Category: Podcast

Ars Magica RPG (with Adrian Tchaikovsky) Ep 82

We’re still talking and not talking about magic at the same time. Ars Magica seems a fascinating game, but how do we fit it in?

In this episode, we continue our examination of magic in Role-Playing Games with a look at Ars Magica with Science Fiction author Adrian Tchaikovsky. He talks to us about the setting, the rules and the way that magic works in the game.

We haven’t had chance to play it yet, so Dirk and Blythy meet in the Lass O Gowrie pub in Manchester and discuss the difficulties of ‘fitting it all in’.

We have been to UK Games Expo so we give our initial views of attending the event this year.

Dirk has been on Orlanth Rexes Gaming Vexes and What Would the Smart Party Do? recently.

Patreon has been refreshed – annual contribution at discount and ‘it’s your birthday’ award for the top level of support. Thanks for all who listen and contribute.

Scarred by Magic in the 70s & 80s (with Stephen Brotherstone)

Where did our idea of magic come from back in the day? We look at witchcraft and folk horror of the 70’s and 80s.

Returning guest Stephen Brotherstone, co-author of the Scarred for Life series of books and shows, joins us in the zoom of Role Playing Rambling to examine the witchcraft and horrors that haunted our childhood years.

You can see Ste as his show is on the road during 2025 and the latest volume of the series is now available. Highly recommended as it is packed with gaming nostalgia content.

Also in this episode, Dirk and Blythy watch The Hammer House of Horror (1980) together and consider what impact it had on them at the time and how it can inform our games now.

We also reflect on the games that we played at virtual GROGMEET, including Liminal, Mutant Year Zero, The Dee Sanction and Savage Worlds.

You can see Tim Olsen interviewed by Toni Arthur.

If you want to support the podcast and get access to additional podcast content, then please consider supporting us at Patreon.

More Magic in RPGs (with China Miéville)

Back in the room of roleplaying rambling, still banging on about playing magic.

Magic in RPGs is a continuing obsession for Dirk the Dice and Blythy in this latest episode of the podcast.

We talk about Advanced Dungeons and Dragons (AD&D) and Powers and Perils (Pee & Pee) and marvel at how we played in the early 2000s, when we didn’t know any better and were more willing to freeform and ‘make stuff up’.

Also in this episode, we are pleased that GROGSQUADer
China Miéville provided his first, last and everything.

I think that I need to find out more about Tales of Argosa .

Mike and Roger over at Improvised Radio Theatre with Dice have an interesting discussion about magic – following our mention of it last time.

Please consider supporting what we do on Patreon.

Magic in RPGs (with Stu Horvath) Ep.79

What do we want to Play, Stay or Giveaway when it comes to Magic in RPGs? Stu Horvath adds his thoughts too.

It’s a kind of magic, in RPGs. This time we are joined by Stu Horvath, podcaster (Vintage RPG Podcast) and writer, who talks about his book Monsters, Aliens and Holes in the Ground, which takes us decade by decade through the history of RPGs.

He also contributes to our discussion about magic in RPGs. What would we like to play, stay on our shelves or give away?

Virtual GROGMEET is available to register on Warhorn.

Support us on Patreon.

Sanction RPG (with Paul Baldowski) Ep 78

Join us in the Room of Role-Playing Rambling with Paul Baldowski talking about Dangerous Journeys RPG, Play by Mail and Sanction.

This time we are talking about GROGMEET our annual Role Playing Games meet up in Manchester.

We were joined by game designer, publisher and entrepreneur Paul Baldowski who talks about Dangerous Journeys, PBMs and his game Sanction.

Blythy shares his experiences and how we played Gatsby and The Great Race by Paul Fricker.

If you want to find out more about Dice on the Borderlands you can find it at Warhorn.

Please support what we do at Patreon, thanks.

Rivers of London RPG (with Ben Aaronovitch) Ep76

This GROGPOD features a special recording of an interview with writer Ben Aaronovitch, the creator of The Rivers of London series of books. An RPG has been developed by the team at Chaosium. Ben talks about the project, his formative years in gaming and gives insight into his creative process.

The interview was recorded live as part of GROGMEETish which took place in November. It features additional questions from the GROGSQUAD.

Dirk the Dice gives a quick review of the game based on his experience of playing the game over recent months.

Music is by Static Music Club.

Please support what we do at Patreon

1984: A Year in RPGs Ep75 Pt2

Following Part 1, we are now ready to open the spurious envelopes on our 1984 experiences.

We also issue a challenge to listeners to help us discover new enthusiasms.

At Daily Dwarf returns with an overview of what was happening in the pages of White Dwarf.

Please pass on The GROGNARD files to your RPG friends and consider supporting us at Patreon.

1984: a year in RPGs (with Bob Fischer) Ep75 Pt 1

Welcome to the zoom of role-playing rambling where we are looking backwards to look forwards. This time we are transporting you back to the heady days of 1984.

We are joined by the fabulous Bob Fischer who shares the highlights from his 1984 diaries.

Judge Blythy, our resident rules lawyer, joins Dirk to determine the RPG Highlights of 1984, but get distracted (see part 2)

Make sure you check out the wonderful projects from the Haunted Generation.

You can support the podcast at Patreon.

Flashing Blades RPG Ep. 74

All for one and one for all! We are swashbuckling into this episode with a flurry of our blades and a jaunty feather in our hat.

En garde! Yes, this time we are investigating the worlds of 17th Century Europe and asking, “is this the true mode of all fantasy role-playing high-adventure?”

We are joined by Graham Kinniburgh, who tells us about his Oscar night triumph with An Irish Goodbye and what it was like being at The Battle of the Bastards.

He is adding The Three Musketeers to Appendix G.

In the Zoom of Role-Playing rambling we talk about Flashing Blades. You can read more from the author, Mark Pettigrew, in this interview.

We also cover En Garde!, 17th Century Minimalist, Seventh Sea, and Barbarians of Lumuria.

You can join the Patreon by following this link.