Characters Without Stories

Star
  • 4.9 (13)
  • GAMES
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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.

  1. 03/02/2025

    Mogmoden, Sheltered Academic - Being Curious with Rene Legault (Fabula Ultima)

    Rene Legault brings Mogmoden to the table. Mog is a teenage academic in the pursuit of practical knowledge and answers to intellectual mysteries in his first time venturing out into the world. Rene and I discuss creating characters who are curious about the world, imaginary bestiaries, and the drama of JRPGs. Mogmoden is built for Fabula Ultima by Emanuele Galletto. Rene Legault is one of the founding members of the DMs After Dark streaming group focused on highlighting small publisher and indie RPGs, and now the host of the Rene Plays Games Podcast featuring solo and group actual plays, interviews, and discussions about running better games, Rene is a dad and husband first, nerd second, wetland biologist by day, and internet person last. Okay, maybe nerd first. You can learn more about Rene at: https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/rene-legault Mentioned in the episode: Cezar Capacle's Random Realities and Ryuutama. Of Monsters and Mixed Successes is a character focused actual play Monster of the Week podcast full of Eldritch monstrosities and a surprising amount of shenanigans. Dungeons and Degrees is a conversation with friends talking about the games we love and the life we live around it. Send us a text 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 Support the Podcast 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/characterswithoutstories.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!

    52 min

  2. 02/15/2025

    Petty Dreadful, a Survivor - Breaking the Game with Rowan Zeoli (Deathmatch Island)

    Rowan Zeoli brings Petty Dreadful to the table. Petty is a rage-fueled, attention-seeking drag queen Playing to Win. Rowan and I discuss gender performance, radical imagination, and the parallels between reality television and actual plays. Petty Dreadful is built for Deathmatch Island by Tim Denee. Rowan Zeoli is a journalist covering the intersection of progressive thought and niche cultural movements. She is co-founder of Rascal News, a worker-owned, reader-supported, tabletop journalism outlet. Her work has also appeared in Polygon, Tripsitter, Autostraddle, and The Fandomentals; where she’s covered gender, psychedelics, and the largest developments in actual play, from award winning indie programming to big budget productions. She is also co-founder of convention/non-profit WriteHive. You can learn more about Rowan at: https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/rowan-zeoli Mentioned in the episode: DIE, Triangle Agency, Project ECCO by My First Dungeon, Yazeba's Bed and Breakfast and The Seven Part Pact by Jay Dragon, Rom Com Drama Bomb by Elliot Davis, and authors/activists Judith Butler, Mariame Kaba, and Angela Davis. No Quest for the Wicked is a story driven actual play podcast using Paizo’s sci-fi space opera system, Starfinder. Yes, indie'd! is a podcast of bitesize interviews with indie tabletop roleplaying Send us a text 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 Support the Podcast 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/characterswithoutstories.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!

    1h 2m

  3. 02/01/2025

    Sarge, Norma, and Harmony - Troupe Style Play with Andrew Beauman (Out of Orbit)

    Andrew Beauman brings Sarge and Norma to the table, and we create Harmony together. Sarge, Norma, and Harmony are survivors of a spaceship crash hoping to make it back out of orbit. Andrew and I discuss troupe-style mechanics and playing multiple characters - and how that changes the way we create characters. We discuss finding empathy through TTRPGs and learning that not everything is made for our perspective. These characters are built for Out of Orbit, currently Kickstarting as part of Zine Month. Andrew Beauman is a game designer and artist with a background in graphic design and marketing. His first game was published through Zine Month 2024, titled Battle School. He also co-hosts a podcast called One Shot’s Tavern about exploring new ways to tell your story through different games. You can learn more about Andrew at: https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/andrew-beauman What's Your Damage? is a Fifth Edition actual play podcast taking place in a homebrew world based on Filipino mythology. Whatcha Doing? is an interview podcast talking to creative people about the trials, tribulations and triumphs in their projects. Send us a text 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 Support the Podcast 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/characterswithoutstories.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!

    1h 18m

  4. 01/18/2025

    Aria Godey, Pirate Captain - Embodying Your Character with SpunkyTaylor (Thirsty Sword Lesbians)

    Taylor brings Captain Aria Godey to the table. Captain Aria is a pirate who touched a gold piece that is slowly consuming her and turning her into gold. Taylor and I discuss belonging as a Black creator in the TTRPG space, learning to accept that plus size bodies can be desired, and how cosplay informs character building. This character is built for Thirsty Sword Lesbians by April Kit Walsh. Taylor is a Black variety content creator and TTRPG performer located on the east coast. She loves to cosplay to bring her characters to life. You can learn more about Taylor at: https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/taylor A Haunting, Beloved is a cinematic actual play by Numinous Productions using the system Bluebeard's Bride. 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 Mentioned in the episode: Gloria (glowpinkstah) thetinytaco Send us a text 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 Support the Podcast 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/characterswithoutstories.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!

    59 min

  5. 10/14/2024

    Chase Cameron, aka Showtime - Alternate Futures with Will Malkus (Masks: a New Generation)

    WIll Malkus brings Chase Cameron, aka Showtime, to the table. Chase is a teenager who recently became a superhero when he found a watch that can stop time. Will and I nerd out on comics, deconstruct the women in refrigerators trope, and discuss how TTRPGs let us play out better futures. This character is built for Masks: a New Generation by Brendan Conway. Will Malkus is an ex librarian, ex music journalist, ex photographer, and current streamer, producer, and editor, mostly for the not-for-profit charity TTRPG Studio Live from the Apocalypse that he co founded in 2021. Outside of Live from the Apocalypse, you can usually find him lifting heavy things for fun like a freak or occupying various corners of the internet under the handle, aWillMScream. You can learn more about Will at: https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/will-malkus PINK FOHAWK is an ENnie-Nominated actual play podcast set in the Shadowrun universe. https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/pink-fohawk-2181312 5 GMs in a Trenchcoat is an award winning actual play where five friends take turns weaving stories through the tabletop system of their choice each season. https://www.5gmsinatrenchcoat.com Send us a text 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 Support the Podcast 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/characterswithoutstories.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!

    1h 4m

  6. 09/29/2024

    Jessica Jeroux, Drow Archeologist - Transition and Leveling Up with Justin Gagliani (D&D 5e)

    Justin Gagliani brings Jessica Jeroux to the table. Jessica is a drow trans woman pursuing knowledge of lost civilizations. Justin and I discuss what it means to be a trans woman in gender-segregated drow society, learning to explore and express your gender, and the narrative implications of D&D mechanics.  This character is built for D&D 5e. Justin Gagliani is a co host of the So You Want to Be a Dungeon Master podcast, a TTRPG content creator, and a published writer. You can learn more about Justin at: https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/justin-gagliani Roll for Luck is an all-star Black cast actual play where the Sapphics come to terms of what can potentially happen when dealing with Portals.  Pulled into a different reality now they hunt to find a way back home, if it even exists. Send us a text 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 Support the Podcast 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/characterswithoutstories.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!

    1h 18m

  7. 09/14/2024

    Chris Strausman, Socially Isolated Streamer - Growing Up and Showing Up with Blerdy Disposition (Call of Cthulhu)

    Blerdy Disposition brings Chris Strausman to the table. Chris is a Twitch streamer with a lot of growing up to do, searching Reddit and relying on his followers to find his missing sister. Blerdy and I compare Lovecraftian horrors to YouTube comments, discuss the importance of being there for your community, both in and out of character, and talk about growing up in a landscape of social isolation and internet-only friendships. This character is built for Call of Cthulhu 7e. Blerdy Disposition is a Black, Queer Professional GM and Player. He makes TTRPG YouTube content, focused on covering either indie RPGs or player and GM advice. When he is not obsessing over Cthulhu mythos or niche RPGs, you can find him talking about his next favorite RPG of the month. You can learn more about Blerdy at: https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/blerdy-disposition Baddie Bards is an all-Black, all-queer, all-trans D&D actual play. Living up to the bardic reputation, there’s plenty of laughs, all set in space. But you’ll also hear poetic descriptions and atmospheric background music. I’m looking forward to their next season, using the DIE system. Girls Run These Worlds is a women-owned, women-run production studio aiming to uplift the voices, profiles, and status of women and femme-presenting people in TTRPG and to create a place where all can come to find themselves represented and celebrated.  Send us a text 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 Support the Podcast 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/characterswithoutstories.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!

    1 hr

  8. 09/07/2024

    Everett Nichols, a Protector Who Defends What Matters - Healing from the Past with DJ BeeZee (Old Gods of Appalachia)

    Content Warning this episode for brief mentions of forced sterilization (49:03-49:53) and death of a child (57:40-57:48). DJ BeeZee brings Everett Nichols to the table. Everett is a union man, through and through, who defends those closest to him. DJ and I discuss healing from generational trauma, the union history of Appalachia, and how finding player agency in TTRPGs can be cathartic when we lack agency in our lives. This character is built for Old Gods of Appalachia, a Cypher System game by Monte Cook, based on the podcast of the same name. DJ BeeZee is an AuDHD Game Master for Hire and Co-Host of One Shot’s Tavern, a TTRPG podcast focused on learning about all of the tools and mechanics that TTRPGs across the spectrum offer in order to become better story tellers, game masters, and game designers. You can learn more about DJ at: https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/dj-beezee The Thorne Files is a Monster of the Week Actual Play podcast filled with twisting mysteries, malevolent evils and character-lead drama. https://open.spotify.com/show/2zpkCPR5NIFYS2BAxcpKx6?si=d9d9409ec02544a7 Hammer of the Gods is an actual play TTRPG podcast, primarily set in an alternate history home brew world based around Ancient Greece and Greek Mythology. They've has now branched into playing and streaming other games such as Werewolf, Masks, and Eat the Reich. https:/linktr.ee/Hammpod Send us a text Send us a text 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 Support the Podcast 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/characterswithoutstories.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!

    1h 19m
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4.9
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Star
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Characters Without Stories
  • Show Website
    Characters Without Stories