Episode notes
In today's episode, the crew sits down to talk about the year we had, what games we have tried, and what we are looking to see in the new year! In this episode, you'll discover: Our thoughts on systems we have tried like "Never Going Home" and "Liminal Horror!" The "Theatre Kid" effect on ttrpgs Our hopes and resolutions for the new year! Joining us is host Nick Perron in conversation with Shade, Franco, and Rio. Together, they bring their combined 75 years of ttrpg hobby experience to bear to answer your questions and talk about this hobby we love. LINKS! → Tabletopped's…
Podcast
Tabletopped
Nick Perron · Leisure & Travel · English
Welcome game masters! Each week Nick Perron dives deep into the art of running role-playing games with guests experts to get tips for everyone from first-time players to seasoned veterans. Join us to find out what makes a great story and an even greater campaign!
More from Tabletopped All episodes →
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S3 · E33 · 23 Mar 2026 · 55 min
Settings vs. Story: What Makes a Versatile Setting?
In today's episode, Franco and Nick talk about what settings need to be used for basically everything. In this episode, you'll discover: Our thoughts on what makes a good setting Heroic stories and what they need from a setting How to make a setting that will last many campaigns Joining us is host Nick Perron in conversation with Shade, Franco, and Rio. Together, they bring their combined 75 years of ttrpg hobby experience to bear to answer your questions and talk about this hobby we love. LINKS! → Tabletopped's website → Patreon →…
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S3 · E32 · 9 Mar 2026 · 44 min
Why is Technology so hard in TTRPGs?
In today's episode, Rio and Nick get cozy and talk about technology in ttrpgs and why its so hard to make a gun feel like a gun. In this episode, you'll discover: Our thoughts on what is hard about GMing in high tech games What solutions you can make when you dont know how something works Tech and biomes Joining us is host Nick Perron in conversation with Shade, Franco, and Rio. Together, they bring their combined 75 years of ttrpg hobby experience to bear to answer your questions and talk about this hobby we love. LINKS! → Tabletopped's website →…
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S3 · E31 · 23 Feb 2026 · 57 min
The Mailbag: Captives of Dolagan and IPs We Want a TTRPG of!
In today's episode, the crew sits down and opens the mailbag to talk about The Captives of Dolagan module kickstarting soon as well as talk about a listener question regarding IP in TTRPGs. In this episode, you'll discover: Our thoughts on The Captives of Dolagan Sideways the ttrpg Whether you could make a Severence ttrpg Joining us is host Nick Perron in conversation with Shade, Franco, and Rio. Together, they bring their combined 75 years of ttrpg hobby experience to bear to answer your questions and talk about this hobby we love. LINKS! → Tabletopped's website →…
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S3 · E30 · 9 Feb 2026 · 52 min
Releasing Tales From the Cryptids
In today's episode, Nick talks to Scryptid Games' co-directors Brigitte Winter and Nat Mesnard! We talk about their upcoming game anthology "Tales from the Cryptids." In this episode, you'll discover: How Scryptid Games builds community What people can expect form this new release How you can submit to get your work published in the book! Scryptid LINKS! Project link: https://scryptidgames.com/tales-from-the-cryptids Discord: https://discord.gg/jpzU3UjMVZ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/scryptidgames.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scryptidgames/ SG website:…
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S3 · E29 · 26 Jan 2026 · 1 hr 3 min
"My Feels Have Been Destroyed": Taking Feedback as a GM
In today's episode, the crew sits down to talk about how you can solicit advice and feedback from your players by using a real life example that happened to Nick! In this episode, you'll discover: Our thoughts on what is helpful and non-helpful feedback Franco being the villain of the pod How you too can give and take feedback in a ttrpg! Joining us is host Nick Perron in conversation with Shade, Franco, and Rio. Together, they bring their combined 75 years of ttrpg hobby experience to bear to answer your questions and talk about this hobby we love. LINKS! → Tabletopped's…
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S3 · E27 · 29 Dec 2025 · 54 min
Beyond the Game Master: Building Collaborative RPG Worlds with Nat Mesnard
In today's episode, we sit down with game designer and writer Nat Mesnard, co-founder of Scryptid Games and Unquiet Games. We dive deep into the creation of Assemblage, a GM-less roleplaying game where players collaboratively build strange science-fiction ecosystems and face the heartbreaking decision of which species will go extinct. Whether you're interested in innovative game design or looking to explore alternatives to traditional hierarchical play, this conversation will transform how you think about collaborative storytelling. In this episode, you'll discover: How to design games that…
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S3 · E26 · 15 Dec 2025 · 53 min
Brindlewood Bay Style GMing w/ Shadomain's Jason Campbell
In today's episode, we sit down with dungeon master and blogger Jason Campbell, of Shadomain.com . We dive deep into the debate around premade versus improvised content for campaigns, how to collaborate on story with players, and creating memorable experiences for your players. Whether you're a brand new DM or looking to refine your approach, these expert insights will help you take your campaigns to the next level. In this episode, you'll discover: The pros and cons of starting collaborative story campaigns How to transition from prewritten to improvised content Tips for building DM…
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S3 · E25 · 1 Dec 2025 · 55 min
Learning to DM: Why New Dungeon Masters Should (or Shouldn't) Use Premade Dungeons w/ Vahid Qualls
Have you ever wondered, "Should I start with a premade adventure or create my own?" or "What's the best way to learn dungeon mastering?" If these questions sound familiar, you're in the right place! In today's episode, we sit down with dungeon master and podcaster Vahid Qualls, host of the Dungeon Mastering is Easy podcast. We dive deep into the debate around premade versus homebrew content for new DMs, discussing how to build confidence behind the screen, develop your unique style, and create memorable experiences for your players. Whether you're a brand new DM or looking to refine your…
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S3 · E23 · 17 Nov 2025 · 54 min
Railroading the GM: Stakes and Death in Your Game
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…
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S4 · E22 · 3 Nov 2025 · 48 min
The City That Crawled Out of the Sea: Chaplewick Preview
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…
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