In this episode of Life of Fiction – the Podcast, we step behind the shield and dive deep into the ironclad role of the Defender.

More than a tank, more than a wall—this class is about tactical protection, battlefield control, and choosing to take the hit when no one else can.

As with each of the classes, we’ve designed the Defender as a three-stage class that grows.

Here's what we cover:

🛡️ Class Progression – From dependable Guardian, to seasoned Protector, to the nearly unbreakable Sentinel.

🧱 Defensive Archetypes – The Shieldbearer, The Warden, The Paragon, and The Iron Wall. Each brings a new way to shape the flow of battle.

⚔️ Offense vs. Defense Debate – Should Defenders deal damage? Or is battlefield presence enough?

🔋 Unique Resource Mechanics – Explore stamina pools, guard points, and fortified modes—ways to keep defense dynamic and strategic.

💥 Lore Integration – How do Defenders show up in the world of Wanted Hero and Chronicles of a Hero? (Hint: you already know some…)

Plus: A look at what it really means to be a protector in a world full of chaos, and how you—the listener—can help us design the most meaningful tank class in RPG history.

💬 Join the discussion at LifeOfFiction.comBecause sometimes, being the hero means standing between the world and the fire.

Drop your thoughts in the comments!

NEXT TIME: 💖 The Healer’s Path: From Field Medic to Divine Force (sorry — no Rogues…)

Start the Adventure we’re all talking about…

Buy the Digital Version from Jaime!

Buy the Paperback Version from Amazon!

Join The Community & Grab Your Shirt!

Thats it. That’s all I’ve got for you this week.

If you love storytelling, role-playing games, or just being part of a creative movement, now is your chance.

Come play with me.

Remember: You are MORE than you THINK you are!

...see you next time. 🚀

Let us know what you thought of the podcast, or if you have any questions, make sure to leave them in the comments or email [email protected].

In The Hero Within, not every hero charges into battle or channels the arcane. Some heroes build their advantage.

Tinkerers are the architects of the impossible.Where others see obstacles, they see… opportunity. Gears, wires, fuel cells, alchemical canisters—whatever it takes.

We’ve designed the Tinkerer as a three-stage class that grows from scrappy inventors into world-changing creators.

In this explosive (sometimes literally) episode of Life of Fiction – the Podcast, we break down the class where creativity is the weapon. If you’ve ever dreamed of building gadgets, mixing science with sorcery, or solving problems with gears instead of swords—this one’s for you.

Here's what we cover:

🛠️ Class Progression – From scrappy Inventor to world-shaping Artificer, we explore how Tinkerers evolve in The Hero Within.

🤖 Gadget Design & Combat Tricks – Mechanical companions, rune-blasters, teleport nodes, and more—because why fight fair?

🔬 Tech vs. Magic – Should Tinkerers stay grounded in science… or embrace alchemy and arcane fuel sources?

⚖️ Balance & Limitations – How to keep inventors powerful, but not overpowered. Think blueprints, rare parts, and mechanical chaos.

💥 Creative Chaos Encouraged – We invite YOU to help shape the weirdest, wildest, most satisfying crafting system ever seen in an RPG.

Plus: Community questions, design challenges, and a philosophical debate about whether you should be allowed to build a duck that explodes on command. (Spoiler: probably yes.)

🛠️ Jump into the discussion at LifeOfFiction.comBecause invention is just imagination… with screws.

Drop your thoughts in the comments! Here’s the article that we’re discussing on this subject (in more detail)…

NEXT TIME: The Defender Class – Strength Through Sacrifice

Start the Adventure we’re all talking about…

Buy the Digital Version from Jaime!

Buy the Paperback Version from Amazon!

Join The Community & Grab Your Shirt!

Thats it. That’s all I’ve got for you this week.

If you love storytelling, role-playing games, or just being part of a creative movement, now is your chance.

Come play with me.

Remember: You are MORE than you THINK you are!...see you next time. 🚀

Let us know what you thought of the podcast, or if you have any questions, make sure to leave them in the comments or email [email protected].

In today’s episode, we’re cracking open the spellbook to explore the arcane. We’re stepping into the robes of mystery and power to talk about the Mägo Class.

This is Life of Fiction – the Podcast, where every story is a map, every character a compass, and every idea a hidden door. Here’s the article this podcast is connected to:

🎲 TTRPGs

The Hero Within RPG 7: The Mägo Class – Masters of Arcane Power

💎 Jaime Buckley and ⚙️ Höbin Luckyfeller

·

Mar 4

Life of Fiction is a reader-supported publication. Get access to stories, art, videos, podcasts, games and more, by becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Read full story

Key Takeaways from this Episode

🔹 What Does It Mean to Be a Mägo?

In The Hero Within, the Mägo isn’t just a caster of spells—they are seekers of truth, manipulators of reality, and potential world-shapers.Magic is power, but it’s also mystery, risk, and identity.

The Mägo class explores what power costs—and why not everyone survives wielding it.

🔹 Power Has a Price

Magic without consequence is just fancy fireworks.

Whether it's Mana Burn, Ritual Requirements, or Corruption Effects, the episode explores ways to make magic both strategic and story-driven.

Spells should carry tension. Every cast is a choice with weight.

🔹 Specialization vs. Spell Soup

Mägo players might choose distinct paths like:

🔥 Elementalists

🎭 Illusionists

☠️ Necromancers

🌀 Arcanists

But what if you could blend styles?

Hybrid builds create opportunity for wild combinations—like a fire mage who bends time or a necromancer masked in illusions.Creativity becomes the true spellbook.

🔹 Scholar vs. Instinct

Not all Mägo learn from books. Some feel magic. Others channel it.Do you memorize incantations or light candles with a glare?

The game invites both approaches:Careful study vs. wild talent.Ritual vs. raw emotion.It’s not how you cast—it’s what drives you to do so.

🔹 Balancing the Arcane

Too powerful, and Mägo become the one-player show.Too weak, and no one wants to pick them.

The episode explores:

🔋 Limited spell resources

⏳ Cooldowns and rituals

🧪 Rare component systems

🛡️ Physical weakness trade-offs

The goal? Make magic thrilling without removing danger or drama.

💬 Community Questions – Help Shape the Game!

Should magic progression be structured… or wild and free?

Would you rather specialize in one magical path—or mix and match?

What kind of spellcasting system would you love to play?

What consequences make magic more fun, not less?

🛠️ Join the Conversation at LifeOfFiction.comHelp build a world where magic is more than just flashy lights—it’s story.

Drop your thoughts in the comments! Here’s the article that we’re discussing on this subject (in more detail)…

NEXT TIME: The Tinkerer Class—when invention becomes a weapon. 🔩

Start the Adventure we’re all talking about…

Buy the Digital Version from Jaime!

Buy the Paperback Version from Amazon!

Join The Community & Grab Your Shirt!

Thats it. That’s all I’ve got for you this week.

If you love storytelling, role-playing games, or just being part of a creative movement, now is your chance.

Come play with me.

Remember: You are MORE than you THINK you are!...see you next time. 🚀

Let us know what you thought of the podcast, or if you have any questions, make sure to leave them in the comments or email [email protected].

Welcome back, fellow storytellers, world-shapers, and late-night lore junkies!

This is Life of Fiction – the Podcast, where we dive deep into story craft, world-building, and the wild ideas that make immersive fiction… well, unforgettable.

Key Takeaways from this Episode

🔹 What Does It Mean to Be a Warrior?

Not just brute force and big swords—warriors are more than muscle. They’re often the heart of the group, the strategist, and the one who stands when others falter.

In The Hero Within, warriors are elevated beyond the “hack-and-slash” trope to embody purpose, personal discipline, and moral backbone.

🔹 Strength: Brawn or Backbone?

Strength isn't just physical. It’s the choice to keep going, even when you're scared or alone.

The question raised: Is the truest strength having the power to crush your enemies—or choosing not to?

🔹 Warrior Archetypes Reimagined

Warriors in this system are built to be versatile:

Tank? Sure.

Leader? Often.

Moral compass? Surprisingly… yes.

This class rewards players who think tactically, not just tactically violent.

🔹 Narrative Depth > Stat Block

Rather than focusing solely on hit points and weapon proficiencies, the episode encourages storytellers to explore why the warrior fights. Is it honor? Revenge? Protection?

A good backstory can be the most powerful weapon in your arsenal.

🔹 An Invitation to Rebuild the Warrior Class

Jaime challenges worldbuilders and GMs to rethink the warrior:

Give them emotional complexity.

Challenge them with non-combat dilemmas.

Let them fail, learn, and grow.

Bottom Line: The warrior class can—and should—be the emotional anchor of your party, not just the front-line damage sponge.

Community Questions – Help Shape the Game!

What makes playing a Warrior fun?

What Warrior builds you’ve always dreamed of?

What systems have you played that nailed it—or failed it?

🛠️ Join the Conversation at LifeOfFiction.com and help build a system worthy of the heroes who play it!

Drop your thoughts in the comments! Here’s the article that we’re discussing on this subject (in more detail)…

NEXT TIME: Let’s talk Mägo Class!

Start the Adventure we’re all talking about…

Buy the Digital Version from Jaime!

Buy the Paperback Version from Amazon!

Join The Community & Grab Your Shirt!

Thats it. That’s all I’ve got for you this week.

If you love storytelling, role-playing games, or just being part of a creative movement, now is your chance.

Come play with me.

Remember: You are MORE than you THINK you are!...see you next time. 🚀

Let us know what you thought of the podcast, or if you have any questions, make sure to leave them in the comments or email [email protected].

Welcome to Life of Fiction, where we don’t just tell stories—we build them together. Today, we’re diving deep into skills, customization, and progression in The Hero Within.

Unlike static RPGs where classes dictate every move, The Hero Within puts skill progression in your hands. The real question is—how should those hands shape your journey?

Key Takeaways from this Episode

🔹 Hero Progression: Class vs. Choice

Are heroes defined by their class, or by the choices they make along the way?

The Hero Within aims to put skill progression in the hands of the player.

The goal: make RPGs exciting for new players while rewarding veteran creativity.

🔹 Skill Tree – Structured vs. Freeform?

Structured Paths: Clear upgrades, balance, and clarity.

Open-Ended Paths: Mix-and-match abilities for hybrid builds.

Debate: Should progression be a winding road or have clear signposts?

🔹 Skill Unlocking – XP or Story-Based?

XP-Based: Traditional system—earn points, buy skills.

Story-Based (Trials): Unlock abilities through challenges and roleplay (e.g., a warrior must defeat a legendary foe).

Hybrid System? Core skills via XP, elite techniques via story.

🔹 Balancing Power – Should There Be Limits?

Skill Caps Per Stage: Forces strategic choices.

Class-Locked Abilities: Maintains unique class roles.

Mastery Trade-Offs: Mastering one path locks another.

Community Questions – Help Shape the Game!

Should skill trees be structured or allow full hybrid customization?

Should skills be unlocked through XP, story progression, or both?

Should power be limited by class and caps, or should players have full freedom?

🛠️ Join the Conversation at LifeOfFiction.com and help build a system worthy of the heroes who play it!

Drop your thoughts in the comments! Here’s the article that we’re discussing on this subject (in more detail)…

NEXT TIME: Let’s talk Warrior Class!

Remember: You are MORE than you THINK you are!...see you next time. 🚀

Let us know what you thought of the podcast, or if you have any questions, make sure to leave them in the comments or email [email protected].

How do the other races fit into this industrialized society? Should some struggle to gain acceptance? And where does the battle between magic and technology draw its lines?

1. Introduction – Setting the Stage

Recap: Last time, we tackled rolling and mechanics.

Now, let’s talk worldbuilding and racial dynamics in The Hero Within.

The challenge: How do different races fit into a gnome-centric city?

2. The Racial Landscape of The Hero Within

Quick breakdown of major races:

Humans – Adaptable and diplomatic.

Iskari – Magic scholars and ancient lorekeepers.

Evolu – Nature-bound and distrustful of technology.

Kutollum – Master craftsmen and warriors.

Gnomes (Gentre) – The tech-focused rulers of Clockworks City.

Nocturi – Extinct beings whose magic was woven into their identity.

3. The Problem: How Do Non-Gnomes Fit In?

Clockworks City was built by and for gnomes—should other races struggle to find a place?

Do non-gnomes face discrimination, or is it a melting pot?

What if some races resist the city’s industrialization while others embrace it?

4. Magic vs. Technology – A Philosophical Divide

Should magic be viewed as "backwards" in a tech-driven city?

Do magic races try to integrate or resist?

Could there be a faction merging magic and tech into one discipline?

How would different races react to these technological marvels?

5. Community Engagement – What Do You Think?

Should non-gnomes struggle for acceptance in Clockworks City?

Should magic and technology be at odds, or should they be blended?

Do we limit racial abilities in the city, or do we allow full integration?

Join the Conversation!

Come to Life Of Fiction and drop your thoughts in the comments! Here’s Tuesday’s article that we’re discussing right now…

NEXT TIME: We tackle another big worldbuilding or gameplay mechanic!

Join the Conversation!

Come to Life Of Fiction and drop your thoughts in the comments! Here’s Tuesday’s article that we’re discussing right now…

NEXT TIME: How do we fit multiple fantasy races into a high-tech gnome-run city?

Start the Adventure we’re all talking about…

Buy the Digital Version from Jaime!

Buy the Paperback Version from Amazon!

Thats it. That’s all I’ve got for you this week.

If you love storytelling, role-playing games, or just being part of a creative movement, now is your chance.

Come play with me.

Subscribe now

Remember: You are MORE than you THINK you are!...see you next time. 🚀

Let us know what you thought of the podcast, or if you have any questions, make sure to leave them in the comments or email [email protected].

Are traditional "roll-under" mechanics outdated? Should natural 100s and 01s have lasting consequences? Let’s dive into a system where heroes truly earn their growth—and their scars.

We’re building The Hero Within, an RPG breaking traditional mechanics.

The goal: A system that makes every dice roll feel impactful and meaningful.

Most d100 systems use "rolling under" mechanics—why does this feel counterintuitive?

The weird feeling when rolling a 100 is bad, and a 01 is good.

The Hero Within flips this by making higher rolls always better.

What Do You Think?

Would you prefer rolling over instead of rolling under in RPGs?

How do you feel about permanent consequences for extreme rolls?

Should character progression be XP-based or roll-based?

Join the Conversation!

Come to Life Of Fiction and drop your thoughts in the comments! Here’s Tuesday’s article that we’re discussing right now…

NEXT TIME: How do we fit multiple fantasy races into a high-tech gnome-run city?

Start the Adventure we’re all talking about…

Buy the Digital Version from Jaime!

Buy the Paperback Version from Amazon!

Thats it. That’s all I’ve got for you this week.

If you love storytelling, role-playing games, or just being part of a creative movement, now is your chance.

Come play with me.

Subscribe now

Remember: You are MORE than you THINK you are!...see you next time. 🚀

Let us know what you thought of the podcast, or if you have any questions, make sure to leave them in the comments or email [email protected].

Building, building, building…that’s what’s new this week!

In this weeks episode, we talk about the growth being experienced over at Life of Fiction, and I answer a question asked by a father:

“With all that you’re writing, why are you making a game, Jaime?”

So I give you a detailed answer.

As per request, here’s the first book in Chronicles of a Hero…

Buy the Digital Version from Jaime!

Buy the Paperback Version from Amazon!

Thats it. That’s all I’ve got for you this week.

If you love storytelling, role-playing games, or just being part of a creative movement, now is your chance.

Come play with me.

Subscribe now

Remember: You are MORE than you THINK you are!...see you next time. 🚀

NOTE: First person to send me a list of at least 5 words I said incorrectly (I was too excited to speak properly), gets a 30 Day LoF COMP! Leave the list of words in the comments below =)

One of my greatest dreams for Life of Fiction JUST CAME TRUE!

Not a joke.

My cheeks hurt, I’ve been smiling so hard. Dreaming, and laughing since last night, planning how we’re going to build this community in ways most will never experience on Substack.

I’m not going to write all this out.

Just listen, you’ll hear what I mean.

OH—and before I forget, here are those links I mentioned:

Check out A New Breed Of Dragon, by my buddy, Drew Briney, and;

the video Drew talked about, you can find right here.

Thats it. That’s all I’ve got for you this week.

If you love storytelling, role-playing games, or just being part of a creative movement, now is your chance.

Come play with me.

Subscribe now

Remember: You are MORE than you THINK you are!...see you next time. 🚀

Remember: You are MORE than you THINK you are!...see you next time. 🚀

Welcome back, folks! After an unplanned but much-needed break, Season 5 of Life of Fiction is finally here—and let me tell you, I’m fired up.

Why?

Because I’ve decided that 2025 is going to be all about PLAY.

No more obsessing over a rigid publishing schedule. No more treating creativity like a factory assembly line. Nope. This year, it’s about having fun—and I want you right there with me.

Here’s what you need to know about this episode:

Where have I been? I took December off (shocking, I know) to focus on family, and it changed everything about how I approach my work.

The Big Revelation – I realized my obsession with "sticking to the schedule" was strangling the joy out of creating. Not anymore.

New Year, New Focus – This season is all about enjoying the process, connecting with YOU, and letting the fun dictate the content.

Community-Powered Creativity – I asked myself, "If I could do any project just for fun, what would it be?" Answer: Make a tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) based on Wanted Hero.

Introducing: The Hero Within – A brand-new RPG set in the Wanted Hero universe, where you step into the role of a hero (because playing the villain isn’t an option).

But here’s the FUN part… I don’t want to just make the game—I want to build it with you.

Open Development – The entire creation process will be public on Life of Fiction. You’ll see the progress, contribute ideas, and maybe even playtest the game.

Key Questions for You – What kind of stories do you want to explore? How should combat, character development, and moral choices shape the game? Let’s figure it out together. If you want to read the original article I posted for the community, here’s the link:

https://www.lifeoffiction.com/p/the-hero-within-a-wanted-hero-ttrpg

A Sneak Peek – I’ve already got a name, a basic premise, and a mountain of world-building notes to fuel this adventure. Now, it’s time to bring it to life.

How to Join the Fun – Go to lifeoffiction.com and subscribe. It's free, and you’ll get to help shape this project from the ground up.

So, if you love storytelling, role-playing games, or just being part of a creative movement, now is your chance.

Come play with me.

Remember: You are MORE than you THINK you are!...see you next time. 🚀