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Finding Atoria episodes
- The Many Eyes of the Beholder: A D&D Monster Comparison
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Beauty Is in the Eyes of the Beholder
Pick an edition, any edition—we’ve got you covered! Welcome to our first monster comparison episode. Tori dives deep into one of her favorite classic D&D monsters: the Beholder. From the original 1st Edition to the most recent rulesets, we explore how this iconic floating horror has evolved over the decades.
We break down its abilities, lair actions, eye rays, and even how different editions have adjusted its challenge level. How does a 1st Edition Beholder differ from a 5th Edition one? What makes each version uniquely terrifying, and which edition captures the “true essence” of the Beholder?
Along the way, we discuss the impact of the Beholder on D&D lore, its role in campaigns, and why this creature remains a fan favorite. Don’t worry—this is just the start! More monster comparisons are coming, so get ready to dive into the best, weirdest, and most iconic beasts of the D&D multiverse.
Our Sources:
- Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual, 1st Edition
- Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual, 2nd Edition
- Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual, 3rd Edition
- Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual, 3.5 Edition
- Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual, 4th Edition
- Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual, 5th Edition
Note: Some older editions included the Beholder in supplemental modules or campaign books, which were referenced to provide additional context on its abilities and lore.
Music Credit:
Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi — licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0https://licensebuttons.net/l/by-nc/4.0/88x31.png
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Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
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37 min - THAC0 Says What? Exploring Mechanics and the Future of TTRPGs
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Click, Clack, Brain Go Brrrr: Diving Into Tabletop Mechanics
There are receipts, and Arcadia gets to GM this episode! Malcolm kicks things off by talking about the future of TTRPGs and how many players are exploring customized and solo gaming. While solo games or mechanics-heavy systems can feel more like a Choose Your Own Adventure or an RPG video game, most of us agree that it’s not the same as gathering around a table with friends.
Virtual tabletops and AI-assisted tools are also gaining traction, but while these innovations are cool, they can sometimes take away from the social magic of tabletop gaming.
After the break, Tori brings the conversation back to Dungeons & Dragons mechanics. What’s your favorite mechanic? We each share ours at the table, talk about RAW (Rules As Written), and even get derailed along the way. Jess nearly takes out Arcadia over a fudged mechanic, proving that having three GMs weigh in makes for a lively discussion.
Music Credit:
Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi — licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0https://licensebuttons.net/l/by-nc/4.0/88x31.png
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Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
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1 hr 4 min - From Dice to Stories: How TTRPGs Shaped Books, Movies, and Worlds
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Adventures Off the Table: TTRPGs as the Inspiration Behind Fantasy Fiction
Malcolm is the GM this episode, and Jess joins us in the studio! Tori wins initiative and kicks off the discussion about how TTRPGs have inspired countless stories across books, movies, and TV. Dungeons & Dragons paved the way for worlds like Dragonlance, Forgotten Realms, and He-Man, showing how tabletop gaming can shape imagination on and off the table.
After the break, Arcadia dives into some of her favorite fantasy books that were inspired by TTRPGs. From Homeland and Knights of the Black Rose to Dragons of Autumn’s Twilight and the Dragonlance series, we explore how these stories grew out of gaming worlds—and how they continue to inspire new adventures. We want to hear your favorite TTRPG-inspired books, too!
Music Credit:
Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi — licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0https://licensebuttons.net/l/by-nc/4.0/88x31.png
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Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
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A production of WordLeaf Media
48 min - Rolling Shadowrun: Faces, Riggers, and Remote Pajamas
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Back to the Future (Kind of): Shadowrun’s Talkers and Techies
Arcadia takes the GM seat this round while Tori joins remotely—because who doesn’t like podcasting in pajamas? This episode dives into Shadowrun Fifth Edition, focusing on two key classes.
Tori wins initiative but defers, giving Malcolm the floor to talk about his favorite class: the Face. The Face is the talker of the bunch—the one who gets the jobs, knows a guy who knows a guy, and manipulates situations to make things happen. They’re the hustlers who weren’t handed opportunities on a silver platter. This charisma-based class can also face the harshest negative modifiers, but Malcolm loves the roleplay opportunities it offers.
After the break, Tori covers the Rigger class. Riggers are the tech wizards of Shadowrun, controlling drones, vehicles, and all the gadgets. Need a quick getaway, security, or offensive support? The Riggers have you covered. They’re the Swiss Army knife of Shadowrun classes, combining versatility with a love of toys.
Another game we love diving into!
Music Credit:
Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi — licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0https://licensebuttons.net/l/by-nc/4.0/88x31.png
Support the show
https://licensebuttons.net/l/by-nc/4.0/88x31.png
Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
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A production of WordLeaf Media
43 min - Big News at the Table: Our Global TTRPG Community
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Sweet 16: Laughs, News, and TTRPG Community Love
Malcolm leads us in our sweet 16 episode! We’re here for laughs, sharing news, and celebrating the TTRPG community joining us at the table from around the world. We want to hear where you’re finding Atoria and would love to chat with you on our socials.
Tori brings some big announcements for our Patreon community, Arcadia tries her hand at pronouncing your hometowns, and Malcolm is ready to ship your FA merch!
Go support our friend Adam → www.questsforall.co.uk
Visit our socials to see the merch Malcolm’s ready to send your way!
Music Credit:
Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi — licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0https://licensebuttons.net/l/by-nc/4.0/88x31.png
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https://licensebuttons.net/l/by-nc/4.0/88x31.png
Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
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A production of WordLeaf Media
49 min - Vampire: The Masquerade-A Beginner’s Guide to Clans: Exploring Banu Hakim & Malkavian
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Law vs. Madness in Vampire: The Masquerade
Malcolm takes the GM seat today while Tori joins us remotely! The ladies dive into two clans in Vampire: The Masquerade (VTM).
Arcadia kicks things off with the Banu Hakim. This lesser-known clan wasn’t originally part of the Camarilla and tends to be quite isolated. They have their own history, caste system, and organization, and the Masquerade is less critical to them than it is for other clans. Known as a clan of laws and judges, the Banu Hakim have gained both infamy and some prejudice from the Western world. Arcadia was drawn to this clan by the sheer depth of their lore.
After the break, Tori covers Clan Malkavian, one of the original 13 clans. Often joked about because of their ties to madness, Malkavians turn mental illness into both a strength and a weakness. They are also a clan of seers and those whose powers don’t fit neatly into other clans. Every member is chosen with a specific purpose by their sire, who may also abandon them soon after the embrace. Malkavians make clever use of the Cobweb, a built-in network to reach clanmates, even if it operates in unpredictable ways.
If you couldn’t tell, we really love this TTRPG!
Music Credit:
Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi — licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0https://licensebuttons.net/l/by-nc/4.0/88x31.png
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https://licensebuttons.net/l/by-nc/4.0/88x31.png
Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
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A production of WordLeaf Media
56 min - D&D’s SRD Update: What It Means for Third-Party Creators
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The Power of the OGL and Creative Commons
Tori brings the latest news for Dungeons & Dragons content creators to share with Malcolm and Arcadia. What does this news mean for the community? Is there anything new at the table for lovers of the world’s largest TTRPG?
Join Tori, Malcolm, and Arcadia as they discuss the update to D&D’s System Reference Document (SRD) and what it means for third-party D&D content creators. This episode dives into the implications of the 2024 5e rules and how the SRD shapes the open gaming landscape.
Our Sources:
- D&D System Reference Document v5.2.1
- ORC License
Music Credit:
Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi — licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0https://licensebuttons.net/l/by-nc/4.0/88x31.png
Support the show
https://licensebuttons.net/l/by-nc/4.0/88x31.png
Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
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A production of WordLeaf Media
47 min - Don't Be an Arseling: Best Practices for TTRPG Players and the Art of D&D
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Great Players, Iconic Art, and When AI Fits In
Arcadia takes the GM seat this episode, and Jess is back! Tori opens the discussion after losing initiative, exploring good and bad player characteristics. The top trait of a great player? Being engaged in the game. Remember, you’re working with the GM, not against them—a principle that holds true at most tables. Both GMs and players can collaborate to make the game enjoyable for everyone.
Other important player traits include sharing the spotlight, allowing others to make mistakes, and offering encouragement—telling someone they’re doing a good job or that something is cool goes a long way.
After the break, Malcolm discusses the movie “Eye of the Beholder: The Art of Dungeons and Dragons.” The film highlights the incredible art behind the game and the D&D universe, providing an iconic visual foundation for imagination and worldbuilding. The episode also touches on the role of AI art and when it’s appropriate to use in gaming and storytelling.
Our Sources:
- IMDB.com
Music Credit:
Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi — licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0https://licensebuttons.net/l/by-nc/4.0/88x31.png
Support the show
https://licensebuttons.net/l/by-nc/4.0/88x31.png
Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Contact Us on Our Socials:
A production of WordLeaf Media
1 hr - TTRPG Clubs in Schools: Building Community and Finding Your Table
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When Dice Bring People Together
We get to try out some new podcasting tech today, as we’re joined remotely by a special guest! Coel Scheel shares his experience with gaming clubs in school. For him, these clubs were a great way to meet fellow gamers and bond over the geekier parts of life. He explains how high school clubs give students access to resources like D&D Beyond, including sourcebooks, minis, character sheets, dice, and more. With 50 kids participating, it was a big undertaking for the teachers who volunteered their time. Coel highlights how these clubs let students play without the pressure to purchase all the materials themselves.
After the break, Chase Krise joins us to share similar experiences. He enjoyed playing in his school club and meeting other gamers, although his club was smaller and not everyone seemed to grasp the spirit of the game. Despite this, he found his table later on and remained enthusiastic about the hobby. Both guests agree that school gaming clubs are excellent for building community and fostering a love for TTRPGs.
Also, we discover that Tori needs to stop eating gummy bears on mic… she apologizes.
Music Credit:
Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi — licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0https://licensebuttons.net/l/by-nc/4.0/88x31.png
Support the show
https://licensebuttons.net/l/by-nc/4.0/88x31.png
Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
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A production of WordLeaf Media
56 min - From Classroom to Campaign: Homebrewing and the Power of Lore
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Teaching, Homebrew, and the Power of Lore
Malcolm takes the GM seat for this episode, while Arcadia rolls highest on initiative. Cady kicks off the conversation by exploring how teachers can use TTRPGs for learning. Homebrewing can create the right platform to teach specific skills and knowledge, whereas hack-and-slash campaigns don’t always cut it for subjects like economics or history. Worldbuilding can be challenging and time-consuming, and teachers who take it on deserve recognition for their efforts.
After the break, Tori highlights the importance of lore in TTRPGs. Whether in homebrew campaigns or published modules, lore can—and should—be a collaborative effort between the GM and players. Players are a GM’s greatest resource, bringing unexpected curveballs that require flexibility but can lead to incredible storytelling and rich, immersive worlds.
Our Sources:
- Thunder rolls in the distance...no sources to cite.
Music Credit:
Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi — licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0https://licensebuttons.net/l/by-nc/4.0/88x31.png
Support the show
https://licensebuttons.net/l/by-nc/4.0/88x31.png
Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Contact Us on Our Socials:
A production of WordLeaf Media
54 min
About Finding Atoria
From the publisher's feed
Three friends, each with 30+ years playing and running TTRPGs sit down weekly to tell stories about the games, community and topics surrounding the Table Top Role Playing world.