Gaming on the Frontier

Episode 43: Captain Oates Journal and B13 origin stories

We didn't skip episode 42.  The anniversary episode should have been episode 41 and the last one episode 42. This week we cover the legendary journal of Captain Oates.  The very first Earth Prime fringe explorer.  He spent many years on the fringepath before returning to Earth and having a fatal accident before he could reach civilization.  Only his corpse and his journal survive.  We discuss how to use it to drive adventures, answer critical questions, but not require the GM to write a huge journal before starting her campaign. Then on to Bureau 13 as we discuss how the adventure that introduced the character to the Bureau can drive character development and creation.  How it can affect team dynamics.  Remember:  Conflict is Good!

Episode 41: Tri Tac Games Podcast #1

We start our new format of Fringworthy and other Tri Tac Game products.  First we tell you how to find out important intel from the other side of the Fringeworthy portal without having to risk your all too tender flesh.  Then we do an intro to Bureau 13, how it fits with Fringeworthy, and how it compares to other modern supernatural rpgs.

Gutter Skypes Fringeworthy Actual Play #3

The gutter skypes are at it again.  This is their 3rd session of Fringeworthy and has nothing to do with the prior sessions except the same pc characters.  There is a lot of banter before the actual game, so you might want to skip ahead about an hour.

Episode 40: Making Memorable NPCs

This week, we're talking about what it takes to make your NPCs, or Non-Player Characters, more memorable to your players. How to make them more than just 2D cutouts, and more like living and breathing people. Of course, some NPCs will always be stereotypes, like nightwatch guards, Minions #21 and #24, and other "background characters". We also talk about the pitfalls of recurring NPCs, NPCs the players will shoot on sight, and how to handle organizations that can act like a NPC. So, sit back, have a cup of tea or other favorite beverage, and listen to the podcast!

Episode 39b: Fringe Walkers part 2

We continue our discussion of the various wandering races and groups that you might meet in interdimensional space.

Episode 39a: Fringe Walkers

Where do they come from?  They won't say.  Where are they going?  They don't care.  Join us as we explore the many races of beings that live not on a world but in the very interdimensional spaces and roadways that connect the universes. This is part 1 of a 2 part episode to be finished next week. 01:40 - The races of the Fringepaths and fringe weather. 02:20 - What is a fringe walker and where do they come from? 06:00 - Dalek on the Fringepath. 08:38 - Character concept of a fringe walker. 09:00 - Goin' walkabout and the 1000 portal stare. 10:40 - Fringe Gypsies; culture and evolution. 20:40 - Ways to use fringe walkers for non-regular players. 22:00 - Use fringe walkers to introduce new tech and concepts piecemeal. 23:40 - Don't forget to use the extended lifespan aspect (1:20). 24:45 - Survivors from the Common Wealth war. 26:20 - What races are we dealing with? 27:10 - Slargs, biological weapon to use against the mellor. 28:30 - The old men. 33:45 - More on Slargs... yum yum... 40:40 - Kegak, bane of the Fringepath. Comic material 53:13 - Brupians, they grow on you.   Lots and lots of great adventure and campaign ideas in this episode. This could be our funniest episode ever but Jay Hailey gets the funniest podcaster award for this one!

Gutter Skypes 64: Fringworthy Actual Play session 2

This is the second actual play episode for the Gutter Skype Fringeworthy game.  The actual Fringeworthy content doesn't start until 1:12:00.

Gutter Skypes Actual Play session

Our good friend Mark Kinney and the rest of the Gutter Skypes are running a playtest of Fringeworthy using the Micro 20 system.  I've skipped the character creation part, but you can find it on their site.  http://www.anim5.com/IDDFOS/TGS/index.html Here is part one of their playtest.

Episode 38b: Fringeworthy in other campaigns - COC

This week we explore the possibility of adding Fringeworthy to a Call of Cthulu campaign.  Most of the specific points of what Fringeworthy adds to this game were covered as the general benefits in last weeks episode so please listen to that first before this one. The point of Fringeworthy to another game campaign is not to change that game into Fringeworthy.  Instead we suggest ways of using Fringeworthy to enhance your already awesome game with new options, motivation, and abilities, without changing the game's genre, tone, or goals. Of course, if you do find your current game stale, as Trav says, "Fringeworthy is a shot in the arm!" Based on the amount of discussion on this topic, we will be review one game campaign or genre a week so expect a lot more in the future. 03:00 - Where the portals tend to be located. 03:40 - The Fringeworthy bring advanced healing. 04:20 - The city of R'lyeh. 06:64 - Inserting Bureau 13. 08:28 - Bigger guns! Awwww yeah, we got bigger guns. Aw nuts, here come bigger monsters. 09:25 - Shifting characters to another setting. 10:45 - Fringeworthy as pulp superheroes in the Call of Cthulhu setting. 13:50 - Staying on the world, cause it's still only 1 in 100,000. 15:10 - Transitioning from one system to another via Fringeworthy. 19:00 - Tell us about how you've done this and we'll talk about it on a future show.

Episode 38: Fringeworthy in other Game Worlds

This week we explore adding Fringeworthy to another RPG game system campaign world.  How would you add Fringeworthy to your Call of Cthulu game?  Your superhero game?  Your D&D game?  And not derail your game or change your game's distinctive tone? 02:30 - The tone of the game. 06:10 - Things that the Fringeworthy can bring to your game. High altitude maps, drones, lost tech/knowledge, advanced weapons and tech. 17:25 - Prior to the Fringeworthy filter. 18:45 - Hazardous creature removal. 19:30 - Fringeworthy underwriters. 27:45 - Provide a tactical advantage by using a portal that's in a strategic location. 29:30 - Reintroduce lost medicine and materials to a post-holocaust world. 33:00 - How do you introduce the Fringeworthy to your campaign? 37:30 - How do you endear them to the players? 39:50 - The dangerous ideas the Fringeworthy bring with them. 41:45 - IDET arrives on a world where the fringe paths have already been discovered... and they need to be rescued. Don't forget to check out the TravCast, Tuesdays at 8-9pm EST. It's awesome radio and a hell of a lot of fun!