I lean into some old-school fan-speak as I reflect as the podcast's recent close encounter with "podfading." I talk at why this is happening, and what I'm going to try to prevent. Finally I tell you what you can do to motivate me, and it has nothing to do with money! Share your thoughts via: 🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron 📧 feedback@dekahedron.com...
Jul 01, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 174
I talk about problems GMs run into when they have too much "color" in thir campaign world. Share your thoughts via: 🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron 📧 feedback@dekahedron.com 📞📱 562-RPG-CAST (562-774-2278) More information is at dekahed...
Jun 19, 2025•14 min•Season 1Ep. 173
I look at 5 different way to map your universe in Space Opera type games. Share your thoughts via: 🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron 📧 feedback@dekahedron.com 📞📱 562-RPG-CAST (562-774-2278) More information is at dekahedron.com...
Jun 11, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 170
I get feedback from Jason and Riley about the locked dungeon door. I'm pondering a classic D&D moment: the dreaded locked door and the failed lock pick. Does it kill the adventure, or does it actually make things more interesting? I share my thoughts on why I think it's the latter, and throw the question out to you all – what do you think happens when your party hits an unyielding lock? Jason's podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/jason376/ Riley's podcast: https://creators.spot...
May 13, 2025•10 min•Season 1Ep. 172
I'm pondering a classic D&D moment: the dreaded locked door and the failed lock pick. Does it kill the adventure, or does it actually make things more interesting? I share my thoughts on why I think it's the latter, and throw the question out to you all – what do you think happens when your party hits an unyielding lock? Share your thoughts via: 🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron 📧 feedback@...
Apr 29, 2025•9 min•Season 1Ep. 171
The Arcane Alienist called in to let me know about an optional rule in Mongoose Traveller 2. I respond to that and talk about some alternatives before I go way off the rails and talk about ditching Traveller altogether. The Arcane Alienist podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/arcanealienist Share your thoughts via: 🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron 📧 feedback@dekahedron.com...
Mar 24, 2025•14 min•Season 1Ep. 169
Guess what? New Classic Traveller book! "Pirates." I'm both excited and nervous, which is pretty much how I feel about most things. I also go off on a tangent trying to figure out how I feel about Traveller in general. I mean, I love the game, but... Share your thoughts via: 🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron 📧 feedback@dekahedron.com 📞📱 562-R...
Mar 18, 2025•14 min•Season 1Ep. 168
I put together the first issue of The Anchorite APA. https://sites.google.com/view/Anchorite/ Share your thoughts via: 🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron 📧 feedback@dekahedron.com 📞📱 562-RPG-CAST (562-774-2278) More information is at dekahedron.com...
Mar 12, 2025•9 min•Season 1Ep. 167
Another rules-as-written T&T character. This time it's Seraphina the Werebear Wizard! Share your thoughts via: 🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron 📧 feedback@dekahedron.com 📞📱 562-RPG-CAST (562-774-2278) More information is at dekahedron.com...
Feb 26, 2025•17 min•Season 1Ep. 173
Ways to send your review: E-mail: feedback@dekahedron.com Phone: 562-774-2278 (562-RPG-CAST) Web: https://sayhi.chat/dekahedron Discord: @snowgen
Feb 24, 2025•2 min
I wanted to do something to get us warmed up for the big Tunnels & Trolls mega-review coming up in March, so I'm rolling up a character in real time. We're going old-school with 5th Edition, so get ready for some classic T&T action. Watch as an old-school unlucky stat roll turns my planned Seraphina the Fairy into Clayfoot the Dwarf! I'll go through all the steps: rolling stats, picking a kindred, figuring out combat adds, and grabbing some gear. I'll also be chatting about some of the d...
Feb 18, 2025•27 min•Season 1Ep. 165
This episode is a bit of an experiment! I wanted to see if AI could actually create a decent TTRPG campaign introduction, so I put Notebook LM to the test. I uploaded all the details of my campaign setting and let the AI do its thing. In this episode, I'll walk you through the process and share my thoughts on the results. We'll listen to the AI-generated intro in the final 20 minutes. Was it a success? Tune in to find out! Share your thoughts via:🌐 sayhi.chat/dek...
Feb 18, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 164
When I posted the first part of the FUDGE RPG Mega-Review, I accidentally left off the Arcane Alienist! So here he is! Sorry about that! Share your thoughts via:🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron 📧 feedback@dekahedron.com 📞📱 562-RPG-CAST (562-774-2278) More information is at dekahedron.com...
Feb 11, 2025•11 min•Season 1Ep. 163
Six podcasters. One RPG. The Fudge RPG is in the spotlight! Tune in for the perspectives of six voices in the gaming podcasting world, each sharing their unique take on Fudge. Is Fudge a hidden gem or just another system? Tune in to find out! Share your thoughts via: 🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron 📧 feedback@dekahedron.com 📞📱 562-RPG-CAST (562-774-2278...
Feb 04, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 162
Is D&D YouTube dying? Some YouTubers claim declining viewership is forcing them out. But I believe this is a chance for a resurgence of authentic, community-driven content. I discuss the negative impacts of chasing ad revenue and the rise of production values on the D&D YouTube scene. I encourage YOU to embrace the opportunity to share their own RPG experiences with the world. Share your thoughts via: 🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron 📧...
Jan 28, 2025•9 min•Season 1Ep. 161
Remember the old days of paper-based fanzines and APAs (Amateur Press Associations)? I'm reviving this classic format for tabletop gamers with The Anchorite APA! This episode explains what an APA is, how it works, and how you can become a member of our growing community. Whether you're into OSR, indie RPGs, or any other type of tabletop gaming, this is a fantastic way to share your writing, connect with like-minded people, and get your work seen. We're accepting zine submissions now! Learn more ...
Jan 21, 2025•14 min•Season 1Ep. 160
I make the case that armor in Tunnels & Trolls is overpowered. I delve into the mechanics of armor in T&T, and offer two examples of why these rules are broken. I also provide some alternative solutions for balancing armor in T&T. #ttrpg #rpg Share your thoughts via: 🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron 📧 feedback@dekahedron.com 📞📱 562-RPG-CAST (562-774-2278...
Jan 16, 2025•15 min•Season 1Ep. 159
Joe announces his latest projest: The Anchorite Amateur Press Association. https://sites.google.com/view/Anchorite/home
Jan 15, 2025•2 min
I announce that the first "everyone" review will be for FUDGE. You can get Fudge here: https://www.fudgerpg.com/goodies/fudge-files/download/3-core/54-fudge-1995-pdf-bookmarked.html Share your thoughts via: 🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron 📧 feedback@dekahedron.com 📞📱 562-RPG-CAST (562-774-2278) More information is at ...
Jan 07, 2025•5 min•Season 1Ep. 158
Another lunchtime chat. In this one I respond to feedback from Karl of the GMologist podcast. We discuss the potential connection between Traveller 2300 and Twilight 2000. Karl's show: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/karl-rodriguez Share your thoughts via: 🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron 📧 feedback@dekahedron.com 📞📱 562-RPG-CAST (562-774-2278) M...
Jan 05, 2025•7 min•Season 1Ep. 157
Merry Christmas, my friends. Share your thoughts via: 🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron 📧 feedback@dekahedron.com 📞📱 562-RPG-CAST (562-774-2278) More information is at dekahedron.com...
Dec 24, 2024•3 min•Season 1Ep. 156
Another lunchtime chat! This time I answer Riley's call regarding "Minimum Viable RPG." Also, I backtrack a bit on my earlier stance about implicit settings. So, grab a bite, settle in, and join me and Riley! Don't forget to check out Riley's podcast, the Diegetic Advancement Podcast, for more great insights. https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/diegeticadvancement/ Share your thoughts via: 🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron 📧 ...
Dec 21, 2024•14 min•Season 1Ep. 155
I recorded a quick feedback episode—this time recorded from the parking lot of a cozy little café as I make my way to lunch. Today, I respond to some thoughts from Jason about my "Minimum Viable RPG" episode. So, grab a snack and join me for this lunchtime chat! Don't forget to check out Jason’s podcast, the Nerds RPG Variety Cast, for more great insights. https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/jason376 Share your thoughts via: 🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron...
Dec 19, 2024•6 min•Season 1Ep. 152
I respond to a thought-provoking question from Jason over at the Nerds RPG Variety Cast: Should GMs pre-plan specific adventure site bonuses, or leave them open to improvisation? I share why I opt for a flexible, on-the-fly approach to site design and gameplay in D&D and other RPGs. Topics include: * The pitfalls of pre-planning bonuses and tactical combat. * How abstract combat and player creativity enrich the game. * Using luck rolls to resolve player actions dynamically. * Encouraging col...
Dec 17, 2024•7 min•Season 1Ep. 153
I share my thoughts on what's absolutely necessary to include in an RPG. Inspired by discussions on the Diegetic Advancement podcast and the Minions & Musings Podcast, I break down the bare minimum required for a game to be considered a role-playing game. I also share my opinion on what's not necessary, including artwork, "learn how to play" sections, and explicit settings. I feel that GM advice should be tailored to specific play styles and that different types of gamers have different need...
Dec 11, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 152
Joe examines a challenging topic: the portrayal of slavery in the early days of tabletop role-playing games. As the holiday season approaches, he takes a moment to reflect on the darker aspects of gaming history that often go unexamined. Beginning with his insights from OSR October and Dave Arneson's First Fantasy Campaign, Joe highlights how slavery is presented as a commodity, complete with pricing mechanisms for male and female slaves. He contrasts this with the portrayals in other early RPGs...
Nov 26, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 151
In this episode, Joe responds to listener feedback about the evolution of Traveller and alternative healing mechanics. Additionally, he discusses the philosophy behind hit points. Links: Evil Jeff's show: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eviljeff Karl's show: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karl-rodriguez Jason's show: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason376 Share your thoughts via: 🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron 📧 ...
Nov 19, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 150
In this episode, Joe answers a listener's question about getting started with Traveller. In his response, Joe meaders through every edition of the classic science fiction RPG from 1977 to today. Links: Jason's Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason376 Classic Traveller Facsimile Edition: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/355200/classic-traveller-facsimile-edition Share your thoughts via: 🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron 📧 ...
Nov 12, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 149
Joe talks about how he handles RPG healing mechanics in both new-school and old-schools games. Inspired by the classic works of Judges Guild and John M. Ford, he explores the concept of individual wound tracking and the importance of first aid in recovering from battle. #rpg #dnd #ttrpg Links: The Roleplayer Article: https://www.sjgames.com/gurps/Roleplayer/Roleplayer16/Wounds.html Share your thoughts via: 🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron 📧 feedb...
Nov 05, 2024•13 min•Season 1Ep. 148
Joe marks a significant life milestone. He shares an intimate and candid reflection of a chapter of his life that is coming to an end 41 years--to the day--after it began. Links: Article about Joe: https://www.afcent.af.mil/Units/379th-Air-Expeditionary-Wing/News/Display/Article/809055/taking-care-of-service-members-first-priority-for-first-aid-kit-assembly-party/ Share your thoughts via: 🌐 sayhi.chat/dekahedron 📧 feedback@dekahedron.com...
Oct 31, 2024•29 min
