The Splatbook

John and Ben dive into the emotional connection we have with physical RPG books. They explore the tactile joys that come from tabletop gaming and discuss how these physical items shape our identities. The conversation touches on the balance between owning books and the digital world's allure. Personal stories highlight the passionate yet practical side of collecting. With a dash of humor, they reflect on planning versus spontaneity in gaming sessions, showcasing the delightful chaos that makes tabletop adventures memorable.

Three friends trade stories about meeting through tabletop games and forming lifelong bonds. They recount shared memories that turned sessions into keepsakes and how play preserved relationships across time. A moving tale covers caring for a player through illness and a poignant in‑game farewell. Conversation also touches on online communities, playtesting, and the ways games let people truly be themselves.

Gareth Hanrahan, lead writer for The One Ring – Moria: Through the Doors of Durin, brings his deep knowledge of Tolkien’s world to this engaging conversation. They delve into the challenges of designing gameplay in Moria, blending lore with adventure. Gareth discusses the haunting presence of the Balrog and the intricacies of monster encounters. The impact of shadow mechanics on character choices adds depth, while the evocative artwork and maps enhance the exploration of this legendary setting.

Garry Snow, game designer and creator of Daiku Games’ Fängelsehåla, gives a short bio as the game’s doomsayer and rules architect. They explore the D6 top-two dice system, the tactile Doom Stack risk mechanic, and the game’s Nordic old-school vibe. Conversation covers combat, movement tricks, tunnel choices, and the designer’s goals for simple, player-facing rules.

JP Coovert, a monthly zine publisher and art tutor, and Tony Vasinda, a tabletop zine publisher and crowdfunding organizer, chat about RPG Zine Month. They define zines and why creators love the small-scale DIY format. They highlight standout projects, low-stakes experimentation, tools for layout and printing, and recommended zines to watch.

Matthew Wilson, game designer known for running long Gauntlet-style campaigns, talks about sustaining long campaigns with low prep. He discusses using genre hooks to recruit newcomers and converting big modules into manageable forms. He highlights Gauntlet games and built-in campaign scaffolds that create narrative arcs without exhausting the GM.

Three goblins gear up for a chaotic infiltration of a wizard's ball. They hunt for costume parts across fairy groves, Grey Wardens, and magical testing grounds. Plans collapse into combat, deaths, and last-minute catapult launches. They discover a teleporter, materialize in the ballroom, and scramble for food, fame, and a chandelier hat amid undead mishaps.

This is normally an off week for The Splatbook, so I thought i would share an new podcast project I have been working. Zombies Strains is an attempt to understand how zombie movies came to dominate the horror genre after the year 2000. How did it all start? What makes a good zombie movie? We answer attempt to answer all of these questions and more in... Zombie Strains It’s Andy’s turn to present his baseline zombie film. His choice, The Girl with All the Gifts (2017), is strikingly different than John’s. Fast zombies? Check. Fast transmission? Check. Hordes of children who turn into zombies at the scent of humans? That’s new! Andy and John discuss this thought-provoking movie as they take another step on their zombie journey.https://zombiestrainspodcast.com/Contact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Roll For Topic

Ben and John dive deep into the evolution of RPGs and the rise of indie games. They discuss whether RPGs are fragmenting into niche play styles and how mainstream popularity might dilute creativity. The conversation explores the exciting intersection of board games and RPGs, highlighting the movement towards co-op experiences. They also ponder the importance of fostering inclusive play spaces across generations, all while navigating the balance between structured story games and the thrill of unpredictable narratives.

Please join the Splatbook Players as game master Jess runs the gang through a delightfully dark session of "To Serve Her Wintry Hunger", a story-telling RPG by Stephen DeweyTo Server Her Wintry HungerStephen Dewey PatreonContact Us!splatbookpod@gmail.comThe Splatphone!Roll For Topic