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The GROGNARD Files

Dirk the Dice·Hosted by Dirk the Dice and Judge Blythy·149 episodes

LeisureGamesHobbiesTabletop RPGsClassic gamesLong episodesInterview segmentsBritish RPG cultureNostalgic

The GROGNARD RPG files is a podcast that looks at RPGs from 'back in the day and today'. Each episode concentrates on the original rules of a featured game, our experiences of playing the game, PLUS excellent contributions from @dailydwarf selecting highlights from the halcyon days of White Dwarf magazine.

Why listen

The GROGNARD Files is for tabletop RPG fans who enjoy opening an old rulebook and finding out why it mattered. Dirk the Dice and Judge Blythy mix affectionate nostalgia, rules discussion, play memories, guest interviews, and White Dwarf magazine archaeology into long, relaxed episodes. It is especially strong for listeners who love classic British RPG culture, Chaosium, Traveller, RuneQuest, Dungeons & Dragons, and the hobby history around them.

Series(4)

Episodes

1 hr 48 min
May 25, 2026
RPG ‘zines (with Wyrd Science)

In this episode, we return to the world of RPG zines and speak to John Power of Wyrd Science magazine.

1 hr 33 min
Apr 12, 2026
The Pirates of Drinax, Traveller RPG (with Matthew Sprange)

After three and a half years play, we are ready to discuss a fantastic Traveller campaign.

1 hr 36 min
Mar 8, 2026
Chaos in RPGs and beyond (with Tomas Rawlings)

In the latest episode of the podcast, we look at the use of chaos in RPGs.

1 hr 35 min
Jan 1, 2026
Five Items that Made Chaosium (with Rick Meints)

Rick Meints, President of Chaosium, joins us in the room of role-playing rambling to find five items from the history of the company.

54 min
Dec 24, 2025
Dirk’s Dossier – More Gladiator Chat and more

This is a collection of off-cuts from recent episodes, normally for Patreons, but a festive gift for you.

1 hr 27 min
Nov 30, 2025
Swedish RPGs (with Magnus Seter)

This time we talk to Magnus Seter about Swedish RPG games

1 hr 29 min
Oct 31, 2025
Arion Games and other RPGs (with Graham Bottley)

The return of The GROGNARD files, we talk about stuff we are playing

1 hr 15 min
Sep 9, 2025
Dungeon Crawl Classics Continued (Ep.85)

We return to DCC and look at some of games that belong to the family

1 hr 47 min
Aug 7, 2025
10 Years of The GROGNARD Files

Join us as we jump every shark in the neighbourhood, we look back at 10 years of podcasting

1 hr 34 min
Jul 18, 2025
Dungeon Crawl Classics RPG (with Brendan LaSalle)

The GROGPOD looks at Dungeon Crawl Classics and reflects on our play experience

1 hr 36 min
Jun 15, 2025
Ars Magica RPG (with Adrian Tchaikovsky) Ep 82

We're still talking and not talking about magic at the same time. Ars Magica seems a fascinating game, but how do we fit it in?

1 hr 41 min
May 17, 2025
Scarred by Magic in the 70s & 80s (with Stephen Brotherstone)

Where did our idea of magic come from back in the day? We look at witchcraft and folk horror of the 70's and 80s.

1 hr 28 min
Apr 10, 2025
More Magic in RPGs (with China Miéville)

Back in the room of roleplaying rambling, still banging on about playing magic.

1 hr 30 min
Mar 17, 2025
Magic in RPGs (with Stu Horvath) Ep.79

What do we want to Play, Stay or Giveaway when it comes to Magic in RPGs? Stu Horvath adds his thoughts too.

1 hr 13 min
Feb 8, 2025
Sanction RPG (with Paul Baldowski) Ep 78

Join us in the Room of Role-Playing Rambling with Paul Baldowski talking about Dangerous Journeys RPG, Play by Mail and Sanction.

1 hr 21 min
1 hr 41 min
Oct 31, 2024
Flashing Blades RPG Ep. 74

All for one and one for all! We are swashbuckling into this episode with a flurry of our blades and a jaunty feather in our hat.

1 hr 22 min
Sep 17, 2024
Bestiaries in Role Playing Games (with Tomas Harenstam)

The final part of the epic Monster episode features Free League's Tomas Harenstam.

1 hr 26 min
Aug 11, 2024
More Monsters in RPGs Ep 73 Pt 2

We are still looking at the role of monsters and how we can learn from screen monsters in our TTRPGs

1 hr 18 min
Jul 28, 2024
Monsters in RPGs Ep.73 Pt.1

The first part of an Episode all about Monsters. Which Bestiary should stay? Which should we play? And which could go away?

1 hr 26 min
Jun 15, 2024
Cyberpunk RPG Ep.72

In this episode we look at the culture of cyberspace and cyberpunk in the world of RPGs

58 min
May 6, 2024
80s Computers and RPGs Ep71 Pt2

Following the interview with Dan Whitehead, we discuss our formative years with computers

1 hr 1 min
May 4, 2024
ZX Spectrum Games (with Dan Whitehead) Ep.71 Pt. 1

Special Guest of virtual GROGMEET, Dan Whitehead takes us to the Speccy Nation

51 min
Apr 7, 2024
ThunderPhase! TTRPG Questions and Answers Ep.70 Pt.2

More listener questions are answered by Dirk and Blythy.

1 hr 22 min
Mar 31, 2024
White Dwarf RPG Covers (with ThunderPhase) Ep. 70 Pt. 1

Let's look back at the wonderful worlds created by White Dwarf covers.

1 hr 34 min
Dec 23, 2023
Review of 2023 in RPGs (with Gaz Bowerbank)

A review of the highs and lows of gaming in 2023 with a Book Club visit from Gaz from The Smart Party podcast.

1 hr 27 min
1 hr 47 min
1 hr 31 min
Aug 31, 2023
Liminal Inspirations Ep.63 (with C.K.McDonnell) (Part 2)

Continuing to find inspiration from urban horror/fantasy, in this episode we look at The Stranger Times and Children of the Stones

1 hr 8 min
Jul 29, 2023
Liminal (with Paul Mitchener) Ep.63 (Part 1)

Join us as we discover the places and people 'between' with Paul Mitchener, creator of Liminal RPG

1 hr 27 min
Jun 22, 2023
UK Games Expo Report 2023

You'll need at least two brews and a whole packet of Hob Nobs while we go on and on about UK Games Expo 2023.

1 hr 20 min
May 14, 2023
Call of Cthulhu Ep.2 (Part 1) – REMASTERED

The early episodes are steadily being remastered with an extra segment reflecting on the episode eight years on.

1 hr 20 min
May 1, 2023
Star Frontiers Ep 61 (Part 2)

Star Frontiers returns. This time we are looking for adventure!

1 hr 47 min
Mar 31, 2023
Star Frontiers (with Ben Riggs) Ep.61 (Part 1)

This time we look at a TSR classic and consider the history of the company post Gygax

1 hr 33 min
Feb 28, 2023
Dangerous Games (with Joseph Laycock) Ep.60

Don't panic, it's only a game, sit back have a hob nob, as we explore satan, RPGs and Tom Hanks .... Aye!

1 hr 48 min
Jan 27, 2023
Vaesen (and Moviedrome with Hypnogoria) Ep.59

We enter the strange world of the cult movies and the macabre in this episode with the help of Hypnogoria Podcast.

1 hr 41 min
Dec 31, 2022
Review of 2022 (with Bud’s RPG Reviews) Ep 58

The Armchair Adventurers have had another incredible year of gaming. Dirk and Blythy roll out the red carpet to the GROGGIE awards. At the Book Club, Bud talks about Viral: A Modern Call of Cthulhu Scenario.

1 hr 48 min
Nov 23, 2022
Into the Odd RPG at GROGMEET22 (with Chris McDowall) Ep. 57

Join us at GROGMEET22 where we meet Chris McDowall, author of Into the Odd and Electric Bastionland.

1 hr 22 min
1 hr 50 min
Sep 25, 2022
Savage Worlds (with Christian Nommay) Ep55 (Part 2)

This time we explore the worlds of Savage Worlds from Deadlands to Slipstream and beyond.

1 hr 42 min
Sep 1, 2022
Full Fathom Five (with Paul Fricker) Book Club – Extra

"Moby Dick as a Slasher pic" Paul Fricker talks to The Great Library of RPGs Book Club about Full Fathom Five for Call of Cthulhu.