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At the vibrant heart of downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp District, an exciting conversation unfolded with Shanna Germain, award-winning author, editor, and game designer, during Comic Convos presented by Blackmagic Design. Known for her creative direction and co-founding Monte Cook Games, Shanna has crafted hundreds of poems, essays, stories, novels, and games. Her unique perspective on storytelling, game design, and the immersive world of the “Old Gods of Appalachia” RPG offers a fascinating glimpse into the creative process behind some of today’s most innovative narrative-driven games.
Discovering Comic-Con Through New Eyes
For Shanna, San Diego Comic-Con 2024 marked her first experience at this iconic convention, a milestone in her post-pandemic return to the convention scene. Despite managing a concussion, she embraced the energy of the event, attending panels like Hex Harmonics and reconnecting with fellow creators. Her reflections reveal the dual nature of conventions—the exhaustion from constant engagement paired with the bittersweet feeling as the event draws to a close.
One of Shanna’s favorite aspects of Comic-Con is the palpable presence of artists who shaped her childhood imagination. Meeting these creators in person, she describes, feels almost magical—like witnessing the living embodiment of the stories and art that inspired her. This connection between fans and creators highlights the enduring power of storytelling and the personal impact of creative work.
The Magic and Mystery of Old Gods of Appalachia
Central to Shanna’s recent work is the role-playing game adaptation of Old Gods of Appalachia, an eldritch horror podcast set in an alternate Appalachian South. The podcast’s narrative deftly balances sensitivity and critical engagement with history, weaving oral storytelling traditions into a richly textured world of mystery and fear.
The Kickstarter campaign for the RPG raised over $2 million, a testament to the passionate fan base and the unique appeal of its storytelling. Shanna’s role involved translating the podcast’s nebulous, sometimes unnamed horrors into a playable game format—a challenge that required balancing narrative freedom with the structure of game mechanics.
Adapting the Unknown into Playable Mechanics
One of the biggest hurdles was giving form to creatures that defy conventional naming or statting, such as the infamous “Deer” or “Stag,” whose terror lies in their elusive and shifting nature. Shanna explains how the game design intentionally keeps players uncertain about the monsters’ powers, with game masters encouraged to maintain suspense by withholding full explanations or numeric details.
“If I could have gotten away without giving them numbers, I probably would have,” Shanna admits, emphasizing her storyteller’s heart and the value of mystery in horror gaming. The design offers unique abilities that change unpredictably, preserving the eerie, unknowable essence that makes the podcast so compelling.
Exploring the Appalachian Magic System
The game’s magic system, centered around the concept of “the Green,” is neither purely good nor evil but exists in a complex, morally ambiguous space. Shanna immersed herself deeply in Appalachian folklore, reading both fiction and non-fiction to authentically capture this magic’s spirit. This hands-on, homebrew style magic requires players to engage in rituals, gather specific items like graveyard dirt, and sometimes make difficult bargains with mysterious entities.
This approach highlights the game’s themes of heart, hope, and sacrifice. Players constantly face choices about what they are willing to give up for power, reflecting life’s real dilemmas in a safe but thrilling environment. Shanna describes this as creating “unsafe safe” choices—bold, dangerous decisions made within the protective space of the game.
Upcoming Projects and Creative Passions
Looking ahead, Shanna is working on Deeper Still, a new set of Appalachian rulebooks that delve even darker into horror themes. This expansion will introduce new character options, backgrounds, creatures, magic items, and adventures designed to deepen the emotional stakes and connections between characters.
Alongside game design, Shanna is actively writing fiction. She is finishing a novella about dogs that communicate with ghosts using buttons—an intriguing blend of supernatural mystery and heartfelt storytelling. Additionally, she is developing a novel centered on a psychopomp guiding a living girl through the underworld, exploring themes of sex, death, and transformation, which she describes as her “neuros spicy” signature topics.
Conventions: Tips for First-Timers
As a seasoned convention attendee, Shanna offers valuable advice for those attending Comic-Con or other cons for the first time:
- Recharge and prioritize self-care: Take breaks between events to avoid burnout, especially if you’re introverted.
- Wear comfortable shoes: Walking long distances in hot weather demands practical footwear.
- Engage with creators: Complimenting artists or creators on their work opens doors and builds connections—many creators work in isolation and appreciate hearing how their work impacts others.
- Respect boundaries: Timing and context matter—avoid interrupting creators during meals or private moments.
Shanna’s experience exemplifies the unique camaraderie and organic connections that conventions foster. She highlights a serendipitous meeting with “Tiny Chef,” a beloved internet personality, which led to a new guest joining a panel on women in entertainment—showcasing how conventions can spark unexpected collaborations.
Shanna Germain’s journey through storytelling, game design, and the immersive world of the Appalachian-inspired horror RPG reveals a deep passion for narrative and creative collaboration. Her work bridges oral tradition and modern gaming, crafting experiences that challenge players to embrace mystery, make meaningful choices, and explore complex themes.
Whether you’re a fan of horror, role-playing games, or creative storytelling, Shanna’s insights offer inspiration and a reminder of the magic that happens when creators and audiences connect. If you haven’t yet explored Old Gods of Appalachia or the upcoming Deeper Still expansion, now is the perfect time to dive into these hauntingly beautiful worlds.
For more from Shanna Germain and Monte Cook Games, follow their creative journeys on Instagram and support their ongoing projects that continue to push the boundaries of storytelling and game design.
