This episode, Keepers Bridgett and Evan discuss Survival Horror with Matthew Dawkins!

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This episode is brought to you by Grandma Sally’s Soap Shop, your online source for handcrafted soaps, beauty products, and other personal care items. We make our products in small batches using traditional methods, natural ingredients, and Grandma Sally’s own proprietary premium tallow blend.  

Unlike mass-produced corporate soaps, Grandma Sally’s products are rendered slowly over an open fire in an authentic iron cauldron. Quality is assured by the watchful gaze of powers older than mankind. Customers describe our cleansers as “surprisingly fresh,” “deeply satisfying,” and “uncomfortably personal.” At Grandma Sally’s, we put a little bit of ourselves into every product. And sometimes… a little bit of somebody else.

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And thank you to our editor NATE for editing this episode. 

Welcome everyone to the Main Topic! Tonight we are discussing Survival Horror. What it is, what it isn’t, what makes it unique, and how to use this subgenre of horror as a vehicle to enhance and diversify your storytelling. 

And to help, we’ve brought on prolific writer, award winning content creator, and honestly one my favorite GMs of all time, Matthew Dawkins! Matthew, please introduce yourself to the people!

So, we’re jumping into Survival Horror. Before we proceed, let’s first define it- Matthew, what is survival horror?

https://www.patreon.com/matthewdawkins

https://www.matthewdawkins.com

https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/onyx-path/jadestorm

Dear listener, tell us – what is your take on survival horror? Where has it be done well in your gaming experience? Got links? Drop em! 

This episode, Keepers Bridgett & Evan welcome back Heinrich Moore to discuss collaborative RPG projects, such as scenarios and anthologies.

Did you know that crowdfunding is a collaborative way to support your favorite podcast? We have a Patreon, through which you can support us! You can directly support the show, and our surrounding community, by becoming a Patron! 

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And listen, if monetary support isn’t possible, might I remind you that the black market rates for a gently used kidney are very attractive right now? 

Evan, no. No, we are not having our listeners sell a kidney to support the show, because you know they would.

I didn’t say it had to be *their* kidney! But… fine. If we can’t get some of that sweet, sweet black market organ money, I guess we’ll have to sell space to advertisers, like this one!

[Heinrich:

Obed’s Seafood thinks you shouldn’t have to settle for soggy, bland fish sticks, fish filets and crab cakes. Your family deserves only the best, so why not give them the seafood that’s harvested from our own hidden fishery in New England, reef-caught and fresh-frozen. How do we attract such fantastic fish? That’s Obed’s secret! 

From our boats to your table, Obed’s Seafood stays crispy and tasty. Ask for Obed’s in your grocer’s seafood aisle. – A division of Marsh Family Industries.]

And if you would like to create a mythos or horror-related ad for us to read, please visit the Patreon Chat on our Discord. 

Yes, MUP has a Discord and we are all there! We invite all of our listeners to come and enjoy the community of horror gaming and cute pet pics. Link in the show notes: MU Discord server invite link: https://discord.gg/vNjEv9D 

And thank you to our editor GENE for editing this episode. 

Welcome everyone to the Main Topic! Tonight we are discussing collaborative RPG projects, such as scenarios and anthologies. And we have with us, fresh off masterminding the phenomenally successful Year of the Goat anthology… HEINRICH MOORE! Heinrich, you’ve been with us on MUP before, for a special episode where we played through your Guide to Character Creation. But for those few folks who don’t know you yet, tell us who you are!

[Heinrich does so]

Year of the Goat was an anthology of 12 scenarios, by 12 different authors, and in bringing it to life, Heinrich and I learned a LOT. We want to pass those lessons on to the listeners, both to encourage you to try putting together your own collaborative projects, and to help you get over some of the barriers.

Level-set: What is a Collaborative Project? Why do it?

Some critical tools and tips for doing this well:

Dear listener, tell us – have you led a collaborative writing project for Call of Cthulhu or another system? Have you been part of one? How did it go, and how could it have gone better? Come to the Discord, channel ep-357, and share what you’ve learned!

This episode, Keepers Bridgett and Evan discuss ways to make a scenario your own with Holly and Lex of the RPG Reanimators!

Bonjour, les auditeurs! We have a Patreon, through which you can support us! You can directly support the show, and our surrounding community, by becoming a Patreon! 

That’s right! Head over to patreon.com/MUP to subscribe. Because we know how things are out there, our tiers are surprisingly affordable! Oh… I don’t mean t-i-e-r-s, although the backer tiers are quite reasonable. I mean our actual tears, from our actual eyes. We’re selling them in little glass vials. Bringing in such esteemed guests as the RPG Reanimators IS NOT CHEAP! Help us. Help us, guys. Don’t make us sell our tears. 

And listen guys– if monetary support isn’t in the cards for you? A like, a share, a referral, a nomination, engagement on spotify, engagement on Discord… all of those points of contact truly do make a significant difference. So yes, please, back us on Patreon! 

And if you would like to create a mythos or horror-related ad for us to read, please visit the Patreon Chat on our Discord. Like this one!

And if you’d like to make Evan apologize to you in person for the terrible, terrible puns in that ad, you can do that! At…

Our MUP Discord and we are all there! We invite all of our listeners to come and enjoy the community of horror gaming and cute pet pics. Link in the show notes: MU Discord server invite link: https://discord.gg/vNjEv9D 

And thank you to our editor BEN for editing this episode. 

Welcome everyone to the Main Topic! Tonight we are discussing ways to make a scenario your own! This is a natural continuation of episode 355, where we talked about how to develop your own GM style. So once you know yourself a little better, how can you take that and make changes to the scenarios you run to make them reflect your own way of doing things? 

Define: Making it your own: written scenarios? Improv? 

Address: Why does it matter?

Perspective: Some things you can adjust to make it your own: 

Personal “calling card:” a certain NPC or voice; a plot or setting element; a running joke with players (or an audience) who know you; 

Presentation: lean into things that reflect how you like to move and speak at the table or online

Clarify: Is this something you can do as a new GM, or do you need to really have a sense of who you are first? Should you feel obligated to change things?

Dear listener, tell us – what do you do to make a scenario your own? Join the Discord and on channel: ep-356, give us your best tips and tricks. I feel like this is going to be a hot topic. I just have that feeling. Let’s see if I’m right.

This episode, Keepers Bridgett and Evan welcome GMs Alex and Nathan of the RPG Reanimators to discuss how to hone your GM Style!

Hellloooo, listeners! We have a Patreon, through which you can support us! You can directly support the show, and our surrounding community, by becoming a Patron! 

That’s right! Head over to patreon.com/MUP to subscribe. We have tiers as low as $2 a month, or $24 a year, or $240 a decade! And listen guys– if monetary support isn’t in the cards for you? A like, a share, a referral, a nomination, engagement on spotify, engagement on Discord… all of those points of contact truly do make a significant difference. So yes, please, back us on Patreon! 

And if you would like to create a mythos or horror-related ad for us to read, please visit the Patreon Chat on our Discord. It’s easy, fun, and leads immediately to spiritual enlightenment and emotional fulfillment. Just ask backer Steve-O who suggested the following ad:

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Our MUP Discord and we are all there! We invite all of our listeners to come and enjoy the community of horror gaming and cute pet pics. Link in the show notes: MU Discord server invite link: https://discord.gg/vNjEv9D 

And thank you to our editor EQUINOX for editing this episode. 

Welcome GMs Alex and Nathan of the RPG Reanimators to help us discuss how to hone your GM Style!

GM Style Points to consider: 

Viewpoint & Tone: What’s your attitude towards the story  (e.g., humorous, serious, cynical, or empathetic)?  Does your personality shape the narrative? 

Structure & Pacing: Note if they tell stories chronologically (linear) or use flashbacks and non-linear jumps to build suspense. Evaluate how quickly or slowly events unfold to maintain tension. 

Sensory Details: Look for the balance between showing and telling. See if they rely heavily on figurative language (metaphors, similes) or use dialogue and raw thoughts to paint a picture.

Content Engagement: How much agency do you provide your players? How included are they in the narrative? 

How do we hone?

Practice

Feedback

Soundboarding

Engaging with storytellers whose style we wish to implement

Trying new things 

This episode, Keepers Bridgett & Evan discuss ways to spice up your scenarios with something new!

Hellloooo, listeners! We have a Patreon, through which you can support us! You can directly support the show, and our surrounding community, by becoming a Patreon! 

That’s right! Head over to patreon.com/MUP to subscribe. We have tiers as low as $2 a month, or $24 a year, or $240 a decade, or… well, tell you what, you tell me how long you plan on living, and I’ll help you budget things so you can continue to support this fantastic community of friends, collaborators, and sometimes even enemies-to-lovers. (I mean, it’s not impossible that that could happen.)

And listen guys– if monetary support isn’t in the cards for you? A like, a share, a referral, a nomination, engagement on spotify, engagement on Discord… all of those points of contact truly do make a significant difference. So yes, please, back us on Patreon! 

And if you would like to create a mythos or horror-related ad for us to read, please visit the Patreon Chat on our Discord. Don’t be shy! Don’t worry about making it perfect! We just read the words that are here on the sheet! We will read anything that’s put in front of us!

For example, I will now read: THE DISCORD PLUG.

Our MUP Discord and we are all there! We invite all of our listeners to come and enjoy the community of horror gaming and cute pet pics. Link in the show notes: MU Discord server invite link: https://discord.gg/vNjEv9D 

And thank you to our editor NATE for editing this episode. 

New Things You Can Do in a Scenario:

This episode, Keepers Bridgett & Evan discuss meaningful and creative ways to bring back retired PCs.

Patreon Plug & Update

Hellloooo, listeners! We have a Patreon, through which you can support us! You can directly support the show, and our surrounding community, by becoming a Patreon! 

That’s right! Head over to patreon.com/MUP to subscribe. We have tiers as low as $2 a month. JUST $2/month. So let’s do the math… for under $25, you could subscribe for a whole year at once, and know that you’ve invested in both content and a community that you celebrate and enjoy! 

And listen guys– if monetary support isn’t in the cards for you? A like, a share, a referral, a nomination, engagement on spotify, engagement on Discord… all of those points of contact truly do make a significant difference. So yes, please, back us on Patreon! 

And if none of this is possible, don’t worry! We can always run to the loving arms of our sponsors, like Skitter. Listen, we know you’re busy, and it can be hard to find time in the day to fill your home with the right balance of beetles, ants, spiders, and other insects and arachnids. You’ve seen the research, you know how important it is to maintain a home that is simply brimming with chittering arthropod life in every corner. That’s why Skitter makes it easy. With one monthly subscription, we send you a box full of a new and interesting variety of chitinous animals, every month. All you need to do is take the box inside, open it, and relax. The insects will take care of the rest. I’ve been using Skitter for six months now, and I’ve never been more terrified in my own home. 

New backers: Robby H

Our MUP Discord and we are all there! We invite all of our listeners to come and enjoy the community of horror gaming and cute pet pics. Link in the show notes: MU Discord server invite link: https://discord.gg/vNjEv9D 

And thank you to our editor GENE for editing this episode. 

Tonight, I am shouting out our editor, Nate, LOST TO TIME AND SPACE, and his kittuh in their rendition of… if I fits… I SITS!!!! 

Removal from Play:

Resurrection Opportunities: 

When and Why to Consider These Options:

Bridgett Thoughts:

Evan Thoughts:

NPC Variants on Resurrection 

This episode, Keepers Bridgett & Evan unpack the best ways to begin a scenario! We’re going to define what the means, things to consider, best practices, worst practices, and even provide you with some recommendations on authors who truly stuck the landing on a strong opener!

Hey listeners! Did you know that MUP has a Patreon? That’s right! We do! 

You can directly support the show, and our surrounding community, by becoming a Patreon!

“Dr Weir’s Optometry and Travel Agency: Where you’re going, you won’t need eyes to see.” Submitted by iPwned

Head over to patreon.com/MUP or click the patreon icon on the sidebar of our website. If you’re able to support us, we’d appreciate it! Patreon, we offer everything from exclusive backer only bonus content, Patreon only episodes, backer only hangouts, access to our backer only portal on Discord, and more!

Our MUP Discord and we are all there! We invite all of our listeners to come and enjoy the community of horror gaming and cute pet pics. Link in the show notes: MU Discord server invite link: https://discord.gg/vNjEv9D 

And thank you to our editor NATE for editing this episode. 

Tonight, I’d like to shout out friend of the show, GroucyLenny and their cats, Lily and Camille, who are captured here with the caption– nefarious plan is to absorb all of the sun’s energy to destroy humankind.

Wait. You guys are getting sun? I’m in Ohio. I haven’t seen the sun since October 2025. Can I join this plan??

Thanks for sharing with us, GroucyLenny!

Hello, everyone, and welcome to the Main Topic!

Tonight, we’re going to unpack the best ways to begin a scenario! We’re going to define what the means, things to consider, best practices, worst practices, and even provide you with some recommendations on authors who truly stuck the landing on a strong opener! 

From a storytelling perspective and from a game design standpoint, this is such an important topic that I don’t believe it is getting enough affection. It needs some love, so I’m happy that we’re slowing down to really explore the impact that introductory scenes and onboarding have on the rest of your game and storytelling experience!

What is the beginning of the scenario?

Is this… a roundtable of character introductions? What do you look like, name, occupation?

Is this an opening scene?

Is this worldbuilding?

Why do we care about this topic?

Arguably, the introduction, climax, and conclusion are the most essential and vital points of storytelling

Essential things to establish?

The world

The vibe/genre/tone/expectation

Your PC’s place and impact in the world

Character connection

Level of buy-in/care

Good Examples:

Dear listener, tell us of your favorite scenario start!  

This episode, Keepers Bridgett and Evan talk about how, why, and maybe where and when to teach players to play a tabletop RPG WHILE you play.

Hey listeners! We have a Patreon, through which you can support us! You can directly support the show, and our surrounding community, by becoming a Patreon! Why support us through Patreon? Because if you don’t, we have to sell advertising to such beloved sponsors as:

Greyhounds of Tindalos Interdimensional Bus Company. Let’s face it: traveling between dimensions is a difficult experience at the best of times. Whether traveling for work, or pursuing the vacation of a lifetime to parallel realms that you could previously only glimpse with a Tillinghast Resonator, you deserve an option that’s convenient and in your budget. Whether you’re visiting Albuquerque, Azatoth, or any of the sharp corners in between, consider the Greyhounds of Tindalos for fast, budget-friendly service. Routes that travel through the Dreamlands may have higher rates.

Thanks to Patron Dan Tice for this ad idea!

Friends, you can STOP this madness and help us get to the topic at hand WITHOUT ads! How? Head over to patreon.com/MUP or click the patreon icon on the sidebar of our website. If you’re able to support us, we’d appreciate it! Patreon, we offer everything from exclusive backer only bonus content, Patreon only episodes, backer only hangouts, access to our backer only portal on Discord, and more! 

Welcome new Backers:

Adam Alexander & Antheny

Our MUP Discord and we are all there! We invite all of our listeners to come and enjoy the community of horror gaming and cute pet pics. Link in the show notes: MU Discord server invite link: https://discord.gg/vNjEv9D 

And thank you to our editor EQUINOX for editing this episode. 

FredKiesche’s wildlife tour!

Tonight, we’re going to talk about how, why, and maybe where and when to teach players to play a tabletop RPG WHILE you play.

Why should you teach during play?

Dear listener, tell us – do you have any tips for teaching at the table?

This episode, Keepers Bridgett & Evan discuss losing PCs. We explore how to pay tribute, celebrate, and honor the stories that have ended. We share personal experience and offer varied insight on how GMs could approach PC loss. To aid in the discussion, we’ve resurrected hosts, Keeper Murph and Keeper Dave!

Dear listeners! We have a Patreon. Our Patreons literally keep the lights on and make this show possible. So if you love this content, and you want to keep it alive, we ask that you visit patreon.com/MUP and subscribe to be a backer. Because if you don’t, we’ll have to start selling ad space to trusted corporate partners like Curwen and Ward’s Essential Saltes Company! 

Yes, that’s Curwen and Ward’s Essential Saltes. Bridgett, are you feeling tired, run-down, and lacking in your vital energies?

{Yes}

Are you in need of a good revivification? 

{Yes}

Then turn to Curwen and Ward’s, America’s most trusted provider of alchemical and mystical supplies. That’s Curwen and Ward’s Essential Saltes, a family company since 1662. [Thank you to IPwnedMSCS for the ad suggestion!]

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And if are a Patreon backer and you’d like us to advertise YOUR favorite mythos company.

Our MUP Discord and we are all there! We invite all of our listeners to come and enjoy the community of horror gaming and cute pet pics. Link in the show notes: MU Discord server invite link: https://discord.gg/vNjEv9D 

And thank you to our editor BEN for editing this episode. 

Hello, everyone, and welcome to the Main Topic! Tonight we celebrate 350 episodes of the Miskatonic University Podcast. This is an incredible milestone and a fantastic achievement. And as we continue to breathe life and tell amazing stories with this beautiful MUP community, we decided the that the best way to celebrate is to honor the PCs who took their final breath and tell stories no more.

Why does this topic matter? Why do we care?

What makes a strong, memorable, and meaningful PC death.

Roundtable where we recount and retell our favorite horror PC deaths!

This episode, Keepers Bridgett and Evan welcome back Perry Clark to continue our discussion on Madness in Culture and Era! Let’s discuss why this topic matters and dive into Invictus, Dark Ages, Regency, Gaslight, and 1920’s Classic!

Dear listeners! We have patreon.Our Patreons literally keep the lights on and make this show possible. So if you love this content, and you want to keep it alive, we ask that you visit patreon.com/MUP and subscribe to be a backer. 

And if financial support isn’t in the cards right now, you can spread the good word of MUP in your communities by sharing a link and heaping glowing praise upon us where others can see. And furthermore, you can hang out with us on Discord!

Our MUP Discord and we are all there! We invite all of our listeners to come and enjoy the community of horror gaming and cute pet pics. Link in the show notes: MU Discord server invite link: https://discord.gg/vNjEv9D 

And thank you to our editor GENE for editing this episode. 

Hello, everyone, and welcome to the Main Topic! As mentioned in the intro, tonight we’ve gathered to discuss Madness in Culture and Era! How did this topic originate? What does it mean? Let’s unpack!

Questions: 

Why does this topic matter? Why do we care?

Each setting/culture has its own:

Relationship to the supernatural/religion

Relationship to violence

Understanding of mental health

Ways of treating and dealing with trauma (or not)

Invictus

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dancing_mania

Sources Cited: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lJ_QxYrGrTzTkAr_Gb1O-P9sDzfze1MtufSepHM8PkE/edit?usp=sharing

Dear listener, tell us something new that you learned from this episode, or some inspiration that you’ve gathered to launch your own research into the topic!