About the Podcast
The Heart is a Dungeon (THIAD) is a TTRPG soundscape adventure for heroes and poets.
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This indie audio production features a majority BIPOC and majority femme-presenting cast.
THIAD is the brain-child of our fearless leader, RahRah Storytime: poet, writer, artist, and award-winning sound designer who began translating their talent for emotional storytelling into the TTRPG Actual Play medium in 2023. In addition to being the creative mastermind, RahRah is also responsible for all story concepts, casting, and sound engineering for the show.
Not your typical Actual Play, THIAD focuses on themes like loss, grief, growth, and the complexities of love. Each episode is carefuly crafted with layers of music and sound effects to create a surreal and moving experience with much of the mechanical discussion removed for a flow that will almost make you forget we are improvising.
The art for the podcast, as well as the merch you'll find here, are the work of FeralMoonbeam - award winning TTRPG performer, production partner, and original cast member of the show.
THIAD is committed to community and raising eachother up. That's why all proceeds from the merch store go back to The Lone Hart Award Fund, supporting up and coming productions with equipment they need to get their shows off the ground. Thank you for supporting us!
Our work so far includes:
Season One: 1983
Our debut series, this story follows Frankie through time and space as she grieves the loss of her grandmother and is set off on a quest to recover her grandmother's mysterious, magical mirror.
This season starts off in the Dungeons and Dragons 5E system, and transverses several other systems and adjacent story arcs including Kids on Bikes, Old Gods of Appalacia, and home-brew mechanics. Meet a number of amazing guests and maybe cry your heart out as we make our way through this relatable and yet fantastical story in a style reminiscent of 1980s fantasy adventures.
Season Two: Once Happily Upon Ever
This slice of life fairy tale follows "The Fairies": Egan the Lantern Jack, Lala the Witch's Bird, Purple Pippa the Feathercloak, and "Gemma" the Weeping Gale as they form a circus(?) and embark into the realm of mortals fulfill a debt to a mysterious Briar.
This story is set in the Under Hollow Hills system and spans 25 episodes ranging from heart-felt melancholy to utter fae chaos.
Before Magic Ends Our Story
This award-nominated one-shot utilizes a home-brewed system by RahRahStorytime and follows an odd crew of four creatures: Old Gran the Witch, Dolly the Living Doll, Tethoria the Tree, and Marlo the Drowned Boy - the guardians of the place where the Swamp meets the Forbidden Woods.
For centuries, the four have been guiding pilgrims to an unknown final destination beyond the Woods. Now, after all this time, the four embark on their own pilgrimage to see The End.
This one-shot is also one of few episodes that is available in both audio and video format. And yes, we did cosplay. Watch it here!
The Lighthouse of Broken Hearts
Another home-brew system by RahRahStorytime, video of this heart-wrenching one-shot is available on YouTube. Watch it here!
The purpose of the game? Talk about love by the sea. It's as gooey as it sounds, but twice as lovely, and features an incredible cast of some of the best roleplayers in the scene.
A Place as Beautiful as This
Our only scripted audio drama, this precious work is newly award-nominated and an exciting new chapter of the podcast. Written by RahRahStorytime, these bite-sized audio drama stories are set to surreal, intricate audio scaping and certain to break your heart.
Season 3: The Corner of Pleasure & West River
Our current ongoing season, P&WR is something very different. Each episode features one of fifteen players as they describe their day leading up to a world-changing event. Only one player knows the entire story, and Gideon Meander is on the case. Stay tuned to the end to find out what really happened at the Corner of Pleasure & West River.
Thank you for taking the time to love on our show!
Haven't heard us yet? Check us out on Spotify, Youtube, or wherever you consume your podcasts!