Too Much Lore: Dads, Robots and the Keywork Trap - Coheed and Cambria

Too Much Lore: Dads, Robots and the Keywork Trap - Coheed and Cambria

Author: Josh Varty and Kristoffer Hansen March 21, 2025 Duration: 31:00

Concept vs. Reality: The Coheed Lore Map

The "Keywork" is a fascinating visual concept that suffers from what the guys call "amateur writing syndrome"—where a cool name (like a "Jackhammer" spaceship) is eventually revealed to be a literal, giant space-laser-drill.

Hard vs. Soft Worldbuilding

The DMs emphasize that when you define your rules too rigidly, you lose the ability to surprise your players (or listeners).

  1. Soft Lore (The Original Trilogy): The Force is a mystical energy field. It feels infinite.
  2. Hard Lore (The Prequels/Comics): The Force is a biological byproduct of microscopic lifeforms. It feels like a math equation.

"The problem with over-explaining things... is that once you start establishing hard and fast rules, things have to obey rules. You get a dissonance that happens when something doesn't fit that rigid rule set."

In No Plot, Only Lore, hosts Josh Varty and Kristoffer Hansen settle in for a conversation that feels like pulling up a chair at a familiar table. Their focus is the intricate, often messy, and deeply rewarding world of collaborative storytelling games, examining them not as rulebooks to be won but as frameworks for shared imagination. Each episode digs into the craft behind these experiences-how a setting’s history shapes a character’s decision, why a particular game mechanic fosters better stories, or what it means to build a narrative together without a predetermined endpoint. You’ll hear two seasoned practitioners reflect on the subtle art of being a player and a guide, discussing the tools and philosophies that transform a simple game night into a memorable saga. This podcast is for anyone who has ever gotten lost in a character’s backstory or spent more time discussing a campaign’s lore than actually rolling dice. It’s a thoughtful, meandering, and personal look at the stories we tell when we play, offering insights that resonate long after the session ends. Join Josh and Kristoffer for a deep, comfortable dive into the heart of why we gather to imagine together.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 93

No Plot, Only Lore
Podcast Episodes
No Plot Only Lore 12: The Magic of Items [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:00
Kris and Josh discuss all of the various ways to make your character's gear more memorable and interesting!
No Plot Only Lore 04: This Isn't D&D Anymore [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:52
Kristoffer mostly tries to have a calm discussion about the evolution of role-playing games and art while Josh goes off on a guy for being wrong on the internet!
No Plot Only Lore 02: Choo Choo Railroading [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:38
Where Kristoffer and Josh talk about ONLY the subject they're supposed to discuss and don't go on any tangents or side-quests at all!**Spoiler Warning** We discuss Neal Stephenson's Seveneves in its entirety about halfwa…