This world is a peaceful one.
Side Character Quest (SCQ) is an anthology of improvised fantasy adventures. In each short quest, the show's host takes a single guest player on a journey through a larger shared world.
The world.
Plains, mountains, swamps, pines... Cicadas sing, rivers flow, magic thrums through the air, and all of it’s surrounded by a single massive Wall as ancient as history itself.
...which is to say, not that ancient. Thanks to the Loss, “prehistoric” ain't all that long ago.
Ah, well! Life is good, assuming you don't mind the looming threat of a mysterious skeletal society.
Explore the metropolitan City on the Circle or the fortress-like Mt. Renna. Adventure across the Salten Sea. Find community in a small town like Cat’s Hill, or find isolation out in the Three Brothers. Whatever you do… just be careful, alright?
Some worlds need a hero. This one… might need a bit more than that.
The show. The game.
Genre: Fantasy Adventure Anthology.
Format: Actual Play. “Actual play” means that the show’s story is told by “actually playing” a roleplaying game. Afterwards, the play session is edited and sound designed. Unlike most actual plays, SCQ usually has just one player at a time. Although most of SCQ’s quests are told using Dungeons & Dragons, the show occasionally uses other game systems, such as Monster of the Week. Some episodes abandon game systems altogether and instead are fully improvised or are “audiobook style” short stories.
First Published: January 2018.
Number of episodes: Approximately 100.
Episode Length: Approximately 1 hour.
“I love the one on one concept of the show. Very intimate, and adds to the richness of Ty’s world. Give it a try!”
—Derrick, host of How Not to DM
“[…] if only i could have players this good in my dnd games”
— Eff bff see eff gzegvsgcft (Apple Podcasts)
“First off, this idea is genius! The DM, usually Ty, goes on small side quests with each character and they all intertwine in some way so you are reward for listening to multiple arcs. It’s a fun filled adventure with mystery and lots of laughs in between.
It’s just soooo good!! I started with Blues arc then skipped around and started at the beginning and most recent arcs. You can either be a chaotic monster like me or be civil and start from the beginning. It’s a true choose your own adventure and I love it!
I listen to other RPG podcasts like The Adventure Zone, Myth Takes, and Tiny Heist.”
— PinkLuvingGirl (Apple Podcasts)
“My top 3 D&D Podcasts:
Critical Role
The Adventure Zone
Side Character Quest
Ty is phenomenal as a host and DM. The stories are always original; a perfect blend of stand-alone and over-arching that means you can start anywhere, but listening to everything has huge benefits too. Guests are all A+ and the energy is comfortable and fun. It's like playing D&D with your friends, just the way D&D should be! Makes me want to play too! Imaginative, unique, exciting, and engaging. Give this show one arc and you'll see exactly what I mean.”
— TheMeader (Apple Podcasts)
The cast and crew.
Ty V. (he/him) is the host, DM/GM, producer, editor, and sound designer of SCQ. Ty has been a guest on other podcasts, such as The Weird, How Not to DM, PodCube, and Unnatural 20s. For additional information and credits, check out Ty’s Podchaser profile.
SCQ has featured 15+ guest players from a variety of backgrounds, including both first time podcasters and folks with their own long-running shows! Learn more about them on our cast page.
Autumn Von Plinsky provides artwork for the show.
The theme music is “Not Drunk,” provided by The Joy Drops.
