What does it take to build a tabletop RPG from the ground up? This episode, we're joined by Jared Twing, creator of Of Hearth and the Harrowing, to talk about his journey from an AD&D kid to a professional RPG writer and, ultimately, an independent game designer.
We discuss his years writing for Chaosium and other publishers, why he chose the BRP system as the foundation for his game, and how influences ranging from OSR sandboxes to survival games helped shape a fantasy survival horror RPG centered on exploration, community building, and carving hope from a ruined world. Along the way, we also dive into RPG layout, art direction, publishing realities, RuneQuest, Glorantha, convention life, and the many hats an indie creator has to wear once the writing is finished.
If you're interested in game design, indie publishing, or discovering a new BRP powered fantasy RPG, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.
You can find Of Hearth and the Harrowing by following this link:
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/560267/of-hearth-the-harrowing
Email us at titterpigspod@gmail.com with your comments, questions, or soundbites.
Episode intro by the one and only, Dr. Mitch. You can follow Dr. Paul Mitchener on Bluesky @thetweedmeister,bsky.social for more ukulele goodness and also to check out his many TTRPG offerings, especially Liminal
Give us a follow on all our socials:
Facebook:facebook.com/Titterpigs
Bluesky:@titterpigs.bsky.social
Scott:
Mastodon dice.camp/@orcusdorkus
Bluesky @orcusdorkus.bsky.social
YouTube at OrcusDorkus' RPG Shenanigans
Keith:
Mastodon dice.camp/@Modoc
Bluesky: @modoc.bsky.social
and his blog Rolling Boxcars Blog
This episode's music:
Music by Ben Xue from Pixabay
Music by Nicholas Panek from Pixabay
Music by omar sahel from Pixabay
