The mentor in my campaign was a Netti. She suffered a near-fatal injury during a confrontation with Darth Vader.

By the time the PCs found her, she had rooted in an ancient temple. She's slowly dying, but she wants to impart her teachings to the PCs before she lets go.

She has since developed a close bond with each PC, this allows her to communicate and train them, even when they are not around.

First, thanks for pointing the Neti out to me - I was not familiar with them.

Second, that is a really great way to avoid "Mentor comes in to save day" - she can teach, but the players have to act.

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First, thanks for pointing the Neti out to me - I was not familiar with them.

Second, that is a really great way to avoid "Mentor comes in to save day" - she can teach, but the players have to act.

You're welcome. I love the Neti and that's exactly what I was going for.

I recently started playing in an Edge of the Empire campaign. In the leadup to the campaign, I binged your entire archive. Took me a few days, but gave me a bunch of ideas. I think you guys do an excellent job. I'm a podcaster myself, though on the X-Wing side of the house, so I understand how difficult it can be to get a cast together that sounds good. I want to complement your editor, whoever they are, for their excellent work on sound levels and pacing.

I would love to hear a cast about integrating X-Wing/Imperial Assault/Armada into the RPG. I've always toyed with the idea of doing an epic Star Wars day event where there are several games going on at once in different systems, all of which indirectly impact the other games. An Armada game represents the fleet engagement in system. X-Wing is trying to take out a comms relay that is allowing Imperial coordination. A major ground assault is bogged down in Imperial Assault. Meanwhile, the Age of Rebellion group is trying to shut down the planetary ion cannon and the Edge group is using the chaos to steal something.

We're glad that you found the catalog useful (and that you survived the binge!).

Ben does the editing - it's no coincidence he likes the techie stuff in game

Dave & I really appreciate how he manages to make us sound like we know what we're doing.

The idea of integrating all the systems and games into something sparked some major conversation last night...definitely going to be a conversation in the not-to-distant future. The trick is setting it up in a meaningful way, and that requires time & resources...but you may have just mapped out an amazing convention event

I'm glad I could spark some conversation. Let me know if you need help generating ideas, though I suspect you have it well in hand.

I'm think the impact should be relatively minor between the games, but thematic and flavorful. The wildcards would be the RPG sessions, but I think it would be a LOT of fun being in the Edge session, trying to complete some heist during the chaos of a major battle.

So, I missed another recording session, and Ben & Dave have a great conversation without me. They talk about what to do when your campaign veers in directions you don't expect. They also talk about how to recover and reinvent the themes of your campaign, all in Episode 72 The New Path Tale . I found it enlightening as I listened to it, and would love to hear what you all think.

So, I'm moving, and that means I've been packing up game stuff...so much game stuff. Usually stuff for systems I don't play much anymore. Ben & I get talking about how to use those materials for Star Wars, and I think we wind up with some good stuff. Check out Episode 73: the Converted Tale , and then tell me about what adventures or settings you've converted for your game...or would like to do so!

I think Tomb of Horrors is a good option for Edge characters, personally - nothing like untold amounts of loot to draw in scoundrels of all types.

GEAR! Check my signature

I also used most of the Fane of the Sith Lords, for my current ruins exploring.

Gear is always a fun conversion!

I like trying to modify whole adventures - though that is a lot more work.

That would be the next step, there are alot of encounters ans modules in Saga and WEG...

We dive into the Legends of Star Wars - you know, all that stuff that may or may not be canon depending on what gets used going forward? Yeah, that. In Episode 75 The New Legends Tale , we talk about how to use all your hard-won lore to add spice to your current era games.

David also tries to sell us on some very controversial ideas, but you'll have to judge whether he talked fast enough to succeed.

How have you used Legends material in your games? I'd love to hear it.

So, I'm on the road again, and have just had a chance to post - out latest episode is 76 - the Firewalled Tale . I want to talk about astrogation in the Force Awakens, David wants to talk slicing, and we end up highlighting how to make rolls matter more - raising the stakes for your players in ways that let you say "Yes, and..." while building narrative tension.

Oh, and we touch on using things like Shadowrun & Netrunner to inspire your Corporate Sector games.

Would love to hear a chapter about architecture. How can it be involved in scene building like social encounters and combat.

I usually say, its better to duck for cover behind an interesting art peice (and see the enemy's dear patron get shreded by thier own fire) then a cargo crate.

Would love to hear a chapter about architecture. How can it be involved in scene building like social encounters and combat.

I usually say, its better to duck for cover behind an interesting art peice (and see the enemy's dear patron get shreded by thier own fire) then a cargo crate.

That and providing interesting environments and things in a scene will bring them to life. Maps can also help as a picture is worth a thousand words.

Architecture & environments are great ideas - adding them to the list

I think the movies and Clone Wars really show the value of interesting environments, and unique architecture

I was on the road recording night, and so Ben & David wandered down strange paths. Listen to Episode 77 "The Minion Tale" to here their thoughts on using minions as cool storytelling elements. They take minions beyond stormtroopers and thugs and into the exalted realms of bureaucrats and dancers.

Who are your most interesting minions?

Definitely love the social minions, from the Parking Inspectors, some irate townsfolk, and those charming Twi'Leks

I like what the minion rules mean about groups - people really are stronger when they are united, whether its a team of dancers, parking inspectors, or stormtroopers.

I think it's fun to convey that to players.

I was on the road recording night, and so Ben & David wandered down strange paths. Listen to Episode 77 "The Minion Tale" to here their thoughts on using minions as cool storytelling elements. They take minions beyond stormtroopers and thugs and into the exalted realms of bureaucrats and dancers.

Who are your most interesting minions?

I like the concept of droid minions groups from Far Horizon (Medtech Mini-Med), which also grant the Surgeon talent when assisting, which is very unique.

I had forgotten about those - I need to re-read some of the books I've had for a while, I suspect.

Once again, Ben & David prove that they can have lots of fun when I'm not around. This week, they talk about building party cohesion, and then they build a cohesive party of oddballs, weirdos, and underused specializations. Check out Episode 78 - the Whole Party Tale .

So, they didn't build the group I would have - I'm not the high-risk, high-reward character designer, but that group sure sounds fun!

What do you think? What characters do you think would work well together?

I thought their group was fun, I really dig a PC party having a concept before anyone starts character creation. It sets the whole campaign off on a great foot, with everyone having a good understanding of the current normal.

A while ago, in the early episodes of TftHW, one of the boys came up with the idea of a traveling show as cover for a Rebel Cell, very similar to the one in this episode;
The Saboteur is your special effects guy, Performer is the face, Quartermaster is the Manager, there where others too. It's such a fun idea I would love to run it one day.

I also made a crazy little group recently just for fun; Droid Pirate Crew, nasty bunch for sure.
R2-N8 is an R2 Strategist Tactician, both the brains and face of the group, it also co-pilots:
B3-TR is a B3 Battle Droid Enforcer Marshal, it duel wields HH-50's and is scary as (also my favourite!):
R0-K33 is a Pit Droid Rigger, it is the pilot of this ship:
SLL-4P is a Super Load Lifter, fixes the ship and is mobile cover for everyone else
F1-L4Y is a K9 Survivalist with a blaster rifle and grenade launcher on its back... It sneaks in and kills.

Their ship The Sunrey is a frightening Wayfarer...

I haven't had time to quite finish them, and they all are Knight Level for a known level of character development. Their ship is also undecided so far but a Sil 4 with lots of guns is probably in order, highly modified too! Perhaps a 2400. I'll update if I make it.

While I take issue with "boys"

We were using the same novel as inspiration both nights (though I think that party idea has shown up a few times over the year and a half). Shadow Games is a decent, if ephemeral read.

It's cool to see the idea spreading to other GMs and player parties.

I thought their group was fun, I really dig a PC party having a concept before anyone starts character creation. It sets the whole campaign off on a great foot, with everyone having a good understanding of the current normal.

A while ago, in the early episodes of TftHW, one of the boys came up with the idea of a traveling show as cover for a Rebel Cell, very similar to the one in this episode;

The Saboteur is your special effects guy, Performer is the face, Quartermaster is the Manager, there where others too. It's such a fun idea I would love to run it one day.

I also made a crazy little group recently just for fun; Droid Pirate Crew, nasty bunch for sure.

R2-N8 is an R2 Strategist Tactician, both the brains and face of the group, it also co-pilots:

B3-TR is a B3 Battle Droid Enforcer Marshal, it duel wields HH-50's and is scary as (also my favourite!):

R0-K33 is a Pit Droid Rigger, it is the pilot of this ship:

SLL-4P is a Super Load Lifter, fixes the ship and is mobile cover for everyone else

F1-L4Y is a K9 Survivalist with a blaster rifle and grenade launcher on its back... It sneaks in and kills.

Their ship The Sunrey is a frightening Wayfarer...

I haven't had time to quite finish them, and they all are Knight Level for a known level of character development. Their ship is also undecided so far but a Sil 4 with lots of guns is probably in order, highly modified too! Perhaps a 2400. I'll update if I make it.

I really like the K9 Survivalist ;D

In general, I think that is a solid group, and could make a fun group for a one shot.

And I've fallen behind in my shameless promoter responsibilities - we've had two episodes since I last posted:

Episode 79 - the Scavenging Tale - Ben & I talk about incorporating wreckage and wonder into your games, and conveying the ancientness of the galaxy far far away

Episode 80 - the Son of a Monkey Tale - we talk about how we set difficulties, how you can use the dice to help tell your story, and even dig yourself out of a hole or two when the narrative goes sideways. This is a topic we've touched on before, and will again, because it lies at the heart of what makes this game so much fun.

Episode 80 is an absolute must listen to any new players out there, it will help you with the core of this system so much.