Oral History of TTRPGs: Richard Dansky on Wraith & Writing Across Media

In this episode of the Jaunty Mantis, Jesse sits down with acclaimed writer Richard Dansky, best known for his influential work on Wraith: The Oblivion, and other World of Darkness games. Richard shares his early gaming roots in Brooklyn and Philadelphia, from playing Dungeons & Dragons and Stormbringer to running massive Villains & Vigilantes campaigns in college and exploring live-action role-playing at Wesleyan University. He reflects on the joy of collaborative storytelling, the friendships built through late-night sessions fueled by pizza and Chinese food, and his transition into professional writing at White Wolf.

The conversation dives deep into Wraith: The Oblivion, its unique mechanics of the shadow and harrowings, and how trust and emotional engagement shape powerful tabletop role-playing experiences. Richard also discusses his current projects, including the Video Game Writer’s Survival Guide, his novel Nightmare Logic, and the French-published graphic novel Bridgewater. This wide-ranging discussion highlights Richard’s impact on RPGs, his love of storytelling across media, and the enduring power of role-playing games to create meaningful, shared experiences.