The Best Defense Pt. 2 Thorns (S3E37)

Everybody has a reason why they fight. For our heroes, it’s the friends & family they need to protect. They’ll push themselves to the limits to keep them safe. Trouble is: their enemy has a reason, too. And The Star King doesn’t have the same limits they do… ------- If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends! Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.  Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.  Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.  This week we're also featuring a promo for another actual-play podcast, Gimme Da Loot. Check out this DnD 5e pod on their Linktree, and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.  ------- Cast: Jonny Grubb as the Keeper John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine) Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice) Miah Detjen-Wander as Casey Davis (The Freelancer) and Theo Nessos (The Searcher) This episode was edited by Miah Detjen-Wander and Lauren Johnson. Theme song by Jonny Grubb. Cover art by Gabe Schmidt. Incidental music from Epidemic Sound. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monstersplaybook/support

No more mysteries. It’s time to get to the bottom of everything. While Mark recovers from his grave injuries inside Ramsey/Lincoln’s mysterious wooded tapestry, Kira, Theo and Anna seek answers from some unexpected sources. When your enemy is on the scale of a King of There, every other threat suddenly doesn’t seem as scary. ------- If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends! Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.  Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.  Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.  This week we're also featuring a promo for another actual-play podcast, Dice Company. Check out this Dungeons and Dragons podcast on their website, and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.  ------- Cast: Jonny Grubb as the Keeper John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine) Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice) Miah Detjen-Wander as Theo Nessos (The Searcher) This episode was edited by Miah Detjen-Wander and Lauren Johnson. Theme song by Jonny Grubb. Cover art by Gabe Schmidt. Incidental music from Epidemic Sound. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monstersplaybook/support

SPECIAL GUEST ALERT!!! Friend-of-the-Pod Sero invited Jonny to run a one-shot and you KNOW our guy loves to make players smile/suffer. This time it's a reality TV competition show pitting the newcomer Remington family against the instantly unlikable reigning champs, The Crest-Colgates. This episode has everything: Ghosts. Urban Development. Unscrupulous Reality TV Directors. Maybe a Werewolf? Dysfunctional Family Vibes. And of course, Drama. ------- If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends! Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.  Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.  Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.  Thank you to Sero (Redgate and Wolf) for having us on your show, as well as Mr. Ray ($2 Creature Feature) and Jason (Memester of the Week) for playing along with us. Be sure to check out our friends on social media, and listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.  ------- Cast: Jonny Grubb as the Keeper Mr. Ray as Vlad Remington (The Monstrous) Lauren Johnson as Trish Remington (The Curse Eater) Jason as Mikey Remington (The Action Scientist) Sero as Nora Remington (The Wronged) This episode was edited by Lauren Johnson. Theme song by Jonny Grubb. Cover art by Gabe Schmidt. Incidental music from Epidemic Sound. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monstersplaybook/support

What happens when your sanctuary becomes a target? The Clockwork Child is under siege. But it’s not as simple as fighting off attackers. It’ll take brains and brawn to protect their friends and save as many people as they can. ------- If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends! Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.  Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.  Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.  This week we're also featuring a promo for Mystery Frequency. Check out this audio drama pod on their website, and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.  ------- Cast: Jonny Grubb as the Keeper John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine) Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice) Miah Detjen-Wander as Theo Nessos (The Searcher) This episode was edited by Miah Detjen-Wander and Lauren Johnson. Theme song by Jonny Grubb. Cover art by Gabe Schmidt. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monstersplaybook/support

When you've got a big problem, you need a big idea. And Mark, Kira, Anna and Theo are trying to pull off a couple of the biggest ideas they've ever had. They've got to deal with the Reaper. They've got to escape from the Sea Kingdom AGAIN. And in the end? They have to prevent the walls that hold up the universe from crashing down around them. We know we're working with Big Ideas. Let's see if any of them are Good Ideas. ------- If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends! Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.  Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.  Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.  This week we're also featuring a promo for another actual-play podcast, Thornvale. Check out this fellow Monster of the Week pod on their website, and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.  ------- Cast: Jonny Grubb as the Keeper John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine) Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice) Miah Detjen-Wander Theo Nessos (The Searcher) This episode was edited by Miah Detjen-Wander and Lauren Johnson. Theme song by Jonny Grubb. Cover art by Gabe Schmidt. Incidental music from Epidemic Sound. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monstersplaybook/support

Sometimes you get exactly what you want, but it's all too much. When Theo claims the Eye of Endregoras, will she be able to handle all that power? And even though they've got the target of the heist, there's still the matter of the Reaper--the living spirit of death that keeps the Dead Sea dead. The mission is simple: Make it out alive. ------- If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends! Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our ⁠Patreon ⁠for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.  Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our ⁠DirectMe Profile.⁠  Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on⁠ The Monster's Playbook Discord⁠ server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.  This week we're also featuring a promo for another actual-play podcast, Damsels in Dicestress. Check them out on their ⁠Link Tree⁠, and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.  ------- Cast: Jonny Grubb as the Keeper John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine) Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice) Miah Detjen-Wander as Theo Nessos (The Searcher) This episode was edited by Miah Detjen Wander and Lauren Johnson. Theme song by Jonny Grubb. Cover art by⁠ Gabe Schmidt⁠. Incidental music from Epidemic Sound. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monstersplaybook/support

It's Heist Time, Baby! We've set our sights on one of the most powerful artifacts in creation YET AGAIN, and it'll take all the cunning and connections they've got for Mark, Theo, Anna and Kira to secure the second Eye of Endregoras. Bad news? It's located in the Dead Sea Kingdom. MORE bad news? The way back in is through the office of the city's premier crime boss—and resident nemesis—Rex Crook. ------- If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends! Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.  Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.  Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.  This week we're also featuring a promo for another actual-play podcast, Lizards and Locations. Check them out on their Link Tree, and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.  ------- Cast: Jonny Grubb as the Keeper John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine) Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice) Miah Detjen-Wander as Theo Nessos (The Searcher) This episode was edited by Miah Detjen-Wander and Lauren Johnson. Theme song by Jonny Grubb. Cover art by Gabe Schmidt. Incidental music from Epidemic Sound. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monstersplaybook/support

How it started vs how it's going ttrpg characters. Book Club is back with an intimate conversation with Cap (Shrimp and Crits), Teo (Monster Hour) and Lauren (The Monster's Playbook) about their approach to character creation. This episode is perfect for players who need some inspiration on creating characters, getting into your character's mindset and much more. ------- If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends! Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.  Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.  Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.  Cast: Miah Detjen-Wander Lauren Johnson Cap from Shrimp and Crits Teo from Monster Hour This episode was edited by Miah Detjen-Wander Theme song by Jonny Grubb. Cover art by Gabe Schmidt. Incidental music from Epidemic Sound. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monstersplaybook/support

It turns out, even if the future is scary, the past can be even worse. For the last year, Mark, Kira, Anna, and Theo have been discovering more about themselves than they ever wanted to. But if there's one thing we've learned on this journey, it's that no challenge goes away until you confront it. Even the scary ones. You know what? Especially the scary ones. ------- If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends! Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.  Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.  Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.  This week we're also featuring a promo for another actual-play podcast, Storybook Ending. Check them out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.  ------- Cast: Jonny Grubb as the Keeper John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine) Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice) Miah Detjen-Wander as Theo Nessos (The Searcher) This episode was edited by Miah Detjen-Wander and Lauren Johnson. Theme song by Jonny Grubb. Cover art by Gabe Schmidt. Incidental music from Epidemic Sound. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monstersplaybook/support

Have you ever been so angry that it felt like you were a different person? Kira Ashwood has. And it's finally time for her to reconcile with the part of herself she's spent so much of her life trying to keep at arm's length. But she can't do it alone. That's the thing about being a person: You need other people. And sometimes, you even need people you don't want to need. ------- If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review to help us spread the word and don't forget to share with your friends. We love friends! Subscribe to our Patreon: Head to our Patreon for bonus content you won’t want to miss out on.  Support the Show: Follow us on social media, buy some merch, support us on Ko-fi, and check out our Wiki by heading to our DirectMe Profile.  Join us on Discord! Come hang out with the cast on The Monster's Playbook Discord server where we can discuss the latest episodes, trade theories, answer questions, and get to know you, our listeners, a little better.  This week we're also featuring a promo for a brand new actual-play podcast, of Monsters and Mixed Successes. Check out this fellow Monster of the Week pod on their Link Tree, and be sure to listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts.  ------- Cast: Jonny Grubb as the Keeper John Wander as Mark Clayton (The Divine) Lauren Johnson as Kira Ashwood (The Initiate) and Anna Ashwood (The Apprentice) Miah Detjen-Wander as Theo Nessos (The Searcher) This episode was edited by Miah Detjen-Wander and Lauren Johnson. Theme song by Jonny Grubb. Cover art by Gabe Schmidt. Incidental music from Epidemic Sound. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monstersplaybook/support