Run the Adventure

In this Halloween special, I am joined by Mike Mason, line editor for Call of Cthulhu at Chaosium. We talk about the Gateways to Terror collection of short scenarios for Call of Cthulhu. These scenarios are perfect for beginner keepers or as introductions to players who've never played Call of Cthulhu before. We also cover advice for new keepers and those hoping to write their own scenarios for the game. There's a lot to chew on in this episode! Further Resources: Gateways to Terror (Print)Gateways to Terror (PDF)If you have questions, thoughts or suggestions about this episode please get in touch by email gm@runtheadventure.com or on Twitter @rta_podcast. Listen to the show for a special discount from DungeonLand. Support the Show.

In this special episode, I am joined by Justin Alexander from the Alexandrian and Atlas Games to talk about the Dragonlance module DL1 Dragons of Despair. For me the Dragonlance novels were a formative part of my childhood and I remember running this adventure for friends back in the 90s with some success. More recently, I brought it to the table for D&D 5th Edition. I talk to Justin about what makes this a fun adventure, with some of its novel elements and innovations for the time. We also chat about the problems it has for those accustomed to the modern game and how these may be overcome. Justin gives his usual insights into adventure structure and design with hints at how you might remix this for your table. He also talks about some of the fascinating history of the production of the Dragonlance saga. With a new generation about to be introduced to Dragonlance for the first time, this felt like a timely conversation going back to the roots of the setting. Further Resources: Dragons of Despair (AD&D 1e) PDFDragons of Autumn PDFAlso check out the excellent D&D Actual Play podcast, Tale of the Manticore. If you have questions, thoughts or suggestions about this episode please get in touch by email gm@runtheadventure.com or on Twitter @rta_podcast. Listen to the show for a special discount from DungeonLand. Support the Show.

This is a trailer for the dark fantasy actual play Dungeons & Dragons podcast Tale of the Manticore. You can find it here: https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/ Support the Show.

In this episode, I take a look at the first scenario in the Doors to Darkness collection aimed at beginner Keepers of Call of Cthulhu 7th edition. The Darkness Beneath the Hill is often touted as a good transition for D&D players into Call of Cthulhu. Whether that's true or not, its a scenario that has some great atmospherics but a bit of dodgy setup. For this episode I'm joined again by Matthew (@juniperapolo) to discuss how this adventure played for our group. Further resources: Doors To DarknessDoors of Darkness PDFAlso check out the excellent D&D Actual Play podcast, Tomes of the Chaos Bard. If you have questions, thoughts or suggestions about this episode please get in touch by email gm@runtheadventure.com or on Twitter @rta_podcast. Listen to the show for a special discount from DungeonLand. Support the Show.

For this special episode, I am joined by Iain from the Roll To Save podcast to discuss the Vampire the Masquerade campaign adventure, Fall of London. Vampire the Masquerade is a setting and rule system that hit its peak in the 90s when at least in my gaming circle it pushed out more traditional RPGs like D&D. It perfectly captured the goth chic and music vibe that would go on to stylise films like the Matrix and Underworld. It is a lore rich setting and a simple enough system to play. Whilst much has been written about the setting and countless campaigns played amongst friends and LARPers alike, what it seemed to lack was a memorable or even half decent adventure or scenario book. Well, at least in my opinion that was the case until Fall of London was released in 2020 for the 5th edition game. Further Resources: Fall of LondonFall of LondonHistory of Vampire: The MasqueradeIf you have questions, thoughts or suggestions about this episode please get in touch by email gm@runtheadventure.com or on Twitter @rta_podcast. Support the Show.

A trailer for the podcast for new curious listeners. This is a podcast about getting the most out of published modules for your tabletop roleplaying game. Every episode I take a look at a module to show you where the fun is and how you might want to tweak it to suit your game. Support the Show.

For the tenth episode, I go back to the beginning with my favourite module from back in the day, the Isle of Dread. Like many gamers of a certain generation, I got introduced to RPGs with Frank Mentzer’s Red Box Dungeons & Dragons. But it was the blue Expert set that really made me a lifelong roleplayer. Inside that box was contained the orange cover of X1 Isle of Dread which gave not just a sea adventure, not just a wilderness hex crawl but also the first rough sketch of the Known World. In an effort to see if it holds up against my boyhood memories, I've been playing through it in a lunchtime game using pared down rules based on Old School Essentials. I talk about how that goes. I also approach the structural and content problems that the module throws up for modern gamers. Further resources: X1 Isle of Dread Old School EssentialsIf you have questions, thoughts or suggestions about this episode please get in touch by email gm@runtheadventure.com or on Twitter @rta_podcast. Support the Show.

This is a trailer for Snyder's Return, a UK based Tabletop Roleplaying Game Podcast featuring TTRPG Actual Play, Content Creator Interviews and DM/Player Guides. You can find them here: https://linktr.ee/snydersreturn Support the Show.

For this episode, I embark on the Achtung! Cthulhu adventure, A Quick Trip to France. This was provided in the Quick Start rules for the 2d20 version of Achtung! Cthulhu. It’s a setting about fighting the Axis powers in a Secret War during the Second World War, involving as you might suspect Cthulhu Mythos entities, magic and weird science. In short, its pulp adventures in wartime with a bit of horror fantasy thrown in. The 2d20 system isn’t for everyone and Modiphius’ has gotten some flak for the editorial quality of their rulebooks. So, whilst I’ll be focusing on the scenario in the Quick Start rules as it stands, I will be discussing how it works as an introduction to the 2d20 rules as well. I am joined by Ryan to discuss how it played for us. Further Resources: Achtung! Cthulhu 2d20 Quickstart If you have questions, thoughts or suggestions about this episode please get in touch by email gm@runtheadventure.com or on Twitter @rta_podcast. Support the Show.

This is a trailer for Tomes of the Chaos Bard, an All Ages Dungeons & Dragons Actual-play Podcast with Original Music. You can find them here: https://drum.io/tomesofthechaosbard Support the Show.

For this episode, I'm back to talking about Call of Cthulhu with a scenario that is included in the 7th edition Starter Set. Edge of Darkness often competes with the Haunting for best introduction for a group of players getting into Call of Cthulhu. I found it a lot of fun but lacking in a couple of departments. Notably, the investigation portion had low stakes and the exposition dumps at the start were a little heavy. However, these problems can be overcome with a little work I wax lyrical about the three elements I think make for a good introductory Call of Cthulhu scenario. What makes for a good hook, a meaningful investigation and the challenging confrontation? I'm also joined by one of my players, Matthew (@juniperapolo), to discuss how this adventure played for us. Further resources: Edge of Darkness PDFCall of Cthulhu Starter SetIf you have questions, thoughts or suggestions about this episode please get in touch by email gm@runtheadventure.com or on Twitter @rta_podcast. Support the Show.

In this episode, we’re going to be transported into the claustrophobic cinematic adventure Chariot of the Gods for the ALIEN RPG. The player characters find themselves in a scenario very reminiscent of Ridley Scott’s 1979 masterpiece movie, Alien. If signing up to play ALIEN RPG comes with certain expectations, Chariot of the Gods certainly delivers. More than this, it provides a great structure for an adventure that combines elements of exploration and story in a way that makes the most of player agency. Further resources: ALIEN RPG Starter SetChariot of the GodsAlso, check out fellow UK based TTRPG and Actual Podcast: Snyder's Return. If you have questions, thoughts or suggestions about this episode please get in touch by email gm@runtheadventure.com or on Twitter @rta_podcast. Support the Show.

In this episode, we head to the seaside with the Dungeons & Dragons adventure, the Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh. The old AD&D adventure was one of the jewels of the UK division of TSR back in 1981 but my focus will be on the revised version from Wizards of the Coast, published as part of the Ghosts of Saltmarsh campaign book. There is a lot of material in the first chapter of the book about the town of Saltmarsh that makes it a wonderful starting point for a nautically themed campaign. In fact, Saltmarsh may well be my favourite starting town for adventures published for D&D. Then on to the adventure itself which features a haunted house and a ghost ship. Of course, all is not what it seems in the Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh. I'm joined on this episode by Zhana to discuss how this played. Further resources: Ghosts of SaltmarshU1 Sinister Secret of SaltmarshIf you have questions, thoughts or suggestions about this episode please get in touch by email gm@runtheadventure.com or on Twitter @rta_podcast. Support the Show.

In this episode, we travel to the far future with the Traveller scenario, High and Dry. This is often recommended as a good starting scenario for those getting into Mongoose Publishing’s 2nd edition Traveller system. And it's easy to see why. Set in the Spinward Marches, one of the most written about regions of the Traveller universe, this somewhat linear adventure takes a new group of travellers on a mission to get their own starship. All they have to do is go to a world a little off the beaten track and pick it up. Easy, right? What could possibly go wrong? I am joined on this episode by Andrew and Derron who I had the pleasure of running this scenario for. They give their thoughts on how it played, what worked and what they would change if they were running it themselves. Further resources: High and DryHigh and Dry PDFIf you have questions, thoughts or suggestions about this episode please get in touch by email gm@runtheadventure.com or on Twitter @rta_podcast. Support the Show.

In this episode, I take a detailed look at the Call of Cthulhu scenario, Amidst the Ancient Trees. This models the kind of creeping cosmic horror that is particularly enjoyable to play with Call of Cthulhu. It blends sandbox exploration with the relentless march of events that drives the plot to its terrifying conclusion. Something the players will be keen to stop if they can. This scenario is available in the 7th edition Keeper's Handbook and I recommend it as a good intermediate adventure for the new Keeper to run. There is a lot to unpack and learn from this scenario. And it is not without its challenges to run. As well as offering guidance to Keepers who are about to run this for the first time, I consider how to modify it, especially if you wish to fit it into a single session of play. Further resources: Call of Cthulhu Keeper's HandbookPDF version of the Keeper's HandbookIf you have questions, thoughts or suggestions about this episode please get in touch by email gm@runtheadventure.com or on Twitter @rta_podcast. Support the Show.

In this episode, I discuss the adventure that started 5th edition Dungeons and Dragons, the Lost Mine of Phandelver. This was a significant turning back to the roots of the game after a period of declining interest. As well as offering guidance to DMs who are about to run this adventure for the first time, I consider the elements of a successful low-level campaign. Especially one aimed at players who are new to the game. Further resources: Dungeons and Dragons Starter SetLost Mine of Phandelver on Roll20If you have questions, thoughts or suggestions about this episode please get in touch by email gm@runtheadventure.com or on Twitter @rta_podcast. Support the Show.

In this episode, I turn to the most recommended first scenario for Call of Cthulhu, the Haunting by Sandy Peterson. What makes this such a popular starting point for the game and earned its place in the Quick Start rules? I break down the module structure to show what it has to offer, where the fun is at and how Keepers can make the adventure their own. I suggest ways Gamesmasters of other games may learn and borrow elements for their own investigation or mystery adventures. Further resources: * Call of Cthulhu 7th edition Quick Start Rules (featuring the Haunting) * Take a walk through the Corbitt House in a new map of the classic Call of Cthulhu scenario 'The Haunting' If you have questions, thoughts or suggestions about this episode please get in touch by email gm@runtheadventure.com or on Twitter @rta_podcast. Support the Show.

In the first episode, I discuss the classic Dungeons & Dragons adventure the Sunless Citadel by Bruce Cordell. I break down the module structure to show Dungeon Masters where the fun is at and how they can make the adventure their own. Newer DMs will find helpful hints on how to prepare the adventure for play whilst veterans will find much to commend this well crafted dungeon crawl. Further resources: The Sunless CitadelTales of the Yawning PortalThe Tale of Ashardolan and the Vampire GulthiasIf you have questions, thoughts or suggestions about this episode please get in touch by email gm@runtheadventure.com or on Twitter @rta_podcast. Support the Show.

Warning: This episode is unscripted and a bit rambling, talking far more about me than the adventures I run. First time listeners may want to jump to episode 1. But some of you may find the background somewhat interesting. In this episode, I introduce the podcast to new listeners. I present my bona fides as a Gamesmaster running adventures for over 30 years. I talk about some of the games I've run in the past and some I run presently. I also talk about some of the challenges and opportunities of playing online. The main focus of this podcast is running published adventure modules so it is only fitting I discuss what I look for in the adventures I want to run. My overall aim is to help other GMs about the fun parts of published adventures and how to make them work for your table. I'd love to hear from listeners with any feedback, suggestions, thoughts or requests they may have. You can reach me on email (gm@runtheadventure.com) or on Twitter @rta_podcast. Support the Show.