In this episode Saul and Jolene discuss how players and GMs deal with Stuff. This is items that the playes posess or carry on their person. How much stuff do they have and how do they keep track of their stuff. Arrows, bullets, magic swords and food are at things that in most traditional RPGs have to deal with. How do RPGs tell players to deal with the items that a character has. Especially important are items that are expended in play. Does a player keep track of this stuff by marks or numbers ...
Oct 28, 2022•45 min•Ep. 261
In this episode, Saul and Jolene finish up the three fantasy rpg alternatives to D&D 5th Edition. In this third installment is on Low Fantasy Gaming Deluxe by Pick Pocket Press. Like the other two FRPGs discussed Low Fantasy Gaming takes a different path than D&D 5th Edition. Low Fantasy Gaming is a darker, gritter, and a lower magic fantasy roleplaying game. Saul and Jolene discuss how they achieve the goals of being different from D&D. From lower power levels, less magic, a deadlie...
Oct 19, 2022•34 min•Ep. 260
In this Episode we are fortunate to interview Kuba creator of Touched by the Gods RPG. Its a fantasy RPG using Free League's Year Zero Engine. The Art is amazing and Year Zero engine is one of Saul's favorite systems as it can handle such wide variety of genre's and type of RPGs. From mutant apocalypse to space opera to space horror the Year Zero system is fairly simple and flexible. Touched by the Gods is being crowd funded on Kickstarter right now. You can find it by clicking the link below. T...
Oct 10, 2022•42 min•Ep. 259
In this episode Saul and Jolene discuss three games that are good for those new to RPGs. Jolene noticed a number of things of the games that Saul chose for Beginning RPG players. First of all they are all six-sided dice based. Even all the systems are very different they all share the plain ole' D6. Jolene like most gamers love those polyhedrel dice. This episode is quite full of digressions from the old style telephone booths to the first in home computers. Jolene asks why I did not choose D&am...
Oct 04, 2022•40 min•Ep. 258
In this episode Saul and Jolene discuss why Magic Users are popular in RPGs and what magic systems there are and which ones Saul really likes. Web Art by Jim Foster Episode Art by Michael Shean-Jones Music by Deephi Magic, song Magic Ride, from the album Imagination Serie
Sep 26, 2022•42 min•Ep. 257
Saul and Jolene continue their discussion of Fantasy Role-Playing games that are not D&D. This week's game is Symbaroum a game by Free League publishing. Like Warhammer Fantasy, this game is darker and grittier than Dungeon and Dragons 5th Edition. But unlike Warhammer Fantasy the rules are much lighter and easier to learn and play. The discussion does cover the idea that because D&D 5th is so extremely popular that Free League has published a D&D 5th edtion of Symbaroum and the One ...
Sep 16, 2022•30 min•Ep. 256
Saul and Jolene have been asked and seen many posts on social media about alternatives to D&D. Saul decided to stay in the Fantasy Genre and chose a couple of games that are in the same genre but come at Fantasy from a totally different perspective. This was supposed to be a single episode discussing a couple of what Saul considers very good examples of being Fantasy RPGs but as far removed from D&D as possible in rules and setting. The first to be discussed is Warhammer Fantasy RPG. Sau...
Sep 09, 2022•39 min•Ep. 255
In this episode Saul tries to give advice from a query on FB. The post asked advice on how to deal with two players in their group of four players that always go beyond the limitations the GM wanted in their RPG campaign. From using races and classes from books the were not on the GM's list, to porting characters from long dead campaigns from several edition past. Saul and Jolene give it their best shot at dealing with these players who seem committed to upsetting the GM's concept of their campa...
Aug 24, 2022•35 min•Ep. 254
In this episode Saul and Jolene talk about the SRD's (System Reference Document) that are being published by some game publishers of their in house RPG Systems. Saul has been wondering about this happening with a couple of publishers. Specifically Modiphius with their 2D20 system and Free League with their Year Zero Engine. Each of these publishers have made several RPG rules using a version of their in house systems. Saul has GM'ed or played in several of each publishers games. Conan, Mutant Ch...
Aug 19, 2022•37 min•Ep. 253
In this Episode Saul and Jolene discuss finding your GM Groove, which to Saul means GMing a session, an adventure or a campaign where the players and GM have a great time. Now there is nothing that will guarantee a game going really well but Saul has a list of things that can make it more likely. Jolene is a bit confused by Saul's archaic terms but she broke it down for those not around in the 60' and 70's. These tips range from easy, GMing more games to a bit more work like working on your impr...
Aug 13, 2022•36 min•Ep. 252
In early July Saul was contacted by Christina from RPG Stories on the Gaming Perspectives Facebook account. Working with Christina we were able to get an interview with Agis Angelomatis. In this Bonus Episode Saul and Jolene interview Agis of RPG Stories, to learn what they have been working on to change your online TTRPGs experience . RPG Stories is a 3D Virtual Table Top for TTRPGs. Please take a look at the RPG stories website and check out their Kickstarter page and hit the notify button as ...
Aug 09, 2022•53 min•Ep. 251
In this episode Saul and Jolene discuss how different RPGs make you "roll" up a character. They also discuss how they prepare to make their characters even before making any kind of dice roll or character creation decisions. In some RPGs character creation can be quick or a long process but there are always choices that players make when making a character. Thank you all for listening, Episode Art by Michael Shean-Jones Web Art by Jim Foster Music by Komihu, song You, Yourself and the Main Chara...
Aug 03, 2022•31 min•Ep. 250
For this episode Saul and Jolene talk about Episodic and Long Arc campaigns. How they are different and what to expect from choosing to run a campaign in either style Saul has mostly run campaigns in the episodic style. Though lately, within the last 10 years has run the long arc campaigns. A couple where he came up with his own storyline and another rather famous published campaign. While Saul really is torn to which he likes better but he finally decides which he likes better. As always thanks...
Jul 28, 2022•34 min•Ep. 249
RPGs go out of print for many reasons. Is it a good idea to buy an RPG that will be going "Out Of Print"? Saul and Jolene discuss the idea of buying RPG books that will be going out of print. There are many reasons that a gamer might want to play RPGs that will no longer be printed. Saul comes up with 3 different reasons why someone would buy a game that will no longer be supported and Jolene picks which one is Saul. As always thanks for listening. Episode art by Michael Shean-Jones Hosting Page...
Jul 15, 2022•36 min•Ep. 248
Saul and Jolene discuss updating old and usually out of print games in this episode. Saul and Jolene look at three, new modern takes on some old RPGs. The old rules are either hard to get a hold of, because they are out of print, or the rules are written in a hard to understand style. Saul and Jolene discuss how updating the rules could bring these games to a generation of players that may have never heard of these fun games. The games discussed are Matt Kays Mutants in the Now, Everyday Heroes ...
Jul 08, 2022•40 min•Ep. 247
Saul when running his D&D games has never allowed Evil Characters or Assassins. Though Saul had this rule he didn't have to enforce for 25 years as a GM. Many GMs often have limits in their games. GM's often restrict such things as certain races, Alignments, Classes, "broken characters" and many other reasons in many different games. Saul and Jolene discuss this topic in this episode. Is it good, bad and how is the best way to deal with players that want to play those things that are on the ...
Jun 29, 2022•36 min•Ep. 246
In this episode Saul and Jolene talk about describing scenes in RPGs. Saul and Jolene discuss how some quick and simple use of descriptions can add quite a bit to your roleplaying sessions. Not only does it help getting the players engaged but also helps keep the game from getting too stale. Thank you all for listening. We ask that you share our podcast with your friends and family. Episode art by Michael Shean-Jones Hosting Page art by Jim Foster Music by Alpegon, song Insight. Available from T...
Jun 20, 2022•33 min•Ep. 245
Saul and Jolene received an email from a friend who was complaining about RPGs that makes things harder by changing well known game terms for ones that are more evocative for their game setting. Saul and Jolene looked into the game he was complaining about and they agreed that because the creators of the RPG were trying to be really immersive, they were making it more difficult to actually learn the rules. Even after looking at videos on how to play it became very evident that those in the video...
Jun 10, 2022•41 min•Ep. 244
Its been a couple busy weeks since the recording of this episode. It was recorded the week before Saul and Jolene went to Kublacon a gaming convention in Northern California. It was a very well attended convention post Covid shutdowns. So the getting ready for that convention delayed getting this episode edited and published. Jolene and Saul have mentioned Vampire many times in previous episodes of this podcast. Jolene thought it would be a good subject to discuss on the podcast and deserved it'...
Jun 02, 2022•47 min•Ep. 243
Getting the players on the right track to the adventure that the GM has prepared is sometimes a bit of a problem. Sometimes the GM's Plot Hooks are too vague, too numerous, or too obvious that the players don't follow the path to the adventure prepared. Saul and Jolene discuss ways that could make it easier for your players to go down the right path onto the adventure. As usual Jolene scours the internet to find GM horror stories of Plot Hooks that just did not hook the players interest. Even Sa...
May 17, 2022•41 min•Ep. 242
In this episode Saul and Jolene talk about their favorite monsters and Jolene checks out the internet and finds tons of the "Peoples" favorite monsters. Saul has been playing since 1978 so just in D&D alone from then to now he has fought and used a plethora of monsters in that time. Saul shares a couple of his favorites from the Fantasy genre that he has used as a GM and many popular ones that he has not yet used. Jolene talks about the favorite she has as a GM. Jolene also shares some monst...
May 05, 2022•47 min•Ep. 241
Saul and Jolene had been hearing a lot about D&D 6th Edition. Saul and Jolene checked out a lot of the latest info and right as they were recording news that WoTC was going to buy D&D Beyond for about 146 million dollars. So it looks like WoTC might be going "All In" with digital content? Saul and Jolene discuss what changes to 5th Edition might D&D 6th Edition have in store. What kind of updates to the rules might there be? The direction of some of the changes might be seen in the m...
May 02, 2022•49 min•Ep. 240
In this Bonus Episode we interview Brandon Harris creator of Dice Weaver, a VTT, Market Place and Community for gamers. Saul and Jolene interview Brandon who decided with a bit of pushing from friends to put his ideas and products out there for the world to use. Before talking to Brandon we thought it was about a new Virtual Tabletop he was creating but it turns out that Brandon has higher inspirations than just producing a VTT. He wants to create a Kind Community for gamers to gather. And that ...
Apr 27, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 239
In this Episode Saul and Jolene talk about RPGs where combat is not a main aspect of the game. In two of the RPGs discussed combat is very unlikely and in another combat is frowned upon. The games discussed are Monster Hearts 2, Prime Time Stories and Golden Sky Stories. Each bring unique visions of what an RPG is about and combat is not one of them. Thank you all for listening. Music by Fabio Aratari, song Over the Sky, from the album Over the Sky Available from Tribeofnoise.com...
Apr 21, 2022•44 min•Ep. 238
This question came from a Facebook post. We had done an episode early in the pandemic about how to keep playing during the Covid-19 Lockdown. But after a year and a half since those orders were given here in California and later throughout the United States it is a valid question that was quite introspective. Thanks for listening Episode art by Michael Shean-Jones Hosting Page art by Jim Foster Music by Jammer Rango, song Recovery Mode. Available from Tribeofnoise.com...
Apr 13, 2022•30 min•Ep. 237
Playtesting should be part of any publication project especially RPGs. RPGs need to be able to "work". Whether the game is a tactical simulation or a more storytelling variety the rules have to be playable. In this episode Saul and Jolene talk about Playtesting. Why its important, how it is conducted and their experience playtesting a few RPGs before they were published. Thank you all for listening. Episode art by Michael Shean-Jones Hosting Page art by Jim Foster Music by Jim Gaven, song Call M...
Apr 07, 2022•34 min•Ep. 236
There are many new players joining the ranks of ole D&D players. Though Saul and Jolene love and think 5th edition D&D is a great game they believe that those that love and play D&D should try other RPGs. As usual Saul tends to meander in the discussion Jolene in this episode seems to get distracted by Saul's meandering and goes along for the ride. Thanks for listening everyone. Music by Ron Gelinas, song Over the Horizon. Available from Tribeofnoise.com...
Apr 01, 2022•37 min•Ep. 235
One of Saul's and Jolene's favorite shows was Firefly. Shortly after the movie Serenity was out there was a RPG game based on the movie called Serenity. This RPG use a system first seen in the Sovereign Stone RPG. It was adapted and used to run the Serenity RPG. The publisher's of the Serenity RPG went on to published other RPGs based on popular IPs of that time. Each of those RPGs used version of what was dubbed the Cortex RPG system. The Cortex system has changed and the most recent version pu...
Mar 25, 2022•32 min•Ep. 234
Saul and Jolene were at Dundracon and were asked to do an episode about kids and gaming. We did an episode about three years ago but decided that our son is now 18 and share a parents perspective on how gaming has influenced and shaped our son to become the adult he is today. Saul and Jolene go over the positive influences of gaming, especially if kids are introduced to games at a very young age. Saul and Jolene also discuss the lasting impact of gaming with your children, you just might get an ...
Mar 18, 2022•34 min•Ep. 233
Every gamer has that moment when they need to find a new gaming group. Whether it is because your just moved to a new city, the last group fell apart, or just want to experience a different vibe, you as a gamer are looking for a group. Saul talks about the old days when there weren't many avenues that gamers had to find a group. But today gamers have this new fangled thing called the internet that can help you find and reach a large amount of players. Saul and Jolene talk about old and new ways ...
Mar 09, 2022•30 min•Ep. 232
