Episode 15: Campaign Confessions: Lost Potential

Posted on May 4, 2011 by Lyal

The only thing darker than the Changeling: The Lost setting is our review of it.

In this episode, we review the latest incarnation of White Wolf’s Changeling game and discuss Wayne’s campaign. In between Lyal’s ranting and Chris’s waffling, you’ll hear how Wayne used gold-painted puzzle pieces (and two or three slightly different ways to describe them) and how he introduced game mechanics through his story.

After listening to this episode, you might be surprised to learn that we will probably continue playing Changeling; however, you’ll have to wait until episode 16 to find out how.

No Changeling books were harmed during the recording of this episode.

Episode 14: Mashups: The Twist

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Idle Red Hands

Another Idle Red Hands first (for us, at least)! We debut Mashups, where we blend different elements to make new(ish) game settings. In this episode, we add twists to fictional and historical settings.

It’s an extra long episode (or as the Japanese say, plus alpha) because we had so much fun doing the first two mashups, we decided to do a third one. How much fun they are to listen to is up to you. The consensus is that the first one is the weakest link (or as the Japanese say, the red-headed stepchild).

Corrections:

The Hyborian Age is set after Atlantis sank, not before. Kull is part of the Thurian Age, not the Hyborian Age, and is actually from Atlantis. Both were created by Robert E. Howard. Lyal has since turned in his Conan Fan Club card.

Kirk Douglas was a contemporary of Burt Lancaster, not Kurt Russell. Yes, Lyal again. He refuses to turn in his Kurt Russell Fan Club card, however.

Jason Straham was in Crank, not Crash. Chris was going to turn in his Jason Straham Fan Club card until he was reminded that it was the only one in existence.

Episode 13: Creature Feature: Werepocalypse

Posted on April 20, 2011 by Lyal

In our debut Creature Feature, we shine the moonlight on werewolves. We discuss werewolf legends and movies and how to run werewolf antagonists and protagonists. We also talk about The Werewolf of Washington a lot. Never heard of it? There’s a reason for that.

Lyal forgot his notes at home, so “skin-walkers” become “skin-changers” and “The Beast of Gevaudan” becomes “The Beast of B-something”. Chris’s research seems to have consisted of after school specials on safe sex. Wayne is allegedly from the “ghetto”, which explains why Lyal and Chris lose it when he tells his wrapping tube story.

Despite this, we come up with a pretty decent setting to play werewolves in. Can you handle the Werepocalypse?

Episode 12: Campaign Confessions: Taking a Bite Out of Detroit Part 2

Posted on April 15, 2011 by Lyal

One Vampire: The Requiem episode! AH AH AH! Two Vampire: The Requiem episodes! AH AH AH! I love it!

In Part 2, we look at Lyal’s Detroit campaign. Lyal is thin-skinned, which explains why Wayne, Chris, and Yujiro aren’t so hard on his campaign. Lyal also loves to complain, which explains why he has some choice words for that “Lyal guy”.

We cover flashforwards, intraparty conflict, working in new players, and playing in real time.

Yujiro guest hosts again (we don’t seem to understand the concept of a guest host). Chris’s soon-to-be-wife, Saori, does the opening for this episode.

Episode 11: Campaign Confessions: Taking a Bite Out of Detroit Part 1

Posted on April 13, 2011 by Idle Red Hands

Special offer! Download Part 1 for free and get Part 2 for the low, low price of nothing. Offer expires in 2056.

In this installment of Campaign Confessions, we look at the World of Darkness system and the Vampire: The Requiem setting and system. We also explain how we track blood/glamour, health, and damage in Vampire and Changeling. (There’s some dispute over who gets credit for that.)

Yujiro guest hosts.

Episode 10: Losing my Religion

Posted on April 6, 2011 by Idle Red Hands

No guest stars this episode; we stick with the Holy Trinity of Lyal, Chris and Wayne. (Did you see what we did there?)

Rather than focus on specific faiths, myths and rituals in this episode, we look at how religion, in general, would impact your game setting. This includes the tendency to tie faith to power and the idea that “science is the new religion”. We also discuss whether it’s fair to spring setting and rule surprises on players.

We hope to revisit this topic in the future because it’s so big.

Although we talk about religion, we manage to not offend any world faiths. Chris does cost us our creationist listeners, however.

Episode 9: Do Not Pass Go

Posted on March 30, 2011 by Idle Red Hands

In this episode, we discuss board games with our special guest, Kristos.

Kristos talks about making his wife cry, which is related to board games. Chris mentions nun rape, which isn’t related to board games. Lyal does sound effects, which, oddly, is related to board games. Wayne threatens to “get started” on Toys ‘R’ Us (again), which, while related to board games, would have been cut (again).

Find out which board game is the best on the market and which one is the worst. Kristos also shares his secret on how to make Monopoly even more boring.

Episode 8: The Art of Seduction

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Idle Red Hands

You’d think that a bunch of guys who spend their weekends playing games would have nothing to say about seduction. Well, you’d be wrong. You’d think that a bunch of (mostly) heterosexual guys coming on to each across a table would get awkward. Well, you’d be right.

In this episode, we discuss how to incorporate romance and seduction into your games.

“Interesting” was apparently Lyal’s word of the day. He has since bought a thesaurus.

Episode 7: Campaign Confessions: Pulp!

Posted on March 16, 2011 by Idle Red Hands

Rocket Nazis! Airships! The Castle of Endless Stealth Rolls! Will Rex “Blade” Richards and his trusty band of sidekicks be able to stop the Nazis from unleashing their secret weapon on the world? Find out in the thrilling conclusion to “The Curse of the Atlantean ‘Thing'”!

In this episode, we discuss Hollow Earth Expedition and the Ubiquity system. We also talk about what we liked and didn’t like about Wayne’s pulp adventure.

Tom and Yujiro guest host again.

For those of you interested in trying out Hollow Earth Expedition for yourselves, you can find two free sample adventures in PDF form (Stranded in the Hollow Earth and Kidnapped in the Hollow Earth) complete with sample characters and a streamlined version of the Ubiquity rules from the Exile Games website.

Episode 6: Intro to Gaming

Posted on March 6, 2011 by Idle Red Hands

Everything you always wanted to know about pen-and-paper role-playing games but were afraid (or couldn’t be bothered) to ask.

The Idle Red Hands are blessed with some great friends who, despite having no clue about RPGs, listen to our podcast. One recommended that we record an episode that explains some of the basic concepts to help him follow along, so we did. This is for him and all those who have ever wondered why some people choose to spend their Saturday nights rolling dice.

If you’re an experienced gamer, have a listen to see if you agree with our descriptions, definitions, and recommendations.

To start a lifetime of adventure, download these free rules for GURPS 4th Edition from the good people at Steve Jackson Games (or visit your local army recruiting center).

Special note: We debut our new microphone this episode.

Idle Red Hands

A Podcast From Japan About Games and Gamer Culture

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