Podcast Episode Summary

Podcast: Geek & Sundry – Starter Kit
Episode: Part 1: Into the Flame | Phoenix Dawn Command
Host: Jason Charles Miller
Game Master (Marshal): Keith Baker
Original Air Date: January 26, 2026
Main Theme:
This episode serves as a comprehensive introduction to Phoenix Dawn Command, a unique, card-based tabletop RPG where meaningful character death is a vehicle for growth and power. Hosted by Jason Charles Miller with game creator Keith Baker, the session walks new players through creating their Phoenix characters and the world’s lore, setting the stage for an epic, supernatural battle against the Dread.

Episode Overview

The session begins with host Jason Charles Miller and Keith Baker introducing the premise and mechanics of Phoenix Dawn Command—a game inspired by heroic sacrifice, where death (and rebirth) is core to character progression. Unlike traditional RPGs, death is not a failure but an expected, empowering transformation.

Keith introduces the world: the Delian Empire (the “Daylit World”), beset by supernatural horrors known as "the Dread." Only the Phoenixes—reborn heroes chosen by fate and empowered by magical forces—can stand against this threat. Each Phoenix has died once, experienced the mystical Crucible, and returned with supernatural abilities and a personal story.

The remainder of the episode focuses on detailed character creation with each participant, exploring personal backstories, character motivations, and the mechanics underpinning Phoenix Dawn Command. The tone is deeply narrative-focused with the spotlight on storytelling, roleplaying, and the emotional underpinnings of each character’s journey.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to Phoenix Dawn Command

• [01:46] Jason Charles Miller introduces the game and its central concept: "It's a role playing game where a meaningful death means returning more powerful with the dawn."
• [02:43] Keith Baker describes the setting: "Phoenix is set in the Delian Empire. It's a fantasy world at roughly the same level of development as the height of the Roman Empire... The last few years, there's just been a wave of supernatural terrors, which we collectively call the dread. The dead rising, ghosts haunting things. Mortal heroes can’t really fight these things.”

2. Game System Philosophy

• Card-based system (not dice):
  • [03:34] Keith Baker: "What you don't have is: I try and do a dramatic thing, and then I just get a bad roll and it all fails. Instead, it's about what is it gonna take for you to do the thing you want to do?"
  • Sacrifice and meaningful choice are emphasized. Death is woven into the narrative arc.
• Death and Rebirth as Progression:
  • [04:24] Keith Baker: “We basically wanted to take what is usually the worst part of a role playing game and combine it with the best part.”

3. Character Creation – Player Introductions

Each player sits down with Keith to explore their past life, cause of death, motivations, fears, and new abilities as a Phoenix.

Player 1: Chapter (Shrouded Phoenix)

• Background:
  • Former librarian, quiet and thoughtful; wielded dangerous knowledge to help an uprising, died when her library was destroyed.
  • “She was somebody who had knowledge of many different things … and it made her a bit of a target.” ([38:19] Chapter)
• Phoenix School: Shrouded – specialists in secrets, stealth, and learning.
• Talon (Weapon): Magic quill/pen.
• Personality: Afraid of fire, values knowledge.
• Core abilities: Always has intellect, strong on defense, can avoid attacks by vanishing.
• Quote:
  • [07:30] Chapter: “When they invaded, she and the library were probably taken down.”
  • [09:22] Chapter: “I actually think [her greatest fear] is fire, because she doesn't like the power of fire against books and against knowledge.”

Player 2: Kronos (Durant Phoenix)

• Background:
  • Raised by a doomsday-prepper father obsessed with the coming threat; killed in brutal training by her father.
• Phoenix School: Durant – died from not being tough enough, now defenders, hard to kill, good at war and athletics.
• Talon: Chakram (Xena-style).
• Motivation: Seeks strength, questions her father’s motives.
• Personality: Defensive, trust issues, valiant in combat.
• Quote:
  • [15:24] Kronos: “Like someone who's building the bomb shelter and, you know, stocking it … wanting her to be prepared to help him take down the Dread.”
  • [15:54] Kronos: “I think Cronus is really driven by ... the want to be strong enough that she's not put in that position again.”

Player 3: Pele (Elemental Phoenix)

• Background:
  • Daughter of a tyrant, mother murdered her in an act of insanity to spare herself; Pele’s focus is on protecting innocents and fighting abuse of power.
• Phoenix School: Elemental – died for duty, can wield fire and lightning, sacrifices personal energy for magic.
• Talon: Naginata (martial arts staff/sword).
• Motivation: Defend the weak, justice.
• Personality: Afraid of failure, bold and compassionate.
• Quote:
  • [25:36] Pele: “I think that it would probably be the fact of someone who's taking advantage of the people who are lower than him. I don't want someone to go through what I went through.”
  • [26:08] Pele: “I feel like failure would probably be a big deal, because even though she was probably very little, the fact that she couldn't even help out.”

Player 4: Pyre (Bitter Phoenix, Jason Charles Miller)

• Background:
  • Former warrior, slain ignobly in battle before he could prove himself. Fought against the Phoenixes in life but was reborn as one.
• Phoenix School: Bitter – died as failures, convert anger into power; stronger when injured or near death.
• Talon: Flaming axe. Appearance: constantly aflame.
• Motivation: Unfinished business, need for redemption.
• Personality: Ruthless, terrifying, inspiring.
• Quote:
  • [32:01] Pyre: “I feel like there's unfinished business ... I am extremely bitter about that.”

4. Wing Formation and Character Bonding ([34:28]–[39:53])

• Phoenixes are grouped into ‘wings’, teams mystically bonded through their magical flames.
• Group introductions, with players recapping their stories:
  • Pyre’s tragic fall and new purpose.
  • Pele’s rebirth from trauma and desire for justice.
  • Chapter’s legacy of forbidden knowledge.
  • Kronos’ quest for strength and healing from betrayal.
• Notable segment: Character traits and abilities are fleshed out, selected via color-coded cards—reflecting intellect, strength, and grace. Each player chooses traits matching their identity ([39:53]–[41:34]).
  • Quotes & banter:
    • [41:16] Jason Charles Miller (Pyre): "If you’re Phoenix Reborn, right? Another chance."
    • [41:26] Chapter: “I’m going to go with supernatural senses. That seems pretty true to my character.”

5. Deepening the Mechanics—Skill Specialty Swaps ([45:50]–[47:13])

• Keith invites players to swap skill specialties for further customization; encourages tailoring mechanics to suit backstory. Pele swaps "Empire" out for "Healer" to suit her preference.

6. First Mission Briefing ([47:57]–[51:43])

• Phoenixes’ first mission:

  • Teleported through the imperial flame to a remote Aerie (shrine). The process is described as excruciating (“feels like being burned alive”).
  • Greeted by Flame Keeper Eshal—her distinct appearance and mysterious mask described collaboratively by players (Player-driven worldbuilding).
  • The group is immediately thrust into crisis: a humming vibration, unnatural cold, voices whispering to Chapter, and then an explosion and screams in the distance.

• Notable quotes:

  • [50:55] Eshal (as voiced by Keith): “I am Flame Keeper Eshal, and I welcome you to Cloudspire Aerie ... There is a situation here that concerns me, and I would feel better if you would investigate it.”
  • [51:55] Keith Baker: “... you notice a few things. There is this sort of humming just all around... you feel a chill in the air. ... Chapter, you in particular do hear just voices, just whispering at the very back of your thoughts.”

7. Cliffhanger Ending: ([53:23]–[54:42])

• As the Phoenixes move to investigate, they must choose between a quick, dangerous descent or a slower, safer approach, aware that innocent lives are in the balance.
• All players opt for a heroic leap from the cliff edge into the flames of chaos below.
• Ends with a teaser: “And that’s where we’re gonna stop. If you want to find out what happens, join us on the next Starter Kit.” ([54:26]–[54:42])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Keith Baker, on the importance of sacrifice and agency:

  • "[03:34] ... it's about what is it gonna take for you to do the thing you want to do? ... your character is gonna die sooner or later. And that's generally more about you making a choice."

• Player 1, Chapter, on motivation:

  • "[09:07] I would probably say that she knows that she could become a source of great information about something that is hard to understand."

• Pele, on trauma and rebirth:

  • "[25:36] I don't want someone to go through what I went through with my mother."

• Pyre, explaining his nature:

  • "[32:01] ... I need to make up for the fact that the things that I wanted to do in the last life, I couldn't do, and that I am extremely bitter about that."

• Keith Baker, on Phoenixes as a team:

  • "[34:34] ... you are drawn together in what's called a wing. It's not like they chose to put you together. It's that your flames, the magical energy that empowers you, is connected."

• Group leap into peril:

  • "[54:14] Pele: 'I will leap.'
    Keith: 'Leap.'
    Pyre: 'Do I have a rope?'
    Chapter: 'I leap and I aim for Pyre's back.'"

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:46 – Episode & game introduction by Jason Charles Miller
• 02:35 – Keith Baker introduces the world of Phoenix Dawn Command
• 03:34 – Card-based mechanics and philosophy
• 05:33 – 20:00 – Player-by-player character creation: backstory, personality, and mechanics
• 34:28 – 41:34 – Players introduce characters to each other; selecting traits
• 47:57 – The first mission: arrival at the Aerie
• 50:55 – 51:55 – Descriptions of Flame Keeper Eshal and the mission's inciting crisis
• 53:23 – 54:42 – The cliffhanger leap and adventure hooks for next session

Tone and Style

• Narrative-rich, deeply collaborative, and character-focused.
• The tone is warm, inclusive, and instructional; Keith Baker and the players create an inviting space for newcomer and veteran roleplayers alike.
• Moments of levity (banter about their character traits and leap into action) balance the themes of loss and heroism.

Summary for New Listeners

If you missed the episode, you now have a full sense of what makes Phoenix Dawn Command unique: meaningful sacrifice, cooperative storytelling, and a card-based system designed for tension and agency. The episode equips you with the lore and rules to step into the world as a Phoenix, introduces four compelling new heroes, and ends with the team leaping headfirst into their first battle against the mysterious Dread. The next installment promises to deliver the series' trademark mix of drama, action, and emotion.