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]

“I’m just a simple goblin. Do you know we don’t have a word for ‘family’ or ‘love’? Suffice to say, I don’t really understand your attachment to the small humans. I have noticed, however, that most of you will do whatever it takes to prevent … misfortune befalling your wee ones. Goblins also don’t have a word for ‘regret,’ but I know you do. Think about the regrets you’ll have if you don’t take my offer.”
-“Glassy” Salo, bootlegger, racketeer, businessman, goblin

In this installment of Creature Features, we look at the lowly goblin. Will you play them as tiny fodder, as roguish antiheroes, or as unchecked capitalists?

I’m gonna pop some tags,
Only got twenty dollars in my pocket.
I – I – I’m leaving, looking to come ba-ack.
The book was fifty dollars.
Game  Shop” – Idlemore & Red Lewis

In this episode, we discuss what makes a good game store, based on some observations we made during some recent trips to North America, and what could entice people away from online  retailers.

Game stores in your area:

Toronto
401 Games

Ottawa
Fandom II
The Comic Book Shoppe

Los Angeles
The War House

Philadelphia
Atomic City Comics

Schaumburg
Gamer’s World

The D&D image discussed in the introduction.

“The bones must be thrown in three different places before the message must be accepted.
– Zulu proverb

What bones? Where are they being thrown? Couldn’t someone just sign for the message?

In this episode, we discuss the Zulu Impi, who conquered the surrounding areas and took on the British Empire. Be thankful that Chris didn’t write these notes or they would’ve been in Zulu. What’s the Zulu word for “pretentious”, Chris?

With male strippers, Vancian magic and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, this episode has something for everyone. It’s also the debut of our Magic series, which will examine real world examples of “magical” organizations and magic.

Plus: Another entry in our D&D Next Diary (yes, magic)

In this episode, we discuss sexism and gender bias. To tackle a subject of such delicacy, we use Lego, as you would. We also discuss whether a gaming company can handle tentacle rape in a classy and tasteful way, especially when they don’t even try to.

Please excuse the unfortunate episode numbering. It was completely unintentional.

“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 talk about how to best use lying and secrecy in your games.

The secrets of this episode:

  • Wayne’s d100 joke was originally Lyal’s. It was also originally funny.
  • Wayne has never seen Goodfellas, and Lyal has never seen Family Guy. This actually won’t seem like much of a secret after you listen to the episode.
  • Chris initially had a joke where he said the episode was about fantasy. Get it? It was a lie. It’s no secret why this “joke” never made it in.

In this episode, we look at the miniature wargames Warmachine and Hordes. We discuss our first impressions, for Chris and Yujiro, second impressions, for Lyal and Wayne, and whether we’ll play the games again.

If Privateer Press ever gets tired of the motto “Play Like You’ve Got a Pair”, here are a few suggested alternatives in the same spirit:

  • Ladies Need Not Apply
  • Men’s Time!
  • You’ll Die Alone
  • With an Apartment Filled with Miniatures, Dating Is Not Your Priority
  • Play Like It’s the 1950s
  • You’ll Have a Better Chance Meeting Women at Prison Than Across a Wargaming Table
  • Femiwhat?
  • All Sausage All the Time
  • Girls Have Cooties
  • Games Workshop Is for Women (and a lot of Men).

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.