Episode 311: Doggerland and The Newlywed Game Founders Edition
Hey Now and Season's Greetings Cabalists! It times for the 13th annual Secret Cabal Holiday Special! Today the Founders dive into their stories from PAX Unplugged in Philadelphia and discuss the games they've been playing including Civolution, Dominion, Endeavour Deep Sea, Portmanteau and feature Doggerland from Super Meeple. Then after Tony T throws out the jolliest tabletop gaming news segment in history the gang goes wild with the ever-popular Newlywed Game Founders Edition!
Lords of the Dungeon 81: Our New Pathfinder 2e Campaign
Hail and well met, noble travelers! Gather 'round, for I bring glad tidings of another tale spun from the annals of Lords of the Dungeon! This day, our bold and intrepid heroes embark upon a new saga, delving into the storied realms of Pathfinder Second Edition. Hearken as they weave tales of the homebrew lands they’ve wrought with their own hands, introduce the stalwart champions who shall brave the trials ahead, and share their first impressions of this novel system of rules and magic. So, lend thy ear, and may thy spirits soar with the telling! Enjoy, one and all!
Episode 310: Fromage and A Short Topic Extravaganza
Hey now Cabalists! For those of you are on your way to Pax Unplugged in Philadelphia today, we're happy to fill your ear holes with another episode of the Cabal while you travel! First off, The Founders dive into a bunch of games we've been playing including Undaunted 2200 Callisto, Wrath of Fire Mountain, Darwin’s Journey, Kelp Shark vs Octopus, Raising Robots, and a feature review of Fromage from Road To Infamy Games. Then Tony T gives you one of the best damned tabletop gaming news segments that's ever been produced. And finally, the gang takes questions from listeners including am I crazy for rebuying the same game multiple times and what do I do about my philistine friends. Enjoy!
Express 101: Designer Spotlight Ryan Laukat
Today, Don, Tony, and Jamie dive headfirst into the remarkable world of Ryan Laukat, the visionary game designer, artist, and founder of Red Raven Games. Together, they explore a wide range of his celebrated games, highlighting their unique elements and discuss how Ryan and his his creative partner and wife, Malorie, have evolved and perfected their design philosophy over the years.
Episode 309: Black Forest and Peak Froth
Hey now amazing Cabalists! It's Wednesday again and it's time for some more wild, crazy, and bombastic Cabal nonsense! Some of the games we talked about today include Nucleum, Wizards and Co, Harmonies, Deep Shelf, Aliens Another Glorious Day in the Corps and a feature review of Black Forest by the great Uwe Rosenberg. Then after Tony T feeds us all the news we need to hear the gang discusses what puts them in their happy place. What gets them to "Peak Froth".
Lords of the Dungeon 80: Balancing Rewards and The Virtue Engine
Greetings, Cabalists! This be a day most grand, for 'tis the day of roleplaying tales and discourse! Today, we delve into two most wondrous topics. First, we entertain a query from a keen listener who seeks wisdom on how to bestow rewards upon players without upsetting the delicate balance of the game. And then, we unravel a New Concept of considerable intrigue—a Character Virtue Engine! This wondrous mechanism doth guide thy characters through the murky waters of moral quandaries and ambiguous fates. We bid thee enjoy this lively discussion!
Episode 308: Creature Caravan and A Short Topic Extravaganza
It's Wednesday again and the gang is back for more Cabal nonsense. In today's episode that Founders talk about Descent Legends of the Dark, Expeditions Gears of Corruption, Freedom Five, Alien Fate of the Nostromo, The Lord of the Rings Duel for Middle Earth and feature Creature Caravan from Red Raven Games and designed by Ryan Laukat. Then after Tony T throws some wild and crazy news your way the boys takes some listener questions including table hogs, games we just can't part with, and what Big Box editions do we want. Enjoy!
Mysteries of the Unknown 02: The Hopkinsville Goblins
Greetings, aficionados of the inexplicable! Gather round as Steve, Tony, Bender, Don, and Jamie embark on a journey through the thrilling realms of the unexplained. The gang dives into a lively discussion on belief and skepticism surrounding Bigfoot and other cryptids, exploring different views on their existence. They then shift gears to discuss extraterrestrial life, sharing perspectives on whether we’re alone in the universe. Finally, Jamie presents the tale of the Hopkinsville Goblins, sparking a deep-dive conversation into this infamous encounter and the mystery behind it. Today, we descend into the mystifying abyss, beckoning you to join us in The Secret Cabal Presents: The Mysteries of the Unknown.
Express 100: Oktoberfest - A Celebration of Spiel Essen Releases
Hey now Cabalists and happy 100th episode of The Secret Cabal Express! Today Don, Jamie, and Chris are celebrating Oktoberfest by swilling beer and listing our favorite games that released at Spiel 2024 in Essen Germany! It's a Polka-Fest here at the secret cabal and we're fired up! The only thing we're missing is a plate of bratwurst, pierogies, and sauerkraut! Kick back, pour a beer, and celebrate with the Founders. PROST!
#307: Halloween and The Secret Cabal Twilight Zone
Happy All Hallows' Eve, Cabalists! This week, Wolfman Steve and The Gatekeeper take over with ghoulish jokes and spooky banishments. The Founders dive into the horror board games they've been playing including Mansions of Madness, Cthulhu: Death May Die, A Touch of Evil, Texas Chainsaw Massacre Slaughterhouse, and feature Halloween by Emerson Matsuuchi. Tony T returns with the latest board game industry news, delivering updates from beyond the grave. Finally, we journey into The Secret Cabal Twilight Zone to discuss their ideas for twisted and terrifying themed games perfect for Halloween night. It’s a spooky, fun-filled episode you won’t want to miss! Enjoy!
Lords of the Dungeon 79: Developing a New Adventuring Party
Greetings, esteemed Cabalists, and well met upon this fine occasion of another discourse from the Lords of the Dungeon. Today, the Lords doth speak of the final chapter in their most revered Shadowrun campaign, which now draweth to its close, and the commencement of a new journey within the realm of Pathfinder. Thereafter, they turn their attentions to the matter of forming a band of adventurers. With great care, they discuss the gathering of the party, and how they might craft a fellowship that is unified in both spirit and purpose, ensuring that all may partake in the adventure with joy and harmony, each role complementing the other, so as to maximize the delight of all involved.
#306: Andromeda's Edge and a Short Topic Extravaganza
Albatwitch Day is coming up and the Founders are go hunting for our local cryptid! Then the gang gets into the games they've been playing including Eldritch Horror, AI Space Puzzle, River Valley Glassworks, Obsession, Flip 7, and feature Andromeda's Edge designed by Luke and Maximus Laurie. Then Tony T dives right into his award-winning news segment giving us all the most important news from around the tabletop gaming world. And finally, the Founders take questions from the listeners regarding what we'd do if we had to pair our collection down to only 10 games, what Secret Cabal Monopoly tokens would be, and how pure should hidden movement games be?
Express 99: Learning Roleplaying and Board Games
Hey Now Cabalists! It's a banner day here at the Secret Cabal because worlds are colliding! The Founders and Lords are together for a great conversion about learning games. On the Cabal Discord a Cabalist named Jamie brought up a great topic - why does it seem so much harder to learn new tabletop roleplaying game rules than it does new board games? The gang talks about their experience learning, teaching, and interpreting rules and comparing their experiences coming from different areas of the tabletop gaming hobby
#305: Wonderous Creatures and The Cabalists Court with Judge Topper
It's Chris appreciation time over on the Cabal Discord! We give Chris a few pats on the back and move onto the games we've been playing including Fateforge Chronicles of Kaan, Arkham Horror 3rd Edition, The White Castle, Expedition Northwest Passage and a feature review of Wonderous Creatures from Bad Comet Games. Then after Tony T informs us all of the most important goings-ons around the board game industry he puts on his judge robes to preside over The Cabalists Court.
Lords of the Dungeon 78: Metacurrencies and PC Advancement
Greetings, noble subjects and esteemed Cabalists! On this fine morn, we begin our gathering with a hearty tribute to Jesko and Lady Stacey, who celebrate their wedding anniversary, a bond forged in honor and love. Next, we delve into a matter of great intrigue—metacurrencies, those precious rewards bestowed by the game master or system, which can be spent by adventurers to gain boons and favor in their quests. Lastly, the Lords shall hold counsel on the art of character progression, seeking wisdom on how to ensure advancement that brings joy and triumph to all players.
#304: Rise and Fall and a Short Topic Extravaganza
Hey now Cabalists and welcome back to another jam packed episode of The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast! Today the game flies right into the games that they've been playing including Harvest, Tainted Grail Kings of Ruin, Clank Catacombs, Cape May, Tapestry Arts & Architecture. Then Don, Chris, and Jamie hook you up with a feature review of Rise and Fall from Christophe Boelinger and published by Ludically. And then, after Tony T's news, the boys finish off the episode with a slew of questions from listeners including games we regret recommending, our acquisition disorder triggers, and why do the rest of the founders not play role playing game?
Express 98: Casual Games
Hey Now Cabalists! We hope you're having a wonderful Wednesday! In today's Express Don and Jamie get together to discuss some games that don't get enough time on the flagship show - Casual Games. These are those low complexity, easy to teach, quick playing card and party games that we love to play with our families. The fellas recommend some awesome games that you'll be running out to the game store to snag.
#303: Windmill Valley and The Social Game
Hey Now all you amazing Cabalists out there and welcome to episode 303 of The Secret Cabal! Today the game dives into the games they've been playing including Tír na nOg, War Story Occupied France, Pagan Fate of Roanoke, The Mandalorian Adventures, Trench Club Legacy and a feature review of Windmill Valley by Dani Garcia and Board and Dice. Then after Tony T feeds the holes on the sides of your head with all the most important tabletop gaming news information the gang talks about games with a social aspect to them.
Lords of the Dungeon 77: Playing the Game or Roleplaying The Character
Hark, Cabalists! Gather 'round, for today the Lords embark on a most wondrous journey through realms of imagination. They begin by weaving tales of the many role-playing adventures that Jess and Bender have embarked upon—no fewer than five, I tell thee! From the shadows of the Vampire Dark Ages to the desolate wastes of Fallout, these campaigns are brimming with peril and intrigue. But lo, the fellowship delves even deeper, pondering a question from a wise Listener: Should one approach the art of role-playing with the cunning of a strategist, or should one immerse fully in the emotions and desires of the character they portray? Verily, it is a question for the ages! Huzzah!
#302: Intent to Kill and A Short Topic Extravaganza
Awww Yeah Cabalists! The Founders are back at it with another episode filled with gaming nonsense including The White Castle, Evenfall, Fallout, Scythe on BGA, Barcelona, and a feature review of the murder mystery game Intent to Kill from Artur Khodzhikov and Hobby World. Then Tony T makes sure the Cabalists are up to date on all the most important tabletop gaming news. And finally, the gang takes questions from the listeners including the perfect game night lineup, our favorite music albums, and a moral quandary to ponder.