Side Passages

In the second episode of the still-untitled podcast, we talk about David's RPG mapper project, venture into the challenges of exercising daily, talk about our Tales from the Loop game, and delve into Ken's obsession with the X-Men. We round out the podcast with a conversation about the joy - and challenges - of gaming with kids.

Campaign Mapper

Campaign Mapper, the boring name for a fun project. Maybe David will name it after the podcast. What was our podcast name again? ?

DnD Dads podcast

Geek dads talking Dungeons & Dragons and other topics.

Learn more and get the podcast at the DnD Dads website. 

Exercise daily

David's exercising. This is a good thing.

How the Tales from the Loop game is going

We're slinging dice and investigating weird mysteries in the 1980s that never were.

Check out the Tales from the Loop website.  

Catching on Comic Books

Ken’s a big X-Men fan.

Despite this, he was perpetually 3-4 years behind on reading comic books. 

Spent the last two years getting caught up in time for the big Dawn of X storyline ...

... only to find he had holes in his collection...

... and then COVID hit.

Upside to the delay? Dawn of X titles are showing up on Marvel Unlimited ... and Ken is dangerously close to catching up.

Gaming with Kids

Ken picked up the Dungeons & Dragons Essentials Boxed Set

Meant as an easy entry point into D&D. 

Comes with: 

Dice.

Basic Rules (plus a new 1-on-1 rules variant)

Dragon of Icespire Peak adventure

Sly Flourish: Running Dragon of Icespire Peak from the D&D Essentials Kit

Cards for magic items, initiative, and quests

Maps

Ken has been gaming with his son and friends for the last few years, at home and on vacation.

Gaming with kids is challenging

They like it, but attention spans can be a challenge.

Thankfully, it’s getting better as they get older.

Not quite like it was when we were kids. Their touchpoints are more likely to be video games or movies.

Ken hasn't figured out how to transition to my son (or one of the kids) being the DM.

Comments?

Email us at [email protected] or leave a comment below.

Featured Image

Cover art for the Dragon of Icespire Peak adventure. Credit: Wizards of the Coast

Welcome to the first episode of the podcast that didn't know it's own name! On this episode, David and Ken introduce themselves before venturing into the irradiated wastes of Gamma World. Running's a good strategy when confronted by hyperintelligent carrotfolk; it's also a good way to stay healthy, as Ken talks about his 10K training program. Finally, we run down the Top 3 New Role-playing Games that we like, including Alien, Tales from the Loop, and  The Flux. 

Gamma World Hex Crawl

David talks about discovery hexcrawls and then applying them to the vintage science fiction setting.

Wayne's Books: Gamma World 2nd edition (1983-84): 1st ed gets a revision

Rolling Boxcars: Gamma World 2e: Wild and Wahoo?

More Lair of Secrets posts/podcasts related to the post-apocalyptic setting.

Kicking off a 10K training program

Ken likes to run, so he's starting a 10K training program.

Based on the Runners World 10K Training Plan

It's an 8-week program that includes a mix of easy runs, hills, and intervals.

Top 3 New RPGs We Like

Ken’s Picks

Alien by Free League

Whether you're running a haunted house in space or a roller coaster thrill ride, Free League has you covered.

The game pits players against alien xenomorphs in either "cinematic mode" (like playing a movie, complete with acts, betrayals, and set characters) and "campaign mode" (which is meant for ongoing play with player-generated characters).

There are three boxed set adventures for the game as well the Colonial Marines Operations Manual rules expansion.

Star Trek Adventures by Modiphius

Role-playing in the final frontier in one of fandom's most venerable space opera universes.

Uses the 2d20 system (Mutant Chronicles, Conan: Adventures in an Age Undreamed Of, John Carter of Mars and the Infinity RPG.

Tons of rule books that let you play in any Star Trek era.

Tales from the Loop by Free League

Nostalgic role-playing in the 1980s that never were.

Game play alternates between kids investigating a supernatural (or super science) mystery and kids  dealing with their home/personal life.

David’s Picks

Tales from the Loop by Free League

See above.

The Flux by John Wick Presents

A meta game in which experiences from a character in one role playing game can over into subsequent role-playing games.

Scum and Villainy by Evil Hat Productions

A space opera / space fantasy game based on the Blades in the Dark rule set.

Retains the job/heist based focus of Blades in the Dark

Think The Mandalorian, Firefly, and other "crews trying to survive on the edge of space"-style shows and movies.

Check out our Scum and Villainy Actual Play series.

Comments?

Email us at [email protected] or leave a comment below.

Featured Image Meta

Cover art for Gamma World, 2nd Edition. Credit: TSR

A monthly podcast for the After Serenity ongoing campaign. Fans of Firefly and Serenity, come join us roleplaying in the 'Verse!

A monthly podcast for the After Serenity ongoing campaign. Fans of Firefly and Serenity, come join us roleplaying in the 'Verse!

A monthly podcast for the After Serenity ongoing campaign. Fans of Firefly and Serenity, come join us roleplaying in the 'Verse!

A monthly podcast for the After Serenity ongoing campaign. Fans of Firefly and Serenity, come join us roleplaying in the 'Verse!

A monthly podcast for the After Serenity ongoing campaign. Fans of Firefly and Serenity, come join us roleplaying in the 'Verse!

A monthly podcast for the After Serenity ongoing campaign. Fans of Firefly and Serenity, come join us roleplaying in the 'Verse!

A monthly podcast for the After Serenity ongoing campaign. Fans of Firefly and Serenity, come join us roleplaying in the 'Verse!

A monthly podcast for the After Serenity ongoing campaign. Fans of Firefly and Serenity, come join us roleplaying in the 'Verse!