Bone Throwers Theater

This one-shot kicks off with the FOUR HUNDREDTH, yes 400th, episode of the podcast! So of course we needed to make it a special one. We are play-testing a game that is still in development with a guest GM, and friend of the show, Mike. While we create characters in this episode, he shares glimpses and insights into the mechanics of the game, some of the steps that were taken in developing the system, along with a few inspirations for this "post-historic" world. System: Grimworld (in development) by Sand & Glass Entertainment CAST:Aaron — Jamison "Jim"Jeff — Nathaniel "Nickel"Jeremy — Justice Ciro "Juice"Johnny — Franklin "?"Jordan — Arlo "Squint"Mike — The Grim Master Music in the background from Fesliyan Studios

We launch a brand new campaign with the use of a cast favorite to create our characters. We also used Fiasco perviously to establish character relationships in Angel's Guard. But this time around, we'll play out some scenes as the prologue for this space opera. System: OpenD6 Space, from West End Games CAST:Jordan — The Game MasterAaron — VireoEllie — KoloheJeff — KumuJeremy — Solgrin of AshJohnny — Trum Likey Flu Music in the background from Fesliyan Studios

The final phase of the game, The Desecration. The first round of the intruders have a different prize in mind, and then the final intruders spark an interesting change in how the skeletons respond. We also transition into a brief commentary on the game and how we enjoyed this unique way of telling a story... or multiple stories at once. System: The Skeletons by Jason Morningstar CAST:Aaron — The HeadlessJeremy — The Tattered CloakJohnny — The HorrorJordan — The Crawler Music in the background from Fesliyan Studios, and Kevin MacLeod

We wrap up the gameplay with a couple big discoveries, and we really leaned into the collaborative nature for these final moments. We then give some brief commentary on the game and some things we DID modify for our world building purposes, and some things we WOULD modify if we played it again in the future. Finally, we discuss the last steps we need to take before we launch into our next long-run campaign. System: Reliquary, by Gordie Murphy CAST:Jordan – Vonu’ouAaron – Luthecin TrantEllie – HokulaniJeff – NehimJeremy – Xinoa PoeJohnny – Fillani

We have entered The Time of Dust, the next phase of the game. Two more intruders to kill or chase off, and they are pretty horrific ones. We also get several glimpses into the lives of the skeletons before they were charged to guard this tomb, and it's becoming clear that their stories are equally tragic. System: The Skeletons by Jason Morningstar CAST:Aaron — The HeadlessJeremy — The Tattered CloakJohnny — The HorrorJordan — The Crawler Music in the background from Fesliyan Studios, Kevin MacLeod, and other sources

We explore a few different locations in this episode with varying results. We get accustomed to the rule set as we create some rumors, legends, and even some questions that unfortunately will not get answered in THIS game. However, there are a couple threads that are weaving their way into the fabric of this world that we're sure will bring some interesting texture to our upcoming campaign. System: Reliquary, by Gordie Murphy CAST:Jordan – Vonu’ouAaron – Luthecin TrantEllie – HokulaniJeff – NehimJeremy – Xinoa PoeJohnny – Fillani

Phase one of the game, the "unsealed tomb". Two intruders, thwarted, and several secrets of the skeletons' past are revealed... but at a cost. Time passes, but the guardians still stand watch, for now. So far we are loving the collaborative storytelling in this game. System: The Skeletons by Jason Morningstar CAST:Aaron — The HeadlessJeremy — The Tattered CloakJohnny — The HorrorJordan — The Crawler Music in the background from Fesliyan Studios and Kevin MacLeod

Here's another system to add some more meat to the bones of what we have built previously for our next campaign. We add some specific places to our world, and create characters that will set out to explore those locations, all while navigating some intriguing goals, complications and rumors. System: Reliquary, by Gordie Murphy CAST:Jordan - Weno'ouAaron - Luthecin TrantEllie - HokulaniJeff - NehimJeremy - Xinoa PoeJohnny - Fillani

In just getting through the set-up, we were already geeking out about this game. We collaboratively describe the layout of the tomb that we will be guarding. There were a lot of interesting ideas that will make this storytelling game a favorite of the group we are sure. System: The Skeletons by Jason Morningstar CAST:Aaron — The HeadlessJeremy — The Tattered CloakJohnny — The HorrorJordan — The Crawler Music in the background from Kevin MacLeod

After our first time recording a game of Microscope, we STILL hadn't had enough world building to satisfy us. So we discuss what comes next in terms of honing in on the "era" we will play in, and character creation. We reflect on some of our collaborative story-telling choices from past campaigns, and FINALLY decide on and reveal the name of the upcoming campaign. Listen and find out. System: Microscope, by Ben Robbins CAST:JordanAaronEllieJeffJeremyJohnny

In this commentary episode we discuss the flexibility of this game for a one-shot and an extended campaign. Aaron shares that there is a lot of flexibility in the game in general, and we conclude that this game would be great for both young and old, and first-time and experienced RPGers. So Good Strong Hands... good strong game. System: Good Strong Hands by Nerd Burger Games CAST:Aaron — The Game MasterJeff — CinchJeremy — KrydenJohnny — GrahamJordan — Jasper Music in the background from Purple Planet Music

One last round of play and all the cast will have had their seat as the lens and legacy. We end up creating a played scene that ends up being quite pivotal in fleshing out multiple scenes and events that were already created. Fun stuff! System: Microscope, by Ben Robbins CAST:JordanAaronEllieJeffJeremyJohnny Music in the background from Fesliyan Studios

Well, the whole party is dead to start this episode... mostly dead. The victory in this story must be won in a spiritual realm, and at a cost. Not all the characters will remain unstained by the evil they face. Enjoy the final battle in this fantastic one-shot. System: Good Strong Hands by Nerd Burger Games CAST:Aaron — The Game MasterJeff — CinchJeremy — KrydenJohnny — GrahamJordan — Jasper Music in the background from Purple Planet Music, and Kevin MacLeod

Another round of play to flesh out the world in this episode. We decided to do a fair amount of dictated scenes this time, diving deep to look at how an individual character might be affected and even change the course of history. We also learned something new about the rules of this game. System: Microscope, by Ben Robbins CAST:JordanAaronEllieJeffJeremyJohnny Music in the background from Vilkas Sound

One side-quest finished, now on to the next. Hopefully this one will yield some useful information for defeating the void. But certainly it is entertaining regardless, as this story inspired a barrage of movie quotes from the cast. Fun times.  System: Good Strong Hands by Nerd Burger Games CAST:Aaron — The Game MasterJeff — CinchJeremy — KrydenJohnny — GrahamJordan — Jasper Music in the background from Purple Planet Music, Kevin MacLeod, and other sources

We have all the cast back! And with 2 more minds building this world, things get even deeper and more intricate. New inspirations and ideas seem to fit and naturally flesh out what we come up with in the first session.   System: Microscope, by Ben Robbins CAST:JordanAaronEllieJeffJeremyJohnny Music in the background from Vilkas Sound

There are more mysteries and clues to uncover surrounding this creepy monument and field of roses. But there is also a family of Wild-kin to save. So of course, we split the party. Some of the group will undoubtedly have to pull off some sort of trickery of thier own in this episode. System: Good Strong Hands by Nerd Burger Games CAST:Aaron — The Game MasterJeff — CinchJeremy — KrydenJohnny — GrahamJordan — Jasper Music in the background from Purple Planet Music

One more quick round of play for this initial world build. Jeremy takes a turn as the lens, and Jordan closes it out as the legacy. With that combination, our timeline ended up with a "dark" era... or period. We can't decide which term to use. But on thing that we ARE certain of this that we love this world we are creating so far. We hope you will too.  System: Microscope, by Ben Robbins CAST:JordanAaronJeremyJohnny

In this episode, visions, dreams, and mysterious voices have lead us to the Sorrow Sworn Fields. Jordan's GM style creeps into his character play, and some self imposed complications come about. But let's be honest, that's not a real departure from the other usual suspects style of play. System: Good Strong Hands by Nerd Burger Games CAST:Aaron — The Game MasterJeff — CinchJeremy — KrydenJohnny — GrahamJordan — Jasper Music in the background from Purple Planet Music

In this episode we make our first pass, adding eras (periods) and events. Then Aaron and Jordan take their turns as the lens. We take the opportunity to add to the timeline with all aspects of the game; eras, events, a dictated scene, a roleplayed scene, and legacies. System: Microscope, by Ben Robbins CAST:JordanAaronJeremyJohnny Music in the background from Fesliyan Studios