In this podcast episode, we look at Oracles for role-playing games. Oracles are a kind of random generator popularized by solo RPGs like Ironsworn and the Mythic Game Master Simulator. However the idea of oracles – in which you role some dice to determine a course of action or inspire some aspect of your game […]
S3E16 Oracles for Role-Playing Games Read More »
On this episode, we talking about changing gears – changing game systems, changing genres, changing roles, changing groups – as part of our May 2023 RPG Blog Carnival hosting duties. Before venturing into those tiny, switching passages, all different, we talk about Ken’s return to backpacking, discuss new streaming series (Lockwood and Co., Picard, and
S3E14 Changing Gears Read More »
On this episode of the Lair of Secrets we talk about pacing your game, including techniques you can use and techniques baked into some of our favorite RPGs. First though, we’re venturing back into the Game Room to catch up on new games and new campaigns. The Game Room Main Topic: Pacing Your Game Feedback
S3E11 Pacing Your Game Read More »
We are planning our next actual play arc now and as part of that we wanted to try out a new-to-us virtual tabletop, TaleSpire! This is our TaleSpire review and the experience we’ve had with it so far. I (David) have had TaleSpire for a while now but haven’t used it much. Mainly because as
TaleSpire review: The start of our virtual tabletop adventures! Read More »
As summer ends, the podcast turns it attention to Spelljammer, the fantasy-in-space setting for Dungeons & Dragons. Ken and David look Wizards of the Coast’s new 3-book release and discuss David’s Spelljammer Academy mini-campaign based on WotC’s free Roll20 release. They also talk about the resurgence of all things cyberpunk, including the Cyberpunk RED role-playing
S3E1 Spelljammer, GenCon, Cyberpunk RED Read More »
On this episode of Lair of Secrets, our loyal denizens are preparing the deepest level of the dungeon to imprison whomever thought up “Natural Scrolling” for the Mac. Meanwhile, David ventured to the Ohio frontier with his family to watch his youngest win 2nd place in the world in Winter Guard A Class! Feature: Talking with
S2E15 Talking with the Younger Generation Read More »
On this occasionally rambling episode of Lair of Secrets, Ken and David are joined by long-time friend and gamer (and former occupant of a certain secret lair), Overlord Chris Miller. We talk about our gaming lives in the Before Times, the rise of virtual gaming, and look at what might come in the post-pandemic era.
S2E9 How Gaming Changed During the Pandemic Read More »
Welcome to the new year … and a new episode of the Lair of Secrets. The main topic for this episode is “Stealing liberally from other game systems to enhance the ones you’re playing”. We look at game mechanics like bennies (Savage Worlds), aspects (Fate), skill challenges (Dungeons & Dragons), plot points (Cortex) and more!
S2E3 Improving Games by Stealing From Others Read More »
My first two characters for Dungeons & Dragons – rolled up using the 1981 Moldvay Basic Set – were named Magic and Battle Axe. I was 9. And they were so … damned … cool. While cleaning out some of my old gaming stuff, I found Battle Axe’s original character sheet. A fighter/wizard, he ended his adventuring
Geek Archeology: Battle Axe the Fighter Read More »
Season 2 of The Lair of Secrets kicks off with a bang (and the muttering of a few spells) as David and Ken interview Matt Forbeck and Marty Forbeck about their Shotguns & Sorcery for 5E Kickstarter. The Kickstarter funded within hours of its launch and runs until 10 p.m. EST, Tuesday, November 16, 2021. Shotguns & Sorcery is a
S2E1 Shotguns & Sorcery – audio fix Read More »
