What Is Roleplay?

What is Roleplay #23: Monsters! with Paul Baldowski

Listen Later

Welcome to Episode 23 of ‘What Is Roleplay?’

This episode we are joined by Author and Game Designer Paul Baldowski to discuss Monsters!

  • Chris asks Paul why Monsters are so important in roleplaying games?
    • Paul states that they are far more than just a character to slam down – they add a level of challenge and complexity that wouldn’t be present without them.
    • Chris makes the point that monsters are an important device for storytelling, a fork in the road of the journey that the players are on.
    • A discussion using Hansel & Gretel as an example of a monster being at the heart of a really complex story
    • Chris asks ‘What defines a monster’?
      • Paul chats about this idea, suggesting that monster do not have to be animate – anything that presents a barrier or delay can be monstrous, such as a wall or door.
      • Paul sights the British TV series ‘Knightmare’ as a great example of inanimate monsters.
      • The lifeforce meter for ‘Knightmare’ can be viewed HERE
      • In other approaches Monsters can be complex tasks that require lots of dice-rolls.
      • Paul points out that Monsters and Obstacles are the same unless the game mechanics make them different
        • Orc level 3 and locked door level 3 are the same in that they both require the player to overcome them using storytelling, dice rolling or some other tool or strategy
        •  Cypher System deals with obstacles like this well – the levels allow for an increase or decrease complexity. So new players can face challenges that aren’t too hard and experienced players can enjoy more challenging encounters.
        •  Chris chats about some systems that allow for Monsters to have some agency and react to the actions of characters – attacking back
          • This becomes like a war game, like a game of Chess, and pretty complex, especially for the Games Master (GM).
          • Dragonbane is a good example of a old-school game like D&D that has simpler mechanics for monsters – the GM roles on a table, making monster management much easier and simplifying play.
          • Chris asks Paul if he has played again games that have no monsters at all?
            • Paul mentions that it depends on how you define monster, since we all have monstrous characteristics but suggests that Behind Enemy Lines is one example.
            • Chris mentions a few games that don’t have any monsters and are worth playing such as Wanderhome and Fiasco. In both games there is an exploration of what a monster is and how we journey with our own personal demons.
            • Paul and Chris then move into an actual play
              • Using a d6 they build a dark lair in which the monster, The Paul, dwells. The Chris encounters clawed creatures and the twisted glass portal into a yawning maw of shadow and darkness. Will Chris survive the encounter? Listen to find out…
                • Actual Play Map drawn by Jog Brogzin in 1 Hour

                Links to things we discussed:

                Games:

                • Cthulhu Hack by Paul Baldowski
                • The Dee Sanction by Paul Baldowski
                • MÖRK ORG by CM Lowry
                • RONIN by Slightly Reckless Games
                • Cypher System by Monte Cook Games
                • Dungeons & Dragons by Wizards of the Coast
                • Pathfinder by Paizo
                • Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay by Games Workshop
                • Dragonbane by Free League Games
                • Alien by Free League Games
                • The Walking Dead RPG by Free League Games
                • Zombicide Chronicles Boardgame by CMON
                • Behind Enemy Lines by FASA
                • Twilight: 2000 by Free League Press
                • Wanderhome by Jay Dragon
                • Fiasco by Bully Pulpit Games
                • Quest RPG by T.C. Sottek
                • Lucky for None in Space by CM Lowry

                  • Books, Authors, Etc.

                  • Grimm’s Fairy Tales by the Brothers Grimm
                  • Knightmare TV Series
                  • Squid Games TV Series

                    • More about Paul

                    • All Rolled Up Website – allrolledup.co.uk
                    • Paul on BlueSky – @paulbaldowski.bsky.social
                    • Paul on Mastodon – @PaulBaldowski
                    • Paul’s Blog – justcrunch.com

                      • More about Us

                      • Beyond Cataclysmon Bluesky @beyondcataclysm.bsky.social
                      • CM Lowry’s website –  All About Chris
                      • Website – beyondcataclysm.co.uk
                      • Patreon – Patreon.com/beyondcataclysm

                        • Actual Play Quick Map drawn by:

                        Jog Brogzin

                        With music generously provided by:

                        Powerplant & Imploders.

                        The post What is Roleplay #23: Monsters! with Paul Baldowski first appeared on Beyond Cataclysm.

                        ...more
                        View all episodesView all episodes
                        Download on the App Store
                        What Is Roleplay?By Beyond Cataclysm