Gm Word Of The Week

Getting around on water has always been a bit tricky. It’s bad enough just working out how to sail on the wind, but, when you are part of a society that derives nearly all its worth from one particular river, you have a vested interest in sorting things out as quickly as possible. Which is what the ancient Egyptians and Chinese did. They dammed their rivers and sailed up and down them in the pursuit of trade as much as they could. Except for the bits they dammed. Which was a whole new trick they had to learn. So they invented locks. Your support keeps the show ad free. Join us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, what’s your story, after all? The magic mirror is a staple of fairy tales and fantasy fiction. The go to source when you need something mundane to spice up the place with a bit of magic. And it’s true, most mirrors you run into in Fantasy movies, books, and games, tend to be magical if they show up at all. But there’s more to mirrors than meets the eye, so lets set our gaze on them and see what we can learn with a bit of reflection in this episode of GM Word of the Week. Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek

When we were confronted by a video game with an in game system that seemed to make things harder rather than easier, we went looking for help. In so doing, we stumbled upon the path of the mason, a profession so old, some folks consider it to be the worlds second oldest profession. And it is very old indeed. Another of those “before people wrote things down” things where no one knows exactly how it started but the evidence for it being a long time ago is everywhere. So let us take you on a journey that starts in a zoo, goes to the coast of Ireland, and then swings by some pyramids you probably haven’t even heard of. it’s all fun and games. Keep the show ad free by joining us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek

We’re all wound up about scrolls in this episode and most of it is Gary’s fault. See, back in the bad ol’ days of Advanced Dungeons and Dragons, Gygax went on a bit about how to make magical scrolls, and we thought, “Hang on. that all seems a bit much. What’s all the fuss about?” So we went and had a look. As it turns out, Gary was mostly a lot wrong about things related to scrolls, magical or not, and how to make them. Good thing it’s only a game and there’s nothing to get excited about. Right? Right??!! For transcripts and bonus episodes, join our patrons on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek

Accounting for accountants, we find ourselves a-counting. Thankfully, it’s not a math heavy episode, otherwise we’d have to count ourselves out. But this is a bit of the story about how counting came to be, and how it took us a long time to get to the point where we could count anything we wanted. Because it wasn’t easy at first and, for many of us, it isn’t easy now either, but there is a device that might make the whole thing go more smoothly if only we still valued its use: The abacus. There’s no accounting for taste, but if yours aligns with ours, why not join our patrons on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek

Last week, we talked about real people who became the subject of tall tales and folklore. This week, we talk about made up people who started out as folklore. Except many of them didn’t. At best, they were made up as new stories based on folklore. At worst, they were just made up entirely. And this tends to annoy some folklorists who sometimes refer to these sorts of things as fakelore. To find out what makes it so annoying, and hear some great stories along the way, warm up your headphones and give the show a listen. This episode is sponsored by the good folks at Patreon, who’ve chosen to be our Patrons. Won’t you join them? https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek

There’s something about Tall Tales that really capture the imagination. Whether they’re about real people or not, they tell amazing, unbelievable stories meant to entertain and educate us. But there is a down side to tall tales as well. And in part one of a two part series, we’ll look at some of the real mean and women behind the stories we hear and how the tales both help and hurt. So let’s gather around the camp fire and listen as we discuss the likes of Danial Boone and Molly Pitcher and what we can and can’t learn from tall tales. Join us on Patreon for early episode, transcripts, live chats and more at https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek.

Amulet was suggested to us, quite a while ago, by one of our Patrons on Patreon, but we put it off for a very long time because we couldn’t find much to say that wasn’t just a definition and an admonishment to use the word correctly. But then we did, and we hope you agree it’s a story worth telling. It’s an episode full of dangers and curses, faith and hope, and a tale of times both ancient and modern. It’s got everything you could possibly want including some Dungeons and Dragons. And it’s all thanks to our Patrons who you can join in supporting the show here: https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek

The modern idea of the Jester is not entirely incorrect. In many respects, it’s pretty close. But there are one or two things we’d like to clarify. Along the way we’ll talk about historical Jesters, their jokes, and what their lives were like. We’ll see Jesters from around the world and get to know more about how they worked. And, lest you think Jesters are all dead and gone, we’ll talk about two of the biggest fools we know about from the modern world. Join in the jokes and japes on our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek

It seems obvious, doesn’t it? I mean, we clearly know where Gary Gygax got the inspiration for the Barbarian Character Class in Dungeons and Dragons. He even references it in the famous Appendix N. Obviously, what he had in mind was Conan. Duh! Ah but wait. Would we even be here if that were true? If the most obvious and plain explanation was the one that was correct, why even bother with the episode? Something must be up. And it is, because once you start digging into it, you learn several surprising things. Like, barbarian is kind of a no-no word. Conan doesn’t really fit the definition of barbarian. And Gary, once again, wasn’t really on point with his character design. But to find out more you have to listen to the show. And if you like what you hear, join our Patrons on Patreon and support the show: https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek

Once there was a very smart man who lived in Ancient Rome. He wrote a book called Naturalis Historia and for the next 1400 years, it was the best book ever. Everyone had a copy, read it, and referred to it. Why? Because it contained everything ever known about the whole world. And who doesn’t want that on their shelf? But just how good was it, and how much did Pliny the Elder really know? Was he the authority on everything? Or was he just a second rate collector of information who got lucky? We’re glad you asked, let’s find out in this episode of GM Word of the Week. GM Word of the Week is supported by the kind contributions of our patrons on Patreon. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to our website at GMWordoftheWeek.com where you can find out how to support the show yourself, subscribe to it on all your favorite podcatchers, and find even more episodes to enjoy. This episode was Written, Researched, and Produced by Brian Casey. Today’s music was provided by Blue Dot Sessions.

Welcome to the new format. We hope you enjoy it. In this episode we are talking about unicorns, but more specifically we’re talking about unicorns horns, or alicorns as they are officially called. And to do so, we have to go all the way back to 1660 and then all the way backer to the 33rd century BCE. It’s quite the trip, but go ahead and have a seat. Right over there. On that chair made out of unicorn horn. Because that chair is really important. GM Word of the Week is supported by the kind contributions of our patrons on Patreon. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to our website at GMWordoftheWeek.com where you can find out how to support the show yourself, subscribe to it on all your favorite podcatchers, and find even more episodes to enjoy. This episode was Written, Researched, and Produced by Brian Casey. Today’s music was provided by Blue Dot Sessions and Epidemic Sound.

We’ve briefly talked about animated statues before, but we really didn’t dig into statues in particular at the time. So herein, said discussion. And we do really go way, way back into history and travel right up to the present day. What’s all this statue stuff about really? Can we learn anything from them? What are they trying to tell us? Most importantly, how has all this statue history impacted the present day and is there anything we can do about it? If you’ve enjoyed the episode, please consider supporting us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek

Welcome to an unusual episode of GM Word of the Week, in which we eventually talk about tigers. But it is so much more than that. A peak behind the curtains here at the GM Word of the Week writer’s room where we show you how some of our episodes come together. And along the way, we dish some interesting bits of info about tigers and, even more relevantly to the gaming community, some stuff about weretigers, too. So listen in and enjoy! And here’s that link to our Patreon for you to follow and pledge in support of the show: https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek

Welcome to the New Year! We’re happy to see you, but we know you’ve got a brand new calendar just waiting to be filled up with schedules, appointments, birthdays, and anniversaries and that’s cool. But we also know that there are going to be a lot of blank spaces left. Even with all those actual holidays already printed on there. Never fear, though. We’re here to help. We’ve got lots of neat days to help you fill up those big blank stretches of time. Days like National Frisbee Day and National Coffee Day and National Fire Awareness Day and oh so much more. We know you’ll thank us later for it. We’ll thank you right now for a pledge to our Patreon to help keep the show coming. Sign up at https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek Thank you!

First, apologies. Then, news about some of the most dangerous creatures ever encountered. From Tolkien to Germany to Santa to Germany again then a bit of a stop in various Nordic countries and on to England, you’d think we were flying on of Santa’s routes. But we’re not. No, at this time of year we have a dire warning for you about the little creatures you let into your house. Take care and be well. Merry Christmas indeed. Get access to transcripts, bonus episodes and monthly creator chats by becoming a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek

We’re pretty sure you can name eight or nine reindeer just fine all by yourself. But the real question is, just how many reindeer does Santa have altogether? And, what are their names? In this episode we take a completely serious look at all the known sources for our modern Santa Claus lore with regards to reindeer. From Clement Clarke Moore’s contribution, to the offering of one Robert Lewis May, to the random bits and bobs that have been scattered over the landscape from other sources. As far as we’re concerned, every source is as valid as every other and we encourage you to keep and open mind as we go through this episode made with an eye on the little ones. You can help support GM Word of the Week on Patreon at: https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek

We all like to give and get gifts. Particularly around the holidays. Well, herein is our gift to you and it’s about gifts and gift giving. And trying to make those things more tolerable for everyone concerned. Oh, and also the story of the worst gift ever given. Links as promised: Helmig, Bryan. “Conspiracy Santa: A Better Secret Santa for Teams.” Zapier. Zapier, June 4, 2019. https://zapier.com/blog/conspiracy-santa/. Jeeves, Roberta. “Official White Elephant Gift Exchange Rules.” White Elephant Rules, October 24, 2019. https://www.whiteelephantrules.com/. You can give a gift of subscription to our Patreon for transcripts and extras at https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek

Look! It’s a big bird! But not that Big Bird, let’s be clear. No, the roc is a bird of myth and story, but a myth and story with a long tradition that crosses some of the world’s biggest religions. More importantly, it also crosses two of the most famous pieces of popular culture ever created. One that is enshrined for posterity by the biggest library in the land. And one that has existed for centuries as the finest feat of tale telling ever told. Let’s find out what we’re talking about together. Join us on Patreon for transcripts, bonus episodes, and discord chats at https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek

Every Thanksgiving a little thought runs through our heads. Could the turkey be replaced with something else? And every year the same suggestion presents itself. The turducken. So, where does this frankensteinian dish come from and who thought it up? Is it a delicacy worth the effort and expense? Or is it just another in a long line of suspicious dishes that date all the way back to the medieval period? And what does football have to do with it? Thank you to all our patrons on Patreon for their continued support of the show. Without you, we are nothing. https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek