Episode 714: Hominy Jim
Summary
Ken and Robin discuss narrative pacing, specifically how to handle barriers like locked doors to maintain story momentum and emotional rhythm. They then recount the Great Salad Oil Swindle, detailing Tino DeAngelis’s massive fraud involving water-filled barrels and its impact on American Express. Finally, they analyze the "Striver" stock character archetype, exploring examples from literature and film like Icarus, Jay Gatsby, and Becky Sharp.
Topics discussed
Introduction and episode overview
Catstronauts game promotion
Robin's new book: GM Screen
Getting Past Barriers in RPGs
The Dying Earth RPG bundle promotion
The Great Salad Oil Swindle
King in Yellow Tarot promotion
The Stryver stock character archetype
Time Machine: The American Revolution promotion
Corn Soaking and Nixtamalization history
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