Around the Hearth

Roll for Origin: Supers TTRPG History looks at two closely linked licensed supers games: Smallville and Marvel Heroic. To dig into this pair, Lowell and Jay bring on Rich Rogers (Hit the Streets: Defend the Block; +1 Forward) to give his perspectives as a GM and player. We talk about the system mechanics of the two games, including the big differences, the publication history of MWP, the media touchstones for these properties, and then give our general thoughts-- including wondering where our Smallville retroclones are...If you dig this series, please rate, review, and subscribe.Jay's the author of By Aecer’s Light, The Clockwinders for Fate, Cortex Prime's Supers, and a contributing author on Pathfinder’s Mwangi Expanse, Trophy Gold, Hit the Streets: Defend the Block, and the upcoming Lifted: Indomitable RPG, a supers game about everyday folks with extraordinary powers in a tech-aggressive world.Check out Mad Jay's work at Play.Fearless and at the Diceology Podcast.You can find Rich's game, Hit the Streets here. Lowell is the designer and co-author of Hearts of Wulin. He's the ENnie-winning creator of the Age of Ravens blog and community manager for the Open Hearth Gaming Community. You can find Lowell's work on YouTube, on Itch.io, and on DriveThruRPG.Find out more about the Open Hearth Gaming CommunitySupport us on Patreon!Our actual play podcast can be found hereFollow us on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/open-hearth-rpgBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/openhearthrpgMastodon: @[email protected]:00 Intro01:48 Pitch and Mechanics12:11 Publication History17:46 Where these Licenses Were23:28 Thoughts

In this episode of the Open Hearth Podcast, host Lowell Francis (edige23) once again talks with a couple of community members about their recent gaming. This time we have veteran community couple Tyler and Patrick. We talk preparations for an upcoming Ars Magica campaign and how it fits with past campaigns, the challenges and joys of long-running story campaigns, and the intersection of current events and modern superhero gaming. We finish up with some of the things we've been digging recently. May the Fourth: Star Wars Minicon 2026Ars Magica Manager Tyler's YouTubeFind out more about the Open Hearth Gaming CommunitySupport us on Patreon!Our actual play podcast can be found hereFollow us on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/open-hearth-rpgBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/openhearthrpgMastodon: @[email protected] 00:00 Introduction01:40 Patrick & Ars Magica16:22 Tyler & long-running story campaigns29:33 Lowell & the challenges of modern supers games40:52 Giving Me Life

This episode presents a community talk from back in 2022. It features Rae Nedjadi, David MK, and myself talking about managing and working with playtests. It seemed like a useful thing to get back into the feed, so I've cleaned up the audio for posting. We talk about planning playtests, setting expectations, dealing with feedback, and filtering input. Rae Nedjadi on itch.ioRae Nedjadi on PatreonDavid MK on itch.ioDavid MK on PatreonFind out more about the Open Hearth Gaming CommunitySupport us on Patreon!Our actual play podcast can be found hereFollow us on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/open-hearth-rpgBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/openhearthrpgMastodon: @[email protected]

In our fifth episode of Roll for Mutation, we look at two different licensed post-apocalyptic TTRPGs from the 1990s. First, World of Tank Girl, part of West End Games Masterbook series which apparently launched even before the film it was based on hit the theaters. Then we cover Ralph Bakshi's Wizards, based on the eponymous wild animated movie from the 1970s. We talk about what both games do, the source materials, their specific apocalypses, and how both games showcase 1990's game design tendencies: for better or worse (Lowell says worse).References Designers and Dragons: The 1980s Designers and Dragons: The 1990sTank Girl on WikipediaWizards on WikipediaFor other shows like this, check out Roll for Origin: Supers TTRPG History. Marc Majcher is an award-winning game designer, performer, educator, director, woodworker, writer, and all-around goblin-man recently relocated from Austin, Texas to East Lansing, Michigan. You can find their RPGs and LARPs inspired by the works of Philip K. Dick, a bird apocalypse, eldritch startup cults, viral videos, and much, much more at https://majcher.itch.io/ and everything else at https://majcher.com/. Lowell Francis is the designer and co-author of Hearts of Wulin. He's the ENnie-winning creator of the Age of Ravens blog and community manager for the Open Hearth Gaming Community. You can find Lowell's work on YouTube, on Itch.io, and on DriveThruRPG.Find out more about the Open Hearth Gaming CommunitySupport us on Patreon!Our actual play podcast can be found hereFollow us on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/open-hearth-rpgBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/openhearthrpgMastodon: @[email protected]: Here Comes the Night Karl Casey @White Bat Audio00:00 Introduction: Licensed Apocalypses02:02 Tank Girl24:41 Ralph Bakshi's Wizards

While the Open Hearth Community has often focused on one-shots, two-shots, and monthly short campaigns, there's always the siren call of running a longer series: a quarterly or beyond. In this community talk we're going to talk about "long" campaign best practices, planning, dealing with burnout, and more. Lowell has ideas and he'll be leading this discussion group– relying mostly on the participation of folks who join us and desperately filling dead air in between points. This is part of our Open Hearth series of community RPG talks. LinksMicroscope Microscope with 13th AgeArium Talking World Building (OH Podcast Episode)Age of Ravens Campaign Builder Decks Trinity Game Prep Sheet World Ending Game Find out more about the Open Hearth Gaming CommunitySupport us on Patreon!Our actual play podcast can be found hereFollow us on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/open-hearth-rpgBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/openhearthrpgMastodon: @[email protected]

Ian, José, and special guest Shane explore the space between direct exposition and embodied demonstration during play. How are these two approaches different? What are their best use cases? And how can they, when used well, support each other, the player, and the entire table?Jason Morningstar's great essay, "How to End" - https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-to-end-116645883Find out more about the Open Hearth Gaming CommunityOur website - it's 🤖 Mecha March 🤖Support us on Patreon!Our actual play podcast can be found hereFollow us on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/open-hearth-rpgBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/openhearthrpgMastodon: @[email protected] info:Email: [email protected]: https://lloydeaves.bandcamp.com/album/a-different-kind-of-hex

Roll for Origin: Supers TTRPG History looks all four editions of one of the most important modern supers TTRPGs, Mutants & Masterminds. Jay and Lowell talk about the core elements of the game-- what has remained the same and how the powers system has shifted over time. They then cover the publication history of the game and how each edition rolled out, followed by talk about how M&M has dealt with media, genres, and a few IPs. The episode then wraps up with a general discussion, where *spoilers* Lowell talks about why this has become his favorite trad-leaning supers game and his most embarrassing convention story.Mutants & Masterminds 4e Kickstarter (running through March 5, 2026)The Play Fearless Greatest Crits Zine Kickstarter (Jay's project running through March 1, 2026)Muses of Play (Mad Jay and Sarah Doom's new podcast project)Mutants & Masterminds System Guide for 3eRPGs I Like: Mutants & Masterminds, 2e (Part One)RPGs I Like: Mutants & Masterminds, 2e (Part Two)If you dig this series, please rate, review, and subscribe.Jay's the author of By Aecer’s Light, The Clockwinders for Fate, Cortex Prime's Supers, and a contributing author on Pathfinder’s Mwangi Expanse, Trophy Gold, Hit the Streets: Defend the Block, and the upcoming Lifted: Indomitable RPG, a supers game about everyday folks with extraordinary powers in a tech-aggressive world.Check out Mad Jay's work at Play.Fearless and at the Diceology Podcast.Lowell is the designer and co-author of Hearts of Wulin. He's the ENnie-winning creator of the Age of Ravens blog and community manager for the Open Hearth Gaming Community. You can find Lowell's work on YouTube, on Itch.io, and on DriveThruRPG.Find out more about the Open Hearth Gaming CommunitySupport us on Patreon!Our actual play podcast can be found hereFollow us on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/open-hearth-rpgBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/openhearthrpgMastodon: @[email protected]:00 Intro01:13 The Pitch09:34 Gaming History17:53 Comics & Media History25:53 Thoughts

Since almost the beginning, game publishers have supplemented games with pre-generated dungeons, scenarios, and campaigns. Some of these have becomes touchstones among players: Isle of Dread, The Enemy Within, Masks of Nyarlathotep, and beyond. But sometimes you don't want to run that system; would like to swap the scenario over to another genre or setting, or don't want to commit to a two-year campaign outline. Rich Rogers- veteran of many Star Wars adaptations and beyond- and Lowell Francis talk about some tactics for adapting these stories and along with questions, comments, and input from community members. This is part of our Open Hearth series of community RPG talks. Against the Dark ConspiracyAuspicious BeginningsStrangers in PraxFear of a Black DragonFind out more about the Open Hearth Gaming CommunitySupport us on Patreon!Our actual play podcast can be found hereFollow us on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/open-hearth-rpgBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/openhearthrpgMastodon: @[email protected]

In our fourth episode of Roll for Mutation, we look at one of the most important post-apocalyptic games, Apocalypse World. We consider both the impact of PbtA and the depiction of "the Apocalypse" in AW-- and how it differs from other contemporary games. Hosts Lowell Francis and Marc Majcher cover the short but rich history of AW and its long tail. We talk about what Apocalypse World is, where it fits in gaming history, our experiences playing it, and our general thoughts about the game.ReferencesTabletop RPG Design in Theory and Practice at the Forge, 2001–2012: Designs and DiscussionsDesigners & Dragons Volume 4 The 2000sApocalypse World: Burned Over is kinder and much angrierThe Daily Apocalypse+1 Forward: A Podcast Powered by the ApocalypseApocalypse World Burned Over KickstarterRascal Interview with Macolm CraigFor other shows like this, check out Roll for Origin: Supers TTRPG History. Marc Majcher is an award-winning game designer, performer, educator, director, woodworker, writer, and all-around goblin-man recently relocated from Austin, Texas to East Lansing, Michigan. You can find their RPGs and LARPs inspired by the works of Philip K. Dick, a bird apocalypse, eldritch startup cults, viral videos, and much, much more at https://majcher.itch.io/ and everything else at https://majcher.com/. Lowell Francis is the designer and co-author of Hearts of Wulin. He's the ENnie-winning creator of the Age of Ravens blog and community manager for the Open Hearth Gaming Community. You can find Lowell's work on YouTube, on Itch.io, and on DriveThruRPG.Find out more about the Open Hearth Gaming CommunitySupport us on Patreon!Our actual play podcast can be found hereFollow us on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/open-hearth-rpgBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/openhearthrpgMastodon: @[email protected]: Here Comes the Night Karl Casey @White Bat Audio00:00 Introduction: Apocalypse World03:30 What It Is13:26 Publication/Gaming History25:19 Media Context/Influences32:23 General Thoughts

What makes a good city in a role-playing game? People, places, factions, rumors? We're going to be talking about that and bringing together your insights. This community discussion ranges widely but includes: tools for building cities, techniques for making cities feel alive, mapping, citybook resources, and more. While we don't follow my outline, you can see my planning doc here. Find out more about the Open Hearth Gaming CommunitySupport us on Patreon!Our actual play podcast can be found hereFollow us on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/open-hearth-rpgBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/openhearthrpgMastodon: @[email protected]

As the first installment in a series of episodes on improv tools at the gaming table, Ian & José are joined by Karen Twelves, the author of Improv for Gamers, to discuss how players can make and receive meaningful offers in TTRPGs.Timecodes0:04:37 Pick your Poison0:24:25 What's an Offer?0:31:17 Creating Offers and Listening for Them0:36:53 Formal and Informal Ways to Offer0:46:30 Offers that Endow Others0:51:02 Nuancing Improv's Rules of Thumb0:57:15 Prepping for Spontaneity1:01:09 Ending Scenes1:06:57 The Pressure to Make Something Happen1:13:50 Pearl of Wisdom1:16:10 OutroKaren's Workhttps://karentwelves.com/Improv for GamersFind out more about the Open Hearth Gaming CommunitySupport us on Patreon!Our actual play podcast can be found hereFollow us on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/open-hearth-rpgBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/openhearthrpgMastodon: @[email protected] info:Email: [email protected]: https://lloydeaves.bandcamp.com/album/a-different-kind-of-hex

Roll for Origin: Supers TTRPG History looks at two related RPG systems. First Godlike, the World War II supers game that leans into realism and consistency. Second Wild Talents, the evolution of the systems from Godlike which can follow that history or be recast into a generic supers RPG. The hosts look at what both games do, their place in the history of gaming, and the influence of related comics media. They wrap that up general discussion, including what what's weird and what they dug.If you dig this series, please rate, review, and subscribe.Jay's the author of By Aecer’s Light, The Clockwinders for Fate, Cortex Prime's Supers, and a contributing author on Pathfinder’s Mwangi Expanse, Trophy Gold, Hit the Streets: Defend the Block, and the upcoming Lifted: Indomitable RPG, a supers game about everyday folks with extraordinary powers in a tech-aggressive world.Check out Mad Jay's work at Play.Fearless and at the Diceology Podcast.Lowell is the designer and co-author of Hearts of Wulin. He's the ENnie-winning creator of the Age of Ravens blog and community manager for the Open Hearth Gaming Community. You can find Lowell's work on YouTube, on Itch.io, and on DriveThruRPG.Thanks to Rich Rogers for the edit of this episode.Find out more about the Open Hearth Gaming CommunitySupport us on Patreon!Our actual play podcast can be found hereFollow us on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/open-hearth-rpgBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/openhearthrpgMastodon: @[email protected]:00 Intro01:10 The Pitch09:34 Gaming History17:00 Comics & Media History21:44 Thoughts

In this episode host Lowell Francis is joined by Kieron Gillen and Cat Rambo to talk about recent games, plans for future games, current writing projects, and more.Kieron GillenNewsletter: buttondown.email/KieronGillen/ Comics: bindings.app/shelf/1FLv6kLb Website: [email protected] on BlueSky Cat Rambohttps://www.catrambo.com/Wayward Wormhole Workshop @catrambo.bsky.social on BlueSkyFind out more about the Open Hearth Gaming CommunitySupport us on Patreon!Our actual play podcast can be found hereFollow us on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/open-hearth-rpgBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/openhearthrpgMastodon: @[email protected]:00 Introduction​01:52 Kieron Gillen & Mythic Bastionland11:42 Cat Rambo & Villa Encantata (still in design)19:53 Lowell & Rapscallion30:31 Upcoming Publications & Giving Me Life

A collection of favorite tabletop RPGs of 2025 from our community members. It's split into three sections, with host picks in-between.Find out more about the Open Hearth Gaming CommunitySupport us on Patreon!Our actual play podcast can be found hereFollow us on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/open-hearth-rpgBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/openhearthrpgMastodon: @[email protected] | Apocalypse KeysRae Nedjadi | HarvestAlexander Marchant | Last Train to BremenHorst | Mystic BastionlandMarc Majcher | Triangle Agency / Ultraviolet GrasslandsMads | Trophy DarkAnders | Sentinel Comics RPGKieron Gillan | Seven Part PactMike Minutillo | The WatchJim Crocker | Band of BladesSean Smith | OD&DTea | Sundered IslesFerret | PrometheanSherri | DIEJesse Ableman | HarvestWill | Mystic BastionlandWyllora | Triangle AgencyCasey | Yazeba's Bed and BreakfastMike Ferdinando | Ultraviolet GrasslandsAlun Rees | GrimwildJex Thomas | ExileNat Knight | Blood FeudGerrit Reninghaus | Pizza BoxLloyd Gyan | DaggerheartMichele | AnamnesisGuy Milner | You Must Leave This Party AloneRich Rogers | SmallvilleLowell | Writers' RoomSina | Apocalypse KeysThomas Manuel | Last Train to Bremen, Impossible Landscapes, HarvestGabe | Mystic BastionlandWill S | Triangle AgencyMichael D | Yazeba's Bed and BreakfastDom | Cats of CthulhuShane | OddfolkAmanda Mullins | NumbskullsDonogh McCarthy | Star Trek Adventures 2nd edCat | Triangle AgencyDavid MK | Stonetop, AWBO, Ex-CapesBez | Chapter Dungeon CrawlerJosé | Girl by Moonlight

In this episode host Lowell Francis is joined by Michael D. and Alun R. to talk about the ups and downs of "funny" game mechanics, a modern approach to traditional fantasy, and facing down what feels like inescapable doom. They examine light rules for sitcoms, new rules with an old feel, and a game that puts you on the losing side of a war.Please note that we will not be releasing any more episodes in December, but look for our upcoming annual Games of the Year episode dropping at the start of 2026!Going for BrokeGrimwildBand of BladesPanda's Talking GamesViva La QueerBar (English)Viva La QueerBar (Deutsch)Lowell's Dumb Honkai Star Rail Returning Player CodeMichaelhttps://kpopandrpgs.itch.io/KPOPandRPGs on social media or @kpopandrpgs or Michael D on Discord.Alunhttps://gallusgames.itch.io/@gallusgames or Alun R on [email protected] on BlueSkyFind out more about the Open Hearth Gaming CommunitySupport us on Patreon!Our actual play podcast can be found hereFollow us on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/open-hearth-rpgBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/openhearthrpgMastodon: @[email protected]:00 Introduction01:55 Michael & Going For Broke16:10 Alun & Grimwild29:24 Lowell & Band of Blades49:19 Giving Me Life

Note: we had some audio issues with this recording (apologies)! In our third episode of Roll for Mutation, a look at the history of Post-Apocalyptic TTRPGs, we bow in abject obeisance Friend Computer and the incomparably perfect TTRPG Paranoia from West End Games and then Mongoose. We consider the different editions and how we live in a phenomenal time which sometimes necessitates updating. But of course it never actually changed, since the Computer tells us that it has always been that way. Hosts Lowell Francis and Marc Majcher cover the extended history of the game and how it desperately raced to keep itself contemporary. We talk about what Paranoia is, where it fits in gaming history, our split experience playing it, and our general thoughts about the game.ReferencesParanoia on WikipediaParanoia on RPG GeekRPGNet Interview with James Wallis, Grant Howitt & Paul DeanThe Toothpaste DisasterDesigners & Dragons Volume 2 The 1980s For other shows like this, check out Roll for Origin: Supers TTRPG History. Marc Majcher is an award-winning game designer, performer, educator, director, woodworker, writer, and all-around goblin-man recently relocated from Austin, Texas to East Lansing, Michigan. You can find their RPGs and LARPs inspired by the works of Philip K. Dick, a bird apocalypse, eldritch startup cults, viral videos, and much, much more at https://majcher.itch.io/ and everything else at https://majcher.com/. Lowell Francis is the designer and co-author of Hearts of Wulin. He's the ENnie-winning creator of the Age of Ravens blog and community manager for the Open Hearth Gaming Community. You can find Lowell's work on YouTube, on Itch.io, and on DriveThruRPG.Find out more about the Open Hearth Gaming CommunitySupport us on Patreon!Our actual play podcast can be found hereFollow us on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/open-hearth-rpgBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/openhearthrpgMastodon: @[email protected]: Here Comes the Night Karl Casey @White Bat Audio00:00 Introduction: Paranoia00:45 What is it?09:28 Gaming History21:10 The Media Context28:47 Our Thoughts

Content Advisory: character death, ritual sacrificeIan & José are joined by Wyllora to explore what it means to fail in an RPG, and why we might want to do it on purpose. How do we define "success" in games, and what are the ways we can step outside that limit with agency?Wyllora’s Work: Art - https://www.artstation.com/wylloraGame Design - https://wyllora.itch.io/Triangle Agency Holiday-themed Game Jam! - https://itch.io/jam/time-and-a-halfFind out more about the Open Hearth Gaming CommunitySupport us on Patreon!Our actual play podcast can be found here Follow us on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/open-hearth-rpgBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/openhearthrpgMastodon: @[email protected] Our info:email: [email protected]: https://lloydeaves.bandcamp.com/album/a-different-kind-of-hex