Episodios

  • DAGGERHEART: HOW TO PLAY CHARACTER CREATION - Roll Stats, Choose a Class, Cry About Your Backstory

    DAGGERHEART: HOW TO PLAY CHARACTER CREATION - Roll Stats, Choose a Class, Cry About Your Backstory
    Jul 14 2025
    Ever wonder what would happen if D&D and a therapy session had a magical woodland baby? Welcome to character creation in Daggerheart. Thank You to Our Sponsor – DungeonFlow.app: This episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast is proudly sponsored by DungeonFlow.app — your new favorite GM tool for organizing campaigns, generating traps, and describing suspiciously pulsing potted plants. Whether you're prepping a one-shot or wrangling a West Marches campaign, DungeonFlow makes your life easier, faster, and way less covered in metaphorical blood. Try it now and streamline your prep time before the rogue does something you'll regret. Show Notes In this episode, the RPGBOT crew rolls up their sleeves and jumps into the nine-step character creation process for Daggerheart, the new tabletop RPG from Darrington Press. They walk through each step with equal parts clarity and chaos, covering class selection, ancestry, traits, and all the crunchy bits that make your character unique. With plenty of laughs, in-character riffing, and mechanical breakdowns, this episode offers both a how-to guide and a preview of the joy of storytelling in Daggerheart. By the end, the hosts have fully built their heroes—and maybe a few existential crises. Daggerheart (affiliate link)Critical Role - Age of Umbra Content from RPGBOT.net Daggerheart Review Key Takeaways: Daggerheart’s Nine-Step Process: Character creation is broken into a clean, accessible nine-step structure. Each phase builds both mechanics and narrative.Start With Class: Your class defines your role and primary skills—think of it as the “what do you do” in the adventuring world.Ancestry Without Number Crunch: Ancestries offer flavorful features and cultural context, but they don't mess with your ability scores.Community Ties Matter: Your character’s community gives you story hooks, motivations, and plenty of fuel for roleplaying.Traits are Your Stats: These determine how good you are at doing stuff—like lifting, lying, or surviving a GM’s spite.Get That Gear: Equipment isn’t just for show—it helps define your combat style and survival options.Background Brings the Drama: Who were you before this? Backgrounds add emotional weight and goals.Experience Evolves You: Characters can earn and spend XP to grow, change, and regret that one time they fought a horse.Domain Cards Add Spice: These magical-ish cards provide unique abilities that distinguish your character’s style and vibe.Set the Stage with a Campaign Frame: The final step helps align character concepts with the world and tone of the campaign, whether you're playing light-hearted fantasy or grimdark grief therapy. Additional Notes: Expect a focus on hope and fear mechanics in future episodes—Daggerheart leans into emotional storytelling.The system encourages creative freedom and personal storytelling over min-maxing.If you love theater kid energy and rules-light structure, Daggerheart may be your next RPG obsession. Listen now to hear the team craft heroes, crack jokes, and figure out whether a raccoon bard fits the campaign frame. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It’s a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.netTikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.GamesBlueSky: @GravenAshesYouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPGAmateurjack.comRead Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati
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    47 m
  • SHINKICKING Remastered - Managing Difficulty and Tone in Combat RP

    SHINKICKING Remastered - Managing Difficulty and Tone in Combat RP
    Jul 12 2025
    Ever accidentally traumatize your party during a goblin ambush? We did—so we made a whole episode about it. In this remastered episode, the RPGBOT crew rolls initiative on one of the most delicate balancing acts in tabletop role-playing games: how to manage difficulty and tone in combat scenarios. Whether you’re a GM trying to run a gritty, high-stakes survival encounter or a player who just wants to dropkick goblins and crack jokes, this conversation explores how to harmonize challenge with narrative tone. The hosts unpack the psychology of danger, why tension doesn’t always mean TPKs, and how even a good old-fashioned shinkick can feel appropriately heroic… or humiliating. They discuss combat pacing, how encounter design shapes the story, and how to use or avoid mechanical lethality to maintain player investment without disrupting tone. From slapstick to soul-crushing, the crew shares real-play examples and tools for aligning your combat difficulty with your table’s emotional goals. Special thanks to Stubbenz for the idea for this episode RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes RPGBOT.Podcast S2E7 – Random EncountersMörk Borg Cult: Heretic – RPGBOT.News S2E32RPGBOT.News – MOAR The Monsters Know What They’re Doing with Keith AmmannHow to Defend Your Lair with Keith Ammann – RPGBOT.Masterclass S2E95 Other Stuff DnD 5e – Practical Guidet to Doom-Style DnD Combat Topics Covered: What is "shinkicking" in combat RP? A metaphor for unnecessarily brutal or tone-discordant moments in combat that break immersion or fun. Tone vs. Challenge: Aligning encounter difficulty with campaign tone (grimdark, heroic, comedic, etc.)When a tough fight feels earned versus when it feels like punishmentHow comedic or whimsical games can still have meaningful consequences Combat Design Fundamentals: Action economy and player agencyTelegraphing danger vs. ambush mechanicsThe role of pacing and player morale in combat design The Danger Dial: When to turn the heat up for dramaWhen to pull punches to keep the tone lightAvoiding tonal whiplash: don’t drop horror into a Muppet movie campaign DM Tools and Techniques: Using terrain, objectives, and non-lethal consequencesBuilding tension without overwhelmingLetting players feel clever rather than just lucky Player Perspective: How difficulty impacts character expressionHow to engage tone-conscious players in lethal fightsEncouraging tone-setting through narration and description Funny and Real Examples: Times the hosts accidentally (or intentionally) broke toneWhen a joke fight got real—or a real fight turned into a running gag Key Takeaways Tone and difficulty must be balanced intentionally. A hard fight in a serious campaign feels very different than the same fight in a cartoonish or comedic setting.Challenge doesn’t mean constant risk of death. Strategic design can create tension without always threatening character mortality.Telegraphing is critical. Players respond better to difficulty when they can see it coming and prepare accordingly.Don’t let tone drift accidentally. Maintain narrative cohesion—know when a gritty beat enhances the story and when it undermines the vibe.Make combat emotionally resonant, not just mechanically hard. Personal stakes, consequences, and narrative weight can be more impactful than raw damage numbers.Player tone is part of table tone. Encouraging players to engage with the narrative tone helps reinforce consistency during combat.Not every moment needs to be epic. Allow room for levity, slapstick, or small-scale drama to humanize your game and make epic moments shine brighter.Shinkicking is avoidable. Unless you’re trying to ruin someone’s day, there are better ways to raise the stakes. Call to Action Want to run better combat and avoid emotional shinkicks? Share your favorite “wrong tone, wrong time” stories on social media and tag @RPGBOTDOTNET. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It’s a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.netTikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.GamesBlueSky: @GravenAshesYouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPGAmateurjack.comRead Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati
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    1 h y 4 m
  • DAGGERHEART: HOW TO PLAY CONCEPTS AND THEMES - Cue the Spotlight, We're Monologuing Through Combat

    DAGGERHEART: HOW TO PLAY CONCEPTS AND THEMES - Cue the Spotlight, We're Monologuing Through Combat
    Jul 10 2025
    We upgraded Foundry, discovered a few surprise “features,” and then dove headfirst into the hope-and-fear-fueled mayhem of Daggerheart—join us for mechanics, emotions, and at least one character death that felt really personal. This episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast is sponsored by DungeonFlow.app, your one-stop shop for streamlining game prep and powering up your sessions. Whether you're navigating Daggerheart's emotional economy or just trying to remember what room had the spiky floor trap, DungeonFlow has your back. With encounter builders, random traps, and mood-setting room descriptions, it's like having a co-GM who doesn’t argue about initiative order. Sign up now at DungeonFlow.app and take your table from chaos to controlled chaos. In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the crew kicks things off with a heroic tale of bravery: upgrading Foundry to version 13. With great power comes great mod compatibility checks—but hey, the new features are worth the hiccups! Once the tech dust settles, the gang dives into Daggerheart, the shiny new TTRPG from the folks at Darrington Press. From hit points and stress to hope, fear, and “please don’t let me die here,” the team explores Daggerheart’s unique approach to narrative and mechanics. They debate the crunchy bits, the soft edges, and the places where player creativity takes center stage. Along the way, they find just enough time to question the currency system, roast the movement rules (with love), and embrace the initiative mechanic that requires actual trust. Scary stuff. Key Takeaways: Foundry v13 brings new power to your table—but double-check those mods before you click "update."Daggerheart’s mechanics are fueled by hope and fear, which is either brilliant or a therapy session waiting to happen.The resting system adds strategic depth without slowing the narrative.Resource management includes stress and HP, because feelings matter.Tiered play defines your character’s journey, from barely surviving to epic storytelling.Armor rules with damage thresholds add depth—but not so much math you’ll need a spreadsheet.Equipment tiers create clear gear progression, and swords still go “stab.”The initiative system promotes teamwork by letting players choose who goes next. Trust issues? Might wanna talk about that.The death system gives players dramatic, meaningful choices—finally, death with flair.The system is setting-agnostic, perfect for fantasy, sci-fi, post-apocalyptic baking contests, or whatever you’re into.Movement mechanics could use polish, but if you’ve ever argued over diagonals in D&D, you’ll feel right at home. Tune in for mechanics, drama, heartfelt dice rolls—and yes, a very suspicious shrub. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It’s a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.netTikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.GamesBlueSky: @GravenAshesYouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPGAmateurjack.comRead Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati
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    1 h y 22 m
  • SHADOWFELL - Get Your Gloom On

    SHADOWFELL - Get Your Gloom On
    Jul 7 2025
    What if your depression had hit points and could punch back? Welcome to the Shadowfell. Huge thanks to DungeonFlow.app for sponsoring this episode—because even in the Shadowfell, your dungeon prep shouldn't be a nightmare. Sign up today at DungeonFlow.app and start building better encounters, faster. It's free to try, easy to use, and unlike the Shadowfell... it won’t drain your soul. In this laughably bleak episode, the RPGBOT crew takes a torch (dimly lit, flickering with existential dread) and dives headfirst into the Shadowfell—D&D’s very own Plane of Gloom, where your hopes go to die and the sun never texts you back. The hosts unpack the lore, the gloomcore aesthetics, and the mechanics of navigating this dreary dimension. From emo elf-goths to soul-sucking murder ghosts, they explore the Shadowfell’s rich tapestry of despair with their trademark mix of irreverent humor and actual, useful advice. They cover Shadowfell travel tips (spoiler: don’t forget your psychic damage buffer), notable creatures like Nightwalkers and Sorrow Sworn, and character options like the Shadar-Kai, for when you want your rogue to have a nose ring and chronic emotional detachment. Also: haunted vacation spots, deific edgelords, and a call for better horror monsters in D&D. Because the real horror is boring stat blocks. Book of Ebon Tides, Kobold Press (affiliate link)Dungeon Master’s Guide (affiliate link)Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes (affiliate link)Forgotten Realms Wiki - ShadowfellPathfinder WikiArchives of Nethys Key Takeaways The Shadowfell is the emo cousin of the Feywild – Think sad trees, gray skies, and your bard journaling about “the void.” Stranger Things is Shadowfell-adjacent – The Upside Down is basically what happens when Vecna fails upward. How to get there – Use Shadow Crossings, dark rituals, or emotionally devastating breakups. Character options abound – Play a Shadar-Kai for teleporting angst or a Fetchling for stylish gloom-chic. Sorrow Sworn are weaponized sadness – They literally punch you with feelings. Therapy not included. Nightwalkers? Nope. – These CR nightmares are like walking voids of death, and not in a metaphorical way. Dark Powers are... mysterious? – Like your crush from high school who only wore black and spoke in riddles. Char, Queen of Shadow – She's hot, terrifying, and probably has a playlist full of Evanescence. Shadowfell Tourism – Visit Evernight! Stay at the Tower of Loss! Bring your own light source and will to live. D&D needs better horror monsters – Less "zombie #87", more “this thing screams in your brain and smells like your mom’s regret.” Understanding the Shadowfell makes games richer – Misery loves roleplay. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It’s a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati
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    1 h y 1 m
  • LIGHT AND DARKNESS Remastered - Because apparently no one packs torches anymore...

    LIGHT AND DARKNESS Remastered - Because apparently no one packs torches anymore...
    Jul 5 2025
    If you've ever wondered why your dungeon feels less like a terrifying crawl through the dark and more like a grayscale video game, this episode shines a light on everything wrong—and weird—about darkvision. In this remastered and updated episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the hosts revisit one of their most debated topics: how vision mechanics function in tabletop RPGs, especially Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. They dive deep into how different systems handle lighting, visibility, and the ever-confusing rules around darkvision. The episode unpacks the practical and narrative implications of light and darkness on exploration, combat, and roleplay—while also poking fun at the sheer absurdity of adventurers who can see in total darkness but never think to bring a lantern. Whether you’re a rules lawyer, a narrative-driven GM, or just someone who’s tired of arguing over torches, this episode casts a light on what works, what doesn’t, and how to make vision mechanics better at your table. Key Discussion Points: Darkvision is Overused Most fantasy races have darkvision, which undermines the significance of light sources and ambient visibility mechanics in dungeon crawls and wilderness travel.Darkness Isn't a Binary The hosts break down how various RPG systems treat “darkness” as either full concealment or simply a lighting condition—highlighting how this impacts realism and gameplay clarity.Low-Light Vision, Infrared, and Blindsight There’s a whirlwind of different vision types across systems. The crew discusses how these interact with rules as written, and how easily they’re misinterpreted or misused.Narrative Consequences of Light Lighting impacts tone, mood, and narrative. A well-placed torch can heighten suspense; a spell like Darkness can reshape a battlefield.Mechanical Consequences Fighting in dim light? You might have disadvantage. No vision in magical darkness? Better hope someone brought See Invisibility or Devil’s Sight. The hosts detail how to make vision a tactical element again.The “Human Tax” Playing a human or other race without darkvision often feels like a penalty, rather than a tradeoff. The crew discusses how to rebalance the lighting meta to make non-darkvision races feel less punished.Solutions for GMs From clever dungeon design to creative lighting rules, the team suggests practical strategies for making light and darkness relevant again—without slowing down the game.The Meta Problem Darkvision often becomes an assumed default at many tables. The episode closes with a call to reevaluate assumptions and bring tension back to the dark. Key Takeaways: Darkvision is often poorly explained, inconsistently applied, and over-relied upon.Making light meaningful again requires buy-in from both players and GMs.Vision types beyond darkvision (like tremorsense or truesight) are powerful tools—but can be balance-breaking if unchecked.Lighting should be a storytelling element as well as a mechanical tool.Consider adding environmental challenges, magical lighting effects, and vision-blocking terrain to elevate encounters.Don't be afraid to reward clever lighting solutions or punish parties who ignore visibility as a tactical factor.A torchlit dungeon is more exciting than one where everyone sees perfectly in grayscale. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It’s a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.netTikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.GamesBlueSky: @GravenAshesYouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPGAmateurjack.comRead Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati
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    1 h y 4 m
  • WARHAMMER FANTASY ROLE PLAY Part IV: Review - Fate, Fortune, and Fragile Line Between Hero and Corpse

    WARHAMMER FANTASY ROLE PLAY Part IV: Review - Fate, Fortune, and Fragile Line Between Hero and Corpse
    Jul 3 2025
    Come for the Skaven, stay because you failed your bribery check and now you're wanted for heresy. Want to Join the Adventure? If you're craving chaos, corruption, and career advancement (in-game, of course), join Ash Ely’s West Marches campaign on StartPlaying.games. Explore the treacherous roads, clash blades with the forces of corruption, and roll the bones in the grimdark world of Warhammer Fantasy. Whether you're a grizzled veteran or fresh meat for the dice gods, Ash has a seat at the table for you. Show Notes: In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the hosts venture deeper into the grim and perilous world of Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay. The conversation centers on how chance, mechanics, and narrative intertwine to create memorable and brutal gaming experiences. From unlucky dice rolls to warpstone corruption, the hosts unpack the intricate systems that shape character arcs, decision-making, and party dynamics. The discussion kicks off with a recap of the latest Elite Quest and its far-reaching consequences. As the players navigate dangerous terrain, social encounters, and the ever-present threat of death, they reflect on how randomness and risk shape both success and failure in meaningful ways. The hosts also explore the psychological toll of bad luck, the math behind randomness, and the emotional highs of roleplaying through adversity. Tying all of it together is a breakdown of Warhammer's signature mechanics: deadly combat, the role of Fate and Fortune, bribery and sin, and how religion and corruption guide a character’s evolution. The conversation reveals how complex mechanics—when well understood—enhance immersion and storytelling at the table. Key Takeaways: The Elite Quest showcases how player decisions carry lasting consequences in Warhammer Fantasy.Luck isn’t just flavor—it’s a central mechanic that can define a character’s fate.Players experience randomness differently depending on how dice rolls or generators are used, which can affect perceptions of fairness.Failure often leads to stronger roleplaying opportunities than success.Warhammer’s social systems and bribery mechanics add tension and strategy to every interaction.Combat is brutally realistic, rewarding planning and punishing recklessness.Warpstone and the threat of corruption introduce moral and mechanical complications.Degrees of success and failure enrich the storytelling process by adding nuance to outcomes.Interacting with NPCs meaningfully influences player choices and world development.Understanding the game's mechanics, especially around risk management, is essential to enjoyable play.The Fate and Fortune system provides a safety net, but strategic use is crucial.Character Talents can drive unique and hilarious roleplay decisions.Religion, sin points, and moral consequences give depth to character arcs.Career advancement encourages players to evolve their characters narratively and mechanically.The Skaven hierarchy is complex and important to gameplay and setting immersion.Warhammer’s economic systems may be intentionally frustrating to reflect the setting’s grim realism.Accents and cultural misunderstandings (in-character) can lead to entertaining and awkward situations.A strong sense of gaming community adds to the emotional impact of each session.Audience engagement—both live and post-show—sparks thoughtful discussion and feedback. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It’s a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.netTikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.GamesBlueSky: @GravenAshesYouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPGAmateurjack.comRead Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati
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    1 h y 6 m
  • WARHAMMER FANTASY ROLE PLAY Pt III: Example Play - Bring Gloves, Trust No One, and Never Sniff the Daisies

    WARHAMMER FANTASY ROLE PLAY Pt III: Example Play - Bring Gloves, Trust No One, and Never Sniff the Daisies
    Jun 30 2025
    If you’ve ever asked, “How do I actually play Warhammer Fantasy Role Play?”—this episode is your crash course, chaos crash cart, and comedy club all rolled into one. Grab your dice, pack your herbs, and don’t forget your gloves. Things are about to get weird in the woods. Thank you to our sponsor, DM Adamantine! If you're ready to play with an expert GM in a one-of-a-kind setting, check out Dungeon Master Adamantine at dungeonmasteradamantine.com or find him on StartPlaying for custom sessions in Greece or online! In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the crew dives headfirst into the brutal, baroque, and frequently blood-soaked world of Warhammer Fantasy Role Play (WFRP). If you’re curious how to actually play this wonderfully grim system, this episode is your map through the muck. Starting from character creation and setting expectations, all the way to navigating the forest of chaos (literally), the group explores what makes WFRP so distinct: the constant tension between survival and corruption, competition and camaraderie, comedy and catastrophe. The party’s in-character quest for the rare herb Bitterknot becomes the perfect showcase for WFRP’s mechanics and tone. Along the way, they meet eccentric NPCs, battle chaos-touched creatures, and argue about gloves—a classic day in the Empire. Whether you're a grizzled veteran of the Old World or thinking about picking up the dice for the first time, this episode shows you how to embrace the grit, gallows humor, and genuine strategy of Warhammer Fantasy. Key Takeaways Setting & Tone Warhammer presents a grim, dangerous world filled with corruption, chaos, and questionable hygiene.Altdorf acts as a central hub for player activity and plot progression.Survival, suspicion, and dark humor are essential ingredients to the game’s tone. Character & Story Characters come with detailed backstories that influence gameplay decisions.The party dynamic (rivals for a master's favor) fuels roleplaying opportunities and in-game tension.Motivations matter—success often depends on how well characters leverage their personal goals.Low resources and high stakes force creative problem-solving and resource management. The Quest for Bitterknot The search for the rare herb Bitterknot ties together exploration, negotiation, and danger.Players interact with memorable NPCs like the allergy-prone Old Marla and helpful friend Kruger.Preparation, like acquiring gloves and supplies, plays a huge role in staying alive. Exploration & Conflict The Blood Pine Woods are filled with beastmen, warp-tainted terrain, and the occasional dead horse.Exploration includes clue-finding (claw marks, glowing signs) and evasion through stealth.Highwaymen introduce social conflict, resolved through intimidation or diplomacy. Combat & Mechanics Initiative rolls set the pace; positioning and terrain influence the outcomes.Combat emphasizes both tactical planning and the chaos of dice-driven randomness.Environmental strategy can be key to survival.Warpstone introduces a risk-reward dilemma: magical power at the cost of corruption and mutation. Corruption & Consequences Corruption checks protect characters from warping into something... less than human.Warpstone may grant power, but repeated use can change characters in dramatic ways.Decisions in combat and exploration ripple through the story and character arcs. Humor & Group Dynamics Unexpected moments like daisy allergies and potion mishaps add levity to grim adventures.Player banter and team dynamics are essential to the fun and flavor of the game.Return to Altdorf provides a moment of reflection—and the kind of closure only WFRP can offer. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It’s a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.netTikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.GamesBlueSky: @GravenAshesYouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPGAmateurjack.comRead Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati
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    1 h y 30 m
  • DEITIES Remastered - Divine powers, celestial politics, and heresy to keep things interesting.

    DEITIES Remastered - Divine powers, celestial politics, and heresy to keep things interesting.
    Jun 28 2025
    Ever wondered what happens when your cleric starts a cult, your paladin questions their god, and your podcast host thinks he is one? Tune in and find out. In this episode, the RPGBOT.Podcast crew dives deep into the divine—and the deranged—as they tackle the topic of religion in tabletop RPGs. From the celestial bureaucracy of the Forgotten Realms to Pathfinder’s heavily codified pantheon, the hosts examine how religion shapes settings, drives character motivation, and complicates moral choices. The discussion explores the roles of deities, demigods, and divine casters, while also indulging in some theological tomfoolery—particularly Randall’s growing obsession with founding his own religion (again). The team debates the practicality of divine mandates, the game balance implications of cleric subclasses, and the power fantasy baked into faith-based character classes. The conversation also touches on real-world mythology, the narrative utility of gods behaving badly, and the delicate balance between satire, reverence, and good storytelling. They offer advice for players looking to roleplay pious characters, and for GMs aiming to weave religion into their campaigns without derailing the plot—or sparking a holy war at the table. Heroforge (affiliate link)RPGBOT.Podcast EpisodesRPGBOT.Podcast Episode 6 – The TarrasqueKeith Baker on Eberron – RPGBOT.Masterclass S3E3Fate of the Norns – RPGBOT.News S3E33Uncaged Goddesses – RPGBOT.News S2E85 Content from RPGBOT.netDnD 5e – New Multiclass Build Handbook: Bugbear-y Me In Damage Other StuffCall of CthulhuDragonLance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen (affiliate link)EberronForgotten Realms Key Topics Covered What is religion in RPGs, really? A look at how deities and religious systems function mechanically, thematically, and narratively in TTRPGs.Clerics, paladins, and divine magic users Breaking down how divine spellcasting differs from arcane, and why worship matters when you’re trying to resurrect someone.Pantheon building for GMs Advice on how to craft believable deities, religious orders, and mythologies without creating a 500-page cosmology document.Pathfinder vs. D&D: Theological Smackdown Comparing how each system handles religion, from domain mechanics to deity portfolios.Randall's "cult" update A recurring segment where Randall outlines the tenets of his latest personal religion, now featuring more bureaucracy and glowing robes.Real-world inspiration Drawing from world mythologies—Greek, Norse, Egyptian, and more—to inform homebrew pantheons and religious conflict.How to roleplay faith without being a jerk The dos and don'ts of playing religious characters respectfully and effectively, whether they’re humble missionaries or fire-and-brimstone zealots.Religion as a plot device Using divine conflict, prophecy, and religious institutions to drive compelling story arcs and moral dilemmas. Key Takeaways Religion in RPGs should serve the story, not dominate it unless you're running a full-on holy crusade campaign (in which case, go nuts).Clerics and paladins aren't just healbots and smite machines—their connection to a divine force can be a powerful roleplay and plot development tool.Pathfinder 2E provides more mechanical granularity for divine casters, including strict deity rules, domains, and edicts, while D&D 5E often leaves more interpretive space.Don’t be afraid to create your own gods—as long as the players buy in, custom pantheons can be more meaningful than official lore.Faith can be funny, dramatic, or both—as Randall proves, religion doesn’t always have to be serious to be significant.Avoid real-world controversy by keeping fantasy religion grounded in the game world, and respecting your table’s comfort levels.NPC clergy can serve as guides, foils, or villains—well-developed religious characters can offer a moral compass or a righteous threat.Religious conflict can enhance drama—whether it's interfaith strife, fallen paladins, or rogue prophets with too much divine backing. Closing Thoughts Divine intervention is just another storytelling tool—sometimes it’s literal lightning bolts, and sometimes it’s a quiet moment of purpose for your character. Use it well, and you’ll find that gods can add more than just healing spells to your game. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It’s a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop ...
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