The Whispering GM

-- Description -- Ghouls - the iconic paralyzers and low-level party enders: capable of wrecking shop even on a mid level party! Or... are they? I revisit the rules as worded and cross reference them to concepts in Chainmail, revealing that in 0e, at least - Ghouls might not have been as powerful as they would, in later editions, become. Then, some call-ins regarding adversarial play (among which is a great example of adversarial play from Daniel over at Bandit's Keep) and a concept (new, to me) of treating traps like monsters - at least where THAC0 is concerned. Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog: ⁠https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/⁠ Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast⁠ ...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message⁠ ...or come hang out with all of us on Discord: ⁠https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn -- Show Notes -- 00:00 - Ghouls: Not as Scary as you Think 00:18 - Theme 00:39 - Ghouls in the Little Brown Books 02:09 - "Normal" Figures 03:46 - Wights in Chainmail 06:18 - An Introduction to Moldvayan Revisionism 07:51 - Save vs Paralysis in the Text 09:13 - What About Withstand Adversity? 14:22 - Call In: Nerd's Variety Jason - Reliability 17:28 - Call In: Nerd's Variety Jason - Traps as Monsters 19:19 - Traps as Monsters of HD Equal to Dungeon Level 21:08 - Call In: DA Riley - Episodes, Life, and Listening 23:34 - Call In: Bandit's Keep Daniel - A Tale of Adversarial Play 30:23 - Call In: Bob - Enjoying the Surprise of a Plotting Player 33:08 - Outro -- Links -- The Basic Expert: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBasicExpert Wight Box: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/473031/WightBox-Original-Medieval-Fantasy-Adventure-Campaigns Nerd's Variety Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason376 Nerd's Variety Blog: https://nerdsrpgvarietycast.com/ Diegetic Advancement: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/diegeticadvancement/ Bandit's Keep: - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/daniel-norton - https://www.youtube.com/@BanditsKeep - https://www.youtube.com/@BanditsKeepActualPlay Bos' Bear Blog: https://borderbaronies.bearblog.dev/

-- Description -- Call in show - listeners debate the fine points of adversarial play, as well as toss in some tokens for how prep influences their games - or vice versa: how their games have influenced their prep. Then - at the end - a quick promised health and sanity update from me for folks who were listening and concerned as of last time around. Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog: ⁠https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/⁠ Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast⁠ ...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message⁠ ...or come hang out with all of us on Discord: ⁠https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn -- Show Notes -- 00:00 - Theme 00:21 - Jason: Feedback on Classic Adventure Gaming 04:38 - Jason: On Adversarial Gaming 11:32 - Riley: Conspiratorial Players 18:14 - Mirke the Meek: Adversarial Play and Representing the Table 24:22 - Karl: Evolution of Your Campaign 28:22 - Riley: Regarding Prep and Story Games 31:36 - Mirke: Experiences with Prep 36:46 - Personal and Health Update 48:56 - Outro -- Links -- Nerd's Variety Jason - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason376 Evil Jeff - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eviljeff Jason Hobbs - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason-hobbs Riley - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/diegeticadvancement Mirke - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mirke-the-meek Karl - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karl-rodriguez

-- Description -- Talking about prepping for your game. How much is too much? How much is too little? And how much can you learn from the mistakes of someone who has gone entirely off the deep end before? Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog: ⁠https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/⁠ Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast⁠ ...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message⁠ ...or come hang out with all of us on Discord: ⁠https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn -- Show Notes -- 00:00 - Prepper's Anonymous 00:09 - Theme 00:39 - On Campaign Prep 02:51 - Advocating for Zero Prep 05:15 - Why Then do I Prep? 12:18 - The Dangers of Too Much Prep 16:40 - Prep According to your Play 17:35 - Side Note on the Joy of Prep 21:58 - At the End of the Day... 22:24 - Outro & Theme -- Links -- Just Three Hexes: https://chgowiz-games.blogspot.com/2017/11/just-three-hexes-campaign-starters.html

-- Description -- Having spent some time figuring out adversarial referees - what would then make a player an adversarial player? Exploring some experiences, ideas, and behaviors that may - or may not - make a player into an enemy instead of an ally. Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog: ⁠https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/⁠ Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast⁠ ...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message⁠ ...or come hang out with all of us on Discord: ⁠https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn -- Show Notes -- 00:00 - Adversarial... Play 00:43 - Theme 01:13 - Player vs. Referee 01:40 - Rules Lawyering? 04:25 - Munchkining (Rules Abuse)? 08:08 - Derailing? 14:53 - Player vs Other Players 15:05 - PvP? 20:30 - Filibuster your Friends? 26:36 - In Conclusion 29:12 - For Next Time 30:16 - Outro & Theme -- Links -- * Kalmata: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCJihWQoKqzZdxeL1LHkr-YJ_hewIFOyx * Karl of the GMologist Presents: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karl-rodriguez * Secrets of Brovenloft: https://youtu.be/A5QdvJDLUvM?si=b45eAgZ-hPZ_zm-o

-- Description -- "I've been playing for 45 years and we never played that way back in the day!" A common refrain for long-timers trying to discourage playstyles differing from their own, I explore the possibility that the arguer might be remembering yesterday just as much as 1975. Then, following up, a note on my personal health, how it's been holding me back a bit from participating in the hobby like I want to, and what I'm doing about it to fix that problem. Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog: ⁠https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/⁠ Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast⁠ ...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message⁠ ...or come hang out with all of us on Discord: ⁠https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn -- Show Notes -- 00:00 - Dedication 00:12 - Theme 00:42 - Did you really? 01:51 - Playing with Chainmail 04:47 - First Edition for the First Time 06:21 - Playing Multiple Games 08:08 - Learning and Growing 10:31 - Call In: Nerd's Variety Jason! 10:54 - Health Update 20:55 - Outro -- Links -- Obituary: Aaron M. Koelman https://www.gearty-delmore.com/obituary/Aaron-Koelman Solo Dungeon Crawler: OD&D Combat with Chainmail https://youtu.be/5vLp5gtfDTw?si=D5I5X8c88TXpltLU Nerd's Variety Cast https://anchor.fm/jason376

-- Description -- Happy Thanksgiving! Catch up and call in episode: talking about mercenaries, advancement, but mostly - maps, tokens, and VTTs. Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog: ⁠https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/⁠ Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast⁠ ...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message⁠ ...or come hang out with all of us on Discord: ⁠https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn -- Show Notes -- 00:00 - I'm Still Alive! 00:52 - ANNOUNCEMENT: Adventure Site Contest 02:37 - Theme 03:07 - Nerd's Variety Jason: Renown System 06:02 - Bandit's Keep Daniel: Mercenary Players? 14:47 - ...: On XP in OD&D 21:45 - Gamerhood Jason: The Map is Reality 25:27 - Nerd's Variety Jason: VTTs are the Devil! (On Token Control) 29:51 - Bandit's Keep Daniel: On Battle-Maps and Tokens 33:35 - ...: Map... as a Character! 35:36 - Where Are You Whispers? Update on Life & Empire 38:17 - Outro -- Links -- Cold Light Press: https://coldlightrpgpress.weebly.com/home/spread-the-wordadventure-site-contest Classic Adventure Gaming Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tcagp Nerd's Variety Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason376 Bandit's Keep: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/daniel-norton https://www.youtube.com/@BanditsKeep Hobbs, Friends, & Gamerhood: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason-hobbs https://www.twitch.tv/hobbs665

-- Description -- User feedback focused on the use of maps - in the campaign, in the dungeon, in real life, and in virtual - as well as the implications of maps and all of the above on hirelings and henchmen. Bit of a variety show - very relevant to the OSR player experience. Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog: ⁠https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/⁠ Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast⁠ ...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message⁠ ...or come hang out with all of us on Discord: ⁠https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn -- Show Notes -- 00:00 - Cockatrice Nuggets and the NPC Player 00:39 - Intro 01:09 - Why Play? (On NPC Players) 01:46 - Roles & Henchmen with Hobbs 05:57 - Role vs Role (vs Role) with Daniel 09:51 - Using Henchmen (and Miniatures For Them!) with DarkFluid 16:27 - Nerd's Variety Jason: Maps, at least, are RAW 19:16 - Bandit Maps! Making, Ciphering, and Using Maps with Daniel 25:47 - Maps & Ciphers with the Pink Phantom 29:34 - Pink Scroll Cases? (Guarding them, at Least) 31:34 - Hobbs Asks: Who Controls your VTT Map Tokens? 35:37 - Outro -- Links -- Cockatrice Nuggets: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rich-fraser Jason Prime: Hobbs & Friends: https://hobbsnfriends.com/ Random Screed: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason-hobbs Bandit's Keep Daniel: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/daniel-norton The Pacific Crest Trail: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Crest_Trail Audio Dungeon Discord: https://discord.gg/FBP7CjA6G (Valid through Rosh Hashanah) Nerd's Variety Jason: https://anchor.fm/jason376 Phantom Thoughts (Pink Phantom): https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-pink-phantom

-- Description -- Listener feedback exploring character advancement - first, talking a bit about gold for XP, classic D&D, and how procedural generation facilitates OSR dungeon design and frees your mind to make more interesting experiences; and then, moving into alternative advancement: not alternative mechanisms, necessarily, but new ways to interpret and play out character advancement in your old school campaign. Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog: ⁠https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/⁠ Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast⁠ ...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message⁠ ...or come hang out with all of us on Discord: ⁠https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn -- Show Notes -- 00:00 - D14s 01:14 - Intro 01:44 - Nerd's Variety Jason: Golden Railroads 06:19 - Jason Prime: On Gold and Experience 09:00 - ...Layers of Play: Character Layer vs Design Layer 10:20 - Bandit's Keep Daniel: Procedural Generation and Scroll Cases 11:46 - Red Dice John: General Feedback and the Benefits of Procedural Generators 15:16 - Call In! Nick from DSTP - Substitutionary Treasure 20:33 - Hindsightless Joe: Isn't it All Milestones? 24:05 - Chicago Wiz Michael: Beyond Advancement 33:13 - Outro -- Links -- Nerd's Variety Jason: https://anchor.fm/jason376 Hobbs & Friends Hobbs: Hobbs & Friends: https://hobbsnfriends.com/ Random Screed: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason-hobbs Bandit's Keep: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/daniel-norton The Red Dice Diaries: https://reddicediaries.substack.com/ Don't Split the Party: Blog: http://harbingergames.blogspot.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/vgDF6QZ Hindsightless: https://anchor.fm/joe-richter9/ Chicago Wiz: https://chgowiz.substack.com/

-- Description -- Vanishing Tower Jay is back to defend his honor! Spar once more with the metaphorical mapper: where he makes his case once more for maps as communication tools - not as physical artifacts! Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog: ⁠https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/⁠ Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast⁠ ...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message⁠ ...or come hang out with all of us on Discord: ⁠https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn -- Show Notes -- 00:00 - Murphy Strikes Back! 00:31 - Theme 01:01 - Real Life Maps Don't Translate 01:40 - Purchasing Maps? 02:49 - Maps and Inaccuracy 04:04 - Alternative: Hiring Guides 05:03 - Treasure Maps 06:45 - On Getting Lost 08:27 - To Conclude on Maps as Physical Artifacts 08:48 - Call In! Bandit's Keep Daniel: Mapping from Beads 13:47 - Call In! Pink Phantom: Lost Maps and Player Notes 16:28 - Call In! Bandit's Keep Daniel: Con Games 21:29 - Quick Apology and Quicker Thank You 22:52 - Outro -- Links -- Jay, Vanishing Tower Press: https://vanishingtower.blogspot.com/ Or on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vanishingtowerpress2786 Daniel Norton, Song of The Mapper: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSmx06Tb47U&list=PLLWlyyPUNLSxVSJUJ5hxyqKMDZnE5LQ9M Rick Stump Episode: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/episodes/Regarding-Player-Skill-e1mse9p A Real Treasure Map - Olivier Levasseur: https://explorersweb.com/exploration-mysteries-treasure-olivier-levasseur/ Daniel, Bandit's Keep: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/daniel-norton Phantom Thoughts, the Pink Phantom: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-pink-phantom

-- Description -- There has always been a divide between Role Players and Roll Players - but what about Role Players and Players of a Role? This episode delves in to what "role playing" meant - or would have meant - to the original crew on the original game... and how it differs from what we think of when we say "role playing" today. Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog: ⁠https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/⁠ Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast⁠ ...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message⁠ ...or come hang out with all of us on Discord: ⁠https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn -- Show Notes -- 00:00 - The Role Divide 01:16 - Theme 01:46 - The Role You Serve 03:56 - The Role of the Fighter 06:03 - The Role of the Cleric 08:29 - The Role of the Magic User 10:50 - Bob the FIGHTER, not BOB the Fighter 12:18 - The Proof is in the Training 15:17 - Should You Speak in Funny Voices? 16:26 - Call In: The Trapper of Scroll Cases Speaks! 17:00 - ...Emergent World-Building through Procedural Generation 20:15 - Call In: Bos Bossman - Crunch & Flow 20:46 - ...Character Customization & Archetypal Dynamic 24:04 - ...The Benefit of Predictability in Maintaining Flow 25:45 - The Calls of M. W. Lewis! 26:01 - ...for Love of Henchmen 30:08 - ...on The Rogue's Gallery 32:08 - Outro -- Links -- Don't Split The Party, Roles: http://harbingergames.blogspot.com/search/label/monks Mr Hobbs: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason-hobbs Splitting the Party with Procedures: https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/2021/08/do-split-party.html The Worlds of M. W. Lewis: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mwlewis/ The Rogue's Gallery: https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=tsr+the+rogues+gallery

-- Description -- A call from the Pink Phantom posits a true conundrum. Does gold for XP create a creative railroad for player interaction? Listen on to hear my defense of Gold for XP as the ultimate de-railer. Then, some call ins on recent episodes in the podcast-verse! Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog: ⁠https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/⁠ Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast⁠ ...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message⁠ ...or come hang out with all of us on Discord: ⁠https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn -- Show Notes -- 00:00 - Pink Phantom: Stylistic Railroading 01:00 - Theme 01:30 - Gold is the Anti-Railroad 02:40 - Collaborative Failed Novelist Syndrome 04:00 - A Case for Gold 04:40 - Archetypes and Inspirations of Appendix N 05:53 - Stylistic Paradigms: why NOT Gold? 09:23 - Liberation of Advancement 09:54 - Pink Phantom: There is no Winning or Losing at RPGs 11:07 - You Can Win at the Clerics Wear Ringmail table! 12:02 - Nerd's Variety Jason: On Milestones 15:28 - GMologist Karl: Handfuls of Dice 17:45 - ...on Lookups and Running DCC 21:50 - Bandit's Keep Daniel: The Identify Spell! 34:24 - ...on Gary and Sages 26:32 - ...on Scroll Cases: Trap 'Em or Lock 'Em? 31:32 - Outro -- Links -- Phantom Thoughts, Pink Phantom: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-pink-phantom How to Win at D&D: https://pilumpress.com/products/how-to-win-at-d-d Nerd's Variety Podcast, Jason: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason376 The GMologist Presents, Karl: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karl-rodriguez Bandit's Keep, Daniel: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/daniel-norton Gary's House Rules, Blogosphere: http://cyclopeatron.blogspot.com/2010/03/gary-gygaxs-whitebox-od-house-rules.html Gary's House Rules, OD&D '74: https://odd74.proboards.com/thread/3906/gygax-house-rules-2005 Gary's House Rules, Dragonsfoot: https://www.dragonsfoot.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=43849 Car Alarm: https://improbable.com/2023/01/18/a-look-back-at-the-prize-winning-anti-hijacking-flamethrower/

-- Description -- Exposition on the importance of gold for experience, and a quick glance into the method behind the madness. Simply put: Gold for XP is the Best Way to Be. Then some miscellaneous user calls - pacing, mapping, and adversarial preparation! Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog: https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/ Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast ...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message ...or come hang out with all of us on Discord: https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn -- Show Notes -- 00:00 - GP for XP? 01:25 - Theme 01:55 - The Weight of Milestones 03:07 - Experience as a Motivator 04:18 - How you "Win" at D&D 05:17 - The Essential Importance of GP for XP 08:13 - Call in! GMologist Karl on Adversarial Prep 13:39 - Call in! Nerd's Variety Jason regarding Pacing in the Dungeon 15:35 - Call in! CapnCarberry from Discord! 15:47 - ...Deceive the Enemy 16:26 - ...Mapping by Pace and Ranger Beads 17:26 - ...Knowing what to Bring and How to Use It 18:30 - Outro -- Links -- The GMologist Presents (Karl): https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karl-rodriguez Nerd's Variety Podcast (Jason): https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason376

-- Description -- Further discussion as requested and as recieved in prior episodes: what's more important - crunch or flow? Some insights and experiences from listeners. Part two of call-in/response. Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog: https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/ Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast ...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message ...or come hang out with all of us on Discord: https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn -- Show Notes -- 00:00 - Theme 00:30 - Jason's Experiene with Crunch & Flow 06:16 - Bandit's Keep Daniel on the Rebrand 07:05 - ...and Speaks to Flow and New Players 10:35 - ...and Defends Page Flipping? 13:54 - Free Thrall: To OSR or Not to OSR 19:08 - Daniel on Appropriate Traps and Curses 22:09 - Outro -- Links -- Nerd's Varity Podcast (Jason): https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason376 Bandit's Keep (Daniel): https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/daniel-norton/ Monsters & Treasure: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monsters-and-treasure Keep Off the Borderlands (Spencer): https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/free-thrall

-- Description -- Stirred up some interest with the mapping episode! Y'all called in, so the conversation continues! Part one of three podcast episodes: so if you hear someone sounding like it's not their first call; it's probably because it's not! But I tried to group the calls by theme to keep the conversation cohesive. Listen on - and don't forget the map along the way! Passionate, as well, and want to get in on the conversation, yourself? New! Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast Or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog: https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/ ...or come hang out with all of us on Discord: https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn -- Show Notes -- 00:00 - Nerd's Variety Traffic 00:27 - Theme 00:57 - Cohost Variety Jason 01:37 - Free Thrall's In-World Map 04:30 - Hobbs Talks Min-Maxing, Optimization, and Mapping? 06:50 - GMologist Karl: Mapping In Real Life 14:08 - Daniel the Bandit: Would your Map Survive a Fireball? 17:59 - The Pink Phantom - Rebrand and Identify? 24:26 - Outro -- Links -- Nerd's Varity Podcast (Jason): https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason376 Keep Off the Borderlands (Spencer): https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/free-thrall Mr. Hobbs' Gamerhood (Jason Prime): https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason-hobbs The GMologist Presents (Karl): https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karl-rodriguez The Mystery of the Bent Tree: https://www.mountainmirror.com/happenings/straighten-out-the-mystery-of-bent-trees Bandit's Keep (Daniel): https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/daniel-norton/ Monsters & Treasure: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monsters-and-treasure

-- Description -- New topic, new name, same spirit! Talking gaming, there is a perpetual debate between how many rules you need or how much crunch you prefer - but are we asking the wrong question? Do we actually care about the mechanics of the game, or do we care about the way it handles at the table? Then - some voicemail conversation: folks are interested in maps, drawing maps, and whether or not they should be taken away! Passionate, as well, and want to get in on the conversation, yourself? New! Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast Or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog: https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/ ...or come hang out with all of us on Discord: https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn Delve on! -- Show Notes -- 00:00 - Intro & State of the Podcast 05:38 - Theme 06:08 - Crunch... or Flow? 12:31 - Flow in ACKS 17:06 - Flow in DCC 23:33 - What do y'all think? 24:24 - Call In! Ricardo the OSR Lurker on Min-Maxing 28:51 - Call In! Nerds Variety Jason will Take Your Maps 36:07 - ...but will he trap your scroll cases? 38:54 - ...an epiphany about scroll case traps 40:01 - Call In! First Time David: Maps as a Player Tool 46:29 - Call In! Bandit's Keep Daniel 49:56 - Outro -- Links -- Monsters & Treasure: How Simple is Too Simple? https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monsters-and-treasure/episodes/How-simple-is-too-simple--Game-design-chat-e206no6 ACKS - https://www3.autarch.co/?page_id=128 DCC - https://goodman-games.com/dungeon-crawl-classics-rpg/ Hobbs' Gamerhood: - https://discord.gg/d6BmmAa - https://hobbsnfriends.com/ - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason-hobbs - https://www.youtube.com/@JasonHobbs - https://www.twitch.tv/hobbs665 Nerd's Variety Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason376 Bandit's Keep: - Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/daniel-norton/ - Solo OD&D: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLWlyyPUNLSxVSJUJ5hxyqKMDZnE5LQ9M

-- Description -- Finishing up the feedback from the call backlog - the last of the OctOSR and some new calls between then and now. Generating more questions than we answer, but that'll keep the conversation going! Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog: https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/ Listen on and join the conversation! https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/clerics-wear-ringmail/message ...or come hang out with the gang on Discord: https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn -- Show Notes -- 00:00 - Theme 00:30 - Nerd's Variety Jason: Campaign Fortitude 06:42 - Hobbs Himself! Adversarial Play? 08:54 - Nerd's Variety Jason: Play vs Prep 13:41 - Vanishing Tower Jay: Player Maps 18:08 - Nerd's Variety Jason: Campaigns vs One Shots 21:23 - ... and: Mapping Tips 24:29 - Karl the GMOlogist: Adversarial PvP 30:21 - Nerd's Variety Jason: Expectations 32:11 - Thank you, listeners 33:49 - Theme -- Links -- Nerd's Variety Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason376 Hobbs & Friends: https://hobbsnfriends.com/ Random Screed: https://anchor.fm/jason-hobbs Vanishing Tower: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vanishingtower The GMologist Presents: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karl-rodriguez PVP Episode: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karl-rodriguez/episodes/The-Good--the-Bad--and-the-Ugly-of-PvP-in-RPGs-e1udr2a PVP Follow Up Episode!: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karl-rodriguez/episodes/PvP-in-RPG-Feedback-e20iep8 Player Skill Episode: Rick Stump Episode: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/clerics-wear-ringmail/episodes/Regarding-Player-Skill-e1mse9p Rick Stump: http://harbingergames.blogspot.com/ Bandit's Keep: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/daniel-norton/

-- Description -- What is the difference between building a character and building a character? What do your players expect out of you - out of your game - and how does it impact how you run? Several callers with several more calls - including a new one; recorded this year and everything! - regarding these questions and more. Listen on and join the conversation! https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/clerics-wear-ringmail/message Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog: https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/ ...or come hang out with the gang on Discord: https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn And whatever you do, delve on! -- Show Notes -- 00:00 - Theme 00:30 - The GMologist Presents: World Balance and Overcoming the World 03:50 - Balancing Expectations 06:01 - Redcaps Kevin - Abstract Combat-Fu and Fair Adjudication 08:10 - Metagaming Referee... or Smart Monsters? 10:57 - Metagaming Referee... to benefit the players? 13:24 - Nerd's Variety Jason - the Moose Head! 16:28 - GraveSlugg's Multiple Characters in the Ash Coast 18:59 - Nerd's Variety Jason - Finding a Group 23:10 - J. E. Shields: Min-Maxing, or Specialization? 27:01 - TSR Role Play vs Modern Role Play 28:22 - Min-Maxing: The Quest for Power 32:10 - Outro -- Links -- The GMologist Presents (Karl) - https://anchor.fm/karl-rodriguez ⁠The RedCaps (Kevin) - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theredcaps/ Nerd's Variety Podcast (Jason) - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason376 J. E. Sheilds - A Grazing Mace: https://anchor.fm/agrazingmace JEShields.com: https://jeshields.com/ Mazes in the Mountains: https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/2022/12/mazes-in-mountains-hex-exploration-as.html

-- Description -- In a back and forth, conversational style exchange with author and artist Jeshields, we tackle adversarial play - ranging from DM to Player interacts to, more importantly, Player to Player and Human to Human. Also spicing things up with some Plot & Story in the middle with Daniel Norton of Bandit's Keep. Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog: https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/ Want to get in on the conversation? Hit me up on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/clerics-wear-ringmail/message ...or come hang out with the gang on Discord: https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn And whatever you do, delve on! -- Show Notes -- 00:00 - Theme 00:30 - J.E. Sheilds - Traps and Trap Finding 06:49 - Passive Perception 13:13 - Disrespecting Players: Adversarial Play 22:50 - Bandit's Keep Daniel - Plots and Story! 26:34 - Jeshields again - On Taking Offense 29:40 - Identity 30:30 - Outro -- Links -- J.E. Shields: A Grazing Mace: https://anchor.fm/agrazingmace JEShields.com: https://jeshields.com/ Karl Rodriguez, The GMologist Presents - https://anchor.fm/karl-rodriguez Bandit's Keep (Daniel): https://anchor.fm/daniel-norton/

-- Description -- Mapping! An essential part of the OSR experience - by request, how do I - as a referee or game master - how do I describe rooms and hallways in an in-person or Theater of the Mind game so as to empower the mapper? Starting off with a handful of call ins - starting with crispy burned goblins and working our way through to tactics and reading the rules: listen on for my answer - how this referee handles corridor and room descriptions. Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog: https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/ Want to get in on the conversation? Hit me up on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/clerics-wear-ringmail/message ...or come hang out with the gang on Discord: https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn And whatever you do, delve on! -- Show Notes -- 00:00 - Alchemist's Fired Goblins 00:20 - Theme 00:50 - Confirmation that at Least One Story is True 01:13 - Nerd's Variety Jason: Party v Monster Tactics 05:05 - Evil Jeff: Reading (and Re-Reading) Rules 11:12 - Nerd's Variety Jason: Edition Muddle 14:27 - Jeshields: Table Manners 17:43 - Jeshields: Multiple Games or Ongoing Campaign? 22:15 - Main Topic: Mapping from the Other Side of the Screen 30:41 - Outro -- Links -- Nerd's Variety Podcast (Jason): https://anchor.fm/jason376 Minions & Musings (Evil/Old Jeff): https://anchor.fm/eviljeff J.E. Shields: A Grazing Mace: https://anchor.fm/agrazingmace JEShields.com: https://jeshields.com/

-- Description -- Henchmen, Combats, Battles, and Balance! OSR and OSR-Adjacent commenters build on the OctOSR conversations surrounding several key topics which don't frequently function in the modern experience as they are written in the original books. Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog: https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/ Want to get in on the conversation? Hit me up on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/clerics-wear-ringmail/message ...or come hang out with the gang on Discord: https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn And whatever you do, delve on! -- Show Notes -- 00:00 - Theme 00:30 - Red Dice Diaries John: Henchmen, Loyalty, and Battlefields 04:31 - The Pink Phantom: Seeking Mass Combats? 10:41 - Nerd's Variety Jason: Controlling Hirelings 15:45 - Bandit's Keep Daniel: Investing in Henchmen 18:16 - Red Dice Diaries John: Wilderness Is as Wilderness Does 20:15 - Nerd's Variety Jason: Smart Enough to Run Away 25:32 - Game Balance and OSR 29:42 - Outro -- Links -- Red Dice Diaries: https://reddicediaries.bearblog.dev/ Phantom Thoughts with the Pink Phantom: https://anchor.fm/the-pink-phantom/ Nerd's Variety Podcast: https://anchor.fm/jason376 Bandit's Keep: https://anchor.fm/daniel-norton/