Thankless Roll Players: a TTRPG actual play podcast

By Thankless Roll Players

What's Thankless Roll Players: a TTRPG actual play podcast about?

Arguably the world's finest TTRPG actual play podcast, with emphasis on the word "arguably". We play a large variety of tabletop roleplaying games - from the big names to small indie publishers. New episodes stumbling out on a weekly (ish) basis. Each episode usually 90 mins or less.

Our fine theme music is "Never Leave The House" by Barry McCormack http://www.barrymccormack.com

Also on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHzdv7pCK8ORXQLvi_UNUTg

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Thankless Roll Players: a TTRPG actual play podcast episodes:

05.29.2024
S05E12 - Cities Without Number - Part Two - The Frankenstein Express
The operatives undertake a somewhat legal contract for the Bloodcutters - transporting a body containing valuable experimental organs across the Wash. But there's a slight snag. It appears somebody else also wants those organs, and will stop at nothing to...
05.03.2024
S05E11 - Cities Without Number - Part One - Programming For Fun & Profit
A saxaboom plays a forlorn space jazz tune as the sun fails to rise yet again over the sprawling technopolis known as the Wash. Our band of operatives undertake their first heist, stealing a cult guarded processor from a shadowy...
04.12.2024
S05E10 - Dungeon World - Into The Demon's Head
Harold the Forest Druid, the thief Tomi Tynglefingers, aided once more by Timothy the Immolator, and their new friend Growly Pete, are hired on by a high priestess of the Iron King to breach a mysterious stone demon head atop...
03.31.2024
S05E09 - Cities Without Number - Session Zero/Character Creation
Download the free rulebook and form-fillable character sheet (https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/449873/Cities-Without-Number-Free-Version), and follow along as Rob guides us through character creation in Kevin Crawford's sandbox cyberpunk TTRPG "Cities Without Number".
03.21.2024
S05E08 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Tomb of Horrors - Episode Three - Liches Get Stitches
After almost half a century has Gary Gygax's legendary demilich Acererak finally met his match at the hands of the fearless and cunning Thankless Roll Players? What do you think?
03.14.2024
S05E07 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Tomb of Horrors - Episode Two - There is no I in Lich
The party honor Gary Gygax by making some spectacularly bad decisions in the second episode of our three part (so far...) playthrough of "Tomb of Horrors".
03.08.2024
S05E06 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Tomb of Horrors - Episode One - One Does Not Simply Walk Into More Doors
For our 100th episode, and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons, we tackle Gary Gygax's classic 1975 dungeon crawl "Tomb of Horrors". But why tackle this notoriously unbeatable dungeon as high level D&D; characters, when you can...
03.04.2024
S05E05 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - The Arwich Grinder - Episode Three - Thankless Roll Players Fumblerama 2024
We descend one last time into the stench-filled caverns beneath the Curwen Homestead to find out once and for all the fate that has befallen the family, in our fumble-filled final fling of Daniel J. Bishop's "The Arwich Grinder" for...
02.19.2024
S05E04 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - The Arwich Grinder - Episode Two - A Babe in Arms & Horns & Claws & Teeth
The party decides to explore the Curwen House in our second of our three episode playthrough of Daniel J. Bishop's "The Arwich Grinder" for Dungeon Crawl Classics. NOTE: This episode is not for the squeamish.
02.10.2024
S05E03 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - The Arwich Grinder - Episode One - Wait...Is This a Human Digestive System?
Better bring a sick bag, as the party heads deep into the pines to come to the aid of a family in peril, in the first part of our playthrough of Daniel J. Bishop's genuinely unnerving zero level funnel, "The...
02.06.2024
S05E02 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Shadow of the Beakmen - Episode Two - The Lantern Master
Up to their necks in beastmen, the party slash their way onwards and upwards through the mysterious obelisk threatening the village of Hirot. Unlucky dips, a showdown with the bizarre Lantern Master, and wedding bells are in the air, as...
01.25.2024
S05E01 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Shadow of the Beakmen - Episode One - Hirot in Flames
We kick off our FIFTH season fashionably late and up to our necks in the blood of our enemies, as our heroes return victorious to Hirot with the head of the monstrous Hound in hand, only to find the village...
12.20.2023
S04E19 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - The Doom That Came To Christmas Town
For our final episode of 2023 we leave you with our double length Holiday Thumptacular - Marzio Muscedere's Christmas cracker, "The Doom That Came To Christmas Town" for Dungeon Crawl Classics. Hope to see you all in 2024. Bring your...
12.15.2023
S04E18 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Doom of the Savage Kings - Episode Five - We Should Have Brought an Oxygen Tank
Armed with the fabled wolf spear, the party returns to the village of Hirot to face down the Hound, in the conclusion of our playthrough of Harley Stroh's "Doom of the Savage Kings" for Dungeon Crawl Classics.
12.01.2023
S04E17 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Doom of the Savage Kings - Episode Four - Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Fire
Our thief - and consequently our good listeners - learns a valuable lesson about luck, and our elf and cleric get quite salty in our swearingest, most hair raising (literally) installment so far, as we play part 4 of our...
11.22.2023
S04E16 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Doom of the Savage Kings - Episode Three - The Prominently-Chinned Ghoul Serpents of Ulfheonar
Come celebrate Thanksgiving with us as our flock of turkeys descend into the Serpent Tomb of the Ulfheonar and discover the magic of the season...or something...in part three of our playthrough of Harley Stroh's "Doom of the Savage Kings" for...
11.14.2023
S04E15 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Doom of the Savage Kings - Episode Two - More a Slaughtery Than a Lottery
More than a little worse for wear after their misguided attempt to follow the Hound into the Sunken Fens, our heroes seek aid at the village of Hirot. Much intrigue, and more singing than should be allowed, ensues. The mystery...
10.14.2023
S04E14 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Doom of the Savage Kings - Episode One - You Say Hero. I Say Hirot.
The Hound of the Baskervilles meets Beowulf meets a group of big dumb nerds, as we delve into Harley Stroh's classic level 1 adventure for Dungeon Crawl Classics, "Doom of the Savage Kings". Join us as we go everywhere except the...
10.03.2023
S04E13 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Hole In The Sky - Episode Two - A Three-Legged Race With Two Ducks
Our hopeless band of peasants continue to press their luck in "The Hole in the Sky". It's episode 13. What can go wrong?
09.15.2023
S04E12 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Crypt of the Devil Lich - Episode Three
The swift and unexpected finale of our playthrough of Goodman Games' classic murder dungeon "Crypt of the Devil Lich" for Dungeon Crawl Classics.
09.08.2023
S04E11 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Crypt of the Devil Lich - Episode Two
Having survived the first chamber, our valiant party ventures even deeper into the Crypt of the Devil Lich. Spinning rooms, pressure plates, confused ghosts, and more traps than you could shake a ten foot pole at. We continue our second...
08.11.2023
S04E10 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Crypt of the Devil Lich - Episode One
We recklessly plunge into Goodman Games' notorious murder dungeon, "Crypt of the Devil Lich" with little to no preparation. The inevitable ensues. Part one of three. Our GM was battling the effects of Canadian wildfire smoke, so apologies for the...
06.28.2023
S04E09 - Court of Blades - Episode 4 - The Grand Finale (Part Two)
Finally the finale of the grand finale. Unedited, so apologies in advance for dead air, mumbles, tangents and cusses.
06.08.2023
S04E08 - Court of Blades - Episode 4 - The Grand Finale (Part One)
Befitting the trend of splitting all series finales in two (and not at all due to lack of time to do any editing), and making the audience wait an unduly long time for those parts, we present the first part...
04.24.2023
S04E07 - Court of Blades - Episode 3 - Afternoon Tea and Black Bag Snatch
The gang continues their task of destroying the good name of another house via the weapon of theatre, but not before discussing how to once and for all rid themselves of a particularly bothersome thorn in their side, as we...
04.14.2023
S04E06 - Dungeon World - Episode Five
Our sporadic games of Dungeon World continue, as our druid, thief and barbarian tackle a shimmering mage's tower in the middle of a forest. Trampolining, rapping, Cronenberg-esque body horror? This episode has everything. But definitely not an owlbear. Apologies in...
03.17.2023
S04E05 - Court of Blades - Episode 2 - Clandestine Kidnap Drugs & Guns
We continue our efforts to further the cause of House Bastien, and our status within it, in the vibrant, sprawling city-state of Ilrien, as we continue our playthrough of A Couple Of Drakes' "Court of Blades". https://acoupleofdrakes.itch.io/
02.22.2023
S04E04 - Court of Blades - Episode 1 - A Touch of Poison
Come with us to the vibrant, sprawling city-state of Ilrien, as we follow the trials and tribulations of upstart House Bastien, as they try to scale society's ladder by any means necessary, in our first full session of A Couple...
02.04.2023
S04E03 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Hole In The Sky - Episode One - Here Comes A Sword To The Groin
Sixteen foolish peasants who foolishly believe they were born for greater things, foolishly take the word of a mysterious woman in blue that if they foolishly step off a cliff onto an invisible bridge and go to a prison in...
01.19.2023
S04E02 - Court of Blades - Session 0 - Overview, House and Character Creation
Given that two of our favorite games of the last year were Greg Stolze's "Dueling Fops of Vindamere" and John Harper's "Blades in the Dark", how could we resist a beast such as Shawn & Navi Drake's "Court of Blades"...
01.14.2023
S04E01 - Ars Magica - Black Death - Episode Three - Ad Vis Per Veritas
The magi of Tagalyn and their rescue party arrive at the plague-stricken covenant of Ad Vis Per Veritas, but do not receive the welcome they were expecting, as we continue our learn-to-play playthrough of the classic Ars Magica adventure "Black...
12.09.2022
S03E19 - Dungeon World - Part Four
A lonely stone cottage in a clearing in the woods. Some overly aggressive birds with some very unpleasant egg-laying habits. A marvelous monster, and a heinous magical trap. All in under an hour. What more could you ask for?
11.24.2022
S03E18 - Ars Magica - Black Death - Episode Two - The Hovels of the Dead
The magi of Tagalyn reach the outskirts of Whitchurch, in our playthrough of Thomas Kane's classic "Black Death" for Ars Magica. https://atlas-games.com/arsmagica
11.08.2022
S03E17 - Ars Magica - Black Death - Episode One - The Knight at the Gates
The magi of Tagalyn heed the call & come to the aid of their plague-ravaged sisters and brothers, only to find much darker forces at play, in our playthrough of Thomas Kane's classic "Black Death" for Ars Magica. https://atlas-games.com/arsmagica
10.31.2022
S03E16 - Magical Kitties Save The Day - Magical Kitties Save The Library
Possibly setting a new world record for terrible cat puns, we set out to rescue our humans from very strange events at the River City Library in Magical Kitties Save The Day from Atlas Games. https://www.atlas-games.com/magicalkitties
09.08.2022
S03E15 - Ars Magica - Character Creation
"You're more like the Thom Yorke of the 13th Century" In this episode we demystify, hopefully, character creation in Ars Magica 5th Edition as we create two companions from scratch. We also discuss our upcoming adventure and Ars Magica in general. https://www.atlas-games.com/arsmagica/
08.20.2022
S03E14 - Ars Magica - The Cathedral and the Bizarre
"Marius would feel a lot better if we didn't burn down a cathedral" Our long-awaited (by us anyway) return to Mythic Europe. Marvel at our grasp of history, geography, language, and rules, as we track down some very dubious spell scrolls...
07.23.2022
S03E13 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Danger In The Air (Part Two)
"You know how ducks are once they get the scent of flesh" The thrilling conclusion of our playthrough of Dungeon Crawl Classics' 2022 Free RPG Day funnel by Michael Curtis. http://www.goodmangames.com
07.18.2022
S03E12 Dungeon World - Part Three
"If anything this is too much of a plan!" Our thief and druid cross paths with a menacing mage and his heavily-armed entourage, a wood elf, and delve into an ancient mound beneath a mysterious circle of standing stones, in our...
07.06.2022
S03E11 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Danger In The Air (Part One)
"The skull mask probably will kill only one person" Fifteen intrepid peasants and their livestock climb aboard a giant space jellyfish in episode one of our playthrough of Dungeon Crawl Classics' 2022 Free RPG Day funnel. http://www.goodmangames.com
06.28.2022
S03E10 Dungeon World - Part Two
"Oh boy, is it going to give you a tongue lashing!" Having escaped the perilous underground temple by the skin of their teeth, our thief and druid stumble upon a wandering immolator and barbarian, join forces, and head right back in...
05.30.2022
S03E09 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Sailors On The Starless Sea (Part Two)
A mere nine months on from where we left off, the survivors of our hopelessly ill-equipped band of peasants - along with some new friends they make along the way - bring it to the Chaos Lord and his hordes...
05.26.2022
S03E08 Dungeon World
You discern no reality. But reality discerns you! This week we tackle Dungeon World, where we go through character creation, a rules explanation, an introductory scenario, and a review in under 60 minutes, because we're awesome! And Dungeon World is pretty...
04.16.2022
S03E07 - Dune: the Roleplaying Game - Episode Two
House Verditius arrives on Arrakis to a rather perilous welcome, as our how-to-play playthrough of Modiphius's "Dune - the Roleplaying Game" continues. https://www.modiphius.net/pages/discover-dune-roleplaying-game
04.08.2022
S03E06 - Dune: the Roleplaying Game - Episode One - Session Zero
Strap on your stillsuits and hop aboard a heighliner to Arrakis, as Rob leads us through our session zero of Modiphius' Dune - the Roleplaying Game. We go through an overview of the rules, step by step character creation, adventure...
02.13.2022
S03E05 - Dueling Fops of Vindamere - A Taste of Chamberpot
Just in time for Valentine's Day. Love, lust and jealousy are in the air. Faces will be slapped, sabres rattled, honors restored & ruined, accusations levied & refuted, and erotic machinations afoot, as we pull up our tights, fix our...
02.11.2022
S03E04 - Paranoia - [Your Security Clearance Is Not High Enough For The Title Of This Adventure] - Episode Two
"Greg Four has seen beyond the veil!" Stay proomed, clones as we attempt to clear Alpha Complex of its irritable blockage for Friend Computer, as our very first learning game of Mongoose Publishing's "PARANOIA" reaches its sticky, sweet-scented conclusion. https://www.mongoosepublishing.com/us/rpgs/paranoia.html?___store=us&___from_store=uk Additional music "Full...
02.04.2022
S03E03 - Paranoia - [Your Security Clearance Is Not High Enough For The Title Of This Adventure] - Episode One
"Get out there, tiger! You're gonna do fine!" This is no time to idle gluttonously at the Waffle Squarf! Proom your clones and join us as we attempt to save Alpha Complex for Friend Computer, or die again and again and...
01.30.2022
S03E02 - Blades in the Dark Episode 9 - Hurrah For Crime!
"A lot of people died for us to get our hands on this." "Sure, if you want to be ghastly about it." Our playthrough of John Harper's "Blades in the Dark" reaches its dramatic conclusion (for now). https://www.evilhat.com/home/blades-in-the-dark/
01.16.2022
S03E01 - Blades in the Dark Episode 8 - Four Dice for Gregor
"Another week of skulking and surveying?! I need to blow something up!" Our first episode of 2022 finds us laying a carefully-planned ambush in the mist-shrouded streets of Doskval, as we continue our playthrough of John Harper's "Blades in the...

What's Thankless Roll Players: a TTRPG actual play podcast about?

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Thankless Roll Players: a TTRPG actual play podcast episodes:

S05E12 - Cities Without Number - Part Two - The Frankenstein Express

S05E11 - Cities Without Number - Part One - Programming For Fun & Profit

S05E10 - Dungeon World - Into The Demon's Head

S05E09 - Cities Without Number - Session Zero/Character Creation

S05E08 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Tomb of Horrors - Episode Three - Liches Get Stitches

S05E07 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Tomb of Horrors - Episode Two - There is no I in Lich

S05E06 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Tomb of Horrors - Episode One - One Does Not Simply Walk Into More Doors

S05E05 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - The Arwich Grinder - Episode Three - Thankless Roll Players Fumblerama 2024

S05E04 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - The Arwich Grinder - Episode Two - A Babe in Arms & Horns & Claws & Teeth

S05E03 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - The Arwich Grinder - Episode One - Wait...Is This a Human Digestive System?

S05E02 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Shadow of the Beakmen - Episode Two - The Lantern Master

S05E01 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Shadow of the Beakmen - Episode One - Hirot in Flames

S04E19 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - The Doom That Came To Christmas Town

S04E18 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Doom of the Savage Kings - Episode Five - We Should Have Brought an Oxygen Tank

S04E17 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Doom of the Savage Kings - Episode Four - Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Fire

S04E16 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Doom of the Savage Kings - Episode Three - The Prominently-Chinned Ghoul Serpents of Ulfheonar

S04E15 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Doom of the Savage Kings - Episode Two - More a Slaughtery Than a Lottery

S04E14 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Doom of the Savage Kings - Episode One - You Say Hero. I Say Hirot.

S04E13 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Hole In The Sky - Episode Two - A Three-Legged Race With Two Ducks

S04E12 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Crypt of the Devil Lich - Episode Three

S04E11 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Crypt of the Devil Lich - Episode Two

S04E10 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Crypt of the Devil Lich - Episode One

S04E09 - Court of Blades - Episode 4 - The Grand Finale (Part Two)

S04E08 - Court of Blades - Episode 4 - The Grand Finale (Part One)

S04E07 - Court of Blades - Episode 3 - Afternoon Tea and Black Bag Snatch

S04E06 - Dungeon World - Episode Five

S04E05 - Court of Blades - Episode 2 - Clandestine Kidnap Drugs & Guns

S04E04 - Court of Blades - Episode 1 - A Touch of Poison

S04E03 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Hole In The Sky - Episode One - Here Comes A Sword To The Groin

S04E02 - Court of Blades - Session 0 - Overview, House and Character Creation

S04E01 - Ars Magica - Black Death - Episode Three - Ad Vis Per Veritas

S03E19 - Dungeon World - Part Four

S03E18 - Ars Magica - Black Death - Episode Two - The Hovels of the Dead

S03E17 - Ars Magica - Black Death - Episode One - The Knight at the Gates

S03E16 - Magical Kitties Save The Day - Magical Kitties Save The Library

S03E15 - Ars Magica - Character Creation

S03E14 - Ars Magica - The Cathedral and the Bizarre

S03E13 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Danger In The Air (Part Two)

S03E12 Dungeon World - Part Three

S03E11 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Danger In The Air (Part One)

S03E10 Dungeon World - Part Two

S03E09 - Dungeon Crawl Classics - Sailors On The Starless Sea (Part Two)

S03E08 Dungeon World

S03E07 - Dune: the Roleplaying Game - Episode Two

S03E06 - Dune: the Roleplaying Game - Episode One - Session Zero

S03E05 - Dueling Fops of Vindamere - A Taste of Chamberpot

S03E04 - Paranoia - [Your Security Clearance Is Not High Enough For The Title Of This Adventure] - Episode Two

S03E03 - Paranoia - [Your Security Clearance Is Not High Enough For The Title Of This Adventure] - Episode One

S03E02 - Blades in the Dark Episode 9 - Hurrah For Crime!

S03E01 - Blades in the Dark Episode 8 - Four Dice for Gregor