Welcome to Episode 23 of ‘What Is Roleplay?’ This episode we are joined by Author and Game Designer Paul Baldowski to discuss Monsters!

• Chris asks Paul why Monsters are so important in roleplaying games?
  • Paul states that they are far more than just a character to slam down – they add a level of challenge and complexity that wouldn’t be present without them.
  • Chris makes the point that monsters are an important device for storytelling, a fork in the road of the journey that the players are on.
  • A discussion using Hansel & Gretel as an example of a monster being at the heart of a really complex story
• Chris asks ‘What defines a monster’?
  • Paul chats about this idea, suggesting that monster do not have to be animate – anything that presents a barrier or delay can be monstrous, such as a wall or door.
  • Paul sights the British TV series ‘Knightmare’ as a great example of inanimate monsters.
  • The lifeforce meter for ‘Knightmare’ can be viewed HERE
  • In other approaches Monsters can be complex tasks that require lots of dice-rolls.
• Paul points out that Monsters and Obstacles are the same unless the game mechanics make them different
  • Orc level 3 and locked door level 3 are the same in that they both require the player to overcome them using storytelling, dice rolling or some other tool or strategy
  • Cypher System deals with obstacles like this well – the levels allow for an increase or decrease complexity. So new players can face challenges that aren’t too hard and experienced players can enjoy more challenging encounters.
• Chris chats about some systems that allow for Monsters to have some agency and react to the actions of characters – attacking back
  • This becomes like a war game, like a game of Chess, and pretty complex, especially for the Games Master (GM).
  • Dragonbane is a good example of a old-school game like D&D that has simpler mechanics for monsters – the GM roles on a table, making monster management much easier and simplifying play.
• Chris asks Paul if he has played again games that have no monsters at all?
  • Paul mentions that it depends on how you define monster, since we all have monstrous characteristics but suggests that Behind Enemy Lines is one example.
  • Chris mentions a few games that don’t have any monsters and are worth playing such as Wanderhome and Fiasco. In both games there is an exploration of what a monster is and how we journey with our own personal demons.
• Paul and Chris then move into an actual play
  • Using a d6 they build a dark lair in which the monster, The Paul, dwells. The Chris encounters clawed creatures and the twisted glass portal into a yawning maw of shadow and darkness. Will Chris survive the encounter? Listen to find out…

Links to things we discussed:

Games:

• Cthulhu Hack by Paul Baldowski
• The Dee Sanction by Paul Baldowski
• MÖRK ORG by CM Lowry
• RONIN by Slightly Reckless Games
• Cypher System by Monte Cook Games
• Dungeons & Dragons by Wizards of the Coast
• Pathfinder by Paizo
• Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay by Games Workshop
• Dragonbane by Free League Games
• Alien by Free League Games
• The Walking Dead RPG by Free League Games
• Zombicide Chronicles Boardgame by CMON
• Behind Enemy Lines by FASA
• Twilight: 2000 by Free League Press
• Wanderhome by Jay Dragon
• Fiasco by Bully Pulpit Games
• Quest RPG by T.C. Sottek
• Lucky for None in Space by CM Lowry

Books, Authors, Etc.

• Grimm’s Fairy Tales by the Brothers Grimm
• Knightmare TV Series
• Squid Games TV Series

More about Paul

• All Rolled Up Website – allrolledup.co.uk
• Paul on BlueSky – @paulbaldowski.bsky.social
• Paul on Mastodon – @PaulBaldowski
• Paul’s Blog – justcrunch.com

More about Us

• Beyond Cataclysmon Bluesky @beyondcataclysm.bsky.social
• CM Lowry’s website – All About Chris
• Website – beyondcataclysm.co.uk
• Patreon – Patreon.com/beyondcataclysm

Actual Play Quick Map drawn by: Jog Brogzin

With music generously provided by: Powerplant & Imploders.

The post What is Roleplay #23: Monsters! with Paul Baldowski first appeared on Beyond Cataclysm.