Merely Roleplayers

Use Your Words, Act III

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 05:00:36 +0000

Act II of III: The False Librarian acquaints the Rogue Linguists with the red acid slap of their own words.

Coming next on 3 March – A to Z (Use Your Words Backstage)

Programme notes

Credits

STARRING:

- Alexander Pankhurst as Harrison, the Wonky Xerox; J, R_ U_; and C, the O_ U_

- Natalie Winter as Tabitha, the Jazz Knight

- Ellie Pitkin as Simon, the Monster Botherer and G_, the B_ S_

- Strat as Ernest, the Very Naughty and R_, the I_ B_

- Matt Boothman as Basil, the Lithe Yodeller and N_, the G_ I_

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Bibliocalypse from All Eyes No Games

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Lost for words (Use Your Words Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 05:00:25 +0000

Utterances deemed unpalatable by even the False Librarian. (The recording got giddy and I cut a lot out. Here some of it is.)

Coming next on 24 February – Use Your Words, Act III

Programme notes

Credits

STARRING:

- Alexander Pankhurst as Jehova, the Knowledge Undoer and Harrison, the Wonky Xerox

- Natalie Winter as Tabitha, the Jazz Knight

- Ellie Pitkin as Simon, the Monster Botherer

- Strat as Ernest, the Very Naughty

- Matt Boothman as Basil, the Lithe Yodeller

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Bibliocalypse from All Eyes No Games

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Use Your Words, Act II

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 05:00:56 +0000

Act II of III: Words bleed meaning as False Librarian logophagy value extraction. Demonstration: yassified bakery explosion, lava (not hazardous), horizontal eruption, ceramic skullet

Coming next on 17 February – Lost for words (Use Your Words Backstage)

Programme notes

Credits

STARRING:

- Alexander Pankhurst as Jehova, the Knowledge Undoer and H_, the W_ X_

- Natalie Winter as Tabitha, the Jazz Knight

- Ellie Pitkin as Simon, the Monster Botherer

- Strat as Ernest, the Very Naughty

- Matt Boothman as Basil, the Lithe Yodeller

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Bibliocalypse from All Eyes No Games

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Rogue Linguists (Use Your Words Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 05:00:23 +0000

The players scry and speak their Rogue Linguists into being. (You heard a speedrun of this bit in Act I. This is longer and sillier.)

Coming next on 10 February – Use Your Words, Act II

Programme notes

Credits

STARRING:

- Alexander Pankhurst as Jehova, the Knowledge Undoer

- Natalie Winter as Tabitha, the Jazz Knight

- Ellie Pitkin as Simon, the Monster Botherer

- Strat as Ernest, the Very Naughty

- Matt Boothman as Basil, the Lithe Yodeller

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Bibliocalypse from All Eyes No Games

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Use Your Words, Act I

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 05:00:39 +0000

Act I of III: With a world losing meaning at their backs, the Rogue Linguists present their library cards and enter the nonsense that the Forbidden Library has become.

Coming next on 3 February – Rogue Linguists (Use Your Words Backstage)

Programme notes

Subscribe to Professional Relations, the Foggy Outline newsletter, for monthly backstage updates and more.

Credits

STARRING:

- Alexander Pankhurst as J_, the K_ U_

- Natalie Winter as T_, the J_ K_

- Ellie Pitkin as S_, the M_ B_

- Strat as E_, the V_ N_

- Matt Boothman as B_, the L_ Y_

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Bibliocalypse from All Eyes No Games

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Next assignment (It Feeds Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 05:00:00 +0000

No rest for the wicked, they of shaken faith. The players look back on the assignment – and forward to the next…?

Coming next in January – Use Your Words, Act 1

Programme notes

This production contains violence, body horror, grotesque religious imagery, cults, religious trauma, family trauma, government corruption and oppression, police violence, and references to ritual sacrifice.

Play the Assignment we’re playing in this production, The Stone Shackle, with your own Silt Verses RPG gaming group. And let us know how your Custodians resolve it!

Credits

STARRING:

- Marta Da Silva (The Silt Verses) as Nim Harrow, of The Watcher in the Wings

- B Narr (The Silt Verses) as Jasper Finch, of The Pox-Martyr

- Fiona KT Howat (What Am I Rolling?) as Billie Fletcher, of The Waxen Scrivener

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: The Silt Verses RPG, by Gabriel Robinson and Jason Cordova, published by The Gauntlet.

MUSIC BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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It Feeds on Fire, Act 3

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Act 3 of 3: Stockstill in the searchlight. Stand together. Yes, banish hesitation, but it’s okay to look back sometimes too. A god must feed, so can one starve? The Custodians strive for resolution.

Coming next on 2 December – Next assignment (It Feeds Backstage)

Programme notes

Play the Assignment we’re playing in this production, The Stone Shackle, with your own Silt Verses RPG gaming group. And let us know how your Custodians resolve it!

Credits

STARRING:

- Marta Da Silva (The Silt Verses) as Nim Harrow, of The Watcher in the Wings

- B Narr (The Silt Verses) as Jasper Finch, of The Pox-Martyr

- Fiona KT Howat (What Am I Rolling?) as Billie Fletcher, of The Waxen Scrivener

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: The Silt Verses RPG, by Gabriel Robinson and Jason Cordova, published by The Gauntlet.

MUSIC BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Altars (It Feeds Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Anywhere can be an altar, and anything can be an offering. The players offer and accept some sacred (and sometimes useful) things.

Coming next on 25 November – It Feeds on Fire, Act 3

Programme notes

Credits

STARRING:

- Marta Da Silva (The Silt Verses) as Nim Harrow, of The Watcher in the Wings

- B Narr (The Silt Verses) as Jasper Finch, of The Pox-Martyr

- Fiona KT Howat (What Am I Rolling?) as Billie Fletcher, of The Waxen Scrivener

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: The Silt Verses RPG, by Gabriel Robinson and Jason Cordova, published by The Gauntlet.

MUSIC BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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It Feeds on Fire, Act 2

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Act 2 of 3: Sky falling at the SSPC. Heavy hearts at Ornglen Unbroken. The trains don’t run any more. Nowhere to run. RUN. The Custodians have a theory.

Coming next on 18 November – Altars (It Feeds Backstage)

Programme notes

Play the Assignment we’re playing in this production, The Stone Shackle, with your own Silt Verses RPG gaming group. And let us know how your Custodians resolve it!

Credits

STARRING:

- Marta Da Silva (The Silt Verses) as Nim Harrow, of The Watcher in the Wings

- B Narr (The Silt Verses) as Jasper Finch, of The Pox-Martyr

- Fiona KT Howat (What Am I Rolling?) as Billie Fletcher, of The Waxen Scrivener

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: The Silt Verses RPG, by Gabriel Robinson and Jason Cordova, published by The Gauntlet.

MUSIC BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Custodians (It Feeds Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 05:00:00 +0000

The players create the unsettling, troubled trio upon whose shaken faith the fate of Ornglen now depends.

Coming next on 11 November – It Feeds on Fire, Act 2

Programme notes

Credits

STARRING:

- Marta Da Silva (The Silt Verses) as Nim Harrow, of The Watcher in the Wings

- B Narr (The Silt Verses) as Jasper Finch, of The Pox-Martyr

- Fiona KT Howat (What Am I Rolling?) as Billie Fletcher, of The Waxen Scrivener

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: The Silt Verses RPG, by Gabriel Robinson and Jason Cordova, published by The Gauntlet.

MUSIC BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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It Feeds on Fire, Act 1

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Act 1 of 3: Stone fists on riot shields. Banish hesitation. Awe and terrify. Faiths are founded on less; who’s playing god in Ornglen? Custodians Billie, Nim and Jasper gather clues.

Coming next on 4 November – Custodians (It Feeds Backstage)

Programme notes

Matt’s other podcast, I Need A Miracle, is doing a live show at Audio Drama Hubfest on 1 November. You can get an evening ticket for just the live shows or a day ticket that includes all sorts of voice acting-related panels and activities.

Subscribe to Professional Relations, the Foggy Outline newsletter, for monthly backstage updates and more of Matt and his parents interviewing each other.

Credits

STARRING:

- Marta Da Silva (The Silt Verses) as Nim Harrow, of The Watcher in the Wings

- B Narr (The Silt Verses) as Jasper Finch, of The Pox-Martyr

- Fiona KT Howat (What Am I Rolling?) as Billie Fletcher, of The Waxen Scrivener

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: The Silt Verses RPG, by Gabriel Robinson and Jason Cordova, published by The Gauntlet.

MUSIC BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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After the end (Tipping Point Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Well what the fuck happens now?

Programme notes

This production contains climate breakdown, allusions to sex, conspiracy theories, gun violence, psychic coercion, and death. It mentions people in cages and dying of thirst.

What caused the apocalypse and how can we avoid it happening in the real world? Learn all about climate breakdown (and who you need to yell at to do something about it) with videos and online courses from Foggy Outline.

Credits

STARRING:

- Alexander Pankhurst as Sacramento del Barco, the News

- Natalie Winter as Sundown, the Brainer

- Chris Starkey as Nasus Nest, the Waterbearer

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Apocalypse World, second edition, by Vincent D Baker and Meguey Baker. The News playbook with Josh Savoie.

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Tipping Point, Act 3

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Act 3 of 3: Nasus, Nipperkin, Sacramento, how the fuck does your garden grow?

Coming next on 23 September – After the end (Tipping Point Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains climate breakdown, allusions to sex, conspiracy theories, gun violence, psychic coercion, and death. It mentions people in cages and dying of thirst.

Support Apocalypse World: Burned Over, the new edition of the roleplaying game we’re playing.

Get ready for our next production by listening to The Silt Verses and watching our guest appearance on What Am I Rolling?’s two-part series playing The Between, run by its designer, Jason Cordova.

Credits

STARRING:

- Alexander Pankhurst as Sacramento del Barco, the News

- Natalie Winter as Sundown, the Brainer

- Chris Starkey as Nasus Nest, the Waterbearer

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Apocalypse World, second edition, by Vincent D Baker and Meguey Baker. The News playbook with Josh Savoie.

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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The Hx network (Tipping Point Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Who’s side-eyeing who? Who’s flush with jingle a fucker could relieve them of? And who’s bartered it all away?

Coming next on 16 September – Tipping Point, Act 3

Programme notes

This production contains climate breakdown, allusions to sex, conspiracy theories, gun violence, psychic coercion, and death. It mentions people in cages and dying of thirst.

Credits

STARRING:

- Alexander Pankhurst as Sacramento del Barco, the News

- Natalie Winter as Sundown, the Brainer

- Chris Starkey as Nasus Nest, the Waterbearer

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Apocalypse World, second edition, by Vincent D Baker and Meguey Baker. The News playbook with Josh Savoie.

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Tipping Point, Act 2

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Act 2 of 3: What the fuck happened to Weird Sammy and them up at that house? Someone should see what Nasus knows.

Coming next on 9 September – The Hx network (Tipping Point Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains climate breakdown, allusions to sex, conspiracy theories, gun violence, psychic coercion, and death. It mentions people in cages and dying of thirst.

A few of our ensemble are going to London Podcast Festival on Sunday 7 September to see the Camlann and Wooden Overcoats live shows. Shout if you spot us and want to hang out, luvvies.

Credits

STARRING:

- Alexander Pankhurst as Sacramento del Barco, the News

- Natalie Winter as Sundown, the Brainer

- Chris Starkey as Nasus Nest, the Waterbearer

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Apocalypse World, second edition, by Vincent D Baker and Meguey Baker. The News playbook with Josh Savoie.

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Who survives (Tipping Point Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

What fuckin weirdos survive and thrive in a world like this? Got plenty wrong with them, ‘s for sure.

Coming next on 2 September – Tipping Point, Act 2

Programme notes

This production contains climate breakdown, allusions to sex, conspiracy theories, gun violence, psychic coercion, and death. It mentions people in cages and dying of thirst.

Credits

STARRING:

- Alexander Pankhurst as Sacramento del Barco, the News

- Natalie Winter as Sundown, the Brainer

- Chris Starkey as Nasus Nest, the Waterbearer

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Apocalypse World, second edition, by Vincent D Baker and Meguey Baker. The News playbook with Josh Savoie.

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Tipping Point, Act 1

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Act 1 of 3: Who the fuck’s this Dremmer think he is, rolling in tooled up with bandits in tow? Someone should tell him what’s what.

Coming next on 26 August – Who survives (Tipping Point Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains climate breakdown, allusions to sex, conspiracy theories, gun violence, psychic coercion, and death. It mentions people in cages and dying of thirst.

Subscribe to Professional Relations, the Foggy Outline newsletter, for monthly backstage updates and more of Matt and his parents interviewing each other.

Credits

STARRING:

- Alexander Pankhurst as Sacramento del Barco, the News

- Natalie Winter as Sundown, the Brainer

- Chris Starkey as Nasus Nest, the Waterbearer

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Apocalypse World, second edition, by Vincent D Baker and Meguey Baker. The News playbook with Josh Savoie.

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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How it happens (Tipping Point Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

This fuckin world’s gonna burn and drown, scrap and starve. Take it from the experts. Here’s what we’re in for.

Coming next on 19 August – Tipping Point, Act 1

Programme notes

This production contains climate breakdown, allusions to sex, conspiracy theories, gun violence, psychic coercion, and death. It mentions people in cages and dying of thirst.

Credits

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS:

- Richard Boothman and Karen Boothman – climate educators from Foggy Outline, and Matt’s parents

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Apocalypse World, second edition, by Vincent D Baker and Meguey Baker. The News playbook with Josh Savoie.

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Post-credits scene (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 04:00:00 +0000

What epic future storylines could these events have set up? The Shadowfall cast speculates.

Coming next on x August – How it happens (Tipping Point Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, gunfire, and references to child abduction.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Melody Bantham: The owner of Melodies, the cosy cafe and vinyl shop on Market Street. Melody is an ageless patchwork person animated by music, who fled her creator ages ago and has owned a music shop on this spot ever since.

Harper: A US exchange student trying to sever her ties to the Shadow realm she sometimes enters through revolving doors.

Gwynned, the Shieldmaiden: A former shieldmaiden of the triple goddess Morrigan, exiled to live as a duck for the crime of saving a mortal man from her mistress’ cruel whim, now freed from her curse and elevated to a third of the godhead herself.

Brier: A mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Department of Omissions (DO, DoOm): The UK government department tasked with preventing harm to citizens from supernatural phenomena. Severely defunded under Tory austerity policies and currently prioritising major urban population centres.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Recently lifted.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Helen Stratton as Melody Bantham, the Constructed

Marta Da Silva as Harper, the Searcher

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Vigil: Shadowfall, Act 5

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Act Five of Five: Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Can Mayor’s unspecified scandal derail historic property deal?

Coming next on 22 July – Post-credits scene (Vigil Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, gunfire, and references to child abduction.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Harper: A US exchange student trying to sever her ties to the Shadow realm she sometimes enters through revolving doors.

Brier: A mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Recently lifted.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Helen Stratton as Melody Bantham, the Constructed

Marta Da Silva as Harper, the Searcher

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Vigil: Shadowfall, Act 4

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Act Four of Five: What happens when you mix ancient Albion’s divine magic with the gray psyche of the urban USA? Not a riddle: we’re about to find out.

Coming next on 15 July – Vigil: Shadowfall, Act 5

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, gunfire, and references to child abduction.

Matt played Coiled Spæce with Maddy Searle on A Game Of One’s Own.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Harper: A US exchange student trying to sever her ties to the Shadow realm she sometimes enters through revolving doors.

Brier: A mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Recently lifted.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Helen Stratton as Melody Bantham, the Constructed

Marta Da Silva as Harper, the Searcher

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: Pigeons taking off by Glaneur de sons on freesound.org (CC BY 4.0 ); and ma y include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Vigil: Shadowfall, Act 3

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Act Three of Five: The library is a gateway to knowledge and, since they installed the revolving door, to dark places too.

Coming next on 1 July – Vigil: Shadowfall, Act 4

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, gunfire, and references to child abduction.

Matt’s Mum interviews him about Merely Roleplayers in the next edition of Professional Relations, the Foggy Outline newsletter, dropping into inboxes on Friday 27 June.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Harper: A US exchange student trying to sever her ties to the Shadow realm she sometimes enters through revolving doors.

Brier: A mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Recently lifted.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Helen Stratton as Melody Bantham, the Constructed

Marta Da Silva as Harper, the Searcher

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: Pigeons taking off by Glaneur de sons on freesound.org (CC BY 4.0 ); and ma y include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Vigil: Shadowfall, Act 2

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Act Two of Five: In the deepest darkest basement, the former Mayor has a lead that could go all the way to the top.

Coming next on 17 June – Vigil: Shadowfall, Act 3

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, gunfire, and references to child abduction.

In chapter 3 of Camera Obscura, Matt’s actual play of Outliers by Samantha Leigh, the RAs do battle with a dæmon-haunted server.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Harper: A US exchange student trying to sever her ties to the Shadow realm she sometimes enters through revolving doors.

Brier: A mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Recently lifted.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Helen Stratton as Melody Bantham, the Constructed

Marta Da Silva as Harper, the Searcher

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: Pigeons taking off by Glaneur de sons on freesound.org (CC BY 4.0 ); and ma y include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Other selves (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 27 May 2025 04:00:00 +0000

The Shadowfall cast check the status of their characters’ relationships, and check Matt’s fit for clues.

Coming next on 3 June – Vigil: Shadowfall, Act 2

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, gunfire, and references to child abduction.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Harper: A US exchange student trying to sever her ties to the Shadow realm she sometimes enters through revolving doors.

Brier: A mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Recently lifted.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Helen Stratton as Melody Bantham, the Constructed

Marta Da Silva as Harper, the Searcher

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Vigil: Shadowfall, Act 1

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 20 May 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Act One of Five: If you don’t cast a shadow, are you really there? Not a riddle: we’re about to find out.

Coming next on 27 May – Other selves (Vigil Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, gunfire, and references to child abduction.

Find Matt at UK Games Expo, 30 May–1 June at the NEC in Birmingham. He’s running some roleplaying game sessions you can sign up to join.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Harper: A US exchange student trying to sever her ties to the Shadow realm she sometimes enters through revolving doors.

Brier: A mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Recently lifted.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Helen Stratton as Melody Bantham, the Constructed

Marta Da Silva as Harper, the Searcher

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: Pigeons taking off by Glaneur de sons on freesound.org (CC BY 4.0 ); and ma y include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Lingering effects (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 04:00:00 +0000

The cast of Vigil: Ill Wind talk about the parts of the story that came out in the wash, and the parts that might stink up the Main House for a while to come.

Coming next on 20 May – Vigil: Shadowfall, Act 1

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, retching sounds, toxic friendship, and betrayal.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Peggy Tailor: The prodigal daughter of a local family that dabbles in fey frolicking and organised crime, back in town to lay low after a grift gone horribly wrong.

Jess Butterworth: A twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Recently lifted.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

Ellie Pitkin as Peggy Tailor, the Crooked

with Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Vigil: Ill Wind, Act 5

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Act Five of Five: To save Sherrydown from its own waste, someone’s going to have to get their hands dirty.

Coming next on 29 April – Lingering effects (Vigil Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, retching sounds, toxic friendship, and betrayal.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Peggy Tailor: The prodigal daughter of a local family that dabbles in fey frolicking and organised crime, back in town to lay low after a grift gone horribly wrong.

Jess Butterworth: A twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Recently lifted.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

Ellie Pitkin as Peggy Tailor, the Crooked

with Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Vigil: Ill Wind, Act 4

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Act Four of Five: Did the Tailors cause all this? Yes. Can they fix it? Also yes. But maybe they’re not the only ones.

Coming next on 22 April – Vigil: Ill Wind, Act 5

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, retching sounds, toxic friendship, and betrayal.

Want to reduce waste so it can’t come blobbing through town, dissolving everything in sight? Matt’s Dad is organising a clothes swap to reduce clothing waste in the Settle, North Yorkshire area, for Action on Climate Climate Emergency.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Peggy Tailor: The prodigal daughter of a local family that dabbles in fey frolicking and organised crime, back in town to lay low after a grift gone horribly wrong.

Jess Butterworth: A twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Recently lifted.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

Ellie Pitkin as Peggy Tailor, the Crooked

with Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: Pigeons taking off by Glaneur de sons on freesound.org (CC BY 4.0); and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Vigil: Ill Wind, Act 3

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Act Three of Five: An old friend invites Peggy to get drunk. Gwynned holds her nose and flies to the rescue.

Coming next on 8 April – Vigil: Ill Wind, Act 4

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, retching sounds, toxic friendship, and betrayal.

Camera Obscura is Matt’s new actual play of Outliers, a single-player roleplaying game of weird science by Samantha Leigh. Read a new chapter every month at foggyoutline.com/serials

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Peggy Tailor: The prodigal daughter of a local family that dabbles in fey frolicking and organised crime, back in town to lay low after a grift gone horribly wrong.

Jess Butterworth: A twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Recently lifted.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

Ellie Pitkin as Peggy Tailor, the Crooked

with Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: atmos small pub 10 people by v_hazard on freesound.org; and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Vigil: Ill Wind, Act 2

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Act Two of Five: Gwynned seeks out eyewitnesses (and nose-, foot- and tail-witnesses). Graham and Renko follow their noses.

Coming next on 25 March – Vigil: Ill Wind, Act 3

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, retching sounds, toxic friendship, and betrayal.

The Re: Dracula team’s audio drama adaptation of Carmilla, the classic vampire novel by J Sheridan Le Fanu (Sherrydown’s namesake), is in progress over on the Re: Dracula podcast feed.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Peggy Tailor: The prodigal daughter of a local family that dabbles in fey frolicking and organised crime, back in town to lay low after a grift gone horribly wrong.

Jess Butterworth: A twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Recently lifted.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

Ellie Pitkin as Peggy Tailor, the Crooked

with Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: pigeons taking off by Glaneur de sons on freesound.org; Virtutes Instrumenti by Kevin McLeod (incompetech.com ), licensed under Creative Commons By Attribution 3.0 License; and may include others made available to use without attribution.

Vigil: Ill Wind, Act 1

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Act One of Five: Something’s rotten in the county of Brackshire. Peggy has some rotten luck and Graham smells a rat.

Coming next on 11 March – Vigil: Ill Wind, Act 2

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, retching sounds, toxic friendship, and betrayal.

Free exhibition Tarot: Origins and Afterlives is at the Warburg Institute, London until 30 April.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Peggy Tailor: The prodigal daughter of a local family that dabbles in fey frolicking and organised crime, back in town to lay low after a grift gone horribly wrong.

Jess Butterworth: A twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Recently lifted.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

Ellie Pitkin as Peggy Tailor, the Crooked

with Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Royal crown silhouette by Timplaru Emil on Vecteezy

Guest artist: The Sprouting

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 05:00:00 +0000

While you wait for the next Vigil production in the Main House, here’s a sample of The Sprouting by our friends at Blighthouse Studio.

The Sprouting is an eldritch horror of a Call of Cthulhu actual play podcast, set in an apocalyptic future where plants have taken over, magical bargains twist the fabric of reality and each survivor struggles to trust their own senses.

Coming next on 25 February – Vigil: Ill Wind, Act 1 of 5

The Sprouting: Prequel for Lark, Sully and Ralph

Dear listener, welcome to The Cradle. My name is Anori and I will be recounting the story of The Sprouting.

Before we set off on this tale together, it is only right that we meet the people integral to this story: Lark, Sully and Ralph.

Enjoy.

Support The Sprouting

Email: sprouting@blighthouse.studio

Website: https://linktr.ee/thesprouting

Support: http://www.Patreon.com/blighthouse

Discord: https://discord.gg/vtgnVAZY44

This is a Blighthouse Studio production

Her end (Many Masks Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Which questions did we decline to answer and why? The cast discusses the end of their beloved Queen’s journey.

Coming next on 11 February – Guest artist: The Sprouting

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, murder, and eye damage.

Credits

STARRING:

- Alexander Pankhurst

- Marta Da Silva

- Josh Yard

- Ellie Pitkin

- Matt Boothman

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: For The Queen, second edition, by Alex Roberts, published by Darrington Press

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

COVER ART INCLUDES:

Carnival mask silhouette by Muhammad Fathurrahman on Vecteezy

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Royal crown silhouette by Timplaru Emil on Vecteezy

Her Many Masks, Act 3

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Act 3 of 3: The Queen is under attack. After all she’s done, who of her retinue will defend her?

Coming next on 4 February – Her end (Many Masks Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, murder, and eye damage.

Credits

STARRING:

- Alexander Pankhurst

- Marta Da Silva

- Josh Yard

- Ellie Pitkin

- Matt Boothman

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: For The Queen, second edition, by Alex Roberts, published by Darrington Press

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

COVER ART INCLUDES:

Carnival mask silhouette by Muhammad Fathurrahman on Vecteezy

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Royal crown silhouette by Timplaru Emil on Vecteezy

Her crimes (Many Masks Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Blooper reel or pooper reel? From all the material Matt cut from the recording emerges a very tonally different parallel story.

Coming next on 28 January – Her Many Masks, Act 3

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, murder, and eye damage.

Luvvie alert! We simply must introduce you to The Thorne Files. They just aired Dead On Arrival, a two-part miniseries using a one-page game designed by the show’s own Danny, that centres around c-list supervillains being given their 15 minutes of fame (inspired by The Secret Six and The Suicide Squad). And season two of their main Monster of the Week game starts soon!

Credits

STARRING:

- Alexander Pankhurst

- Marta Da Silva

- Josh Yard

- Ellie Pitkin

- Matt Boothman

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: For The Queen, second edition, by Alex Roberts, published by Darrington Press

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

COVER ART INCLUDES:

Carnival mask silhouette by Muhammad Fathurrahman on Vecteezy

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Royal crown silhouette by Timplaru Emil on Vecteezy

Her Many Masks, Act 2

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Act 2 of 3: The road behind is as perilous as the one ahead, each strewn with seeds that could prove the Queen’s undoing.

Coming next on 21 January – Her crimes (Many Masks Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, murder, and eye damage.

Credits

STARRING:

- Alexander Pankhurst

- Marta Da Silva

- Josh Yard

- Ellie Pitkin

- Matt Boothman

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: For The Queen, second edition, by Alex Roberts, published by Darrington Press

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

COVER ART INCLUDES:

Carnival mask silhouette by Muhammad Fathurrahman on Vecteezy

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Royal crown silhouette by Timplaru Emil on Vecteezy

Her Majesty (Many Masks Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Our Queen will emerge through play, but what’s her starting vibe? We moodboard an aesthetic with the help of For The Queen’s beautiful art cards.

Coming next on 14 January – Her Many Masks, Act 2

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, murder, and eye damage.

Luvvie alert! We simply must introduce you to Legend of the Bones, a hybrid of solo old school Dungeons & Dragons actual play, and dark fantasy audio drama. A story where the roll of the bones determines all. None shall escape the destiny of bone.

Credits

STARRING:

- Alexander Pankhurst

- Marta Da Silva

- Josh Yard

- Ellie Pitkin

- Matt Boothman

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: For The Queen, second edition, by Alex Roberts, published by Darrington Press

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

COVER ART INCLUDES:

Carnival mask silhouette by Muhammad Fathurrahman on Vecteezy

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Royal crown silhouette by Timplaru Emil on Vecteezy

Her Many Masks, Act 1

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Act 1 of 3: The Queen sets out through wrack and ruin with her retinue, each of whom loves her in their own way.

Coming next on 7 January 2025 – Her Majesty (Many Masks Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, murder, and eye damage.

Credits

STARRING:

- Alexander Pankhurst

- Marta Da Silva

- Josh Yard

- Ellie Pitkin

- Matt Boothman

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: For The Queen, second edition, by Alex Roberts, published by Darrington Press

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

COVER ART INCLUDES:

Carnival mask silhouette by Muhammad Fathurrahman on Vecteezy

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

A dream come true transcript

Guest artist: I Need A Miracle

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 05:00:00 +0000

While you wait for Her Many Masks to open in the Studio, here’s a sample of I Need A Miracle, another podcast Foggy Outline released this year, written by Matt.

I Need A Miracle is an original scripted audio drama where each episode is a prayer, some prayers are answered, and a prayer granted can upend the whole world.

Credits

Episode 1, A dream come true, stars David Holt as Michel Kildress, the Artist (they/them), with additional voices from the season 1 cast

Written and created by Matt Boothman

Directed by Robert Valentine

Music by Katharine Seaton

Sound design by Sarah Buchynski

Casting by Fiona Thraille

Recorded at Jukebox Studios

Broadcast assistance from Teresa Milewski

Cover art by Dionysis Livanis

Produced by Sarah Golding of Wireless Theatre for Foggy Outline

Transcript

Support I Need A Miracle

If you enjoyed this episode, in your benevolence, I entreat you to:

Buy me a cuppa to fuel development of season 2

Follow I Need A Miracle @inyourbenevolence on Tumblr

Follow I Need A Miracle @in.your.benevolence on Instagram

Review I Need A Miracle on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser

Comment on this episode on Spotify

Share the I Need A Miracle homepage www.foggyoutline.com/ineedamiracle

Unpicking (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 05:00:00 +0000

The cast look back at Peggy’s debut. Was this the grossest Vigil yet?

Coming up in the Studio on 31 December – Her Many Masks, Act 1

Programme notes

This production contains strong language, drug use, gunfire, and gory fantasy violence.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Peggy Tailor: The prodigal daughter of a local family that dabbles in fey frolicking and organised crime, back in town to lay low after a grift gone horribly wrong.

Calistarius Softbinding: A local horror writer with a cult following, who sponsored the construction of a whole new wing of Sherrydown’s library. Calistarius Softbinding is a nom de plume.

Ed Kincaid: A once promising, now disgraced MI5 agent assigned to investigate the more … esoteric threats reported to the national security hotline.

Jinny Greenteeth: Proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Recently lifted.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Peggy Tailor, the Crooked

Chris Buxey as Calistarius Softbinding, the Expert

Chris MacLennan as Ed Kincaid, the Professional

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

with Chris Starkey as Cameron Jarvis

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Tailor Made, Act 5

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Act Five of Five: One’s home is one’s castle. Who’s the king of this one?

Coming next on 3 December – Unpicking (Vigil Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains strong language, drug use, gunfire, and gory fantasy violence.

Meet actual play podcasters and see some live recordings at the Dragonmeet PodcastZone in London on 30 November.

Back the Slayers Survival Kit and Hunter’s Journal, two new Monster of the Week books.

Luvvie alert! We simply must introduce you to OMEN Investigations, a comedy horror podcast starring three secret agents as they travel the world fighting monsters, ghosts, aliens and other paranormal perils.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Peggy Tailor: The prodigal daughter of a local family that dabbles in fey frolicking and organised crime, back in town to lay low after a grift gone horribly wrong.

Calistarius Softbinding: A local horror writer with a cult following, who sponsored the construction of a whole new wing of Sherrydown’s library. Calistarius Softbinding is a nom de plume.

Ed Kincaid: A once promising, now disgraced MI5 agent assigned to investigate the more … esoteric threats reported to the national security hotline.

Jinny Greenteeth: Proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Recently lifted.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Peggy Tailor, the Crooked

Chris Buxey as Calistarius Softbinding, the Expert

Chris MacLennan as Ed Kincaid, the Professional

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

with Chris Starkey as Cameron Jarvis

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: Dragon and Toast by Kevin MacLeod; and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Tailor Made, Act 4

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Act Four of Five: Test your smoke alarms and check your boiler regularly. Otherwise your home can really hurt you.

Coming next on 26 November – Vigil: Tailor Made, Act 5

Programme notes

This production contains strong language, drug use, gunfire, and gory fantasy violence.

Meet actual play podcasters and see some live recordings at the Dragonmeet PodcastZone in London on 30 November.

Back the Slayers Survival Kit and Hunter’s Journal, two new Monster of the Week books.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Peggy Tailor: The prodigal daughter of a local family that dabbles in fey frolicking and organised crime, back in town to lay low after a grift gone horribly wrong.

Calistarius Softbinding: A local horror writer with a cult following, who sponsored the construction of a whole new wing of Sherrydown’s library. Calistarius Softbinding is a nom de plume.

Ed Kincaid: A once promising, now disgraced MI5 agent assigned to investigate the more … esoteric threats reported to the national security hotline.

Jinny Greenteeth: Proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Recently lifted.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Peggy Tailor, the Crooked

Chris Buxey as Calistarius Softbinding, the Expert

Chris MacLennan as Ed Kincaid, the Professional

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

with Chris Starkey as Cameron Jarvis

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: Mirage by Kevin MacLeod; and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Tailor Made, Act 3

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Act Three of Five: As the innocents evacuate, hostilities escalate. The walls are closing in.

Coming next on 12 November – Vigil: Tailor Made, Act 4

Programme notes

This production contains strong language, drug use, gunfire, and gory fantasy violence.

Nominate your favourite podcasts for the 2024 Discover Pods Awards. Merely Roleplayers is eligible under Fiction and I Need A Miracle, the scripted audio drama Matt wrote, is eligible for Best New Podcast of 2024.

Luvvie alert! We simply must introduce you to The Thorne Files, a fellow Monster of the Week actual play podcast detailing the exploits and mysteries explored by agents of Thorne Investigations, a paranormal investigations agency, in 1952.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Peggy Tailor: The prodigal daughter of a local family that dabbles in fey frolicking and organised crime, back in town to lay low after a grift gone horribly wrong.

Calistarius Softbinding: A local horror writer with a cult following, who sponsored the construction of a whole new wing of Sherrydown’s library. Calistarius Softbinding is a nom de plume.

Ed Kincaid: A once promising, now disgraced MI5 agent assigned to investigate the more … esoteric threats reported to the national security hotline.

Jinny Greenteeth: Proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Recently lifted.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Peggy Tailor, the Crooked

Chris Buxey as Calistarius Softbinding, the Expert

Chris MacLennan as Ed Kincaid, the Professional

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

with Chris Starkey as Cameron Jarvis

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: Dragon and Toast by Kevin MacLeod; and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Peggy, the Crooked (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 04:00:00 +0000

Meet Peggy: grifter, scion, Crooked. Ellie builds her new character along with an identity parade of supernatural villains.

Coming next on 29 October – Vigil: Tailor Made, Act 3

Programme notes

This production contains strong language, drug use, gunfire, and gory fantasy violence.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Peggy Tailor: The prodigal daughter of a local family that dabbles in fey frolicking and organised crime, back in town to lay low after a grift gone horribly wrong.

Calistarius Softbinding: A local horror writer with a cult following, who sponsored the construction of a whole new wing of Sherrydown’s library. Calistarius Softbinding is a nom de plume.

Ed Kincaid: A once promising, now disgraced MI5 agent assigned to investigate the more … esoteric threats reported to the national security hotline.

Jinny Greenteeth: Proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Recently lifted.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Peggy Tailor, the Crooked

Chris Buxey as Calistarius Softbinding, the Expert

Chris MacLennan as Ed Kincaid, the Professional

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

with Chris Starkey as Cameron Jarvis

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Vigil: Tailor Made, Act 2

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 04:00:00 +0000

Act Two of Five: Search this house from bottom to top!

Coming next on 22 October – Peggy, the Crooked (Vigil Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains strong language, drug use, gunfire, and gory fantasy violence.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Peggy Tailor: The prodigal daughter of a local family that dabbles in fey frolicking and organised crime, back in town to lay low after a grift gone horribly wrong.

Calistarius Softbinding: A local horror writer with a cult following, who sponsored the construction of a whole new wing of Sherrydown’s library. Calistarius Softbinding is a nom de plume.

Ed Kincaid: A once promising, now disgraced MI5 agent assigned to investigate the more … esoteric threats reported to the national security hotline.

Jinny Greenteeth: Proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Recently lifted.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Peggy Tailor, the Crooked

Chris Buxey as Calistarius Softbinding, the Expert

Chris MacLennan as Ed Kincaid, the Professional

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

with Chris Starkey as Cameron Jarvis

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Woven together (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 04:00:00 +0000

The cast work out how everyone’s connected to Ellie’s new character.

Coming next on 15 October – Vigil: Tailor Made, Act 2

Programme notes

This production contains strong language, drug use, gunfire, and gory fantasy violence.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Calistarius Softbinding: A local horror writer with a cult following, who sponsored the construction of a whole new wing of Sherrydown’s library. Calistarius Softbinding is a nom de plume.

Ed Kincaid: A once promising, now disgraced MI5 agent assigned to investigate the more … esoteric threats reported to the national security hotline.

Jinny Greenteeth: Proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Recently lifted.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as ???

Chris Buxey as Calistarius Softbinding, the Expert

Chris MacLennan as Ed Kincaid, the Professional

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

with Chris Starkey as Cameron Jarvis

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Vigil: Tailor Made, Act 1

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 04:00:00 +0000

Act One of Five: Welcome to Tailors’ Haunt. Everyone who should live here is gone, and everyone you might want gone can’t leave.

Coming next on 8 October – Woven together (Vigil Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains strong language, drug use, gunfire, and gory fantasy violence.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Calistarius Softbinding: A local horror writer with a cult following, who sponsored the construction of a whole new wing of Sherrydown’s library. Calistarius Softbinding is a nom de plume.

Ed Kincaid: A once promising, now disgraced MI5 agent assigned to investigate the more … esoteric threats reported to the national security hotline.

Jinny Greenteeth: Proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Recently lifted.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as ???

Chris Buxey as Calistarius Softbinding, the Expert

Chris MacLennan as Ed Kincaid, the Professional

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

with Chris Starkey as Cameron Jarvis

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Retracing our steps (Labyrinth Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 04:00:00 +0000

What chambers of the Queen’s Labyrinth did we leave unexplored? Join us backstage for a look back at this production.

Coming next on 1 October – Vigil: Tailor Made, Act 1

Programme notes

This production contains memory loss and dead animals.

Credits

GOBLIN QUEEN: Natalie Winter

STARRING:

Helen Stratton as Linda

Ellie Pitkin as Sir Barold von Branwick

Strat as Winkle

Matt Boothman as Gundle

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Jim Henson’s Labyrinth The Adventure Game by Ben Milton (adventure) and Jack Caesar (rules), published by River Horse

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SEASON PLANNED BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Labyrinth Untold, Act 5

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 04:00:00 +0000

Act 5 of 5: The Goblin Queen’s Castle. Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered, we have fought our way here to take back what was stolen.

Coming next on 17 September – Retracing our steps (Labyrinth Untold)

Programme notes

This production contains memory loss and dead animals.

Goblin Queen Natalie Winter also plays Dungeons & Dragons and other games on Twitch with Roll Together! Find her as the Dungeon Master of Nexus and Nexus Revolutions, using fantasy to send up sci-fi, or playing Elodie Fogg in Roll Together’s ongoing steampunk campaign, Chronicles of Aeodrun.

Vigil returns on 1 October, and the first 5 Vigil mysteries (Playtime, Cold Snap, Tourist Trap, Bad Dog, and Quarry) are part of the Supernatural TTRPG Bundle: $20 for 60+ spooky digital games by 50 independent roleplaying game creators, available until 21 September.

Matt wrote a new show called I Need A Miracle, where each episode is a prayer, some prayers are answered, and a prayer granted can upend the world. Episode 1 premieres on 29 August. Or get all 12 episodes on 29 August by subscribing to Apollo+.

Credits

GOBLIN QUEEN: Natalie Winter

STARRING:

Helen Stratton as Linda

Ellie Pitkin as Sir Barold von Branwick

Strat as Winkle

Matt Boothman as Gundle

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Jim Henson’s Labyrinth The Adventure Game by Ben Milton (adventure) and Jack Caesar (rules), published by River Horse

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SEASON PLANNED BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Clangers untold (Labyrinth Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 04:00:00 +0000

Follow us around a few of the wrong turns, blind alleys and dead ends that we cut from this production.

Coming next on 10 September – Labyrinth Untold, Act 5

Programme notes

This production contains memory loss and dead animals.

Credits

GOBLIN QUEEN: Natalie Winter

STARRING:

Helen Stratton as Linda

Ellie Pitkin as Sir Barold von Branwick

Strat as Winkle

Matt Boothman as Gundle

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Jim Henson’s Labyrinth The Adventure Game by Ben Milton (adventure) and Jack Caesar (rules), published by River Horse

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SEASON PLANNED BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Labyrinth Untold, Act 4

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 04:00:00 +0000

Act 4 of 5: The Goblin City. Shadows are illegal and opera is mandatory. Just don’t make a scene.

Coming next on 3 September – Clangers untold (Labyrinth Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains memory loss and dead animals.

Credits

GOBLIN QUEEN: Natalie Winter

STARRING:

Helen Stratton as Linda

Ellie Pitkin as Sir Barold von Branwick

Strat as Winkle

Matt Boothman as Gundle

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Jim Henson’s Labyrinth The Adventure Game by Ben Milton (adventure) and Jack Caesar (rules), published by River Horse

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SEASON PLANNED BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Coming soon: I Need A Miracle

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 04:00:00 +0000

Can any world survive a benevolent god? I Need A Miracle premieres on 29 August.

Coming next on 27 August – Labyrinth Untold, Act 4

Programme notes

Every episode is a prayer. Some prayers are answered. And a prayer granted can upend the world.

I Need A Miracle is the first scripted podcast series from Foggy Outline, created and written by Merely Roleplayers’ Matt Boothman, and produced by multi-award winning Wireless Theatre.

Listen and follow at foggyoutline.com/ineedamiracle

Credits

The trailer features the voices of:

– Annette Badland

– David Holt

– Matt Boothman

Music by Katharine Seaton

Sound design by Sarah Buchynski

Cover art by Dionysis Livanis

Labyrinth Untold, Act 3

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 04:00:00 +0000

Act 3 of 5: The Land of Yore. Between a pot and a fart place. Stink forever or stay forever.

Coming next on 20 August – I Need A Miracle

Programme notes

This production contains memory loss and dead animals.

Credits

GOBLIN QUEEN: Natalie Winter

STARRING:

Helen Stratton as Linda

Ellie Pitkin as Sir Barold von Branwick

Strat as Winkle

Matt Boothman as Gundle

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Jim Henson’s Labyrinth The Adventure Game by Ben Milton (adventure) and Jack Caesar (rules), published by River Horse

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SEASON PLANNED BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Traits and flaws (Labyrinth Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 04:00:00 +0000

Character creation continues: what about each of our denizens could help or hinder us on our journey?

Coming next on 13 August – Labyrinth Untold, Act 3

Programme notes

This production contains memory loss and dead animals.

Credits

GOBLIN QUEEN: Natalie Winter

STARRING:

Helen Stratton as Linda

Ellie Pitkin as Sir Barold von Branwick

Strat as Winkle

Matt Boothman as Gundle

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Jim Henson’s Labyrinth The Adventure Game by Ben Milton (adventure) and Jack Caesar (rules), published by River Horse

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SEASON PLANNED BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Labyrinth Untold, Act 2

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 04:00:00 +0000

Act 2 of 5: The Hedge Maze. This topiary can only be described as wild.

Coming next on 6 August – Traits and flaws (Labyrinth Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains memory loss and dead animals.

Credits

GOBLIN QUEEN: Natalie Winter

STARRING:

Helen Stratton as Linda

Ellie Pitkin as Sir Barold von Branwick

Strat as Winkle

Matt Boothman as Gundle

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Jim Henson’s Labyrinth The Adventure Game by Ben Milton (adventure) and Jack Caesar (rules), published by River Horse

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SEASON PLANNED BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Kin (Labyrinth Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 04:00:00 +0000

Kicking off character creation with the important question: what flavour of Labyrinth Muppet do we all want to be?

Coming next on 30 July – Labyrinth Untold, Act 2

Programme notes

This production contains memory loss and dead animals.

Credits

GOBLIN QUEEN: Natalie Winter

STARRING:

Helen Stratton as Linda

Ellie Pitkin as Sir Barold von Branwick

Strat as Winkle

Matt Boothman as Gundle

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Jim Henson’s Labyrinth The Adventure Game by Ben Milton (adventure) and Jack Caesar (rules), published by River Horse

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SEASON PLANNED BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Labyrinth Untold, Act 1

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 04:00:00 +0000

Act 1 of 5: The Stone Walls. The Goblin Queen is displeased to find four of her denizens outside the Labyrinth.

Coming next on 23 July – Kin (Labyrinth Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains memory loss and dead animals.

Credits

GOBLIN QUEEN: Natalie Winter

STARRING:

Helen Stratton as Linda

Ellie Pitkin as Sir Barold von Branwick

Strat as Winkle

Matt Boothman as Gundle

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Jim Henson’s Labyrinth The Adventure Game by Ben Milton (adventure) and Jack Caesar (rules), published by River Horse

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SEASON PLANNED BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Dream diary (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 04:00:00 +0000

The cast look back at the fever dream that was Dream Big and consider the consequences they’ve inflicted on the next set of players.

Coming next – Labyrinth Untold, an odyssey in 5 acts

Programme notes

This production includes a natural disaster, fantasy violence, blood, and dismemberment (the dismemberment is not bloody).

Luvvie alert! We simply must introduce you to Of Dice and Them, where Jack, Ralph, Lou, Tove and Bambi laugh in each other's faces and try to get through a session where no one beefs it. Contains frustrated swearing, light-hearted DM bullying, and far too much owl-based combat.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Mick Mason: Sherrydown’s favourite builder and bricklayer. His life has been getting weirder since he dug too deep and hit a leyline.

Brier: A mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Dave as Mick Mason, the Mundane

Helen Stratton as Melody Bantham, the Constructed

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Vigil: Dream Big, Act 4

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 04:00:00 +0000

Act Four of Four: Who should inherit the power of giants? The giant of ambition or the giant of heart?

Coming next on 25 June – Dream diary (Vigil Backstage)

Programme notes

This production includes a natural disaster, fantasy violence, blood, and dismemberment (the dismemberment is not bloody).

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Mick Mason: Sherrydown’s favourite builder and bricklayer. His life has been getting weirder since he dug too deep and hit a leyline.

Brier: A mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Dave as Mick Mason, the Mundane

Helen Stratton as Melody Bantham, the Constructed

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: Ritual by Kevin MacLeod; and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Dear Mick & co (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 04:00:00 +0000

Persephone Byron is gone from this time, but her words to her friends remain.

Coming next on 18 June – Vigil: Dream Big, Act 4

Programme notes

This production includes a natural disaster, fantasy violence, blood, and dismemberment (the dismemberment is not bloody).

Luvvie alert! We simply must introduce you to Realms of Peril & Glory. Journey through hilarious galaxies, adventure-filled worlds and mysterious continents! Experience thrilling tales weaved at the table using a variety of roleplaying game systems, by a rotating panel of Game Masters and Players!

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Mick Mason: Sherrydown’s favourite builder and bricklayer. His life has been getting weirder since he dug too deep and hit a leyline.

Brier: A mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Dave as Mick Mason, the Mundane

Helen Stratton as Melody Bantham, the Constructed

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Vigil: Dream Big, Act 3

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 04:00:00 +0000

Act Three of Four: Mick has a new rival for the giant’s favour, and she’s got something shocking planned.

Coming next on 11 June – Dear Mick & co (Vigil Backstage)

Programme notes

This production includes a natural disaster, fantasy violence, blood, and dismemberment (the dismemberment is not bloody).

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Mick Mason: Sherrydown’s favourite builder and bricklayer. His life has been getting weirder since he dug too deep and hit a leyline.

Brier: A mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Dave as Mick Mason, the Mundane

Helen Stratton as Melody Bantham, the Constructed

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: Ritual by Kevin MacLeod; and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Mick, the Mundane Chosen (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 28 May 2024 04:00:00 +0000

Meet Mick: bricklayer, neighbour, Mundane … and now Chosen. Mick started life as an everybloke; can he stay down-to-earth as the champion of giant-kind?

Coming next on 4 June – Vigil: Dream Big, Act 3

Programme notes

This production includes a natural disaster, fantasy violence, blood, and dismemberment (the dismemberment is not bloody).

Luvvie alert! We simply must introduce you to Snyder’s Return, a UK based tabletop roleplaying game podcast featuring actual play, content creator interviews and game master/player guides.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Mick Mason: Sherrydown’s favourite builder and bricklayer. His life has been getting weirder since he dug too deep and hit a leyline.

Brier: A mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Dave as Mick Mason, the Mundane

Helen Stratton as Melody Bantham, the Constructed

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Nominations are open for the CRIT Awards 2024!

Vigil: Dream Big, Act 2

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 21 May 2024 04:00:00 +0000

Act Two of Four: The owner of the severed arm is in town hoping to witness something earth-shattering.

Coming next on 28 May – Mick, the Mundane Chosen (Vigil Backstage)

Programme notes

This production includes a natural disaster, fantasy violence, blood, and dismemberment (the dismemberment is not bloody).

In case you’d like to nominate us but you’re not sure what we’ve done that’s eligible, here’s a post that lists it all, along with any links you’ll need for your nominations.

Luvvie alert! We simply must introduce you to Snyder’s Return, a UK based tabletop roleplaying game podcast featuring actual play, content creator interviews and game master/player guides.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Mick Mason: Sherrydown’s favourite builder and bricklayer. His life has been getting weirder since he dug too deep and hit a leyline.

Brier: A mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Dave as Mick Mason, the Mundane

Helen Stratton as Melody Bantham, the Constructed

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: Ritual by Kevin MacLeod; and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Dream team (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 14 May 2024 04:00:00 +0000

Brier’s new crew gatecrashes the usual chat about how the main characters know each other.

Coming next on 21 May – Vigil: Dream Big, Act 2

Programme notes

This production includes a natural disaster, fantasy violence, blood, and dismemberment (the dismemberment is not bloody).

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Mick Mason: Sherrydown’s favourite builder and bricklayer. His life has been getting weirder since he dug too deep and hit a leyline.

Brier: A mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Dave as Mick Mason, the Mundane

Helen Stratton as Melody Bantham, the Constructed

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Dream Big, Act 1

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 07 May 2024 04:00:00 +0000

Act One of Four: Mick struggles to wake from a nightmare, and the earth under Sherrydown shakes.

Coming next on 14 May – Dream team (Vigil Backstage)

Programme notes

This production includes a natural disaster, fantasy violence, blood, and dismemberment (the dismemberment is not bloody).

Nominations are open for the CRIT Awards 2024! Merely Roleplayers is eligible for Best Podcast, Matt Boothman for Best Podcast Host and Best Game Master – Indie, and the following series are eligible for Best Series (which also means the characters in these series are eligible for Best NPC or Best Villain, and the players are all eligible for Best Player – Indie):

- Main House: Vigil: The Great Fire, Vigil: Chief/Exec, Vigil: Fear Itself

- Studio: Falling Cadence, The Queen’s Dead, The Office Party

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Mick Mason: Sherrydown’s favourite builder and bricklayer. His life has been getting weirder since he dug too deep and hit a leyline.

Brier: A mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Dave as Mick Mason, the Mundane

Helen Stratton as Melody Bantham, the Constructed

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Wonders, a microgame

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 04:00:00 +0000

It’s only going to take one song to get everyone to stand up and take notice, and then your career will open wide in front of you. You all work so perfectly together. How hard can it be?

Coming next on 7 May – Vigil: Dream Big, Act 1

Programme notes

This episode contains strong language, underage drinking, references to drugs, and friend group infighting.

Throw us a rose emoji on Instagram or Tumblr if you enjoyed this production! Or leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

For behind the scenes updates (including what’s coming up after Vigil: Dream Big), subscribe to the Foggy Outline newsletter.

Credits

FACILITATOR: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

On vocals, Matt Boothman as Skinny Steve

On lead guitar, Strat as Jimmy Danger

On the keys, Ellie Pitkin as Pixie Dust

On rhythm guitar, Josh Yard as Sludge

On the bass, Natalie Winter as Spacy Stacy

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Wonders by Alex Flanigan, published in The Ultimate Micro-RPG Book, edited by James D’Amato

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst, inspired by Horse Elevator

SEASON PLANNED BY: Strat

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Summer Break!, a microgame

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 04:00:00 +0000

Before getting thrown face-first into school, cling to your final summer break with family and defend your childhood fort from dangers that are definitely not allegories for adulthood!

Coming next on 23 April – Wonders, a microgame

Programme notes

This episode contains child endangerment and harm to children (not described in detail), themes of growing up, and divorce.

Credits

FACILITATOR: Natalie Winter

STARRING:

Natalie Winter as Max, aged 10 ¾

Strat as Billy, aged 10 ½

Ellie Pitkin as Cara, aged 12

Josh Yard as Sam, aged 14

Matt Boothman as Ani, aged 8

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Summer Break by Joey Barranco, published in The Ultimate Micro-RPG Book, edited by James D’Amato

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst, inspired by Horse Elevator

SEASON PLANNED BY: Strat

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Good Dogs, a microgame duo

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 04:00:00 +0000

Go inside the writers’ room of your favourite canine adventure show, then join four lost dogs as they trick, trial and treat their way home.

Coming next on 16 April – Summer Break!, a microgame

Programme notes

This episode contains strong language, animal endangerment, and animal attacks.

Credits

FACILITATOR: Strat

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Kevin

Josh Yard as Enzo

Natalie Winter as Peppercorn

Matt Boothman as Wallaby

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Hero Dog Saves Town by Alex Roberts and Wild Rovers by Shanna Germain, published in The Ultimate Micro-RPG Book, edited by James D’Amato

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst, inspired by Horse Elevator

SEASON PLANNED BY: Strat

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Event Planning in Zero G, a microgame

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 04:00:00 +0000

Some of the galaxy’s (best?) event planners have gathered to plan the celebration for the Gantrofax’s final moulting. Of course, we have limited time and budget. Everything is fine, though. Happy moulting!

Coming next on 9 April – Good Dogs, a microgame duo

Programme notes

This episode contains strong language, workplace burnout, and speculation about a fictional genocide (that does not happen).

Credits

FACILITATOR: Ellie Pitkin

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Madame Flux

Josh Yard as Chef Octo-Ramsey

Natalie Winter as Dee-mar the Vee-spar

Strat as DJ Clorox

Matt Boothman as Gravalax the Living Company

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Event Planning in Zero G by Jenn Martin, published in The Ultimate Micro-RPG Book, edited by James D’Amato

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst, inspired by Horse Elevator

SEASON PLANNED BY: Strat

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Heartbeats, a microgame

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 05:00:00 +0000

It’s time to push the boundaries of modern medicine, and maybe to make out with a bitter rival in the on-call room!

Coming next on 2 April – Event Planning in Zero G, a microgame

Programme notes

This episode contains medical situations, medical malpractice, gross medical mouth noises, drug misuse, gun violence, and bawdy British humour of the knickers-down variety.

Credits

FACILITATOR: Josh Yard

STARRING:

Josh Yard as Dr Artery Hartwell and Penny

Natalie Winter as Dr Miranda Anderson and Steph O’Scope

Strat as Dr Henry Mole and Chris Wandsworth

Ellie Pitkin as Dr Cynthia Cutting and Marjorie Hartwell

Matt Boothman as Dr Achilles Miles and Jonathan Blackhead

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Heartbeats by Keith Baker and Jenn Ellis, published in The Ultimate Micro-RPG Book, edited by James D’Amato

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst, inspired by Horse Elevator

SEASON PLANNED BY: Strat

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Interstitial, 2nd edition is on Kickstarter

Fan Fic Mish Mash, Act 2 (live at Dragonmeet 2023)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 05:00:00 +0000

The staff and customers pool their talents to rid the Coffee Shop Hey, You! of the rowdy Suits.

Coming next on 26 March – Heartbeats, a microgame

Programme notes

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Alexander Pankhurst as Morgana Le Fay

Natalie Winter as Jemima Puddle-Duck

Strat as Tom Thumb

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Interstitial: Our Hearts Intertwined by Riley Hopkins

MUSIC: In The Dark – Flashes by Bix Beiderbeck, performed by Jess Stacy, provided by the Open Music Archive

RECORDED AND ENGINEERED BY: Kristian Mitchell-Dolby

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

COMMISSIONED BY: Mira Manga and Fiona KT Howat for the Dragonmeet Podcast Zone 2023

Find us

Interstitial, 2nd edition is on Kickstarter

Fan Fic Mish Mash, Act 1 (live at Dragonmeet 2023)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Some badly behaved new customers are ruining the vibe at the Coffee Shop Hey, You!

Coming next on 19 March – Fan Fic Mish Mash, Act 2 (live at Dragonmeet 2023)

Programme notes

Book to play Spindlewheel or The Hunted with Matt at Airecon on 15 and 16 March

Catch up on the two-part game of Heart: The City Beneath that Matt ran for Actual Play UK

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Alexander Pankhurst as Morgana Le Fay

Natalie Winter as Jemima Puddle-Duck

Strat as Tom Thumb

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Interstitial: Our Hearts Intertwined by Riley Hopkins

MUSIC: In The Dark – Flashes by Bix Beiderbeck, performed by Jess Stacy, provided by the Open Music Archive

RECORDED AND ENGINEERED BY: Kristian Mitchell-Dolby

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

COMMISSIONED BY: Mira Manga and Fiona KT Howat for the Dragonmeet Podcast Zone 2023

Find us

Deep breaths (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 05:00:00 +0000

And relax. The cast calm down and look back on Vigil: Fear Itself. Whose fears came to pass, and what’s left to be afraid of for next time?

Coming next on 27 February – Vigil: Fear Itself, Act 5

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, gun violence, strong language, family tragedy and malicious fearmongering.

If you enjoyed this production, throw us a rose emoji! We’re @merelyroleplayers on Instagram and Tumblr.

Luvvie alert! We simply must introduce you to What Am I Rolling?, a twice-monthly RPG one-shot podcast, hosted by gamemaster, Fiona. Every month, Fiona takes a brand new group of players and runs them through a one-shot adventure, testing out a different RPG game style or system.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Cameron Jarvis: An intense young man, obsessed with monster hunting since his parents and sister were killed by ghouls while camping outside Sherrydown.

Jess Butterworth: A twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Chris Starkey as Cameron Jarvis, the Wronged

Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth, the Spooky

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Fear Itself, Act 5

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Act Five of Five: Fire. Smoke. Shadow. No one walks through that and returns unchanged. Same goes for getting what you’ve always wanted.

Coming next on 5 March – Deep breaths (Vigil Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, gun violence, strong language, family tragedy and malicious fearmongering.

If you enjoyed this production, throw us a rose emoji! We’re @merelyroleplayers on Instagram and Tumblr.

Going to Airecon ‘24? You could play Spindlewheel or The Hunted with Matt. Only a few spaces left for each game!

Part 1 of Heart: The City Beneath is available to watch on Twitch. Matt’s the GM and the players descending into the depths of their twisted desires are Maddy and Zack from Realms of Peril & Glory, Dan from Brit Twits, and Fiona from What Am I Rolling? Tune in to @actualplayuk on Twitch at 8pm GMT on Friday 8 March for part 2.

Interstitial, the roleplaying game we used for our Dragonmeet 2023 live show, is crowdfunding a new and improved second edition. Act out crossover fanfic with your friends around the table.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Cameron Jarvis: An intense young man, obsessed with monster hunting since his parents and sister were killed by ghouls while camping outside Sherrydown.

Jess Butterworth: A twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Chris Starkey as Cameron Jarvis, the Wronged

Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth, the Spooky

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: Long Note Two by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0); and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vicious cuts (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Fear cuts deep. Let’s take a break from that and drink of the deep well of clips we cut from this production.

Coming next on 27 February – Vigil: Fear Itself, Act 5

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, gun violence, strong language, family tragedy and malicious fearmongering.

Luvvie alert! We simply must introduce you to Of Dice and Them, where Jack, Ralph, Lou, Tove and Bambi they laugh in each other's faces and try to get through a session where no one beefs it. Contains frustrated swearing, light-hearted DM bullying, and far too much owl-based combat.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Cameron Jarvis: An intense young man, obsessed with monster hunting since his parents and sister were killed by ghouls while camping outside Sherrydown.

Jess Butterworth: A twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Chris Starkey as Cameron Jarvis, the Wronged

Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth, the Spooky

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Fear Itself, Act 4

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Act Four of Five: Cameron and Jess get their first taste of Fairyland. The mortals and Graham all get their targets in sight.

Coming next on 20 February – Vicious cuts (Vigil Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, gun violence, strong language, family tragedy and malicious fearmongering.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Cameron Jarvis: An intense young man, obsessed with monster hunting since his parents and sister were killed by ghouls while camping outside Sherrydown.

Jess Butterworth: A twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Chris Starkey as Cameron Jarvis, the Wronged

Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth, the Spooky

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

with additional voices by Natalie Winter

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Fear Itself, Act 3

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Act Three of Five: The Conductor warns Cam and Jess about the perils awaiting in Fairyland. As if the journey aboard the ghost train wasn’t perilous enough.

Coming next on 13 February – Vigil: Fear Itself, Act 4

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, gun violence, strong language, family tragedy and malicious fearmongering.

Luvvie alert! We simply must introduce you to Billowing Hilltop: Dungeons and Dragons played by ancient British idiots. Expect some silly voices, rules mongering and a lot of laughs plus the occasional terrible song.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Cameron Jarvis: An intense young man, obsessed with monster hunting since his parents and sister were killed by ghouls while camping outside Sherrydown.

Jess Butterworth: A twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Chris Starkey as Cameron Jarvis, the Wronged

Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth, the Spooky

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Dear Graham & co (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Persephone Byron is gone from this time, but her words to her friends remain.

Coming next on 30 January – Vigil: Fear Itself, Act 3

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, gun violence, strong language, family tragedy and malicious fearmongering.

Luvvie alert! We simply must introduce you to Deck of Many Aces, an actual play Dungeons & Dragons podcast made by actual asexuals and aromantics! Follow four heroes as they adventure through a fantasy world on the cusp of a technological revolution, augmented by magic. Each character's fate is tied to one of the 22 cards in the Deck of Many Things, a D&D magical object based on a tarot deck.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Cameron Jarvis: An intense young man, obsessed with monster hunting since his parents and sister were killed by ghouls while camping outside Sherrydown.

Jess Butterworth: A twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Chris Starkey as Cameron Jarvis, the Wronged

Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth, the Spooky

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Fear Itself, Act 2

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Act Two of Five: Cameron takes charge of the itinerary, as the trio leaves town to neutralise the threat to Kit and Jess.

Coming next on 23 January – Dear Graham & co (Vigil Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, gun violence, strong language, family tragedy and malicious fearmongering.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Cameron Jarvis: An intense young man, obsessed with monster hunting since his parents and sister were killed by ghouls while camping outside Sherrydown.

Jess Butterworth: A twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Chris Starkey as Cameron Jarvis, the Wronged

Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth, the Spooky

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

with Ellie Pitkin as Persephone Byron, the Exile

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Common fears (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 05:00:00 +0000

What past experiences do our three main characters share? What can they cling to in comfort when terror closes in all around?

Coming next on 16 January – Vigil: Fear Itself, Act 2

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, gun violence, strong language, family tragedy and malicious fearmongering.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Cameron Jarvis: An intense young man, obsessed with monster hunting since his parents and sister were killed by ghouls while camping outside Sherrydown.

Jess Butterworth: A twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Chris Starkey as Cameron Jarvis, the Wronged

Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth, the Spooky

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Fear Itself, Act 1

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Act One of Five: Jess’s haunting friend Kit gives her a fright, and it turns out the good guys aren’t the only ones who can join forces and pool resources.

Coming next on 9 January – Common fears (Vigil Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, gun violence, strong language, family tragedy and malicious fearmongering.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Cameron Jarvis: An intense young man, obsessed with monster hunting since his parents and sister were killed by ghouls while camping outside Sherrydown.

Jess Butterworth: A twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Chris Starkey as Cameron Jarvis, the Wronged

Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth, the Spooky

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

ADDITIONAL VOICES: Natalie Winter and Josh Yard

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

After party (Office Party Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 05:00:00 +0000

The players and their Guide talk Quest, Bureautopia and the unseen lands they could have trod.

Coming up in the Main House on 2 January – Vigil: Fear Itself, Act 1

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence and themes of colonialist exploitation.

Credits

GUIDE: Josh Yard

STARRING:

Natalie Winter as Bess, the Invoker

Chris Starkey as Neville Flounder aka The Living Shadow aka Night Gannet, the Spy

Strat as Jerome Picklepants, the Wizard

Dave as Josh, the Magician

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Quest by The Adventure Guild

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

The Office Party, Act 5

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 05:00:00 +0000

The Bureautopians’ ultimate quest: take responsibility and commit to your goals by saving Murawai from total destruction.

Coming next on 5 December – After party (Office Party Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence and themes of colonialist exploitation.

We’re doing a live show at Dragonmeet 2023!

FAN FIC MISH MASH: Heroes you know in a story you don’t. Matt Boothman, Alexander Pankhurst, Natalie Winter and Strat improvise public-domain fan fic in real time, live on stage, using the roleplaying game Interstitial: Our Hearts Intertwined by Riley Hopkins.

10:30-12:00, Pouilly room (on the Mezzanine), Saturday 2 December, Hammersmith Novotel, London. Your Dragonmeet ticket covers our live show, but make sure you turn up in time to secure a seat!

Matt was in a Dragonmeet live show last year, playing Jason Statham’s showbiz agent in a game of Jason Statham’s Big Vacation by Grant Howitt, hosted by The D20 Future Show. The audio from that live show is finally available to listen at home - look for Jason Statham Live Parts 1 and 2 on The D20 Future Show podcast.

Credits

GUIDE: Josh Yard

STARRING:

Natalie Winter as Bess, the Invoker

Chris Starkey as Neville Flounder aka the Living Shadow aka Night Gannet, the Spy

Strat as Jerome Picklepants, the Wizard

Dave as Josh, the Magician

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Quest by The Adventure Guild

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

The shredder (Office Party Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Enjoy some gags, flubs and out of character moments that we had to cut from the main acts to make efficiency savings.

Coming next on 28 November – The Office Party, Act 5

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence and themes of colonialist exploitation.

Credits

GUIDE: Josh Yard

STARRING:

Natalie Winter as Bess, the Invoker

Chris Starkey as Neville Flounder aka The Living Shadow aka Night Gannet, the Spy

Strat as Jerome Picklepants, the Wizard

Dave as Josh, the Magician

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Quest by The Adventure Guild

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

The Office Party, Act 4

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 05:00:00 +0000

The Bureautopians’ fourth quest: practise creative problem-solving by rescuing Michaela from a vampire pirate stronghold.

Coming next on 21 November – The shredder (Office Party Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence and themes of colonialist exploitation.

We’re doing a live show at Dragonmeet 2023!

FAN FIC MISH MASH: Heroes you know in a story you don’t. 10:30-12:00, Pouilly room (on the Mezzanine), Saturday 2 December, Hammersmith Novotel, London. Your Dragonmeet ticket covers our live show, but make sure you turn up in time to secure a seat!

See Josh, our Guide to The Office Party, in Titanic the Musical from 23 November at the Bridewell Theatre, London.

Credits

GUIDE: Josh Yard

STARRING:

Natalie Winter as Bess, the Invoker

Chris Starkey as Neville Flounder aka the Living Shadow aka Night Gannet, the Spy

Strat as Jerome Picklepants, the Wizard

Dave as Josh, the Magician

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Quest by The Adventure Guild

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

The Office Party, Act 3

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 05:00:00 +0000

The Bureautopians’ third quest: support others’ development by breaking Sir Ansellus the Daring’s chicken curse.

Coming next on 14 November – The Office Party, Act 4

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence and themes of colonialist exploitation.

On Friday 10 November at 8pm UK, Matt is running a game of Heart: The City Beneath by Grant Howitt and Chris Taylor, streaming live on the Actual Play UK Twitch channel, with Maddy and Zack from Realms of Peril & Glory, Fiona from What Am I Rolling?, and Dan from Brit Twits.

Speaking of Realms of Peril & Glory, they’re through to the semi-finals of this year’s Audio Verse Awards! Go give them your vote!

Hear Driving The Point Home, a short story Matt wrote about a sword, in Of The Sword, an anthology podcast that released a story about a sword every day in September 2023.

Hear Marta Da Silva (Harper in our Main House production, Vigil) as Val in the final season of The Silt Verses.

See Josh, our Guide to The Office Party, in Titanic the Musical from 23 November at the Bridewell Theatre, London.

Credits

GUIDE: Josh Yard

STARRING:

Natalie Winter as Bess, the Invoker

Chris Starkey as Neville Flounder aka the Living Shadow aka Night Gannet, the Spy

Strat as Jerome Picklepants, the Wizard

Dave as Josh, the Magician

with Matt Boothman as Sir Ansellus the Daring, High Warden of Altarwood Keep

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Quest by The Adventure Guild

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

The Office Party, Act 2

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 04:00:00 +0000

The Bureautopians’ second quest: demonstrate attention to detail by uncovering the secrets of Quilla village.

Coming next on 31 October – The Office Party, Act 3

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence and themes of colonialist exploitation.

Hear Driving The Point Home, a short story Matt wrote about a sword, in Of The Sword, an anthology podcast that released a story about a sword every day in September 2023.

Hear Marta Da Silva (Harper in our Main House production, Vigil) as Val in the final season of The Silt Verses.

See Josh, our Guide to The Office Party, in Titanic the Musical from 23 November at the Bridewell Theatre, London.

Credits

GUIDE: Josh Yard

STARRING:

Natalie Winter as Bess, the Invoker

Chris Starkey as Neville Flounder aka the Living Shadow, the Spy

Strat as Jerome Picklepants, the Wizard

Dave as Josh, the Magician

with Matt Boothman as Sir Ansellus the Daring, High Warden of Altarwood Keep

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Quest by The Adventure Guild

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Team building (Office Party Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 04:00:00 +0000

The players create their dull Bureautopian characters – and the questing heroes they will discover within themselves.

Coming next on 17 October – The Office Party, Act 2

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence and themes of colonialist exploitation.

Credits

GUIDE: Josh Yard

STARRING:

Natalie Winter as Bess, the Invoker

Chris Starkey as Neville Flounder, the Spy

Strat as Jerome Picklepants, the Wizard

Dave as Josh, the Magician

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Quest by The Adventure Guild

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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The Office Party, Act 1

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Four Bureautopians embark on their first quest: to enhance their personal development with team building exercises in a faraway land.

Coming next on 10 October – Team building (Office Party Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence and themes of colonialist exploitation.

Credits

GUIDE: Josh Yard

STARRING:

Natalie Winter as Bess, the Invoker

Chris Starkey as Neville Flounder, the Spy

Strat as Jerome Picklepants, the Wizard

Dave as Josh, the Magician

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Quest by The Adventure Guild

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Exit interview (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Time for a retro on what we achieved this quarter, so we can set SMART goals for our return to market.

Coming up in the Studio on 3 October – The Office Party, Act 1

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, drug use, sex references and authoritarian coercion.

Luvvie alert! We simply must introduce you to Trolls of the Two Tonne Bridges, a Dungeons & Dragons actual play podcast, currently playing through the Tomb of Annihilation campaign. Expect adventure, laughs and the occasional dinosaur. And zombies. And zombie dinosaurs.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Gwynned: A former shieldmaiden of the triple goddess Morrigan. For the crime of saving a mortal man from the Morrigan’s cruel whim, the goddess exiled Gwyn to live as a duck, overlooked by mortals. Recently freed from the curse, Gwyn is negotiating a new relationship with her mistress.

Jinny Greenteeth: Proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Harper: A US exchange student trying to sever her ties to the Shadow realm she sometimes enters through revolving doors.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

Marta da Silva as Harper, the Searcher

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Chief/Exec, Act 5

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Act Five of Five: The appointed hour is nigh, for the humble and lowly to Attack and Dethrone Gods.

Coming next on 26 September – Exit interview (Vigil Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, drug use, sex references and authoritarian coercion.

If you enjoyed this production, throw us a rose emoji! We’re @merelyroleplayers on Instagram and Tumblr, and the cast are on Instagram @winternatters, @nanaluvren and @joshyard.

Follow Marta to The Silt Verses season 3, where she’s entering her villain era as Val, the reality-bending saint of The Last Word.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Jinny Greenteeth: Proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Harper: A US exchange student trying to sever her ties to the Shadow realm she sometimes enters through revolving doors.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

Marta da Silva as Harper, the Searcher

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: Virtutes Instrumenti and Right Behind You by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0); pigeons taking off by glaneur de sons on Freesound (CC BY 3.0); and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Left behind (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Not every bit of audio makes it to the higher plane of existence that is a full story act. But not everything left behind deserves to be forgotten. Which is a roundabout and thematic way of saying these are some out-takes and bloopers from Vigil: Chief/Exec.

Coming next on 19 September – Vigil: Chief/Exec, Act 5

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, drug use, sex references and authoritarian coercion.

Luvvie alert! We simply must introduce you to Snyder’s Return, a UK based tabletop roleplaying game podcast featuring actual play, content creator interviews and game master/player guides.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Jinny Greenteeth: Proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Harper: A US exchange student trying to sever her ties to the Shadow realm she sometimes enters through revolving doors.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

Marta da Silva as Harper, the Searcher

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Chief/Exec, Act 4

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Act Four of Five: Canst it be truly a sin to destroy a God? For when God is no more, who remaineth to name the deed a sin?

Coming next on 12 September – Left behind (Vigil Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, drug use, sex references and authoritarian coercion.

Driving the Point Home, written by Matt Boothman, is out on 19 September as part of the daily sword-based micro-fiction podcast Of The Sword.

The Foggy Outline newsletter is bringing you a new instalment of a serial story on the second Friday of every month – subscribe free to get part 3 on 8 September.

Luvvie alert! We simply must introduce you to Snyder’s Return, a UK based tabletop roleplaying game podcast featuring actual play, content creator interviews and game master/player guides.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Jinny Greenteeth: Proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Harper: A US exchange student trying to sever her ties to the Shadow realm she sometimes enters through revolving doors.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

Marta da Silva as Harper, the Searcher

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: Virtutes Instrumenti and Dragon and Toast by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0); pigeons taking off by glaneur de sons on Freesound (CC BY 3.0); and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Replay: Codename Mosaic (Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Let’s head undercover to investigate the secret plots and machinations behind our globetrotting spy production, Codename: Mosaic.

Coming next on 5 September – Vigil: Chief/Exec, Act 4

Programme notes

Replay is a Backstage strand where Josh takes an in-depth look back at all our past productions, revisiting the memorable moments and asking the unanswered questions.

Got a question about any past production from Parallax onwards? Email it to merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (either as text or as an attached audio file) and it could be featured in a future Replay episode.

Credits

COMPERE: Josh Yard

WITH: Matt Boothman

MUSIC BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Josh Yard and Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Chief/Exec, Act 3

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Act Three of Five: The Messenger, the King, the Queens, the armies, stand now all arrayed, their true faces revealed as the flames rise high.

Coming next on 29 August – Replay: Codename Mosaic (Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, drug use, sex references and authoritarian coercion.

Luvvie alert! We simply must introduce you to Cybertopia, an actual play podcast using the indie RPG of the same name, run by its creator with a rolling cast of a variety of members from the tabletop community. Set in a near future sci-fi world, the player characters take the form of corporate agents working on clandestine missions to protect their business's interests and reputation.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Jinny Greenteeth: Proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Harper: A US exchange student trying to sever her ties to the Shadow realm she sometimes enters through revolving doors.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

Marta da Silva as Harper, the Searcher

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: pigeons taking off by glaneur de sons on Freesound (CC BY 3.0); Dragon and Toast by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0); and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Dear Renko & co (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Persephone Byron is gone from this time, but her words to her friends remain.

Coming next on 22 August – Vigil: Chief/Exec, Act 3

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, drug use, sex references and authoritarian coercion.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Jinny Greenteeth: Proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Harper: A US exchange student trying to sever her ties to the Shadow realm she sometimes enters through revolving doors.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

Marta da Silva as Harper, the Searcher

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Chief/Exec, Act 2

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Act Two of Five: And the King said unto the scurrying interlopers, Kneel before mine throne and let me know mine enemy.

Coming next on 15 August – Dear Renko & co (Vigil Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, drug use, sex references and authoritarian coercion.

Congratulations to all the winners of the first annual CRIT (Creator Recognition in TTRPG) Awards! Including:

Friend of the show Tib Winterfield’s award-winning newsletter, Loremasters

Award-winning Twitch channel Girls Run These Worlds, featuring friend of the show and past guest Fiona Howat as a regular game master

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Jinny Greenteeth: Proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Harper: A US exchange student trying to sever her ties to the Shadow realm she sometimes enters through revolving doors.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

Marta da Silva as Harper, the Searcher

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: pigeons taking off by glaneur de sons on Freesound (CC BY 3.0); soaring clouds by bruce956 on Freesound (CC BY 4.0); and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Org chart (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Who’s in charge here? We figure out who’s related and who reports to whom among our main characters.

Coming next on 8 August – Vigil: Chief/Exec, Act 2

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, drug use, sex references and authoritarian coercion.

Luvvie alert! We simply must introduce you to The Monster’s Playbook, another actual play Monster of the Week podcast, where the real world crashes into the paranormal over and over and over again.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Jinny Greenteeth: Proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Harper: A US exchange student trying to sever her ties to the Shadow realm she sometimes enters through revolving doors.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

Marta da Silva as Harper, the Searcher

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Chief/Exec, Act 1

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Act One of Five: And lo, on the eve of the mayoral election, a messenger did appear to the good folk of Sherrydown.

Coming next on 1 August – Org chart (Vigil Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence, drug use, sex references and authoritarian coercion.

Don’t miss the epilogue at the very end of the episode!

Luvvie alert! We simply must introduce you to The Monster’s Playbook, another actual play Monster of the Week podcast, where the real world crashes into the paranormal over and over and over again.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Jinny Greenteeth: Proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Harper: A US exchange student trying to sever her ties to the Shadow realm she sometimes enters through revolving doors.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

Marta da Silva as Harper, the Searcher

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: pigeons taking off by glaneur de sons on Freesound (CC BY 3.0); and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

The wake (Queen's Dead Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 04:00:00 +0000

The cast talks generational games and the joy of petty grudges. Matt talks to Ursidice, designer of Court of the Lich Queen, about what’s next for the game.

Coming up in the Main House on 25 July – Vigil: Chief/Exec, Act 1

Programme notes

This production contains political infighting, blood & guts, death & doom.

Our promo this episode is for What Am I Rolling?, a twice-monthly RPG one-shot podcast, hosted by gamemaster, Fiona. Every month, Fiona takes a brand new group of players and runs them through a one-shot adventure, testing out a different RPG game style or system.

Credits

Representing the Skeletal Duchy: Fiona Howat

Representing the Draugr Earldom: Naomi Clarke

Representing the Wraithlight Dominion: Matt Boothman

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Court of the Lich Queen (beta) by Ursidice

MUSIC BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

The Queen's Dead, Act 3

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 04:00:00 +0000

The day of the prophesied Dawn is at hand. As light and life threaten the Lich Queen’s dominion, her dread courtiers must stand together – or fall apart.

Coming next on 18 July – The wake (Queen’s Dead Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains political infighting, blood & guts, death & doom.

Credits

Representing the Skeletal Duchy: Fiona Howat

Representing the Draugr Earldom: Naomi Clarke

Representing the Wraithlight Dominion: Matt Boothman

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Court of the Lich Queen (beta) by Ursidice

MUSIC BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

The Queen's Dead, Act 2

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Tension builds between the Lich Queen’s dread courtiers as their realms crumble around them. The Wraithlight Dominion proposes a quest.

Coming next on 11 July – The Queen’s Dead, Act 3

Programme notes

This production contains political infighting, blood & guts, death & doom.

Vote for Merely Roleplayers to win Best Storyline in an Actual Play and Ernie Bering to win Best Non-Player Character (NPC) in the CRIT (Creator Recognition in TTRPG) Awards 2023!

See Matt make his streaming debut as a snake lawyer in I’m Not Lion on Actual Play UK, with Maddy and Zack from Realms of Peril & Glory, Natalia from Trolls of the Two Tonne Bridges, and Jordan from Modified Roll! Watch on Twitch or, if it’s gone from Twitch by the time you see this, find it on Youtube.

Our promo this episode is for Realms of Peril & Glory. Journey through hilarious galaxies, adventure-filled worlds and mysterious continents! Experience thrilling tales weaved at the table using a variety of roleplaying game systems, by a rotating panel of Game Masters and Players!

Credits

Representing the Skeletal Duchy: Fiona Howat

Representing the Draugr Earldom: Naomi Clarke

Representing the Wraithlight Dominion: Matt Boothman

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Court of the Lich Queen (beta) by Ursidice

MUSIC BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Bad blood (Queen's Dead Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 04:00:00 +0000

A tourist’s guide to the realms of death, and a brief history of the debts and grudges that make sessions at court so lively.

Coming next on 27 June – The Queen’s Dead, Act 2

Programme notes

This production contains political infighting, blood & guts, death & doom.

Our promo this episode is for The Secret of St Kilda, an audio drama by Haggis and Dragons Productions. Follow Lockie, a charismatic con man who escapes to St Kilda with the promise that this time he’ll change his ways. Unfortunately the island and its unusual inhabitants have other ideas. He seeks redemption and they seek a saviour, but you know what they say – no change without sacrifice.

Credits

Representing the Skeletal Duchy: Fiona Howat

Representing the Draugr Earldom: Naomi Clarke

Representing the Wraithlight Dominion: Matt Boothman

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Court of the Lich Queen (beta) by Ursidice

MUSIC BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

The Queen's Dead, Act 1

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 04:00:00 +0000

One year before the Dawn prophesied to end the reign of death, the Lich Queen’s dread courtiers make plans to prevent it – even though it might mean working together.

Coming next on 20 June – Bad blood (Queen’s Dead Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains political infighting, blood & guts, death & doom.

Vote for Merely Roleplayers to win Best Storyline in an Actual Play and Ernie Bering to win Best Non-Player Character (NPC) in the CRIT (Creator Recognition in TTRPG) Awards 2023!

Credits

Representing the Skeletal Duchy: Fiona Howat

Representing the Draugr Earldom: Naomi Clarke

Representing the Wraithlight Dominion: Matt Boothman

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Court of the Lich Queen (beta) by Ursidice

MUSIC BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Burning questions (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 04:00:00 +0000

We look back over the bridges we’ve burned and the unexplored waters that await us.

Coming next on 13 June – The Queen’s Dead, Act 1

Programme notes

This production contains violence (including gun violence), possession, and death by fire.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Persephone ‘Percy’ Byron: A Victorian monster hunter and half-sister of Ada Lovelace. Percy tried to time travel from 1852 to 1666 to stop the summoning of an apocalyptic demon, but something went wrong, and she landed in present-day Sherrydown instead.

Mick Mason: Sherrydown’s favourite builder and bricklayer. His life has been getting weirder since he dug too deep and hit a leyline.

Brier: A mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Ed Kincaid: a once promising, now disgraced MI5 agent assigned to investigate the more … esoteric threats reported to the national security hotline.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Percy Byron, the Exile

Dave as Mick, the Mundane

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

Chris MacLennan as Kincaid, the Professional

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: The Great Fire, Act 5

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 30 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Act Five of Five: In which the full might of the Great Fire, the Searing Tongue, the Smothering Haze, is unleashed on Sherrydown.

Coming next on 6 June – Burning questions (Vigil Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains violence (including gun violence), possession, and death by fire.

As the curtain falls on this production, throw us a rose emoji on any of our social media accounts – Instagram, Tumblr or Twitter! 🌹

While you’re on our Instagram, check out The Feed: our now-complete actual play of Unreal, the video-journalling game of weirdness in the Big Brother house, by Josh Fox of Black Armada Games.

Natalie Winter, Strat and Helen from Merely Roleplayers joined Fiona from What Am I Rolling? for a two-part livestreamed game of the The Between, a horror mystery against the backdrop of Victorian London, run by the game’s designer, Jason Cordova. All four parts are now available on the What Am I Rolling? podcast (for real this time).

Nominate for the Creator Recognition in TTRPG (CRIT) Awards by 1 June.

Our promo this episode is for the Fiction Podcast Weekly, your source for audio drama and fiction podcast news, resources and opportunities.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Mick Mason: Sherrydown’s favourite builder and bricklayer. His life has been getting weirder since he dug too deep and hit a leyline.

Brier: A mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Ed Kincaid: a once promising, now disgraced MI5 agent assigned to investigate the more … esoteric threats reported to the national security hotline.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Percy Byron, the Exile

Dave as Mick, the Mundane

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

Chris MacLennan as Kincaid, the Professional

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: The Great Fire, Act 4

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 16 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Act Four of Five: In which Percy discovers that even the best laid plan never survives contact with the enemy.

Coming next on 30 May – Vigil: The Great Fire, Act 5

Programme notes

This production contains violence (including gun violence), possession, and death by fire.

Nominate your favourite roleplaying game people and products for the Creator Recognition in Tabletop Roleplaying Games (CRIT) Awards by 1 June! If you like, you can even nominate us. Vigil: Quarry and Monumental Exit are both eligible in various categories – check our Tumblr and Instagram for details and nominate here.

Our promo this episode is for Cybertopia, an actual play podcast using the indie RPG of the same name, run by its creator with a rolling cast of a variety of members from the tabletop community. Set in a near future sci-fi world, the player characters take the form of corporate agents working on clandestine missions to protect their business's interests and reputation.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Mick Mason: Sherrydown’s favourite builder and bricklayer. His life has been getting weirder since he dug too deep and hit a leyline.

Brier: A mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Ed Kincaid: a once promising, now disgraced MI5 agent assigned to investigate the more … esoteric threats reported to the national security hotline.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Percy Byron, the Exile

Dave as Mick, the Mundane

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

Chris MacLennan as Kincaid, the Professional

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: Gathering Darkness and Ritual by Kevin MacLeod (both CC BY 4.0); and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Replay: Let's Get Gideon (Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 09 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Join us for an incredulous look back at the arts of crime, business and seduction, as we remind ourselves why we first said: hey. Let’s Get Gideon.

Programme notes

Replay is a Backstage strand where Josh takes an in-depth look back at all our past productions, revisiting the memorable moments and asking the unanswered questions.

Credits

COMPERE: Josh Yard

WITH: Matt Boothman

MUSIC BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Josh Yard and Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: The Great Fire, Act 3

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 02 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Act Three of Five: In which the hunters take a pawn or two, and move into position for checkmate.

Coming next on 9 May – Replay: Let's Get Gideon (Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains violence (including gun violence), possession, and death by fire.

By some counts, this is our 250th episode! If you’ve enjoyed any of those 250 episodes, would you be willing to leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, or wherever you listen?

Pitch submissions are open until 15 May for Interactive Soup, a community funding event for interactive performance taking place in London on 13 June. How would you use £200-£250 to benefit an interactive performance, or the interactive performance community?

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Mick Mason: Sherrydown’s favourite builder and bricklayer. His life has been getting weirder since he dug too deep and hit a leyline.

Brier: A mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Ed Kincaid: a once promising, now disgraced MI5 agent assigned to investigate the more … esoteric threats reported to the national security hotline.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Percy Byron, the Exile

Dave as Mick, the Mundane

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

Chris MacLennan as Kincaid, the Professional

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: Ritual by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0); and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Vigil: The Great Fire, Act 2

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Act Two of Five: In which Percy names the battlefield, and Mick marshals his strength for a skirmish.

Coming next on 2 May – Vigil: The Great Fire, Act 3

Programme notes

This production contains violence (including gun violence), possession, and death by fire.

April is Adopt A Listener month! Find someone who says “podcasts aren’t my thing,” and give them a thoughtful recommendation. Something that will get them hooked.

Natalie Winter, Strat and Helen from Merely Roleplayers joined Fiona from What Am I Rolling? for a two-part livestreamed game of the The Between, a horror mystery against the backdrop of Victorian London, run by the game’s designer, Jason Cordova. Both parts are now available on both the What Am I Rolling? Youtube channel and the podcast.

The Feed continues on our Instagram: @merelyroleplayers

Our promo this episode is for Snyder’s Return, a UK based tabletop roleplaying game podcast featuring actual play, content creator interviews and game master/player guides.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Mick Mason: Sherrydown’s favourite builder and bricklayer. His life has been getting weirder since he dug too deep and hit a leyline.

Brier: A mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Ed Kincaid: a once promising, now disgraced MI5 agent assigned to investigate the more … esoteric threats reported to the national security hotline.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Percy Byron, the Exile

Dave as Mick, the Mundane

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

Chris MacLennan as Kincaid, the Professional

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: Gathering Darkness by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0); and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Kindling (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

We rub our characters together to create some sparks.

Coming next on 18 April – Vigil: The Great Fire, Act 2

Programme notes

This production contains violence (including gun violence), possession, and death by fire.

Our promo this episode is for Monster Hour, a narrative-driven actual play podcast that combines equal parts comedy and horror with crisp production value and original scoring. Season 2 of Monster Hour steps through the looking glass and into surreal suburban town of Somewhere (USA?). Join Claire, Duncan, and Max as they navigate a rambunctious community, fiendish bureaucracy, outlandish adversaries, and plenty of entropic horrors in this Absurdia actual play.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Mick Mason: Sherrydown’s favourite builder and bricklayer. His life has been getting weirder since he dug too deep and hit a leyline.

Brier: A mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Ed Kincaid: a once promising, now disgraced MI5 agent assigned to investigate the more … esoteric threats reported to the national security hotline.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Percy Byron, the Exile

Dave as Mick, the Mundane

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

Chris MacLennan as Kincaid, the Professional

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: The Great Fire, Act 1

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Act One of Five: In which Persephone Byron’s centuries-spanning cold war begins heating up for the final clash.

Coming next on 11 April – Kindling (Vigil Backstage)

Programme notes

This production contains violence (including gun violence), possession, and death by fire.

The Feed continues on our Instagram: @merelyroleplayers

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Mick Mason: Sherrydown’s favourite builder and bricklayer. His life has been getting weirder since he dug too deep and hit a leyline.

Brier: A mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Ed Kincaid: a once promising, now disgraced MI5 agent assigned to investigate the more … esoteric threats reported to the national security hotline.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Percy Byron, the Exile

Dave as Mick, the Mundane

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

Chris MacLennan as Kincaid, the Professional

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: Gathering Darkness by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0); and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Sentencing (Falling Cadence Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 04:00:00 +0000

The cast rounds up the loose ends of this convoluted case.

Programme notes

This production contains violence, intimidation by police, and offscreen murder.

Credits

STARRING:

Vikki Weston as Cadence Fairchild, PI

Ellie Pitkin as Camilla Parnell

Alexander Pankhurst as Reginald Skinner

Helen Stratton as Stella Sylvester

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Fate (Condensed), published by Evil Hat Productions

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Falling Cadence, Act 3

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 21 Mar 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Cadence Fairchild, PI, finds herself at the centre of a devious house of cards. Can she bring it all down without falling along with it?

Programme notes

This production contains violence, intimidation by police, and offscreen murder.

Our promo this episode is for What Am I Rolling?, a twice-monthly RPG one-shot podcast, hosted by game master Fiona. Every month, Fiona takes a brand new group of players and runs them through a one-shot adventure, testing out a different RPG game style or system.

Lately those groups of players have mostly been us! Matt Boothman, Natalie Winter, Alexander Pankhurst and Strat joined Fiona on the podcast for a two-part game of Yazeba’s Bed & Breakfast (both episodes now available). And Nat, Strat and Helen joined Fiona on Twitch for a two-part livestreamed game of the The Between, a horror mystery against the backdrop of Victorian London, run by the game’s designer, Jason Cordova; the audio from part 1 of the stream just hit the podcast feed this weekend.

Credits

STARRING:

Vikki Weston as Cadence Fairchild, PI

Ellie Pitkin as Camilla Parnell

Alexander Pankhurst as Reginald Skinner

Helen Stratton as Stella Sylvester

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Fate (Condensed), published by Evil Hat Productions

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Replay: A Town Called Amnesty (Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Let’s relive the mystery, the tension, and the carnage we found back when we rolled into A Town Called Amnesty.

Programme notes

Replay is a Backstage strand where Josh takes an in-depth look back at all our past productions, revisiting the memorable moments and asking the unanswered questions.

Credits

COMPERE: Josh Yard

WITH: Matt Boothman

MUSIC BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Josh Yard and Matt Boothman

Find us

Falling Cadence, Act 2

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 05:00:00 +0000

A body in the back room. A mysterious figure fleeing the scene. What’s a newbie PI to do but give chase?

Programme notes

This production contains violence, intimidation by police, and offscreen murder.

Matt, Strat, Alexander Pankhurst, and Natalie Winter from Merely Roleplayers are recent guests on What Am I Rolling?, joining host Fiona for a game of Yazeba’s Bed & Breakfast: a slice-of-life tabletop RPG about a heartless witch, a peaceful house, and all the folks who have made their home inside. Yazeba's Bed & Breakfast uses pre-set characters, quick-play chapters, and an adaptable ruleset unlike anything else out there.

Tickets are now on sale for the first Interactive Soup of 2023, on Tuesday 14 March at Theatre Deli Leadenhall, London. Interactive Soup is a quarterly dinner, networking and community funding event supporting interactive performance. Find out more and get your tickets!

Our promo this episode is for Snyder’s Return, a UK based tabletop roleplaying game podcast featuring actual play, content creator interviews and game master/player guides.

Credits

STARRING:

Vikki Weston as Cadence Fairchild, PI

Ellie Pitkin as Camilla Parnell

Alexander Pankhurst as Reginald Skinner

Helen Stratton as Stella Sylvester

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Fate (Condensed), published by Evil Hat Productions

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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The line-up (Falling Cadence Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 05:00:00 +0000

The players create their characters’ high concepts and decide what they’re great at.

Programme notes

This production contains violence, intimidation by police, and offscreen murder.

Credits

STARRING:

Vikki Weston as Cadence Fairchild, PI

Ellie Pitkin as Camilla Parnell

Alexander Pankhurst as Reginald Skinner

Helen Stratton as Stella Sylvester

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Fate (Condensed), published by Evil Hat Productions

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Falling Cadence, Act 1

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Cadence Fairchild’s first big case washes up on her doorstep one rainy night in Fosshythe.

Programme notes

This production contains violence, intimidation by police, and offscreen murder.

Credits

STARRING:

Vikki Weston as Cadence Fairchild, PI

Ellie Pitkin as Camilla Parnell

Alexander Pankhurst as Reginald Skinner

Helen Stratton as Stella Sylvester

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Fate (Condensed), published by Evil Hat Productions

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Departures (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 05:00:00 +0000

We look back at Vigil: All Aboard, and imagine what lies down the track for our fellow travellers.

Programme notes

This production contains persistent peril; exploitative relationships, including manipulation and coercion; sibling tragedy; mind control, loss of memory and self; and violence, including blood and gun violence.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Jess Butterworth: a twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Gwynned: a former shieldmaiden of the triple goddess Morrigan. For the crime of saving a mortal man from the Morrigan’s cruel whim, the goddess exiled Gwyn to live as a duck, overlooked by mortals. Recently freed from the curse, Gwyn is negotiating a new relationship with her mistress.

Calistarius Softbinding: a local horror writer with a cult following, who sponsored the construction of a whole new wing of Sherrydown’s library. Calistarius Softbinding is a nom de plume.

Harper: a US exchange student trying to sever her ties to the Shadow realm she sometimes enters through revolving doors.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth, the Spooky

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Chris Buxey as Calistarius Softbinding, the Expert

Marta da Silva as Harper, the Searcher

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: All Aboard, Act 5

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Act Five of Five: In which we reach the end of the line, penalty fares apply, and not everyone makes the return trip.

Programme notes

Catch Natalie Winter, Helen Stratton, and Strat on the What Am I Rolling? Twitch channel! They joined Fiona, the channel’s regular game master, for a game of The Between, horror mystery against the backdrop of Victorian London, run by its designer, Jason Cordova.

The Feed series 2 continues on our Instagram: @merelyroleplayers

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Jess Butterworth: A twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Calistarius Softbinding: A local horror writer with a cult following, who sponsored the construction of a whole new wing of Sherrydown’s library. Calistarius Softbinding is a nom de plume.

Harper: A US exchange student trying to sever her ties to the Shadow realm she sometimes enters through revolving doors.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth, the Spooky

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Chris Buxey as Calistarius Softbinding, the Expert

Marta da Silva as Harper, the Searcher

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: Wizardtorium by Kevin MacLeod; and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Kit, the Spirit (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Friend, guide, idol. Trickster, whisperer, manipulator. Ellen and Matt discuss Kit and how to navigate roleplaying an unhealthy relationship.

Programme notes

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Jess Butterworth: a twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Calistarius Softbinding: a local horror writer with a cult following, who sponsored the construction of a whole new wing of Sherrydown’s library. Calistarius Softbinding is a nom de plume.

Harper: a US exchange student trying to sever her ties to the Shadow realm she sometimes enters through revolving doors.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth, the Spooky

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Chris Buxey as Calistarius Softbinding, the Expert

Marta da Silva as Harper, the Searcher

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: All Aboard, Act 4

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Act Four of Five: In which the Conductor takes the lead, and it becomes clear who laid the rails - and where they end.

Programme notes

The Feed 2 has begun on Instagram! It’s a game of Unreal by Josh Fox, a game about housemates in a Big Brother house where something is wrong, played by posting diary room videos. This series stars Matt and Alex from Merely Roleplayers; Fiona from What Am I Rolling?; Quinn from Monster Hour; Adam from Snyder’s Return; game designer Chloe Mashiter; and streamer The RPG Plot Doctor. To catch every update and piece together the mystery of what’s going on in the house, follow our Instagram (and turn on notifications!)

And you can watch all of the original series of The Feed on our Youtube channel.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Jess Butterworth: A twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Calistarius Softbinding: A local horror writer with a cult following, who sponsored the construction of a whole new wing of Sherrydown’s library. Calistarius Softbinding is a nom de plume.

Harper: A US exchange student trying to sever her ties to the Shadow realm she sometimes enters through revolving doors.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth, the Spooky

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Chris Buxey as Calistarius Softbinding, the Expert

Marta da Silva as Harper, the Searcher

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: Wizardtorium and Virtutes Instrumenti by Kevin MacLeod; and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Harper, the Searcher (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Meet Harper: student, realmwalker, Searcher. Harper’s not about that supernatural life, but weirdness just seems to stalk her like a shadow.

Programme notes

Our promo this episode is for Deck of Many Aces, a Dungeons & Dragons actual play podcast made by actual asexuals and aromantics! Follow four heroes as they adventure through a fantasy world on the cusp of a technological revolution, augmented by magic. Each character's fate is tied to one of the 22 cards in the “Deck of Many Things”, a D&D magical object based on a tarot deck.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Jess Butterworth: a twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Calistarius Softbinding: a local horror writer with a cult following, who sponsored the construction of a whole new wing of Sherrydown’s library. Calistarius Softbinding is a nom de plume.

Harper: a US exchange student trying to sever her ties to the Shadow realm she sometimes enters through revolving doors.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth, the Spooky

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Chris Buxey as Calistarius Softbinding, the Expert

Marta da Silva as Harper, the Searcher

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: All Aboard, Act 3

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Act Three of Five: In which the journey proves more pleasant than the destination, and a passenger tries their luck behind the wheel.

Programme notes

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Jess Butterworth: A twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Calistarius Softbinding: A local horror writer with a cult following, who sponsored the construction of a whole new wing of Sherrydown’s library. Calistarius Softbinding is a nom de plume.

Harper: A US exchange student trying to sever her ties to the Shadow realm she sometimes enters through revolving doors.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth, the Spooky

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Chris Buxey as Calistarius Softbinding, the Expert

Marta da Silva as Harper, the Searcher

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: soaring clouds by bruce965; Virtutes Instrumenti by Kevin MacLeod; Train Wheels Ride Outside Thailand by YOH on freesound.org; and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Calistarius, the Expert (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Meet Cal: horror writer, library sponsor, Expert. Sherrydown’s supernatural goings-on are fodder for Cal’s novels - if he can avoid becoming a cautionary tale himself.

Programme notes

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Jess Butterworth: a twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Calistarius Softbinding: a local horror writer with a cult following, who sponsored the construction of a whole new wing of Sherrydown’s library. Calistarius Softbinding is a nom de plume.

Harper: a US exchange student trying to sever her ties to the Shadow realm she sometimes enters through revolving doors.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth, the Spooky

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Chris Buxey as Calistarius Softbinding, the Expert

Marta da Silva as Harper, the Searcher

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: All Aboard, Act 2

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Act Two of Five: In which Sherrydown’s train station sees more arrivals, departures, and missed connections than it has in years.

Programme notes

Our promo this episode is for Firebreathing Kittens, an actual play Dungeons and Dragons oneshot podcast with a season-long plot. Each episode’s adventure has a standalone microplot like CSI or Doctor Who, so you can jump in at any point. Listen to these episodes in any order, and skip any you don’t enjoy. The cast rotates. Join them as they solve detective mysteries, attempt comedic banter, explore, and enjoy friendship.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Jess Butterworth: A twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Calistarius Softbinding: A local horror writer with a cult following, who sponsored the construction of a whole new wing of Sherrydown’s library. Calistarius Softbinding is a nom de plume.

Harper: A US exchange student trying to sever her ties to the Shadow realm she sometimes enters through revolving doors.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth, the Spooky

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Chris Buxey as Calistarius Softbinding, the Expert

Marta da Silva as Harper, the Searcher

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Arrivals (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 05:00:00 +0000

We meet our fellow travellers and discover their shared origins.

Programme notes

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Jess Butterworth: a twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Calistarius Softbinding: a local horror writer with a cult following, who sponsored the construction of a whole new wing of Sherrydown’s library. Calistarius Softbinding is a nom de plume.

Harper: a US exchange student trying to sever her ties to the Shadow realm she sometimes enters through revolving doors.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth, the Spooky

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Chris Buxey as Calistarius Softbinding, the Expert

Marta da Silva as Harper, the Searcher

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: All Aboard, Act 1

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Act One of Five: In which Sherrydown wakes at the witching hour; an old way opens for a sisterly reunion; and Harper opens a new case.

Programme notes

Matt’s playing Jason Statham’s Big Vacation in front of a live studio audience in London on Saturday 3 December. It’s been organised by The D20 Future Show as part of the Podcast Zone at Dragonmeet, which is at the Novotel in Hammersmith. Come watch Matt and the rest of Jason’s entourage run about making sure Jason has a nice holiday, in Beaujolais on the Mezzanine floor at 10am.

The second Interactive Soup is on Tuesday 6 December at Theatre Deli Leadenhall. Tickets cost £5, which goes in the pot, and get you a bowl of soup and a vote on how to spend the pot. Come along and help fund something that’ll help out the interactive performance community.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Jess Butterworth: A twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Calistarius Softbinding: A local horror writer with a cult following, who sponsored the construction of a whole new wing of Sherrydown’s library. Calistarius Softbinding is a nom de plume.

Harper: A US exchange student trying to sever her ties to the Shadow realm she sometimes enters through revolving doors.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth, the Spooky

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Chris Buxey as Calistarius Softbinding, the Expert

Marta da Silva as Harper, the Searcher

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Replay: Five Stage a Rescue (Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 05:00:00 +0000

New theatre, new mystery, new players. Let’s head back to the seaside where Five Stage a Rescue.

Programme notes

Replay is a Backstage strand where Josh takes an in-depth look back at all our past productions, revisiting the memorable moments and asking the unanswered questions.

Credits

COMPERE: Josh Yard

WITH: Matt Boothman

MUSIC BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Josh Yard and Matt Boothman

Find us

Encore (Monumental Exit Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 05:00:00 +0000

The cast of Monumental Exit look back and talk GMless games, improvisation, and whether the characters of this production deserved their fates.

Programme notes

This production contains lewd and possibly blasphemous imagery, fire, and death.

Our promo this episode is for Snyder’s Return, a UK based tabletop roleplaying game podcast featuring Dungeons & Dragons actual play (where a misfit band of ‘heroes’ take on adventures across the multiverse), interviews and Dungeon Master/player guides.

Credits

STARRING:

Josh Yard as Bilbo Biltong

Natalie Winter as Sue Sherpa

Alexander Pankhurst as Mike Sherpa

Matt Boothman as Gregg Nevin

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Fiasco (classic edition) by Jason Morningstar, published by Bully Pulpit Games

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Monumental Exit, Act 3

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 05:00:00 +0000

A geriatric crowd fills the Beanstalk Show Club for a gig that’s sure to go down in rock’n’roll history.

Programme notes

This production contains lewd and possibly blasphemous imagery, drug use, fire, and death.

Credits

STARRING:

Josh Yard as Bilbo Biltong

Natalie Winter as Sue Sherpa

Alexander Pankhurst as Mike Sherpa

Matt Boothman as Gregg Nevin

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Fiasco (classic edition) by Jason Morningstar, published by Bully Pulpit Games

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Key change (Monumental Exit Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 05:00:00 +0000

With all the pieces in place for the final act, the cast finds out some new complications that are sure to upset the board.

Programme notes

This production contains lewd and possibly blasphemous imagery, fire, and death.

Our promo this episode is for Adventurers Anonymous, a Dungeons & Dragons actual play where six players drink cocktails and seek a glorious death. Check it out if if you like your plot lines thin and crispy, and your language to be saltier than a sailor's beard.

Credits

STARRING:

Josh Yard as Bilbo Biltong

Natalie Winter as Sue Sherpa

Alexander Pankhurst as Mike Sherpa

Matt Boothman as Gregg Nevin

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Fiasco (classic edition) by Jason Morningstar, published by Bully Pulpit Games

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Monumental Exit, Act 2

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 04:00:00 +0000

Everything’s ready for Bilbo’s swansong at the Beanstalk, but one roadie’s vendetta against the venue owner threatens to stain his perfect farewell.

Programme notes

This production contains lewd and possibly blasphemous imagery, drug use, fire, and death.

On 27 October, it’s five years since we released our first episode! Say congrats on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr or Youtube!

Monumental Exit’s Mike Sherpa, Alexander Pankhurst, comperes Top and Bottom Comedy on 2 and 23 November at the Book Club, London. See 10 up and coming comedians in one evening for £3.

Credits

STARRING:

Josh Yard as Bilbo Biltong

Natalie Winter as Sue Sherpa

Alexander Pankhurst as Mike Sherpa

Matt Boothman as Gregg Nevin

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Fiasco (classic edition) by Jason Morningstar, published by Bully Pulpit Games

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Jam session (Monumental Exit Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 04:00:00 +0000

The cast of Monumental Exit jam on the Fiasco playset ‘When the Music Stopped’ until they find their characters.

Programme notes

This production contains lewd and possibly blasphemous imagery, fire, and death.

Our promo this episode is for Re: Dracula, a bite-sized audio adaptation of the horror classic Dracula. Re: Dracula is currently crowdfunding, and they need your help to reach their goal!

Credits

STARRING:

Josh Yard as Bilbo Biltong

Natalie Winter as Sue Sherpa

Alexander Pankhurst as Mike Sherpa

Matt Boothman as Gregg Nevin

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Fiasco (classic edition) by Jason Morningstar, published by Bully Pulpit Games

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Monumental Exit, Act 1

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 04:00:00 +0000

After 67 years, Bilbo Biltong’s quitting the band. Somewhere out there is a star worthy of stepping into his well worn shoes - but where?

Programme notes

This production contains lewd and possibly blasphemous imagery, fire, and death.

Marta da Silva (The First Nova, The Lost Andromeda Ward Christmas Special) is appearing in Port Saga, the first scripted Vampire: The Masquerade audio drama, currently in its second season. Shocked by his sire’s murder, young vampire Titus Reed returns to the city of his embrace only to discover an old friend has confessed to the crime.

Our promo this episode is for Re: Dracula, a bite-sized audio adaptation of the horror classic Dracula. Re: Dracula is currently crowdfunding, and they need your help to reach their goal!

Credits

STARRING:

Josh Yard as Bilbo Biltong

Natalie Winter as Sue Sherpa

Alexander Pankhurst as Mike Sherpa

Matt Boothman as Gregg Nevin

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Fiasco (classic edition) by Jason Morningstar, published by Bully Pulpit Games

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Disbanding (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 04:00:00 +0000

We look back at Vigil: Quarry. Did we truly stop the danger or just put it off until later?

Programme notes

This production contains blood, gore, and references to childhood trauma.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Cameron Jarvis: An intense young man, obsessed with monster hunting since his parents and sister were killed by ghouls while camping outside Sherrydown.

Melody: The owner of Melodies, the cosy cafe and vinyl shop on Market Street. Melody is an ageless patchwork person animated by music, who fled her creator ages ago and has owned a music shop on this spot ever since.

Brier: A mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Christopher Starkey as Cameron Jarvis, the Wronged

Helen Stratton as Melody, the Constructed

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Helen Stratton

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Quarry, Act 4

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 04:00:00 +0000

Quarry, Act Four of Four: In which the Hunt is at bay; a hound bites its master; and a mentor has nothing more to teach.

Programme notes

This production contains blood, gore, and references to childhood trauma.

If you enjoy Vigil, you should check out the Sherrydown Enquirer, a Monster of the Week mystery scenario and Sherrydown lore zine. Each issue contains a mystery for use with the roleplaying game Monster of the Week by Michael Sands, for the roleplayers among you; and some juicy history and information about the Sherrydown setting, for fans of Vigil. Buy every issue at https://merelymatt.itch.io

Come to the first Interactive Soup at Theatre Deli Leadenhall, London on Tuesday 4 October. Tickets are £5 and include homemade soup and a vote. Five people pitch ideas, and the pitch with the most votes gets the night’s ticket money. Pitch submissions are open until 11:59pm on 20 September, and tickets are available until they sell out.

Our promo this episode is for Play On Podcasts from Next Chapter Podcasts: epic audio adventures that reimagine Shakespeare’s timeless tales, featuring original music composition and the voices of award-winning actors. Each episode explores plays from Macbeth to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, created specifically for the podcast form by some of America’s most exciting playwrights, directors and composers, and performed by stage and screen’s best.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Cameron Jarvis: An intense young man, obsessed with monster hunting since his parents and sister were killed by ghouls while camping outside Sherrydown.

Brier: A mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Christopher Starkey as Cameron Jarvis, the Wronged

Helen Stratton as Melody, the Constructed

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Helen Stratton

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Replay: Ariadne (Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 04:00:00 +0000

Let’s go back to where this all started - with the slow-burn spookiness of Ariadne.

Programme notes

Replay is an all-new Backstage strand where Josh takes an in-depth look back at all our past productions, revisiting the memorable moments and asking the unanswered questions.

Credits

COMPERE: Josh Yard

WITH: Matt Boothman

MUSIC BY: Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Josh Yard and Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Quarry, Act 3

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 04:00:00 +0000

Quarry, Act Three of Four: In which Brier plays both sides; the pull of blood works both ways; and things come to a head at Sherrydown Library.

Programme notes

This production contains blood, gore, and references to childhood trauma.

Are you involved in interactive performance in any way? Could you put a bit of cash to good use? Come to the first Interactive Soup at Theatre Deli Leadenhall, London on Tuesday 4 October. Tickets are £5 and include homemade soup and a vote. Five people pitch ideas, and the pitch with the most votes gets the night’s ticket money. Pitch submissions are open until 11:59pm on 20 September, and tickets are available until they sell out.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Cameron Jarvis: An intense young man, obsessed with monster hunting since his parents and sister were killed by ghouls while camping outside Sherrydown.

Brier: A mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Christopher Starkey as Cameron Jarvis, the Wronged

Helen Stratton as Melody, the Constructed

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Helen Stratton

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Ghouls (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 06 Sep 2022 04:00:00 +0000

We create some more lore about ghouls, especially the specific one Cameron is bent on destroying.

Programme notes

This production contains blood, gore, and references to childhood trauma.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Cameron Jarvis: An intense young man, obsessed with monster hunting since his parents and sister were killed by ghouls while camping outside Sherrydown.

Brier: A mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Christopher Starkey as Cameron Jarvis, the Wronged

Helen Stratton as Melody, the Constructed

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Helen Stratton

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Quarry, Act 2

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 04:00:00 +0000

Quarry, Act Two of Four: In which the hounds of the Hunt are revealed; the Hunt keeps recruiting; and Brier makes a mess of Melodies.

Programme notes

This production contains blood, gore, and references to childhood trauma.

Are you involved in interactive performance in any way? Could you put a bit of cash to good use? Come to the first Interactive Soup at Theatre Deli Leadenhall, London on Tuesday 4 October. Tickets are £5 and include homemade soup and a vote. Five people pitch ideas, and the pitch with the most votes gets the night’s ticket money. Get on the mailing list to find out when pitch submissions open and when tickets go on sale.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Cameron Jarvis: An intense young man, obsessed with monster hunting since his parents and sister were killed by ghouls while camping outside Sherrydown.

Brier: A mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Christopher Starkey as Cameron Jarvis, the Wronged

Helen Stratton as Melody, the Constructed

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Helen Stratton

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Mustering (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 04:00:00 +0000

We establish some connections between the characters, and learn more about Melody’s tattoos.

Programme notes

This production contains blood, gore, and references to childhood trauma.

Our promo this episode is for Modified Roll, a Dungeons & Dragons actual play. Season 2 started recently with a new Dungeon Master and new players - it’s a great place to jump aboard!

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Cameron Jarvis: An intense young man, obsessed with monster hunting since his parents and sister were killed by ghouls while camping outside Sherrydown.

Brier: A mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Christopher Starkey as Cameron Jarvis, the Wronged

Helen Stratton as Melody, the Constructed

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Helen Stratton

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Quarry, Act 1

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 04:00:00 +0000

Quarry, Act One of Four: In which a determined hunter sharpens his blade; a reluctant hunter comes to town; and the hunt marks its quarry.

Programme notes

This production contains blood, gore, and references to childhood trauma.

While we were off the air here on the podcast feed, we put on a whole production on Youtube! The Feed is a slow-burn comic horror mystery set in a Big Brother house where something is very wrong, told entirely through diary room videos. Add the playlist

Ryne is a new roleplaying game about life in the footsteps of gods, designed by Furtive Shambles, as played on These Flimsy Rituals. You have just a couple of days left to back Ryne on Indiegogo!

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Cameron Jarvis: An intense young man, obsessed with monster hunting since his parents and sister were killed by ghouls while camping outside Sherrydown.

Brier: A mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Christopher Starkey as Cameron Jarvis, the Wronged

Helen Stratton as Melody, the Constructed

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Helen Stratton

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: Mirage by Kevin MacLeod; and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Watch The Feed on the Merely Roleplayers Youtube channel

The Feed

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Announcing The Feed, a new Studio production - and Merely Roleplayers’ first video series!

In The Feed, seven contestants enter the house for a new series of the hit reality TV programme Big Brother. But they’ll soon discover that the reality is much, much stranger than they signed up for…

Programme notes

Credits

THE FEED is a Studio production by Merely Roleplayers, starring:

Matt Boothman as Malcolm

Ellen Gould as Jake

Josh Yard as Henry

To create THE FEED, we’re playing Unreal, an asynchronous video journaling game by Josh Fox of Black Armada Games.

To get Unreal, support Black Armada on Patreon - or find more Black Armada games on Itch.

Find us

After Andromeda (Andromeda Xmas Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 11 Jan 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Un-broadcast interview footage from the doomed documentary ‘The Making of The Andromeda Ward’ sheds light on the programme’s cancellation.

Programme notes

This production contains comic body horror, including mistreatment of human remains.

Credits

STARRING:

- Helen Stratton as Hetty Braithwaite, playing Jemima Jones

- Chris MacLennan as Judd Talisker, playing Rhys Haplock, radiologist

- Ellen Gould as Avril Sterling-Bow, playing Nancy Kent

- Strat as Riff Redgrave, playing Bret Buckingham

- Marta da Silva as Arizona Muse, aka Dante, playing S. D. Nymm

- Matt Boothman as Ron Barnes and Julian Smurmbley

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: The Andromeda Ward, by Chloe Mashiter and illustrated by Gerald MacDermott, supplemented by the Script Change consent and safety toolbox by Beau Jágr Sheldon

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Marta da Silva and Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

The Lost Andromeda Ward Christmas Special, Act 2

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 05:00:00 +0000

The Lost Andromeda Ward Christmas Special, Act 2 of 2: What will it cost our heroes to outwit the hyperintelligent slime? And will Jésus have a merry birthday?

Programme notes

This production contains comic body horror, including mistreatment of human remains.

Credits

STARRING:

- Helen Stratton as Hetty Braithwaite, playing Jemima Jones

- Chris MacLennan as Judd Talisker, playing Rhys Haplock, radiologist

- Ellen Gould as Avril Sterling-Bow, playing Nancy Kent

- Strat as Riff Redgrave, playing Bret Buckingham

- Marta da Silva as Arizona Muse, aka Dante, playing S. D. Nymm

- Matt Boothman as Ron Barnes and Julian Smurmbley

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: The Andromeda Ward, by Chloe Mashiter and illustrated by Gerald MacDermott, supplemented by the Script Change consent and safety toolbox by Beau Jágr Sheldon

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Marta da Silva and Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Production hell (Andromeda Xmas Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 28 Dec 2021 05:00:00 +0000

The documentary ‘The Making of The Andromeda Ward’ was never broadcast, but some of the interview footage can still be found in dusty corners of the internet.

Programme notes

This production contains comic body horror, including mistreatment of human remains.

Credits

STARRING:

- Helen Stratton as Hetty Braithwaite, playing Jemima Jones

- Chris MacLennan as Judd Talisker, playing Rhys Haplock, radiologist

- Ellen Gould as Avril Sterling-Bow, playing Nancy Kent

- Strat as Riff Redgrave, playing Bret Buckingham

- Marta da Silva as Arizona Muse, aka Dante, playing S. D. Nymm

- Matt Boothman as Ron Barnes and Julian Smurmbley

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: The Andromeda Ward, by Chloe Mashiter and illustrated by Gerald MacDermott, supplemented by the Script Change consent and safety toolbox by Beau Jágr Sheldon

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Marta da Silva and Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

The Lost Andromeda Ward Christmas Special, Act 1

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 05:00:00 +0000

The Lost Andromeda Ward Christmas Special, Act 1 of 2: A slippery adversary interrupts preparations for a significant birthday at Bristol General Hospital.

Programme notes

This production contains comic body horror, including mistreatment of human remains.

Credits

STARRING:

- Helen Stratton as Hetty Braithwaite, playing Jemima Jones

- Chris MacLennan as Judd Talisker, playing Rhys Haplock, radiologist

- Ellen Gould as Avril Sterling-Bow, playing Nancy Kent

- Strat as Riff Redgrave, playing Bret Buckingham

- Marta da Silva as Arizona Muse, aka Dante, playing S. D. Nymm

- Matt Boothman as Ron Barnes and Julian Smurmbley

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: The Andromeda Ward, by Chloe Mashiter and illustrated by Gerald MacDermott, supplemented by the Script Change consent and safety toolbox by Beau Jágr Sheldon

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Marta da Silva and Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Green room (Andromeda Ward Xmas Special Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Only six episodes of The Andromeda Ward were ever broadcast. These newly resurfaced backstage recordings may reveal what went wrong with the infamous lost Christmas special.

Programme notes

This production contains comic body horror, including mistreatment of human remains.

Credits

STARRING:

- Helen Stratton as Hetty Braithwaite, playing Jemima Jones

- Chris MacLennan as Judd Talisker, playing Rhys Haplock, radiologist

- Ellen Gould as Avril Sterling-Bow, playing Nancy Kent

- Strat as Riff Redgrave, playing Bret Buckingham

- Marta da Silva as Arizona Muse, aka Dante, playing S. D. Nymm

- Matt Boothman as Ron Barnes and Julian Smurmbley

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: The Andromeda Ward, by Chloe Mashiter and illustrated by Gerald MacDermott, supplemented by the Script Change consent and safety toolbox by Beau Jágr Sheldon

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Marta da Silva and Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

[IPM feed drop] RPG: Dust Wardens - Entanglement

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Originally published by International Podcast Month and shared with permission. Every September, International Podcast Month releases an all-new podcast episode every day. Find all the September 2021 episodes at internationalpodcastmonth.com.

Dust Wardens is a Powered by the Apocalypse system which uses tarot cards instead of dice to determine outcomes. It is set in a post-apocalyptic world where covens roam the land, bound to one another by a magic called limerence. In this story, three intrepid chroniclers strive to document magical changes to the land, but arrive at their next destination with enough time to warn the people of what is to come. Now they must use their knowledge to help a thriving community avoid a terrible fate.

Content Warning

Possible Claustrophobia (underground spaces)

Credits

GM and editor - Ursula (Queer Dungeoneers)

Archie - Matt (Merely Roleplayers)

Kieran – Kelly (Tabletop Titties, Drinking and Screaming)

Rowan – Justen (The Babylon Podject, The Compleat Discography)

Music: 'Borough,' 'Palladian,' 'Roadside Bunkhouse,' 'Illa Villardo,' 'Cicle DR Valga,' and 'Glass Beads' by Blue Dot Sessions

Game: Dust Wardens is by Nora Blake

IPM

Find transcripts on our website: internationalpodcastmonth.com/transcripts

Support us:

Via Ko-Fi

Via Paypal.me

The IPM theme was composed by Benny James. The IPM logo and art assets were created by Mathias Grelli.

The IPM Organizational Team include Cole Burkhardt, Tess Cocchio, and Therin Stapp.

Lights Out (live at the London Horror Festival 2021)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 05:00:00 +0000

No one knows what happened to the Blackout Four - only that none of them survived that final dark night. Merely Roleplayers hope to reconstruct the events of that night, live on stage.

Part seance, part crime scene reconstruction, part roleplaying game, Lights Out is a fight against fate to seize a glimmer of hope - before the dark draws in.

Programme notes

This production contains darkness and tragic death.

This premiere performance of Lights Out took place at the Pleasance Theatre, London, for the London Horror Festival 2021. The recording is by Andrew Crane.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Helen Stratton as Agnes Jones

Alexander Pankhurst as Freddy Harrison-Wood

Natalie Winter as Kate Walker

Richard Stratton as Harry Bleasdale

Matt Boothman as The Darkness

SOUND DESIGN BY: Andrew Crane

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

For full credits and more information about Lights Out, visit foggyoutline.com/lightsout

Find us

Public enquiry (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 05:00:00 +0000

We look back at Vigil: Bad Dog. What did we achieve? What could have been different? And what does it all mean for the future of Sherrydown?

Programme notes

This production contains drug use, gross tentacles, and fantasy violence with some injury detail.

Our promo this episode is for Monster Hour, a grimcamp Monster of the Week actual play set in the town of Firmament, Colorado.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Jinny Greenteeth: proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Persephone Byron, the Exile

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Bad Dog, Act 5

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Bad Dog, Act Five of Five: In which a community joins hands against unfathomable powers; and two cunning women receive unwelcome offers.

Programme notes

This production contains drug use, gross tentacles, and fantasy violence with some injury detail.

Our next Studio production will be Andromeda Ward Xmas, a festive paranormal hospital melodrama in two acts. We’ll be playing The Andromeda Ward by Chloe Mashiter, illustrated by Gerald MacDermott.

Our promo this episode is for Monster Hour, a grimcamp Monster of the Week actual play set in the town of Firmament, Colorado. Catch up now while the final arc is ongoing!

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Jinny Greenteeth: proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Persephone Byron, the Exile

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: Dragon and Toast, Mirage and Gathering Darkness by Kevin MacLeod; Velocity by Lilo Sound; pigeons taking off by Glaneur de sons; Ancient Basement and Forbidden Resurrection by Tim Kulig; and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Neighbours (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Not everyone in Sherrydown is an ageless, magical monster slayer. Let’s meet some of the town’s ordinary folks.

Programme notes

This production contains drug use, gross tentacles, and fantasy violence with some injury detail.

Our promo this episode is for Upriver, Downriver, a tarot-inspired pastoral fantasy roleplaying game about sailing a ship on a magical river. Created by Ella Watts and Max Briar in association with MacGuffin & Company, Upriver, Downriver is currently on Kickstarter.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Jinny Greenteeth: proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Persephone Byron, the Exile

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Bad Dog, Act 4

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Bad Dog, Act Four of Five: In which a problem is not so much solved as displaced; the village green is vandalised; and Percy leverages her reputation.

Programme notes

This production contains drug use, gross tentacles, and fantasy violence with some injury detail.

A Spy in the Stalls calls Lights Out, our first stage show, “thrillingly unconventional” and “absolutely worth your time”.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Jinny Greenteeth: proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Persephone Byron, the Exile

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: Soaring, Dragon and Toast, Long Note Two and Virtutes Instrumenti by Kevin MacLeod; soaring clouds by kangaroovindaloo; and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Morrigan (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 04:00:00 +0000

Maiden, mother, crone. Past, present, future. We establish some lore about Gwynned’s mistress, the triple goddess Morrigan.

Programme notes

This production contains drug use, gross tentacles, and fantasy violence with some injury detail.

Our promo this episode is for The Prestige, a film podcast hosted by a filmmaker and a film academic, diving deep into a single film each episode.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Jinny Greenteeth: proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Persephone Byron, the Exile

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Bad Dog, Act 3

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 04:00:00 +0000

Bad Dog, Act Three of Five: In which the occupation of Sherrydown expands; archaeological fraud is mooted; and hounds and ravens make their voices heard.

Programme notes

This production contains drug use, gross tentacles, and fantasy violence with some injury detail.

Tickets are now on sale for Lights Out, the first Merely Roleplayers stage show, at 8:30pm on Saturday 24 October at the Pleasance Theatre in Islington, London, as part of the London Horror Festival. It’s the second half of a double bill with The Scare Slam at 6:30pm. Book Lights Out and the Scare Slam at the same time for a combo discount.

Book Lights Out

Book Scare Slam

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Jinny Greenteeth: proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Persephone Byron, the Exile

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: Dragon and Toast by Kevin MacLeod; soaring clouds by kangaroovindaloo; pigeons taking off by Glaneur de sons; and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Wizard theory (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 12 Oct 2021 04:00:00 +0000

We come up with some background about magical organisations in Vigil’s England, some of which will be highly relevant to Bad Dog.

Programme notes

This production contains drug use, gross tentacles, and fantasy violence with some injury detail.

Tickets are now on sale for Lights Out, the first Merely Roleplayers stage show, at 8:30pm on Sunday 24 October at the Pleasance Theatre in Islington, London, as part of the London Horror Festival. It’s the second half of a double bill with The Scare Slam at 6:30pm. Book Lights Out and the Scare Slam at the same time for a combo discount.

Book Lights Out

Book Scare Slam

Our promo this episode is for Birdwatching by Miranda Barrett, another London Horror Festival 2021 production.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Jinny Greenteeth: proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Persephone Byron, the Exile

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Bad Dog, Act 2

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 05 Oct 2021 04:00:00 +0000

Bad Dog, Act Two of Five: In which a threat is named; a girl ignores a warning from her elders; and Gwynned (among others) is made to feel unwelcome.

Programme notes

This production contains drug use, gross tentacles, and fantasy violence with some injury detail.

Book Lights Out

Book Scare Slam

Our promo this episode is for Birdwatching by Miranda Barrett, another London Horror Festival 2021 production.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Jinny Greenteeth: proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Persephone Byron, the Exile

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: Long Note Two by Kevin MacLeod; bing-bong by Timbre (Freesound.org); and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Common ground (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 04:00:00 +0000

We establish some connections between the characters, including Vigil’s first canon ship.

Programme notes

This production contains drug use, gross tentacles, and fantasy violence with some injury detail.

Book tickets

Our promo this episode is for Snyder’s Return, a roleplaying game podcast featuring actual play, interviews and guides for gamemasters and players.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Jinny Greenteeth: proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Persephone Byron, the Exile

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Bad Dog, Act 1

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 21 Sep 2021 04:00:00 +0000

Bad Dog, Act One of Five: In which local youths are hounded from their usual haunts; their elders rush to investigate; and a romantic trip is interrupted.

Programme notes

This production contains drug use, gross tentacles, and fantasy violence with some injury detail.

Tickets are now on sale for Lights Out, the first Merely Roleplayers stage show, at 8:30pm on Sunday 24 October at the Pleasance Theatre in Islington, London, as part of the London Horror Festival. It’s the second half of a double bill with The Scare Slam at 6:30pm. Enter EARLYBIRD at checkout before 24 September for a discount, or book Lights Out and the Scare Slam at the same time for a combo discount.

Book tickets

If you’ve got a scary spoken word piece you’d like to perform at the Scare Slam, you can sign up until 25 September.

Our promo this episode is for Snyder’s Return, a roleplaying game podcast featuring actual play, interviews and guides for gamemasters and players.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Jinny Greenteeth: proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Persephone Byron, the Exile

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: Dragon and Toast, Mirage, Long Note Two, and Virtutes Instrumenti by Kevin MacLeod; soaring clouds by kangaroovindaloo; and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Space wisdom (First Nova Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 04:00:00 +0000

The cast reflect on their favourite moments, what it was like to share the gamemaster responsibility, and some theories and questions about what happened after the story finished.

Programme notes

Tickets are now on sale for Lights Out, the first Merely Roleplayers stage show, at 8:30pm on Saturday 24 October at the Pleasance Theatre in Islington, London, as part of the London Horror Festival. It’s the second half of a double bill with The Scare Slam at 6:30pm. Enter EARLYBIRD at checkout before 24 September for a discount, or book Lights Out and the Scare Slam at the same time for a combo discount.

Book tickets

If you’ve got a scary spoken word piece you’d like to perform at the Scare Slam, you can sign up on the Blackshaw website.

September is International Podcast Month. Follow International Podcast Month in your podcast app for new episodes nearly every day, including Dust Wardens, a roleplaying game actual play featuring Matt as a player.

The Researcher is a playbook for galactic 2nd edition, inspired by characters like Lyntel'luroon, Eno Cordova, and Doctor Aphra. Matt wrote it and you can buy it to create and play your own galactic Researcher!

Our promo this episode is for What Am I Rolling?, a twice-monthly roleplaying game one-shot podcast, hosted by gamemaster, Fiona. Every month, Fiona takes a brand new group of players and runs them through a one-shot adventure, testing out a different RPG style or system.

Credits

STARRING:

Matt Boothman as Esko Triff, the Researcher

Josh Yard as Olwyn Callahan XVI, the Diplomat

Strat as Val Waldrin, the Scoundrel

GUEST STARRING:

Fiona Howat of What Am I Rolling? and The DM’s Book Club as Jodie Schutte, the Ace

AND INTRODUCING:

Marta da Silva as Revan, the Defector

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: galactic (2nd edition), designed by riley rethal

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

The First Nova, Act 3

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 04:00:00 +0000

The crew of the Mustang Sally make an important discovery on the Trinary Noon. Can they use what they learn to save the galaxy, or will the Mandate prove too relentlessly interminable to overthrow?

Programme notes

Save the date: Lights Out, the first Merely Roleplayers stage show, is at 8:30pm on Saturday 24 October, at the Pleasance Theatre in Islington, London, as part of the London Horror Festival. It’s the second half of a double bill with The Scare Slam at 6:30pm. Tickets aren’t on sale yet but when they are, we’ll post to our Twitter (@MerelyRoleplay) and Matt’s newsletter.

If you’ve got a scary spoken word piece you’d like to perform at the 6th annual Scare Slam, you can sign up on the Blackshaw website.

Credits

STARRING:

Matt Boothman as Esko Triff, the Researcher

Josh Yard as Olwyn Callahan XVI, the Diplomat

Strat as Val Waldrin, the Scoundrel

GUEST STARRING:

Fiona Howat of What Am I Rolling? and The DM’s Book Club as Jodie Schutte, the Ace

AND INTRODUCING:

Marta da Silva as Revan, the Defector

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: galactic (2nd edition), designed by riley rethal

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Idle dreaming (First Nova Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 04:00:00 +0000

Our cast describe the people their characters have relationships with, choose the desires for each of the game’s four pillars, and finally do a little idle dreaming to set the scenario for this season’s story.

Programme notes

Credits

STARRING:

Matt Boothman as Esko Triff, the Researcher

Josh Yard as Olwyn Callahan XVI, the Diplomat

Strat as Val Waldrin, the Scoundrel

GUEST STARRING:

Fiona Howat of What Am I Rolling? and The DM’s Book Club as Jodie Schutte, the Ace

AND INTRODUCING:

Marta da Silva as Revan, the Defector

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: galactic (2nd edition), designed by riley rethal

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

The First Nova, Act 2

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 04:00:00 +0000

As Mandate troopers descend on the crew of the Mustang Sally, Revan and Val attempt to neutralise the threat while the others begin to unlock the mysteries of the ominous Trinary Noon.

Programme notes

Credits

STARRING:

Matt Boothman as Esko Triff, the Researcher

Josh Yard as Olwyn Callahan XVI, the Diplomat

Strat as Val Waldrin, the Scoundrel

GUEST STARRING:

Fiona Howat of What Am I Rolling? and The DM’s Book Club as Jodie Schutte, the Ace

AND INTRODUCING:

Marta da Silva as Revan, the Defector

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: galactic (2nd edition), designed by riley rethal

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Our space family (First Nova Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 04:00:00 +0000

Our cast introduces the space characters they’ve created, which playbooks they’ll be using, and how the characters are connected.

Programme notes

Our promo this episode is for The Prestige, a film podcast hosted by a filmmaker and a film academic, diving deep into a single film each episode.

Credits

STARRING:

Matt Boothman as Esko Triff, the Researcher

Josh Yard as Olwyn Callahan XVI, the Diplomat

Strat as Val Waldrin, the Scoundrel

GUEST STARRING:

Fiona Howat of What Am I Rolling? and The DM’s Book Club as Jodie Schutte, the Ace

AND INTRODUCING:

Marta da Silva as Revan, the Defector

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: galactic (2nd edition), designed by riley rethal

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

The First Nova, Act 1

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 04:00:00 +0000

The crew of the Mustang Sally attempt to put their damaged ship back together after an encounter with the Mandate, when they stumble upon an ominous space-shipwreck that just has to be explored.

Programme notes

A few of the Merely Roleplayers cast are joining Sabotage the DM on Twitch for a Total Party Knockout! See them take on impossible odds live today (Tuesday 10 August) at 7pm UTC+1, or check back later for the replay.

Natalie Winter’s production company Ragged Foils presents Jam Tart/Lemon Kurd, a double bill of monologues featuring women celebrating new life, love, and learning to see the world differently in their later years. Watch on demand as part of the Camden Fringe Digital Festival until 29 August.

Our promo this episode is for The Prestige, a film podcast hosted by a filmmaker and a film academic, diving deep into a single film each episode.

Credits

STARRING:

Matt Boothman as Esko Triff, the Researcher

Josh Yard as Olwyn Callahan XVI, the Diplomat

Strat as Val Waldrin, the Scoundrel

GUEST STARRING:

Fiona Howat of What Am I Rolling? and The DM’s Book Club as Jodie Schutte, the Ace

AND INTRODUCING:

Marta da Silva as Revan, the Defector

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: galactic (2nd edition), designed by riley rethal

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Customer experience (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 04:00:00 +0000

Matt and the players look back at Vigil: Tourist Trap.

Programme notes

This production contains mild body horror, fantasy violence - including gun violence - and abusive relationship dynamics.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Jess Butterworth: a twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Melody: the owner of Melodies, the cosy cafe and vinyl shop on Market Street. Melody is an ageless patchwork person animated by music, who fled her creator ages ago and has owned a music shop on this spot ever since.

Calistarius Softbinding: a local horror writer with a cult following, who sponsored the construction of a whole new wing of Sherrydown’s library. Calistarius Softbinding is a nom de plume.

Ed Kincaid: a once promising, now disgraced MI5 agent assigned to investigate the more … esoteric threats reported to the national security hotline.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth, the Spooky

Helen Stratton as Melody, the Constructed

Chris Buxey as Calistarius Softbinding, the Expert

Chris MacLennan as Ed Kincaid, the Professional

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Vigil: Tourist Trap, Act 5

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 04:00:00 +0000

A tacky souvenir shop is wrecking the high street - literally. Not everyone will still be standing after this fight.

Programme notes

This production contains mild body horror, fantasy violence - including gun violence - and abusive relationship dynamics.

Stay tuned to Merely Roleplayers for The First Nova, a star fantasy in three acts, opening in the Studio on 10 August.

The First Nova features a guest appearance by Fiona Howat from the What Am I Rolling? podcast. We were guests on What Am I Rolling? in 2020, playing Sleepaway. In case you missed it, here’s the first episode.

If you’ve enjoyed Vigil: Tourist Trap, tell a friend, or leave us a rating and review on Podchaser or Apple Podcasts.

Sherrydown is twinned with Waterdeep, city of splendours, home of the Great Game, the Neverember Enigma! Sherrydown Town Council unfortunately does not recommend that townsfolk take part in the Great Game themselves. As a safe alternative, why not support our town’s favourite contestants, the Waterdeep Mallrats? Cheer them on every Monday at 19:00 UTC+1 on twitch.tv/sabotagetheDM.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Jess Butterworth: a twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Calistarius Softbinding: a local horror writer with a cult following, who sponsored the construction of a whole new wing of Sherrydown’s library. Calistarius Softbinding is a nom de plume.

Ed Kincaid: a once promising, now disgraced MI5 agent assigned to investigate the more … esoteric threats reported to the national security hotline.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth, the Spooky

Helen Stratton as Melody, the Constructed

Chris Buxey as Calistarius Softbinding, the Expert

Chris MacLennan as Ed Kincaid, the Professional

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: Sings in the Fields by Rafael Krux; car alarm, distant by Jonathan Shaw; Somethin’s Up Downtown and Go! by Brian Holtz; Jazzy Comping 1 by Agnese Valmaggia; Velocity by Lilo Sound; Backbay Lounge, Onion Capers and Wizardtorium by Kevin MacLeod; Alexis by Luca Fraula; and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Jess, the Spooky (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 04:00:00 +0000

Meet Jess: shift worker, tarot reader, Spooky. Jess has always known she’s bigger than Sherrydown - and her new spirit guide is ready to help her prove it.

Join Ellen as she fills in Jess’ character sheet with help from compère Matt and fellow hunters Dave and Josh.

Programme notes

This production contains mild body horror, fantasy violence - including gun violence - and abusive relationship dynamics.

Our promo this episode is for The D20 Future Show, where Richard and his team play the RPG D20 Future (based on D20 Modern) and are ... well, sometimes they are idiots.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Jess Butterworth: a twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Calistarius Softbinding: a local horror writer with a cult following, who sponsored the construction of a whole new wing of Sherrydown’s library. Calistarius Softbinding is a nom de plume.

Ed Kincaid: a once promising, now disgraced MI5 agent assigned to investigate the more … esoteric threats reported to the national security hotline.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth, the Spooky

Helen Stratton as Melody, the Constructed

Chris Buxey as Calistarius Softbinding, the Expert

Chris MacLennan as Ed Kincaid, the Professional

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Tourist Trap, Act 4

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 04:00:00 +0000

Following the food truck ordeal, the team reconvenes to formulate their next move (and leave Amazement Park some damning reviews). A trap is set, but an unseen somebody has a different plan.

Programme notes

This production contains mild body horror, fantasy violence - including gun violence - and abusive relationship dynamics.

Natalie Winter (Gwynned in Vigil: Cold Snap) was on Talk Together, an interview show on the Roll Together network. Check out the interview on Twitch or Youtube.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Jess Butterworth: a twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Calistarius Softbinding: a local horror writer with a cult following, who sponsored the construction of a whole new wing of Sherrydown’s library. Calistarius Softbinding is a nom de plume.

Ed Kincaid: a once promising, now disgraced MI5 agent assigned to investigate the more … esoteric threats reported to the national security hotline.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth, the Spooky

Helen Stratton as Melody, the Constructed

Chris Buxey as Calistarius Softbinding, the Expert

Chris MacLennan as Ed Kincaid, the Professional

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: Alexis by Luca Fraula; Wizardtorium by Kevin MacLeod; and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Kincaid, the Professional (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 04:00:00 +0000

Meet Kincaid: sceptic, agent, Professional. A disgraced special agent kicked down to a bullshit basement detail, he just wants an easy life, but how long can his scepticism hold out?

Join Chris as he fills in Kincaid’s character sheet with help from compere Matt and fellow hunters Nat and Alex.

Programme notes

This production contains mild body horror, fantasy violence - including gun violence - and abusive relationship dynamics.

Our promo this episode is for The Space Jam Continuum. Now that Space Jam: A New Legacy has a release date and a trailer, Chris and Cal are up against the clock to fashion a cohesive cinematic universe out of Looney Tunes, which was never meant to be one.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Jess Butterworth: a twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Calistarius Softbinding: a local horror writer with a cult following, who sponsored the construction of a whole new wing of Sherrydown’s library. Calistarius Softbinding is a nom de plume.

Ed Kincaid: a once promising, now disgraced MI5 agent assigned to investigate the more … esoteric threats reported to the national security hotline.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth, the Spooky

Helen Stratton as Melody, the Constructed

Chris Buxey as Calistarius Softbinding, the Expert

Chris MacLennan as Ed Kincaid, the Professional

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Vigil: Tourist Trap, Act 3

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 04:00:00 +0000

Gunshots echo through Amazement Park as the hunters force Jess’s thief to show its true face. But this is just a rehearsal for the true battle to come...

Programme notes

This production contains mild body horror, fantasy violence - including gun violence - and abusive relationship dynamics.

Tickets are now on sale for Trouble at Sea: A Miss McSkimming Mystery, on Saturday 3 July in the Big Top in King George’s Park, Wandsworth.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Jess Butterworth: a twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Calistarius Softbinding: a local horror writer with a cult following, who sponsored the construction of a whole new wing of Sherrydown’s library. Calistarius Softbinding is a nom de plume.

Ed Kincaid: a once promising, now disgraced MI5 agent assigned to investigate the more … esoteric threats reported to the national security hotline.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth, the Spooky

Helen Stratton as Melody, the Constructed

Chris Buxey as Calistarius Softbinding, the Expert

Chris MacLennan as Ed Kincaid, the Professional

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: Sings In The Fields by Rafael Krux; Darkest Child and Cool Rock by Kevin MacLeod; Ford Transit boulevard by LG; and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Melody, the Constructed (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 04:00:00 +0000

Meet Melody: hipster, ambivert, 200 year-old construct. Having escaped her creator, this well-meaning café owner has a tendency to come apart at the seams.

Join Helen as she fills in Melody's character sheet with help from compère Matt and fellow hunters Vikki and Chris.

Programme notes

This production contains mild body horror, fantasy violence - including gun violence - and abusive relationship dynamics.

Our promo this episode is for A Rendezvous with Destiny, an actual play podcast of Onyx Path's Scion, set in a fictionalised Washington, DC.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Jess Butterworth: a twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Calistarius Softbinding: a local horror writer with a cult following, who sponsored the construction of a whole new wing of Sherrydown’s library. Calistarius Softbinding is a nom de plume.

Ed Kincaid: a once promising, now disgraced MI5 agent assigned to investigate the more … esoteric threats reported to the national security hotline.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth, the Spooky

Helen Stratton as Melody, the Constructed

Chris Buxey as Calistarius Softbinding, the Expert

Chris MacLennan as Ed Kincaid, the Professional

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Tourist Trap, Act 2

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 04:00:00 +0000

Pulling the thread on the identity theft mystery leads our hunters to the fabulous Sherrydown Amazement Park. What horrors await them there and, possibly more importantly, why isn't it open at the weekend?

Programme notes

This production contains mild body horror, fantasy violence - including gun violence - and abusive relationship dynamics.

Tickets are now on sale for Trouble at Sea: A Miss McSkimming Mystery, on Saturday 3 July in the Big Top in King George’s Park, Wandsworth.

Wandsworth residents can apply for a free writing workshop on Monday 28 June, also in the Big Top.

Replay the Rebel Roleplayers Roundtable (featuring Ellie Pitkin and Alexander Pankhurst) and Dead Of Night (featuring Alexander Pankhurst and Natalie Winter) from Sabotage the DM’s 7 Days of Sabotage event.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Jess Butterworth: a twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Calistarius Softbinding: a local horror writer with a cult following, who sponsored the construction of a whole new wing of Sherrydown’s library. Calistarius Softbinding is a nom de plume.

Ed Kincaid: a once promising, now disgraced MI5 agent assigned to investigate the more … esoteric threats reported to the national security hotline.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth, the Spooky

Helen Stratton as Melody, the Constructed

Chris Buxey as Calistarius Softbinding, the Expert

Chris MacLennan as Ed Kincaid, the Professional

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: Wizardtorium by Kevin MacLeod; and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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The social network (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 04:00:00 +0000

Matt meets our new band of hunters as they explore their connections to one another, and to the pride of Brackshire - the picturesque Sherrydown.

Programme notes

This production contains mild body horror, fantasy violence - including gun violence - and abusive relationship dynamics.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Jess Butterworth: a twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Calistarius Softbinding: a local horror writer with a cult following, who sponsored the construction of a whole new wing of Sherrydown’s library. Calistarius Softbinding is a nom de plume.

Ed Kincaid: a once promising, now disgraced MI5 agent assigned to investigate the more … esoteric threats reported to the national security hotline.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth, the Spooky

Helen Stratton as Melody, the Constructed

Chris Buxey as Calistarius Softbinding, the Expert

Chris MacLennan as Ed Kincaid, the Professional

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Vigil: Tourist Trap, Act 1

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 04:00:00 +0000

When the residents of idyllic Sherrydown fall foul to a series of strange anomalies with their personal data, an unlikely team of concerned citizens assembles to investigate.

Programme notes

This production contains mild body horror, fantasy violence - including gun violence - and abusive relationship dynamics.

If you enjoyed Vigil: Cold Snap, our previous Main House production, you should pick up The Sherrydown Enquirer 2: Cold Snap, a Monster of the Week mystery scenario and Sherrydown lore zine. It contains Cold Snap, a mystery for use with the roleplaying game Monster of the Week by Michael Sands, for the roleplayers among you; and some juicy history and information about the Sherrydown setting, for fans of Vigil. Buy The Sherrydown Enquirer 2: Cold Snap on itch.io.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Jess Butterworth: a twenty-something shift worker, Sherrydown born and bred. While working the tarot tent at Amazement Park, she was approached by Kit, a being claiming to be her spirit guide.

Calistarius Softbinding: a local horror writer with a cult following, who sponsored the construction of a whole new wing of Sherrydown’s library. Calistarius Softbinding is a nom de plume.

Ed Kincaid: a once promising, now disgraced MI5 agent assigned to investigate the more … esoteric threats reported to the national security hotline.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellen Gould as Jess Butterworth, the Spooky

Helen Stratton as Melody, the Constructed

Chris Buxey as Calistarius Softbinding, the Expert

Chris MacLennan as Ed Kincaid, the Professional

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

SFX AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC INCLUDES: Go! by Brian Holtz; Velocity by Lilo Sound; Wizardtorium and Backbay Lounge by Kevin MacLeod; and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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The fallout (Ghost Recall Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 25 May 2021 04:00:00 +0000

After an intense in-character debrief, it’s time for a much more relaxed and friendly out-of-character debrief.

Programme notes

This production contains reported violence.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Agent Pigeon

Vikki as Agent Anvil

Strat as Agent Tanktop

Helen Stratton as Agent Banks

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Mission: Accomplished!, designed by Jeff Stormer

MUSIC BY: Matt Boothman and Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Codename Mosaic: Ghost Recall, Act 2

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 18 May 2021 04:00:00 +0000

The debriefing call is running long and nerves are starting to fray. Who will take credit for sinking the Consultancy, and who will be scapegoated for the Service’s leaks?

Programme notes

This production contains reported violence.

You can catch some of the Merely Roleplayers cast on Twitch this week, as part of seven straight days of streams to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Sabotage the DM:

Friday 21 May, 6-8pm UTC+1: Ellie Pitkin (Agent Pigeon, Persephone Byron) and Alexander Pankhurst (Soft Skull, Graham) are taking part in the Rebel Roleplayers Roundtable

Sunday 23 May, 6-11pm UTC+1: Alex and Natalie Winter (Gwynned, Souper-Man) are appearing in an actual play of Dead of Night

Tune in, and see the full schedule for the week, at twitch.tv/sabotagetheDM

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Agent Pigeon

Vikki as Agent Anvil

Strat as Agent Tanktop

Helen Stratton as Agent Banks

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Mission: Accomplished!, designed by Jeff Stormer

MUSIC BY: Matt Boothman and Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Codename Mosaic: Ghost Recall, Act 1

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 04 May 2021 04:00:00 +0000

Four Service agents have survived a mission aboard the Consultancy’s marine hover-fortress. Now comes the real ordeal: surviving a conference call with the higher-ups.

Programme notes

This production contains reported violence.

Check out other games by Jeff Stormer, like Anyone Can Wear The Mask and When You’re Here You’re Family, at jeffstormer.com

Our promo this episode is for Sabotage the DM. Check out their regular Dungeons & Dragons: Dragon Heist campaign on Mondays at 19:00 UTC+1, and tune in from 17 May for a week of streams for the channel’s one year anniversary, all at twitch.tv/SabotageTheDM

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Agent Pigeon

Vikki as Agent Anvil

Strat as Agent Tanktop

Helen Stratton as Agent Banks

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Mission: Accomplished!, designed by Jeff Stormer

MUSIC BY: Matt Boothman and Alexander Pankhurst

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Warming down (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 27 Apr 2021 04:00:00 +0000

Matt and the hunters reflect on their first hunt together.

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Brier: a mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Cameron Jarvis: an intense young man, obsessed with monster hunting since his parents and sister were killed by ghouls while camping outside Sherrydown.

Jinny Greenteeth: proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Chris Starkey as Cameron Jarvis, the Wronged

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Vigil: Cold Snap, Act 6

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 04:00:00 +0000

Imbued with divine flame and each carrying the mantle of the forest guardian, the hunters battle against the Winter King. Whatever happens, this isn’t going to be a quick thaw.

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence.

Coming soon:

CODENAME MOSAIC: GHOST RECALL opens in the Studio on 4 May! It’s a follow-up to Codename: Mosaic, one of our Blackshaw Saga productions, and uses Mission: Accomplished!, the roleplaying game of super-spies and office meetings by Jeff Stormer.

VIGIL: TOURIST TRAP opens in the Main House on 1 June! Follow us on Twitter @MerelyRoleplay to meet the characters before we raise the curtain.

Review Merely Roleplayers on Podchaser before 30 April and Podchaser will donate 25 cents to Meals on Wheels America.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Brier: a mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Cameron Jarvis: an intense young man, obsessed with monster hunting since his parents and sister were killed by ghouls while camping outside Sherrydown.

Jinny Greenteeth: proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Chris Starkey as Cameron Jarvis, the Wronged

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

SFX INCLUDES: soaring clouds by bruce965; Ritual and Vulcan by Kevin MacLeod; and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Jinny, the Spellslinger (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 13 Apr 2021 04:00:00 +0000

Meet Jinny: local business owner, devotee of the natural world, spellslinger. Jinny has had many names and has lived many lives. She uses her centuries of arcane knowledge to draw power from the earth beneath her feet, manipulate the elements, and fleece tourists for every penny they have. As owner and operator of the Grove of Oddities, Jinny is a well respected resident of Sherrydown and a true force of nature.

Join Josh as he fills in Jinny’s character sheet with help from compère Matt and fellow hunters Dave and Ellen.

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence.

Our promo this episode is for The DM’s Book Club, a weekly podcast where Fiona and Ryan read about some Dungeons and Dragons and discuss how they might include it in their roleplaying campaigns.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Brier: a mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Cameron Jarvis: an intense young man, obsessed with monster hunting since his parents and sister were killed by ghouls while camping outside Sherrydown.

Jinny Greenteeth: proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Chris Starkey as Cameron Jarvis, the Wronged

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Vigil: Cold Snap, Act 5

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 04:00:00 +0000

The Winter King is after a rematch. Our hunters prepare to take a stand and drive back an oncoming ice age.

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence.

Congratulations to Ben Newbon for spotting Ellie’s cameo in Act 4! Follow Ben on Twitter @BenNewbon.

Review Merely Roleplayers on Podchaser before 30 April and Podchaser will donate 25 cents to Meals on Wheels America.

Subscribe to Matt’s free monthly newsletter before Friday 9 April for previews of the next Studio production and the work in progress Upstaged! roleplaying game.

Our promo this episode is for The DM’s Book Club, a weekly podcast where Fiona and Ryan read about some Dungeons and Dragons and discuss how they might include it in their roleplaying campaigns.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Brier: a mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Cameron Jarvis: an intense young man, obsessed with monster hunting since his parents and sister were killed by ghouls while camping outside Sherrydown.

Jinny Greenteeth: proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Chris Starkey as Cameron Jarvis, the Wronged

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

SFX INCLUDES: soaring clouds by bruce965; Virtutes Instrumenti, Dragon and Toast, and Ritual by Kevin MacLeod; Traveler’s Notebook by Rafael Krux; and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Gwynned, the Divine (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 04:00:00 +0000

Meet Gwynned: shieldmaiden, banished warrior, divine. Gwynned was a holy warrior, a trusted shieldmaiden of the triple-goddess Morrigan. After defying her mistress she was banished to a lifetime of the mundane (in a somewhat different form) and now uses her divine skills to protect her new home. But she’d better keep her head down so as not to risk catching the attention of the Morrigan once more.

Join Nat as she fills in Gwynned’s character sheet with help from compère Matt and fellow hunters Strat and Alex.

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence.

Our promo this episode is for Rendezvous with Destiny, an actual play podcast of Onyx Path's Scion, set in a fictionalised Washington, DC.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Brier: a mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Cameron Jarvis: an intense young man, obsessed with monster hunting since his parents and sister were killed by ghouls while camping outside Sherrydown.

Jinny Greenteeth: proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Chris Starkey as Cameron Jarvis, the Wronged

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Cold Snap, Act 4

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 05:00:00 +0000

The hunters and National Trust bystanders take shelter in Brier’s tree. As the frost creature arrives memories of an ancient battle are rekindled and Gwynned attracts unwanted attention.

Programme notes

This episode contains fantasy violence and a brief mention of giant insects.

Save the date! Blackshaw Theatre’s next live production, Trouble At Sea: A Miss McSkimming Mystery, will be on Saturday 3 July as part of the Wandsworth Arts Fringe. It’s a sequel to Some Treachery: A Miss McSkimming Mystery, which you can enjoy for free on the Blackshaw Arts Hour podcast. Trailer includes The Show Must Be Go! by Kevin McLeod.

Our promo this episode is for Rendezvous With Destiny, an actual play of the Scion roleplaying game by Onyx Path, set in a strange new world where every myth and monster turns out to be real.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Brier: a mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Cameron Jarvis: an intense young man, obsessed with monster hunting since his parents and sister were killed by ghouls while camping outside Sherrydown.

Jinny Greenteeth: proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Chris Starkey as Cameron Jarvis, the Wronged

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

ADDITIONAL VOICES BY: Ellie Pitkin

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

SFX INCLUDES: soaring clouds by kangaroovindaloo; Berserker by Alexander Nakarada; Ritual, Virtutes Instrumenti and Right Behind You by Kevin MacLeod; and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Brier, the Monstrous (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Meet Brier: forest guardian, National Trust manager, monstrous. For as long as the Rosebrier Forest has existed, so has Brier. A shapeshifting fae guardian with a penchant for mischief, they are a generally benevolent fairy - just don’t accept a ride from them when they’re a horse.

Join Strat as he fills in Brier’s character sheet with help from compère Matt and fellow hunters Chris and Ellie.

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence.

Our promo this episode is for OMEN Investigations, a comedy horror podcast starring three secret agents as they travel the world fighting monsters, ghosts, aliens and other paranormal perils.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Brier: a mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Cameron Jarvis: an intense young man, obsessed with monster hunting since his parents and sister were killed by ghouls while camping outside Sherrydown.

Jinny Greenteeth: proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Chris Starkey as Cameron Jarvis, the Wronged

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Cold Snap, Act 3

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Our hunters become the hunted and a creature of ice and snow stalks ominously towards Brier’s tree. The race is on to beat it there, but it’s not going to be easy.

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence.

Our promo this episode is for OMEN Investigations, a comedy horror podcast starring three secret agents as they travel the world fighting monsters, ghosts, aliens and other paranormal perils.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Brier: a mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Cameron Jarvis: an intense young man, obsessed with monster hunting since his parents and sister were killed by ghouls while camping outside Sherrydown.

Jinny Greenteeth: proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Chris Starkey as Cameron Jarvis, the Wronged

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

SFX INCLUDES: soaring clouds by bruce965; Floating in the Midnight Breeze by FoolBoyMedia; wolf & dog aggressive by EminYILDIRIM; Dragon and Toast by Kevin MacLeod; and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Cameron, the Wronged (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Meet Cameron: orphan, trained hunter, wronged. Something terrible happened to Cameron as a young boy that left a scar too deep to fully heal. Now wherever he goes so does his trusty axe, and behind him he leaves a trail of slain enemies.

Join Chris as he fills in Cameron’s character sheet with help from compère Matt and fellow hunters Strat and Ellie.

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Brier: a mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Cameron Jarvis: an intense young man, obsessed with monster hunting since his parents and sister were killed by ghouls while camping outside Sherrydown.

Jinny Greenteeth: proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Chris Starkey as Cameron Jarvis, the Wronged

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Cold Snap, Act 2

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Two members of the fae court have been brutally murdered, but by whom and for what reason? The hunters start their investigation while on the other side of the forest something ancient, cold and malevolent awakes.

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Brier: a mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Cameron Jarvis: an intense young man, obsessed with monster hunting since his parents and sister were killed by ghouls while camping outside Sherrydown.

Jinny Greenteeth: proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Chris Starkey as Cameron Jarvis, the Wronged

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

SFX INCLUDES: dark ambience by Patrick Lieberkind; Virtutes Instrumenti and Mirage by Kevin MacLeod; horse on turf, start into gallop from BBC Acropolis (RemArc licence); Wintersong and Tranquil Fields Tense by Alexander Nakarada; bird whistling, single, robin A by Jonathan Shaw; birds flapping wings EQed by juskiddink; and may include others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Ancient history (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 16 Feb 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Matt and our new team of hunters get to know each other and their place in the history of Sherrydown.

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence.

Our promo this episode is for Monster Hour, a grimcamp Monster of the Week actual play set in the town of Firmament, Colorado.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Brier: a mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Cameron Jarvis: an intense young man, obsessed with monster hunting since his parents and sister were killed by ghouls while camping outside Sherrydown.

Jinny Greenteeth: proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Chris Starkey as Cameron Jarvis, the Wronged

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Cold Snap, Act 1

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Early morning sunlight streams down through the foliage of the Rosebrier Forest while a gentle breeze dances around The Grove of Oddities, carrying with it the scent of blood.

Programme notes

This production contains fantasy violence.

If you enjoyed Vigil: Playtime, our first Main House production, you should pick up The Sherrydown Enquirer 1: Playtime, a Monster of the Week mystery scenario and Sherrydown lore supplement. It contains Playtime, a mystery for use with the roleplaying game Monster of the Week by Michael Sands, for the roleplayers among you; and snippets of history and information about the Sherrydown setting, for fans of Vigil. Buy The Sherrydown Enquirer 1: Playtime on itch.io.

Our promo this episode is for Monster Hour, a grimcamp Monster of the Week actual play set in the town of Firmament, Colorado.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Brier: a mischievous shapeshifting púca, the fae guardian of Sherrydown’s Rosebrier Forest.

Cameron Jarvis: an intense young man, obsessed with monster hunting since his parents and sister were killed by ghouls while camping outside Sherrydown.

Jinny Greenteeth: proprietor of the Grove of Oddities, a tacky Sherrydown tourist attraction. In a past life, Jinny was branded a witch after a series of drownings in her Lancashire village.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Strat as Brier, the Monstrous

Natalie Winter as Gwynned, the Divine

Chris Starkey as Cameron Jarvis, the Wronged

Josh Yard as Jinny Greenteeth, the Spellslinger

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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The hangover (Dr Magnethands Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 05:00:00 +0000

The drunk AF cast share the superpowers they didn’t get a chance to use in the game and reflect on a job well done (they’re way too drunk to be discerning).

Programme notes

This production contains gross bodily humour, cartoon violence, and alcohol.

Our promo this episode is for Penance RPG, purveyors of chaotic homebrew RPG bontent with a focus on storytelling.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Jeff Goldblum

Alexander Pankhurst as Soft Skull

Vikki as Bubblewrap Man

Dave as The Penguin of Constant Remorse

Chris Starkey as Butterscotch Cannon

Natalie Winter as Souper-Man

Strat as Miss Sellanious

Helen Stratton as Super Static Man

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Dr Magnethands, designed by Grant Howitt

MUSIC: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGNER: Natalie Winter

EDITOR AND PRODUCER: Matt Boothman

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Dr Magnethands, Act 2

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 05:00:00 +0000

After dispatching some of Dr Magnethands’ most dastardly minions, the heroes set off to her super-secret space base to put a stop to her plans for world domination once and for all… oh, and everyone is very drunk.

Programme notes

This production contains gross bodily humour, cartoon violence, and alcohol.

Our promo this episode is for Penance RPG, purveyors of chaotic homebrew RPG content with a focus on storytelling.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Jeff Goldblum

Alexander Pankhurst as Soft Skull

Vikki as Bubblewrap Man

Dave as The Penguin of Constant Remorse

Chris Starkey as Butterscotch Cannon

Natalie Winter as Souper-Man

Strat as Miss Sellanious

Helen Stratton as Super Static Man

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Dr Magnethands, designed by Grant Howitt

MAIN THEME BY: Alexander Pankhurst

CLOSING THEME BY: Ellie Pitkin and Chris Starkey

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

SFX INCLUDES: rhythmic tense ambience by luciolepri; No Frills Salsa by Kevin MacLeod; castanets, multi, A by Jonathan Shaw; gore slush slime sounds by Vlatko Blažek; electric by Sergenious; Chee Zee Cave by Kevin MacLeod; Mesmerize by Kevin MacLeod; boiling water, large, A by Jonathan Shaw; Fanfare for Space by Kevin MacLeod; and others made available to use without attribution.

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Drunk in luvvie (Dr Magnethands Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 05:00:00 +0000

The cast reminisce about times they’ve participated in what the theatre world refers to as a “wet run” while they come up with their eight suggestions for the game they’re actually supposed to be playing... oh, and Matt explains how the game works.

Programme notes

This production contains gross bodily humour, cartoon violence, and alcohol.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Jeff Goldblum

Alexander Pankhurst as Soft Skull

Vikki as Bubblewrap Man

Dave as The Penguin of Constant Remorse

Chris Starkey as Butterscotch Cannon

Natalie Winter as Souper-Man

Strat as Miss Sellanious

Helen Stratton as Super Static Man

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Dr Magnethands, designed by Grant Howitt

MAIN THEME BY: Alexander Pankhurst

CLOSING THEME BY: Ellie Pitkin and Chris Starkey

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Dr Magnethands, Act 1

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 05:00:00 +0000

A team of extraordinary heroes is the only thing that stands between evil mastermind, Dr Magnethands, and total world domination... oh, and everyone is drunk.

Programme notes

This production contains strong language, gross bodily humour, cartoon violence, and alcohol.

Our promo this episode is for Snyder’s Return, a UK based tabletop roleplaying game podcast featuring 5th edition Dungeons & Dragons actual play (where a misfit band of ‘heroes’ take on adventures across the multiverse), interviews and game master/player guides.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Jeff Goldblum

Alexander Pankhurst as Soft Skull

Vikki as Bubblewrap Man

Dave as The Penguin of Constant Remorse

Chris Starkey as Butterscotch Cannon

Natalie Winter as Souper-Man

Strat as Miss Sellanious

Helen Stratton as Super Static Man

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Doctor Magnethands, designed by Grant Howitt

MAIN THEME BY: Alexander Pankhurst

CLOSING THEME BY: Ellie Pitkin and Chris Starkey

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

SFX AND MUSIC INCLUDES: thrill announcement by Goran Andrić-Agi; Eyes Gone Wrong by Kevin MacLeod (looped); Dublin Zoo ambience by iamaviolin; Magellanic penguin by soundbytez; supermarket ambience by AJ170193; bamboo chimes by Jonathan Shaw; footswitch sound by Nightwatcher98; pneumatic drill by acclivity; digging in rubble by ryanlouis; woodpecker by L. Taylor; ninja sticks fighting by CyrileneRossouw; Crossing the Chasm by Kevin MacLeod; horror fleshy impale impact with remains falling by the University of Oregon Cinema Studies Program SFX library; pocket by Pocosebas; microwave by Poyekhali; gore slush slime sounds by Vlatko Blažek; Fanfare for Space by Kevin MacLeod; rhythmic tense ambience by luciolepri; radar blip by KynikossDragonn; slide whistle maestro by Lucy Bennett; and may include other sounds covered by the Creative Commons 0 attribution licence

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Playtime's over (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 05:00:00 +0000

The hunters look back on their adventures in the classroom and their battles against the playtime monsters.

Programme notes

Our promo this episode is for O.M.E.N. Investigations. They’re fellow members of the UK Tabletop RPG Podcasters community, and also playing Monster of the Week this season! Check them out if you want some much sillier monster hunting action.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Mick: Sherrydown’s favourite builder and bricklayer. His life has been getting weirder since he dug too deep and hit a leyline.

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Persephone ‘Percy’ Byron, the Exile

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

Dave as Mick, the Mundane

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Vigil: Playtime, Act 5

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 05:00:00 +0000

Despite Graham’s magical mishap, the hunters make haste to capture the villain responsible for the playtime monster before another school day begins.

Programme notes

This episode contains loss of agency and a brief description of a recently self-inflicted wound.

The town of Sherrydown is twinned with Whispering Pines, the not-so-ordinary summer camp for those hazy days and chilled summer nights. Campers laughing, fireflies glowing, campfires crackling long into the night, and a gaunt, cruel monstrosity forever hiding just out of sight, always asking, “What do you do next?” You can find out more about Whispering Pines and meet some of its eccentric camp counselors in the Sleepaway one-shot on What Am I Rolling? : a twice monthly RPG one-shot podcast.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Mick: Sherrydown’s favourite builder and bricklayer. His life has been getting weirder since he dug too deep and hit a leyline.

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Persephone ‘Percy’ Byron, the Exile

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

Dave as Mick, the Mundane

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

SFX INCLUDES: rain and final thunder clap by reinsamba; night rain on car by Relax Sleep ASMR; shutting van sliding door by Alastair Cameron; Long Note Two by Kevin McLeod; fire embers large campfire by Dynamicell; and may include others covered by the Creative Commons 0 attribution licence

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

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Graham, the Summoned (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 05:00:00 +0000

Meet Graham: accountant, 100% certified “human male”, Summoned. Excel specialist and hat connoisseur Graham is here to help you with all of your accountancy and administrative needs. If you’re lucky, he may join you down the local establishment for a pint of alcoholic refreshment and a friendly chat about being a human being.

Join Alex as he fills in Graham’s character sheet with help from compère Matt and fellow hunters Nat and Strat.

Programme notes

Our promo this episode is for The Adventurer’s Guild, home of Mercs & Monsters, Heroes of Cypher, and more to come.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Mick: Sherrydown’s favourite builder and bricklayer. His life has been getting weirder since he dug too deep and hit a leyline.

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Persephone ‘Percy’ Byron, the Exile

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

Dave as Mick, the Mundane

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Playtime, Act 4

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 05:00:00 +0000

As Mick, Percy and Graham engage in a bloody battle with the playtime monster, Renko makes a surprising discovery in the school staffroom.

Programme notes

This episode contains bloody violence, including gun violence, and detailed tentacular imagery.

Watch Jack and the Beanstalk, a semi-improvised panto created for streaming and incorporating roleplaying game elements, at 20:00 UTC on 11 & 12 December at twitch.tv/rollflipstream

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Mick: Sherrydown’s favourite builder and bricklayer. His life has been getting weirder since he dug too deep and hit a leyline.

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Persephone ‘Percy’ Byron, the Exile

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

Dave as Mick, the Mundane

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

SFX INCLUDES: rain and final thunder clap by reinsamba; wind, realistic, A by Jonathan Shaw; zombie bite 1 by Seth Talley; Long Note Two by Kevin McLeod; fire embers large campfire by Dynamicell; warm flesh in a mechanical meat grinder by newlocknew; and may include others covered by the Creative Commons 0 attribution licence

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Renko, the Flake (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 05:00:00 +0000

Meet Renko: DoOm operative, investigative genius, Flake. Renko is no stranger to mystery - it comes with the territory after all. But has she bitten off more than she can chew in the sleepy and seemingly-friendly town of Sherrydown?

Join Vikki as she fills in Renko’s character sheet with help from compère Matt and fellow hunters Chris and Helen.

Programme notes

Our promo this episode is for The Unexplored Places. Jump straight into Tango Sector, or go back and enjoy their first story: Deliverance, Ohio, told using Monster of the Week.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Mick: Sherrydown’s favourite builder and bricklayer. His life has been getting weirder since he dug too deep and hit a leyline.

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Persephone ‘Percy’ Byron, the Exile

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

Dave as Mick, the Mundane

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Playtime, Act 3

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 05:00:00 +0000

Chaos ensues when Percy and Graham, left to their own devices at the school, attempt an experiment to manifest the playtime monster.

Programme notes

This episode contains violence, including blood and injury detail.

Vote for the final, ultimate winners of the Audio Verse Awards 2020

Leave Merely Roleplayers a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Mick: Sherrydown’s favourite builder and bricklayer. His life has been getting weirder since he dug too deep and hit a leyline.

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Persephone ‘Percy’ Byron, the Exile

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

Dave as Mick, the Mundane

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

SFX INCLUDES: rain and final thunder clap by reinsamba; boiling water, large, A by Jonathan Shaw; eel splashing 2 by mystiscool; dragon roar by veroma; sword slice by Black Snow Productions; fire embers large campfire by Dynamicell; zombie bite 1 by Seth Talley; broken egg squelch by d.n.audio.uk; and may include others covered by the Creative Commons 0 attribution licence

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Percy, the Exile (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 17 Nov 2020 05:00:00 +0000

Meet Percy: time traveller, illegitimate daughter of Lord Byron, Exile. What strange forces have brought Percy to the small, sleepy town of Sherrydown and why does the year 1666 send a shiver down her spine?

Join Ellie as she fills in Percy’s character sheet with help from compère Matt and fellow players Chris S and Strat.

Programme notes

Our promo this episode is for Modified Roll, our fellow members of the UK Tabletop RPG Podcasters community.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Mick: Sherrydown’s favourite builder and bricklayer. His life has been getting weirder since he dug too deep and hit a leyline.

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Persephone ‘Percy’ Byron, the Exile

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

Dave as Mick, the Mundane

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Playtime, Act 2

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 05:00:00 +0000

After a surprising revelation from Mick’s niece, Pippa, the hunters head to the primary school to conduct their investigation.

Programme notes

This episode contains dried blood and scarred arms.

The Ragged Scratch Podcast, hosted and produced by our sound designer Natalie Winter, returns for season 3 on 19 November. Add it to your podcast app for 12 new work-in-progress audio dramas and interviews with the creators.

Compère Matt’s monthly email newsletter usually includes some backstage Merely Roleplayers bits and pieces, along with updates about game things and theatre things he’s working on. The next one goes out on 13 November - sign up now so you won’t miss it.

The town of Sherrydown is twinned with Whispering Pines, the not-so-ordinary summer camp for those hazy days and chilled summer nights. Campers laughing, fireflies glowing, campfires crackling long into the night, and a gaunt, cruel monstrosity forever hiding just out of sight, always asking, “What do you do next?” You can find out more about Whispering Pines and meet some of its eccentric camp counselors in the upcoming Sleepaway Oneshot on What Am I Rolling? : a twice monthly RPG one-shot podcast.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Mick: Sherrydown’s favourite builder and bricklayer. His life has been getting weirder since he dug too deep and hit a leyline.

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Persephone ‘Percy’ Byron, the Exile

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

Dave as Mick, the Mundane

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

SFX INCLUDES: rain and final thunder clap by reinsamba; night rain on car by Relax Sleep ASMR; Ford Transit boulevard by LG; van on gravel by Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama; Medusa by Kevin MacLeod; Long Note Two by Kevin MacLeod; electric short-circuit 50Hz by Sergenious; shutting van sliding door by Alastair Cameron; dragon roar by veroma; boiling water, large, A by Jonathan Shaw; eel splashing 2 by mystiscool; and may include others covered by the Creative Commons 0 attribution licence

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

History (Vigil Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 03 Nov 2020 05:00:00 +0000

Compère Matt and the cast of Vigil: Playtime introduce their characters and come up with their connections to one another - and to the town of Sherrydown itself.

Programme notes

This episode's promo contains strong language.

Our promo this episode is for Infinite Deer. Their new season started on 19 October, so this is a great time to jump aboard.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Mick: Sherrydown’s favourite builder and bricklayer. His life has been getting weirder since he dug too deep and hit a leyline.

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Persephone ‘Percy’ Byron, the Exile

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

Dave as Mick, the Mundane

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Vigil: Playtime, Act 1

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 05:00:00 +0000

The arrival of an unexpected traveller and a bloody disappearance at the local primary school spell trouble for the residents of the sleepy town of Sherrydown.

Programme notes

This episode contains implied offstage child endangerment.

Vote for Merely Roleplayers in the Audio Verse Awards before 31 October. We’re currently through to the penultimate round of the awards. Voters choose their top ten podcasts in each award category, to narrow each category down to ten finalists for the final round. The form might take 10-15 minutes to complete, so we super appreciate anyone who takes the time! You can find us under Improvised Production.

The town of Sherrydown is twinned with Whispering Pines, the not-so-ordinary summer camp for those hazy days and chilled summer nights. Campers laughing, fireflies glowing, campfires crackling long into the night, and a gaunt, cruel monstrosity forever hiding just out of sight, always asking, “What do you do next?” You can find out more about Whispering Pines and meet some of its eccentric camp counselors in the upcoming Sleepaway Oneshot on What Am I Rolling?: a twice monthly RPG one-shot podcast.

Dramatis personae and other definitions

Renko: A DoOm agent assigned to Sherrydown, furloughed since the office closed.

Mick: Sherrydown’s favourite builder and bricklayer. His life has been getting weirder since he dug too deep and hit a leyline.

Graham: The demon equivalent of an accountant, summoned to Earth in error and now trying to make the best of it. He is destined to bring about the Apocalypse.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: A historic English market town. One of the first towns to lose its DoOm office.

Omission effect: The rejection of certain beings and phenomena by long-term memory. Can be suppressed by concentration, mnemonic techniques, hypnosis, trauma, or the light of the full moon.

Credits

COMPERE: Matt Boothman

STARRING:

Ellie Pitkin as Persephone ‘Percy’ Byron, the Exile

Alexander Pankhurst as Graham, the Summoned

Vikki as Renko, the Flake

Dave as Mick, the Mundane

ROLEPLAYING GAME SYSTEM: Monster of the Week, designed by Michael Sands

MUSIC BY: Alexander Pankhurst

SOUND DESIGN BY: Natalie Winter

SFX INCLUDES: rain and final thunder clap by reinsamba; night rain on car by Relax Sleep ASMR; Ford Transit boulevard by LG; van on gravel by Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama; stop engine by Henrique Moreira; lightning crash by NoiseNoir; pistols/handguns manipulated and toyed with by IlDucci; interior - small moden office atmosphere by BBC Acropolis; mechanical keyboard typing by GeorgeHopkins; subdued classroom atmosphere with children reading (rec. London) by BBC Acropolis; electric school bell - 1980 (3C9, reprocessed) by BBC Acropolis; and various others covered by the Creative Commons 0 attribution licence

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY: Matt Boothman

Find us

Your worst nightmares: Vigil, now playing in the Main House

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 04:00:00 +0000

Now playing in the Merely Roleplayers Main House: Vigil.

Sherrydown, Brackshire: a picturesque English market town with a failing high street, a struggling council, and a no doubt rich history that no one remembers. The Department of Omissions did its job keeping Sherrydown's wards strong and its fae community appeased. But the Department hasn't fared well under austerity. Now Sherrydown has to fend for itself. Power to the people...?

The story is told using the roleplaying game Monster of the Week by Michael Sands, published by Evil Hat.

Stay tuned for Act One of Vigil next week, just in time for Hallowe’en!

Vigil theme by Alex Pankhurst

[IPM feed drop] RPG: Beam Saber

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 04:00:00 +0000

——-

Content Warning

Violence

The Game

Beam Saber is a game about the pilots of powerful machines in a war that dominates every facet of life. They are trying to do their time and part and get out physically and mentally intact. The organizations that perpetuate The War through all of known space are too incomprehensibly huge to take down. There is no ‘winning’ The War, there is only surviving it. Hopefully, you can make things a bit better before you move on.

No one Faction controls Earth. While it has little strategic value, essentially a backwater planet, the symbolic value for morale is unimaginable. The actual home of humanity. Every faction wants it, but none of them are willing to cede other territory to gain control of it. The result is the current standoff. Every Faction has a space elevator, but there’s still one left unclaimed. It belongs the Independents. Lately travelers between Fort Jovanol and Journey City have been experiencing raids by an unnamed squad. Our intel points to a Jovangellian Squad called The Raccoons. The Empire denies any knowledge of their activity, but they have taken no action to secure the territory. Recon has tracked them to an old armory. The Warning Shots, a group of emissaries under the charge of an old soldier named Chip Canticle, have been given the task to convince the Raccoons to stop their raiding of caravans.

The Players

Christine of Unexplored Places – Antiquity Hardt

Joshua of Tabletop Comics – Sarge

Matt of Merely Roleplayers – Parris Eltree

The GM

Robin of Tabletop Buffoonery

IPM

Find transcripts on our website: internationalpodcastmonth.com/transcripts

Support us:

Via Ko-Fi

Via Paypal.me

The IPM theme was composed by Benny James

This town's done for: Vigil opens the Main House this Hallowe'en

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 04:00:00 +0000

Coming soon to the Merely Roleplayers Main House: Vigil.

The story is told using the roleplaying game Monster of the Week by Michael Sands, published by Evil Hat.

Stay tuned for Act One of Vigil in Hallowe'en week 2020.

Vigil theme by Alex Pankhurst
Pub ambience by Erdie

Out-takes (Deja Vu Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 04:00:00 +0000

In an infinite universe, across multiple timelines, we were never going to be able to witness everything. Here’s a selection of stuff we had to leave out.

Season credits

STARRING Ellie Pitkin, Alex Pankhurst, Josh Yard and Dave; Chris Starkey, Chris Buxey and Chris; Helen Stratton, Ellen Gould, Natalie Winter and Strat as themselves (sort of) (various)

SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES BY Ellie Pitkin as Nia and The Space Jam Continuum podcast’s Chris MacLennan as CANDICE

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt Boothman, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

MUSIC BY Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY Matt Boothman

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company

Find us

The Ultimate Retrospective (Deja Vu Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 11 Aug 2020 04:00:00 +0000

All three ensembles look back at the path we charted through the infinite possibilities of Deja Vu.

Programme notes

Our promo this episode is for Dames and Dragons, a tale about banding together with your friends to battle gods who are terrible people and even worse parents, told using Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition.

Season credits

STARRING Ellie Pitkin, Alex Pankhurst, Josh Yard and Dave; Chris Starkey, Chris Buxey and Chris; Helen Stratton, Ellen Gould, Natalie Winter and Strat as themselves (sort of) (various)

SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES BY Ellie Pitkin as Nia and The Space Jam Continuum podcast’s Chris MacLennan as CANDICE

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt Boothman, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

MUSIC BY Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY Matt Boothman

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company

Find us

Deja Vu, Act Twelve

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 04:00:00 +0000

As the curtain falls on this, the company’s final act, they’ll have to decide what a new reality holds before heading off to their post-show drinks at the pub.

Programme notes

Thank you for tuning in to this final Act of the Blackshaw Saga.

After next week’s Backstage episode, Merely Roleplayers is taking a few weeks off to prepare for our next chapter - but stay tuned for some surprise bonus episodes!

We’ll be back the week of Hallowe’en with the beginning of our first Main House production: Vigil. Small towns are being left behind after cuts to the Department of Omissions, the agency meant to protect the public from things that go bump in the night. In Sherrydown, one neglected market town, a band of misfits have stepped in to protect their neighbours now that the government can’t or won’t. They’re absolutely not sanctioned, not all of them are strictly speaking competent, but they’re the only ones who can help - and that makes it their responsibility.

Also coming up in our Studio: Dr Magnethands (a very, very silly superhero story) and Codename Mosaic: Ghost Recall (revisiting the agents from Codename: Mosaic as they deal with their deadliest foes yet: accountability and oversight).

Season credits

STARRING Ellie Pitkin, Alex Pankhurst, Josh Yard and Dave; Chris Starkey, Chris Buxey and Chris; Helen Stratton, Ellen Gould, Natalie Winter and Strat as themselves (sort of) (various)

SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES BY Ellie Pitkin as Nia and The Space Jam Continuum podcast’s Chris MacLennan as CANDICE

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt Boothman, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

MUSIC BY Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY Matt Boothman

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company

Find us

Strat, A Retrospective (Deja Vu Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 04:00:00 +0000

A look back at Strat’s past appearances on Merely Roleplayers, in Ariadne, A Town Called Amnesty, Codename: Mosaic, Parallax Inverted, Upstaged! and Prospero & Viola.

Programme notes

Our promo this episode is for Modified Roll, an actual play Dungeons & Dragons podcast and our friends from the UK & Ireland TTRPG Podcasters community.

Season credits

STARRING Ellie Pitkin, Alex Pankhurst, Josh Yard and Dave; Chris Starkey, Chris Buxey and Chris; Helen Stratton, Ellen Gould, Natalie Winter and Strat as themselves (sort of) (various)

SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES BY Ellie Pitkin as Nia and The Space Jam Continuum podcast’s Chris MacLennan as CANDICE

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt Boothman, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

MUSIC BY Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY Matt Boothman

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company

Find us

Deja Vu, Act Eleven

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 04:00:00 +0000

The beleaguered ensemble are taking fire from all fronts. They’ll need to fight, but their theatrical skills could be their biggest asset in the final showdown.

Programme notes

Remember how Blackshaw Theatre Company is a real theatre company? We’re still working in London, even in lockdown!

Our promo this episode is for Modified Roll, fellow members of the UK & Ireland TTRPG Podcasters Discord community, and face-to-face acquaintances from Dragonmeet 2019!

Season credits

STARRING Ellie Pitkin, Alex Pankhurst, Josh Yard and Dave; Chris Starkey, Chris Buxey and Chris; Helen Stratton, Ellen Gould, Natalie Winter and Strat as themselves (sort of) (various)

SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES BY Ellie Pitkin as Nia and The Space Jam Continuum podcast’s Chris MacLennan as CANDICE

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt Boothman, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

MUSIC BY Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY Matt Boothman

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company

Find us

Helen, A Retrospective (Deja Vu Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 04:00:00 +0000

A look back at Helen’s past appearances on Merely Roleplayers, in A Town Called Amnesty and Codename: Mosaic.

Programme notes

Impulse Drive by Adrian Thoen, the space opera roleplaying game we used in Parallax, is available from DriveThruRPG.

Our promo this episode is for Brits On Bikes, our friends from the UK & Ireland TTRPG Podcasters community.

Season credits

STARRING Ellie Pitkin, Alex Pankhurst, Josh Yard and Dave; Chris Starkey, Chris Buxey and Chris; Helen Stratton, Ellen Gould, Natalie Winter and Strat as themselves (sort of) (various)

SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES BY Ellie Pitkin as Nia and The Space Jam Continuum podcast’s Chris MacLennan as CANDICE

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt Boothman, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

MUSIC BY Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY Matt Boothman

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company

Find us

Deja Vu, Act Ten

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 07 Jul 2020 04:00:00 +0000

The ensemble attempt to form allegiances with old enemies, but are everyone’s motives exactly what they seem?

Programme notes

The Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre have come up with a plan to defend our theatres from more closures and redundancies. They’ve submitted the plan to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, but we need to help them make it a priority for the government. If you’re in the UK, and you like theatre like we like theatre, please consider writing to your MP and asking them to pay attention to the plan and make sure we still have a place to see and stage creative performance after lockdown. WriteToThem.com makes it easy.

Our promo this episode is for Brits On Bikes, our friends from the UK & Ireland TTRPG Podcasters community.

Season credits

STARRING Ellie Pitkin, Alex Pankhurst, Josh Yard and Dave; Chris Starkey, Chris Buxey and Chris; Helen Stratton, Ellen Gould, Natalie Winter and Strat as themselves (sort of) (various)

SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES BY Ellie Pitkin as Nia and The Space Jam Continuum podcast’s Chris MacLennan as CANDICE

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt Boothman, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

MUSIC BY Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY Matt Boothman

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company

Find us

Ellen, A Retrospective (Deja Vu Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 04:00:00 +0000

A look back at Ellen’s past appearances on Merely Roleplayers, in Upstaged! and Prospero & Viola.

Programme notes

Our promo this episode is for Penance RPG, a fellow member of the UK & Ireland TTRPG Podcasters community.

Season credits

STARRING Ellie Pitkin, Alex Pankhurst, Josh Yard and Dave; Chris Starkey, Chris Buxey and Chris; Helen Stratton, Ellen Gould, Natalie Winter and Strat as themselves (sort of) (various)

SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES BY Ellie Pitkin as Nia and The Space Jam Continuum podcast’s Chris MacLennan as CANDICE

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt Boothman, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

MUSIC BY Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY Matt Boothman

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company

Find us

Black Lives Matter protests, petitions and other resources

Deja Vu, Act Nine

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 04:00:00 +0000

The ensemble are reunited and ready to save reality, but they’ll need to try out a few different boats to find one that’s suitable for their final voyage.

Programme notes

Matt was on an episode of the Rolistes podcast!

Our promo this episode is for Penance RPG, a fellow member of the UK & Ireland TTRPG Podcasters community.

Season credits

STARRING Ellie Pitkin, Alex Pankhurst, Josh Yard and Dave; Chris Starkey, Chris Buxey and Chris; Helen Stratton, Ellen Gould, Natalie Winter and Strat as themselves (sort of) (various)

SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES BY Ellie Pitkin as Nia and The Space Jam Continuum podcast’s Chris MacLennan as CANDICE

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt Boothman, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

MUSIC BY Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY Matt Boothman

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company

Find us

Nat, A Retrospective (Deja Vu Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 16 Jun 2020 04:00:00 +0000

A look back at Nat’s past appearances on Merely Roleplayers, in Upstaged!, The Cloudskipper’s Captain and Prospero & Viola.

Programme notes

Our promo this episode is for The GM & Me, a duet play podcast and fellow member of the UK & Ireland TTRPG Podcasters community on Discord.

Season credits

STARRING Ellie Pitkin, Alex Pankhurst, Josh Yard and Dave; Chris Starkey, Chris Buxey and Chris; Helen Stratton, Ellen Gould, Natalie Winter and Strat as themselves (sort of) (various)

SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES BY Ellie Pitkin as Nia and The Space Jam Continuum podcast’s Chris MacLennan as CANDICE

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt Boothman, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

MUSIC BY Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY Matt Boothman

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company

Find us

Black Lives Matter protests, petitions and other resources

Deja Vu, Act Eight

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 04:00:00 +0000

The third ensemble have been waiting in the wings. Now that they’ve finally made their entrance, they must bring themselves back to reality to have any hope of saving it.

Programme notes

Bundle for Racial Justice and Equality: get 700+ video and tabletop games for as little as $5, with all proceeds split evenly between the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the Community Bail Fund

Friends in the UK, write to your MPs and councillors to defend racial justice and the right to protest

Our promo this episode is for The GM & Me, fellow member of the UK & Ireland Tabletop RPG Podcasters community. It’s a one-player, one-gamemaster podcast showcasing a variety of roleplaying games.

Season credits

STARRING Ellie Pitkin, Alex Pankhurst, Josh Yard and Dave; Chris Starkey, Chris Buxey and Chris; Helen Stratton, Ellen Gould, Natalie Winter and Strat as themselves (sort of) (various)

SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES BY Ellie Pitkin as Nia and The Space Jam Continuum podcast’s Chris MacLennan as CANDICE

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt Boothman, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

MUSIC BY Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY Matt Boothman

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company

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Vikki, A Retrospective (Deja Vu Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 04:00:00 +0000

A look back at Vikki’s past appearances on Merely Roleplayers, in Ariadne, Five Stage a Rescue, Codename: Mosaic, Parallax Converging, Parallax Inverted and Prospero & Viola.

Programme notes

Our promo this episode is for The Prestige, an in-depth movie discussion programme on Kaiju FM.

Season credits

STARRING Ellie Pitkin, Alex Pankhurst, Josh Yard and Dave; Chris Starkey, Chris Buxey and Chris; Helen Stratton, Ellen Gould, Natalie Winter and Strat as themselves (sort of) (various)

SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES BY Ellie Pitkin as Nia and The Space Jam Continuum podcast’s Chris MacLennan as CANDICE

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt Boothman, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

MUSIC BY Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY Matt Boothman

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company

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Deja Vu, Act Seven

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 26 May 2020 04:00:00 +0000

The company seek an audience with a higher power. The fate of everything they’ve ever known rests on their performance. And one of them’s let a heckler in…

Programme notes

PodUK Goes Digital is happening on Saturday 30 May, at 12-8pm UK time on Twitch, Discord and other venues. Look out for our trailer as part of the virtual Podcasters’ Promenade! Full details at podcastconvention.uk.

Our promo this episode is for The Prestige, a Kaiju FM show discussing movies in depth from a production and academic appreciation point of view.

Season credits

STARRING Ellie Pitkin, Alex Pankhurst, Josh Yard and Dave; Chris Starkey, Chris Buxey and Chris; Helen Stratton, Ellen Gould, Natalie Winter and Strat as themselves (sort of) (various)

SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES BY Ellie Pitkin as Nia and The Space Jam Continuum podcast’s Chris MacLennan as CANDICE

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt Boothman, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

MUSIC BY Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY Matt Boothman

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company

Find us

Starkey, A Retrospective (Deja Vu Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 19 May 2020 04:00:00 +0000

A look back at Starkey’s past appearances on Merely Roleplayers, in Five Stage a Rescue, Parallax Inverted, The Cloudskipper’s Captain and Prospero & Viola.

Programme notes

Our promo this episode is for Dames and Dragons, a tale about banding together with your friends to battle gods who are terrible people, told using Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition.

Season credits

STARRING Ellie Pitkin, Alex Pankhurst, Josh Yard and Dave; Chris Starkey, Chris Buxey and Chris; Helen Stratton, Ellen Gould, Natalie Winter and Strat as themselves (sort of) (various)

SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES BY Ellie Pitkin as Nia and The Space Jam Continuum podcast’s Chris MacLennan as CANDICE

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt Boothman, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

MUSIC BY Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY Matt Boothman

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company

Find us

Deja Vu, Act Six

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 12 May 2020 04:00:00 +0000

When the curtain closes, will the company be left to watch the world unravel, or in a position to weave something new?

Programme notes

Check out Blackshaw Theatre Company’s audio drama productions at the Wandsworth Arts Fringe In Your Living Room festival:

Some Treachery: A Miss McSkimming Mystery by Richard Stratton

Audience with the Ghost Finder by M. J. Starling (that’s an old pen name of Matt’s!)

The Final Adventure of Frankie Fightwell by Chris Buxey

Black Shuck by Duncan Hands

Great Expectations, adapted from Charles Dickens’ novel in association with Cyphers Theatre

Our promo this episode is for Dames and Dragons, a tale about banding together with your friends to battle gods who are terrible people, told using Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition.

Season credits

STARRING Ellie Pitkin, Alex Pankhurst, Josh Yard and Dave; Chris Starkey, Chris Buxey and Chris; Helen Stratton, Ellen Gould, Natalie Winter and Strat as themselves (sort of) (various)

SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES BY Ellie Pitkin as Nia and The Space Jam Continuum podcast’s Chris MacLennan as CANDICE

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt Boothman, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

MUSIC BY Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY Matt Boothman

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company

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Chris, A Retrospective (Deja Vu Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 05 May 2020 04:00:00 +0000

A look back at Chris’s previous appearance on Merely Roleplayers, in Let’s Get Gideon.

Programme notes

Our promo this episode is for The Space Jam Continuum, with past player and compere Chris MacLennan. Along with Cal Noble, Chris has committed to constructing a cohesive cinematic universe out of something that was never meant to be one: Looney Tunes, from the early 20th century all the way to Space Jam.

Season credits

STARRING Ellie Pitkin, Alex Pankhurst, Josh Yard and Dave; Chris Starkey, Chris Buxey and Chris; Helen Stratton, Ellen Gould, Natalie Winter and Strat as themselves (sort of) (various)

SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES BY Ellie Pitkin as Nia and The Space Jam Continuum podcast’s Chris MacLennan as CANDICE

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt Boothman, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

MUSIC BY Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY Matt Boothman

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company

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Deja Vu, Act Five

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 04:00:00 +0000

The curtain is open. On the other side, an audience awaits with the ones who wrecked the world. But from the moment their pods land, the new ensemble faces fierce competition.

Programme notes

Check out The Isolation Sessions on the Ragged Scratch podcast.

Review us on Podchaser - for every review you write on the site until 20 April, Podchaser will donate 25 cents to Meals on Wheels.

Our promo this episode is for The Space Jam Continuum, a Kaiju FM show where Chris and Cal try to make a cohesive cinematic universe out of something that was never meant to be one: Looney Tunes.

Season credits

STARRING Ellie Pitkin, Alex Pankhurst, Josh Yard and Dave; Chris Starkey, Chris Buxey and Chris; Helen Stratton, Ellen Gould, Natalie Winter and Strat as themselves (sort of) (various)

SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES BY Ellie Pitkin as Nia and The Space Jam Continuum podcast’s Chris MacLennan as CANDICE

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt Boothman, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

MUSIC BY Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY Matt Boothman

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company

Find us

Dave, A Retrospective (Deja Vu Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 04:00:00 +0000

A look back at Dave’s past appearances on Merely Roleplayers, in Five Go Adventuring, Crash Bang Wallop What a Heist, Parallax Core, Parallax Converging and The Survival Island. That’s definitely what they were called.

Programme notes

Our promo this episode is for What Am I Rolling, a twice monthly roleplaying game one-shot podcast and fellow member of the UK & Ireland TTRPG Podcasters community.

Season credits

STARRING Ellie Pitkin, Alex Pankhurst, Josh Yard and Dave; Chris Starkey, Chris Buxey and Chris; Helen Stratton, Ellen Gould, Natalie Winter and Strat as themselves (sort of) (various)

SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES BY Ellie Pitkin as Nia and The Space Jam Continuum podcast’s Chris MacLennan as CANDICE

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt Boothman, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

MUSIC BY Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY Matt Boothman

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company

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Deja Vu, Act Four

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 04:00:00 +0000

Embattled and desperate aboard the Air Errol, the company race to send their friends on to safety.

Programme notes

Watch the National Theatre’s production of Jane Eyre on Youtube until Thursday 16 April

Watch the Globe Theatre’s production of Hamlet on Youtube until Sunday 19 April

Look out for weekly new monologues by Philip Ridley on Tramp Theatre’s Youtube channel

Find audio dramas like Some Treachery: A Miss McSkimming Mystery by Richard Stratton and The Final Adventure of Frankie Fightwell in the Blackshaw Arts Hour podcast feed

Check out The Isolation Sessions on the Ragged Scratch podcast

Our promo this episode is for Seasons of Skyrend, a weekly custom Dungeons & Dragons podcast and fellow member of the UK & Ireland TTRPG Podcasters community.

Season credits

STARRING Ellie Pitkin, Alex Pankhurst, Josh Yard and Dave; Chris Starkey, Chris Buxey and Chris; Helen Stratton, Ellen Gould, Natalie Winter and Strat as themselves (sort of) (various)

SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES BY Ellie Pitkin as Nia and The Space Jam Continuum podcast’s Chris MacLennan as CANDICE

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt Boothman, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

MUSIC BY Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY Matt Boothman

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company

Find us

Alex, A Retrospective (Deja Vu Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 04:00:00 +0000

A look back at Alex’s past appearances on Merely Roleplayers, in Ariadne, A Town Called Amnesty, Parallax Converging, The Cloudskipper’s Captain and Prospero & Viola.

Programme notes

Our promo this episode is for What Am I Rolling, a twice monthly roleplaying game one-shot podcast and fellow member of the UK & Ireland TTRPG Podcasters community.

Season credits

STARRING Ellie Pitkin, Alex Pankhurst, Josh Yard and Dave; Chris Starkey, Chris Buxey and Chris; Helen Stratton, Ellen Gould, Natalie Winter and Strat as themselves (sort of) (various)

SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES BY Ellie Pitkin as Nia and The Space Jam Continuum podcast’s Chris MacLennan as CANDICE

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt Boothman, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

MUSIC BY Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY Matt Boothman

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company

Find us

Deja Vu, Act Three

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 04:00:00 +0000

The company zero in on their missing friends, in a perilous high-altitude rescue not even their unparalleled experiences could have prepared them for.

Programme notes

Our promo this episode is for What Am I Rolling, a twice monthly roleplaying game one-shot podcast and fellow member of the UK & Ireland TTRPG Podcasters community.

Season credits

STARRING Ellie Pitkin, Alex Pankhurst, Josh Yard and Dave; Chris Starkey, Chris Buxey and Chris; Helen Stratton, Ellen Gould, Natalie Winter and Strat as themselves (sort of) (various)

SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES BY Ellie Pitkin as Nia and The Space Jam Continuum podcast’s Chris MacLennan as CANDICE

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt Boothman, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

MUSIC BY Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY Matt Boothman

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company

Find us

Ellie, A Retrospective (Deja Vu Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 05:00:00 +0000

A look back at Ellie’s past appearances on Merely Roleplayers, in Ariadne, Five Stage a Rescue, A Town Called Amnesty, Let’s Get Gideon, Codename: Mosaic, Parallax Core, Parallax Converging, Upstaged! and The Cloudskipper’s Captain.

Programme notes

Our promo this episode is for Darker Days Radio, a horror-focused roleplaying game programme and fellow member of the UK & Ireland TTRPG Podcasters community.

Season credits

STARRING Ellie Pitkin, Alex Pankhurst, Josh Yard and Dave; Chris Starkey, Chris Buxey and Chris; Helen Stratton, Ellen Gould, Natalie Winter and Strat as themselves (sort of) (various)

SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES BY Ellie Pitkin as Nia and The Space Jam Continuum podcast’s Chris MacLennan as CANDICE

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt Boothman, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

MUSIC BY Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY Matt Boothman

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company

Find us

Deja Vu, Act Two

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 05:00:00 +0000

To save the future, the company must learn to call on their past. Trouble is, it’s an all-or-nothing proposition - you can’t bring back the good bits without the bits that haunt you...

Programme notes

Listen to Some Treachery: A Miss McSkimming Mystery on The Blackshaw Arts Hour podcast.

Trouble at Sea: A Miss McSkimming Mystery is at the Bedford in Balham, south London on Sunday 10 May. It’s a Blackshaw Theatre Company production, written by Richard Stratton and starring Natalie Winter. Find out more here - tickets on sale soon!

Listen to seasons 1 and 2 of the Ragged Scratch podcast - and if you like what you hear, consider supporting the show on Patreon.

Our promo this episode is for Darker Days Radio, our colleagues from the UK & Ireland TTRPG Podcasters community.

Season credits

STARRING Ellie Pitkin, Alex Pankhurst, Josh Yard and Dave; Chris Starkey, Chris Buxey and Chris; Helen Stratton, Ellen Gould, Natalie Winter and Strat as themselves (sort of) (various)

SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES BY Ellie Pitkin as Nia and The Space Jam Continuum podcast’s Chris MacLennan as CANDICE

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt Boothman, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

MUSIC BY Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY Matt Boothman

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company

Find us

Josh, A Retrospective (Deja Vu Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 10 Mar 2020 05:00:00 +0000

A look back at Josh’s past appearances on Merely Roleplayers, in Let’s Get Gideon and Prospero & Viola.

Programme notes

Our promo this episode is for O.M.E.N. Investigations, our unsettling colleagues from the UK & Ireland TTRPG Podcasters community.

Season credits

STARRING Ellie Pitkin, Alex Pankhurst, Josh Yard and Dave; Chris Starkey, Chris Buxey and Chris; Helen Stratton, Ellen Gould, Natalie Winter and Strat as themselves (sort of) (various)

SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES BY Ellie Pitkin as Nia and The Space Jam Continuum podcast’s Chris MacLennan as CANDICE

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt Boothman, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

MUSIC BY Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY Matt Boothman

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company

Find us

Deja Vu, Act One

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 03 Mar 2020 05:00:00 +0000

Somehow, Blackshaw Theatre Company find themselves in all the wrong places at all the wrong times. Has someone been pulling the strings from behind the scenes?

Programme notes

Did you meet Matt and Alex at PodUK? The convention (not a conference) was organised by Rocksalt Events, and the Kaiju FM podcast collective kindly shared their space in the Podcasters’ Promenade with us.

Our promo this episode is for O.M.E.N. Investigations, our unsettling colleagues from the UK & Ireland TTRPG Podcasters community.

Season credits

STARRING Ellie Pitkin, Alex Pankhurst, Josh Yard and Dave; Chris Starkey, Chris Buxey and Chris; Helen Stratton, Ellen Gould, Natalie Winter and Strat as themselves (sort of) (various)

SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES BY Ellie Pitkin as Nia and The Space Jam Continuum podcast’s Chris MacLennan as CANDICE

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt Boothman, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

MUSIC BY Matt Boothman

EDITED AND PRODUCED BY Matt Boothman

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company

Find us

The Final Dropped Stitch

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 05:00:00 +0000

And the extraordinary shall inherit the world.

Credits

Ellie as Nia
Vikki as Marlowe

Created and hosted by Matt (@MerelyMJ)

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (www.blackshawonline.com)

Playing All Outta Bubblegum by Jeffrey Grant and Michael Sullivan

Find us

Fly Away Home (Prospero & Viola Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 18 Feb 2020 05:00:00 +0000

Just tell us as clearly as you can, in your own words. What happened to you on that island?

Our promo this episode is for Brits On Bikes, our friends and fellow members of the UK & Ireland Tabletop RPG Podcasters community. There’s a sinister ritual building in Marsh Haven, and only a couple of misfit kids and their ‘Book Club’ can stop it…

Season credits

STARRING Strat, Starkey, Nat, Josh, Ellen, Vikki, Alex and Dave as themselves (sort of)

HOSTED BY Matt

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Find us

Prospero & Viola, Act Ten

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 11 Feb 2020 05:00:00 +0000

What else could it cost the castaways to escape the island?

Programme notes

Beam Saber is a Forged In The Dark game about the pilots of powerful machines in a war that dominates every facet of life. They are trying to do their part, then get out physically and mentally intact. There is no “winning” The War, there is only surviving it. Hopefully you can help others get out too. You can pledge on Kickstarter from Monday 2 March.

Our promo this episode is for Brits On Bikes, our friends from the UK & Ireland TTRPG Podcasters community.

Season credits

STARRING Strat, Starkey, Nat, Josh, Ellen, Vikki, Alex and Dave as themselves (sort of)

HOSTED BY Matt

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Find us

Ellen the Maker (Prospero & Viola Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 04 Feb 2020 05:00:00 +0000

She planned to play it safe. In the wilderness, she’ll learn to live dangerously. Get to know Ellen as she completes her character sheet.

Our promo this episode is for Penance RPG, fellow member of the UK & Ireland Tabletop RPG Podcasters community. They play various roleplaying game systems, but always with the principle of giving the players total free rein to act as they like.

Season credits

STARRING Strat, Starkey, Nat, Josh, Ellen, Vikki, Alex and Dave as themselves (sort of)

HOSTED BY Matt

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Find us

Prospero & Viola, Act Nine

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 05:00:00 +0000

The tables turn as the castaways begin to unlock the secrets of the island.

Pod UK is at Millennium Point, Birmingham, UK on 1 February 2020. We’re on tables 7 & 8 of the Podcasters’ Promenade alongside Kaiju FM. Get tickets here.

The Ragged Scratch Podcast by Ragged Foils Productions returns this February. Become a Patreon patron and subscribe to the podcast.

Our promo this episode is for Penance RPG, a fellow member of the UK & Ireland TTRPG Podcasters community.

Season credits

STARRING Strat, Starkey, Nat, Josh, Ellen, Vikki, Alex and Dave as themselves (sort of)

HOSTED BY Matt

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Find us

Stratastic! Master of Mystery (Prospero & Viola Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 05:00:00 +0000

He mystifies his audience with misdirection. In the wilderness, he'll learn the true meaning of mystery. Get to know Strat as he completes his character sheet.

Our promo this episode is for The GM & Me, fellow member of the UK & Ireland Tabletop RPG Podcasters community. It’s a one-player, one-gamemaster podcast showcasing a variety of roleplaying games.

Season credits

STARRING Strat, Starkey, Nat, Josh, Ellen, Vikki, Alex and Dave as themselves (sort of)

HOSTED BY Matt

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Find us

Prospero & Viola, Act Eight

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 05:00:00 +0000

The island is taking its toll on the castaways, body and mind. Who can endure and who will fall?

Check out all the winners of the latest Audio Verse Awards.

The next London Tabletop Industry Networking event is on 31 January. Get tickets on Eventbrite.

Pod UK is at Millennium Point, Birmingham, UK on 1 February 2020. Get tickets here. We’re tabling alongside Kaiju FM.

Our promo this episode is for The GM & Me, a duet play podcast and fellow member of the UK & Ireland TTRPG Podcasters community on Discord.

Season credits

STARRING Strat, Starkey, Nat, Josh, Ellen, Vikki, Alex and Dave as themselves (sort of)

HOSTED BY Matt

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Find us

Firebug Dave (Prospero & Viola Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 05:00:00 +0000

He was always comfortable around fire. In the wilderness, he’ll have to take care not to get burned. Get to know Dave as he completes his character sheet.

Our promo this episode is for The Prestige, the movie discussion podcast from our good friends at Kaiju FM. Each episode, Rob and Sam deep-dive into a movie from the perspective of art, craft and critical analysis.

Season credits

STARRING Strat, Starkey, Nat, Josh, Ellen, Vikki, Alex and Dave as themselves (sort of)

HOSTED BY Matt

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Find us

Prospero & Viola, Act Seven

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 05:00:00 +0000

Someone’s missing. Still? Again? The castaways return to the steamboat, hoping to find a trail.

Pod UK is at Millennium Point, Birmingham, UK on 1 February 2020. Get tickets here.

We’re tabling alongside Kaiju FM.

Our promo this episode is for The Prestige, a Kaiju FM show discussing movies in depth from a production and academic appreciation point of view.

Season credits

STARRING Strat, Starkey, Nat, Josh, Ellen, Vikki, Alex and Dave as themselves (sort of)

HOSTED BY Matt

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Find us

Stark, Charmer (Prospero & Viola Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 24 Dec 2019 05:00:00 +0000

His singing voice is his living. In the wilderness, it could be what keeps him alive. Get to know Starkey as he completes his character sheet.

Our promo this episode is for Dames and Dragons, a funny and heartwarming epic about gods being awful and hot guys being untrustworthy (but still so, so hot).

Season credits

STARRING Strat, Starkey, Nat, Josh, Ellen, Vikki, Alex and Dave as themselves (sort of)

HOSTED BY Matt

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Find us

Listen to Merely Roleplayers season 4: Let’s Get Gideon

Prospero & Viola, Act Six

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 05:00:00 +0000

The tempting waters of the lake beckon the castaways close. But could a dive prove deadly?

Listen to The Magpies podcast

Listen to Campaign: Skyjacks

Listen to Dames and Dragons

Season credits

STARRING Strat, Starkey, Nat, Josh, Ellen, Vikki, Alex and Dave as themselves (sort of)

HOSTED BY Mat

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Find us

Analytical Vikki (Prospero & Viola Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 05:00:00 +0000

She’s a logistical mastermind, a champion at Suitcase Tetris. In the wilderness, mysteries will test her puzzle-loving brain. Get to know Vikki as she completes her character sheet.

Our promo this episode is for Modified Roll, fellow members of the UK & Ireland Tabletop RPG Podcasters community. They play Dungeons & Dragons and, as is appropriate, spend a lot of time in taverns.

Season credits

STARRING Strat, Starkey, Nat, Josh, Ellen, Vikki, Alex and Dave as themselves (sort of)

HOSTED BY Matt

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Find us

Prospero & Viola, Act Five

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 05:00:00 +0000

Day two on the island. The castaways have the lay of the land, and they know what they need. But dangers and diversions await...

Submissions are now open for season 2 of the Ragged Scratch Podcast, the audiodrama new writing showcase created and hosted by the Prospero’s Natalie Winter. You can get involved as a writer, voice actor, or director.

Ragged Foils website: https://www.nataliewinter.co.uk/raggedfoils

@RaggedFoils on Twitter: https://twitter.com/raggedfoils

Ragged Foils on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/raggedfoils

Our promo this episode is for Modified Roll, fellow members of the UK & Ireland TTRPG Podcasters Discord community, and now face-to-face acquaintances from Dragonmeet 2019! https://www.modifiedroll.com/

Season credits

STARRING Strat, Starkey, Nat, Josh, Ellen, Vikki, Alex and Dave as themselves (sort of)

HOSTED BY Matt

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Find us

On Twitter https://twitter.com/merelyroleplay

On Facebook https://www.facebook.com/merelyroleplayers

Ready or Nat (Prospero & Viola Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 05:00:00 +0000

The kids’ club taught her hide-and-seek. In the wilderness, she’ll seek bigger game. Get to know Nat as she completes her character sheet.

Our promo this episode is for The Space Jam Continuum podcast on Kaiju FM. Space Jam is the Avengers Endgame of the Looney Tunes cartoons, and Chris and Cal analyse the complex continuity that leads us there.

Season credits

STARRING Strat, Starkey, Nat, Josh, Ellen, Vikki, Alex and Dave as themselves (sort of)

HOSTED BY Matt

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Find us

Prospero & Viola, Act Four

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 19 Nov 2019 05:00:00 +0000

Someone’s missing. The castaways strike out in pursuit, but will their preparations be enough?

If you want more background to some of the mysteries of the island, it’s worth listening back to season 3, A Town Called Amnesty, and season 6, Parallax.

Dragonmeet is in Hammersmith, London on Saturday 30 November. Matt’s running a session of Impulse Drive by Adrian Thoen in the evening gaming session - if you want to play, you can reserve a place at the table with a £2 donation to Vision Rescue (click Book Tickets, scroll to Evening Games and choose The Uncharted Territories). Or if there are spaces left on the day, just ask the staff where to sign up for games when you arrive at the convention.

Our promo this episode is for The Space Jam Continuum on Kaiju FM. When Cal and Chris started documenting the complex Looney Tunes continuity leading up to Space Jam, they had no idea those pesky basketball aliens were coming back in 2020. Now they need to get their findings in front of Space Jam 2 star LeBron James as a matter of urgency. Track their efforts on Twitter with the hashtag #HelpUsHelpLeBron.

Season credits

STARRING Strat, Starkey, Nat, Josh, Ellen, Vikki, Alex and Dave as themselves (sort of)

HOSTED BY Matt

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Find us

Alex the Human Barometer (Prospero & Viola Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 05:00:00 +0000

He was always sensitive to a change in the air. In the wilderness, he could be the only warning of oncoming storms. Get to know Alex as he completes his character sheet.

Season credits

STARRING Strat, Starkey, Nat, Josh, Ellen, Vikki, Alex and Dave as themselves (sort of)

HOSTED BY Matt

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Find us

Prospero & Viola, Act Three

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 05:00:00 +0000

The castaways turn their attention to the second of the three Ss, sustenance, but the island won’t surrender its bounty easily.

Alexander Pankhurst - of the Viola - has some stand-up comedy dates coming up in London. See when and where he’s performing, and RSVP, at alexanderpankhurst.com.

Voting is now open for the Discover Pods Awards. Cast your vote before 18 November.

Season 1 of the Ragged Scratch podcast by Ragged Foils Productions is now complete. It’s an audio drama new writing night in podcast form, full of new and experimental work. Natalie Winter - of the Prospero - is the host and creator, and there’s a piece by Matt in episode 5.

Season credits

STARRING Strat, Starkey, Nat, Josh, Ellen, Vikki, Alex and Dave as themselves (sort of)

HOSTED BY Matt

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Find us

Josh of the Jungle (Prospero & Viola Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 29 Oct 2019 05:00:00 +0000

He always felt invisible in the chorus line. In the wilderness, he’ll learn how to truly disappear. Get to know Josh as he completes his character sheet.

After this, listen to the Ragged Scratch podcast by Ragged Foils Productions! It’s an audio drama new writing night in podcast form, full of new and experimental work. Nat is the host and creator, and there’s a piece by Matt in an upcoming episode.

Season credits

STARRING Strat, Starkey, Nat, Josh, Ellen, Vikki, Alex and Dave as themselves (sort of)

HOSTED BY Matt

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Find us

Prospero & Viola, Act Two

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Reunited, the castaways are confronted with something that defies explanation. Is this really just an ordinary island?

We’re nominated for two Audio Verse Awards: Best Improvised Production and Best Player Director (for Matt)! Vote for us and your other audiodrama favourites before 31 October at audioverseawards.net

After this, listen to the Ragged Scratch podcast by Ragged Foils Productions! It’s an audio drama new writing night in podcast form, full of new and experimental work. Nat - of the Prospero - is the host and creator, and there’s a piece by Matt in an upcoming episode.

Alex - of the Viola - has some stand-up comedy dates coming up in London. See when and where he’s performing, and RSVP, at alexanderpankhurst.com

AdventureX, the narrative games convention, is at the British Library on 2-3 November. Matt will be there, attending talks and making friends. Watch @MerelyMJ on Twitter and @merelymatt on Instagram for updates.

Content notes for this episode

* Despair, loss of hope

* Description of human remains that have suffered violence

Season credits

STARRING Strat, Starkey, Nat, Josh, Ellen, Vikki, Alex and Dave as themselves (sort of)

HOSTED BY Matt

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Find us

Viola Pursues (Prospero & Viola Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 04:00:00 +0000

The castaways from the Viola establish what led them to follow in the Prospero’s wake.

After this, listen to the Ragged Scratch podcast by Ragged Foils Productions! It’s an audio drama new writing night in podcast form, full of new and experimental work, roughly produced and full of potential. Nat is the host and creator, and there’s a piece by Matt in an upcoming episode.

Season credits

STARRING Strat, Starkey, Nat and Josh as themselves (sort of)

HOSTED BY Matt

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Find us

Prospero & Viola, Act One

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 08 Oct 2019 04:00:00 +0000

The cruise ship Prospero founders in stormy seas. A year later, the Viola follows in its wake. A remote island offers the survivors refuge - but it’s not without its dangers…

We’re nominated for two Audio Verse Awards: Best Improvised Production and Best Player Director (for Matt)! Vote for us and your other audiodrama favourites at audioverseawards.net

Until 22 October, you can also nominate us for the Discover Pods Awards, either for Best Audio Drama Or Fiction Podcast, or for Best Overall Podcast 2019.

Content notes for this episode

* Drowning-based danger

Season credits

STARRING Strat, Starkey, Nat, Josh, Ellen, Vikki, Alex and Dave as themselves (sort of)

HOSTED BY Matt

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Find us

Prospero Awaits (Prospero & Viola Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Matt introduces the concept of this season and the roleplaying game rules we'll use to improvise our story.

Come to Blackshaw Theatre Company’s annual Scare Slam at the Pleasance Theatre, London on 11 October! Tickets are on sale now - get yours from the Pleasance box office.

Season credits

STARRING Strat, Starkey, Nat, Josh, Ellen, Vikki, Alex and Dave as themselves (sort of)

HOSTED BY Matt

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Find us

On Twitter @MerelyRoleplay

On Facebook at Merely Roleplayers

The Fifth Dropped Stitch

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Extraordinary. Powerful. Wronged.

STARRING
Ellie as Nia
Vikki as Marlowe

CREATED AND HOSTED BY
Matt (@MerelyMJ)

IN ASSOCIATION WITH
Blackshaw Theatre Company (www.blackshawonline.com)

PLAYING All Outta Bubblegum by Jeffrey Grant and Michael Sullivan

Shipping the Sails (The Cloudskipper's Captain Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 17 Sep 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Where else could the winds have taken us, if we'd set our sails a little different?

STARRING Ellie, Alex, Starkey and Nat

HOSTED BY Strat

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Strat, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Promo: Missing Roll Player Found (missingrollplayerfound.com)

The Cloudskipper's Captain, Act Five

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 04:00:00 +0000

The Cloudskipper's next voyage may be its last. And wherever it leads, it'll change its crew's lives forever.

This season contains swashbuckling violence, threats of torture, and exploitation of a character with impaired mental functioning.

STARRING Ellie, Alex, Starkey and Nat as themselves (sort of)

HOSTED BY Strat

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Strat, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Promo: The Prestige (www.kaiju.fm/the-prestige)

Alex the Lookout (The Cloudskipper's Captain Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Alex builds his role as ship's lookout. His eye sees far, but it don't always alight on the right things...

STARRING Ellie, Alex, Starkey and Nat

HOSTED BY Strat

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Strat, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Promo: 20-Sided Adventures (the20sa.podbean.com)

The Cloudskipper's Captain, Act Four

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 04:00:00 +0000

The crew stirs up a hornet’s nest in Grimspire. It’s anyone’s guess who’ll make it back to sea in one piece.

This season contains swashbuckling violence, threats of torture, and exploitation of a character with impaired mental functioning.

STARRING Ellie, Alex, Starkey and Nat as themselves (sort of)

HOSTED BY Strat

SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY Matt

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Strat, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Promo: Modified Roll (www.modifiedroll.com)

Starkey the Deck-Rat (The Cloudskipper's Captain Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Starkey builds his role as the ship's jack-of-all-trades. With the Cap'n as he is, the Cloudskipper don't float without our Starkey...

STARRING Ellie, Alex, Starkey and Nat

HOSTED BY Strat

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Strat, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Promo: Tails from the Dark Dragons Inn (tailsfromthedarkdragonsinn.co.uk)

The Cloudskipper's Captain, Act Three

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Revelations aboard the Cloudskipper present the junior crew with a choice: the Captain, or treasures unknown?

This season contains swashbuckling violence, threats of torture, and exploitation of a character with impaired mental functioning.

STARRING Ellie, Alex, Starkey and Nat as themselves (sort of)

HOSTED BY Strat

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Strat, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Writers, directors and voice actors, get involved with the first Ragged Scratch podcast - a new writing showcase for audio drama in development - before 22 August: https://twitter.com/RaggedFoils/status/1156819368925442048?s=20

Promo: Brits on Bikes (twitter.com/brits_bikes)

Nat the Netmaker (The Cloudskipper's Captain Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Nat builds her role as maintainer of the Cloudskipper's lightning nets. Like bottled lightning, this one is - quick to anger and full of secrets...

STARRING Ellie, Alex, Starkey and Nat

HOSTED BY Strat

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Strat, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Promo: Dice Girls (www.thedicegirlspodcast.com)

The Cloudskipper's Captain, Act Two

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 30 Jul 2019 04:00:00 +0000

It’s time for all hands to choose sides, as a deadly conflict erupts on the deck of the Cloudskipper.

This season contains swashbuckling violence, threats of torture, and exploitation of a character with impaired mental functioning.

STARRING Ellie, Alex, Starkey and Nat as themselves (sort of)

HOSTED BY Strat

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Strat, and Powered by the Apocalypse

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Buy ETHERBORN on Steam, Switch, XboxOne, PS4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L9H7A1d-pM

Promo: Voices at Play (ttrpg-voices.com)

Ellie the Cook (The Cloudskipper's Captain Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 23 Jul 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Ellie builds her role as ship's cook. She's suspiciously well dressed under that apron, but why would a highborn lady be crewing a lightning trawler?

STARRING Ellie, Alex, Starkey and Nat

HOSTED BY Strat

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Strat, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Promo: The Space Jam Continuum (www.kaiju.fm/the-space-jam-continuum)

The Cloudskipper's Captain, Act One

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 04:00:00 +0000

The Cloudskipper sails the sky-sea, laden with lightning. But as the junior crew soon find, that's not the most valuable cargo aboard...

STARRING Ellie, Alex, Starkey and Nat as themselves (sort of)

HOSTED BY Strat

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Strat, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Promo: Dames and Dragons (www.damesanddragons.com)

Billy the Resistor (The Cloudskipper's Captain Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 09 Jul 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Afore ye hear our tale, ye have to know something of our land, our vessel the Cloudskipper - an' our dear Cap'n Billy.

STARRING Ellie, Alex, Starkey and Nat

HOSTED BY Strat

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Strat, using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Promo: Adventure Incorporated (adventureinc.podbean.com)

The Fourth Dropped Stitch

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 04:00:00 +0000

When you're extraordinary, you can't help but attract hangers-on and haters.

STARRING
Ellie as Nia
Vikki as Marlowe

CREATED AND HOSTED BY
Matt (@MerelyMJ)

IN ASSOCIATION WITH
Blackshaw Theatre Company (www.blackshawonline.com)

PLAYING All Outta Bubblegum by Jeffrey Grant and Michael Sullivan

The get-out (Upstaged! Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Could the contest have turned out differently? Would we want that?

STARRING Ellie, Nat, Ellen and Strat

HOSTED BY Matt

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt, based loosely on Simple World by Avery Alder

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Promo: Missing Roll Player Found (missingrollplayerfound.com)

Upstaged! Act Four

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 18 Jun 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Nationals! Here against all the odds, can the company stick the landing?

STARRING Ellie, Nat, Ellen, and Strat as themselves (sort of)

HOSTED BY Matt

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt based loosely on Simple World by Avery Alder

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Promo: The Prestige (www.kaiju.fm/the-prestige)

Meet the judges (Upstaged! Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 04:00:00 +0000

The company introduce us to their alter egos: the judges of Upstaged!

STARRING Ellie, Nat, Ellen and Strat

HOSTED BY Matt

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt, based loosely on Simple World by Avery Alder

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Promo: 20-Sided Adventures (the20sa.podbean.com)

Upstaged! Act Three

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 04:00:00 +0000

After taking a bath in the first round, the company struggle to keep their heads above water.

STARRING Ellie, Nat, Ellen, and Strat as themselves (sort of)

HOSTED BY Matt

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt based loosely on Simple World by Avery Alder

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Matt mentions these podcasts and networks in the intro:

One Shot

Rusty Quill

Rolistes

Promo: Modified Roll (www.modifiedroll.com)

The stakes (Upstaged! Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 28 May 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Why would a small theatre company want a big cash prize? Silly question. Here's a better one: why can't they afford to lose?

STARRING Ellie, Nat, Ellen and Strat

HOSTED BY Matt

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt, based loosely on Simple World by Avery Alder

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Du Lac & Fey: Dance of Death

Promo: Tails from the Dark Dragons Inn (tailsfromthedarkdragonsinn.co.uk)

Upstaged! Act Two

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 21 May 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Unsporting behaviour and technical difficulties threaten to derail the big performance.

STARRING Ellie, Nat, Ellen, and Strat as themselves (sort of)

Nat is on Twitter @WinterNatters and appears in these recent and forthcoming games:

Photographs

Astrologaster

Etherborn

HOSTED BY Matt

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt based loosely on Simple World by Avery Alder

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Promo: Brits on Bikes (twitter.com/brits_bikes)

What's my motivation? (Upstaged! Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 14 May 2019 04:00:00 +0000

The company fill in their character sheets and talk about what sort of story they want to tell this season. #KeepItInCrufts

STARRING Ellie, Nat, Ellen and Strat

HOSTED BY Matt

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt, based loosely on Simple World by Avery Alder

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Promo: Dice Girls (www.thedicegirlspodcast.com)

Upstaged! Act One

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 07 May 2019 04:00:00 +0000

The company enter a nationwide theatre competition. If they lose, so do all the local schoolchildren!

STARRING Ellie, Nat, Ellen, and Strat as themselves (sort of)

HOSTED BY Matt

GAME DESIGNED AND RUN BY Matt based loosely on Simple World by Avery Alder

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Promo: Voices at Play (ttrpg-voices.com)

The Third Dropped Stitch

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Don't worry, it's all supposed to be all right this time.

STARRING
Ellie as Nia
Vikki as Marlowe

CREATED AND HOSTED BY
Matt (@MerelyMJ)

IN ASSOCIATION WITH
Blackshaw Theatre Company (www.blackshawonline.com)

Playing All Outta Bubblegum by Jeffrey Grant and Michael Sullivan

Back Down to Earth (Parallax Inverted Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Did it all turn out as prophesied?

STARRING Matt, Vikki, Strat and Chris S.

HOSTED BY Chris M.

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Parallax Inverted, Act Five

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 04:00:00 +0000

The crew of the Bad Moon Rising contemplate a leap of faith.

STARRING Matt, Vikki, Strat and Starkey

WITH Ellie

HOSTED BY Chris MacLennan

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (www.blackshawonline.com)

See work-in-progress art for the new edition of Impulse Drive by Claudia Cangini: twitter.com/claudiacangi

Playing Impulse Drive by Adrian Thoen

Promo: The Space Jam Continuum (www.kaiju.fm/the-space-jam-continuum)

Stratos the Mystic (Parallax Inverted Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 09 Apr 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Strat chooses his character options and designs Mystic Weapons for himself and his mentor.

STARRING Matt, Vikki, Strat and Chris S.

HOSTED BY Chris M.

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Parallax Inverted, Act Four

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Matt and his mystic advisors play good negotiator, bad negotiator with the crew of the Slow Loris.

STARRING Matt, Vikki, Strat and Starkey

HOSTED BY Chris MacLennan

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (www.blackshawonline.com)

Hear Matt's guest appearance on Triple Feature: http://www.kaiju.fm/triple-feature/

Playing Impulse Drive by Adrian Thoen

Promo: Dames and Dragons (www.damesanddragons.com)

Matt the Hound (Parallax Inverted Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 26 Mar 2019 05:00:00 +0000

Matt chooses his character options and puts his good name in Star-Key's hands.

STARRING Matt, Vikki, Strat and Chris S.

HOSTED BY Chris M.

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Parallax Inverted, Act Three

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 05:00:00 +0000

Vikki's theory puts the crew in a spin. Best hope no one nefarious takes advantage of the situation.

STARRING Matt, Vikki, Strat and Starkey

HOSTED BY Chris MacLennan

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (www.blackshawonline.com)

Hear Matt's guest appearance as Bag'ra the half-orc baker on the Formal Gamer podcast: https://formalgamer.com/2019/02/25/bonus-episode-2018-dragonmeet-episode-1/

Playing Impulse Drive by Adrian Thoen

Promo: The Prestige (www.kaiju.fm/the-prestige)

Mystic Star-Key (Parallax Inverted Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 05:00:00 +0000

Starkey chooses his character options, then looks upon his creation with a certain horror.

STARRING Matt, Vikki, Strat and Chris S.

HOSTED BY Chris M.

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Parallax Inverted, Act Two

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 05 Mar 2019 05:00:00 +0000

Vikki adjusts to her new surroundings, and finds them stranger than she could have imagined.

STARRING Matt, Vikki, Strat and Starkey

HOSTED BY Chris MacLennan

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (www.blackshawonline.com)

Playing Impulse Drive by Adrian Thoen

Promo: Modified Roll (www.modifiedroll.com)

Bad Moon Rising (Parallax Inverted Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 05:00:00 +0000

1. Buy retired military vessel at auction
2. Install jacuzzi and ping pong table
3. Hire loyal mercenary misfits
4. ???
5. Profit!

STARRING Matt, Vikki, Strat and Chris S.

HOSTED BY Chris M.

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (blackshawtheatre.wordpress.com)

Parallax Inverted, Act One

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 05:00:00 +0000

Something is awake at the centre of the galaxy. Also, something here could be worth money. Cue the crew of the Bad Moon Rising.

STARRING Matt, Vikki, Strat and Starkey

WITH Ellie

HOSTED BY Chris MacLennan

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (www.blackshawonline.com)

Playing Impulse Drive by Adrian Thoen

Promo: The Space Jam Continuum (www.kaiju.fm/the-space-jam-continuum)

Aftermath (Parallax Converging Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 05:00:00 +0000

Let's take time to contemplate what we've learned, celebrate what we've achieved, and reflect on what went wrong.

Starring Ellie, David, Vikki and Alex

Created and hosted by Matt (@MerelyMJ)

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (www.blackshawonline.com)

Promo: DnD RAW (dndraw.com)

Parallax Converging, Act Five

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 05:00:00 +0000

The centre of the galaxy. The heart of enemy territory. For some, perhaps, the end of a journey.

Starring Ellie, David, Vikki and Alex

Created and hosted by Matt Boothman (@MerelyMJ)

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (www.blackshawonline.com)

Playing Impulse Drive by Adrian Thoen

Promo: Dames and Dragons (www.damesanddragons.com)

The Galaxy (Parallax Converging Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 05:00:00 +0000

Meanwhile, throughout the galaxy, life goes on. But what does that look like?

Starring Ellie, David, Vikki and Alex

Created and hosted by Matt (@MerelyMJ)

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (www.blackshawonline.com)

Promo: Tabletop Potluck (tabletoppotluck.libsyn.com)

Parallax Converging, Act Four

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 05:00:00 +0000

The crew race against time - and Rukuktu - to complete the Protomatter Drive.

Starring Ellie, David, Vikki and Alex

Created and hosted by Matt Boothman (@MerelyMJ)

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (www.blackshawonline.com)

Playing Impulse Drive by Adrian Thoen

Promo: How the Quest was Won (roguehexagon.com/howthequestwaswon)

Alex the Outsider (Parallax Converging Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 05:00:00 +0000

Alex chooses his character options and we get a disturbing glimpse behind the scenes of Conc Street, the galaxy's most popular soap.

Starring Ellie, David, Vikki and Alex

Created and hosted by Matt (@MerelyMJ)

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (www.blackshawonline.com)

Promo: Tails from the Dark Dragons Inn (tailsfromthedarkdragonsinn.co.uk)

Parallax Converging, Act Three

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 05:00:00 +0000

Alex braves the anomaly in search of answers - and what he finds tests the limits of his robot brain.

Starring Ellie, David, Vikki and Alex

Created and hosted by Matt Boothman (@MerelyMJ)

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (www.blackshawonline.com)

Playing Impulse Drive by Adrian Thoen

Promo: Tails from the Dark Dragons Inn (tailsfromthedarkdragonsinn.co.uk)

Vikki the Tempest (Parallax Converging Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 01 Jan 2019 05:00:00 +0000

Vikki chooses her character options: a pinch of Wolverine, a scoop of Naomi Alderman's 'The Power', and a smidge of River Tam.

Starring Ellie, David, Vikki and Alex

Created and hosted by Matt (@MerelyMJ)

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (www.blackshawonline.com)

Promo: Epic Endings (epicendings.podbean.com)

Parallax Converging, Act Two

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 05:00:00 +0000

In the wake of the anomaly's festive transformation, tensions ignite aboard Zoylee Station.

Starring Ellie, David, Vikki and Alex

Created and hosted by Matt Boothman (@MerelyMJ)

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (www.blackshawonline.com)

Playing Impulse Drive by Adrian Thoen

Promo: Chaotic Goodness (www.chaoticgoodnesspodcast.com)

Hooked (Parallax Converging Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 18 Dec 2018 05:00:00 +0000

The crew catalogues all the hang-ups that could impair their judgement on a mission. Foreshadowing? We'll find out...

Starring Ellie, David, Vikki and Alex

Created and hosted by Matt (@MerelyMJ)

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (www.blackshawonline.com)

Promo: The Prestige (www.kaiju.fm/the-prestige)

Parallax Converging, Act One

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 05:00:00 +0000

A strange spatial anomaly could hold the key to the crew's mission. But what else could its appearance mean?

Starring Ellie, David, Vikki and Alex

Created and hosted by Matt Boothman (@MerelyMJ)

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (www.blackshawonline.com)

Playing Impulse Drive by Adrian Thoen

Promo: The Space Jam Continuum (www.kaiju.fm/the-space-jam-continuum)

What Next? (Parallax Core Backstage)

merelyroleplayers@gmail.com (Foggy Outline) — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 05:00:00 +0000

Before we plunge ahead into the unknown, we should consider how we made it to where we are.

Starring Ellie and David

Created and hosted by Matt (@MerelyMJ)

In association with Blackshaw Theatre Company (www.blackshawonline.com)