In this episode, we continue our examination of magic in Role-Playing Games with a look at Ars Magica with Science Fiction author Adrian Tchaikovsky. He talks to us about the setting, the rules and the way that magic works in the game.

We haven’t had chance to play it yet, so Dirk and Blythy meet in the Lass O Gowrie pub in Manchester and discuss the difficulties of ‘fitting it all in’.

We have been to UK Games Expo so we give our initial views of attending the event this year.

Dirk has been on Orlanth Rexes Gaming Vexes and What Would the Smart Party Do? recently.

Patreon has been refreshed – annual contribution at discount and ‘it’s your birthday’ award for the top level of support. Thanks for all who listen and contribute.

The post Ars Magica RPG (with Adrian Tchaikovsky) Ep 82 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

Returning guest Stephen Brotherstone, co-author of the Scarred for Life series of books and shows, joins us in the zoom of Role Playing Rambling to examine the witchcraft and horrors that haunted our childhood years.

You can see Ste as his show is on the road during 2025 and the latest volume of the series is now available. Highly recommended as it is packed with gaming nostalgia content.

Also in this episode, Dirk and Blythy watch The Hammer House of Horror (1980) together and consider what impact it had on them at the time and how it can inform our games now.

We also reflect on the games that we played at virtual GROGMEET, including Liminal, Mutant Year Zero, The Dee Sanction and Savage Worlds.

You can see Tim Olsen interviewed by Toni Arthur.

If you want to support the podcast and get access to additional podcast content, then please consider supporting us at Patreon.

The post Scarred by Magic in the 70s & 80s (with Stephen Brotherstone) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

Magic in RPGs is a continuing obsession for Dirk the Dice and Blythy in this latest episode of the podcast.

We talk about Advanced Dungeons and Dragons (AD&D) and Powers and Perils (Pee & Pee) and marvel at how we played in the early 2000s, when we didn’t know any better and were more willing to freeform and ‘make stuff up’.

Also in this episode, we are pleased that GROGSQUADer
China Miéville provided his first, last and everything.

I think that I need to find out more about Tales of Argosa .

Mike and Roger over at Improvised Radio Theatre with Dice have an interesting discussion about magic – following our mention of it last time.

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The post More Magic in RPGs (with China Miéville) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.