Episode 701: Star of Arioch Setting

Episode 701: Star of Arioch Setting

Author: Kenneth Hite and Robin D Laws May 29, 2026 Duration: 58:00
In the Gaming Hut we get started quickly by asking how much background detail players want in a pregenerated character. Making good on a promise from episode 696, the Archaeology Hut checks out another possible inspiration for the labyrinth, the complex at Gortyn. Beloved Patreon backer Nicolaj convenes the Narrative Hut for a look at […]

Imagine a table in a cozy pub where two of the sharpest minds in gaming and pop culture have gathered for their regular chat. That’s the feeling you get with Ken and Robin Talk About Stuff. Each episode, Kenneth Hite and Robin D. Laws dive into a wonderfully eclectic mix of topics pulled from history, conspiracy theories, film, and of course, the intricate craft of game design. Their conversation is less a formal interview and more like eavesdropping on two friends who happen to be encyclopedic experts, effortlessly connecting the dots between a forgotten historical figure and a modern storytelling technique. You’ll hear them dissect the mechanics of a role-playing game with the same engaging depth they apply to analyzing a classic noir film or unpacking an odd slice of folklore. The charm of this podcast lies in the genuine chemistry between Ken and Robin-their thoughtful debates, witty asides, and shared enthusiasm make even the most niche subject feel immediately accessible and fascinating. It’s a consistent source of intellectual curiosity and entertainment for anyone who enjoys seeing where a meandering, insightful conversation between two creative professionals can lead. Tune in for a regular dose of clever ideas and unexpected connections, all delivered with a warm, conversational ease that feels both smart and welcoming.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Ken and Robin Talk About Stuff
Podcast Episodes
Episode 682: The Biter Has Departed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:45
The Gaming Hut follows up a previous pedagogical segment by wondering what a course syllabus for tabletop rpg development and editing might look cover. The Crime Blotter peers at the surprisingly long list of criminal fo…
Episode 681: Space Oprah [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:40
As you may have heard in our previous episode, a mysterious technical event ate our recording of our live episode at this year’s Dragonmeet. In the face of this tragedy we prevail with a not at all convincing recreation…
Episode 680: It’s the American [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:52
The Gaming Hut wonders what would happen in an F20 world where the smoke from burned magic scrolls produced a potent intoxication? Thanks to the Secret Maps exhibition at the British Library, the Travel Advisory veers in…
Episode 679: His Frequency is Powerful [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:20
Beloved Patreon backer Ben A. takes the Gaming Hut to New York’s Chinatown in 1973 for tips on a game that mixes triads with the Bruce Lee legacy. Estimable backer Philip Masters gains access to the Tradecraft Hut for an…
Episode 678: A Word for All the Chairs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:04
In the Gaming Hut we look at a core part of the rpg designer’s skill set, table sense, or the ability to predict what players will do with your material. The Mythology Hut tells the story of a historical figure reputed t…
Episode 677: South America is Very Long [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:36
Beloved Patreon backer Darcy Casselman summons us to the Gaming Hut in search of tips on playing a gestalt or troupe-style leader character, such as a starship captain. The Architecture Hut peers at Sibiu, Transylvania,…
Episode 676: Always Want to Get Book [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:47
In the Gaming Hut we examine the principle of design by subtraction. The Crime Blotter investigates the career of thief turned detective Eugène-Francois Vidocq. We wrap up the Cinema Hut Fantasy Film Essentials series wi…
Episode 675: Performative Hermitry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:14
The Gaming Hut continues its preview of Robin’s new game Page Turners with a demonstration of scene calling choices. The History Hut takes a garden stroll to look at ornamental hermits. A great wasteland is traversed in…
Episode 674: As I Used to Pronounce It [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:34
With the print run imminent for Page Turners, Robin’s new game of dramatic interaction for one player and one GM, the Gaming Hut takes it for a spin, with Ken defining the unmet needs of his jazz age protagonist. Ken and…
Episode 673: Rock, Paper, Fangs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:08
The Gaming Hut pays tribute to Halloween by envisioning a game pitting classic monsters against the non-Euclidean horrors of the Cthulhu Mythos. The Cinema Hut Fantasy Film Essentials series rounds out the 1990s. And the…