Tag: Dungeons and Dragons

DNA Podcast 095 – Fantasy Tropes People Love with Jack Ward

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The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 095 - Fantasy Tropes People Love with Jack Ward
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In this episode, Don and Rob are joined by Jack Ward to discuss a recent Reddit survey on fantasy tropes people love. They discuss how people might be misusing the word and idea of tropes, and then go through people’s top choices for fantasy tropes, from the heroic last stand to the plucky young hero, and discuss why each trope is there and people like them so much. All this, and a whole pile of dragons and swords, are waiting for you in this episode of The Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music:

Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed:

Reddit Thread on Fantasy Tropes
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Phantom Lady
Trope
TVtropes.org
Bathos (your new word of the episode)
What Writers Should Learn from Wonder Woman (video)
The Hunt for the Wilder People
What We Do in Shadows
The Karate Kid Crane Kick
ARIEL (anime)
Bildungsroman
Horatio Alger
Horatio Hornblower
The Count of Monte Christo
The Count of Monte Christo 2002 Film
Mu (Lost Continent)
Atlantis
The Younger Dryas Impact Hypothesis
Indigenous Taiwanese and Maori Are Linked
Dinotopia
Reign of Fire
Laid Back Camp
Bakuman
The Hero’s Journey by Joseph Campbell
The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler

DNA Podcast 094 – Gaming Tropes

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The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 094 - Gaming Tropes
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In this episode, Rob and Don dig into the concept of tropes and discuss how they connect with tabletop RPG gaming. Few people think about how Hit Points are actually an artificial idea created by games, and how they affect the way we think about games- this is an example of a gaming trope. Don and Rob also discuss many popular games like CHILL, TOON, and TORG, and how these genre-simulating games play on the tropes of other media. All this, and why the DC Heroes RPG was the best game ever, is waiting for you in this episode of The Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music:

Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed

DC HEROES RPG (Mayfair)
Call of Chthulhu RPG
Ninja Crusade
Champions RPG
Villains and Vigilantes
Superworld
Superhero 2044
GURPS:Supers
Chill RPG
Hammer House of Horror
TOON RPG
MAGE RPG
It Came from the Late Late Late Show RPG
TORG
Cabin the Woods (movie)
William Castle (B-Horror Movie maker, Don calls him Frank Castle by accident. Frank is The Punsher, William is the Tingler!)
The Magician’s Podcast #97 – Teller
litRPGs

DNA Episode 086 – Interview with Lee Gold

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The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Episode 086 - Interview with Lee Gold
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In this episode, Don and Rob sit down with the incomparable Lee Gold to discuss her life as an early RPG designer, editor of the long-running APA Alarums and Excursions, and filk songwriter. Along the way, the trio discuss the history of the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society (LASFS), how she started her APA, and some of Lee’s memories of the early days of fandom. All this, and a sample of Lee and her husband Barry’s singing, are waiting for you in this episode of The Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music:

Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed:

Lee Gold Wikipedia
Alarums and Excursions
Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society (LASFS)
APA-L
DRAGON Magazine
Amazon Cannot Ship to Australia
Chivalry and Sorcery
Steve Perrin
Fanzines
Worldcon
Westercon
Gary Gygax
Jackals Fattening on a Lion’s Kill by Gary Gygax
Could you repeat that in Auld Wormish? by Lee Gold
ORGINS Convention
Issac Asimov Foundation Trilogy
SLAN by A.E. Van Vogt
Lensmen by E.E. Doc Smith
Doomed Lensmen by Sybly Whyte
Skylark of Space
Filk Songs
Tunnels and Trolls (or here)
Superhero 2044
Toyo 2000 Basic Kanji Characters
Lands of Adventure RPG
Fantasy Games Unlimited
GURPS Japan
You Bash the Balrog and I’ll Climb the Tree
Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart
Liaden Series by Sharon lee and Steve Miller
In The Garden of Iden by Kage Baker
Lois Bujold’s Vorkosigan Series

DNA Podcast 084 – Food in Popular Culture

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The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 084 - Food in Popular Culture
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Ronald McDonald 1.0

In this episode, Rob and Don explore the weird relationship between food and popular culture. From C3POs to Mac Tonight, the pair discuss how food is both shunned and adored in popular culture, and how this relationship has changed over time. Along the way, they ask the big questions, like “Can you eat D&D Monsters?” and “Why are North American so afraid of food in their media?” All this, and the Creepy Burger King, are waiting for you in this episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music:

Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed:

C3PO’s
Cerial Box Prizes
Tokyo Midnight Diner
Bartender Manga
The Stuff
Descent into the Depths of the Earth (D&D)
The Underdark
Delicious in the Dungeon
Toriko
Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon
Restaurant in Another World
Nobunaga’s Chef
Isekai Izakaya “Nobu”
Dr. Stone
Iron Chef
Cutthroat Kitchen
Wok With Yan
Julia Child
Gordon Ramsey
Anthony Bordain
Alton Brown
Good Eats
NHK World
Aunt Jemima
Mascots
Ronald McDonald
Ronald McDonald Dating
Mac Tonight
Wendy’s Twitter Feed
Burger King Bearskin Rug
The Burger King
Elias’s Big Boy
Petey Wheat (Scroll down….)
Volto From Mars
Folgers Coffee Romantic Commercials (Taster’s Choice actually….)
Long Long Man Japanese Commercial Series (HAW! Subtle!)
Messin With Sasquatch
Food Wars: Shokugeki no Soma

DNA Podcast 081 – DNA Millwood Chapter with Anika and Matt

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The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 081 - DNA Millwood Chapter with Anika and Matt
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A while ago, friend of the show Jack Ward approached us about making his High School’s nerdly arts club into a branch of the Department of Nerdly Affairs. We naturally were flattered, and accepted- thus the DNA Millwood Chapter was born! Now we sit down with Anika MacMullen and her co-president Matt Bambrick to talk about the club, it’s membership, and their activities. Then Anika and Matt turn the tables on us, and interview Don and Rob about some burning questions they have about our organization. So, sit back and enjoy this very special Christmas episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music:

Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed:

DNA Millwood Chapter Twitter Page
Leigh Brackett
Sword Art Online Progressive
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure
E-sports
The Dark Dungeons Pamphlet
The Sword and Lazer Podcast
SHAZAM!/Captain Marvel

DNA Podcast 042 – Dungeons and Dragons

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The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 042 - Dungeons and Dragons
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D&D

In this episode, Rob and Don are joined by fellow gamer Jack Ward to discuss the granddaddy of tabletop roleplaying- Dungeons and Dragons. The intrepid trio throw on their adventuring gear and delve deep into the many editions of D&D while sharing their thoughts on how D&D became a cultural fixture in our society.  All this, and why you need to roll for initiative right now!… are waiting for you in this episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.

    Closing Music:

Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt 

Image Credits (Used under CC 2.0 License):
Galfragnog The Mighty DM by Scott Macleod

Things Discussed:

Chainmail
Dungeons and Dragons
1:1 Scale Gundam
Tolkien and Led Zepplin
The Crying Native by the Side of the Road
Hunter in the Dark Monica Hules
In Children’s Books Food replaces Sex
Greyhawk
Blackmoor
AD&D
Tunnels and Trolls
King of Kong
Dragonlance
Forgotten Realms
Stranger Things
12 Famous People Who Play D&D
Record of Lodoss War
Interview with Will Meugniot
Dungeons and Dragons Cartoon
Shannara
Dragon Riders of Pern
Wizards of the Coast
Red Wedding Reaction Videos
Ral Partha
D&D Toys
Strongheart and Warduke
Pathfinder
6 Best Editions of D&D
Ranked List of Best RPGS of All Time
Orc with a Pie D&D
Brandon Sanderson
Piers Anthony
Community D&D
Harmonquest

DNA Podcast 020 – Tabletop RPG Memories

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The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 020 - Tabletop RPG Memories
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therebedragons

In this episode, Rob and Don are joined by their friend Chad to discuss their love of Tabletop Role-Playing Games. The trio explore the history of TRPGS, and talks about their own experiences and growing up playing these games. Along the way, they discuss the appeal of Gamma World, point based vs. random character creation, and their love of Superhero Gaming. All this, and the future of TRPGs are waiting for you in the 20th episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music: Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt 

Things Discussed:

Chainmail: Rules for Medival Miniatures
Dungeons and Dragons
Little Wars by HG Wells
Metamorphosis Alpha
Traveller RPG
Gamma World
Superhero 2044
Villains and Vigilantes
Champions Review
HERO System (Champions)
TSR Marvel Superheros RPG Review
Mayfair DC Heroes RPG
GURPS
Palladium Fantasy RPG
TMNT: And other Strangeness RPG
Ninjas and Superspies
RIFTS
Call of Cthulhu
Robotech RPG
D20 System
Shadowrun
GNS Theory (Narrativst Games)
Pathfinder RPG
Mekton
Cyberpunk 2.0.2.0.
Weapons of the Gods Review
Exalted RPG
Beyond the Supernatural
Chill Horror RPG
TORG
World of Darkness RPG Universe
AR Gameboards

DNA Podcast Episode 004 – Satanic Panic

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The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast Episode 004 - Satanic Panic
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15607_sm-Artwork, Chaos, Copyright Games Workshop, Slaves To Darkness

Welcome Operatives! In today’s show, Rob and Don explore the Ritual Satanic Abuse panic that gripped America during the 1970s and 1980s and how the game Dungeons and Dragons became wrapped up in it. Then, in the second half of the show, the pair dig deep into the cinematic roots that laid the groundwork for Satanism’s grip over the American psyche of the period. All this and 2000 Maniacs are waiting for you in this episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music: Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt 

Episode Show Notes:
Satanic Ritual Abuse
Michelle Remembers
The McMartin Preschool Trial
Mazes and Monsters (book)
Mazes and Monsters (video- full movie)
Dark Dungeons
Geraldo on Satanism (video)
Dungeon Master’s Guide
Dungeons and Dragons
Saturday Morning PSAs (video)
Reptilian Obama
Gary Gygax Biography
Bill Nye vs Ken Ham Debate (video)
High Schools Ban D&D
Villains and Vigilantes RPG
Champions RPG
Traveller RPG
Warhammer FRPG
Realms of Chaos Book
Judge Dredd
Ghostbusters RPG
Robotech RPG

Extra Discussion:
Rosemary’s Baby (video clip)
The Devil’s Hand (video- full movie)
Blood Feast (video, trailer, gory, we got the name backwards)
The Bright Young Things
Bonnie and Clyde
New Hollywood
Hayes Code
2000 Maniacs (video, trailer, gory)
American Grindhouse