Running Off The Rails

Raymond O'Connor and Ariel Rascoe
  • 5.0 (16)
  • GAMES
Running Off The Rails

Ray and Ariel equip new and experienced tabletop RPG players with actionable tips and tricks to bring their game to the next level. We have been playing Dungeons and Dragons for years now and truly believe that tabletop RPGs offer a unique life experience that everyone should enjoy. Find out how you can adapt your game to your players and ensure a successful adventure at your table.

  1. 09/28/2024

    How to Introduce a New Setting | The final Armorsmith's Handbook episode

    In this episode Ariel and Ray take one last look at the Armorsmith's Handbook, a massive endeavor from the Grim Press that has to introduce twenty unique places to your campaign setting. Ray and Ariel discuss how to read and prepare box text so that your players immediately know where they are and why they should care about it. Then they talk about how to expand on a setting idea once you've settled on where you want to go, so that the setting feels alive and your players feel engaged after the first impression. Sign up for your copy of the ⁠Armorsmith's Handbook⁠ at ⁠bit.ly/armorsmith⁠ today! Included in this this 175+ page sourcebook, we've created 20 drop-in merchants for your game of 5th Edition. Accompanying each armorsmith is A fully-illustrated portrait art piece A detailed background and roleplaying guideline A top-down map of their shop and a full table of unique wares tailored to their shop specifically. On these tables you will find food, wonderous magic items, spell scrolls, potions, and of course, magical armor. In fact, Aaron Gentry and Ray created 10 new pieces of magical armor for each armorsmith and Sandy Lawson created art for every single piece. That's 200 brand new fully arted pieces of magical armor for your game of 5th edition.

    49 min

  2. 08/29/2024

    The Armorsmith's Handbook is Live! Ray Dives Into The Character Creation Process

    Sign up for your copy of the Armorsmith's Handbook at bit.ly/armorsmith today! Included in this this 175+ page sourcebook, we've created 20 drop-in merchants for your game of 5th Edition. Accompanying each armorsmith is A fully-illustrated portrait art piece A detailed background and roleplaying guideline A top-down map of their shop and a full table of unique wares tailored to their shop specifically. On these tables you will find food, wonderous magic items, spell scrolls, potions, and of course, magical armor. In fact, Aaron Gentry and Ray created 10 new pieces of magical armor for each armorsmith and Sandy Lawson created art for every single piece. That's 200 brand new fully arted pieces of magical armor for your game of 5th edition.

    1h 10m

  3. 08/03/2024

    What Makes Compelling Magic Armor? Ft. Armorsmith's Handbook

    In this episode, Ariel tries to convince Ray that the very best magic items have abilities that make your character immediately recognizable, but don't overshadow their already heroic abilities, using magic items that Ray himself designed in Grim Press's new Armorsmith's Handbook! Ariel picks his five favorite magic items out of the two hundred brand new magic armors in the Grim Press Fifth Edition supplement, The Armorsmith's Handbook. Ariel argues why each modestly-powered item is the perfect fit for the PCs at your table, while Ray gives behind the scenes details on how they were designed. Armorer's Handbook: https://bit.ly/armorsmith Website: https://runningofftherails.com Emery's Physical Copy: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397328/Emerys-Log-of-Legendary-Eminences Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningofftherails Twitter: https://twitter.com/RunningOffRails

    1h 17m

  4. 07/01/2024

    Freelance RPG Writing and the Armorer's Handbook Kickstarter

    Last Summer Ray collaborated as a co-author on a book of 20 Armorers and the 200 pieces of magical armor that they offer. Ray discusses what the experience of writing the ~35,000 words was like and what the book has to offer players and Dungeon Masters.

    41 min

  5. 03/01/2024

    Catching Up

    Ray and Ariel play 2024 catch up. We discuss what has been going on in our lives and chat about books and media we've been consuming. We will return to topic-focused, prepared content next episode. Website: https://runningofftherails.com Emery's Physical Copy: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397328/Emerys-Log-of-Legendary-Eminences Emery’s Log of Legendary Eminences: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/runningofftherails/emerys-log-of-legendary-eminences⁠ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningofftherails Twitter: https://twitter.com/RunningOffRails

    1h 19m

  6. 01/03/2024

    Notoriety in D&D | Why One Piece is Better Than Gloomhaven

    Ray and Ariel discuss how to make your players feel like they are as infamous as Robin Hood or Geralt of Rivia in their own fantasy worlds. Unfortunately, these cherished characters from fiction are also infamous, and risk being chased out of any town they enter. So we need a system of notoriety for our games that still allow the PCs to walk through the world even after they've made some enemies. Ray and Ariel review two examples of Notoriety: the bounties from One Piece which create benchmarks for progress and comparison with other pirates, vs Reputation from Gloomhaven which is multidirectional but can actively erase progress. Through these examples, Ray and Ariel devise a framework that is both multidirectional and tracks consistent forward progress. Website: https://runningofftherails.com Emery's Physical Copy: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397328/Emerys-Log-of-Legendary-Eminences Emery’s Log of Legendary Eminences: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/runningofftherails/emerys-log-of-legendary-eminences⁠ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningofftherails Twitter: https://twitter.com/RunningOffRails

    46 min

  7. 12/01/2023

    Kick The Dog | A Guide To Dastardly Villains

    Ray and Ariel discuss how to make a villain that your characters will care about—specifically care about killing them ASAP. This episode covers a classic screenwriting technique called "Kick the Dog" which establishes the bad guy by having them hurt a helpless character in the world. Ray and Ariel review two great examples of Dog Kicking from the new One Piece series and the Disney Classic, The Emperor's new groove. Both masterclasses in establishing characters you want to punch right in the jaw. Website: https://runningofftherails.com Emery's Physical Copy: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397328/Emerys-Log-of-Legendary-Eminences Emery’s Log of Legendary Eminences: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/runningofftherails/emerys-log-of-legendary-eminences⁠ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningofftherails Twitter: https://twitter.com/RunningOffRails

    56 min

  8. 11/04/2023

    Sentient Magic Items | Sapient VS Awakened Vs Alien

    Ray and Ariel discuss the different categories of sentient magic items that appear in popular fiction and Dungeons and Dragons. From Nightblood to the One Ring, we deconstruct their sentience so that you can use the pieces to build your own items at your own tables. Website: https://runningofftherails.com Emery’s Log of Legendary Eminences: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/runningofftherails/emerys-log-of-legendary-eminences⁠ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningofftherails Twitter: https://twitter.com/RunningOffRails

    56 min
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5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Ray and Ariel equip new and experienced tabletop RPG players with actionable tips and tricks to bring their game to the next level. We have been playing Dungeons and Dragons for years now and truly believe that tabletop RPGs offer a unique life experience that everyone should enjoy. Find out how you can adapt your game to your players and ensure a successful adventure at your table.

Information

  • Creator
    Raymond O'Connor and Ariel Rascoe
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2024
  • Episodes
    102
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Raymond O'Connor and Ariel Rascoe
  • Show Website
    Running Off The Rails

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