Shows
Coriolis: The Great Dark - deep dives#17 Review - Playtesting the Scenario for Coriolis: The Great DarkTheory meets practice. After months of discussing scenario design methodology, character development frameworks, and action cinema techniques, we finally sat down and played through the delve portion of The Library of Apan'ra—and we're here to tell you what happened.Join Peter Randel, Carsten Eriksen, Christian Eriksen, and Eli Tremors for an informal conversation about our first hands-on experience with Coriolis: The Great Dark. As players new to the system but experienced in narrative gaming, we descended into The Maw on Nirgal B, confronted Builder glyphs that resisted interpretation, tracked Blight accumulation on our character sheets, and li...
2025-12-0739 min
Coriolis: The Great Dark - deep dives#16 Review - Playtesting the Scenario for Coriolis: The Great DarkWhat happens when two delve crews compete for a starship captain's favor while facing cosmic horror in the ventilation ducts? Join our playtest crew for lessons in layered scenario design.Journey through slipstream space with veteran roleplaying gamers as they playtest "The Library of Apan'ra," a Coriolis: The Great Dark scenario built using Ask Agger's methodology. Host Eli Tremors and Peter Randel's longtime friends Tim Rasmussen, Mikael Andersen, and Høgni Kallehauge explore how the journey to Auriga created multi-layered tension through biological horror, political rivalry, and cosmic mystery.WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:Create layered o...
2025-11-1051 min
Coriolis: The Great Dark - deep divesOff the record - the auriga system - background materialThis is a background materials file that I use to get inspiration on how to describe Builder ruins and make them come to live in the scenario I am working on.It was generated using Google's NotebookLM.I use this to listen and learn about the subject before I then go into the process of writing.#CoriolisTheGreatDark #Coriolis #Builderruins #ruins #archeology #space #RPGPodcast #TabletopRPG #TTRPG#SciFi #Storytelling #Mystery #Adventure #Gaming #Podcast #RPGers #TableTop#LostCivilizations #AlienMysteries #SpaceExploration #CosmicHorror #DeepTime #RuinExploration
2025-11-0828 min
Coriolis: The Great Dark - deep divesOff the record - Transforming classic Call into CGD - background materialTranslating Cosmic Dread: Fidelity vs. Function in Coriolis's "The Quarantine Station" NightmareGoing over some of my old roleplaying materials I found the classic Mansions of Madness collection for Call of Cthulhu, and of the scenarios - the Sanatorium is a favorite of mine, and I thought how if this was transformed into a Coriolis the Great Dark scenario.So with the aid of Claude, I tried to work with the idea, and I think it could work.This Debate is a discussion about this. So is the previous episode, which used the...
2025-11-0216 minCoriolis: The Great Dark - deep divesOff the record - Transforming classic Call into CGD - background materialGoing over some of my old roleplaying materials I found the classic Mansions of Madness collection for Call of Cthulhu, and of the scenarios - the Sanatorium is a favorite of mine, and I thought how if this was transformed into a Coriolis the Great Dark scenario.So with the aid of Claude, I tried to work with the idea, and I think it could work.This Deep Dive is a discussion about this. So is the following episode, which uses the Debate format to discuss the same material.It was generated using...
2025-11-0249 min
Coriolis: The Great Dark - deep divesOff the record - Designing Coriolis Scenarios - background materialThis is a background materials file that I use to get inspiration on how to design Coriolis The Great Dark scenarios. I use this for inspiration for the scenario I am working on.It was generated using Google's NotebookLM.I use this to listen and learn about the subject before I then go into the process of writing.#CoriolisTheGreatDark #Coriolis #Builderruins #ruins #archeology #space #RPGPodcast #TabletopRPG #TTRPG#SciFi #Storytelling #Mystery #Adventure #Gaming #Podcast #RPGers #TableTop#LostCivilizations #AlienMysteries #SpaceExploration #CosmicHorror #DeepTime #RuinExploration
2025-10-2624 min
Coriolis: The Great Dark - deep dives#15 Concept to Publication - Building Delve Scenarios in Coriolis: The Great DarkPart 3 of 3 (segment 4): From Concept to PublicationHow do you transform sophisticated scenario design into a usable document that game masters can actually run at the table?In this concluding episode, hosts Peter Randel, Carsten Eriksen, Christian Eriksen, and Elisabeth Tremors explore the often-overlooked art of scenario publication. Building on the structural foundations and action design from previous episodes, we examine how visual design, information architecture, and thoughtful handout creation determine whether The Library of Apan'ra succeeds in practice.Information ecology: designing for multiple reading modes (prep, play, deep study)Typography and layout as...
2025-10-1733 min
Coriolis: The Great Dark - deep dives#14 Concept to Publication - Building Delve Scenarios in Coriolis: The Great DarkPart 3 of 3 (segment 3): From Concept to PublicationHow do you transform sophisticated scenario design into a usable document that game masters can actually run at the table?In this concluding episode, hosts Peter Randel, Carsten Eriksen, Christian Eriksen, and Elisabeth Tremors explore the often-overlooked art of scenario publication. Building on the structural foundations and action design from previous episodes, we examine how visual design, information architecture, and thoughtful handout creation determine whether The Library of Apan'ra succeeds in practice.Information ecology: designing for multiple reading modes (prep, play, deep study)Typography and layout as...
2025-10-1736 min
Coriolis: The Great Dark - deep divesOff the record - describing Builder ruins - background materialThis is a background materials file that I use to get inspiration on how to describe Builder ruins and make them come to live in the scenario I am working on.It was generated using Google's NotebookLM.I use this to listen and learn about the subject before I then go into the process of writing.#CoriolisTheGreatDark #Coriolis #Builderruins #ruins #archeology #space #RPGPodcast #TabletopRPG #TTRPG#SciFi #Storytelling #Mystery #Adventure #Gaming #Podcast #RPGers #TableTop#LostCivilizations #AlienMysteries #SpaceExploration #CosmicHorror #DeepTime #RuinExploration
2025-10-0825 min
Coriolis: The Great Dark - deep divesLearning the Great Dark - a deep dive into chapter 10 and 11This is a background materials file that I have created for my own personal learning. This was created using Google's Notebook LLM and a prompt created by Claude.This is primarily made for my own listening to revisit chapter 10 and 11 of the rulebook.#ScenarioDesign #NarrativeDesign #CreativeWriting #GameDesign #StorytellingTools #RPGDesign #GameMaster #TabletopRPG #RPGDesign #GameMaster #TabletopRPG
2025-10-0725 min
Coriolis: The Great Dark - deep divesLearning the Great Dark - a deep dive into chapter 3 and 4This is a background materials file that I have created for my own personal learning. This was created using Google's Notebook LLM and a prompt created by Claude.This is primarily made for my own listening to revisit chapter 3 and 4 of the rulebook.#ScenarioDesign #NarrativeDesign #CreativeWriting #GameDesign #StorytellingTools #RPGDesign #GameMaster #TabletopRPG #RPGDesign #GameMaster #TabletopRPG
2025-10-0713 min
Coriolis: The Great Dark - deep divesLearning the Great Dark - a deep dive into chapter 8 and 9This is a background materials file that I have created for my own personal learning. This was created using Google's Notebook LLM and a prompt created by Claude.This is primarily made for my own listening to revisit chapter 8 and 9 of the rulebook. I want to understand the factions and Ship City and have used Google's NotebookLM to generate a podcast that I can listen to in the car and hopefully help spark some creative ideas I can unfold and turn into future story nuggets or maybe something even more.#ScenarioDesign #NarrativeDesign #CreativeWriting #GameDesign #StorytellingTools...
2025-10-0631 min
Coriolis: The Great Dark - deep dives#13 Foundation and Framework - Building Delve Scenarios in Coriolis: The Great DarkPart 2 of 3 (segment 2): Designing Action in Archaeological AdventureHow do you create pulse-pounding action sequences that serve archaeological storytelling rather than interrupting it?In this episode, hosts Peter Randel and Carsten Eriksen welcome special guest Christian Eriksen (action cinema expert from Sydney) to explore how science fiction film techniques translate to tabletop delve scenarios. Building on Episode 1's structural foundations, we layer kinetic excitement onto The Library of Apan'ra scenario while maintaining The Great Dark's emphasis on cosmic mystery and character-driven narrative.In This Episode:Learning from Alien, Ad Astra, The Expanse...
2025-10-0345 min
Coriolis: The Great Dark - deep dives#12 Foundation and Framework - Building Delve Scenarios in Coriolis: The Great DarkPart 2 of 3 (segment 1): Designing Action in Archaeological AdventureHow do you create pulse-pounding action sequences that serve archaeological storytelling rather than interrupting it?In this episode, hosts Peter Randel and Carsten Eriksen welcome special guest Christian Eriksen (action cinema expert from Sydney) to explore how science fiction film techniques translate to tabletop delve scenarios. Building on Episode 1's structural foundations, we layer kinetic excitement onto The Library of Apan'ra scenario while maintaining The Great Dark's emphasis on cosmic mystery and character-driven narrative.In This Episode:Learning from Alien, Ad Astra, The Expanse...
2025-10-0351 min
Coriolis: The Great Dark - deep dives#11 Foundation and Framework - Building Delve Scenarios in Coriolis: The Great DarkEpisode 1: Foundation and Framework - Building Delve Scenarios with Ask Agger and the Five Room StructurePart 1 of 3: Creating "The Library of Apan'ra"Join hosts Peter Randel, Carsten Eriksen, and Christian Eriksen as they begin a three-part deep dive into scenario creation for Coriolis: The Great Dark. In this foundational episode, discover how to transform archaeological exploration from simple treasure hunting into scenarios with genuine roleplaying opportunities, meaningful action sequences, and real depth.Learn to apply Ask Agger's proven scenario design methodology and the evolved Five Room Dungeon concept to create delve scenarios...
2025-09-2122 min
Coriolis: The Great Dark - deep divesOff the record - Creating shorter scenarios - background materialThis is a background materials file that I have created for my own personal learning. I want to be inspired on how to write short scenarios or side quests that tie into a larger story.I want to understand the physical space and the history and have used Google's NotebookLM to generate a podcast that I can listen to in the car and hopefully help spark some creative ideas I can unfold and turn into future story nuggets or maybe something even more.#ScenarioDesign #NarrativeDesign #CreativeWriting #GameDesign #StorytellingTools #RPGDesign #GameMaster #TabletopRPG #RPGDesign #GameMaster #TabletopRPG
2025-09-1348 min
Coriolis: The Great Dark - deep dives#10 - Delves and action elements in Coriolis: The Great DarkGreat Dark Resources Episode 10: Adventures in the Dark - Creating Action-Packed Delve ScenariosJoin hosts Peter Randel and Carsten Eriksen as they welcome special guest Christian Eriksen to explore how classic action cinema techniques can enhance archaeological adventures in Coriolis: The Great Dark. Drawing inspiration from Indiana Jones and The Maze Runner, the trio discusses creating delve scenarios that satisfy both methodical investigators and action-oriented players.From responsive Builder technology to acoustic galleries with drone defenses, learn how to design scenarios where archaeological discovery drives exciting action sequences. The hosts explore moving beyond traditional "boss...
2025-09-1156 minCoriolis: The Great Dark - deep dives#9 - Characters in the Explorers guild in Coriolis: The Great DarkCharacters Coming to Life: Building NPCs from Core Rules to Cosmic HorrorHosts Peter Randel and Carsten Eriksen return to explore how their Explorers Guild character development project is evolving from theoretical framework into living, breathing NPCs. Discover how the confined setting of The Great Dark creates unique opportunities for character development that wouldn't exist in the expansive original Coriolis setting.Learn how to draw inspiration from science fiction masters like Reynolds, Simmons, and Asimov while maintaining canonical consistency with the Middle Eastern cultural foundations that make Coriolis distinctive. The hosts explore how Free League's...
2025-09-0545 min
Coriolis: The Great Dark - deep divesOff the record - The Icons in TGD - background materialThis is a background materials file that will be part of the material I use for an upcoming episode on the Icons and their role in Coriolis: The Great Dark.I think the Icons should be allowed to have a role in TGD and this is part of that work, which is still very much work in progress.It was generated using Google's NotebookLM and the research paper I had done as background for the upcoming episode on the Icons.I use this to listen and learn about the subject before I then...
2025-08-1945 min
Coriolis: The Great Dark - deep dives#8 - Building the Explorers guild in Coriolis: The Great DarkThe Explorers Guild: Building Stories from the DepthsJoin hosts Peter Randel and Carsten Eriksen as they explore how to transform the canonical foundation of the Explorers Guild into a living, breathing narrative ecosystem for your Coriolis: The Great Dark campaigns. Drawing from decades of RPG experience and deep knowledge of science fiction literature, they discuss practical techniques for creating compelling NPCs who feel like real people with genuine stakes in your stories.From Master Moska's political maneuvering to the institutional trauma of the Catresuvian Collection crisis...
2025-08-1628 min
Coriolis: The Great Dark - deep dives#7 - Glyphs in Coriolis: The Great DarkEpisode 7: Deciphering the Past - Builder GlyphsJoin Peter and Eli as they explore the fascinating archaeological mystery of Builder Glyphs in Coriolis: The Great Dark. From real-world parallels like Egyptian hieroglyphs and the Rosetta Stone breakthrough to practical implementation in your campaigns, discover how to use the three-category glyph system (Major, Minor, and Kaphra) to create compelling mysteries without overwhelming preparation.Learn how to make archaeologist characters feel essential, establish visual distinctions players can recognize, and maintain the alien mystery of a million-year-old civilization. Packed with concrete examples from actual gameplay, this episode provides...
2025-08-1239 min
Coriolis: The Great Dark - deep divesOff the record - Glyphs - background materialThis is a background materials file that will be part of the material I use for the next upcoming episode on Glyphs.It was generated using Google's NotebookLM and the research paper I had done as background for the upcoming episode on Glyphs.I use this to listen and learn about the subject before I then go into the process of writing the actual script for the next episode for Peter and Eli.#CoriolisTheGreatDark #Coriolis #BuilderGlyphs #RPGPodcast #TabletopRPG #TTRPG#SciFi #Storytelling #Mystery #Adventure #Gaming #Podcast #RPGers #TableTop#LostCivilizations #AlienMysteries...
2025-08-1022 minCoriolis: The Great Dark - deep dives#6 - Archaeological Adventures in Coriolis: The Great DarkGreat Dark Resources Episode 6: Archaeology in the Great DarkFrom the pyramids of Egypt to the cosmic mysteries of Builder ruins, Peter and Eli explore how to run unforgettable archaeological adventures in Coriolis: The Great Dark. Discover how to use Delve crew roles effectively, turn glyph translation into engaging gameplay, and balance wonder with the ever-present threat of Blight corruption. Plus: TV writing techniques that will transform your Builder installations from simple dungeons into multi-layered mysteries your players will never forget.Topics covered: Historical archaeology inspiration, Delve mechanics, Builder glyphs, Blight encounters, character development, campaign...
2025-08-1029 min
Coriolis: The Great Dark - deep dives#5 - True detective in Coriolis – The Great DarkThe True Detective Framework: Sophisticated Horror Storytelling for The Great DarkHosts Peter Randel and Elisabeth "Eli" Tremors explore how the groundbreaking crime drama True Detective offers a masterclass in creating sophisticated horror narratives for Coriolis: The Great Dark. Discover how to transform familiar TV tropes—buddy cop dynamics, unreliable narrators, nested mysteries—into cosmic horror storytelling that questions the nature of reality itself.Learn practical techniques for creating scenarios where the Blight doesn't just threaten physical survival, but adapts and evolves to corrupt human ambition, turning civilization's greatest strengths into instruments of its own dest...
2025-08-0915 minCoriolis: The Great Dark - deep dives#4 - Running the game in Coriolis – The Great Dark (for game masters)"From Screen to Table: Running Cosmic Horror in Coriolis"Join host Peter Randel and special guest Elisabeth "Eli" Tremors as they dive deep into Coriolis: The Great Dark, exploring how to master the art of cosmic horror at your gaming table.Discover how to steal techniques from television's greatest horror shows - and adapt them for unforgettable RPG scenarios. Learn the secrets of building dread through "escalating reveals," creating unreliable narrators with changing character sheets, and using the "everything is normal" trope to slowly unravel your players' reality.This episode covers:• The Coriolis ap...
2025-08-0514 min
Coriolis: The Great Dark - deep dives#3 - The Bird and the Bond: The Garuda in Coriolis – The Great DarkIn this episode, we explore The Bird—also known as The Garuda—a powerful supernatural companion in Coriolis: The Great Dark. We dive into its mythological roots, its role in gameplay, and how GMs can use it to shape story, tension, and horror.We draw parallels to games like Call of Cthulhu and D&D, offering practical tips for turning The Bird into a narrative force—more than a mechanic, a presence that guides, haunts, and reveals.🧭 Plus: Real-world myths, companion dynamics, and how to use The Bird in your next delve.#CorolisRPG #greatdark...
2025-08-0425 min
Coriolis: The Great Dark - deep dives#2 - Delving in Coriolis: The Great dark (for game masters)In this episode, we explore the concept of the Delve as defined in Chapter 12 of Coriolis: The Great Dark—a modular structure for building rich, suspenseful exploration scenarios. Aimed at experienced GMs, we unpack how Delves function as story engines, how to design sites full of tension, mystery, and discovery, and how to draw inspiration from Call of Cthulhu’s investigator-driven horror. With real-play examples and tips for crafting memorable, mythic locations, this episode is your guide to mastering the art of Delve design.#CorolisRPG #greatdark #CosmicHorror #TabletopRPG #GameMaster #RPGPodcast
2025-08-0328 min
Coriolis: The Great Dark - deep dives#1 - Delving in Coriolis: The Great dark (for players)Player's editionIn this special episode, we dig deep into the heart of Coriolis: The Great Dark by exploring the concept of the Delve - a central structure for adventures that blend mystery, exploration, and cosmic horror. We trace how the Delve framework, first introduced in Chapter 12, echoes throughout the rulebook, and how it draws inspiration from the five-dungeon model and Call of Cthulhu’s mythos of layered, terrifying revelation. With practical examples and GM tips, we show how to bring delves to life in your own campaign - and tease what’s coming next as we expl...
2025-08-0329 min