Modern Mythology

Modern Mythology
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Modern Mythology

How do stories and systems intersect and influence each other? This push and pull offers us a chance to deepen our understanding and appreciation of how writing and role-playing games connect and co-evolve. Through conversations and one shot Actual-play episodes, we explore how the tools we use shape the stories we tell, whether those tools are implicit or explicit. Whether you’re a veteran or new to the scene, we invite you to join us.

Episodes

  1. Episode 6: Exposition and RPGs

    4H AGO

    Episode 6: Exposition and RPGs

    The crew have a conversation about how to convey information at the table. The GMs responsibility and the roles players have to bring the fiction to the game. This is a big topic but we chat about props, failing forward, NPCs and other tools we employ to bring depth and color to our worlds. As usual, our conversation ranges far and wide. 00:01:00 Introducing the ideas 00:07:50 No One Cares About Your Lore (until it becomes part of the story) Enter the Dungeon 00:10:50 Show, Don't Tell Thomas Flight GM Paizo GameMastery Cards I don't think they produce this anymore but you may be able to find aftermarket versions 00:22:10 Bringing It Into the Fiction 00:27:00 Character Backstory 00:39:30 World Lore 00:58:10 More Out of Character Info 01:04:00 The Perception Check 01:11:10 Handouts & Learn from Teachers 01:18:20 Power of “Meta Knowledge" Games we talk about: Dungeon World, Invisible Sun, Trail of Cthulhu, Burning Wheel, Apocalypse World. For more podcasts, articles and more visit ModernMythology.net

    1h 26m
  2. Episode 5: Structure, & Whispering Vault

    MAR 10

    Episode 5: Structure, & Whispering Vault

    The gang has a discussion on structure in TTRPGs. How does structure make a good horror game? How does setting inform players what they can and can’t do? Some examples of story structure in World of Darkness, Invisible Sun, and Dogs in the Vineyard. Then the crew plays a short session of Whispering Vault, Mike Nystul’s 1993 story game inspired by the likes of Hellraiser and Nightbreed. We play it fast and loose but hope we hit in the key elements of play and this intriguing game’s explicit ritualistic structure. Topics: 1:45 Weird forward games 2:25 Is Mark a god? 3:30 Where is the Weird in WoD, Invisible Sun, and Lovecraft Country 6:50 Where is the horror? 11:25 Setting Expectations as Structure: Implicit vs Explicit Structure 23:15 The Illusory World tropes 36:00 Whispering Vault Actual Play 36:30 Character Creation 48:40 System overview 51:10 The Call (game begins) 57:20 Navigation to the Realm Of Flesh 60:00 Dismissing the Guardian 67:57 Creating Your Vessel 72:45 Healing the Enigma 115:38 Binding the Unbidden 116:15 Wrapping Up For more podcasts, articles and more visit ModernMythology.net

    1h 19m
  3. Episode 4: Player Agency

    FEB 24

    Episode 4: Player Agency

    In episode 4, Jamie and Scott have a lot to say about agency at the table. Who controls what? Who drives the story? Who narrates die outcomes? Traditionally the GM handles a lot of this but we challenge groups to explore situations where you can hand over a lot of that responsibility. And we discuss over a dozen games that change how we think about agency. Topics: 1:00 Seriousness 3:35 Ginni Di - https://youtu.be/DXUnEk4cuYI?si=M_5Dr4dv_b_E-1vH 4:50 Monte Cook - https://www.montecookgames.com 10:35 Characterization Agency 13:30 Combat 16:24 Losing control of PC 19:00 Blades in the Dark 22:30 metagame 23:40 Invisible Sun 28:00 "Action" Agency 35:00 Torchbearer 37:00 die rolling 42:30 Apocalypse World 44:35 Cypher System 45:35 Plot Agency 52:10 Proactive Roleplaying How To Be a Great GM - https://youtube.com/@howtobeagreatgm?si=Fze0DEXg5gbr456E 54:20 Novel characterization 63:43 John Harper 65:15 Setting canon 66:18 Shock 70:00 Hero Wars & RuneQuest 75:40 Burning Wheel 79:35 "Push-Pull" Agency 90:00 Community & IT Crowd 92:29 Dice adjudicating conversations For more podcasts, articles and more visit ModernMythology.net

    1h 46m
  4. Episode 3: Chronicles of Darkness Basics

    FEB 11

    Episode 3: Chronicles of Darkness Basics

    In Episode 3 of Modern Mythology, we continue our exploration of horror RPG systems with Chronicles of Darkness, the successor to White Wolf’s World of Darkness and the “new” World of Darkness. While the editions’ lineage may be complex, the system’s core mechanics remain intuitive and accessible. To demonstrate how it plays, we dive into an Actual Play with a simple yet evocative premise: “Your characters work at a 1990s convenience store.” From character creation to the gradual escalation of tension, the scenario unfolds, transforming the ordinary into something unsettlingly extraordinary. At the end we talk a bit about what we learned and the pros and cons of "traditional" RPGs.

    1h 25m
  5. Episode 2: Collective Stories, Blades in the Dark

    JAN 27

    Episode 2: Collective Stories, Blades in the Dark

    In the first episode of Modern Mythology, hosts Scott and James explore how RPGs function as modern myths, blending ancient storytelling structures with collaborative, character-driven gameplay. They discuss how mythology and archetypes inform the way games are created and played, with RPGs often becoming shared narratives that draw from communal ideas and personal creativity. Highlighting the importance of player agency and story structure, they aim to inspire listeners to deepen their approach to games. Future episodes will explore different genres, online versus in-person play, and how RPGs can evolve as a storytelling medium.

    1h 40m
  6. Episode 1: Why Modern Myth?

    JAN 13

    Episode 1: Why Modern Myth?

    In the first episode of Modern Mythology, hosts Scott and James explore how RPGs function as modern myths, blending ancient storytelling structures with collaborative, character-driven gameplay. They discuss how mythology and archetypes inform the way games are created and played, with RPGs often becoming shared narratives that draw from communal ideas and personal creativity. Highlighting the importance of player agency and story structure, they aim to inspire listeners to deepen their approach to games. Future episodes will explore different genres, online versus in-person play, and how RPGs can evolve as a storytelling medium.

    34 min
  • 6 Episodes

    About

    How do stories and systems intersect and influence each other? This push and pull offers us a chance to deepen our understanding and appreciation of how writing and role-playing games connect and co-evolve. Through conversations and one shot Actual-play episodes, we explore how the tools we use shape the stories we tell, whether those tools are implicit or explicit. Whether you’re a veteran or new to the scene, we invite you to join us.

    Information

    • Creator
      Modern Mythology
    • Years Active
      2K
    • Episodes
      6
    • Rating
      Explicit
    • Show Website
      Modern Mythology

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