Dekahedron RPG Podcast

Dekahedron RPG Podcast

Dekahedron is a weekly podcast featuring Joe, an old referee discussing tabletop RPGs. Di ve into topics ranging from classic OSR/D&D gameplay to modern systems like FATE. Join the conversation by - Email (text or attach an audio file): email feedback@dekahedron.com - Phone (call or text): 562-RPG-CAST (562-774-2278) - Web: https://sayhi.chat/dekahedron Cover art logo by DesignKat.

Episodes

January 21, 2025 13 mins

Remember the old days of paper-based fanzines and APAs (Amateur Press Associations)? I'm reviving this classic format for tabletop gamers with The Anchorite APA! This episode explains what an APA is, how it works, and how you can become a member of our growing community. Whether you're into OSR, indie RPGs, or any other type of tabletop gaming, this is a fantastic way to share your writing, connect with like-minded people, ...

Mark as Played

I make the case that armor in Tunnels & Trolls is overpowered. I delve into the mechanics of armor in T&T, and offer two examples of why these rules are broken. I also provide some alternative solutions for balancing armor in T&T. #ttrpg #rpg Share your thoughts via: 🌐 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sayhi.chat/dekahedron⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback@dekahedron.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Mark as Played
January 15, 2025 1 min

Joe announces his latest projest: The Anchorite Amateur Press Association.

https://sites.google.com/view/Anchorite/home

Mark as Played
Mark as Played
December 21, 2024 13 mins

Another lunchtime chat! This time I answer Riley's call regarding "Minimum Viable RPG." Also, I backtrack a bit on my earlier stance about implicit settings.

So, grab a bite, settle in, and join me and Riley!

Don't forget to check out Riley's podcast, the Diegetic Advancement Podcast, for more great insights. https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/diegeticadvancement/

Share your thoughts via: 🌐 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sayhi.ch...

Mark as Played
December 19, 2024 6 mins

I recorded a quick feedback episode—this time recorded from the parking lot of a cozy little café as I make my way to lunch. Today, I respond to some thoughts from Jason about my "Minimum Viable RPG" episode. So, grab a snack and join me for this lunchtime chat! Don't forget to check out Jason’s podcast, the Nerds RPG Variety Cast, for more great insights. https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/jason376

Share your thoughts via: ...

Mark as Played

I respond to a thought-provoking question from Jason over at the Nerds RPG Variety Cast: Should GMs pre-plan specific adventure site bonuses, or leave them open to improvisation? I share why I opt for a flexible, on-the-fly approach to site design and gameplay in D&D and other RPGs. Topics include: * The pitfalls of pre-planning bonuses and tactical combat. * How abstract combat and player creativity enrich the game. * Using ...

Mark as Played
December 10, 2024 21 mins

I share my thoughts on what's absolutely necessary to include in an RPG. Inspired by discussions on the Diegetic Advancement podcast and the Minions & Musings Podcast, I break down the bare minimum required for a game to be considered a role-playing game. I also share my opinion on what's not necessary, including artwork, "learn how to play" sections, and explicit settings. I feel that GM advice should be tailored to specific p...

Mark as Played
November 26, 2024 11 mins

Joe examines a challenging topic: the portrayal of slavery in the early days of tabletop role-playing games. As the holiday season approaches, he takes a moment to reflect on the darker aspects of gaming history that often go unexamined. Beginning with his insights from OSR October and Dave Arneson's First Fantasy Campaign, Joe highlights how slavery is presented as a commodity, complete with pricing mechanisms for male and female...

Mark as Played
November 19, 2024 19 mins

In this episode, Joe responds to listener feedback about the evolution of Traveller and alternative healing mechanics. Additionally, he discusses the philosophy behind hit points.

Links: Evil Jeff's show: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eviljeff

Karl's show: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karl-rodriguez

Jason's show: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason376


Share your thoughts via: 🌐 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Mark as Played

In this episode, Joe answers a listener's question about getting started with Traveller. In his response, Joe meaders through every edition of the classic science fiction RPG from 1977 to today.

Links: Jason's Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason376

Classic Traveller Facsimile Edition: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/355200/classic-traveller-facsimile-edition


Share your thoughts via: 🌐 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Mark as Played
November 5, 2024 13 mins

Joe talks about how he handles RPG healing mechanics in both new-school and old-schools games. Inspired by the classic works of Judges Guild and John M. Ford, he explores the concept of individual wound tracking and the importance of first aid in recovering from battle. #rpg #dnd #ttrpg Links: The Roleplayer Article: https://www.sjgames.com/gurps/Roleplayer/Roleplayer16/Wounds.html

Share your thoughts via: 🌐 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Mark as Played

Joe marks a significant life milestone. He shares an intimate and candid reflection of a chapter of his life that is coming to an end 41 years--to the day--after it began.

Links: Article about Joe: https://www.afcent.af.mil/Units/379th-Air-Expeditionary-Wing/News/Display/Article/809055/taking-care-of-service-members-first-priority-for-first-aid-kit-assembly-party/

Share your thoughts via: 🌐 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sayhi.chat/dekahedron...

Mark as Played

Joe wraps up OSR October by exploring Dave Arneson’s trade system for Blackmoor. From there, he delves into the evolution of trade mechanics in early RPGs, including the classic Traveller game. Finally he talks about his own system to handle mercantile trade by players characters in D&D and other fantasy role-playing games. Key topics covered:

  • Blackmoor’s Trade Mechanics: Discover Dave Arneson’s approach to trade.
  • Judge...
Mark as Played

Journey back to the early days of D&D with this look at random wilderness generation in Dave Arneson's Blackmoor campaign.

In this episode, Joe explores the approach to wilderness creation used by one of the pioneers of role-playing games. Discover how Arneson combined random tables with detailed descriptions to bring the world of Blackmoor to life.

Share your thoughts via: 🌐 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sayhi.chat/dekahedron⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Mark as Played
October 15, 2024 26 mins

For OSR October, Joe explores Dave Arneson's original reward system that he used in his Blackmoor while developing Dungeons & Dragons. Unlike the familiar XP system of modern D&D, Blackmoor required players to spend gold in order to gain experience points. Discover this strange and fascinating peek into the origins of the hobby, and how these mechanics differed from the more traditional approaches we see in modern RPGs. H...

Mark as Played
October 8, 2024 11 mins

Welcome back to OSR October! This week, Joe dives deep into the original magic system used in Dave Arneson's Blackmoor, the proto-Dungeons & Dragons campaign. Blackmoor's magic system is very different from what we see in modern D&D. Here, magic users don't memorize spells – they create potions and other formulaic concoctions that need to be prepared beforehand. These ingredients can be dangerous or difficult to find, and ...

Mark as Played
October 1, 2024 12 mins

For the first episode of OSR October, Joe dives into the early days of D&D with Dave Arneson's Blackmoor. He talks about "shallow dungeon dives" and how they evolved naturally from the megadungeons of the early days of the hobby. He also discusses the bottom-up world-building method used in Blackmoor. Get ready for a nostalgic journey through the origins of Dungeons & Dragons! #dnd #osroctober #osrtober #gaminghistory Shar...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Today’s Latest News In 4 Minutes. Updated Hourly.

    Crime Junkie

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.