Ep 29: Horrified: Universal Monsters

Take out your knitting and put on your best pearls. Get ready to channel your inner Jessica Fletcher, because Stevie and John are taking on the role of meddling old ladies and talk about the mystery RPG Brindlewood Bay.00:00 Introduction00:50 What is Brindlewood Bay & First Impressions01:39 Character Creation03:57 Session One06:07 Play Mechanics10:35 Enjoyment of the Game19:49 Length of Play20:37 Books of Brindlewood Bay22:11 Final ThoughtsMentions:Brindlewood Bay on The Gauntlet: https://www.gauntlet-rpg.com/brindlewood-bay.htmlCATS 200 Word RPG Challenge: https://200wordrpg.github.io/2016/supplement/2016/04/12/CATS.htmlCATS and Safety Tools: https://www.gauntlet-rpg.com/blog/sharing-the-cognitive-loadTTRPG Safety Toolkit (contains lines & veils & X card): https://ttrpgsafetytoolkit.com/20mintabletop.com

Grab your bravest friends, your best monster hunting gear because this week Stevie and John fight off Dracula, Frankenstein and the Invisible Man in Horrified: Universal Monsters. Learn all about this strategy board game featuring the classic Universal Monsters and see if they can protect the townspeople and save the day.00:00 Introduction00:50 Back of the Box & First Impressions01:32 Setup of the Game02:23 Play Mechanics05:09 Enjoyment of the Game14:13 Other Versions of Horrified16:39 Final ThoughtsMentions:Horrified: Universal Monsters: https://www.ravensburger.us/en-US/products/games/board-games/horrified-universal-monsters-60001836Universal Monsters movies: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_MonstersHorrified: American Monsters: https://www.ravensburger.us/en-US/products/games/board-games/horrified-american-monsters-60001940Horrified: Greek Monsters: https://www.ravensburger.us/en-US/products/games/board-games/horrified-greek-monsters-60002045Horrified: World of Monsters: https://www.ravensburger.us/en-US/products/games/board-games/horrified-world-of-monsters-60001974Horrified: Dungeons & Dragons: https://www.ravensburger.us/en-US/products/games/board-games/horrified-dungeons-dragons--2475420mintabletop.com

On this week’s Friday with Friends John sits down with Arianna, Dusty, & Wayra of the Rainbow Dice Club. We’ll talk about their new Candela Obscura mini series, their ongoing Tales of Three D&D series, as well as the community they’ve created.So grab your spot on the couch and let’s chat.00:00 Introduction00:50 Arianna, Dusty, and Wayra02:53 What is the Rainbow Dice Club?04:03 New Mini Series in RDC Presents08:00 Why Candela Obscura?14:03 Launch Date March 8th14:57 Tales of Three with Rotating DMs21:50 RDC Origin Story25:38 Recommendations28:06 Where to find them onlineMentions:Rainbow Dice Club Linktree: https://linktr.ee/rainbowdiceclubCandela Obscura: https://darringtonpress.com/candelaAriana’s recommendation - The Magnus Archives: https://www.montecookgames.com/store/product/the-magnus-archives-roleplaying-game/Dusty’s recommendation - Monster of the Week: https://evilhat.com/product/monster-of-the-week/Wayra’s recommendation - Munchkin: https://munchkin.gameAriana on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@adventuring_ariRainbow Dice Club on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@rainbowdiceclubDusty on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@dustypennyyDusty on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/possumstreamingWayra on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@shinymythosWayra on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/shinymythosState of Decay 2 (Steam): https://store.steampowered.com/app/495420/State_of_Decay_2_Juggernaut_Edition20mintabletop.com

This week Stevie and John enjoy an elegant evening of fine dining followed by a side of blackmail and desert of murder. That’s right, it is time to step back into "Stevie’s Clue-niverse" as they solve puzzles, track down clues and look to solve Mr. Boddy's murder in Clue: Treachery at Tudor Mansion, an escape & solve mystery game.00:00 Introduction01:05 Back of the Box01:40 First Impressions02:38 Getting Started & Play Mechanics04:45 Enjoyment of the Game10:18 Length of Play & Other Notes12:01 Final Thoughts

Welcome the return of Friday with Friends, where we sit down with creators from the world of tabletop and have a friendly little chat which you’re invited to. This week we’re talking with Rick and Erik from Storytellers Forge and their kickstarter The Black Ballad: Second Chances.00:00 Introduction01:42 Kickstarter The Black Ballad: Second Chances03:40 Why Shadowdark?06:43 Use in Other Systems14:53 The Process of Monsters17:42 Preview of Monsters after Death21:02 Art and Color Coding23:05 What to expect in the Kickstarter27:07 TTRPGs in a Castle30:22 Recommendations33:20 Where to Find Them OnlineMentions:​Storyteller’s Forge: https://www.storytellersforge.com​The Black Ballad Second Chances for Shadowdark RPG Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/stforge/the-black-ballad-for-shadowdark-rpg​Shadowdark: https://www.thearcanelibrary.com/pages/shadowdark​TTRPG in a Castle: https://www.tabletoprpginacastle.com​Erik’s recommendation - Fantaji: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/150933/fantaji-universal-role-playing-game​Rick’s recommendation - Eat the Reich: https://rowanrookanddecard.com/product-category/game-systems/eat-the-reich/?v=0b3b97fa6688​Eat the Reich on itch.io: https://rowanrookanddecard.itch.io/eat-the-reich​Erik Frankhouse: https://www.youtube.com/@erikfrankhousepresents​Rick Heiz: https://www.rickheinzwrites.com/​20mintabletop.com

Let’s face it, you’ve all seen it and probably had one at some point. The drawer full of everything random with no discernible organization. This week Stevie and John put their stacking and organizational skills to the test through a game based on that very disorganized disaster in Junk Drawer. See if everything truly has its place on this return episode of 20 Minute Tabletop.00:00 Introduction01:05 Back of the Box & First Impressions01:44 Setup of the Game02:54 Play Mechanics05:49 Enjoyment of the Game10:53 Length of Play12:00 Special Notes12:45 Final ThoughtsMentions:Winsmith Games - Junk Drawer: https://www.winsmithgames.com/junk-drawer20mintabletop.com

Adventure is waiting…at home? Stevie and John look for baddies laying in wait in the basement, the attic, or even the outdoors! It’s time for these hosts to join the Nomnisaurs to dawn their armor and their imaginations and go on an adventure in Dungeons and Dinos, a Dungeon Crawler Card Game. Timestamps: (02:09) First Impressions (02:34) Getting Started (03:55) Play Mechanics (07:53) Enjoyment of the Game (11:19) Favorite Cards (16:29) Length of Play (16:54) Special Notes (19:16) Final Thoughts Mentions: Dungeons and Dinos - Nomnivore Games: https://www.nomnivoregames.com/pages/dungeons-and-dinos-the-card-game Dungeons & Dinos: The Card Game: https://www.nomnivoregames.com/products/dungeons-and-dinos Dungeons & Dinos: Nomster Manual Expansion: https://www.nomnivoregames.com/products/nomster-manual Dungeons & Dinos: Wild Thangs Expansion: https://www.nomnivoregames.com/products/dungeons-dinos-wild-thangs-expansion ADHD & Dyslexia Friendly: https://www.nomnivoregames.com/pages/educator Animated How to Play Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4d9bIBJO8rQ Game FAQs: https://www.nomnivoregames.com/pages/game-faqs-dungeons-and-dinos Tabletop Simulator - Dungeons & Dinos: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2945150427 20mintabletop.com

Your god is dead. Come along as John and Stevie explore the world of fallen gods and gather the divine energy needed to escape this purgatory. Can you gather what you need or will this be your end as well? Join us as we take on Godspark. Timestamps: (01:03) What is Godspark? (01:57) First Impressions (02:36) Getting Started (3:18) Play Mechanics (09:26) Enjoyment of the Game (20:40) Length of Play (23:59) Kickstarter (24:24) Final Thoughts Mentions: Godspark - M. Allen Hall: https://mallenhall.com/godspark Sprinkles is Missing - M. Allen Hall: https://mallenhall.com/sprinkles Kickstarter - Godspark: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mallenhall/godspark-pen-and-paper-adventure 20mintabletop.com

It’s time to sit back and just enjoy some time with friends. On this episode, we’re kicking off a new type of episode, Fridays with Friends, where we sit down and chat with creators. This week, we talk to M. Allen Hall, the creator of Godspark, the solo tabletop adventure game. Episode 22 covered our thoughts and now hear his insight. Timestamps: (00:50) Who is Allen? (01:22) What is Godspark? (04:13) Inspiration for Godspark (07:06) Allen’s Favorite Godfall (10:39) The Creative Process (13:33) Allen’s Favorite Mechanic (18:30) What to expect in the Kickstarter (21:35) Where to find out more (22:33) Final Thoughts Mentions: Kickstarter - Godspark: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mallenhall/godspark-pen-and-paper-adventure M. Allen Hall: https://mallenhall.com/ M. Allen Hall itch.io: https://m-allen-hall.itch.io/ M. Allen Hall DriveThruRPG: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/24151/M-Allen-Hall 20mintabletop.com

This week is a battle… a battle of nature. Find out this week if Stevie and John can outfox the predators on the forest floor, or if they will be devoured as they take you through the card game Devour. Timestamps: (01:19) First Impressions (01:47) How we found Devour (02:32) Episode Structure (02:54) Game Mode: Prey (03:27) Prey: Easy (06:59) Prey: Standard (10:50) Prey: Advanced (15:14) Game Mode: Forest Floor (16:04) Game Mode: Outfoxed (17:18) Length of Play (18:17) Special Notes - Where to buy, education, Forest Floor Campaigns (20:54) Final Thoughts Mentions: Devour Card Game: https://devourcardgame.com/ Forest Floor Storyline Campaign: https://devourcardgame.com/forest-floor-storyline-campaign/ 20mintabletop.com