The Splatbook

A behind-the-scenes look at creating intro and outro music using GarageBand and Logic. A creator walks through assembling musical pieces and shares production tips. A cheerful sign-off invites listeners to enjoy the finished tracks.

A final farewell centered on horror in RPGs and other media. They compare the thrill of one-shots versus long campaigns. Conversation covers constrained stories, tropes, and how novelty shapes fear. They debate mechanics, randomness, and emotional impact across games. The chat ends with encouragement to play and create more horror RPGs.

They relive a convention run of a Trophy Dark horror game set in Moria with tea lights, creeping darkness, and a well-timed Balrog scare. They compare mechanics like Dread versus Trophy Dark and explain a reskin for Middle-earth. They debate pre-gens, hybrid character creation, and using physical props to build tension. They reflect on con energy, introducing indie RPGs, and keeping session framing while letting players steer the story.

A mailbag special full of listener stories about friendship and finding RPG groups through streams and Discord. They discuss how players become confident GMs and share tips for learning in safe groups. A thread explores horror systems for a doom-driven Moria game, naming stress, panic, and timer mechanics. Community pitches and playtest ideas spark debate about tone, conversion, and one-shot design.

John and Jess dive into the thrill of starting new tabletop RPG adventures as Jess wraps up an epic-level campaign. She shares her excitement for joining Wild Beyond the Witchlight as a player and discusses organizing a new queer-led group. The duo explores Daggerheart's innovative Hope and Fear dice system and its cohesive design that streamlines gameplay. John unveils plans for a Moria-themed horror game at RfT Con, highlighting mechanics that build tension, and they brainstorm ways to integrate madness and urgency into the experience.

James Pozenel, game designer and creator of Netcrawl, explains his cyberdungeon RPG where the whole party dives into a server. The conversation covers Netcrawl’s DCC-rooted mechanics and shared skill system. Players face techno-spiders, investigate monitor vortices, and confront the Core Queen dragon in a surreal, party-wide cyberspace adventure.

Matt (co-author and narrative designer) brings evocative monster text. Haley (creative director and lead artist) supplies whimsical dragon-inspired art. They discuss the zine-to-book origin of Book of Wyrms. They talk vibe-driven creature templates, designing encounters with noncombat solutions, and supporting GMs transitioning to story-led play.

Join the hosts as they roll up characters for three unique OSR systems, each reflecting different design aesthetics. The whimsical side of character creation shines through as they craft an Elven Sage while balancing silly traits with mechanics. Meet Hrenic Shankwold, the hilariously clumsy fighter with his awkward low dexterity. With a focus on minimalism in character sheets, they discuss how design impacts new players' experiences. Tune in for a light-hearted exploration of the joys and quirks of tabletop RPGs!

Stephen Dewey, indie designer behind Calvary Games and creator of Ten Candles, discusses To Serve Her Wintry Hunger and his craft. He talks about using tight rules to shape emotional pacing. They explore question-driven prompts, mechanics that teach the world, and how structure helps intense, reproducible play.

In which John, Jess, and Ben explore the many flavors of chaos a player can bring. We discuss the role of emotional intelligence at the table, the energizing and disrupting impact of unruly players, and how Chaos Goblins—love them or not—might actually be the secret teachers of the TTRPG world.Check out John's new podcast: Zombie StrainsContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Roll For Topic