Happy Jacks RPG Podcast: GM & Player TTRPG Advice

Latest Episodes:

HJRP S31E13 | Taking Plot Hooks, Getting Board Gamers into RPGs, & Favorite Non-Fantasy Published Adventures Feb 03, 2023

Show notes

◇ OrcCon 2023 is coming! Richard asks how to get players to grab plot hooks, Emily asks how to entice board game players to play RPGs, and Daniel asks about our favorite published adventures for non-fantasy campaigns. | Hosts: Kimi, Nick, Riley, Jameson ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | Announcements - Happy Jacks will be at Strategicon “Orccon” 2023! Feb 17-20th at the Hilton LAX in LA. 05:59 - Indie Designer of the Month: Gem Room Games (gemroomgames.com) | 10:41 - Richard asks how to get players to grab plot hooks | 42:57 - Emily asks how to entice board game players to play RPGs | 58:13 - Daniel asks about our favorite published adventures for non-fantasy campaigns | 01:06:12 - Episode Closing | 01:07:52 - Song: "Side Quest" by The Dread Crew of Oddwood (thedreadcrewofoddwood.com) ◇ Email happyjacksrpg@gmail.com to send in your own topic or question for the show! ◇ Find us on Youtube ◇ Twitch ◇ Twitter ◇ Instagram ◇ Facebook ◇ Discord or find all these links at happyjacks.org . ◇ Subscribe to our Actual Play Feed! We have a backlog of campaigns in over 20 RPG systems and new games running all the time. ◇ Become a Patreon! Our fantastic supporters keep us independent so we can play and say what we want instead of catering to companies for ad or sponsorship money. https://patreon.com/happyjacksrpg Ⓒ2023 Happy Jacks RPG Network www.happyjacks.org

HJRP S31E12 | Running Famous Settings, Taking Players Stuff (again) & Triumph Story Jan 23, 2023

Show notes

◇ Summary: Eric from Texas asks how much you have to know when running a campaign in a popular setting, Michael E replies to our discussion of when GMs take players stuff away, and Eric from New Jersey shares a LARP gaming triumph | Hosts: Kimi, Nick, Clara ◇ 00:34 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 01:20 - Indie Designer of the Month: Gem Room Games (gemroomgames.com) | 03:07 - Eric from Texas asks how much you have to know when running a campaign in a popular setting | 19:22 - Michael E replies to our discussion of when GMs take players stuff away | 51:35 - Eric from New Jersey shares a LARP gaming triumph | 01:01:03 - Episode Closing | 01:02:22 - Song: "500 Miles" by The Merry Wives of Windsor (mwow.net) ◇ Email happyjacksrpg@gmail.com to send in your own topic or question for the show! ◇ Find us on Youtube ◇ Twitch ◇ Twitter ◇ Instagram ◇ Facebook ◇ Discord or find all these links at happyjacks.org . ◇ Subscribe to our Actual Play Feed! We have a backlog of campaigns in over 20 RPG systems and new games running all the time. ◇ Become a Patreon! Our fantastic supporters keep us independent so we can play and say what we want instead of catering to companies for ad or sponsorship money. https://patreon.com/happyjacksrpg Ⓒ2023 Happy Jacks RPG Network www.happyjacks.org

HJRP S31E11 | Convention Game Tips, Problematic Powers Part 2, & Avatar PBTA Story Jan 17, 2023

Show notes

◇ Summary: Eric from New Jersey is returning to running convention games after an 18 year absence and wants tips, Mike from New York replies to our conversation about problematic powers with opponents in ttrpgs, EricaOdd shares her experience with the Avatar PBTA game at a local convention | Hosts: Kimi, Nick, Joey, Jameson ◇ 0:35 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 01:24 - Announcements: Join our mailing list so we don't have to depend on social media platforms happyjacks.org/newsletter 3:06 - Indie Designer of the Month: Gem Room Games (gemroomgames.com) | 06:25 - Eric from New Jersey is returning to running convention games after an 18 year absence and wants tips | 23:21 - Mike from New York replies to our conversation about problematic powers with opponents in ttrpgs | 40:08 - EricaOdd shares her experience with the Avatar PBTA game at a local convention | 55:58 - Episode Closing | 57:14 - Song: "Jenny of the Oldstones by The Mary Sues (marysuesband.com) ◇ Email happyjacksrpg@gmail.com to send in a topic or question to the show! ◇ You can watch us on Youtube or Twitch! Follow Happy Jacks RPG on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or hang out with other tabletop roleplaying fans in our Discord community! ◇ Subscribe to our other podcasts! We have Actual Play Campaigns in over 20 RPG systems and a great collection of One-Shots if you prefer bite sized adventures. ◇ Keep us independent by becoming a Patreon! Our fantastic supporters let us play and say what we want instead of catering to companies for ad or sponsorship money. They are HEROES! https://patreon.com/happyjacksrpg Ⓒ2022 Happy Jacks RPG Network www.happyjacks.org

HJRP S31E10 | Memorializing Gaming Friends, Balancing Life & Gaming, & Monster Biology Jan 13, 2023

Show notes

◇ Summary: Own from New Zealand wants to find a good way to memorialize a gaming friend who has passed away, Will asks about how to balance life with gaming, and Ken in Canada loves considering the biology of monsters | Hosts: Kimi, Nick, Christos & Jason◇ 0:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:40 - Indie Designer of the Month: Gem Room Games (gemroomgames.com) | 4:36 - Owen from New Zealand asks how best to memorialize a gaming friend who has passed away | 21:42 - Will O. asks about balancing different play group styles and balancing dedication to a game with real life | 49:09 - Ken from Canada loves considering the biology of monsters | 1:04:39 - Episode Closing | 1:05:44 - Song: "Drink til I Die by The Poxy Boggards (poxyboggards.com) ◇ Email happyjacksrpg@gmail.com to send in a topic or question to the show! ◇ You can watch us on Youtube or Twitch! Follow Happy Jacks RPG on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or hang out with other tabletop roleplaying fans in our Discord community! ◇ Subscribe to our other podcasts! We have Actual Play Campaigns in over 20 RPG systems and a great collection of One-Shots if you prefer bite sized adventures. ◇ Keep us independent by becoming a Patreon! Our fantastic supporters let us play and say what we want instead of catering to companies for ad or sponsorship money. They are HEROES! https://patreon.com/happyjacksrpg Ⓒ2022 Happy Jacks RPG Network www.happyjacks.org

HJRP S31E09 | Problems with Safety Tools, Creating Awe for PCs, & a Happy Jacks History Lesson Jan 01, 2023

Show notes

◇ Summary: Curt has issues with Lines and Veils as a safety tool, Steve can't seem to create moments of awe and wonder for the player characters in his games, and DM Pete has finished our backlog and we talk a bit about how Happy Jacks has changed over the years. | Hosts: Kimi, Emily & Clara◇ 0:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:24 - Indie Designer of the Month: Noora Rose owner of Monkey’s Paw Games (monkeyspawgames.com) | 4:52 - Curt has issues with Lines and Veils as a safety tool | 19:45 - Steve in SoCal struggles with creating moments of wonder in his campaign | 42:23 - DM Pete has finally made it through the backlog | 58:13 - Episode Closing | 58:43 - Song: "Trollwhacking" by The Dread Crew of Oddwood (thedreadcrewofoddwood.com) ◇ Email happyjacksrpg@gmail.com to send in a topic or question to the show! ◇ You can watch us on Youtube or Twitch! Follow Happy Jacks RPG on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or hang out with other tabletop roleplaying fans in our Discord community! ◇ Subscribe to our other podcasts! We have Actual Play Campaigns in over 20 RPG systems and a great collection of One-Shots if you prefer bite sized adventures. ◇ Keep us independent by becoming a Patreon! Our fantastic supporters let us play and say what we want instead of catering to companies for ad or sponsorship money. They are HEROES! https://patreon.com/happyjacksrpg Ⓒ2022 Happy Jacks RPG Network www.happyjacks.org

HJRP S31E08 | Gender Roles in RPGs, Learning to GM, White Whale Systems Jan 01, 2023

Show notes

◇ Summary: We discuss gender roles in fictional species and societies, including ways to turn them on their head, give universal tips for learning to GM, and share our "white whale" systems that have managed to escape us all these years. | Hosts: Kimi & Adam◇ 0:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:07 - Indie Designer of the Month: Noora Rose owner of Monkey’s Paw Games (monkeyspawgames.com) | 3:40 - Steve in So Cal asks about gender roles in fictional species and societies | 33:23 - Shawn from Washington DC asks if there is a universal way to learn to GM | 59:47 - Rose asks if we have a white whale system that we’ve always wanted to try | 1:09:18 - Episode Closing | 1:10:26 - Song: "The Gloucestershire Wassail" by The Merry Wives of Windsor (mwow.net) ◇ Email happyjacksrpg@gmail.com to send in a topic or question to the show! ◇ You can watch us on Youtube or Twitch! Follow Happy Jacks RPG on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or hang out with other tabletop roleplaying fans in our Discord community! ◇ Subscribe to our other podcasts! We have Actual Play Campaigns in over 20 RPG systems and a great collection of One-Shots if you prefer bite sized adventures. ◇ Keep us independent by becoming a Patreon! Our fantastic supporters let us play and say what we want instead of catering to companies for ad or sponsorship money. They are HEROES! https://patreon.com/happyjacksrpg Ⓒ2022 Happy Jacks RPG Network www.happyjacks.org

HJRP S31E07 | Canon vs. Yes and-ing, Investigation Story Tips, How to Give TTRPG Advice Dec 19, 2022

Show notes

◇ Summary: Steve in So Cal wants to discuss how to balance world-building canon while still "yes and-ing" players contributions to the world, Thomas from Denmark asks about mystery and investigation stories in TTRPGS, and Steffi in Scotland wants advice about giving advice | Hosts: Kimi, Adam, & Rose ◇ 0:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:23 - Indie Designer of the Month: Noora Rose owner of Monkey’s Paw Games (monkeyspawgames.com) | 6:02 - Steve in SoCal brings up balancing world-building consistency with “yes-anding” players ideas | 43:15 - Thomas from Denmark asks about creating good mystery and investigation stories with RPGs | 1:08:13 - Steffi in Scotland wants advice about giving TTRPG advice | 1:29:41 - Episode Closing | 1:30:52 - Song: "Pass the Hat" by The Netbusker Folk Shoppe Podcast (netbusker.net) ◇ Email happyjacksrpg@gmail.com to send in a topic or question to the show! ◇ You can watch us on Youtube or Twitch! Follow Happy Jacks RPG on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or hang out with other tabletop roleplaying fans in our Discord community! ◇ Subscribe to our other podcasts! We have Actual Play Campaigns in over 20 RPG systems and a great collection of One-Shots if you prefer bite sized adventures. ◇ Keep us independent by becoming a Patreon! Our fantastic supporters let us play and say what we want instead of catering to companies for ad or sponsorship money. They are HEROES! https://patreon.com/happyjacksrpg Ⓒ2022 Happy Jacks RPG Network www.happyjacks.org

HJRP S31E06 | Mechanics Helping New Players, The One Ring 2e & Being Their Only GM Ever Dec 08, 2022

Show notes

◇ Summary: We announce our December Indie Designer of the Month, Richard asks about mechanics helping new players, Adam has great advice for running The One Ring 2nd Edition, and Vyrrk is worried that he has given his players bad habits as their only GM ever | Hosts: Kimi, Riley, and Bill ◇ 0:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:59 - Announcements of new Actual Play shows| 4:05 - Indie Designer of the Month: Noora Rose owner of Monkey’s Paw Games (monkeyspawgames.com) | 7:51 - Richard asks if a system with more mechanics can actually be helpful for new RPG players| 54:41 - Adam from CA shares tips for running The One Ring 2nd Edition| 1:15:00 - Vyrrk asks if he has done a disservice to his players as the only GM they have ever known| 1:32:11 - Episode Closing | 1:32:00 - Song: "The Bog Down in the Valley-O" by The Merry Wives of Windsor (mwow.net) ◇ Email happyjacksrpg@gmail.com to send in a topic or question to the show! ◇ You can watch us on Youtube or Twitch! Follow Happy Jacks RPG on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or hang out with other tabletop roleplaying fans in our Discord community! ◇ Subscribe to our other podcasts! We have Actual Play Campaigns in over 20 RPG systems and a great collection of One-Shots if you prefer bite sized adventures. ◇ Keep us independent by becoming a Patreon! Our fantastic supporters let us play and say what we want instead of catering to companies for ad or sponsorship money. They are HEROES! https://patreon.com/happyjacksrpg Ⓒ2022 Happy Jacks RPG Network www.happyjacks.org

HJRP S31E05 | Fantasy Creature Science, D&D for 44 Kids, & Safety Tools Nov 20, 2022

Show notes

◇ Summary: Batman writes in about the science behind evil fantasy creatures, Curt from Alaska asks about running TTRPGs for a group of 44 kids, and Jolene shares some advice about safety tools and has a reminder for us. | Hosts: Kimi, Adam, & CADave ◇ 0:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:59 - Indie Designer of the Month: Christina Stone-Bush (hyvemynd.itch.io) | 5:33 - Announcements of new APs 10:20 - Batman talks about the science of evil creatures | 40:05 - Curt from Alaska writes in about running TTRPGs for people new to the hobby and a club of 44 kids | 1:17:53 - Jolene has some advice about safety tools and a reminder for us | 1:24:52 - Episode Closing | 1:27:02 - Song: " Danger Inbound" by Eclectotron (instagram.com/eclectotron/) watch the amazing music video on youtube! ◇ Email happyjacksrpg@gmail.com to send in a topic or question to the show! ◇ You can watch us on Youtube or Twitch! Follow Happy Jacks RPG on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or hang out with other tabletop roleplaying fans in our Discord community! ◇ Subscribe to our other podcasts! We have Actual Play Campaigns in over 20 RPG systems and a great collection of One-Shots if you prefer bite sized adventures. ◇ Keep us independent by becoming a Patreon! Our fantastic supporters let us play and say what we want instead of catering to companies for ad or sponsorship money. They are HEROES! https://patreon.com/happyjacksrpg Ⓒ2022 Happy Jacks RPG Network www.happyjacks.org

HJRP S31E04 | Streaming TTRPG Tips, Academic take on One-Shots, & The One Ring RPG Nov 19, 2022

Show notes

◇ Summary: Kettle from Germany asks for tips and tricks for streaming games, Steffi from Scotland offers an academically inspired way to pace one-shots, Actual Jessie talks about the The One Ring TTRPG and Kimi goes on a rant about Rings of Power | Hosts: Kimi (@goldenlassogirl), Nick (@Sungrowler) ◇ 0:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 4:02 - Indie Designer of the Month: Christina Stone-Bush (hyvemynd.itch.io) | 6:09 - Kettle from Germany asks about streaming TTRPGS | 39:00 - Steffi from Scotland offers their strategy for prepping one shots | 52:47 - Actual Jesse talks about playing The One Ring rpg | 1:04:00 - Kimi goes on a rant about Rings of Power 1:17:44 - Episode Closing | 1:05:37 - Song: " Toss a Coin to your Witcher" by The Mary Sues (marysuesband.com) ◇ Email happyjacksrpg@gmail.com to send in a topic or question to the show! ◇ You can watch us on Youtube or Twitch! Follow Happy Jacks RPG on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or hang out with other tabletop roleplaying fans in our Discord community! ◇ Subscribe to our other podcasts! We have Actual Play Campaigns in over 20 RPG systems and a great collection of One-Shots if you prefer bite sized adventures. ◇ Keep us independent by becoming a Patreon! Our fantastic supporters let us play and say what we want instead of catering to companies for ad or sponsorship money. They are HEROES! https://patreon.com/happyjacksrpg Ⓒ2022 Happy Jacks RPG Network www.happyjacks.org

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