Around the Hearth

Open Hearth Gaming Community
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Around the Hearth features discussion on a wide range of topics relevant to tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) featuring members of the Open Hearth Gaming Community. We talk games, gameplay, design, and the games being played at the Open Hearth Gaming Calendar. Our online games are free and open to all! If you'd like to join the fun, visit openhearthgaming.com for more information.

  1. Roll for Mutation: Post-Apocalyptic TTRPG History: Ep. 5 Tank Girl & Wizards

    5 DAYS AGO

    Roll for Mutation: Post-Apocalyptic TTRPG History: Ep. 5 Tank Girl & Wizards

    In our fifth episode of Roll for Mutation, we look at two different licensed post-apocalyptic TTRPGs from the 1990s. First, World of Tank Girl, part of West End Games Masterbook series which apparently launched even before the film it was based on hit the theaters. Then we cover Ralph Bakshi's Wizards, based on the eponymous wild animated movie from the 1970s. We talk about what both games do, the source materials, their specific apocalypses, and how both games showcase 1990's game design tendencies: for better or worse (Lowell says worse). References Designers and Dragons: The 1980s Designers and Dragons: The 1990sTank Girl on WikipediaWizards on Wikipedia For other shows like this, check out Roll for Origin: Supers TTRPG History. Marc Majcher is an award-winning game designer, performer, educator, director, woodworker, writer, and all-around goblin-man recently relocated from Austin, Texas to East Lansing, Michigan. You can find their RPGs and LARPs inspired by the works of Philip K. Dick, a bird apocalypse, eldritch startup cults, viral videos, and much, much more at https://majcher.itch.io/ and everything else at https://majcher.com/. Lowell Francis is the designer and co-author of Hearts of Wulin. He's the ENnie-winning creator of the Age of Ravens blog and community manager for the Open Hearth Gaming Community. You can find Lowell's work on YouTube, on Itch.io, and on DriveThruRPG. Find out more about the Open Hearth Gaming CommunitySupport us on Patreon!Our actual play podcast can be found hereFollow us on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/open-hearth-rpgBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/openhearthrpgMastodon: @openhearthrpg@dice.camp Music: Here Comes the Night Karl Casey @White Bat Audio 00:00 Introduction: Licensed Apocalypses02:02 Tank Girl24:41 Ralph Bakshi's Wizards

    50 min

  2. 10 MAR

    Talking Long Campaigns

    While the Open Hearth Community has often focused on one-shots, two-shots, and monthly short campaigns, there's always the siren call of running a longer series: a quarterly or beyond. In this community talk we're going to talk about "long" campaign best practices, planning, dealing with burnout, and more. Lowell has ideas and he'll be leading this discussion group– relying mostly on the participation of folks who join us and desperately filling dead air in between points. This is part of our Open Hearth series of community RPG talks. LinksMicroscope Microscope with 13th AgeArium Talking World Building (OH Podcast Episode)Age of Ravens Campaign Builder Decks Trinity Game Prep Sheet World Ending Game Find out more about the Open Hearth Gaming CommunitySupport us on Patreon!Our actual play podcast can be found hereFollow us on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/open-hearth-rpgBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/openhearthrpgMastodon: @openhearthrpg@dice.camp

    1h 11m

  3. 3 MAR

    A Different Kind of Hex Ep. 7 - Showing & Telling

    Ian, José, and special guest Shane explore the space between direct exposition and embodied demonstration during play. How are these two approaches different? What are their best use cases? And how can they, when used well, support each other, the player, and the entire table? Jason Morningstar's great essay, "How to End" - https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-to-end-116645883 Find out more about the Open Hearth Gaming CommunityOur website - it's 🤖 Mecha March 🤖Support us on Patreon!Our actual play podcast can be found hereFollow us on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/open-hearth-rpgBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/openhearthrpgMastodon: @openhearthrpg@dice.camp Our info:Email: adifferenthex@gmail.comMusic: https://lloydeaves.bandcamp.com/album/a-different-kind-of-hex

    1h 5m
  4. Roll for Origin: Supers TTRPG History: Ep. 7 Mutants & Masterminds

    24 FEB

    Roll for Origin: Supers TTRPG History: Ep. 7 Mutants & Masterminds

    Roll for Origin: Supers TTRPG History looks all four editions of one of the most important modern supers TTRPGs, Mutants & Masterminds. Jay and Lowell talk about the core elements of the game-- what has remained the same and how the powers system has shifted over time. They then cover the publication history of the game and how each edition rolled out, followed by talk about how M&M has dealt with media, genres, and a few IPs. The episode then wraps up with a general discussion, where *spoilers* Lowell talks about why this has become his favorite trad-leaning supers game and his most embarrassing convention story. Mutants & Masterminds 4e Kickstarter (running through March 5, 2026)The Play Fearless Greatest Crits Zine Kickstarter (Jay's project running through March 1, 2026)Muses of Play (Mad Jay and Sarah Doom's new podcast project)Mutants & Masterminds System Guide for 3eRPGs I Like: Mutants & Masterminds, 2e (Part One)RPGs I Like: Mutants & Masterminds, 2e (Part Two)If you dig this series, please rate, review, and subscribe. Jay's the author of By Aecer’s Light, The Clockwinders for Fate, Cortex Prime's Supers, and a contributing author on Pathfinder’s Mwangi Expanse, Trophy Gold, Hit the Streets: Defend the Block, and the upcoming Lifted: Indomitable RPG, a supers game about everyday folks with extraordinary powers in a tech-aggressive world. Check out Mad Jay's work at Play.Fearless and at the Diceology Podcast. Lowell is the designer and co-author of Hearts of Wulin. He's the ENnie-winning creator of the Age of Ravens blog and community manager for the Open Hearth Gaming Community. You can find Lowell's work on YouTube, on Itch.io, and on DriveThruRPG. Find out more about the Open Hearth Gaming CommunitySupport us on Patreon!Our actual play podcast can be found hereFollow us on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/open-hearth-rpgBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/openhearthrpgMastodon: @openhearthrpg@dice.camp 00:00 Intro01:13 The Pitch09:34 Gaming History17:53 Comics & Media History25:53 Thoughts

    51 min

  5. 17 FEB

    Talking Adapting Modules

    Since almost the beginning, game publishers have supplemented games with pre-generated dungeons, scenarios, and campaigns. Some of these have becomes touchstones among players: Isle of Dread, The Enemy Within, Masks of Nyarlathotep, and beyond. But sometimes you don't want to run that system; would like to swap the scenario over to another genre or setting, or don't want to commit to a two-year campaign outline. Rich Rogers- veteran of many Star Wars adaptations and beyond- and Lowell Francis talk about some tactics for adapting these stories and along with questions, comments, and input from community members. This is part of our Open Hearth series of community RPG talks. Against the Dark ConspiracyAuspicious BeginningsStrangers in PraxFear of a Black Dragon Find out more about the Open Hearth Gaming CommunitySupport us on Patreon!Our actual play podcast can be found hereFollow us on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/open-hearth-rpgBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/openhearthrpgMastodon: @openhearthrpg@dice.camp

    1h 8m
  6. Roll for Mutation: Post-Apocalyptic TTRPG History: Ep. 4 Apocalypse World

    10 FEB

    Roll for Mutation: Post-Apocalyptic TTRPG History: Ep. 4 Apocalypse World

    In our fourth episode of Roll for Mutation, we look at one of the most important post-apocalyptic games, Apocalypse World. We consider both the impact of PbtA and the depiction of "the Apocalypse" in AW-- and how it differs from other contemporary games. Hosts Lowell Francis and Marc Majcher cover the short but rich history of AW and its long tail. We talk about what Apocalypse World is, where it fits in gaming history, our experiences playing it, and our general thoughts about the game. ReferencesTabletop RPG Design in Theory and Practice at the Forge, 2001–2012: Designs and DiscussionsDesigners & Dragons Volume 4 The 2000sApocalypse World: Burned Over is kinder and much angrierThe Daily Apocalypse+1 Forward: A Podcast Powered by the ApocalypseApocalypse World Burned Over KickstarterRascal Interview with Macolm Craig For other shows like this, check out Roll for Origin: Supers TTRPG History. Marc Majcher is an award-winning game designer, performer, educator, director, woodworker, writer, and all-around goblin-man recently relocated from Austin, Texas to East Lansing, Michigan. You can find their RPGs and LARPs inspired by the works of Philip K. Dick, a bird apocalypse, eldritch startup cults, viral videos, and much, much more at https://majcher.itch.io/ and everything else at https://majcher.com/. Lowell Francis is the designer and co-author of Hearts of Wulin. He's the ENnie-winning creator of the Age of Ravens blog and community manager for the Open Hearth Gaming Community. You can find Lowell's work on YouTube, on Itch.io, and on DriveThruRPG. Find out more about the Open Hearth Gaming CommunitySupport us on Patreon!Our actual play podcast can be found hereFollow us on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/open-hearth-rpgBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/openhearthrpgMastodon: @openhearthrpg@dice.camp Music: Here Comes the Night Karl Casey @White Bat Audio 00:00 Introduction: Apocalypse World03:30 What It Is13:26 Publication/Gaming History25:19 Media Context/Influences32:23 General Thoughts

    55 min

  7. 3 FEB

    Talking RPG Cities

    What makes a good city in a role-playing game? People, places, factions, rumors? We're going to be talking about that and bringing together your insights. This community discussion ranges widely but includes: tools for building cities, techniques for making cities feel alive, mapping, citybook resources, and more. While we don't follow my outline, you can see my planning doc here.  Find out more about the Open Hearth Gaming CommunitySupport us on Patreon!Our actual play podcast can be found hereFollow us on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/open-hearth-rpgBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/openhearthrpgMastodon: @openhearthrpg@dice.camp

    1h 8m

  8. 27 JAN

    A Different Kind of Hex Ep. 6 - The Gift of Offers

    As the first installment in a series of episodes on improv tools at the gaming table, Ian & José are joined by Karen Twelves, the author of Improv for Gamers, to discuss how players can make and receive meaningful offers in TTRPGs. Timecodes0:04:37 Pick your Poison0:24:25 What's an Offer?0:31:17 Creating Offers and Listening for Them0:36:53 Formal and Informal Ways to Offer0:46:30 Offers that Endow Others0:51:02 Nuancing Improv's Rules of Thumb0:57:15 Prepping for Spontaneity1:01:09 Ending Scenes1:06:57 The Pressure to Make Something Happen1:13:50 Pearl of Wisdom1:16:10 Outro Karen's Workhttps://karentwelves.com/Improv for Gamers Find out more about the Open Hearth Gaming CommunitySupport us on Patreon!Our actual play podcast can be found hereFollow us on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/open-hearth-rpgBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/openhearthrpgMastodon: @openhearthrpg@dice.camp Our info:Email: adifferenthex@gmail.comMusic: https://lloydeaves.bandcamp.com/album/a-different-kind-of-hex

    1h 17m
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About

Around the Hearth features discussion on a wide range of topics relevant to tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) featuring members of the Open Hearth Gaming Community. We talk games, gameplay, design, and the games being played at the Open Hearth Gaming Calendar. Our online games are free and open to all! If you'd like to join the fun, visit openhearthgaming.com for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Open Hearth Gaming Community
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    61
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Open Hearth Gaming Community
  • Show Website
    Around the Hearth

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