Gaming on the Frontier

Episode 94: Adventuring During Disasters pt 2

This is part of our continuing series on Adventuring during a disaster. This week we dig in and Blix leads us on an exploration of tornadoes, hurricanes, and all matter of storms.  Then John continues with the grand daddy of rock and roll, Earthquakes, tsunami, mudslides, and more.

Episode 93: Adventuring during a Disaster part 1

This week we begin our 3 part discussion on creating and running adventures whose settings and plot include a disaster.

Episode 89: Being a Trader part 2

We continue our discussion of how and why to play the role of a trader in your favorite RPG.  We even discuss amazing low calorie hot sausage and why that's a good thing. Next week we begin our discussion of gaming in the 70's with a special guest. Please leave reviews for us on iTunes and leave comments for us on our Facebook page. Links for this episode: Pocket Stops: Wayang Kulit Fans of the Tri Tac Podcast on Facebook!

Episode 87: High and Low Tech Characters on the Same Team

We continue our discussion of integrating a team with members from high and low tech cultures.  Then we go off the reservation and discuss the problems of culture shock on completing that integration.  We end up with a discussion of the lack of systems that handle this issue in a meaningful way. This is only a 1/2 hour episode, but not to worry.  We will be releasing another episode this week so you get a full hour of Tri Tac Games Podcast goodness.

Episode 86: High and Low Tech Characters on the same team pt 1

We return to our hour long format.  This week we discuss how to integrate a group of technologically disparate members.  How well does that Roman centurion surf the web?  How well does that Krelvin handle plugging together the 8-track stereo? How much is the user friendliness of our tech just a cultural norm? We discuss how a gm can use various rpg systems to represent this "culture shock"

Episode 85: Mature Hardwired Hinterland Gaming Part 2

this week we start off with a special post Dragoncon gaming segment where we discuss how our gaming sessions went at Dragoncon.  Bruce was able to run a Fringworthy adventure called Mellor Assault on Hatsumi Base, that Peter was also able to play.  Also Bruce ran a variant of the Pittsburgh Ripper senario for Bureau 13. Then we finish our discussion of Mature gaming in the Hardwired Hinterland. Please let us know how we are doing with the HardWired Hinterland so we can plan any further segments based on interest.

Episode 83: Swim Suit Edition Part 2

We continue our discussion of adventures on the beach.  A beach adventure is a good opportunity to have an adventure that doesn't involve weapon fire Blix relates new ways to use a bikini top Why sun tan lotion is your best friend Please don't attempt to set yourself, your friends, or pets on fire. Great opportunity for the great reveal of a previously unknown character trait or skill Music bumpers on this and last week show are by the Beach Boys "Fun Fun Fun" and "Lets Go Surfing" Merrell Fankhouser's 2008 CD "Rockin' and Surfin' Vol. 3 "Pismo Beach" As a bonus we have a "blue" segment which is more explicit and not more than R rated.  We talk about nude beaches, more gear options, sexual conduct and rape in adventures.  We didn't want to include it on our regular feed since this is a clean show, but we are making it available via the link following as long as nobody objects to the content.  Warning, this mostly unedited so we don't sound as good as usual. click on the link below to listen or rt-click to save http://tritacsystems.podbean.com/mf/web/ur628j/tts_2011_08_17_beach_episode_bluemonooutputfinal.mp3 The actual "clean" podcast is played by the control below.

Episode 82: Swim Suit Edition

This week we take off for the beach.  Jay Libby joins us for a romp across the sands as we cast off our preconceptions on what an adventure should be and soak in the inspiring rays of the sun.  We scrunch our toes in the conundrum of whether our characters are ever off the job and can enjoy a golden afternoon with their worst enemy. So belly up to the bar and order an unbrella drink on us Show Notes: What kind of adventures would be interesting if they occured on or near the beach?   What adventures already exist from various sources that use a beach as a center piece?  

• beach bunny bimbos with blasters
• shadow over insmouth
• any D-day adventure
• pirates
• thunderball
• dr No
• sea hunt
• blood beach
• club paradise
• horror of party beach
• Thunder in paradise    

Beach associated locations:

• art gallery
• amusement park
• aquarium
• cannery
• marina
• outlet for storm drain
• aquatic arcology
• hotel strip
• hot dog stand  

Danger Island -- A Mock Horror Adventure for GURPS(tm) http://www-personal.umich.edu/~superman/JPK/APA-Best-of/Danger-Island.html   What kind of equipment would you still be wearing, carrying if you were in a swimsuit at a beach?  What kind of contingencies would you set up?   

• shoulder bag with additional gear and/or 13th pocket.  This shoulder bag goes over the back with strap across chest which provides storage but wearer can swim and run normally - hands free
• submerged gear
• buried gear
• remote delivery gear
• remote control seeking vehicles (big tire not hover)  

swim suits: 

• string,
• athletic bikini,
• one piece,
• triathelon, wet suit  

string - any suit that is designed primary for legal modesty and to draw attention to body attributes.  Does not limit mobility except for modesty reasons. athletic bikini - bare midriff with good support and good sand protection one piece - best support, skin coverage while still showing off body lines triathelon - designed to be used in or out of water with thigh to neck skin coverage.  Provides support for additional equipment.  Maximum legal protection Wet suit - maximum thermal protection.  best non-magical threat protection that doesn't raise too many eyebrows.  Hot out of water.  Limits mobility   Why Sun tan lotion is your best friend

1. Should not be used to protect skin in rpg - burns not fun
2. Can be used to write message
3. both a physical and social lubricant  
4. bonus to wriggling out of bonds (escape artist) or grapple checks  
5. bonus to sliding  
6. bonus to chemical or burning material spray  
7. can be used as a social ice breaker and then used to distract  
8. minus to hide  

bureau 13: 

• watch (waterproof),
• cell phone (kirilean detector),
• c4 tennis shoes,
• bureau lighter,
• 13th pocket

Fringeworthy: 

• comm link
• watch
• high tension cord
• knife

it is always good to keep some cord on you.  Can be worn as a belt or strap for bag.   Do you ever assume you are off the clock?  Would you share a tray of umbrella drinks with Mathias Bolt for just one golden afternoon?  

1. all off the clock - dress for show
2. most off the clock - off dress for show but with good shoes,
3. on the clock should wear triathelon suit and carry bag with additional equipment. 

How does it change the threat level if the big bad is also in a swim suit (note Cthuthu in a swim suit is the ultimate no change in threat level)?   How does it inform the adventure and your tactics when you are in a highly visible, populated, and possibly congested area? What impromptu equipment can you find on the beach?

• propane tanks for explosives
• tiki torches and fuel for splash weapons and flame thrower
• tiki torch holders make nasty spears
• rocks in towel makes a sling or a bunch makes a club
• kevlar covered rescue floats for shields
• electrical devices for shocking
• Life Guard med kit for first aid
• beach patrol atv for mobility, attacking and fleeing
• Jet Ski with tow rope for clotheslining aquatic foes - maybe grab and pull on land?

Episode 78: Solo Campaigns part 2

This week we finish our discussion of solo campaigns where there is just a single player and GM and the player only plays one character.  Success in this kind of campaign is fairly hard to achieve, yet many new players or GM's wishing to play a new game find themselve here.  We give our best tips for successful character creation, equipment selection, and adventure design.

Episode 68: The Big Bad

Who is the big bad of your game?  Does he/she/it make  the player gnash their teeth, froth at the mouths, and shake their fists?  What are some examples of good big bad antagonists that really drive the story and the characters?