Hi guys! Long time no see! I missed kicking the ball around here.

Lots to catch up on with news -- it has been 2 years since I ran my last campaign, lots has happened in my life since then (I had twins!), but the COVID pandemic has really kicked online RPG sessions into high gear in my community and I feel the urge to do a new campaign. So here we are!

I was very comfortable with the FFG system before wrapping up my last campaign, but I need a refresher of some actual live tabletop/online action. Does anyone have any YouTube or Podcasts with some good examples of live play (preferably online, but that's not actually necessary)?

Specifically, I'm hoping for a F&D campaign, since that's what I'll be running.

Anyways, not sure how active things are here, but looking to get back into the game.

Remember that time when you'd been away so long you signed in under the wrong FFG forums username -- using an old one you hadn't used in 6 years -- and didn't even notice?

Yeah well.

It's me! The guy with an actual history on the forums!

/facepalm

Dice For Brains - Force & Destiny set after the fall of the Empire
Heroes of the Hydian Way - they play official adventures
Tales of the Hydian Way - advice 'cast about the game
Campaign - focuses on the comedy, with only the slightest use of the rules
Force Majeure - F&D, British, hilarious
Fandible SoloShot - one player (ex-Imperial Inquisitor) , one GM

5 hours ago, Stan Fresh said:

Dice For Brains - Force & Destiny set after the fall of the Empire
Heroes of the Hydian Way - they play official adventures
Tales of the Hydian Way - advice 'cast about the game
Campaign - focuses on the comedy, with only the slightest use of the rules
Force Majeure - F&D, British, hilarious
Fandible SoloShot - one player (ex-Imperial Inquisitor) , one GM

Thank you!

The "Well, that didn't work" podcast had a series of "Urban Stars". It's quite amusing Edge campaign.

Hooray, Campaign! As said before, not the best for brushing up on mechanics, but it helps one think about flow. (Or the flow to which everyone strives for but can never quite achieve, unless you can pre-record and edit your sessions.) If you're interested in working with some big concept ideas about The Force, the same people do another podcast: "Never Tell me the Pods" There's a few choice episodes about The Force and Force user philosophies- I'd most recommend "Look Who's Talzin."

On YouTube, Check out HYPER RPG’s “Pencils & Parsecs.”

Very, very good!! Lots of laughs. But, some good dramatic moments and intrigue.

The players are voice actors and folks involved with the entertainment industry. So...a good lot of natural talent and humor. Huuurgh, CZ-17, K’Lev, Aio, Kylara, TO-316, and the Pirate King Eren Val all get well-deserved mention for being outstanding characters.

The GM (Bert Jennings) takes some getting used to. In the first few episodes, he comes off as being like an “old school D&D DM who pits himself ‘against’ his own players.” [Not the more collaborative-style GM-ing that FFG’s Star Wars seems to inspire.]. However - and this is a big HOWEVER - a good chunk of this is ‘for show’ as these sessions were televised / shown LIVE on Hyper RPG and there was a ‘mechanic’ where viewers watching live at home could contribute to buying bonus dice to help the players or buy dice for the GM to help the GM make the adventures that much more dangerous and challenging. This made the show even more entertaining and more dramatic for players and the audience watching, but it does fly in the face of the known rules FFG laid out for us. This mechanic eventually evolves over the course of several episodes and helps to make Bert seem less like an evil jerk and more like a typical GM who is not actively opposed to his own players.

However, ‘typical GM’ he most certainly is not. This guy is GREAT! His NPCs are well fleshed out /named / voiced and his stories are full of drama and intrigue. His narrative style of breaking down character actions and really getting into the emotions and the details behind their actions taken is so gripping for both players and audience members watching on HyperRPG or on YouTube. Awesome job, Bert!

HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND watching this series (runs several ‘seasons’)

Also, another YouTuber by the name of Runeslinger does an EXCEPTIONAL job helping novice players and GMs wrap their minds around the FFG Star Wars RPG system. Runeslinger does NOT have a flamboyant, full of profanities and ‘shock’ or ‘glitzy’ style of presentation.

Rather, he talks to his viewer as if we were trusted friend. He is mature and intelligent - deliberate with every word selected and I leave each of his videos feeling a bit smarter myself. Another delight and rarity (from a YouTube presenter) - his comments section! People leave comments - and whether these are complimentary, rude or bombastic, Runeslinger responds like a genuine, thoughtful, kind person. I really appreciate being treated with respect - so rare on YouTube.

Runeslinger has individual videos where he tackles single aspects of the system. He also has comprehensive reviews of the entire game line. AND, last but not least, he has videos where you get to watch his gaming groups in action.

HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND watching these!

Welcome back to The Madhouse. My advice:

1) You can never prepare for everything the players wil do.

2) Don't over-prep. Grab a copy of Allies & Adversaries if possible for 'winging it'

3) You can never prepare for everything the players wil do.

4) Grab maps off the Tinterweb, rather than drawing them out yourself

5) You can never prepare for everything the players wil do.

6) Have fun and wing it.... works for.... bulletpoint plots and encounters because...

7) ...you can never prepare for everything the players wil do.

8 ) Plan encounters that you would find enjoyable/fun as a player. This usually works for me and so far, so good. I get keeping asked when we're starting again.