Gamer: The Podcasting The Blog

Announcement: Shows will now be Bimonthly

2007-03-04T23:31:00.000-05:00

That's right, shows will now come out every two weeks instead of each week!
This change is permanant and effective immediately. :)

Episode 35, Feb 6 2007

2007-03-04T22:44:00.000-05:00

The Funnest Nacho World Setting Podcast on the net!

Sons of Kryos
Midnight Syndicate is doing a movie called The Dead Matter.
Adam Cerling's Ends and Means
Crystal's Birthday Larp Photos

Randomizer- Review of Breaking the Ice by Emily Care Boss
Shooting the Moon- a game for three players!

Workshop - LARP Manifesting
check out Larp.eu for more information!
Manifesting
The Turku Manifesto
The Bill of Rights of Roleplayers
Dogma 99

Philosophy of Gaming- Immersion

Episode 34- Almost Live at Dreamation

2007-03-04T21:57:00.000-05:00

Our guests:
Gordon Olmstead Dean - www.larpwriting.org, Threads of Damocles
Brandon- Knight Realms
Jeff, Judd, Storn - The Sons of Kryos Podcast
Greg, Mark Matt from PST Productions

TERRORWORKS 2007!
Coming to Origins... Listen for more details!

Interview with Gordon Olmstead Dean
LARPA
Intercon

Philosophy of Gaming
Do Occult/Dark Mysticism/Evil themes in LARPs hurt the hobby, and why are they prevalent?

Episode 33- 1 year anniversary!

2007-03-04T21:55:00.000-05:00

Happy Anniversary to us!
Is Jeff a mumpy or a moopy?
Dreamation
Icon
Jeff is Game Designing- Absolute Power

Randomizer- Darkon the movie
A documentary about a boffer LARP and it's players in the Baltimore area.

Workshop - Roleplaying Insanity
Do your research! Research is key.
CJ Tremlett- "On Playing Insanity"
The DSM IV
Derangements

Philosophy of Gaming- Shared Realities

Episode 32

2007-03-04T21:44:00.000-05:00

Digg Us, give us feedback about whether or not we please you.

Double Workshop Whammy- Game Design (for LARPs)!
System and Setting
Jared A. Sorensen's three questions-
* What? What is your game about?
* How? How is your game about that?
* What? What behaviors does it reward or encourage in order to fulfill the How?

RPG Design Handbook

Philosophy of Gaming- Is a reward system necessary?

Episode 31

2007-01-07T13:02:00.000-05:00

New Years Podcast Resolutions:
* On time
* One per week (crisis permitting)
* New segment: the Randomizer- mixed bag of interviews, game and book reviews, specail effects, and more (also open for guest-segment
submissions)
*Getting more involved in the podcast and larp communities!
*Destroy the stigma! (We'll cover this in the workshop more)
Monte Cook (succesful gamewriter) doing his own new interpretation of the WOD.
Long Live the King- new intro larp game put out by white wolf
Larp.eu
New Larp Podcast: "The Larp Podcast" put out by Jomo from the forums.
New Anim5 Tutorial: Cardboard Scenery: http://www.anim5.com/gtp/cardboard/index.html

The Randomizer:
Jeff has prepared a review of "The Book of LARP"

The Workshop:
The nasty stigma attached to LARP and how we, as a community of LARPers, can defeat it!
http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?t=300745

POG: Randomizers... are they really necessary?

Feedback: Thomas's pictures!

Episode 30, Nov 26 2006

2006-12-10T14:40:00.000-05:00

Mick Get's a Happy Birthday Song.
Mad House Productions- our new name, appropriate, neh?
We have new Anim 5 tutorial links on our main website! Check it out!

Special Effects-
Stagecraft- applying the time tested tools of the theater trade to your game!
Black Box Theater Style- make the set with lighting, chairs, a table. Very simplified, etc.
Unit Set vs. Box Set- unit set is stationary, box set is mobile
Theatrical Vs. Illusionistic-
Theatrical is very minimal, must use imagination
Illusionistic is very realistic, more wysiwyg.

Design Concept- expect a closet. (says Greg Agostini)
Style and tone- color scheme is important.

Cyclorama- big back wall
Curtains, walls and flats:
Walls by anim5.

theaterlinks.com/set.htm
www.geneso.edu/%7Eblood/SetDesign1.html

projector- they are expensive, but cool (you can rent too). Look for 1024 x 767 resolution, 1500 x 3000 lumens, keystone correction, bulb life.

WORKSHOP
When to Let Go- Saying Goodbye to Problem Players
Five Geek Social Fallacies
Unforgiveable Offenses: anything considered a felony. Kick Them Out.

Balance- will it hurt the game more if you let them play or kick them out?
Try to resolve the conflict first:
Sit down with them.
Step one: Assume good intentions. Find out what the real issue is.
Step two: Recognize problem verbally to them.
Step three: Offer solutions.
Step four: Establish consequences.
Step five: End on a positive note.

If you decide they need to go:
1. Talk to your GMing staff, NOT people in the game. Keep it on the DL.
2. Avoid surprises. No personal attacks.
3. Be Calm- if they verbally attack you being calm will quell the conflict.
4. Document everything. You must have well defined reasons.
5. Make no promises.
6. Choose words carefully. Be clear about reasons they are leaving, but word it sensitively.

Make sure every time you kick someone out it is for the right reasons and it is absolutely necessary.

PHILOSOPHY OF GAMING
When is it ok to throw the rules out the window?
Rules Vs. Story
oh yeah, get ready for the gns deate of the century.
_________________

Episode 29, Nov 14 2006

2006-12-10T14:14:00.000-05:00

Who Loves the Chocolate?

Check Out the Geek Label Podcast!
Check out zomcast!
Check out Gamers Haven
And dont forget Voice of the Revolution
And for newbie gamers: Squareone

Specail Effects-
Immersive Gaming
Thanks to Nick for the awesome Email.
Email stories- narrative fiction as a medium for character development and collaborative

Video- the Movies game.
Check out what Nick did with it: Here
Other video, clips from our own game:
Freeman
Lord Captain Commander
Combobulator

Alternate Reality Gaming (ARG)
Unfiction.com

WORKSHOP
Character Development- Making a character that works for the game you are playing.
Here is the best website, EVER.

PHILOSOPHY OF GAMING
Religion- o man, look out, get ready for this.

Episode 28, November 5 2006

2006-12-10T14:12:00.000-05:00

Miss Emily, Workingman and Tangent join us for a totally awesome superheroes discussion.

Episode 27, October 29 2006

2006-12-10T14:09:00.000-05:00

Intro
Nev and Anim5 and Victor and JJ all coming to NYC next week! We're doing stuff! yay.

Special Effects
Samurai and Asian Influence costuming/propping
Incredibly comprehensive site:
http://luxnova.home.mindspring.com/samuraigame/

Amazing armor:
http://www.japanese-armor.com/
http://www.elvenforge.com/samurai.html

The Samurai armor remains one of the most interesting and rare components of the Samurai era. The armor was constructed from bamboo, cloth and metal. Unlike its better known counterpart, the medieval armor, the Japanese example was much lighter, which provided for ease of movement but compromised protection. The armor had to be light weight because the Samurai would often engage into hand to hand combat, requiring fast and precise movements. The majority of the armor was made from bamboo. The chest plate was usually one piece of metal while the arms and neck were composed of small pieces of metal tied together with colorful strings.

The Samurai warrior was an expert in hand to hand combat. The disciplines he mastered included Ju Jitsu, Iaido and swordsmanship. The Samurai would fight mounted on a horse or on foot. It is said that some of their opponents were strong and skilled enough to be able to punch through the Samurai armor with a single strike from their fist.

Make Helmet:
Construction Hat (2.99 on amazon) http://www.amazon.com/Stumps-Spirit-Construction-Hat/dp/B0000AY7B3/sr=1-13/qid=1162153822/ref=sr_1_13/002-4368510-5812814?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods
add back flap, viola
or batting helmet: ($10)
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_sg/002-4368510-5812814?url=search-alias%3Dsporting&field-keywords=batting+helmet&Go.x=0&Go.y=0&Go=Go

Make armor:
http://amethyst-angel.com/armormaking_materials.html
Bamboo placemat/ sushi mat ($2- $4 on amazon)
http://www.amazon.com/T-Trove-Brown-Bamboo-Placemat/dp/B0009YDRPM/sr=8-2/qid=1162154616/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/002-4368510-5812814?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden

Bamboo matchstick blinds (prices range)

Bamboo beach mat ($20 on amazon)

Workshop
Balance of Powers!
Complications of magics in rpg settings and how to deal with it.

POG
What do your characters say about you?
http://www.rpgstudies.net/hughes/therapy_is_fantasy.html
_________________

Episode 26, October 15 2006

2006-10-17T22:22:00.000-04:00

This is GamerthePodcasting episode 26 for Oct 15, 2006.

Because, the next time time there is a strange smell emmenating from your gaming group, you can blame us.

SPECIAL EFFECTS
Olfactory Effects:
inspired by a topic on treasure tables (http://www.treasuretables.org/2006/08/smell-o-gaming)

http://id.essortment.com/olfactorysenses_rapy.htm

From http://www.du.edu/~jcalvert/optics/senses.htm :
The types of olfactory sensations are given as fruity, flowery, resinous, spicy, foul, and burned. The olfactory sense is some 10 000 times as sensitive as taste, and is primarily responsible for the flavours of food. There is strong adaptation, in which one soon becomes accustomed to an odour and unaware of it, as well as masking of one odour by another, the theory of perfume. An increase of some 20% in concentration is necessary to cause a perceptible increase in the strength of the perception.

In insects, the olfactory sense seems to be located on the antennae. Snakes and lizards possess a Jacobson's organ in the front of the mouth that is directly connected to the olfactory centre in the brain. The flicking tongue transfers scents to this organ for analysis. Scents seem to have a strong influence on the social interactions of all kinds of animals, from bees and ants to the sexual pheromones of mammals. Birds have a well-developed olfactory sense, which was not appreciated until recently. The scents and colours of flowers are probably not accidental, nor designed for our pleasure, but for very practical purposes of identification by co-operating insects.

Dr Le Fanu, in the Sunday Telegraph (21 May 2000) comments on how vigorously an odour calls up memory. Smell is the only sense with direct access to the amygdala, the 'emotional centre' of the brain. It is a double sense, like seeing and hearing, and the two nostrils control the relative rate of air flow between them to receive slightly different chemical signatures, which allows finer discrimination of odours. The receptors also saturate or accommodate, and this is traded side for side, so that a sensitive receptor is always available.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incense

Workshop
Bookkeeping.

Materials:
Spiralbound notebook
3 ring binder
printer
paper

First, organize your character sheets. Have a section for PC and NPC sheets. Alphabetize, and label!

next, have a section for histories.

then, have a section for plotlines. This is where you keep track of names, places, story elements, etc.
This section needs to be updated frequently.

Random encounter section, andor notecards.
Keep a small stack of random encounters or adventures, they are good to throw in.

EXPERIENCE LOGS
Keep track of how much experience you give each player after each session. They forget, and will ask, so it's best to have a record of it.

POG:
Where does the rpg/larp come from?
and maybe... where's it going?

Episode 25, September 28 2006

2006-09-29T00:06:00.000-04:00

Because "How do you know if you're happy or sad without a mask?"

intro
Mirrormask quote- see it, it's coo.
Thanks to All Games Considered and Domain of Apokolipz!
Uncon! Online con 0ct 23-29
Not able to get to Indy for Gen Con this year? Gas prices for road tripping to a local convention got you down? Enjoy the atmosphere of a convention from the comfort of your own computer chair. UnCon is Wizards.com’s annual fall blow out of games, contests, seminars, and special chat events hosted by Wizards’ online community moderators.
http://wizo.wizards.com/uncon/pages/index.php

Dragavan's Game! Lootin' Wizards
After the death of the beloved Royal Mage of the kingdom, the king of the land set out a challenge to find his replacement. Wizards from far and wide came to vie for the position. As the challenge was set forth a few of the smarter and sneakier ones thought of a good way to get a leg up. They made their way into the secret dungeon of the former Royal Mage and decided to loot it for what they needed to win... But only one can win, so the battle for the loot began.
http://edge.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=7605

So. Exposure (sasha's going)

Special Effects
Halloween's coming! STOCK UP ON MASKS! This is the time of year to do it!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masquerade_ball
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mask
http//www.carnivalofvenice.com

The Masks
The mask in the city of Venice has ancient origins and was used for many months of the year. Masks were allowed from the day of Santo Stefano, which marked the start of the Venetian carnival, to midnight of Shrove Tuesday which marked the end. (Naturally, they were forbidden on days of religious festivals).
As well as at this time of year, the Venetians wore masks during the fortnight of the Ascension, and ended up wearing it, with a few exceptions, right up to half-way through June. Later on, it was permitted to wear a mask from the 5th October up to the start of the Christmas novena (16th December).
During all major events, such as official banquets or other celebrations of the Serenissima Republic, the wearing of "mask and cloak" were permitted. The mask had many uses - to protect gamblers from giving away indiscrete looks, (especially to avoid their creditors), or it was used by "barnaboti" noblemen begging on street corners.
Making carnivale masks:
http://www.american.edu/IRVINE/jenn/mask.htm

BIG AMERICAN MASQUERADE: http://www.labyrinthmasquerade.com/
Each year in Hollywood, July.

Making your own latex mask:
Making prosthetics: http://www.costumesandprops.com/foam_latex_prosthetic_appliance_how_to.htm
supplies- all you need: http://www.monstermakers.com/maskmakingkits.html
http://www.monstermakers.com/howto.html
some good tips, place to buy: http://www.latexmaskcentral.com/index.php

Workshop
Oneshots- listen, why not?

POG
Are the emotional experiences that you have in rpg gaming real?
Join in on the fun on our forums!

2006-09-12T13:52:00.000-04:00

episode 23

september 10th, 2006. because if you ever find yourself stuck in arkham asylum with the hounds of tindalos, you'll know just how screwed you are

intro
-skipped a week due to dragon*con
-shaken not stirred (can we mention this?)
-jeff's started working on avalanche (and maybe modules for paradigm)
-anything on the forums?
glass
Dragon*con wrap-up
-After serenity
-panel
-nightfall
-sensory deprivation
people
-things we learned from running a con game (plea to props)
-the future of somniturne productions
-vendors, celebs, etc
-overall feelings
Burnout
-symptoms/causes
-mostly a confidence issue
-don't tell the whole game you feel burnt out because that makes them expect it, which snowballs the situation. Do vent to someone you trust.
-innundated with people talking about the game
-from a player perspective
happens when um...they don't feel like they're achieving anything

-relationship analogy (to getting back to feeling good)
-spending too much time with your game, spend time with your buds
-Love Notes, find what you loved about it
-spice things up, bring in new things into your game
-don't focus on the things that annoy you, but the things you like
-put yourself in their shoes...try playing for a while
-if everything fails, maybe it's time to take a break or move on
PHILOSOPHY OF GAMING
are we the biggest geeks in the world for LARPing? Why?

Episode 22

2006-09-12T13:49:00.000-04:00

episode 22
intro notes:
-great time at gencon...we'll be talking about that in a bit. (skipping sfx)
-Jeff's website is up (www.somniturne.com)
-dragoncon stuff:
-panel at 7pm friday
-friday, saturday and sunday morning after serenity
-Saturday and sunday nights at 6 sensory deprivation Gencon wrap-up
-14 hour drive
-met up with the podcasters thursday night
-panel friday morning fans
-dealers room/connections/changeling
-metacast
-cthulhu live
-serenity w/teh podcasters
-personal feelings about the con
-genconlive.dragonslanding.com
music
-You're going for mood and feel of the song rather than trying to time it exactly
sometimes music can sometimes have subliminal effects on the players
-certain sounds and instruments can provoke memories
-before game, music can inspire scenes and characters
-movie scores work well; watch a film for the atmosphere, take unrecognizable songs from film score
Look outside the genre
-set up a player DJ
>let them have control or the gm can set up a playlist beforehand
-Setting up a soundboard- yahoo widgets, soundboard widgets.
-Voice changing and music making software- version 3., Garage band, Audacity, Goldwave Editor
-sound effects:
www.ez-tracks.com
sounddogs.com
partnersinrhyme.com
Relaxingsoftware.com
grsites.com/sounds
video games are a good source
-musical Performances a good setting for larps
>>>where music doesn't work:
-disrupts the flow (too loud, too recognizable, too catchy, GM has to keep fiddling with it)
-musical tastes don't match up

pog
-intelectual property in gaming

Episode 21! Season Two!

2006-08-15T20:01:00.000-04:00

we is back! We lost the notes for ep 20. we suck. but you love us anyway.
http://tsfpn.com/
sasha the viking:
http://www.stressmint.com/Hosted/SashaViking.jpg
SFX: SCI-FI ARMOR
http://amethyst-angel.com/armormaking_materials.html
http://studiocreations.com/howto/index.html
http://www.geplastics.com/gep/en/Home/Home/home.html
http://studiocreations.com/howto/vacuumtable/index.html
http://sculpt.com/ (for varaform)
COLLABORATING GMING:
-administrative clarity
know who's got what job
-be willing to give up ideas
-constructive criticism
-keep everyone as equals; always show solidarity
-share the load, split up the work
-know your strengths and weaknesses
-keep on the same page rules-wise
-Brainstorming: throw ideas out there no matter how stupid they are
-keep all problems out in the open
PLAYING FOR YOURSELF VS PLAYING FOR THE GAME
What do you think?

Episode 19, May 29 2006

2006-06-19T10:55:00.000-04:00

Our temporarily bi-weekly plan...
A podcast Biweekly and a vidcast on the off weeks.
To shote or to show note: shnever!
GTP is the official home of the Shnotes Resistance Movement.

SPECIAL EFFECTS
Old age makeup/acting
A few web sites to help you on your makeup journey:
wrinkle stipple
a How To

WORKSHOP
Film Noir
Using film noir in your game- elements you need
Crime
Ambiguous relationships- shifting sides
unhappy ending- "crime don't pay"
Convoluted complicated plots
The City as a character
Character archetypes- The vamp, the private eye, the brute, etc...

PHILOSOPHY OF GAMING
What is Larp?

Episode 18, May 23 2006

2006-05-23T23:38:00.000-04:00

Intro
explain gamerstandard time
skype
Giant monster! (links go here)

Special Effects
Burns, boils, and blisters
upstagereview.org/MakeupArticles/recipes.pdf
http://www.halloweenexpress.com/db21.html
CREATE A GRUESOME BOIL Get a band-aid about the size of the boil you want. Then, dip some tissue (toilet paper works best) into a mixture of PVA glue and water, and form it onto the band-aid. Make a groove by pushing a pencil about halfway into the tissue. Wait for it to dry and cut around the hardened glue and tissue. Peel the backing of the band-aid off and place it in the desired location. Use makeup to blend it onto your skin.
http://www.funfolly.com/h/mu/u0102.htm
http://www.matthawkins.co.uk/index.php?module=pagesetter&func=viewpub&tid=5&pid=30

Workshop
Jason Hosler had a nice article on the subject
http://www.rpg.net/news+reviews/columns/larping23feb05.html
Static, Web, Word of Mouth
Static:
Fliers
Not too wordy
some kind of image
Title, dates, locations, contact info

WEB:
FREE WEBSITES
yahoo!geocities
homestead
BLOGS
blogspot.com
livejournal
Wordpress
OTHERS
Myspace/friendster
Wikipedia (something we remembered after we recorded)
TRAILERS
youtube
podcasts for audiotrailers

WORD OF MOUTH:
Offer xp or discounts to players who bring in new people
play in other games in the city

Philosophy of Gaming
Suspension of Disbelief
can it be done
next week: what is larp?

listener feedback'ses
golly we need more voicemails!

Episode 17, May 15 2006

2006-05-16T04:07:00.001-04:00

Intro Notes
We are lazy! Check out our bad show notes from the last two shows. Now Caroline will return to doing them.
She'll also go back and make the old ones good. Cause right now they are bad.
JJ (Working Man) Lanza from Fistful(l?) of comics and games joins us!
Mothers day was yesterday, call your mom!
Dragon Con approval! We're doing a Call of Cthulhu LARP- Sensory Deprivation
Larpies! Good, bad, ugly? Check out our forums
Gamerspeak! Add your own interesting gamer terms on our forums.

SPECIAL EFFECTS
Gunshot wounds!

Blood gel recipes-
Fix Blood- Makes a thick blood that wont run off your actor
1 large tube of "close up" clear red toothpaste (or any other clear red brand)
1/2 oz red food coloring

Gelatin, Hot water, red and green/blue food coloring.
Gelatin comes right out of brushes with hot water

some wound ideas-
bread soaked in fake blood
raspberry tea bag
woochie prosthetics are the obvious
layering up liquid latex, too, can work

Squibs!
http://www.dvfreelancer.com/articles/squibs.html
Awesome site, great examples- http://www.exposure.co.uk/eejit/blood/index.html
JJ's tip - condoms arent great squibs...

WORKSHOP
Acting! Oh yes, we're so on this.

Stanislavski "The System"- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Method_of_Physical_Action
"The Method"- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Method_acting
Meisner Technique- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meisner_technique

Bertold Brecht and Threepenny Opera- http://www.culturevulture.net/Theater/Threepenny.htm

http://www.toplab.org/docs/WITTOTO.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanislavski

PHILOSOPHY OF GAMING
Is Larp Art?

Yes. No. Maybe.
Decide for yourself! Go to our forums, foooool!
Next week's topic:
Can you play characters that don't look like you, are radically different from you? How far can you suspend disbelief?

FEEDBACK
Oops-- Sorry Shannon! (who is neither robot nor female)
Christine and barriers!
Anim5 is THE MAN. Check out the following EXCLUSIVELY for GTP listeners;
Large Tomes- http://www.anim5.com/large_print/index.html
Portable Area Masking- http://www.anim5.com/masking/index.html
JJ helps us answer his own voicemails!
Tony Live Roleplaying System: http://members.tripod.com/gmord/rules.htm Interactivities Ink: http://www.interactivitiesink.com/mechanics/index.html LARP Developer's Resource: http://www.cattail.nu/larptoc.html

Ethan and Seth Lanza rock!

Send us more voicemails and odeos!

Episode 16

2006-05-16T04:07:00.000-04:00

Haunting
spooktacular and subtle-creepy
spooktacular:
lure into a calm and break it
don't touch--you'll get hit!
make a dummy and fill it with a human. Noone will expect it to move
The ol' "hand in the candy bowl" trick. Also applicable to corpses.
Subtle-creepy:
hidden people to make creepy effects
seances with baby monitors
ouija boards
spandex walls with people behind them...a la "the Frighteners"
age wallpaper before you put it up

ghost stories
1) Ghost Stories
-Loss Hunger Malice
Montague Rhodes James Essay, "Some Remarks on Ghost Stories"
-point 1: The Pretense of Truth
-point 2: "A Pleasing Terror"
-point 3: No Gratuitous Bloodshed or Sex
-point 4: No "Explanation of the Machinery"
-point 5: Setting: "Those of the Writer's (and Reader's) Own Day"

Episode 15

2006-05-16T04:04:00.000-04:00

INTRO

-
Special Effects: Elves
-Ears
-different subtypes
wild
-celts, scandan
-boneroom.com
-fake fur
-bodygraphics.ca
dark
-spiders
-german
-wilshirewigs.com
-badgersden.com
high
-angelic
-flowy gowns
-tendency towards white, sheer fabrics,
-alleycatscratch.com
wood
-camoflauge
-function over form

Workshop: Long Running Campaigns
-keep your goals in mind
-keep it fresh
-recruit
-taking breaks
-keeping balance, maybe have seperate quests

www.gtp.com
blog
email
forum
frappr
alley/pickle
odeo
voicemail
linkses:
http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/03/29/0519242&tid=209
http://www.boneroom.com/bone/miscbones.html
http://www.treasuretables.org/forum/index.php?topic=173.0
http://www.earthhenna.com/stencils.htm
http://www.bodygraphics.ca/htm/abstract.htm
http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/top/topr7510.htm
http://fanaticus.org/DBA/guides/blackenedarmor.html
http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/top/topr7510.htm

Episode 14, April 24, 2006

2006-04-15T17:33:00.000-04:00

INTRO- NEWS and NOTES
Contest! - Design a Layout for our website - Prize = $25 of rpg stuff
New Section: Philosophy- we want to stir up your braincells!
We're going to be guests on the Round Table (www.harpingmonkey.com)

PHOLOSOPHY OF GAMING
Gm-less games
What do you think? Visit our forums!

GAME REVIEW
Cthulhu Live Core and Cthulhu Live Players Guide
Ratings: 4.3 and 5, respectively.
Players guide is a MUST HAVE book for Larp. Fantastic ideas.
Thanks to Greg Agostini!

SPECIAL EFFECTS
Wings!
Pretty

Some good links page
Mechanical Wings How-to! See also his links at the bottom, great sites.
Purchase wings:
Gorgeous wings for you to buy- feather and bat and the constructs for your own design
Faerie Wings

Our own wings:
In construction:

Final:

FEEDBACK
Voicemails from:
Jonathan - Group weirdery
Sarah - Back into LARPing!
The Gothfather- soon to be deceased, new podcast! *squee*
Emails from Rick, Steven and Adam.

CLOSING
Thanks to Doug, Mick, JJ.
Winner of the grosest thing in a corpse: Gerbrith. Lots of great ideas though.
Cons:
Origins, Gen Con, Dragon Con

Join our gorram frappr!

Jeff and Caroline = married on May 19, 2007.

Episode 12: Alien Gods, Cadavers and Herding Cats

2006-04-13T10:26:00.001-04:00

Could Jeff be Ira Flatow?
http://www.npr.org/programs/scifri/
Jeff's doing a VO for Dark Conspiracy
http://www.darkconspiracytherpg.info/
Thanks to Marcus for the donation!
We screwed http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifup Mick's VO. Sorry Mick!
http:///www.harpingmonkey.com
doug (http://www.podcastpickle.com/casts/3196/)
is calling us to arms! Schools taking away kids recess? NOT ON OUR WATCH! check out www.pta.org for more info
David's promo we did VO's for (http://www.afterserenity.com) got played on the Signal! http://signal.serenityfirefly.com/
Thanks to Greg "AG-oh-STEE-NEE" for the propery and sorry about the name buchery
http://members.tripod.com/~terrorpants/welcome.htm

Game Review:
Godsend Agenda
http://www.godsendagenda.com/
fours all around!

how to get corpses without the horrible murder!
Where to get skeletons:
Places like Cosco, Big Lots, and other wholesale stores. Here you can get cheap blow mold "blucky" skeletons for eight bucks.
Online, the cheapest ones I could find were for $35
http://costumezone.com/item.asp?cID=210&scID=238&PID=2366
for better quality bones and skeletons, try
http://www.boneyardbargains.ca/
or you couls make your own:
http://www.vilethings.com/vilethings_skeleton_marionette.htm
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~tekvov/id3.html
Once you've got your frame, you can corpsify it!
this was the method talked about on the show
http://www.halloweenonlinemagazine.com/sfx/corpse1-1.html
here are a few more ideas out there...here's one
http://www.fulcrumsites.com/haunt/html/corpsification1.html
Autopsies!
Just focus on making a ribcage. Make an armature (i.e. wire frame) and wrap it in paper mache or plaster of paris. make the rest of the body out of stuffed clothes or styrofoam. Pour liqiud latex over a smooth surface like a mirror so it dries in a sheet. Layer them and glue them together with more latex. For organs, try borax and glue, which makes a hard lumpy mass. "Great Stuff" polyurethane spray foam (http://greatstuff.dow.com/index.htm) looks good, but is really hard. Other wierd things they could find are jello, Tapioca Pudding (suggested by Working Man), dinosaurs (a really bad suggestion by Caroline)

Crowd Control (aka Herding Cats)
What to look for:
-People out of character
-People bored/confused (this will happen a lot in Sim mass combat)
-Someone gets hurt (Live Combat games mostly). You need to come up with a safe word to get everyone to freeze, no questions asked.

What to do
-Project. Talk from your diaphram, talk to the person in the back of the room.
-Don't yell. Players sense fear and fristuration, and it will reflect in the whole game.
-If you're quiet, get someone to talk for you or get a megaphone
-work on public speaking, try not to stutter or 'umm'
-Think about keeping your groups smaller. Divide and conquer!

Mass combat
-Keep it moving. Be enthusiastic, clear and concise
-Try to keep the groups small
-Try to avoid it altogether

Feedback
NPC interactions
http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Business/Misc__Applications/Strategy_Map_Balanced_Scorecard.html

Also thanks to Anim5.
Check out "Stagecrafts" by Chriss Hogget St. Martins Press, 1975

Episode 11, April 4, 2006

2006-04-04T23:45:00.000-04:00

INTRO
Fist Full of Comics (and Games)!

GAME REVIEW
Fading Suns- Passion Play
Neato!
Great pics inside, cool new systems. We like the optional combat rules too. Possible for players to manipulate the systems... but overall very good ideas, great essays, truly a system after our own hearts.
Ratings: 4,4,4: 4!

SPECIAL EFFECTS
See also- Cthulhu Live
MONSTERS! ROFL
Tentacles:
this monster has cool tentacles and a lame body:

Body- Sheets can work in a pinch.
Chicken wire
Plaster of Paris and cloth strips
Paper Mache

WORKSHOP
aka the "Joe Asks A Question Section" (JAAQS)
Good Combat in LARPs
Good acting is key - play out your pain
Set and scenery
Stage fighting
working out challenges beforehand, then playact
Weapons and fighting styles to match the character
thow taunts. dont be afraig to break rounds in order to have dialogue!
Act! Act! Act!

LISTENER FEEDBACK
Oliver (from Germany) told us how to make latex weapons! Thank you Oliver!
You need a glassfiber core, foam, glue and latex.
First you create the outline of the weapon on foam (you need 3 copies)
The foam has to be "closed cell" because "open cell" is too soft and you
could hit with the core.
Then you cut out the outline of the core of one of the copies.
Now glue the foam shape with the hole on one of the uncut foam pieces.
wrap some ducttape around the ends of the core (This is to avoid the
core piercing the foam). the glue the core into the slit in the foam.
After that glue the last piece of foam on top of the blade.
I use a glue named "Pattex" - I don't know whether it is sold in the US.
After drying you can cut the foam to that a "sharp" blade is formed.
The edge of the blade sould be at least 2 to 3 mm thick or it will
easyly break.
Always keep in mind that the core should be covered with at least 1cm of
foam in all directions.
Let the glue dry totally - wait a couple of days. If you can smell the
glue and start to coat the weapon with latex, the latex will be destroyed.
Now you are ready to latex-coat your weapon. Latex comes in bottles and
looks similar to milk. But unlike milk latex smells awfully - a well
ventilated place is essential. And put old newspaper on the floor and
don't wear good clothes - the latex won't wash out.
Take a cheap brush (The brush won't survive this) and paint the weapon
with this latex. After drying apply another layer of latex. You need
about 7 layers of clear latex. The you can mix a small amount of paint
(you have to experiment which paint - some paints will destroy the latex
- the best paint is the one with nearly only pigments - also be VERY
careful with metal pigments) and add another 5 to 7 layers of latex.
After you weapon dries you will feel that the weapon is sticky. This
would create burns if you hit someone with the weapon. Now you have two
possibilities:
1. Take some talkum or baby powder (without perfume) and wipe it onto
the blade until it doesn't feel sticky anymore.
2. The is silicone spray that you can add as a last layer - I don't like
this spray because the weapons shine in a plastic-like fashion.

Special thanks to all the contributors to listener feedback. You all are the reason we love doing this podcast. <3 <3 <3

Check out our new Odeo thingie- button is on the main website
VOTE FOR US ON PODCAST ALLEY THIS MONTH! OMG ROFL!

Episode 10, March 27, 2006

2006-03-27T21:04:00.000-05:00

INTRO NOTES
ICON
DOHGGA- Department of Hot Gamer Girlfriend Aquisitions
Podcasts: Fell Calls, Domain of Apokolipz

GAME REVIEW
ICON review!
Cyberpunk, Star Wars LAPR, Serentiy RPG! Yay for gaming!

SPECIAL EFFECTS
Cyberpunk!

Wikipedia Definition

American Science and Surplus
El Wire! Electroluminescent Neon Lighting
Cryoflesh- the BEST cyber clothing store we've ever found
Sludgefactory Cybergoth Clothes
Colored Hairgel
Cyberdilation Ebay listings of Cyberpunk Clothes
Ranger Joes Fantastic military gear

WORKSHOP
Politics
The Prince, by Machiavelli- Full Text, Sparknotes
Midnight Siege
Gilded Cage
See also- Oz
(Ryan O'Riley owns you)

Tips- play dumb, be ingratiating, use lackeys, turn others against each other, etc.

LISTENER FEEDBACK
O god... so much listener feedback.
SO MUCH IT IS PAINFUL
Is Marv ready to break into podcasting???
Sasha's Viking Update
Tips for Trevy
Help for Ryan for Resident Evil Larp- see Cthulhu Live
Vidcast? wooo...

OUTRO
Join forums, Join Frappr, Email us, Voicemail/Skype (646-461-6167/gamerthepodcasting) , Donate Money.

Episode 9, March 20 2006

2006-03-21T00:46:00.000-05:00

INTRO
The Harping Monkey/Misfit Brew/The Round Table - Awesome guys, great podcasts
The Dragons Landing Podcast - You earwormed us, we earwormed you! Fair's fair! ;) Singing the shanty was great on St. Patty's though.
Project CHUPA! Yay playtesting! and making a Setting: Stillwater! (see forums)
Thank you to Joe for the donation!

Con Updates:
Gencon- podcast panel on Fri morning (thx Mick)
Dragon Con- We're also (hopefully) doing a gaming podcast panel here. Thanks to Jim from the Vingate Gamer
Icon- Nekkid Twi'lek women... this is no coincidence.

GAME REVIEW
Zombies!!!- the Boardgame/Tilegame?
by twilight creations.
Pros: Fun game, good mechanics, cool themes
Cons: Long. Like, really long.
There are alternate rules to make games shorter though. It's a very screw-your-friends sort of game.

Ratings: 3, 3, 4 (3.333 etc)

SPECIAL EFFECTS
Part one of our Creature Feature.

Zombies! (that's right... MORE zombies! You love it)
Great website for tips and tricks! Definitely check it out.

Clothing
Tea Staining, Coffee Staining
Drag clothes from a motorized vehicle- it'll tear 'em up good.
Wrinkle up clothing- low temp in dryer with poker/bingo chips.
Tarnish clothing- cup of salt in the washer.
Bury clothes in ground for a while.

Makeup
Colors (ben nye)
White, Grey, Green, Yellow, Black, Blue, Red
good for skin coloring. bruises cover latex lines nicely.
Liquid latex= very easy! Slap it on, peel bits off.
Woochie prosthetics
Mouth stuff: Ben Nye Tooth Colors
Blackened mouth: trick gum, food coloring mixed
Krylon Eye Blood

WORKSHOP!
Thanks to Joe for the voicemail! And the idea, woot!
True Dungeon
Yes you can have dungeon crawls! Yes you can work together!

Dungeon crawling ideas:
Make tunnels- garbage bags, black plastic sheeting, cardboard boxes. Layer the floor with FILTH!
See how we did:

Trapses!
Enemies in the cave
String traps - crawl through, work to help each other
Spray bottle traps! Area affect.
Spinning Blades- Blindfolded NPC's lifting and dropping blades. Objectivity is good.
Flour in cheesecloth, thrown at them. Make a nice little mark.

Puzzles!
Physical puzzles, mental puzzles.
Goblet of poison, every party member takes 1 sip.
Planks over Lava/Acid. Two banks with a single rock in between.
Senses loss- take one for the team
Riddles are great.
Give everyone a little chance to use their specialty.

LISTENER FEEDBACK
Signpost Marv_Martin loves us more than you!
David Moore <3
Megan, don't stay in school! Joiiin ussss...
Neeeeevins!!! (Cas says stay away from his perfumes!)
OMFG- Doug... what have we DONE?!

Viking Task #1:
Sasha counts to 10 in Faroese

Email from Adam about combat tactics!

Make More Feedback!

CLOSING NOTES
Icon, Origins, GenCon, Dragon Con.
Forums (link over there---->)
Frappr Map!
Donate- paypal is good
Email us: gamerthepodcasting@gmail.com
Merch in the werks. mebe.
Jeff makes art: www.somniturne.com
MOICEMAIL: 646-461-6167! WORSHIP OUR JINGLE, FOOLS!

Episode 8, March 14

2006-03-16T10:27:00.000-05:00

INTRO NOTES
Geek Acres! (Doug Rocks)
Bears Grove! (Sam Rules)

Giant Killer Mantis is hilarious <3

GEN CON!- We're gonna be on the Podcast Panel! (Thank you Paul! www.yog-sothoth.com)
After Serenity - we did some lines for the bumper

Icon! - Yay StarWars Larp!

GAME REVIEW
Werewolf: the Apo--- er, Forsaken
Pros: Amazing Art, better rules, great setting
Cons: The 5 and 5, Have to have core mortal book and WtF book. $55 total... eek.

Ratings: 5, 5, 4 : 4.6666 (4.7)

SPECIAL EFFECTS
Making boffer weapons!
You will need:
1/2 inch pvc pipe for weapons up to 3 ft in length
for weapons over 3 feet, use 3/4 inch PVC
Foam: 5/8 inch pipe foam, sized for 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch copper pipe.
--it will be a tight fit, so dont worry
some open cell foam, 2inches in thickness
a nickel
plenty of duct tape.
a large bolt to counterbalance long weapons

*Decide how long you want your weapon to be overall. Then subtract 6 inches for padding room. Measure out that length of pvc.
-- allow around 4 inches for pommel, 4-5 inches for grip (depending on size of your hand)
*Measure out four inches for the pommel.
*Measure out your blade (total length of weapon (pvc length + 6 in) - 2in (this will be padding later)
*Tape the seam of the pipe foam. if you dont do this now it will come apart when you stick your pvc in and never be able to be fixed.
*Tape nickel to end of PVC pipe, slide pipe into pipefoam, working it on slowly, and leaving 1 inch of space at the "point" end. It will take some effort (that is good, you don't want it to be loose)
* If your sword is longer than 3 feet, you will want to add a bolt in the pommel-side of your pvc, tape it down well. (Some like to counterbalance shorter swords too)
*Slide on the pommel, leaving 1 inch of space at the "butt" end.
*Cut your open cell foam into cylindrical shapes, 2 inches in thickness, to place on the ends of your sword, both point and butt.
*Add duct tape, starting at grip and moving along the sword lengthwise, up over the extra foam tip, and back down the other side. Do this until entire length is covered in tape.
*Repeat Process for pommel
* Tape grip as desired. Some like to use electrical tape, black duct tape, even leather cord.
*Add a hilt, Sections of pipe foam work well for this.

If you wish to create an axe or mace, you can add sculpted open cell foam to the end of your weapon. These weapons will most likely need a counterbalance.

If you wish to make a staff, you should follow the same basic instructions, but essentially have two "blade" sections on each end. (3/4inch pvc necessary, no counterbalance)

Making a bow is like making a shortened and curved staff. Curving weapons can be a challenge, see below.

Curved swords:
Make sure your area is well ventilated. I've done this over an electric stove and a woodstove, both worked well, but any source of extreme heat should suit you.

Take your measured length of pvc and hold it over your heat source, turning constantly to distribute heat evenly along the section you are attempting to bend. After 30 sec-1 minute, the pvc should become soft and plaible, at this point, remove it from the heat and bend it into the desired shape. Run under cool water to solidify shape. Repeat on different sections until you have the look you want. (Great for Elven Blades)

Ideas for interesting shapes on swords: cut out eggcrate foam, and tape to sides of sword for a wavy blade look. (Great for Dwarven blades)

Coloration of swords, suggestions:
grey/silver = normal steel blade
brown = wooden weapon
black = perm. enchanted weapon (+1)
red = fire enchantment
blue = ice enchantment
white= holy enchantment

Cool boffer variations:
Use fiberglass instead of pvc
Latex weapons (are so cool)

Some places that sell boffer weapons and supplies online:
Larp Store
Knighthawk Armory
UK Latex Weapons

LISTENER FEEDBACK!
Moicemails! Woot!
Give us more voicemail!!! 646-461-6167
Feedback on the forums from Lig.

The contest is still on! Not that it's really a contest at all... but make us bumpers!

Episode 7, March 7 2006

2006-03-08T01:21:00.000-05:00

Jonsing for a fix? Here it is... just remember, the first one's free ;)

Caroline finally let the boys out of the brig after the Girls took over the podcast in our special "Gamer Gab: the Broad-casting" segment. Ah well, I guess things can't be perfect all the time... silly boys.
We hit 100 on our Frappr! Woot! That is so snakesonaplane.
The world's greatest flamewar.
We've inspired some LAPRs to start! Go listeners, that is awesome.
Check out the pictures that Becky sent us from the Resurgence Vampire Larp!
Storn's website
Check out these podcasts! <3
Sons of Kryos
Geek Acres

GAME REVIEW
Nature of the Beast - Expandable Card Game by Eye Level Entertainment
-this means no rares, no boosters
Currently there are 4 decks- Suburb & City, Farm & Forest (they come in packs of 2)
Mr. Whiskers is the shiznit.
This game is a lot of fun, great strategy, balanced decks, cool gameplay. You win by filling your field, not killing your opponent. Could be great to play with kids too.
Rating: 4.3 (4, 4, 5)

SPECIAL EFFECTS
Costuming on a budget and tips for using costumes well.
Medieval costums:
Make your own chainmail- How To
Another How To
More!
Leatherworks!
You need leather (ebay,local retailers, online retailers: get scrap!) eyelets and an eyelet gun (or a hammer if you're economical) a rivet gun, and rivets, leather cord or shoelaces. It can be an investment that pays off bigtime in the long run. You don't NEED the rivet gun and rivets necesarily at first.
Cheap Tunic: A sheet cut to size plus a belt.

Classical costumes:
Patterns:
http://www.tudorlinks.com/treasury/freepatterns
http://www.vpll.org/

Alternatives: buy and return the day after (WE DO NOT CONDONE)

Remember: things on the face are VERY memorable, things elsewhere... notsomuch.

Other costume resources:
http://www.sofisstitches.com/
http://www.chainmailstore.com/scamerchantsrow/list.php?merchant_category1=shoes&list_index=0
http://www.renstore.com
http://www.ibelieveinfaeries.com

WORKSHOP
Social Politics- Dealing with stuff
-it will kill your planning
-honeymoon - that period of more or less 4 months of socail bliss. Don't be fooled, drama will find you!
-cliques -for the most part these are accidental-
the social adepts- often group together and take over plot
friends with GM- sometimes get special stuff
wallflowers - tend to hang in bg, but often group together
Most times cliques were friends before they came to game

Relationships
Not a bad thing! Just be aware of them.
Breakups: one person may leave if messy.
If not messy: could become messy if they attack each other IC
Solutions: talk to people, tell them to try not to let it interfere with the game

Player vs. Player
- Usually the characters start attacking each other... dont coddle, but make srue it's char driven. If not, it's time for a sitdown.
- If you dont have a metaplot, people will attack. Even if it starts out IG, it often escalates to OOG
As a GM: IT IS YOUR JOB TO MEDIATE CONFLICT. If you are uncomfortable with it, you need to designate someone to do it.

Dont play favorites!
- PC's: if you see player favoritism, please express it to your GM in a gentle and nice way, they may not realize they are doing it. Better to tell them than to go behind their back.
- PC's: try to break down the walls of your clique. RP with someone you wouldnt ususally.

Gossip: Try to put a cap on it. Stick up for people, or refuse to gossip.

Metagaming lies at the core of a lot of these things.

Public Relations
- LARPWAR! Feuds between games: Don't do it. Trust us, it's not fun.
Don't step on toes, try to pick dates that don't conflict with already-running games.

LISTEMER FEEDBACK
Saturday was GM appreciation day! We missed out so we are extending it to GM appreciation week... we will be accepting presents.
Voicemail from Joel (Joe?)! About convention games vs non-convention games. Thanks!
646-461-6167
Emails from Bragoon, Rick, forum chat.
Your Taxpayer Dollars Hard At Work
No one answered the trivia! It was Ravnos.
New contesty thing: make us a funny bumper!

Closing notes
We need an idea for what to run at Gen Con! Help!
Dragon Con
Icon
Join us: Frappr, Forums, Email us, Voicemail us, Skype us!

Episode 6, Feb 27, 2006

2006-02-28T01:35:00.000-05:00

We have converts! Emerson joined his first LARP, woot!
Soon we will have you allllll...

GAME REVIEW
Iron Kingdoms
Campaign setting for Dungeons and Dragons
Greg's Review (Thanks Greg!) :
Iron Kingdoms falls in the genre of "Fantasy Steampunk." They don't like to call themselves that, preferring to say "Full Metal Fantasy" but they can't hide behind cool sounding words. It originally came out in 2001 and has recently been redone for D&D 3.5 rules, hence a re-release of the core books. It mixes elements of traditional D&D fantasy and a vague, victorian steam-tech atmosphere. The key feature that comes out of this mixture is Mekanika, or the mix of steam-tech and magic. The game is also powered up significantly from D&D 3.5. For example, magical item creation costs 50% more in material and xp, the least powerful dragon is CR 44, magic itself is looked down upon and religion is much more influential and strict. The game also brings in fantastic robots called Steamjacks used for industry and war. The creators included in the game a strong and detailed history, current political machinations for almost all of the countries and factions as well as a stack of pottential plot hooks which they pepper thoughout the books in convieniant call-outs. Summed up: A gritty, dirty, darker more metallic feeling D&D setting that is both challenging and fun to play. Wouldn't recommend for beginners but Intermediate to Advanced role-players will have more than enough to salivate over.

The game takes place in the land of Western Immoren. Here the 5 races try to live together in a, frighteningly powerful world. They are the humans, who are then seperated into subgroups depending on where they are from, Dwarves, Elves, Winter Elves or Nyss, Trolkin, Ogrun and Gobbers. The Human Kingdoms make up what is known as the Iron Kingdoms. The classes also differ slightly from D&D. Bards and rangers are focused more militarily focused, druids and barbarians are dedicated to the forces of Chaos and the Wyrm God and other classes also get make-overs to help them suit the setting. The weapons of the game also represent the techno aspect. Guns, cannons, steam tanks, and artilary are much more prevelant in this game. The armor also provides advatages of the steam-tech the world has to offer, ranging from gunslinger friendly Greatcoats to full out Warcaster Steam Armor.

Matt Staroscik, Matt Wilson (These two did the Legend of the Five Rings card game) and Brian Snoddy were to original founders of Priviteer Press who make the game, as well as the miniture games "Warmachine" and "Hordes." They put out a bi-monthly magizine called No Quarter that covers errata and other things from all 3 games. Website is www.privateerpress.com.

SPECIAL EFFECTS
Paper Props
Maps!
Use lemon or lime juice to write secret msgs, age your paper, etc.
(insert example pictures here- Before, After)
Map-A-Week
Google Earth
Topozone
Legal Reports/Documents
Black Vault
Crime Scene photos, here are some of ours:

Police report we made: click to download
Autopsy report we made: click to download
Badges- make them look fake
Cthulhu Lives paper props cd- for 1920's-30's by the HP Lovecraft Society
1001 Free Fonts
Trixie Pix Graphics- Fake newspapers, customizable!

WORKSHOP
A return to Genres with our Sci Fi discussion
We drew a lot from discussion with our friends, and Wikipedia!
Go with what you know!

LISTENER FEEDBACK
Gerbrith and Tiger's voicemail! (dont mess with tax collectors)
Fems in roleplaying and gaming! Beware... we may take over the podcast for a day...
Abberant- consider it on the list.
We love suggestions for topics, keep it up!

NOTES
Campaign setting for CHUPA! Help us! Join the forums
We love email, voicemail, frappr shoutouts, forums posters, donators!
Merch in the works "how to do it" thongs, "we do not condone anything- gtp" shirts and more.

Trivia Question
"Which clan does Justin Achille, developer of Vampire the Masquerade Revised, etc, hate the most?"

You must call in to or skype our voicemail to sumbit the answer. A lot of listener xp is on the line here... (646-461-6167 or gamerthepodcasting)

Come to Icon!
We're running a Cthulhu Live game at Dragon Con!
give this man money for this song, it is totally airwolf

Episode 5, Feb 20th 2006

2006-02-20T19:52:00.000-05:00

INTRO NOTES
Pandora Cycle
Come to Neutral Ground- 122 W. 26th Street, 4th floor.
Interviews- Going to be a separate section on the same feed.
Frappr!
Harping Monkey - thanks Mick!
After Serenity - thanks for the sneak preview David!
Icon- March 24-26 - Stonybrook U., Long Island
Origins- June 29-July 2 - Columbus, OH
Gen Con- August 10-13 - Indy, IN
Dragon Con- Sept 1-4 - Atlanta, GA

GAME REVIEW
Hecatomb
*** out of *****
Pros: Great artwork, cool stacking monsters
Cons: Similar to many existing card games. Some cards are obvious 'throwaways'

SPECIAL EFFECTS
Lighting!
Clamp lights, lighting gels, candle light (careful!), flashlights, glowsticks, blacklights, strobe lights.
Ebay is your friend.

WORKSHOP
Making a character realistic, cool, and staying in character.
The 100+ questions! (see forums here.
Facial expressions, nervous ticks, speech patterns, character voices.
Costuming, makeup, props (even in your tabletop)
An OOC area in your LARP
Learn to read your group- take a break if they need one.
Change something- lights can work here.
In a LARP, don't say what your character is doing, DO it!
Problem players- they break ppl out of character- ST's talk to them outside of game to dissuade them from breaking, PC's stay in character regardless of them.

FEEDBACK
We got voicemail! Emails, a War Story
Finding a group, starting playing! www.rpg.net

Project Chupa Setting- join the forums and help us design a book for the Project CHUPA system being developed now.
LARPA- thanks HPLovecraft!

Keep emailing and voicemailing us!
646-461-6167
Skype: gamerthepodcasting
gamerthepodcasting@gmail.com

Episode 4, Feb 14th

2006-02-15T12:43:00.000-05:00

Intro Notes
Frappr map exploded! Thanks guys! Keep spreading the word!
I-Con!

GAME REVIEW
Serentiy rpg!
Pros: Great flavor text, exellent details, quick character creation, very in-the-mood of the show/movie.
Cons: High learning curve for combat systems, somewhat restricted versatility
Rating: ****.3 out of *****

SPECIAL EFFECTS
Fog!
Got Fog Dot Com- got fog?
Dry Ice Info- Info, suppliers in your area, great site!

THE WORKSHOP- Horror Genre

Senses
Restricting senses, adding powerful senses

Sound:
Galbadia Hotel - videogame soundtracks
Lustmord

FEEDBACK
Old World of Darkness MET system (RPS) vs New WOD Live Action system (1-10)
Breaking character problems with both?
One more than another?

Some lame webcomic is sponsoring us or somthing...

2006-02-09T00:16:00.000-05:00

actually it's not lame...it's really good and has a huge following. My old roomate Josh has been doing webcomics for years and his most recent creation Punks and Nerds has a big ol' GAMERTHEPODCASTING button in a place of honor right next to the title of the strip, as well as a write-up asking his readers to give us a shot. One of the two main characters is based on me so that should give allayouse another reason to check it out.

www.punksandnerds.com

he's also working on getting randy from www.somethingpositive.net to sponsor us. That would be awesome, needless to say

-jeff

Episode 3, February 6

2006-02-07T00:11:00.000-05:00

All Games Considered
Dragon's Landing
Dragon Page - GET OUR FRAPPR MAP AS BIG AS THEIRS!

New logo- we're makin' stickers!
Eventaully Jeff will make pretty graphicieness for the website.

GAME REVIEW
Matt Blank- special guest! Helps us review Living Arcanis, for which does Con Support and Head Rules Guy (andor Sucker).
Check out Arcanis! We forgot to give stars for this one. Deal. ;)

SPECIAL EFFECTS
Ichor!
Materials- Borax, Elmers Glue, Water, Corn Starch, PVA
Borax- 20 Mule Team
Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)
Food Coloring

Method 1- Borax and water
FAILURE

Method 2- Borax and Elmers Glue
Strange hard mushy thingie, good for organs maybe
(pictures of our disappointment)

Mehtod 3- Borax and PVA
makes a nice goop

Method 4- Corn Starch and Water
NICE "oobleck" solid/liquid strange mass
(pictures of our pleasing ichor)

Method 5- Horrible Chicken Jello
Save us!

Alternatives: anything goopy and food coloring = ichor

HOW TO DO IT
Part one of our Genres section
Fairy Tales

See J.R.R. Tolkein's Essay "Tree and Leaf" - lots of clever bits and some very strong opinions.

The Blue Fairy Book- edited by Andrew Lang
ISBN 0-486-21437-0

Lots of plot hooks!

FEEDBACK
Tips for new GM's- see our fourms
New WOD vs old WOD?
Media we rip off- another forum discussion
Zombies! (are awesome, boo on those that say otherwise!)

WAR STORIES! Tell your best Larping and Tabletopping and other RPGing moments!
On the forums or on our voicemail!

Call us! 646-461-6167!
Skype us: gamerthepodcasting

Spread the word!

Editing

2006-01-31T16:23:00.000-05:00

Hey all,
Episode 2 needed some editing, so do us a favor and if you already updated it in itunes, delete, unsubscribe, then resubscribe.

We accidentally left in some lunacy that was not meant to be heard, and left out some that was! So, before you listen to it, delete, unsub, and resub.

Thanks!

Episode 2, January 30

2006-01-31T02:05:00.000-05:00

Thanks for the feedback to those who gave it! We love your feedback, so gimme!
We are now on GOBLIN the Gaming Broadcast Network. On the show Caroline accidentally said gbn.com, but the site is gbncom.com. Thanks to Paul (of Cthulhu) for getting us on there!
Looots of work was done on the website (not the graphic design element, since that's Jeff's dept) but check it out, and email us if you want to be on our "friends page" or have a link to your own game, etc.
Let us know if the levels are better this week.

rpgforumsonline.com needs a Professional Podcast, but unfortunately we're all full time students and so won't have the time to do it justice, so if you are a podcaster and can do it, email us (gamerthepodcasting@gmail.com)

GAME REVIEW
All Flesh Must Be Eaten
Overall Rating: **** out of *****
Uses Unisystem (Eden Studios, Inc.)
Three Char classes: Norm (normal people), Survivor (beefed up), Inspired (supernatural)
Very cool game!

SPECAIL EFFECTS
Mythos Tome!
Propping Up the Mythos- a website where they detail some ideas for making a mythos tome

Occult Images- great book for transfer images, includes cd rom of all images.

Pictures of our own Tome: (thanks olga)

The Cover

Inside

HOW TO DO IT
Plot: Beginning Middle End (remember to end your story arch!)
Go Over Char Creation in Depth
be prepared for newbies, possibly make templates
At the game:
Make Announcements! Safety issues, getting into character
Music
Lighting
Scents
Sets
Props
NPC's
Costumes
Dont forget to assess comfortability levels
And lastly: TASTE!

Sasha and Caroline eating GIANT turkey legs!

Send us voicemail on skype: gamerthepodcasting
646-461-6167

G:tP website

2006-01-29T15:39:00.000-05:00

You can now find us on the web at www.gamerthepodcasting.com

listeners not using itunes can find our alternate feed at:

www.somniturne.com/gtp/feed_ni.xml

Next episode will be released monday night.

Episode 1, Jan 23rd

2006-01-23T23:20:00.000-05:00

Show Notes!

This week we cover making a basic makeup kit in our special effects section, a review of Arkham Horror in the game reviews section, and how to start your own larp- conceptualizing in our "How to Do It" section!

We look forward to your feedback!

Makeup and special effects makeup

Recommended Brand for skin: Ben Nye
Stage and Theater Makeup- Ben Nye
Stage Makeup Online- Ben Nye

For Hair: Mehron. Manic Panic is low quality and overpriced.
Stage and Theater Makeup- Mehron

The Basics:
A few colors of each type of makeup for coloring the face-
Foundations/Face Paint- Light, Medium foundation, White, Black facepaint
Shadow- Black, Brown, Red, Blue
Liner- Black, Brown

Extras:
Fake Blood
Liquid Latex
Wrinkle Stipple
Spirit Gum and Remover

To make fake blood-
Caro syrup, plus 10:1 ratio of red dye and blue dye. Add water as necessary to get right consistency. A splash of whole milk for opacity.

Using Liquid Latex-
paint on to make seams disappear
pour into baking pan to make skin sheets
combine with cotton and tissue to make burn scarring
Example of scarring effect:

tattooing:
Several choices:
draw on (special pens- Staples),
ready made and custom temp tattoos.
TattooSales.com
BodyGraphics.ca
Paint on: 2 varieties-- expensive and very real looking, and simple, less expensive paints. Find at costume shops.

Prosthetics:
Woochie
Lyonshel - amazing prosthetic masks
Elf Ears
More Elf Ears

We recommend cutting the ears so they are just tips that you can stick on with spirit gum and blend with liquid latex. If spirit gum isn't working, use moleskin or double sided tape.

Game Review
Arkham Horror
Pros: Working together, mixing rp and board game, Cthulhu Mythos!
Cons: Takes a long time, not enough location encounters, complicated rules
Overall rating: **** out of *****

How To Do It
Starting a LARP- Concept

Sporting Event Insurance- Including a "Medieval Games" tab under Events.
Society for Creative Anacronism
NERO Larp
Mind's Eye Theater Core Rulebook (current)
DriveThru RPG
IPowerWeb- website hosting
Viziweb- website hosting
phpBB- Open source forums/bulletin boards/message boards

Special thanks to the Dragon's Landing Podcast for featuring us and playing out promo! www.dragonslanding.com

How do Do It

2006-01-18T15:53:00.000-05:00

We've sumbitted to Itunes, so it's only a matter of time now.
In the meantime, you can get the cast by going to the advanced menu in you itunes and entering
http://www.somniturne.com/gtp/feed.xml

Otherwise, you can listen to our MP3 version in a download:
http://www.somniturne.com/gtp/GTP-E000.mp3

Check out our temporary website here.
Forums can be found here.

Gamer: The Podcasting, Episode 0

2006-01-17T22:30:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Gamer the Podcasting... the blog. We are a group of gamers, Caroline, Jeff, and Sasha, based out of New York City. Our podcast discusses rpg's in all their various forms, highlighting live action roleplaying (LARP).
Episode zero is an introduction to the podcast. We talk about content, and get into those nitpicky definitions: what IS roleplaying? What IS a larp? What IS a wuss?

Please feel free to email us at gamerthepodcasting@gmail.com, and make comments on here.

We will have message boards up soon!

Some links to things we talked about on the cast:
White Wolf
Pandora Cycle (our own Mage: the Ascension LARP)
All Flesh Must Be Eaten
Privateer Press (makers of Iron Kingdoms)
Arkham Horror
Zombies!