Magic Items 101: A Historical Guide For TTRPGs The Maniculum podcast

44:09

When a young Eva Kollisch arrives as a refugee in New York in 1940, she finds a community among socialists who share her values and idealism. She soon discovers ‘the cause’ isn’t as idyllic as it seems. Little does she know this is the beginning of a lifelong commitment to activism and her determination to create radical change in ways that include belonging, love and one's full self. In addition to Eva Kollisch’s memoirs Girl in Movement (2000) and The Ground Under My Feet (2014), LBI’s collections include an oral history interview with Eva conducted in 2014 and the papers of Eva’s mother, poet Margarete Kolllisch, which document Eva’s childhood experience on the Kindertransport. Learn more at www.lbi.org/kollisch . Exile is a production of the Leo Baeck Institute , New York | Berlin and Antica Productions . It’s narrated by Mandy Patinkin. Executive Producers include Katrina Onstad, Stuart Coxe, and Bernie Blum. Senior Producer is Debbie Pacheco. Associate Producers are Hailey Choi and Emily Morantz. Research and translation by Isabella Kempf. Sound design and audio mix by Philip Wilson, with help from Cameron McIver. Theme music by Oliver Wickham. Voice acting by Natalia Bushnik. Special thanks to the Kollisch family for the use of Eva’s two memoirs, “Girl in Movement” and “The Ground Under My Feet”, the Sophia Smith Collection at Smith College and their “Voices of Feminism Oral History Project”, and Soundtrack New York.…

Tous les épisodes

1
The Party Therapist: The Knight in Panther's Skin 2:00:26

il y a environ 3 jours2:00:26

2:00:26

What happens when a wandering knight fails in his quest to get the girl? He needs a therapist, of course! Join us in this guest episode with Georgian lit scholar James Baillie as we walk through the Georgian poetic epic "The Knight in Panther's Skin" and come away with a thousand new ideas for your next TTRPG. Check out James' work here: The Exile Princess on Steam The Exilian Articles Find him on Mastodon and Bluesky Join our discord community! Check out our Tumblr for even more! Support us on patreon ! Get your copy of Marginal Worlds , a deck of 50 magic items pulled directly from medieval manuscripts, built for any TTRPG system here ! Socials: Tumblr Website Bluesky Instagram Facebook Citations & References: Amiran-Darejaniani, trans. Stevenson, R.H. (Oxford, 1958). Shota Rustaveli trans. Wardrop, Marjory , The Man in the Panther’s Skin, (Tbilisi 1966). Shota Rustaveli trans. Vivian, Katharine, The Knight in Panther Skin (London, 1977). Visramiani, trans. Wardrop, Oliver. (London, 1914).…

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Build-an-Exorcism: Medieval Necromancy in D&D 1:45:30

il y a environ 17 jours1:45:30

1:45:30

A lot of you want to bring medieval necromancy to life in your D&D and TTRPG games, so we delivered! In this ep, we break down the formulae for medieval exorcisms and conjurations, and provide some tips on how you can conjure safely at home - in your game or otherwise. Join our discord community! Check out our Tumblr for even more! Support us on patreon ! Get your copy of Marginal Worlds , a deck of 50 magic items pulled directly from medieval manuscripts, built for any TTRPG system here ! Socials: Tumblr Website Threads Instagram Facebook Citations & References: The Munich Manual of Demonic Magic: info and get one yourself here ! Forbidden Rites: a Necromancer's Manual online version here ! All of Richard Keikhefer's books on magic here !…

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The History of Playing Cards, pt. 2: Back to the Beginning 1:44:36

il y a un an1:44:36

1:44:36

We're back with part two of the history of cards! As we delve into the sheer variety of cards that blossomed throughout Europe, we begin to see the ripple effects that they had -- both impacting and reflecting world cultures. Why not use cards similarly in your TTRPGs? We'll show you how! Images and list of suits here . Join our discord community! Check out our Tumblr for even more! Support us on patreon ! Get your copy of Marginal Worlds , a deck of 50 magic items pulled directly from medieval manuscripts, built for any TTRPG system here ! Socials: Tumblr Website Threads Instagram Facebook Citations & References: Berry, John. “Chinese Money-Suited Cards.” The Playing-Card , vol. 31, no. 5, 2003, pp. 230-6. Caldwell, Ross Sinclair. “The Devil and the Two of Hearts.” The Playing-Card , vol. 37, no. 2, 2008, pp. 126-41. Caldwell, Ross Sinclair. “The Proto-Historiography of Playing Cards: Early Hypotheses and Beliefs about the Origins of Cards and Card Games in Europe.” The Playing-Card , vol. 38, no. 2, 2009, pp. 92-118. Chatto, William Andrew. Facts and Speculations on the Origin and History of Playing Cards . London, 1848. Culin, Stewart. Korean Games; with Notes on the Corresponding Games of China and Japan. Philadelphia, 1895. Decker, Ronald, Thierry Depaulis, & Michael Dummett. A Wicked Pack of Cards: the Origins of the Occult Tarot . St. Martin’s Press, 1996. Dummett, Michael. The Game of Tarot: from Ferrara to Salt Lake City . Duckworth, 1980. Dummett, Michael. “The History of Card Games.” European Review , vol. 1, no. 2, 1993, pp. 125-35. Hargrave, Catherine Perry. A History of Playing Cards and a Bibliography of Cards and Gaming . Houghton Mifflin, 1980. Janssen, Han. “The 14th Century and the Introduction of Playing Cards into Europe.” The Playing-Card , vol. 34, no. 3, 2006, pp. 173-80. Lo, Andrew. “China’s Passion for Pai: Playing Cards, Dominoes, and Mahjong.” Asian Games: the Art of Contest , edited by Irving L. Finkel et al., Asia Society, 2004, 217-32. Lo, Andrew. “The Game of Leaves: An Inquiry into the Origin of Chinese Playing Cards.” Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies , vol. 63, no. 3, 2000, pp. 389–406. Lo, Andrew. “The ‘Yezi Pu' (Manual of Leaves): A Card Manual for Games of the Late Ming Period [1368-1644].” The Playing-Card , vol. 31, no. 2, 2002, pp. 86-96. Maggio, Emilia. “Early Dragons.” The Playing-Card , vol. 45, no. 3, 2017, pp. 131-41. Pollett, Andrea. “Tȗmȃn, or the Ten Thousand Cups of the Mamluk Cards.” The Playing-Card , vol. 31, no. 1, 2002, pp. 34-41. Singer, Samuel Weller. Researches into the History of Playing Cards; with Illustrations of the Origin of Printing and Engraving on Wood. London, 1816. Taylor, Edward Samuel. The History of Playing Cards, with Anecdotes of Their Use in Conjuring, Fortune-Telling, and Card-Sharping . London, 1865. van Rensselaer, Mrs. John King. The Devil’s Picture-Books: a History of Playing Cards . New York, 1893. Wilkinson, W. H. “Chinese Origin of Playing Cards.” The American Anthropologist , vol. 8, no. 1, 1895, pp. 61-78.…

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The History of Playing Cards, pt. 1: Modern Day & Medieval Europe 1:38:32

il y a un an1:38:32

1:38:32

We all like TTRPGs, but what about integrating other games into your tabletop play? This week, we're exploring the history of playing cards, their many variations and occult practices, and how you can utilize their unique history for your worldbuilding and campaigns. Images and list of suits here . Join our discord community! Check out our Tumblr for even more! Support us on patreon ! Get your copy of Marginal Worlds , a deck of 50 magic items pulled directly from medieval manuscripts, built for any TTRPG system here ! Socials: Tumblr Website Threads Instagram Facebook Citations & References: Berry, John. “Chinese Money-Suited Cards.” The Playing-Card , vol. 31, no. 5, 2003, pp. 230-6. Caldwell, Ross Sinclair. “The Devil and the Two of Hearts.” The Playing-Card , vol. 37, no. 2, 2008, pp. 126-41. Caldwell, Ross Sinclair. “The Proto-Historiography of Playing Cards: Early Hypotheses and Beliefs about the Origins of Cards and Card Games in Europe.” The Playing-Card , vol. 38, no. 2, 2009, pp. 92-118. Chatto, William Andrew. Facts and Speculations on the Origin and History of Playing Cards . London, 1848. Culin, Stewart. Korean Games; with Notes on the Corresponding Games of China and Japan . Philadelphia, 1895. Decker, Ronald, Thierry Depaulis, & Michael Dummett. A Wicked Pack of Cards: the Origins of the Occult Tarot . St. Martin’s Press, 1996. Dummett, Michael. The Game of Tarot: from Ferrara to Salt Lake City. Duckworth, 1980. Dummett, Michael. “The History of Card Games.” European Review , vol. 1, no. 2, 1993, pp. 125-35. Hargrave, Catherine Perry. A History of Playing Cards and a Bibliography of Cards and Gaming . Houghton Mifflin, 1980. Janssen, Han. “The 14th Century and the Introduction of Playing Cards into Europe.” The Playing-Card , vol. 34, no. 3, 2006, pp. 173-80. Lo, Andrew. “China’s Passion for Pai: Playing Cards, Dominoes, and Mahjong.” Asian Games: the Art of Contest , edited by Irving L. Finkel et al., Asia Society, 2004, 217-32. Lo, Andrew. “The Game of Leaves: An Inquiry into the Origin of Chinese Playing Cards.” Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies , vol. 63, no. 3, 2000, pp. 389–406. Lo, Andrew. “The ‘Yezi Pu' (Manual of Leaves): A Card Manual for Games of the Late Ming Period [1368-1644].” The Playing-Card , vol. 31, no. 2, 2002, pp. 86-96. Maggio, Emilia. “Early Dragons.” The Playing-Card , vol. 45, no. 3, 2017, pp. 131-41. Pollett, Andrea. “Tȗmȃn, or the Ten Thousand Cups of the Mamluk Cards.” The Playing-Card , vol. 31, no. 1, 2002, pp. 34-41. Singer, Samuel Weller. Researches into the History of Playing Cards; with Illustrations of the Origin of Printing and Engraving on Wood . London, 1816. Taylor, Edward Samuel. The History of Playing Cards, with Anecdotes of Their Use in Conjuring, Fortune-Telling, and Card-Sharping . London, 1865. van Rensselaer, Mrs. John King. The Devil’s Picture-Books: a History of Playing Cards . New York, 1893. Wilkinson, W. H. “Chinese Origin of Playing Cards.” The American Anthropologist , vol. 8, no. 1, 1895, pp. 61-78.…

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Scissors Beats Paper: Prokopios, Pt. 10 1:29:31

il y a un an1:29:31

1:29:31

Sick of the same old "evil monarchy" in your TTRPGs? Looking to create a corrupt government for your players to dismantle? Look no further - we're adapting byzantine bureaucracy and it's finest villains into BBEGs for your next tabletop game. Join our discord community! Check out our Tumblr for even more! Support us on patreon ! Get your copy of Marginal Worlds , a deck of 50 magic items pulled directly from medieval manuscripts, built for any TTRPG system here ! Socials: Tumblr Website Threads Instagram Facebook Citations & References: The Secret History and another version Classical text translations here…

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How Grendel Stole Christmas: A Beowulf Retelling 1:10:25

il y a un an1:10:25

1:10:25

When Grendel decides to steal Christmas from all the Whos down in Heorot... who else comes to save them but Cindy-Lou Who? Join us for our Christmas special as we do a unique retelling of Beowulf, and how Grendel and the Grinch may be more alike than you think. Read along here ! Join our discord community! Check out our Tumblr for even more! Support us on patreon ! Get your copy of Marginal Worlds , a deck of 50 magic items pulled directly from medieval manuscripts, built for any TTRPG system here ! Socials: Tumblr Website Threads Instagram Facebook Citations & References: Read Beowulf online here Follow along with Mac's version on our blog ! Magennis, Hugh. Anglo-Saxon Appetites: Food and Drink and Their Consumption in Old English and Related Literature . Four Courts Press, 1999. Schichler, Robert L. "Understanding the Outsider: Grendel, Geisel, and the Grinch." Popular Culture Review , vol. 11, no. 1, 2000, pp. 99-105.…

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Medieval Necromancy: Powered by Virginity & Thumbnails 1:44:47

il y a un an1:44:47

1:44:47

Curious about how to conjure a demon on-the-go? Never fear, your thumbnails will do! We're back this episode with our medieval necromancy series where we delve into divination spells using crystals, nails, and the power of virginity. Join our discord community! Check out our Tumblr for even more! Support us on patreon ! Get your copy of Marginal Worlds , a deck of 50 magic items pulled directly from medieval manuscripts, built for any TTRPG system here ! Socials: Tumblr Website Threads Instagram Facebook Citations & References: The Munich Manual of Demonic Magic: info and get one yourself here ! Forbidden Rites: a Necromancer's Manual online version here ! All of Richard Keikhefer's books on magic here ! Blessing the World: Ritual and Lay Piety by Derek Rivard here . Sanctifying the World: Ritual Blessings and Lay Piety in Medieval Religion and Society here The Bond of Solomon translation by Digital Amber here…

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Three Wishes at Swordpoint: The Wooing of Emer, Pt 2 1:13:35

il y a un an1:13:35

1:13:35

The Quest for a Wife is harder than it seems... Learn just what it takes fro Cu Chulainn to woo the lady Emer, and what skills of cunning and swordsmanship you can use in your next TTRPG. We're joined by Irish folklore expert Dr Emmet Taylor, who regales us with the finer (and funnier) parts of this old Irish epic. Check out Emmet's podcast: Guth: Reading Irish Myths and Legends . Join our discord community. Check out our Tumblr for even more content. Support us on patreon . Get your copy of Marginal Worlds , a deck of 50 magic items pulled directly from medieval manuscripts, built for any TTRPG system here ! Socials: Tumblr Website Twitter Instagram Facebook Citations & References: Read "The Wooing of Emer" online here or read an older, fragmentary version here Meyer, Kuno, ‘The Wooing of Emer’, Archaeological Review 1 (1888): 68–75, 150–155, 231–235, 298–307 Meyer, Kuno, ‘The Oldest Version of Tochmarc Emire’, Revue Celtique 11 (1890): 433-457. Toner, Gregory, ‘The Transmission of Tochmarc Emire,’ Ériu 49 (1998): 71-88. Taylor, Emmet, 'Tricks of the Trade: The Origin of Clessa in Irish Heroic Literature', Cambrian Medieval Celtic Studies 89 (2025): Forthcoming.…

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Cu Chulainn's Glorious Feats: The Wooing of Emer, Pt. 1 1:16:35

il y a un an1:16:35

1:16:35

The Quest for a Wife is harder than it seems... Learn just what it takes fro Cu Chulainn to woo the lady Emer, and what skills of cunning and swordsmanship you can use in your next TTRPG. We're joined by Irish folklore expert Dr Emmet Taylor, who regales us with the finer (and funnier) parts of this old Irish epic. Check out Emmet's podcast: Guth: Reading Irish Myths and Legends . Join our discord community. Check out our Tumblr for even more content. Support us on patreon . Get your copy of Marginal Worlds , a deck of 50 magic items pulled directly from medieval manuscripts, built for any TTRPG system here ! Socials: Tumblr Website Twitter Instagram Facebook Citations & References: Read "The Wooing of Emer" online here or read an older, fragmentary version here Meyer, Kuno, ‘The Wooing of Emer’, Archaeological Review 1 (1888): 68–75, 150–155, 231–235, 298–307 Meyer, Kuno, ‘The Oldest Version of Tochmarc Emire’, Revue Celtique 11 (1890): 433-457. Toner, Gregory, ‘The Transmission of Tochmarc Emire,’ Ériu 49 (1998): 71-88 Taylor, Emmet, 'Tricks of the Trade: The Origin of Clessa in Irish Heroic Literature', Cambrian Medieval Celtic Studies 89 (2025): Forthcoming.…

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Halloween Special: The Bathroom Fiend Side Quest 1:30:43

il y a un an1:30:43

1:30:43

What's better than the undead you don't know? The undead that you do! Join us in this Halloween special as we delve into the spooky nature of medieval undead tales and ghost stories, and teach you how to adapt them to TTRPGs! Join our discord community! Check out our Tumblr for even more! Support us on patreon ! Check out our merch ! Socials: Tumblr Website Twitter Instagram Facebook Citations & References: Saga Thing: The Tale of Thorstein Shiver -- listen here Caesarius of Heisterbach. The Dialogue On Miracles. Translated by H. von E. Scott and C. C. Swinton Bland, vol. 2. Harcourt, Brace & Co., 1929. The Chronicle of Lanercost. Translated by Herbert Maxwell. James MacLehose and Sons, 1913. Saxo Grammaticus, The Nine Books of the Danish History of Saxo Grammaticus. Translated by Oliver Elton, vol. 2. Norrœna Society, 1905. William of Malmesbury. The History of the Kings of England and the Modern History of William of Malmesbury. Translated by John Sharpe. Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, 1815. William of Newburgh. “The History of William of Newburgh.” The Church Historians of England, edited and translated by Joseph Stevenson, vol. 4. Seeleys, 1856.…

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The Grain Heist: Prokopios, Pt 9 1:24:18

il y a un an1:24:18

1:24:18

Prokopios continues hyperbolizing this week, thereby compromising his account of Byzantine history. Highlights include Justinian being bad at war because he keeps thinking about the nature of god, barbarians nobody has ever heard of before showing up in Byzantium because they heard the emperor was giving out free money, and the Great Grain Embezzlement. Join our discord community! Check out our Tumblr for even more! Support us on patreon ! Check out our merch ! Socials: Tumblr Website Twitter Instagram Facebook Citations & References: The Secret History and another version Wulfstan's Sermon to the English here…

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Law & Order: Scrying Vicars Unit (Necromancy!) 1:34:32

il y a un an1:34:32

1:34:32

Spice up your spells in D&D with this episode on divinatory magic from a real medieval grimoire! We discuss the legal status of the warlock and patron relationship, and just how reliable devils are for divinatory experiments, anyway? Join our discord community! Check out our Tumblr for even more! Support us on patreon ! Check out our merch ! Socials: Tumblr Website Twitter Instagram Facebook Citations & References: The Munich Manual of Demonic Magic: info and get one yourself here ! Forbidden Rites: a Necromancer's Manual online version here ! All of Richard Keikhefer's books on magic here ! Mirror of Florin references: the Hermetic Hour podcast , and Giordano Bruno's works on magic, astrology, and math .…

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Mandatory Government Matchmaking: Prokopios Pt. 8 1:23:20

il y a un an1:23:20

1:23:20

What if Bridgerton was set in Byzantium? What if the empress was the legal authority on matchmaking? Join us as we explore Prokopios' Secret History -- where the raunchiest secrets of the Byzantine court come to light -- and we teach you how to adapt it for function and gaming. Join our discord community! Check out our Tumblr for even more! Support us on patreon ! Check out our merch ! Socials: Tumblr Website Twitter Instagram Facebook Citations & References: The Secret History and another version A novelization of Theodora's life: Theodora: Actress, Empress, Whore…

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Necromance Me, Baby: Love Spells 1:18:05

il y a un an1:18:05

1:18:05

Magic has its uses, but also its dangers. In this episode, we discuss the more coercive, dangerous ways magic and necromancy was used in the middle ages -- and how, with care, you can use those themes in crafting your next bad guy in your TTRPG. Join our discord community! Check out our Tumblr for even more! Support us on patreon ! Check out our merch ! Socials: Tumblr Website Twitter Instagram Facebook Citations & References: Forbidden Rites: a Necromancer's Manual online version here ! All of Richard Keikhefer's books on magic here ! The Munich Manual of Demonic Magic: info and get one yourself here !…

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Byzantium's Moby Dick Problem: Prokopios, Pt 7 1:25:16

il y a un an1:25:16