* Episode 100! Thank you to everyone who has been with us on this amazing journey, and we hope you stick around as we continue!

* Please forgive Josh’s audio in this episode. We’re not sure what happened.

* We are joined by special guest Opti, aka O.C. Presley.

* We talk about how Opti came to the world of Earthdawn, his experiences working as a freelancer in the RPG industry and starting his own company.

* Opti talks about the lessons learned, the triumphs, and the struggles of launching Fragging Unicorn Games, their first Kickstarter, and delivering during the pandemic.

* Visit their website and order Gangs of the Undercity: https://fraggingunicorns.com/

Find and Follow:

Email: [email protected]

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeoifzUuBjez9V6wnvzom3g

Twitter: @EDSGPodcast

Josh on Twitter: @LoreMerchant

Get product information, developer blogs, and more at www.fasagames.com

FASA Games on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fasagamesinc

FASA Games Discord Channel: https://discord.gg/uuVwS9u

Earthdawn West Marches: https://discord.gg/hhHDtXW

* Episode 99! Next week our 100th episode with special guest Opti, aka Scratch.

* Paths in Depth: The Messenger

* Development history; first appearance in RedBrick’s Namegiver’s Compendium.

* Setting origins as obsidiman messengers being highly desired for inter-city communication.

* Original version didn’t feel like its role in a game was considered.

* Pop culture inspiration: The Postman, Book of Eli, pony express.

* Strong thematic presence in the setting and historical resonance.

* “A collective of dedicated wanderers.”

* Unsworn to any individual in a position of power; dedication to remaining neutral.

* Relationship (or lack thereof) with Blood Wood.

* Not just messages, also sometimes goods, but information also valuable.

* Also a secretive cabal dedicated to keeping Barsaive free.

* A network of wanderers is excellent at keeping its finger on the pulse of affairs in Barsaive, putting important information in the right hands at the right time to support their objective.

* Reminiscent of the Harpers from Forgotten Realms.

* Campaign hook: What happens to that kind of network if it is compromised or under the thumb of one who seeks their own power?

* Potential for cloak-and-dagger, Cold-War-spy-thriller activity.

* Perhaps the Messengers have insight into the deeper secrets because of their intelligence network.

* Possibility of a secret group within the broader path; lower ranking members may not be fully aware of the spy network.

* Favorable Disciplines: Illusionist, Scout, Troubadour, Thief.

* Affiliated Passions: Floranuus, Lochost, Mynbruje, and Vestrial.

* Questors are very rare because of desire to be independent from outside authority.

* Initiation and Advancement rituals.

* Solitude to the Messenger’s duty.

* Messenger work can form a solid adventure or campaign framework.

* Advancement rank bonuses.

* Talent options: Nothing unique or flashy. Abilities to help the Messenger do their job.

* Knacks: Lots of tricks to enhance the talents and abilities most useful to the Messenger’s mission.

* Closing thoughts.

Find and Follow:

Email: [email protected]

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeoifzUuBjez9V6wnvzom3g

Twitter: @EDSGPodcast

Josh on Twitter: @LoreMerchant

Get product information, developer blogs, and more at www.fasagames.com

FASA Games on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fasagamesinc

FASA Games Discord Channel: https://discord.gg/uuVwS9u

Earthdawn West Marches: https://discord.gg/hhHDtXW

* Email from RamethZer0: Discipline (or path) focused on alchemy?

* If you can explain to Josh what gap needs to be filled by an Alchemist Discipline, please write in!

* Insight from Lou about the choices were made by Living Room Games for Dvilgaynon and possibly why.

* Dragons in Depth: Icewing aka Dollmaker

* Silvery blue scales.

* Origin of his moniker; ice storm summoned by his wings.

* Very old, very large.

* Main focus on creation and propagation of drakes, also knowledgeable about spirits.

* Raised by All Wings along with Mountainshadow.

* During the Age of Dragons, Icewing was charged with overseeing the relationship between the dragons and those they ruled.

* Bears a grudge toward the dragons’ “wayward children” and consequently the Theran Empire.

* Along with Yuichotol, created the ritual known as the “Dance of Blue Spirits”, creating drakes.

* Drakes were used heavily to disrupt Theran activity—reason for the Theran attacks on Yuichotol, Cloudtamer, and Icewing.

* Gave the dwarf kings of Throal the longevity potions as a counter to the Theran plans.

* Icewing’s opinion of the Younger Races.

* Sidebar about the Outcast’s opinion of the other Great Dragons.

* Works with Earthroot to manage the Kingdom of Throal.

* Dicussion of Icewing and the status of Throal.

* Relationships with other dragons.

* Icewing’s lairs.

* Open to visits from younger races at his lair on Mount Vapor, provided you bring a suitable gift.

* Drakes and other servants.

* Did not shelter communities the way Mountainshadow did.

* Involving Icewing in adventures and campaign arcs.

* First edition adventure: Shattered Pattern

* Icewing’s goals and objectives.

* Personality insights.

Find and Follow:

Email: [email protected]

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeoifzUuBjez9V6wnvzom3g

Twitter: @EDSGPodcast

Josh on Twitter: @LoreMerchant

Get product information, developer blogs, and more at www.fasagames.com

FASA Games on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fasagamesinc

FASA Games Discord Channel: https://discord.gg/uuVwS9u

Earthdawn West Marches: https://discord.gg/hhHDtXW

* Paths in depth: Purifier

* Dan calls out his favorite quote from the essay.

* Development history of the Purifier.

* Current version is no longer exclusive to obsidimen, but still owes a lot of its lore and concept to those Namegivers.

* Original version concepts were split into two paths (Brother of Stone, Purifier) and one Discipline (Gauntlet).

* Focus on the natural balance of the natural world.

* Strong concept on appropriate stewardship and care of the land.

* Space within the concept for different approaches and extremes.

* Does not have as much narrative gravity in terms of shaping a campaign’s direction.

* Purifiers and the Blood Wood.

* Secondary goal of educating people in proper care of the land.

* Kaliff sites; places reclaimed from corruption and damage.

* Initiation and advancement; Ritual of Cleansing.

* Naturally aligned Disciplines: Beastmaster, Elementalist, Scout.

* Strong affinity with questors of Jaspree, though there could be some causes for conflict.

* Karma Ritual modification.

* Half-Magic additions.

* Purifier advancement bonuses.

* Path talent options; related to themes of investigation and healing.

* New talents: Earth Bond allows adept to heal themselves or the land.

* Purification: Dispel or remove negative effects, like a souped-up Remove Curse.

* Path karma knacks.

* Path spells – Patterncraft knack gives magicians access to thematic spells they might not otherwise be able to learn.

* Earth Bond knacks.

* Purification knacks.

* Sidebar about healing or support roles in Earthdawn.

* Pop culture and real world inspirations for Purifiers.

Find and Follow:

Email: [email protected]

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeoifzUuBjez9V6wnvzom3g

Twitter: @EDSGPodcast

Josh on Twitter: @LoreMerchant

Get product information, developer blogs, and more at www.fasagames.com

FASA Games on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fasagamesinc

FASA Games Discord Channel: https://discord.gg/uuVwS9u

Earthdawn West Marches: https://discord.gg/hhHDtXW

* Email from Scott: Detecting dragons in Namegiver form.

* Email from Ramethzer0: Questions about group patterns.

* Email from Lee: Liberators and binding/commanding spirits?

* Email from Mortium: Origins and fate of t’skrang.

* Immortal elves?

* Hestaby in the Fourth World?

* Deep dive into metaplot links?

* Shadowrun’s HMHVV and Earthdawn Ghouls?

* Dragons in depth: Dvilgaynon

* Disclaimer: Much of the material discussed should be considered apocryphal.

* Transplant from Cathay; supposedly came at Mountainshadow’s request due to her knowledge of ritual magic.

* Josh does some digital archeology for first edition references.

* Usually appears in human form, Outcast has not confirmed her appearance as a dragon.

* Dvilgaynon’s name as a derivation of Chinese.

* Sketchy information about her personality; enjoys puzzles and riddles.

* Little material about Dvilgaynon in original sources.

* Talking about good ideas in the essay.

* Likely uses for Dvilgaynon in a campaign.

Find and Follow:

Email: [email protected]

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeoifzUuBjez9V6wnvzom3g

Twitter: @EDSGPodcast

Josh on Twitter: @LoreMerchant

Get product information, developer blogs, and more at www.fasagames.com

FASA Games on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fasagamesinc

FASA Games Discord Channel: https://discord.gg/uuVwS9u

Earthdawn West Marches: https://discord.gg/hhHDtXW

* Follow-up comment about Aban and dragon colors as possible homage to Dungeons and Dragons.

* Email from Rasmus: Episode dedicated to Alachia?

* Using multiple masks on a creature?

* Avoid Blow’s all-or-nothing status?

* Group patterns and thread limits?

* New Legends of Earthdawn episodes?

* New Earthdawn books?

* Email from Sebastien: Shout-out for Lars and Steps!

* Email from Aleyn: Why silver cost for Attribute increases?

* Windling racial astral sight vs the astral sight talent from a Discipline?

* Email from Matthew: Swapping a chosen talent option from a Discipline to become a Path talent.

* Alternate approach to a Scholar?

* Dragons in depth: Asante and Nightsky

* Adult dragons, lair in the Caucavic Mountains

* Rebellious, immature, and naïve.

* Mated pair, breaking the mold of traditional dragon isolation.

* Future plot seeds or just an interesting idea to explore?

* Nightsky: Achieved adulthood just before the Scourge.

* Did not have his own lair, sheltered with Earthroot.

* Emerged very early post-Scourge and set out to explore the world.

* Encountered the Earthdawn during his excursions, hint to its possible future appearance.

* Asante: Another young dragon, feels compassion for the Younger Races.

* Raised by Redwing, a Great Dragon that fell to a Horror.

* Accidentally revealed some secrets to the Scythan dwarves, banished and came to adulthood in isolation.

* Bears a grudge toward the Great Dragons about the Rites of Protection and Passage and protecting the peoples of Barsaive.

* Banished again to her lair, strong independent streak.

* As a pair: Shared experience of frustration and anger at the world.

* The Outcast sees an opportunity for his offspring to bring the pair to their side against the Greats.

* At the very least, could cause headaches for the Greats, opening opportunities for the Denairastas.

* Connections with the Dream Spire Company of Throal.

* Asante’s eggs.

* Lots of potential plot hooks and story ideas.

* Only a couple days left on the Vasgothia Kickstarter!

* Paths in Depth: The Liberator

* Development history and perspective.

* Origins in legacy of ork slavery.

* Expanded to include any who feel the call to fight slavery and oppression.

* Latest version deemphasizes slavery to expand story hooks and possibilities.

* Josh talks about bringing modern-day perspectives into fictional situations (and the pitfalls thereof).

* Possible internal disputes among followers of the Path.

* Thematic ties to Lochost and Mynbruje.

* Multiple Liberators in an adventuring group.

* Narrative gravity and its effect on the campaign.

* Pop culture and historical inspirations for the Liberator.

* Pacifism and violence.

* Commonly associated Disciplines.

* Traditionally poor Discipline associations.

* Passions.

* Relations with other Paths.

* Joining the Liberators.

* Initiation: Old school versus new school.

* Need for careful association, the oath demands a lot.

* Karma Ritual and Half Magic expansions.

* Rank progression bonuses and Path talents.

* New talents: Sense Captives, Tyranny’s Ruin, Shout of Justice, Liberation.

* Liberator talent knacks.

* Closing thoughts.

* Don’t forget to check out the Vasgothia Kickstarter! Running until November 19, 2021.

* Vasgothia Kickstarter Special – A conversation with writer Nick Lowe.

* Nick’s journey into Earthdawn and coming to work on the book.

* Josh admits he hasn’t read the book yet.

* Why Vasgothia? And why now?

* How true to the original work by Robin Laws?

* Inspiration from Nick’s own Vasgothia-based campaign?

* Back to why this book now?

* Connections between Vasgothia and Barsaive?

* Cultural divide of Empirist and Barrite.

* Home much of Vasgothia’s mysteries are explained?

* Research for inspirations outside Earthdawn?

* Desire to hear from appropriate and relevant cultural voices.

* What is Nick most excited for readers to encounter?

* Any easter eggs or references to his own campaigns and game groups?

* Not forgetting to focus on player characters.

* Opportunity to play either Vasgothian or Barsaivian characters.

* Advice or direction for gamemasters?

* A team effort; not just Nick’s work.

* Anything coming up in the future?

* Stretch goals: Tower levels, adventure.

* Vasgothia on Kickstarter until November 19, 2021.

* https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fasagames/eathdawn-4th-ed-vasgothia-and-champions-challenge-vol-2

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @EDSGPodcast

Josh on Twitter: @LoreMerchant

Dan on Twitter: @boice_voice

Get product information, developer blogs, and more at www.fasagames.com

FASA Games on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fasagamesinc

FASA Games Discord Channel:

https://discord.gg/uuVwS9u

Earthdawn Guild Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/earthdawnguild

Earthdawn West Marches:

https://discord.gg/hhHDtXW

* Email from Brian: Journeyman thoughts and path talents.

* Email from Tim: Namegiver status of ogres.

* Extensive discussion of what makes a Namegiver.

* Vasgothia Kickstarter is live!

* https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fasagames/eathdawn-4th-ed-vasgothia-and-champions-challenge-vol-2

* Dragons in Depth: Aban, aka Mistweaver

* Like Usun, very insular and protective of her domain.

* Raised by Cloudtamer, a now-deceased great dragon.

* Youngest and only female great dragon in Barsaive.

* Unlike Usun, involves herself more in provincial affairs, just secretly.

* Very strong, physical dragon, one of the physically largest great dragons.

* Very keen on and attentive to dragon rituals in order to assert her presence and authority in the great dragon council.

* Sexism in dragon society, and a sidebar about such things in the game at large.

* The Mist Swamps and the lost city of Yrns Morgath.

* Theran interest in Yrns Morgath: Naaman Y’ross.

* Aban versus the Therans and Cloudtamer’s fate.

* Metaplot implications for Naaman Y’ross.

* Physical description of Aban; varied, but always dark.

* Highly skilled in elemental and spirit magic.

* Aban’s connection with the Mist Swamps.

* Inspiration: Swamp Thing from DC Comics.

* Aban’s servants.

* The Castle of Assassins and the Hand of Corruption.

* The Outcast’s error.

* Aban’s real hidden servants.

* Using Aban in adventures and campaigns.

* This episode was cut off due to a power failure! Sorry for the abrupt end.

* Paths in Depth: The Scholar

* Originally the dwarf racial Discipline of Traveled Scholar.

* Background on the original version.

* Mindset of the Scholar and contrast to the Troubadour.

* Inspiration drawn from present-day academia.

* Inspirations for Scholar-type characters.

* Indiana Jones, Doc Brown, Atomic Robo, the Librarians, Daniel Jackson from Stargate, Giles from Buffy.

* Venturing into the field and getting involved.

* Look back at the talent selection from the original Traveled Scholar.

* Moving away from “Race as Culture”.

* Highly organized and structured path.

* Could involve politics and personalities of Barsaivian academia.

* Suitability for game styles and flavor it can contribute to a campaign.

* Becoming a Scholar; entrance exams and academic presentations.

* Custom GMC: The character’s advisor.

* Passions, Questors, and the Scholar.

* Initiation.

* Possible source for humor and contrast to typical adventuring activities.

* Karma Ritual Modifications.

* Focused on a particular field of study, not simply the “know-it-all”.

* Scholar Half-Magic.

* Path bonuses and talent options.

* New talent: Expansive Expertise

* New talent: Applied Knowledge

* Scholar Knacks.

* Closing thoughts.