40 episodes

Characters Without Stories is a tabletop role playing game podcast about the roads not yet traveled.Every episode I bring in a friend to tell me about their unplayed character and their approach to creating characters. I cover all kinds of RPGs - from indies to D&D.I've had some fascinating conversations about how our characters intersect with and reveal our identities and how play is a gateway to understanding ourselves. I hope you'll give it a listen.Thank you and may all your characters find their stories.

Characters Without Stories starmamac

    • Leisure
    • 5.0 • 12 Ratings

Characters Without Stories is a tabletop role playing game podcast about the roads not yet traveled.Every episode I bring in a friend to tell me about their unplayed character and their approach to creating characters. I cover all kinds of RPGs - from indies to D&D.I've had some fascinating conversations about how our characters intersect with and reveal our identities and how play is a gateway to understanding ourselves. I hope you'll give it a listen.Thank you and may all your characters find their stories.

    Orco the Magnificent, Sh*tty Wizard - Religious Rebellion with Grant Nordine (D&D5e)

    Orco the Magnificent, Sh*tty Wizard - Religious Rebellion with Grant Nordine (D&D5e)

    Send us a Text Message.
    Grant brings Orco the Magnificent to the table. Orco is not a very good wizard, but he gives it his best shot.
    Grant and I discuss religious trauma, high school theater, and the opposite of min-maxing.
    This character is built for D&D5e.
    Grant Nordine is the titular game master of Game Master Monday and the guide for Bella's Comet. Grant is an award-winning actor and writer with stage, film, music, and podcasting credits. As the GM of Game Master Monday, he runs a new one-shot in a new system with a new cast every episode.
    You can learn more about Grant at:
    https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/grant-nordine

    This episode, I recommend the podcast Why We Roll. You can check it out here:
    https://whyweroll.org

    Torchlit Tavern is a D&D actual play podcast set in the homebrew world of Obscuria, where unlikely heroes find themselves at the center of political intrigue and potential global catastrophe.
    http://torchlittavern.com
    Cover art by The Curiographer
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer
    Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
    https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share

    You can find Star at:
    Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
    Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories

    Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!

    • 1 hr 1 min
    Tendertwig, Sweet Summer Child - Childlike Wonder with Tori Fica (Pathfinder 2e)

    Tendertwig, Sweet Summer Child - Childlike Wonder with Tori Fica (Pathfinder 2e)

    Send us a Text Message.
    Tori Fica brings Tendertwig to the table. Tendertwig is a Leshy Oracle who moves through life with the confidence of a child - because they are actually only 1 year old.

    Tori and I discuss the freedom of playing a character utterly devoid of imposter syndrome, how being cute is a special ability, and playing a literal baby.

    This character is built for Pathfinder 2e.

    Tori Fica is a TTRPG enthusiast, actual-play performer, and GM. She is one of the creators of Level 1 Geek, a TTRPG education and entertainment channel to help new players get into this magical hobby.

    You can learn more about Tori at:
    https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/tori-fica

    This episode, I recommend the podcast I Love this Thing so Fricking Much. You can check it out here:
    https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s2e4-star-loves-doris-day-movies/id1506443569?i=1000609081296

    5 GMs in a Trenchcoat is a TTRPG actual-play podcast about friendship, storytelling and really, really stupid bits. In all seriousness, it's an AP podcast where 5 friends take turns weaving stories through the tabletop system of their choice each season.
    https://www.5gmsinatrenchcoat.com
    Cover art by The Curiographer
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer
    Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
    https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share

    You can find Star at:
    Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
    Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories

    Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!

    • 41 min
    Rhan Halvard, Paladin of Fate - Death and Destiny with Chriss Knight (D&D 5e)

    Rhan Halvard, Paladin of Fate - Death and Destiny with Chriss Knight (D&D 5e)

    Send us a Text Message.
    Chriss brings Rhan Halvard to the table. Rhan was a wizard who became a revenant in the service of Istus when her attempt to change her fate had unexpectedly dire results.
    Chriss and I discuss death, grief, and catharsis, the role of fate in a fantasy story where gods are real, and how much backstory you truly need.
    This character is built for D&D5e.
    Chriss Knight is a life long creative who found her calling with D&D in college where she earned a degree in theatre. After a winding road of various career paths, she found her way back to TTRPGs and now runs her own podcast all about them, alongside running and playing in several games herself.
    You can learn more about Chriss at:
    https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/chriss-knight

    This episode, I recommend the podcast The AARPGs. You can check it out here:
    https://audioboom.com/posts/7921235-twilight-2000-it-s-always-cloudy-in-kalisz-ep10-jumping-the-shark

    Do you ever miss those days when cardboard boxes were pirate ships? Babies and Broadswords Bathfinder is a TTRPG that celebrates team work and make believe just like when you were a kid!
    https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/babiesandbroadswords/babies-and-broadswords-bathfinder
    Cover art by The Curiographer
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer
    Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
    https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share

    You can find Star at:
    Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
    Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories

    Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!

    • 47 min
    Exit, the Outsider - Character Building is Worldbuilding with Sam Dunnewold (Apocalypse World)

    Exit, the Outsider - Character Building is Worldbuilding with Sam Dunnewold (Apocalypse World)

    Send us a Text Message.
    Sam Dunnewold brings Exit to the table. Exit is a scavenger living on the edges of a dangerous psychic mist and a society that demands they conform.
    Sam and I discuss building a character within the context of a post apocalyptic world, being brave because you have to be, and transparency in gaming.
    This character is built for Apocalypse World by D. Vincent and Maguey Baker.
    http://apocalypse-world.com
    Sam Dunnewold is a Minnesotan game designer, screenwriter, and podcaster living in Hollywood like a chump. His podcast, Dice Exploder, breaks down a game mechanic every week with a friend. He's the designer of Doskvol Breathes and Space Train Space Heist, and he was a judge for the 2022 The Awards. Sam used to work for The Onion as a video editor, and he has no colon.
    You can learn more about Sam at:
    https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/sam-dunnewold

    We mention VOID 1680 AM by Ken Lowery:
    https://bannerlessgames.itch.io/void-1680-am

    We also mention We Are But Worms: A One Word RPG by Riverhouse Games:
    https://riverhousegames.itch.io/we-are-but-worms-a-one-word-rpg

    Dungeon Calling is a real-play D&D podcast of high fantasy and low humor:
    https://www.dungeoncalling.com
    Cover art by The Curiographer
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer
    Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
    https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share

    You can find Star at:
    Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
    Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories

    Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!

    • 1 hr
    Riley and Jean-Pierre, a Masked Vampire - Code-Switching and Authenticity with Aetherius Bordeaux (Vampire the Masquerade 5e)

    Riley and Jean-Pierre, a Masked Vampire - Code-Switching and Authenticity with Aetherius Bordeaux (Vampire the Masquerade 5e)

    Send us a Text Message.
    Aetherius brings Riley Howard/Jean Pierre Baptiste to the table. Riley is a Ministry kindred masquerading as Jean-Pierre, a Toreador in the Camarilla.
    Aetherius and I discuss being your authentic self, being the only Black player at the table, and writing strong yet flawed Black women.
    This character is built for Vampire the Masquerade 5e published by Renegade Game Studios.
    Aetherius Bordeaux is your new favorite Vampire Himbo. He is a mystery/thriller/horror content creator and lifelong answerer of the eternal question "whodunnit"? Aetherius is a theater kid turned TTRPG baby and has finally fought off his anxiety long enough to launch into content creation.
    You can learn more about Aetherius at:
    https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/aetherius-bordeaux

    We mention Erinmylaundry's Actual Play stream. You can find Philly By Night on Twitch at https://www.twitch.tv/erinmylaundry
    This episode, I recommend the podcast Gimme Da Loot. You can check it out here:
    https://www.gmdlcast.com

    Game Master Monday is the podcast that plays a new one shot in a new system with a new cast EVERY EPISODE.
    https://linktr.ee/grant_nordine
    Cover art by The Curiographer
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer
    Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
    https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share

    You can find Star at:
    Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
    Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories

    Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!

    • 1 hr 36 min
    Otto Von Kurtzel, Mecha Grandpa - Family Ties with Joseph Byler (D&D5e)

    Otto Von Kurtzel, Mecha Grandpa - Family Ties with Joseph Byler (D&D5e)

    Send us a Text Message.
    Joseph brings Otto Von Kurtzel to the table. Otto is a family man who built a mech suit to help him live with a degenerative disease.
    Joseph and I discuss punching dragons, having people worth fighting for, and tinkering for good.
    This character is built for D&D5e.
    Joseph Byler, an aspiring TTRPG writer and nurse. They're also a proud redneck and leftist.
    You can learn more about Joseph at:
    https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/joseph-byler

    This episode, I recommend the podcast Blades of Mayari. You can check it out here:
    https://www.bladesofmayari.com
    Cover art by The Curiographer
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer
    Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
    https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share

    You can find Star at:
    Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
    Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories

    Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!

    • 38 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
12 Ratings

12 Ratings

classicgranto ,

Second to None

There is nothing like CWS. Not just an incredible concept telling the stories of characters who never came to be, but in depth breakdowns of the character creation process, system analysis, and how much of a person winds up in the people we play. Star is an incredible navigator of the heart and is worthy of every second of time her show demands

Leshback ,

Star is brilliant.

Star’s podcast of featuring these unplayed characters is fantastic. It gives GMs a chance to dive deeper into the characters they’ve cared so deeply about, and gives them a voice. It’s cozy, it’s fun, and every episode is as enjoyable as the last. I absolutely love this podcast.

Lord Hairychin Beardington ,

Great podcast!

What a unique show! Every episode is an original perspective. A definite must listen for anyone in the ttrpg community

Top Podcasts In Leisure

Critical Role
Critical Role
Duck Call Room
Si Robertson & Justin Martin
The Big Fib
GZM Shows
Kinda Funny Gamescast: Video Game Podcast
Kinda Funny
Kinda Funny Games Daily: Video Games News Podcast
Kinda Funny
天真不天真
杨天真本真

You Might Also Like

One Shot
James D'Amato
Worlds Beyond Number
Fortunate Horse, Worlds Beyond Number
Not Another D&D Podcast
Headgum
Critical Role
Critical Role
The Adventure Zone
The McElroys
Dungeons and Daddies
Dungeons and Daddies