RPG Reanimators
A discussion-based podcast for GMs where we break down horror ttrpg scenarios for systems like Call of Cthulhu and Delta Green, discuss what worked for us, what didn't, what changes we made while running them, and how it all turned out for the table. Additional special topics include general game philosophies, advice, and occasional actual plays.
Episodes
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!
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...
S1:E33 – Lights Out, Spilsbury #9485, The Mummy of Pemberley Grange, Wreck this Deck - Choice Cuts 2
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 Pulp Call of Cthulhu scenario Field of Screams with the author Al Smith! The scenario is available at the following link:
PDF: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/378340/field-of-screams
If you'd like to join our Discord: https://discord.gg/R8Q6aeyVk8
All music and sound effects are sourced under attribution free creative commons licensing.
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...
In this episode, we dissect and reanimate the Delta Green scenario Music from a Darkened Room written by Dennis Detwiller and available as part of the Night at the Opera collection from Arc Dream Publishing (links below). Lex walks through his tips and advice from his "by the book" and reanimated runs of the scenario, and is also sharing the resources used in the last run via this google drive link (featuring art by Colin...
In this episode, the Reanimators and special guest Intern Tyler Hudak dissect and reanimate the Alien RPG scenario Chariot of the Gods, written by Andrew E. C. Gaska and available as part of the Alien RPG Starter Set from Free League Publishing. Now with remastered audio!
Physical: https://freeleaguepublishing.com/shop/alien-rpg-2/starter-set/
Standalone PDF: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/293977/alien-rpg-chariot-of-the-god...
In this episode, we continue our unofficial series on Gateway Scenarios by dissecting and reanimating the Call of Cthulhu scenario The Necropolis written by Leigh Carr and available via the following links as part of the Gateways to Terror collection from Chaosium. Featuring a special guest Jimmy the Intern (RIP...), and now with remastered audio!
Now with remastered audio! In this episode, we dissect and reanimate the Call of Cthulhu scenario The Dead Boarder written by Todd Gardiner with Mike Mason and available via the following links as part of the Gateways to Terror collection from Chaosium:
Physical: https://www.chaosium.com/gateways-to-terror/
PDF: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/293105/gateways-to-terror
Reanimation starts around 55:40
In this episode we consult on a serious case of considering Gateway Scenarios to introduce new players to the TTRPG hobby and more experienced players to new systems. We cover some of our favorite examples from across systems as well as what factors we look for when trying to identify new possible gateway scenarios. Now with remastered audio!
Consultations are more free-form topic discussions based on our own GM experiences, pre...
Listen to a live recording of our panel at Chaosium Con 2024 where we discuss obstacles and ideas to help bring classic 1920s-30s Call of Cthulhu scenarios into modern settings, and Reanimate the classic Call of Cthulhu scenario The Haunting by Sandy Petersen as a case example! We've tried to boost the audio for participant questions as much as possible, but they are a bit quiet.
*This also serves as proof that we are in fact ...
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