Characters Without Stories

Content warning this episode for discussions of sexual assault and sexual harassment. We don’t go into any detail, but if this topic is a trigger for you, I recommend you skip it.

Alejandra Wilhelm brings Reyna to the table. Reyna is a fierce and loyal barbarian hiding her identity from the archfey her father sold her to.

Alejandra and I discuss parasociality, bad behavior on Discord, and roleplay on TikTok. We also talk about self-insert characters - from physical appearance to emotional trauma.

This character is built for D&D 5e.

Alejandra Wilhelm is a queer Latinx TTRPG creator, one half of the Table Talk Podcast duo and a TTRPG character artist.

You can learn more about Alejandra at:
https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/alejandra-wilhelm/

One Shot's Tavern is a TTRPG Podcast focused on exploring new systems to tell your stories, with pro GMs broadening their horizons by playing new or different TTRPG systems, and sharing their thoughts with you.
https://oneshotstavern.podbean.com/

The Storyteller Squad is a narrative-driven actual play podcast featuring magic, mystery, and vibrant characters inhabiting a world where the supernatural and the mundane intertwine in their Monster of the Week campaign.
https://www.thestorytellersquad.com

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Cover art by The Curiographer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer

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You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/characterswithoutstories.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories

Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!

Juicy Garland brings Grammarye Praise-God Winthrop to the table. Grammarye is a teenage witch and the black sheep of a family with a 400 year vendetta against the Salem Witch Trial judges who killed their ancestor.

Juicy and I share our love for witchy touchstones like The Craft and The Witch (or as we say The VVitch), sympathize with Grammarye's desperate attempts at validation, and discuss how roleplaying in actual plays is different from home games.

This character is built for Monsterhearts 2e by Avery Alder
https://buriedwithoutceremony.com/monsterhearts

Juicy Garland is a Boston area drag queen and super nerd. She’s the original TTRPG drag queen and she’s on a mission to do big things with Tabletop Talespinners Network. You can find her in All Our Faults, a Monsterhearts actual play podcast, all around the Internet, or performing in Boston and New Hampshire.

You can learn more about Juicy at:
https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/juicy-garland

Wait, Roll That Again! follows the host Alex’s journey in building their first game, with conversations with game designers like Jay Dragon giving sage advice along the way.
https://waitrollthatagain.substack.com

All Our Faults is a Monsterhearts 2 actual play podcast from the Tabletop Talespinners Network that tells the story of four teenagers and the supernatural forces that threaten to shatter their lives.
https://allourfaults.transistor.fm

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Cover art by The Curiographer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer

Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
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Support the Podcast

You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/characterswithoutstories.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories

Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!

Savannah Rayne brings Kit to the table. Kit is a con woman on the run in disguise as a man, who finds family and the confidence to harness her innate magic on a pirate ship. 

Savannah and I discuss roleplaying away from a table in private chat and public cosplay. We also talk about Savannah's two favorite tropes - found family and the sorcerer gaining the confidence to wield her magic.

This character is built for D&D5e.

Savannah Rayne is an RP enthusiast, art witch, and podcaster. While relatively new to TTRPGs, Savannah has been making original characters and building their worlds and their stories outside of game spaces pretty much her entire life.

You can learn more about Savannah at:
https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/savannah-rayne

In lieu of a recommendation this episode, I'm encouraging you to cast your vote in the CRIT Awards by July 7. Several former and future guests are part of nominated projects!
https://www.critawards.org

The Slovenly Trulls podcast deep dives into the problematic lore and history of D&D with an emphasis on feminist analysis.
https://www.slovenlytrulls.com

Send us Fan Mail

Cover art by The Curiographer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer

Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
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Support the Podcast

You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/characterswithoutstories.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories

Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!

Navaar Seik-Jackson brings Oba Manu to the table. Oba is a dad who wants nothing more than to live the simple life, but is pulled back into adventuring for "one last job." 

Navaar and I discuss having a family both at and away from the table, needing to protect your family while avoiding violence - and how scary that can be as a Black father, and power fantasies. Navaar also convinces me to play Pathfinder.

This character is built for Pathfinder 2e by Paizo.

Navaar Seik-Jackson is a narrative game designer, podcaster, and occasional TTRPG performer. Navaar enjoys providing a platform for marginalized people in the TTRPG space to tell their stories and exploring the apocalypse as a setting with nuanced themes. You may have heard of Navaar from the Secret Nerd Podcast, An Unwavering Force podcast, or his game The Corrupted.

You can learn more about Navaar at:
https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/navaar-seik-jackson

Rene Plays Games. I recently listened to Rainy’s first episode of a series called Perspective Checks about character tropes - and friends, even I learned something about character building.
https://reneplaysgames.podbean.com

Tales of Y’Vard is an actual play in the brand-new Mythcraft system. Join them as they become the scourge of their enemies.
https://linktr.ee/talesofyvard

Send us Fan Mail

Cover art by The Curiographer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer

Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share

Support the Podcast

You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/characterswithoutstories.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories

Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!

Stephan Kelly brings Lancelot to the table. Lance is a blind martial artist in a coven of witches, doing his best to leave the world a little bit better than when he found it.

Stephan and I discuss building a character while you're building the system, testing the limits of system mastery, and an unfortunate jousting accident.

This character is built for Coven and Crucible, a game created by Stephan, his wife roach, and his daughter Charlotte.
https://13thmoongames.com

Stephan Kelly is a retired fitness professional and theatre nerd who has channeled his optimism into creating TTRPGs and redefining masculinity. He is the "mechanics guy" at 13th Moon Games, a family run gaming company, and works there with his wife, daughter, and son.

You can learn more about Stephan at:
https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/stephan-kelly

Wing Women is an actual play podcast based on the exploits of the real-life Night Witches, Soviet airwomen fighting to survive during a campaign of bombing against the Nazis.
https://linktr.ee/wingwomenpod

The Advanced Age Roleplaying Gamers Podcast is an actual play podcast with a group of friends who have been playing roleplaying games off and on together for nearly 40 years.
https://www.theaarpgs.com

Send us Fan Mail

Cover art by The Curiographer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer

Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share

Support the Podcast

You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/characterswithoutstories.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories

Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!

Grant brings Orco the Magnificent to the table. Orco is not a very good wizard, but he gives it his best shot.

Grant and I discuss religious trauma, high school theater, and the opposite of min-maxing.

This character is built for D&D5e.

Grant Nordine is the titular game master of Game Master Monday and the guide for Bella's Comet. Grant is an award-winning actor and writer with stage, film, music, and podcasting credits. As the GM of Game Master Monday, he runs a new one-shot in a new system with a new cast every episode.

You can learn more about Grant at:
https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/grant-nordine

This episode, I recommend the podcast Why We Roll. You can check it out here:
https://whyweroll.org

Torchlit Tavern is a D&D actual play podcast set in the homebrew world of Obscuria, where unlikely heroes find themselves at the center of political intrigue and potential global catastrophe.
http://torchlittavern.com

Send us Fan Mail

Cover art by The Curiographer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer

Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share

Support the Podcast

You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/characterswithoutstories.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories

Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!

Tori Fica brings Tendertwig to the table. Tendertwig is a Leshy Oracle who moves through life with the confidence of a child - because they are actually only 1 year old.

Tori and I discuss the freedom of playing a character utterly devoid of imposter syndrome, how being cute is a special ability, and playing a literal baby.

This character is built for Pathfinder 2e.

Tori Fica is a TTRPG enthusiast, actual-play performer, and GM. She is one of the creators of Level 1 Geek, a TTRPG education and entertainment channel to help new players get into this magical hobby.

You can learn more about Tori at:
https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/tori-fica

This episode, I recommend the podcast I Love this Thing so Fricking Much. You can check it out here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s2e4-star-loves-doris-day-movies/id1506443569?i=1000609081296

5 GMs in a Trenchcoat is a TTRPG actual-play podcast about friendship, storytelling and really, really stupid bits. In all seriousness, it's an AP podcast where 5 friends take turns weaving stories through the tabletop system of their choice each season.
https://www.5gmsinatrenchcoat.com

Send us Fan Mail

Cover art by The Curiographer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer

Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share

Support the Podcast

You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/characterswithoutstories.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories

Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!

Chriss brings Rhan Halvard to the table. Rhan was a wizard who became a revenant in the service of Istus when her attempt to change her fate had unexpectedly dire results.

Chriss and I discuss death, grief, and catharsis, the role of fate in a fantasy story where gods are real, and how much backstory you truly need.

This character is built for D&D5e.

Chriss Knight is a life long creative who found her calling with D&D in college where she earned a degree in theatre. After a winding road of various career paths, she found her way back to TTRPGs and now runs her own podcast all about them, alongside running and playing in several games herself.

You can learn more about Chriss at:
https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/chriss-knight

This episode, I recommend the podcast The AARPGs. You can check it out here:
https://audioboom.com/posts/7921235-twilight-2000-it-s-always-cloudy-in-kalisz-ep10-jumping-the-shark

Do you ever miss those days when cardboard boxes were pirate ships? Babies and Broadswords Bathfinder is a TTRPG that celebrates team work and make believe just like when you were a kid!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/babiesandbroadswords/babies-and-broadswords-bathfinder

Send us Fan Mail

Cover art by The Curiographer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer

Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share

Support the Podcast

You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/characterswithoutstories.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories

Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!

Sam Dunnewold brings Exit to the table. Exit is a scavenger living on the edges of a dangerous psychic mist and a society that demands they conform.

Sam and I discuss building a character within the context of a post apocalyptic world, being brave because you have to be, and transparency in gaming.

This character is built for Apocalypse World by D. Vincent and Maguey Baker.
http://apocalypse-world.com

Sam Dunnewold is a Minnesotan game designer, screenwriter, and podcaster living in Hollywood like a chump. His podcast, Dice Exploder, breaks down a game mechanic every week with a friend. He's the designer of Doskvol Breathes and Space Train Space Heist, and he was a judge for the 2022 The Awards. Sam used to work for The Onion as a video editor, and he has no colon.

You can learn more about Sam at:
https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/sam-dunnewold

We mention VOID 1680 AM by Ken Lowery:
https://bannerlessgames.itch.io/void-1680-am

We also mention We Are But Worms: A One Word RPG by Riverhouse Games:
https://riverhousegames.itch.io/we-are-but-worms-a-one-word-rpg

Dungeon Calling is a real-play D&D podcast of high fantasy and low humor:
https://www.dungeoncalling.com

Send us Fan Mail

Cover art by The Curiographer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer

Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share

Support the Podcast

You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/characterswithoutstories.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories

Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!

Aetherius brings Riley Howard/Jean Pierre Baptiste to the table. Riley is a Ministry kindred masquerading as Jean-Pierre, a Toreador in the Camarilla.

Aetherius and I discuss being your authentic self, being the only Black player at the table, and writing strong yet flawed Black women.

This character is built for Vampire the Masquerade 5e published by Renegade Game Studios.

Aetherius Bordeaux is your new favorite Vampire Himbo. He is a mystery/thriller/horror content creator and lifelong answerer of the eternal question "whodunnit"? Aetherius is a theater kid turned TTRPG baby and has finally fought off his anxiety long enough to launch into content creation.

You can learn more about Aetherius at:
https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/aetherius-bordeaux

We mention Erinmylaundry's Actual Play stream. You can find Philly By Night on Twitch at https://www.twitch.tv/erinmylaundry

This episode, I recommend the podcast Gimme Da Loot. You can check it out here:
https://www.gmdlcast.com

Game Master Monday is the podcast that plays a new one shot in a new system with a new cast EVERY EPISODE.
https://linktr.ee/grant_nordine

Send us Fan Mail

Cover art by The Curiographer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer

Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share

Support the Podcast

You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/characterswithoutstories.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories

Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!