Episode 715: Ken and Darcy Live at Gen Con
Sep 4, 2026 · 57m
Summary
Ken and guest host Darcy Ross discuss a fantasy RPG campaign blending the Nine Years' War with Japanese yokai and English fairies. They also share advice on designing modular con scenarios, recommend cocktails like the Black Manhattan, and review recent films including *The Odyssey* and *Project Hail Mary*. The episode concludes with insights on game design mechanics and humorous anecdotes about government surveillance.
Topics discussed
Intro, Arts Microscope 5th Edition, and Live Recording Logistics
Nerd Trope: Yokai and Elves in the Nine Years' War
Sponsor: The Dying Earth RPG Bundle
The History and Biology of War Snails
Con Food Recommendations and Breakfast Sandwiches
Mythology: Nodens vs. Nyarlathotep and Philology
Designing Great Con Scenarios: Pacing and Structure
Preferred RPG Systems for Conventions
Sponsor: The King in Yellow Tarot Deck
Terrifying Mollusks for Delta Green Scenarios
Aleister Crowley: Writer, Magician, and Controversial Figure
Con Drink Discoveries: The Paladin and Black Manhattan
Top Movies of the Year: Odyssey, The Backrooms, and More
Sponsor: Nations and Cannons Kickstarter
Game Design: Dagger Heart Initiative and Disarm Mechanics
Researching Snail Anesthesia and Evolutionary Biology
Lost Star Trek RPG Project and Closing Remarks
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