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Casting Shadows
Casting ShadowsOn the idea of a "Better Game"This episode is another review of a post from the Casting Shadows blog, though this time the Wayback Machine is just taking us five short years (and a few decades of observation and experience) into the past. This time we look at a post based on the increasingly narrowing rhetoric around the technique of the Session 0 which tries to restore the balance required in that technique for long-term play. This time, the full post is presented before I get into any commentary from the present of the time of recording. Among the things in that commentary is...
2025-12-1928 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsOn what might be in a name, and Listener CallsThis episode includes a call from Jason Connerley in regard to the episode with the Arcane Alienist about RPGs and memory, and then sets the Wayback Machine for 2010 and a fresh look at an old post called By any other name~LINKS:Weird Studies Podcast Homepage-Episode on Dungeons & Dragons, or the Reality of IllusionsNerds RPG Variety CastArcane Alienist PodcastBy Any Other Name blog post on Casting ShadowsCONTACT:Leave a voice message via ⁠SpeakPipe⁠http...
2025-12-1320 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsBiting Bullets with Jason HobbsFor this episode, I am joined by the host of the seemingly lapsed Hobbs and Friends, and the sadly sporadic Random Screed, by the Mr. Hobbs of Mr. Hobbs' Gamerhood: Jason Hobbs. He and I dive into some core elements of his recent foray into game writing with his release 'Bite the Bullet' which you can obtain PWYW on itch.io or DriveThruRPG. The game, a western-themed RPG based on Into the Odd, puts a tight focus on who the character is and what they will do to get what they want. We dig into that, and some of...
2025-12-0657 minNerd’s RPG Variety Cast
Nerd’s RPG Variety CastS2 Six String Samurai the RPG with Runeslinger Bonus 52Anthony aka Runeslinger shares his conversion of the film Six String Samurai into Basic Role Playing (BRP) and provides the sound effects for today's shenanigans. Casting Shadows blog on this topic where you can see the character sheet https://castingshadowsblog.com/?p=13914Casting Shadows Podcast / Youtube https://castingshadowspodcast.comRuneslinger Youtube https://www.youtube.com/user/RuneslingerWays to contact me: Speakpipe for international callers: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/NerdsRPGVarietyCast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The podcast's email at nerdsrpgvarietycast 'at' gmail 'dot' com Find me on a variety of discords including the Audio Dungeon Discord. Invite for the Audio Dungeon Discord ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...
2025-11-091h 11Casting Shadows
Casting ShadowsOn Interruptions, Others' Topics, and BRP~This episode possibly resumes more regular releases of the podcast while sharing thoughts on some topics I have missed recently and on that gem of a system, Chaosium's Basic Roleplaying.Casting Shadows BlogSend a voice message to CastingShadowsPodcastRuneslinger - YouTube
2025-07-2729 minThe Dungeon Plunger Podcast
The Dungeon Plunger PodcastA Casting of Shadows with Anthony "Runeslinger" BoydAnthony "Runeslinger Boyd and I talk ttrpg stuff with a focus on the Call of Cthulhu RPG and Masks of Nyarlathotep campaign.Find Anthony at:Casting Shadows Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0sEnjb4ECR6CcfU6Bvug7pCasting Shadows Blog: https://castingshadowsblog.com/Runeslinger Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RuneslingerSHOW CREDITSMusic and Stingers by: Reed Reimer of Fable Factory Studio: https://fablefactory.org/Dungeon Plunger Cover art by: Jon McNally: https://www.jonmcnally.net/Special Thanks to Edward...
2025-07-211h 16Roleplay Rescue
Roleplay RescueWhat are Roleplaying Games with RuneslingerThis one’s a conversation with Runeslinger, aka Anthony from the Casting Shadows blog, podcast, and Youtube channel. He hails from South Korea and, having just enjoyed a week off work, I was able to cue up some chats with him.This conversation continues from Episode 6, The Story Divide, and delves deeper into the history of the emergence of a perception that roleplaying games are about storytelling as opposed to being about, well, something else.The approach was to dig out several texts - both in book form off our shelves and PDF fo...
2025-06-071h 51Casting Shadows
Casting ShadowsCall of Cthulhu Campaign Cliff's Notes - Recap 1Is Hindsightless THE most sporadic podcast on the Internet? I am not sure, this one must surely qualify for something in that category. NOTE: The recap portion of this video has been subtitled for your convenience. I have been putting up a in-depth videos on the YouTube channel lately about the nature of RPGs, so this weekend, with my thin strips of free time, I grilled up a recap as a sort of celebration of the great play I have been enjoying with Call of Cthulhu for the past year and a half, and as...
2025-04-081h 08Casting Shadows
Casting ShadowsOn Call-ins and Practical Advice for "Unusual" RPGsLinks to the callers featured in this episode can be found below. This episode features calls from Sameoldji (link to his eponymous podcast can be found below), Jason Connerly formely of Nerd's RPG Variety Cast (link to his now complete library of podcast episodes can be found below), and Che Webster of the now intentionally intermittent Roleplay Rescue podcast (link provided below). Topics in this episode are the ongoing YouTube actual play series being run on my channel, and two different points about my recent conversation with Daniel Jones of Primeval Fantasy (link below) from the previous...
2024-05-0441 minCasting Shadows
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 ...
2024-04-121h 04Casting Shadows
Casting ShadowsImagination CallsThis episode responds to listener calls dating back to the last two episodes of the podcast and continuing the exploration of imagination, memory, and attention as valuable parts of RPG play. Thanks go out to Jason Connerly, Spencer/FreeThrall, and Jean-Francois 'SameOldJi' St-Onge for the calls and the interaction~ Podcasts mentioned in the episode: Nerd's RPG Variety Cast Keep off the Borderlands SameOldJi - An RPG Catharsis Contact Runeslinger runescastshadows AT gmail Send a voice message to CastingShadowsPodcast (speakpipe...
2024-04-0737 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsOn Imagination and PreparationThis episode responds to listener voice messages, does a surface exploration of the experience of imagination and gets into some practicalities about the benefit of talking about imagination with your group. Listeners are invited to contact me via the methods below to share their thoughts on their experiences of imagination. Visit the Casting Shadows blog at https://castingshadowsblog.com Visit us on YouTube at https://youtube.com/runeslinger or search for @Runeslinger For TwiXter, BlueSky, and Facebook: @Runeslinger Do you use Discord? Try me at Runeslinger#7592 ...
2024-01-1556 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsOn Preparation for In-character play with Tablerunner CrispyPreparation is one thing that can benefit from change if you adjust your style or intentions for play. My guest has recently discovered a desire for playing more and more in-character (moving toward in-character as-character) and leaving room for immersion to happen. WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/-01dPAKsvM4 MY GUEST: CRISPY of the @Tablerunner YouTube channel. Origin: "I'm an RPG enthusiast who came to realize earlier this year that I've only just scratched the surface of what the hobby can be. Now I'm...
2024-01-041h 08Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast
Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast589 Streets of Fire with RuneslingerAnthony aka Runeslinger from Casting Shadows joins me to discuss Walter Hill's 1984 neo-noir film, Streets of Fire as well as Albert Pyun's 2008 unofficial sequel Road to Hell. Casting Shadows podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/0sEnjb4ECR6CcfU6Bvug7p Casting Shadows blog https://castingshadowsblog.com/ Runeslinger YouTube https://youtube.com/runeslinger Sign up now for the BSerCon 3 online convention next month! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tabletop.events/conventions/bser-con-3-online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (sadly not in 3D) Ways to contact me: Google Voice Number for US callers: (540) 445-1145 Speakpipe for international cal...
2023-12-231h 18Casting Shadows
Casting ShadowsOn Mentors and Peers in RPG Learning; with Che WebsterChe Webster of Roleplay Rescue was kind enough to return to the podcast for another exploratory conversation about learning and guiding others in their learning of RPGs. CONTACT the podcast and leave a VOICE MESSAGE ⁠Send a voice message to CastingShadowsPodcast (speakpipe.com)⁠ VISIT the Casting Shadows blog ⁠Casting Shadows | Interactive roleplaying interaction (castingshadowsblog.com)⁠ WATCH Casting Shadows on YouTube ⁠Runeslinger - YouTube⁠ Comments, Call-Ins, Opinions, and References in this episode Podcast – Roleplay Rescue’s Blog
2023-11-271h 34Casting Shadows
Casting ShadowsAttention and the Rabbit Hole Road to "Immersion"The focus on Immersion continues. This episode explores how attention transforms our ability to perceive, receive, conceive, and imagine the imagined situations of our gaming into immersive and engaging experiences. CONTACT the podcast and leave a VOICE MESSAGE Send a voice message to CastingShadowsPodcast (speakpipe.com) VISIT the Casting Shadows blog Casting Shadows | Interactive roleplaying interaction (castingshadowsblog.com) WATCH Casting Shadows on YouTube Runeslinger - YouTube Comments, Call-Ins, Opinions, and References in this episode Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast • A podcast on Spotify for Podcasters The Silv...
2023-11-2643 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsOn the Fragility or Durability of ImmersionThis episode continues our survey of the topic of 'immersion" with the help of a meaty call-in from Safer plus a further look at the notion of examining the focus of attention through a split lens of immersion and engagement. Previous episodes on this topic can be found at links below. In addition, written posts supporting these episodes can be found at the Casting Shadows Blog:https://castingshadowsblog.com/2023/11/12/on-immersion-and-engagement-in-rpg-play/On Immersion and Engagement episode: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/WLHX56euFEbCall-in episode on Immersion: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link...
2023-11-1257 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsHalloween OctOSR from the Highway of MadnessThis episode features a call-in from Jason Hobbs, a recap of our current Call of Cthulhu campaign, and a suggestion for a creepy OSR dungeon experience that is PWYW. Murcanto's Lair: DriveThruRPG - Samwise7RPG Check out the ivanmike1968 YouTube channel for lots of B/X, LotFP, and other RPG goodness... plus BASS guitar stuff~ Check out the Hindsightless podcast for lots of RPG thoughts, recaps, ice cream, cereal taste tests, nature reports, and whatever else Joe has running around in his brain.
2023-10-3123 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsMessages for Runeslinger on the Road!Thanks to our callers, FreeThrall, DarkFluid, Che Webster, Eloy Cintron, Joe Richter, and Jason Connerly. We have messages pertaining to the current topic of Immersion and how it intersects with our cultures and procedures of play. We have a response from Umbramancer to a call from the last episode by Jason. Umbramancer, or Eloy Cintron, was featured in the episode before that. That response connects to our D&D example episode about story as product vs story as by-product. Finally, we have some messages about Ubiquity in general and our recent Hollow Earth Expedition episode in particular. ...
2023-09-241h 11Casting Shadows
Casting ShadowsRuneslinger's Reflections from the Road: On RPGaDAY 2023 and Hollow Earth ExpeditionThanks to our callers, BJ and Jason. Thanks also to everyone who participated in whole or in part in RPGaDAY~ CONTACT ME: [1] Send a voice message to CastingShadowsPodcast (speakpipe.com) [2] Find me on Discord, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube @Runeslinger [3] Ubiquity Roleplaying System Discord https://discord.gg/SDxH9xQDfD
2023-09-141h 00Casting Shadows
Casting ShadowsOn Immersion and Engagement, plus Listener Calls!This episode continues ongoing discussions on theory and technique for roleplaying games. It has a series of calls from Jason of the Nerds RPG Variety Cast to connect us despite the month-long gap introduced by RPGaDAY and other commitments (such as tight editing and writing deadlines for RPG stuff) all the way back through the last few episodes of this season: Sandboxes, Layers of Play (Featuring Che Webster), and a practical example of applying these ideas to our play. This episode extends the conversation more fully into immersion as a topic for discussion and exploration. CONTACT ME: [1] Send a voice...
2023-08-3039 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDAY2023 Days 21 to 31The third of three combined posts for the #RPGaDAY2023 prompts. Find daily responses at https://castingshadowsblog.com For some great flashbacks to Year One, check out autocratik.com and David Chapman's daily posts. Get involved! Download the #RPGaDay2023 prompts infographic from castingshadowsblog.com to explore and share what you love about RPGs! CONTACT ME: [1] Send a voice message to CastingShadowsPodcast (speakpipe.com) [2] Find me on Discord, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube @Runeslinger [3] Ubiquity Roleplaying System Discord https://discord.gg/SDxH9xQDfD Thank you to The Arcane Alienist for the calls!
2023-08-2853 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDAY2023 Days 11 to 20The second of three combined posts for the #RPGaDAY2023 prompts. Find daily responses at https://castingshadowsblog.com Get involved! Download the #RPGaDay2023 prompts infographic from castingshadowsblog.com to explore and share what you love about RPGs! CONTACT ME: [1] Send a voice message to CastingShadowsPodcast (speakpipe.com) [2] Find me on Discord, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube @Runeslinger [3] Ubiquity Roleplaying System Discord https://discord.gg/SDxH9xQDfD
2023-08-2146 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2023 Days 1 to 10Get involved! Download the #RPGaDay2023 prompts infographic from castingshadowsblog.com to explore and share what you love about RPGs! CONTACT ME: [1] Send a voice message to CastingShadowsPodcast (speakpipe.com) [2] Find me on Discord, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube @Runeslinger [3] Ubiquity Roleplaying System Discord https://discord.gg/WgnVvvze
2023-08-0138 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsOn Taming a Lethal Conflict Inside Old School and New School Play [with Umbramancer]This episode has quite a title, doesn't it? It's not hyperbole, but you may have to check out Umbramancer's series on YouTube for the complete picture. With luck, and your kindness, the parts in this episode will make sense. SEGMENTS: [one] an exploratory conversation About lethality As a feature versus story as a feature. Eloy Cintron, known on YouTube as Umbramancer, shares his practical application of all of this theory talk to D&D as we explore the metric by which he assessed my ideas on Layers of and Approaches to Play: Dungeon Crawl Mode vs Story Mode in Dungeons...
2023-07-281h 06Casting Shadows
Casting 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 29Casting Shadows
Casting ShadowsOn Layers and Approaches to RPGsThis is another one of Runeslinger's Reflections from the Road episodes, now replete and complete with rain and hydroplaning! #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=9elxZk6IS4ao4Ni7kaPa9w No Callers were hurt or drowned in the making of this episode. Thanks to Spencer and Jason for their messages! Visit Keep off the Borderlands and the Nerd's RPG Variety Cast...
2023-07-151h 05Casting Shadows
Casting ShadowsOn real and imagined sand: RPG sandboxesBlame it on the rain. Yeah. Yeah. You can interact on these and other gaming topics by sending a voice message via SpeakPipe or sending me a recording via e-mail or Discord. Contact me on Discord You can find me on Discord at Runeslinger#7592 until that platform changes how names work. Contact me by e-mail at runescastshadows at gmail dot com CONTACT ME VIA SPEAKPIPE: https://www.speakpipe.com/CastingShadowsPodcast Guests Appearing in this episode were Jason Connerly of the Nerds RPG Variety Cast, and Joe Richter of Hindsightless. Reference was made to the roleplay rescue podcast and the random...
2023-07-081h 02Roleplay Rescue
Roleplay RescueSparking Creativity With RuneslingerToday I have another of my conversations with a friend within the roleplaying games community. This episode we dipped into talking about sparking creativity with younger students of varying ages - a comparison between my guest’s creative writing courses that utilise roleplaying games and my own school-based RPG club for teens. My guest today is Runeslinger - Anthony Boyd - the creator of Casting Shadows, a blog offering commentary about roleplaying games and techniques for both players and adjudicators. Big thanks up front to my guest - Runeslinger, aka Anthony — for reaching out and asking if we...
2023-06-101h 10Casting Shadows
Casting ShadowsBonus Episode 3: Runeslinger's Recap & Reflections from the Road - More on CorporiaNOTICE: Be sure to check out Roleplay Rescue regularly, or if you are curious what kind of conversation I might have with its host, Che Webster, about roleplaying games and RPG experiences for students, check out the Roleplay Rescue episode due on June 10th, 2023. LINK: Podcast – Roleplay Rescue’s BlogPlease accept my apologies as this episode of the Casting Shadows Podcast was recorded on the road and the audio quality may suffer for it. Our topic is the Corporia RPG by RPG renaissance man Mark Plemmons of Brabblemark Press. His new release, I am...
2023-06-071h 10Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast
Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast450 Spies for Christmas with RuneslingerAnthony aka Runeslinger from the Casting Shadows media empire joins me to talk about espionage games and movies in this special holiday episode. We will return to our regular System Sunday format next week.  Games discussed: Leagues of Adventure (Ubiquity), Delta Green, Bureau 13 Stalking the Night Fantastic, The Laundry Files, Broken Compass, James Bond 007, Classified, Top Secret S.I., Top Secret New World Order Movies/TV discussed: Sandbaggers, Burn Notice, Riley: Ace of Spies, Three Days of the Condor, Spy Game Anthony's Podcast https://anchor.fm/runeslinger  Casting Shadows Blog https://castingshadowsblog.com/  Run...
2022-12-251h 26Casting Shadows
Casting ShadowsBonus Episode 2: Runeslinger's Reflections from the Road - On CorporiaWe take a call from Jason of the Nerd's RPG Variety Cast on Episode 3.19 On Multiple GMs and then describe the launch of a new campaign using Corporia by Brabblemark Press, intended to be mainly run on Discord with some side journeys into Zoom. Casting Shadows Episode 3.19 https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/wxSEDYmnFvb Nerd's RPG Variety Cast Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast • A podcast on Anchor Corporia on DriveThruRPG Corporia RPG - Brabblemark Press | Corporia | DriveThruRPG.com
2022-12-1433 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsBonus Episode 1: Runeslinger's Reflections from the Road - On Play ExperiencesUsing an example from the Halloween Cerebrevore episode, we briefly suggest some ideas about playing for character experience and playing a role in a story~ Nerd's RPG Variety Cast Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast • A podcast on Anchor Cerebrevore: On Serious Horror RPG play https://anchor.fm/cerebrevore/episodes/S1E15-Running-Serious-Horror-TTRPGs-e1pgt0t/a-a8bvo5r Contact me by leaving an anchor voice message: Casting Shadows • A podcast on Anchor Contact me by e-mail at runescastshadows at gmail dot com   CONTACT ME VIA...
2022-12-1135 minNerd’s RPG Variety Cast
Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast437 Thanksgiving Noir with RuneslingerAnthony aka Runeslinger of the Casting Shadows media empire joins me to talk noir movies and games.  You can find Anthony the following places: Blog https://castingshadowsblog.com YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/Runeslinger Podcast https://anchor.fm/runeslinger Bandit’s Keep Actual Play YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@BanditsKeepActualPlay Movies / TV discussed: Roses Are Red (1947) The House on Telegraph Hill (1951) The Lady from Shanghai (1947) Touch of Evil (1958) Key Largo (1948) Double Indemnity (1944) D.O.A. (1950) In a Lonely Place (1950) Magnum P.I. (1980-1988) Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer (1984-1987, 1997-1998) The Despe...
2022-11-2451 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsEpisode 3.18 On Temporal Techniques and Devouring MindsSpinning off from an episode of the Cerebrevore Podcast on the topic of time travel in RPGs wherein I was a panel guest, this episode looks at the notion of metagaming, player skill, and messing with the presentation of time - without resorting to brute force techniques such as the railroad or the quantum ogre. If you would like to reach out to me on this topic or others, you can find me at the following places: Runeslinger (@Runeslinger) / Twitter Runeslinger#7592 on Discord https://castingshadowsblog.com https://youtube.com/runeslinger https://anchor.fm/runeslinger LINKS for this episode! Cerebrevore...
2022-09-1856 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2022 - Day 28 to the EndThis is a compiled post for #RPGaDay2022. You can read versions of these at https://castingshadowsblog.com in daily posts with lots of extras and more context (precious context!) and/or watch a composite posting on Runeslinger, my YouTube channel. Do you want to get involved? Get the infographic with all the questions at https://autocratik.com and leap into this adventure in positivity.   #RPGaDay2022 is part of an annual event now in its 9th year. Links mentioned in the episode: - Down in a Heap • A podcast on Anchor
2022-08-3122 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsEpisode 3.17 Call-ins on Skills and Skill Improvement in BRP and related games~Following on from the previous episode on (My) relationship with Call of Cthulhu, we take two short listener calls from Menion (aka Rob) of the Confessions of a Wee Tim'rous Bushi podcast, who is currently diving deeply into Runequest: Glorantha, and Jason (aka the other Jason) of the Nerd's RPG Variety cast, who continues doubling down on the variety these days with his refreshing breadth of gamer-relevant topics, and stretch them out for almost an hour. Can you survive this gauntlet of game talk?  LINKS: The Previous Episode: https://anchor.fm/runeslinger/episodes/Episode-3-16-On-My-Call-of-Cthulhu-e1mth21/a-a8e5cq2 C...
2022-08-3051 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2022 - Day 22 through 27This is a compiled post for #RPGaDay2022. You can read versions of these at https://castingshadowsblog.com in daily posts with lots of extras and more context (precious context!) and/or watch a composite posting on Runeslinger, my YouTube channel. Do you want to get involved? Get the infographic with all the questions at https://autocratik.com and leap into this adventure in positivity.   #RPGaDay2022 is part of an annual event now in its 9th year. Links mentioned in the episode: - Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast • A podcast on Anchor  - Hinds...
2022-08-2830 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2022 - Call Ins! and Day 15 through 21This is a compiled post for #RPGaDay2022. You can read versions of these at https://castingshadowsblog.com in daily posts with lots of extras and more context (precious context!) and/or watch a composite posting on Runeslinger, my YouTube channel. Do you want to get involved? Get the infographic with all the questions at https://autocratik.com and leap into this adventure in positivity.   #RPGaDay2022 is part of an annual event now in its 9th year. Links mentioned in the episode: - Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast • A podcast on Anchor  - https://anchor...
2022-08-2249 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2022 - Day 8 through 14This is a compiled post for #RPGaDay2022. You can read versions of these at https://castingshadowsblog.com in daily posts with lots of extras and more context (precious context!) and/or watch a composite posting on Runeslinger, my YouTube channel.  Do you want to get involved? Get the infographic with all the questions at https://autocratik.com and leap into this adventure in positivity.   #RPGaDay2022 is part of an annual event now in its 9th year.   Links mentioned in the episode:   - Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast • A podcast...
2022-08-1440 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsEpisode 3.15 Putting the Pulp in our RPGsFeaturing calls from Menion aka Rob from Confessions of a Wee Tim'rous Bushi, Joe Richter of Hindsightless, and Jason of the Nerds RPG Variety Cast, we expand the conversation about pulps and pulp games to address the questions of how some example systems can affect pulp play, group size for fun and pulpiness, and PCs of unequal capabilities. I hope you will join in on the discussion as despite the length of this episode there is still more to dig into~ Links You can reach Runeslinger at gmail via runescastshadows Menion's podcast can...
2022-07-191h 34Casting Shadows
Casting ShadowsEpisode 3.13 Alien, Encouragement, and Immersion - oh my!Please join me as I navigate three very different topics with the help of some kind callers. This episode features calls from hosts of The GMologist Presents, Hindsightless, Spikepit, and Nerd's RPG Variety Cast podcasts. Karl, Joe, Colin, and Jason were kind enough to listen to one or more episodes of this podcast and have called in to give depth and meaning to the conversation. Links to those shows are below. Topic One: Difference between Cinematic and Campaign Modes in Free League's Alien RPG  Topic Two: RPGaDay Call-ins  Topic Three: Im...
2022-06-1144 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsEpisode 3.12 Updates and ImmersionsSections include notes on my appearance on Roundtable Roulette ( https://youtu.be/3PlkIWaajKs ) with Craig Shipman and Seth Skorkowsky, thoughts about the next RPGaDay, more on our ongoing but sometimes interrupted Alien Campaign, and a special focus on the once-again recent and always interesting topic: immersion thanks to an interesting series of observations and call-ins appearing on the Nerds' RPG Variety Cast. Alien Playlist: Alien Actual Play: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZfuKgeD5fl48SdwKEP0m0mbv-BLiQsgd
2022-06-0143 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsEpisode 3.11 On Troupes, Generation Games and Listener Call-ins~Joe of Hindsightless and Karl of the GMologist Presents were kind enough to leave voice messages to which I could respond in part of this episode and then seque into talk about two favorite techniques for RPGs: troupes of characters and games spanning generations of such characters~
2022-04-0236 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsEpisode 3.10A Bonus Content - One Use of Operation: MindcrimeBonus Content - This is a more detailed description of how Queensryche's concept album Operation Mindcrime informed the play of a Mage: The Ascension chronicle in the mid-nineties called Broken Homes. 
2022-03-2845 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsEpisode 3.10 Music in Preparation for Improvisation of RPGsMusic can be a useful tool when playing an RPG, but in my experience, I have found it to be even more useful in preparation for play. in this episode I survey some of the ways I have found to aid my preparation for improvisation with music and playlists. We also touch on, thanks to the interest of The GMologist Presents and Hindsightless podcasts, the use of the incredible Operation: Mindcrime in these pursuits~  Part 1 - Context of using music for Improvisation and Example 1: character playlists  Part 2 - Example 2: Us...
2022-03-2747 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsEpisode 3.9 Three Favored Systems? A contest~The blame for this episode rests squarely on the shoulders of Jason of the Nerd's RPG Variety Cast. If you have not yet given him your thoughts on this matter, please do so now: Contest Links Nerd's RPG Variety Cast Voice Mail link to Nerd's RPG Variety Cast Links from this Episode: System 1   System Details     Campaign Recap       Actual Play Series System 2  System Details      Numerous Actual Play Series (some with annotations) System 3   Actual Play Series (with annotations) The Written Blog:  Casting Shadows         The tie-in post for this episode: Three Favored Systems? A Cont...
2022-02-2331 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsEpisode 3.8 Alien RPG Series, part 7Alienating the Alien. What are some of the elements of Free League's Alien RPG that I find most useful? This episode looks at three: Abstract processing for Detailed outcomes, Conversational Gamespeak, and Layered Consequences. As always, if you would like to communicate with me about the Alien series or any of the other episodes of past seasons of the podcast, you can leave a voice message on Anchor or try runescastshadows at the intersection of g and mail. For a text version (more or less) of this installment, please click here. For the...
2022-02-0929 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsEpisode 3.7: Alien RPG Series, Part 6In this installment of the preparation for improvisation series using Free League's Alien RPG, we give a brief overview of the campaign so far and look at the process of ongoing assessment and analysis of play which makes it easier to shift and react to how play is really going, rather than how we might want it to go.  Blog Version
2021-11-2617 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsEpisode 3.6: [Actual Play] Sky Riders and the Silent OutpostThis is a partial interlude in the Alien RPG series on horror and improvisation in that it is a different example of the use of improvisation toward a specific genre and player-experience goal for atmosphere and context, but unlike Alien, is high adventure pulp heroics in an implausible setting of super-science and derring-do. Some of the techniques are similar, some are identical, and some are divergent from what we have discussed in the series so far.  This session uses one of our favorite systems (Ubiquity) to support a setting of my own invention. I hope that you enjoy it~
2021-11-252h 25Casting Shadows
Casting ShadowsEpisode 3.5 - Alien RPG series, part 5Part 5: Playing the Alien...  On our first session, spontaneous improvisation within an understood framework of in-game and meta goals, and getting going even if not feeling 100% ready. This series of blog, vlog, and pod episodes will explore Alien the Roleplaying Game by Free League from the perspective of preparation for horror and improvisation within the framework of Campaign Mode for Colonial Marines.     Links:  Alien the Roleplaying Game - Rules and Actual Play              The Casting Shadows Blog
2021-09-1428 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsEpisode 3.4 - Alien RPG series, part 4Part 4: Framing the Alien...  On conceptualizing the process of preparation in the context of who the characters are, what the approach to play is, and how those things intersect with the setting and its genre. This series of blog, vlog, and pod episodes will explore Alien the Roleplaying Game by Free League from the perspective of preparation for horror and improvisation within the framework of Campaign Mode for Colonial Marines.   Links: Alien the Roleplaying Game - Rules and Actual Play 
2021-09-0629 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsEpisode 3.3 - Alien RPG series, part 3Part 3: Hearing the Alien...   On description and how it can be approached as a skill for horror gaming. This series of blog, vlog, and pod episodes will explore Alien the Roleplaying Game by Free League from the perspective of preparation for horror and improvisation within the framework of Campaign Mode for Colonial Marines.       Links:   Choice of Voice Where I can be found: Casting Shadows Blog  YouTube Channel: Runeslinger
2021-09-0325 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsEpisode 3.2 - Alien RPG series, part 2Part 2: Feeding the Alien - On character and the two modes to enjoy them with in this game. This series of blog, vlog, and pod episodes will explore Alien the Roleplaying Game by Free League from the perspective of preparation for horror and improvisation within the framework of Campaign Mode for Colonial Marines.     Links:   Discomfort, Fear, Terror, and Vast Cosmic Horror, on a dime a day~ On Genre Being Rule Zero Where I can be found: Casting Shadows Blog YouTube Channel: Runeslinger
2021-09-0215 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsEpisode 3.1 - Alien RPG series, part 1Part 1: Embracing the Alien - on the choice of a horror game and how to implement it. This series of blog, vlog, and pod episodes will explore Alien the Roleplaying Game by Free League from the perspective of preparation for horror and improvisation within the framework of Campaign Mode for Colonial Marines. Links: 1. Tabletop Talk: Interview with Andrew E.C. Gaska 2. Conscience in Gaming 3. Conscientious Gamers Where I can be found: Casting Shadows Blog YouTube Channel: Runeslinger
2021-09-0117 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2021 - Day 31 - Thank#RPGaDay is the brainchild of David "Autocratik" Chapman (Dr. Who RPG, WILD RPG, etc) and co-hosted by Anthony "Runeslinger" Boyd, which for the past 8 years has been striving to help frame the month of August as a scene of positivity and sharing about Roleplaying Games. Each of the 31 days of August has its own prompt to serve as a spark of praise about this hobby we who have made it a part of our lives would like to share. The prompt for today is Thank. READ the Casting Shadows Blog instead. Example: Thanks for the character of Nightsky Whispers
2021-08-3110 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2021 - Day 30 - Mention#RPGaDay is the brainchild of David "Autocratik" Chapman (Dr. Who RPG, WILD RPG, etc) and co-hosted by Anthony "Runeslinger" Boyd, which for the past 8 years has been striving to help frame the month of August as a scene of positivity and sharing about Roleplaying Games. Each of the 31 days of August has its own prompt to serve as a spark of praise about this hobby we who have made it a part of our lives would like to share. The prompt for today is Mention. READ the Casting Shadows Blog instead. Example:  Telling Other Peoples' T...
2021-08-3014 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2021 - Day 29 - System#RPGaDay is the brainchild of David "Autocratik" Chapman (Dr. Who RPG, WILD RPG, etc) and co-hosted by Anthony "Runeslinger" Boyd, which for the past 8 years has been striving to help frame the month of August as a scene of positivity and sharing about Roleplaying Games. Each of the 31 days of August has its own prompt to serve as a spark of praise about this hobby we who have made it a part of our lives would like to share. The prompt for today is System. READ the Casting Shadows Blog instead. Example: 1. Thorough...
2021-08-2908 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2021 - Day 28 - Dream#RPGaDay is the brainchild of David "Autocratik" Chapman (Dr. Who RPG, WILD RPG, etc) and co-hosted by Anthony "Runeslinger" Boyd, which for the past 8 years has been striving to help frame the month of August as a scene of positivity and sharing about Roleplaying Games. Each of the 31 days of August has its own prompt to serve as a spark of praise about this hobby we who have made it a part of our lives would like to share. The prompt for today is Dream. READ the Casting Shadows Blog instead. Example: Leagues of Cthulhu...
2021-08-2808 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2021 - Day 26 - Fraction#RPGaDay is the brainchild of David "Autocratik" Chapman (Dr. Who RPG, WILD RPG, etc) and co-hosted by Anthony "Runeslinger" Boyd, which for the past 8 years has been striving to help frame the month of August as a scene of positivity and sharing about Roleplaying Games. Each of the 31 days of August has its own prompt to serve as a spark of praise about this hobby we who have made it a part of our lives would like to share. The prompt for today is Fraction. READ the Casting Shadows Blog instead. Example: Below is a...
2021-08-2710 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2021 - Day 26 - Theory#RPGaDay is the brainchild of David "Autocratik" Chapman (Dr. Who RPG, WILD RPG, etc) and co-hosted by Anthony "Runeslinger" Boyd, which for the past 8 years has been striving to help frame the month of August as a scene of positivity and sharing about Roleplaying Games. Each of the 31 days of August has its own prompt to serve as a spark of praise about this hobby we who have made it a part of our lives would like to share. The prompt for today is Theory. READ the Casting Shadows Blog instead. Example: Star Trek Adventures...
2021-08-2608 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2021 - Day 25 - Tradition#RPGaDay is the brainchild of David "Autocratik" Chapman (Dr. Who RPG, WILD RPG, etc) and co-hosted by Anthony "Runeslinger" Boyd, which for the past 8 years has been striving to help frame the month of August as a scene of positivity and sharing about Roleplaying Games. Each of the 31 days of August has its own prompt to serve as a spark of praise about this hobby we who have made it a part of our lives would like to share. The prompt for today is Tradition. READ the Casting Shadows Blog instead. Example: All for One...
2021-08-2508 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2021 - Day 24 - Solve#RPGaDay is the brainchild of David "Autocratik" Chapman (Dr. Who RPG, WILD RPG, etc) and co-hosted by Anthony "Runeslinger" Boyd, which for the past 8 years has been striving to help frame the month of August as a scene of positivity and sharing about Roleplaying Games. Each of the 31 days of August has its own prompt to serve as a spark of praise about this hobby we who have made it a part of our lives would like to share. The prompt for today is Solve. READ the Casting Shadows Blog instead. Example 1:  A Friend in N...
2021-08-2411 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2021 - Day 23 - MemoryFor #RPGaDay2021: A memory and a note to remember a game about memories and being memorable. #RPGaDay is the brainchild of David "Autocratik" Chapman (Dr. Who RPG, WILD RPG, etc) and co-hosted by Anthony "Runeslinger" Boyd, which for the past 8 years has been striving to help frame the month of August as a scene of positivity and sharing about Roleplaying Games. Each of the 31 days of August has its own prompt to serve as a spark of praise about this hobby we who have made it a part of our lives would like to share. The prompt...
2021-08-2308 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2021 - Day 22 - Substitute#RPGaDay is the brainchild of David "Autocratik" Chapman (Dr. Who RPG, WILD RPG, etc) and co-hosted by Anthony "Runeslinger" Boyd, which for the past 8 years has been striving to help frame the month of August as a scene of positivity and sharing about Roleplaying Games. Each of the 31 days of August has its own prompt to serve as a spark of praise about this hobby we who have made it a part of our lives would like to share. The prompt for today is Substitute. READ the Casting Shadows Blog instead. Example: Broken Compass Part 2...
2021-08-2206 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2021 - Day 21 - Challenge#RPGaDay is the brainchild of David "Autocratik" Chapman (Dr. Who RPG, WILD RPG, etc) and co-hosted by Anthony "Runeslinger" Boyd, which for the past 8 years has been striving to help frame the month of August as a scene of positivity and sharing about Roleplaying Games. Each of the 31 days of August has its own prompt to serve as a spark of praise about this hobby we who have made it a part of our lives would like to share. The prompt for today is Challenge.  READ the Casting Shadows Blog instead.   Example: Th...
2021-08-2110 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2021 - Day 20 - Ally#RPGaDay is the brainchild of David "Autocratik" Chapman (Dr. Who RPG, WILD RPG, etc) and co-hosted by Anthony "Runeslinger" Boyd, which for the past 8 years has been striving to help frame the month of August as a scene of positivity and sharing about Roleplaying Games. Each of the 31 days of August has its own prompt to serve as a spark of praise about this hobby we who have made it a part of our lives would like to share. The prompt for today is Ally. READ the Casting Shadows Blog instead. Example:  Homecoming - A Tale o...
2021-08-2014 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2021 - Day 19 - Theme#RPGaDay is the brainchild of David "Autocratik" Chapman (Dr. Who RPG, WILD RPG, etc) and co-hosted by Anthony "Runeslinger" Boyd, which for the past 8 years has been striving to help frame the month of August as a scene of positivity and sharing about Roleplaying Games. Each of the 31 days of August has its own prompt to serve as a spark of praise about this hobby we who have made it a part of our lives would like to share. The prompt for today is Duel. READ the Casting Shadows Blog instead. Example:   Star Trek Adventures R...
2021-08-1909 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2021 - Day 18 - Duel#RPGaDay is the brainchild of David "Autocratik" Chapman (Dr. Who RPG, WILD RPG, etc) and co-hosted by Anthony "Runeslinger" Boyd, which for the past 8 years has been striving to help frame the month of August as a scene of positivity and sharing about Roleplaying Games. Each of the 31 days of August has its own prompt to serve as a spark of praise about this hobby we who have made it a part of our lives would like to share. The prompt for today is Duel. READ the Casting Shadows Blog instead. Example: All for One...
2021-08-1810 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2021 - Day 17 - Nemesis#RPGaDay is the brainchild of David "Autocratik" Chapman (Dr. Who RPG, WILD RPG, etc) and co-hosted by Anthony "Runeslinger" Boyd, which for the past 8 years has been striving to help frame the month of August as a scene of positivity and sharing about Roleplaying Games. Each of the 31 days of August has its own prompt to serve as a spark of praise about this hobby we who have made it a part of our lives would like to share. The prompt for today is Nemesis. READ the Casting Shadows Blog instead. Example: All for One...
2021-08-1708 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2021 - Day 16 - Move#RPGaDay is the brainchild of David "Autocratik" Chapman (Dr. Who RPG, WILD RPG, etc) and co-hosted by Anthony "Runeslinger" Boyd, which for the past 8 years has been striving to help frame the month of August as a scene of positivity and sharing about Roleplaying Games. Each of the 31 days of August has its own prompt to serve as a spark of praise about this hobby we who have made it a part of our lives would like to share. The prompt for today is Move. READ the Casting Shadows Blog instead. Example:  Circle of Hands...
2021-08-1615 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2021 - Day 15 - Supplement#RPGaDay is the brainchild of David "Autocratik" Chapman (Dr. Who RPG, WILD RPG, etc) and co-hosted by Anthony "Runeslinger" Boyd, which for the past 8 years has been striving to help frame the month of August as a scene of positivity and sharing about Roleplaying Games. Each of the 31 days of August has its own prompt to serve as a spark of praise about this hobby we who have made it a part of our lives would like to share. The prompt for today is Supplement. READ the Casting Shadows Blog instead. Example: Mythras...
2021-08-1512 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2021 - Day 14 - LimitsPlease accept my apologies for the reduced audio quality of this installment. Ironically, scheduling had me in situations where I had even less control than usual over my surroundings. #RPGaDay is the brainchild of David "Autocratik" Chapman (Dr. Who RPG, WILD RPG, etc) and co-hosted by Anthony "Runeslinger" Boyd, which for the past 8 years has been striving to help frame the month of August as a scene of positivity and sharing about Roleplaying Games. Each of the 31 days of August has its own prompt to serve as a spark of praise about this hobby we who have made it...
2021-08-1414 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2021 - Day 13 - DOOM#RPGaDay is the brainchild of David "Autocratik" Chapman (Dr. Who RPG, WILD RPG, etc) and co-hosted by Anthony "Runeslinger" Boyd, which for the past 8 years has been striving to help frame the month of August as a scene of positivity and sharing about Roleplaying Games. Each of the 31 days of August has its own prompt to serve as a spark of praise about this hobby we who have made it a part of our lives would like to share. The prompt for today is DOOM. READ the Casting Shadows Blog instead. Example: The...
2021-08-1310 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2021 - Day 12 - Consensus#RPGaDay is the brainchild of David "Autocratik" Chapman (Dr. Who RPG, WILD RPG, etc) and co-hosted by Anthony "Runeslinger" Boyd, which for the past 8 years has been striving to help frame the month of August as a scene of positivity and sharing about Roleplaying Games. Each of the 31 days of August has its own prompt to serve as a spark of praise about this hobby we who have made it a part of our lives would like to share. The prompt for today is Consensus. READ the Casting Shadows Blog instead. Example: All...
2021-08-1209 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2021 - Day 11 - Heavy#RPGaDay is the brainchild of David "Autocratik" Chapman (Dr. Who RPG, WILD RPG, etc) and co-hosted by Anthony "Runeslinger" Boyd, which for the past 8 years has been striving to help frame the month of August as a scene of positivity and sharing about Roleplaying Games. Each of the 31 days of August has its own prompt to serve as a spark of praise about this hobby we who have made it a part of our lives would like to share. The prompt for today is Heavy. READ the Casting Shadows Blog instead. Examples: Toward...
2021-08-1109 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2021 - Day 10 - Conscience#RPGaDay is the brainchild of David "Autocratik" Chapman (Dr. Who RPG, WILD RPG, etc) and co-hosted by Anthony "Runeslinger" Boyd, which for the past 8 years has been striving to help frame the month of August as a scene of positivity and sharing about Roleplaying Games. Each of the 31 days of August has its own prompt to serve as a spark of praise about this hobby we who have made it a part of our lives would like to share. The prompt for today is Conscience. READ the Casting Shadows Blog instead. Examples: Death...
2021-08-1006 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2021 - Day 9 - Medium#RPGaDay is the brainchild of David "Autocratik" Chapman (Dr. Who RPG, WILD RPG, etc) and co-hosted by Anthony "Runeslinger" Boyd, which for the past 8 years has been striving to help frame the month of August as a scene of positivity and sharing about Roleplaying Games. Each of the 31 days of August has its own prompt to serve as a spark of praise about this hobby we who have made it a part of our lives would like to share. The prompt for today is Medium. READ the Casting Shadows Blog instead. Examples: The...
2021-08-0910 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2021 - Day 8 - Stream#RPGaDay is the brainchild of David "Autocratik" Chapman (Dr. Who RPG, WILD RPG, etc) and co-hosted by Anthony "Runeslinger" Boyd, which for the past 8 years has been striving to help frame the month of August as a scene of positivity and sharing about Roleplaying Games. Each of the 31 days of August has its own prompt to serve as a spark of praise about this hobby we who have made it a part of our lives would like to share. The prompt for today is Stream. READ the Casting Shadows Blog instead. Examples: Seeking...
2021-08-0808 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2021 - Day 7 - Small#RPGaDay is the brainchild of David "Autocratik" Chapman (Dr. Who RPG, WILD RPG, etc) and co-hosted by Anthony "Runeslinger" Boyd, which for the past 8 years has been striving to help frame the month of August as a scene of positivity and sharing about Roleplaying Games. Each of the 31 days of August has its own prompt to serve as a spark of praise about this hobby we who have made it a part of our lives would like to share. The prompt for today is SMALL. READ the Casting Shadows Blog instead. Examples: 1. Leagues...
2021-08-0709 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2021 - Day 6 - Chase#RPGaDay is the brainchild of David "Autocratik" Chapman (Dr. Who RPG, WILD RPG, etc) and co-hosted by Anthony "Runeslinger" Boyd, which for the past 8 years has been striving to help frame the month of August as a scene of positivity and sharing about Roleplaying Games. Each of the 31 days of August has its own prompt to serve as a spark of praise about this hobby we who have made it a part of our lives would like to share. The prompt for today is chase. READ the Casting Shadows Blog instead. Example: The Mystique of...
2021-08-0612 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2021 - Day 5 - Gamble#RPGaDay is the brainchild of David "Autocratik" Chapman (Dr. Who RPG, WILD RPG, etc) and co-hosted by Anthony "Runeslinger" Boyd, which for the past 8 years has been striving to help frame the month of August as a scene of positivity and sharing about Roleplaying Games. Each of the 31 days of August has its own prompt to serve as a spark of praise about this hobby we who have made it a part of our lives would like to share. The prompt for today is gamble.   READ the Casting Shadows Blog instead.   Examples of Play: Leagues of Adventure: The Sky Is No...
2021-08-0509 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2021 - Day 4 - Weapon#RPGaDay is the brainchild of David "Autocratik" Chapman (Dr. Who RPG, WILD RPG, etc) and co-hosted by Anthony "Runeslinger" which for the past 8 years has been striving to help frame the month of August as a scene of positivity and sharing about Roleplaying Games. Each of the 31 days of August has its own prompt to serve as a spark of praise about this hobby we who have made it a part of our lives would like to share. The prompt for today is Weapon. READ this entry (with bonus material?) on the Casting Shadows Blog ...
2021-08-0409 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2021 - Day 3 - Image#RPGaDay is the brainchild of David "Autocratik" Chapman (Dr. Who RPG, WILD RPG, etc) and co-hosted by Anthony "Runeslinger" which for the past 8 years has been striving to help frame the month of August as a scene of positivity and sharing about Roleplaying Games. Each of the 31 days of August has its own prompt to serve as a spark of praise about this hobby we who have made it a part of our lives would like to share. The prompt for today is Image.   READ the response on the Casting Shadows Blog instead Example of P...
2021-08-0315 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2021 - Day 2 - Plan#RPGaDay is the brainchild of David "Autocratik" Chapman (Dr. Who RPG, WILD RPG, etc) and co-hosted by Anthony "Runeslinger" which for the past 8 years has been striving to help frame the month of August as a scene of positivity and sharing about Roleplaying Games. Each of the 31 days of August has its own prompt to serve as a spark of praise about this hobby we who have made it a part of our lives would like to share. The prompt for today is Plan. READ the Casting Shadows Blog instead. Examples of Play: 1. Age...
2021-08-0212 minCasting Shadows
Casting Shadows#RPGaDay2021 - Day 1 - Scenario#RPGaDay is the brainchild of David "Autocratik" Chapman (Dr. Who RPG, WILD RPG, etc) and co-hosted by Anthony "Runeslinger" which for the past 8 years has been striving to help frame the month of August as a scene of positivity and sharing about Roleplaying Games. Each of the 31 days of August has its own prompt to serve as a spark of praise about this hobby we who have made it a part of our lives would like to share. The prompt for today is Scenario. Read this entry (with bonus material?) on the Casting Shadows Blog: https://wp...
2021-08-0113 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsEpisode 1.12: On Playing on Multiple LevelsUsing Star Trek Adventures as a point of reference, this episode looks at stepping a way from the skill of making judgement calls without oversight (using fiat) and toward the enjoyment which arises from the use of tools which challenge how and when you can interact with the objective truths of the campaign~
2021-01-0416 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsEpisode 1.11: On Playing ProactivelyBuilding on a blog post from 2011, this episode looks at three barriers that can be overcome to clear the road for more proactive play. 
2020-12-0729 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsEpisode 1.10: On 'Story'What does it mean to participate in a roleplaying game? Is it 'to play a character?' or 'to tell a story?' or is it 'to play a character in a story?' Something else? This episode looks at that word 'story' and poses some questions on play, our intentions, and how our actions - intentional or not - shape the outcomes and limit what outcomes are even possible~
2020-11-1119 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsEpisode 1.9: Corruption and 'You'Based loosely on a blog post from November of 2010 called Corruption - the other white meat, this episode explores notions of character change, largely through the example of moral corruption. The concept is connected to games like Pendragon, the old World of Darkness series (particularly Vampire and Wraith), and to Leagues of Gothic Horror and its meaner cousin Leagues of Cthulhu. This episode builds on notions expressed in the preceding two episodes (Episode 7: On Facilitating Fear and Episode 8: Can I Play SANs Madness...?) UPDATE: August 3, 2021 - A voice message and my response has been added to this episode...
2020-10-2633 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsEpisode 1.8: Can I Play SANs Madness?Not all games choose to reinforce frightening or horrific elements with mechanisms of play. In some games, to do so would interfere with the smooth operation of both system and player imagination of the characters appropriate to the fiction such games produce. Some games, however, can be enhanced with the inclusion, from a roleplaying perspective, of such fears and how the characters face them. With a brief look at Leagues of Gothic Horror and Leagues of Cthulhu for contrast, this 8th episode of the Casting Shadows podcast takes a deep look at the characters of Triple Ace Games' All for...
2020-10-2035 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsEpisode 1.7: On Facilitating FearBroaching the subject of rhttps://anchor.fm/runeslinger/episodes/Episode-3-1---Alien-RPG-series--part-1-e16obdpoleplaying games focused on emotional reactions of self-protection, we take some broad examples such as Call of Cthulhu and FFG's Star Wars Roleplaying to get things going. We look at two shades of this disquieting emotion: Horror and Fear. We look at how our two example games invoke it mechanically, and what we as players can do to facilitate more than a hat tip to the reaction the character is experiencing. This episode covers a lot of ground, digs up a few graves, kicks in a...
2020-10-1948 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsEpisode 1.6: Sky Riders and the Mist Pirates - A Venus Chronicles SerialHave you ever been suddenly contacted in the middle of your night to play a game? My friends have grown to expect such things. What follows in this episode is an Actual Play recording from June of 2019 where I thrust two trusting and clever players into the toxic mists of an alien world in the role of Venusian Lancers - bearers of the Lancers' Lightning Blades and famed Riders in the Sky! Come with me now to an age of danger, betrayal, and high-flying adventure, in a Venus that never was, but should have been~
2020-10-081h 54Casting Shadows
Casting ShadowsEpisode 1.5: On "What is a Roleplaying Game?!"Like the previous episodes so far, this was drawn from thoughts from the distant past, but which have not been shared widely and publicly until now. That's right, the release date of both the article and podcast are the same - October 7th 2020 - but reaching back in time to the mid-eighties and a small town where playing an RPG was pretty much the only good thing. 
2020-10-0724 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsEpisode 1.4: On Cracking Open the Skull of EvilThis practical post of three specific tips for villains in an RPG was originally posted in response to a blog Carnival prompt on 'How to think like a villain.' Using examples from Actual Play which are accessible on the written blog, this post lays out simple means of getting into the heads of characters in your setting and seeing where that takes you in terms of villainy~
2020-10-0727 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsEpisode 1.3: On Genre being Rule 0This post relates an idea which appeared in written and video form in 2013, as an expression of earlier and less specific ideas. Genre is Rule 0 is a set of posts which have proven to be of more use and be more relevant to my RPG conversations than almost anything else. As such, I think it is a good idea to include in the introductory posts of this podcast. Also, taking a cue from Ron Edwards, I reclaim some preferred jargon from the discard pile and reconnect this functional piece of theory with an ambiguous but possibly helpful term: idiom...
2020-10-0730 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsEpisode 1.2: On Character PoisoningThis is the second of five introductory episodes. On a notion put forward in 2011 on the written blog, this episode examines both the post and the idea of character poisoning. This is a look at a potential source of dissatisfaction in play, rooted in unintentional conflict between system, setting, fellow players, and/or the character concept~
2020-10-0716 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsEpisode 1.1: On Premature ImaginationIn this first of five introductory episodes to this podcast, 2010 meets 2020 as an early but somewhat important post from the written blog is shared with commentary. The post deals generally with culture of play and the difference between rules and procedure, while going into specifics on an effect of going against a necessary order of operations in play, and an influence on our imagination~
2020-10-0720 minCasting Shadows
Casting ShadowsCasting Shadows (Trailer)
2020-10-0600 minTABLETOP TALK - Third Floor Wars
TABLETOP TALK - Third Floor WarsAnthony Boyd (Runeslinger) - ep. 88Join Craig as he sits down and talks with Anthony Boyd (Runeslinger on YouTube) about role-playing games.  He goes in-depth on the past, present and future of RPGs.  He gives practical and valuable advice for new and experienced players.   Check out Anthony's amazing videos here: https://www.youtube.com/user/Runeslinger Support us on Patreon!: https://www.patreon.com/Thirdfloorwars The best tokens are at Customeeple.com - use the promo code ThirdFloorFriend for a 5% discount on everything except retail products and playmat. Support us (and get the best mats in the business) at Mats by Mars and get 10% off you...
2020-08-251h 29