Tales From the Hydian Way

Preparing to improvise is one of the trickier things to happen. We talk about some of how players can twist how we change things because how our players act and expect to make a much more engaging story. This episode also contains a crossover from Ted on the Manellian Express. Brought up in discussion in … Continue reading "281 – The Follow On Tale"

We’re all back to talk about the force and redemption in the Rise of Skywalker. The ways that it can feel fulfilling to us and the ways that show an understanding. Things talked about in this show: Empire of Dreams Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood Zuko Sil Zero charts People on this episode: Kristine Chris Adam … Continue reading "280 – The Rise of Skywalker Tale Pt 2"

There was a movie that came out recently that had a crawl and was a Star Wars movie. This is part one of our discussion about the movie, the choices made, and a few thoughts of what we thought would make a more satisfying story. Contributors and things we talked about in this episode: Kristine … Continue reading "279- The Rise of Skywalker Tale PT 1"

A discussion about how to prepare players for a campaign launches us into talking about how you communicate ahead of time about a general topic, what specializations are allowed, and how to adjust player character ideas to what the campaign actually is. Things mentioned in this episode: Wanderers TTRPG Safety Toolkit Karate Kid You can … Continue reading "278 – The Specialized Tale"

We look to the first ending of a trilogy in Star Wars, from murder bears to the ending of galactic crime lords we have ideas on where we can put stories that coincide and are inspired by the Return of the Jedi. Things talked about in this episode: Ewoks Umbrella Academy Zygerrian Is it a … Continue reading "277 – The Return of the Jedi"

Getting going again at the start of a new session can be torturous, echoing our favourite hotshot pilot of who talks first. We have ideas on how to keep notes on what comes next and how to start off for your players to hit the ground running. Things talked about in this episode: Supernatural Recap … Continue reading "276 – The Recap Tale"

Taking on deeper topics at the table can be a great way of working through your feelings as a group, but it can be intimidating. We have ideas on how to do it at the table without scaring your players away and to make it touch on the topics the players want. Things we talked … Continue reading "275 – Into the Fire Tale"

It can only mean one thing, invasion. We were emailed a question about a player using the crafting mechanics at the table, from there we expanded the scope into talking about disruptive players and how to deal with them. Things talked about in this episode: Heroes Obligations Consent in gaming You can find us on … Continue reading "274 – The Disruption Tale"

When Ben is looking for help coming up with tag team rules for a fight in a game he turns to Rissa for advice and a second set of eyes. We then take a look at a few of our own house rules that we’ve had to create. Things we’ve talked about in the episode: … Continue reading "273 – The House Rule Tale"

We were given a prompt on our discord server, and got talking about using sabers and the force in Star Wars adventures and how to make getting a lightsaber into something momentous for the characters and players. Things we talked about in the episode: 265 – The Consequences Tale Dark Empire I Jedi Oo’oob You … Continue reading "272 – The Saber Tale"

Rissa and Ben take a look at The Empire Strikes Back to see what stories that they get inspired to tell by the movie and little corners that create new avenues for adventures for you to use. Things discussed in this episode: Episode 267 – A New Hope Tale The Ghost and the Darkness Jewel … Continue reading "271 – The Empire Strikes Back Tale"

We talk of setting and communicating difficulty to not overpower your characters, and to make sure that your players understand the difficulties that are presented to them. From a single patrol to a gang that’s chasing after the party we have ideas on how to make sure no one is taken by surprise. Things talked … Continue reading "270 – A Tale of Building"

Law enforcement through out the galaxy has different textures that your players can feel. We start off talking about what to do with players who seem to be a law unto their own, not paying Stormtroopers any mind. Then we move to the outer rim and find ways to make a one ronto town feel … Continue reading "269 – The Lawless Tale"

We talk about making obligation and character side quests simple and and achievable along side the main plots. From keeping the ideas contained, to getting the players involved we have ideas on how to make character quests awesome for you and your players. Things talked about in this episode: The Witcher 3 Assassins Creed Odyssey … Continue reading "268 – The Side Quest Tale"

We start our series on taking inspiration from the Star Wars movies and seeing what stories we want to tell in the cracks, and what giant plots and galaxy changing things we see as coming from the text of the movies. Things talked about in this episode Tales from Jabbas Palace Rogue One Tales from … Continue reading "267 – The New Hope Tale"

We talk about the stages of an adventuring party, from the poverty of starting to gaining the experience and equipment to be awesome. Ideas about how to handle the frustrations and lack of equipment abound in this episode. Things talked about in this episode: ARC-170 Freemaker Adventures Mordin – Mass Effect You can find us … Continue reading "266 – The Expensive Tale"

There are times when players seem to not recognize when their actions should have consequences for their characters. We give advice on how to tie their actions explicitly back to the character actions and in how to make it more interesting when a die result means it’s complicated. Things talked about in this episode: Master … Continue reading "265 – The Consequences Tale"

Every GM will have issues they have to overcome, there isn’t a set path to learning and being good at it. Rissa and Ben have had to learn along the way from their own mistakes. We share some of the weird things that have happened and how we can learn from them. Things we talked … Continue reading "264 – Tales of the Early Years"

We started to talk about how to build in the flexibility to deal with your players improvising at the table in the scenes you’re creating. Plus how to shape the fun in a way to not curtail the players exuberance while keeping your own fun as a core part of the game. Things talked about … Continue reading "263 – The Structured Tale"

Adam from Force Majure asked about vergences and how to use them to guide the story and adventure. We have several ideas on how to make things even more out there for Star Wars and how we’re able to focus on making it fun and meaningful for the players. Things talked about in this episode … Continue reading "262 – The Tale of Vergences"