RPG Blokes

The second part of out two part Session Zero, with Lore By Night. 

The transition from regular blokes to blood-drinking fledglings is almost complete, and now we have our fully created characters. 

Next stage is to fish out our backgrounds, hone our personalities, and establish how we all know each other, and what motivates us to stay together.

Cue the dark, gritty music scene of Chicago, where Eddie Monday (Stephen) is attempting to revive his glory days with an emotional, high-energy acoustic set for his band, Heart Kills Boy.

While Flapjack (Mark) handles the cash and manages his hunger backstage, and Raziel (Barry) tries to completely disappear under the radar as a casual bottle collector, Sam Slade (Jon) is putting his Nosferatu PI skills to use tracking an underage runaway. 

Pour yourself a drink, turn the lights down, and let’s slice and dice!

Learn more about Lore By Night 
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SOCIALS 

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/lorebynightvtm.bsky.social
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lore_by_night_vtm/
Discord: https://t.co/emGOep5ChY?amp=1 
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DTRPG Affiliate 
?affiliate_id=2794531 
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In this episode of RPG Blokes, we discuss the essential concept of player agency and its role in enriching role-playing games. Mark, along with hosts Steven, Jon, and Barry, explore how meaningful choices drive player engagement and narrative depth. We tackle the fluctuations of agency in campaigns, the illusion of choice, and the balance DMs must maintain between narrative direction and player input. 
We also highlight the importance of session zero for aligning player desires with campaign goals and how DMs can integrate player decisions within pre-written adventures. Ultimately, we emphasize that fostering player agency enhances cooperative storytelling, leading to more memorable gaming experiences.

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Little Mark is back from Milwaukee! He survived the customs drama, the flight, and the white-knuckle terror of transporting painted minis across the Atlantic in a Tupperware box. We’re dissecting his Golden Demon journey—from the high-stakes judging sifts to the crushing reality of tiny paint flaws that can knock you out of the running.

Whether you're a seasoned display painter or just a bloke who loves some hobby banter, tune in for an unfiltered look at what it takes to compete at the top level. We're talking perfectionism, competitive construction, and why, sometimes, the act of trying really is the greatest reward. Come along for the laughs—and maybe a bit of professional jealousy.

Support the show

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Time for an origin story. Our origin story! 

Gamebooks and the Fighting Fantasy Series in particular were very much responsible for our discovery of RPGs, and in today's episode we're incredibly pleased to have welcomed Jonathan Green joining us. One of the true titans of the Game Book industry.

Jonathan discusses what defines a gamebook, distinguishing branching stories with a problem to solve from simple choose-your-own-adventure formats. He looks at the history and appeal of Fighting Fantasy, including its role in combining fantasy, role-playing, and interactive fiction, and explains why the books attracted children through accessibility, brevity, and reader agency.

He also talks about the importance of cover art and interior illustration, and how printing changes affected artistic style. Jonathan describes his path into writing, from childhood book-making to his first published game book, Spellbreaker, and then outlines his later work on Game Books, role-playing material, and adaptations of public-domain works.

The interview ends with his more recent projects and his view that good gamebooks need meaningful choices, fairness, and a playable structure. He contrasts this with role-playing games, which allow broader freedom.

This episode is also available to watch on Video at;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iUJmJ8pBkk

You can visit Jonathan online at the following places.

https://jonathangreenauthor.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=613290139

Fighting Fantasy Fest, on Saturday 5th September 2026
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fighting-fantasy-fest-6-tickets-1985538518157

Support the show

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Masks of Nyarlathotep the Peru Prologue.

Following a morning spent exploring the markets of Lima on Augustus Larkin's tab to purchase local attire and supplies, the investigators visit the University of San Marcos to consult Professor Nemesio Sanchez. Sanchez reveals that Larkin rejected his help for the expedition, dismissing the wealthy backer as a greedy grave robber. When Sanchez's assistant, Trinity de Rezó, fails to return from the basement storeroom with a museum artifact, the group heads down to investigate the dimly lit lower levels.

Inside the storeroom, they make a horrific discovery: Trinity's emaciated corpse, marked by a gaping, circular wound in her chest. While searching the scene, Hudson recovers a heat-scorched, bloodstained golden strip dropped by the fleeing assailant, and Amos retrieves the victim's blood-spattered notebook. Realizing the killer must have just left or is still lurking nearby, the investigators are jolted back to immediate danger as a blood-curdling scream echoes from the main hallway upstairs.

To Listen to the remaining Call of Cthulhu Episodes please support us by joining RPG Blokes Live Play. It's only $3/month, with no cancellation fee. 

Support the show

Sign up to RPG Blokes Live Play and gain access to all our adventures. 

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In this episode of RPG Blokes, we explore the various traits and behaviors of 'bad DMs' that can negatively influence the tabletop role-playing experience. We define archetypes such as the "Tyrant DM," who stifles player agency; the "Storyteller DM," who enforces a rigid narrative; and the "Rules Lawyer DM," whose strict adherence to rules disrupts the game's flow. We also tackle the "Fudger," who alters dice rolls, and the "Killer DM," who presents relentless challenges that diminish enjoyment. The conversation further examines the "Monty Hall DM," "Absent Prepper," and the "Perpetual Side Quest Giver," underscoring the need for balance between structure and player freedom. As we reflect on our experiences, we emphasize the importance of learning and adapting to create enjoyable sessions, culminating in a lighthearted segment sharing memorable session quotes.

Support the show

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In this episode we discuss AI and its effect on role-playing games, looking at where it can be useful and where it becomes problematic. We talk about using AI as a factual assistant for rules and reference material, as well as for solo play, teaching new systems, and helping players get into the hobby.
We also raise concerns about AI in creating encounters and scenarios, and about its impact on creativity, skill, and human improvisation. We discuss environmental cost, inaccurate output, plagiarism, and the effects on artists, writers, and freelancers in tabletop gaming.
We finish by talking about fears that AI could replace human game masters and become part of subscription products, along with community backlash and inappropriate generated content. Overall, we say AI can be a tool, but human creativity and decision-making should stay central to role-playing games.

Support the show

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This week we’re diving into the finer points of gaming and tackling those pesky cheats! We’ve witnessed it all over the years so you won’t fool us. If you’re keen to stay informed and spot rule-breakers like we do, join us. You might even learn something about your fellow gamers – if you can ever believe another word of what they say that is!

Support the show

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In this episode of the RPG Blokes podcast, we tackle the timeless debate of battle mapping versus theatre of the mind in tabletop gaming. We examine whether using physical maps and miniatures enhances the combat experience or if relying on imagination fosters deeper engagement. Our discussions include insights from John, Stephen, and Barry as we navigate how each method influences player experiences and preferences. We explore the benefits of both approaches, weighing structured setups against the improvisational freedom offered by theatre of the mind. By sharing personal gaming anecdotes, we highlight the importance of tailoring gameplay techniques to fit the diverse needs of players. Ultimately, we propose a hybrid approach as an effective way to blend the strengths of both styles, enriching players’ adventures in the RPG landscape.

Support the show

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In this episode of RPG Blokes, we sit down with Little Mark for a crucial check-in before he boards a British Airways flight with a Tupperware box full of custom-painted miniatures destined for the world-famous Golden Demon competition. Having clocked over 300 hours on a single centerpiece model alone—the legendary Knights Panther—Mark gives us the direct low-down on the intense strain of high-level hobby competition. We dive deep into his tactical decision to lean heavily into classic, nostalgia-driven Old World imagery inspired by the iconic 1990s White Dwarf covers and the legendary art style of John Blanche.

Visit our Discord channel to see images of the painted miniatures discussed. 

Support the show

Sign up to RPG Blokes Live Play and gain access to all our adventures. 

Check us out on our official Website. 

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