Have you ever wondered, "How do I kill my player character in a way that feels fun?" or "What makes a balanced consequence for a character?" If these questions sound familiar, you're in the right place!

In today's episode, we sit down with dungeon master and improvisor, Danny Belel. We dive deep into the inspiration behind this haunting adventure, discussing how to effectively weave consequences, dread, and player agency into TTRPG campaigns. Whether you're planning to run a deadly ttrpg game or simply want to elevate your DMing, these expert insights will help you take your campaigns to the next level.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How to kill your players in a fun way!
• The different outcomes behind stakes at the table
• How to enforce consequences that feels like everyone is agreeing

Joining us are our experienced panel of GMs: Nick, Franco, Rio, and Shade. With over 50 years of combined Game Mastering experience, we explore the art of running immersive TTRPG games, covering everything from pacing to player psychology.

LINKS!

→ ⁠⁠⁠Tabletopped's website⁠⁠⁠

→ ⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠

→ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

→ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠

Check us out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! We have a new monthly pod as well as behind the scenes clips that you can get on a secret Spotify feed! We will also be dropping some more treats from time to time!

Theme music by ⁠⁠⁠Mitch Poulin⁠⁠⁠

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Have you ever wondered, "How do I bring a Souls-like Lovecraftian horror game to life at my D&D table?" or "What makes a truly unforgettable horror module?" If these questions sound familiar, you're in the right place!

In today's episode, we sit down with Leroy Benson, the mastermind behind Chaplewick—the upcoming D&D module that's redefining Lovecraftian horror for 5th Edition. We dive deep into the inspiration behind this haunting adventure, discussing how to effectively weave mystery, dread, and player agency into a pre-written campaign. Whether you're planning to run Chaplewick or simply want to elevate your horror DMing, these expert insights will help you take your dark fantasy campaigns to the next level.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• The twisted secrets lurking in Chaplewick and what makes this module different
• How to balance scripted module moments with player-driven investigation
• Tips for using atmosphere, pacing, and NPC roleplay to maximize dread
• Behind-the-scenes stories from the module's development
• When and where you can get your hands on Chaplewick

Joining us are our experienced panel of GMs: Nick, Franco, Rio, and Shade. With over 50 years of combined Game Mastering experience, we explore the art of running immersive TTRPG games, covering everything from pacing to player psychology.

LINKS!

→ ⁠⁠Tabletopped's website⁠⁠

→ ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠

→ ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

→ ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠

Check us out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! We have a new monthly pod as well as behind the scenes clips that you can get on a secret Spotify feed! We will also be dropping some more treats from time to time!

Theme music by ⁠⁠Mitch Poulin⁠⁠

Support and Subscribe to the Podcast!

This is a Re-aired episode from 2024:

Have you ever wondered, "Am I running my horror TTRPG (Tabletop Role-Playing Game) correctly?" or "Should my players feel more scared?" If these questions sound familiar, you’re in the right place!

In today’s episode, we dive deep into the purpose of running a horror game, discussing how to effectively create tension, fear, and atmosphere in your TTRPG sessions. Whether you're a new Game Master or a seasoned pro, these expert insights will help you take your horror campaigns to the next level.

Joining us are our experienced panel of GMs: Nick, Franco, Rio, and Shade. With over 50 years of combined Game Mastering experience, we explore the art of running immersive horror games, covering everything from pacing to player psychology.

LINKS!

→ ⁠Tabletopped's website⁠

→ ⁠Patreon⁠

→ ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

→ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠

Check us out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! We have a new monthly pod as well as behind the scenes clips that you can get on a secret Spotify feed! We will also be dropping some more treats from time to time!

Theme music by ⁠Michelle Poulin⁠

Support and Subscribe to the Podcast!

In this episode, we sit down and try and figure out the best way to roleplay at table. Who best to join in on this talk? Why not the man who teaches a class on the subject: John Serpico!

Whether you're a seasoned GM who's a grizzled describer or a newer Game Master wondering how to weave your story without losing your players, this episode delivers practical insights with the kind of hard-won wisdom that only comes from years of spinning stories around the table.

We dive deep into the world of storytelling and explore how narratives, descriptions, and plot structures can enhance rather than complicate the gaming experience.

Topics Covered:

• How to get into character
• How to change your character in realistic ways
• Tips and tricks on how to feel more comfortable storytelling at the table

So grab your dice, your favorite beverage, and maybe dust off that campaign notebook with all those interconnected plot threads—we're diving into every reason why stories within stories deserve more love at your gaming table!

Join host Nick Perron as he draws from his expertise in the TTRPG space to explore the cutting edge of game design with creators who are pushing boundaries and making magic happen one dice roll at a time.

Tabletopped's Stuff:

→ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tabletopped's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

→ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Check us out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! We have a new monthly pod as well as behind the scenes clips that you can get on a secret Spotify feed! We will also be dropping some more treats from time to time!

Theme music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mitch Poulin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, we sit down and try and figure out the best way to narrate a game. Should you prepare? Use Box Text? Improvise? How often/long should you narrate?

Whether you're a seasoned GM who's a grizzled describer or a newer Game Master wondering how to weave your story without losing your players, this episode delivers practical insights with the kind of hard-won wisdom that only comes from years of spinning stories around the table.

We dive deep into the world of storytelling and explore how narratives, descriptions, and plot structures can enhance rather than complicate the gaming experience.

Topics Covered:

• How to describe scenes
• Box Text
• Do's and Don'ts

So grab your dice, your favorite beverage, and maybe dust off that campaign notebook with all those interconnected plot threads—we're diving into every reason why stories within stories deserve more love at your gaming table!

Join host Nick Perron as he draws from his expertise in the TTRPG space to explore the cutting edge of game design with creators who are pushing boundaries and making magic happen one dice roll at a time.

Tabletopped's Stuff:

→ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tabletopped's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

→ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Check us out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! We have a new monthly pod as well as behind the scenes clips that you can get on a secret Spotify feed! We will also be dropping some more treats from time to time!

Theme music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mitch Poulin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, we're tackling one of the most overlooked aspects of tabletop gaming—and no, we're not talking about "min-maxing" or "rules lawyer debates." The hosts explore the art and mindset of playing your home game like you're recording for thousands of listeners, diving into why adopting actual play techniques isn't performative theater but rather a powerful approach for creating more engaging and memorable sessions.

Whether you're a seasoned GM who's noticed your players scrolling phones during combat or a newer Game Master wondering why your epic campaign moments fall flat at the table, this episode delivers practical techniques with the kind of hard-won wisdom that only comes from years of watching what works in both intimate kitchen table games and streamed actual plays.

Special guest @lexgetspizza is interviewed as we dive deep into the psychology of engagement and explore how narrative pacing, character voice work, and cinematic description can transform even the most mundane dungeon crawl into appointment gaming.

Topics Covered:

• What "actual play energy" really means and why it's not about being performative
• The psychology of engagement: how attention and investment create better stories
• Character voice and physicality as tools for deeper roleplay immersion
• Sessions that nail the vibe: Critical Role techniques for home tables
• Debunking "actual play is fake" and other common misconceptions about performance
• The social contract of engagement: when to dial up the energy and when to keep it casual
• Teaching cinematic description to players without making them feel like actors
• How structure and intentional pacing fuel memorable moments rather than restrict natural flow
• Managing the "highlight reel effect" and dealing with comparison to professional shows

So grab your dice, your favorite beverage, and maybe dust off that character voice you've been too shy to use—we're diving into every reason why bringing actual play techniques to your home game will make everyone more excited to show up!

Join host Nick Perron as he draws from his expertise in the TTRPG space to explore what makes games truly captivating with creators and players who are elevating the hobby one session at a time.

→ Tabletopped's Stuff:

→ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tabletopped's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

→ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Check us out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! We have a new monthly pod as well as behind the scenes clips that you can get on a secret Spotify feed! We will also be dropping some more treats from time to time!

Theme music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mitch Poulin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of Tabletopped, we dive deep into the shadowy world of "Delta Green," the Lovecraftian horror TTRPG that's been keeping our conspiracy theories alive and our sanity scores dangerously low! Join our seasoned panel of GMs—Nick, Franco, Rio, and Shade—as we investigate whether this game deserves a permanent place in your tabletop arsenal.

• The unique percentile-based mechanics that blend modern conspiracy thriller with cosmic horror
• Our personal experiences running and playing through Delta Green operations
• A deep dive into the game's sanity system, bonds mechanics, and character degradation over time

• Breaking down the game's innovative investigation and violence systems
• Sharing our most memorable (and soul-crushing) moments from Delta Green operations
• Analyzing the delicate balance between player agency and inevitable cosmic insignificance

Whether you're a TTRPG enthusiast looking for your next descent into madness or a GM seeking to expand your horror storytelling toolkit, this episode offers candid insights into whether "Delta Green" deserves a classified file in your game collection.

Key Topics Discussed:Join us as we explore:

In this episode of Tabletopped, the gang is back to talk with our boots on the ground reporter, Franco, as we discuss his experience at this year's Gen Con.

• Winners and losers of Gen Con 2025
• What new TTRPGs caught Franco's attention
• What to do if you want to go to a con

LINKS!

→ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tabletopped's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

→ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

→ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

→ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Check us out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! We have a new monthly pod as well as behind the scenes clips that you can get on a secret Spotify feed! We will also be dropping some more treats from time to time!

Theme music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Michelle Poulin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, we're tackling one of the most fascinating storytelling techniques in tabletop gaming—and no, we're not talking about "flashback mechanics" or "framing devices." The hosts explore the art and craft of nested narratives, diving into why stories within stories aren't just narrative flourish but rather a powerful tool for creating immersive, multi-layered gaming experiences.

Whether you're a seasoned GM who's experimented with tales-within-tales or a newer Game Master wondering how to weave multiple narrative threads without losing your players, this episode delivers practical insights with the kind of hard-won wisdom that only comes from years of spinning interconnected stories around the table.

We dive deep into the world of layered storytelling and explore how nested narratives, character backstories, and multi-level plot structures can enhance rather than complicate the gaming experience.

Topics Covered:

• The psychology of stories within stories: how layered tales create depth and engagement
• Character-driven nesting: when PC backstories become adventures themselves
• Systems that support nested storytelling: Blades in the Dark, Burning Wheel, and Chronicles of Darkness
• Managing complexity: keeping multiple narrative threads coherent and compelling
• The social contract of nested stories: when to embrace or simplify your narrative approach

• How constraints and structure in nested stories fuel creativity rather than confuse it

• Player agency in nested narratives: maintaining choice across multiple story layers

So grab your dice, your favorite beverage, and maybe dust off that campaign notebook with all those interconnected plot threads—we're diving into every reason why stories within stories deserve more love at your gaming table!

Join host Nick Perron as he draws from his expertise in the TTRPG space to explore the cutting edge of game design with creators who are pushing boundaries and making magic happen one dice roll at a time.

→ Tabletopped's Stuff:

→ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tabletopped's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

→ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Check us out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! We have a new monthly pod as well as behind the scenes clips that you can get on a secret Spotify feed! We will also be dropping some more treats from time to time!

Theme music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mitch Poulin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, we're tackling one of the most controversial topics in tabletop gaming—and no, we're not talking about "edition wars" or "alignment arguments." The hosts explore the art and science of crunchy game mechanics, diving into why complex systems aren't the enemy of good storytelling but rather a powerful tool for creating memorable narratives.

Whether you're a seasoned GM who's embraced the mathematical beauty of detailed systems or a newer Game Master wondering if all those modifiers and subsystems are worth the effort, this episode delivers passionate defense with the kind of hard-won wisdom that only comes from years of rolling dice and crunching numbers.

Special guest Derek Kane-Gervais is interviewed as we dive deep into the world of rules-heavy RPGs and explore how probability curves, character optimization, and mechanical complexity can enhance rather than hinder the storytelling experience.

Topics Covered:

• What "crunch" really means and why it's not a dirty word in TTRPG design
• The mathematics of drama: how probability creates tension and uncertainty
• Character building as creative expression and problem-solving artistry
• Systems that do crunch right: Pathfinder 2e, GURPS, and Shadowrun
• Debunking "crunch kills roleplay" and other common misconceptions
• The social contract of complexity: when to embrace or avoid crunchy games
• Teaching complex systems to new players without overwhelming them
• How constraints and rules fuel creativity rather than restrict it

So grab your dice, your favorite beverage, and maybe dust off that character optimizer spreadsheet—we're diving into every reason why mathematical storytelling deserves more love!

Join host Nick Perron as he draws from his expertise in the TTRPG space to explore the cutting edge of game design with creators who are pushing boundaries and making magic happen one dice roll at a time.

→ Tabletopped's Stuff:

→ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tabletopped's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

→ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Check us out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! We have a new monthly pod as well as behind the scenes clips that you can get on a secret Spotify feed! We will also be dropping some more treats from time to time!

Theme music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mitch Poulin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠