Lore Watch

Join Matt and Joe as they explore the repeated use of echoes and memories through the storyline of the current expansion leading to a discussion about the cyclical nature of WoW’s storytelling as well as the subversion of tropes in recent narratives in the game. (Spoilers for the War Within main campaign.) Also, the origins of Moonkins and murlocs as well as the whereabouts of the third Windrunner sister, Vareesa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Matt and Joe as they explore the history and culture of the Arathi Empire, speculating on its transformation from a human-led nation into a society of mixed human and elven heritage. Tin foil hatting ensues about the empire's leadership, the role of prophetic visions from the Sacred Flame, and their zone in the new expansion, Hallowfall. And this leads to a discussion of the role of the Titans in all of this. Because of course it does. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt, Joe, and Liz have been playing through early access of The War Within and have tHOuGhTz & oPiNioNz on the new lore info in the expansion. Topics include the extra depth we're getting on the lead lore characters and themes of mental health throughout the game as well as how you can see the Earthen's Titan roots throughout their story, the environmental storytelling in the game and through its side-quests. Minor spoilers throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us as we explore what we know so far about The War Within storyline to tin foil hat our way through implications for WoW’s larger narrative. Like we do. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us as we explore Marvel’s recent Comic-Con announcement that Robert Downey Jr. will return to the MCU as iconic villain Doctor Doom for the upcoming “Secret Wars” two-part movie. Discover why we think Viktor von Doom can be described as a villainous Boy Scout, how his relationship with Tony Stark is the world’s most dangerous and dysfunctional bromance, and how one of his misadventures was basically ‘Drunk History’, but with armor and magic. Which, ironically, is how you could describe WoW these days. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us as we explore how the Scarred, a corrupted Earthen race in Khaz Algar of The War Within, may be connected to the twisted Dark Iron Dwarves of Grim Batol. Going further down the rabbit hole, we also delve (hehe) into how many underground zones in WoW could be linked through Old God corruption and how this might be a larger narrative in the game. Also Nephalem, Richard Knaak, and the return of Robert Downey Jr., because…uh, reasons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us as we discuss how we think the story of Magni and Brann Bronzebeard might play out in the upcoming expansion, various interpretations of The Prophecy of The Boy King (spoiler: it may not be about Anduin), and the possible connection between the Nerubians and the underground spider-elf hybrids known as drider-- uh the Fal’dorei of Suramar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tavern Watch is our podcast devoted to tabletop roleplaying games brought to you by the people behind the Blizzard Watch and Lore Watch podcasts.In this episode, we discuss the updated D&D rulebooks rolling out soon, the impact of the recent massive layoffs at Wizards of the Coast on both their own products and the larger industry, the role of AI in game development, and the importance of community trust for TTRPG companies to be successful. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us as we discuss if WoW is a narrative-first game, the evolution of the portrayal of goblins, and if Anduin taking center stage in the upcoming expansion means Sylvanas will also make an appearance. Bonus: Just how old is Dadgar—uh, Khadgar? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the Old God-imbued Saronite to the crystalized blood of Azeroth we call Azerite, many of the raw materials we use for crafting in WoW have a deeper connection to myths and legends in the game. Join us as we go waaaay down the rabbit hole of the surprising lore behind many WoW crafting sources. Plus more Xal’atath background and what’s up with that giant abandoned snow covered bird nest in Townlong Steppes? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Shadow Priest artifact weapon to retconned manipulator of Azeroth’s history to the Old God-adjacent big bad of The War Within, we discuss what we know about the void entity known as Xal’atath. Followed immediately by everyone's favorite part: wild speculation! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us as we conclude our deep dive into the narrative of the Fallout video game series with a focus on New Vegas as well as possible story tie-ins with the second season of the Fallout TV show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us as we continue our Fallout lore exploration with a focus on Fallout 3’s narrative highlights including the changes made to the series as it moved from Interplay to Bethesda, the journey from Vault 101, how the V.A.T.S. system affected the story, and the unforgettable villains. Also, the lasting impact this title had on the rest of the series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us as we continue to explore the expanding lore of Fallout 2 picking up with the release of the game sequels and going all the way through to the recent Amazon Prime show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've all been there. A forgotten underground temple full of mysteries, treasures, traps, and more than a few dusty old skulls. (At least we're pretty sure that's dust.) But we're adventurers, and never walk away from danger (in fact, we frequently cause the danger ourselves). In this week's adventure, GM Matt Rossi escorts the hapless Tavern Watch crew to the conclusion of the Pathfinder 2e Rise of the Runelords adventure.We may be hapless, but we've gotten this far! And we'll probably make it all the way to the end of this dungeon, but no promises. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lore. Lore never changes...It's October 2077 and a global nuclear war has devastated the world. And that's just the beginning of the story of Fallout. This week we explore the very first Fallout game, and how this sprawling story began. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

GM Matt Rossi continues to guide the hapless Tavern Watch crew through a Pathfinder 2e game, based on the classic Rise of the Runelords adventure.This week, we faced the classic tabletop conundrum: if one of your party members is slower than the rest, should you leave them behind as you sprint ahead into adventure? They'll eventually catch up, right? It'll be fine. (And I'm sure you would have all made the same choice in our place.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Tavern Watch crew continues its Pathfinder 2e game, based on the classic Rise of the Runelords adventure!In our latest adventure, GM Matt Rossi watches in amusement (we assume it was amusement) as the party picks a fight with a squirrel and sets on the trail of who — or what — just attacked the town of Sandport. One of these is perhaps more important than the other, but we had to deal with the squirrel.And that building thing? Definitely not our fault. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we explore the Nathrezim's purpose on Azeroth and whether their manipulations had any impact on Sargeras. (Spoiler: probably not.) Plus we recount the whispers of Il'gynoth, what we know about Xal'atath, and just what role the Old Gods might play in the story moving forward. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our Pathfinder 2e: Rise of the Runelords campaign begins! GM Matt Rossi sends our adventurers to the town of Sandport, where the party visits the local festival, has a curious encounter with a fortune teller, and fights off a group of angry goblins who descend on the celebrations. Surely that won't have any consequences at all. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.