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So, this is from roleplaying games, but I feel it is relevant to wider fiction. I was looking through a bunch of small roleplaying games I got cheap, and found one whose reveal was that the fairly generic demons who were the main antagonists were … read more »
Every world needs animals to give the setting life. I’ll focus on creating realistic and semi-realistic creatures and aliens, but these techniques can also be used to create races, plants, and other organisms. As an ongoing example, we’ll be making a creature as we go. … read more »
Throw back your head and howl at the moon, for this week we’re discussing werewolves. What is a werewolf, exactly? Where do they come from, and why are they always fighting vampires? We discuss the modern portrayal of werewolves, their pop culture roots, and why … read more »
Special recurring guest host Jim is back, and this time it’s not even to talk about the law! Instead, he joins Oren and Chris in a discussion about their favorite monsters from TV, books, RPGs, and beyond. Or at least, that was a plan before … read more »
Lovecraftian horror is a specific subgenre that blends noir and horror with a dash of cosmic terror and a sense of insignificance. H.P. Lovecraft did it first, but many authors and artists have continued his traditions with varied and horrific stories. The eldritch abominations of … read more »
Hark, for it is the night on which we don our most terrifying garb and roam the streets in search of victims – I mean candy. We all love horror stories, especially on Halloween, but after a while they get stale. You can only watch … read more »
Everyone loves to talk about their zombie plan, but who actually needs one? Game masters, that’s who! The zombie apocalypse is ever popular for roleplaying games, but it’s also challenging. Many factors go into creating the perfect undead playground, even when they seem simple from … read more »
Undead creatures aren’t limited to shamblers and neck-biters. They come with a wide range of options, and each has its own strengths. A little thought and planning will help you choose the best creatures for your story and help set your undead antagonists apart from … read more »
Chris, Oren, and Mike discuss the way wildlife is portrayed in speculative fiction. Since they are never happy, they complain about both vilification and glorification of nature. Oren becomes scared of polar bears, Chris asks for happy swamps, and Mike wears out his welcome with … read more »
The monster is a cornerstone of most roleplaying games. Poignant moments of intercharacter drama are great, but sometimes it all comes down to how cool the monsters are. We’re all familiar with infamous classics like the Rust Monster, but what if we dig a little deeper? Read more »