Best Maniculum Podcasts (2024)

1
Down & Dirty with a Demon: Prokopios Pt. 6 1:24:30

4d ago1:24:30

1:24:30

Prokopios is back at it with bad takes in his Secret History, spouting off what should only be found on Byzantine Twitter. Dive into his absurd takes on why the emperor is actually a demon, and why his wife is SUPER into him. Plus, explore the possibilities of actually having a demon emperor in your TTRPG game, and the complications of a nosy court…

1
Necromancy: I Conjure You to Be Chill, Bro 1:33:15

19d ago1:33:15

1:33:15

We're delving back into the Munich Handbook of Necromancy this week with transportation and reanimation spells. With so many spells to choose from, we're walking you through how to adapt a horse summoning spell to your TTRPG campaign, and maybe even give your players an invisibility cloak to boot. Our Kickstarter is LIVE! Be the first to get a deck…

1
Outlawing Astrology: Prokopios Pt. 5 1:26:46

1M ago1:26:46

1:26:46

The Byzantine world continues to make for a perfect D&D setting! In this episode, Justinian outlaws astrology, while he and Theodora pretend to be an the embittered couple in order to play both sides of the sport-fans-turned-rioters, and "Pumpkin," the city prefect, is ousted from power by these sports fanatics. What could possibly go wrong? Our Ki…

1
Summon Party: An Introduction to Necromancy 1:34:22

2M ago1:34:22

1:34:22

So you want to be a necromancer - in your next D&D campaign, sure, sure. But what IS necromancy, really? Join us in this episode as we dive into the real sources of medieval necromancy and black magic, and discover ways that real magical practices can fit into your next TTRPG campaign. Our Kickstarter is just a week away! Be the first to get a deck…

1
Not to Worry; I Have a Permit: Medieval Fables 2:15:44

2M ago2:15:44

2:15:44

What can animals teach us about TTRPGs? Join us in this episode as we explore the world of Medieval Fables and just what they can teach us about life, death, and min-maxing with fables & medieval animal specialist Linnet Heald! Check out our Kickstarter!Check out Sam's DEATH OF THE AUTHOR on Backerkit here! Check out Linnet's Blog posts & her new w…

1
The Prince and the Prostitute: Prokopios, Pt. 4 1:23:24

2M ago1:23:24

1:23:24

This week, we're delving into Empress Theodora's early life and rise to power as empress of the Byzantine era. From her breathtaking performances as a prostitute to her love-at-first-sight romance with Justinian as a young guard, we gather that Theodora was one hell of a woman, regardless of Prokopios' distaste for her. Check out our Kickstarter! A…

1
Huzzah! The TTRPG Quest Tournament 2:16:59

3M ago2:16:59

2:16:59

It's our 100th episode! Come celebrate with us as we host our second tournament - Mac and I compete with each other to see who has the best approach to listener submitted quests, with parties compiled of the characters we've collected from each episode. Special thanks to all the listeners who submitted quest ideas and questions for us to answer! WH…

1
The Abbess Gambit: Eliduc Pt. 2 1:16:45

3M ago1:16:45

1:16:45

It's part two of the drama-filled adventure of Eliduc, the two-timing knight! In the final part of this tale, we discuss how medieval writers poke fun at the chivalric system, and explore how to adapt knighthood - in all its forms- into your D&D campaign. Our KICKSTARTER is coming up! Sign up & try it out yourself here! Join our discord community!C…

1
Oh Ariana, We’re Really in It Now: Eliduc, Pt. 1 1:25:01

4M ago1:25:01

1:25:01

The drama of courtly love affairs - and their consequences - is back with the Lay of Eliduc! When Sir Eliduc abandons his vows after becoming a knight errant overseas, his wife and young mistress are not left helpless - together, and with a little magic, the two of them subvert expectations to force Eliuduc's hand. Check out the Kickstarter here! J…

1
All Hail the King of Sports: The Nika Riots, Prokopios Pt. 3 1:48:49

4M ago1:48:49

1:48:49

Looking for a new political-intrigue campaign, but on't want to compromise on combat and craziness? Join us this week as we explore the Nika riots, where sports fans create a gang war that nearly brings down the Byzantine empire. With unique faction styles, a political coup, and a pretender emperor, the Nika riots are the perfect ground for a succe…

1
Valentine's Day Special: Magical and Medical Contraception 1:47:19

5M ago1:47:19

1:47:19

Happy Valentine's Day! In this episode, we delve into medieval love spells, contraception, and the challenges women faced in matters of love and pregnancy. From mysterious plants and potions to debates among theologians on abortion ethics, explore the intersection of magic, societal views, and women's health in the Middle Ages. Join our discord com…

1
Magic items 101: A Historical Guide for TTRPGs 1:46:08

5M ago1:46:08

1:46:08

Ever wonder how realistic the magic items in D&D are, anyway? What are the lines between a religious token, a pagan amulet, and a giant-made sword?Join us this episode as we unlock the nature of how magic works in the middle ages, and how you can adapt historical magic techniques into your D&D campaign. Join our discord community!Check out our Tumb…

1
On Wednesdays We Wear BLOOD: Prokopios Pt. 2 1:43:49

6M ago1:43:49

1:43:49

The drama of Prokopios' Secret History continues in this episode! We learn the secret backstory of how Justinian rose to power -- there's no dramatic coup, but we do learn the origin of the stencil, and learn how Theodora continues to strong-arm her way over a princely love triangle. Join our discord community!Check out our Tumblr for even more!Sup…

1
A Tournament of Love Affairs: The Dolorous Knight 1:44:24

6M ago1:44:24

1:44:24

When four knights enter a tournament to win the same lady's hand (after she's led them all on), what could go wrong? Quite a lot, really. Join us in this episode as we explore this soap opera of a reverse-harem, medieval style. Plus, we discuss how medieval tournaments were actually set up, and how to adapt them to your D&D campaign! Join our disco…

1
Christmas Special! Saint Nick Pt 2, or, The Miracle of Vehicular Manslaughter 1:35:46

7M ago1:35:46

1:35:46

Merry Christmas and happy winter holiday! Welcome to part two of our Saint Nick special, where we explore the miracles of Saint Nicholas - after his death. Join us as we explore how to adapt the humiliation of saints into your D&D game, and how you can compel your warlock patron to help you - or else. Join our discord community!Check out our Tumblr…

1
Yonec Pt. 2, or, Fairy-Tale Booty Calls 1:05:28

7M ago1:05:28

1:05:28

It's the final part of Yonec, and in this episode, we explore how to adapt the Fairy Ring of General Inconspicuousness into your game, and how meta you can get with your meta-textuality. Join us and turn your next D&D game into an extra-planar fairy adventure! Join our discord community! Check out our Tumblr for even more! Support us on patreon! Ch…

1
Yonec Pt. 1, or, Bird-Man in Bondage 1:15:56

7M ago1:15:56

1:15:56

Alas, poor Yonec! He doesn't feature heavily in this story, despite being its namesake. Instead, join us as we discover how his parents, a fairy bird-man and a hapless damsel with a penchant for swooning, play meta-textual games within their tale. What pros and cons come with knowing you're in a fairy tale, and are they worth it, in the end? Join o…

1
Prokopios, Pt 1, or, the Flamin’ Hot Cheeto of Love 1:49:54

8M ago1:49:54

1:49:54

Welcome to the first installment of Prokopios' Secret History - look no further for the next BBEG of your D&D campaign! In this episode, Prokopios, the court historian, explains the dangers of writing his record, and why he's waited so long to divulge the depravities of the Empress of Byzantium. Join our discord community!Check out our Tumblr for e…

1
The Secret History, or, the Byzantine Gossip Rag, with Dr. Kaldellis 1:15:18

8M ago1:15:18

1:15:18

We're joined this week by Dr. Anthony Kaldellis, a professor of Classics of the University of Chicago and a brilliant Byzantine scholar. Dr. Kaldellis grants us an inside look into the creation of the world's first gossip rag: Prokopios' Secret History, detailing all the saucy and sordid details of the Byzantium court! Check out Dr. Kaldellis' podc…

1
Halloween Special! How to Deal with the Undead 1:55:08

9M ago1:55:08

1:55:08

Happy Halloween! This season, we're covering some more spooky stories of the undead. So if you're looking to incorporate some real, historical depictions of how to deal with the undead in your next D&D game, don't delay! Learn the best kept secrets of How to Win Lawsuits against your Undead Neighbors and more in this episode. Join our discord commu…

1
Le Fresne, or, Ye Olde Instagram Stalker 1:44:31

9M ago1:44:31

1:44:31

Le Fresne, from the Lais of Marie de France, is like a medieval episode of "The Bachelor," but with a surprise twin twist. When two noble sisters are split up as infants and grow up to be equally gorgeous, it leads to a royal mix-up that even DNA testing couldn't solve. Join our discord community!Check out our Tumblr for even more!Support us on pat…

1
The Great Tang Records w/ Dr. Hartmann, Pt. 2, or Karmic Nepo Baby 1:30:22

10M ago1:30:22

1:30:22

We're back with part two of our chat with Kate! Follow the adventures of Xuanzang, a monk with a quest for enlightenment, as he embarks on a journey to India, meeting eccentric characters, facing weird monsters, and dealing with the inner turmoils of enlightenment. Join our discord community!Check out our Tumblr for even more!Support us on patreon!…

1
The Great Tang Records with Dr. Hartmann, or, Reincarnation 101 1:09:05

10M ago1:09:05

1:09:05

We return to the Great Tang Records this week with a special guest, Dr. Kate Hartmann, as she provides some enlightening context surrounding Xuanzang's travel blog and hot takes on what kind of buddhism is best. Join us as we learn how reincarnation actually works, and why it's better to be a human than a god when it comes to enlightenment. Join ou…

1
Guigemar, or, Nonstop Patriarchal Bullsh*t 1:55:03

10M ago1:55:03

1:55:03

The Lais of Guigemar is a medieval tale of romance with a magical twist that could give any modern rom-com a run for its money. When a dashing knight accidentally shoots a white doe and falls under a love curse, he's destined for a quest filled with enchanted belts, hidden desires, and a whole lot of "deer"-ly beloved drama. Join our discord commun…

1
Gesta Romanorum Pt 6, or, How to Lie to God 1:28:39

11M ago1:28:39

1:28:39

WHO or WHAT is the Abominable Whistler? What uncanny powers do they possess? These and other questions will be thoroughly elided in this week’s episode as we return to the Gesta Romanorum for more so-called "deeds of the Romans". Tune in to learn the best way to catch fish and how to lie to God. Don't miss it! Join our discord community!Support us …

1
Lanval, or, Legally Hotter 1:53:45

11M ago1:53:45

1:53:45

Lanval, one of the Lais of Marie de France, is a medieval tale that puts the "knight" in "nightmare date." It tells the story of a guy who's so good-looking that even unicorns get jealous, but his love life takes a wild turn when he meets a fairy queen who can't keep her magical powers in check. Join our discord community!Support us on patreon!Chec…

1
Two French Stories, or, Avian Lessons and Articulate Tweens 1:58:02

12M ago1:58:02

1:58:02

Stick it to the man with this week's weird medieval tales! We're back with two strange morality stories, each of which seems to teach the benefits of malicious compliance more than any true moral lesson. Hmm, maybe don't let your D&D party get ahold of these ideas, then... Join our discord community!Support us on patreon!Check out our merch! Social…

1
Egil's Saga Pt. 7, or, A Captain Kirk Moment 2:07:49

1y ago2:07:49

2:07:49

Welcome to the final part of Egil's Saga! In this episode, we learn Egil's approach to settling disputes with his neighbors is, of course, violence. How will he spend his last days, and what else can we pilfer from this text for our TTRPGs? Join our discord community!Support us on patreon!Check out our merch! Socials:WebsiteTwitterInstagramFacebook…

1
Pride! Trans Vikings and Ace Christians in the Middle Ages 2:15:08

1y ago2:15:08

2:15:08

Happy Pride! In this episode of the podcast, we explore the varied gender identities of Viking witches. While the modern stereotype of Vikings is that that of the masculine warrior and dutiful wife, grave goods found at several sites illustrate the fluidity of gender in the Nordic and Icelandic world! Citations & References: Bennett, Judith M. "'Le…

1
Happy Pride! Lesbians in the Middle Ages 1:49:07

1y ago1:49:07

1:49:07

Happy pride month! In this episode, we explore how women found ways to express their love for other women in the middle ages. In a time when homosexuality was limited and queer identities weren't as clear-cut, queer expression could be shown in a variety of ways. Citations & References: Twice marginal and twice invisible: lesbians in the Middle Age…

1
Egil's Saga, Pt 6, In Which Egil Might Be a Literal Bear 1:40:24

1y ago1:40:24

1:40:24

Welcome back to Egil's Saga! This installment of the saga has everything you need for a compelling quest, whether you're playing D&D, Pathfinder, or any other TTRPG! Egil teaches us how to cure a botched curse of lovesickness, and when the king's men go missing, he takes it upon himself to journey into the northlands to find them, only to fall into…

1
The Peasants' Revolt, Pt. 2, or, Nobody Wants to Work Anymore 1:25:11

1y ago1:25:11

1:25:11

We're concluding our adaptation of the Peasant's Revolt this week - and adapting it to a D&D adventure that you can use in your home game! Everyone loves an underdog story where justice is served, but what happens when mob rule gets a little out of hand? We discuss ways to balance your game's revolutions with ease and style. Join our discord commun…

1
May Day Special: the Peasants' Revolt Pt. 1 1:23:32

1y ago1:23:32

1:23:32

Happy May Day! We know how tiring it is to work all day only to have a few hours to prep for D&D sessions on the weekend, and that's why we're celebrating international workers' day this week by recounting the Peasant's Revolt in England. This historical account is FULL of ideas for an impactful campaign no matter your play style - combat heavy, po…

1
Crispy's Tavern D&D Guest Episode! 1:16:15

1y ago1:16:15

1:16:15

We're so excited to welcome Crispy onto the show - you may know him from his D&D Horror Stories or his actual play game, and this week, he's giving is his best advice on some of our weird medieval RPG ideas! Be sure to check out his YouTube channel here: YouTube: here Join our discord community!Support us on patreon! Check out our merch! Socials: W…

1
Sidrak & Bokkus, Pt. 2, or, Who Wants to be a Mystic? 1:24:14

1+ y ago1:24:14

1:24:14

Welcome back to Who Wants to be a Mystic! As always, your host, Friar Mac of Roxburgh, is here to offer bright young novices an opportunity to become a respected prophet, visionary, theologian, or similar. For those of you who haven’t seen a copy of the relevant papal bull, our format (as chartered by Holy Church) is as follows. I will ask our aspi…

1
Sidrak & Bokkus, or, Raging Paladins Destroying Pagans with Facts and Logic 1:18:15

1+ y ago1:18:15

1:18:15

Ever wonder what would happen if a medieval priest challenged a group of pagans to a god-off? Well, in this episode, we're diving into Sidrak and Bokkus, a lyrical poem of 415 questions and answers to the universe, framed by Sidrak, the Christian paragon, destroying a group of pagan priests with Facts and Logic (TM). We're more than confused by his…

1
Egil's Saga, Pt. 5, or Bootlicking Surprise 1:51:05

1+ y ago1:51:05

1:51:05

In this episode, we delve back into the thrilling world of Egil's Saga! Egil’s wonders never cease as in a surprising turn of events, resolves his feud with the king through his mastery of poetry. And, if you've ever wanted to bring an actual Viking fight ring into your D&D campaign, we'll show you how! Get ready for another wild ride with Egil's S…

1
Roll for References: Poison Books and Magical Libraries with Rare Book Historian Allie Alvis! 1:31:23

1+ y ago1:31:23

1:31:23

We're excited to welcome rare book historian Allie Alvis. Allie specializes in the intersection of book history and pop culture, and will be sharing their knowledge on how historical texts have influenced popular media such as TTRPGs. From the impact of medieval illuminated manuscripts on fantasy worlds, to the connection of rare books to games lik…

1
Gesta Romanorum Pt. 5, or, Embezzling for Heaven 1:47:55

1+ y ago1:47:55

1:47:55

Our return to the Gesta Romanorum in this episode provides a wide variety of tools for your TTRPGs. Need an unsolvable riddle for your players? What about a grave insult paired with the gift of a golden apple? Or perhaps you're looking for a more Lovecraftian plot element? Whatever you're looking for, this episode has it all. Plus, hear YOUR result…

1
Inside My Favorite Manuscript Guest Ep: Talking Book History in D&D! 59:42

1+ y ago59:42

59:42

In this episode, we're joined by Dot and Lindsay from the Inside My Favorite Manuscript podcast! Dot and Lindsay are book historians and nerds, and they'll be sharing their knowledge and insights on the world of medieval manuscripts and how you can incorporate them into your Pathfinder or D&D game. From the history and creation of these beautiful t…

1
Egil's Saga Pt. 4, or Viking Bear Transfiguration 2:16:01

1+ y ago2:16:01

2:16:01

In this episode, we return to Egil's Saga, where we discuss how to incorporate legal battles, bard rap battles, and tricking enemies into thinking you're a bear - all without transfiguration! Join our discord community!Support us on patreon!Check out our merch!Socials:WebsiteTwitterInstagram Citations & References: Hollister, C. Warren. Anglo-Saxon…

1
Going Questing: a TTRPG Tournament 1:53:05

1+ y ago1:53:05

1:53:05

Episode Notes In today's episode, Mac and Zoe are host a tournament to ring in the new year! Using their collected Courts, they create adventuring parties for quests that were submitted by listeners. Who will win the tournament? That is up to you... vote in our discord below! Join our discord community!Support us on patreon! Check out our merch! So…

1
Christmas Special: Saint Nick, or, Santa Claus Fcks Sht Up 1:47:55

1+ y ago1:47:55

1:47:55

Episode Notes Happy holidays, all! To celebrate the season, we’re covering the life and times of Saint Nicholas - the patron saint of sex workers and criminals! Oh, and he’s also known for being Santa Claus. Join us this week as we take a great D&D plot from the devil and learn just who Saint Nick beat bloody. Discord: https://discord.com/invite/ng…

1
Guest Ep: Twitch Streaming and the Middle Ages in Gaming with Ludohistory!

1+ y ago

—

Episode Notes Join our discord community!Support us on patreon!Check out our merch! Ludohistory Socials:TwitchDiscordTwitterYoutube Our Socials:WebsiteTwitterInstagramFacebook) Citations & References: Rambaran-Olm, Mary, and Erik Wade. “What's in a Name? The Past and Present Racism in 'Anglo-Saxon' Studies.” The Yearbook of English Studies 52.1 135…

1
Greenlanders Saga, Pt 2, or, Gaslight, Gatekeep, Girlboss 2: Boss Harder

1+ y ago

—

Episode Notes Happy Thanksgiving and Turkey Day! This year, we are revisiting the first European settlement of Greenland- this time from another perspective. The Saga of the Greenlanders is the other account of Erik the Red’s Saga, and it has a few… unique differences. Let’s dive in! Discord: https://discord.gg/ng7ufQRRbJ Twitter: https://twitter.c…

1
Thanksgiving Special: Greenlanders Saga, or, A Not-so-Meet-Cute 1:43:42

1+ y ago1:43:42

1:43:42

Episode Notes Happy Thanksgiving and Turkey Day! This year, we are revisiting the first European settlement of Greenland- this time from another perspective. The Saga of the Greenlanders is the other account of Erik the Red’s Saga, and it has a few… unique differences. Let’s dive in! Discord: https://discord.gg/ng7ufQRRbJTwitter: https://twitter.co…

1
Egil's Saga, Pt. 3, or, Warrior, Poet, Murderhobo 2:02:31

1+ y ago2:02:31

2:02:31

Episode Notes The family drama continues in Part 3 of Egil’s Saga! This time, we watch Egil in his adult years, crashing parties and deepening the rift between his family and the King of Norway. Will anything ever be resolved between these dynasties? Discord: https://discord.gg/q3CNjvzr Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/th…

1
The Undead Halloween Episode, or, Kill It With Fire! 2:10:23

1+ y ago2:10:23

2:10:23

Episode Notes Happy Samhain, listeners! For our Halloween special, we’ll be showing you how to adapt four spooky medieval tales of the undead into quest adventures for your next TTRPG! Whether you’re looking for a political drama, a new character idea, or a hack’n slash against a zombie hoard, this episode has something for you! Discord: https://di…

1
Egil's Saga Pt. 2, or, A Legitimate Businessbear 2:17:46

1+ y ago2:17:46

2:17:46

Episode Notes Welcome back to Egil’s saga, wherein we will finally meet our protagonist — after a generation’s worth of trauma and family feuding. Rest assured that the drama will continue with the rest of the family. Discord: https://discord.gg/ng7ufQRRbJ Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/the-maniculum-podcast/25124c41-d9…

1
The Story of King Constant, or, Close Your Womb; It’s a Scorpio 1:57:40

2y ago1:57:40

1:57:40

Episode Notes In this episode, we explore the strange tale of King Constant, a strange case of reverse-engineered divination, and teenage girls committing mail fraud. We're sure this will lead to a happy ending, right? Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/the-maniculum-podcast/6dd2c8e6-41fc-49a8-89a2-2f6ef1791a15…

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