Video: Blackmoor Interview: From Wargaming to the First Player Character

The first part of our interview with one of the filmmakers for Secrets of Blackmoor: The Secret History of Dungeons & Dragons. We went into it thinking we would be learning about David Arneson’s contributions to Dungeons & Dragons. We were wrong. The documentary isn’t just a history of the origins of D&D; it’s the history of the origins of roleplaying games. It tells the story of how a group of people created the hobby we enjoy today. In short, all roleplaying games owe their existence to the Twin City gamers.

In this excerpt, Griff quickly takes us from a post-Civil War wargame to the first player-created character.

To get a copy of Secrets of Blackmoor on DVD or Blu-ray go to:
http://www.secretsofblackmoor.com/

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Video: Unboxing Star Trek Adventures Starter Set

We take a look at the Star Trek Adventures Starter Set by Modiphius. It includes pre-generated character sheets, a ship sheet, dice, tokens, maps, and a starting adventure campaign. It uses the 2d20 system with threat and momentum as currency mechanics for both players and the gamemaster. This is a much more accessible option for trying the game and will get you playing right out of the box.

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Video: Unboxing D&D 5E Starter Set

Have a look inside the starter box for Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition. A great place to start for players new to the hobby. It includes a starter rules booklet, pre-generated characters, a campaign booklet and quite nice dice. All in a mysteriously spacious box!

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Video: Short Review of Forbidden Lands

A short review to help you decide if the Forbidden Lands RPG by Free League is for you. We discuss the major features and mechanics and also talk about how it differs from other systems and RPGs. We love this game but wanted to present a balanced look at it to help you make your own decision.

BGM – Veil of the Blood Mist by ALVE – Forbidden Lands OST

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Video: Unboxing Village Attacks

We unbox Village Attacks, the latest game from Grimlord Games, makers of channel favorite, Endure the Stars. This tower defense style, cooperative, miniatures boardgame pits you the “monsters” against waves of angry villagers supported by their town heroes, which take the form of RPG character classes of humans. See what they did there?

What do you get in the standard core game box? What extras did their Kickstarter deliver? You know you need to find out!

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Video: Unboxing The Other Side

Absent our faithful expert in all things Malifaux, Nick, we unbox the Dual Commander pledge for Wyrd Miniatures’ The Other Side game. We chose The Cult of the Burning Man and Abyssinia as our two allegiances. Are the pre-assembled miniatures as good as Malifaux? What do you get in an allegiance box? Watch and find out!

Apologies in advance for the never quite in focus overhead camera.

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Video: Unboxing Forbidden Lands

We unbox the latest RPG from Free League published in English by Modiphius, Forbidden Lands. A new take on fantasy where players are rogues and raiders, in it only for themselves, in a magically cursed land. The game is a sandbox style adventure played over a hex-based map. This is the core box and the Kickstarter extras.

Spoilers: It’s excellent!

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Video: Creature Feature: Robots

Using robots in your TTRPG campaigns? What questions should you ask yourself when you include them? We have a list of campaign ideas using robots to help you out, and we discuss how to play them both as antagonists and protagonists.

Also in the tradition of our Creature Features, we watched the 1980 scifi film Saturn 3, starring Kirk Douglas, Harvey Keitel and Farrah Fawcett. Regardless of its failings as a scifi horror film, it does include some interesting examples of how to use a robot as a character. And Farrah Fawcett. She is in the film. Did I mention that?

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Video: Deathwatch RPG Cortex Prime Session

Actual play session of Warhammer 40,000 Deathwatch setting using the Cortex Prime ruleset. Three and a half hours of space marine carnage! If you are interested in trying this setting with this system use the links below…

Pre-generated character PDFs available here:
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=1-ZtRUU2yoYrBo5ky1QDspvqMEBp5ZHfD

Ruleset available for pre-order here:
https://cortex-prime.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders

Listen to a discussion of the choice to pair Deathwatch and Cortex Prime:

Episode 210: Deathwatch RPG

Our GM was @HyveMynd
https://hyvemynd.wordpress.com/

Follow Idle Red Hands:
https://www.facebook.com/IdleRedHands/
Twitter – @IdleRedHands

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Video: Star Trek Discovery Season 1 Part 1

Come for the two-part discussion of the first five episodes of Star Trek: Discovery; stay for the bad posture. In part 1, we talk about how “Trek” Discovery is and what we think of the story and episodes. We also walk you through how the lighting has progressed through the different series (yes, lighting). We also answer the question: Is this is the Trek for millennials and vegans? (Finally! Something for millennials.) Let us know who wins the debate how in-character Burnham’s actions are.

For the full discussion listen to our podcast:

Episode 203: Star Trek: Discovery Pt.1

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