Miskatonic University Podcast

Miskatonic University Podcast
  • 4.7 (106)
  • GAMES
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

A Podcast dedicated to Weird and Horrific Roleplaying Games.

  1. 1D AGO

    MUP Ep 349 – Madness in Culture and Era w/ Perry Clark

    This episode, Keepers Bridgett and Evan welcome back Perry Clark to continue our discussion on Madness in Culture and Era! Let’s discuss why this topic matters and dive into Invictus, Dark Ages, Regency, Gaslight, and 1920’s Classic! Patreon Plug & Update Dear listeners! We have patreon.Our Patreons literally keep the lights on and make this show possible. So if you love this content, and you want to keep it alive, we ask that you visit patreon.com/MUP and subscribe to be a backer.  And if financial support isn’t in the cards right now, you can spread the good word of MUP in your communities by sharing a link and heaping glowing praise upon us where others can see. And furthermore, you can hang out with us on Discord! The Discord Plug Our MUP Discord and we are all there! We invite all of our listeners to come and enjoy the community of horror gaming and cute pet pics. Link in the show notes: MU Discord server invite link: https://discord.gg/vNjEv9D  And thank you to our editor GENE for editing this episode.  Main Topic Hello, everyone, and welcome to the Main Topic! As mentioned in the intro, tonight we’ve gathered to discuss Madness in Culture and Era! How did this topic originate? What does it mean? Let’s unpack! Questions:  Why does this topic matter? Why do we care? Each setting/culture has its own: Relationship to the supernatural/religion Relationship to violence Understanding of mental health Ways of treating and dealing with trauma (or not) Invictus https://www.chaosium.com/invictus/ https://goldengoblinpress.com/ Dark Ages https://www.chaosium.com/cthulhu-dark-ages-3rd-edition-hardcover Highlights from sourcebook: Humors table; no diagnosed conditions; religious healing (monasteries, pilgrimage, relics) Regency https://www.chaosium.com/regency-cthulhu-pdf/ Highlights from sourcebook: Mesmerism & Reassure; Reputation Gaslight https://www.chaosium.com/cthulhu-by-gaslight-keepers-guide-pdf Highlights from sourcebook: Alienist occupation; Mental health, asylums, Bedlam; insanity as a legal defense https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susto https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture-bound_syndrome  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanganyika_laughter_epidemic  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dancing_mania 1920s (Classic) https://www.chaosium.com/call-of-cthulhu-keeper-rulebook-pdf/ Sources Cited:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lJ_QxYrGrTzTkAr_Gb1O-P9sDzfze1MtufSepHM8PkE/edit?usp=sharing Homeworkd Dear listener, tell us something new that you learned from this episode, or some inspiration that you’ve gathered to launch your own research into the topic!

    1h 5m

  2. APR 27

    MUP Ep 348 – Miskatonic Media Club Sinners Pt 2

    This episode, we continue with Part II of our Miskatonic Media Club! This is where the hosts explore how to pull game design inspiration from movies, books, TV, and other arts! This episode, we’re joined again by game designer Quinn Murphy to discuss Sinners.  The Discord Plug That’s right! We invite all of our listeners to come and enjoy the community of horror gaming and cute pet pics. Link in the show notes: MU Discord server invite link: https://discord.gg/vNjEv9D  And thank you to our editor Equinox for editing this episode.  Main Topic Last time we got into a great conversation with Quinn about aome elements of Sinners that we want to use in our gaming, and we’re going to pick up where we left off. Evan, where did we leave off? Well last time we talked about story development elements, incorporating music into a setting and game, and some great tricks and tools for representation of cultures and people.  So let’s dive into the next element! Horror rooted in specific culture, with cultural responses (e.g. Hoodoo performed by a main character) Survival horror; how to do that well in a scenario? Integrating sexiness into your horror game?

    1 hr

  3. APR 13

    MUP Ep 347 – Miskatonic University Media Club Sinners

    This episode, Keeper Evan debuts a new segment called the Miskatonic Media Club! This is where the hosts explore how to pull game design inspiration from movies, books, TV, and other arts! This episode, we’re joined by game designer Quinn to discuss Sinners.  Patreon Plug & Update Hey guys! Here is your friendly and loving reminder that MUP has a Patreon! To back us you can click the button on the sidebar of our website, mu-podcast.com or head over to Patreon directly at www.patreon.com/mup! Thank you to everyone has chosen to back and support us! You guys keep the lights on around here and we’re so thankful for all of you.  The Discord Plug That’s right! We invite all of our listeners to come and enjoy the community of horror gaming and cute pet pics. Link in the show notes: MU Discord server invite link: https://discord.gg/vNjEv9D  And thank you to our editor Equinox for editing this episode.  Main Topic This episode, Keeper Evan debuts a new segment called the Miskatonic Media Club! This is where the hosts explore how to pull game design inspiration from movies, books, TV, and other arts! This episode, we’re joined by game designer Quinn to discuss Sinners.

    1h 2m

  4. MAR 30

    MUP Ep 346 – March Madness Part 2 w/ Keeper Mav

    This episode, Keepers Bridgett and Evan welcome bestselling creator, Mav Haenze, back onto the show to explore ways that mental health, sanity and madness are used and misused in horror gaming, and ways that Keepers, players and writers can use them in the future to maximize the fun and the horror! Patreon Plug & Update Dear listeners! We have a patreon. Our patreon is how we pay our editors, our hosts, our editing software, the podcast hosting service, the podcast recording service, spam filters, and more. I know that we don’t like to discuss money, but it costs money to keep this show alive.  Our Patreons literally keep the lights on and make this show possible. So if you love this content, and you want to keep it alive, we ask that you visit patreon.com/MUP and subscribe to be a backer.  And if financial support isn’t in the cards right now, you can spread the good word of MUP in your communities by sharing a link and heaping glowing praise upon us where others can see. And furthermore, you can hang out with us on Discord! The Discord Plug Our MUP Discord and we are all there! We invite all of our listeners to come and enjoy the community of horror gaming and cute pet pics. Link in the show notes: MU Discord server invite link: https://discord.gg/vNjEv9D  And thank you to our editor NATE for editing this episode.  Main Topic Tonight, we bring you PART TWO of March Madness, which is legally and ontologically distinct from any kind of sporting event you may be aware of. What did we do in Part 1? In Part 1, we talked about ways that mental health, illness and trauma can be used and misused in horror gaming, with some expert advice from our friend Perry Clark. Now that we’ve set a baseline on the role mental health and sanity in general can play in gaming, it’s time to get into the game mechanics! And as we mentioned, we are joined today by the extra-fantastic Maverick Haenze, beloved friend of the show. Can you tell folks where they may know you from, and what expertise you’re bringing to the conversation? So: Let’s dive in to our discussion. Where have mental health and sanity mechanics been, where are they now, and where might they be going in the glorious future? Bridgett, can you kick us off? Do you have a favorite sanity or sanity-adjacent mechanic right now? {For reference or review, some notable games with sanity/madness/mental health mechanics: Call of Cthulhu, 1981, seems to have introduced the Sanity mechanic Experiencing horrors leads to a “bout of madness” and then, potentially, long-term effects such as phobias/manias More recently – players/Keepers can select long-term effects, and writers like Mav are introducing custom bout of madness tables in line with the story Unknown Armies – get hardened by violence/horror, at a cost Stress mechanics Delta Green’s Sanity; can burn connections to people (“bonds”) to cut down on stress; fight/flee/freeze as temp effects Trail of Cthulhu/Fall of Delta Green splits up into two tracks, Stability and Sanity – Stability is more like stress/mundane effects Alien has stress dice/panic rolls Blades in the Dark – vices which burn off your stress points Note that these systems all represent a particular narrative worldview about how to deal with your stress and trauma! Madness (more operatic/literary, less representative of real-world issues) Trail of Cthulhu’s Sanity – affected mostly by exposure to mythos/unnatural Vampire’s humanity/hunger Metafictional effects: Fear Itself (secret instructions to GM/players) Keeper tricks at the table (describing mundane humans as horrible monsters)} Topics: Favorite current mechanics What supports realistic play? What is more fantastic/genre-leaning? Things to be avoided (e.g. some people don’t like the old-school random sanity effects) Things you recommend – what are effective, fun, supportive for Keepers/players? Connect with Mav! Name: Mav Haenze Pronouns: They/Them Mav is a prolific writer, Storyteller, and verbal purveyor of horror. Their AP work and scenarios can be found at https://linktr.ee/mavhaenze Homework What new mechanics or approaches will you try in your upcoming games? Do you mix and match approaches from different games at your table?

    1h 4m

  5. MAR 16

    MUP Ep 345 – March Madness Part 1

    This episode, Keepers Bridgett and Evan welcome Licensed Family Therapist and gamer, Perry Clark, back onto the show to explore ways that mental health, sanity and madness are used and misused in horror gaming, and ways that Keepers, players and writers can use them in the future to maximize the fun and the horror! Patreon Plug & Update Dear listeners! We have patreon. Our patreon is how we pay our editors, our hosts, our editing software, the podcast hosting service, the podcast recording service, spam filters, and more. I know that we don’t like to discuss money, but it costs money to keep this show alive.  Our Patreons literally keep the lights on and make this show possible. So if you love this content, and you want to keep it alive, we ask that you visit patreon.com/MUP and subscribe to be a backer.  And if financial support isn’t in the cards right now, you can spread the good word of MUP in your communities by sharing a link and heaping glowing praise upon us where others can see. And furthermore, you can hang out with us on Discord! {New Patreon backer: DoctorSlaphammer} The Discord Plug Our MUP Discord and we are all there! We invite all of our listeners to come and enjoy the community of horror gaming and cute pet pics. Link in the show notes: MU Discord server invite link: https://discord.gg/vNjEv9D And thank you to our editor GENE for editing this episode.  Bridgett’s Pet Pick Shout Out Friend of the show, Rach, swears that this cat, Goose, likes his lovely veil.  Listen. I’m not so sure. But I don’t speak cat! And the veil is dope.  Also. Where are my pet pics?! Main Topic March Madness is an exploration of the ways that mental health, sanity and madness are used and misused in horror gaming, and ways that Keepers, players and writers can use them in the future to maximize the fun and the horror. Connect with Perry Clark! https://linktr.ee/pclarkugcandukpodcast

    1h 5m

  6. MAR 2

    MUP Ep – 344 Sex in Horror Gaming w/ Pippa Walton

    This episode, Keepers Bridgett & Evan are joined by special guest, Pippa Walton, intimacy choreographer and coach! Tonight we’re going to discuss sex in horror gaming. We’ll unpack topics such as why people may want to engage with sex in gaming, why sex and horror compliment each other so well, how to handle consent, what the experience may look like and more! Recent Gaming Recent Gaming is where we talk about the games we’re playing. This episode was recorded 2/25/2026. So whatcha been playing? Patreon Plug & Update Dear listeners! We have patreon. Our patreon is how we pay our editors, our hosts, our editing software, the podcast hosting service, the podcast recording service, spam filters, and more. I know that we don’t like to discuss money, but it costs money to keep this show alive.  Our Patreons literally keep the lights on and make this show possible. So if you love this content, and you want to keep it alive, we ask that you visit patreon.com/MUP and subscribe to be a backer.  And if financial support isn’t in the cards right now, you can spread the good word of MUP in your communities by sharing a link and heaping glowing praise upon us where others can see. And furthermore, you can hang out with us on Discord! The Discord Plug Our MUP Discord and we are all there! We invite all of our listeners to come and enjoy the community of horror gaming and cute pet pics. Link in the show notes: MU Discord server invite link: https://discord.gg/vNjEv9D  And thank you to our editor Ben for editing this episode.  Main Topic Welcome to the Main Topic everyone! Tonight, we’re going to discuss sex in horror roleplaying games. We’re going to approach this topic with respect, curiosity, awareness, and sensitivity. That being said, we’re about to discuss how to introduce and navigate sex in gaming spaces. This content will not be explicit in nature, but we’re not going to run from it. So if this content isn’t your cup of tea, there are 343 other episodes to enjoy, and more incoming! Questions: Why would people want to explore sex in gaming?  Why does sex and horror go so well together? What does sex in role-playing games look like?  Personal experiences  How can it be handled safely and respectfully? Tools and perspectives to be mindful of.  Ways to introduce sex and have fun with it!  What role can sex have, any particular advantages/disadvantages, thematic elements that are fun to explore, things like that? Resources, books, games, workshops, etc., to review for homework. Special Guest Spotlight Pippa Walton (she/her) has been involved in live performance through theatre since her first stage management job in 2015, and her work in the scene has spread into multiple mediums and expanded to include directing and intimacy coordination. Live action role play has become a treasured space where she uses her background in intimacy and fight work to help tell higher stakes stories with different kinds of emotional investment, and has been one of the most rewarding applications of her work. Her passions include gender-based analysis of theatrical practice, adapting her intimacy and consent practices for Live Action Role Play, being entirely too enthusiastic about musicals, and doing everything in her power to make theatre an equitable, comfortable, and uplifting space for the people around her. Her favourite video game to play is Stardew Valley, which can be considered horror media if you check how many hours she’s logged. Homework Does sex have a place in your tabletop roleplaying? Yes, no, maybe?

    1h 13m

  7. FEB 16

    MUP EP 343 – How Scott Dorward Has Ruined Us Emotionally

    This episode, Keepers Bridgett and Evan discuss Scott Dorward and all the ways that he’s ruined us emotionally. Join us as we celebrate Scott’s writing, storytelling, and the many ways that he supports the gaming community!  Patreon Plug & Update We have a patreon!! If you would like to support the podcast and engage with other backers, please consider backing. If you’re already a backer, please take a look at the various tiers and consider moving to the next level up.  Our new benefits include regular content exclusive to our backers. And if you don’t have money to contribute, please like and review us on Spotify or Apple podcasts. They really help.  So yes – please back us on Patreon! To back us you can click the button on the sidebar of our website, mu-podcast.com or head over to Patreon directly at www.patreon.com/mup! Thank you to everyone who has chosen to back us. We’re so thankful for all of you. Who we regularly see on… The Discord Plug Our MUP Discord and we are all there! We invite all of our listeners to come and enjoy the community of horror gaming and cute pet pics. Link in the show notes: MU Discord server invite link: https://discord.gg/vNjEv9D  And thank you to our editor Equinox for editing this episode.  Bridgett’s Pet Pick Shout Out Undead Domain’s cat, sitting in a custom-made box full of toys, very intentionally sleeping and not engaging at all with the toys. Very catlike! Main Topic Tonight we want to talk about Scott Dorward. The writer, the podcaster, the legend… and all the ways that he’s ruined us.  Lamp Posts in Bloom on Ain’t Slayed Nobody https://www.aintslayednobody.com/episodes/lamp-posts-in-bloom-unknown-armies-becca-scott Cthulhu Dark Fairyland Part 1 — Ain’t Slayed Nobody – Call of Cthulhu Podcast  https://share.google/Jdi30tTLk0r36wolH Fairyland Scenario https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/426490/fairyland Murder Shack Ain’t Slayed Nobody  https://pca.st/episode/a4324459-6603-4291-aeef-c30c5c1bd4d2 Unland  https://pca.st/episode/524d3f47-8254-48db-ba34-1bea7b9c539c Sky Symphony Sonata https://youtu.be/xnUlacQAMRM?si=AfBJk3MtUPR08meD The Things We Leave Behind – An Anthology of Modern Day Call of Cthulhu Scenarios – Stygian Fox | Call of Cthulhu: Modern Era | DriveThruRPG https://share.google/LMZSGO74vJqWsqiIK Homework Tell us in the episode channel how Scott Dorward has ruined you emotionally. Tag him. Make it weird.

    42 min

  8. FEB 2

    MUP Ep 342 – 2026 Miskatonic Debate Club Part 2

    This episode, Keepers Bridgett and Evan tackle gaming topics in our Miskatonic Debate Club (booth)! Part 2/2. Patreon Plug & Update Hey guys! Here is your friendly and loving reminder that MUP has a Patreon! To back us you can click the button on the sidebar of our website, mu-podcast.com or head over to Patreon directly at www.patreon.com/mup! Thank you to everyone has chosen to back and support us! You guys keep the lights on around here and we’re so thankful for all of you.  Backers helped cultivate this very episode. The Discord Plug That’s right! We invite all of our listeners to come and enjoy the community of horror gaming and cute pet pics. Link in the show notes: MU Discord server invite link: https://discord.gg/vNjEv9D  And thank you to our editor Nate for editing this episode.  Main Topic Welcome everyone to our reoccurring segment, the Miskatonic University Debate Club! During this segment, we’ve polled our patreon backers for topics that the hosts will argue to the best of our ability. The goal here is to demonstrate healthy argumentation, to have fun, to stretch our own debate skills, and most importantly to share valid perspectives to opposing topics in our industry!  Classic versus Original Monsters Roll mitigations Dice verus gimmicks

    40 min
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A Podcast dedicated to Weird and Horrific Roleplaying Games.

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