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From Ribbet Tongues to Druid Shrooms

With Malcolm out this week, Tori and Arcadia dive into a lively discussion about Ancestries in TTRPGs. The rise of the narrative-focused game Daggerheart has sparked big conversations in the community about what makes it stand out for both players and GMs.

In Daggerheart, ancestries aren’t just cosmetic—they’re baked directly into a character’s features and feats, carefully balanced through stress costs and resource management. The ancestry cards keep everything in one place, streamlining play and giving the game a nimble pace.

Along the way, the crew explores some of the wild options at the table: overpowered Ribbet tongues, purposeful Clanks, a DrunkleBee Monk, Druid Shrooms, Simiah builds, and more. Compared to the latest rules from WotC for D&D, Darrington Press takes a fresh approach to ancestry and species origins, opening up creative new possibilities for players.

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A New Chapter for World of Darkness

Welcome back to the table! Tori takes the moderator seat as Arcadia and Malcolm dive into the topic of White Wolf’s re-emergence. While fans of World of Darkness may have been anticipating the brand’s return, the resurrection isn’t quite the same as the White Wolf we remember from its heyday.

Originally swallowed by Paradox Interactive, White Wolf’s future seemed uncertain after some promised video game projects fell through. However, with the brand’s re-emergence, White Wolf is back to creating its own content, reviving World of Darkness, and embracing a more narrative-focused approach to their games.

Notably, key figures from the tabletop industry are now on the team, including Jess Lanzillo as the Creative Director of World of Darkness, and leadership that has previously worked on D&D and Magic: The Gathering is helping guide the brand. Fans can expect fresh stories, renewed creativity, and a new direction for the iconic universe.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or just curious about the future of World of Darkness, this episode explores what the White Wolf revival means for the TTRPG community.

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Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi — licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0

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Alignments: Flexible, Not Flawed 

Malcolm moderates this episode as the crew dives into the topic of alignment—the classic D&D concept that has shaped characters and campaigns for decades. Alignment may or may not be a big deal at your table, but it’s been a highly rigid rule in older editions of D&D. In some editions, certain races or species were automatically assigned an alignment, limiting player freedom and creativity.

The gaming world has gradually moved away from strict alignment rules, and we at FA believe characters should be allowed to grow, adapt, and evolve over time. Alignment is a tool, not a straitjacket. It can help you define your character’s moral and ethical compass, but it should be open to interpretation and change as your story unfolds.

That said, alignment can also become problematic when players use it as an excuse for questionable behavior—we’re looking at you, chaotic stupid. This episode explores the benefits of using alignment as a guide rather than a rigid rule, and how to apply it in ways that enhance roleplay, collaboration, and fun at the table.

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Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi — licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0 

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Last Episode About Gen Con, We Promise!

Welcome back to the table! We have a skeleton crew in the studio for our final words on Gen Con 2025 and a massive round of shout-outs. Arcadia and Malcolm hold down the board this week as they focus on some of the names and businesses we interacted with in the Exhibit Hall, highlighting community members whose work and personalities left a lasting impression.

We also take a few minutes to recount the people and passions that made our time at the Darrington Press Meet & Greet so memorable and inspiring. Malcolm’s social faux pas and occasional memory lapses are on full display, paired with heartfelt apologies and love for everyone in the TTRPG community.

A huge thank you to everyone tuning in—please check out and support these amazing creators, artists, and community members:

• BGgirlies
• 0lvlmedia CatacombsAndComedians
• Stephen Najarian
• Legendary Realms Terrain
• Art by David Lee Pancake
• Adventure Scents from Oddfish Games
• Sarah Babe of Encounter Party
• Spenser Starke
• Rowen Hall

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Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi — licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0 

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GenCon Recap: New Games, New Friends, and Chaos at the Table 

Welcome back to the table! Jess and Tori are both on the mic this episode, and Malcolm and Arcadia share a wrap-up of GenCon 2025, where they represented our crew. From discovering new games to meeting new friends, this year’s convention brought some fresh experiences.

Jess kicks things off with a lesson in orderly queuing, proving that some skills from overseas don’t always translate to the States. Last year’s 50th anniversary for D&D packed the convention to the rafters, but this year allowed for a slightly more manageable and engaging experience.

The team dives into the games they scored at GenCon, highlighting what they’re excited to test at the table next. They also discuss what they’re looking forward to for next year, including games that may not have been on their radar before.

Shout-outs go to Oddfish Games and the Epic Adventure Podcast for their incredible work, and the crew got to meet some of the team at Darrington Press (insert fan-girl/fan-boy squee here!). Upcoming test plays include Call of Cthulhu and Dungeon Crawl Classics, adding even more excitement to the queue.

Sources / Shoutouts:

• Oddfish Games
• Epic Adventure Podcast

Music Credit:
Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi — licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0

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Trade Days, Tabletop Fun, and Community Connections

Welcome back to the table! This week, we’re recording outside the studio and missed our Tori, who’s off on amazing adventures! Jess joins Arcadia and Malcolm for a lively discussion leading up to Gen Con 2025.

We hop back in the time machine to revisit our Con experiences in 2024, shining a light on the beauty of Trade Day. All three of us agree that Gen Con is truly a well-attended event, and we even pay homage to friends’ mothers and their classic sayings.

Our table wraps with a discussion on the games, events, and people we’re excited to see this year, plus a wonderful invitation to spend time with creators at the Darrington Press Meet & Greet.

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Frogs, Fun, and First-Time GM Chaos 

Welcome back to the table! In this episode, Malcolm, Tori, and Arcadia finally play-tested Daggerheart and share their impressions and takeaways.

Some serious GMing skills were on display, Arcadia got pulled into roleplaying moments, and Tori reminded us all to be a little wary of frogs. While everyone had a blast exploring a new system, there’s a recognition that Daggerheart might not be for everyone—though many players will love it at their tables.

Whether you’re curious about new mechanics, testing out your GM chops, or just love hearing the chaos of a fresh game session, this episode is packed with fun and insights.

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Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi — licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0

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The Forever DM and the Rules Guy 

Welcome back to the table! In this episode, we dive into two of the biggest names in the TTRPG world: Jeremy Crawford and Chris Perkins. Crawford, the rules guru, and Perkins, the forever DM, have been cornerstones of Dungeons & Dragons for decades.

Both spent at least 18 years at Wizards of the Coast, shaping the game we all love and earning legendary status among players. Their expertise, influence, and sheer experience mean they’ve been able to make calls that shaped entire editions of D&D.

This year, both Crawford and Perkins retired from WotC and joined Darrington Press, making waves in the TTRPG space. Landing these two is a huge deal, and we break down what it could mean for the future of gaming and Darrington’s projects.

Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the table, these are names worth knowing!

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Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi — licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0

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Funky Fresh Mechanics and a Whole Lot of Hope & Fear 

Welcome back to the table! We continue our dive into Daggerheart, the new TTRPG from Darrington Press. Tori takes a deep look at the rules and mechanics, showing that this is not a D&D clone—it’s its own system with unique twists drawn from other games.

Malcolm points out similarities to Vampire: The Masquerade and Shadowrun, especially in the way resources are handled. The Duality Dice introduces a new mechanic of hope and fear, giving players and the GM new ways to influence the story. Combat also departs from traditional systems with changes to initiative, and the spotlight mechanic is another exciting branch from classic D&D gameplay.

This system isn’t heavy on math, but the hope and fear mechanics add an engaging layer of strategy and agency. Malcolm even notes a resemblance to THAC0, though with a modern twist. While we don’t see ourselves giving up D&D anytime soon, Daggerheart offers a compelling alternative for players looking for something new—especially once the playtest lands.

Music Credit:
Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi — licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0

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A New Game on the Block

Arcadia and Malcolm are flying solo this week, as Tori was scheduled to play but couldn’t join to record. They dive into Daggerheart, the new TTRPG from Darrington Press (Critical Role). This game has already made waves in the community, marking a clear step away from D&D while standing on its own.

Daggerheart has the advantage of launching independently, not relying on the D&D framework, and bringing on big names like Jeremy Crawford and Chris Perkins. We discuss whether this is a bold challenge to the TTRPG establishment or simply the natural evolution following Critical Role’s success.

Will Daggerheart navigate the pitfalls that WotC faced during the OGL crisis? How will it shape the future of TTRPGs? This is the first of many conversations on the topic, and we want to hear what you think about the splash this new game is making.

Music Credit:
Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi — licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0

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