What Would The Smart Party Do?

Episode 72 - Downtime Abbey (a.k.a. You're Not My Supervisor) What to do with those pesky players when they're not delving in dungeons? How to convince the GM you need time to fanny around and go shopping for booster potions with real characters? Two sides of the same copper piece my friends, this week the lads talk about downtime or what goes on in games when you're not doing the core activity (be that punching orcs in the face or using Traveller to model Elite). What do you do with your time outside of the usual stuff? Robin Laws once had a gaming group that would bang the table and shout "Next fight! Next fight!", but the Smart Party like to think there's more constructive actions that could be filling the gaming space. Run your first game? Need advice? Give the lads your view via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly! Enable the purchasing of more outrageous hats by becoming a Patreon supporter, and you too can get great content - including a fanzine - Smartzine #1. A

Episode 71 - New GM Advice (a.k.a. Your Job Is To Lose Every Fight) How do you go about running your first game? Do you want to be a DM, GM, LM, Referee or Keeper? Perhaps you've played for years but never run a game, maybe you've never gamed at all, is could be you tried running games and didn't really get on with it. Fear not! The Smart Party are here to help. The lads go through how to go about running your first RPG with everything from whether you should buy and adventure, to giving yourself enough credit and the minutiae of wee breaks. They're super keen to know how you get on should you try a game - so let them know - and please do share with any friends you think might benefit from some sage advice. Run your first game? Need advice? Give the lads your view via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly! Enable the purchasing of more outrageous hats by becoming a Patreon supporter, and you too can get great content - including a fanzine - Smartzine #1. Already a Patreon

Episode 70 - Dungeons and Dragons (a.k.a. There's this new game called D&D) There's a new hwatness on the streets that you may not have heard of. It's called Dungeons & Dragons and has loads of editions apparently. Who knew? Baz and Gaz have managed a couple of sessions (after finally making a save versus paralysis), and what's more have been on the same side of the DM screen for once. Baz patiently talks a sceptical Gaz through the joys of the Player's Handbook and they finish off with a score out of five scimitars for the game. Join them on a magical journey, and discover the legality of Owlbears, how to fall down a mountain and how to turn a Halfling into Robin Hood. Should the guys talk about the Dungeon Master's Guide? Monster Manuals? More? Give them your view via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly! Deliver copper-painted platinum pieces to the Patreon fund, and you too can get great content - including a fanzine - Smartzine #1. Already a Patreon and want

Episode 69 - Urban Fantasy with Paul Mitchener (a.k.a. Liminal Advertising) Special Guest time once more and the prolific Dr Mitch is on again. The lads talk about his new Urban Fantasy game, and indeed – what is Urban Fantasy? Does American Gods count? What about Young Adult novels? Liminal is out on Kickstarter with a bunch of stretch goals, all introducing different writers, Jason Behnke’s art and other frippery - giving the guys plenty to talk about. Mitch even sings at one point… but don't let that put you off! You can find out more on the Liminal Kickstarter here and should definitely check out the 7 Hills RPG convention. Jason Behnke is a fabulous artist - you should go to his site and give him money to do stuff. If you wanted to get your hands on Monkey, go check out D101 Games, and to understand what the Monkey TV series is… click here. Check out the Facebook page. Find The Smart Party on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys. Deliver gold pieces to the Patreon fund, and you too ca

Episode 68 - Roleplaying Games of the 90s (a.k.a. Gaming Like It's 1999) Let's party like it's 1999! Why not the whole decade? The lads take a trip down memory lane to go over the 90s (which only last decade right?) and talk through some of the key products, what's still hot and what's not - and maybe which games deserve another day (or never really got the day they deserved) in the sunshine. The episode is dedicated to Mik Reed, who was a familiar avuncular face on the UK con circuit. Sadly, after a long battle with a mystery illness, he has left us. As generous and supporting in games as he was in real life, he never spoke ill of anyone and was a great contributor to the online as well as offline community. He'll be missed. Check out their Facebook page. Find them on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys. Deliver gold pieces to the Patreon fund, and you too can get great content - including a fanzine - Smartzine #1 has landed on doorsteps all over the place, from Bermuda to Beverly Hills (s

Episode 67 - Greg Stolze Interview Gaming Legend Greg Stolze joins the lads for a great chat about his many games and what he's up to in 2018. Unknown Armies, Over The Edge, Godlike, Feng Shui, REIGN, Temintation Shock, short stories and novels - Greg has an impressive portfolio and plenty to talk about, so dive in and enjoy! You can hear about about Temination Shock on Greg's Soundcloud and read much more on REIGN and his myraid other writing projects on the Stolze site. Deliver gold pieces to the Patreon fund, and we can keep producing great content - including a fanzine - Smartzine #1 has landed on doorsteps all over the place, from Bermuda to Beverly Hills (seriously!). At time of writing we're at a sufficient level to get the boys writing a producing an adventure for supporters too - so in 2018 our loyal Patrons have even more to look forward to. Check out their Facebook page. Find them on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys.

Episode 66 - A New Campaign 2018 It's the start of a glorious new year and the lads discuss what they've got for Christmas, how to start a new campaign, what new and exciting games they may be setting up for 2018 and other goodness. Do you remember Transhuman Space? That and more could be in the offing this year... Give sacrifice to the Patreon fund, and we'll keep attending great events, and recording more content for you, dear listeners. Both of you. At time of writing we're at a sufficient level to get the boys writing a producing a fanzine - so in 2018 our loyal Patrons have even more to look forward to. Check out their Facebook page. Find them on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys.

Episode 65 - Rafael Chandler Interview Author of one of the finest novels of modern times (Baz knows his stuff on this), video game designer and RPG creator Rafael Chandler joins the boys for a discussion about his works and many other fun things! Find out about Splatterpunk horror games, the enigmatic El Degollador (The Decapitator) from Peruvian history, how the creation process works for games and novels, why spiders are your friends, and much more! If you want to tell Rafael about your favourite Masters of the Universe figure, you can find him on G+, and you can buy many of his great books from Amazon too. Give sacrifice to the Patreon fund, and we'll keep attending great events, and recording more content for you, dear listeners. Both of you. At time of writing we're at a sufficient level to get the boys writing a producing a fanzine - so in 2018 our loyal Patrons have even more to look forward to. Check out their Facebook page. Find them on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys. Dir

Episode 64 - End of Year Review 2017 It's been a funny old year. Or has it? Baz and Gaz go over what's been happening, talk about their favourites, and upcoming things that tickle their collective fancy. Throw a copper piece into the Patreon fund, and we'll keep attending great events, and recording more content for you, dear listeners. Both of you. If we get enough funding we'll dish out some fanzine action too - so tell your friends. Check out our spangly new Facebook page. Find them on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys. Direct download here!

Episode 63 - Dragonmeet Review & Interviews After a great time as part of the #Podcastzone at Dragonmeet, the guys got together for a review of the event and also mixed in some of the interviews and brief chats they got while gadding about. Hear from OSR guys such as Luke Gearing [19:20], the Lamentations of James Raggi [28:55], the silvered tones of Patrick Stuart [34:05]; plus, what's new in Chaosium Line Editor Mike Mason's stable [39:50] and more Cthlhu style shenanigans from Paul Baldowski. James Raggi has plenty of great stuff on his site, including Patrick's work such as Veins of the Earth. Get your hand on Fever Swamp here. Down Darker Trails, is available from the Chaosium site, of course. Get yourself some lovely All Rolled Up goodies from Paul and Fil too! Throw a copper piece into the Patreon fund, and we'll keep attending great events, and recording more content for you, dear listeners. Both of you. If we get enough funding we'll dish out some fanzine action too - so tell your friends.

Bonus Episode - Black Hack at Dragonmeet The lands went on a jolly to Dragonmeet and have a full episode in the pipe - but along the way they spent some time in the bar chatting to David Black of The Black Hack fame, gate crashed by Chris Mc Dougal Donald Duncan Dowall from Into the Odd. Throw in a dollar or two to the Patreon fund, and we'll keep attending great events, and recording more content for you, dear listeners. Both of you. Check out our spangly new Facebook page. Find them on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys. Direct download here!

Episode 62 - Preparing For Dragonmeet If you're going to try a one day gaming convention in the Big Smoke, then Dragonmeet is the place to be. What to expect though? Baz and Gaz lead you through everything that's going down, provide stories of previous adventures, and fill you in on some tips and tricks, along with highlights not to be missed. Most of all, they look forward to meeting both their listeners there! Dragonmeet is one of the most vibrant tabletop gaming conventions and the largest of it's kind in London. You'll discover a day jam-packed with things for you to do. Expect new and old games to play, industry panels, book signings, an art show, bring & buy, cosplay events, lots of new traders and big demos, tournaments and of course the chance to make new friends and hang out with fellow gamers. Throw in a dollar or two to the Patreon fund, and we'll keep attending great events, and recording more content for you, dear listeners. Both of you. Check out our spangly new Facebook page. Find t

Ken Rolston, known for his work on Elder Scrolls (Morrowind and Oblivion), Paranoia and many other gaming successes, joins us for a chat about all things game related. From his long and storied history in the hobby, producing an RPG, the state of the video gaming industry, RPG tips and stories, to many amusing anecdotes, Ken was a delight to chat to. In his own words: subversive, perverse, deconstructionist, sophisticated, mellifluous, jaded and more; Ken is a huge personality in the gaming world and has a lot of really great stuff to share. As with previous Kraken entries, we recorded live where we could and as a result incidental sounds intrude - but the content more than makes up for any of those niggles! Help us get more content! Throw in a dollar or two to the Patreon fund, and we'll keep getting interviews with lovely people. Also, Gaz splashed out on a new recording device and is having to live off beans on toast. He'll waste away. Check out our spangly new Facebook page, if that's your poison.

You're in a German Schloss, it's 4am, and you've been drinking and eating fit to burst. What could top this off? Chatting to President of Chaosium, Rick Meints about Runequest, running Chaosium, the fan community and ducks. Slurred words are obviously a result of being sleepy, and sound of enjoyment in the background is... well, people enjoying themselves. We recorded live and there is a bit of background noise, but the content, as always, is awesome. Help us get more content! Throw in a dollar or two to the Patreon fund, and we'll keep getting interviews with lovely people. Maybe a better mic for recording on the go! Get us to $75 and Baz will get you some extra special content. Email the guys Find them on the Twitters: @the_smart_party Direct download here!

Episode 61 - The Grognard Files Baz and Gaz are joined by Chris (a.k.a Dirk the Dice) from The Grognard Files, to talk about old, comforting RPG gaming. Something eldritch occurred with Gaz's voice and he sounds like a dusty robot, but never mind that, our guest has a syrupy voice, sweet and soothing as if from the Sabden Treacle Mines. The guys talk Grognard Files, old school stuff like Runequest, Games Workshop, 24 hour gaming advice and more! If you haven't checked out the Grognard Podcast, then you should remedy this immediately! Help us get more content! Throw in a dollar or two to the Patreon fund, and we'll keep getting interviews with lovely people. Maybe a better mic for recording on the go! Get us to $75 and Baz will get you some extra special content. Email the guys Find them on the Twitters: @the_smart_party Direct download here!

Special Guest and Great Old One, Sandy Petersen (creator of Call of Cthulhu and mind behind Petersen Games talks to us about his upcoming board games, getting into Call of Cthulhu and his foray into video games. A fantastic German gaming retreat happens once a year in the old East Germany and this is one of several on-site interviews. As a result sound quality isn't 100%, but the content is! You can find the latest Kickstarter from Petersen Games here, created by Sandy's son and fellow designer Lincoln, you get to play your part in summoning the end of the world - with whatever dubious rewards that may bring! Help us get more content! Throw in a dollar or two to the Patreon fund, and we'll keep getting interviews with lovely people. Maybe a better mic for recording on the go! Get us to $75 and Baz will get you some extra special content. Email the guys Find them on the Twitters: @the_smart_party Direct download here!

We reviewed Blades in the Dark a few weeks ago and now Baz has taken it out for a spin with his gaming group. For your delectation we present a bonus 'cast - an hour of actual play! Become a Patreon and we can get you the character creation audio too! Throw in a dollar or two to the Patreon fund, and we'll keep getting you more stuff. Email the guys Find them on the Twitters: @the_smart_party Direct download here!

A fantastic German gaming retreat happens once a year in the old East, and Gaz was there once again. He comes back loaded with interviews, the first of which is a debrief of the event with Andrew Kenrick, former White Dwarf editor and Managing Editor at Cubicle 7 and publisher of the excellent Dead of Night rpg. We discuss the high quality of the event, why you should play Delta Green as well as Call of Cthulhu, the advantages of multi-cultural gaming and also a few writer tips for good measure! A note on sound quality - these episodes are filmed in the field, at the mercy of strangers blundering past, people kicking tables or other things - but the content more than makes up for any of this. What is The Thing From Finland? Click the link to find out... Help us get more content! Throw in a dollar or two to the Patreon fund, and we'll keep getting interviews with lovely people. Maybe a better mic for recording on the go! Get us to $75 and Baz will get you some extra special content. Email the guys Fin

Episode 59 - Fria Ligan Interview with Tomas Härenstam This week, it's special guest time once again, and the the affable from The Free League came along to talk to us about Mutant Year Zero, Tales From the Loop, their new Kickstarter and more! If you're really quick, you might just be able to get in on the Forbidden Lands Kickstarter - an open-world survival tabletop RPG with art by legendary Swedish fantasy artist Nils Gulliksson and the masterful Simon Stålenhag. Help us get to Dragonmeet! Throw in a dollar or two to the Patreon fund, and help us pay for limousines and champagne. Get us to $75 and Baz will get you some extra special content. Email the guys Find them on the Twitters: @the_smart_party Direct download here!

Episode 58 - Blades in the Dark - with Iain McAllister of Giant Brain fame! The lads have been playing the excellent Blades in the Dark by John Harper, and Baz even went out of his comfort zone, running it as a low-prep game at a convention. Hear what is so good about this game anyway, and maybe a couple of foibles. You can find Iain's blog here: Giant Brain Game reviews, reports from UK Games Expo and more. Help us get to Dragonmeet! Throw in a dollar or two to the Patreon fund, and help us pay for limousines and champagne. Get us to $75 and Baz will get you some extra special content! Email the guys Find them on the Twitters: @the_smart_party