Friends at the Table is an actual play podcast hosted by Austin Walker. The podcast has been active since September 2014, and episodes are released weekly. The collaboration between the gamemaster and the players is a major component of the show, in contrast to many tabletop role-playing games where the gamemaster has total control over worldbuilding.
Production The show is an actual play podcast, but due to its heavy editing, the show is similar in presentation to a radio drama or audiobook. Players on the show contribute to worldbuilding more than in many tabletop role-playing games, where worldbuilding is often left to the gamemaster. The show has been producing episodes since September 2014, and releases episodes on a weekly basis.
Cast Austin Walker (gamemaster) Art Martinez-Tebbel Alicia Acampora (editor, producer) Jack de Quidt (composer) Sylvia Clare Janine Hawkins Keith J. Carberry (editor, producer) Andrew Lee Swan Nick Scratch (former)
Seasons The show is split across two feeds: the main feed, which is accessible for free on the website and on podcast platforms, and a paid feed via Patreon. The main feed includes weekly episodes, which are split into seasons. The end of a season is marked with a "post mortem" episode, where the cast answers questions about the season.
Seasons one and two of the show were based on Apocalypse World. According to Walker, he drew inspiration for season six from Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt, Code Geass, Legend of the Galactic Heroes, Aldnoah.Zero, and Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team. Various other seasons of the show have drawn elements from many different tabletop role-playing systems, including Dungeon World. +Main FeedSeason no.Season nameOriginally releasedSystems usedFirst episodeLast episode1Autumn in Hieron (formerly Seasons of Hieron)September 12, 2014June 19, 2015Dungeon World
Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective (holiday special)
The Sundered Land (episode 20)2COUNTER/WEIGHTJuly 15, 2015June 26, 2016The Sprawl
TechNoir (beginning episodes)
Stars Without Number (faction game episodes)
Microscope (faction game episodes)
Kingdom (interlude)
Mobile Frame Zero: Firebrands (finale)2.5MarieldaJuly 14, 2016October 14, 2016Blades in the Dark The Quiet Year (beginning episodes)3Winter in HieronNovember 18, 2016June 28, 2017Dungeon World
Follow (holiday special)
Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective (holiday special)4Twilight MirageJune 29, 2017September 10, 2018The Veil
Follow
Scum and Villainy
Futura Free (finale)5Spring in HieronOctober 10, 2018September 19, 2019Dungeon World
The Quiet Year (finale)5.5The Road to PARTIZANOctober 3, 2019August 3, 2020Dialect: A Game About Language and How It Dies
Armour Astir: Advent
Ech0
Dusk To Midnight
Beam Saber
For the Queen
Microscope6PARTIZANDecember 19, 2019February 5, 2021Beam Saber
Kingdom (holiday special)
War in the Year 3000 (finale)7SangfielleMarch 11, 2021June 16, 2022Heart: The City Beneath
The Ground Itself (beginning episodes)
Inhuman Conditions (episode 21)
Anamnesis (episode 52)
A Visit to San Sibilia (episode 56)7.5The Road to PALISADEAugust 26, 2022January 20, 2023HOUNDs
Stealing the Throne
Last Shooting
Wagon Wheel
Lancer
Orbital
Serious Reading
My Way
Upstairs & Downstairs
City Planning Department8PALISADEMarch 10, 2023August 30, 2024Armour Astir: Advent
Questlandia (Palette of Colors arc)9Perpetua March 13 2025 Ongoing Fabula Ultima
Cartograph: Atlas Edition (Prelude arc) The Patreon feed consists of two main campaigns (Bluff City and Realis) along other show formats and extras. +Patreon FeedShow nameRelease periodDescriptionBluff City2017-OngoingThe main Patreon campaign, released parallel to any ongoing main feed seasons.Clapcast2017-OngoingA collection of bloopers and off-topic discussions cut from various episodes.Live at the Table2017-OngoingOneshots or short series played live, usually on a stream previously only available to Patreon patrons.Tips at the Table2017-2021An advice show where the cast answers questions about roleplaying.Drawing Maps2018-2023Austin Walker's show where he discusses preparations for games as a GM.Gathering Information2023-OngoingA behind the scenes show where Alicia Acampora discusses specific aspects of the current ongoing season with other cast members.Realis2025-OngoingAn actual play show in Austin Walker's Realis system, released parallel to the main feed seasons.
Since 2023, Friends at the Table has also produced podcasts outside of the actual play genre, which appear in their own public feeds. +Other ShowsShow nameRelease periodDescriptionMedia Club Plus2023–OngoingA discussion show about specific pieces of media, beginning with Hunter x Hunter and moving on to the films of M. Night Shyamalan.Side Story2025–OngoingA discussion show about video games.
Reception The podcast had more than 3,929 Patreon supporters . The show was featured on iTunes in 2020. Dan Neilan wrote in The A.V. Club that it is an "intimidating podcast to jump into" and a "bit overwhelming", but despite this the story had "rich, complex lore." It was cited by The Adventure Zone GM Griffin McElroy as an inspiration for elements of that podcast's first campaign.
Awards AwardDateCategoryRecipientResultRef.Discover Pods Awards2019Best Overall PodcastFriends at the TableAudio Verse AwardsInstrumental Composition in a Production"Spring In Hieron" by Jack de QuidtVocal Composition in a Production"Tell Me" by Jack de QuidtPlayer Direction of a ProductionAustin WalkerPlayer in an Improvised ProductionAli Acampora as Hella VaralImprovised ProductionFriends at the Table2020Instrumental Composition in a Production"RADIOSTATIC. HIATUS. REDSKY" by Jack de Quidt"TANAGER. PERFECT. TOUCHPAPER." by Jack de QuidtPlayer Direction of a ProductionAustin WalkerCover Art for a ProductionCraig SheldonImprovised ProductionFriends at the Table
See also List of fantasy podcasts List of Dungeons & Dragons web series
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