Roleplay Rescue

This one's responding to a question about what you tell the players about the Otherworld before they use a Bio Sheet to create a character concept. Answer: give them an Otherworld Skeleton.Based on Jamison's methodology and drawing on my own approaches to running RPGs, this one gives an example drawing on current work to establish an Open Table fantasy game at the school club.Thanks to UberGrog for the call-in.Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Voice Message:speakpipe.com/roleplayrescuePatreon:patreon.com/rpgrescue Email:roleplayrescue@pm.meBlogroleplayrescue.com Bluesky Social:https://bsky.app/profile/ubiquitousrat.bsky.socialRoleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore:https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Logo and artwork by MJ Hiblen:https://www.patreon.com/MJHiblenART/

In this episode I lay out where Roleplay Rescue stands after the whirlwind of twenty episodes in Season 16. I dive into my “dark sorcery” experiments with AI—how tools like Lumo, Gemini and Notebook LM have become useful sidekicks for prep, NPC stats, and campaign organisation. Finally, I give listeners a quick roundup of the various tabletop groups you’re shepherding, from GURPS sci‑fi to D&D 5e, and thank the Patreon supporters who keep the hobby alive at the School RPG Club.Thanks to Alex for the call-in.Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Voice Message:speakpipe.com/roleplayrescuePatreon:patreon.com/rpgrescue Email:roleplayrescue@pm.meBlogroleplayrescue.com Bluesky Social:https://bsky.app/profile/ubiquitousrat.bsky.socialRoleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore:https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Logo and artwork by MJ Hiblen:https://www.patreon.com/MJHiblenART/

This one arose from the Karameikos recap last week and explores the way in which in-character as-character roleplay drives the emergent story in the Otherworld.Included is a reflection on what roleplay is, the approaches to play I've adapted from a couple of major sources, and the practical impact these approaches have on play. I also reflect on how much the player's input to the game is driving the play.Thanks to my players - Pat, Ryan, Chris, Matt, Derek, and Josh - for the awesome campaign we're enjoying!Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Voice Message:speakpipe.com/roleplayrescuePatreon:patreon.com/rpgrescue Email:roleplayrescue@pm.meBlogroleplayrescue.com Bluesky Social:https://bsky.app/profile/ubiquitousrat.bsky.socialRoleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore:https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Logo and artwork by MJ Hiblen:https://www.patreon.com/MJHiblenART/

This one's a bit of an indulgence... responding to Alex's recent call-in asking to hear the story so far in Karameikos, I've cobbled together some words and shared the tale.It's impossible to do justice to the experience at the table after the fact. I hope it's worth the listen.Thanks to Alex for the request.Thanks to my players - Pat, Ryan, Chris, Matt, Derek, and Josh - for the awesome campaign we're enjoying!Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Voice Message:speakpipe.com/roleplayrescuePatreon:patreon.com/rpgrescue Email:roleplayrescue@pm.meBlogroleplayrescue.com Bluesky Social:https://bsky.app/profile/ubiquitousrat.bsky.socialRoleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore:https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Logo and artwork by MJ Hiblen:https://www.patreon.com/MJHiblenART/

What's the power of pretend and the power of the imaginary? Of inhabiting a different Otherworld, of inhabiting a different person within an emergent tale? What is it about that which is so compelling?Thanks to Pat and Alex for the call-ins.Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Voice Message:speakpipe.com/roleplayrescuePatreon:patreon.com/rpgrescue Email:roleplayrescue@pm.meBlogroleplayrescue.com Bluesky Social:https://bsky.app/profile/ubiquitousrat.bsky.socialRoleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore:https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Logo and artwork by MJ Hiblen:https://www.patreon.com/MJHiblenART/

What do you do when it's game night and you're sleep-deprived or sick? You've got six players waiting and you don't want to let everyone down.What do you do?Big thanks to UberGrog for the call-in!Pat's "Processing GURPS" blog, including examples for the Bio Sheet:The Process – Processing GURPSORhttps://processinggurps.com/2025/12/04/the-process/Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Voice Message:speakpipe.com/roleplayrescuePatreon:patreon.com/rpgrescue Email:roleplayrescue@pm.meBlogroleplayrescue.com Bluesky Social:https://bsky.app/profile/ubiquitousrat.bsky.socialRoleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore:https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Logo and artwork by MJ Hiblen:https://www.patreon.com/MJHiblenART/

This episode is an interview with someone whom I never expected to meet but am hugely grateful for the opportunity to talk to about RPGs, comics, characters, and story. Andrew Kafoury is a writer, creator, and the publisher and head of story at Battle Quest Comics, hailing from Portland, Oregon in the USA. He founded the company in 2020 to be a home for like-minded story creatives and artists with a passion for compelling characters and exciting adventures. He oversees the publication of original, creator-driven comic projects while also contributing his own works. Andrew is the writer and creator of No'madd: The Unconquerable, The Young Nomads, Elatari, and Steel Siege, titles that blend action, mythology, and character-driven narratives.More of his work can be found at www.BattleQuestComics.com.Big thanks to Andrew for coming on the show!Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Voice Message:speakpipe.com/roleplayrescuePatreon:patreon.com/rpgrescue Email:roleplayrescue@pm.meBlogroleplayrescue.com Bluesky Social:https://bsky.app/profile/ubiquitousrat.bsky.socialRoleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore:https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Logo and artwork by MJ Hiblen:https://www.patreon.com/MJHiblenART/

This one's inspired by Anthony from the Casting Shadows realm of podcasting, YouTube, and blogging. He has some thoughts about Episode 11, Master and Emissary, and this then sparks my own sharing of three preferences that have emerged in my own play in recent months.Big thanks to Anthony for calling-in!Thanks to everyone for your ongoing support.Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Voice Message:speakpipe.com/roleplayrescuePatreon:patreon.com/rpgrescue Email:roleplayrescue@pm.meBlogroleplayrescue.com Bluesky Social:https://bsky.app/profile/ubiquitousrat.bsky.socialRoleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore:https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Logo and artwork by MJ Hiblen:https://www.patreon.com/MJHiblenART/

In the spirit of turning up, this one's a bit more ad hoc and GM Journal in style, but it's relevant and heartfelt.I talk about getting back to Ariadne's Thread (powered by Cypher) and report on the Monster Hunters (powered by GURPS). The over-arching theme is the power of choosing to turn up to play. Improvisation around the tools and notes you've got can help you overcome the fear and play.Thanks to everyone for your ongoing support.Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Voice Message:speakpipe.com/roleplayrescuePatreon:patreon.com/rpgrescue Email:roleplayrescue@pm.meBlogroleplayrescue.com Bluesky Social:https://bsky.app/profile/ubiquitousrat.bsky.socialRoleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore:https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Logo and artwork by MJ Hiblen:https://www.patreon.com/MJHiblenART/