Making a Monster
Game designers show you their favorite monster, how it works, why it works, and what it means. Each bite-sized episode features a game designer and the monster of their choice.
Extinction: Ivory-Billed Woodpecker, D&D's celestial Questing Bird
December 15, 2021 • 36 MIN
Declared extinct less than three months ago, the ivory-billed woodpecker is the holy grail of birders all over the U.S. Get three extinct animals raised to life as monsters in D&D: https://store.magehandpress.com/products/book-of-extinction-preview Get the Questing Bird stat block by joining the Mage Hand Press Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mfov Episode transcript: https://scintilla.studio/monster-extinction-ivory-billed-woodpecker/ Guides: Kieran Suckling, Executive Director and Founder of the Center for Biological Diversity https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/ Ben Gilsdorf, amateur ornithologist https://www.audubon.org/conservation/science/christmas-bird-count
Extinction: Thylacine, Ghost Tiger of the Feywild
December 10, 2021 • 29 MIN
The thylacine of Tasmania becomes the ghost tiger of the Feywild. Get three extinct animals raised to life as monsters in D&D: https://store.magehandpress.com/products/book-of-extinction-preview Episode transcript: https://scintilla.studio/monster-extinction-thylacine/ Guides: Steve Sullivan, Director of the Hefner Museum of Natural History at Miami University http://miamioh.edu/cas/academics/centers/hefner-museum/ Kieran Suckling, Executive Director and Founder of the Center for Biological Diversity https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/ Andrew Coons, First Watch: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu5p4VD1CxwndFhal7DF0mA House Sivis Echoer Station: https://www.sivisechoerstation.com/echoes/cyre-once-again Like this stat block? Did I miss something? Let me know on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SparkOtter
Extinction: Great Auk, the Ocean Master
November 22, 2021 • 18 MIN
The great auk is the original penguin, and quite possibly the unluckiest bird in history. Get three extinct animals raised to life as monsters in D&D: https://store.magehandpress.com/products/book-of-extinction-preview Episode transcript: https://scintilla.studio/monster-extinction-great-auk/ Guides: Kieran Suckling, Executive Director and Founder of the Center for Biological Diversity Tierra Curry, Senior Scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity Stan Rachootin, Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences at Mount Holyoke University Appearing courtesy the Beneski Museum of Natural History, Amherst College Like this stat block? Did I miss something? Let me know on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SparkOtter
Extinction: Passenger Pigeon, the Feathered Tide
November 18, 2021 • 28 MIN
Passenger pigeons were once the most numerous bird on the planet, a swarm of Tiny beasts covering the sky. Get three extinct animals raised to life as monsters in D&D: https://store.magehandpress.com/products/book-of-extinction-preview Episode transcript: https://scintilla.studio/monster-extinction-passenger-pigeon/ Guides: Steve Sullivan, Director of the Hefner Museum of Natural History, Miami University Stan Rachootin, Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences at Mount Holyoke University Appearing courtesy the Beneski Museum of Natural History, Amherst College Like this stat block? Did I miss something? Let me know on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SparkOtter
Making a Monster: Extinction
November 8, 2021 • 15 MIN
The biodiversity of our natural world creates the biodiversity of our storytelling. Get three extinct animals raised to life as monsters in Dungeons & Dragons: https://store.magehandpress.com/products/book-of-extinction-preview Episode transcript: https://scintilla.studio/monster-extinction-animals-in-dnd/ Guests: Steve Sullivan, Director Hefner Museum of Natural History, Miami University Additional voices: Matt Davids, https://www.dicegeeks.com/monster-first-tabletop-rpgs/ Joe Gaylord, https://twitter.com/LabLazarus Nat Biggs, https://scintilla.studio/monster-displacer-beast/ Join the conversation: www.twitter.com/SparkOtter
Planegea, the Stone Age setting for D&D
October 25, 2021 • 35 MIN
Planegea is the prehistoric, stone-punk setting for D&D 5th Edition. Designer Dave Somerville talks about the Kelledros, body-snatching jungle aliens with so much to add to any D&D story. Read the transcript and get more from the show: https://scintilla.studio/monster-planegea-atlas-games/ Meet my guests: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/atlasgames/planegea https://www.twitter.com/Planegea https://twitter.com/AtlasGames Get bonus episodes and other monstrous perks: www.patreon.com/scintillastudio https://ko-fi.com/sparkotter https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Lucas%20Zellers Join the conversation: www.twitter.com/SparkOtter www.instagram.com/SparkOtter Music by Audionautix www.audionautix.com
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons with Amy Vorpahl
October 18, 2021 • 33 MIN
What's his deal, anyway? Amy Vorpahl is the voice of Fizban, multiverse-spanning god of dragons, in Fizban's Treasury of Dragons. We discuss this character's view of the world, how to write for D&D, and whether Fizban is fun to hang out with. Spoiler alert: he is. Read the transcript and get more from the show: https://scintilla.studio/monster-fizbans-treasury-of-dragons-with-amy-vorpahl Meet my guests: https://www.twitter.com/VorpahlSword https://www.amyvorpahl.com/ Get bonus episodes and other monstrous perks: www.patreon.com/scintillastudio https://ko-fi.com/sparkotter https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Lucas%20Zellers Join the conversation: www.twitter.com/SparkOtter Music by Audionautix:www.audionautix.com
Bonus: Skitterwidgets, from Amy Vorpahl's Candlekeep Mystery
October 15, 2021 • 10 MIN
Amy Vorpahl couldn't resist adding a cute little Pokémon to her Candlekeep Mystery. Here's more about the skitterwidgets, what Pat Rothfuss could gain from a little more magic, and how to stay motivated while writing. Read the transcript and get more from the show: https://scintilla.studio/monster-amy-vorpahl-candlekeep-mystery Meet my guests: https://www.twitter.com/VorpahlSword https://www.amyvorpahl.com/ Get bonus episodes and other monstrous perks: www.patreon.com/scintillastudio https://ko-fi.com/sparkotter https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Lucas%20Zellers Join the conversation: www.twitter.com/SparkOtter Music by Audionautix:www.audionautix.com
GM Edition: Fun City, Mike Rugnetta & Taylor Moore
October 11, 2021 • 72 MIN
Fun City is the best Shadowrun actual play podcast on the Internet, and its two Gms, Mike Rugnetta and Taylor Moore, crafted a beautiful, dimension-spanning arc with the most thought-provoking villain this show has featured yet. Making a Monster: GM Edition asks actual play podcasters how they use the monsters in their games. Read the transcript and get more from the show: https://scintilla.studio/monster-fun-city-mike-rugnetta-taylor-moore Meet my guests: https://funcity.ventures https://www.twitter.com/MikeRugnetta https://twitter.com/taylordotbiz https://www.YouTube.com/MikeRugnetta Get bonus episodes and other monstrous perks: www.patreon.com/scintillastudio https://ko-fi.com/sparkotter https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Lucas%20Zellers Join the conversation: www.twitter.com/SparkOtter www.instagram.com/SparkOtter Music by Nihilore and Audionautix http://www.nihilore.com/license www.audionautix.com
GM Edition: Chosen Ones D&D
October 4, 2021 • 43 MIN
Chosen Ones is a visual-novel style D&D podcast on YouTube with an all-artist and LGBT+ cast. DM Cassiroll and I discuss playing too much D&D, too little combat, and the window between heroism and villainy. Making a Monster: GM Edition asks actual play podcasters how they use the monsters in their games. Read the transcript and get more from the show: https://scintilla.studio/monster-chosen-ones-dnd/ Meet my guest: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqa9_zBgST-wPRCVL7PXwvw https://twitter.com/ChosenOnesDnD Get early access to episodes and other monstrous perks like the recording at the beginning of this episode: www.patreon.com/scintillastudio https://ko-fi.com/sparkotter https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Lucas%20Zellers Join the conversation: www.twitter.com/SparkOtter www.instagram.com/SparkOtter Music by Nihilore and Audionautix http://www.nihilore.com/license www.audionautix.com
GM Edition: The First Watch
September 27, 2021 • 33 MIN
The First Watch is a cinematic actual play podcast making the most of genre-based storytelling. DM Andrew Coons and I discuss the seven types of conflict in literature and how heroes make the courageous, if stupid, choice. Making a Monster: GM Edition asks actual play podcasters how they use the monsters in their games. Read the transcript and get more from the show: https://scintilla.studio/monster-first-watch/ Meet my guest: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu5p4VD1CxwndFhal7DF0mA https://twitter.com/firstwatchshow Get early access to episodes and other monstrous perks like the recording at the beginning of this episode: www.patreon.com/scintillastudio https://ko-fi.com/sparkotter https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Lucas%20Zellers Join the conversation: www.twitter.com/SparkOtter www.instagram.com/SparkOtter Music by Nihilore http://www.nihilore.com/license
GM Edition: The Last Tapestry
September 20, 2021 • 38 MIN
The Last Tapestry is a tech-noir, Eberron-inspired actual play D&D podcast. DM Dan Locke and I discuss "monster monsters" and the definition of villainy. Making a Monster: GM Edition asks actual play podcasters how they use the monsters in their games. Read the transcript and get more from the show: https://scintilla.studio/monster-the-last-tapestry/ Meet my guest: https://www.thelasttapestry.com/ Get early access to episodes and other monstrous perks like the recording at the beginning of this episode: www.patreon.com/scintillastudio https://ko-fi.com/sparkotter https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Lucas%20Zellers Join the conversation: www.twitter.com/SparkOtter www.instagram.com/SparkOtter Music by Nihilore http://www.nihilore.com/license
GM Edition: Nikki Yager, Beholder to No One
September 13, 2021 • 41 MIN
Nikki Yager makes D&D podcasts. Like, a lot of D&D podcasts. Like a lot. Her favorite villains are the ones who think they're the hero. We talk about heroism and villainy on a dimmer, and the many, many times gamers seem to end up at Denny's. Making a Monster: GM Edition asks actual play podcasters how they use the monsters in their games. Read the transcript and get more from the show: https://scintilla.studio/monster-beholder-to-no-one/ Meet my guest: https://linktr.ee/BeholdertoNoOne Get early access to episodes and other monstrous perks like the recording at the beginning of this episode: www.patreon.com/scintillastudio https://ko-fi.com/sparkotter https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Lucas%20Zellers Join the conversation: www.twitter.com/SparkOtter www.instagram.com/SparkOtter Music by Nihilore http://www.nihilore.com/license
Avatar Legends on what makes Azula scary
September 1, 2021 • 38 MIN
Avatar Legends brings the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender to your tabletop as an RPG. The game has a balanced take on what it means to be a villain and a monster. Join designers James Mendez Hodes and Sharang Biswas and discover how the Apocalypse World engine becomes a faithful representation of the show Read the transcript and get more from the show: https://scintilla.studio/monster-avatar-legends-the-rpg/
Roll20's Burn Bryte puts a Blipp in your Ship, ft. James Introcaso
June 28, 2021 • 29 MIN
Roll20's exclusive sci-fi RPG Burn Bryte asks you to jump in to a galaxy where an adorable teleporting mischief fox could just walk right into your ship. It's also a game where hope wins. Learn more about Burn Bryte and get 3 monsters from My Dad's Monster Manual on the episode page here: https://scintilla.studio/monster-blipp-burn-bryte Meet my guest: https://twitter.com/JamesIntrocaso http://www.jamesintrocaso.com/ https://worldbuilderblog.me/ https://burnbryte.com/ Get early access to episodes and other monstrous perks like the recording at the beginning of this episode: www.patreon.com/scintillastudio https://ko-fi.com/sparkotter https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Lucas%20Zellers Join the conversation: www.twitter.com/SparkOtter www.instagram.com/SparkOtter Music by Jason Shaw at Audionautix.com
Teaching Social Skills through Dungeons & Dragons at Roll Play Lead
June 25, 2021 • 38 MIN
Roll Play Lead uses Dungeons & Dragons to teach social skills to teens in Colorado. Kids and teens use monsters to explore the obstacles in their own lives. You can support Roll Play Lead Directly, use Jamie's adventures in your home game, or check out her TEDx Talk at the links here: https://scintilla.studio/monster-roll-play-lead-social-skills-dnd Meet my guest: https://twitter.com/Rosey_Games Get early access to episodes and other monstrous perks like the recording at the beginning of this episode: www.patreon.com/scintillastudio https://ko-fi.com/sparkotter https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Lucas%20Zellers Join the conversation: www.twitter.com/SparkOtter www.instagram.com/SparkOtter Music by Jason Shaw at Audionautix.com
Tamlin, the Feywild's white rabbit
June 23, 2021 • 28 MIN
Leading unsuspecting adventurers to the Feywild with a gentlemanly hand, the tamlin combines the Scottish folk tale with the literary trope of the white rabbit for a planes-hopping, swashbuckling good time. To read the transcript and find out what a "gish" is visit the show's website: https://scintilla.studio/monster-tamlin-feywilds-white-rabbit Meet my guest: https://twitter.com/LabLazarus Get early access to episodes and other monstrous perks like the recording at the beginning of this episode: www.patreon.com/scintillastudio https://ko-fi.com/sparkotter https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Lucas%20Zellers Join the conversation: www.twitter.com/SparkOtter www.instagram.com/SparkOtter Closing music by Jason Shaw at Audionautix.com
Varadrel, the kaiju angel
June 15, 2021 • 21 MIN
As one of D&D's very few Celestial monsters, Varadrel is an agent of divine justice best compared to the personified disasters of Japanese kaiju. To read the transcript, check out "Titans of Faerun", or see the full-color, "be not afraid" illustration of Varadrel, visit the show's website: https://scintilla.studio/varadrel-the-kaiju-angel/ Meet my guests: https://twitter.com/honeybadger3495 https://twitter.com/theicequeer Get early access to episodes and other monstrous perks: www.patreon.com/scintillastudio https://ko-fi.com/sparkotter https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Lucas%20Zellers Join the conversation: www.twitter.com/SparkOtter www.instagram.com/SparkOtter Music by Jason Shaw at Audionautix.com
Eberron's Shattered Kalashtar of Reirdra
May 31, 2021 • 29 MIN
The shattered kalashtar asks questions about dealing with trauma, and lets other players participate in the answers. It expands D&D's Eberron campaign setting with a psychic dystopia reminiscent of Neuromancer and Brave New World. Download the stat block and read the full transcript here: https://scintilla.studio/monster-shattered-kalashtar-eberron/ Meet my guest: https://twitter.com/ILGingell https://imogen.space/ Get early access to episodes and other monstrous perks: www.patreon.com/scintillastudio https://ko-fi.com/sparkotter https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Lucas%20Zellers Join the conversation: www.twitter.com/SparkOtter www.instagram.com/SparkOtter Music by Jason Shaw at Audionautix.com
Shakespeare and Lovecraft Combine in Delirium
May 26, 2021 • 20 MIN
Andrew Grondin wrote a tabletop game that combines European fairy tales and Lovecraftian existential horror. Inside that Venn diagram is a surprisingly encouraging message about power and who has it. Read the full transcript here: https://scintilla.studio/shakespeare-lovecraft-combine-delirium Meet my guest: https://twitter.com/TheSiegeAndrew https://s-15studios.squarespace.com/#/delirium/ Get early access to episodes and other monstrous perks: www.patreon.com/scintillastudio https://ko-fi.com/sparkotter https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Lucas%20Zellers Join the conversation: www.twitter.com/SparkOtter www.instagram.com/SparkOtter Music by Jason Shaw at Audionautix.com
In Free League's Vaesen, Fairies Capture Changing Culture
May 3, 2021 • 28 MIN
Nils Hintze is the lead writer of Vaesen, a Nordic horror role-playing game by Free League Publishing. In this game, fairies and other monsters manifest the anxieties of a rapidly-urbanizing 19th century Sweden. Read the full transcript here: https://scintilla.studio/free-leagues-vaesen Meet my guest: https://twitter.com/KeithAmmann https://www.themonstersknow.com Get early access to episodes and other monstrous perks: www.patreon.com/scintillastudio https://ko-fi.com/sparkotter https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Lucas%20Zellers Join the conversation: www.twitter.com/SparkOtter www.instagram.com/SparkOtter Music by Arcane Anthems: https://www.patreon.com/arcaneanthems
The Displacer Beast with A.E. Van Vogt - April Fool's special
April 1, 2021 • 12 MIN
The true and actual origins of the displacer beast with author A. E. Van Vogt. Find out more at www.patreon.com/scintillastudio
The Monsters Know What They're Doing with Keith Ammann
March 22, 2021 • 17 MIN
Keith Ammann, author of Monsters Know What They're Doing, shows us how to decode a monster's game mechanics to discover its intended use. We also get into how culture makes monsters, both in game and out. Read the full transcript here: https://scintilla.studio/the-monsters-know-what-theyre-doing-with-keith-ammann Meet my guest: https://twitter.com/KeithAmmann https://www.themonstersknow.com Get early access to episodes and other monstrous perks: www.patreon.com/scintillastudio https://ko-fi.com/sparkotter https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Lucas%20Zellers Join the conversation: www.twitter.com/SparkOtter www.instagram.com/SparkOtter Closing music from Jason Shaw at Audionautix.com
The Raven Wizard - Coyote and Crow
March 17, 2021 • 22 MIN
The Cherokee myth of the Raven Wizard is retold in Connor Alexander's Coyote and Crow, a tabletop role-playing game set in an alternate future of the Americas where colonization never occurred. Full transcript: https://scintilla.studio/monster-coyote-and-crow-raven-wizard/
Vo the Voice Snatcher, from the Bard College of Silence
March 8, 2021 • 19 MIN
From the Bard College of Silence by Kai Linder comes Vo the Voice Snatcher, an aberration capable of stealing the voice from your throat and adding it to its own. It's a kind of creepy that stays with you long after the fight is over. Get the College of Silence for 75% off by clicking here: https://scintilla.studio/monster-college-of-silence-voice-snatcher
Bonus: Dvati - playing 2 characters across editions
February 22, 2021 • 50 MIN
Dvati is a race option for D&D to play 2 characters at once. An extra-long bonus episode 20 years in the making, bringing together the original designer, the 5th edition homebrewer, and maybe the only person to play the Dvati in a long-running campaign. Full transcript: https://scintilla.studio/monster-dvati-race-dnd/
Wizmos from "D&D in Space" by Mage Hand Press
February 15, 2021 • 18 MIN
"They're capricious little scrap robots, and I love them." The Wizmos from Dark Matter (a sci-fi D&D conversion by Mage Hand Press) are just doing the best they can, and it isn't very good. Get the one-page-RPG Wizmo Havoc here: https://scintilla.studio/wizmos-dark-matter-mage-hand-press/ ‎
Niels RPG Toons makes a Monstrosity
February 1, 2021 • 20 MIN
What if the Kraken is too big to release? Niels RPG Toons uses cartoon-style fantasy art to tell vibrant, expressive stories, including one about a tentacle monster so big it's an ecosystem unto itself. Transcript: https://scintilla.studio/monster-niels-rpg-toons-makes-a-monstrosity
Melusine of Avalon - Chris Hopper
January 27, 2021 • 20 MIN
The Melusine legend has so many tails in our modern cultural heritage that you've probably seen her even if you didn't know her name - much like the work of a good spymaster. Designer Chris Hopper talks about bringing the Melusine to Dungeons & Dragons in the first episode of Making a Monster Season 2! Get the stat block for the Melusine and read the full transcript here: https://scintilla.studio/monster-melusine-chris-hopper
14: Grikk the Many - Matthew Whitby
December 21, 2020 • 15 MIN
What happens when the monsters level up too? Matthew Whitby, host of the Dungeon Master's Guild House, shares a goblin with power enough to be more than a level 1 punching bag. Get the full transcript and see the art of Grikk the Many here: https://scintilla.studio/monster-boss-goblin-matthew-whitby Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5_AJjTbkdw&list=PLNqL_h0x0qyZoNSS1VP1tBA5QCaie5Coo&index=16 What happens when the monsters level up too? Matthew Whitby, host of the Dungeon Master's Guild House, shares a goblin with power enough to be more than a level 1 punching bag. Get the full transcript and see the art of Grikk the Many here: https://scintilla.studio/monster-boss-goblin-matthew-whitby Original release date 12/21/20 Support the show: www.patreon.com/scintillastudio https://ko-fi.com/sparkotter https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Lucas%20Zellers Meet Matthew Whitby and watch his YouTube podcast "The Dungeon Master's Guildhouse"! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZvHj-LI4-ZO10NCr_tRRzQ https://www.twitter.com/WhitbyWrites Join the conversation: https://twitter.com/sparkotter https://www.instagram.com/sparkotter/ Music: "Something Amiss" by Will Savino, www.patreon.com/musicd20 "Pennywhistle" by Jason Shaw, www.audionautix.com
13: Werepigeon - House Sivis Echoer Station
December 14, 2020 • 12 MIN
Steve and Rebecca from House Sivis Echoer Station, an unofficial Eberron podcast that put NPR in D&D, discuss the werepigeon, their show's running joke, and whether you have to be scared of an animal to make a lycanthrope out of it. Full transcript: https://scintilla.studio/monster-werepigeon-house-sivis-echoer-station/ Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfzVea03xhg&list=PLNqL_h0x0qyZoNSS1VP1tBA5QCaie5Coo&index=15 Originally released 12/14/20 House Sivis Echoer Station is a well-written, well-edited fiction podcast taking place in Keith Baker's Eberron setting, where two intrepid gnomes capitalize on the happy magical accident of "broad casting". I play Thresher Cain, investigative journalist and monster correspondent, on the latest episode of the show! https://www.sivisechoerstation.com/ https://www.patreon.com/sivisechoerstation Learn more about what Thresher encountered in the Mournlands: https://scintilla.studio/monster-09-music-elemental-itsadndmonsternow/ https://scintilla.studio/monster-03-warforged-colossus-steve-fidler/ Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/scintillastudio www.ko-fi.com/scintillastudio https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Lucas%20Zellers Join the conversation: https://twitter.com/sparkotter https://www.instagram.com/sparkotter/ Music from Jason Shaw at Audionautix: https://audionautix.com/ Follow the show wherever you get your podcasts: Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5iY2FzdC5mbS9tYWtpbmctYS1tb25zdGVy Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Td5TQ3zhvRdOHQYxRSNxH Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1526449320 RSS: https://feeds.bcast.fm/making-a-monster Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/making-a-monster Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9c06ef8f-743e-49c0-9070-09332d86c545/Making-a-Monster iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-making-a-monster-70626909/ Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1526449320/making-a-monster Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/making-a-monster Castro.fm: https://castro.fm/itunes/1526449320 Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/making-a-monster-1380651 TuneIn: https://tunein.com/podcasts/Media--Entertainment-Podcasts/Making-a-Monster-p1356564/ Player Addict: https://player.fm/series/making-a-monster Castbox: https://castbox.fm/channel/Making-a-Monster-id3193736 Hubl: https://share.hublpodcastapp.com/v2/share/podcast/9f83bf7768f943e889c9d754152980f0?displayName=Lucas Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/us/show/2102352 Vurbl: https://vurbl.com/station/4NuVHdby9CV/
12: The Bagger - Justice Arman
December 9, 2020 • 18 MIN
When the devil's payment is due, who comes to collect? Justice Arman shows us fiendish collection agents in this episode of Making a Monster. Read the transcript and see art from the book: https://scintilla.studio/monster-bagger-justice-arman/ Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alVag3dMLq8&list=PLNqL_h0x0qyZoNSS1VP1tBA5QCaie5Coo&index=14 Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/scintillastudio www.ko-fi.com/scintillastudio https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Lucas%20Zellers Meet Justice Arman: https://twitter.com/justicearman Get Devil's Advocate, A Guide to Infernal Contracts: https://www.dmsguild.com/product/283699/Devils-Advocate-A-Guide-to-Infernal-Contracts?affiliate_id=1485089 Join the conversation: https://twitter.com/sparkotter https://www.instagram.com/sparkotter/ Music by Will Savino (Music d20): https://www.patreon.com/musicd20
Bonus: Endless Houses
December 4, 2020 • 7 MIN
After 3 weeks of moving, I have a lot of thoughts about haunted houses. Featuring previously-unreleased audio from guests Michael Sands, Robert Turk, and James Harrington, here's a quick bonus episode for you on the horror of place! Visit our website for more bonus content and to catch future episodes: https://www.scintilla.studio/monster
11: Rime of the Frostmaiden Double Feature
November 2, 2020 • 20 MIN
Get Chilling Tales from the Whispering Wind: https://www.dmsguild.com/product/334022/Chilling-Tales-from-the-Whispering-Winds?affiliate_id=1485089 Two monsters from Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden - Malquaestus Pizkor, literal boss monster, and Saja Snowtooth. Read the transcript and see art from the book here: https://scintilla.studio/monster-rime-of-the-frostmaiden-double-feature/ Everyone in the show: Sebastian Yue: https://twitter.com/sebastianyue Cassandra MacDonald: https:/twitter.com/theicequeer Michael Sands: https://scintilla.studio/monster-06-monster-of-the-week-michael-sands/ Will Savino (Music d20): https://twitter.com/Music_d20 https://www.patreon.com/musicd20/posts Adventure Music: https://twitter.com/AdventureMusic2 https://www.patreon.com/adventuremusicjr Music and more from Shards of the Storm: Adventure Music: https://www.patreon.com/posts/shards-of-storm-41672951 Music d20: https://www.patreon.com/posts/shards-of-storm-41671923 It's a DnD Monster Now: https://www.patreon.com/posts/new-mega-shards-41672265 Support the show: https://patreon.com/scintillastudio https://ko-fi.com/sparkotter https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Lucas%20Zellers Join the conversation: https://twitter.com/sparkotter https://www.instagram.com/sparkotter/
Bonus: Dagon - IT GOES DEEPER
October 30, 2020 • 18 MIN
Lucas, Alex, and James revisit Dagon, Lovecraft's first eldritch horror, to discover the Marianas Trench of origin stories. Listen to the original "Dagon" episode and get a free copy of Alex's monster-fighting supplement "Go for the Eyes!": https://scintilla.studio/monster-07-dagon-alex-clippinger/ Meet the guest: https://twitter.com/Aclippinger Ezmerelda's Encyclopedia of Evil: https://www.dmsguild.com/product/319231/Ezmereldas-Encyclopedia-of-Evil?affiliate_id=1485089 Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/scintillastudio www.ko-fi.com/scintillastudio https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Lucas%20Zellers Join the conversation: https://twitter.com/sparkotter https://www.instagram.com/sparkotter/ Music from Jason Shaw at Audionautix: https://audionautix.com/
10: Heckna - Ashley Warren
October 26, 2020 • 16 MIN
Ashley Warren, lead writer for the Heckna carnival horror campaign setting, introduces us to Heckna himself, the post-human clown king of the Revelia. Get desktop wallpaper with art from the game: https://scintilla.studio/monster-10-heckna-ashley-warren/ Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_rmBkRxXlI&list=PLNqL_h0x0qyZoNSS1VP1tBA5QCaie5Coo&index=12 Learn more about the Heckna carnival horror campaign setting: https://hitpointpress.com/ Find Ashley Warren online: https://www.scribemind.com/ https://twitter.com/ashleynhwarren Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/scintillastudio www.ko-fi.com/scintillastudio https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Lucas%20Zellers Join the conversation: https://twitter.com/sparkotter https://www.instagram.com/sparkotter/ Music: "Jolly Jamboree" by Mint Potion, courtesy of Hit Point Press
09: Music Elemental - It's a D&D Monster Now
October 19, 2020 • 15 MIN
Kyle Pointer, also known as user/ItsADnDMonsterNow, shares the most mechanically interesting monster he's made as Reddit's resident D&D graffiti artist - the music elemental. Transcript: https://scintilla.studio/monster-09-music-elemental-itsadndmonsternow/
08: Abomination - Never Going Home, Wet Ink Games
October 13, 2020 • 17 MIN
A cosmic horror game set in World War I uses supernatural aberrations to reflect the human corruption of that period in history. Featuring Never Going Home's writer Irvin Jackson, artist Charles Ferguson Avery, and system designer Brandon Aten. See Charlie's illustrations and read the transcript on the show's website: https://scintilla.studio/monster-08-abomination-never-going-home-wet-ink-games/ Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9PSYV7xDrk&list=PLNqL_h0x0qyZoNSS1VP1tBA5QCaie5Coo&index=10 Meet the Guests: Never Going Home: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/283637/Never-Going-Home?affiliate_id=1485089 Wet Ink Games: https://twitter.com/WetInkGames Irvin Jackson: https://ascensioncomic.com/ Charles Ferguson Avery: https://www.instagram.com/charlie_fergusonavery/ https://twitter.com/CharlieFergaves https://feral-indie-studios.itch.io/ More about Inktober: https://scintilla.studio/musician-does-inktober/ Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/scintillastudio www.ko-fi.com/scintillastudio https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Lucas%20Zellers Join the conversation: https://twitter.com/sparkotter https://www.instagram.com/sparkotter/ Music by Jason Shaw at Audionautix: audionautix.com/ Air raid siren from Orange Free Sounds: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/air-raid-siren/
07: Dagon, Demon Prince of the Shadowsea - Alex Clippinger
September 29, 2020 • 13 MIN
Alex Clippinger brings H.P. Lovecraft's first published monster, Dagon, to 5th edition D&D. We track how monsters become "dungeon and dragons-ed", and explore how game mechanics imitate the experience and intent of the cosmic horror genre. Get a free copy of "Go for the Eyes!": https://scintilla.studio/monster-07-dagon-alex-clippinger/
06: Monster of the Week - Michael Sands
September 24, 2020 • 14 MIN
Monster of the Week is the system that powers The Adventure Zone and Critshow. Designer Michael Sands talks about Marilynn, the improbable fairy creature who nearly derailed a playtest campaign, and the system's story-first approach to creating mysteries and monsters. Transcript: https://scintilla.studio/monster-06-monster-of-the-week-michael-sands/ Find out more about Michael Sands and Monster of the Week: https://www.evilhat.com/home/monster-of-the-week/ https://genericgames.co.nz/ Get your own copy of Monster of the Week: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/143518/Monster-of-the-Week?affiliate_id=1485089 Connect with the show: www.scintilla.studio/monster www.twitter.com/SparkOtter Music by Jason Shaw at Audionautix.com
05: Itzigratz - Bryan Holmes
September 14, 2020 • 12 MIN
Just how dangerous can mind flayers be? Forgotten Realms expert and best-selling DM's Guild creator Bryan Holmes brings a proper Illithid Lich to the show, and asks how much responsibility do we have to stop bad things before they happen. You can download the full stat block for Itzigratz the Illithid Lich on the show's website here: https://scintilla.studio/monster-05-itzigratz-illithid-lich-bryan-holmes Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s69hhKCQJqM&list=PLNqL_h0x0qyZoNSS1VP1tBA5QCaie5Coo&index=6 Get 35 more Mythic Encounters on the DM's Guild here: https://www.dmsguild.com/product/315637/Mythic-Encounters?affiliate_id=1485089 Meet the guest: https://twitter.com/FallenWyvern Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/scintillastudio https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Lucas%20Zellers Join the conversation: https://twitter.com/sparkotter https://www.instagram.com/sparkotter/ Music from Jason Shaw at Audionautix: https://audionautix.com/
04: Space Leper Nuns - Robert Turk
September 7, 2020 • 13 MIN
Robert Turk's sci-fi survival horror game Starship Infernum offers a campy scenario featuring space leper nuns, letting players test the strength of their convictions and crack a few jokes along the way. Read the full transcript and see art from the game at https://scintilla.studio/monster-04-space-leper-nuns-robert-turk/
03: Warforged Colossus - Steve Fidler
August 24, 2020 • 11 MIN
Somewhere in the Mournlands of Eberron, a weapon of mass destruction walks freely across the blighted wasteland. For players, the Warforged Colossus blurs the line between monster and environment - between dungeon and dragon. Steve Fidler of Vorpal Dice Press shows us around Arkus, the Warforged Colossus, a creature that is also a dungeon. With its horde of deformed Warforged and its origin in the Glowing Chasm of Eberron's Mournlands, it’s pretty easy to read the Warforged Colossus as a metaphor for nuclear fallout - a kind of steampunk Godzilla. "Sometimes," Steve says, "I think a lot of players do just enjoy beating the bad guy." As a special bonus for listeners of the podcast, Steve has made available one of Mythic Eberron’s Mythic Rewards: it’s called a Salvaged Titan Chassis, and it’s a fully operational mech suit your D&D character can pilot. Download the PDF free here: https://scintilla.studio/monster-03-warforged-colossus-steve-fidler/ Meet my guest: https://twitter.com/vorpaldicepress/ http://vorpaldicepress.com/ Saga MacKenzie, illustrator: https://smackfolio.wordpress.com/ Meet the guest: http://www.wicked-clever.com/ https://www.facebook.com/wickedclever/ Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/scintillastudio https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Lucas%20Zellers Join the conversation: https://twitter.com/sparkotter https://www.instagram.com/sparkotter/ Music from Jason Shaw at Audionautix: https://audionautix.com/
02: The Heir of Orcus - Anthony Joyce
August 17, 2020 • 11 MIN
Will you redeem the unredeemable? Anthony Joyce shares how the Heir of Orcus makes heroes and villains hard to distinguish in Dungeons & Dragons. Free copies of The Heir of Orcus adventure are still available! Visit the episode page at https://scintilla.studio/monster-02-heir-orcus-anthony-joyce Meet the guest: http://www.wicked-clever.com/ https://www.facebook.com/wickedclever/ Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/scintillastudio https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Lucas%20Zellers Join the conversation: https://twitter.com/sparkotter https://www.instagram.com/sparkotter/ Music from Jason Shaw at Audionautix: https://audionautix.com/
01: Jiangshi - Banana Chan, Game and a Curry
August 10, 2020 • 14 MIN
The Jiangshi, Chinese hopping vampires, in an RPG that addresses the racism and oppression of 1920s Chinatown - featuring Banana Chan of Game and a Curry. Read the full transcript and see art from the game here: https://scintilla.studio/monster-01-jiangshi-banana-chan/ Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwZnw01Oz9U&list=PLNqL_h0x0qyZoNSS1VP1tBA5QCaie5Coo&index=2 Join the conversation: https://twitter.com/sparkotter https://www.instagram.com/sparkotter/ Guest links: https://www.facebook.com/gameandacurry/ https://twitter.com/gameandacurry https://www.facebook.com/WetInkGames https://twitter.com/wetinkgames Music by Jason Shaw at Audionautix: https://audionautix.com A version of this article also appears on Love Thy Nerd: https://lovethynerd.com/jiangshi-lets-players-empathize-with-victims-of-systemic-racism/
00: Making a Monster
August 4, 2020 • 1 MIN
Welcome to Making a Monster, a weekly podcast where game designers show their favorite monster, how it works, why it works, and what it means. Each week's episode will feature one guest and the monster of their choice. Many create for Dungeons & Dragons, but you'll also hear from designers of many other excellent games like Jiangshi: Blood in the Banquet Hall, Monster of the Week, Never Going Home, and Starship Infernum.