The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast

Hey Now Cabalists! In today's Express Don and Jamie present the annual Best of 2024 in which they discuss the games we love from the past year.

Hey Now Cabalists! The Founders are back on the day before the day of Steve's birth - so everyone jump over to the Discord and wish him a happy birthday! The gang talks about a bunch of games that they've been playing including Age of Innovation, Unsettled, Divide et Impera, Mille Fiori, How Do you Doodle and feature SETI Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence from Tomas Holek and Czech Games Edition. Then Tony T whips up a whirlwind of wonder with his wonderful news segment. And finally the gang discusses the 2024 Shelf of Shame Challenge and challenges themselves again with a new batch of games. SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Review 00:56:56, News with Stevie S 01:39:42, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:41:55

Hark, noble Cabalists! Gather 'round and lend thine ears, for in this eve's tale of Lords of the Dungeon, our merry fellowship doth wrestle with a query from a distant traveler. How, pray tell, does one steer their quest true when a minor misstep doth send the campaign tumbling into ruin most dire? But lo, that is but the prologue! For anon, the Lords delve into the heart of the matter--a grand discourse on how brave adventurers may rise to meet the zeal and preparation of their most esteemed game master. So, sit ye back, grasp thy tankard, and let the tale unfold.

Hey Now and Happy New Year Cabalists! 2025 kicks off with AC from Lords of the Dungeon sitting in for Tony T as he's traveling for the holiday. We dive into a bunch of games we've been playing including Star Trek Captains Chair, Great Western Trail New Zealand, Clank Catacombs, Fallout, Compile Main 1, and feature Endeavor Deep Sea designed by Carl de Visser and Jarratt Gray and published by Burnt Island Games. Stevie S takes over Tony T's newsman role for the day and gives you all the most important news stories from the tabletop gaming world. Then finally the gang takes questions from listeners including games we cant get to the table but refuse to get rid of, the TV shows we recommend, and how our hobby habits have changed over the years. Endeavor Deep Sea Review 00:52:36, News with Stevie S 01:30:36, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:26:25

Hey Now and Season's Greetings Cabalists! Jamie throws out a message about the holiday season podcast schedule and plugs a bunch of crap. We're taking the week of Christmas off and planning to make the January episdoe of express a big, chonky ordeal. The 2024 fundraiser pledge manager has released. Check your email to get that taken care of. Late Pledges will start by the end of the year. Join the Discord server! It's awesome. (https://thesecretcabal.com/discord) If you really don't dig Discord, the BGG Guild is still up and running. Go use it! (https://boardgamegeek.com/guild/1145). We're also on a newer social media platform that's on the rise - Blue Sky! (https://bsky.app/profile/thesecretcabal.bsky.social) Happy Holidays everyone! See you in 2025.

Hey Now and Season's Greetings Cabalists! It times for the 13th annual Secret Cabal Holiday Special! Today the Founders dive into their stories from PAX Unplugged in Philadelphia and discuss the games they've been playing including Civolution, Dominion, Endeavour Deep Sea, Portmanteau and feature Doggerland from Super Meeple. Then after Tony T throws out the jolliest tabletop gaming news segment in history the gang goes wild with the ever-popular Newlywed Game Founders Edition! Doggerland Review 01:03:47, News with Tony T 01:41:14, Newlywed Game 02:36:26

Hail and well met, noble travelers! Gather 'round, for I bring glad tidings of another tale spun from the annals of Lords of the Dungeon! This day, our bold and intrepid heroes embark upon a new saga, delving into the storied realms of Pathfinder Second Edition. Hearken as they weave tales of the homebrew lands they’ve wrought with their own hands, introduce the stalwart champions who shall brave the trials ahead, and share their first impressions of this novel system of rules and magic. So, lend thy ear, and may thy spirits soar with the telling! Enjoy, one and all!

Hey now Cabalists! For those of you are on your way to Pax Unplugged in Philadelphia today, we're happy to fill your ear holes with another episode of the Cabal while you travel! First off, The Founders dive into a bunch of games we've been playing including Undaunted 2200 Callisto, Wrath of Fire Mountain, Darwin’s Journey, Kelp Shark vs Octopus, Raising Robots, and a feature review of Fromage from Road To Infamy Games. Then Tony T gives you one of the best damned tabletop gaming news segments that's ever been produced. And finally, the gang takes questions from listeners including am I crazy for rebuying the same game multiple times and what do I do about my philistine friends. Enjoy! Fromage 00:55:29, News with Tony T 01:32:59, Peak Froth 02:19:33

Today, Don, Tony, and Jamie dive headfirst into the remarkable world of Ryan Laukat, the visionary game designer, artist, and founder of Red Raven Games. Together, they explore a wide range of his celebrated games, highlighting their unique elements and discuss how Ryan and his his creative partner and wife, Malorie, have evolved and perfected their design philosophy over the years.

Hey now amazing Cabalists! It's Wednesday again and it's time for some more wild, crazy, and bombastic Cabal nonsense! Some of the games we talked about today include Nucleum, Wizards and Co, Harmonies, Deep Shelf, Aliens Another Glorious Day in the Corps and a feature review of Black Forest by the great Uwe Rosenberg. Then after Tony T feeds us all the news we need to hear the gang discusses what puts them in their happy place. What gets them to "Peak Froth". Black Forest 01:03:07, News with Tony T 01:33:49, Peak Froth 02:22:25

Greetings, Cabalists! This be a day most grand, for 'tis the day of roleplaying tales and discourse! Today, we delve into two most wondrous topics. First, we entertain a query from a keen listener who seeks wisdom on how to bestow rewards upon players without upsetting the delicate balance of the game. And then, we unravel a New Concept of considerable intrigue—a Character Virtue Engine! This wondrous mechanism doth guide thy characters through the murky waters of moral quandaries and ambiguous fates. We bid thee enjoy this lively discussion!

It's Wednesday again and the gang is back for more Cabal nonsense. In today's episode that Founders talk about Descent Legends of the Dark, Expeditions Gears of Corruption, Freedom Five, Alien Fate of the Nostromo, The Lord of the Rings Duel for Middle Earth and feature Creature Caravan from Red Raven Games and designed by Ryan Laukat. Then after Tony T throws some wild and crazy news your way the boys takes some listener questions including table hogs, games we just can't part with, and what Big Box editions do we want. Enjoy! Creature Caravan 00:50:23, News with Tony T 01:17:20, A Short Topic Extravaganza 02:01:44

Greetings, aficionados of the inexplicable! Gather round as Steve, Tony, Bender, Don, and Jamie embark on a journey through the thrilling realms of the unexplained. The gang dives into a lively discussion on belief and skepticism surrounding Bigfoot and other cryptids, exploring different views on their existence. They then shift gears to discuss extraterrestrial life, sharing perspectives on whether we’re alone in the universe. Finally, Jamie presents the tale of the Hopkinsville Goblins, sparking a deep-dive conversation into this infamous encounter and the mystery behind it. Today, we descend into the mystifying abyss, beckoning you to join us in The Secret Cabal Presents: The Mysteries of the Unknown. Cryptids 00:02:30, Extraterrestrials 00:21:26, Hopkinsville Goblins Story 00:39:16, Hopkinsville Goblins Discussion 00:59:31

Hey now Cabalists and happy 100th episode of The Secret Cabal Express! Today Don, Jamie, and Chris are celebrating Oktoberfest by swilling beer and listing our favorite games that released at Spiel 2024 in Essen Germany! It's a Polka-Fest here at the secret cabal and we're fired up! The only thing we're missing is a plate of bratwurst, pierogies, and sauerkraut! Kick back, pour a beer, and celebrate with the Founders. PROST!

Happy All Hallows' Eve, Cabalists! This week, Wolfman Steve and The Gatekeeper take over with ghoulish jokes and spooky banishments. The Founders dive into the horror board games they've been playing including Mansions of Madness, Cthulhu: Death May Die, A Touch of Evil, Texas Chainsaw Massacre Slaughterhouse, and feature Halloween by Emerson Matsuuchi. Tony T returns with the latest board game industry news, delivering updates from beyond the grave. Finally, we journey into The Secret Cabal Twilight Zone to discuss their ideas for twisted and terrifying themed games perfect for Halloween night. It’s a spooky, fun-filled episode you won’t want to miss! Enjoy! Halloween 00:48:29, News with Tony T 01:18:47, The Secret Cabal Twilight Zone 02:13:07

Greetings, esteemed Cabalists, and well met upon this fine occasion of another discourse from the Lords of the Dungeon. Today, the Lords doth speak of the final chapter in their most revered Shadowrun campaign, which now draweth to its close, and the commencement of a new journey within the realm of Pathfinder. Thereafter, they turn their attentions to the matter of forming a band of adventurers. With great care, they discuss the gathering of the party, and how they might craft a fellowship that is unified in both spirit and purpose, ensuring that all may partake in the adventure with joy and harmony, each role complementing the other, so as to maximize the delight of all involved.

Albatwitch Day is coming up and the Founders are go hunting for our local cryptid! Then the gang gets into the games they've been playing including Eldritch Horror, AI Space Puzzle, River Valley Glassworks, Obsession, Flip 7, and feature Andromeda's Edge designed by Luke and Maximus Laurie. Then Tony T dives right into his award-winning news segment giving us all the most important news from around the tabletop gaming world. And finally, the Founders take questions from the listeners regarding what we'd do if we had to pair our collection down to only 10 games, what Secret Cabal Monopoly tokens would be, and how pure should hidden movement games be? Andromeda's Edge 00:52:33, News with Tony T 01:31:46, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:25:53.

Hey Now Cabalists! It's a banner day here at the Secret Cabal because worlds are colliding! The Founders and Lords are together for a great conversion about learning games. On the Cabal Discord a Cabalist named Jamie brought up a great topic - why does it seem so much harder to learn new tabletop roleplaying game rules than it does new board games? The gang talks about their experience learning, teaching, and interpreting rules and comparing their experiences coming from different areas of the tabletop gaming hobby.

It's Chris appreciation time over on the Cabal Discord! We give Chris a few pats on the back and move onto the games we've been playing including Fateforge Chronicles of Kaan, Arkham Horror 3rd Edition, The White Castle, Expedition Northwest Passage and a feature review of Wondrous Creatures from Bad Comet Games. Then after Tony T informs us all of the most important goings-ons around the board game industry he puts on his judge robes to preside over The Cabalists Court. Wondrous Creatures 00:35:56, News with Tony T 01:03:15, The Cabalists Court with Judge Topper 02:00:24.

Greetings, noble subjects and esteemed Cabalists! On this fine morn, we begin our gathering with a hearty tribute to Jesko and Lady Stacey, who celebrate their wedding anniversary, a bond forged in honor and love. Next, we delve into a matter of great intrigue—metacurrencies, those precious rewards bestowed by the game master or system, which can be spent by adventurers to gain boons and favor in their quests. Lastly, the Lords shall hold counsel on the art of character progression, seeking wisdom on how to ensure advancement that brings joy and triumph to all players.