Role Playing Public Radio

There is trouble in Bethlehem…. Thousands of crows have taken roost in the woods surrounding Bethlehem, NH, mercilessly attacking anyone who tries to enter the forest. The human population is outnumbered more than ten-to-one, and the birds are growing more bold every day. Can the investigators solve the mystery behind this unnatural infestation? Can they save the town of Bethlehem from a disaster of biblical proportions? Murder of Crows contains everything a Call of Cthulhu group needs for an evening’s worth of Mythos-inspired fun, including pregenerated characters. It is the first in an innovative new series of Call of Cthulhu scenarios and supplements from Super Genius Games. This scenario was recorded at ShaunCon, so it’s a bit noisy. Fortunately our Zoom H2 recorder managed to get most of the voices of the players fialry well. Keeper: Jon Hook Buy the scenario at RPG Now

When we role play, we almost always imagine an action scene, whether it’s kicking down dungeon doors and slitting the throats of whatever lies beyond them or kicking open vampire coffins and staking whatever lies inside them or kicking down giant metal doors with giant robot legs and stomping whatever lies beyond them. So no matter what genre you prefer, action is part of it. But how do you run a great scene or fight or base an entire scenario or campaign in an action adventure genre? Of course there’s also a letter from Tom, an anecdote from our listener Captain Scraps and some shout outs: Fallout 3: A most worthy post apocalypse interactive saga. Play the damn game already. The Something Awful Traditional Games Discussion Forum: lotsa good discussions here. Punisher vidya game: Punisher shoots bad guys. Virtually! Shauncon: We went there. It was neat. Music: Various by The Inkspots courtesy of Archive.org. These are public domain. Horray!

Ben Baugh aka Bailywolf on the RPG.net forums is the mind behind Monsters and Other Childish Things, a game near and dear to my heart. In this interview, we talk about game design, his other work, some of the more interesting threads on RPG.net and of course Monsters. I apologize for the poor audio quality. Skype and my internet connection hates me. I think the content of the interview makes up for it though.

Horror deserves more than one episode, so we’re going to keep talking about it. We cover everything from foreshadowing scares to some of the best and worst horror games we’ve been in. If you want to improve on terrifying players, grab from our bag of tricks and treats. Music: More number stations from the Conet Project Shout outs: Dead Space: Insanely freaky 360 game Fatal Frame 1: Another freaky survival horror video game Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer Book of Unremitting Horror

As an experiment, I posted two actual plays on Oct 22. However, most of you didn’t realize that. So, I am reposting the Fear Itself Actual Play so those of you who subscribe via Itunes and other RSS podcatchers will get it. If you already downloaded the Fear Itself AP, do not download this. This Fear Itself game is a follow up, based on the aftermath of Profane Miracles using the Fear Itself RPG. A new drug appears in the LA ghettos, one that transforms innocent humans into ravenous monsters. Two normal residents, a priest and a loner try to survive the horrors of the streets and the things the lurk in the shadows. If either game interests you, take a look at the Pelgrane Press GUMSHOE website for more info.

Esoterrorists: Profane Miracles Players: Tom, Cody and Dan. Synopsis: The first Actual Play is with this published scenario from Pelgrane Press, using the Esoterrorists RPG. Jonathan Bentley, millionaire financier, has been raised from the dead at a Los Angeles charity ball by self-styled “psychic to the stars” Cassandra Madrigal. Is Bentley really alive, or in some other state? What is his wife Grace’s involvement. Is Madrigal an agent of of esoterror, and how deep does the conspiracy go? Your team must move from the opulence of high society, to the dangers of The Core and Skid row, to mansions and hospitals. If you can avoid heavily armed criminals and survive the machinations of esoterror agents unscathed, it will be a miracle in itself. The second game is a follow up, based on the aftermath of Profane Miracles using the Fear Itself RPG. A new drug appears in the LA ghettos, one that transforms innocent humans into ravenous monsters. Two normal residents, a priest and a loner try to survive the horrors of the streets and the things the lurk in the shadows. If either game interests you, take a look at the Pelgrane Press GUMSHOE website for more info.

Running a horror game is a tricky business. The GM has to hit the perfect tone, set the perfect mood and run a truly scary game in order to terrify players. But it can be done. With Halloween approaching, we’ve decided to share some tips on running horror games, from basic advice on timing, storytelling and writing horror scenarios to advanced material like using theatrical techniques and props in a game. Tom has a new letter, anecdotes and of course some Shout Outs: Supernatural Horror in Literature by H.P. Lovecraft Danse Macabreby Stephen King Condemned 2: Bloodshot In the Mouth of Madness Feast 1 and Feast 2: Sloppy Seconds Music: The Conet Project Listen to it online.

The Gamers is a cult classic movie celebrating role playing’s inherent weirdness. Since its premiere at Gencon in 2003, it has been quoted nearly as often as Monty Python at gaming tables around the world. The Gamers 2: Dorkness Rising premiered at Gencon 2008 and is rapidly making the rounds, raking up sales and acclaim. I spoke to him about the genesis of the movies, how they were made and some of the other projects he’s involved with, such as Falcon Rock Command. Please note that a weird error messed up my side of the interview. It’s audible but there’s an odd noise. I have no idea what could cause it.

Synopsis: Three heroes must save a village and its hidden treasure from a horde of maurading mercenaries. The heroes are mistmatched characters from comics, tv and film while the bad guys are a rogue’s gallery of villains from all over popular culture. Oh and the village is Mayberry. No, you’re not hallucinating after a night of cable tv and Mexican food. It’s the second game of GURPS Modern League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. This gets a bit over the top but everyone had a blast. Players: Jason as Dean Winchester Tom as the Lizard from Marvel Comics Aaron as a former ghostbuster

Most games start as an idea in the GM’s head. However, it takes some work to go from idea to having a full campaign ready to run. Tom and I discuss the process of creating a campaign and our experiences in creating and running them. If you want to make a game that lasts more than a few sessions, you should give our advice a try. Plus, a very personal letter from Tom, in which he admits that he’s a cheating bastard, shout outs and new anecdotes! Shout Outs: Day by Day Armageddon: If you write a zombie apocalypse novel do NOT do what this novel did. It’s just terrible. So very very terrible. Mutant Chronicles: A movie based on the RPG, Mutant Chronicles. And it’s so horrible that words can’t adequately describe how horrible it is. Bigger Faster Stronger: A documentary about power gamers in real life, steroid users. An excellent look into the mindset of the athletes and gym rats who use it and the culture that condones winning at all costs. House of Leaves: This is a crazy book. I’m not done with it but it is worth reading. Music: Write My Story by Air 5. Promo: RPG Life.