Tabletopped

Nick Perron
  • 5.0 (22)
  • GAMES
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome game masters! Each week Nick Perron dives deep into the art of running role-playing games with guests experts to get tips for everyone from first-time players to seasoned veterans. Join us to find out what makes a great story and an even greater campaign!

  1. JAN 12

    New Year Same Hosts

    In today's episode, the crew sits down to talk about the year we had, what games we have tried, and what we are looking to see in the new year! In this episode, you'll discover: Our thoughts on systems we have tried like "Never Going Home" and "Liminal Horror!"The "Theatre Kid" effect on ttrpgsOur hopes and resolutions for the new year!Joining us is host Nick Perron in conversation with Shade, Franco, and Rio. Together, they bring their combined 75 years of ttrpg hobby experience to bear to answer your questions and talk about this hobby we love. LINKS! → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tabletopped's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check us out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! We have a new monthly pod as well as behind the scenes clips that you can get on a secret Spotify feed! We will also be dropping some more treats from time to time! Theme music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mitch Poulin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support and Subscribe to the Podcast!

    1h 3m

  2. 12/29/2025

    Beyond the Game Master: Building Collaborative RPG Worlds with Nat Mesnard

    In today's episode, we sit down with game designer and writer Nat Mesnard, co-founder of Scryptid Games and Unquiet Games. We dive deep into the creation of Assemblage, a GM-less roleplaying game where players collaboratively build strange science-fiction ecosystems and face the heartbreaking decision of which species will go extinct. Whether you're interested in innovative game design or looking to explore alternatives to traditional hierarchical play, this conversation will transform how you think about collaborative storytelling. In this episode, you'll discover: How to design games that resist hierarchical power structuresThe challenge of creating truly collaborative play spaces and why "GM-less" doesn't always mean "leader-less"Building game mechanics around collective grief and difficult choicesUsing rigid design rules to enable creative freedomThe journey from pandemic-era online play to published gameJoining us is host Nick Perron in conversation with Nat Mesnard. Together, they explore the intersection of queer survival, ecological thinking, and tabletop game design, covering everything from matsutake mushrooms and Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing's work to the linage of DMs as "referees." Links to what we talked about in todays episode: Nat's article on the game Try Assemblage on Screentop Purchase Assemblage MORE LINKS! → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tabletopped's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check us out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! We have a new monthly pod as well as behind the scenes clips that you can get on a secret Spotify feed! We will also be dropping some more treats from time to time! Theme music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mitch Poulin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support and Subscribe to the Podcast!

    54 min

  3. 12/15/2025

    Brindlewood Bay Style GMing w/ Shadomain's Jason Campbell

    In today's episode, we sit down with dungeon master and blogger Jason Campbell, of Shadomain.com. We dive deep into the debate around premade versus improvised content for campaigns, how to collaborate on story with players, and creating memorable experiences for your players. Whether you're a brand new DM or looking to refine your approach, these expert insights will help you take your campaigns to the next level. In this episode, you'll discover: The pros and cons of starting collaborative story campaignsHow to transition from prewritten to improvised contentTips for building DM confidence and finding your styleJoining us is host Nick Perron in conversation with Jason Campbell. Together, they explore the art of learning to run immersive TTRPG games, covering everything from adventure preparation to developing your craft as a game master. LINKS! → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tabletopped's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check us out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! We have a new monthly pod as well as behind the scenes clips that you can get on a secret Spotify feed! We will also be dropping some more treats from time to time! Theme music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mitch Poulin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support and Subscribe to the Podcast!

    53 min

  4. 12/01/2025

    Learning to DM: Why New Dungeon Masters Should (or Shouldn't) Use Premade Dungeons w/ Vahid Qualls

    Have you ever wondered, "Should I start with a premade adventure or create my own?" or "What's the best way to learn dungeon mastering?" If these questions sound familiar, you're in the right place! In today's episode, we sit down with dungeon master and podcaster Vahid Qualls, host of the Dungeon Mastering is Easy podcast. We dive deep into the debate around premade versus homebrew content for new DMs, discussing how to build confidence behind the screen, develop your unique style, and create memorable experiences for your players. Whether you're a brand new DM or looking to refine your approach, these expert insights will help you take your campaigns to the next level. In this episode, you'll discover: The pros and cons of starting with premade adventuresHow to transition from published modules to homebrew contentTips for building DM confidence and finding your styleJoining us is host Nick Perron in conversation with Vahid Qualls. Together, they explore the art of learning to run immersive TTRPG games, covering everything from adventure preparation to developing your craft as a game master. LINKS! → ⁠⁠⁠⁠Tabletopped's website⁠⁠⁠⁠ → ⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠ → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check us out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! We have a new monthly pod as well as behind the scenes clips that you can get on a secret Spotify feed! We will also be dropping some more treats from time to time! Theme music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Mitch Poulin⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support and Subscribe to the Podcast!

    55 min

  5. 11/17/2025

    Railroading the GM: Stakes and Death in Your Game

    Have you ever wondered, "How do I kill my player character in a way that feels fun?" or "What makes a balanced consequence for a character?" If these questions sound familiar, you're in the right place! In today's episode, we sit down with dungeon master and improvisor, Danny Belel. We dive deep into the inspiration behind this haunting adventure, discussing how to effectively weave consequences, dread, and player agency into TTRPG campaigns. Whether you're planning to run a deadly ttrpg game or simply want to elevate your DMing, these expert insights will help you take your campaigns to the next level. In this episode, you'll discover: How to kill your players in a fun way!The different outcomes behind stakes at the tableHow to enforce consequences that feels like everyone is agreeing Joining us are our experienced panel of GMs: Nick, Franco, Rio, and Shade. With over 50 years of combined Game Mastering experience, we explore the art of running immersive TTRPG games, covering everything from pacing to player psychology. LINKS! → ⁠⁠⁠Tabletopped's website⁠⁠⁠ → ⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠ → ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ → ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check us out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! We have a new monthly pod as well as behind the scenes clips that you can get on a secret Spotify feed! We will also be dropping some more treats from time to time! Theme music by ⁠⁠⁠Mitch Poulin⁠⁠⁠ Support and Subscribe to the Podcast!

    54 min

  6. 11/03/2025

    The City That Crawled Out of the Sea: Chaplewick Preview

    Have you ever wondered, "How do I bring a Souls-like Lovecraftian horror game to life at my D&D table?" or "What makes a truly unforgettable horror module?" If these questions sound familiar, you're in the right place! In today's episode, we sit down with Leroy Benson, the mastermind behind Chaplewick—the upcoming D&D module that's redefining Lovecraftian horror for 5th Edition. We dive deep into the inspiration behind this haunting adventure, discussing how to effectively weave mystery, dread, and player agency into a pre-written campaign. Whether you're planning to run Chaplewick or simply want to elevate your horror DMing, these expert insights will help you take your dark fantasy campaigns to the next level. In this episode, you'll discover: The twisted secrets lurking in Chaplewick and what makes this module differentHow to balance scripted module moments with player-driven investigationTips for using atmosphere, pacing, and NPC roleplay to maximize dreadBehind-the-scenes stories from the module's developmentWhen and where you can get your hands on Chaplewick Joining us are our experienced panel of GMs: Nick, Franco, Rio, and Shade. With over 50 years of combined Game Mastering experience, we explore the art of running immersive TTRPG games, covering everything from pacing to player psychology. LINKS! → ⁠⁠Tabletopped's website⁠⁠ → ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ → ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ → ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠ Check us out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! We have a new monthly pod as well as behind the scenes clips that you can get on a secret Spotify feed! We will also be dropping some more treats from time to time! Theme music by ⁠⁠Mitch Poulin⁠⁠ Support and Subscribe to the Podcast!

    48 min

  7. 10/20/2025

    From The Vault: What's the Point of Running a Horror Game Anyway?

    This is a Re-aired episode from 2024: Have you ever wondered, "Am I running my horror TTRPG (Tabletop Role-Playing Game) correctly?" or "Should my players feel more scared?" If these questions sound familiar, you’re in the right place! In today’s episode, we dive deep into the purpose of running a horror game, discussing how to effectively create tension, fear, and atmosphere in your TTRPG sessions. Whether you're a new Game Master or a seasoned pro, these expert insights will help you take your horror campaigns to the next level. Joining us are our experienced panel of GMs: Nick, Franco, Rio, and Shade. With over 50 years of combined Game Mastering experience, we explore the art of running immersive horror games, covering everything from pacing to player psychology. LINKS! → ⁠Tabletopped's website⁠ → ⁠Patreon⁠ → ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ → ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠ Check us out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! We have a new monthly pod as well as behind the scenes clips that you can get on a secret Spotify feed! We will also be dropping some more treats from time to time! Theme music by ⁠Michelle Poulin⁠ Support and Subscribe to the Podcast!

    45 min

  8. 10/06/2025

    How To Roleplay Better at the Table w/ John Serpico!

    In this episode, we sit down and try and figure out the best way to roleplay at table. Who best to join in on this talk? Why not the man who teaches a class on the subject: John Serpico! Whether you're a seasoned GM who's a grizzled describer or a newer Game Master wondering how to weave your story without losing your players, this episode delivers practical insights with the kind of hard-won wisdom that only comes from years of spinning stories around the table. We dive deep into the world of storytelling and explore how narratives, descriptions, and plot structures can enhance rather than complicate the gaming experience. Topics Covered: How to get into characterHow to change your character in realistic waysTips and tricks on how to feel more comfortable storytelling at the table So grab your dice, your favorite beverage, and maybe dust off that campaign notebook with all those interconnected plot threads—we're diving into every reason why stories within stories deserve more love at your gaming table! Join host Nick Perron as he draws from his expertise in the TTRPG space to explore the cutting edge of game design with creators who are pushing boundaries and making magic happen one dice roll at a time. Tabletopped's Stuff: → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tabletopped's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check us out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! We have a new monthly pod as well as behind the scenes clips that you can get on a secret Spotify feed! We will also be dropping some more treats from time to time! Theme music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mitch Poulin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    1h 1m
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5
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About

Welcome game masters! Each week Nick Perron dives deep into the art of running role-playing games with guests experts to get tips for everyone from first-time players to seasoned veterans. Join us to find out what makes a great story and an even greater campaign!

Information

  • Creator
    Nick Perron
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    218
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Nick Perron