GM Word of the Week

Latest Episodes:

Chakram Apr 02, 2016

Show notes

It’s one of the more unique weapons ever developed in the world. So much of what is theoretically ‘known’ about it though comes from one very popular series of fantasy entertainment. But it’s almost all entirely wrong. So what’s the real story? Well, to find out, you should probably Sikh the truth.

Boomerang Mar 26, 2016

Show notes

What goes around comes around. It’s all coming back to me now. Many happy returns. Other assorted bits of cleverness. It’s all wrong of course. Good boomerangs don’t come back. Not if you’re really being serious about using them as a weapon in your game. And what better place to go to learn about the boomerang than Egypt? Or Ireland. Or possibly South America. Or… well, anywhere, really.

Katana Mar 12, 2016

Show notes

It’s the most amazing sword ever produced in this, or any other, universe. The best you can possibly get, bar none. And we all know the legends: the 1,000 folds, the ability to cut the wind itself, the legendary master makers who only ever produce one sword a year. But how much of that is true? And why does it even exist in the first place? Surely we have some answers.

Halberd Mar 05, 2016

Show notes

It’s a weapon on the end of a long stick. Right? A polearm. Surely that’s a simple concept. Isn’t it? But there is a whole mishmash of weapons described as polearms and none of them are exactly what you think or come from exactly where you think they do. It’s confusing and complicated and esoteric. Fortunately, we’re here to help you understand what’s going on. And we really like the Halberd.

Oracle Feb 20, 2016

Show notes

It’s the premier information source. If you have any question about the past, present, or future, all you have to do is ask and you’re bound to get an answer. No, not the internet. In the ancient world, your answer comes from an oracle.

Zodiac Feb 13, 2016

Show notes

The Zodiac is more than just that little two sentence blurb you read in the newspaper (remember those, kids?) that somehow pretends to reveal the events of your day before they even happen. And the Chinese Zodiac even moreso. Just what goes into these things and how do they relate to anything anyone does, if at all? And what can you do with them in your game?

Elysium Feb 06, 2016

Show notes

In all the lands of the dead talked about in literature, film, and history, one tends to get short shrift in the world of RPGs. And it’s a shame, because the culture that brought us Elysium is responsible for so much of life. And death.

Ziggurat Jan 30, 2016

Show notes

We all know what ziggurat’s are, right? Those stepped pyramid things that the ancient Aztecs and Mayans built all over the jungles. Right? Right. Obviously. Except not. Not even close.

Legion Jan 16, 2016

Show notes

When you need to impress people with the size and power of your empire, the easiest way to do it is to organize your forces along the lines of a Roman Legion. In this episode of GM Word of the Week you’ll find out a bit about the history of Rome, how the legion developed and one or two other uses of the word. Afterwards, feel free to unleash your own legions on your players.

Catoblepas Jan 09, 2016

Show notes

The ‘noble’ catoblepas. Abused, maligned, sometimes nearly forgotten. So weird is it that practically no one can agree on what it looks like. Surely a creature of pure fantasy with no basis in reality whatsoever. Not so. There is something real behind it. Along the way we visit ancient TSR periodicals, talk about the first encyclopedic catalog, and discuss the advantages of knowing just enough to get yourself in trouble.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

GM Word of the Week

Related Podcasts

1

2

3

4

5

6