One Shot

One Shot is a weekly actual play podcast that explores different role playing systems with self contained One Shot stories. A rotating cast of improvisers, game designers, and other notable nerds show off the variety and diversity in RPGs bring you a new game every month!

James D’Amato is a comedian, author, and game designer living in Chicago. You might recognize him from ABC’s The Toy Box, or his book The Ultimate RPG Character Backstory Guide, or from an angry political tweet he made that blew up.

James trained in improv for years at The Second City Conservatory and iO Theater before using those lessons to share his love of gaming with the world. In the years since he worked to build the One Shot Network around the idea of making RPGs more accessible and the tabletop community more inclusive.

Hark! It’s Santa: Twenty Sided Holiday Special

The winter planet Blitzen, which is extremely far away from its twelve suns, receives a strange visitor. It’s up to Chesnut, Charcoal, and Blirbo (the Mayor’s son) to investigate and perhaps save the world from a jolly threat. THE TWENTY-SIDED TAVERN Book your ticket to the Twenty-Sided Tavern!

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Starwhal Odyssey: Preview

Deep in space, the cosmic metropolis of Caldera is home to many strange folk from far reaches of the universe. The residents of the tenement above the Lucky Fin restaurant: Ty- a chill Keeper of the Vibe, Petronilla- a young, exhausted, and aimless pottimus mercenary, Harker- a talented and underappreciated master chef running from his...

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478. High magic Lowlives, Episode Three

Episode Summary It’s time to recover from potentially grievous injuries and jump this bar/bike across a massive gulf, darn it! Episode Notes It’s time to recover from potentially grievous injuries and jump this bar/bike across a massive gulf, darn it! PICK UP HIGH MAGIC LOWLIVES! Stick it to the Immortal Aristocracy FOLLOW OUR PERFORMERS! Méabh!...

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Episode Summary What do you do when you need to get onto an aristocratic airship to steal a magical soup ladle? Why, strap an engine to a bicycle, of course! Episode Notes What do you do when you need to get onto an aristocratic airship to steal a magical soup ladle? Why, strap an engine...

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476. High Magic Lowlives, Episode 1

Episode Summary What to do when you’ve been kicked out of your immortal family and you’ve fallen in with a bunch of crime-happy livestreamers? Why, steal a magical soup ladle, of course! Episode Notes What to do when you’ve been kicked out of your immortal family and you’ve fallen in with a bunch of crime-happy...

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475. Ryne, Episode 4

Episode Summary The journey continues for out family group as they move to a place where they must confront Sir Regineld’s past, and hopefully bring about some healing. Episode Notes The journey continues for out family group as they move to a place where they must confront Sir Regineld’s past, and hopefully bring about some...

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474. Ryne, Episode 3

Episode Summary The ruins of a Titan are not to be trifled with. No one leaves this place unchanged… Episode Notes The ruins of a Titan are not to be trifled with. No one leaves this place unchanged… PICK UP RYNE NOW! Explore the world of Ryne and pay-what-you-can! LISTEN TO MYSTERY COUNTY MONSTER HUNTER’S...

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473. Ryne, Episode 2

Episode Summary Join James, Ben, and Nathan as they join Ryne creator Adam Dixon on a mind-bending adventure of familial proportions! Episode Notes Join James, Ben, and Nathan as they join Ryne creator Adam Dixon on a mind-bending adventure of familial proportions! PICK UP RYNE NOW! Explore the world of Ryne and pay-what-you-can! LISTEN TO...

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472. Ryne, Episode 1

Episode Summary Join James, Ben, and Nathan as they join Ryne creator Adam Dixon on a mind-bending adventure of familial proportions! Episode Notes Join James, Ben, and Nathan as they join Ryne creator Adam Dixon on a mind-bending adventure of familial proportions! PICK UP RYNE NOW! Explore the world of Ryne and pay-what-you-can! LISTEN TO...

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Skyjacks: Episode 158

The Captain and his council help Douglas Kessler dispatch the Red Feathers but after the fighting ends tension begins to ramp up. Hip is seriously injured and without immediate attention, he could die. The Uhuru is without a doctor and everyone must scramble to make do. CONTENT NOTE Gunshot wound, blood, field surgery, stitches, body...

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James D'Amato

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