For some, the halcyon days of PC gaming involved D&D-based RPGs with unwieldy UI and gauntlet-shaped mouse cursors, and that is precisely what SKALD: Against the Black Priory (High North Studios, Raw Fury, 2024) is calling back to with its mix of sword-and-sorcery fantasy and cosmic/Lovecraftian horror. It's well-worth your time if you're nostalgic or even curious about that era of RPGs, while not being nearly as obtuse or and without relying on advance knowledge of early D&D systems. This episode's guest, Phil Morgan, has an extensive history with that bygone era of CRPGs, even appearing on this podcast to discuss the original Baldur's Gate, so we had a great conversation here. As always, no spoilers for a while- enjoy!

Guest info: Phil Morgan (he/him)

• Listen to Deleted Saves https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/deleted-saves/
• Check out Phil's art: https://philmorganart.com

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Podcast Start
• 0:18 Introductions
• 6:02 Our Histories with SKALD and Its Inspirations
• 10:11 Top-Level Thoughts about SKALD
• 18:15 Story Setup
• 22:13 Pixel Art and Writing
• 30:43 Subverting D&D Tropes
• 37:29 Role-Playing
• 48:38 Combat
• 56:54 Controller vs Mouse/Keyboard
• 1:04:54 Music and Sound
• 1:09:35 Closing Thoughts and Who Should Play?
• 1:13:48 Deleted Saves and Westland
• 1:18:37 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:23:08 Spoilers- Early Game Quests
• 1:38:27 Spoilers- Horryn
• 1:47:37 Spoilers- Firgol
• 1:57:06 Spoilers- The Story Expands
• 2:07:04 Spoilers- Ending Sequence and Thoughts

Music used in the episode is credited to Surt R. Tracks used: Against the Black Priory, The Curse of Knowledge, Sellsword's Honor, Horryn's Plight, Shores of Idra, Tomes Bound in Skin, Bane of the Starstrider

Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

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Join Dave and special guest Brian Edwards as they dive into one of 2025's most acclaimed games, The Séance of Blake Manor (Spooky Doorway, Raw Fury, 2025). It's a captivating mystery set in an Irish countryside manor-turned-hotel, full of both literal and figurative ghosts, culminating in a grand séance. It's full of memorable characters, fantastic voice performances, Irish folklore and mythology, and always manages to keep you guessing. Check out the podcast for more.

Guest info: Brian Edwards (he/him)

• Check out the Character Issues podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-character-issues-podcast/id1530881747?l=zh-Hant-TW
• Check out Cane and Rinse https://caneandrinse.com/

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:16 Introductions
• 4:24 Personal Histories
• 7:59 Top-Level Thoughts
• 14:15 Story Setup and Cast of Characters
• 24:18 Spooky Atmosphere
• 29:00 Character Schedules and the Passage of Time
• 41:41 Lack of Deductive Reasoning
• 48:43 Some Mechanical Frustrations
• 56:09 Some Puzzly Puzzles
• 58:44 Irish Folklore & Mythology
• 1:05:31 Who Should Play?
• 1:09:40 Character Issues & Cane and Rinse
• 1:19:04 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:20:57 Spoilers- Favorite Moments and Storylines
• 1:49:27 Spoilers- What's Going On Here?

Music used in the episode is credited to Clement Panchout. Tracks used: The Séance of Blake Manor, Vincent Varley, Blake Manor I, Courtyard, The Ritual, Serenade for Evelyn Deane (End Credits)

Check out Dave's guest DJ set on Chillscape: A Chill VGM Podcast: https://superpodnetwork.com/podcast/chillscape-a-chill-vgm-podcast

Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

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