Fluff N Crunch

A few years ago Modiphius ran a Kickstarter for Cohors Cthulhu, a mythos + fantasy game set in 2nd Century Rome. James backed it and today we provide an overview of the books, system, setting, and his overall review of the collection.Modiphius’ CC Page: https://modiphius.net/en-us/pages/cohors-cthulhu

Published campaigns offer advantages and challenges to homebrew content, and we’ve got some experiences with both and advice for how to work through them in this update on Jeremy’s PF1e Eberron campaign, which is based on the Ironfang Invasion Adventure Path from Paizo, modified to fit Eberron and to make more sense as a story.

James finally finished his Curse of Strahd/Castlevania mashup, and his GM had a…unique…way to make the last session memorable. Listen to the madness and be inspired, repelled, or both.

You shelved that campaign some time ago, and now you and your players want to bring it back to the table…how? Where do you start? How do you get everyone back on the same page, heading in the same direction, and with some energy to kick things off?Herein we discuss some ideas.

I’d wager that every GM of at least a few months of experience has either considered “world building” or done it. It seems like a massive, maybe daunting challenge, and it can be. Where, then, should you start? Herein we begin our extended series on world building:What size should you make your new world?And by "world," what do you mean?How to think about which system to useWhere to find inspirationWhen to start "building

How can you approach canon when dealing with an established setting? When does it make sense to bend or break it, and are there other ways to work with it as you plan and run games?We offer some suggestions and a heap of examples.Let us know what you think: https://forms.gle/siRsr21MVpTptHv18

Herein I offer an initial pitch to James about Eberron, the DnD setting that debuted in 2004 during they height of the d20/3.5 era. I make the case that this world works, breathes in a way that is easily understood and is plausible, making creating and running stories easy and interesting.Let us know what you think in our new comments box: https://forms.gle/pUMTHCwFmyPm39aa6Eberron page on DriveThruRPG: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/browse?keyword=eberron

An annual tradition on the show, herein we discuss our short lists of goals and plans for gaming in 2026, to include some worldbuilding, new campaigns, deliberate shelving of existing campaigns, and other gaming-related activities.What are you planning for in gaming in 2026?

James explains how he is getting to know Traveller as a GM and running a story for one player. We discuss how he handles the mechanics, story, and character aspects of this original adventure, and how it fits perfectly with Traveller’s core rules.Check out Mongoose’s Traveller Start Page: https://www.mongoosepublishing.com/collections/start-hereCheck out the awesome Traveller Map: https://travellermap.com/?p=-0.433!0.5!2&options=58359

I picked up this starter box at a Black Friday sale and ran the one session story is contained. Herein are my thoughts.Free League’s Vaesen Page: https://freeleaguepublishing.com/games/vaesen/

STA came out in late 2017, and I’ve been running it on and off since, with four separate campaigns under my belt, and a shelf of 1e hardbacks as my collection. Herein I look back on the game - what it does well, where it’s rough, and why it’s worth trying (1e or 2e), despite my lack of interest in 2e. Find current and 1e materials at the links below.Free 2e Quickstart: https://tinyurl.com/2pzvuh5h1e PDF Rulebook for purchase: https://tinyurl.com/33sbdh5r1e Klingon Rulebook PDF for purchase: https://tinyurl.com/2t6hhfh5

We’ve discussed the work that goes into getting ready to run a new campaign, and since one of us is going through that right now, we decided to talk through the steps in the process of marrying the three S’s of a game: system, setting, and story.And here's that link to the massive Classic Traveller deal: https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/traveller-classic-rpg-collection?v=5911

Every campaign comes to an end, whether by decision or outside events or pressure. When you have at least some time to work with, how can you gracefully, satisfyingly, finish a campaign? And when you do, are you ending it, or shelving it? We discuss these ideas today.

Every RPG offers some kind of system of formal rewards: XP, levels, skills…but what else can you do, mechanically and within the story, to reward your players? Is there more to rewards than character levels or powers? We think so, and we discuss some specific, actionable ideas in today’s episode.

Most games give a decent amount of attention in the rules to planning combat encounters - but what about those where you, the GM, intend for there to be no fighting at all? How do you decide to insert these into your adventures and how do you plan and run them at the table? We tackle some of the essentials in this episode.

We continue with James’ Traveller campaign and share some different perspectives on he we each ran the same adventure, and how you can launch your own Traveller Spinward Marches campaign.

Art and TTRPGs have a long, cooperative history, with DnD’s art being something of the flagship and standard for what gaming art can be, can look like, and the role it plays in your game. Herein we discuss this and some of the topics with which it overlaps.For the ‘classic’ DnD art mentioned in the episode…Watch the documentary, Eye of the Beholder: The Art of Dungeons & Dragons, on Amazon: https://a.co/d/2KPLgJOCheck out Art & Arcana: A Visual History: https://a.co/d/1iyToaL

Where do you start when planning a conflict (combat?) encounter? It’s not with CR, or mechanical balance, or XP values…it’s deeper and more interesting, in fact. We discuss some of the most fundamental questions you should ask and issues you should consider when planning where and when to add a fight to your tabletop RPG sessions.Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunchSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

After our episodes about James running High & Dry, I thought it’d be useful to give some advice to the new or would-be Traveller GM or player. There are a lot of Drinaxout there for the game - where should you get started? I help.Our Discord: https://discord.gg/ydwwPHNuG9The core book: https://tinyurl.com/tpjf358zThird Imperium: https://tinyurl.com/4yf6pbe8Traveller Companion: https://tinyurl.com/mzbjhz97High Guard: https://tinyurl.com/64p2k8rxCentral Supply Catalog: https://tinyurl.com/yw5p5j46The Marches Adventures: https://tinyurl.com/2suszadhThe Fifth Frontier War: https://tinyurl.com/3a5a48vjThe Pirates of Drinax: https://tinyurl.com/4awcxamd

Herein we discuss session 2, and the completion of, the great introductory adventure for Traveller, “High & Dry.”Check out our discussion of the first part of the adventure: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/suIB5wTulWbRead about the adventure on Mongoose’s site: https://www.mongoosepublishing.com/products/marches-adventure-1-high-and-dryFind it on DriveThru: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/174177/marches-adventure-1-high-and-dry?affiliate_id=40097

Where do you start when planning an encounter, or scene, for a TTRPG adventure? How do you think about the location and how to convey its details to your players? We discuss in today’s episode.

You’re a GM interested in starting a new campaign…what are the first steps you should take? What are the initial ideas and issues you need to nail down before sinking in all that world and adventure building work?We tackle these issues in this part 1 of a multi-episode arc.

Traveller’s a great game set in a massive universe - but where should you start? High and Dry is an excellent introduction for players and GMs new to Traveller, and in this episode we discuss James’ first session of the adventure with his group - all of them new to Traveller.

Session prep can be tough - and prep for a game that neither you nor your players have played before is tougher. Herein we discuss James' upcoming first session of Traveller, using it as a vehicle to talk about some foundational session prep practices any GM can use.

Herein we talk about the reboot, and then get down to the important business of discussing some pithy, useful GM tips.

It might sound absurd, but if you want your best TTRPG session, you need to know the rules. Herein I provide some real-world-tested techniques for learning and remembering the rules to your games and your characters.#ttrpg #closereading Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunchSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

Engagement, by GM and players, is essential if you want a fun, interesting, and memorable TTRPG session...but how do you achieve it? What does it look like? Here are some specific techniques - for players and GMs - to help you get and stay engaged with the game, story, and each other.Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunchSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

Why is it that everything is so politicized these days? Is it possible to play a game without the inclusion of your political positions while at the table, or as a purity test for players? Listen and find out the lab-tested truth of the matter.Get caught up with the first episode in this series here: https://youtu.be/10o8pt2qEY0Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunchSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

Nobody plans to have a mediocre game session - but how do you get great, or at least pretty good, one? What can you plan in advance to increase the likelihood of a good session? What can you do during the session to make the best it can be?This is the first in a multi-episode series featuring advice on how to have great sessions, and specific ideas about how to make it happen.Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunchSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

Have you read the rules for it? Have you tried it? Dune's five types of conflict utilize the same mechanics, relying on abstract "Assets" and the various things you can do with them to enable one set of rules for widely varying scales of conflict. Dueling, a central story elements from the books and movies, is one of those five and, by far, the most complicated of them. Herein I discuss the system with Steve Zaccardi, freelance writer for the Dune RPG. He was kind enough to create a detailed, helpful PDF that explains the system, too. The link to that is below, along with another to a sketch of the card-based system he's working on now. Dueling Helper PDF: https://tinyurl.com/4ut55jru Card-Based Idea: https://tinyurl.com/ym9beduj Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

I recently sat down with Al Spader, creator and lead writer for the Sentience 2d20 RPG, now on Kickstarter. We talk about the game, the original world in which it's set, and plans for the game's future. Find the Kickstarter here: http://kck.st/4aAKmEn Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

We've run this show since the summer of 2021, and each January we've released an episode in which we map out our hopes, dreams, and plans for gaming for the coming year. Granted, we're late this time, but here it is - plus a change to the show format that we've decided on in response to the demands of real life. Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

The Forever GM often hits a wall and forcibly ends a campaign that's turned into an energy-draining grind, or tries to soldier on. The truly epic, years-long campaign is a rarity, more often the result of natural, largely uncontrollable factors than deliberate design. When, however, can a GM intentionally shelve a campaign that's going well? That's what I'm about to do, and this is how I'm going to do it... Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

Traveller - the original, classic, and still going strong scifi RPG - is worth your time. You should give it a try, and now that Mongoose Publishing has offered a free starter version, you have no valid excuse. In this short, episode, I present and discuss three groovy things about Traveller that make it worth a look - sure, there are more than three things that make it groovy, but I have chosen these for you today. #travellerrpg  @MongoosePublishingLtd  Get that FREE starter pack: https://www.mongoosepublishing.com/products/starterpack Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

Have you ever wanted to dump a massive space war on your party of characters? If not, you should strongly consider doing so, and using Opening Moves, an adventure and sourcebook from Mongoose for their Traveller 2e RPG. Herein I provide an episode in three parts: an overview of the book and adventure; a more detailed walk-through of the adventure for GMs; and my commentary, review, and suggestions. #TravellerRPG #Mongoose #FifthFrontierWar Get the PDF here: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/494213/opening-moves?src=newest_recent&affiliate_id=40097 Check out the region of space where the story takes place: https://travellermap.com/?p=-101.495!46.003!7.1&options=58359 Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

Merry Christmas, and I hope you're doing something with family and/or friends instead of watching this on the 25th. In response to a post on X, encouraging GMs to relax and enjoy the work instead of thinking they bear all the burdens of the world (and game), I was inspired to talk for a bit on this issue. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic: how do we get people to want to be GMs, and to see the role realistically? Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

Achtung! Cthulhu, the great #2d20 #ttrpg from  @Modiphius  , doesn't get enough love, we think, and so today we have the adventure designer of "Rendezvous at Rouen," a follow-up to the free quickstart, on to talk about the module, adventure design, and some of the challenges of writing for someone else. Get the adventure from DriveThruRPG: https://tinyurl.com/2da7jx2k Get the free quickstart rules and adventure: https://tinyurl.com/2sparyzr Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

Do you do anything to mark the Christmas season with your gaming group? Consider using it as an opportunity to run something different! Herein we discuss ideas for doing exactly that, and the benefits you and your group can have in doing so. Check out Chris's Christmas Amazon Music Playlist: https://tinyurl.com/44k2b5cj Chris's Outgunned Session Notes: https://tinyurl.com/bddk2thc Chris's Notes for Santa's Helpers: https://tinyurl.com/yeyu9xae Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

In response to a listener comment about our episode from 28 NOV, about how to run a good #ttrpg convention game, I decided to record this follow-up episode, in which I address three additional points: character sheets, time management, and the always-sticky issue of safety tools, and how to handle other requests and demands from the Gaming HR Dept... Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

Now that you've prepared that #ttrpg convention game, you need to sit down at the table with several strangers and make it work. Here are some tips from a long-time convention GM to help ensure those four hours are well-spent. #gming #gameconvention Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

Have you ever run a #TTRPG at a convention? Whether you have or haven't, in this episode we discuss some essential things you need to consider in order to have a successful and fun session, from rules selection to story creation to preparing yourself for a long weekend of gaming. Make sure to listen to our next episode, wherein we'll discuss how to run that convention game - how do you manage the table. Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

Where do you draw the line over what kind of content to include in your games? Does the context of play - home, con, online - and makeup of your player group make a difference? Herein we discuss this thorny issue and offer up our excellent advice about how to handle this in your games. #xcards #ttrpg Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

We talked about the merits of #Vampire the Masquerade, especially the 2nd edition, in last week's episode and today we deliver some ideas about where to get started as a GM (sorry - #storyteller) in order to get the best and most out of what VtM can offer. Chris's relationship map: https://tinyurl.com/4rpj4ty6 Relationship map from Chicago By Night: https://tinyurl.com/5f4nv6ua Alien Hunger: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/8/alien-hunger Chicago By Night: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/648/chicago-by-night-2nd-edition DC By Night: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/107/d-c-by-night Los Angeles By Night: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/191/los-angeles-by-night-ww2210 The 36 Plots: https://www.rpglibrary.org/articles/storytelling/36plots.php Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

Vampire: the Masquerade changed the RPG landscape in the mid-90s, offering a new system and unique character and story options, heavy on intrigue and social interactions and, at least in the writing, eschewing the DnD norm that a fight solves every problem. Herein we discuss the basics of the setting and system, and what made VtM so revolutionary - and what should get you to give the classic 2nd edition rules, which are closely updated in the V20 version, a try at your table. #notdnd #WOD #worldofdarkness #vampirethemasquerade #ttrpg Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Find the right edition of Vampire: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/2310/vampire-the-masquerade-2nd-edition https://tinyurl.com/5ab38mmv https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/94815/vampire-the-masquerade-20th-anniversary-edition

What's both great about and wrong with the Alien #ttrpg from Free League? After five years, and an upcoming 2nd edition, we're digging into what makes this game great and extremely limited in scope, too. Hint: they're the same thing. And check out Free League's Kickstarter information, page, too: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1192053011/alien-rpg-second-edition-and-rapture-protocol?mc_cid=c08c1ce219 #alien #xenomorph Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

I had the pleasure of talking with John Houlihan, Line Editor for #modiphius Achtung! Cthulhu RPG, about his upcoming novel, Shadow of the Serpent, which combines elements of Lovecraftian #mythos with the Age of Napoleon. We discuss his ideas for the setting, and the story in his upcoming novel. Check out the links below for pre-order information! #cthulhu  John's Site: www.john-houlihan.net Innsmouth Literary Festival https://www.innsmouthgold.com/innsmouth-literary-festival Pre-Order the book: https://amzn.eu/d/bZEVM8S Listen to our previous episodes with John: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/rIu7mv062Mb https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/cqx0gJ762Mb Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX  Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

What's all the controversy? How can you mine Outlaws for #ttrpg ideas? How #Starwars does it feel? Cut through the nonsense with our quick review of this new game.#outlaws #tatooine Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

Players can get pretty steamed when their character dies...and it's worse when they die for reasons of the dice alone, or in ways that do not fit within the story. In this episode we discuss the moments when this issue comes up, and how to handle them gracefully. And thanks to Professor Dungeon Master @DUNGEONCRAFT1 for a very clever, simple way of handling this issue. #tabletoprpg #characterdeath Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

Sometimes campaigns end; sometimes they're resolved; sometimes they die...quickly. My Castles & Crusades campaign, at about 9 months, died suddenly and we've replaced it, happily, with Traveller...a game no one else at my table has played. In this episode I discuss our Session Zero character creation, which in Traveller presents story and character background possibilities that simply do not come up in most other games. #traveller #travellerrpg #sessionzero #castlesandcrusades C&C Overview episode: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/HgH1Gizh2Lb Traveller Overview: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/eTIWYDMh2Lb Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

What's the new #startrekadventures #rpg like? How are the rules different from the first edition, and are they better? Is it worth the purchase?  @Modiphius  was kind enough to provide us with PDF copies to review, and here's our honest commentary on the updated version of a great game. #starktrek #finalfrontier #tabletop #hesdeadjim Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39