The Video Game Tale

We start asking how can you bring the narrative from a video game to the table top and get into emphasizing how you can show off narrative choice in letting the players find agency in what their choices mean.

Continue reading “The Video Game Tale”

The Characteristic Tale

We talk about how characteristics need to be thought of for your characters as your creating, knowing where your character is now in the timeline of their growth, and how you can shape your character off of abilities that aren’t common. Continue reading “The Characteristic Tale”

The Player Choice Tale

Beka and Ben talk about how to make your players make a choice in your games. From giving consequences to taking the plank that their clinging to away slowly we talk about ways of getting your players to engage in the situation around them. Continue reading “The Player Choice Tale”

The NPC Voice Tale

This week it’s Beka and Ben talking about how to make NPCs feel like PCs quickly or in more depth when you have time. We also hear about one way that doing world building can be of great benefit for you the GM.
Continue reading “The NPC Voice Tale”

The Scene Building Tale

What goes into making a scene an scene? How can you drive the players in the direction you want them to? What do you do to spur the players into motion? We talk about this and more in todays episode. Continue reading “The Scene Building Tale”

Dead in the Water Act 2, Episode 8

With life support restored and the bridge retaken, the squad sets their sights on the Shadow Raptor‘s engine room in a bold move to divert the frigate’s present destination: a black hole. With time running short, Kith and Matu formulate some….less conventional plans to reach the engine room while TV comes face-to-face with someone he dislikes more than Matu.

Continue reading “Dead in the Water Act 2, Episode 8”

The Subplot Tale

This week we dive into Duty and Obligation and how to make them feel like a part of the whole story instead of a switch track stealing your plot. From simple ideas on how to weave a subplot into narrative, to ideas on where to look for incremental methods we have it here for you. Continue reading “The Subplot Tale”

The New In Town Tale

We welcome Beka Black to our podcast to bring an artists perspective to our show. In interviewing her we find out about her deep history with Star Wars, her ability with art, and the way she jumped in with both feet to being a Game Master. Also, there is talk of Twi’lek lekku. Continue reading “The New In Town Tale”

Dead in the Water Act 2, Episode 6

Asphyxiation! The squad reaches life support as TJ’s droids vent the last of the Shadow Raptor‘s oxygen, promising doom to the hundreds of “meatbags” aboard. While Kith learns how to unsabotage a system in order to save the crew, TV fulfills a lifelong dream.

Continue reading “Dead in the Water Act 2, Episode 6”

The Module Tale

Tess wanted to ask about making a published module your own. We talk about how to make the voice of the module yours and how it can make it even more awesome because it allows you to focus on the characters even more. Continue reading “The Module Tale”

Dead in the Water Act 2, Episode 5

Time for the old one-two blasterroo. The squad learns about Mandalorian tactics, meet the fastest gun aboard the Raptor, and demonstrates why tools shouldn’t be jammed in power sockets as they storm primary communications in an attempt to call for Alliance reinforcements.

Continue reading “Dead in the Water Act 2, Episode 5”

The Motivation Tale

David and Ben were able to talk about motivating your players out of their bases of operations in ways that aren’t only a sledge of their obligations showing up on their door. This was asked by a Patreon supporter Andrew Fullard.
Continue reading “The Motivation Tale”

Dead in the Water Act 2, Episode 4

A lesson in communication. With a small force of the Shadow Raptor’s crew in tow, the squad makes preparations to regain control of the ship’s communications array. Has Neema learned the fine art of stealth? Will the recently freed crew prove themselves as soldiers? Will Kith finally get to blow something up?

Continue reading “Dead in the Water Act 2, Episode 4”

The Espionage Tale

David liked the idea of talking about espionage and then talked about Jack Bauer and Jason Borne. We talk about far ranging ideas from infiltration missions to your party and crew being infiltrated.  Continue reading “The Espionage Tale”

Dead in the Water Act 2, Episode 3

Surrounded! After Neema inadvertently gives away the squad’s position, they find themselves flanked by blaster-equipped droids. With the crew of the Shadow Raptor sealed away in the nearby brig, our Heroes are about to learn that short help is better than no help at all.

Continue reading “Dead in the Water Act 2, Episode 3”

The Escape Tale

David had the idea of trying to escape for a bit, but then we got talking about escaping prisons and how it’s done. We go from the classics all the way through to more modern ideas of prison breaks and talk about a few things you need to think of to make it feel earned. Continue reading “The Escape Tale”

Dead in the Water Act 2, Episode 2

Now that TV-93 is equipped with a passkey, the squad embarks on a mission to save the Shadow Raptor from the mutinous droids that have taken control. With life support thinning, and most of their gear 11 decks above them, the squad has to move fast to secure the ship before the droids realize what is happening.

Continue reading “Dead in the Water Act 2, Episode 2”

The Rock Star Tale

We got thinking of the classic question, what do you do when you have a character that feels like a mismatch to your party? David and Ben talk about how to turn this seeming weakness into a vibrant strength. From snipers to faces and many places in between. Continue reading “The Rock Star Tale”

Dead in the Water – Act 2, Episode 1

Mutiny! Following an attack by a newly purchased protocol droid, Neema, Teevee, Kith, and Matu find themselves trapped in a conference room aboard the Alliance starship Shadow Raptor. With the situation growing more dire by the second, the squad must learn how far this droid uprising goes and take whatever steps are necessary in order to protect the Raptor‘s crew.

Continue reading “Dead in the Water – Act 2, Episode 1”

The Brave Sir Robin Tale

A question arose about hinting to your players that it’s time for their characters to run away. This is our answer, and we give a few ideas on how to make baddies even more present in your adventure. Tess, David, and Ben all have some wicked ways to make your players realize their characters are about to die.

Continue reading “The Brave Sir Robin Tale”

Dead in the Water – Act 1, Episode 3

Having secured their cargo of droids, the task before the squad is simple: find a way to transport them safely back to the Shadow Raptor. With an ancient tug, a grumpy Wookiee captain, a tactical droid who won’t stop complaining, and no coordinates for the Raptor, perhaps this task isn’t so simple.

Continue reading “Dead in the Water – Act 1, Episode 3”

The New GM Tale

Every now and then we get asked by new GMs how to I get started, I love the universe but this RPG thing scares me. This is David and Ben giving a few pieces of advice and telling a few tales of how they learned to use the dice. Continue reading “The New GM Tale”

Dead in the Water – Act 1, Episode 2

As the squad searches Port Tooga for their Rebel Privateer contact, Captain Oglerk, and her cargo of droids, Matu learns an important lesson: it’s not wise to upset a Wookiee. Continue reading “Dead in the Water – Act 1, Episode 2”

The Diplomats Tale

This week we talk about the kinds of campaigns that a diplomat would excel in. From negotiating treaties all the way down to keeping two rebel groups working together. David and Ben give ideas for several campaigns and scenes for you to use and give a few spins on dealing with interpersonal relationships that a GM might not always think of.
Continue reading “The Diplomats Tale”

Dead in the Water – Act 1, Episode 1

In the premiere episode of Heroes of the Hydian Way, a squad of misfits: the Mandalorian warrior Matu Ordo, the dispirited tactical droid TV-93, explosives expert Kith Ursi’bek, and Lieutenant Neema Talemy are assigned to the frigate Shadow Raptor in order to take possession of a large shipment of droids. With four million credits in hand and a Hutt controlled station, what can possibly go wrong? Continue reading “Dead in the Water – Act 1, Episode 1”