I've decided to continue my playtesting of the (few years out) upcoming Ironsworn: Legacies!

Five months after releasing the enormous elder shadow wolf god from the glacier, Tessa and Farina - along with some new friends - continue to track the beast.

They find themselves in the coastal village of Fisher's Grove, but their pursuit of Inkanis, the Wolf God is halted by raiders holding the small village hostage. Tessa makes things worse.

If you want to, please head over to the Ironsworn Discord channel which you can find a link to on the Ironsworn website to get in on the playtesting!

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Join the DMs After Dark Discord channel!

I made a Ko-Fi if you feel absurdly generous and want to help cover podcast hosting costs & all the upkeep. I'm still working on whether I want to offer anything special over there or just give my extreme gratitude (maybe some stickers or something in the mail) to those who donate, but no pressure whatsoever :)

Where to Follow Rene Plays Games:

LinkTree |  BlueSky | Threads | Instagram | Facebook | DMs After Dark

Rene's Games:

MECH | MECH Cities 2 | One Last Quest | I Know I Know You, But I Don't Know How...

email: [email protected]

Music in the Episode (in order of appearance):

Windswept Realms Vol. II by Vindsvept

Rene Plays Games Theme written & produced by Dan Pomfret | @danfrombothbands

Iorlas departs Bree and heads south along the Greenway between the Barrow Downs and South Downs, a perilous place to travel... Not long after he sets out does he realize his progress is now being observed and his journeys are unlikely to go smoothly as he heads to investigate the cape of Eryn Vorn for Cirdan the Shipwright...

Learn more about The One Ring 2e by Free League Publishing.

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Join the DMs After Dark Discord channel!

and Get in on playing some Wicked Good Adventures!

I made a Ko-Fi if you feel absurdly generous and want to help cover podcast hosting costs & all the upkeep. I'm still working on whether I want to offer anything special over there or just give my extreme gratitude (maybe some stickers or something in the mail) to those who donate, but no pressure whatsoever :)

Where to Follow Rene Plays Games:

LinkTree |  BlueSky | Threads | Instagram | Facebook | DMs After Dark

Rene's Games:

MECH | MECH Cities 2 | One Last Quest | I Know I Know You, But I Don't Know How...

email: [email protected]

Music in the Episode (in order of appearance):

Deep Sleep of the Elven King by Vindsvept

Wizards Tower by Tabletop Audio

Western Watchtower by Tabletop Audio

Dark and Stormy by Tabletop Audio

Lightning B by Monument Studios

Dungeon Collapse by Tabletop Audio

Dark by Vindsvept

Rene Plays Games Theme written & produced by Dan Pomfret | @danfrombothbands

Welcome to another episode of Perspective Checks where I sit down with friends and folks from the TTRPG world and discuss what they love about this wonderful hobby!

This month I'm joined by Ciera, a.k.a. RagePandaPajamas around the internet! Ciera is a media theory enthusiast who loves to look at and review TTRPG actual plays through a critical academic lens, as well as an author on the blog The Fandomentals, a theater & live production designer, and designer of the GM-less game Leave A Message After the Tone!

We don't get anywhere as deep as we could have into this topic, but the idea of looking into the evolving landscape of actual play performances in all of their forms from audio to video to written, with various intentions and goals to achieve different experiences was such an interesting talk. We discuss a lot about what it means to put your game out there in the world for an audience and how you don't need to strive to be like the bigger productions or do something entirely new to find your niche, but you do need to commit to learning and improving your craft.

Some of the books Ciera mentions are:

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Join the DMs After Dark Discord channel!

I made a Ko-Fi if you feel absurdly generous and want to help cover podcast hosting costs & all the upkeep. I'm still working on whether I want to offer anything special over there or just give my extreme gratitude (maybe some stickers or something in the mail) to those who donate, but no pressure whatsoever :)

Where to Follow Rene Plays Games:

LinkTree |  BlueSky | Threads | Instagram | Facebook | DMs After Dark

Rene's Games:

MECH | MECH Cities 2 | One Last Quest | I Know I Know You, But I Don't Know How...

email: [email protected]

Music in the Episode (in order of appearance):

Rene Plays Games Theme written & produced by Dan Pomfret | @danfrombothbands

After falling through the floor in the ruins of Fornost, Iorlas discovers something worse than orcs or evil Men. Luckily he gets out and makes it back to Bree, where he begins to recover from the terrifying ordeal and reunites with Gandalf before the next leg of his journey begins...

Learn more about The One Ring 2e by Free League Publishing.

----more----

Join the DMs After Dark Discord channel!

I made a Ko-Fi if you feel absurdly generous and want to help cover podcast hosting costs & all the upkeep. I'm still working on whether I want to offer anything special over there or just give my extreme gratitude (maybe some stickers or something in the mail) to those who donate, but no pressure whatsoever :)

Where to Follow Rene Plays Games:

LinkTree |  BlueSky | Threads | Instagram | Facebook | DMs After Dark

Rene's Games:

MECH | MECH Cities 2 | One Last Quest | I Know I Know You, But I Don't Know How...

email: [email protected]

Music in the Episode (in order of appearance):

Cryptic Strings by Monument Studios

Necromancer by Vindsvept

Hidden Passageby Tabletop Audio

Lonesome West by Tabletop Audio

Halfling Lodge by Tabletop Audio

Solemn Vow by Tabletop Audio

Rene Plays Games Theme written & produced by Dan Pomfret | @danfrombothbands

Playtest session 2 of Ironsworn: Legacies!

Tessa and the hunters get Farina to the site of her dreams on a massive frozen glacial valley, but a broken opening holds sacred secrets of the past, as well as old, corrupt shadows emerging...

If you want to, please head over to the Ironsworn Discord channel which you can find a link to on the Ironsworn website to get in on the playtesting!

----more----

Join the DMs After Dark Discord channel!

I made a Ko-Fi if you feel absurdly generous and want to help cover podcast hosting costs & all the upkeep. I'm still working on whether I want to offer anything special over there or just give my extreme gratitude (maybe some stickers or something in the mail) to those who donate, but no pressure whatsoever :)

Where to Follow Rene Plays Games:

LinkTree |  BlueSky | Threads | Instagram | Facebook | DMs After Dark

Rene's Games:

MECH | MECH Cities 2 | One Last Quest | I Know I Know You, But I Don't Know How...

email: [email protected]

Music in the Episode (in order of appearance):

Windswept Realms Vol. II by Vindsvept

Lair of the Wyrm by Tabletop Audio

Raise Earth C by Monument Studios

Resurrect by Tabletop Audio

Rene Plays Games Theme written & produced by Dan Pomfret | @danfrombothbands

A little late, but it's going to turn into 2 episodes of the playtest materials for the upcoming Ironsworn: Legacies from Shawn Tomkin instead of just the one bonus one for next week!

I am SUPER excited to be able to test this out, and if you want to, please head over to the Ironsworn Discord channel which you can find a link to on the Ironsworn website to get in on the playtesting!

In this episode I make my character, Tessa, a mighty shieldmaiden trying to earn redemption by being part of a small group of Ironlanders from the village of Rockfall to escort a mysterious outcast known as Farina, a dreamer of gods and old magic, to a place she knows only from dreams... What could go wrong, right?

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Join the DMs After Dark Discord channel!

I made a Ko-Fi if you feel absurdly generous and want to help cover podcast hosting costs & all the upkeep. I'm still working on whether I want to offer anything special over there or just give my extreme gratitude (maybe some stickers or something in the mail) to those who donate, but no pressure whatsoever :)

Where to Follow Rene Plays Games:

LinkTree |  BlueSky | Threads | Instagram | Facebook | DMs After Dark

Rene's Games:

MECH | MECH Cities 2 | One Last Quest | I Know I Know You, But I Don't Know How...

email: [email protected]

Music in the Episode (in order of appearance):

Rene Plays Games Theme written & produced by Dan Pomfret | @danfrombothbands

Iorlas fights the wraith that rose in the ruins of the plaza in Fornost Erain and gains insight into the past. Going further in he traces the steps of Rangers who came before him, but one wrong step sends him deeper into the darkness...

Learn more about The One Ring 2e by Free League Publishing.

----more----

Join the DMs After Dark Discord channel!

I made a Ko-Fi if you feel absurdly generous and want to help cover podcast hosting costs & all the upkeep. I'm still working on whether I want to offer anything special over there or just give my extreme gratitude (maybe some stickers or something in the mail) to those who donate, but no pressure whatsoever :)

Where to Follow Rene Plays Games:

LinkTree |  BlueSky | Threads | Instagram | Facebook | DMs After Dark

Rene's Games:

MECH | MECH Cities 2 | One Last Quest | I Know I Know You, But I Don't Know How...

email: [email protected]

Music in the Episode (in order of appearance):

Descent by Tabletop Audio

Dragon Roar by Monument Studios

Ice Dragon by Tabletop Audio

Lord of Bones by Tabletop Audio

Tomb Guardians by Tabletop Audio

Lament of the Leaves by Vindsvept

Lost Mine by Tabletop Audio

Rene Plays Games Theme written & produced by Dan Pomfret | @danfrombothbands

Welcome to another episode of Perspective Checks where I sit down with friends and folks from the TTRPG world and discuss what they love about this wonderful hobby!

This month I'm joined by Meadow a.k.a. HowdyLoveDarlingM, an incredibly thoughtful TTRPG designer, actual play GM, performer, cosplayer, writer, singer, artist, Meadow does so much! We talk about her collection of games and how she loves to explore the world of storytelling and doesn't shy away from filling the gaps in games with her own mechanics, putting her own spin on things to leave her mark, and the importance of collaboration throughout the entire process.

We also talk about our love of media and how it inspires everything we think and make, how we can use that creativity to explore new ideas and stories, as well as the importance of WRITING THINGS WITH YOUR HANDS. Do it, seriously, try it for a bit and see how much you realize you missed it/love it.

Never stop making art, telling stories, and putting yourself into them. Rebel with whatever cool silly things you're into (and share the weird with me please). And now go follow Meadow!

Meadow's games are available on her Patreon, and you can hear them played on her Twitch or YouTube! 

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Join the DMs After Dark Discord channel!

I made a Ko-Fi if you feel absurdly generous and want to help cover podcast hosting costs & all the upkeep. I'm still working on whether I want to offer anything special over there or just give my extreme gratitude (maybe some stickers or something in the mail) to those who donate, but no pressure whatsoever :)

Where to Follow Rene Plays Games:

LinkTree |  BlueSky | Threads | Instagram | Facebook | DMs After Dark

Rene's Games:

MECH | MECH Cities 2 | One Last Quest | I Know I Know You, But I Don't Know How...

email: [email protected]

Music in the Episode (in order of appearance):

Rene Plays Games Theme written & produced by Dan Pomfret | @danfrombothbands

After trumpeting a magical horn found in the burnt remains of the homestead, Iorlas has earned the trust of a majestic steed en route to Fornost Erain, the ancient keep and capital of Men from Ages past.

When he arrives, he finds it twisted and overgrown, treacherous and eerily abandoned, but of course trouble lurks within... Trouble in the form of evil Men and undead, but what is it that Gandalf has sent him here to learn?

Learn more about The One Ring 2e by Free League Publishing.

----more----

Join the DMs After Dark Discord channel!

I made a Ko-Fi if you feel absurdly generous and want to help cover podcast hosting costs & all the upkeep. I'm still working on whether I want to offer anything special over there or just give my extreme gratitude (maybe some stickers or something in the mail) to those who donate, but no pressure whatsoever :)

Where to Follow Rene Plays Games:

LinkTree |  BlueSky | Threads | Instagram | Facebook | DMs After Dark

Rene's Games:

MECH | MECH Cities 2 | One Last Quest | I Know I Know You, But I Don't Know How...

email: [email protected]

Music in the Episode (in order of appearance):

Bringer of Rain by Vindsvept

On The Twilight Strand by Vindsvept

Western Watchtower by Tabletop Audio

Spectral Abbey by Tabletop Audio

Simple Combat Sequence by Monument Studios

Abandoned Chapel by Tabletop Audio

Rene Plays Games Theme written & produced by Dan Pomfret | @danfrombothbands

Welcome back to the monthly design diaries series of 2026 where I am holding myself accountable toward putting out more games.

For the first Design Diaries of the year that isn't about Gardens of Rust, I decided to go back to what was going to be the original Design Diaries episode of 2026... my two-player buddy cop TTRPG Decktectives.

In this game, the two players sit down and create a pair of detectives or investigators who are going to solve a crime in around 1 hour of real time like an episode your favorite procedural using a deck of cards and a Three Act Structure with "commercial breaks."

The game mechanics are very simple, using cards from small hands to overcome prompts and obstacles flipped from a 3x3 grid representing each Act of the investigation to create piles of Clues & Complications. By the end, hopefully your duo has amassed enough evidence to put away the culprit (or solve the crime and let it slide).

I'm confident this one's done design-wise, I just need to get the layout done. SOMEONE YELL AT ME UNTIL I DO!

----more----

Join the DMs After Dark Discord!

I made a Ko-Fi if you feel absurdly generous and want to help cover podcast hosting costs & all the upkeep. I'm still working on whether I want to offer anything special over there or just give my extreme gratitude (maybe some stickers or something in the mail) to those who donate, but no pressure whatsoever :)

Where to Follow Rene Plays Games:

LinkTree |  BlueSky | Threads | Instagram | Facebook | DMs After Dark

Rene's Games:

MECH | MECH Cities 2 | One Last Quest | I Know I Know You, But I Don't Know How...

email: [email protected]

Music in the Episode (in order of appearance):

Rain, Book And Cup Of Tea by | e s c p | https://www.escp.space