The Aphid Lounge

In this edition of the patron-exclusive Aphid Lounge, Courtney and Daniel sit down with frequent-guest-host Jonnie Law to chat about using collaborative storytelling to level up your RPGs. We examine the concept of session zeroes and how they can help GMs create impactful adventures while connecting players to the worlds they build...And to show just how fun and useful randomized story hooks can be, we run a mini session zero in a setting that we toss together on the fly!
Listen to the full episode at https://www.patreon.com/posts/aphid-lounge-in-95059591 by joining our Patreon's Giant Aphid or God-Pacted tiers!

WBWU, now in glorious video format! In the second part of this patron-exclusive Aphid Lounge series on AI tools, Daniel walks us through creating character portraits with Stable Diffusion and whipping up ideas with ChatGPT, and shows us the emerging realm of video via RunwayML. We also talk art, accessibility, ethics, and what the future might bring, for better or worse.
Watch the full episode at https://www.patreon.com/posts/aphid-lounge-ai-90338514 by joining our Patreon's Giant Aphid or God-Pacted tiers!

We've wanted to go in-depth on the controversial topic of AI for a while, so for this patron-exclusive Aphid Lounge, we're taking the plunge! Professor Daniel gives an overview of the development and current state of AI creation tools like Stable Diffusion and ChatGPT, then we talk about the ethics and implications of it all and discuss the ways that you can use AI to aid in worldbuilding and TTRPGs.
You can unlock this episode by joining our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/worldbuildwithus

In this patron-exclusive Aphid Lounge, Daniel and Courtney are joined by their friend Jon Parsons to chat about how GMs and players can collaborate for better gaming experiences and stronger worldbuilding. We talk everything from session zeroes and social contracts to how GMs can include quiet players and how players can get away with being a crazed serial killer in a party of otherwise good characters!
You can unlock this episode by joining our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/worldbuildwithus

Or, Implications: The Episode. Patron Gluax requested a no-holds-barred gross episode, and Rob, Courtney, and Clark are all too happy to deliver in this extra-long, extra-juicy patron-exclusive Aphid Lounge! We discuss grossness and horror of all varieties and why we're drawn to them, then partake in a deeply unpleasant placenta- and prion-riddled duo of worldbuilding jams, and even talk about perhaps the most terrifying topic of all: sex education in the United States.
You can unlock this episode by joining our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/worldbuildwithus
And check out Clark at https://crrowenson.com and on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@themagicengineer5314!

In the latest patron-exclusive Aphid Lounge episode, we expand on our recent longform setting courtesy of ideas from some of our patrons! We talk about how to use this bustling den of vice in other genres and worlds, go deeper into topics such as culture, ruins, and housing, and create new and uplifting landmarks like a tower of corpses and an ever-dying angel. Happy Valentine's Day! 💕
You can unlock this episode by joining our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/worldbuildwithus

In our final patron-exclusive Aphid Lounge episode of the year, we answer questions from our lovely patrons, covering everything from characters and cocktails to monocultures and mimics. Plus, a sneak peek at what's coming in January!
You can unlock this episode by joining our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/worldbuildwithus
 

For this month's patron-exclusive episode, we're exploring food and its usefulness in fleshing out worlds and characters, cooking up story hooks, and more! ✨ Featuring bonus Thanksgiving hot takes! ✨
You can unlock this episode by joining our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/worldbuildwithus
 

Rob breaks out his gothic d12 as we descend into spooky jam chaos for our second patron-exclusive Aphid Lounge episode of October. Join us for two terrifying tales that you can incorporate into your Halloween RPG sessions!
You can unlock this episode by joining our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/worldbuildwithus
 

In an extra-spooky patron-exclusive Aphid Lounge episode, we sit down to discuss horror: What is it, at its roots? What media handles it well? And how can you incorporate it into RPGs without making your players overwhelmingly despondent? Tune in for talk of tension and foreshadowing, violence and gore, subversion and perversion, fragility and powerlessness, and all that good spooky stuff!
You can unlock this episode by joining our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/worldbuildwithus