Dungeons + Drama Nerds is a podcast produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, three dramaturgs interested in the intersection of theatre and tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGS). Episodes release weekly alternating between Actual Play and Commentary episodes investigating a certain TTRPG system. Season 2 will feature: Blades in the Dark, Bluebeard's Bride, Kids on Bikes, Oh Dang! Bigfoot Stole My Car With My Best Friend's Birthday Present Inside!, and Lancer. Season 1 ...
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Dungeons + Drama Nerds


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All-Female Hamlet: A Brindlewood Bay Debrief
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Nick sits down with the cast and Keeper of our Brindlewood Bay campaign to talk about their experience playing this system, reflect on the campaign, and hypothesize about all the possible deleted scenes they could have played out. Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited…
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In a thrilling finale, our Mavens confront the Midwives of the Fragrant Void and solve the final mystery as they attempt to stop the imminent ritual. Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean. Season Three features contributions from Christopher Dierc…
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Having received an invitation to the re-opening of Beauregard's Bar, the Mavens prepare to face off against the Midwives of the Fragrant Void and unravel the conspiracy once and for all. Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean. Season Three features…
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Dungeons + Drama Nerds


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Everything is Data: Magic Circles in Play and Performance
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Percy, Nick, and ensemble member Jon Jon talk about the concept of the magic circle and how we can use it as a tool in TTRPGs and in performance, touching on the exploratory power of play, consent and intimacy choreography, and the question of who defines the magic circle in the first place. Works Cited:- Germaine - “The Magic Circle as Occult Tech…
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Dungeons + Drama Nerds


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Amicable Autumnal Abbatoir: Part 4
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The Mavens continue their investigation of the murder of The Great Grievous and the looming presence of the Midwives of the Fragrant Void that overshadows their efforts. Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean. Season Three features contributions fr…
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Dungeons + Drama Nerds


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Amicable Autumnal Abbatoir: Part 3
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The Mavens begin to investigate the murder of the Great Grievous and sink ever deeper into the broader conspiracies at work in Brindlewood Bay. But first, brunch! Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean. Season Three features contributions from Chri…
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Dungeons + Drama Nerds


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Brindlewood Bay and Aging as Performance
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Nick, Todd, and Percy talk about the intersection of ageism and sexism in theatre and in media, how it limits the kinds of stories we see about older women, and the intervention Brindlewood Bay makes in its centering of characters who are elderly women. Works referenced: - Diane Riggins - "Gender in Fiction: An Autoethnographic Approach to J.R.R. T…
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Dungeons + Drama Nerds


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Amicable Autumnal Abattoir: Part 2
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Shaken by their encounter with the new District Attorney, the Mavens head to the Autumn fair at Brindlewood Bay Community College and attend a magic show, uncertain what new horrors might be hidden among the magician's tricks. Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by An…
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Dungeons + Drama Nerds


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Amicable Autumnal Abattoir: Part 1
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The Mavens regroup and recover after investigating their friend Teddy's disappearance, then stop by the new District Attorney's office for a quick meeting on the way to an autumn festival at Brindlewood Bay Community College, where nothing could possibly go wrong ... right? Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, a…
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Dungeons + Drama Nerds


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Jessica Fletcher is a Gay Icon: An Interview with Jason Cordova and Joel B. New
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Percy and Todd sit down to chat with composer Joel B. New and TTRPG designer Jason Cordova about New's EP, Cabot Cove, and Cordova's game Brindlewood Bay. They talk about what inspired their respective works in conversation with Murder She Wrote, their connections to the show, and why Jessica Fletcher is a gay icon. Joel’s website: https://joelbnew…
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Our Mavens theorize just who is behind Hamlet's murder at the local community theatre, and go on a quest to find their missing acquaintance, Teddy... Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean. Season Three features contributions from Christopher Dierc…
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Our Mavens continue their investigation of a murder at the local community theatre, uncovering more and more clues and facing the creeping dangers of the void... Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean. Season Three features contributions from Chr…
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Dungeons + Drama Nerds


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Spooky and Safe: Coziness and the Murder Mystery Genre
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Nick and ensemble member Leo Mock chat about coziness in theatre and in TTRPGs - what makes something cozy? What's the value of coziness? How can we embrace spookiness and the benefits of scary play in both mediums? Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Ser…
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After a tragic death at the invited dress rehearsal for the local community theater production of Hamlet, the Mavens look around for clues, demonstrate their expertise in lighting fixtures, and try to figure out who murdered the production's lead. Just as a heads up, for the rest of our Brindlewood Bay campaign, we'll be bringing you back to back e…
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Dungeons + Drama Nerds


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To Be, Or Not To Be Dead: Part 1
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After a few weeks of downtime, the Mavens come together once again to attend an invited dress rehearsal of a high-concept community theatre production of Hamlet put on by the Brindlewood Bay Bravados, but they encounter a death that isn't in the script... Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis…
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The Murder Mavens gossip, meddle, and confront the villainous rich in the thrilling conclusion to our first Brindlewood Bay mystery: A Fried Fish Filleted! CONTENT WARNING: There is a moment of eye-related horror at the very end of the episode. Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mi…
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Dungeons + Drama Nerds


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It’s All About Community: An Interview with C. Meaks Meaker
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Nick sits down with the Keeper for our game of Brindlewood Bay, C. Meaks Meaker, to talk about their relationship to the horror genre, the intersection of theatre and TTRPGs in their work, and The Walking Dead. Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel D…
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Meet our group of Murder Mavens as they live their lives, drive corporations out of their scenic New England town, and encounter their first mystery in the first episode of our campaign of Jason Cordova's Brindlewood Bay! Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Antho…
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Dungeons + Drama Nerds


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Brindlewood Bay, Population: Decreasing
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Nick, Todd, and Percy talk through the rules of Brindlewood Bay, their favorite Maven Moves, and what excites them most about the game and our upcoming campaign! Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean. Season Three features contributions from Chr…
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Todd interviews the cast of our Thirsty Sword Lesbians game about their experience with this game system, things they wish they could have explored further, and, of course, their OTP from the campaign! Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean. Seas…
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Dungeons + Drama Nerds


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Patreon Teaser: Interview with Christopher Diercksen
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As a treat, we're bringing you a clip from our Patreon series of collaborator interviews, featuring Christopher Diercksen from our games of Dungeons & Dragons and Oh Dang, Bigfoot Stole My Car With My Friend's Birthday Present Inside! To listen to the full interview, join us on Patreon at the link below. If you’d like to help us continue exploring …
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In the finale of our Thirsty Sword Lesbians game, the crew faces Kell Enterprises' security force, experiences an unseen world, and faces off against a Toxic Power. What will happen when Nymeria comes face to face with her father's company? Will Coney and Adelaide stay together? Can Malta Regina overcome her past? Will Ru keep their oath? Listen to…
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Dungeons + Drama Nerds


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The Make it Gay Ethos: An Interview with April Kit Walsh
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Nick, Todd, and Kory sit down with April Kit Walsh, designer of Thirsty Sword Lesbians, to chat about the process of designing the game, rehearsing revolution through playing games, and upcoming projects April is working on! You can find her here: https://prilkit.itch.io/ https://twitter.com/gayspaceshipgms And pick up Thirsty Sword Lesbians here: …
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Our Thirsty Sword Lesbians head towards a strange circular clearing amid the wilderness of the Untamed astride the giant beast who just moments ago was menacing their small village - what will they discover at its center? Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Antho…
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Dungeons + Drama Nerds


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Tongues Out, Swords Out: Queerness and Villainy
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Todd and Percy are joined by Kory Flores to talk about the longstanding link between queerness and villainy in media, queer-coded villains, and how villainy manifests in Thirsty Sword Lesbians. They conclude by asking: what makes a good villain? Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is m…
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Dungeons + Drama Nerds


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Immediately Kiss in a Dangerous Situation
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Our crew of thirsty sword lesbians attempts to intervene as Adelaide's train car speeds toward almost certain death at the hands of a giant monster - will they save her life? Can these disaster lesbians defeat the monster? Who will calm the villagers? Listen to find out! Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, an…
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Dungeons + Drama Nerds


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Whatsapp Romeo, or, Setting-Agnostic Games and Stories
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Nick and Percy are joined by Ben Ferber and Kory Flores to talk about setting-agnostic game systems, specifically what "setting-agnostic" tends to mean, and how that parallels with setting and adaptation in the theatre. Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony…
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We join our crew of thirsty sword lesbians at a funeral in the Untamed, where they celebrate with dancing, dueling, and, uh ... megafauna? Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean. Season Three features contributions from Christopher Diercksen, Ben…
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Dungeons + Drama Nerds


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Very Fraught and Very Steamy: Queerness in Theater and Games
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Todd, Nick, and Percy are joined by Romana Isabella to look at queer theater in relation to queer games and how "queer" can manifest differently in each medium. Topics include queer historiography, Oscar Wilde, Charles Ludlam, Ms. Blakk for President, and how much Willy Loman sucks. Sources include: - "Fucking With Dignity: Public Sex, Queer Intima…
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Dungeons + Drama Nerds


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The F-Boy Island of Actual Play Podcasting
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Join our crew of Thirsty Sword Lesbians as they create characters and do some shared worldbuilding, and learn more about Gay Master Tess Huth's mission to create the F-Boy Island of actual-play podcasts! Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean. Se…
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As a treat, we're bringing you a clip from our Patreon series of collaborator interviews, featuring Dex Phan from our games of Apocalypse World and Blades in the Dark! To listen to the full interview, join us on Patreon at the link below. If you’d like to help us continue exploring the intersection of theatre and tabletop roleplaying games, conside…
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Todd, Nick, and Percy are joined by Ben Ferber to talk through the rules of Thirsty Sword Lesbians by April Kit Walsh, published by Evil Hat Productions and Gay Spaceship Games, and chat about what they're most excited about in our upcoming game! This is the dril tweet that helped originate the Sword Lesbian meme. Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produc…
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This week we're bringing you a clip from a new interview series, starting with Tess Huth! To listen to the full interview, join us on Patreon at the link below. We'll be back in August with the start of Season 3! If you’d like to help us continue exploring the intersection of theatre and tabletop roleplaying games, consider leaving us a review on y…
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Dungeons + Drama Nerds


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The Future of Play + Season 3 Announcement
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Join Todd, Percy, and Nick as they chat about their favorite moments from Season 2 and announce the games for next season (and the wonderful people who will play them)! Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean. If you’d like to help us continue exp…
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Dungeons + Drama Nerds


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My Girlfriend Senses Were Tingling
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This week, Nick sits down with the cast of our Lancer campaign to talk about their favorite moments, ask each other questions, and brainstorm NPCs related to Pothole McDuck. Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean. Our Lancer game features Julia D…
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This week, our Lancer campaign comes to its thrilling conclusion as Fish and Peaches duke it out, the former aided by our team of lancer pilots! Who will win? Where our pilots find themselves in the aftermath of battle? Tune in to find out! Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed …
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Our crew of lancer pilots makes a dramatic entrance to confront Dr. Bertrand Russell, and combat ensues! Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean. Our Lancer game features Julia Doolittle as the GM, Todd Brian Backus as Derrick McDuck, Jovane Caama…
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Dungeons + Drama Nerds


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S2E49: Put Your Goddamn Plays in Space, You Cowards!
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This week, Nick, Todd, and Percy talk about plays set in space and speculative fiction, the themes and questions those kinds of stories explore, and how we can realize them onstage. Plays discussed: - The Absentee by Julia Doolittle - Last Ship to Proxima Centauri by Greg Lam Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Horna…
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Dungeons + Drama Nerds


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S2E48: I Still Don’t Think I’ll Ever Like Her
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Our crew of UNIO lancers investigates the fire at the scientists' base before receiving an interesting call from Dr. Bertrand Russell... Please consider spreading the word about access to abortion funds via this list, or, if you have the means, donate to an abortion fund in your area. Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Perci…
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Dungeons + Drama Nerds


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S2E47: The Prince of Diagnostics
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Our lancer pilots are faced with a decision: duke it out with the Warriors of the Agate Cross, or investigate the distress flare from the scientists' base? And what will they do with the androids in the drone ship? Find out on this week's episode of our Lancer campaign! Please consider spreading the word about access to abortion funds via this list…
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Dungeons + Drama Nerds


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S2E46: No One Disrespects Mothers Around Me!
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Our lancer pilots continue their battle against the Agate Cross and discover what lies inside the drone ship they were sent to retrieve. Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean. Our Lancer game features Julia Doolittle as the GM, Todd Brian Backus…
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S2E45: Mac Rogers and the Art of Audio Drama
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Todd, Nick, and Percy chat with Mac Rogers, playwright and author of several audio dramas, about his journey in both mediums and audio dramas' recent explosion in popularity. Check out Gideon Media: https://www.gideon-media.com/ Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited b…
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Dungeons + Drama Nerds


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S2E44: Salvage Law is Meaningless when Violence is Applied
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Our lancers dive into their first combat against mechs piloted by the Warriors of the Agate Cross, on their mission to rescue a drone ship! Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean. Our Lancer game features Julia Doolittle as the GM, Todd Brian Bac…
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This week, Percy is joined by Tristan B. Willis and CJ Linton to talk about mecha stories and their connection to trans embodiment, as well as the kinds of stories they personally resonate with in terms of queerness and gender. Additionally, noting here that after we recorded this episode, Tristan changed their name, so they are occasionally referr…
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Our crew of lancers embarks on their first mission on a frigid planet outside the network of blink gates, but everything might not be quite as it seems... Ben Ferber's cat: https://www.instagram.com/guywhoisacat/ Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel…
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This week, Percy sits down with Julia Doolittle to chat about theatre, TTRPGs, and the way those overlap for her, as well as Julia's inspirations for our campaign of Lancer and, of course, Elliot the Dolphin. Link to ways to support Ukraine: https://how-you-can-support-ukraine.super.site/ Links to places to donate in Texas: Allgo - https://allgo.or…
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Dungeons + Drama Nerds


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S2E40: You Wanna Be a Real Lancer?!
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Meet our crew of pilots in our session zero for Lancer as our players talk character concepts and how their squad came together. Link to ways to support Ukraine: https://how-you-can-support-ukraine.super.site/ Links to places to donate in Texas: Allgo - https://allgo.org/donate/ TENT (Transgender Education Network of TX) - https://secure.everyactio…
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S2E39: All the Lights in the Sky are Lancers
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Todd, Nick, and Percy introduce our campaign of Lancer by discussing the rules and talking about their favorite things about the system. Tune in next week to hear the beginning of our game and meet the cast! Link to ways to support Ukraine: https://how-you-can-support-ukraine.super.site/ Links to places to donate in Texas: Allgo - https://allgo.org…
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Nick chats with the cast of our Oh Dang! Bigfoot Stole My Car With My Friend's Birthday Present Inside oneshot about the game - what surprised them, what they enjoyed, what it was like to play weird and wacky characters at the drop of a hat. Tune in next week for the start of our Lancer series! Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Bac…
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The crew revives Gerry, felled by a sleep dart, and takes off after Preppy Brian in order to save Bigfoot and make it to Percy's birthday party! Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean. Our Oh Dang! Bigfoot Stole my Car with my Friend’s Birthday P…
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