Episodes

For our final summer bonus episode, Lisa joined Chase on Gamestorm, a game design podcast from Storygames Chicago, to build an impromptu larp/board game about multilevel marketing using Yahtzee's dice mechanics. Calling all boss bros/babes! You can find all the Gamestorm-developed RPG releases on Itch! Chase on Bluesky Storygames Chicago on DriveThuRPG New to the show? Check out our links: https://linktr.ee/episodicadventures Have gaming opinions or questions? Email us at episodicmailbag@gmai...

We called for adventurers, and the city answered. Last March, Lisa, Jordy and Sean attended a local player/GM matchmaking event hosted by the Chicago Tabletop Gaming Association with mic in hand to ask our fellow hobbyists about the adventures they adore. This collection of interviews is their response! Chicago Tabletop Gaming Association Ben Guest Theme music credited to Zane Little. New to the show? Check out our links: https://linktr.ee/episodicadventures Have gaming opinions or questions?...

In this very special bonus episode, Lisa and Sean interview Bruce (Lisa's dad) about the creation of his Christian RPG: Soul Guardian. We discuss the satanic panic, two realms of play, playtesting with two children under the age of 10, and fighting baddies. Note: The link to the Dragonraid RPG.net entry below includes a few excellent reviews of the system, including some mechanics that Soul Guardian adapts, such as ability attributes named after the fruits of the spirit and using bible verses f...

Dear Listeners: Season 1 of Episodic Adventures is a wrap. Join Jordy, Lisa, and Sean as look back over a treasure trove of reviews, award superlatives to notable modules, and portent what’s next to come… in Season 2! Scheduling Note: For the month of July, we’ll be on a brief break from our weekly release schedule. Stay tuned for a few delightful bonus episodes in the interim. H.A.G.S.! Theme music credited to Zane Little. New to the show? Check out our links: https://linktr.ee/episodicadven...

Jordy, Lisa, and Sean return to the dank basement of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons with cheetos and twinkies in tow as offering for the grandaddy of all modules: “G1 Steading of the Hill Giant Chief.” We discuss tactical mapping, Gygaxian naturalism, beefy slaps, and insane manticores. CW: slavery, references to child death “G1 Steading of the Hill Giant Chief” is written by Gary Gygax and published by TSR. Intro excerpt from “G1 Steading of the Hill Giant Chief.” Theme music credited to Zane ...

Lisa, Jordy, and Sean are out for blood with “Love Bites,” a Vampire the Masquerade story. We discuss vampy vocabulary, political intrigue, well-hidden machinations, and an unloveable lovebird. CW: addiction, violence, drug use, sex “Love Bites” is written by Rachel J. Wilkinson and published by Renegade Game Studios. Vampire: the Masquerade, Fifth Edition is developed by Kenneth Hite and published by Modiphius Entertainment. Intro excerpt from “Love Bites.” Theme music credited to Zane Lit...

This week, Jordy and Lisa raid the mailbag! We discuss our OSR adventures (of varying lethality), the nebulous world of metagaming, roll-gated information, and GM burnout. The Mind of Guy Theme music credited to Zane Little. New to the show? Check out our links: https://linktr.ee/episodicadventures Have gaming opinions or questions? Email us at episodicmailbag@gmail.com.

Join the party of Sean, Jordy, and Lisa as they take on “Press Start,” a tutorial scenario for Fabula Ultima. We discuss videogame logic: JRPG edition, unlockable character sheets, player synergies, and dramatic boss fights. Note: The art of Fabula Ultima is stylistically similar to the character portraits from Octopath Traveller and other Square Enix/Acquire JRPGs. “Press Start” and Fabula Ultima are written by Emanuele Galletto and published by Need Games. Fabula Ultima TTJRPG: Press Start ...

We have a Bluesky now! You can follow us here This week, Lisa, Jordy, and Sean carve through the treetops in search of the “One-Armed Scissor,” a free starter adventure for The Wildsea. We discuss the uncertain fate of a ship, introducing a weird world, and finding where the journey takes us. “One-Armed Scissor” and The Wildsea are written by Felix Isaacs and published by Mythworks. Wild Words System Reference Document (SRD) The Pirates of Dark Water Opening Intro excerpt from “The One-Armed ...

Sean and Lisa strike back, this time with a slate of character creation delights! We discuss the Path to Castle Wawa, lezzing out in Boston, and being the possum lady. Note: Boston being a particularly sapphic city is a misconception/anachronism on Lisa’s part. It stems from the phrase “Boston Marriage,” which refers to the 19th century phenomena of two women sharing a close domestic relationship, often between college-educated and financially independent New Englanders. These partnerships coul...

Join Jordy, Lisa, and Sean in the woods amidst the standing stones (wait, are they holding knives?) with “Doom of the Savage Kings,” a DCC adventure. We discuss a series of jerk villagers and mean traps, plus we discover who among the three of us is the greatest player character killer. Note: Lisa did not run Sailors on the Starless Sea–she ran Portal Under the Stars (which was fabulous). CW: human sacrifice “Doom of the Savage Kings” is written by Harley Stroh and published by Goodman Games....

This week, Sean, Jordy, and Lisa have a weird, mysterious, spectacular day in “Below the Shallows,” an undersea adventure from the Studio Ghibli-inspired 5e campaign setting book Obojima: Tales from the Tall Grass. We discuss nonviolent solutions, 5e hacks, mechanics grab bags, and the unstoppable determination of players to crack unsolvable problems. Note: Outside of the four volumes we mentioned, Uncaged Anthology has a fifth book of high level adventures themed around goddesses. Back Jordy’...

This week, Jordy and Lisa take on another Sidebar! We discuss how our no-buy year is going, Jordy's omnivorous gaming group, and Lisa taking on the DCC Judge’s mantle. Note: Sean does not own Slugblaster. We both owe him $5, probably. Back Jordy’s upcoming adventure: The Madness of Metronax! Extra Ordinary FIST Slugblaster Twilight 2000 We Shouldn't Be Alive, a Glass Cannon actual play Theme music credited to Zane Little. New to the show? Check out our links: https://linktr.ee/episodicadven...

Join the alliance of Lisa, Jordy and Sean as we play to win (or die trying) on “Island 2” in Deathmatch Island, a TTRPG where Battle Royale meets Lost. We discuss point crawls, resource acquisition, quantum mysteries, and m-fing volcanos. CW: amnesia, mind manipulation Back Jordy’s upcoming adventure: The Madness of Metronax! “Island 2” and Deathmatch Island are written by Tim Denee and published by Evil Hat Productions. Intro excerpt adapted from Deathmatch Island. Theme music credited to ...

This week, Jordy, Lisa and Sean follow the ley lines to “Winter’s Daughter,” an eerie, enchanting Dolmenwood adventure. We discuss setting lore onboarding, writing modules for ease of running vs enjoyment of reading, and the power of a wish. Note: D&D 5e has four original settings, including 3 Magic the Gathering settings and Radiant Citadel. CW: Animal and human sacrifice Back Jordy’s upcoming adventure: The Madness of Metronax! “Winter’s Daughter” is written by Gavin Norman and published b...

Watch out, Sean and Lisa are on the loose and getting earnest as hell! We discuss game prep for public and home games, “scab-picking” and “hugboxing,” and setting session intentions–plus Lisa gives her best Deckard Cain impression. CW: mentions of homophobia/transphobia Note: Rules for Fairhaven map making is indeed included in the WHPA-13 core rulebook (and not in one of the many supplements for the game as Sean thought!) The Madness of Metronax Backerkit Caesar Ink shop “Four Tiny Essays on...

Jordy and Sean reminisce over the fun they had at Gary Con 2026 in a special bonus episode! The Madness of Metronax Backerkit Gary Con 2026 Cosplay Photos Jordy Found on a Guy’s Instagram Account Theme music credited to Zane Little. New to the show? Check out our links: https://linktr.ee/episodicadventures Have gaming opinions or questions? Email us at episodicmailbag@gmail.com.

Hey! Listen! This week, Sean, Jordy and Lisa lace up their boots and don their pointy green caps to venture through “The Woodland Tomb” and “Overland Map” from Heroes of Cerulea–a Zelda-inspired system. We discuss video game logic, invisible pit traps, moving statues, and 8-bit charm. “The Woodland Tomb” and “Overland Map” are included in the Heroes of Cerulea core rulebook, written by Lucas Falk and published by Bläckfisk Gaming. Actual play with creator Collection of homebrew Heroes of Cerul...

This week, Lisa, Jordy, and Sean investigate “All Hallows Scream,” a Brindlewood Bay mystery. We discuss good leading questions, opinionated games, and what happened to Amanda Delacourt. CW: references to ageism and sexism Note: The Brindlewood Bay character cards and needlepoint dice are no longer in production. They’re a bit hard to come by, but available with some gaming supply retailers. Hey folks--we're aware that some of these early episodes have less-than-optimal audio. We've figured o...

It's Sidebar week! We finally discuss Sean’s GM loadout, JordyCon, media we’ve been enjoying, and being “rules activists” (lawyers). Notes: Our Instagram is @episodic.adventures, not whatever we said. Oops! Also, don't watch All’s Fair. It's bad bad, not fun bad, after the first episode or two. Hey folks--we're aware that some of these early episodes have less-than-optimal audio. We've figured out the issues since then, but don't want to abandon the great discussions we've had over the past co...

This week, Jordy, Lisa, and Sean dig up that which should not be dug up with “Last Things Last,” a Delta Green operation. We discuss 12 hours of paperwork, 2 hours of dicking around in an apartment, and the complicated matter of what to do with a body. CW: gore, possession, body horror, kidnapping Note: Hey folks--we're aware that some of these early episodes have less-than-optimal audio. We've figured out the issues since then, but don't want to abandon the great discussions we've had over th...

Finally, some Dungeons and Dragons! Sean, Jordy, and Lisa enter the “Nest of the Eldritch Eye”, a digital, 5th edition, level 3 prequel adventure for Vecna: Eve of Ruin. We discuss NPC conscription, desecrating your buried gays, singing a six second ditty for Oghma, and the god of secrets himself. CW: eye gore, cults, zombies Notes: “Nest of the Eldritch Eye” is no longer free–it costs $4.99. Vecna: Eve of Ruin is an adventure for 10th to 20th level characters. Hey folks--we're aware that som...

This week, Lisa and Jordy stick our cheese dust-covered hands into a grab bag of gaming questions! We discuss table theatrics, our GM load-outs, dice superstitions, and what to do with an empty cheese ball tub. CW: brief, fictional mentions of grief and child death Note: Hey folks--we're aware that some of these early episodes have less-than-optimal audio. We've figured out the issues since then, but don't want to abandon the great discussions we've had over the past couple months to re-record...

This week, Jordy, Lisa, and Sean dig through the pulp of “The Horror on Tau Sigma 7", a Mothership pamphlet adventure. We discuss ominous cave art, door puzzles, fun with biohazards, and missing out on the teeth room. CWs: gore, brief reference to pregnancy Note: Hey folks--we're aware that some of these early episodes have less-than-optimal audio. We've figured out the issues since then, but don't want to abandon the great discussions we've had over the past couple months to re-records. Pleas...