Modern Mythos with Jon and Seth Modern Mythos - Ep.002
May 17, 2021
They trade nostalgia for standout published RPG modules across genres. Topics include sci‑fi/fantasy mashups, sandbox campaign structure, and horror scenarios that evoke filmic tension. They cover investigative mysteries, modular campaign stitching, and practical tips for reworking adventures to fit a table. Expect talk of art, organization, and why some modules get shelved.
01:14:54
Polymorphed Into Mice With Tim Kask
- Jon told a story about being polymorphed into mice in a convention game run by Tim Kask.
- The surprising premise turned into a highly memorable, fun session.
Prefer Clear, Streamlined Modules
- Skip modules with needless complexity or poor organization unless you can streamline them.
- Prioritize readable layout so you can find GM info quickly during play.
Superhero Module Packed With Art
- Jon highlighted Death Duel with the Destroyers as a tight, art-rich 20-page superhero module.
- He praised Bill Willingham's writing and comic tie-ins for delivering immediate action.
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Intro
00:00 • 1min
Episode theme: favorite modules explained
01:11 • 1min
Nostalgia: superhero and odd RPGs
02:18 • 1min
Playing unexpected genres with OD&D
03:27 • 2min
When to run a module vs. homemade
05:11 • 3min
Running modules: inspiration and challenge matter
07:52 • 5min
Why a module might be shelved
12:30 • 3min
Art, organization, and hoarding modules
15:59 • 5min
Reworking modules to fit your table
21:20 • 1min
Jon on Spawn of Azathoth (ongoing game)
22:22 • 1min
Seth's stitched CoC campaign chain
23:30 • 3min
Using NPCs and foreshadowing between modules
26:54 • 6min
Converting between CoC and Pulp play
32:37 • 4min
Jon's picks: short list overview
36:52 • 10sec
Death Duel with the Destroyers (V&V)
37:02 • 3min
Expedition to the Barrier Peaks (D&D S3)
40:32 • 3min
Hope's Last Day (Alien RPG)
43:03 • 4min
Spawn of Azathoth deep dive
47:31 • 9min
Seth's picks: Saltmarsh and Thicker Than Blood
57:00 • 6min
Mansion of Madness: three-act horror
01:02:46 • 5min
Murder on Arcturus Station (Traveller)
01:08:09 • 3min
Runners-up and eclectic favorites
01:11:36 • 2min
Outro
01:13:20 • 1min
#
Sinister Secret of Salt Marsh
Dave Brown
Don Turnbull
#
Murder on Arcturus Station
J. Andrew Keith
#
S3 Expedition to the Barrier Peaks
Gary Gygax
Rob Kuntz
#
Thicker Than Blood
Alison Brooks
#79784
Pax Cthulhuana
Two Starving Gnolls
#
Death Duel with the Destroyers
Bill Willingham
#
Against the Giants
Gary Gygax
#
Hope's Last Day
Dave Semark
#
Spawn of Azoth
Keith "Doc" Herber
#
Villains and Vigilantes
Shannon Appleclime
#
Lost Expedition
Francis Hagan
#
Mansion of Madness
Fred Behrendt
#
All That Glitters
Thomas Tryon
#7287
• Mentioned in 7 episodes
The Code
Silicon Valley and the Remaking of America
Margaret O'Mara
The Code: Silicon Valley and the Remaking of America chronicles the history of computing from the 19th century to the present day, focusing on the people, companies, and events that have shaped the industry.
The book delves into the role of computing during World War II, the post-war rise of universities as centers of computing research, and the complex relationships between government, academia, and the tech industry.
O'Mara highlights the unique confluence of time, place, and personality that has made Silicon Valley a hub of technological innovation and examines the disruptive effects of its products on society, advocating for a more humane and equitable tech future.
#31909
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Ravenloft
Laura Hickman
Tracy Hickman
string
#12108
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Alien
Alan Dean Foster
#71266
Bad Moon Rising
Gerald Hogg
#30524
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Elemental
Bill Charlap
Dee Dee Bridgewater
#30368
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Designers and Dragons
Shannon Appelcline
#19222
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
The devil rides out
Dennis Wheatley
In this episode, Jon and Seth talk about their favorite published modules that they've run across a gamut of games.
Jon's Favorite Modules:
- Death Duel with the Destroyers -- 1982, Bill Willingham, Villains & Vigilantes, 20 pgs
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- Art! Art! Art!
- Great set-up, straight to the action
- Well written to escalate the danger from the opening scene to the final showdown
- Comic book tie-in with Elementals comic by Bill Willingham, published by Comico
- S3 - Expedition to the Barrier Peaks -- 1980, Gary Gygax & Rob Kuntz, D&D (TSR), 32pgs
-
- Two books -- module and handouts
- Art! Art! Art!
- Sci-fi in Fantasy blend
- Sandbox
- Hope's Last Day -- 2019, Dave Semark, ALIEN, 16 pgs. In ALIEN core rulebook
-
- Sandbox
- Lends itself well to a horror setting
- Leverages off player's experience from watching Aliens movie
- Spawn of Azathoth -- 1986/2005, Keith "Doc" Herber, Call of Cthulhu, 200 pgs.
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- Sandbox campaign - 7 chapters (1 opening chapter, 5 middle chapters in any order, then 1 closing chapter)
- Small variety of Mythos monsters to challenge the investigators
- Good variety of horrors to present to the investigators
- Easily updated to 7th Edition rules and for the sensibilities of modern players
Seth's Favorite Modules:
- Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh - 1981 Dave Brown Don Turnbull, AD&D, TSR UK
- Haunted house (not really)
- Can be dropped in a variety of locations. (could even make modern)
- Gives a sense of larger story with lizard folk preparing for war
- Made for low level PCs, but still lots of risk (most modules started at 3rd level)
- Roleplay with Ned.
- 2 adventures with one leading into the other.
- Thicker than Blood - 1993, Alison Brooks, Atlas Games Cyberpunk 2020, 47 pages
- Investigation
- Many tips on what to do if the PCs miss something, get stuck, are difficult, try something sneaky.
- Layered plot (complete investigation first. Then discover who employer is)
- Incorporates skills rarely used
- Taught us a different way to play.
- Mansion of Madness - 1990, Fred Behrendt, Chaosium, Call of Cthulhu, 25 pages
- 3-act mystery that cleanly works out into 3 acts
- Unpredictable investigation with 2 warring wizards and a mythos entity
- Varied backdrops with travel. Go to museums, speakeasy, small pennsylvania town, decrepit mansion.
- Dark. So deliciously dark.
- One that really stuck with me. Was surprised that it isn't highly regarded, but for me was first large CoC adventure that was a smash hit. Talked about years later.
- Murder on Arcturus Station - 1983, J Andrew Keith, GDW Traveller
- Murder mystery
- 54 pages, but can be short or long.
- Toolbox to create the mystery. 9 suspects, each with multiple ways to do it, alibis, various ways might react to PCs.
- Even suggestions on how to work with a player who is the secret killer
- Loved it so much I instigated the revised reprint
Huge THANK YOU to our editors, Max Mahaffa and Edwin Nagy.
Special thanks to our logo artist, John Sumrow! Check out his Facebook page, official website, and Patreon page.
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnsumrow
- Website: http://www.johnsumrow.com
- Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JohnSumrow
Shout-outs and thanks go out to The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets for their generous use of their song, Gluttony, for our intro and outro music! Check out their BandCamp and official website.
- BandCamp: https://thedarkestofthehillsidethickets.bandcamp.com/
- Website: http://thickets.net/