In the newest episode of Fear of a Black Dragon, Tom McGrenery and I begin our exploration of the bleak,…

In the newest episode of Fear of a Black Dragon, Tom McGrenery and I begin our exploration of the bleak,…

In the newest episode of Fear of a Black Dragon, Tom McGrenery and I begin our exploration of the bleak, inhospitable planet Carcosa!

Thanks to Paul Edson for the sharp edit on this episode.

Cc: Lamentations of the Flame Princess Geoffrey McKinney

Enjoy!

http://www.gauntlet-rpg.com/fear-of-a-black-dragon/carcosa-part-one

18 thoughts on “In the newest episode of Fear of a Black Dragon, Tom McGrenery and I begin our exploration of the bleak,…”

  3. Great episode. I look forward to the next one.

    You said you didn’t understand why Carcosa would be held to a different standard than other media with violent content. I think the difference between Carcosa and some of the other media you mentioned is the role of the player in the rituals. While pulp stories and films might present horrible activities, they don’t ask the reader/audience to be responsible for it.

    I’m not trying to judge. I’m only hoping to illuminate the thing that might be making people react so strongly to it. I know I have often had my villains do terrible things as a GM (see my child eating centipede-god in issue 2 of my zine) but tend to play goody-two-shoe characters. There’s something about the desire to play that evil role AS a character that does make me wonder about the player.

    It kind of reminds me of those “Faces of Death” videos from the 80’s. I remember having serious misgivings about any friends that were interested in watching those things.

  4. Great episode. I look forward to the next one.

    You said you didn’t understand why Carcosa would be held to a different standard than other media with violent content. I think the difference between Carcosa and some of the other media you mentioned is the role of the player in the rituals. While pulp stories and films might present horrible activities, they don’t ask the reader/audience to be responsible for it.

    I’m not trying to judge. I’m only hoping to illuminate the thing that might be making people react so strongly to it. I know I have often had my villains do terrible things as a GM (see my child eating centipede-god in issue 2 of my zine) but tend to play goody-two-shoe characters. There’s something about the desire to play that evil role AS a character that does make me wonder about the player.

    It kind of reminds me of those “Faces of Death” videos from the 80’s. I remember having serious misgivings about any friends that were interested in watching those things.

  7. I suspect in many/most Carcosa campaigns the rituals that involve violence will never come up as a player initiated activity. Where is the reward in summoning the creatures? (When I ran my campaign I basically ignored the fact rituals were a thing, and the players did too, though they still felt compelled to find them. My game was more He-Man than Lovecraft, though.)

    Also, as noted in the podcast, all the banishment rituals don’t require sacrificing people. So you can play Carcosa as “the good guys” if you are so inclined and have a more traditional D&D game—though the whole setting is still bonkers so maybe not.

    All of that said, I feel like there is a lot of distance between you the player and your murdering fictional Jale Men. The rituals are so over the top I think they take you out of the head space you might get into with a more serious game. I think there are far edgier games than this one.

  8. I suspect in many/most Carcosa campaigns the rituals that involve violence will never come up as a player initiated activity. Where is the reward in summoning the creatures? (When I ran my campaign I basically ignored the fact rituals were a thing, and the players did too, though they still felt compelled to find them. My game was more He-Man than Lovecraft, though.)

    Also, as noted in the podcast, all the banishment rituals don’t require sacrificing people. So you can play Carcosa as “the good guys” if you are so inclined and have a more traditional D&D game—though the whole setting is still bonkers so maybe not.

    All of that said, I feel like there is a lot of distance between you the player and your murdering fictional Jale Men. The rituals are so over the top I think they take you out of the head space you might get into with a more serious game. I think there are far edgier games than this one.

  13. Tom McGrenery I had that feeling about Dexter too. Probably because I grew up in the murder capitol of the world (in the 70’s not now). I very clearly remember our teacher telling us not to go hiking because the Trail-side Killer was still on the loose.

    I feel differently about Game of Thrones because I watch it for those acts of selflessness and brilliance in a very dark world. All my favorite characters are the ones that throw off expectations to show kindness and courage.

  14. Tom McGrenery I had that feeling about Dexter too. Probably because I grew up in the murder capitol of the world (in the 70’s not now). I very clearly remember our teacher telling us not to go hiking because the Trail-side Killer was still on the loose.

    I feel differently about Game of Thrones because I watch it for those acts of selflessness and brilliance in a very dark world. All my favorite characters are the ones that throw off expectations to show kindness and courage.

  15. There are lots of references to Masters of the Universe but let’s not forget Thundarr! The lack of a permanent villain meant every episode could get really funky as they grappled with monsters, wizards, robots and ancient (meaning our modern day) humans!

  16. There are lots of references to Masters of the Universe but let’s not forget Thundarr! The lack of a permanent villain meant every episode could get really funky as they grappled with monsters, wizards, robots and ancient (meaning our modern day) humans!

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