Shows
Passive (Aggressive) PerceptionSo Long and Thanks For All The Crits (Final Episode)I won't bore you with an overly-verbose description for this one. I'll only use this opportunity to say THANK YOU for accompanying us on this grand journey, and we hope that your next session is the best one yet.-Ivan & Steve2022-10-0118 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 61 - Bright Lights, Big City (Playing In City Settings)Do your players (or yourself as a player) behave differently when your PCs enter a city, village, or township? Today we're discussing some of the unique challenges of playing in a city setting.We go in-depth on how specific game times associated with city play differ from a traditional gaming model which heavily incorporates the TTRPG pillar of exploration. We run down several methods for keeping the action moving, avoiding boredom, and maintaining canon.We also cover the idea of player pragmatism, and the unique phenomenon of behavioral shifts caused by a change of locale.2022-09-2156 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 60 - Campaign Length (and Knowing When To Quit)To have the problem of finishing a campaign milestone and have your players still wanting more, even though the story is over, is a much better problem to have than your players being bored because there is no end in sight.How many campaigns have you been a part of that have languished and died because of a lack of payoff. Is your gaming group losing steam? Are you scrambling to wrap up story arcs? We address these challenges and more as we discuss how we think many stories are better for having an ending....2022-09-1448 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 59 - No-Combat SessionsDo you ever run entire sessions without a combat encounter? This week we analyze how varying level of combat work in your TTRPG games. We discuss engaging the players in a way that simulates the thrill of combat but in social and exploration encounters. We also talk about the message of "might makes right" and how realism can affect players' enthusiasm or aversion to in-game violence.Mad Jack Churchill: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_ChurchillOur Website: https://icastspells.comOur Twitter: @passive_podcastOur Email: passiveaggropod@protonmail.comShow...2022-09-0747 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 58 - Alex Clippinger: Game Design & Adapting 5eThe incredible and prolific TTRPG designer, Alex Clippinger has joined us this week to give us an inside look into Cubicle 7's new project, Broken Weave, drop some game design knowledge, and talk through some of the benefits and pitfalls of adapting Dungeons & Dragons: Fifth Edition. This was a fantastic conversation covering several topics including points of focus for growing as a designer, expectations we bring to the table, burgeoning out into playing non-D&D systems, and much more.We ended with some pretty major takeaways from this episode that were unique to Alex's experience. A huge...2022-08-3155 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 57 - Factions, Guilds, & Other AffiliationsIs your TTRPG character affiliated with anything larger than themselves or the party they roll with (heheh puns)? This week we cover TTRPG factions, guilds, and other big-picture affiliations. We discuss how they can provide scope, inform character backstory, create fascinating and useful narrative drivers for your campaigns, and much more.Website: https://icastspells.comTwitter: @passive_podcastEmail: passiveaggropod@protonmail.comShow Breakdown:0:00: Intro01:12: TTRPG News10:12 Main Topic12:50: Some TTRPGs lean more heavily on factions than others13:32: TTRPG factions serving as patrons15:53: Forged in the Dark and juggling power between factions16:58...2022-08-2436 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 56 - GM Fiat (And Deus Ex Machina)What would you do if your GM said "because I said so" during a session? Talking about when GMs flex their table authority 'just because.' There are two sides of the GM using unilateral decision making, and we investigate both the positive and the negative aspects of this contentious issue. We talk through deus ex machina and offer our hot takes on popularized forms of it, plus much more.Website: https://icastspells.comTwitter: @passive_podcastEmail: passiveaggropod@protonmail.comShow Breakdown:0:00: Intro0:57: TTRPG News13:00 Main Topic14:43: Ways GM fiat can...2022-08-1745 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 55 - Storybuilding Vs StorytellingThis week we talk about the ancient and honored tradition of human storytelling, its base components, what defines a great storyteller, and how all of this applies to the TTRPG experience. We discuss how examining this discipline can improve our games, and how the idea of collaborative storytelling (i.e., story building) has evolved to accommodate the modern gaming paradigm. We try to cut through the haze of semantic arguments and getting stuck on specific language, and hope to unify some of our perspectives on this contentious topic.Website: https://icastspells.comTwitter: @passive_podcastE...2022-08-1048 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 54 - SPECIAL #RPGaDAY2022 Pt. 2Part two of our special 2-part series where we give our answers (and encourage you to give yours) to the questions presented from #RPGaDay2022, an annual celebration of tabletop roleplaying games conceptualized by @autocratik which you can find at https://www.autocratik.com. In part one we answer the first 16 questions from this highly hash-tag-able social experience, and we hope you will respond with your interesting answers and anecdotes. In this episode we cover questions 17-31.Website: https://icastspells.comTwitter: @passive_podcastEmail: passiveaggropod@protonmail.comShow Breakdown:0:00: Intro1:33: TTRPG News8:49...2022-08-0141 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 53 - SPECIAL #RPGaDAY2022 Pt. 1A special 2-part series where we give our answers (and encourage you to give yours) to the questions presented from #RPGaDay2022, an annual celebration of tabletop roleplaying games conceptualized by @autocratik which you can find at https://www.autocratik.com. In part one we answer the first 16 questions from this highly hash-tag-able social experience, and we hope you will respond with your interesting answers and anecdotes. Website: https://icastspells.comTwitter: @passive_podcastEmail: passiveaggropod@protonmail.comShow Breakdown:0:00: Intro0:48: TTRPG News 7:16: Who would you like to introduce to RPGs?13:02: What is a...2022-07-261h 11Passive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 52 - Taverns (and Other TTRPG Waypoints)Discussing everyone's favorite stomping ground, tabletop roleplaying game taverns. We cover a lot of ground ranging from tips and advice on how to keep your players on their toes, to how we think adding extra flavor to a tavern setting can prevent this part of gaming from becoming just another uninteresting place to take a long rest. NPC generation tips, keeping continuity in questing, listener feedback, TTRPG news, and much more.Website: https://icastspells.comTwitter: @passive_podcastEmail: passiveaggropod@protonmail.comShow Breakdown:0:00: Intro1:00: @bddc_pod "On TTRPG Lore"10:56: Tabletop Roleplaying...2022-07-181h 10Passive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 51 - LoreThis week we cover the importance of a tabletop roleplaying game's setting lore. We discuss why we think it's sometimes neglected and cover the potential risks of not being wholly acquainted with your in-game world. We touch on topics such as setting uniqueness, campaign scope, bringing real-world assumptions into sessions, the loremaster player archetype, and much more.Website: https://icastspells.comTwitter: @passive_podcastEmail: passiveaggropod@protonmail.comShow Breakdown:0:00: Intro0:59: TTRPG News13:20: @BurnelDan "What is your favorite character you've had in any game?"21:36: Main Topic23:19: Dispelling the misconception that some games...2022-07-1155 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 50 - Ask A GM (Getting To Know Us: Redux)At the behest of several listeners, we're finally doing a general "Getting To Know Us" episode. In this episode we talk briefly about our roots, who we are, and what led us to gaming. The majority of the episode is comprised of individual questions from listeners and friends of the show that had questions for us as GMs that they might otherwise not have had the opportunity to ask. We cover narcissism in GMing, character quirks that people might find distasteful, using pop-culture references, how the times have changed and how we've grown with them as gamers, our favorite...2022-07-041h 40Passive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 49 - Diseases, Curses, and Other Afflictions in TTRPGThis week we cover incorporating diseases, curses, maladies, and other general afflictions into your tabletop roleplaying games. We analyze why we think this aspect of gaming doesn't get as much love as it should and talk about some interesting ways to make it work at your table. We go over how to run diseases and curses, pick apart how they can affect your campaign, give tips on how to make them a more meaningful part of the world, and offer examples that bridge the gap between the mundane and the supernatural.Website: https://icastspells.comTwitter...2022-06-271h 05Passive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 48 - Life Skills Gained From TTRPGsHaving a meaningful discussion about how skills and experiences at the tabletop roleplaying game table can apply to one's 'real life.' We cover career impacts, its influence on self-improvement and self-exploration, how it can aid in developing and nurturing strong interpersonal relationships, its applications in psychotherapy, using it as a tool for learning, and much more. We also cover some TTRPG news and discuss several replies from listeners.Website: https://icastspells.comTwitter: @passive_podcastEmail: passiveaggropod@protonmail.comShow Breakdown:0:00: Intro0:34: TTRPG News16:07: @grenchaw "Passive (Aggressive) Perception custom magic item"17:57...2022-06-201h 00Passive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 47 - TTRPG Travel (Making It Meaningful)In this episode we're asking important questions about traveling in tabletop roleplaying games. We go in-depth into the handwaving paradigm, why we think that is, and methods you can employ to make it a more meaningful part of your table experience. We also discuss some of our favorite travel systems from games, how we've hacked them to work for us, and why it can be important to explore this particular pillar of RPGs.Website: https://icastspells.com Twitter: @passive_podcastEmail: passiveaggropod@protonmail.comShow Breakdown:0:00: Intro1:20: TTRPG News10:42: Main Topic11:15: @MicahRRogers "T...2022-06-1351 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 46 - Resuscitating A Campaign (After Time Off)We talk about getting your campaign back on track after a layoff, whether that be a week, a month, a year, or beyond. We address some of the challenges of getting players re-bought in , how to set the table for the best possible return experience, and some of the things that can kill a campaign. We also cover some new TTRPG releases and the return of a style of gaming which, to many, has been lost to time. Twitter: @passive_podcastEmail: passiveaggropod@protonmail.comShow Breakdown:0:00: Intro1:48: @candleisles "High Trust Trad"5:53: TTRPG N...2022-06-0642 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 45 - Splitting The PartyIn this episode we cover some of the strategies behind, and the implications of, splitting your TTRPG party. We discuss how it can help expedite the action, but also increase work load and slow down your pacing. We go in-depth with several person and listener-sourced examples and dig into when splitting the party may be a good idea and when it may be ill-advised. Tune in for help running a split party, TTRPG news, listener feedback, and more. Twitter: @passive_podcastEmail: passiveaggropod@protonmail.comShow Breakdown:0:00: IntroTTRPG News: 1:23Main Topic/Poll From @R...2022-05-3156 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 44 - Session Length (What's Ideal)NEW COVER ARTThis week we're talking about what makes for an ideal session length? What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of shorter vs longer sessions. Do we still have it in us to run marathon sessions that last the whole weekend? Tune in for insights on how to structure your games for time, TTRPG news, listener feedback, and more. Twitter: @passive_podcastEmail: passiveaggropod@protonmail.comShow Breakdown:0:00: IntroTTRPG News: 1:00@gazpachoTT "Playing I Spy": 7:32@34thGingerbread "The Fountain of Going to Jail"Main Topic/Poll By @RpgMatch: 12:04@TA_Stangroom "W...2022-05-2340 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 43 - Bringing Roleplay To Non-TTRPG ActivitiesWe cover bringing elements and tools from your TTRPG kit into other activities like board games, video games, fantasy sports, sex, and much more. We cover some of the tenets of how ascribing meaning through narrative and roleplay can help you build better memories with the things you love. Twitter: @passive_podcast Email: passiveaggropod@protonmail.comShow Breakdown:TTRPG News: 0:42Black Dragon Company @bddc_pod "El Guapo": 3:24Addressing Twists In Games: 5:20Role Playing Grenade @rpgrenadepod "Caltrop Core": 8:18#BrOSR: 9:02Cascade Crisis Gaming & Miniatures @cascadecrisis "Addressing Characters With Disabilities: 14:53Main Topic: 20:19Dirty20 Gaming @thatotherkevin2: 23:35Mama N...2022-05-1649 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 42 - To BBEG or not to BBEG?This week we cover the story significance of adding a Big Bad Evil Guy (BBEG) to your campaign. We also discuss the non-literal interpretation of the concept, goal-oriented play, and providing context and significance to your in-game actions. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: passiveaggropod@protonmail.com2022-05-0950 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 41 - House RulesDiscussing some of the more interesting house rules we know about, why we believe rules tweaking can benefit your games, and how sometimes customizing rules can be for all the wrong reasons. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: passiveaggropod@protonmail.com2022-05-0247 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 40 - Playing To Lose & Failing ForwardThis episode is about redefining how we view personal failure in our TTPRG sessions, and how reframing the concept can open up whole new worlds of opportunity for the players at your table. Also, listener feedback, and TTRPG news. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: passiveaggropod@protonmail.com2022-04-2546 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 39 - Fudging & Rolling In The OpenClickity clack! When dice attack! This week we talk about the very contentious topic of fudging rolls. We also cover some alternative ways to use dice at your table and their impacts, including rolling in the open vs behind a screen, and player-facing systems of conflict resolution. A brief review of DREAD, addressing listener feedback, and TTRPG news. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: passiveaggropod@protonmail.com2022-04-1853 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 38 - Saying NODiscussing the sometimes difficult but sometimes necessary act of telling your players (or even your GM) NO. When is it appropriate and when does it require an explanation? Also, we dig into listener feedback and TTRPG news. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: passiveaggropod@protonmail.com2022-04-1158 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 37 - The Duality of HumorDiscussing the double edged sword that is the witting (and sometimes unwitting) inclusion of humor into your TTRPG sessions. We investigate where the line is when it becomes too much, the nature of the sliding scale of tone, and the possible implications they can have on your games. We also cover some listener feedback and TTRPG news. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: passiveaggropod@protonmail.com2022-04-0455 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 36 - DIY Publishing & Zines (/w Eric Swanson of Narrative Dynamics)We have a conversation with very special guest, Eric Swanson. Eric is a TTRPG developer, illustrator, editor, DIY publisher, and the list goes on! In this episode we discuss the impacts of crowdfunding, democratization of development, tips for getting your first product to market, and much more. Eric even has a curated list of his own Dusty Stack games! Check out Eric's work at https://narrativedynamicspress.com/ || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: passiveaggropod@protonmail.com2022-03-281h 02Passive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 35 - Theater Of The Mind Vs Visual AidsThis week we fall down the rabbit hole discussing the advantages of honing your skills using theater of the mind, and how it compares against using tactical maps, minis, and other player aids. We also do some follow-up on last week's episode on GM burnout and cover recent TTRPG news || Steve's Article On 3D Printing PPE: https://romesentinel.com/stories/local-volunteers-join-covid-19-fight,95525 || 3D Printed Website For 3D Printed PPE: https://rist3d.org || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: passiveaggropod@protonmail.com2022-03-2153 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 34 - GM BurnoutDiscussing the tolls of mental exhaustion, and how that can translate in to affecting our games. We rap about some of the causes of, and coping strategies for, when you're feeling creatively burnt out || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: passiveaggropod@protonmail.com2022-03-1458 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 33 - TTRPGs As Education (/w Michael Low of Luck of Legends)"School is a badly designed game." Today we're talking with very special guest, Michael Low. Michael Is an educator, game designer, and leading innovator in using TTRPGs as a tool for learning. We talk about the common ground between TTRPGs and education, how it's currently being utilized, and its vast potential to improve the learning landscape for our youth. Find Michael's various projects at https://www.luckoflegends.com/ || https://storiesrpg.com/ || https://luckoflegends.itch.io/ || Michael's Twitter: @LuckLegends || PaP Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: passiveaggropod@protonmail.com2022-03-071h 02Passive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 32 - Running A MysteryDiscussing our thoughts and weirdly idiosyncratic opinions on what it takes to run a successful TTRPG mystery. Covering the importance of keeping things fresh and varied, and outlining how easy it is to mess up. Plus, some TTRPG news.2022-03-0148 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 31 - Pacing (And Why It's Important)Talking about pacing and how both GMs and players alike can promote tighter games by staying aware of this key concept, plus some suggestions for nailing it. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: passiveaggropod@protonmail.com2022-02-2142 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 30 - Running Away (From Encounters)Fly, you fools! This week we discuss incorporating 'unwinnable' encounters (both social and combat) into your sessions and campaigns and the tonal, and narrative advantages of doing so. We go over when we think it's appropriate to bolt from an encounter and how we can facilitate that understanding both as players and as GMs. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: passiveaggropod@protonmail.com2022-02-1443 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 29 - Character BackgroundsBackstory Vs. 'Forestory'. This week we're discussing the process and impact of developing your character's backstory. We cover the merits and pitfalls of having a robust, pre-written backstory as well as the advantages of taking a more collaborative approach at the table. All mixed in with a little TTRPG news and the absurdity you have grown to expect (and hopefully accept) from us. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: passiveaggropod@protonmail.com2022-02-0742 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 28 - Metacurrency On this episode we cover various systems of TTRPG metacurrency. We also discuss whether or not it's appropriate to distribute metacurrency based on merit/behavior, and the implications of defining either objective or subjective standards for rewarding players at the table. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: passiveaggropod@protonmail.com2022-01-3159 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 27 - Rewards (Quests & Adventures)Join us as we discuss unique and story-driving ways to provide quest and adventure rewards that separate themselves from the typical gold/experience paradigm. We systematically analyze a gamut of ways to reward players while identifying what makes said rewards relevant to your PCs' goals and motivations. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: passiveaggropod@protonmail.com2022-01-2456 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 26 - Built Different (Alternate Character Generation)This week's episode is about using the widely varying and sometimes alternative methods of generating a character in your favorite TTRPGs. We answer some listener feedback from @Ivrione on Twitter, and go in-depth about our experience with Twilight 2000's lifepath character generation system. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: passiveaggropod@protonmail.com2022-01-171h 07Passive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 25 - Starting New SystemsToday we're talking about some of the stresses behind and strategies for more successfully bringing brand new systems to the table. We discuss the shifting responsibility for learning rules, how to navigate first sessions when no one at the table is familiar with the system, and the merits of broadening your repertoire. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: passiveaggropod@protonmail.com2022-01-1052 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionHappy New Year!We're taking a week off! Here's a brief message from a very groggy Ivan and a new track from John Potocnik's new album, Tunes From Pleasant Valley. This album is released completely royalty free for use in videos, podcasts, streaming, or however you see fit. Available anywhere you get your music. || Tunes From Pleasant Valley: https://open.spotify.com/album/0rme4ZJI3p4nMGmp8eNpNA?si=V7hOIwPqSsWLJVWeu5Hgag || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: passiveaggropod@protonmail.com2022-01-0305 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 24 - Deities & PantheonsThis week we're discussing deities in TTRPGs, and how a pantheon can pivotally affect the nature of a campaign. We discuss objective morality and what part in-game gods play in defining it. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: passiveaggropod@protonmail.com2021-12-2738 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 23 - Party BalanceWe're talking about party balance, reconciling differences between party members both mechanical and narrative in nature, and when the 'why' of character generation over the 'how.' We also field some questions from listeners @KailaEvansDM of @cotdnd, and @grenchaw. Finally, we're feature a special track at the end of the episode from Ivan's father, John Potocnik, off his new album, Tunes From Pleasant Valley. This album is released completely royalty free for use in videos, podcasts, streaming, or however you see fit. Available anywhere you get your music. || Tunes From Pleasant Valley: https://open.spotify.com/album/0rme4ZJI3p4...2021-12-2049 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 22 - Railroads Vs SandboxesWe compare highly linear storytelling against open-world methods of running a game and their respective advantages and disadvantages. We cover how to best incorporate principles from each into your sessions and the importance of making player-driven action both relevant and significant. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: passiveaggropod@protonmail.com2021-12-1341 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 21 - ImprovWe're talking improv! We go over some of the core tenets of improv and how they apply to the overall TTRPG experience. We discuss the commonalities, differences, the act of listening, agreement, facilitating the story, and much more. || Improv List: https://www.jesterzimprov.com/fundamental-improv-principles/ || @RPGrenadePod: https://linktr.ee/RolePlayingGrenade || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: passiveaggropod@protonmail.com || YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/papat0k || Logo By O_Oblique: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3clQyg-hJNTFNNvydS6fFQ2021-12-0650 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 20 - Wealth SystemsWe discuss in-game currency, and the difference between granular systems and overarching wealth systems. We talk about some of the potential pitfalls of each and how to best incorporate them into your games in a meaningful way. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: passiveaggropod@protonmail.com || YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/papat0k || Logo By O_Oblique: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3clQyg-hJNTFNNvydS6fFQ2021-11-2939 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 19 - DowntimeWe're talking about downtime! We hit on topics such as how to make things more story relevant, where to draw the line so it doesn't become rote or monotonous, and much more. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: passiveaggropod@protonmail.com || YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/papat0k || Logo By O_Oblique: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3clQyg-hJNTFNNvydS6fFQ2021-11-2244 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 18 - Dusty Stack #2We're revisiting our Dusty Stacks! This time around we're discussing six games that we're dying to play, and their individualities that make them so compelling. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: passiveaggropod@protonmail.com || YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/papat0k || Logo By O_Oblique: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3clQyg-hJNTFNNvydS6fFQ || Paranoia: https://www.mongoosepublishing.com/us/rpgs/paranoia.html || Wheel Of Time: https://www.amazon.com/Wheel-Time-Roleplaying-Game-Fantasy/dp/0786919965 || Upriver, Downriver: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gejwatts/up-river-down-river || The Resistance of New Holloway: https://adventurebymail.itch.io/the-resistance-of-new-holloway || Dead Belt: https://acoupleofdrakes.itch.io/dead-belt || Dusk City Outlaws: https://scratchpad...2021-11-1554 minPassive (Aggressive) PerceptionEp 17 - MetagamingThis time around we're discussing metagaming! We theorize on when metagaming stops being harmless fun and starts being disruptive to the table. We also talk about ways to make players' outside knowledge work narratively. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: passiveaggropod@protonmail.com || YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/papat0k || Logo By O_Oblique: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3clQyg-hJNTFNNvydS6fFQ2021-11-0843 min