Category Archives: Carnagecast

Carnagecast 40: Gygax Magazine and Gary Con

Posted on by

Carnagecast logo.In episode 40 of Carnagecast, James Carpio, games editor of Gygax magazine, joins us to talk about the launch of the periodical, the process of assembling a magazine’s worth of content and finding the balance in the old and new schools of role-playing. He also shares some of his trip this past March to Gary Con, an annual gaming convention held in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin in memory of Gary Gygax, one of the progenitors of role-playing games.

Through all of James’ endeavors — designing games, publishing content, running games at conventions, putting on conventions and more — there runs the common thread of the positive influence games can have on people’s lives as a social outlet. Continue reading →

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:46 — 49.3MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Carnagecast 39: Carrion Crown: Broken Moon

Posted on by

Carnagecast logo.In episode 39 of Carnagecast, Dan, Hunter and Toby return to discuss the third chapter of the Carrion Crown adventure path, Broken Moon. Our heroes ventured into the Shudderwood of Ustalav, wherein Victor the unflappable coach driver made his debut, resolute against the strains of ethereal music. At an exclusive hunting lodge and in the depths of the forest, there was a cavalcade of every NPC in Golarion, their names all embroiled in a “Slavic consonant pile-up,” as Toby put it.

Broken Moon is somewhat characterized by that cavalcade of NPCs, many of which monologue about the minutiae of local lupine politics. Still, the adventure works in a fun final setpiece which sees a showdown with Auren Vrood, whom the characters have chased since The Haunting of Harrowstone. Dan marks Broken Moon as his favorite chapter in the path to date. Hunter reveals just how much he loves to play the ghost NPCs.

Also! Like the official Carnage page on Facebook. It’s page-riffic. Continue reading →

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:56 — 55.3MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Carnagecast 38: Unity Games XIX

Posted on by

In episode thirty-eight of Carnagecast, Sarah brings tidings from Unity Games, a one day board game extravaganza held annually in Massachusetts. Highlights of the day include teaching Power Grid: The First Sparks, learning Hansa Teutonica and Stone Age, plus the chance to meet up with Carnage friends outside the Carnage convention itself.

We also talk a bit about teaching games, Sarah’s particular techniques for doing so, and finding the balance between achieving fluency in games one already likes versus trying every new title that comes out of Essen. Continue reading →

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:51 — 26.4MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Carnagecast 37: Carrion Crown: Trial of the Beast

Posted on by

In episode thirty-seven of Carnagecast, Dan, Hunter and Toby return to the show to discuss their further adventures in the Pathfinder adventure path, Carrion Crown, following on from their first excursion in The Haunting of Harrowstone. From the sleepy village of Ravengro, the heroes stride further to the relative metropolis of Lepidstadt, embroiling themselves in the trial of a monster and nefarious doings of the Whispering Way.

Trial of the Beast saw the birth of Ustalav’s pickle motif, viz. the “mob of angry pickle farmers,” plus some of the most fun Toby’s had in the campaign to date in the titular court proceedings, but also warrants critique on the topics of tacked-on dungeons for the purposes of leveling and deprotagonization of player characters during narrative climax. Continue reading →

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:21 — 75.1MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Carnagecast 36: Back from Hiatus

Posted on by

In episode 36 of Carnagecast, we emerge from hiatus just in time to still be able to wish everyone a happy new year. Pillar of the Carnage board Rod Sheldon is with us to talk about the highlights of this past Carnage Noir, the gaming we’ve gotten in over the holidays and plans for 2013: both at Carnage and conventions across New England. Continue reading →

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:32 — 26.9MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Carnagecast 35: 24 Hour Charity Gaming Marathon at Quarterstaff Games

Posted on by

In episode thirty-five of Carnagecast, Jeff Durochia and Brennan Martin tell us about the charity gaming event Extra Life and the 24 gaming marathon they’re hosting at Quarterstaff Games in Burlington, Vermont to raise money for the local Children’s Miracle Network hospital, Fletcher Allen Health Care.

This October, Quarterstaff opens its doors from 8:00am Saturday the 20th to 8:00am Sunday the 21st to host 24 hours of tabletop gaming to raise money. Highlights include midnight Draft ‘Til You Drop for Magic: the Gathering, A Game of Thrones utilizing the Dance with Dragons scenario, a warlord rumble for Warhammer 40,000, many more board games, role-playing games including Pathfinder, Dungeons & Dragons, Legend of the 5 Rings and more — Brennan is crafting three dimensional tiles for Settlers of Catan. One twist for Extra Life players that Quarterstaff offers: a $5 entry donation gains players tokens they can use to bend rules of the games they play. Those tokens translate into more donations for the Team Quarterstaff fundraising efforts.

Whether people come for the full 24 hours or drop in as their schedule allows, Jeff hopes to provide a mini-convention atmosphere, allowing people to try games and experiment with new and untried games. And, of course, people can contribute whatever they’re able to the fundraising efforts. Donations are just as important as pledges.  With his perspective analyzing birth statistics for the health department, Brennan reminds us there are living, breathing people who will benefit directly from the money raised through Extra Life. Continue reading →

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:16 — 31.5MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Carnagecast 34: Arthur, King of Time and Space

Posted on by

In episode 34 of Carnagecast, cartoonist Paul Gadzikowski joins us to talk about his early brushes with tabletop role-playing, cartooning, his on-going series Arthur, King of Time and Space, the changing ways in which we create and consume stories, plus his long-standing interest in the Arthurian mythology and how its characters have been interpreted over the years, such as Arthur’s multiple faces, from high king of a fairy tale realm to warlord in post-Roman Britain.

In addition to our usual show links below, Paul has provided his own annotations and links to the episode’s conversation over on his Livejournal. Check them out! Continue reading →

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:45 — 38.3MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Carnagecast 33: Council of 5 Nations XXXV

Posted on by

In episode thirty-three of Carnagecast, Dave Cheng of the Schenectady Wargamers Association brings news of Council of 5 Nations XXXV, coming up this October 5-7 at Proctors Theatre in Schenectady, New York.

Historical miniatures are a showcase of gaming and craft at Council. Among other miniatures is a stellar Starfleet Battles tournament that outdraws Origins and attendant player base that welcomes newcomers and lapsed captains. Further gaming tracks include Boardgamegeek Top 35, train games, living campaigns from Pathfinder and the RPGA and games friendly and/or intended for younger players.

Council of 5 Nations boasts a friendly, welcoming group of conventioneers for newcomers looking to sample the convention scene or get their preferred flavor of gaming. Continue reading →

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:25 — 26.2MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Carnagecast Extrasode 8: Fate of the Norns: Ragnarok

Posted on by

In extrasode 8 of Carnagecast, Andrew Valkauskas joins us to share his role-playing game Fate of the Norns: Ragnarok, now celebrating its twentieth anniversary with a third edition on Kickstarter. In Fate of the Norns: Ragnarok, players delve into the grim fantasy of a world without the sun or moon, when Fimbulwinter lays heavy on the nine worlds.

Hear about the rune-based resolution system Andrew developed, where a character’s essence and destiny play a hand in their success or failure, as well as how outside the traditional character progression, a meta progression provides a mechanical kick for hearty warriors not only to relish every battle that may be their last, but enhances the social aspects of role-playing, even in traditionally asocial aspects.

We also talk about the history of Fate of the Norns, from its conception as a computer game to the iterative development it goes through today from player feedback, and the success of the Kickstarter campaign, in how that process has informed the publishing of the game, particularly showing the need to reach a worldwide market.

Fate of the Norns: Ragnarok has currently reached its funding goal on Kickstarter, but the project doesn’t end until Sunday, September 16th. Visit the Kickstarter page to learn more and see the physical components of the game. Continue reading →

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 51:29 — 50.8MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Carnagecast 32: Nik Palmer and Iron GM 2012

Posted on by

In episode 32 of Carnagecast, Dr. Nik joins us, fresh from his travels to GenCon 2012. Nik tells us about Iron GM, an event which turns gamemastering into a competitive sport, and his experiences competing on the regional level — having become an Iron Contender at TotalCon — and the national at GenCon. Iron GM pushes Nik to stretch outside his usual GM style to develop his skills at “play[ing] without plan,” following the will of the players and facilitating epic action, as the competition demands that one “go big or go home.”

Find out what GMing muscles Iron GM stretches, what Nik stocks in his GMing toolbox and his most consulted tables in the AD&D Dungeon Master’s Guide. Continue reading →

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:07 — 34.9MB)

Subscribe: RSS