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. Open Hearth Podcast Ep 20: Planet Raygun, Embers of the Void, A Land Once Magic

    3 days ago

    Open Hearth Podcast Ep 20: Planet Raygun, Embers of the Void, A Land Once Magic

    In this episode of the Open Hearth Podcast, host Tea talks with a couple of community members about their gaming. This time Amanda (Sprigs and Kindling) and Cale discuss things they recently played, cover three RPGs in more depth (Planet Raygun, Embers of the Void, and A Land Once Magic), and then the group finishes up with some things they've been digging recently. Links:Amanda Cale:  https://vengefulpickle.com/ https://warboard.vengefulpickle.com/ Games discussed:  Planet Raygun (in development) Embers Of the Void (in development) A Land Once Magic Games mentioned: Pirate Borg by Limithon MÖRK BORG  Starhold: a Space-Themed Survival Horror TTRPG  A Fool’s Errand by j strautman and b marsolier Trophy: Ruin Once More into the Void Band-Aids & Bullet Holes Thirsty Sword Lesbians The King is Dead Uneasy Lies the Head The Last Caravan The Emperor is Undead  Fomoria Fearful Symmetries Cairn Armor Astir Advent MF0: Firebrands  D&D The Between  Stonetop Quiet Year/The Deep Forest Exquisite Biome Microscope: Chronicle  Pull Over, I Need to Pee For the Queen Agon Blades in the Dark Help Rae Recover Links  Support or donate at https://patreon.com/swordqueengames or https://ko-fi.com/matthewarcilla 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 Introduction06:27 Amanda & Planet Raygun (in development)12:29 Cale & Embers Of the Void (in development)18:43 Tea & A Land Once Magic26:31 Giving Me Life

    34 min
  2. Roll for Mutation: Post-Apocalyptic TTRPG History: Ep. 7 The End of the World

    18 Jun

    Roll for Mutation: Post-Apocalyptic TTRPG History: Ep. 7 The End of the World

    In our seventh episode of Roll for Mutation, we look at a game series originally from a Spanish publisher, translated and released in English by Fantasy Flight. We talk about mechanics, how each book is structured, and the presentation of "mid-" and "post-" apocalypse. We then talk about cross-company publication history and Fantasy Flight's swingy history with TTRPGs. Lastly we talk about some media touchstones, the five scenarios in each book, and our thoughts and impressions of this line-- including our favorite concepts. ReferencesEdge EntertainmentEdge Studio (where the FF RPGs went)The End of the World: Alien InvasionThe End of the World: Revolt of the MachinesThe End of the World: Wrath of the GodsThe End of the World: Zombie ApocalypseOur Last Best HopeHelp Rae Recover Links Support or donate at https://patreon.com/swordqueengames or https://ko-fi.com/matthewarcilla 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 Chapters00:00 Introduction01:09 Premise and Mechanics07:55 Publication History13:19 Media Sources17:20 Apocalyptic Scenarios24:19 Thoughts and Impressions

    49 min

  3. 4 Jun

    Talking PbtA

    Powered by the Apocalypse games still remain a strong force in the indie TTRPG space and heavily represented here on the Open Hearth. For this talk we're going to consider where PbtA has been, where it is now, and where it could go. We'll talk broadly about PbtA as a system and specifically about folks' experience with different PbtA iterations. 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. Selected Links RyneStonetopRapscallionMasksUrban ShadowsPasión de las PasionesVale of the Failed and the FallenEscape from Dino IslandApocalypse World 3eUnder Hollow HillsArmour Astir: AdventHearts of WulinThe Cluster Help Rae Recover Links  Support or donate at https://patreon.com/swordqueengames or https://ko-fi.com/matthewarcilla 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

    1hr 13min
  4. Open Hearth Podcast Ep 17: Under Hollow Hills, Raccoon Sky Pirates, CAIN

    30 Apr

    Open Hearth Podcast Ep 17: Under Hollow Hills, Raccoon Sky Pirates, CAIN

    In this episode of the Open Hearth Podcast, host Tea talks with a couple of community members about their gaming. This time maiya and Sina discuss things they recently played, cover three RPGs in more depth (Under Hollow Hills, Raccoon Sky Pirates, and CAIN), and then the group finishes up with some things they've been digging recently. Links: maiya on the OH Discord Sina is Beatingaroundthebooks on Discord You can also check out their work at https://adhdandme.kit.com/ Tea is Tea_amat on Discord and @tea-amat.bsky.social  Help Rae Recover Links  Support or donate at https://patreon.com/swordqueengames or https://ko-fi.com/matthewarcilla 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 Introduction02:07 maiya & Under Hollow Hills09:54 Sina & Raccoon Sky Pirates17:57 Tea & Cain32:24 Giving Me Life

    40 min
  5. A Different Kind of Hex Ep. 8 - Your Home Table

    14 Apr

    A Different Kind of Hex Ep. 8 - Your Home Table

    Ian, José, and special correspondent Danny put the knowledge we've gained from past episodes into practice. We talk about figuring out what you actually like in a game and advocating for it, playing to lift our fellow players, and Danny's 4-step method for iterative improvement through play. Find out more about the Open Hearth Gaming CommunityOur website - May the 4th is coming soon!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 0:03:38 - Pick Your Poison0:17:10 - What does it mean to develop as a player?0:38:14 - Reflection & Table Feedback0:45:05 - Danny's 4-Step Method0:52:14 - How we handle "bad scenes"0:58:46 - Outro

    1hr 2min

  6. 24 Mar

    Talking Playtesting

    This episode presents a community talk from back in 2022. It features Rae Nedjadi, David MK, and myself talking about managing and working with playtests. It seemed like a useful thing to get back into the feed, so I've cleaned up the audio for posting. We talk about planning playtests, setting expectations, dealing with feedback, and filtering input. Rae Nedjadi on itch.ioRae Nedjadi on PatreonDavid MK on itch.ioDavid MK on Patreon 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

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

    17 Mar

    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

  8. 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

    1hr 11min
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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
    73
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Open Hearth Gaming Community
  • Show Website
    Around the Hearth

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