Characters Without Stories

Rene Legault brings Mogmoden to the table. Mog is a teenage academic in the pursuit of practical knowledge and answers to intellectual mysteries in his first time venturing out into the world. Rene and I discuss creating characters who are curious about the world, imaginary bestiaries, and the drama of JRPGs. Mogmoden is built for Fabula Ultima [https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/410108/fabula-ultima-ttjrpg?affiliate_id=2433888] by Emanuele Galletto. Rene Legault is one of the founding members of the DMs After Dark streaming group focused on highlighting small publisher and indie RPGs, and now the host of the Rene Plays Games Podcast featuring solo and group actual plays, interviews, and discussions about running better games, Rene is a dad and husband first, nerd second, wetland biologist by day, and internet person last. Okay, maybe nerd first. You can learn more about Rene at: https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/rene-legault [https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/rene-legault/] Mentioned in the episode: Cezar Capacle's Random Realities [https://capacle.itch.io/random-realities] and Ryuutama [https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/151366/ryuutama-natural-fantasy-roleplay?keyword=ryuutama?affiliate_id=2433888]. Of Monsters and Mixed Successes [https://linktr.ee/monstersandmixed] is a character focused actual play Monster of the Week podcast full of Eldritch monstrosities and a surprising amount of shenanigans. Dungeons and Degrees [https://dndegreespod.com/] is a conversation with friends talking about the games we love and the life we live around it. Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2020187/open_sms] Cover art by The Curiographer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer [https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer] Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share [https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share] Support the Podcast [https://www.podpage.com/characters-without-stories/support/] You can find Star at: Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com [http://www.characterswithoutstories.com] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac [https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories [https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories] Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories [https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories [https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories] Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/characterswithoutstories.com [https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories [https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories] Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!

Rowan Zeoli brings Petty Dreadful to the table. Petty is a rage-fueled, attention-seeking drag queen Playing to Win. Rowan and I discuss gender performance, radical imagination, and the parallels between reality television and actual plays. Petty Dreadful is built for Deathmatch Island [https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/473883/deathmatch-island?affiliate_id=2433888] by Tim Denee. Rowan Zeoli is a journalist covering the intersection of progressive thought and niche cultural movements. She is co-founder of Rascal News, a worker-owned, reader-supported, tabletop journalism outlet. Her work has also appeared in Polygon, Tripsitter, Autostraddle, and The Fandomentals; where she’s covered gender, psychedelics, and the largest developments in actual play, from award winning indie programming to big budget productions. She is also co-founder of convention/non-profit WriteHive. You can learn more about Rowan at: https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/rowan-zeoli [https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/rowan-zeoli/] Mentioned in the episode: DIE [https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/417563/die-the-roleplaying-game?affiliate_id=2433888], Triangle Agency [https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/505881/triangle-agency], Project ECCO [https://open.spotify.com/episode/6fVyIPz9X2mAYOd0mGKdXQ?si=81515ee250bc421a&nd=1&dlsi=d22b55f8c452474b] by My First Dungeon, Yazeba's Bed and Breakfast [https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/479604/yazeba-s-bed-breakfast?affiliate_id=2433888] and The Seven Part Pact [https://possumcreekgames.itch.io/7-part-pact] by Jay Dragon, Rom Com Drama Bomb [https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/490850/rom-com-drama-bomb?affiliate_id=2433888] by Elliot Davis, and authors/activists Judith Butler [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judith_Butler], Mariame Kaba [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariame_Kaba], and Angela Davis [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_Davis]. No Quest for the Wicked [https://www.noquestcast.com/] is a story driven actual play podcast using Paizo’s sci-fi space opera system, Starfinder. Yes, indie'd! [https://open.spotify.com/show/1B1W6XzutFweJPW88L3Pxk] is a podcast of bitesize interviews with indie tabletop roleplaying Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2020187/open_sms] Cover art by The Curiographer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer [https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer] Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share [https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share] Support the Podcast [https://www.podpage.com/characters-without-stories/support/] You can find Star at: Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com [http://www.characterswithoutstories.com] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac [https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories [https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories] Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories [https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories [https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories] Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/characterswithoutstories.com [https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories [https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories] Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!

Andrew Beauman brings Sarge and Norma to the table, and we create Harmony together. Sarge, Norma, and Harmony are survivors of a spaceship crash hoping to make it back out of orbit. Andrew and I discuss troupe-style mechanics and playing multiple characters - and how that changes the way we create characters. We discuss finding empathy through TTRPGs and learning that not everything is made for our perspective. These characters are built for Out of Orbit [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/andrewbeauman/out-of-orbit-a-troupe-survival-ttrpg], currently Kickstarting as part of Zine Month [https://www.kickstarter.com/zinequest]. Andrew Beauman is a game designer and artist with a background in graphic design and marketing. His first game was published through Zine Month 2024, titled Battle School. He also co-hosts a podcast called One Shot’s Tavern about exploring new ways to tell your story through different games. You can learn more about Andrew at: https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/andrew-beauman [https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/andrew-beauman/] What's Your Damage? [https://pod.link/1330509692] is a Fifth Edition actual play podcast taking place in a homebrew world based on Filipino mythology. Whatcha Doing? [https://pod.link/1769272692] is an interview podcast talking to creative people about the trials, tribulations and triumphs in their projects. Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2020187/open_sms] Cover art by The Curiographer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer [https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer] Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share [https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share] Support the Podcast [https://www.podpage.com/characters-without-stories/support/] You can find Star at: Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com [http://www.characterswithoutstories.com] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac [https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories [https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories] Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories [https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories [https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories] Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/characterswithoutstories.com [https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories [https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories] Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!

Taylor brings Captain Aria Godey to the table. Captain Aria is a pirate who touched a gold piece that is slowly consuming her and turning her into gold. Taylor and I discuss belonging as a Black creator in the TTRPG space, learning to accept that plus size bodies can be desired, and how cosplay informs character building. This character is built for Thirsty Sword Lesbians [https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/348096/thirsty-sword-lesbians?affiliate_id=2433888] by April Kit Walsh. Taylor is a Black variety content creator and TTRPG performer located on the east coast. She loves to cosplay to bring her characters to life. You can learn more about Taylor at: https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/taylor [https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/taylor/] A Haunting, Beloved [https://youtu.be/2Beza5w9XZU?si=tTpOdFmzDvNEexEW] is a cinematic actual play by Numinous Productions using the system Bluebeard's Bride [https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/224782/bluebeard-s-bride?affiliate_id=2433888]. Game Master Monday is the podcast that plays a new one shot in a new system with a new cast EVERY EPISODE. https://linktr.ee/grant_nordine [https://linktr.ee/grant_nordine] Mentioned in the episode: Gloria (glowpinkstah [https://www.threads.net/@glowpinkstah/post/C7hiW9-IA7H?xmt=AQGzTggeNeTjxIapZXoOwW_lkBF2USK9j5CeYxzp14PKMA]) thetinytaco [https://www.instagram.com/p/C0wsHCcxY0t/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==] Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2020187/open_sms] Cover art by The Curiographer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer [https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer] Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share [https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share] Support the Podcast [https://www.podpage.com/characters-without-stories/support/] You can find Star at: Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com [http://www.characterswithoutstories.com] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac [https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories [https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories] Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories [https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories [https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories] Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/characterswithoutstories.com [https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories [https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories] Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!

WIll Malkus brings Chase Cameron, aka Showtime, to the table. Chase is a teenager who recently became a superhero when he found a watch that can stop time. Will and I nerd out on comics, deconstruct the women in refrigerators trope, and discuss how TTRPGs let us play out better futures. This character is built for Masks: a New Generation [https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/193258/masks-a-new-generation?affiliate_id=2433888] by Brendan Conway. Will Malkus is an ex librarian, ex music journalist, ex photographer, and current streamer, producer, and editor, mostly for the not-for-profit charity TTRPG Studio Live from the Apocalypse that he co founded in 2021. Outside of Live from the Apocalypse, you can usually find him lifting heavy things for fun like a freak or occupying various corners of the internet under the handle, aWillMScream. You can learn more about Will at: https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/will-malkus [https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/will-malkus/] PINK FOHAWK is an ENnie-Nominated actual play podcast set in the Shadowrun universe. https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/pink-fohawk-2181312 [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/pink-fohawk-2181312] 5 GMs in a Trenchcoat is an award winning actual play where five friends take turns weaving stories through the tabletop system of their choice each season. https://www.5gmsinatrenchcoat.com [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/babiesandbroadswords/babies-and-broadswords-bathfinder] Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2020187/open_sms] Cover art by The Curiographer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer [https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer] Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share [https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share] Support the Podcast [https://www.podpage.com/characters-without-stories/support/] You can find Star at: Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com [http://www.characterswithoutstories.com] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac [https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories [https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories] Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories [https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories [https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories] Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/characterswithoutstories.com [https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories [https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories] Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!