The Strange Friends assemble to discuss just over three years of playing TTRPGs together on stream and off. In this episode, they discuss GMing styles and game prep!

Featuring Iori Kusano, Valerie Valdes, Brandon O'Brien, and Michael R. Underwood.

Check out our Court of Blades series “Valloward” at https://bit.ly/3yh6Bxh (now an Official Selection for the 2023 Minnesota Web Fest!) and watch any of our completed series or one-shots at speculatesf.com/videos

You can help us make the show the best it can be by becoming a subscriber to our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/speculate – You’ll also get even more content (including Fractal Spire extras, bonus episodes, access to behind-the-scenes material like GM streams and session zero recordings, and more!)

This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

#344 - Oops! All Strange Friends (OOC Chat), Pt. 1

Speculate is an award-winning actual play TTRPG show starring science fiction &amp; fantasy authors, editors, and more. Hosted by authors Gregory A. Wilson, Brandon O’Brien, and Michael R. Underwood, the show explores the overlap between different forms of storytelling from prose to games and beyond. They’ve played Blades in the Dark, Girl by Moonlight, Lasers &amp; Feelings, D&amp;D, and more.
In addition to the podcast episodes, you can find video-only shows at speculatesf.com/shows
NOTE: In 2018, Speculate transitioned from its original literary criticism format to the current actual play show. All of the old episdoes are still available.
Speculate is supported by listeners like you at patreon.com/speculate

Arts

Literature

Performing Arts

Design

Food

Fashion & Beauty

Visual Arts

Games

Science Fiction

Fiction

Leisure

Content notes: questionable mandatory therapy, and Rum Raisin ice cream

 

Starring:

Brandon O’Brien — @therisingtithes — as The Keeper

Michael R. Underwood — @MikeRUnderwood — as Tempo: The Last

Jeoi Gawain Lin — @thisismyDasein — as Hamaliel: The Summoned

Aubrey Knotts — @MadQueenCosplay — as Ciarra Tân: The Surge

Aaron Hammonds — @aaroninwords — as John/Jane: The Found

Brandon leads an exciting and emotional game of Apocalypse Keys from Evil Hat Productions. In this episode, team members deal with Division bureaucracy, and keep building bonds with each other. 

“Dystopian Guitars B” and “Dystopian Guitar A” by Monument Studios, used with permission.

Subscribers at patreon.com/speculate get early access to Speculate videos, along with other exclusive extras from our series, bonus episodes, access to behind-the-scenes material like GM streams and session zero recordings, and more!

This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

#376 - The Pitman Sculpture: An Apocalypse Keys Mini-Series, Pt. 13

Content notes: Mental and emotional manipulation, and physical/psychic destruction.

Starring:

Brandon O’Brien — @therisingtithes — as The Keeper

Michael R. Underwood — @MikeRUnderwood — as Tempo: The Last

Jeoi Gawain Lin — @thisismyDasein — as Hamaliel: The Summoned

Aubrey Knotts — @MadQueenCosplay — as Ciarra Tân: The Surge

Aaron Hammonds — @aaroninwords — as John/Jane: The Found

Brandon leads an exciting and emotional game of Apocalypse Keys from Evil Hat Productions. In this episode, Ciarra Tân is pushed to an epic confrontation with The Harbinger. 

“Dystopian Guitars B” and “Dystopian Guitar A” by Monument Studios, used with permission.

Subscribers at patreon.com/speculate get early access to Speculate videos, along with other exclusive extras from our series, bonus episodes, access to behind-the-scenes material like GM streams and session zero recordings, and more!

This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

#375 - The Pitman Sculpture: An Apocalypse Keys Mini-Series, Pt. 12

Content notes: Mental and emotional manipulations

Starring:

Brandon O’Brien — @therisingtithes — as The Keeper

Michael R. Underwood — @MikeRUnderwood — as Tempo: The Last

Jeoi Gawain Lin — @thisismyDasein — as Hamaliel: The Summoned

Aubrey Knotts — @MadQueenCosplay — as Ciarra Tân: The Surge

Aaron Hammonds — @aaroninwords — as John/Jane: The Found

Brandon leads an exciting and emotional game of Apocalypse Keys from Evil Hat Productions. In this episode, Hamaliel tries to rescue a waitress from a cocoon, but things don’t go as planned.

“Dystopian Guitars B” and “Dystopian Guitar A” by Monument Studios, used with permission.

Subscribers at patreon.com/speculate get early access to Speculate videos, along with other exclusive extras from our series, bonus episodes, access to behind-the-scenes material like GM streams and session zero recordings, and more!

This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

#374 - The Pitman Sculpture: An Apocalypse Keys Mini-Series, Pt. 11

Content notes: Emotional trauma and identity issues

Starring:

Brandon O’Brien — @therisingtithes — as The Keeper

Michael R. Underwood — @MikeRUnderwood — as Tempo: The Last

Jeoi Gawain Lin — @thisismyDasein — as Hamaliel: The Summoned

Aubrey Knotts — @MadQueenCosplay — as Ciarra Tân: The Surge

Aaron Hammonds — @aaroninwords — as John/Jane: The Found

Brandon leads an exciting and emotional game of Apocalypse Keys from Evil Hat Productions. In this episode, Tempo helps John/Jane come to grips with some shattering revelations.

“Dystopian Guitars B” and “Dystopian Guitar A” by Monument Studios, used with permission.

Subscribers at patreon.com/speculate get early access to Speculate videos, along with other exclusive extras from our series, bonus episodes, access to behind-the-scenes material like GM streams and session zero recordings, and more!

This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

#373 - The Pitman Sculpture: An Apocalypse Keys Mini-Series, Pt. 10

Content notes: Emotional trauma and identity issues

Starring:

Brandon O’Brien — @therisingtithes — as The Keeper

Michael R. Underwood — @MikeRUnderwood — as Tempo: The Last

Jeoi Gawain Lin — @thisismyDasein — as Hamaliel: The Summoned

Aubrey Knotts — @MadQueenCosplay — as Ciarra Tân: The Surge

Aaron Hammonds — @aaroninwords — as John/Jane: The Found

Brandon leads an exciting and emotional game of Apocalypse Keys from Evil Hat Productions. In this episode, John/Jane can tap the memories of one of the Beatograph cult leaders, but it turns out that actually, a diner waitress is more crucial. 

“Dystopian Guitars B” and “Dystopian Guitar A” by Monument Studios, used with permission.

Subscribers at patreon.com/speculate get early access to Speculate videos, along with other exclusive extras from our series, bonus episodes, access to behind-the-scenes material like GM streams and session zero recordings, and more!

This episode was edited by the amazing Rudy Basso (find him at https://twitter.com/RudyBasso). As always, thanks for listening!

#344 - Oops! All Strange Friends (OOC Chat), Pt. 1

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