
Show overview
Side Character Quest has been publishing since 2018, and across the 8 years since has built a catalogue of 157 episodes, alongside 24 trailers or bonus episodes. That works out to roughly 140 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a monthly cadence.
Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 42 min and 1h 9m — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. It is catalogued as a EN-US-language Leisure show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed earlier today, with 10 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2019, with 28 episodes published. Published by Ty V..
From the publisher
Side Character Quest (SCQ) is an anthology of improvised fantasy adventures. In each short quest, the show's host takes a single guest player on a journey through a larger shared world. Quests are usually 3-6 episodes long, and listeners can generally start the show at the beginning of any one of them! Your world is a peaceful one, comprised of plains, mountains, swamps, and pines. Cicadas sing, rivers flow, magic thrums through the air, and all of it's surround by a single massive wall that is as ancient as history itself. ...which is to say, not THAT ancient. Thanks to the Loss, whether you live in the Dwarven city of Mt. Renna, the diverse city of the plains known as Circ, or off in some more humble and disconnected town, "prehistoric" ain't all that long ago. Ah, well! People are happy, and life is good, assuming you don't mind the occasional monster (be it magical or mundane) or the looming threat of a mysterious undead society. Should you be discontented with whatever home you find here, you can always seek adventure sailing on the Salten Sea or isolation out in the Three Brothers. And who's to say there isn't more out there beyond it all, waiting to be found? Some worlds need a hero. This one might need a bit more than that.
Latest Episodes
View all 157 episodesE122 An Interlude: Rumor Reminisces
Andrea and Ty Discuss "Rumor Turns Tail"
E121 Rumor Turns Tail
Andrea and Ty Discuss "Rumor Seeks Justice"
E120 Rumor Seeks Justice
Andrea and Ty Discuss "Rumor Chills to the Bone"

S1 Ep 119E119 Rumor Chills to the Bone
Where is Brunt? Who is the stranger? Rumor handles some immediate business before setting out. Rumor is played by Andrea Tsurumi (they/them), who is an author, illustrator, cartoonist, and TTRPG enthusiast. They've written and/or illustrated several children's books, including ACCIDENT! (which was selected as an NPR Great Read) and CRAB CAKE (which won the Vermont Red Clover Book Award). The book they illustrated most recently is POP! Goes the Nursery Rhyme, which was written by Betsy Bird. Say hi to Andrea on Blue Sky at @atsurumi.bsky.social or on Instagram at @atsurumi. Want to learn more about Ty, the host (and GM and producer and editor and...) of SCQ? Have questions for us, or just want to say hi? Website: Contact form or Press Kit Email: [email protected] Instagram: @SCQpodcast Discord: Side Character Quest LinkTree: SideCharacterQuest https://linktr.ee/sidecharacterquest Voicemail or Text: SCQ-371-LOUD (or 727-371-5683) Mentioned During the Show Mr. Watson's Chickens , a children's book illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi and written by Jarrett Dapier. Andrea's Comics, Zines, and Other Illustrations . Side Character Quest's Lore Library . Give us a shout at SCQ-371-LOUD! (727-371-5683) Additional Credits Thanks to Autumn for providing the artwork for Side Character Quest! Thanks to Briar for lending a voice to our credits! To hear more, check out one of Briar's own side character quests as Deirdre, a monster hunting cleric! Proud member of the Scavengers Network. Say hi on the Scavengers Network Discord Server!

Andrea and Ty Discuss "Rumor Checks Inn"
bonusImmediately after recording the first episode of Rumor's quest, Andrea and Ty discuss how it went! Rumor is played by Andrea Tsurumi (they/them), who is an author, illustrator, cartoonist, and TTRPG enthusiast. They've written and/or illustrated several children's books, including ACCIDENT! (which was selected as an NPR Great Read) and CRAB CAKE (which won the Vermont Red Clover Book Award). The book they illustrated most recently is POP! Goes the Nursery Rhyme, which was written by Betsy Bird. Say hi to Andrea on Blue Sky at @atsurumi.bsky.social or on Instagram at @atsurumi. Want to learn more about Ty, the host (and GM and producer and editor and...) of SCQ? *One of the other player characters might also be a dad, maybe? Rumor is definitely the only one confirmed so far. Have questions for us, or just want to say hi? Website: Contact form or Press Kit Email: [email protected] Instagram: @SCQpodcast Discord: Side Character Quest LinkTree: SideCharacterQuest https://linktr.ee/sidecharacterquest Voicemail or Text: SCQ-371-LOUD Mentioned During the Show Accident! , a children's book by Andrea Tsurumi. Crab Cake , a children's book by Andrea Tsurumi. Andrea's Comics, Zines, and Other Illustrations . Side Character Quest's Lore Library . Give us a shout at SCQ-371-LOUD! (SCQ-371-LOVE is the same number, if you like that better?) Additional Credits Thanks to Autumn for providing the artwork for Side Character Quest! Thanks to Briar for lending a voice to our credits! To hear more, check out one of Briar's own side character quests as Deirdre, a monster hunting cleric! Proud member of the Scavengers Network. Say hi on the Scavengers Network Discord Server!

S1 Ep 118E118 Rumor Checks Inn
Meet Rumor Pinefrill, who is surprisingly the first player character on SCQ who is actually a dad!* On top of his parental duties, he is also a loving husband, a scribblefolk, and five foot tall frilled lizard. He's also tired. Join Rumor as he does his rounds in the Brothers Mountains and checks in on a friend... Rumor is played by Andrea Tsurumi (they/them), who is an author, illustrator, cartoonist, and TTRPG enthusiast. They've written and/or illustrated several children's books, including ACCIDENT! (which was selected as an NPR Great Read) and CRAB CAKE (which won the Vermont Red Clover Book Award). The book they illustrated most recently is POP! Goes the Nursery Rhyme, which was written by Betsy Bird. Say hi to Andrea on Blue Sky at @atsurumi.bsky.social or on Instagram at @atsurumi. Want to learn more about Ty, the host (and GM and producer and editor and...) of SCQ? *One of the other player characters might also be a dad, maybe? Rumor is definitely the only one confirmed so far. Have questions for us, or just want to say hi? Website: Contact form or Press Kit Email: [email protected] Instagram: @SCQpodcast Discord: Side Character Quest LinkTree: SideCharacterQuest Voicemail or Text: SCQ-371-LOUD Mentioned During the Show Accident! , a children's book by Andrea Tsurumi. Crab Cake , a children's book by Andrea Tsurumi. Andrea's Comics, Zines, and Other Illustrations . Side Character Quest's Lore Library . Give us a shout at SCQ-371-LOUD! (SCQ-371-LOVE is the same number, if you like that better?) Additional Credits Thanks to Autumn for providing the artwork for Side Character Quest! Thanks to Briar for lending a voice to our credits! To hear more, check out one of Briar's own side character quests as Deirdre, a monster hunting cleric! Proud member of the Scavengers Network. Say hi on the Scavengers Network Discord Server!

S1 Ep 117E117 Andrea Creates a Character
Welcome to Side Character Quest, a one-on-one actual play podcast set in a world where cicadas sing, rivers flow, magic thrums through the air, and all of it’s surrounded by a single massive Wall as ancient as history itself. Instead of diving straight into a new adventure, you are going to get to hear our game master Ty and our guest player Andrea do a "Session 0", where they discuss the game they'll be playing and then create Andrea's character, who will star in the upcoming adventure! Andrea Tsurumi (they/them) is an author, illustrator, cartoonist, and TTRPG enthusiast. They've written and/or illustrated several children's books, including ACCIDENT! (which was selected as an NPR Great Read) and CRAB CAKE (which won the Vermont Red Clover Book Award). The book they illustrated most recently is POP! Goes the Nursery Rhyme, which was written by Betsy Bird. Say hi to Andrea on Blue Sky at @atsurumi.bsky.social or on Instagram at @atsurumi. Want to learn more about Ty, the host (and GM and producer and editor and...) of SCQ? Have questions for us, or just want to say hi? Website: Contact form or Press Kit Email: [email protected] Instagram: @SCQpodcast Discord: Side Character Quest LinkTree: SideCharacterQuest Mentioned During the Show POP! Goes the Nursery Rhyme , a children's book illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi and written by Betsy Bird. Embarassed Ferret , a children's book illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi and written by Lisa Frenkel Riddiough. Andrea's Comics, Zines, and Other Illustrations . Blades in the Dark , a TTRPG about a crew of daring scoundrels in a haunted, industrial-fantasy city. Murderous Ghosts , a no-prep two-player horror game. Brindlewood Bay , a tabletop roleplaying game that combines Murder, She Wrote with H.P. Lovecraft. Lasers & Feelings , a quick-play sci-fi roleplaying game. Sword & Sorcery , a quick-play fantasy adventure game based on Lasers & Feelings. That Clue game I mentioned? It's ready for playtesting, but I haven't figured out the best place to host it yet. If you want to copy, shoot me a message! Additional Credits Thanks to Autumn for providing the artwork for Side Character Quest! Thanks to Briar for lending a voice to our credits! To hear more, check out one of Briar's own side character quests as Deirdre, a monster hunting cleric! Proud member of the Scavengers Network. Say hi on the Scavengers Network Discord Server!

SCQ's Halloween Variety Show
bonusHappy Halloween! Join us for some a silly and spooky game, a dramatic reading about witches, and some questions from listeners! 0:04:35 - Q&A (Running Games) 0:41:50 - Spooky Poetry 0:50:30 - Q&A (Creating SCQ) 1:19:36 - Q&A (The Lore of SCQ) 1:38:10 - Spooky Gameshow Give us a shout at SCQ-371-LOUD! (SCQ-371-LOVE is the same number, if you like that better?) Mason Amadeus is a podcaster and all-terrain professional bodge technician. To find out what that means, check out his site. Want to learn more about Ty, the host (and GM and producer and editor and...) of SCQ? Mentioned During the Show Take a look at our good freakin' website. Find us on Discord. Looking for a good TTRPG to play for Halloween? Check out Murderous Ghosts! Read "The Star Pattern", an essay about a pitfall of running games. Read more about Curse of Strahd, a well-known vampire Dungeons & Dragons campaign. Mason mentioned No Man's Sky? I don't remember the context, but hey, it looks fun! Want to read up on the SCQ lore Ty mentioned? Seasons The Wall The Circle Or just peruse our whole lore library! Want those podcasting tools we talked about? Reaper is a powerhouse editor that is free (but well worth the $60 they ask you to pay). Audacity is a great, simple, and free option. Squadcast.fm is good for recording podcasts remotely. Pinecast is a wonderful, reliable place to upload your podcast! It's been SCQ's home from the beginning. Use our referral code to get 40% off for 4 months: r-7098b2 YouTube's Creator Studio has free music and sound effects. Freesound.org has (surprise!) lots of free audio! So does Zapsplat! Storyblocks isn't free, but its what SCQ mostly uses nowadays. Krotos has a pretty good free library, plus tons of paid ones. Have questions for us, or just want to say hi? Website: Contact form or Press Kit Email: [email protected] Instagram: @SCQpodcast Discord: Side Character Quest LinkTree: SideCharacterQuest Voicemail or Text: SCQ-371-LOUD Additional Credits Thanks to Autumn for providing the artwork for Side Character Quest! Thanks to Briar for lending a voice to our credits! To hear more, check out one of Briar's own side character quests as Deirdre, a monster hunting cleric! Proud member of the Scavengers Network. Say hi on the Scavengers Network Discord Server!

Fiona and Ty Discuss "Syrah Takes the Fall"
bonusImmediately after recording the fourth and final episodes of Syrah's quest, Fiona and Ty discuss how it went! Fiona Howat is a TTRPG Actual Play Performer, Podcaster, Improviser, and Voiceover Artist who works with Realms of Peril & Glory. She is perhaps best known for the actual play podcast What Am I Rolling? and the TTRPG talkshow The DM's Book Club. Want to learn more about Ty, the host (and GM and producer and editor and...) of SCQ? Have questions for us, or just want to say hi? Website: Contact form or Press Kit Email: [email protected] Instagram: @SCQpodcast Discord: Side Character Quest LinkTree: SideCharacterQuest Additional Credits & Links Thanks to Autumn for providing the artwork for Side Character Quest! Thanks to Briar for lending a voice to our credits! To hear more, check out one of Briar's own side character quests as Deirdre, a monster hunting cleric! Proud member of the Scavengers Network. Say hi on the Scavengers Network Discord Server!

S1 Ep 116E116 Syrah Takes the Fall (Part 2)
Investigation: COMPLETE! Now it's time to make some questionable decisions! Syrah Duskstone is played by Fiona Howat, a TTRPG Actual Play Performer, Podcaster, Improviser, and Voiceover Artist who works with Realms of Peril & Glory. She is perhaps best known for the actual play podcast What Am I Rolling? and the TTRPG talkshow The DM's Book Club. Want to learn more about Ty, the host (and GM and producer and editor and...) of SCQ? Have questions for us, or just want to say hi? Website: Contact form or Press Kit Email: [email protected] Instagram: @SCQpodcast Discord: Side Character Quest LinkTree: SideCharacterQuest Additional Credits Thanks to Autumn for providing the artwork for Side Character Quest! Thanks to Briar for lending a voice to our credits! To hear more, check out one of Briar's own side character quests as Deirdre, a monster hunting cleric! Proud member of the Scavengers Network. Say hi on the Scavengers Network Discord Server!

S1 Ep 115E115 Syrah Takes the Fall (Part 1)
Syrah finds himself at the mercy of... hm. Would it be a spoiler if I said who? Syrah finds himself at the mercy of someone! How will he get out? And how will he turn this situation to his advantage? Syrah Duskstone is played by Fiona Howat, a TTRPG Actual Play Performer, Podcaster, Improviser, and Voiceover Artist who works with Realms of Peril & Glory. She is perhaps best known for the actual play podcast What Am I Rolling? and the TTRPG talkshow The DM's Book Club. Want to learn more about Ty, the host (and GM and producer and editor and...) of SCQ? Have questions for us, or just want to say hi? Website: Contact form or Press Kit Email: [email protected] Instagram: @SCQpodcast Discord: Side Character Quest LinkTree: SideCharacterQuest Mentioned During the Show Blades in the Dark, the dark fantasy heist game by John Harper that is the template for all Forged in the Dark games. Scum & Villainy, a Forged in the Dark game inspired by space adventures like Star Wars and Star Trek. Additional Credits Thanks to Autumn for providing the artwork for Side Character Quest! Thanks to Briar for lending a voice to our credits! To hear more, check out one of Briar's own side character quests as Deirdre, a monster hunting cleric! Proud member of the Scavengers Network. Say hi on the Scavengers Network Discord Server!

Fiona and Ty Discuss "Syrah Crashes the Party"
bonusImmediately after recording the third episode of Syrah's quest, Fiona and Ty discuss how it went and what they hope lies in store! Fiona Howat is a TTRPG Actual Play Performer, Podcaster, Improviser, and Voiceover Artist who works with Realms of Peril & Glory. She is perhaps best known for the actual play podcast What Am I Rolling? and the TTRPG talkshow The DM's Book Club. Want to learn more about Ty, the host (and GM and producer and editor and...) of SCQ? Have questions for us, or just want to say hi? Website: Contact form or Press Kit Email: [email protected] Instagram: @SCQpodcast Discord: Side Character Quest LinkTree: SideCharacterQuest Additional Credits & Links Thanks to Autumn for providing the artwork for Side Character Quest! Thanks to Briar for lending a voice to our credits! To hear more, check out one of Briar's own side character quests as Deirdre, a monster hunting cleric! Proud member of the Scavengers Network. Say hi on the Scavengers Network Discord Server!

S1 Ep 114E114 Syrah Crashes the Party
Guests to Liam Dabadasha's home enjoy many luxuries: Fine food, quality musicians, plush furnishings, and the charming attentions of Syrah Duskstone. Syrah Duskstone is played by Fiona Howat, a TTRPG Actual Play Performer, Podcaster, Improviser, and Voiceover Artist who works with Realms of Peril & Glory. She is perhaps best known for the actual play podcast What Am I Rolling? and the TTRPG talkshow The DM's Book Club. Want to learn more about Ty, the host (and GM and producer and editor and...) of SCQ? Have questions for us, or just want to say hi? Website: Contact form or Press Kit Email: [email protected] Instagram: @SCQpodcast Discord: Side Character Quest LinkTree: SideCharacterQuest Mentioned During the Show Dice Exploder, a podcast about game design. Additional Credits Thanks to Autumn for providing the artwork for Side Character Quest! Thanks to Briar for lending a voice to our credits! To hear more, check out one of Briar's own side character quests as Deirdre, a monster hunting cleric! Proud member of the Scavengers Network. Say hi on the Scavengers Network Discord Server!

Fiona and Ty Discuss "Syrah Tailors His Strategy"
bonusImmediately after recording the second episode of Syrah's quest, Fiona and Ty discuss how it went and what they hope lies in store! Fiona Howat is a TTRPG Actual Play Performer, Podcaster, Improviser, and Voiceover Artist who works with Realms of Peril & Glory. She is perhaps best known for the actual play podcast What Am I Rolling? and the TTRPG talkshow The DM's Book Club. Want to learn more about Ty, the host (and GM and producer and editor and...) of SCQ? Have questions for us, or just want to say hi? Website: Contact form or Press Kit Email: [email protected] Instagram: @SCQpodcast Discord: Side Character Quest LinkTree: SideCharacterQuest Additional Credits & Links Thanks to Autumn for providing the artwork for Side Character Quest! Thanks to Briar for lending a voice to our credits! To hear more, check out one of Briar's own side character quests as Deirdre, a monster hunting cleric! Proud member of the Scavengers Network. Say hi on the Scavengers Network Discord Server!

S1 Ep 113E113 Syrah Tailors His Strategy
Syrah Duskstone (played by Fiona) has been given the unsavory task of removing a rival's "asset". But first, he must take stock of this city and the allies, enemies, and innocent bystanders that call it home. Fiona Howat is a TTRPG Actual Play Performer, Podcaster, Improviser, and Voiceover Artist who works with Realms of Peril & Glory. She is perhaps best known for the actual play podcast What Am I Rolling? and the TTRPG talkshow The DM's Book Club. Want to learn more about Ty, the host (and GM and producer and editor and...) of SCQ? Have questions for us, or just want to say hi? Website: Contact form or Press Kit Email: [email protected] Instagram: @SCQpodcast Discord: Side Character Quest LinkTree: SideCharacterQuest Mentioned During the Show Thirteen, a monthly audio fiction anthology podcast featuring atmospheric, slow burn, spooky stories. Additional Credits Thanks to Autumn for providing the artwork for Side Character Quest! Thanks to Briar for lending a voice to our credits! To hear more, check out one of Briar's own side character quests as Deirdre, a monster hunting cleric! Proud member of the Scavengers Network. Say hi on the Scavengers Network Discord Server!

Fiona and Ty Discuss "Syrah is a Sommelier"
bonusImmediately after recording the first episode of Syrah's quest, Fiona and Ty discuss how it went and what they hope lies in store! Fiona Howat is a TTRPG Actual Play Performer, Podcaster, Improviser, and Voiceover Artist who works with Realms of Peril & Glory. She is perhaps best known for the actual play podcast What Am I Rolling? and the TTRPG talkshow The DM's Book Club. Want to learn more about Ty, the host (and GM and producer and editor and...) of SCQ? Have questions for us, or just want to say hi? Website: Contact form or Press Kit Email: [email protected] Instagram: @SCQpodcast Discord: Side Character Quest LinkTree: SideCharacterQuest Additional Credits & Links Thanks to Autumn for providing the artwork for Side Character Quest! Thanks to Briar for lending a voice to our credits! To hear more, check out one of Briar's own side character quests as Deirdre, a monster hunting cleric! Proud member of the Scavengers Network. Say hi on the Scavengers Network Discord Server!

A Letter to Syrah Duskstone
bonusSomewhere, in the days before Syrah received the letter... Special thanks to Joshua Lorimer, best known for playing Graeak on the actual play podcast Sneak Attack! and for creating the other actual play podcast The Titans of All'Terra! Listeners may also know him for his more recent role as Buster on I Cast Fireball, or they may have even gotten to play a game with him, since he also works as a professional GM on the site Start Playing. Fiona Howat is a TTRPG Actual Play Performer, Podcaster, Improviser, and Voiceover Artist who works with Realms of Peril & Glory. She is perhaps best known for the actual play podcast What Am I Rolling? and the TTRPG talkshow The DM's Book Club. Want to learn more about Ty, the host (and GM and producer and editor and...) of SCQ? Have questions for us, or just want to say hi? Website: Contact form or Press Kit Email: [email protected] Instagram: @SCQpodcast Discord: Side Character Quest LinkTree: SideCharacterQuest Additional Credits & Links Thanks to Autumn for providing the artwork for Side Character Quest! Thanks to Briar for lending a voice to our credits! To hear more, check out one of Briar's own side character quests as Deirdre, a monster hunting cleric! Proud member of the Scavengers Network. Say hi on the Scavengers Network Discord Server!