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Start A Quest!

Matthew Perkins & Sidney Icarus

SAQ is a fortnightly D&D and TTRPG podcast. Hosted by Matt (bald) and Sidney (they/them), based in Melbourne, Australia. Join the newsletter at www.start-a-quest.com :)

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  • 22 episodes
  • fortnightly
  • Avg 37 min
  • English

Episodes 22

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  • S1 · E39
    Monday · 32 min

    This sheet is not your D&D character; it's just a stat block

    D&D character sheets are supposed to help us play the game — but what if we’ve been designing them backwards? We look at D&D character sheet design, playtesting, and what games like Pendragon, Fate, and Zombie World can teach us about making character sheets actually matter at the table. Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PSUL2YJe6EU And sign up for the newsletter: https://www.start-a-quest.com ▼▼ SOURCES MENTIONED ▼▼ 1. Zombie World https://magpiegames.com/collections/zombie-world 2. Fate Core https://fate-srd.com/fate-core 3. Dungeon World https://www.dungeon-world.com/ 4. XCOM 2 https://2k.com/games/xcom/xcom-2/ 5. Pendragon https://www.chaosium.com/pendragon-rpg/

  • S1 · E38
    September 20 · 35 min

    Can we please argue about The Blue Prince for 35 minutes

    Spoilers start early in this one — it's all about The Blue Prince. We talk dead runs, red herrings, the lack of a journal, Room 46, and why this is somehow both a 10/10 game filled with 2/10 decisions. If you’ve been driven slightly insane by this game, you’re among friends. Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/A18H2vfN8Ew And sign up for the newsletter: https://www.start-a-quest.com ▼▼ SOURCES MENTIONED ▼▼ 1. The Blue Prince: https://www.blueprincegame.com/ 2. The video spoiling every puzzle https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5Lgag0FDBLUnrpQhky5ikTd4NQQLYUcX

  • S1 · E37
    September 6 · 39 min

    What should D&D learn from Japanese RPGs?

    What if a tabletop RPG captured the best parts of JRPGs — big damage numbers, trivial random encounters, grinding— without just reskinning D&D as Final Fantasy? Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/T2xCGUU05nE And sign up for the newsletter: https://www.start-a-quest.com ▼▼ SOURCES MENTIONED ▼▼ 1. Phantasy Star TTRPG https://skydawngames.com/phantasystar/ 2. Fabula Ultima TTRPG https://need.games/fabula-ultima/ 3. Gates of Krystalia TTRPG https://www.gatesofkrystalia.com/en Full disclosure: Phantasy Star and Gates of Krystalia were given to me by the publishers, without any agreements or promises for content.

  • S1 · E36
    August 23 · 34 min

    D&D expects every player to contribute (even if they don't want to)

    How should TTRPGs decide whose turn it is? From fixed D&D initiative to Daggerheart’s conversational spotlight, we dig into player agency, spotlight sharing, and why some players just don’t want to contribute. Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/oeLbFyJC38Y And sign up for the newsletter: https://www.start-a-quest.com ▼▼ SOURCES MENTIONED ▼▼ 1. Apocalypse World "The Conversation" https://writeups.letsyouandhimfight.com/evil-mastermind/apocalypse-world/ 2. Index Card RPG https://www.runehammer.online/index-card-rpg 3. Swords Without Master https://unwrittenearths.itch.io/swords-without-master 4. Dungeon Crawler Carl https://mattdinniman.com/books/dungeon-crawler-carl/

  • S1 · E35
    August 9 · 39 min

    Free Parking proves homebrewing sometimes makes D&D worse

    Why did everyone ignore D&D's potion rules? What can Monopoly's Free Parking house rule teach us about homebrew? We explore game design, player behavior, and why the rules that feel right aren't always the ones that make the best game. Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6HY4kKbsN70 And sign up for the newsletter: https://www.start-a-quest.com ▼▼ SOURCES MENTIONED ▼▼ 1. Soren Johnson ("Players will optimise the fun out of a game") https://www.designer-notes.com/game-developer-column-17-water-finds-a-crack/ 2. When We Cease to Understand the World https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/676260/when-we-cease-to-understand-the-world-by-benjamin-labatut-translated-from-the-spanish-by-adrian-nathan-west/

  • S1 · E8
    July 26 · 33 min

    Why does D&D need the Common language?

    We're exploring language in TTRPGs. Why D&D uses Common, what breaks when characters can’t understand each other, and how weird ideas like “gibberish” handouts or translation puzzles could make your game more fun (or completely unbearable). Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6-UERnOsXDM And sign up for the newsletter: https://www.start-a-quest.com ▼▼ SOURCES MENTIONED ▼▼ 1. Dialect https://thornygames.com/pages/dialect 2. Signs https://thornygames.com/pages/sign 3. Xenolanguage https://thornygames.com/pages/xenolanguage-a-game-about-alien-language-and-human-memory 4. OG: Unearthed https://www.indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/Og-Unearthed-Edition-PDF.html 5. Decaying Orbit https://storybrewersroleplaying.com/decaying-orbit/?v=8bcc25c96aa5 6. Alice Is Missing https://www.huntersentertainment.com/alice-is-missing 7. The Wildsea https://www.myth.works/collections/the-wildsea-homepage 8. His Dark Materials books https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/His_Dark_Materials

  • S1 · E34
    July 12 · 34 min

    Why does modern D&D still use boxed text?

    If the format of D&D modules were reconstructed from first principles, there's NO WAY boxed text would survive. Why does modern D&D still use boxed text? It's an unskippable cutscene which only exists as a misapplication of show-don't-tell. Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2K65ftUK-po And sign up for the newsletter: https://www.start-a-quest.com ▼▼ SOURCES MENTIONED ▼▼ 1. The Gazebo story https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_and_the_Dread_Gazebo 2. FATE Core https://fate-srd.com/fate-core 3. Numenera https://numenera.com/ 4. Mothership “Another Bug Hunt” https://www.tuesdayknightgames.com/products/another-bug-hunt 5. Luca Rejec’s Holy Mountain Shaker https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/holy-mountain-shaker 6. Paramedic triage frameworks (page 6) https://members.stjohn.org.au/docs/FRA%20Topic%205%20Background.pdf 7. Wargaming intent statement https://youtu.be/5h4ChTl0gN4?t=1822&si=Qy3e-2a8NQHsUwN2

  • S1 · E33
    June 28 · 46 min

    Quantum ogres? Meet the quantum SECRET

    In this episode, we have a genuine argument about whether Dumbledore is actually gay. Because if a character's secret isn't revealed, was it ever true? Or is it a kind of quantum secret? But I promise this is still about TTRPGs. Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YvDIP_YankY And sign up for the newsletter: https://www.start-a-quest.com ▼▼ SOURCES MENTIONED ▼▼ 1. Dogs in the Vineyard https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogs_in_the_Vineyard 2. Playing to life https://www.nordiclarp.org/2018/02/21/play-lift-not-just-lose/ 3. Alien TTRPG https://freeleaguepublishing.com/games/alien/ 4. Dumbledore is gay announcement https://www.reuters.com/article/world/us/jk-rowling-says-dumbledore-is-gay-idUSN20520040/

  • S1 · E32
    June 14 · 38 min

    Missed a session? Your GM should send you a love letter

    What do you do when a player misses a session? We talk session zero, love letters from Apocalypse World, and how Blades in the Dark solves RPG scheduling by rethinking the adventuring party. Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5h4ChTl0gN4 And sign up for the newsletter: https://www.start-a-quest.com ▼▼ SOURCES MENTIONED ▼▼ 1. Love Letters PbtA https://community.openlegendrpg.com/t/gm-tech-love-letters-informing-absent-players/1921 2. Old School Essentials https://oldschoolessentials.necroticgnome.com/srd/index.php/Main_Page 3. Blades in the Dark https://bladesinthedark.com/greetings-scoundrel 4. Band of Blades https://evilhat.com/product/band-of-blades/ 5. Stonetop https://plusoneexp.com/collections/stonetop

  • S1 · E31
    May 31 · 42 min

    Rory's Story Cubes are better than any random table

    Rory Story Cubes are more than random tables — they’re RPG tools for asking better questions, building character backstory, and creating shared fiction in session zero. This episode is about better GM prep, better DM tools, and how fiction-first prompts can make your D&D and TTRPG games stronger. Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gjbxeRG_7oY And sign up for the newsletter: https://www.start-a-quest.com ▼▼ SOURCES MENTIONED ▼▼ 1. Rory Story Cubes https://www.storycubes.com/en/ 2. Blades in the Dark https://bladesinthedark.com/greetings-scoundrel 3. John Harper’s article about The Line https://mightyatom.blogspot.com/2010/10/apocalypse-world-crossing-line.html?m=1 4. Dixit https://www.libellud.com/en/our-games/dixit/ 5. The digital tools episode https://youtu.be/3FlPfMzNX60 6. Monster of the Week https://evilhat.com/product/monster-of-the-week/ 7. Mothership https://www.tuesdayknightgames.com/pages/mothership-rpg 8. Tim Denee's blog post about low gear and high gear mechanics https://blog.olddog.games/posts/gears-of-system-gears-of-lore 9. Decaying Orbit https://storybrewersroleplaying.com/decaying-orbit/?v=8bcc25c96aa5

  • S1 · E30
    May 17 · 18 min

    Leveling up is great, but it can be BETTER.

    What does levelling up actually mean in D&D? Let’s talk XP, classes, fictional weight, Skyrim crabs, Warhammer careers, and how to make character progression feel better at the table. Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6NcsGTfbyic And sign up for the newsletter: https://www.start-a-quest.com ▼▼ SOURCES MENTIONED ▼▼ 1. Monte Cook / Ivory Tower Game Design https://minmaxforum.com/index.php?topic=13812.0 2. Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay https://writeups.letsyouandhimfight.com/night10194/warhammer-fantasy-roleplay-1st-edition/ 3. Apocalypse World http://apocalypse-world.com/ 4. Blades in the Dark https://bladesinthedark.com 5. Through the Breach https://www.wyrd-games.net/through-the-breach 6. Malifaux https://www.wyrd-games.net/malifaux-fourth-edition 7. Zombie World https://magpiegames.com/collections/zombie-world

  • S1 · E29
    May 3 · 39 min

    Why was the D20 invented?

    Dice aren’t just about luck—they’re about uncertainty. In this episode of the Start a Quest podcast, we explore why the d20 exists, why the humble d6 still shines, and how weird or custom dice can transform your tabletop RPG. Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2B6GleNlrUc And sign up for the newsletter: https://www.start-a-quest.com ▼▼ SOURCES MENTIONED ▼▼ 1. Chainmail https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chainmail_(game) 2. Psi*Run https://lumpley.itch.io/psirun 3. 13th Age https://pelgranepress.com/13th-age/ 4. Dungeon Crawl Classics https://goodman-games.com/dungeon-crawl-classics-rpg/ 5. How to play Scattergories https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/play-scattergories/ 6. Guile’s theme https://youtu.be/Z4G9MU4wvTo?si=szcXqG2TjVq-ynUP&t=26 7. Mouse Guard https://www.mouseguard.net/rpg 8. Robert Worldert Buildert (Mr. Worldwide) @BobWorldBuilder 9. Genesys https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/genesys/ 10. Fate Core https://evilhat.com/product/fate-core-system/

  • S1 · E28
    April 19 · 34 min

    Some game's tools STOP you from actually playing.

    Are digital tools making your Dungeons & Dragons game better… or worse? We're looking at Foundry VTT, D&D Beyond, and smaller tools for specific TTRPGs, What's the REAL difference between a digital tool and an analog tool? Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3FlPfMzNX60 And sign up for the newsletter: https://www.start-a-quest.com ▼▼ SOURCES MENTIONED ▼▼ 1. Foundry VTT https://foundryvtt.com/ 2. Slay the Spire: The Board Game (I promise it's good!) https://contentiongames.com/games/slay/ 3. Alice Is Missing special timer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysOOFIOAy7A&list=RDysOOFIOAy7A&start_radio=1 4. D&D First Quest https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Quest 5. D&D Beyond's development roadmap https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/2132-d-d-beyonds-2026-development-roadmap 6. Bob World Builder's Fire Bolt skit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtAo9uA90Ts 7. Mythic Game Master Emulator https://www.wordmillgames.com/page/mythic-gme.html 8. Genesys Roleplaying System's dice roller https://dddice.com/genesys-dice-roller 9. Shadowdark torch tool https://torchlighttimer.com/ 10. Cards Against Humanity https://www.cardsagainsthumanity.com/ 11. Snake Oil https://www.snakeoilgame.com/

  • S1 · E27
    April 5 · 40 min

    D&D spell cards should be more like UNO

    We break down TTRPG card mechanics through real examples. From Daggerheart and Zombie World to UNO and Index Card RPG. But why do most D&D spell cards miss the point? Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/u3OA0dOsYog And sign up for the newsletter: https://www.start-a-quest.com ▼▼ SOURCES MENTIONED ▼▼ 1. Matt's spell cards https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/173582/d-d-5th-edition-spell-cards 2. UNO Draw 4 https://www.unorules.com/http://unorules.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Uno-Action-Cards.jpg 3. Rock Paper Wizard https://www.unorules.com/http://unorules.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Uno-Action-Cards.jpg 4. Zombie World https://magpiegames.com/collections/zombie-world 5. Curse of Strahd https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/cos 6. Through the Breach https://www.wyrd-games.net/through-the-breach 7. Daggerheart https://www.daggerheart.com/ 8. Index Card RPG https://www.runehammer.online/index-card-rpg 9. Decaying Orbit (Sidney's Game) https://storybrewersroleplaying.com/decaying-orbit/?v=8bcc25c96aa5

  • S1 · E26
    March 22 · 38 min

    Which RPG has the BEST chase rules?

    Why do most RPG chase scenes feel tedious? Because they focus on speed and distance instead of obstacles. In this episode we break down the difference between a chase and a chase scene, and why every great chase needs a swan. Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/oD4YYSzkD0c And sign up for the newsletter: https://www.start-a-quest.com ▼▼ SOURCES MENTIONED ▼▼ 1. Hot Fuzz chase scene https://youtu.be/cKt4YhasfBI?si=u-AF_OGk-zji8K5T&t=427 2. Dogs in the Bark TTRPG https://www.olddog.games/Dogs-in-the-Bark 3. Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4E https://cubicle7games.com/our-games/warhammer-fantasy-roleplay 4. Blade Runner TTRPG https://freeleaguepublishing.com/games/blade-runner-rpg/ 5. Alien TTRPG https://freeleaguepublishing.com/games/alien/ 6. Band of Blades https://evilhat.com/product/band-of-blades/

  • S1 · E1
    March 9 · 45 min

    Should characters die more in D&D?

    When your D&D character hits 0 hit points, something strange happens. The game takes control away from you. Death saves kick in, and suddenly the most dramatic moment in the story becomes… rolling a D20 and waiting. Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XuCdM-PErhc And sign up for the newsletter: https://www.start-a-quest.com ▼▼ SOURCES MENTIONED ▼▼ 1. Mothership https://www.tuesdayknightgames.com/pages/mothership-rpg 2. Ink https://www.snowbrightstudio.com/ink 3. Night Witches https://bullypulpitgames.com/products/night-witches 4. Treacherous Play https://direct.mit.edu/books/oa-monograph/5255/Treacherous-Play

  • S1 · E25
    February 22 · 44 min

    Fair combat does not exist in D&D

    Is D&D combat ever fair? We break down what “fair combat” actually means, how Dungeon Masters decide what monsters do on their turn, and why contest, challenge, and narrative lead to very different encounters. If you’ve ever wondered how monsters should behave in combat, this episode is for you. Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/v9aPDlvKVfk And sign up for the newsletter: https://www.start-a-quest.com ▼▼ SOURCES MENTIONED ▼▼ 1. Kingdom Death https://kingdomdeath.com/ 2. The Monsters Know What They’re Doing by Keith Ammann https://www.themonstersknow.com/ 3. StarCraft (there's a wargame now!?) https://starcraft-tmg.com/ 4. Grimwilds TTRPG by Oddity Press https://linktr.ee/odditypress 5. Kayfabe in wrestling https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kayfabe 6. Gloomhaven https://cephalofair.com/pages/gloomhaven 7. Gates of Krtstallia JTTRPG https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gatesofkrystalia-rpg/gates-of-krystalia-lumina-the-card-based-anime-ttjrpg?ref=profile_created&category_id=34

  • S1 · E24
    February 8 · 44 min

    Why doesn't D&D have a timer?

    Compared to other TTRPGs, like Blades in the Dark, Shadowdark, or 13th Age, D&D does not have an integrated timer mechanic. Why not? This podcast discusses how it could be implemented. Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/n6zOtD4c0lc And sign up for the newsletter: https://www.start-a-quest.com ▼▼ SOURCES MENTIONED ▼▼ 1. Dungeon World https://www.dungeon-world.com/ 2. 13th Age https://pelgranepress.com/13th-age/ 3. The beep test https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-stage_fitness_test 4. Universal Paperclips https://www.decisionproblem.com/paperclips/ 5. Blades in the Dark https://bladesinthedark.com/progress-clocks 6. Shadowdark https://www.thearcanelibrary.com 7. Index Card RPG https://www.runehammer.online/index-card-rpg

  • S1 · E23
    January 25 · 38 min

    Destroy your Monster Manual.

    Imagine there is only ONE Beholder in your D&D setting, and when it is defeated, you award XP and loot, you place your Monster Manual on the table and invite the player who slew the beast to ritualistically tear the Beholder page out of the book. I think this would be a peak moment. Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zXWIUfgkxSc 📧 Join the newsletter: https://www.start-a-quest.com Available in all podcast apps too! ▶ RSS https://media.rss.com/start-a-quest/feed.xml ▼▼ SPONSOR▼▼ ❤️ Arkenforge: http://arkenforge.link/MattyP2 This episode's sponsor is Arkenforge, a virtual-tabletop program designed for in-person games. They've just released a HUGE software update, which you can try for free with their 30-day free trial by following this link. ▼▼ SOURCES MENTIONED ▼▼ 1. The Power of Moments https://heathbrothers.com/books/the-power-of-moments/ 2. Gloomhaven https://cephalofair.com/pages/gloomhaven 3. Dungeon World https://www.dungeon-world.com/ 4. Mork Borg https://morkborg.com/ 5. Wreck This Journal https://kerismith.squarespace.com/books 6. Ten Candles https://cavalrygames.com/ten-candles-info

  • S1 · E22
    January 11 · 41 min

    Your D&D setting needs fewer swords with better names.

    Less is more in worldbuilding, because TOO MUCH completely sucks. If you want to make your items, locations and creatures really pop, you need to make them scarce and give them a super cool name. Watch the video version here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7M_d7UXMyc And sign up to the newsletter https://www.start-a-quest.com ▼▼ SOURCES MENTIONED ▼▼ 1. Wanderhome https://possumcreekgames.com/pages/wanderhome 2. Wildsea TTRPG https://www.myth.works/collections/the-wildsea-homepage 3. John Harper talking about the line and narrative authority https://mightyatom.blogspot.com/2010/10/apocalypse-world-crossing-line.html?m=1

Showing 1–20 of 22 episodes