In this tailor-made episode, we discuss the advantages and challenges of using and writing pre-generated character sheets. Is there a sweet spot of player choice? And what are the risks of telling players exactly who they are and how they should feel?

Freya watches for waspmen. Violet horseshoes around. Freya posits a post-it plan. Violet digs up a classic Indie game.

As a bonus, we also have a themed mini-debrief of the 2025 UK Games Expo. And that theme is? Themes.

As a double bonus, we introduce a new segment: “game ideas that it turns out somebody else has already done which is great because it means it already exists in the world”!

As a triple bonus, the Journeymon Kickstarter prelaunch page and free quickstart adventure went live while we were editing this episode! Check them out here - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ilgingell/journeymon-monster-trainer-roleplaying/ 

Timestamps

UGKE discussion - basically from the start

GITITOSEHADWIGBIMIAEITW - about 19:40

Mailbag - about 25:44

Intro & design Qs - about 30:53

History - 1:02:06

Taxonomicon - 1:11:45

Design Dreams - 1:40:00

Wrap up - 2:02:13

TTRPGs discussed

The Vanilla Game

Keep on the Borderlands

OSR in general

D&D (4e, 5e)

Psychodungeon

Voidheart Symphony

Subway Runners

iHunt

Call of Cthulhu

Changeling: the Lost

Tales of the Kytin Age *

Sagas of the Icelanders

For the Honor

Animon Story

Journeymon

Mappa Mundi

SPEEDRUN RPG

Pathfinder 1e

Biosphere Guardians 2050

Trickster’s Net

Rifts

Aberrant

Shadowrun

Savage Worlds

PbtA

Lady Blackbird

Monsterhearts

Dream Askew

World of Darkness (in general)

AD&D

The Adventures of Indiana Jones

Yazeba’s Bed and Breakfast

Mistborn Adventure Game

The Exes of Casey Estrada

Last Day at Honkwarts

Genesys

Black Code

Pirate Borg

Edge of the Empire

Armour Astir

Stealing the Throne

Interstitial: Our Hearts Entwined

Mothership

Daggerheart

Other games and things discussed

Yumi and the Nightmare Painter

Shadows of the Apt **

https://www.tumblr.com/haveyouplayedthisttrpg 

Fullmetal Alchemist

Crescent Moon (board game)

Battlestar Galactica (board game)

The Commedia dell’arte

Lord of the Rings: the Third Age

“I Finished A Videogame”’s LotR adaptations retrospective ***

Escaflowne

Wheel of Time

Everything Everywhere All At Once

Dark Souls

Nier Automata

Root

https://www.youtube.com/@Hollandspiele 

Original Podcast Do Not Steal ****

Notes

* as promised in the audio, the artist for this game is Yasen Stoilov https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:37fsd5g3kwmkmi5dvs2yxsgj 

** yes, I must mention this every single episode

*** not merely four hours - it’s actually five. Enjoy. https://youtu.be/poMnJKLGYo0?si=ynx0cQu_43vamIZE 

**** the bugworld guest episode is not yet up! They must have a mighty buffer. https://open.spotify.com/show/4a3x2GlQw0jsSk4vFTdpus 

Violet’s oft-referenced LARP design handbook is “LARP Design: Creating Role-play Experiences”, available from the authors at https://trepo.tuni.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/136330/978-952-03-2260-1.pdf 

The Hungarian for “thank you” is “Köszönöm”.

Contact us!

At [email protected]

Additional credits

Our intro music is 

"Magic Escape Room" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this all-out episode, we discuss dual wielding and various other kinds of multiplicative modes of attack. How can frequency-focused fighting styles make different characters feel different? And how can you balance attack and defense mechanics so that “just attack more” isn’t the only answer?

Violet trades a strike in the hand for two in the bush. Freya studies the studs. Violet decides Drizzt is a decent dude. Freya accidentally designs a videogame (again).

Timestamps

Mailbag - 8:29

Intro to the topic - 11:08

History - 26:23

Taxonomicon - 33:15

Design Dreams - 59:21

TTRPGs discussed

Band of Blades

Blades in the Dark

Exalted (various editions) & Exalted Essence

PbtA (in general)

D&D (various editions)

Lancer

Cosmere RPG

Empire of the Petal Throne

Runequest

Pathfinder

OSR (in general)

Dark Heresy

Old World of Darkness

Vampire: the (various things)

One Roll System (Reign, Monsters and Other Childish Things, etc)

Genesys

Eureka: Investigative Urban Fantasy

Tiles and Truenames*

Last Days at Honkwarts*

Other games and things discussed

Blue Prince

Gone Home

Animal Well

Link’s Crossbow Training

XCOM

Knights of the Old Republic 2

Battletech

Bushido

Knights of the Old Republic… 1!

Total War

Warhammer 40k

Dissidia: Final Fantasy

The concept of LARPing

Absolver

Combo Fighter

Yomi

Final Fantasy XIII

Signs of the Sojourner

Megaman: Battle Network

Cobalt Core

Paperback Adventures

Notes

*Dear listeners, allow us the brief indulgence of talking about our own games during the wrapup.

Some illustrated sources re the question of historic “studded leather armour”:

https://www.quora.com/Was-the-studded-leather-armour-used-in-D-D-ever-used-in-real-historical-combat-situations-If-so-was-it-useful 

https://youtu.be/hmm_2GRa-o8?t=230 

Pathfinder 2e does not use base attack bonus! It rolls the concept of weapon skill into its general tiered proficiency system, which applies the same rules to attacks, skills, saves, spellcasting, and probably several other things.

The referenced clown college gag on Tumblr is apparently from 2016 and the original poster has deactivated, but it lives on in our hearts and our reblog chains, e.g. https://sunbeamstarship.tumblr.com/post/656273434937016320/new-clown-in-town-juzavoices-im-in 

Convention alert!

Freya will be at UK Games Expo in Birmingham on Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June. She will be wearing a white Journeymon promo t-shirt on at least one and possibly both of those days. Say hi if you see her!

Contact us!

At [email protected]

Additional credits

Our intro music is 

"Magic Escape Room" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this unconventionally conventional episode, Violet talks about a recent event in Edinburgh.

Violet has to hand it to handouts. Freya learns about a Thing or two. Violet takes the wrong notes. Freya is unexpectedly out-gayed.

Thank you to everyone who emailed into our mailbag - If you too have a question, idea, or interesting game you’d like to share with us, email [email protected]

Timestamps

Start of Con Discussion: 3:07

Liminal Horror: 9:27

Delta Green: 21:22

Kaleidoscope: 26:41

The Family: 34:41

Games discussed

Liminal Horror

Delta Green

Kaleidoscope

The Family

Black Hack (and OSR in general)

Monsterhearts

Microscope

Belonging Outside Belonging / Dream Askew / Dream Apart / No Dice No Masters

Wanderhome

Chuubo’s Marvelous Wish-Granting Engine

Mörk Borg

Avatar Legends

Masks

Games that aren't TTRPGs that we nonetheless discussed, sometimes at surprising length

Dead Rising

Battlestar Galactica (the board game)

Betrayal at the House on the Hill

Mario Party

Immortality (confirmed, this is on Netflix)

The Executive

Lost Odyssey 

Notes & links

Itch page for the designer of the Family https://clevercrumbish.itch.io/ 

Weird Hope Engines: https://www.ntu.ac.uk/about-us/events/events/2025/3/weird-hope-engines 

Video essay about Lost Odyssey - https://youtu.be/iqgSDClU4Qo?si=M1vnb3gixwhaz8zM

Additional Credits

Our intro music is 

"Magic Escape Room" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this level-appropriate episode, we discuss encounter design through the lens of totally objective ratings of enemies’ power levels. Yes, we do mention Dragonball Z - but somehow entirely refrain from any “over 9000” jokes.

Violet shares tips on tipping points. Freya mopes about mopping up. Violet hates on Fate. Freya insists she liked D&D 4e all along.

Thank you to everyone who emailed into our mailbag - if you have any thoughts, comments, or questions please email us at: [email protected]

Timestamps

Mailbag - 9:00

Intro to the topic - 11:18

Design questions - 19:40

History - 35:40

Taxonomicon - 47:45

Design dreams - 1:03:15

Games discussed

Star Trek Adventures

Last Days at Honkwarts*

The Great Dalmuti

Master and Apprentice*

Pathfinder

Fate

D&D

Dark Heresy

Capers

D&D 4E specifically

Vampire: the Masquerade 

Lancer (like, a lot)

13th Age

Battletech (it’s back!)

Grimwild

Genesys

Time of Monsters

Vaesen

Mothership

*These are games designed by Violet herself. She apparently forgot to even mention the name of the second one :-P

Notes

It turns out that Freya’s graphics card has become eight years old since she last checked, so she’s definitely not going to play Monster Hunter Wilds, alas.

The nineteen-year-old Order of the Stick comic that Freya recalls with only moderate accuracy is https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0347.html 

Additional credits

Our intro music is 

"Magic Escape Room" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this first ever bonus episode, Freya reflects on the games she played at Contingency 2025 - a TTRPG convention on the wintry Norfolk coast. We discuss a pair of very yellow games, ruminate upon “A+B” dice mechanics, and analyse the comedy-to-therapy spectrum. 

Timestamps

CBR+PNK - 2:02

Yellow King RPG (sort of) - 9:16

Confectioners vs Cromwell (using GM’s own system) - 16:56

Never Stop Exploding - 21:47

Troika! - 26:29

Star Trek Adventures (1E) - 30:40

JourneyMon - 39:21

Tool Team - 39:50

DIE - 41:57

One Ring (2E) - 1:02:29

Notes and links

The extremely long Lord of the Rings video Freya mentioned: https://youtu.be/poMnJKLGYo0?si=hQO5mbdDtRnAjKOu

The Meguey Baker article we discussed: https://lumpley.games/2021/12/30/ritual-in-game-design/

In this camaraderie-ridden episode, we’re talking about mechanics for helping other characters in joint efforts. We discuss how teamwork can double the risks, double the rewards, and hopefully say something about the nature of your characters’ relationships in the process.

Violet uses "Stanford prison experiment" as a verb. Freya farms friends. Violet turns over an old leaf. Freya tears and shares.

Our thanks to Charlie, Joey, and Amber for writing in! If you too have a question, idea, or interesting game you’d like to share with us, email [email protected].

Timestamps

Mailbag - 5:35

Intro & history of helping - 14:34

Design questions - 24:33

Example deep dives - 32:57

Gradual slip into design dreams - 51:11

Games discussed in this episode

(In order of first mention)

Daggerheart

Sar-Stan

Tiles and Truenames

What’s In Your Mouth?!

Super Saviour Squad

The Token Bag Game Jam in general

Armour Astir

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay

Mystery homebrew system by Joey Jones

Ars Magica

Dogs in the Vineyard

DOGS [*1]

City of Winter

Death of a Hero [*2]

Masks

Golden Sky Stories

Empire of the Petal Throne

D&D

Tunnels and Trolls

Traveller

Apocalypse World

Monsterhearts

Blades in the Dark

Genesys

Edge of the Empire

Vampire: the Masquerade

JourneyMon

Interstitial: Our Hearts Intertwined

Vaesen

Heart

Notes and links

Two of the more esoteric entries on the above list can be found here:

[*1] https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/274623/dogs

[*2] https://babblegumsam.itch.io/death-of-a-hero

The two UK TTRPG conventions mentioned are 

- http://www.con-tingency.uk/ 

- https://tabletopscotland.co.uk/ 

Submissions to the Token Bag game jam can be found here: https://itch.io/jam/token-bag/entries 

Its follow-up - the New Year, Old Ideas game jam - has indeed already ended. Submissions can be found at https://itch.io/jam/new-year-old-ideas-jam/entries

Just a brief update on the podcast, which is going on a brief hiatus due to various personal issues.

Our intro music is 

"Magic Escape Room" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this nominally spooky episode, we’re talking about DEATH. Who decides when a hero falls - is it the whims of the dice, the demands of the narrative, or a knife-edge entente between the two?

Violet calculates the exact value of her friends’ lives. Freya uses a stake to take a break.

Violet brings a gun to a dice fight. Freya gets knocked down, but gets back up again.

Our thanks to the listeners who mailed in with comments on last week’s topic, Initiative - if you have a question, idea, or interesting game you’d like to share with us, email [email protected]!

Games discussed in this episode:

Call of Cthulhu

Wanderhome

OD&D

Traveller

Vampire: the Masquerade

Dogs in the Vineyard

Apocalypse World / Powered by the Apocalypse

Monsterhearts

Vaesen

Dread

Ten Candles*

Mothership

Delta Green

Paranoia

Phoenix: Dawn Command

Blades in the Dark

Pathfinder (1e)

Edge of the Empire / Genesys

Cosmere RPG

Armour Astir

Daggerheart

Wildsea

Old School Essentials

Heart

Legacy: Life Among the Ruins

Pendragon

Mummy: the Curse

Rogue Trader

Arkham Horror

Aeon’s End

Star Wars Armada

Grandia

Battletech**

Forbidden Stars

Game of Thrones (the board game)

Gears of War

Control

Wildermyth

Rogue***

Magic: the Gathering

Notes:

* less spooky, but perhaps more manageable, than thirteen candles.

** the videogame by Harebrained Schemes, not the tabletop wargame, for once!

*** and its roguelike descendants.

1. Violet’s Bag Jam can be found at https://itch.io/jam/token-bag , running from Friday 1st to Saturday 23rd November 2024.

2. Shared Fantasy: Role Playing Games as Social Worlds, by Gary Alan Fine, was first published in 1983.

3. A helpful chart: https://xkcd.com/1890/ 

A disclaimer: 

Freya is a volunteer playtester for both the Cosmere RPG and Daggerheart. She is not being paid in any way, and draws examples from their open beta material when relevant because they’re fresh in her mind!

Additional credits:

Our intro music is 

"Magic Escape Room" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Spooky halloween music by Divider Line (dividerline.bandcamp.com)

Sound effects by the BBC © copyright 2024 BBC (https://sound-effects.bbcrewind.co.uk/search?q=07043402)

Editing, musical stings, and other sound effects by Violet Henderson

How do you figure out who’s on first? And how do you balance the excitement of surprise against the satisfaction of a perfectly executed plan?

Violet advocates for inaction. Freya trusts in the heart of the cards. Violet reaches into her bag of tricks. Freya turns into a lighthouse.

Games discussed in this episode:

• D&D
• Tunnels & Trolls
• Traveler
• Phoenix: Dawn Command* 
• Deadlands / Savage Worlds
• Troika
• Edge of the Empire / Genesys
• Vaesen / Mutant Year Zero
• Daggerheart**
• Cosmere RPG
• Mothership
• 13th Age (briefly)
• Monsters & Other Childish Things / Reign / One Role System

• Arkham Horror
• Blood Bowl
• Battletech
• Falling
• Space Alert
• Quacks of Quedlinburg
• Cobalt Core
• Tactical Breach Wizards

Notes:

* I don’t know why this is the only game where I also named the author. No disrespect intended towards other designers! - F

** Speaking of which, and to answer a Q from the discussion: the lead designer is Spenser Starke; Mr Mercer is credited as creative advisor.

A disclaimer: 

Freya is a volunteer playtester for both the Cosmere RPG and Daggerheart. She is not being paid in any way, and draws examples from their open beta material when relevant because they’re fresh in her mind!

Additional credits:

Our intro music is 

"Magic Escape Room" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Editing, musical stings, and other sound effects by Violet Henderson

Welcome to the very first* episode of System Shop, the podcast where we deep dive into RPG design, one subsystem at a time.

Today, we’re talking about inventory systems: what’s the point of tracking all your bits and bobs, and can it actually be fun?

Violet can’t wait to talk about Ryuutama, and wants everyone to know it. Freya can’t stop talking about counting missiles (ancient and modern). Violet gleefully torments her players with maths homework. Freya has no idea how heavy 1lb is**. Blades in the Dark defies the Taxonomicon, for what will surely not be the last time.

Games discussed in this episode:

• Dungeons and Dragons
• World of Darkness
• Apocalypse World / PBTA
• Pathfinder
• Blades in the Dark
• Dogs in the Vineyard 
• Knave
• Ryuutama
• Troika
• Mausritter
• Heavy Gear
• Black Hack
• Shadow of Mogg
• They Do Not Stop, You Must Not Fail
• Mistborn (the 2011 TTRPG, not the upcoming one)

• Wingspan
• Battletech (the tabletop wargame, not the excellent strategy videogame)
• Battlestar Galactica (the board game)
• Galaxy Trucker
• Resident Evil
• Diablo
• Megaman: Battle Network 2 (Blue Version)
• Backpack Hero
• Halo: Combat Evolved
• Going Under
• Breath of the Wild
• Gears of War
• Homestuck

Notes:

* Unless we become bold enough at a later date to release our secret Episode Zero!

** The D&D 5e Player’s Handbook says a longsword weighs 3lbs, in defiance of Wikipedia’s estimate of 4-6.6lbs. Either way, I was way out - F.

The “inciting blog post” discussed in this episode can be found at https://harbingergames.blogspot.com/2020/04/if-your-torches-burn-for-only-one-hour.html

Additional credits:

Our intro music is 

"Magic Escape Room" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Editing, musical stings, and other sound effects by Violet Henderson