Escape Vector Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Ho-ho-horror movie! Something different this time--a little surprise under your Christmas tree. We review the indie horror film "Strange Harvest", an eerie mockumentary thriller investigating a series of ritualistic murders and its elusive culprit, Mr. Shiny. This episode is spoiler-free (and long overdue!). Let me know what you think of the occasional movie or wargaming/boardgame-focused episode on this show. But don't worry, the next episode WILL be Mothership or Cyberpunk-focused!

Content Warning:
Violence (mentioned)

Film Reviewed:
📼 "Strange Harvest" (2025) is directed by Stuart Ortiz, starring Peter Zizzo and Terri Apple. Thank you again to Strike Media and Vertigo Releasing for the advanced screener. The movie has been available on VOD in the UK since Oct 27th, in Australia and New Zealand since Oct 29th, and Canada and the US (?) sometime since Oct 31st. 

Other Mentions:
📢 Noob Talk Radio podcast. NTR has video game news, discussions, rants, and reviews. My favourite episodes are the fireside chat discussions. I'm a guest on their episode releasing today or around Christmas. Tune into that one for a different side of me. I had a beer that night and it might be my weirdest podcast appearance yet. 

!! Subscribe the FREE Escape Vector Newsletter. More Behind the Scenes Content and Extras Coming !!
It can be found at the link below.

> FREE Escape Vector newsletter ("TRANSMISSIONS")!
> See our Linktree for how to reach us/follow our work.
> Visit and follow the Escape Vector DriveThruRPG page [affiliate link] for "What Stirs Below" and future Escape Vector publications. 
> The Print+PDF bundle for "What Stirs Below" is BACK IN STOCK (while supplies last) on the Tuesday Knight Games webstore. If SOLD OUT, use the "Notify Me When Available" button. Please also leave a review! 
> Visit https://www.mothershiprpg.com/ or the Mothership DriveThruRPG.com page [affiliate link] for more Mothership.

++ Music from Epidemic Sound, by Marten Moses and Etienne Roussel. SFX also from Epidemic Sound. Help our show by using our our Epidemic Sound affiliate link

++ Thanks to our listeners for supporting the show!

We review the Mothership RPG adventure scenario, "Iron Tomb". This episode is player-friendly (no spoilers). Would you like to run this or will you ask your GM to run this? 

TTRPG Material Used:
🔹"Iron Tomb" is written by Owen O'Donnell, with art by Lettuce and editing by DN Wilkie. It can be found on DriveThruRPG.com at this affiliate link.

(I have not thoroughly reviewed "Year of the Rat" yet, but here is its affiliate link, too, if you wanted to treat yourself some more--you work hard!).

Using our affiliate links helps the show via commission without drawbacks for you--please consider it! 

Other Mentions:
📢 Noob Talk Radio podcast. NTR has video game news, discussions, rants, and reviews. My favourite episodes are the fireside chat discussions. 
📢 Andrew Sheridan, creator of the Mothership and CyberpunkRED companion apps. Check out our interview of him (Episode 6).

!! Check out "What Stirs Below", an Escape Vector adventure for Mothership !!
At the time of episode release, it can be found... stirring... at the links below (thank you!).

> Follow the FREE Escape Vector newsletter ("TRANSMISSIONS")!
> See our Linktree for how to reach us/follow our work.
> Visit and follow the Escape Vector DriveThruRPG page [affiliate link] for "What Stirs Below" and future Escape Vector publications. 
> The Print+PDF bundle for "What Stirs Below" is BACK IN STOCK (while supplies last) on the Tuesday Knight Games webstore. If SOLD OUT again, use the "Notify Me When Available" button. Please also leave a review! 
> Visit https://www.mothershiprpg.com/ or the Mothership DriveThruRPG.com page [affiliate link] for more Mothership.

++ Music from Epidemic Sound, by Gabriel Lewis. SFX also from Epidemic Sound. Help our show by using our Epidemic Sound affiliate link.

++ Thanks to our listeners for supporting the show! Please consider downloading our audio episodes; it helps us out even more! 

Part 3. An arrival. An omen. The adventuring party is not alone. How will they get Casper's cure? 

This is an Actual Play mini-series that combines a hexcrawl and an adventure supplement. Hop on your Packsquab and explore the world of Cloud Empress with us! 

Content Warning: Sexually Suggestive Themes, Language, Violence, Giant Psychic Bugs, Chronic Illness, Body Horror (Skin, Subcutaneous tissue).

CAST:
GM: the voice of the Escape Vector Podcast

Casper Cloudshot (Magician) is played by Trevor Brookes
Bek Fallows (Sellsword) is played by Kaitlyn Meloche Ratz
Hog Heartbreaker (Courier) is played by Dakota Burgin

Kaitlyn and Dakota are 2/3 of the Came To Play podcast, often about indie and cult favourite video games. Trevor Brookes is a recurring guest. They are so much fun! I love every episode.

Shoutout to more friends of the show, the Noob Talk Radio podcast. Noob Talk Radio has video game news, discussions, rants, and reviews. My favourite episodes are the fireside chat discussions.

"The Seed Vault" is a scenario written by Samantha Leigh for the Cloud Empress Ecological Science Fantasy RPG created by watt. This Actual Play is also based on material from watt's Cloud Empress hexcrawl setting book, "Land of Cicadas". Both can be found on DriveThruRPG.com at the following affiliate links: The Seed Vault [part of the Year One Bundle] and Cloud Empress: Land of Cicadas. Using our affiliate links helps the show via commission without drawbacks for you--please consider it! Visit Cloudempress.com for more info on the RPG! 

!! Our first Mothership RPG adventure has been published !!
Check out the cinematic trailer for "What Stirs Below", an adventure scenario written by us, for the Mothership Sci-Fi Horror RPG published by Tuesday Knight Games. 

> Follow the FREE Escape Vector newsletter ("TRANSMISSIONS")!
> Visit and follow the Escape Vector DriveThruRPG page [affiliate link] for "What Stirs Below" and future Escape Vector publications. 
> The Print+PDF bundle for "What Stirs Below" IS BACK IN STOCK (while supplies last) on the Tuesday Knight Games webstore. If SOLD OUT, use the "Notify Me When Available" button. Please also leave a review! 
>Visit https://www.mothershiprpg.com/ or the Mothership DriveThruRPG.com page [affiliate link] for more Mothership. 

++ Music from Epidemic Sound, by Marten Moses and Soara. Sound FX also from Epidemic Sound. Sign up and try a subscription with our Epidemic Sound affiliate link to help the show!

++ Thanks to our listeners for supporting the show! Please consider downloading our episodes; it helps us out even more! Follow and reach us via Instagram (@escape_vector), email (escape.vector.TTRPG@gmail.com), or even leave us a voice message on SpeakPipe (https://www.speakpipe.com/escapevectorpodcast)!

Part 2. A shakedown at gunpoint. A lurking terror. Who will become fertilizer? Who will get to lay their weary bones at camp? 

This is an Actual Play mini-series that combines a hexcrawl and an adventure supplement. Hop on your Packsquab and explore the world of Cloud Empress with us! 

Content Warning: Violence, Language, Giant Psychic Bugs, Chronic Illness, Body Horror (Skin).

CAST:
GM: the voice of the Escape Vector Podcast

Casper Cloudshot (Magician) is played by Trevor Brookes
Bek Fallows (Sellsword) is played by Kaitlyn Meloche Ratz
Hog Heartbreaker (Courier) is played by Dakota Burgin

Kaitlyn and Dakota are 2/3 of the Came To Play podcast, often about indie and cult favourite video games. Trevor Brookes is a recurring guest. They are so much fun! I love every episode.

Shoutout to more friends of the show, the Noob Talk Radio podcast. Noob Talk Radio has video game news, discussions, rants, and reviews. My favourite episodes are the fireside chat discussions.

"The Seed Vault" is a scenario written by Samantha Leigh for the Cloud Empress Ecological Science Fantasy RPG created by watt. This Actual Play is also based on material from watt's Cloud Empress hexcrawl setting book, "Land of Cicadas". Both can be found on DriveThruRPG.com at the following affiliate links: The Seed Vault [part of the Year One Bundle] and Cloud Empress: Land of Cicadas. Using our affiliate links helps the show via commission without drawbacks for you--please consider it! Visit Cloudempress.com for more info on the RPG! 

!! Our first Mothership RPG adventure has been published !!
Check out the cinematic trailer for "What Stirs Below", an adventure scenario written by me, the Escape Vector, for the Mothership Sci-Fi Horror RPG published by Tuesday Knight Games. Spider00x (known best for RANE IN BLOOD, MIAMI LASER CUTTER MASSACRE, and more) contributed graphic design and some art. 

> Follow the FREE Escape Vector newsletter ("TRANSMISSIONS")!
> Visit and follow the Escape Vector DriveThruRPG page [affiliate link] for "What Stirs Below" and future Escape Vector publications. 
> The Print+PDF bundle for "What Stirs Below" WILL BE BACK IN STOCK SOON (while supplies last) on the Tuesday Knight Games webstore. Use the "Notify Me When Available" button. Please also leave a review! 
>Visit https://www.mothershiprpg.com/ or the Mothership DriveThruRPG.com page [affiliate link] for more Mothership. 

++ Music from Epidemic Sound, by Marten Moses, Soara, and Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen. Sound FX also from Epidemic Sound. Sign up and try a subscription with our Epidemic Sound affiliate link to help the show!

++ Thanks to our listeners for supporting the show! Please consider downloading our episodes; it helps us out even more! Follow and reach us via Instagram (@escape_vector), email (escape.vector.TTRPG@gmail.com), or even leave us a voice message on SpeakPipe (https://www.speakpipe.com/escapevectorpodcast)!

Part 1. We'll get back to the Bean Barge Trio sometime. For now, we have another party to follow: three travelers embark on a journey to find a mythical cure for a deadly, unnerving, and oft-thought incurable disease. The clock is ticking for one among them--are the adventurers marching toward salvation or demise?

Get ready for an Actual Play mini-series that combines a hexcrawl and adventure supplement. Hop onto your Packsquab and explore the science fantasy world of Cloud Empress with us! 

Content Warning: Violence, Language, Giant Psychic Bugs, Chronic Illness, Body Horror (Skin).

CAST:
GM: the voice of the Escape Vector Podcast

Casper Cloudshot (Magician) is played by Trevor Brookes
Bek Fallows (Sellsword) is played by Kaitlyn Meloche Ratz
Hog Heartbreaker (Courier) is played by Dakota Burgin

Kaitlyn and Dakota are 2/3 of the Came To Play podcast, often about indie and cult favourite video games. They are so much fun! I love every episode.

"The Seed Vault" is a scenario written by Samantha Leigh for the Cloud Empress Ecological Science Fantasy RPG created by watt. This Actual Play is also based on material from watt's Cloud Empress hexcrawl setting book, "Land of Cicadas". Both can be found on DriveThruRPG.com at the following affiliate links: The Seed Vault [part of the Year One Bundle] and Cloud Empress: Land of Cicadas. Using our affiliate links helps the show via commission without drawbacks for you--please consider it! Visit Cloudempress.com for more info on the RPG! 

!! Our first Mothership RPG adventure has been published !!
Check out the cinematic trailer for "What Stirs Below", an adventure scenario written by me, the Escape Vector, for the Mothership Sci-Fi Horror RPG published by Tuesday Knight Games. Spider00x (known best for RANE IN BLOOD, MIAMI LASER CUTTER MASSACRE, and more) contributed graphic design and some art. 

> Follow the FREE Escape Vector newsletter ("TRANSMISSIONS")!
> Visit and follow the Escape Vector DriveThruRPG page [affiliate link] for "What Stirs Below" and future Escape Vector publications. 
> The Print+PDF bundle for "What Stirs Below" is NOW AVAILABLE (while supplies last) on the Tuesday Knight Games webstore. Please also leave a review! 
>Visit https://www.mothershiprpg.com/ or the Mothership DriveThruRPG.com page [affiliate link] for more Mothership. 

++ Music from Epidemic Sound, by Marten Moses, Bitwraith, and Max Anson. Sound FX also from Epidemic Sound. Sign up and try a subscription with our Epidemic Sound affiliate link to help the show!

++ Thanks to our listeners for supporting the show! Please consider downloading our episodes; it helps us out even more! Follow and reach us via Instagram (@escape_vector), email (escape.vector.TTRPG@gmail.com), or even leave us a voice message on SpeakPipe (https://www.speakpipe.com/escapevectorpodcast)!

We review the Mothership RPG adventure scenario, "Moonbase Blues". Most of this episode is player-friendly--we will give spoiler alerts where needed. Would you like to run this or will you ask your GM to run this? 

"Moonbase Blues" is an adventure scenario written by Ian Yusem (aka Anodyne Printware) for the Mothership Sci-Fi Horror RPG published by Tuesday Knight Games. It can be purchased at this DriveThruRPG link [affiliate link]. Using our affiliate link helps the show via commission, without any  downsides to you--please consider it! Visit https://www.mothershiprpg.com/ or the Mothership DriveThruRPG.com page [affiliate link] for more info on Mothership, "Moonbase Blues", and other Mothership material.

!! Our first Mothership RPG adventure is being published !! 

Check out the cinematic trailer for "What Stirs Below", an adventure scenario written by me, the Escape Vector, for the Mothership Sci-Fi Horror RPG published by Tuesday Knight Games. Spider00x (known best for RANE IN BLOOD, MIAMI LASER CUTTER MASSACRE, and more) contributed graphic design and some art. 

> Visit and follow the Escape Vector DriveThruRPG page [affiliate link] for "What Stirs Below" and future Escape Vector publications. 
>Visit https://www.mothershiprpg.com/ or the Mothership DriveThruRPG.com page [affiliate link] for more Mothership. 

++ Music from Epidemic Sound, by Marten Moses. Sign up and try a subscription with our Epidemic Sound affiliate link to help the show!

Thanks to our listeners for supporting the show! Please consider downloading our episodes; it helps! Follow and reach us via Instagram (@escape_vector), email (escape.vector.TTRPG@gmail.com), or even leave us a voice message on SpeakPipe (https://www.speakpipe.com/escapevectorpodcast)!

We review the Mothership RPG adventure scenario, "Piece by Piece". This episode is player-friendly—we give a spoiler warning for the only spoiler near the end. We hope you walk away with an idea on whether you would like to run this yourself or ask your GM to run this!

"Piece by Piece" is an adventure scenario written by DG Chapman for the Mothership Sci-Fi Horror RPG published by Tuesday Knight Games. It can be purchased affordably at this  DriveThruRPG link [affiliate link]. Using our affiliate link helps the show via commission, without downsides to you--please consider it! Visit https://www.mothershiprpg.com/ or the Mothership DriveThruRPG.com page [affiliate link] for Piece by Piece and more Mothership. 

!! Our first Mothership RPG adventure is being published !! 

Check out the cinematic trailer for "What Stirs Below", an adventure scenario written by me, the Escape Vector, for the Mothership Sci-Fi Horror RPG published by Tuesday Knight Games. Spider00x (known best for RANE IN BLOOD, MIAMI LASER CUTTER MASSACRE, and more) contributed graphic design and some art. 

> Visit and follow the Escape Vector DriveThruRPG page [affiliate link] for "What Stirs Below" and future Escape Vector publications. 
> Visit https://www.mothershiprpg.com/ or the Mothership DriveThruRPG.com page [affiliate link] for more Mothership. 

++ Music from Epidemic Sound, by Marten Moses. Sign up and try a subscription with our Epidemic Sound affiliate link to help the show!

Thanks to our listeners for supporting the show! Please consider downloading our episodes; it helps! Follow and reach us via Instagram (@escape_vector), email (escape.vector.TTRPG@gmail.com), or even leave us a voice message on SpeakPipe (https://www.speakpipe.com/escapevectorpodcast)!

!! Our first Mothership RPG adventure is being published !! 

A geological survey station on a distant moon fell silent after logging anomalous readings. Three contractors are tasked with investigating what happened, rescuing priority personnel, and securing other station assets. This site visit will be more than they bargained for. 

This is a spoiler-free cinematic trailer using recorded gameplay of our original adventure scenario, "What Stirs Below", coming soon to the webstores listed below. Want to play or run this adventure? GMs, share this trailer with your prospective players! Players, share this trailer with your GM! And let us know what you think about this format! Part 1 of the Actual Play will release soon.

"What Stirs Below" is an adventure scenario written by me, the Escape Vector, for the Mothership Sci-Fi Horror RPG published by Tuesday Knight Games. Spider00x (known best for RANE IN BLOOD, MIAMI LASER CUTTER MASSACRE, and more) contributed graphic design and some art. It is coming soon to the official Mothership/Tuesday Knight Games webstore as a PDF+PRINT BUNDLE (supplies limited) and on DriveThruRPG as PDF!

> Visit and follow the Escape Vector DriveThruRPG page for "What Stirs Below" and future Escape Vector publications. 
> Visit and follow Spider00x's DriveThruRPG page for baddass TTRPG publications. 
> Visit https://www.mothershiprpg.com/ or the Mothership DriveThruRPG.com page for more Mothership. 

++ Music from Epidemic Sound, by Dream Cave. Sound FX also from Epidemic Sound. Sign up and try a subscription with our Epidemic Sound affiliate link to help the show!

**NOTE: To complete the story and have more context, we recommend checking out our prior interview with watt.**

We have a follow-up chat with watt, a TTRPG writer and designer, as well as the creator of the Cloud Empress Ecological Science Fantasy RPG. On this new "watt-Talk" (working title) segment, we discuss the first Cloud Empress RPG Kickstarter, the first year of Cloud Empress (so far), what is on the horizon for the new Cloud Empress expansion and beyond, crowdfunding, and project management. Again, we talk about some in-game lore and interesting creative choices in published Cloud Empress material, but no spoilers! 

++ Cloud Empress is an alternate ruleset and setting in the lineage of the Mothership Sci Fi Horror RPG. Imagine a rules-light RPG that evokes Nausicaa and the Valley of the Wind, Dune, Final Fantasy, Full Metal Alchemist, and more.

  The new Cloud Empress RPG expansion is titled, "Cloud Empress: Lands of Life and Death". The Kickstarter campaign ends April 25, 2024. Check it out here:  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/watt/cloud-empress-life-and-death. At the time of episode release, the Cloud Empress rulebook PDF is FREE on DriveThruRPG.com .  Visit Cloudempress.com for more info on the RPG!

++ Music and SFX from Epidemic Sound, by Marten Moses, Guustavv, and SFX Producer. Sign up and try a subscription with our Epidemic Sound affiliate link to help the show!

Thanks to our listeners for supporting the show! Please consider downloading our episodes; it helps us out even more! Follow and reach us via Instagram (@escape_vector), email (escape.vector.TTRPG@gmail.com), or even leave us a voice message on SpeakPipe (https://www.speakpipe.com/escapevectorpodcast)!

Part 2, FINALE. Our four funeral crashers hear the beckoning call of a disembodied voice from down the corridor. Who will they side with? What will they discover? Time is short--the Imago vortex outside is restless, the funeral will begin in less than an hour, and the next Anti-Saint must be named! FORECAST: Blood showers with a chance of pain. 

This time, we have watt, the creator of the game system as a special guest GM! 

Content Warning: Violence, Language, Giant Psychic Bugs, Familial Conflict, Hauntings. 

GM: watt, creator of the Cloud Empress RPG

Griffin (Sellsword) is played by Andersaucey (aka Anderwhy)
One-Shot Rose (Sellsword) is played by Dakota Burgin
Sacha Sprout (Courier) is played by Kaitlyn Meloche Ratz
Kernel the Kid (Magician) is played by the voice of the Escape Vector Podcast

++ Kaitlyn and Dakota are 2/3 of the Came To Play podcast, about (often indie) video games. Andersaucey is a gamer. You can find him on Youtube or PSN (as andersauce). 

++ "Funeral Fit for the Anti-Saint" is a new introductory adventure written by watt for their Cloud Empress Ecological Science Fantasy RPG. It is set in the upcoming expansion, "Cloud Empress: Lands of Life and Death". The Kickstarter campaign launched April 2, 2024. Check it out here:  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/watt/cloud-empress-life-and-death. At the time of episode release, the Cloud Empress rulebook PDF is FREE on DriveThruRPG.com .  Visit Cloudempress.com for more info on the RPG!

++ Music from Epidemic Sound, by Marten Moses, Jay Varton, and Martin Klem. Sign up and try a subscription with our Epidemic Sound affiliate link to help the show!

Thanks to our listeners for supporting the show! Please consider downloading our episodes; it helps us out even more! Follow and reach us via Instagram (@escape_vector), email (escape.vector.TTRPG@gmail.com), or even leave us a voice message on SpeakPipe (https://www.speakpipe.com/escapevectorpodcast)!