Sword Breaker

Weird Fantasy is a subgenre of speculative fiction that emerged in the mid-twentieth century, often featuring elements of horror, science fiction, and fantasy. It was a popular genre in pulp magazines and comic books during the 1940s and 1950s, and was known for its dark and surreal themes, unusual characters, and bizarre settings. Weird Fantasy stories often explored the limits of human understanding and the consequences of pushing the boundaries of science and magic. Some of the most notable authors associated with this genre include H.P. Lovecraft, Ray Bradbury, and Clark Ashton Smith. Today, the legacy of Weird Fantasy can be seen in a wide range of media, from horror movies and video games to avant-garde literature and graphic novels.

Thanks to Yochai Gal for the suggestion. This one is about Mix-it-up fantasy where everything goes!

This episode was suggested by Chris Shorb many moons ago. I just dove back in and used my normal segments to make it less intimidating. Hope you'll enjoy!

This episode I'll explore the confusion created by the terms Dark Fantasy and Grimdark Fantasy and then provide 8 variations that illustrate the kind of settings inspired by the terms.  Call-in from Jason Connerly of the Nerd's RPG Variety Cast.  

Chris Shorb asked for Reptile Folk. Here they are! 

Another great suggestion from Goblin's Henchman! If the world were full of monsters with weird powers and crazy anatomy, surely there would be people who found a use for all these wild resources! Call-in from Chris Shorb suggesting more subgenres to cover!

This was a great suggestion from Goblin's Henchman! Listen to a couple more submissions for my Crazy Chimera Carousel followed by a list of magic items that don't exactly do what was expected! Goblin’s Henchman: https://goblinshenchman.wordpress.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNp4qwKOoWWqDY9LuD74mpw Collin Green of Spikepit: https://anchor.fm/spikepit https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrBiIGnQtLfBfYm89BLhAFA Ray Otus: http://rayotus.com/

Welcome aboard the Crazy Chimera Carousel! Enjoy the ride! Mentioned or called in: Jason Connerley - Nerd's RPG Variety Cast Joe Richter - Hindsightless Goblin's Henchman Spencer "Free Thrall" - Keep Off the Borderlands Brian Holland - Session Zero and Greg Gelder

Fritz Leiber coined the term. I'll be talking about what the genre does in games and providing 8 examples of Sword and Sorcery settings. Call-in from Brian Holland from the Session Zero Youtube channel! Last chance to turn in your Chimeras for the 50th episode!

This is a bit of a longer episode. I wanted to cover some ideas about genre, terminology, and labels before continuing my series! I hope you'll have some fun with my 8 examples of High Fantasy settings!

Joe Richter of the Hindsightless podcast inspires another episode! This time it's all about Low Fantasy. This is the second episode in a series in which I'm exploring the sub-genres under the "Fantasy" umbrella. I hope my 8 variations will demonstrate that Low Fantasy doesn't mean No Fantasy! Other call-ins from Goblin's Henchman of the Blog and Podcast of the same name! 

The first of several planned episodes on the various sub-genres of fantasy. This one tackles Epic Fantasy and uses the 8 variations as examples of the genre. Call-ins from Jason of the Nerd's RPG Variety Cast and Brian Holland of the Session Zero Youtube Channel!

This episode will be about towers thanks to a suggestion from Ray Otus! There is also an invitation to join in the fun creating new monsters for the Crazy Chimera Carousel! Enjoy!

Thanks to Joe Richter of the excellent Hindsightless podcast for the idea for this one! Lowly shoes are much more powerful than we often remember.  There's a call-in from Goblin's Henchman from the podcast of the same name! Check out his fantastic blog to find out more about the items he mentioned and a whole lot more!

Whatcha got in the bag? Magic bags have appeared in folklore and myth for ages because all of us can relate to the mysterious experience of reaching around for unseen things!

The monster I always turned to when I opened my Fiend Folio was the Death Knight. I was obsessed with knights. These evil, anti-paladins seemed like the ideal foes! Thanks to Ray Otus for my new full-color logo! Check out all his awesome stuff at rayotus.com!

The great forests are places of personal trial. They rarely release the same soul that wandered in.

Hirelings can be great for carrying stuff and using as fodder. While it's never a good idea for a hireling to upstage the player characters, they can still be an interesting part of an adventure!

A great trap can freak out your players AND give information about the setting that helps establish themes and offers hints to the players at the same time!

What's the difference between a common monster and a villain? Listen to this episode for my take...

What do you use for protection? I always loved those shiny suits of plate armor! For a good dungeon crawl though...maybe something better for swimming or climbing eh? Here's another short episode with a few thoughts and 8 variations!

Nasty little humanoids with a thirst for blood and treasure! Here's a short episode that gets quickly to the variations!

Who doesn't love a magic sword?

Maps are such an interesting part of role playing because they can make a huge difference in the way the world is understood by the players. Call in and tell me about the maps in your games!

Who wants to go to the mall in the middle of a fantasy adventure? Can shops enhance the setting?

Are they obnoxious genre breaking characters or legitimate fantasy heroes? Chris Shorb asked me for this one and I hope he finds and enjoys it!

What are your favorite thief archetypes? Ever had that player in your group who wanted to play a thief because...jerk?

Orcs! Nuff said! Call-in from Jason of the Nerd's RPG Variety Cast

What about those magic items found early in a character's career? Can we do better than a +1 weapon?  Call-ins from: Jason from Nerd's RPG Variety Podcast Spencer (Free Thrall) from Keep Off the Borderlands Joe (The Blind Rat) from Hindsightless Evil Jeff from Minions and Musings Lieren from Updates from the Middle of Nowhere Colin Green from Spikepit T. J. Drennon from Malodorous Miasma Meltdown and Occult Orifice Outrage

Thanks to Jason Connerley for the suggestion!

What can we do with dreams in our games?

Give your city a face and a heart!

How do you drop some of that delicious Toho magic into your games?

They're one of the favorite ways to cross those big fantasy maps!

Check out Ray Otus' Plundergrounds! We are both responding to a prompt from Jim Jones about Bards!

What can we borrow from the greats to make our own game wizards more interesting? Call ins from Joe Richter and Jim Yoder! Go to Jellysaw to see the 10 fantasy novels Ray Otus picked as foundational works of fantasy!

Lots of great call-ins! Ray Otus, Benjamin Hinnum, RFED, and Joe Richter.

3 of my favorite monsters and 8 variations on goblins!

And now for the little people! Fun new Sword Breaker Theme mix from Lu Quade who has an Anchor podcast of his own called   Songs from the Surface of the Earth

Conan! Thundarr! Fafhrd! Khal Drogo! Let's talk about BARBARIANS! YAAAAAAAHEEE! Call-in from Froth Sof of the Thought Eater blog and podcast! Bumper by Ray Otus!  Find him on the Plundergrounds podcast and zine and the Jellysaw website!

I was challenged by Ray Otus and I did not back down!

Interview with Wayne Peacock of MOTiVE zine and Podcast!

Chatter about curses and their role in games versus fiction.  Call in from Stephen Karnes of Rocks and Roots!

A short exploration of Holy Relics and a lot of fun content from listeners! Ray Otus just dropped his 50th episode of Plundergrounds! Aaron Clark's Keep It Simple - Daily Reading Frothsof's Thought Eater Podcast Yochai Gal's One Shot World

A short one on offering something other than the usual kings and queens. Mentioned: Follow Me and Die Random Screed No Save for You Plundergrounds Thought Eater

This is a short episode about the Ranger Class. I had some great input from: Ray Otus: Colin Green: Rob C.:

Yochai Gal requested an episode about world building. Here it is! Interviews with:  Yochai Gal   Brian Holland  Greg Soper  Tam  Ray Otus

This time I discuss the mighty Dwarf! How are they the same and different from their folkloric origins? Ray Otus offers up some super cool ideas from his Plundergrounds zine:    https://www.patreon.com/rayotus/posts Another great resource for a strange new dwarf is the Wormskin zine:    https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/168614/Wormskin-Issue-1

Equipment as world building

Inspired by Brian Holland of Session Zero and Cody M. of the No Save For You podcast, I'll share my thoughts on clerics. I'm a big fan of the class and feel there are serious missed opportunities that we can tackle together!