The Magnus Archives: The Listening Club TTRPG Special – Episode 1

Date: December 11, 2025
Host / GM: Jonathan Sims
Players: Anusha Battersby, Lorianne Davies, Ian Hales, Pip Gladwin
Special Guest (Intro): Alexander J. Newell

Overview:

This special episode marks the launch of "The Listening Club," a lighthearted actual play session of the newly released Magnus Archives tabletop RPG by Monte Cook Games. GM'd by Jonathan Sims (Jonny) and featuring a cast drawn from both The Magnus Archives and The Magnus Protocol, the episode focuses on character creation and establishing the premise: a group of enthusiastic fans of the fictional horror podcast "The Armitage Library" who are about to be drawn into their own supernatural investigation.

Main Theme:
A meta, comedic, and collaborative creation of new TTRPG characters set in the Magnus universe, exploring friendships, archetypes, and the joys of geeky podcast fandom.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

[05:07] – [06:47]: Special Intro and Context

• Alexander J. Newell sets the scene, explaining recent Rusty Quill activities, a break in Magnus Protocol production, and the inception of this TTRPG special.
• The episode will feature both fun, non-canon gameplay and charitable/fan engagement updates, including the return of the Rusty Fears writing competition.

"So, with that in mind, I get to introduce the Listening Club, an actual play of the Magnus Archives tabletop roleplaying game by Monte Cook games, GM'd by our very own Jonathan Sims."
— Alexander J. Newell [06:09]

[07:04] – [10:00]: Introducing the Table and Premise

• Jonathan Sims introduces himself as GM and welcomes the players.
• All players introduce themselves and clarify pronouns.
• The premise: The characters are everyday listeners of "The Armitage Library," described as a horror fiction podcast with an unreliable narrator who’s grown increasingly paranoid.

[10:00] – [11:59]: Establishing the Group Dynamic

• Discussion on how their podcast fan group interacts:
  • Discord server, in-person meetups at cafes or bars, Only Murders in the Building vibes.
  • Set weekly listens for new podcast episodes.
• Deliberate emphasis on familiar, friendly dynamics as a counterpoint to horror.

[11:59] – [14:23]: Character Creation – Descriptors

• Players select character descriptors, influencing personality and play style:
  • Anusha: No-nonsense, scholarly, fastidious
  • Ian: Cynical
  • Lowrie: Fastidious (especially focused on accuracy)
  • Pip: Inquisitive

"Being inquisitive is always a deeply suboptimal trait to have in a horror story. So let's go."
— Pip Gladwin [11:48]

[14:23] – [15:56]: Character Creation – Roles & Foci

• The four available roles: Investigator, Protector, Elocutionist (talky), Occultist.
  • Anusha: Elocutionist
  • Lorianne: Investigator
  • Ian: Occultist
  • Pip: Protector
• Character “foci” (special traits):
  • Anusha: Infiltrates
  • Ian: Would rather be reading
  • Lorianne: Never says die
  • Pip: Looks for trouble

"I'm gonna go for 'Looks for Trouble,' because again, terrible trait to have in a horror story. … He's wearing a red shirt is what I'm saying."
— Pip Gladwin [14:46]

[15:56] – [23:51]: Stat and Skill Assignment

• Jonny walks each player through core stats (Might, Speed, Intellect) and abilities.
• Characters gain unique skill sets according to descriptor, role, and focus (e.g., researching, forensics, tracking, performance, etc.).
• The system is streamlined for the session’s sake, emphasizing roleplay over rules.

"In this game you have three stats, four if you count the stress that you will be accumulating across the course of the game."
— Jonathan Sims [15:16]

[24:02] – [29:12]: Player Character Introductions

Anusha Battersby as Margot Maria Bradley

• 27-year-old bar worker; short, with big glasses and a stylish look; always with a tote bag. Has a “no-nonsense elocutionist who infiltrates” vibe.

Ian Hales as Alphonse Platt

• 42-year-old “loper” (tall, elegant limbs); runs a magical book imprint; owns three rats (Rod, Jane, Pushkin); covered in protective tattoos; classic “cynical occultist who would rather be reading.”

Pip Gladwin as Barry Knapp

• Early 50s, bouncer, recent podcast convert thanks to Margot. Protective of group, especially Margot, relishing the sense of community. Described as an “inquisitive protector who looks for trouble” and is humorously aware of his redshirt status.

Lorianne Davies as Elodie Jones

• 40, jeans and wool jumper, always carrying a neatly organized backpack. Accountant by trade, obsessed with order and structure, and with detailed notes about the podcast; a “fastidious investigator who never says die.”

"She has mugs that say things like, tidy desk, tidy mind. And this is, like, such a very special thing to her. Like, this is separate to the rest of her life, and she loves it."
— Lorianne Davies [28:40]

[29:21] – [31:36]: Relationship Web and Group History

• Margot and Barry’s connection: Margot works at a bar where Barry is a bouncer. She introduced him to the podcast, forming the initial friendship.
• Elodie is Alphonse’s long-suffering accountant, despite the negligible income; this establishes comic rapport and some ready-made social ties among the group.
• The bar in Manchester, “The Angler’s Head,” becomes the group’s social anchor.

"Is this London or Manchester? ... Let’s do Manchester."
— Jonathan Sims [30:52]

“I can look at them for you. Give me the sheets.”
— Lorianne Davies (as Elodie) to Ian/Alphonse [31:22]

"I just think it's better to do it right, you know? That's all I'm saying."
— Ian Hales (as Alphonse) [31:27]

[31:37] – [31:48]: Sign-Off and What’s Next

• Jonny teases the coming horror, promising the true investigation will kick off next episode.

"Well, we will see what horrible trouble these four podcast listening misfits get up to in the next episode."
— Jonathan Sims [31:37]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Roleplay and Humor:

• “I'm stripping down the rules a bit, but you know, have a good time.”
  — Jonathan Sims [07:09]

• "You've undermined it. I'm sorry. Please move on from me. I'm very sorry."
  — Pip Gladwin, self-deprecating after some comedic RP [14:20]

On the meta setting:

• "You are all fans of the popular horror fiction podcast series the Armitage Library… you all like to listen together, but how does this work?"
  — Jonathan Sims [09:34]

• "Margot will adopt them if all else fails. She loves rats."
  — Anusha Battersby, on Alphonse’s pet rats [26:30]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Start | End | |:-------------------------------------------|:--------|:--------| | Rusty Quill Update & Protocol Recap | 05:07 | 06:47 | | GM Introduction & Cast Greetings | 07:04 | 08:47 | | Group Backstory Discussions | 09:34 | 10:53 | | Character Descriptors | 11:00 | 11:55 | | Roles & Foci Selections | 12:22 | 15:00 | | Stat/Skill Assignment Walkthrough | 15:00 | 24:02 | | Character Descriptions | 24:10 | 29:12 | | Relationship Web & Social Anchor | 29:13 | 31:27 | | Final Group Cohesion & Sign Off | 31:27 | 31:48 |

Episode Tone

The tone is enthusiastic and irreverent—rich in inside jokes, character-friendly teasing, and a sense of meta-camaraderie. Though horror looms, this session is as much about celebrating friendship and genre fandom as it is setting the stage for future weirdness.

Takeaway

This episode is a delightful, accessible entry point for new listeners and TTRPG fans alike. It relishes in its meta premise and character-driven banter, skillfully blending the supernatural legacy of The Magnus Archives with the warmth of found family geekdom. Expect horror to sneak in next time—until then, enjoy the loving chaos of character creation and podcast camaraderie.

Next Episode Preview:
The investigative horror really begins as the “Listening Club” gets swept into an uncanny conspiracy, exploring what happens when fandom meets the inexplicable.