Mon, 27 June 2011
The Great Debate! has reached 50 episodes! To celebrate Jim takes the audience behind the scenes - or at least, that's the plan...
Acknowledgements
(I ended up thanking quite a few people at the end of this episode - here are links for them!)
Melissa Avery-Weir - irrsinn.net Tim White - Return to Northmoor & WTFAWD Gregory Avery-Weir - Ludus Novus Ed Healy - Atomic Array Dan Repperger - Fear the Boot Rob & the guys from The Bear Swarm! Anim5 - IDDFOS & The Gutter Skypes John Bell - Bell's in the Batfry Indiana Jim Perry - The Adventures of Indiana Jim Jennifer Hudock - The Goblin Market Starla Huchton - The Dreamer's Thread Jeff Greiner - The Tome Show A. David Pinilla - The Podgecast & RPGPodcasts.com Kevin & Jen - The Walking Eye The Encaffeinated ONE - The WEIRD Show Mark Kinney - All Games Considered & The Gutter Skypes Shaun & Kristen - This Modern Death & 10 Minutes of Me Stu & the guys from Happy Jacks RPG Podcast Eddy Webb - The White Wolf Blogcast J.C. Hutchins - 7th Son Katharina - Every Photo Tells
The book I mentioned in the outro is called Abduction Etiquette, and is now in pre-order - feel free to check it out!
Direct download: Great_Debate_050.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 4:48pm EST
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Fri, 31 December 2010
Is it better to use a pre-existing setting or one that's home-brewed? Our resident demonologist and a lunk-headed superhero load up their intellectual artillery on the subject and fire it at one another.
Panelists: Reverend Jedediah Black, Demonologist Captain Radiant of the Integrity Force
Shoutout & Tarrasque Poetry: Jeff Greiner - The Tome Show
Direct download: Great_Debate_049.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 2:39pm EST
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Mon, 22 November 2010

Is it a good idea for GMs to pregenerate PCs for their campaigns? A clone and a college professor talk about it.
Panelists: Solomon Eldridge, Professor of Anthropology at Miskatonic University Bob 3, Troubleshooter Clone from the Great Biodome (voiced by Jeff Greiner)
Direct download: Great_Debate_048.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 5:38pm EST
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Tue, 19 October 2010

Which genre offers a better choice of playable creatures? Fantasy or Science Fiction? A spaceship pilot and a dwarven skyship engineer attempt to discuss the matter - hopefully without getting into a dogfight!
Panelists: Major Hal Cross of the Interstellar Fleet (voiced by David Selby) Soren Magnus, Chief Engineer of the Dwarven Skyship Flying Hammer
Direct download: Great_Debate_047.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 10:15pm EST
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Wed, 25 August 2010
How important is having a background story for your campaign? A bounty hunter and a cleric sit down and chat amenably about the subject.
Panelists Father Vernon Corey, High Priest of the Temple of St. Wilford Dr. Joseph "Doc" Anthrax
Direct download: Great_Debate_046.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 3:12pm EST
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Thu, 22 July 2010
Is it a good idea to bring an old PC into a new game? A cyber-hacker and a government agent delve into what it means to transfer your character.
Panelists: Reflux (Live via the Neural Net) Special Agent Jack McCandless
Intro by Katharina of the Every Photo Tells podcast.
Direct download: Great_Debate_045.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 9:54pm EST
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Mon, 14 June 2010
Are house rules the way to go when running an RPG or are they a bad idea? A pirate and a futuristic military grunt take each other to task on the issue.
Panelists: Darin Payne, Captain of the Ironblood Sgt. Dan Saunders of the Planetary Exploration Force (voiced by Indiana Jim)
Shoutout & Promo: Indiana Jim Perry - Codename: Starkeeper
Direct download: Great_Debate_044.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 4:38pm EST
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Sun, 9 May 2010
Is it a good idea to adapt an RPG from another source, such as a series of novels? Our two undead panelists ponder the pros and cons of adaptation.
Panelists: Baron Thandor Karn of the Dark Basin Lord Connor Shadowbane
Announcement: Go check out the 2010 Podcast Listener Survey!
Shoutout & Promo: Mark, Carol & Mags - All Games Considered
Direct download: Great_Debate_043.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 10:06pm EST
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Thu, 1 April 2010
Is planar travel cool and exciting or is it just a tool to help the Game Master mess with the players? A college professor and a dwarf engineer debate the subject.
Panelists: Solomon Eldridge, Professor of Anthropology at Miskatonic University Soren Magnus, Chief Engineer of the Dwarven Skyship Flying Hammer
Direct download: Great_Debate_042.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 6:59pm EST
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Thu, 18 March 2010
Listen in as an old feud between two fantasy characters comes burbling to the surface. A wizard and a cleric face off to discuss which kind of power is better: Arcane or Divine?
Panelists: Archwizard Avan Brightstar, Vizier to the Elven Court of Neverrest Father Vernon Corey, High Priest of the Temple of St. Wilford
Direct download: Great_Debate_041.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 12:41am EST
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Wed, 10 March 2010
Is the guy who always knows the rules a help or a nuisance? A samurai and a superhero talk about the place of rules lawyers in RPGs.
Panelists: Masato Nakajima, Samurai to the Court of Orange Blossoms Captain Radiant of the Integrity Force
Direct download: Great_Debate_040.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 11:31pm EST
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Tue, 2 March 2010
Is it a good idea to rotate Game Masters in an ongoing campaign? Listen in as preacher and a hacker toss the issue back and forth between them like a rag doll!
Panelists: Reverend Jedediah Black, Demonologist Reflux (Live via the Neural Net)
Shameless Self-Promotion: The Every World News Podcast
Direct download: Great_Debate_039.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 10:49pm EST
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Tue, 15 December 2009

Advantages & Disadvantages. Merits & Flaws. Edges &
Hindrances. Are they helpful to a game? A vampire and a college
professor debate the pros and cons. Panelists:Lord Connor Shadowbane Solomon Eldridge, Professor of Anthropology at Miskatonic University NOTE:There will be a slight delay as I deal with Christmahannukwanzaayuladanivus, after which there will be more debates forthcoming!
Direct download: Great_Debate_038.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 1:20pm EST
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Thu, 3 December 2009

Is it a bad thing for player characters to kill or should it be
perfectly acceptable? An archwizard and a superhero take up arms over
the issue. Panelists:Archwizard Avan Brightstar, Vizier to the Elven Court of Neverrest Captain Radiant of the Integrity Force
Direct download: Great_Debate_037.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 2:52pm EST
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Thu, 26 November 2009

When PCs fight each other, does everyone lose or is it just another way
to get their game on? A necromancer and a samurai square off on the
subject. Panelists:Baron Thandor Karn of the Dark Basin Masato Nakajima, Samurai to the Court of Orange Blossoms
Direct download: Great_Debate_036.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 1:34pm EST
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Fri, 20 November 2009

What dangers lurk beneath the waves? And what the heck is an
aspidochelone? Our intrepid panelists -- a pirate captain and a cleric
-- slyly skirt around these questions and many more about underwater
adventures! Panelists:Darin Payne, Captain of the Ironblood Father Vernon Corey, High Priest of the Temple of St. Wilford
Direct download: Great_Debate_035.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 12:42am EST
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Wed, 11 November 2009

Are pre-written adventures a useful tool or do they do nothing but
force PCs down a pre-determined track? A college professor and a
government agent tackle the issue of who's really in the driver's seat
when modules come into play. Panelists:Solomon Eldridge, Professor of Anthropology at Miskatonic University Special Agent Jack McCandless CONTEST!The character suggestion contest is over. Thanks very much for your entries! I announce the winner after the debate. Shoutout & Promo:RPGPodcasts.com
Direct download: Great_Debate_034.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 7:49pm EST
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Wed, 4 November 2009

Is trying to make a character as powerful as possible a good thing or a
bad thing? A wizard and a bounty hunter flex their intellectual
muscles over the subject. Panelists:Archwizard Avan Brightstar, Vizier to the Elven Court of Neverrest Dr. Joseph "Doc" Anthrax Intro by Stu, Tappy & Stork of Happy Jack's RPG PodcastCONTEST!Only one day left for the character suggestion contest - it ends November 5th! E-mail your suggestion for a new Great Debate character to debategreat@gmail.com
and write CONTEST ENTRY in the subject line. The winner will receive a
personalized outgoing greeting for use with their voicemail! Shoutout & Song:Beatnik Turtle - The Song of the Day Dot Com
Direct download: Great_Debate_033.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 4:40pm EST
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Thu, 29 October 2009

Are good and evil absolutes for your PCs or do your characters see
things in shades of grey? A superhero and a pirate tackle the issue of
anti-heroes in RPGs. Panelists:Captain Radiant of the Integrity Force Darin Payne, Captain of the Ironblood Intro by J.C. HutchinsCONTEST!Just one week to go on the character suggestion contest! E-mail your suggestion for a new Great Debate character to debategreat@gmail.com
and write CONTEST ENTRY in the subject line. The winner will receive a
personalized outgoing greeting for use with their voicemail! Shoutout & Promo:The Gamer's Haven Podcast
Direct download: Great_Debate_032.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 12:55am EST
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Thu, 22 October 2009

The idea of warfare as a theme in RPGs is kicked about, pummeled and
salivated over by our panelists. A cleric and a fighter pilot wage war
over the concept of waging war. Panelists:Major Hal Cross of the Interstellar Fleet (voiced by David Selby)Father Vernon Corey, High Priest of the Temple of St. Wilford CONTEST!E-mail your suggestion for a new Great Debate character to debategreat@gmail.com and write CONTEST ENTRY in the subject line. The winner will receive a personalized outgoing greeting for use with their voicemail! Promo:7th Son: Descent
Direct download: Great_Debate_031.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 7:54pm EST
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Thu, 15 October 2009

Our resident bounty hunter clashes with our resident cyber-hacker over
the issue of animals in role-playing games. What's the best way to use
them, if at all? Panelists:Dr. Joseph "Doc" Anthrax Reflux (Live via the Neural Net) Shoutout & Promo:Eddy Webb - The Whitechapel Project
Direct download: Great_Debate_030.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 11:40pm EST
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Thu, 8 October 2009

Some like to search every nook and cranny of a room and strip-search
every fallen foe while others prefer to just move on. A pirate and a
demonologist talk about the practice of looting in RPGs! Panelists:Darin Payne, Captain of the Ironblood Reverend Jedediah Black, Demonologist Shoutout & Promo:J.C. Hutchins - 7th Son & Personal Effects
Direct download: Great_Debate_029.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 8:52pm EST
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Thu, 1 October 2009

How bad are evil PCs? Really bad? Or just a little bad? Should they
even be allowed? Our panelists - a superhero and an undead necromancer
- have a little chat about it. Panelists:Baron Thandor Karn of the Dark Basin Captain Radiant of the Integrity Force Shoutout & Promo:Starla Huchton - The Dreamer's Thread
Direct download: Great_Debate_028.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 9:44pm EST
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Thu, 24 September 2009

Are random encounters a good idea for a campaign or should everything
be plotted out? A fantasy priest and a government agent roll the dice
and find out. Panelists:Father Vernon Corey, High Priest of the Temple of St. Wilford Special Agent Jack McCandless Shoutout & Promo:Anim5 - Solid Symbols
Direct download: Great_Debate_027.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 12:18am EST
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Thu, 17 September 2009

Ever have your PCs dumped in the ancient past or a far-flung future?
Can that kind of thing even fit into a game? Two panelists from
opposite ends of the historical spectrum discuss the use of time travel
in a role-playing game. Panelists:Major Hal Cross of the Interstellar Fleet (voiced by David Selby)Dr. Joseph "Doc" Anthrax
Direct download: Great_Debate_026.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 9:28pm EST
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Thu, 10 September 2009

Just how permanent should PC Death be? Two priests squabble over the issue. Panelists:Father Vernon Corey, High Priest of the Temple of St. Wilford Reverend Jedediah Black, Demonologist
Direct download: Great_Debate_025.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 1:41am EST
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Thu, 3 September 2009

Are magic items a good thing for a role-playing game or are they just a nuisance? A college professor and an elf mull it over. Panelists:Archwizard Avan Brightstar, Vizier to the Elven Court of Neverrest Solomon Eldridge, Professor of Anthropology at Miskatonic University
Direct download: Great_Debate_024.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 1:04pm EST
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Wed, 26 August 2009

Our panelists -- a superhero and a cyber hacker -- discuss the use of money in RPGs. But can they avoid selling out? Panelists:Captain Radiant of the Integrity Force Reflux (Live via the Neural Net) Shoutout & Promo:Shaun, Kristin & Randy - This Modern Death
Direct download: Great_Debate_023.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 4:25pm EST
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Wed, 19 August 2009

Is it a good idea to have a necromancer player character? A bounty
hunter and an undead wizard who happens to specialize in that very
field have a lively discussion about it. Panelists:Baron Thandor Karn of the Dark Basin Dr. Joseph "Doc" Anthrax
Direct download: Great_Debate_022.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 3:10pm EST
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Thu, 13 August 2009

In some games the Game Master has absolute control, but in others
players chime and add to the plot whenever they feel like it. A
vampire and a cleric discuss the finer points of player narration --
hopefully without killing each other. Panelists:Lord Connor Shadowbane Father Vernon Corey, High Priest of the Temple of St. Wilford Shoutout & Promo:The Encaffeinated One - The WEIRD Show
Direct download: Great_Debate_021.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 12:55am EST
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Wed, 5 August 2009

Is it a good idea to play something other than a human in an RPG? A
monster-hunting priest and an elven wizard throw down over the issue of
nonhuman player characters. Panelists:Archwizard Avan Brightstar, Vizier to the Elven Court of Neverrest Reverend Jedediah Black, Demonologist Shoutout & Promo:Jennifer Hudock - Goblin Market
Direct download: Great_Debate_020.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 4:49pm EST
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Wed, 29 July 2009

Should poison be allowed on either side of a role-playing game? A pirate and a government agent wrestle with the issue. Panelists:Darin Payne, Captain of the Ironblood Special Agent Jack McCandless
Direct download: Great_Debate_019.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 5:48pm EST
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Wed, 22 July 2009

Taste the adrenaline in the air as a samurai and a college professor do
battle over the merits of combat in role-playing games. Who will
survive?! Panelists:Solomon Eldridge, Professor of Anthropology at Miskatonic University Masato Nakajima, Samurai to the Court of Orange Blossoms Shoutout & Promo:Ryan Macklin - This Just In... From Gencon!
Direct download: Great_Debate_018.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 7:35pm EST
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Wed, 15 July 2009

How many out of character considerations should be allowed to influence
your role-playing, if any? And what kind? Two monster hunters duke it
out over the issue. Panelists:Dr. Joseph "Doc" Anthrax Reverend Jedediah Black, Demonologist
Direct download: Great_Debate_017.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 12:36am EST
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Wed, 8 July 2009

What's the best approach to the use of powers that set
your PCs aside from everyone else? Two powerful beings clash
haphazardly over the issue of special abilities in RPGs. Panelists:Lord Connor Shadowbane Captain Radiant of the Integrity Force
Direct download: Great_Debate_016.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 2:49am EST
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Wed, 1 July 2009

This episode discusses railroading in RPGs. One panelist is from
feudal Japan, the other is from a dystopian future and it's likely
neither one has ever seen a train before. Let's hope they grasp the
metaphor! Panelists:Masato Nakajima, Samurai to the Court of Orange Blossoms Reflux (Live via the Neural Net) Shoutout & Promo:The White Wolf Blogcast
Direct download: Great_Debate_015.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 12:27am EST
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Tue, 23 June 2009

What should your character receive more experience points for? Combat
or role-playing? A college professor and a necromancer attempt to have
an earnest discussion about it. Panelists:Solomon Eldridge, Professor of Anthropology at Miskatonic University Baron Thandor Karn of the Dark Basin Shoutout & Promo:The Bear Swarm! Podcast
Direct download: Great_Debate_014.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 3:19pm EST
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Wed, 17 June 2009

Do you like campaigns set in one area or do you prefer to globe-trot?
A well-traveled pirate and a reclusive cyber hacker discuss it. Panelists:Darin Payne, Captain of the Ironblood Reflux (Live via the Neural Net) Shoutout & Promo:The Adventures of Indiana Jim
Direct download: Great_Debate_013.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 5:18pm EST
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Tue, 9 June 2009

Do town guards, police officers or government agents help your
adventuring party or are they nothing but a nuisance? On this episode we talk about the use of authority figures in
games. Panelists:Special Agent Jack McCandless Captain Radiant of the Integrity Force Shoutout & Promo:The Tome Show - 4th ed D&D Interview: One Year Later
Direct download: Great_Debate_012.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 11:26pm EST
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Tue, 2 June 2009

Which genre makes for a better campaign setting? Fantasy or Science Fiction? PCs from each of the two clash over the issue. Panelists:Archwizard Avan Brightstar, Vizier to the Elven Court of Neverrest Major Hal Cross of the Interstellar Fleet Shoutout & Promo:International Detective Dragons From Outer Space (IDDFOS)
Direct download: Great_Debate_011.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 10:47pm EST
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Tue, 26 May 2009

A cleric and an anthropology professor duke it out over the value of
having a pantheon of deities in a role-playing game. Are they there to
watch over your PCs or to drive them stark-raving mad? Panelists:Father Vernon Corey, High Priest of the Temple of St. Wilford Solomon Eldridge, Professor of Anthropology at Miskatonic University
Direct download: Great_Debate_010.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 9:04pm EST
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Tue, 19 May 2009

Is it a good idea to run a game with undead PCs or NPCs? A vampire and a bounty hunter go head-to-head on the topic. Panelists:Dr. Joseph "Doc" Anthrax Lord Connor Shadowbane
Direct download: Great_Debate_009.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 6:15pm EST
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Tue, 12 May 2009

Which vision of the future is more fun to play your sci-fi campaign
in? Two realities collide when a cyber-hacker and an ace starship
pilot get together to talk about it. Panelists:Major Hal Cross of the Interstellar Fleet Reflux (Live via the Neural Net)
Direct download: Great_Debate_008.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 12:16pm EST
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Wed, 6 May 2009

Does playing without dice help a game or hinder it? Our guests debate the merits of diceless role-playing games. Panelists:Solomon Eldridge, Professor of Anthropology at Miskatonic University Special Agent Jack McCandless
Direct download: Great_Debate_007.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 1:24am EST
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Sat, 2 May 2009

To role-play or not to role-play? Listen in as two immortal beings clash over the subject. Panelists:Lord Connor Shadowbane Archwizard Avan Brightstar, Vizier to the Elven Court of Neverrest
Direct download: Great_Debate_006.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 2:52pm EST
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Sat, 2 May 2009

Is it okay to fudge the rules sometimes? We threw a pirate and a samurai into a room together to have a nice, calm conversation about it. Panelists:Darin Payne, Captain of the Ironblood Masato Nakajima, Samurai to the Court of Orange Blossoms
Direct download: Great_Debate_005.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 2:33pm EST
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Sat, 2 May 2009

Is it better to build a great conversationalist or a heavy hitter? Our panelists go at it over the best method to build a player character. Panelists: Solomon Eldridge, Professor of Anthropology at Miskatonic University Reflux (Live via the Neural Net)
Direct download: Great_Debate_004.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 3:27am EST
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Fri, 1 May 2009

The battle between live-action and table-top role-players comes to the Great Debate! Listen as a vampire lord and a government agent go at it! Panelists:Special Agent Jack McCandless Lord Connor Shadowbane
Direct download: Great_Debate_003.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 1:56pm EST
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Fri, 1 May 2009

A superhero squares off with a Wild West bounty hunter. The topic: the use of shape-changing villains in RPGs. Music for this episode includes excerpt from "Pennsylvania Rose" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Panelists:Captain Radiant of the Integrity Force Dr. Joseph "Doc" Anthrax
Direct download: Great_Debate_002.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 1:44pm EST
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Fri, 1 May 2009

The first episode of The Great Debate! It's the pirate vs the elf as we debate the merits of fear effects in games. Be afraid.
Panelists:Darin Payne, Captain of the Ironblood Archwizard Avan Brightstar, Vizier to the Elven Court of Neverrest
Direct download: Great_Debate_001.mp3
Category: The Great Debate! Episodes
-- posted at: 12:17am EST
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