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The Whispering GM
CWR
82 episodes
2 days ago
Reviews, Rants, and Old School Gaming
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Reviews, Rants, and Old School Gaming
Show more...
Hobbies
Leisure
Episodes (20/82)
The Whispering GM
Bronze Age Adventure

-- Description --

Bronze Age Adventure! Literature, history, and other reasons why antiquity is a good time to set your campaign - followed by some call ins!


Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog:

⁠https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/⁠

Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe:

⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast⁠

...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters:

⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message⁠

...or come hang out with all of us on Discord:

⁠https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn


-- Show Notes --

00:00 - Intro

00:46 - Theme

01:07 - Bronze & Mud

02:58 - Appendix N: Classical Antiquity

07:50 - High Level Games & History Books

12:19 - Heroism in the Bronze Age

17:58 - Misconceptions: Bronze-Core, not Mud

22:02 - And That's About All I Have to Say About That

23:01 - Call In: Nerd's Variety Jason - Chainmail Bikinis: Mechanically

29:23 - Call In: M. W. Lewis - East Tennessee

32:05 - ...M. W.'s Flip DN Screen

32:33 - ...Player Trust & a Quality Table

36:01 - ...On Loincloth Barbarians

37:20 - Outro


-- Links --

* Masters & Treasure Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/monsters-and-treasure/id1659703332

* Nerd's Variety Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason376

* Worlds of M. W. Lewis: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mwlewis

- City of Kingsport: https://www.kingsporttn.gov/

- Foldy DM Screen: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006HWLFE?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Show more...
1 year ago
38 minutes 52 seconds

The Whispering GM
Make Bikinis Armor Again!

-- Description --

Does your campaign look like a Frazetta painting?

Why not?!


Make bikinis armor again: an exposé on the cultural reasoning behind playing a character who doesn't wear armor, but does like to get stuck in!


Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog:

⁠https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/⁠

Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe:

⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast⁠

...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters:

⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message⁠

...or come hang out with all of us on Discord:

⁠https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn


Thumbnail generated on https://www.craiyon.com


-- Show Notes --

00:00 - Intro

00:40 - Theme

01:00 - Historical Loincloth Barbarians

06:42 - The Bikini Armor Esthetic

08:26 - The Item Dependence Problem

11:01 - An Evolving Appendix N

18:51 - Whispers Concludes

20:29 - Call In: Bos - On Scaling

24:51 - Call In: Jason - GM Screens

26:21 - Call In: "Highway Star" M. W. Lewis - Kitchen Sink of Topics

37:35 - Outro


-- Links --

MagicMan Meme - https://x.com/ejemek3/status/1818690382344962537

Down in a Heap - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/down-in-a-heap/id1446315881

Greek Marine Panoply Study - https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/soldiers-put-an-ancient-greek-suit-of-armor-to-the-test-and-it-passed-180984411/

Bos at Border Baronies - https://borderbaronies.bearblog.dev/

Nerd's Variety Podcast - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason376

Worlds of M. W. Lewis - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mwlewis

Show more...
1 year ago
39 minutes 6 seconds

The Whispering GM
In Defense of the Screen

-- Description --

The Dungeon Master Screen: do you use one? I do - but some other folks don't: why would they eschew this time-tested tool and why I think DM screens are great.


Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog:

⁠https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/⁠

Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe:

⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast⁠

...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters:

⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message⁠

...or come hang out with all of us on Discord:

⁠https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn


-- Show Notes --

00:00 - Intro

00:08 - Theme

00:28 - The Dungeon Master Screen

01:19 - A Case Against: Transparency in Dice Rolls

02:18 - Some Rolls Should Be Secret

06:06 - What about the RAW?

08:19 - Rolling in the Open: A Guard against Fudge

09:18 - The ACTUAL Point of the DM Screen

13:04 - The Best of Both Worlds

13:40 - Some Secrecy is Good for the Players

15:07 - But What about Low Prep / No Prep?

17:25 - Call in: Red Dice Diaries John - Scheming Players & Fudging Dice

19:54 - Call In: Diagetic Advancement Riley - Active Defense

23:24 - ...A Final Word on Ghouls

24:08 - ...LBB-ified Thief vs Greyhawk Thief

25:32 - Ghouls! What constitutes a Touch?

26:43 - Why Specify a Wand of Paralysis?

29:20 - Where did Con-Based Resurrection Survival Come From?

30:52 - What actually IS Ghoul paralysis?

32:15 - Thank You, Callers, Listeners, and Other Interacters

32:45 - Outro


-- Links --

Aug's Entirely Too Long Custom Screen: https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/2024/01/0e-reference-sheets.html

Confessions of a High Prep GM:

- Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/episodes/Confessions-of-a-High-Prep-GM-e2dr5lp

- YouTube: https://youtu.be/3omIW4201EQ


Red Dice Diaries: https://reddicediaries.bearblog.dev/

Diagetic Advancement: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/diegeticadvancement

Wight Box: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/473031/wight-box-original-medieval-fantasy-adventure-campaigns

Show more...
1 year ago
34 minutes 16 seconds

The Whispering GM
Talking Time

-- Description --

Listeners call in to talk about time - some podcast friends call in and talk about timekeeping in their games as well as timekeeping in their lives: figuring out when to fit in the hobby and figuring out how to make the most of it while we're there; most in response to 1:1 Turn Tracking.

Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog:

⁠https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/⁠

Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe:

⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast⁠

...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters:

⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message⁠

...or come hang out with all of us on Discord:

⁠https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn


-- Show Notes --

00:00 - Theme

00:30 - Daniel Norton, Bandit's Keep: Solo Gaming

01:17 - Encouragement from Whispers for Busy Gamers

05:35 - Daniel: Traps Attacking

06:48 - ...Magical Traps

08:30 - ...Mundane Traps

10:10 - ...Ability Scores and Traps

12:23 - Audio Quality Note

12:44 - Riley: On Timing Combat Rounds

13:58 - ...On Players Feeling Targeted

16:30 - ...But Isn't Turn Timing Adversarial Refereeing?

21:23 - Evil Jeff: What Kind of Game do you Want to Run?

27:12 - John Large: Time Tracking and Shadowdark

29:28 - ...On Life Getting in the Way: West Marches and Solo Games

30:43 - ...On Keeping Up with Podcasting

32:02 - Signing Off and Audio Retro

32:37 - Outro


-- Links --

1:1 Turn Tracking - Original Episode: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/episodes/11-Turn-Tracking-e2k7r2k

Bandit's Keep:

- Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/daniel-norton

- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BanditsKeep

- YouTube Actual Play: https://www.youtube.com/@BanditsKeepActualPlay

Diagetic Advancement: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/diegeticadvancement

Evil Jeff: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eviljeff

Red Dice Diaries: https://reddicediaries.bearblog.dev/

Spike Pit: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/spikepit

Show more...
1 year ago
34 minutes 8 seconds

The Whispering GM
Ghouls Just Want To Have Fun

-- Description --

Follow up episode - additional insights and answers, as pertaining to Ghouls and Ghoul Paralysis: less dangerous (or more?) than you think.


Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog:

⁠https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/⁠

Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe:

⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast⁠

...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters:

⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message⁠

...or come hang out with all of us on Discord:

⁠https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn


Show thumbnail was generated using Craiyon.com (http://craiyon.com/)


-- Show Notes --

00:00 - Intro

00:52 - Theme?

01:22 - Call In: D.A. Riley

06:12 - Call In: Pink Phantom

27:29 - ODD74 Perspective

30:59 - Call In: Daniel Norton

36:45 - But What Did Wight Box Say?

39:09 - Outro


-- Links --

Wight Box: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/473031/wight-box-original-medieval-fantasy-adventure-campaigns

Diagetic Advancement: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/diegeticadvancement

Pink Phantom:

- Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/phantomthoughts

- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePinkPhantom

Mr Wargaming AD&D Mass Combat: https://youtu.be/9OD484CsTBI

ODD74 Thread: https://odd74.proboards.com/thread/462/ghoul-paralysis?page=2

Bandit's Keep:

- Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/daniel-norton

- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BanditsKeep

- YouTube Actual Play: https://www.youtube.com/@BanditsKeepActualPlay


Show more...
1 year ago
40 minutes 40 seconds

The Whispering GM
Lunch with Lungfungus

-- Description --

I had the distinct privilege over Father's Day weekend to meet up with Lungfungus - author of Actual Dungeon Mastering and the Melancholies & Mirth blog - to have a beer and chat about gaming until my wife dragged me home.


Wash of topics - keep delving!


Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog:

⁠https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/⁠

Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe:

⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast⁠

...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters:

⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message⁠

...or come hang out with all of us on Discord:

⁠https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn


-- Show Notes --

00:00 - Intro

01:02 - Theme

01:22 - Lunch with Lungfungus

01:40 - The Implications of Presenting a Map in VTT

05:06 - Tabletop Simulator for Chainmail

07:08 - Purple Prose in Text Game Prep

07:22 - Text vs Voice Experience with VTTs

09:43 - How's Been Gamin? (Wild West OD&D)

13:00 - The Wild West, Hex Crawling, and Challenging the Mapper

17:17 - On Being Lost and the Horizon

18:52 - Touch Grass; DM Better!

20:00 - Sight Lines

22:52 - Briefly Bloviating about Beer

23:31 - Flat Earth Elves

25:37 - Lost as Impeded rather than Lost as Lost

29:47 - Hex Maps as Mazes

34:11 - Influencing the Amount of Communication

36:21 - Granularity of Weather: Engaging with the Material Reality

38:30 - Where are the Hinges?

42:33 - Player Skill and Asking Questions: Diverse Application of Common Articles

44:26 - Reputation: How Fast does News Travel?

45:57 - Great Lakes Scale

46:38 - Random Castles, Random Lairs, & PVP Chainmail

48:00 - Incorporating Hex Characteristics as Resources to Manage

50:29 - Thank You, Lungfungus!

51:43 - Outro


-- Links --

Melancholies and Mirth - https://melancholiesandmirth.blogspot.com/

OSR Simulacrum - https://osrsimulacrum.blogspot.com/

Gucci Fuligan Cloak

- https://guccifuligincloak.blogspot.com/

- https://www.youtube.com/@gfcsdnd205

Luke Gearing - https://lukegearing.blot.im/

Show more...
1 year ago
53 minutes 13 seconds

The Whispering GM
1:1 Turn Tracking

-- Description --

Do you time your players' actions in combat? You should! And here are three reasons why - from my table to yours, direct through the earbuds.


Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog:

⁠https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/⁠

Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe:

⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast⁠

...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters:

⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message⁠

...or come hang out with all of us on Discord:

⁠https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn


-- Show Notes --

00:00 - 1:1 Turn Tracking

00:22 - Intro

00:45 - How long is a turn?

02:01 - Basic Method: Counting Seconds

05:32 - Eliminates Hesitation: Keeps Things Moving

09:38 - Helps Participation: Keeps Players Paying Attention

13:49 - Helps Immersion: Feels Chaotic

17:10 - Conclusion and Call-Out

20:26 - Outro


-- Links --

Immersion:

Spotify - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/clerics-wear-ringmail/episodes/Immersion-e1jqhfr

YouTube - https://youtu.be/L8ajqIMJPbA

Show more...
1 year ago
21 minutes 57 seconds

The Whispering GM
Ghouls: Not as Scary As you Think

-- Description --

Ghouls - the iconic paralyzers and low-level party enders: capable of wrecking shop even on a mid level party! Or... are they? I revisit the rules as worded and cross reference them to concepts in Chainmail, revealing that in 0e, at least - Ghouls might not have been as powerful as they would, in later editions, become.

Then, some call-ins regarding adversarial play (among which is a great example of adversarial play from Daniel over at Bandit's Keep) and a concept (new, to me) of treating traps like monsters - at least where THAC0 is concerned.

Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog:

⁠https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/⁠

Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe:

⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast⁠

...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters:

⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message⁠

...or come hang out with all of us on Discord:

⁠https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn


-- Show Notes --

00:00 - Ghouls: Not as Scary as you Think

00:18 - Theme

00:39 - Ghouls in the Little Brown Books

02:09 - "Normal" Figures

03:46 - Wights in Chainmail

06:18 - An Introduction to Moldvayan Revisionism

07:51 - Save vs Paralysis in the Text

09:13 - What About Withstand Adversity?

14:22 - Call In: Nerd's Variety Jason - Reliability

17:28 - Call In: Nerd's Variety Jason - Traps as Monsters

19:19 - Traps as Monsters of HD Equal to Dungeon Level

21:08 - Call In: DA Riley - Episodes, Life, and Listening

23:34 - Call In: Bandit's Keep Daniel - A Tale of Adversarial Play

30:23 - Call In: Bob - Enjoying the Surprise of a Plotting Player

33:08 - Outro


-- Links --

The Basic Expert: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBasicExpert

Wight Box: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/473031/WightBox-Original-Medieval-Fantasy-Adventure-Campaigns


Nerd's Variety Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason376

Nerd's Variety Blog: https://nerdsrpgvarietycast.com/

Diegetic Advancement: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/diegeticadvancement/

Bandit's Keep:

- https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/daniel-norton

- https://www.youtube.com/@BanditsKeep

- https://www.youtube.com/@BanditsKeepActualPlay

Bos' Bear Blog: https://borderbaronies.bearblog.dev/

Show more...
1 year ago
34 minutes 39 seconds

The Whispering GM
Adversarial Play and Adversarial Prep, Revisited

-- Description --

Call in show - listeners debate the fine points of adversarial play, as well as toss in some tokens for how prep influences their games - or vice versa: how their games have influenced their prep. Then - at the end - a quick promised health and sanity update from me for folks who were listening and concerned as of last time around.


Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog:

⁠https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/⁠

Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe:

⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast⁠

...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters:

⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message⁠

...or come hang out with all of us on Discord:

⁠https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn


-- Show Notes --

00:00 - Theme

00:21 - Jason: Feedback on Classic Adventure Gaming

04:38 - Jason: On Adversarial Gaming

11:32 - Riley: Conspiratorial Players

18:14 - Mirke the Meek: Adversarial Play and Representing the Table

24:22 - Karl: Evolution of Your Campaign

28:22 - Riley: Regarding Prep and Story Games

31:36 - Mirke: Experiences with Prep

36:46 - Personal and Health Update

48:56 - Outro


-- Links --

Nerd's Variety Jason - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason376

Evil Jeff - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eviljeff

Jason Hobbs - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason-hobbs

Riley - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/diegeticadvancement

Mirke - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mirke-the-meek

Karl - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karl-rodriguez

Show more...
1 year ago
50 minutes 27 seconds

The Whispering GM
Confessions of a High Prep GM

-- Description --

Talking about prepping for your game. How much is too much? How much is too little? And how much can you learn from the mistakes of someone who has gone entirely off the deep end before?


Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog:

⁠https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/⁠

Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe:

⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast⁠

...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters:

⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message⁠

...or come hang out with all of us on Discord:

⁠https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn


-- Show Notes --

00:00 - Prepper's Anonymous

00:09 - Theme

00:39 - On Campaign Prep

02:51 - Advocating for Zero Prep

05:15 - Why Then do I Prep?

12:18 - The Dangers of Too Much Prep

16:40 - Prep According to your Play

17:35 - Side Note on the Joy of Prep

21:58 - At the End of the Day...

22:24 - Outro & Theme


-- Links --

Just Three Hexes: https://chgowiz-games.blogspot.com/2017/11/just-three-hexes-campaign-starters.html


Show more...
1 year ago
23 minutes 24 seconds

The Whispering GM
Adversarial Players

-- Description --

Having spent some time figuring out adversarial referees - what would then make a player an adversarial player? Exploring some experiences, ideas, and behaviors that may - or may not - make a player into an enemy instead of an ally.


Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog:

⁠https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/⁠

Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe:

⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast⁠

...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters:

⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message⁠

...or come hang out with all of us on Discord:

⁠https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn


-- Show Notes --

00:00 - Adversarial... Play

00:43 - Theme

01:13 - Player vs. Referee

01:40 - Rules Lawyering?

04:25 - Munchkining (Rules Abuse)?

08:08 - Derailing?

14:53 - Player vs Other Players

15:05 - PvP?

20:30 - Filibuster your Friends?

26:36 - In Conclusion

29:12 - For Next Time

30:16 - Outro & Theme


-- Links --

* Kalmata: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCJihWQoKqzZdxeL1LHkr-YJ_hewIFOyx

* Karl of the GMologist Presents: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karl-rodriguez

* Secrets of Brovenloft: https://youtu.be/A5QdvJDLUvM?si=b45eAgZ-hPZ_zm-o


Show more...
1 year ago
31 minutes 17 seconds

The Whispering GM
Did You Really?

-- Description --

"I've been playing for 45 years and we never played that way back in the day!"


A common refrain for long-timers trying to discourage playstyles differing from their own, I explore the possibility that the arguer might be remembering yesterday just as much as 1975.


Then, following up, a note on my personal health, how it's been holding me back a bit from participating in the hobby like I want to, and what I'm doing about it to fix that problem.


Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog:

⁠https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/⁠

Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe:

⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast⁠

...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters:

⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message⁠

...or come hang out with all of us on Discord:

⁠https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn


-- Show Notes --

00:00 - Dedication

00:12 - Theme

00:42 - Did you really?

01:51 - Playing with Chainmail

04:47 - First Edition for the First Time

06:21 - Playing Multiple Games

08:08 - Learning and Growing

10:31 - Call In: Nerd's Variety Jason!

10:54 - Health Update

20:55 - Outro


-- Links --

Obituary: Aaron M. Koelman

https://www.gearty-delmore.com/obituary/Aaron-Koelman


Solo Dungeon Crawler: OD&D Combat with Chainmail

https://youtu.be/5vLp5gtfDTw?si=D5I5X8c88TXpltLU


Nerd's Variety Cast

https://anchor.fm/jason376

Show more...
1 year ago
21 minutes 55 seconds

The Whispering GM
Where Are You, Whispers?

-- Description --

Happy Thanksgiving! Catch up and call in episode: talking about mercenaries, advancement, but mostly - maps, tokens, and VTTs.


Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog:

⁠https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/⁠

Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe:

⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast⁠

...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters:

⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message⁠

...or come hang out with all of us on Discord:

⁠https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn


-- Show Notes --

00:00 - I'm Still Alive!

00:52 - ANNOUNCEMENT: Adventure Site Contest

02:37 - Theme

03:07 - Nerd's Variety Jason: Renown System

06:02 - Bandit's Keep Daniel: Mercenary Players?

14:47 - ...: On XP in OD&D

21:45 - Gamerhood Jason: The Map is Reality

25:27 - Nerd's Variety Jason: VTTs are the Devil! (On Token Control)

29:51 - Bandit's Keep Daniel: On Battle-Maps and Tokens

33:35 - ...: Map... as a Character!

35:36 - Where Are You Whispers? Update on Life & Empire

38:17 - Outro


-- Links --

Cold Light Press: https://coldlightrpgpress.weebly.com/home/spread-the-wordadventure-site-contest


Classic Adventure Gaming Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tcagp

Nerd's Variety Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason376

Bandit's Keep: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/daniel-norton

https://www.youtube.com/@BanditsKeep

Hobbs, Friends, & Gamerhood: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason-hobbs

https://www.twitch.tv/hobbs665


Show more...
1 year ago
39 minutes 17 seconds

The Whispering GM
Maps & Minis

-- Description --

User feedback focused on the use of maps - in the campaign, in the dungeon, in real life, and in virtual - as well as the implications of maps and all of the above on hirelings and henchmen. Bit of a variety show - very relevant to the OSR player experience.


Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog:

⁠https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/⁠

Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe:

⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast⁠

...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters:

⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message⁠

...or come hang out with all of us on Discord:

⁠https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn


-- Show Notes --

00:00 - Cockatrice Nuggets and the NPC Player

00:39 - Intro

01:09 - Why Play? (On NPC Players)

01:46 - Roles & Henchmen with Hobbs

05:57 - Role vs Role (vs Role) with Daniel

09:51 - Using Henchmen (and Miniatures For Them!) with DarkFluid

16:27 - Nerd's Variety Jason: Maps, at least, are RAW

19:16 - Bandit Maps! Making, Ciphering, and Using Maps with Daniel

25:47 - Maps & Ciphers with the Pink Phantom

29:34 - Pink Scroll Cases? (Guarding them, at Least)

31:34 - Hobbs Asks: Who Controls your VTT Map Tokens?

35:37 - Outro


-- Links --

Cockatrice Nuggets: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rich-fraser

Jason Prime:

Hobbs & Friends: https://hobbsnfriends.com/

Random Screed: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason-hobbs

Bandit's Keep Daniel: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/daniel-norton

The Pacific Crest Trail: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Crest_Trail

Audio Dungeon Discord: https://discord.gg/FBP7CjA6G (Valid through Rosh Hashanah)

Nerd's Variety Jason: https://anchor.fm/jason376

Phantom Thoughts (Pink Phantom): https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-pink-phantom

Show more...
2 years ago
36 minutes 38 seconds

The Whispering GM
Beyond Advancement

-- Description --

Listener feedback exploring character advancement - first, talking a bit about gold for XP, classic D&D, and how procedural generation facilitates OSR dungeon design and frees your mind to make more interesting experiences; and then, moving into alternative advancement: not alternative mechanisms, necessarily, but new ways to interpret and play out character advancement in your old school campaign.


Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog:

⁠https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/⁠

Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe:

⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast⁠

...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters:

⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message⁠

...or come hang out with all of us on Discord:

⁠https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn


-- Show Notes --

00:00 - D14s

01:14 - Intro

01:44 - Nerd's Variety Jason: Golden Railroads

06:19 - Jason Prime: On Gold and Experience

09:00 - ...Layers of Play: Character Layer vs Design Layer

10:20 - Bandit's Keep Daniel: Procedural Generation and Scroll Cases

11:46 - Red Dice John: General Feedback and the Benefits of Procedural Generators

15:16 - Call In! Nick from DSTP - Substitutionary Treasure

20:33 - Hindsightless Joe: Isn't it All Milestones?

24:05 - Chicago Wiz Michael: Beyond Advancement

33:13 - Outro


-- Links --

Nerd's Variety Jason: https://anchor.fm/jason376

Hobbs & Friends Hobbs:

Hobbs & Friends: https://hobbsnfriends.com/

Random Screed: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason-hobbs

Bandit's Keep: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/daniel-norton

The Red Dice Diaries: https://reddicediaries.substack.com/

Don't Split the Party:

Blog: http://harbingergames.blogspot.com/

Discord: https://discord.gg/vgDF6QZ

Hindsightless: https://anchor.fm/joe-richter9/

Chicago Wiz: https://chgowiz.substack.com/

Show more...
2 years ago
34 minutes 14 seconds

The Whispering GM
Maps Aren't Real!

-- Description --

Vanishing Tower Jay is back to defend his honor! Spar once more with the metaphorical mapper: where he makes his case once more for maps as communication tools - not as physical artifacts!


Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog:

⁠https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/⁠

Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe:

⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast⁠

...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters:

⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message⁠

...or come hang out with all of us on Discord:

⁠https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn


-- Show Notes --

00:00 - Murphy Strikes Back!

00:31 - Theme

01:01 - Real Life Maps Don't Translate

01:40 - Purchasing Maps?

02:49 - Maps and Inaccuracy

04:04 - Alternative: Hiring Guides

05:03 - Treasure Maps

06:45 - On Getting Lost

08:27 - To Conclude on Maps as Physical Artifacts

08:48 - Call In! Bandit's Keep Daniel: Mapping from Beads

13:47 - Call In! Pink Phantom: Lost Maps and Player Notes

16:28 - Call In! Bandit's Keep Daniel: Con Games

21:29 - Quick Apology and Quicker Thank You

22:52 - Outro


-- Links --

Jay, Vanishing Tower Press: https://vanishingtower.blogspot.com/

Or on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vanishingtowerpress2786

Daniel Norton, Song of The Mapper: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSmx06Tb47U&list=PLLWlyyPUNLSxVSJUJ5hxyqKMDZnE5LQ9M

Rick Stump Episode: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/episodes/Regarding-Player-Skill-e1mse9p

A Real Treasure Map - Olivier Levasseur: https://explorersweb.com/exploration-mysteries-treasure-olivier-levasseur/


Daniel, Bandit's Keep: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/daniel-norton

Phantom Thoughts, the Pink Phantom: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-pink-phantom

Show more...
2 years ago
23 minutes 52 seconds

The Whispering GM
The Role Divide

-- Description --

There has always been a divide between Role Players and Roll Players - but what about Role Players and Players of a Role? This episode delves in to what "role playing" meant - or would have meant - to the original crew on the original game... and how it differs from what we think of when we say "role playing" today.


Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog:

⁠https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/⁠

Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe:

⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast⁠

...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters:

⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message⁠

...or come hang out with all of us on Discord:

⁠https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn


-- Show Notes --

00:00 - The Role Divide

01:16 - Theme

01:46 - The Role You Serve

03:56 - The Role of the Fighter

06:03 - The Role of the Cleric

08:29 - The Role of the Magic User

10:50 - Bob the FIGHTER, not BOB the Fighter

12:18 - The Proof is in the Training

15:17 - Should You Speak in Funny Voices?

16:26 - Call In: The Trapper of Scroll Cases Speaks!

17:00 - ...Emergent World-Building through Procedural Generation

20:15 - Call In: Bos Bossman - Crunch & Flow

20:46 - ...Character Customization & Archetypal Dynamic

24:04 - ...The Benefit of Predictability in Maintaining Flow

25:45 - The Calls of M. W. Lewis!

26:01 - ...for Love of Henchmen

30:08 - ...on The Rogue's Gallery

32:08 - Outro


-- Links --

Don't Split The Party, Roles: http://harbingergames.blogspot.com/search/label/monks

Mr Hobbs: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason-hobbs

Splitting the Party with Procedures: https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/2021/08/do-split-party.html

The Worlds of M. W. Lewis: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mwlewis/

The Rogue's Gallery: https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=tsr+the+rogues+gallery

Show more...
2 years ago
33 minutes 8 seconds

The Whispering GM
Creative Railroading?

-- Description --

A call from the Pink Phantom posits a true conundrum. Does gold for XP create a creative railroad for player interaction? Listen on to hear my defense of Gold for XP as the ultimate de-railer.

Then, some call ins on recent episodes in the podcast-verse!


Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog:

⁠https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/⁠

Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe:

⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast⁠

...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters:

⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message⁠

...or come hang out with all of us on Discord:

⁠https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn


-- Show Notes --

00:00 - Pink Phantom: Stylistic Railroading

01:00 - Theme

01:30 - Gold is the Anti-Railroad

02:40 - Collaborative Failed Novelist Syndrome

04:00 - A Case for Gold

04:40 - Archetypes and Inspirations of Appendix N

05:53 - Stylistic Paradigms: why NOT Gold?

09:23 - Liberation of Advancement

09:54 - Pink Phantom: There is no Winning or Losing at RPGs

11:07 - You Can Win at the Clerics Wear Ringmail table!

12:02 - Nerd's Variety Jason: On Milestones

15:28 - GMologist Karl: Handfuls of Dice

17:45 - ...on Lookups and Running DCC

21:50 - Bandit's Keep Daniel: The Identify Spell!

34:24 - ...on Gary and Sages

26:32 - ...on Scroll Cases: Trap 'Em or Lock 'Em?

31:32 - Outro


-- Links --

Phantom Thoughts, Pink Phantom: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-pink-phantom

How to Win at D&D: https://pilumpress.com/products/how-to-win-at-d-d

Nerd's Variety Podcast, Jason: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason376

The GMologist Presents, Karl: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karl-rodriguez

Bandit's Keep, Daniel: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/daniel-norton

Gary's House Rules, Blogosphere: http://cyclopeatron.blogspot.com/2010/03/gary-gygaxs-whitebox-od-house-rules.html

Gary's House Rules, OD&D '74: https://odd74.proboards.com/thread/3906/gygax-house-rules-2005

Gary's House Rules, Dragonsfoot: https://www.dragonsfoot.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=43849

Car Alarm: https://improbable.com/2023/01/18/a-look-back-at-the-prize-winning-anti-hijacking-flamethrower/


Show more...
2 years ago
32 minutes 33 seconds

The Whispering GM
The Importance of Gold for Experience

-- Description --

Exposition on the importance of gold for experience, and a quick glance into the method behind the madness. Simply put:

Gold for XP

is the Best Way to Be.


Then some miscellaneous user calls - pacing, mapping, and adversarial preparation!


Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog:

https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/

Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe:

https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast

...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message


...or come hang out with all of us on Discord:

https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn


-- Show Notes --

00:00 - GP for XP?

01:25 - Theme

01:55 - The Weight of Milestones

03:07 - Experience as a Motivator

04:18 - How you "Win" at D&D

05:17 - The Essential Importance of GP for XP

08:13 - Call in! GMologist Karl on Adversarial Prep

13:39 - Call in! Nerd's Variety Jason regarding Pacing in the Dungeon

15:35 - Call in! CapnCarberry from Discord!

15:47 - ...Deceive the Enemy

16:26 - ...Mapping by Pace and Ranger Beads

17:26 - ...Knowing what to Bring and How to Use It

18:30 - Outro


-- Links --

The GMologist Presents (Karl): https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karl-rodriguez

Nerd's Variety Podcast (Jason): https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason376

Show more...
2 years ago
19 minutes 31 seconds

The Whispering GM
Crunchy Feedback

-- Description --

Further discussion as requested and as recieved in prior episodes: what's more important - crunch or flow? Some insights and experiences from listeners. Part two of call-in/response.


Like what you're hearing? Visit the blog:

https://clericswearringmail.blogspot.com/

Want to get in on the conversation, yourself? Send in a voicemail on SpeakPipe:

https://www.speakpipe.com/WhisperingGMPodcast

...or join the conversation on Spotify for Podcasters:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-whispering-gm/message

...or come hang out with all of us on Discord:

https://discord.gg/kQnrK4YCCn


-- Show Notes --

00:00 - Theme

00:30 - Jason's Experiene with Crunch & Flow

06:16 - Bandit's Keep Daniel on the Rebrand

07:05 - ...and Speaks to Flow and New Players

10:35 - ...and Defends Page Flipping?

13:54 - Free Thrall: To OSR or Not to OSR

19:08 - Daniel on Appropriate Traps and Curses

22:09 - Outro


-- Links --

Nerd's Varity Podcast (Jason): https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason376

Bandit's Keep (Daniel): https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/daniel-norton/

Monsters & Treasure: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monsters-and-treasure

Keep Off the Borderlands (Spencer): https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/free-thrall

Show more...
2 years ago
23 minutes 9 seconds

The Whispering GM
Reviews, Rants, and Old School Gaming