Roleplay Rescue

A few days ago I was privileged to be able to schedule a conversation with Daniel Jones, the originator of the term Otherworld-immersion and a proponent of the idea that changing the methodology of our roleplaying games being the key to changing the experience we have at the table. For those who don’t know him, Daniel is a published author, game designer, philosopher, and the man behind the Eudaimonic Geekery blog. If you want to hear our earlier conversations about Otherworld-immersion, please check out Season 6, Episode 10 and Season 9, Episode 14.Today’s chat was initially aimed at responding to three very common objections I have heard to the central methodological change of bringing all the rules, die rolls, and mechanisms behind the GM screen. From there, we talk more generally about some of our experiences with this style of play and muse on how to invite more roleplayers to try something different.Thanks to Daniel for coming back to the show. I hope you’ll find it illuminating and interesting.Roleplay Rescue Details:Voice Message: speakpipe.com/roleplayrescuePatreon: patreon.com/rpgrescue Email: [email protected]: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Twitter: @ubiquitousratRoleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore: Tale of The Manticore, a Dark Fantasy Dungeons & Dragons Audiodrama (podbean.com) or https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it mean to play a roleplaying game by yourself? How is it possible to find play in the solitude of alone? Should we even allow ourselves to go there?Last time I talked about the tension between being a player and being the GM in a roleplaying game. Today, I want to explore the question of what it means to play alone, solo, just you and the game.Thanks to Spencer for calling in! Roleplay Rescue Details:Voice Message: speakpipe.com/roleplayrescuePatreon: patreon.com/rpgrescue Email: [email protected]: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Twitter: @ubiquitousratRoleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore: Tale of The Manticore, a Dark Fantasy Dungeons & Dragons Audiodrama (podbean.com) or https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“First and foremost, then, all play is a voluntary activity. Play to order is no longer play: it could at best be but a forcible imitation of it. By the quality alone, play marks itself off from the course of the natural process. It is something added thereto and spread out over it like a flowering, an ornament, a garment.” These words from Johan Huizinga’s “Homo Ludens” raise a question: if play to order is no longer play, but at best a forcible imitation of it, at what point does the expectation and planning for a roleplaying game cause that roleplaying game to stop being playful?Links:The Alexandrian » Game Structures – Part 5: Mysteries: thealexandrian.net/wordpress/15151/roleplaying-games/game-structures-part-5-mysteriesGaming From The First Age "Emergent Campaigns": anchor.fm/first-age/episodes/Emergent-Campaigns-e1fvt89Thanks to Evil Jeff and Jason C for the call-ins!Roleplay Rescue Details:Voice Message: speakpipe.com/roleplayrescuePatreon: patreon.com/rpgrescue Email: [email protected]: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Twitter: @ubiquitousratRoleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore: Tale of The Manticore, a Dark Fantasy Dungeons & Dragons Audiodrama (podbean.com) or https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if you could always sit down on a regular basis and actively prep for your next game in a way that left you feeling confident and positive? What if you could work in such a way as to unlock your maximum creativity while preserving your energy and motivation for the long haul?We all know how exciting it can feel to set up a brand new roleplaying game campaign - you are pumped with the vision, bouyed by the positivity of the players, and raring to go! And you might even get a strong start out of the gate. But human motivation being the fickle beast that it is, you also all know the reality of what happens when the initial high energy positivity wanes and you have to commit to preparing your game for the longer haul.I don’t think it’s any surprise that most gamers nowadays flit from system to system, game world to game world, playing one-shots and short campaigns. Human motivation being what it is, we always lose the buzz and it feels so much easier to bail on the game that has lost its shine and simply start a new one.But what if you could sustain the creative effort in the long run? Would you want to find out how to do it?BJ Fogg's Tiny Habits: tinyhabits.comFogg Behaviour Model: behaviormodel.orgThanks to Matt and Jason for the call-ins!Roleplay Rescue Details:Voice Message: speakpipe.com/roleplayrescuePatreon: patreon.com/rpgrescue Email: [email protected]: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Twitter: @ubiquitousrat Roleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore: Tale of The Manticore, a Dark Fantasy Dungeons & Dragons Audiodrama (podbean.com) or https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do you do when, as a GM, you have nothing prepped and you are staring down the barrel of a session? You’ve had two weeks to prep but no, you couldn’t bring yourself to sit down and make any notes, so now you have nothing? Isn’t it just easier to bail out, make your excuses, and try again next time? Today, I want to talk about how to do emergency prep.Thanks to Karl and Jason for the call-ins!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore: Tale of The Manticore, a Dark Fantasy Dungeons & Dragons Audiodrama (podbean.com) or https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Voice Message: speakpipe.com/roleplayrescuePatreon: patreon.com/rpgrescue Email: [email protected]: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue") Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In what is one of the most creative activities in the human sphere, why do we outsource our creativity to others? Over the past 40 years or more I have spent countless hours and thousands of pounds buying, reading, and trying to use the untold prescriptions for roleplaying available on the market… and not one of them has matched my needs or desires for very long. The desire for the kind of entertaining, exciting, and open gaming that I am seeking grows. And the truth is that, at some point, I am going to have to either step up and realise it, or step out and do something else. Today I have a short rant on something I am calling, “The Blended Entity”. Today I am going over the edge...Thanks to Jason and Anthony for the call-ins!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore: Tale of The Manticore, a Dark Fantasy Dungeons & Dragons Audiodrama (podbean.com) or https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Voice Message: speakpipe.com/roleplayrescueEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue") Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello Rescuers! Finally managed to pull together a call-in bonus episode, featuring messages from Jason, Brian, Evil Jeff, and Barney! Thanks to those guys for sending in their thoughts.Hope this is of interest and please consider joining in with your questions or comments.Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore: Tale of The Manticore, a Dark Fantasy Dungeons & Dragons Audiodrama (podbean.com) or https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Voice Message: speakpipe.com/roleplayrescueEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you deal with the great Terror Phantom, the question of what will people think? How can we overcome the social anxieties around running and playing in roleplaying games? Where do we even begin?Big thank you to Jason for the call-in!Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore: Tale of The Manticore, a Dark Fantasy Dungeons & Dragons Audiodrama (podbean.com) or https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Voice Message: speakpipe.com/roleplayrescueEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens if we embrace combat as the focus of the roleplaying game? Is it possible to make fighting enjoyable? And what difference does it make to use miniatures and maps?Around the turn of the century, while I was working on Games Day in the U.K., I was lucky enough to be invited to get involved in playtesting several projects. The one I want to mention today is Inquisitor. But, in addition, I wanted to mention two additional matters: the first is regarding call-ins to the show and the second is an update on Episode 10, That Hexcrawling Vibe.Big thank you to Simon for the call-in!Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore: Tale of The Manticore, a Dark Fantasy Dungeons & Dragons Audiodrama (podbean.com) or https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Growing up, I was introduced to tabletop hex-and-chit board wargames from a very early age. The source of my wargaming roots came from my father’s interest but I have never been entirely clear on how he got involved. While I delved off into roleplaying games around sometime around 1980, Dad has always been a wargamer and this was an interest that served as an anchor home through most of my life. This episode is a recording of a chat with my Dad. We’re sitting at the dining table at the family home, looking over old stuff together. The conversation was interesting, offering a connection back to my early teenage experiences, and opened up several insights into why I like to play how I play.Big thanks to my Dad, Bob Webster, for agreeing to record our conversation!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore: Tale of The Manticore, a Dark Fantasy Dungeons & Dragons Audiodrama (podbean.com) or https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What would happen if I took the Classic hexcrawl game structure, Rob Conley’s revised Wilderlands of High Adventure hex maps, the Dungeon Fantasy Roleplaying Game rules, Doug Cole’s excellent Delvers To Grow quick character creation templates, and the forthcoming Nordland Bestiary, also produced by Doug Cole’s Gaming Ballistic? Well, I want to find out.Thank you to Frank, Brian, and Jason for the call-ins!Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore: Tale of The Manticore, a Dark Fantasy Dungeons & Dragons Audiodrama (podbean.com) or https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I have a short rant on the idea that what we do, each of us, is inherently valuable. My assertion is that whatever we do - individually or collectively - as gamers, friends, and curious onlookers, it all has value. It’s valuable because you made it. Because you thought it. Because you shared it with us. We might not like it, agree with it, or want it… but you gave of yourself. It’s valuable because being a human being is inherently valuable. You don’t have to earn anything, do or say anything more. We love that you are already here.Thank you to Brian and Jason for the call-ins!Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore: Tale of The Manticore, a Dark Fantasy Dungeons & Dragons Audiodrama (podbean.com) or https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Talking about five steps that lead to lasting joy, how to apply this to roleplaying games, and what I've learned from ADD/ADHD experts Edward Hallowell and John R. Ratey. It's a call to get back to the real reasons I got into roleplaying in the first place.Thanks to Richard, Brian, Trev, and Jason for the call-ins!Game on!Delivered From Distraction book from Amazon.co.uk here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Delivered-Distraction-Getting-Attention-Disorder/dp/0345442318/ or click Delivered from Distraction: Getting the Most Out of Life with Attention Deficit Disorder: Amazon.co.uk: Hallowell M D, M D Edward M, Ratey, John J: 9780345442314: BooksRoleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore: Tale of The Manticore, a Dark Fantasy Dungeons & Dragons Audiodrama (podbean.com) or https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Signal boost for #RoleForCharity!Link for #RoleForCharity t-shirt:https://rphaven.co.uk/product/roleforcharity Text of this episode:Tabletop Role-Playing Games Industry comes together to support NHS Charities Together in #RoleForCharityThe Role Play Haven has teamed up with a whole host of UK publishers to raise money for NHS Charities Together through a bespoke charity t-shirt fundraiser which launches on Wednesday 2nd February at 2:00pm.The pressure on our National Health Service continues to be relentless, but NHS Charities Together help provide the extra support and services needed to care for staff, patients, and improve health in our communities.  Working with a network of over 230 NHS Charities, they listen to teams on the ground and invest in projects that help the NHS go further than what would otherwise be possible through standard Government funding alone.The Role Play Haven t-shirt campaign will help them to fund things like counselling and the creation of outdoor spaces to improve staff and patient wellbeing, new technology and specialist equipment to enhance patient care, the training and equipping of thousands of emergency response volunteers to help save lives in local communities and research into long-term health conditions – such as long-Covid and many other conditions.The #RoleForCharity t-shirt features bespoke, never before seen, artwork which has been created exclusively for this campaign by the veteran TTRPG artist Jason Juta.As part of the purchase, supporters will also receive a one-off gift from each of The Role Play Haven’s sponsors in the form of PDFs, discount coupons and physical books.  They estimate this bundle value to be over £100 and sponsors include; Brittania Game, EN Publishing, Handiwork Games, Magnum Opus Press, Modiphius Entertainment, Nightfall Games, Red Scars and Son of Oak.T-shirts can be purchased here from 02.02.2022 at 2pm for £18, with a minimum of £8 per t-shirt being donated to NHS Charities Together.Link: https://rphaven.co.uk/product/roleforcharity The campaign will be a two-week pre-order to maximise fundraising and fulfilment will be completed by GMS Hobby Game Logistics.Thanks for supporting this great charity event!Game on! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Having talked a lot about playing games with the rules behind the GM's screen, the GM rolling the dice, and the players encouraged to be in-role and in descriptive mode, I decided to dive into an experiment to find out how that might work. This episode shares part of our Session 6 conversation reviewing the player's experiences so far and reflecting back their thoughts on the Northern Isles game we are creating. Our hope is that you'll find this interesting too.Thanks to Evil Jeff, Bob aka amenditman, and Rev Derek for taking part in the experiment and letting me share our conversation!Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore: Tale of The Manticore, a Dark Fantasy Dungeons & Dragons Audiodrama (podbean.com) or https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What’s our role in this roleplaying game? How do we fit into the team? And what kind of expectations am I holding for the group? Talking about the struggles I face in coming up with decent character ideas - in finding my role at the table - as well as reflecting on the nature of the roleplaying group as a team. Also talking a little bit about opening up the table.Thanks to Rob (aka Menion) and Jason for the call-ins!Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore: Tale of The Manticore, a Dark Fantasy Dungeons & Dragons Audiodrama (podbean.com) or https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do you do when you don’t know what to do? How do you react when you feel stuck? And what’s stopping you from doing what you need to do in the first place? I want to share a message a listener wrote to me and I want to talk about the impact it had. From there, I have a few thoughts on how to unstick myself and I’m hoping that you’ll find some value in those ideas too.Many thanks to the callers: Jason and Frank - your generosity is appreciated!Byron Katie's website: The Work of Byron Katie or https://thework.com/Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore: Tale of The Manticore, a Dark Fantasy Dungeons & Dragons Audiodrama (podbean.com) or https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you get a regular game started? Why is it that, very often, I quickly get overwhelmed by anxious panic? How can I keep playing long enough to enjoy the game I want to play? Turns out it's pretty simple.Many thanks to the callers: Jason, Runeslinger, Spencer, Karl, and emailer Micheal - your generosity is appreciated!Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore: Tale of The Manticore, a Dark Fantasy Dungeons & Dragons Audiodrama (podbean.com) or https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hailing from Portsmouth, Virginia, Christopher R. Rice is constantly writing, tinkering with, and running GURPS. A frequent contributor to Steve Jackson Games’ Dungeon Fantasy and Pyramid, if he's not writing for GURPS, he's blogging about it. His site “Ravens N' Pennies” is well-stocked with more GURPS goodies than you could shake a stick at. This time we're talking about his March 2021 release, "Realm Management" which we both believe could be used by any roleplaying game GM.Yes, this is a GURPS focused discussion but there is gold hidden inside for any Game Master. I hope you find some useful nuggets for yourself. Thanks to Christopher for agreeing to do the interview. Game on!Check out his Patreon here: Christopher R. Rice is creating Role-Playing Games and Fiction | Patreon or https://www.patreon.com/RavenpennyRoleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore: Tale of The Manticore, a Dark Fantasy Dungeons & Dragons Audiodrama (podbean.com) or https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do most gamers prefer the regular kind of roleplaying game? What do you do if you want something more? And what can we say to the majority who tell us we are playing bad wrong fun? Welcome to the regular kind of roleplaying game... which I no longer wish to play.Big thanks to Rob (aka Menion) for the call-ins!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore: Tale of The Manticore, a Dark Fantasy Dungeons & Dragons Audiodrama (podbean.com) or https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What would happen if I just started a new season with very little in the way of a plan? Well… we’re about to find out.Big thanks to today's callers: Menion (aka Rob), Brian, and Jason C.Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore: Tale of The Manticore, a Dark Fantasy Dungeons & Dragons Audiodrama (podbean.com) or https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/ Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here's a bonus episode featuring and interview with Christopher R. Rice talking about the soon-to-be-published Dungeon Fantasy Thieves book for GURPS. It's a good listen, even if you're not into GURPS... but it's gold for those who are.Hope you enjoy!Game on!Big thanks to Christopher R. Rice for talking about it.Check out his Patreon here: Christopher R. Rice is creating Role-Playing Games and Fiction | Patreon or https://www.patreon.com/RavenpennyWanna add to the Movember fundraiser?Click here to donate: Movember or https://uk.movember.com/mospace/13562574 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In November 2021 I am once again shaving off my beard and growing a moustache in solidarity with my MoBros across the world. I am inviting you to help me turn this into a fundraising event for Movember.I am supportive of Movember because of their multi-faceted approach. What particularly appeals is their efforts in working toward a world where men and boys are comfortable having conversations about the big things in life. My experience has been that we don’t talk to each another enough in meaningful ways. I’ve been inspired by others in the RPG community who has spoken openly about their struggles.I’ve set a £250 target because I figured that if every one of Roleplay Rescue’s listeners chipped in £1 each we could smash that number. It’d be double what I raised about 4 years ago when I first took part. I’ve had generous support from several Patrons and friends already, so please do come and support this effort.Mental health matters. Movember is working to help men stay mentally healthy, but they can’t do it alone. Please donate to my Movember efforts and support men's health.Click here to donate: Movember or https://uk.movember.com/mospace/13562574  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As promised, this is the final episode of Season 9. The plan is to collate and respond to the call-ins that I have received over the past six weeks or so. I am hugely grateful to the generously shared questions and comments that come from you - the listeners. Thank you for taking the time to listen to Roleplay Rescue; thanks also to the many many listeners who keep downloading the episodes and giving them a go. Thank you. Especial thanks to the callers: Frank, Brian, Jason, Spencer, Colin, Paul, Graham, and Barney.Enormous thanks to Daniel Jones for answering one of the questions!Couldn't do it without you all! Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song by TJ Drennon and incidental music by Jon Cohen.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do you do when you realise that you don’t want to play the way that most other people are playing? Do you give up, say `that’s it, I’m done”? It’s tempting. It’s easier. Or do you double down, accept you are different, and play on regardless?Thanks to Barney from Loco Ludus for his call-in.Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song by TJ Drennon and incidental music by Jon Cohen.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1986, the Professor Emeritus of history and literature of religion at New York University wrote that, “There are at least two types of games. One could be called finite, the other infinite. A finite game is played for the purpose of winning, an infinite game for the purpose of continuing the play.”The author was James Carse and he has something rather useful to teach us about roleplaying games.Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song by TJ Drennon and incidental music by Jon Cohen.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever since I can remember, a big part of my hobby experience has revolved around combat - martial and magical combat against the foes of our characters. When I was a teenager, the older gamers called me a Munchkin and accused my games of being focused too much on combat and not including enough exploration or character interaction - the interaction sometimes erroneously being referred to as “roleplaying”.  Today I am asking: What’s wrong with combat focused gaming?Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WARNING: This episode is intended for a mature audience. Listener discretion is advised. Topics of fear, horror, threat, illness, and general unpleasantness.As I headed out of the summer holiday period, I was fortunate to be able to record a sequence of intriguing conversations with people from across the community. Today you’ll be listening to the third and final conversation. This one is on the topic of fear and my guest is, of course, Peter Laws.For those not in the know, Peter Laws is an ordained minister with a fascination for the macabre, an author, journalist, film critic, public speaker, and regular writer for Fortean Times. He is the creator of the Matt Hunter novel series and the host of the Creepy Cove Community Church podcast - an immersive, horror-themed ‘church service’, broadcast from the mysterious fishing town of Creepy Cove. Besides from horror, Peter is said to hail from somewhere down south and enjoys retro TV and Krispy Kreme donuts.Creepy Cove Community Church Podcast: https://www.creepycove.com/Peter Laws on Twitter: @revpeterlawsRoleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As I headed out of the summer holiday period, I was fortunate to be able to record a sequence of intriguing conversations with people from across the community. In this second conversation, I was invited to talk about Trickster's Net.Find the Trickster's Net website here: https://8743x.de/tricksters-netzGrab your copy of the final Trickster's Net product here: https://tricksters-net.itch.io/Further discussion of Trickster's Net can be found on Loco Ludus.Listen to Barney's podcast: Loco Ludus • A podcast on AnchorHere's the link: https://anchor.fm/loco-ludus Barney on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loco.ludus Barney on Twitter: @loco_ludusCheck out Tom's PlayFrame: www.playframe.co.uk Tom on Twitter: @playframeukThanks to Barney and Tom for sharing this conversation with me - game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another bonus call-in episode focused on the conversation I had with Lieren on labels, play styles, and communication. These are responses to Season 9 Episode 12 (912).Big thanks to the callers: Jason C., Safer, Barry, Jason C., Frank, Brian, and Jason C. Loved it all - thank you!Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As I headed out of the summer holiday period, I was fortunate to be able to record a sequence of intriguing conversations with people from across the community. The first of these was with Daniel Jones, whom long time listeners might remember first introduced me to the concept of Otherworld-immersion.Daniel Jones is a self-confessed IT nerd and the man behind the Eudaimonic Geekery blog, musing on the Art of RPGs, and the Primaeval Fantasy podcast. He describes himself as an Idea-Tinkerer, holding an interest in writing and philosophy as well as being a published novelist. Daniel hails from forest-filled southern Indiana where he is working on his beloved Primaeval Fantasy RPG. Listen to Daniel's podcast: Primæval Fantasy • A podcast on AnchorHere's the link: https://anchor.fm/primeval-fantasyPreviously on Roleplay Rescue:  611 Otherworld Immersion: https://anchor.fm/rpgrescue/episodes/611-Otherworld-Immersion-with-Daniel-Jones-efjiec (Bonus) More Otherworld Immersion: https://anchor.fm/rpgrescue/episodes/Bonus-More-Otherworld-Immersion-with-Daniel-Jones-egr5c1Thanks to Daniel for sharing this conversation with me - game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another bonus call-in episode focused on Basic Roleplaying, aka BRP. These are responses to Season 9 Episode 11.Big thanks to the callers: Evil Jeff, Graham aka First Age. Arlen, Brian, and Jason C. Highly appreciated stuff!Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In April 1975, a scant 13 months after the publication of Dungeons & Dragons, Gary Gygax asked Sandy Eisen a question that elicited a response which I think many modern gamers would find surprising. Writing in Europa Issue 6-8, at the end of his second article on “How to set up your Dungeons & Dragons campaign”, Gygax picks up on a comment from an earlier issue of the ‘zine in which Eisen had stated that D&D was not really as open-ended as it seemed to be. Gygax wanted to know why Eisen felt this way and so he did the thing that good creatives do: he asked Eisen why. The reply Eisen gave ignited a debate which we, some 45 years on, have forgotten. This came to be known as Eisen's Vow.Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another bonus call-in episode focused on Portals and Portal Fantasy, responses to Season 9 Episode 10.  Big thanks to the callers: Jason, Kevin, Brian and first-time caller Paul O. Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Long overdue, this episode is an interview with Lieren from "Updates In The Middle of Nowhere". Responding to a call-in she made many moons ago, we dive into a conversation about labelling, communication as a challenge, and valuing different play styles and emphases in gaming. It has taken far too long for me to edit and ship this episode but I am hugely grateful that I did. Thanks to Lieren for making this episode with me - game on!Listen to Lieren's podcast: Updates From The Middle Of Nowhere • A podcast on AnchorHere's the link: https://anchor.fm/lieren/ Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another 1d6 messages from listeners in the RPR community. Topics today include feedback on "making the sausage", a question about traps in the Necropolis, thoughts on Underdogs, a question about how to handle mismatches in play style, and a lovely analysis on teleology in relation to fantastic worlds.Big thanks to the callers: Karl, Kevin and Paul (aka Heptalemma). Great comments and questions that make this show better!Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode arises from a week spent away from home and away from work. I travelled back to my home town of Norwich, in Norfolk, England, to visit my parents - a trip I haven’t taken for nigh on 2 years. Aside from family reunion and spending time with my parents, themselves ascending in age and  wisdom, I also got to sit back in my old bedroom - much changed now, but essentially the space wherein, for good or ill, I grew up. With newfound awareness I had taken along my copies of two roleplaying games to read in quieter moments. While you would be forgiven for believing this to be a trip into nostalgia, what I was seeking was to connect myself back to the beginning so that I could develop a more active awareness of who I have become. In so doing, I found a pathway back to an old favourite gaming system that I have begun to reconsider upon my shelf.Thanks to Michael Bowers for the bonus call-in! Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As long as I can remember, I have been inspired by and drawn in to what is commonly called Portal Fantasy: a story which transports the characters into a magical world via a gate/wardrobe/magical tree or anything else the author might imagine. Today I want to explore that trope a little and try to understand why it always seems to fire up my imagination.On top of that, thanks to Frank for his call-in that rounds out this episode. Muchly appreciated!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a bonus episode responding to a call-in from Colin "Spikepit" Green on the question of how I record an episode of Roleplay Rescue. It's probably a bit technical in places, for which I apologise. But hey, here's my process in under 25 minutes. I hope it answers the question asked.Big thanks to Colin for the question!Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a bonus call-in episode featuring messages from listeners on previous call-in shows, plus comments on worlds and underdogs from recent episodes.Big thanks to the callers: Jason C, Spencer, ShandyAndy, Jon, and Paul for their messages!Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the desert of the Necropolis, today I am joined by Mark Greenberg. Mark is co-author of The World of the Lost Lands by Frog God Games - the setting of Rappan Athuk and the myriad Frog God and Necromancer Games adventures - and he’s also the author of the currently-Kickstarting adventure for 5e and Swords & Wizardy, Necropolis. Big thanks to Mark for the interview and the whole Necromancer/Frog God Games team for sharing their latest project with us!Necropolis Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/necromancergames/necropolis-an-adventure-in-the-desert-sands-for-5e-and-sw Or Necropolis: An Epic Adventure in the Desert Sands by Necromancer Games — KickstarterRoleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Started recording this week's entries to the diary and then when I got home, I noticed Arlen had emailed me a message. I listened. I replied. I am sharing the whole thing with you now because it feels important. I will probably release it to Anchor on Monday too.Thanks, Arlen - possibly the kindest thing you could do for me! Yes, we are trying to build a community of discovery together. My problem is in feeling accepted.Game on! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rollin' 1d6 call-ins as a bonus. Really keen to share Jason's responses before he runs off to release his own episode on the topic... plus there are some fabulous comments and ideas in here around the subject of system fluidity and gaming style.Big thanks to the callers: Jason C, Spencer, First Age, and Karl!Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is it with my preference to run lower-powered fantasy games? Is it avoidance of complexity, a desire to withhold cool stuff from the players, or an underlying lack of confidence in my ability to run complex games? Or is it something else… is it my love of the underdog? Thanks to Arlen for his call-in!Arlen Walker's "Live From Pellam's Wasteland": https://anchor.fm/pellamswasteland Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another collection of excellent call-ins from a bunch of lovely listeners who are very kind. This stuff covers episodes 4 to 7 of this season and is well worth a listen... mostly because I don't say too much.Big thanks to the callers: Jason C, Frank T, Kevin from Redcaps, Colin Spikepit, James Sral, Jeffrey, and Paul aka Heptalemma. Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While I hope this episode stands alone, it follows on from my earlier discussion in Episode 5 about the importance of worlds. Today, I want to talk about system. By this, I mean the shape of the whole game including the World but also the choice of Rules and the Methodology we choose. I am working from the general, macro scale down towards specifics. Today I want us to see the whole system first.Thanks to Evil Jeff for his call-ins!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Six weeks ago, I stated that I had arrived at a place of change and growth. I had turned 50 years of age and was beginning to wonder if I’d ever become the Game Master, Referee, and Creative World Builder that I have been meaning to get around to becoming since I was about 10 years old. I have had to learn to let go of old unhelpful patterns of thinking and rechart my pathway back to the hobby. So, as we reach the six episode of the series - what is to me a natural waypoint on my journey - I’m asking myself: how’s it going?Given the highly introspective nature of the past five episodes, I feel that the best place to stop and look at her progress I have made lies in the one game I have been running consistently for the past twelve or so weeks. Let’s delve into the story of my very own classic fantasy campaign set within my very own fantasy world.Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quick bonus round-up of calls received from listeners in response to the Solo Sundays episode (903), plus a couple of straggler messages about dice. Good stuff and well worth the listen.Big thanks to the callers: Barry (aka GM Shadow), Jason C, Evil Jeff, Reese, and Karl R.Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Evil Jeff wants to know: "When are we going to hear about Webster’s style?" It’s actually a little more complex - at least in MY head - than it might at first seem. What do I want from my fantasy roleplaying games? There are three basic elements that I need to consider and today I want to explore what is for me the most important of all: the World.Many thanks to Evil Jeff for calling in and inspiring this episode... and maybe one or two more to follow.Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Call-ins on the topic of dice have been coming in over the past week or two, plus a couple of great calls about scanning and ADHD. I thought I would share them along with my replies. Hope it's of interest.Big thanks to the callers: Goblin's Henchman, Jason C, Rob aka Menion, Spencer, and new caller Paul.Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme Song and incidental music by TJ Drennon.Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: [email protected]: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.