Characters Without Stories: Recent Episodes
starmamac
Characters Without Stories is a tabletop role playing game podcast about the roads not yet traveled.
Every episode I bring in a friend to tell me about their unplayed character and their approach to creating characters. I cover all kinds of RPGs - from indies to D&D.
I've had some fascinating conversations about how our characters intersect with and reveal our identities and how play is a gateway to understanding ourselves. I hope you'll give it a listen.
Thank you and may all your characters find their stories.
Justin Gagliani brings Jessica Jeroux to the table. Jessica is a drow trans woman pursuing knowledge of lost civilizations.
Justin and I discuss what it means to be a trans woman in gender-segregated drow society, learning to explore and express your gender, and the narrative implications of D&D mechanics.
This character is built for D&D 5e.
Justin Gagliani is a co host of the So You Want to Be a Dungeon Master podcast, a TTRPG content creator, and a published writer.
You can learn more about Justin at:
https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/justin-gagliani
Roll for Luck is an all-star black cast actual play where the Sapphics come to terms of what can potentially happen when dealing with Portals. Pulled into a different reality now they hunt to find a way back home, if it even exists.
Send us a text
Cover art by The CuriographerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer
Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
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Support the Podcast
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Blerdy Disposition brings Chris Strausman to the table. Chris is a Twitch streamer with a lot of growing up to do, searching Reddit and relying on his followers to find his missing sister.
Blerdy and I compare Lovecraftian horrors to YouTube comments, discuss the importance of being there for your community, both in and out of character, and talk about growing up in a landscape of social isolation and internet-only friendships.
This character is built for Call of Cthulhu 7e.
Blerdy Disposition is a Black, Queer Professional GM and Player. He makes TTRPG YouTube content, focused on covering either indie RPGs or player and GM advice. When he is not obsessing over Cthulhu mythos or niche RPGs, you can find him talking about his next favorite RPG of the month.
You can learn more about Blerdy at:
https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/blerdy-disposition
Baddie Bards is an all-Black, all-queer, all-trans D&D actual play. Living up to the bardic reputation, there’s plenty of laughs, all set in space. But you’ll also hear poetic descriptions and atmospheric background music. I’m looking forward to their next season, using the DIE system.
Girls Run These Worlds is a women-owned, women-run production studio aiming to uplift the voices, profiles, and status of women and femme-presenting people in TTRPG and to create a place where all can come to find themselves represented and celebrated.
Send us a text
Cover art by The CuriographerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer
Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share
Support the Podcast
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Content Warning this episode for brief mentions of forced sterilization (49:03-49:53) and death of a child (57:40-57:48).
DJ BeeZee brings Everett Nichols to the table. Everett is a union man, through and through, who defends those closest to him.
DJ and I discuss healing from generational trauma, the union history of Appalachia, and how finding player agency in TTRPGs can be cathartic when we lack agency in our lives.
This character is built for Old Gods of Appalachia, a Cypher System game by Monte Cook, based on the podcast of the same name.
DJ BeeZee is an AuDHD Game Master for Hire and Co-Host of One Shot’s Tavern, a TTRPG podcast focused on learning about all of the tools and mechanics that TTRPGs across the spectrum offer in order to become better story tellers, game masters, and game designers.
You can learn more about DJ at:
https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/dj-beezee
The Thorne Files is a Monster of the Week Actual Play podcast filled with twisting mysteries, malevolent evils and character-lead drama.
https://open.spotify.com/show/2zpkCPR5NIFYS2BAxcpKx6?si=d9d9409ec02544a7
Hammer of the Gods is an actual play TTRPG podcast, primarily set in an alternate history home brew world based around Ancient Greece and Greek Mythology. They've has now branched into playing and streaming other games such as Werewolf, Masks, and Eat the Reich.
https:/linktr.ee/Hammpod
Send us a text
Send us a text
Cover art by The CuriographerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer
Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share
Support the Podcast
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Adrian Lawrence brings Don Rigals to the table. Don is a fur-obsessed secret communist delving into New York's underground to find his brother.
Adrian and I discuss being outspoken about your political values, the power of representation, and not being "Mexican enough."
This character is built for Call of Cthulhu.
AC Lawrence is a Mexican-American DM who co-hosts a podcast named Dungeons & Degrees, where he interviews individuals in the TTRPG space to show that the path to creativity isn't just a single path. They also have been a part of many charity events for numerous causes that use TTRPGs as outreach to raise money.
You can learn more about Adrian at:
https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/adrian-lawrence
In Panda’s Talking Games, Phil and Senda are queer creators who answer your TTRPG questions. They describe it as Car Talk, but for your tabletop roleplaying game.”
https://polygamero.us/category/podcasts/panda
At Session Zero Heroes we believe in the power of storytelling through tabletop roleplaying games and use a variety of TTRPG systems to create these stories which we share through the podcast medium.
https://www.sessionzeroheroes.com
Send us a Text Message.
Cover art by The CuriographerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer
Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
I've been bringing characters without stories and the creators who made them to the table for TWO YEARS! It felt like a good time to get reflective and talk about something I've been working on - diversifying my guests and the games we talk about.
I also did a two year anniversary giveaway - tune in to find out who won!
Send us a Text Message.
Cover art by The CuriographerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer
Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Content warning this episode for discussions of sexual assault and sexual harassment. We don’t go into any detail, but if this topic is a trigger for you, I recommend you skip it.
Alejandra Wilhelm brings Reyna to the table. Reyna is a fierce and loyal barbarian hiding her identity from the archfey her father sold her to.
Alejandra and I discuss parasociality, bad behavior on Discord, and roleplay on TikTok. We also talk about self-insert characters - from physical appearance to emotional trauma.
This character is built for D&D 5e.
Alejandra Wilhelm is a queer Latinx TTRPG creator, one half of the Table Talk Podcast duo and a TTRPG character artist.
You can learn more about Alejandra at:
https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/juicy-garland
One Shot's Tavern is a TTRPG Podcast focused on exploring new systems to tell your stories, with pro GMs broadening their horizons by playing new or different TTRPG systems, and sharing their thoughts with you.
https://oneshotstavern.podbean.com/
The Storyteller Squad is a narrative-driven actual play podcast featuring magic, mystery, and vibrant characters inhabiting a world where the supernatural and the mundane intertwine in their Monster of the Week campaign.
https://www.thestorytellersquad.com
Send us a Text Message.
Cover art by The CuriographerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer
Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Juicy Garland brings Grammarye Praise-God Winthrop to the table. Grammarye is a teenage witch and the black sheep of a family with a 400 year vendetta against the Salem Witch Trial judges who killed their ancestor.
Juicy and I share our love for witchy touchstones like The Craft and The Witch (or as we say The VVitch), sympathize with Grammarye's desperate attempts at validation, and discuss how roleplaying in actual plays is different from home games.
This character is built for Monsterhearts 2e by Avery Alder
https://buriedwithoutceremony.com/monsterhearts
Juicy Garland is a Boston area drag queen and super nerd. She’s the original TTRPG drag queen and she’s on a mission to do big things with Tabletop Talespinners Network. You can find her in All Our Faults, a Monsterhearts actual play podcast, all around the Internet, or performing in Boston and New Hampshire.
You can learn more about Juicy at:
https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/juicy-garland
Wait, Roll That Again! follows the host Alex’s journey in building their first game, with conversations with game designers like Jay Dragon giving sage advice along the way.
https://waitrollthatagain.substack.com
All Our Faults is a Monsterhearts 2 actual play podcast from the Tabletop Talespinners Network that tells the story of four teenagers and the supernatural forces that threaten to shatter their lives.
https://allourfaults.transistor.fm
Send us a Text Message.
Cover art by The CuriographerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer
Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Savannah Rayne brings Kit to the table. Kit is a con woman on the run in disguise as a man, who finds family and the confidence to harness her innate magic on a pirate ship.
Savannah and I discuss roleplaying away from a table in private chat and public cosplay. We also talk about Savannah's two favorite tropes - found family and the sorcerer gaining the confidence to wield her magic.
This character is built for D&D5e.
Savannah Rayne is an RP enthusiast, art witch, and podcaster. While relatively new to TTRPGs, Savannah has been making original characters and building their worlds and their stories outside of game spaces pretty much her entire life.
You can learn more about Savannah at:
https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/savannah-rayne
In lieu of a recommendation this episode, I'm encouraging you to cast your vote in the CRIT Awards by July 7. Several former and future guests are part of nominated projects!
https://www.critawards.org
The Slovenly Trulls podcast deep dives into the problematic lore and history of D&D with an emphasis on feminist analysis.
https://www.slovenlytrulls.com
Send us a Text Message.
TTRPGs for Palestine is an itch.io bundle that supports Medical Aid for Palestinians with over 600 items. Donate by June 30.
https://itch.io/b/2295/ttrpgs-for-palestine
Hammer of the Gods and Potions and Potpourri have teamed up with fellow TTRPG players and streamers to raise money for the Trans Empowerment Project!
https://priderevolution2024.carrd.co
Cover art by The CuriographerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer
Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Navaar Seik-Jackson brings Oba Manu to the table. Oba is a dad who wants nothing more than to live the simple life, but is pulled back into adventuring for "one last job."
Navaar and I discuss having a family both at and away from the table, needing to protect your family while avoiding violence - and how scary that can be as a Black father, and power fantasies. Navaar also convinces me to play Pathfinder.
This character is built for Pathfinder 2e by Paizo.
Navaar Seik-Jackson is a narrative game designer, podcaster, and occasional TTRPG performer. Navaar enjoys providing a platform for marginalized people in the TTRPG space to tell their stories and exploring the apocalypse as a setting with nuanced themes. You may have heard of Navaar from the Secret Nerd Podcast, An Unwavering Force podcast, or his game The Corrupted.
You can learn more about Navaar at:
https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/navaar-seik-jackson
Rene Plays Games. I recently listened to Rainy’s first episode of a series called Perspective Checks about character tropes - and friends, even I learned something about character building.
https://reneplaysgames.podbean.com
Tales of Y’Vard is an actual play in the brand-new Mythcraft system. Join them as they become the scourge of their enemies.
https://linktr.ee/talesofyvard
Send us a Text Message.
I want to let you know about a TTRPGs for Palestine – an itch.io TTRPG bundle you can get right now with over 600 items, including some incredible games like Gubat Banwa and Wanderhome and tools like Script Change. Donations benefit Medical Aid for Palestinians. They’re at over $60,000 to their $100,000 goal and you can help them get there by the end of June.
Cover art by The CuriographerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer
Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Stephan Kelly brings Lancelot to the table. Lance is a blind martial artist in a coven of witches, doing his best to leave the world a little bit better than when he found it.
Stephan and I discuss building a character while you're building the system, testing the limits of system mastery, and an unfortunate jousting accident.
This character is built for Coven and Crucible, a game created by Stephan, his wife roach, and his daughter Charlotte.
https://13thmoongames.com
Stephan Kelly is a retired fitness professional and theatre nerd who has channeled his optimism into creating TTRPGs and redefining masculinity. He is the "mechanics guy" at 13th Moon Games, a family run gaming company, and works there with his wife, daughter, and son.
You can learn more about Stephan at:
https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/stephan-kelly
Wing Women is an actual play podcast based on the exploits of the real-life Night Witches, Soviet airwomen fighting to survive during a campaign of bombing against the Nazis.
https://linktr.ee/wingwomenpod
The Advanced Age Roleplaying Gamers Podcast is an actual play podcast with a group of friends who have been playing roleplaying games off and on together for nearly 40 years.
https://www.theaarpgs.com
Send us a Text Message.
Cover art by The CuriographerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer
Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Send us a Text Message.
Grant brings Orco the Magnificent to the table. Orco is not a very good wizard, but he gives it his best shot.
Grant and I discuss religious trauma, high school theater, and the opposite of min-maxing.
This character is built for D&D5e.
Grant Nordine is the titular game master of Game Master Monday and the guide for Bella's Comet. Grant is an award-winning actor and writer with stage, film, music, and podcasting credits. As the GM of Game Master Monday, he runs a new one-shot in a new system with a new cast every episode.
You can learn more about Grant at:
https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/grant-nordine
This episode, I recommend the podcast Why We Roll. You can check it out here:
https://whyweroll.org
Torchlit Tavern is a D&D actual play podcast set in the homebrew world of Obscuria, where unlikely heroes find themselves at the center of political intrigue and potential global catastrophe.
http://torchlittavern.com
Cover art by The CuriographerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer
Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Tori Fica brings Tendertwig to the table. Tendertwig is a Leshy Oracle who moves through life with the confidence of a child - because they are actually only 1 year old.
Tori and I discuss the freedom of playing a character utterly devoid of imposter syndrome, how being cute is a special ability, and playing a literal baby.
This character is built for Pathfinder 2e.
Tori Fica is a TTRPG enthusiast, actual-play performer, and GM. She is one of the creators of Level 1 Geek, a TTRPG education and entertainment channel to help new players get into this magical hobby.
You can learn more about Tori at:
https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/tori-fica
This episode, I recommend the podcast I Love this Thing so Fricking Much. You can check it out here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s2e4-star-loves-doris-day-movies/id1506443569?i=1000609081296
5 GMs in a Trenchcoat is a TTRPG actual-play podcast about friendship, storytelling and really, really stupid bits. In all seriousness, it's an AP podcast where 5 friends take turns weaving stories through the tabletop system of their choice each season.
https://www.5gmsinatrenchcoat.com
Cover art by The CuriographerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer
Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Chriss brings Rhan Halvard to the table. Rhan was a wizard who became a revenant in the service of Istus when her attempt to change her fate had unexpectedly dire results.
Chriss and I discuss death, grief, and catharsis, the role of fate in a fantasy story where gods are real, and how much backstory you truly need.
This character is built for D&D5e.
Chriss Knight is a life long creative who found her calling with D&D in college where she earned a degree in theatre. After a winding road of various career paths, she found her way back to TTRPGs and now runs her own podcast all about them, alongside running and playing in several games herself.
You can learn more about Chriss at:
https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/chriss-knight
This episode, I recommend the podcast The AARPGs. You can check it out here:
https://audioboom.com/posts/7921235-twilight-2000-it-s-always-cloudy-in-kalisz-ep10-jumping-the-shark
Do you ever miss those days when cardboard boxes were pirate ships? Babies and Broadswords Bathfinder is a TTRPG that celebrates team work and make believe just like when you were a kid!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/babiesandbroadswords/babies-and-broadswords-bathfinder
Cover art by The CuriographerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer
Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Sam Dunnewold brings Exit to the table. Exit is a scavenger living on the edges of a dangerous psychic mist and a society that demands they conform.
Sam and I discuss building a character within the context of a post apocalyptic world, being brave because you have to be, and transparency in gaming.
This character is built for Apocalypse World by D. Vincent and Maguey Baker.
http://apocalypse-world.com
Sam Dunnewold is a Minnesotan game designer, screenwriter, and podcaster living in Hollywood like a chump. His podcast, Dice Exploder, breaks down a game mechanic every week with a friend. He's the designer of Doskvol Breathes and Space Train Space Heist, and he was a judge for the 2022 The Awards. Sam used to work for The Onion as a video editor, and he has no colon.
You can learn more about Sam at:
https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/sam-dunnewold
We mention VOID 1680 AM by Ken Lowery:
https://bannerlessgames.itch.io/void-1680-am
We also mention We Are But Worms: A One Word RPG by Riverhouse Games:
https://riverhousegames.itch.io/we-are-but-worms-a-one-word-rpg
Dungeon Calling is a real-play D&D podcast of high fantasy and low humor:
https://www.dungeoncalling.com
Cover art by The CuriographerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer
Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Aetherius brings Riley Howard/Jean Pierre Baptiste to the table. Riley is a Ministry kindred masquerading as Jean-Pierre, a Toreador in the Camarilla.
Aetherius and I discuss being your authentic self, being the only Black player at the table, and writing strong yet flawed Black women.
This character is built for Vampire the Masquerade 5e published by Renegade Game Studios.
Aetherius Bordeaux is your new favorite Vampire Himbo. He is a mystery/thriller/horror content creator and lifelong answerer of the eternal question "whodunnit"? Aetherius is a theater kid turned TTRPG baby and has finally fought off his anxiety long enough to launch into content creation.
You can learn more about Aetherius at:
https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/aetherius-bordeaux
We mention Erinmylaundry's Actual Play stream. You can find Philly By Night on Twitch at https://www.twitch.tv/erinmylaundry
This episode, I recommend the podcast Gimme Da Loot. You can check it out here:
https://www.gmdlcast.com
Game Master Monday is the podcast that plays a new one shot in a new system with a new cast EVERY EPISODE.
https://linktr.ee/grant_nordine
Cover art by The CuriographerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer
Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Joseph brings Otto Von Kurtzel to the table. Otto is a family man who built a mech suit to help him live with a degenerative disease.
Joseph and I discuss punching dragons, having people worth fighting for, and tinkering for good.
This character is built for D&D5e.
Joseph Byler, an aspiring TTRPG writer and nurse. They're also a proud redneck and leftist.
You can learn more about Joseph at:
https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/joseph-byler
This episode, I recommend the podcast Blades of Mayari. You can check it out here:
https://www.bladesofmayari.com
Cover art by The CuriographerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer
Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Alex brings Nix to the table. Alex is a traveling magician who cheerfully becomes a hero.
Alex and I discuss mad libs character creation, the nature of magic, and being inspired by a hat.
This character is built for Quest.
Alex, also known as Apples_n_Cinnamon, a ttrpg enthusiast and a blooming forever GM. They make TTRPG content somewhat sporadically but play in a variety of games in as many systems as possible!
You can learn more about Alex at:
https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/alex
Cover art by The CuriographerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer
Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Rook brings Dale Dorries, AKA Alehat to the table. Alehat is a greedy, rotten scoundrel feeding his retirement fund with ill-gotten gains.
Rook and I discuss filling a role in a party, using characters to try out game mechanics, and being out for yourself.
This character is built for Blades in the Dark.
Roger Peters, who also goes by Rook, is the owner of Epic Sages, a multi-TTRPG focused hosting site. He’s played and/or ran various TTRPGs for over 15 years.
You can learn more about Rook at:
https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/roger-peters/
Cover art by The CuriographerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer
Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Jeffrey Baker brings an unnamed soldier to the table. The unnamed soldier is a grizzled drill sergeant who motivates his party through tough love and (bardic) inspirational speeches.
Jeffrey and I discuss playing older characters with life experience, roleplay bleed and after care, and being the party dad.
This character is built for D&D5e.
Jeffrey Baker is a dad, LARPer, and game designer; Jeffrey has been playing TTRPGs ever since his older brothers would allow him to join. His creative well consists of using his personal life, theatre training, and LARP background to make fully realized characters.
You can learn more about Jeffrey at:
https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/jeffrey-baker
Cover art by The CuriographerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer
Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Wes Ascolese brings Trypoxylus "Tryp" to the table. Tryp is a newborn hive mind formed from a group of Japanese stag beetles looking to learn about the world they are seeing with new eyes.
Wes and I discuss how bugs think, trying to build a unified identity, and discovering yourself through your characters.
This character is built for The Wildsea by Felix Isaacs: https://myth.works/collections/the-wildsea-homepage
Wes Ascolese is a leftist TTRPG collector and enthusiast, amateur bookbinder, and obsessive knowledge seeker. He co-wrote Beyond Deep, an adventure for Mörk Borg, with Christopher Koger, which you can find at Exalted Funderal: https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/beyond-deep-pdf
You can find Wes at:
X: https://x.com/WesAscolese
Instagram: https://instagram.com/atomicwessels
Cover art by The CuriographerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer
Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Nate (Beardic Inspiration) brings Ed'varay Fiero to the table. Ed'varay is a noble ranger, restlessly wandering in search of transcendental experiences.
Nate and I discuss creating random characters for real people, being shaped by your environment, and the controversy surrounding Wizards of the Coast's attempt to withdraw the Open Gaming License (OGL).
This character is system agnostic.
Nate grew up in the small town of Seward, Alaska as a theatre kid who grew up working on boats. He’s now a boat captain living in California who fell in love with TTRPGs and is now working to get more into that space professionally through storytelling and character creation.
You can find Nate at:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beardic_inspiration
The Beardic Inspiration Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/beardic-inspiration
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beardicinspiration
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beardic_inspiration
Character art by Scott Milton Brazee
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottmilton
Cover art by The CuriographerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer
Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
In this very special episode, I interview my costars on DnDenial's The Moonstone Matriarchy actual play stream, an all-women D&D game set in the home brew world of Solandria.
I Sneeze Stars is the DM
GM of Reven is Anemone
Juniper is Clover
Mamaicailleach is Delphra
Dungeon Mistress Katie is Rosalind
Scxrlet is Syn
These characters are built for D&D5e. View the previous mini-campaign and watch the full campaign of The Moonstone Matriarchy on Twitch Saturdays at 5:30PM PST starting November 11.
https://www.twitch.tv/dndenial
You can find I Sneeze Stars at:
https://linktr.ee/DnDenial
You can find GM of Reven at:
https://gmofreven.carrd.co
You can find Juniper at:
https://linktr.ee/linenandspice
You can find Dungeon Mistress Katie at:
https://linktr.ee/DungeonMistressKatie
You can find Scxrlet at:
https://linktr.ee/scxrlet64
Music by Ryan Muns, Eyes On The Moon Studios: https://ryanmuns.bandcamp.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnTheMoonStudios
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5lkBYvF9wlQPgcwHfvFMZt
Cover art by The CuriographerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriographer
Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the podcast:
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/760760/109867356957705889/share
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cwspod.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@characterswithoutstories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterswithoutstories
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Jordan Peacock brings his tarot deck to the table. In this episode, Jordan and I collaborate to build three characters using tarot spreads. Dagamot, inspired by the Hermit card, is a reclusive healer with a painful past reevaluating his life on the road.
Content warning: brief mention of suicide at 7:00.
Jordan and I discuss going beyond tropes, building latent potential into characters, and Canadian TV.
This character is built for Coyote and Crow.
Jordan Peacock is an independent game designer, founder of Sortilege, and a near-forever GM. He regularly runs non-D&D games for people new to the hobby, and has an RPG narrative project coming out later this year.
You can find Jordan at:
Website: https://sortilege.online/
Music by Ryan Muns, Eyes On The Moon Studios: https://ryanmuns.bandcamp.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnTheMoonStudios
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5lkBYvF9wlQPgcwHfvFMZt
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Owen Kerr brings Asher Novaak, aka Rhadamanthus Lehrer, to the table. Rhadamanthus is an inquisitor hiding in plain sight as his own throne agent, trying to find the small victories in a world full of insurmountable odds.
Owen and I discuss pitting underdogs against empires, wrestling with angels, and finding joy in the struggle nevertheless.
This character is built for Dark Heresy.
Owen Kerr is a writer, teacher, indie game designer, voice actor, professional game master, TikTok enthusiast, LGBTQ+ father, husband, and ally. He was recently certified as a Therapeutic Game Master and will run or play in just about any TTRPG you'd like.
You can find Owen at:
itch.io: https://fallonspaag.itch.io
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@carpegmaz
StartPlaying.games: https://startplaying.games/gm/owen-kerr-gm-and-storyteller
Music by Ryan Muns, Eyes On The Moon Studios: https://ryanmuns.bandcamp.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnTheMoonStudios
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5lkBYvF9wlQPgcwHfvFMZt
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Natasha Ticotin brings Niko de Cielo to the table. Niko is an Oath of Conquest paladin who will soon find out he's not the main character he thinks he is.
Natasha and I discuss "fixing" characters from pop culture, finding community in fandoms, and how characters' self-perceptions might not live up to their level 2 realities.
This character is built for D&D5e.
Natasha is an artist, corgi mom, and Princess of Genovia.
You can find Natasha at:
Website: https://natashagalya.com
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@natashagalya1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natashagalya
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/NGTicotin
Music by Ryan Muns, Eyes On The Moon Studios: https://ryanmuns.bandcamp.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnTheMoonStudios
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5lkBYvF9wlQPgcwHfvFMZt
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
It’s Pride Month! While we can and should joyfully celebrate LGBTQIA+ people every day of the year, we come together in June to devote special attention - to pay respects for those who have fought for liberation, and to continue the struggle in the face of increasing hostility and repression.
This episode I’m honoring my trans, non-binary, and queer guests by sharing their unique perspectives on how playing TTRPGs have shaped their identities.
Jay is featured in S1E2, "Qurr the Birbarian - Building Better Backstories with Jay (D&D 5e)."
Website: https://www.betterbackstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@allthatjaz22
Stevie is featured in S1E3, "Requiem, the Reluctant Tiefling - Searching for Found Family with Neineyes (D&D 5e)."
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@neineyes
Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevietealeaf
V.J. Harris is featured in S1E9, "Varqoor, the Mind Flayer Losing Control - The Problems with Races in D&D with VJ Harris (D&D5e)."
Website: https://www.vjhcreations.com
VJ Talks Podcast: https://www.vjhcreations.com/podcast-vjtalks
Caroline Vahrenkamp is featured in S2E2, "Jurdgel Sharptooth, Goblin Customs Official - Gender Identity and Character Voices with Caroline Vahrenkamp (D&D 5e)."
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@caro_the_rpg_mom
Wonders of the World Podcast: https://www.wonderspodcast.com
Amelia and Ryan are featured in S2E3, "Catalina and Esperanza, Twins at Odds - Drama and Romance with Character Creation Cast (Pasión de las Pasiones)."
Character Creation Cast: https://charactercreationcast.com
Simon is a featured in S2E7, "Dex the Gnome Revolutionary - Representing Neurodiversity with Simon (Shadowrun)."
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@simonthetinker
Jack is featured in S2E10, "Shasta and Alistair, a Girl and her Mask - The Masks We Wear with Jack (Pathfinder 2e)."
Music by Ryan Muns, Eyes On The Moon Studios: https://ryanmuns.bandcamp.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnTheMoonStudios
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5lkBYvF9wlQPgcwHfvFMZt
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Jack brings Shasta and Alistair to the table. Shasta is a young Aasimar monk traveling the world and Alistair is the god within the mask she wears.
Jack and I discuss the masks we and our characters wear, player agency and GM input into characters, and what might make you put on a mysterious mask.
This character is built for Pathfinder 2e.
Jack is a Jewish trans man just trying to play and learn as many different games as he can so that he can write his own adventures and games.
Titterpig Academy is mentioned in the episode. You can check out Penny's YouTube channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/@PennyLeScroche
We also mentioned a previous episode on the podcast - Season 2, Episode 2: Jurdgel Sharptooth, Goblin Customs Official, where I spoke to Caroline Vahrenkamp about her struggles with voice acting as a trans woman. If the topic interests you, I suggest you check it out.
Music by Ryan Muns, Eyes On The Moon Studios: https://ryanmuns.bandcamp.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnTheMoonStudios
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5lkBYvF9wlQPgcwHfvFMZt
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Quinn brings Aya Bailey to the table. Aya has been called by the gods to serve, but chooses instead to serve the people through activism and direct action.
Quinn and I discuss using TTRPGs as a way to learn about other cultures and identities including your own, growing beyond others' expectations of you, and decolonizing TTRPG spaces.
This character is built for Scion 2e.
Quinn is a 41-year-old trans woman who is decolonizing their TTRPG tables one at a time. They are using TTRPGs to explore decolonization and respecting other cultures without cultural appropriation.
In the episode, we reference the protests against 'Cop City' in Atlanta. Since the interview was recorded a protestor, Manuel “Tortuguita” Terán was shot and killed by police and others have been charged with terrorism. I encourage you to read more about the protests: https://theintercept.com/2022/08/18/atlanta-cop-city-forest-abolition-environmentalism/
In lieu of sharing social media profiles, Quinn wanted to share more information about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. If you're in Texas, you can get involved with Texas Rematriate: https://www.instagram.com/mmiw_tx_rematriate
Music by Ryan Muns, Eyes On The Moon Studios: https://ryanmuns.bandcamp.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnTheMoonStudios
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5lkBYvF9wlQPgcwHfvFMZt
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Natalie Marley brings Dewey Aberforth to the table. Dewey is an accidental folk hero and a selfish jerk who happens to have a wonderful aquiline nose.
Natalie and I discuss playing a selfish character without making your friends hate you IRL, how to play a man, and developing the confidence to take up space at the table and in the story.
This character is built for D&D5e.
Natalie is a behavior therapist who primarily works with children under the age of 10, teaching social communication, self-help, and coping skills.
Music by Ryan Muns, Eyes On The Moon Studios: https://ryanmuns.bandcamp.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnTheMoonStudios
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5lkBYvF9wlQPgcwHfvFMZt
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Simon brings Dex to the table. Dex is a gnome hacker slowly becoming a revolutionary.
Simon and I discuss finding the bravery to be who you are, building characters that embody neurodiversity, and the intersection of masculinity and fantasy races.
This character is built for Shadowrun.
Simon is a queer, non-binary, autistic, and ADHD STEM educator that builds TTRPG characters to appease his brain spiders.
You can find Simon at:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@simonthetinker
St Pete by Night: https://www.twitch.tv/stpetebynight
Music by Ryan Muns, Eyes On The Moon Studios: https://ryanmuns.bandcamp.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnTheMoonStudios
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5lkBYvF9wlQPgcwHfvFMZt
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Morgan Nuncio brings Lucia “Luz” Guadalupe Lozano to the table. Luz is a young Latina wizard learning to control her magic and setting some fires in the process.
Morgan and I discuss finding the comfort in community to play your own race, who's left out when we default to the old white man wizard tropes, and how sometimes you have to make a lot of mistakes on your way to adulthood.
This character is built for Urban Shadows 2e from Magpie Games: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/magpiegames/urban-shadows-second-edition
Morgan Nuncio is a TTRPG writer and content creator. They have written for Kids on Bikes, Teens in Space, and Jiangshi: Blood in the Banquet Hall. They are a professional GM and an active actual play streamer and podcaster, most notably with their Podcast, Powered by the Players.
You can find Morgan at:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SirenaBesos
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sirenabesos
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sirenabesos
Huetopia: https://twitter.com/HuetopiaTV
Powered by the Players podcast: https://geekspective.com/show/powered-by-the-players
Music by Ryan Muns, Eyes On The Moon Studios: https://ryanmuns.bandcamp.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnTheMoonStudios
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5lkBYvF9wlQPgcwHfvFMZt
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Ryan and Amelia bring Catalina and Esperanza to the table. Catalina and Esperanza are twins conniving to upstage one another.
Ryan, Amelia, and I discuss how to create character drama and conflict at character creation, sex and romance in roleplaying games, and the tropes we return to again and again when creating characters.
These characters are built for Pasións de las Pasiones by Brandon Leon-Gambetta: https://magpiegames.com/pages/pasion
Amelia and Ryan are the two hosts of the Character Creation Cast podcast, a show where they discuss and create characters with guests using the guest's favorite games. Amelia does most of the social media, organizing and graphic design for the podcast, and was also an ENnies judge for two years. Ryan does the editing and production while also dabbling in game design and freelance audio editing.
You can find Amelia and Ryan at:
Character Creation Cast: https://charactercreationcast.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CreationCast
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charactercreationcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creationcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charactercreationcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjyZ8FqYtvBeH0r4Geya1rA
Music by Ryan Muns, Eyes On The Moon Studios: https://ryanmuns.bandcamp.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnTheMoonStudios
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5lkBYvF9wlQPgcwHfvFMZt
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
PlotDoc brings Dreams of a Light Reborn to the table. Dreams is a storyteller who seeks to end a bloody war.
PlotDoc and I discuss growing yourself before growing a character, telling stories that change the world, and kicking gods in the nuts.
This character is built for Exalted 2nd Edition.
PlotDoc is a 34 year old stay-at-home dad and TTRPG TikToker, writer, and enthusiast. They focus on narrative heavy, emotionally compelling stories. They are an ADHD gender-fluid "disaster bi" with far too little filter.
You can find PlotDoc at:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theplotdoctor
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theplotdoctor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlotDoctor
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theplotdoctor
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBdW00yCoLX_EXeLoVV3IuQ
Music by Ryan Muns, Eyes On The Moon Studios: https://ryanmuns.bandcamp.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnTheMoonStudios
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5lkBYvF9wlQPgcwHfvFMZt
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Glenn Buettner brings Montgomery Whitlow to the table. Monty is a Vaesen hunter on a fool's errand to join his wife and daughter in the selkie world.
Glenn and I discuss sending your character on a fool's errand, creating characters from your own writing, and making the table a safe space for exploring trauma.
This character is built for Vaesen.
Glenn mentioned The Lost Mountain and Other Sagas podcast, which you can find here: https://lostmountainsaga.com/
Glenn Buettner has been a tabletop gamer since the 70's and an almost always forever GM. He has been working on the retail side of the gaming industry for the last 16 years and has a self-published rpg, Mistrunner.
You can find Glenn at:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gamesinabunker
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GamesInABunker
itch.io: https://gamesinabunker.itch.io/
Music by Ryan Muns, Eyes On The Moon Studios: https://ryanmuns.bandcamp.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnTheMoonStudios
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5lkBYvF9wlQPgcwHfvFMZt
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Caroline Vahrenkamp brings Jurdgel Sharptooth to the table. Jurdgel is a goblin customs official who would like nothing more than staying home with a cup of tea and a romance novel.
Caroline and I discuss the challenge of voicing a male character as a trans woman, discovering something about yourself playing TTRPGs, and what neutrality means.
This character is built for D&D5e.
Caroline Vahrenkamp is a suburban parent of two who does silly D&D character voices on TikTok from time to time. Caroline’s podcast, Wonders of the World, is about all of the amazing places on Earth and the cultures that created them.
You can find Caroline at:
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@caro_the_rpg_mom
Wonders of the World Podcast: https://www.wonderspodcast.com
Music by Ryan Muns, Eyes On The Moon Studios: https://ryanmuns.bandcamp.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnTheMoonStudios
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5lkBYvF9wlQPgcwHfvFMZt
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Once again, I’m mad at something I love – or rather, I’m mad at the company that owns it. Once again, it’s Dungeons and Dragons.
About a week ago, a draft copy of the new D&D Open Game License was leaked. Much more restrictive than the Open Game License that currently stands, these changes would hurt the independent third-party creators that built the community that Hasbro is trying to further exploit.
We shouldn’t be surprised.
Submit a character for the podcast: http://characterswithoutstories.com/
For more information:
Dungeons & Dragons’ New License Tightens Its Grip on Competition:
https://gizmodo.com/dnd-wizards-of-the-coast-ogl-1-1-open-gaming-license-1849950634
D&D maker backs off new licensing rules that led to fan revolt: https://www.polygon.com/23553669/dungeons-dragons-dnd-ogl-wizards-of-the-coast-licensing
Music by Ryan Muns, Eyes On The Moon Studios: https://ryanmuns.bandcamp.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnTheMoonStudios
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5lkBYvF9wlQPgcwHfvFMZt
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Joseph Speak brings Skips to the table. Skips is a sheltered monk who took a vow of silence thrust into a noisy world when dragon-induced tragedy strikes. He becomes a mime to find a way to honor his vow while exploring the world.
Joseph and I discuss challenging yourself as a roleplayer, 'voicing' a nonverbal character, and the perfectly legitimate fear of dragons.
This character is built for D&D5e.
Joseph Speak is a chronic DM that desperately wants to play Dungeons and Dragons but is stuck as the storyteller.
You can find Joseph at:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dungeonsxdragonites
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/josephspeak6366
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_nvzvreth
Music by Ryan Muns, Eyes On The Moon Studios: https://ryanmuns.bandcamp.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnTheMoonStudios
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5lkBYvF9wlQPgcwHfvFMZt
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Sophie Katz brings Ekra to the table. Ekra is a dad on a mission, a Kenku finding his own way to communicate in a world that considers him less than human.
Sophie and I discuss how we create and learn language, the trauma of having to speak in your oppressor's language, and other ways that bards can inspire.
This character is built for D&D5e.
Sophie Katz is a Jewish, aromantic/asexual writer, storyteller, and all-around nerd! She is the host of the podcast "I Love This Thing So Fricking Much," currently on hiatus while she finishes up her master's degree.
"Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra" is a reference to "Darmok," Star Trek: The Next Generation S05E02: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOnc74Vljx0
You can find Sophie at:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sophieakatz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophieakatz
Writing Portfolio Website: https://www.sophie-a-katz.com
"I Love This Thing So Fricking Much" podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6RpsTPoUuz7hfxailFWHry
Music by Ryan Muns, Eyes On The Moon Studios: https://ryanmuns.bandcamp.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnTheMoonStudios
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5lkBYvF9wlQPgcwHfvFMZt
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
Jim S brings Janie to the table. Janie became a chemically-inhanced super soldier to gain the strength to find her missing sister.
Jim and I discuss what you have to give up to gain the power you need, what it means when your character's strengths become their weaknesses, and going out in a blaze of glory.
This character is built for Savage Worlds Rifts.
Content warning: brief mention of child abuse. Skip 1:17-1:56 to avoid this section.
Songs referenced:
"Janie's Got a Gun" by Aerosmith
"The Gnome" by Pink Floyd
Jim S is an office worker in the Buffalo NY area and a TTRPG player and GM spreading the word about Savage Worlds on TikTok.
You can find Jim at:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JimHasFun
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jimhasfunonline
Character Art from Hero Forge: https://www.heroforge.com
Music by Ryan Muns, Eyes On The Moon Studios: https://ryanmuns.bandcamp.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnTheMoonStudios
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5lkBYvF9wlQPgcwHfvFMZt
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterswithoutstories
Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!
VJ Harris brings Varqoor to the table. Varqorr is a mind flayer losing their hold on their host and finding their own path away from the Elder Brain as a spore druid.
VJ and I discuss how their supplement, An Elf and an Orc Had a Little Baby, takes on the problems with race in D&D, what it's like to play a monster, and what mind flayers sound like.
This character is built for D&D 5e.
V.J. Harris is a professional TTRPG designer and pro game master. They're most well known for their work with MCDM Production's Arcadia magazine and An Elf and An Orc Had a Little Baby. They strive to make TTRPGS fun and inclusive for all those that wish to play and respect others.
You can find VJ at:
Website: https://www.vjhcreations.com
VJ Talks Podcast: https://www.vjhcreations.com/podcast-vjtalks
Pro-GMing: https://startplaying.games/gm/vjhcreations
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vjhcreations
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vjhcreations
Strange Hungers on Total Party Kiss: https://www.twitch.tv/totalpartykiss/videos
Music by Ryan Muns, Eyes On The Moon Studios: https://ryanmuns.bandcamp.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnTheMoonStudios
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5lkBYvF9wlQPgcwHfvFMZtsi=7ND8lJ3kStSIs5mh8F0tIA&utm_source=copy-link
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAbHpcfZh-S90PndEVIb9EQ
Thanks for listening, and my all your characters find their stories!
Abstract brings Torden Stormborn to the table. Torden is convinced he is the prophesied herald of the Everstorm, an apocalyptic maelstrom.
Abstract and I discuss playing evil characters, the limitations of the alignment system in D&D, and what happens when a prophecy doesn't come true.
This character is built for D&D 5e.
Abstract is a forever DM and D&D TikToker working towards owning a gaming store and cafe.
You can find Abstract at:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisabstractthought
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAbHpcfZh-S90PndEVIb9EQ
Thanks for listening, and my all your characters find their stories!
Damian brings Malcolm Cain to the table. Malcolm was the muscle of an art-smuggling business who finds his brother slain, leading him to become wrapped up in a shadowy conspiracy.
Damian and I discuss how facing the monstrous within the mundane can change you, how a character's skills can tell you a lot about a person, and what goes in a backstory.
This character is built for Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition.
Damian is a TTRPG malcontent who just wants to tend their garden and tell stories with friends.
You can find Damian at:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@damianoddsonjr
This episode was recorded on TikTok Live. Follow me on TikTok to see it live next time!
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAbHpcfZh-S90PndEVIb9EQ
Thanks for listening, and my all your characters find their stories!
Kurt Refling brings Altabella to the table. Altabella is a sea silk diver who is turned into a vampire, slowly losing her memory and becoming a predator in the process.
Kurt and I discuss how a good prompt leads to creative storytelling, what it means to become a vampire, and why we tell sad stories in TTRPGs.
This character is built for Thousand Year Old Vampire, a game by Tim Hutchings.
https://thousandyearoldvampire.com/products/thousand-year-old-vampire
Kurt Refling is a designer, writer, and artist based in Ottawa, Canada. Kurt has published GM-less tabletop roleplaying games including Knots in the Sky, This Spells Trouble, and Faewater. He is currently launching a Kickstarter campaign for his game Here We Used to Fly, a tabletop role-playing game about abandoned theme parks and the bittersweet nostalgia of growing up.
You can find Kurt at:
Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/refling/here-we-used-to-fly
itch.io: https://a-smouldering-lighthouse.itch.io
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KurtRefling
You can find Star at:
Website: http://www.characterswithoutstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAbHpcfZh-S90PndEVIb9EQ
Thanks for listening, and my all your characters find their stories!
This podcast is about characters. And when it comes to characters in Dungeons and Dragons, there have been problems with how the game defines race from the very beginning. You may have heard about the most recent example, and oh boy it’s a doozy.
The latest Wizards of the Coast release, Spelljammer, contains a character race called the Hadozee. The way the race is characterized and depicted in the book is, to be straightforward, racist.
For more information, here are some creators who have explored this controversy with clarity and depth. Please check out their work:
@KendoMakesFilms on Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/KendoMakesFilms/status/1564446392428515328
@tallnerdapollo on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tallnerdapollo/status/1564710344190304256
@scholasticdragn on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/scholasticdragn/status/1564467310030618624
@OhYikesMorgan on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/OhYikesMorgan/status/1564664727338471424
VJ Harris on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vjhcreations/video/7137728964826500394
neosoulgod on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@neosoulgod/video/7137745302148271406
cosmic ibe on TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@cosmic_ibe/video/7137705911950282027
Characters without stories is a TTRPG podcast about the roads not yet traveled.
If you play tabletop roleplaying games you probably have some back pocket characters, characters who are just waiting for the right story. Every episode, I’ll bring in a friend to tell me about their character and their approach to creating characters.
Rachel Voss brings Madame Azlu to the table. Madame Azlu sails across the Sea of Stars, chasing constellations in a crystal ship.
This character is built for D&D 5e.
Rachel Voss, a retired wheelchair athlete who uses her more than 20 years of disability experience to create accurate representation in tabletop roleplaying games. She is the co-founder of Forge Ahead: A Party To Access.
You can find Star at:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAbHpcfZh-S90PndEVIb9EQ
You can find Rachel at:
Website: https://apartytoaccess.wordpress.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Forge-Ahead-A-Party-To-Access-114496620677549
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apartytoaccess
Twitter: https://twitter.com/apartytoaccess
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx2ENgDIpy-IyZi1_sPmnHg
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/apartytoaccess
Wesley Magee-Saxton brings Farthing to the table. Farthing is a disabled high elf who became an accidental stowaway and an accidental pirate.
This character is built for D&D 5e.
Wesley is a disabled, queer performance artist and disability advocate based in Tkaronto Canada. They are the co-founder of Forge Ahead: a Party to Access.
You can find Star at:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAbHpcfZh-S90PndEVIb9EQ
You can find Wesley at:
Website: https://apartytoaccess.wordpress.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Forge-Ahead-A-Party-To-Access-114496620677549
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apartytoaccess
Twitter: https://twitter.com/apartytoaccess
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx2ENgDIpy-IyZi1_sPmnHg
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/apartytoaccess
Stevie brings Requiem to the table. Requiem is a Tiefling Warlock who pledged her service to Asmodeus to save her girlfriend, losing everything in the process.
This character is built for D&D 5e.
Stevie is currently a grad student studying to become a mental health counselor and enjoys DMing and playing D&D and Pathfinder.
You can find Star at:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAbHpcfZh-S90PndEVIb9EQ
You can find Stevie at:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@neineyes
Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevietealeaf
Jay brings Qurr to the table. Qurr is an Aarakocra Barbarian on a mission to prove herself to the goddess Syranita.
This character is built for D&D 5e.
Jay is a retired U.S. Navy Broadcast Journalist, a High School English Teacher, and the creator of Better Backstories. She is also a D&D Dungeon Master, a cosplayer, and she identifies as a non-binary femizenter.
You can find Star at:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starmamac
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAbHpcfZh-S90PndEVIb9EQ
You can find Jay at:
Website: https://www.betterbackstories.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@allthatjaz22
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/betterbackstories
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/backstories22
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backstories22
Character Artwork by Blazbaros
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blazbaros/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blazbaros
DeviantArt: https://www.deviantart.com/blazbaros
Listeners, meet Bart.
Andrew Rahman brings Bart Biggityburg to the table. Bart is a Tortle Drakewarden Ranger who has trained to be a championship marathon runner.