As we wait for season 8, we discuss who should rule Westeros after the defeat of the White Walkers (going out on a limb there). Will it be the Mother of Dragons? Will Jon Snow unbend the knee? Is there a dark horse contender? Will Dorne – nope, that’s not happening. We both predict who it will be and make a case for our preferences.

We also discuss whether HBO’s treatment of one contender in season 7 is either genius or terrible, and we warn about the dangers of chimpanzees.

[embedyt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K5zFWuQZqY[/embedyt]

“Dungeons and Dragons, first edition, you raped it. You murdered it. You killed my childhood.”
Bradley Martell, the Red Gamer

All seasons must end, so at the end of the fourth, we discuss Game of Thrones, the most illegally downloaded show of all time. (I’m not sure that counts as the iron price.) We share our favorite and least favorite characters as well as the storylines we love and the controversies we, well, love.

SPOILER ALERT: There was no way to discuss the series without discussing the series.

 

State Trooper: Hey, Doc! We’re looking for a prisoner from that bus-train wreck a couple of hours ago, might be hurt.
Dr. Richard Kimble: Uh, what does he look like?
State Trooper: 6’1, 180, brown hair, brown eyes, beard. See anyone like that around?
Dr. Richard Kimble: Every time I look in the mirror, pal – except for the beard, of course!
State Trooper: Now that you mention it, you do look a lot like him, minus the beard, of course. But that’s easy to shave. Come with me, Dr. Kimble.
The Fugitive‘s original 30-minute running time didn’t screen well with test audiences.

In this episode, we discuss going undercover and the different types of stories you can tell. We also suggest a mechanic for establishing a cover that can be used for multiple systems.

This episode contains no Chris. Listener discretion is advised.

In our last installment of 2012’s Month of Horror, which we missed by six days, we discuss horror movies. Joining us for the discussion is horror movie aficionado (and massive movie spoiler) Josh.
For those hoping to have the first 90 minutes of the 95-minute The Cabin in the Woods explained to them, I’m afraid we cut it out. I guess you’ll have to learn the plot the old-fashioned way: watch it yourself. Fortunately, Lyal, Chris and Wayne don’t have to now. Thanks, Josh.

Should D&D be everyone’s gateway into RPGs?

After about ten minutes of listening to us talk about D&D, you may start to question the “Non-D&D” part of the title, but we do move on to other games. We look at Exalted, A Song of Ice and Fire Roleplaying, Runequest, and Dragon Age. We evaluate each game’s system, setting, and presentation. We also discuss which ones would be good gateway games. At the end, we talk about an out-of-print game that presented fantasy races in new and badass ways.

“You sure do look pretty, Miss Leslie. Pert nigh good enough to eat!”
-Jett Rink, Giant

Now, imagine a 15-foot tall James Dean saying that. Size matters. In this installment of Creature Features, we discuss giants of legend and fiction. Go big or go home.

In this episode, we look at props. Do they help to propel a story or just dress up a table? Does the use of props encourage metagaming? Should the gamemaster get the players involved in creating props? Why did Wayne choose a purple horse to represent his Vampire character? All these questions and more will be answered over the next hour.

In part 2 of our review of HBO’s Game of Thrones, we continue with our picks for best and worst scenes. We also give our general impressions and predictions, and we share our tips on how to add a little Westeros to your fantasy game.

Despite Richard Madden having a bit of a fan club in Japan, we still don’t mention Robb Stark. (Don’t get your hopes up, Mr. Madden; they’re all dudes.)

Warning: Chris was unavailable for the recording of this episode, so it’s a touch more engaging and entertaining than usual.

It’s our 25th episode, and we celebrate with our most self-indulgent one to date: a two-part review of our current passion, HBO’s Game of Thrones. This makes you wonder what’s in store for episode 50. A look at the mechs of Lyal’s Ghost Bear trinary? Chris’s guide to the peanut butters of the world? Wayne’s glowing review of Warmachine and Hordes? (Oh, wait. We’re doing that last one before episode 50. Spoiler!)

As promised, Waymar Royce was played by Rob Ostlere.

Correction: Peter Dinklage was in The Station Agent, not “The Stationmaster”.

Idle Fashion Weekly

Turn Excalibur to ExFABulur in 7 easy steps

How to tell if they love you for you or for your power ring

HOT summer magic items that will make you the envy of your party

Plus: Choosing the right +3 sword for your face shape

In this episode, we look at how to make your equipment the stuff of legends. We also give a few underrated items some much needed attention.