Tales From The Hydian Way

An explosion of discussion happens in this episode about using the conflict mechanic as two GMs talk about their strategy for completely integrating the mechanic into their adventures and sessions. Things discussed in this episode Trolley Problem Star Wars the Old Republic You can find us on TwitterShow updates are @TheHydianWayBen is @DeuteriumIceRissa is @KookyKitt … Continue reading "241 – The Conflicted Party Tale"

We talk about how to end a scene and how to keep narrative momentum up when interest feels like it’s flagging. From adventure starts and getting that spur into adventure to the pacing when your player group is traveling. Things we talked about in this episode Mask of the Pirate Queen Oceans Eleven You can … Continue reading "240 – The Momentum Tale"

We talk about getting your players to narrate their actions more, from beginners who have never played an RPG before, to dungeon crawlers, to GMs who are there to relax. Things talked about in the episode Fiasco Tabletop Simulator You can find us on TwitterShow updates are @TheHydianWayBen is @DeuteriumIceRissa is @KookyKitt Help us out … Continue reading "239 – The Narrative Tale"

Ben and Rissa watched a live stream of Star Wars the RPG and things happened, over the top things, things that made us want to talk about it. Here we are talking about what happens when a group that’s combat heavy comes to your more moderate adventure. Things talked about in this episode Season 2 … Continue reading "238 – The Explosive Character Tale"

A longtime patron got in touch with us about something that was on their mind and we thought it would make a good episode. This is talking about what do you give characters to start with and how do you guide them into directions your story might want to put on display. We only talked … Continue reading "237 – The Starting Character Tale"

We have Adam Beltane on from the Force Majeure Podcast to talk about their experience with running their games, how they prepare, and how they got into the fun of Star Wars Roleplaying Things we talked about in this episode Force Majeure Podcast Dice For Brains Redemption Silhouette Zero West End Games Star Wars RPG … Continue reading "236 – The Force Majeure Tale"

We looked to a list of RPG plots and figured out many ways of making them work, from escorting NPCs to transporting items, to what happens when you find a ghost ship? Things discussed in this episode Rolltop Indigo – List of RPG plots Magnificent 7 Rogue One Tron Tron Legacy Hitmans Bodyguard Big Lebowski … Continue reading "235 – The Escort Tale"

We talk about the need of theatrics at the table and how and why the need grows the less you know the players at the table as well as how it can become harder to do at the table. We referenced in this episode: Firefly Nancy Drew Mark Meer – Dnd You can find us … Continue reading "234 The Variable Party Tale"

Tropes get brought up quite a bit, we’ve heard it so much, from how a scene is hollow because there isn’t anything else attached to the trope to how some tropes repeated enough can be harmful to your own gaming table. We talk about how this happens and how to deal better with tropes. Things … Continue reading "The Trope Tale"

Rissa ran into writers block and we go through a few ways of inspiration while doing a very good method of talking out what lead to the indecision. Talked about in this episode The Single Shot Tale Cypress Hills Park Plaza de España Edge of the Empire GM Screen Detroit Become Human Tex Murphy You … Continue reading "The Writers Block Tale"

We talk with Leslie from Heroes and get questions about how to make sure your adventures don’t hit dead walls when giving players paths forward, especially with setting scenes and making sure that clues are actual clues. Things talked about in this episode: Scooby Doo D1-C3 Kiss Kiss Bang Bang The New Legends of Monkey … Continue reading "The Clue Path Tale"

I got watching the Bumblebee trailer and then wouldn’t stop talking about it, so Rissa and I got talking about how to bring our more favorite franchises into being used in Genesys and Star Wars. Things talked about in this episode: Shadow of the Beanstalk Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Rings Avatar the … Continue reading "The Branded Tale"

We look at environments and how to make them matter to your players who have taken talents and species that would make use of them. We also talk about how to lead the way in getting the most use out of an environment Things talked about on this episode: Curling Heroes of the Hydian Way … Continue reading "The Environmental Tale"

We’re back and talking social skills, how we use them, how the intent of the rolls are a good indication of how they should be adjudicated, and how two skills can be used for the same roll Things talked about in this episode: Braveheart Speech Ezra Rebels Divine Divinity Original Sin Knights of the Old … Continue reading "The Social Tale"

Thinking about the one shots we’ve run, and how we’ve gone into preparing the adventures. We look at two vastly different styles of creating an experience for our players. Things we talked about in this show: Star Wars Armada Hunt the Bismark Vindicator Class Cruiser MC 40A light Cruiser The Pit Visas Marr You can … Continue reading "The Single Shot Tale"

We talk about what 2018 has brought to the show and where we’re planning to take Heroes and Tales in the next year. Things we talked about in the show: Tales from the Loop Jeff Romo The Glass Dagger Legends of the Five Rings Things from the Flood Star Trek Adventures Force Majeure Solo Episode … Continue reading "The Road Ahead Tale"

We talk about how big can one social check be in a combat action, especially one that has gone on quite long. From there we talk about types of actions that are easier to adjudicate and give some fun examples of how charm can be used to deflect combat from happening. Things talked about in … Continue reading "The Charming Combat Tale"

People aren’t always paying attention and can be distracted by a great many things, we talk about when it starts impacting their participation at the table as well as others. Thing talked about in this episode: Eldritch Horror You can find us on TwitterShow updates are @TheHydianWayBen is @DeuteriumIceRissa is @KookyKitt Help us out financially … Continue reading "The Present Player Tale"

We look at the difficulties in adding a new player and their character in the middle of an ongoing campaign and making it as seamless and as rewarding as possible. Thing we talked about in the show: Oggdude You can find us on TwitterShow updates are @TheHydianWayBen is @DeuteriumIceRissa is @KookyKitt Help us out financially … Continue reading "The Adding a Player Tale"

Secret societies show up in more places than we’d normally think. They are a very valuable story telling tool and we explore them in a fashion that makes them easier to use. Things talked about in this episode: Freemasons Red Herring Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade The Mummy The White Lotus – Avatar the … Continue reading "The Secret Society Tale"