Shows
fictoplasm111.18: Die HardAdvent day 18: Die Hard Music Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com // bandcamp // instagram // youtube
2022-12-1810 min
fictoplasm111.17: MillenniumAdvent day 17: Millennium Music Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com // bandcamp // instagram // youtube
2022-12-1711 min
fictoplasm111.16: Planetary by Warren EllisAdvent day 16: Planetary by Warren Ellis Music Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com // bandcamp // instagram // youtube
2022-12-1710 min
fictoplasm111.15: A Very Peculiar PracticeAdvent day 15: A Very Peculiar Practice Music Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com // bandcamp // instagram // youtube
2022-12-1513 min
fictoplasm111.14: Dark Matter/KilljoysAdvent day 14: Dark Matter and Killjoys (inspired by listening to the end episode of the Frankenstein’s RPG podcast — here) Music Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com // bandcamp // instagram // youtube
2022-12-1411 min
fictoplasm111.13: AppleseedAdvent day 13: Appleseed by Masamune Shirow Music Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com // bandcamp // instagram // youtube
2022-12-1313 min
fictoplasm111.12: Thief the Dark ProjectAdvent day 12: Thief the Dark Project Music Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com // bandcamp // instagram // youtube
2022-12-1215 min
fictoplasm111.11: City by P. D. SmithAdvent day 11: City, a guidebook for the urban age by P.D. Smith find out more here Music Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com // bandcamp // instagram // youtube
2022-12-1111 min
fictoplasm111.10: UltravioletAdvent calendar day 10: Ultraviolet (TV series, 1998 with Jack Davenport, Idris Elba, Suzannah Harker) Music Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com // bandcamp // instagram // youtube
2022-12-1012 min
fictoplasm111.9: Sapphire and Steel by Big FinishAdvent calendar day 9: Sapphire and Steel audio plays by Big Finish The image I used is from Andrew Orton’s site, who created several covers for the first series (see this page) and has some other interesting pages (I love the Minimalist Dr Who graphics) Music Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com // bandcamp //…Read more 111.9: Sapphire and Steel by Big Finish
2022-12-0914 min
fictoplasm111.8: Scott PilgrimAdvent calendar day 8: Scott Pilgrim by Brian Lee O’Malley Music Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com // bandcamp // instagram // youtube
2022-12-0811 min
fictoplasm111.7: Joseph Campbell’s Hero with a Thousand FacesAdvent day 7: Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey and Dan Harmon’s Story Cycle (plus Christopher Vogler) Links, etc. This is Dan Harmon’s story circle (graphic from https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/dan-harmon-story-circle/) And here’s a cycle I noted for Beyond the Wall where “Order” is the Village and “Chaos” is Beyond the Wall from here (old DepartmentV site, bit of a…Read more 111.7: Joseph Campbell’s Hero with a Thousand Faces
2022-12-0713 min
fictoplasm111.6: the Books of Abarat by Clive BarkerAdvent 6: the Books of Abarat by Clive Barker Music Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com // bandcamp // instagram // youtube
2022-12-0611 min
fictoplasm111.5: Paper GirlsAdvent day 5: Paper Girls by Brian K Vaughan and Cliff Chiang Music Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com // bandcamp // instagram // youtube
2022-12-0513 min
Frankenstein's RPGSeries 2 Episode 11 - Quo Vadis? But not Victor Mature.This episode we're mob handed!
We have the two Pauls and giants of game design @PaulFricker and @TheTweedmeister
Fictoplasms very own Ralph Lovegrove @fictoplasm, Cartographer @JimjimTheGrim the inimitable @mcookie123 as well as debutantes @nanoukcakabra and @huwbowen - so Paul, Paul, Ralph, Jim, Martin, Nouk and Huw all terribly shy and quiescent.
Links to Good Friends of Jackson Elias - https://blasphemoustomes.com/
The awesome Rivers of London game: https://www.chaosium.com/rivers-of-london-the-roleplaying-game-pdf/
Dr Mitch's prodigious work: https://www.modiphius.net/collections/vendors?q=Paul%20Mitchener
Ralph's...
2022-12-041h 52
fictoplasm111.4: TenetAdvent calendar day 4: TENET, entropy and time travel Music Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com // bandcamp // instagram // youtube
2022-12-0411 min
fictoplasm111.3: White Fang by Jack LondonAdvent calendar day 3: White Fang by Jack London. Animals, their gods and gods’ laws. Music Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com // bandcamp // instagram // youtube
2022-12-0312 min
fictoplasm111.2: Cordwainer Smith’s Instrumentality of MankindAdvent calendar day 2: space travel in the universe of Cordwainer Smith’s Instrumentality of Mankind space travel // sacrifice // journeys // closed environments Music Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com // bandcamp // instagram // youtube
2022-12-0217 min
fictoplasm111.1: The Satanic Verses by Salman RushdieOn day 1 of the advent calendar I ramble about The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie magical realism // hooks // nested stories // metamorphosis // Nephilim RPG Music Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com // bandcamp // instagram // youtube
2022-12-0116 min
fictoplasmEpisode 111: The Fictoplasm Advent CalendarThis is the Fictoplasm Advent Calendar. I’ll update this post with links to each new episode! Mmm, jingle bells. Episodes None yet… Music Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com // bandcamp // instagram // youtube
2022-12-0101 min
Frankenstein's RPGEpisode 4 Series 2 - Combat and who is going first???Thanks everyone for downloading the episode - am joined by Ralph, Paul, Lee and Martin to look at Combat and Initiative and boy do we mention lots of games! The links below will take you to our affiliate programme on DrivethruRPG so if you do feel like purchasing any of the games we also get a few sheckles to off-set the cost of ME buying all the games! So thank you.
Don't forget Paul can be found on the Good Friends of Jackson Elias podcast https://blasphemoustomes.com/ and Ralph on Fictoplasm http://www.fictoplasm.net/ both...
2022-04-231h 28
fictoplasm110: Breakers (and other time loops)Breakers — Saving Harper Ross (dir. Chason Laing) TV Tropes: Time Loops image credit Introduction 00:07 // Synopsis 01:00 (book and film) // Other media and time loops 08:45 (Groundhog Day, Edge of Tomorrow, Palm Springs, Before I Fall, Russian Doll) // Remarks 14:17 (insiders and outsiders, organising the day, end of the day) //…Read more 110: Breakers (and other time loops)
2022-02-2731 min
fictoplasm109: The Running Man by Richard BachmanThe Running Man by Richard Bachman (Stephen King) The Running Man (starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, directed by Paul Michael Glaser) Introduction 00:07 // Synopsis 01:40 (book and film) // Remarks 13:11 (scope, legality, arena, timeframe, higher authority; games commission, hunters, runners, the underground; playing — sandbox, sprint/night witches versions) // Media 31:51 (Series 7: The Contenders;…Read more 109: The Running Man by Richard Bachman
2022-02-0736 min
fictoplasm108: Finn Family Moomintroll by Tove Jansson (Patron’s Choice)Finn Family Moomintroll by Tove Jannson The Map! Intro 00.07 // Synopsis 01.33 // Remarks 13.33 (OSR modules; OSR branding vs. mainstream RPGs; sandboxes, internal consistency, ecology, liminal spaces) // Media 33.11 (Fear of a Black Dragon Gardens of Ynn, Hilda, Tequendria and other OSR titles) // Thanks 35.35 Patreon Support this podcast on The…Read more 108: Finn Family Moomintroll by Tove Jansson (Patron’s Choice)
2022-01-1836 min
fictoplasm107: Children of Dune by Frank HerbertChildren of Dune by Frank Herbert Children of Dune (TV Miniseries) (Image is of the Gerry Grace cover for Children of Dune) Intro 00:07 // Synopsis 01:15 // Remarks 26:51 (narrative transformation of Fremen and House Atreides, Pharaonic Imperium, The Hero’s Journey and the Monomyth, agency in an established timeline) // Media 39:32 Patreon Support…Read more 107: Children of Dune by Frank Herbert
2022-01-0643 min
2022-01-0101 min
fictoplasm106: Dune Messiah by Frank HerbertDune Messiah by Frank Herbert Children of Dune (TV Miniseries) (image source: isfdb.org) Intro 00:07 // Synopsis 01:39 // Remarks 13:21 (humans as special weapons, Bene Gesserit and Bene Tleilax, shapers and mechanists, law and chaos, changing face of Arrakis, plot structure and pacing, noble houses under siege) // Media 30:12 Patreon Support this podcast…Read more 106: Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert
2021-12-2433 min
The GROGNARD FilesExtra – Dirk and Blythy grogMEET Frankenstein (with Ian Cooper and Paul Fricker)Dave Paterson hosts Frankenstein’s RPG with Dirk, Blythy, Paul and Ian
Welcome to another extra all about this year’s GROGMEET. This time it includes a live recording made at Fan Boy Three.
Frankenstein’s RPG podcast has been pulling together the best bits of role-playing games this year to produce an epic monster of a game. We got together to decide which would be the best supplement to support the game.
You can catch up with the Frankenstein’s RPG over at anchor.
Also in this extra podcast, I give a personal...
2021-11-221h 09
The GROGNARD FilesExtra – Dirk and Blythy grogMEET Frankenstein (with Ian Cooper and Paul Fricker)Dave Paterson hosts Frankenstein’s RPG with Dirk, Blythy, Paul and Ian
Welcome to another extra all about this year’s GROGMEET. This time it includes a live recording made at Fan Boy Three.
Frankenstein’s RPG podcast has been pulling together the best bits of role-playing games this year to produce an epic monster of a game. We got together to decide which would be the best supplement to support the game.
You can catch up with the Frankenstein’s RPG over at anchor.
Also in this extra podcast, I give a personal...
2021-11-221h 09
fictoplasm105: Dune by Frank HerbertDune by Frank Herbert Dune (1984 film) directed by David Lynch Frank Herbert’s Dune (TV miniseries) Dune (2021 film) directed by Denis Villeneuve Intro 00:07 // Synopsis 01:47 // Extra 20:17 // Remarks 26:06 (transhumanism, worms as dragons, ecological mysteries) // Media 36:39 (screen versions, best actors, RPGs) Patreon Support this podcast on The Fictoplasm…Read more 105: Dune by Frank Herbert
2021-11-2150 min
fictoplasm104: Interview with Frances HardingeI’m interviewing Frances Hardinge! We talk about her novels including The Lie Tree and A Face Like Glass, her ideas and characters, unreliable landscapes, closed communities and islands, literary influences, and ghost stories. 00:06 preamble 01:02 Frances’ fiction (The Lie Tree, A Face Like Glass, research inc. cheese making) 21:56 Literary influences (and ghost stories…Read more 104: Interview with Frances Hardinge
2021-10-3158 min
fictoplasm103: Verdigris Deep by Frances HardingeVerdigris Deep by Frances Hardinge Intro 00:06 // Synopsis 01:00 // Remarks 10:21 (small communities, NPCs’ desires, surprise powers and downsides, the spirit world) // Media 19:58 (Amelie, Wonderfalls, Touch, Joan of Arcadia) Patreon Support this podcast on The Fictoplasm Patreon! Music Credits Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com // bandcamp // instagram // youtube…Read more 103: Verdigris Deep by Frances Hardinge
2021-10-3124 min
fictoplasm102: A Nomad of the Time Streams by Michael Moorcock (Eternal Champion vol 6)A Nomad of the Time Streams by Michael Moorcock (Millenium edition 1993, ISBN 1-85798-033-6) Intro 00:06 // Cover by Mark Reeve 01:20 // Foreword 02:12 // Synopsis 05:09 (The Warlord of the Air 06:37, The Land Leviathan 12:45, The Steel Tsar 19:27) // Remarks 24:37 (temporal adventurers, politics) // Place in the sequence 37:43 Patreon…Read more 102: A Nomad of the Time Streams by Michael Moorcock (Eternal Champion vol 6)
2021-10-2241 min
fictoplasm101: Luther Arkwright by Brian TalbotThe Adventures of Luther Arkwright by Brian Talbot (including Heart of Empire) Big Finish audio adaption with David Tennant, Siri O’Neal, Paul Darrow Luther Arkwright RPG by the Design Mechanism (see Reviews from R’lyeh take here) Imagine Magazine issue 14 Intro 00:06 // Synopsis 03:24 (The Adventures of Luther Arkwright, Heart of Empire) // Remarks…Read more 101: Luther Arkwright by Brian Talbot
2021-09-2439 min
fictoplasm100: The Invisibles by Grant MorrisonThe Invisibles (volume 1) by Grant Morrison Intro 00:06 // Synopsis of volume 1 01:48 // Remarks 20:13 (Mage: the Ascension and Department V) // Media 32:21 (The Matrix, Over the Edge, Nephilim, Sorcerer, Unknown Armies, Continuum, The Mega City Book Club Podcast) Patreon Support this podcast on The Fictoplasm Patreon! Music Credits Music is…Read more 100: The Invisibles by Grant Morrison
2021-09-0643 minFrankenstein's RPGEpisode 9 - Where are we setting this and what advice do you offer to GMs in it?In this episode I am joined by some fantastic guests and although this is the longest episode by far I believe it benefits from us keeping the conversation going. Many thanks to my guests:
Paul from The Good Friends of Jackson Elias https://blasphemoustomes.com/
Mark from Chimpions - find him here https://chimpions.co.uk/
Ralph from Fictoplasm - available here http://www.fictoplasm.net/
Wayne - artist extraordinaire here - https://www.artstation.com/wayne_peters
Almost too many games to list but these were the nominees (l...
2021-08-202h 01
fictoplasm99: Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (patron’s choice)Piranesi by Susanna Clarke Intro 00:06 // Synopsis 01:16 // Remarks 08:39 (unreliable narrators, how to host a murder mystery, closed worlds, the dead) // Media 25:19 (The Sunken Land Begins To Rise Again, plus games, video games) Patreon Support this podcast on The Fictoplasm Patreon! Music Credits Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com //…Read more 99: Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (patron’s choice)
2021-08-1531 min
fictoplasm98: Marvel 1602 with Paul BaldowskiMarvel 1602 With special guest Paul Baldowski of Just Crunch games, author of the Dee Sanction, The Cthulhu Hack and more! Intro 00:07 // Synopsis 02:53 (spotting Marvel characters, Strange=Dee and Fury=Walsingham, pocket universes, three act structure, hating on bards) // Commentary 35:50 (the Dee Sanction and the Cthulhu Hack, the Duffer’s Guide to Historical…Read more 98: Marvel 1602 with Paul Baldowski
2021-07-281h 34
fictoplasm97: Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky (feat. Breakfast in the Ruins)Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky With special guest Andy from the Breakfast in the Ruins podcast! Intro 00:07 // Premise 05:25 // Characters 08:56 // Prologue & part 1 24:14 // Part 3 (Andy’s favourite bit) 44:43 // Part 4 54:11 // Tarkovsky’s Stalker and other media from 1:00:02 (inc. The Lighthouse, Hard…Read more 97: Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky (feat. Breakfast in the Ruins)
2021-07-131h 35
fictoplasm96: Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn MuirGideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir Intro 00:07 // Synopsis 02:25 // Remarks 12:12 (paired characters 12:16, locked room mysteries and LARP 20:38, magic and Thanergy 26:52) // Media 32:01 (Sabriel) Patreon Support this podcast on The Fictoplasm Patreon! Music Credits Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com // bandcamp // instagram // youtube Samples: “Is…Read more 96: Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
2021-06-2738 min
fictoplasm95: Sailing to Utopia by Michael MoorcockSailing to Utopia by Michael Moorcock (Millenium 1993 ISBN 1-85798-032-8) comprising The Ice Schooner, The Black Corridor, The Distant Suns, Flux Intro 00:07 // The cover 01:26 // The foreword 03:21 // Synopsis 05:31 (The Ice Schooner 05:34, The Black Corridor 10:41, The Distant Suns 14:44, Flux 18:01) // Remarks 21:56 // Final thoughts and…Read more 95: Sailing to Utopia by Michael Moorcock
2021-06-1337 min
fictoplasm94: The Anubis Gates by Tim PowersThe Anubis Gates by Tim Powers Intro 00:07 // Synopsis 02:00 // Remarks 13:08 (magic, history, time travel, fate and determinism) // Other Media 31:08 (Time and Again, Bid Time Return, TimeCop, Continuum) Links The Fictoplasm Patreon The Anubis Gates on TV Tropes Music Credits Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com // bandcamp // free…Read more 94: The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers
2021-05-3040 min
fictoplasm93: the Sparrow by Mary Doria RussellThe Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell Intro 00:07 // Synopsis 01:28 // Themes 12:46 (hard and soft SF, exploration, survival, skills, celebrating discovery and forming relationships) // Media 28:30 (The Expanse, Form Grows Rampant, The Forever War, Gateway, Diaspora) Links What would the Smart Party Do? Shawn Tomkin interview The Expanse Form Grows Rampant The…Read more 93: the Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
2021-05-1536 min
fictoplasmEpisode 92: Corum by Michael Moorcock (feat. Dirk the Dice)With Dirk the Dice from The Grognard Files The first book of Corum (volume 4 of the Eternal Champion) by Michael Moorcock. Intro 00:07 // Introducing Dirk 00:45 // Dirk and Corum 1:55 // The book, and this edition 11:02 // The cover 16:05 // Rodney Matthews 18:45 // the foreword 19:55 // Synopsis 24:20…Read more Episode 92: Corum by Michael Moorcock (feat. Dirk the Dice)
2021-05-081h 21
fictoplasmEpisode Zero: What is Fictoplasm? (Patreon launch)High time I did an episode zero! This episode is timed to coincide with the Patreon launch for Fictoplasm, where you can support the show (and get some perks as well). Music Credits Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com // bandcamp // free music archive Samples: “Is that you or are you you?” from Reappear…Read more Episode Zero: What is Fictoplasm? (Patreon launch)
2021-04-1706 min
fictoplasm91: The Princess BrideThe Princess Bride by William Goldman Intro 00:06 // Synopsis 01:32 // Themes 09:59 (Ruritania, Inigo Montoya) // RPG combat systems 28:50 (Lace & Steel, The Riddle of Steel, Burning Wheel, Three Rivers) // Media 41:50 (Le Bossu, The Duellists, Hawk the Slayer) Links Dave Rawlings of the London Longsword Academy discusses the Princess Bride…Read more 91: The Princess Bride
2021-04-0445 min
fictoplasm90: Invisible CityThis episode Ralph is joined by Tom McGrenery to discuss the Brazillian urban fantasy Netflix series Invisible City Timestamps Synopsis 02:51 // Themes I: Brazilian Myth 18:29 // Themes II: Urban Fantasy 29:24 // Media 58:30 (Changeling the Dreaming, Nephilim, Highlander, Elephant and Macaw Banner, Hilda) // Tom’s other stuff 71:50 (Revolution comes to the…Read more 90: Invisible City
2021-03-281h 14
Breakfast in the RuinsMoorcock and RPGs Part Two - STORMHACK!We're back in Derry and Toms and returning to Moorcock's influence and presence in RPGs in the company of Ralph Lovegrove, host of the Fictoplasm Podcast and designer of STORMHACK!
We talk Moorcock (obviously), gaming, podcasting and other bits n bobs, as well as Ralph's own take on the Moorcockian role-playing game... STORMHACK!
Find Ralph's gear at these links:
STORMHACK!
Appendix N and Cousins
Runequest's Appendix N
2021-03-271h 23
fictoplasm89: Kong Skull IslandA brief episode discussing Kong: Skull Island Music Credits Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com // bandcamp // free music archive Samples: “Is that you or are you you?” from Reappear // “Another version of you” from Thoughtless
2021-03-1619 min
fictoplasm88: the OAThe OA: crossing dimensions and living alternate versions of your life, Investigation vs. Mystery, exotic matter and general relativity via intepretive dance Timestamps Intro 00:07 // Synopsis 02:15 // Themes 10:52 // mystery vs investigation, Ron Edwards’ Sorcerer, alternate timelines, pressure of dimensional travel, small changes in the remixed world, how to cross dimensions through…Read more 88: the OA
2021-02-2033 min
fictoplasm87: Desolation Jones feat. Radio Free AlbemuthDesolation Jones by Warren Ellis, illustrated by J.H. Williams III (1-6), Danijel Zezelj (7-8) Radio Free Albemuth by Philip K. Dick Show Notes Introduction 00:07 // Synopsis 01:40 // Desolation Jones 01:42 // Radio Free Albemuth 08:31 // Themes and RPGs 15:00 // Other Media 28:16 // Screen 28:26 // RPGs and other games 30:32…Read more 87: Desolation Jones feat. Radio Free Albemuth
2021-01-2941 min
fictoplasm86: StormHack!In this short episode I’ll pitch the game StormHack!, available for download. Links fictoplasm.itch.io Other games: Whitehack The Black Hack Beyond the Wall Music Credits Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com // bandcamp // free music archive Samples: “Is that you or are you you?” from Reappear // “Another version of you” from Thoughtless
2021-01-1713 min
fictoplasm85: The Sundial by Shirley JacksonIn the last episode of 2020, I cover The Sundial by Shirley Jackson and discuss how to turn it into a pseudo-LARP based on the UK indie game Witch: the Road to Lindisfarne. Show Notes Introduction 00:07 Synopsis 02:04 Remarks 13:21 – Boundaries – No appeals to authority – Hierarchies – Oracles and weirdness RPG…Read more 85: The Sundial by Shirley Jackson
2020-12-2828 min
fictoplasm84: Everway interviewThis is a special episode of Fictoplasm where I interview the Everway Company on their forthcoming Silver Anniversary release of Jonathan Tweet’s Everway, coming to Kickstarter in January 2021. Show Notes Preamble 00:07 // Introductions 00:30 // History 04:55 // The anniversary edition 18:55 // The indie connection 25:39 // Supplements 31:35 // The new…Read more 84: Everway interview
2020-12-0947 min
fictoplasm83: I Am Legend by Richard MathesonI Am Legend by Richard Matheson Show Notes Intro 00:07 Synopsis 00:54 Themes and Games 08:45 – Vampire Science 08:55 – Blade – The Strain – The X Files – Proper Vampires 14:39 – pretty vs nasty vampires, or how the 90s ruined vampires Other Media 21:52 – The Films – The Last Man on…Read more 83: I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
2020-10-3034 minThe GROGNARD FilesEpisode 43 (Part 1) Dungeons & Dragons (with Lew Pulsipher)
Download Episode
We knew we’d get there eventually.
This episode is dedicated to Basic Dungeons and Dragons.
Our guest is Lew Pulsipher who was a regular contributor to the Golden Era of White Dwarf. He talks about his formative years in role-playing. He is still contributing to EN World and has a Video channel all about Games Design.
Blythy and I talk about finding players and how he fell in love with the game back in the day and his joy in rediscovering it now.
Ralph Lovegrove from Fi...
2020-10-241h 29The GROGNARD FilesEpisode 43 (Part 1) Dungeons & Dragons (with Lew Pulsipher)
Download Episode
We knew we’d get there eventually.
This episode is dedicated to Basic Dungeons and Dragons.
Our guest is Lew Pulsipher who was a regular contributor to the Golden Era of White Dwarf. He talks about his formative years in role-playing. He is still contributing to EN World and has a Video channel all about Games Design.
Blythy and I talk about finding players and how he fell in love with the game back in the day and his joy in rediscovering it now.
Ralph Lovegrove from Fi...
2020-10-241h 29
fictoplasm82: Hawkmoon by Michael Moorcock (the Tale of the Eternal Champion vol. 3)Hawkmoon by Michael Moorcock Millenium edition, 1992 HB ISBN 1 85798 027 1 Ralph with Dirk the Dice from the Grognard Files podcast Show Notes Introductions 00:07 The Cover 04:46 The Foreword 09:44 Synopsis 10:41 (The Jewel in the Skull, The Mad God’s Amulet, The Sword of Dawn, The Runestaff) Favorite bits 23:43 (Count Brass,…Read more 82: Hawkmoon by Michael Moorcock (the Tale of the Eternal Champion vol. 3)
2020-10-181h 00
fictoplasm81: Damnation Alley by Roger ZelaznyDamnation Alley by Roger Zelazny Show Notes Intro 00:07 Synopsis 00:56 Themes and Games 12:00 (Ribbon Drive, Witch: Road to Lindisfarne, Ultraviolet Grasslands, Deluge, Station Eleven, American Gods) Further reading 24:33 (the movie, Annihilation, Roadside Picnic, Into the Badlands, Kiteworld) Other links Fear of a Black Dragon’s episode on the Ultraviolet Grasslands Andy Bartlett’s blog…Read more 81: Damnation Alley by Roger Zelazny
2020-10-1131 min
fictoplasm80: Jack of Shadows by Roger ZelaznyJack of Shadows by Roger Zelazny Show Notes Intro 00:07 // Synopsis 02:29 // Themes and Games 09:12 // Magic and Technology 09:28 // Sabriel 09:53 // Trollbabe 15:11 // Tidally locked worlds 16:37 // concepts of day and night; no astronomers or astrologers // idea for setting between two singularities 20:56 // Further reading…Read more 80: Jack of Shadows by Roger Zelazny
2020-09-0433 min
fictoplasm79: The Eternal Champion by Michael Moorcock (Tale of the Eternal Champion vol. 2)The Eternal Champion by Michael Moorcock Millenium edition, 1992 HB ISBN 1 85798 026 3 Show Notes Intro 00:07 // The Cover 00:39 // Foreword 01:15 // Summaries 02:18 (The Eternal Champion, Phoenix in Obsidian, The Dragon in the Sword) // Favorite bits 19:10 (Arrival of Erekose, The Good One, no good deaths, endings) //…Read more 79: The Eternal Champion by Michael Moorcock (Tale of the Eternal Champion vol. 2)
2020-08-2036 min
fictoplasm78: Von Bek by Michael Moorcock (Tale of the Eternal Champion vol 1)Von Bek by Michael Moorcock Millenium edition, 1992 HB ISBN 1 85798 023 9 Show Notes Intro 00:07 // Preface to this edition 02:30 // Summaries 05:17 (The Warhound and the World’s Pain, the City in the Autumn Stars, the Pleasure Gardens of Filipe Saggitarius) // Favorite bits 15:01 (Demon in the Sphere at Bakinax,…Read more 78: Von Bek by Michael Moorcock (Tale of the Eternal Champion vol 1)
2020-08-0629 min
fictoplasm77: Interview with Dave MorrisInterview with Dave Morris, author of Can You Brexit Without Breaking Britain, Dragon Warriors, Jewel Spider, Mirabilis and more! Show Notes Intro 00:07 // Can You Brexit Without Breaking Britain? 00:35 // Frankenstein 29:45 // Politics in games 35:43 // Design Mechanism’s Lyonesse 47:32 // Tekumel and Tirikelu 53:18 // Dragon Warriors and Jewel Spider…Read more 77: Interview with Dave Morris
2020-07-261h 16
fictoplasm76: Little Brother by Cory DoctorowLittle Brother by Cory Doctorow Show Notes Intro 00:07 // Synopsis 03:03 // Themes 15:57 // recap 1984 16:24 // Motives 16:48 // Tools 17:32 (art, counter-surveillance, state removing rights, media, consumption and the true enemy) // Other Reading 32:53 // Wasp by Eric Frank Russell Little Brother teaching guides Music Credits Music is by…Read more 76: Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
2020-07-1642 min
fictoplasm75: Nineteen Eighty-Four by George OrwellNineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell Show Notes Intro 00:07 (anniversaries of sorts) // Synopsis 05:06 // Themes 19:02 // Motives // Tools 24:14 (language, media, propaganda, surveillance, revisionism, war) // Other Reading 38:52 // George Floyd // Dystopia as aesthetic // confusing Dystopia and Post-Apocalypse // Dystopocalypse Other book references: The Citadel of the Autarch…Read more 75: Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell
2020-07-0547 min
fictoplasm74: Days by James LovegroveIntro 00:07 // Synopsis 02:50 // Commentary 15:20 // The Outside (what kind of a world has gigastores?) 15:28 // Manufactured cultures (zaibatsus and phyles) 16:26 // Grant Morrison (intelligent cities and corporations as planetary contagion) 16:48 // City as organism 17:20 // (autocracy) 18:36 // (microcosm) 19:01 // (visitors) 19:41 // (spaces) 24:26 //…Read more 74: Days by James Lovegrove
2020-05-1845 min
fictoplasm73: The Squares of the City by John BrunnerThe Squares Of The City by John Brunner Show Notes Intro 00:07 // Synopsis 04:16 // Commentary 15:05 // Further Reading 21:35 Links The City Shaped and The City Assembled by Spiro Kostov City by P.D. Smith The City Accelerated, a city building tool by Ralph Lovegrove Music Credits Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com…Read more 73: The Squares of the City by John Brunner
2020-04-0725 min
fictoplasm72: The City & The City by China MievilleThe City & The City by China Mieville Show Notes Intro 00:07 // Synopsis 01:47 // Commentary 12:02 // Breach 12:26 // Politics 18:14 // Conspiricies 19:24 // Precursor Age 25:01 // Tololgangers 28:19 // Further Reading 32:50 Links What happened at the prom by Elizabeth Lovegrove Music Credits Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com…Read more 72: The City & The City by China Mieville
2020-03-0835 min
fictoplasmEpisode 71: Ombria in Shadow by Patricia A. McKillip (fantasy cities pt. 3)Ombria in Shadow by Patricia A. McKillip Show Notes Intro 00:07 // Synopsis 02:21 // Commentary 12:39 // Modelling the shadow city 13:00 // Crossing between worlds 14:55 // Mapping 22:53 // Further Reading 30:50 Links Corpathium (lastgaspgrimoire.com) Other fiction mentioned in the episode Neverwhere and Sandman: World’s End by Neil Gaiman The City and…Read more Episode 71: Ombria in Shadow by Patricia A. McKillip (fantasy cities pt. 3)
2020-02-0744 min
fictoplasmEpisdode 70: Rats and Gargoyles by Mary Gentle (cities pt. 2)Rats and Gargoyles by Mary Gentle Rats and Gargoyles by Mary Gentle Show Notes Intro 00:07 // Synopsis 05:30 // Commentary 36:05 // Bleed 36:05 // Magic 39:09 // Magicians, Runequest and Mage: The Ascension 41:01 // Dialect 47:14 // Resources 53:45 (Yates, Agrippa, Authentic Thaumaturgy) Music Credits Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com //…Read more Episdode 70: Rats and Gargoyles by Mary Gentle (cities pt. 2)
2020-01-171h 06
fictoplasmEpisode 69: Viriconium by M. John Harrison (cities series pt 1)Viriconium by M. John Harrison Show Notes Synopsis 03:47 // Act 1 (Viriconium Knights, The Pastel City, Lords of Misrule) 04:13 // Act 2 (Strange Great Sins, A Storm Of Wings, The Dancer and the Dance, The Luck in the Head, The Lamia and Lord Cromis) 09:47 // Act 3 (In Viriconium, A Young Man’s…Read more Episode 69: Viriconium by M. John Harrison (cities series pt 1)
2019-12-241h 01
fictoplasmEpisode 68: Mythago Wood and Lavondyss by Robert HoldstockMythago Wood and Lavondyss by Robert Holdstock Show Notes Synopsis 01:10 // Mythago Wood 01:15 (plot dump 02:46) // Lavondyss 08:27 (Blavatsky 08:30) // Themes 20:07 // “British rural fantasy” 20:07 (Robin of Sherwood, Children of the Stones, Century Falls) // The “rural fantasy formula” 22:37 // Landscape 26:09 (Wizardry and Wild Romance, M John…Read more Episode 68: Mythago Wood and Lavondyss by Robert Holdstock
2019-10-2241 min
fictoplasmEpisode 67: Cyberpunk further readingStand on Zanzibar by John Brunner Transmetropolitan by Warren Ellis Wild Palms Vurt by Jeff Noon Burning Chrome by William Gibson Show Notes Stand on Zanzibar 00:30 // Transmetropolitan 01:55 // Wild Palms 09:50 // Vurt 14:15 // Burning Chrome (and others) 22:00 Music Credits Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com // bandcamp // free…Read more Episode 67: Cyberpunk further reading
2019-09-0726 min
fictoplasmEpisode 66: The Child Garden by Geoff RymanThe Child Garden by Geoff Ryman Show Notes Plot and Setting 01:18 (viral learning, accelerated childhood, photosynthesis, viral augmented reality, living history, communism, living history, viral empaths) // Themes 15:04 (utopia and distopia, invading thoughts in the gestalt, J G Ballard, Anne Leckie, the bigger picture, Big Questions, Cyberpunk cheats death, constrained by time, death…Read more Episode 66: The Child Garden by Geoff Ryman
2019-08-1635 min
fictoplasmEpisode 65: Autonomous by Annalee NewitzAutonomous by Annalee Newitz Show Notes Synopsis 02:19 // Themes 06:51 // activism // corporate totalitarianism // biotech // Roleplaying 19:11 // corporate dystopia // cyberprep // PbtA and Urban Shadows (storms/fronts) // the contract // dual advancement tracks // “Village fiction” (The Prisoner, Twin Peaks, Wayward Pines) Music Credits Music is by Chris Zabriskie:…Read more Episode 65: Autonomous by Annalee Newitz
2019-08-0537 min
fictoplasmEpisode 64: Until the End of the World, Strange DaysThis episode I’m revisiting two charming 90s near-future films: Wim Wender’s Until the End of the World, and Kathryn Bigelow’s Strange Days. Show Notes Until the End of the World 01:17 // Strange Days 06:26 // Themes 10:49 // Brain taping, addiction to dreams, Snow Crash, Dollhouse, Sense8 10:53 // Fear of the future, The…Read more Episode 64: Until the End of the World, Strange Days
2019-07-1122 min
fictoplasmEpisode 63: Snow Crash by Neal StephensonSnow Crash by Neal Stephenson Show Notes Plot and Setting 00:55 // Themes and Images 08:12 // Retrofuturism 09:05 // Baseline 09:24 // Analog 10:14 // Cyberpunk 1984 11:10 // The Gibson Continuum 13:32 // 1.cyberspace 13:54 // 2.corporate governance 14:58 // physical augmentation 16:11 // 4.prefab 17:15 // 5.individual vs collective identity 17:30 //…Read more Episode 63: Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
2019-06-2445 min
fictoplasmEpisode 62: Interview with Tod FoleyFractopia Interview with Tod Foley, leader of this is Fractopia and editor of Ubiquicity, author of Day Trippers RPG and Cyberspace. Show Notes Sample topics, in approximate order: What is Fractopia? Hierarchical vs. Anarchistic Frameworks (Day-trippers vs The Strange) Daytrippers, an open-ended, multidimensional system Who buys the games? Socialist overtones of the early indie RPGs…Read more Episode 62: Interview with Tod Foley
2019-06-161h 16
fictoplasmEpisode 61: King in Yellow codaThis is a companion to and additional content that didn’t make into Episode 60. The King In Yellow by Robert W. Chambers Show Notes Plot and Setting 01:56 // Themes and Images 07:10 (False Documents, vectors, Tommy Westphall, Dollhouse, Snow Crash, Marvel Boy, The Invisibles, Kult, Hellraiser) // The RPG bit 19:23 (Freeform Games, Carcosan…Read more Episode 61: King in Yellow coda
2019-06-0829 min
fictoplasmEpisode 60: The King in Yellow with Scott DorwardThe King In Yellow by Robert W. Chambers With Scott Dorward from the Good Friends of Jackson Elias! Visit their site for their ongoing series on the King in Yellow. Show Notes defining cosmic horror 04:30 // gothic horror 07:50 // everything is delusion 09:50 // gothic motifs (question for Matt Sanderson) 13:20 // cosmic…Read more Episode 60: The King in Yellow with Scott Dorward
2019-05-301h 13
fictoplasmEpisode 59: Time Trap by Nicholas FiskTime Trap by Nicholas Fisk Show Notes Synopsis 01:37 // Themes 07:00 (time travel by hypnosis, portal fantasy, dystopian authority, tangled timelines, consensus reality) // Games 16:42 (generation ships, competing timelines, Sapphire and Steel, Event Horizon, Microscope, A Penny For My Thoughts, Chrononauts, marginalised timelines) Music Credits Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com // bandcamp…Read more Episode 59: Time Trap by Nicholas Fisk
2019-05-1429 min
fictoplasmEpisode 58: Imajica part 3Imajica by Clive Barker (chapters 43-62, approx 450 of 1100 pages) Show Notes Synopsis 00:40 // Themes 12:05 // Wonderlands of Flesh and Blood by Christian Daumann 12:15 // Metaphors for the body 13:41 // The Patriarchal God 14:44 // Gender: female 15:22 // Gender: male 18:41 // Pie’oh’Pah 20:34 // Carnivale and the grotesque…Read more Episode 58: Imajica part 3
2019-05-0749 min
fictoplasmEpisode 57: Imajica part 2Imajica by Clive Barker (chapters 18-42, approx 500 of 1100 pages) Show Notes Synopsis 00:35 // Themes 13:25 // What is Portal Fantasy? 13:52 // The sub-genre (self-contained, relative to our world, superstructures, identity, travellers, geography) 17:25// Dopplegangers 26:00 // Games (Portal Rats, Day Trippers, Lords of Gossamer and Shadow, Everway, Grand Tableau) 32:33 Links…Read more Episode 57: Imajica part 2
2019-05-0150 min
fictoplasmEpisode 56: Imajica by Clive Barker pt1This is the first in a series of 3 episodes discussing Imajica by Clive Barker, covering chapters 1-17. Show Notes Synopsis 04:45 // Themes 16:39 in which I rant about 1e vs 2e Vampire the Masquerade, plus some waffle about the Urban Fantasy genre // Games Keeping Urban Fantasy “fresh” 21:15 // Department V (embarassing…Read more Episode 56: Imajica by Clive Barker pt1
2019-04-2442 min
fictoplasmEpisode 55: Cocaine Nights by J G BallardCocaine Nights by J G Ballard Show Notes Synopsis 01:15 // Themes 15:15 (three act structures, crossing boundaries, Futureworld and cultists) // Games 23:11 (Lag, spheres of comfort, trusting NPCs) Music Credits Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com // bandcamp // free music archive Samples: “Is That You Or Are You You?” from Reappear //…Read more Episode 55: Cocaine Nights by J G Ballard
2019-04-0834 min
fictoplasmEpisode 54: The Tremor of Forgery by Patricia HighsmithThe Tremor of Forgery by Patricia Highsmith Show Notes Synopsis 02:48 // Themes 19:01 // Spheres // Speed of communication // Emotional and factual communication // RPG 25:58 // Dramasystem // Malandros // Lag // Next 49:34 // Cocaine Nights Music Credits Music is by Chris Zabriskie: chriszabriskie.com // bandcamp // free music archive Samples:…Read more Episode 54: The Tremor of Forgery by Patricia Highsmith
2019-03-2151 min
fictoplasmEpisode 53: Big Planet by Jack VanceBig Planet by Jack Vance Show Notes Synopsis 01:05 // Themes 04:25 // Big Planet is Big 04:27 // Kaiju and Cthulhu 05:56 // Superstition 06:48 // Expanding consciousness 08:48 // And then there were none 10:01 // Games 10:12 // Dramasystem 11:27 // Further Afield 12:40 // Carcosa 13:54 // The Black Hack and…Read more Episode 53: Big Planet by Jack Vance
2019-02-0619 minfictoplasmFictoplasm episode 52: The Land of Laughs by Jonathan CarrollThe Land of Laughs by Jonathan Carroll Show Notes High and low fantasy definitions 01:03 // Synopsis 02:32 // A digression 04:05 // Synopsis resumed 05:05 // Themes and roleplaying 10:43 // Pale Assassins, Hope and Nabokov 12:16 Pale Assassins blog post (April 2017, DepartmentV) The Prisoner of Zenda (Nov 2016, Fictoplasm) Pale Fire (April…Read more Fictoplasm episode 52: The Land of Laughs by Jonathan Carroll
2019-01-2216 min
fictoplasmEpisode 51: fiction within fiction, part 1 (The Magicians, When the Dark is Gone)This is the first of a series looking at secondary worlds that exist as known fiction inside a primary, fictional world. In this episode Ralph tackles Lev Grossman’s The Magicians, and talks to Becky Annison about her game When the Dark is Gone. Show Notes The Magicians by Lev Grossman When the Dark is Gone,…Read more Episode 51: fiction within fiction, part 1 (The Magicians, When the Dark is Gone)
2018-07-3145 min
fictoplasm404: Under the Skin by Michael FaberThis is our 50th episode! Not doing anything special, just sipping a gin and talking about Michael Faber’s Under the Skin. Show Notes Under the Skin by Michael Faber Under the Skin (film) directed by Jonathan Glazer Synopsis 00:56 Themes 05:22 Ben Hopkins and The Nine Lives of Tomas Katz Displacement Isolation Corporate Greed Duality…Read more 404: Under the Skin by Michael Faber
2018-07-0523 min
fictoplasm4.03: The Last Policeman, Hard Sun, The Three Body ProblemRalph briefly discusses three pre-apocalyptic novels, with the conclusion that all that matters is how much time you’ve got left. Show Notes Three works of fiction 01:00 The Last Policeman by Ben Winters 01:30 Hard Sun 03:40 The Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu 06:30 Remarks 08:55 Summary 12:30 Links This episode is partially inspired…Read more 4.03: The Last Policeman, Hard Sun, The Three Body Problem
2018-05-2314 min
fictoplasmEpisode 4.02: Excession by Iain M. BanksRhi and Paul join Ralph to talk about Iain M. Banks’ Excession and The Culture. Post-scarcity, intelligent starships, body modification and first contact. Show Notes Excession (and other Culture novels) by Iain M. Banks Rhiannon Lassiter, Paul Mitchener and Ralph Lovegrove Overview of The Culture 00:50 Synopsis of Excession 05:40 Themes 12:05 Diverging human cultures…Read more Episode 4.02: Excession by Iain M. Banks
2018-05-1356 min
fictoplasmEpisode 4.01: what we’re reading, new year 2018Rhi, Josh and Ralph talk about books they’re reading, and other things. (I know, it’s not January, it’s May) Show Notes Rhi has been reading What Makes This Book So Great? by Jo Walton and Heriot by Margaret Mahy, and has just started Imaginary Cities by Darran Anderson. She’s looking forward to reading The Refrigerator…Read more Episode 4.01: what we’re reading, new year 2018
2018-05-0954 min
fictoplasmEpisode 4.00 Annihilation ReduxRalph talks about running Cthulhu Dark: Annihilation at Concrete Cow, the differences between Jeff Vandermeer’s book and Alex Garland’s film, and managing player expectations in one-shots and beyond. Show Notes Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer // Annihilation by Alex Garland Planning Cthulhu Dark: Annihilation Annihilation the movie 00:45 // Differences between novel and film 03:15 //…Read more Episode 4.00 Annihilation Redux
2018-04-2128 min
fictoplasmEpisode 310: The Dark Is Rising by Susan CooperFor our second seasonal episode Ralph and Liz discuss Susan Cooper’s The Dark Is Rising as part of the worldwide #thedarkisreading hashtag. Show Notes The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper Elizabeth Lovegrove and Ralph Lovegrove Synopsis 00:35 Themes 10:50 Comparisons with The Box Of Delights Winter and isolation Myth and prophecy Time travel Transformed…Read more Episode 310: The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper
2017-12-3136 min
fictoplasmEpisode 309: The Box of Delights by John MasefieldJust in time for Christmas, Ralph and Liz discuss the book and TV series of the children’s fantasy The Box of Delights by John Masefield. Show Notes The Box of Delights by John Masefield Adapted for the BBC by Alan Seymour Synopsis 01:05 Themes 10:15 Pagan myth vs. warring magicians Sapphire and Steel vs. Dr…Read more Episode 309: The Box of Delights by John Masefield
2017-12-2443 min
fictoplasmEpisode 308: return to the Southern ReachRalph briefly returns to Jeff Vandermeer’s Southern Reach trilogy. Show Notes The Southern Reach trilogy (Annihilation, Authority, Acceptance) by Jeff Vandermeer. Annihilation episode recap 01:05 Authority 04:35 Acceptance 08:40 RPG bit (Call of Cthulhu, Cthulhu Dark and Lovecraftesque) 11:45 Music credits “Cylinder Three“ from Cylinders by Chris Zabriskie chriszabriskie.com // bandcamp // free music archive
2017-12-2115 min
fictoplasmEpisode 307: Fictoplasm at DragonmeetLiz, Becky, Paul and Josh discuss turning your favourite fiction into RPGs at the Dragonmeet panel on December 2nd 2017 Show notes “Turning your favourite fiction into roleplaying games” Dragonmeet, London, Saturday 2nd December 2017 Elizabeth Lovegrove, Paul Mitchener, Josh Fox, Becky Annison (chair) Music credits “Another version of you” from Thoughtless by Chris Zabriskie…Read more Episode 307: Fictoplasm at Dragonmeet
2017-12-1150 min
fictoplasmEpisode 306: The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd AlexanderRalph and Tim discuss Lloyd Alexander’s Prydain, a more manageable Middle Earth, the power of recurring characters and emotional growth. Show Notes The Chronicles of Prydain (The Book of Three, The Black Cauldron, The Castle of Lyr, Taran Wanderer, The High King) by Lloyd Alexander Tim Harford and Ralph Lovegrove Synopsis 1:30 Themes 9:30 The…Read more Episode 306: The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander
2017-12-031h 06
fictoplasmEpisode 305: Black God’s Kiss by C.L. MooreThis episode Ralph talks about C.L. Moore’s hero Jirel of Joiry, and Liz talks about the anthology Dragons and Warrior Daughters. Show Notes Black God’s Kiss and other stories by C.L. Moore Dragons and Warrior Daughters by Jessica Yates (ed) Elizabeth Lovegrove, Ralph Lovegrove Part One Black God’s Kiss 00:10 Synopsis 0:40 Themes 5:10 RPG…Read more Episode 305: Black God’s Kiss by C.L. Moore
2017-11-2636 min