this whole roleplaying games phenomenon in 1974!This episode is - predictably enough - all about me, my hobby, and my thoughts as I begin the 53rd year of my life. I talk a...
2024-01-0633 minRoleplay RescueAfter Five YearsOn the 28th November 2018, the eight minute and 14 second episode zero of Roleplay Rescue was aired. Now, as we reach the 5th anniversary of that fateful episode, I’m wondering… has it been worth it? What have I learned? And is it mission accomplished?I mean… has anyone’s roleplaying been rescued?Big thanks to the callers today - Jason, Hobbs, Spencer, Jean-Francois, Carl, Matt, and Jon.Please consider donating for Men's Health during Movember! Thanks to everyone who has already donated for their generosity!Webster's Movember Page: https...
2023-11-2523 minCasting ShadowsExploring the Experience of Play with Che Webster of Roleplay RescueThanks to Che Webster for leaving the lavish sensorium that is Roleplay Rescue for a time to drift about in the cemetery of lost content. Yes, I pun. Visit the great stuff that Che is doing at the links below.
The Blog:
Roleplay Rescue’s Blog – Murmurings from beneath the beard
The Podcast:
Podcast – Roleplay Rescue’s Blog
#RPGaDay2023 is on its way. Check the Autocratik blog by David Chapman for all the details! Also, check out this fantastic warm-up contest by Nerd's RPG Variety Cast as we wait for August to arrive!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4MbqVZ41yLcUrRqjSJtDYK?si=9elxZ...
2023-07-211h 29
Roleplay RescueChe, Jon, and The Mythic ExperimentA very special episode in which Jon from Tale of The Manticore and I hopped online to play an improvised game using the Mythic solo game engine. There was zero prep and the whole thing was very off-the-cuff but we had a great time! The result is lightly edited because I didn't want to lose any of the magic I felt between us as players and the emergent story we conjure. After the game, Jon and I have a good chat about what we experienced.Thanks to Jon for his challenge and being a fantastic guest!
2022-05-071h 12Roleplay RescueBonus Call-in CollectionHello Rescuers! Finally managed to pull together a call-in bonus episode, featuring messages from Jason, Brian, Evil Jeff, and Barney! Thanks to those guys for sending in their thoughts.Hope this is of interest and please consider joining in with your questions or comments.Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore: Tale of The Manticore, a Dark Fantasy Dungeons & Dragons Audiodrama (podbean.com) or https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Voice Message: speakpipe.com/roleplayrescueEmail: hello@rpgrescue.com
2022-03-1619 minRoleplay RescueCasting Dispel TerrorHow do you deal with the great Terror Phantom, the question of what will people think? How can we overcome the social anxieties around running and playing in roleplaying games? Where do we even begin?Big thank you to Jason for the call-in!Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore: Tale of The Manticore, a Dark Fantasy Dungeons & Dragons Audiodrama (podbean.com) or https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Voice Message: speakpipe.com/roleplayrescueEmail: hello@rpgrescue.com
2022-03-1226 min
Roleplay RescueRunning and GunningWhat happens if we embrace combat as the focus of the roleplaying game? Is it possible to make fighting enjoyable? And what difference does it make to use miniatures and maps?Around the turn of the century, while I was working on Games Day in the U.K., I was lucky enough to be invited to get involved in playtesting several projects. The one I want to mention today is Inquisitor. But, in addition, I wanted to mention two additional matters: the first is regarding call-ins to the show and the second is an update on Episode 10...
2022-03-0529 min
Roleplay RescueTalking Wargames With DadGrowing up, I was introduced to tabletop hex-and-chit board wargames from a very early age. The source of my wargaming roots came from my father’s interest but I have never been entirely clear on how he got involved. While I delved off into roleplaying games around sometime around 1980, Dad has always been a wargamer and this was an interest that served as an anchor home through most of my life. This episode is a recording of a chat with my Dad. We’re sitting at the dining table at the family home, looking over old stuff toget...
2022-02-261h 00
Roleplay RescueThat Hexcrawling VibeWhat would happen if I took the Classic hexcrawl game structure, Rob Conley’s revised Wilderlands of High Adventure hex maps, the Dungeon Fantasy Roleplaying Game rules, Doug Cole’s excellent Delvers To Grow quick character creation templates, and the forthcoming Nordland Bestiary, also produced by Doug Cole’s Gaming Ballistic? Well, I want to find out.Thank you to Frank, Brian, and Jason for the call-ins!Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore: Tale of The Manticore, a Dark F...
2022-02-1929 min
Roleplay RescueInherently ValuableToday I have a short rant on the idea that what we do, each of us, is inherently valuable. My assertion is that whatever we do - individually or collectively - as gamers, friends, and curious onlookers, it all has value. It’s valuable because you made it. Because you thought it. Because you shared it with us. We might not like it, agree with it, or want it… but you gave of yourself. It’s valuable because being a human being is inherently valuable. You don’t have to earn anything, do or say anything more. We love that you...
2022-02-1217 min
Roleplay RescuePlaying By The Seat Of Your PantsTalking about five steps that lead to lasting joy, how to apply this to roleplaying games, and what I've learned from ADD/ADHD experts Edward Hallowell and John R. Ratey. It's a call to get back to the real reasons I got into roleplaying in the first place.Thanks to Richard, Brian, Trev, and Jason for the call-ins!Game on!Delivered From Distraction book from Amazon.co.uk here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Delivered-Distraction-Getting-Attention-Disorder/dp/0345442318/ or click Delivered from Distraction: Getting the Most Out of Life with Attention Deficit Disorder: Amazon.co...
2022-02-0530 min
Roleplay RescuePlaying With Invisible RulesHaving talked a lot about playing games with the rules behind the GM's screen, the GM rolling the dice, and the players encouraged to be in-role and in descriptive mode, I decided to dive into an experiment to find out how that might work. This episode shares part of our Session 6 conversation reviewing the player's experiences so far and reflecting back their thoughts on the Northern Isles game we are creating. Our hope is that you'll find this interesting too.Thanks to Evil Jeff, Bob aka amenditman, and Rev Derek for taking part in the experiment and...
2022-01-2947 min
Roleplay RescueRoles, Teams, and Open TablesWhat’s our role in this roleplaying game? How do we fit into the team? And what kind of expectations am I holding for the group? Talking about the struggles I face in coming up with decent character ideas - in finding my role at the table - as well as reflecting on the nature of the roleplaying group as a team. Also talking a little bit about opening up the table.Thanks to Rob (aka Menion) and Jason for the call-ins!Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Re...
2022-01-2227 min
Roleplay RescueFeeling Stuck?What do you do when you don’t know what to do? How do you react when you feel stuck? And what’s stopping you from doing what you need to do in the first place? I want to share a message a listener wrote to me and I want to talk about the impact it had. From there, I have a few thoughts on how to unstick myself and I’m hoping that you’ll find some value in those ideas too.Many thanks to the callers: Jason and Frank - your generosity is appreciated!Byron Katie's website: The Work of...
2022-01-1522 min
Roleplay RescueTurning Up To PlayHow do you get a regular game started? Why is it that, very often, I quickly get overwhelmed by anxious panic? How can I keep playing long enough to enjoy the game I want to play? Turns out it's pretty simple.Many thanks to the callers: Jason, Runeslinger, Spencer, Karl, and emailer Micheal - your generosity is appreciated!Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore: Tale of The Manticore, a Dark Fantasy Dungeons & Dragons Audiodrama (podbean.com) or https...
2022-01-0825 min
Roleplay RescueRealm Management With Christopher R. RiceHailing from Portsmouth, Virginia, Christopher R. Rice is constantly writing, tinkering with, and running GURPS. A frequent contributor to Steve Jackson Games’ Dungeon Fantasy and Pyramid, if he's not writing for GURPS, he's blogging about it. His site “Ravens N' Pennies” is well-stocked with more GURPS goodies than you could shake a stick at. This time we're talking about his March 2021 release, "Realm Management" which we both believe could be used by any roleplaying game GM.Yes, this is a GURPS focused discussion but there is gold hidden inside for any Game Master. I hope you find some u...
2022-01-0146 min
Roleplay RescueNot The Regular KindWhy do most gamers prefer the regular kind of roleplaying game? What do you do if you want something more? And what can we say to the majority who tell us we are playing bad wrong fun? Welcome to the regular kind of roleplaying game... which I no longer wish to play.Big thanks to Rob (aka Menion) for the call-ins!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore: Tale of The Manticore, a Dark Fantasy Dungeons & Dragons Audiodrama (podbean.com) or https://taleofthemanticore...
2021-12-2522 min
Roleplay RescueWhat's It For?What would happen if I just started a new season with very little in the way of a plan? Well… we’re about to find out.Big thanks to today's callers: Menion (aka Rob), Brian, and Jason C.Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore: Tale of The Manticore, a Dark Fantasy Dungeons & Dragons Audiodrama (podbean.com) or https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/ Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: hello@rpgrescue.comPatreon: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog...
2021-12-1823 min
Primæval Fantasy22. Interview with Che Webster of Roleplay Rescue, P2.22. Interview with Che Webster of Roleplay Rescue, Part 2.
-This is part 2 of my interview with Che Webster, the creator of the Roleplay Rescue (RPR) podcast & blog.
-In part 2, he discusses the problem of gamers not getting on the same page about what they want (& don't want) in their RPG sessions, what his own gaming goals/appetites are, & his future goals with his RPR website & podcast.
-The RPR website: https://anchor.fm/rpgrescue // https://roleplayrescue.com
-Che's Twitter account: @ubiquitousrat
2021-10-2248 minPrimæval Fantasy21. Interview with Che Webster of Roleplay Rescue, P121. Interview with Che Webster of Roleplay Rescue, Part 1.
-Special introduction by Tesla, my cat!
-Today I talk with Che Webster, the creator of the Roleplay Rescue (RPR) podcast & blog. Che talks about many topics, & so I split this interview into 2 parts.
-In part 1, he muses on the motivation behind RPR, encouraging gamers to return to the hobby, the psychological difference between online vs in-person gaming, and teaching RPGs to the kids at his school.
-The RPR website: https://anchor.fm/rpgrescue // https://roleplayrescue.com
-Che's Twitter account: @ubiquitousrat
-Part...
2021-10-2149 min
Roleplay Rescue920 The Massive Call-in CollectionAs promised, this is the final episode of Season 9. The plan is to collate and respond to the call-ins that I have received over the past six weeks or so. I am hugely grateful to the generously shared questions and comments that come from you - the listeners. Thank you for taking the time to listen to Roleplay Rescue; thanks also to the many many listeners who keep downloading the episodes and giving them a go. Thank you. Especial thanks to the callers: Frank, Brian, Jason, Spencer, Colin, Paul, Graham, and Barney.Enormous thanks to D...
2021-10-161h 20
Roleplay Rescue919 Don't Wanna Play How You Wanna PlayWhat do you do when you realise that you don’t want to play the way that most other people are playing? Do you give up, say `that’s it, I’m done”? It’s tempting. It’s easier. Or do you double down, accept you are different, and play on regardless?Thanks to Barney from Loco Ludus for his call-in.Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song by TJ Drennon and incidental music by Jon Cohen.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: hel...
2021-10-0925 min
Roleplay Rescue918 Return To The Infinite GameIn 1986, the Professor Emeritus of history and literature of religion at New York University wrote that, “There are at least two types of games. One could be called finite, the other infinite. A finite game is played for the purpose of winning, an infinite game for the purpose of continuing the play.”The author was James Carse and he has something rather useful to teach us about roleplaying games.Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song by TJ Drennon and incidental music by Jon Cohen.Vo...
2021-10-0222 min
Roleplay Rescue917 Combat-only GamingEver since I can remember, a big part of my hobby experience has revolved around combat - martial and magical combat against the foes of our characters. When I was a teenager, the older gamers called me a Munchkin and accused my games of being focused too much on combat and not including enough exploration or character interaction - the interaction sometimes erroneously being referred to as “roleplaying”. Today I am asking: What’s wrong with combat focused gaming?Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Vo...
2021-09-2524 min
Roleplay Rescue916 Talking Fear with Peter LawsWARNING: This episode is intended for a mature audience. Listener discretion is advised. Topics of fear, horror, threat, illness, and general unpleasantness.As I headed out of the summer holiday period, I was fortunate to be able to record a sequence of intriguing conversations with people from across the community. Today you’ll be listening to the third and final conversation. This one is on the topic of fear and my guest is, of course, Peter Laws.For those not in the know, Peter Laws is an ordained minister with a fascination for the macabre, an...
2021-09-1858 minRoleplay Rescue915 Trickster's Net with Barney and TomAs I headed out of the summer holiday period, I was fortunate to be able to record a sequence of intriguing conversations with people from across the community. In this second conversation, I was invited to talk about Trickster's Net.Find the Trickster's Net website here: https://8743x.de/tricksters-netzGrab your copy of the final Trickster's Net product here: https://tricksters-net.itch.io/Further discussion of Trickster's Net can be found on Loco Ludus.Listen to Barney's podcast: Loco Ludus • A podcast on AnchorHere's th...
2021-09-1152 min
Roleplay RescueFeeding Back on Lieren (Bonus)Another bonus call-in episode focused on the conversation I had with Lieren on labels, play styles, and communication. These are responses to Season 9 Episode 12 (912).Big thanks to the callers: Jason C., Safer, Barry, Jason C., Frank, Brian, and Jason C. Loved it all - thank you!Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: hello@rpgrescue.comPatreon: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com Me...
2021-09-0824 minRoleplay Rescue914 Towards Primaeval Fantasy with Daniel JonesAs I headed out of the summer holiday period, I was fortunate to be able to record a sequence of intriguing conversations with people from across the community. The first of these was with Daniel Jones, whom long time listeners might remember first introduced me to the concept of Otherworld-immersion.Daniel Jones is a self-confessed IT nerd and the man behind the Eudaimonic Geekery blog, musing on the Art of RPGs, and the Primaeval Fantasy podcast. He describes himself as an Idea-Tinkerer, holding an interest in writing and philosophy as well as being a published novelist. Daniel...
2021-09-0451 minRoleplay RescueBRP Call-ins (Bonus)Another bonus call-in episode focused on Basic Roleplaying, aka BRP. These are responses to Season 9 Episode 11.Big thanks to the callers: Evil Jeff, Graham aka First Age. Arlen, Brian, and Jason C. Highly appreciated stuff!Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: hello@rpgrescue.comPatreon: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")...
2021-09-0123 minRoleplay Rescue913 Eisen's VowIn April 1975, a scant 13 months after the publication of Dungeons & Dragons, Gary Gygax asked Sandy Eisen a question that elicited a response which I think many modern gamers would find surprising. Writing in Europa Issue 6-8, at the end of his second article on “How to set up your Dungeons & Dragons campaign”, Gygax picks up on a comment from an earlier issue of the ‘zine in which Eisen had stated that D&D was not really as open-ended as it seemed to be. Gygax wanted to know why Eisen felt this way and so he did the thing that good c...
2021-08-2823 minRoleplay RescuePortal Messages (Bonus)Another bonus call-in episode focused on Portals and Portal Fantasy, responses to Season 9 Episode 10. Big thanks to the callers: Jason, Kevin, Brian and first-time caller Paul O. Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: hello@rpgrescue.comPatreon: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cweb...
2021-08-2518 minRoleplay Rescue912 Talking Labels, Communication, and Play Styles with LierenLong overdue, this episode is an interview with Lieren from "Updates In The Middle of Nowhere". Responding to a call-in she made many moons ago, we dive into a conversation about labelling, communication as a challenge, and valuing different play styles and emphases in gaming. It has taken far too long for me to edit and ship this episode but I am hugely grateful that I did. Thanks to Lieren for making this episode with me - game on!Listen to Lieren's podcast: Updates From The Middle Of Nowhere • A podcast on AnchorHer...
2021-08-211h 08Roleplay RescueAnother 1d6 Call-ins (Bonus)Another 1d6 messages from listeners in the RPR community. Topics today include feedback on "making the sausage", a question about traps in the Necropolis, thoughts on Underdogs, a question about how to handle mismatches in play style, and a lovely analysis on teleology in relation to fantastic worlds.Big thanks to the callers: Karl, Kevin and Paul (aka Heptalemma). Great comments and questions that make this show better!Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor...
2021-08-1826 minRoleplay Rescue911 Basic RoleplayingThis episode arises from a week spent away from home and away from work. I travelled back to my home town of Norwich, in Norfolk, England, to visit my parents - a trip I haven’t taken for nigh on 2 years. Aside from family reunion and spending time with my parents, themselves ascending in age and wisdom, I also got to sit back in my old bedroom - much changed now, but essentially the space wherein, for good or ill, I grew up. With newfound awareness I had taken along my copies of two roleplaying games to read in qui...
2021-08-1424 minRoleplay Rescue910 Portals to AdventureAs long as I can remember, I have been inspired by and drawn in to what is commonly called Portal Fantasy: a story which transports the characters into a magical world via a gate/wardrobe/magical tree or anything else the author might imagine. Today I want to explore that trope a little and try to understand why it always seems to fire up my imagination.On top of that, thanks to Frank for his call-in that rounds out this episode. Muchly appreciated!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song...
2021-08-0722 minRoleplay RescueOn Podcasting (Bonus)This is a bonus episode responding to a call-in from Colin "Spikepit" Green on the question of how I record an episode of Roleplay Rescue. It's probably a bit technical in places, for which I apologise. But hey, here's my process in under 25 minutes. I hope it answers the question asked.Big thanks to Colin for the question!Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: hello@rpgrescue.com
2021-08-0321 minRoleplay RescueOn Worlds & Underdogs (Bonus)This is a bonus call-in episode featuring messages from listeners on previous call-in shows, plus comments on worlds and underdogs from recent episodes.Big thanks to the callers: Jason C, Spencer, ShandyAndy, Jon, and Paul for their messages!Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: hello@rpgrescue.comPatreon: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Ro...
2021-08-0215 minRoleplay Rescue909 Necropolis (5e) with Mark GreenbergFrom the desert of the Necropolis, today I am joined by Mark Greenberg. Mark is co-author of The World of the Lost Lands by Frog God Games - the setting of Rappan Athuk and the myriad Frog God and Necromancer Games adventures - and he’s also the author of the currently-Kickstarting adventure for 5e and Swords & Wizardy, Necropolis. Big thanks to Mark for the interview and the whole Necromancer/Frog God Games team for sharing their latest project with us!Necropolis Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/necromancergames/necropolis-an-adventure-in-the-desert-sands-for-5e-and-sw Or Necropolis: An E...
2021-07-3154 minRoleplay RescueRollin' 1d6 Call-ins (Bonus)Rollin' 1d6 call-ins as a bonus. Really keen to share Jason's responses before he runs off to release his own episode on the topic... plus there are some fabulous comments and ideas in here around the subject of system fluidity and gaming style.Big thanks to the callers: Jason C, Spencer, First Age, and Karl!Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: hello@rpgrescue.comPatreon: patreon...
2021-07-2514 minRoleplay Rescue908 UnderdogsWhat is it with my preference to run lower-powered fantasy games? Is it avoidance of complexity, a desire to withhold cool stuff from the players, or an underlying lack of confidence in my ability to run complex games? Or is it something else… is it my love of the underdog? Thanks to Arlen for his call-in!Arlen Walker's "Live From Pellam's Wasteland": https://anchor.fm/pellamswasteland Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEm...
2021-07-2425 minRoleplay Rescue2-12 Random Call-ins (Bonus)Another collection of excellent call-ins from a bunch of lovely listeners who are very kind. This stuff covers episodes 4 to 7 of this season and is well worth a listen... mostly because I don't say too much.Big thanks to the callers: Jason C, Frank T, Kevin from Redcaps, Colin Spikepit, James Sral, Jeffrey, and Paul aka Heptalemma. Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: hello@rpgrescue.comPatreon: patreon...
2021-07-1827 minRoleplay Rescue907 Finding My Blend: System FluidWhile I hope this episode stands alone, it follows on from my earlier discussion in Episode 5 about the importance of worlds. Today, I want to talk about system. By this, I mean the shape of the whole game including the World but also the choice of Rules and the Methodology we choose. I am working from the general, macro scale down towards specifics. Today I want us to see the whole system first.Thanks to Evil Jeff for his call-ins!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music...
2021-07-1727 minRoleplay Rescue906 Mondays In MystamyrSix weeks ago, I stated that I had arrived at a place of change and growth. I had turned 50 years of age and was beginning to wonder if I’d ever become the Game Master, Referee, and Creative World Builder that I have been meaning to get around to becoming since I was about 10 years old. I have had to learn to let go of old unhelpful patterns of thinking and rechart my pathway back to the hobby. So, as we reach the six episode of the series - what is to me a natural waypoint on my journey...
2021-07-1018 minRoleplay RescueSolo Call-ins (Bonus)Quick bonus round-up of calls received from listeners in response to the Solo Sundays episode (903), plus a couple of straggler messages about dice. Good stuff and well worth the listen.Big thanks to the callers: Barry (aka GM Shadow), Jason C, Evil Jeff, Reese, and Karl R.Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: hello@rpgrescue.comPatreon: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com ...
2021-07-0613 minRoleplay Rescue905 Finding My Blend: Fantastic WorldsEvil Jeff wants to know: "When are we going to hear about Webster’s style?" It’s actually a little more complex - at least in MY head - than it might at first seem. What do I want from my fantasy roleplaying games? There are three basic elements that I need to consider and today I want to explore what is for me the most important of all: the World.Many thanks to Evil Jeff for calling in and inspiring this episode... and maybe one or two more to follow.Rol...
2021-07-0321 minRoleplay RescueDicey Call-ins (Bonus)Call-ins on the topic of dice have been coming in over the past week or two, plus a couple of great calls about scanning and ADHD. I thought I would share them along with my replies. Hope it's of interest.Big thanks to the callers: Goblin's Henchman, Jason C, Rob aka Menion, Spencer, and new caller Paul.Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: hello@rpgrescue.com...
2021-06-2718 minRoleplay Rescue904 Two Ways, One MeSometimes I feel like the proverbial Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde, torn between two natures, two personalities, two ways of being. I love roleplaying games. I have loved them ever since I was very small. And yet, because of these two seemingly opposed natures, I feel constantly conflicted. How I can I reconcile these two characters within my one limited self? The answer, I believe, comes from embracing them both and bringing them into cooperation.Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon....
2021-06-2620 minRoleplay Rescue903 Solo SundaysTwo changes in my life have opened up a larger-than-expected chunk of free time. I’ve been able to turn over some of that time to gaming… and, specifically, to solo tabletop gaming. How have I found the time and why, having found some time, would I not just schedule it for more social gaming? That’s what I wanted to address today.Thanks to Reese for the call-in that inspired the episode.Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor...
2021-06-1924 minRoleplay RescueQuickfire Call-ins (Bonus)More call-ins have been coming in over the past week or two, so I thought I would share them along with my replies. Hope it's of interest to someone else out there too.Big thanks to the callers: Spencer, Karl, and Frank.Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: hello@rpgrescue.comPatreon: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/jo...
2021-06-1413 minRoleplay Rescue902 The Magic Of DiceWhat is it with dice? Why do these small objects hold such a fascination for me? How can something as simple as a six-sided die have such an impact on how I think and feel? Today I want to talk about dice. I want to talk about dice because, for me, these are probably the single greatest mood enhancer that I know. When I am down - and that can be a pretty frequent emotional state for me - dice are a useful trick for kick-starting some positivity and getting me back to an equilibrium.
2021-06-1219 minRoleplay RescueDelayed Blast Call-ins (Bonus)There were a bunch of call-ins received at the tail end of Season 8 that I wanted to share. Some are sublime, others utterly ridiculous. Make of it what you will.Big thanks to the callers: Gav, Brian, and Frank. Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: hello@rpgrescue.comPatreon: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or sea...
2021-06-0715 minRoleplay Rescue901 One Game At A TimeI’ve arrived at a place of change and growth. I have recently turned 50 years of age and am beginning to wonder if I’ll ever become the Game Master, Referee, and Creative World Builder that I have been meaning to get around to becoming since I was about 10 years old. Having experienced a mental health crisis in November 2020, I have also had to learn to let go of old unhelpful patterns of thinking and re-chart my pathway back to the hobby. Essentially, I’ve needed to put all the theory and discussion shared on this podcast over the past c...
2021-06-0519 minRoleplay Rescue900 Starting Over (a good place to begin)Hello. This is Roleplay Rescue - the podcast about rediscovering your lost roleplaying hobby. Welcome to the introduction to Season 9 - a great starting point for anyone new to the show. This short episode outlines the background of your host, Che, and gives a brief outline of what RPR is all about. I hope you'll consider giving the show a go and continue listening as we roll on in to a new season. Game on! Roleplay Rescue Details: Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon. Voice Message: anchor.fm/r...
2021-05-2907 minRoleplay Rescue815 Return to Mystamyr: The Lure of Mythras Classic FantasyIt was Friday April 1st 2016 when my regular D&D group got together and, on a whim, decided to play “Red Box” D&D (BECMI). The weekend before, I’d been doodling around with that set and enjoyed myself enough to ask the guys to play the “First Adventure” with me. Little did I know that I was taking the first steps into a larger World - the classic fantasy realm of Mystamyr. Today, I am treading softly and steadily towards that realm I first discovered back in 2016. It’s the realm that led to the publication of my own fir...
2021-04-0332 minRoleplay Rescue814 Firing Up GURPS Campaigns with Christopher R. RiceHailing from Portsmouth, Virginia, Christopher R. Rice is constantly writing, tinkering with, and running GURPS. A frequent contributor to Steve Jackson Games’ Dungeon Fantasy and Pyramid, if he's not writing for GURPS, he's blogging about it. His site “Ravens N' Pennies” is well-stocked with more GURPS goodies than you could shake a stick at. This episode was originally conceived as a bonus interview but, having recorded and edited it, I realise that Christopher has acted as a powerful catalyst in my transition from old to new ways of thinking.Yes, this is a GURPS focused discussion but there...
2021-03-2751 minRoleplay Rescue813 A Fistful Of FeedbackIt's a call-in show! I had so many responses in recent weeks that the only way to share and respond to them was to put them together into their own show. Lots of good content from the community here and it's well worth the listen. Thanks to Evil Jeff, Jon C, Wolfchild, Gav, Menion (aka Rob), Colin, and Lieren for their kind call-ins this episode! Game on!"Roleplay Rescue" Theme and incidental music by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore: taleofthemanticore.podbean.comRoleplay Rescue Contact Details:Voice Message...
2021-03-2036 minRoleplay Rescue812 Why Don't You Knock It Off With Them Negative Waves?I’ve been bothered lately by the perception I have developed that the roleplaying game community is dominated by negativity. For a while now, I’ve found myself increasingly repelled by that negativity and this has led to a massive downward shift in the quantity of blogs, podcasts, and other social media that I consume. In short, I hear and read a lot of tearing down. I’ve been wondering how to respond. Is it negativity to call out the negativity you perceive in the community? Is it healthy to focus on the negasphere? How can we lift ourselves out in...
2021-03-1331 minRoleplay Rescue811 The Elusive ShiftRecently, I’ve been trying to finish a whole bunch of books that I’ve been reading but not quite managed to complete. One of these books was the latest tome from Dungeons & Dragons scholar Jon Peterson, “The Elusive Shift”. This book revealed a number of insights, not least of which was the simple truth that there really is no discussion or debate in which I have ever shared on the topic of roleplaying games which had not already begun between the release of Dungeons & Dragons in 1974 and those first 10 years or so of the hobby. Today, I wanted to simply...
2021-03-0629 minRoleplay RescueBonus: Facing Truth and Evil with Peter LawsPeter Laws is an ordained minister with a fascination for the macabre, an author, journalist, film critic, public speaker, and regular writer for Fortean Times. He is the creator of the Matt Hunter novel series and the host of the Creepy Cove Community Church podcast - an immersive, horror-themed ‘church service’, broadcast from the mysterious fishing town of Creepy Cove. Besides from horror, Peter is said to hail from somewhere down south and enjoys retro TV and Krispy Kreme donuts.This episode once more crosses a divide which I have always felt is a false one: the divi...
2021-02-281h 13Roleplay Rescue810 Learning Pathfinder: 10 Things I EnjoyedSomething strange has been happening over the past few weeks. I’ve been pushing the edges of my comfort zone and stepping out to see what kind of tabletop roleplaying experience lies outside of the rather narrow confines I had backed myself into. On a whim, I grabbed a copy of the Pathfinder 2nd edition Beginner Box and, well, I’ve been grubbing around with it ever since. This episode I want to share my early impressions of the game and bring you in on the process of taking the Beginner Box to the virtual table. Thanks to Re...
2021-02-2733 minRoleplay RescueBonus: Talking Mental Health and Roleplaying Games With Jason HobbsSpecial bonus episode time! I hopped online to chat to my buddy Jason Hobbs about how mental health and roleplaying games mix. We enjoyed the chat and I felt it'd be good to share it... and quickly. Many thanks to Jason for coming back onto the show! We both hope that this bonus will help someone else out there. Game on!Hobbs & Friends: Hobbs & Friends – Tabletop RPG Podcast Hosted by Jason Hobbs (hobbsnfriends.com)See also Random Screed • A podcast on Anchor https://anchor.fm/jason-hobbs "Roleplay Rescue" Theme and incidental music by Jon C...
2021-02-211h 01Roleplay Rescue809 Unpicking Webster's GM Rules, Part 3A third (and final) instalment of call-ins responding to Episode 2, "13 Game Master Rules", first released back on January 2nd. In Episode 2, I wanted to explore the Rules that I have - over a lifetime of gaming and roleplaying - constructed around the concept of being the Game Master. As I stated at the beginning of that episode, these Rules are all open to challenge and, in fact, are already undergoing challenge.My purpose has been to rock the foundations of these GM Rules and share with you the journey into finding some that are more helpful. The...
2021-02-2034 minRoleplay Rescue808 Unpicking Webster's GM Rules, Part 2A second instalment of call-ins responding to Episode 2, "13 Game Master Rules", first released back on January 2nd. In Episode 2, I wanted to explore the Rules that I have - over a lifetime of gaming and roleplaying - constructed around the concept of being the Game Master. As I stated at the beginning of that episode, these Rules are all open to challenge and, in fact, are already undergoing challenge.My purpose has been to rock the foundations of these GM Rules and share with you the journey into finding some that are more helpful. The call-ins I...
2021-02-1343 minRoleplay Rescue807 Manifesto Pt 1, The Limits Of Our PowerBarney from Loco Ludus has been encouraging me to embrace the concept of the Manifesto as a means to discussing my new approach to gaming and I rather like that idea. To my mind, there will be two major parts to my Manifesto For Roleplay Gaming - the first being the principles, policies and intentions of the Game Master, and the second being the principles, policies and intentions of the Player. Today, I am beginning to write my Manifesto and we begin, as they say, at the beginning: I am going to talk about what I believe needs to...
2021-02-0630 minRoleplay Rescue806 Unpicking Webster's GM RulesToday is the first official call-in episode of Season 8 - by which I mean an episode constructed around the audio messages sent in from loyal listeners. In Episode 2, I wanted to explore the Rules that I have - over a lifetime of gaming and roleplaying - constructed around the concept of being the Game Master. As I stated at the beginning of that episode, these Rules are all open to challenge and, in fact, are already undergoing challenge. My purpose has been to rock the foundations of these GM Rules and share with you the journey into f...
2021-01-3030 minRoleplay Rescue805 Campaigning In 2021A journey into 2021 with the specific aim of approaching the question of how I might imagine my roleplaying hobby to develop this year. It’s a sketch of the possibilities and I am going to refrain from allowing the Worry to rise up and get in the way of the project: the goal, of course, is to give myself direction; to place myself upon the pathway towards better gaming; to imagine how I would like it to be. I know that the reality, when now catches up to this imagined future, that each moment will be both very different an...
2021-01-2326 minRoleplay RescueBonus: The Cycle Of ChangeCall-ins and response to the Bonus Episode from December entitled, "Am I Stuck In A Loop"? Lots of good feedback in response to the original messages from Andy Goodman - thanks to Barney, Spencer, and Barry for taking the time to call-in. On top of that, I share a new piece of the great puzzle of life - the idea of The Cycle of Change. Big thanks once again to my friends, Andy Goodman included, for being honest with me and helping me to find my way back into the roleplaying hobby. Game on!"Roleplay Rescue" Theme...
2021-01-1825 minRoleplay Rescue804 CypheringThis episode is about my first steps into trying a totally different way of roleplaying and being the Game Master. Now, when I say “totally different way” I mean totally different for me. There is perhaps nothing new here for the GM who is secure in their approach to roleplaying games. On the other hand, if you are - like me - a bit of an old grog who has never really grasped the so-called “New School” ways of doing things, then maybe you’ll be curious to find out how I got on when I dove headlong into the world...
2021-01-1629 minRoleplay Rescue803 Three Useful MotivatorsHot on the heels of talking about my own vision for the kinds of roleplaying games I want to play came a rush of energy and enthusiasm to go out and make that vision become a reality. Of course, being human, with a bold vision comes big doubt. If there is something I can rely on in life it’s that I cannot rely on my level of motivation. That being said, and knowing full well that focus on motivation is not as useful as most people tend to think, I have noticed that three motivators give me a mu...
2021-01-0925 minRoleplay Rescue802 Thirteen Game Master RulesLast time I shared my vision for approaching roleplaying games as a sacred imaginary birthright, a means to transcend - if only for a little while - the mundane rush of everyday life and replace it with worlds of wonder shared through collaboration with other human beings. Collectively, we have the ability to imagine and create for ourselves shared secondary worlds, inhabit them with characters whom we individually care about, and share their stories through the medium of the roleplaying game. Building on this vision, today I want to explore some thoughts that have been bubbling under t...
2021-01-0234 minRoleplay RescueBonus: An Interview With Christopher R. RiceHailing from Portsmouth, Virginia, Christopher R. Rice is constantly writing, tinkering with, and running GURPS. A frequent contributor to Steve Jackson Games’ Dungeon Fantasy and Pyramid, if he's not writing for GURPS, he's blogging about it. His site “Ravens N' Pennies” is well-stocked with more GURPS goodies than you could shake a stick at. Christopher kindly agreed to come on the show back in November and talk about GURPS, GMing, and why GURPS is his go-to system. Thanks Christopher - it is a great interview! Game on!Ravens 'n' Pennies blog: ravensnpennies.comChristopher's Patreon: patreo...
2020-12-3051 minRoleplay RescueBonus: Am I Stuck In A Loop?Unscripted thoughts provoked by a very challenging call-in from Andy Goodman of the Expedition to the Grizzley Peak podcast. The calls triggered my anxiety which, it turns out, I was ready to notice and examine. I called Andy back and this bonus episodes shares the exchange. I then added further thoughts and invite your feedback. I realise that some listeners don't like call-in shows and also that some don't enjoy when I talk about myself and my mental health challenges either - this is probably not the episode for you.Many thanks to Andy for his valuable...
2020-12-2920 minRoleplay Rescue801 Finding My Own WayAlthough I have been gaming for more than 40 years and podcasting for the past 2 years, in recent months I almost lost my hobby. I know that I am not alone in this experience because, in the weeks since I stopped making new episodes, I’ve received many emails and social media messages, not to mention audio call-ins, that bear witness to the fact that many people have lost their hobby to the vagaries of modern life.As I begin this fresh season, my eyes are set on a single goal: I want to run games that I fe...
2020-12-2630 minRoleplay Rescue800 May All Your Dreams Come TruePublish and be damned, I say! Here's Season 8, Episode 0 (the "trailer"). The rough plan is that I will release Episode 1 on Saturday 2nd January 2021, kicking Roleplay Rescue back on the air to begin a fresh new year!Frankly, this is a little bit indulgent but heart-felt. It's been a few weeks in the making too but I think it sets things up for a positive ride forward. Thanks for believing, everyone! If you want to do me a favour, call in with some comments/questions so I've got content for the first few episodes in January. Especial thanks to John...
2020-12-1917 minRoleplay Rescue708.5: Dungeon Master's Diary #47 (Part 2)The DM's Diary episodes feature me, a microphone, and whatever gaming-related nonsense flows from my mind. It's recorded in short(ish) snippets throughout the week and then roughly edited together to form a journal of one man’s experience in gaming, shared on a bi-weekly basis. It’s raw, glaringly personal, and not everyone’s cup of tea. Included in roughly chronological order of receipt are call-ins from community members commenting on past episodes, most of which need little response but all of which are gratefully shared. There was so much content and so many lovely call-ins that I have sp...
2020-09-0625 minRoleplay Rescue708 Dungeon Master's Diary #47 (Part 1)The DM's Diary episodes feature me, a microphone, and whatever gaming-related nonsense flows from my mind. It's recorded in short(ish) snippets throughout the week and then roughly edited together to form a journal of one man’s experience in gaming, shared on a bi-weekly basis. It’s raw, glaringly personal, and not everyone’s cup of tea. Included in roughly chronological order of receipt are call-ins from community members commenting on past episodes, most of which need little response but all of which are gratefully shared. There was so much content and so many lovely call-ins that I have sp...
2020-09-0523 minRoleplay RescueBonus: Talking Play-by-Post With Evil JeffResponding to questions about Play-by-Post Roleplaying Games, I decided to hop on Zoom and have a chat with my friend, Evil Jeff (Minions & Musings) whom I know is a long-time player in such games. We had a positive chat in which I asked some pretty basic questions and got some helpful answers. Because other out there might find this approach to gaming both mystifying but also potentially perfect for them, I thought I would share the conversation as a bonus episode. Hope you find it to be as useful as I did. Thanks to Evil Jeff for doing it...
2020-08-3049 minRoleplay Rescue707 An Interview With Tom Knauss (Frog God Games)This is the first time that Roleplay Rescue was invited by an RPG company to interview and to talk about a new product which, despite obviously being part of an awareness campaign for the Kickstarter now live, was a great honour for me. I realised that we roleplayers don’t, perhaps, pay as much attention to the writers of modules and worlds but I learned a great deal from my guest, Tom Knauss, of Frog God Games.Huge thanks to Tom for coming on the show. Thanks also to John Barnhouse who orchestrated this interview and was gr...
2020-08-2947 minRoleplay Rescue706.5 Dungeon Master's Diary #46 (Part 2): Megadungeon!The DM's Diary episodes feature me, a microphone, and whatever gaming-related nonsense flows from my mind. It's recorded in short(ish) snippets throughout the week and then roughly edited together to form a journal of one man’s experience in gaming, shared on a bi-weekly basis. It’s raw, glaringly personal, and not everyone’s cup of tea. Included in roughly chronological order of receipt are call-ins from community members commenting on past episodes, most of which need little response but all of which are gratefully shared. There was so much content and so many lovely call-ins that I have ha...
2020-08-2328 minRoleplay Rescue706 Dungeon Master's Diary #46 (Part 1): Playing AgainThe DM's Diary episodes feature me, a microphone, and whatever gaming-related nonsense flows from my mind. It's recorded in short(ish) snippets throughout the week and then roughly edited together to form a journal of one man’s experience in gaming, shared on a bi-weekly basis. It’s raw, glaringly personal, and not everyone’s cup of tea. Included in roughly chronological order of receipt are call-ins from community members commenting on past episodes, most of which need little response but all of which are gratefully shared. There was so much content and so many lovely call-ins that I have sp...
2020-08-2224 minRoleplay RescueAddendum: I Don't Feel SafeWords have been bubbling inside me for a while and I found the will to turn on the mic and share them: I don't feel safe.Part of me hopes that noone listens to this. The better part of me hopes that there are other people who might understand what I am trying to express. Make of it what you will.Game on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2020-08-1611 minRoleplay Rescue705 Why Do I Play How I Play?Today I talk about the reasons I believe I suck both as a Game Master and a Player. Before Evil Jeff calls in to tell me to stop being hard on myself, this is not about self-flagellation: my purpose has been to analyse the patterns I have fallen into and see what can be done to break bad habits and forge new ones. While I have felt tempted to give up my hobby in recent weeks - yes, I really have - I feel I owe it to both you and to myself to be honest about the huge...
2020-08-1535 minRoleplay Rescue704b Dungeon Master's Diary #45 (Part 2): Being Not-GMThe DM Diary episodes feature me, a microphone, and whatever gaming-related nonsense flows from my mind. It's recorded in short(ish) snippets throughout the week and then roughly edited together to form a journal of one man’s experience in gaming, shared on a bi-weekly basis. It’s raw, glaringly personal, and not everyone’s cup of tea. Included in roughly chronological order of receipt are call-ins from community members commenting on past episodes, most of which need little response but all of which are gratefully shared. There was so much content and so many lovely call-ins that I have sp...
2020-08-0933 minRoleplay Rescue704a Dungeon Master's Diary #45 (Part 1): DM SurrenderThe DM Diary episodes feature me, a microphone, and whatever gaming-related nonsense flows from my mind. It's recorded in short(ish) snippets throughout the week and then roughly edited together to form a journal of one man’s experience in gaming, shared on a bi-weekly basis. It’s raw, glaringly personal, and not everyone’s cup of tea. Included in roughly chronological order of receipt are call-ins from community members commenting on past episodes, most of which need little response but all of which are gratefully shared. There was so much content and so many lovely call-ins that I have s...
2020-08-0832 minRoleplay RescueMicroburst: The Walker TestimonyA few weeks back I got some rather moving call-in messages from my good friend, Arlen Walker. He was calling about Episode 503 and had clearly been strongly affected. I passed his messages along to another good friend of mine, Paris Conte, who then recorded a reply. Both these chaps have already heard this stuff but they agreed it was ok to share it publically too. I hope it's of some interest to others in the community. Game on!Arlen's Live From Pelham's Wasteland podcast: anchor.fm/pellamswastelandgenU GAMER (Victoria, Aus): genu.org.au/support-services...
2020-08-0507 minRoleplay Rescue701 Purpose and EngagementWelcome to the first “Webster Burbles About Gaming” episode of Season 7. As promised from the trailer, this episode delivers on the claim that - from time to time - I will have some thoughts and be totally unable to keep them inside. Today I want to highlight and respond to the fact that, as it turns out, I am a pretty lousy communicator. I am also going to share some rather intriguing thoughts about the intersection of WHY we might choose to play with WHAT we might be getting out of the game when we judge it to be “good”...
2020-07-1832 minRoleplay RescueWhat Is Roleplay Rescue?Are you someone who used to play roleplaying games, like Dungeons & Dragons, back in the day? Why’d you stop? Did life get too busy for that sort of thing? This is Roleplay Rescue - the podcast about rediscovering your lost roleplaying hobby. Host Che Webster introduces the purpose and approach of the show as it enters its Sixth Season. What's Roleplay Rescue about? Come and find out more!Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon: patreon.com/TJDContact Details:Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: hello@rpgrescue.comPatreon: patreon.com/rpgrescueBlog: roleplayrescue.comMeWe Group: mewe.com/jo...
2020-04-0511 minRoleplay Rescue208 On Virtual TabletopsFollowing the interview with Rob Twohy, I’ve been feeling slightly more confident about putting together an episode on the the various online gaming options. As is true of this podcast generally, the whole question of playing fantasy adventure games online has been a learning curve for me. Today, I’m going to share what I’ve learned and see if I can offer some further ideas on the whole question of online options for roleplayers. On top of that, listen to the end because there's a bit about the future of Roleplay Rescue with wh...
2019-03-3029 min