Inspired by the chapter on alignment in the S&W Book o Options, I present a comparison of Michael Moorcock's cosmic balance and Freud's theory of personality. Also, I have calls from Daniel ( Bandit's Keep) , Joe ( Hindsightless) , and Mirke ( Mirke the Meek) . Here are the other books mentioned in this episode The Antidote by Oliver Burkeman The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris A Liberated Mind bu Steven C. Hayes The Swords Wizardy Book of Options by Matt Finch & James M. Spahn Send me a m...
Jun 30, 2025•38 min•Season 2Ep. 84
This episode as some actual "alienist" content as I compare the way psychologists use theory and to make decisions in psychotherapy to the way a GM uses understanding of game design to make rulings at the table. I also have calls from Jason ( Nerd's RPG Variety Cas t), Karl ( The GMologist Presents ) and Mirke ( Mirke the Meek) . Take a look at Mirke's stuff on itch.io ! Send me a message! Email me at arcane.alienist@gmail.com Leave a voicemail at Speakpipe...
Jun 23, 2025•48 min•Season 2Ep. 83
In this episode I discuss using embracing the emergent stories that come from just playing the game and seeing where it takes you. This is partially inspired by recent discussions by Che Webster and Anthony Boyd about the nature of roleplaying games and characters as protagonists on the past few episodes of Roleplay Rescue. Give them a listen! Also, we have a new episode of Cerebrevore out now, where I am joined by the GMologist and Darkfluid. Send me a message! Email me at arcane.alienist@gmail...
Jun 18, 2025•31 min•Season 2Ep. 82
My quick review of Black Powder and Brimstone by Benjamin Tobitt. I also, this episode's cover art is the map to my Black Sword Hack have solo game, as suggested by a call from the GMologist . I made it using Inkarnate . Send me a message! Email me at arcane.alienist@gmail.com Leave a voicemail at Speakpipe...
Mar 30, 2025•41 min•Season 2Ep. 81
It's the conclusion of my first solo adventure with Black Sword Hack. Dolen and his "niece" Thorn confront the twisted mortician Fedro and uncover his plans for an undead army. But is he the real master or just a minion of Chaos? I also have a call from our good friend Riley, host of the excellent Diagetic Advancement podcast. Be sure to give it a listen! Special music for this episode curtesy of Bleupanda at Pond5 . Send me a message! Email me at arcane.alienist@gmail.com Leave a voicem...
Mar 11, 2025•52 min•Season 2Ep. 80
Part 4 of my solo adventure with Black Sword Hack. Dolen speaks to s suspicious fellow at the Morticians' Guild and seeks help from a former adversary. Special music for this episode curtesy of Bleupanda at Pond5 . Send me a messag! Email me at arcane.alienist@gmail.com Leave a voicemail at Speakpipe...
Feb 24, 2025•22 min•Season 2Ep. 79
Part 3 of my solo adventure with Black Sword Hack. Dolen enters the city slums in search of a wayward nobleman and answers about his brother's death. Special music for this episode curtesy of Bleupanda at Pond5 . Send me a message! Email me at arcane.alienist@gmail.com Leave a voicemail at Speakpipe...
Feb 15, 2025•37 min•Season 2Ep. 77
The second installment of solo play featuring Dolen of Ulber, as he says farewell to his brother and reflects on his origins and how he came to be a courier in the service of House Fulluando. Special music for this episode curtesy of Bleupanda at Pond5 . Thanks to Mirke the Meek for his call in this eposiode. Make sure you listen to his podcast. Other great podcasts referenced in this episode were the GMologist Presents and Diegetic Advancement . Send me a message! Email me at arcane.alienist@...
Feb 09, 2025•25 min•Season 2Ep. 76
After character generation and word-building, it's finally time for solo play with Black Sword Hack . Meet Dolen, once a barbarian thrall, now an agent of a powerful merchant house, as he prepares to deal with a personal tragedy. Special music for this episode curtesy of Bleupanda at Pond5 . Be sure to catch the latest episode of Cerebrevore , where Arlen and Karl join me to discuss Star Wars. Leave a comment here, or reach out to me directly! You can email me at arcane.alienist@gmail.com You ca...
Feb 01, 2025•20 min•Season 2Ep. 75
In this episode, we compete our basic worldbuilding with cities, signs of the apocalypse, and a prompt to get the first adventure under way. Leave a comment, or reach out to me directly! You can email me (arcane.alienist@gmail.com) or leave a voice message through my http://www.speakpipe.com/ArcaneAlienist" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Speakpipe account .
Jan 25, 2025•23 min•Season 2Ep. 74
In this episode we get one step closer to solo play with Black Sword Hack as I fill in the major factions of the campaign setting and put them on the map using the tools from the rulebook.
Jan 19, 2025•29 min•Season 2Ep. 73
Meet my randomly generated Black Sword Hack character. He's not your average piece of Frazetta beefcake. Check out an example of BSH solo play at the Kill Ten Rats RPG YouTube channel.
Jan 11, 2025•25 min•Season 2Ep. 72
Here's a relatively quick overview of Black Sword Hack, the sword & sorcery game that ponders the question: "What is best in life?" You can purchase the complete "Ultimate Chaos Edition" or get the free SRD for the game at The Merry Mushmen website.
Jan 07, 2025•29 min•Season 2Ep. 71
As we close out the holiday searon and head to the New Year, I want to thank all my listeners. Now go watch our Mörk Borg Christmas Special actual play " Holiday Hellions " at the GMologist YouTube Channel.
Dec 30, 2024•4 min•Season 2Ep. 70
I've got calls about Mörk Borg from Riley of Diagetic Advancement and from Karl and Amy of the GMologist Presents , and a recap of the latest D&D with Theater Kids in which we see why random rolls and referee rulings are the raddest route to robust roleplaying. Also, be sure to check out this episode of Analytic Dice , where Kevin and Gabe discuss Black Sword Hack . It really stirred up some interest in that game for me....
Dec 17, 2024•33 min•Season 2Ep. 69
The final installment of my Mörk Borg solo play using Sölitary Defilement . Eldar Rottentoe discovers the corruption that plagues the Rancid Maze of Chrud Nech. Will he survive? Special music for this episode courtesy of romulosandri, from www.pond5.com.
Dec 07, 2024•53 min•Season 2Ep. 68
Happy Indigenous People's Month and Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Not much content here, but this month I did appear on two other podcasts discussing Indigenous Americans in fiction and roleplaying games: Nerd's RPG Variety Cast discussion of Steven Graham Jones novel The Only Good Indians The GMologist Presents discussion of Indigenous people in roleplaying games...
Nov 30, 2024•4 min•Season 2Ep. 67
Another installment of my Mörk Borg solo play using Sölitary Defilement . Eldar Rottentoe must survive an encounter with the walking dead deep within the Rancid Maze of Chrud Nech. Special music for this episode courtesy of romulosandri, from www.pond5.com.
Nov 29, 2024•47 min•Season 2Ep. 66
I've got a call from the GMologist, followed by another installment of my Mörk Borg solo play using Sölitary Defilement . Eldar Rottentoe survives a knife fight and discovers a deadly new magical power. Special music for this episode courtesy of romulosandri, from www.pond5.com....
Nov 23, 2024•29 min•Season 2Ep. 65
Another installment of my Mörk Borg solo play using Sölitary Defilement . Eldar Rottentoe goes deeper into the Rancid Maze of Chrud Nech and makes a new friend (much to the chagrin of Urm). Special music for this episode courtesy of romulosandri, from www.pond5.com.
Nov 17, 2024•43 min•Season 2Ep. 64
In this episode I recount the latests OSE/Knave game, where I tested out my latest idea - the combat procedure deck.
Oct 09, 2024•18 min•Season 2Ep. 63
Another installment of my Mörk Borg solo play using Sölitary Defilement . Eldar Rottentoe enters the Rancid Maze of Chrud Nech and must overcome his first battle with its inhabitants. I also have a call from Karl Rodriquez of The GMologist. Be sure to go over to Kickstarter and back Reaver , an amazing game by Joe Salvador of Raven God Games. You can find interviews and actual plays at the GMologist YouTube Channel (linked above) as well as some discussion of Reaver on the latest episode of ...
Sep 29, 2024•26 min•Season 2Ep. 62
In this episode I have the latest installment of D&D with Theater Kids, wherein an epic battle with a dragon takes only one round to resolve. Also, we have calls from Joe Richter of the Hingsightless podcast and Riley from Diagetic Advancement . September is suicide awareness month. Help is available at 988 Lifeline. Just call or text 988 or visit the website ....
Sep 26, 2024•30 min•Season 2Ep. 61
Here's the second installment of my Mörk Borg solo play using Sölitary Defilement . The story picks up as Eldar Rottentoe confronts a band of goblins guarding the entrance to the Rancid Maze of Chrud Nech. CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains a reference to suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact a healthcare professional or go to the closest emergency room. Help is also available through the national 988 Lifeline. Just call or text 988 or visit ...
Sep 22, 2024•28 min•Season 2Ep. 60
Just a short episode to commemorate International Talk Like a Pirate Day with some reflections on two of my most pirate-like characters. Also, anyone up for Pirate Borg?
Sep 20, 2024•11 min•Season 2Ep. 59
In this episode, I dive into Mörk Borg solo play using the supplement Sölitary Defilement by 1d10+5. Listen as Eldar Rottentoe and his weird little dog approach the Rancid Maze of Chrud Nech! I also have calls from Joe Richter of the Hindsightless podcast and Riley of Diagetic Advancement . Special music for this episode courtesy of romulosandri, from www.pond5.com....
Sep 15, 2024•28 min•Season 2Ep. 58
In this episode we go dark and experimental with Mörk Borg character creation and first person narrated solo play. Meet the esoteric warlock, Eldar Rottentoe, and his vicious little dog, Urm. It's mud core, but it's good clean fun. Special music for this episode courtesy of romulosandri, from www.pond5.com. It can be found here: https://www.pond5.com/royalty-free-music/item/124082052-greed-terror-horror-thrilling-ambient-texture-soundtrack-atm
Sep 10, 2024•36 min•Season 2Ep. 57
It’s time for #RPGaDay2024 Check out all of this year’s prompts at www.autocratik.com
Aug 31, 2024•5 min•Season 2Ep. 56
It’s time for #RPGaDay2024 Check out all of this year’s prompts at www.autocratik.com
Aug 30, 2024•4 min•Season 2Ep. 55
It’s time for #RPGaDay2024 Check out all of this year’s prompts at www.autocratik.com D&D Beyond https://www.dndbeyond.com Demiplane https://app.demiplane.com/home
Aug 29, 2024•5 min•Season 2Ep. 54
