Episode Notes

In this episode, we consult with Leslie "XPLovecat" Horn as a resident expert on scenario editing and review to help us understand some ways to help turn that splatter of words on a page into a properly monstrous scenario. We also discuss ways that scenario authors may find or summon their own editors, as well as the proper pronunciation of "Vaesen", which Nathan totally gets right.

Consul...

Episode Notes

In this episode, we consult on some good player habits and practices which we always like to see from our side of the GM screen.

Consultations are free-form topic discussions based on our own GM experiences, preferences, and gaming philosophies. We hope some of this gibbering madness can be helpful to other GMs dealing with, or considering using, these issues at their table (or at least add new and exciting c...

Episode Notes

Listen to a live recording of our nearly sold-out panel at Chaosium Con 2025 where we discuss sources of inspiration for new Call of Cthulhu scenarios in underused decades between the traditional 20s-30s settings and modern day! We cover different ideas and themes for mythos horror scenarios in the 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and early 2000s.

You can also tell this is a live recording by the sounds of a do...

Episode Notes

In this episode, we meet with horror author Hailey Piper to discuss queer horror as a genre and how we might apply some of her expertise from novel writing to emphasize queer themes, characters, and narratives in horror TTRPGs.

We also discuss lots of queer media recommendations and TTRPG systems, as well as a mildly concerning amount of Shrek - possibly due to some cross-contamination between Beth of the Dav...

Episode Notes

In this episode, the Reanimators have some cross-contamination with Beth of the David Behaviour book review podcast to branch outside of the RPG space to interview horror author Todd Keisling to see if there are any lessons we can learn from novel writing that could be applied for writing or running horror TTRPG scenarios. We cover a range of topics, including creating characters, motivations, and traits, cre...

Episode Notes

In this episode, we ask our consulting expert Fiona of the What am I Rolling? podcast (and many other podcasts) about a variety of topics, including techniques to help teach new RPGs to players new and old, some best-practice methods to promote accessibility and using safety tools in RPGs, as well as improv techniques which can help players and GMs.

You can find a link to Fiona's awesome lines and veils sprea...

Episode Notes

In this episode, we dissect and reanimate The Code written by Christopher Lackey with Lynne Hardy for Call of Cthulhu 7e, and available as part of the Mansions of Madness vol. 1 collection from Chaosium (links below). We're also joined by special guest Jon Hook from the Modern Mythos podcast! Jon has been a huge fan of this scenario for some time, and shares his plans to transplant this scenario to the Gaslig...

Episode Notes

In this episode, we dissect and reanimate the Call of Cthulhu scenario UNLAND written by Scott Dorward, with the author himself! We dissect the creepy amusement park rides and talk about Silent Hill 2 more than a bit, while Scott shares how he runs this scenario very differently than written, as the scenario that made it to print became quite different than he'd originally envisioned it to be!

The scenario is...

Episode Notes

In this episode, we meet with Good Friend Matt Sanderson to talk about his favorite Call of Cthulhu scenario The Burning Stars, written by David Conyers for Call of Cthulhu 6th edition. I describe this as "the most Call of Cthulhu-y-est scenario I have ever played" and for the first time, I'll recommend to anyone who has not already read or played this scenario to carefully consider if they want to ...

Episode Notes

In this episode, we bicker about how to handle realism and verisimilitude vs. explosive pulpiness when we run RPGs, and how this can vary depending on system, scenario, and players. (Spoiler: Communication is still key)

Consultations are free-form topic discussions based on our own GM experiences, preferences, and gaming philosophies. We hope some of this gibbering can be helpful to other GMs dealing with, or...

Episode Notes

In this episode, we hack apart another game system, Cthork Borg, with its mad scientist creator Richard Kelly. Cthork Borg is a low-prep cosmic horror RPG set in the gloomy jazz age. As it's name suggests, it's an aberrant mutation from the Mork Borg core ruleset with some interesting changes by Richard that help it feel fresh, wriggling, and fun for GMs and players looking to try something a bit lighter than...

Episode Notes

In this second Choice Cuts episode, we dissect and reanimate 3 short one-shot scenarios and a card game(?) back-to-back in the following order:

• Lex shares Lights Out, by Joe Trier (starts ~1:19)
• Holly shares Spilsbury #9485 by Adam Gauntlett (starts ~10:22)
• Alex shares The Mummy of Pemberly Grange by Allan Carey & Nic Holland (starts ~25:38)
• And Nathan shares Wreck this Deck, which is definitely not ...

Episode Notes

In this episode, we provide our non-expert opinions on using props and handouts in TTRPGs, including both physical and digital versions for in-person or online games.

Consultations are more free-form topic discussions based on our own GM experiences, preferences, and gaming philosophies. We hope some of this gibbering madness can be helpful to other GMs dealing with, or considering using, these issues at thei...

Episode Notes

In this episode, we dissect and reanimate the Delta Green scenario Presence written by Shane Ivey. We give our tips and advice from having read, ran, and played this scenario both as a multi-session investigation, as well as an explosive one-shot! Also, here is the player-friendly map we referenced.

You can find the scenario at: https://shop.arcdream.com/products/delta-green-presence-paperback (Physical) or ...

This week, the RPG Reanimators discuss the dreadful game of Bedlam Hall, an RPG where you regrettably play the staff of a manor somewhere between Downton Abbey, the Addams Family, and Lemony Snickett. This in an Aberration where we focus a full system, rather than just a scenario.

Unfortunately, Bedlam Hall was written by David Kizzia and published with Monkeyfun Studios. If you would want to make the terrible decision of purcha...

Kingdoms - Consultation with Sophia Tinney

In this episode, we consult on the Kingdoms system with the author, Sophia Tinney! Sophia discusses the origin of the system, provides some guidance for game masters, and chats about the upcoming game Fever Dream Nexus. We reference our playthough of Kingdoms a fair bit in this episode, and you can find all 4 episodes (plus a session 0) on our It's Alive! AP series on YouTube. https://w...

In this episode, we consult on a spreading case of Flash Cthulhu quick one-shot scenarios for Call of Cthulhu with Michael of MJRRPG. Michael shares his arcane knowledge of writing and running short (~1 hour) horror scenarios, and then the rest of the Reanimators discuss the scenario Sell Yourself, which was recently featured in our It's Alive! AP series on YouTube

You can also check out more of Michael's work at mjrrpg.com and ...

In this episode, we dissect and reanimate the Delta Green scenario Convergence written by John Tynes and available from Arc Dream Publishing (links below). Holly, Alex, and Nathan run through their combined experiences running this scenario to share their tips and advice while Lex stares at the pretty lights in the sky. We're also sharing some resources we've made and found via our Reanimator google drive here: https://driv...