What do you get when you mix a gritty industrial fantasy city, demonic leviathan blood-powered tech, and a crew of criminal scoundrels with nothing to lose? You get Blades in the Dark; one of the most iconic indie TTRPGs of the last decade.
In this episode of Masters of Pen and Paper, Mike and Finny slip into the haunted streets of Doskvol to talk all things heist, horror, and heat. We dive into the unique mechanics behind John Harper’s genre-defining system: from devil’s bargains and action rolls to emergent storytelling and the game's innovative “crew” mechanics.
You’ll hear:
How Blades in the Dark flips traditional GM roles on their head
What makes stress, trauma, and downtime so compelling
Why this game is perfect for story-first players who love cinematic, high-stakes action
Whether you're a Cutter, a Whisper, or just curious about how a crew of criminals can challenge the system (or die trying), this one’s for you.
💀 Score big or go down in a blaze of dice-fueled glory.
Want to check out a copy for yourself? Head over to https://bladesinthedark.com/ to check it out!
Also check out more from John Harper https://johnharper.itch.io (where you can find more of John Harper’s excellent TTRPG work, including Lady Blackbird)
Also check out Blades SRD (for creating your own hacks):https://bladesinthedark.com/blades-system-rundown
Want to send in a question or scenario? Email us at mastersofpenandpaper@gmail.com
Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/YkhAQtDDRz
What makes a TTRPG truly work?
In this Behind the Screens episode, Mike and Finny dive into the concept of the Magic Circle — a foundational idea that shapes how we play, why we play, and what it means to build a shared space of imagination, immersion, and safety around the table.
From the philosophical roots of Johan Huizinga’s Homo Ludens to practical tools like Session 0, tone checks, and "table ceremonies", we explore how groups create the unspoken rules that make TTRPGs thrive. We also unpack the invisible (but powerful) boundaries that separate game time from real life, and how you can reinforce that boundary to tell better stories together.
Whether you're a seasoned GM or just learning the ropes, this is a must-listen for anyone who cares about crafting a table where players feel safe, seen, and excited to roleplay.
Want to send in a question or scenario? Email us at mastersofpenandpaper@gmail.com
Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/YkhAQtDDRz
No players? No problem.
In this episode of Masters of Pen and Paper, DG takes the wheel solo and explores Mythic Game Master Emulator 2nd Edition—one of the most powerful tools for solo RPG play, co-GMing, and improvisational story building.
📚 Learn about the origin of the Mythic system
🎲 Understand how the Fate chart, Random Events, Scene Structure, and Chaos Factor work
🧠 Explore how this system boosts creativity whether you're soloing a campaign or supplementing your group game
💡 Discover how Mythic can enhance any TTRPG system with unpredictability and rich narrative surprises
Whether you're stranded without a group or just want to inject a little chaos into your campaign, this $15 toolkit delivers storytelling gold.
Want to check out a copy for yourself? Head over to https://www.wordmillgames.com/page/mythic-gme.html to check it out!
Also check out Tale of the Manticore podcast (which uses this system in the latest season!) https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/
Want to send in a question or scenario? Email us at mastersofpenandpaper@gmail.com
Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/YkhAQtDDRz
You’re not a brave hero. You’re not a cunning rogue. You’re a kobold—and your job is simple: DON’T DIE.
This week, Finny and I dive headfirst into Kobolds Ate My Baby!, the riotous beer-and-pretzels TTRPG that flips traditional adventuring on its head. We’re talking:
The origins of the game (including its Munchkin connections!)
How the hilarious Polymorph system fuels chaos
Barking to reroll dice, kobold job classes like “Mall Ninja,” and yes... the Kobold Horrible Death Check
Why this game is perfect for newcomers, one-shots, or your next Friday night with friends
You might explode. You might get eaten by a chicken. But you’re gonna have fun doing it.
ALL HAIL KING TORG! (ALL HAIL KING TORG!)
Grab the orange book edition here: https://9thlevel.com/products/kobolds-ate-my-baby-orange
Choose "Free Downloads" on this page to get the character sheets!
Want to send in a question or scenario? Email us at mastersofpenandpaper@gmail.com
Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/YkhAQtDDRz
Episode 27 – 7th Sea: Swashbuckling, Sorcery & Storytelling
Ready to duel villains, dodge cannonballs, and romance royalty? This week, Masters of Pen and Paper dives into 7th Sea 2nd Edition — a cinematic tabletop RPG where storytelling takes center stage and dice rolls fuel high adventure.
We break down the history of the game, its unique d10 risk system, and what makes it perfect for players who love narrative-first gameplay. From daring escapes to magical duels, this game captures the spirit of The Three Musketeers meets Pirates of the Caribbean.
Great for new players, storytellers, and anyone who’s ever wanted to swing from a chandelier while yelling “En garde!”
Try the FREE quickstart rules from Chaosium:
https://www.chaosium.com/7th-sea-quick-start-pdf/
Want to send in a question or scenario? Email us at mastersofpenandpaper@gmail.com
Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/YkhAQtDDRz
Break out the dice, grab your crayon, and step into the dungeon of nostalgia.
In this episode of Masters of Pen and Paper, we’re celebrating ONE YEAR of the podcast by cracking open the legendary 1983 Red Box edition of Dungeons & Dragons—the version that taught a generation how to adventure.
We explore:
The history and legacy of Frank Mentzer’s Red Box
How a “choose your own adventure” solo tutorial changed the game
What it was like to roll stats with 3d6 straight down—and hope you’re “suitable for dangerous adventuring”
Retro mechanics like reverse AC, XP-for-gold, demi-human classes, and the dungeon caller
What this edition nailed, where it gets weird, and why it still holds up today
From humble beginnings to a year of dice rolls, laughter, and deep dives—we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who’s listened, shared, and adventured with us along the way. Here’s to many more!
Want to send in a question or scenario? Email us at mastersofpenandpaper@gmail.com
Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/YkhAQtDDRz
What makes a great dungeon?
In this episode of Masters of Pen and Paper, DG and Finny go Behind the Screens to guide you through how to build your first dungeon—whether you need a sprawling mega-crawl or a quick map to save game night:
🗝️ Defining your dungeon’s purpose and theme
📐 Free tools for quick builds: DonJon, DungeonMapDoodler, Dungeon Scrawl
🎨 Paid software to level up your maps: DungeonDraft, Inkarnate, Dungeon Alchemist & more
🎭 Adding puzzles, traps, and atmosphere to keep players hooked
🎧 Using music and ambience to turn a map into an experience
Check out the tools we mentioned:
DonJon Tools: https://donjon.bin.sh/
DungeonMapDoodler: https://dungeonmapdoodler.com/draw/
Dungeon Scrawl: https://www.dungeonscrawl.com/
r/Battlemaps: https://www.reddit.com/r/battlemaps
Obsidian: https://obsidian.md/
Inkarnate: https://inkarnate.com/
Syrinscape: https://syrinscape.com/
Want to send in a question or scenario? Email us at mastersofpenandpaper@gmail.com
Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/YkhAQtDDRz
Now—let’s get building!
What do a runaway sky-pirate bride and a glitching mech pilot have in common?
In this episode of Masters of Pen and Paper, DG and Finny dive into two ultra-lightweight RPGs with serious storytelling punch:
Lady Blackbird – a sky-fantasy escape drama with pre-gen characters, lightning sorcery, and one of the best one-shot setups in indie RPG history
Shutdown – a tactical mech brawler built around syllables, overclocking, and creative destruction
Whether you’re running from an empire or gunning down enemy mechs, this episode has something for every one-shot warrior.
Get yourselves a copy of each of these games FOR FREE!
Lady Blackbird: https://johnharper.itch.io/lady-blackbird
Shutdown: https://geok.itch.io/shutdown
If you want to send a question or scenario in send us an email! mastersofpenandpaper@gmail.com
Let us know what you think by leaving a rating and/or comments! Want to join our discord? You can find us here: https://discord.gg/YkhAQtDDRz
Now - On with the show!
What if your knight’s greatest battle wasn’t a sword duel—but surviving the story itself?
In this episode of Masters of Pen and Paper, DG and Finny delve into Mythic Bastionland, the rules-light, lore-rich Arthurian hexcrawl from Into the Odd creator Chris McDowall. With just 16 pages of core rules and over 140 pages of evocative myths, seers, and knightly trials, this game is as much a storytelling engine as it is a TTRPG.
Mythic Bastionland is a tabletop RPG set in the imagined past of Into the Odd and Electric Bastionland , built on the same lightning fast, ultra-streamlined rules system. Designed by Chris McDowall and illustrated by Alec Sorensen.
Want to check out a copy for yourself? Head over here: https://chrismcdee.itch.io/mythic-bastionland
If you want to send a question or scenario in send us an email! mastersofpenandpaper@gmail.com
Let us know what you think by leaving a rating and/or comments! Want to join our discord? You can find us here: https://discord.gg/YkhAQtDDRz
Now - On with the show!
What if your supernatural detective story could fit into a single game night? Maybe you want to change up the BBEG every time you sit down with your group, or maybe you just need to break free from your hum drum run of the mill fantasy TTRPG
In this episode of Masters of Pen and Paper, DG and Finny dig into Monster of the Week, Powered by the Apocalypse TTRPG system, where every session is a monster-hunting TV episode in disguise. Inspired by Buffy, Supernatural, and The X-Files, this narrative-first system is all about dramatic choices, cinematic failures, and building tension through play.
We're going to let you know everything you need to know to play this one and give you our thoughts on this episode!
Want to check it out yourself? Head over to https://evilhat.com/product/monster-of-the-week/ and grab yourself a copy!
If you want to send a question or scenario in send us an email! mastersofpenandpaper@gmail.com
Let us know what you think by leaving a rating and/or comments!
Want to join our discord? You can find us here: https://discord.gg/YkhAQtDDRz
Now - On with the show!
What if your D20 rolls could mutate you into a radioactive plant-person with laser claws?
In this episode of Masters of Pen and Paper, DG and Finny explore the gloriously gonzo world of Mutant Crawl Classics, a post-apocalyptic TTRPG that blends ancient tech, deadly mutations, and Zocchi dice chaos into one beautifully mutated ruleset.If you love DCC, Gamma World, or anything that combines dice tables with apocalyptic wastelands—this one’s for you.
If you want to send a question or scenario in send us an email! mastersofpenandpaper@gmail.com
Let us know what you think by leaving a rating and/or comments!
Want to join our discord? You can find us here: https://discord.gg/YkhAQtDDRz
Now - On with the show!
What if your choices didn’t matter—and the game still expected you to care?
In this episode of Masters of Pen and Paper, DG and Finny go Behind the Screens to explore one of the most essential pillars of tabletop roleplaying: player agency. Whether you’re running a gritty heist, a high fantasy saga, or a chaotic one-shot, agency is what turns a script into a story—and your players into protagonists.
We're diving into:
- What “player agency” really means (and how it differs from sandbox or open-world play)
- How DMs (and even players!) unintentionally strip others of control
- The fine line between guiding and railroading—and how to spot the difference
- Why asking questions beats writing monologues
- When it’s actually OK to limit choice—and when it’s not
Whether you’re a new DM or a veteran storyteller, this episode will help you build trust at the table, avoid burnout, and craft stories that feel alive.
What if the price of survival was your last sliver of humanity?
In this episode, DG and Finny jack into the glitchy, brutal world of CY_Borg, a cyberpunk TTRPG where style, violence, and anti-corporate rage collide in a data-drenched dystopia. This MÖRK BORG spin-off throws you into a decaying city of slums, corrupted tech, and rules meant to be broken.
If you love neon grit, random tables, and flipping off the megacorps—this one’s for you.
Want to get in touch? Send us an email at: mastersofpenandpaper@gmail.com
Let us know what you think by leaving a rating and/or comments!
Want to join our discord? You can find us here: https://discord.gg/YkhAQtDDRz
Now - On with the show!
What if the monsters weren’t lurking in the shadows—but seated right at your gaming table?
In this episode, DG and Finny delve into Vampire: The Masquerade 5e, the gothic-punk TTRPG where you don’t play the heroes—you play the vampires. This deep dive explores the blood-soaked lore, intricate rules, and storytelling potential behind one of the most iconic games in the World of Darkness.
Curious if this TTRPG is your next dark obsession—or an unreadable nightmare? Tune in and find out.
Want to get in touch? Send us an email at: mastersofpenandpaper@gmail.com
Let us know what you think by leaving a rating and/or comments!
Want to join our discord? You can find us here: https://discord.gg/YkhAQtDDRz
Now - On with the show!
What if you could embark on an epic TTRPG adventure… without a group?
In this episode, DG and Finny explore Ironsworn, the award-winning solo RPG that lets you take on quests, forge bonds, and shape your own fate in a harsh, Nordic-inspired world.
We cover:
The unique mechanics behind its d6 vs 2d10 “moves” system
How your vows and momentum define your story
The incredible Oracle system that replaces a GM
Why this is perfect for solo players—and what GMs can steal from it
Plus, our honest takes on the design, mechanics, and art style.
Want a copy for yourself? head on over to https://tomkinpress.com/pages/ironsworn and download it completely for free!
Want to get in touch? Send us an email at: mastersofpenandpaper@gmail.com
Let us know what you think by leaving a rating and/or comments!
Want to join our discord? You can find us here: https://discord.gg/YkhAQtDDRz
Now - On with the show!
This week on Masters of Pen and Paper, we're back with Part 2 of our Rules-Lite TTRPG spotlight, featuring two radically different but equally creative one-page RPGs.
It Is Said – A haunting, folklore-based story game where you’re lost in a mysterious forest filled with spirits, myths, and strange creatures from Lithuanian legend. Armed only with hope and old stories, will you find your way home?
Newtype – A mech-based skirmish RPG inspired by Gundam and Evangelion, where your vocabulary and wordplay literally build your pilot and mech. One part narrative, one part tactical—this one’s made for imaginative brawlers.
We cover:
How these micro-games handle storytelling, mechanics, and worldbuilding
What works (and what’s missing)
Who they’re best suited for
Our honest opinions on both
Want to get a copy of these FREE games for yourself? You can do exactly that by checking these links:
It is said: https://soupofthenight.substack.com/p/it-is-said-a-one-page-rpg
Newtype: https://imgur.com/Te0fbMn (https://www.reddit.com/r/rpg/comments/7u6u23/newtype_a_free_1page_mecha_rpg/)
Want to get in touch? Send us an email at: mastersofpenandpaper@gmail.com
Let us know what you think by leaving a rating and/or comments!
Want to join our discord? You can find us here: https://discord.gg/YkhAQtDDRz
Now - On with the show!
Want to run a tabletop RPG but don’t know where to start? In this episode of Masters of Pen and Paper, we break down the fundamentals of being a Game Master (GM)—whether you're running Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), Pathfinder, or any other TTRPG.
Hosts DG and Finny cover how to start as a GM, tips for running your first session, avoiding common pitfalls like railroading, and keeping your players engaged. Plus, we share must-have resources and our best advice from over 20 years of experience!
If you've ever thought about running a game, this episode is your guide to building worlds, telling great stories, and leading an unforgettable adventure.
(This is a "Behind the Screens" episode where we discuss different TTRPG topics and not specific game rulesets like normal episodes!)
Want to get in touch? Send us an email at: mastersofpenandpaper@gmail.com
Let us know what you think by leaving a rating and/or comments!
Want to join our discord? You can find us here: https://discord.gg/YkhAQtDDRz
Now - On with the show!
What's better than one super rules light TTRPG? TWO super rules light TTRPG's of course!
Finny and I are going through World of Dungeons and Lasers and Feelings today, both of which are COMPLETELY FREE and only a single page. What do you have to lose? Let's have a chat about some quick to table and easy to learn games!
World of Dungeons is a simple, quick-play, dungeon crawling game, using one of the core mechanics from the Powered by the Apocalypse rules system.
It's compatible with Old School Renaissance and original D&D monsters, dungeons, and adventure modules.
Lasers & Feelings is a quick-play role playing game, based on the songs of The Doubleclicks.
You are the crew of the interstellar scout ship Raptor. Your mission is to explore uncharted regions of space, deal with aliens both friendly and deadly, and defend the Consortium worlds against space dangers. Captain Darcy has been overcome by the strange psychic entity known as Something Else, leaving you to fend for yourselves while he recovers in a medical pod.
Want a copy for yourself? Check out World of Dungeons here: https://johnharper.itch.io/world-of-dungeons
and Lasers and Feelings here: https://johnharper.itch.io/lasers-feelings
If you want to send a question or scenario in send us an email! mastersofpenandpaper@gmail.com
Let us know what you think by leaving a rating and/or comments!
Want to join our discord? You can find us here: https://discord.gg/YkhAQtDDRz
Now - On with the show!
A rules-light, flavour-heavy roleplaying game of industrial horror and cosmic strangeness
Bastion is the only city that matters. In its industrial age, it sits as the smoke-shrouded hub of mankind, surrounded by a world of lurking horrors and cosmic interference. The Underground spreads beneath our feet and the stars loom above. You are an Explorer, braving places too far for maps and too old for records. Your expeditions touch the bizarre, wondrous, and horrific. You search for riches, but also Arcana, mysterious devices with unnatural powers. This remastered version of the classic indie RPG revisits Industrial Bastionland, giving the original Into the Odd a lavish hardback, full-colour restoration with expanded content.
The book is written by Chris McDowall (Electric Bastionland) with graphic design by Johan Nohr (MÖRK BORG) and printed and distributed by Free League Publishing.
Want to buy a copy of the game? Check it out here: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/399483/into-the-odd-remastered
Get a hardcopy version here: https://freeleaguepublishing.com/shop/into-the-odd/
If you want to send a question or scenario in send us an email! mastersofpenandpaper@gmail.com
Let us know what you think by leaving a rating and/or comments!
Want to join our discord? You can find us here: https://discord.gg/YkhAQtDDRz
Now - On with the show!
A scurvy-ridden, rules light, art heavy tabletop RPG.
Inspired by history, fantasy, horror and rum. Your cutlass & flintlock won’t save you from the hordes of skeletons, the Kraken, or even your own crew.PIRATE BORG is a complete game based on and compatible with the award -winningMÖRK BORGRPG. But it’s also a tool kit. Most of the tables can be hacked and used with any tabletop RPG.
This game is about being a greedy, filthy, scoundrel.
Find a ship. Recruit some crew. Raid, pillage, plunder, and otherwise pilfer your weasley black guts out. Get a bigger ship. Kill some things. Upgrade your ship. Sneak into a fort. Raid a port. Acquire treasure. Bury said treasure. Become infamous. Search for someone else’s treasure. Flee in terror from unfathomable creatures from the deep. Drink all of the rum. Die on the high seas. Roll a new character and do it all again.
Included in the 166-page book are eight character classes, easy-to-learn naval combat rules, stats for 18 vessels, 80+ NPCs & monsters, 90+ system agnostic tables, andThe Curse of Skeleton Point, a sandbox style adventure with 11 pirate-themed locations.
Want to buy a copy of the game? Check it out here: https://www.limithron.com/pirateborg
If you want to send a question or scenario in send us an email! mastersofpenandpaper@gmail.com
Let us know what you think by leaving a rating and/or comments!
Want to join our discord? You can find us here: https://discord.gg/YkhAQtDDRz
Now - On with the show!