Side Passages

So your Dungeons & Dragons campaign went on hiatus … how do you restart it? In this episode of Campaigns & Coffee, Ken, Chris, and Josh talk about how to re-engage with a not-quite-dead-yet role-playing game campaign.

They dive into how a game can lose momentum, with real-life interruptions causing campaigns to stall or be put on hold. They share personal anecdotes of campaigns like Cyberpunk Red and Secrets of the Saltmarsh that have gone through pauses, offering practical strategies for relaunching them.

Techniques include recaps, time skips, flashbacks, and collaborative world-building (in other words ... getting the players to help figure out how to reboot after the hiatus). The discussion covers the importance of keeping both the game master (GM) and players motivated, with special attention given to tools like Obsidian for campaign notes and ways to revive interest through changes in story direction or character development.

Chapter List

00:00 What the heck's a hiatus?03:43 Recap and Relaunch07:07 Taking Notes and Recapping08:26 Base Building and Subgames16:42 Using Flashbacks to Provide Context and Hooks19:33 Starting in the Middle of the Action: Grabbing Players' Attention23:41 Choosing the Right Structure for Hiatuses27:02 Preparing for the Next Level: Getting Players Excited

YouTube Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI2qiFdd5_8

Show Notes

Discussion on the nature of RPG hiatuses: intentional vs. unintentional

Examples of stalled campaigns

Cyberpunk Red

Secrets of the Saltmarsh

Strategies for restarting a campaign:

Recapping the last session

Using a time skip to advance the story

Flashbacks to fill in gaps

Emphasizing downtime or base-building to rekindle player interest

Tips for GMs to stay motivated:

campaign notes

wiki tools like Obsidian and Scabbard

The importance of player engagement:

encouraging note-taking

future character development

in-game world-building

Use of seasonal or episodic structure for long-running campaigns

Featured Image Meta

Linux System Reboot History by xmodulo

In the latest expedition through the Lair of Secrets, David Moore, Ken Newquist, and Chris Miller delve into the art of map design, specifically focusing on the peculiarities and challenges of modern and near-future maps in gaming.

The discussion kicks off with Ken recounting his creation of the "worst best map ever" for a Mothership one-shot, set in an undersea research station on Europa. The map's illogical design, inspired by cost-cutting corporate efficiency, leads to a hilariously challenging game play experience. The trio explores the importance of verisimilitude in modern maps, contrasting it with the more forgiving nature of fantasy settings.

They discuss the balance between realism and game play, emphasizing how a poorly designed map can ironically enhance the fun by creating unexpected challenges. Throughout the episode, they share insights on using real-world inspiration, the value of theater of the mind versus detailed maps, and the importance of considering player expectations when designing game environments.

View the worst best map ever in all its terrible/great glory.

Quotes

"Worst best map ever."

"No, there's no vents. What are you talking about? It's the future. There's no vents. There's no ventilation."

"Who designed this place? What lame-ass industrial designer put together this underwater station?"

"In a horror game, the worst maps make for the best stories."

"If you're in the real world, you want to know: where are they storing the garbage? Is there a generator?"

"Accessibility in gaming isn't just about ramps—sometimes, it's about maps."

Chapter List

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage00:49 The Best Worst Map Ever04:32 Exploring the Map's Flaws08:46 Player Reactions and Enjoyment13:34 This map is horrible, don't change a thing17:29 Designing maps for modern and near-future settings20:01 Incorporating real-world inspiration into map design24:29 Theater of the mind vs. tactical maps27:40 Considering objectives and player interactions33:59 Using zones and index cards for abstract map design40:45 Balancing stock maps and visual aids

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3M3pRCCjqc

Show Notes

Ken's "worst best map ever": Discussion on the design and gameplay challenges of an illogical map for a Mothership scenario.

The importance of verisimilitude in modern and near-future maps.

Contrast between fantasy map design and modern map design.

The balance between realism and gameplay in map design.

Discussion on using real-world inspiration for map creation.

Theater of the mind vs. detailed maps in gaming.

Accessibility considerations in map design.

The value of stock maps and reusable designs in gaming.

Audience engagement: Inviting listeners to share their thoughts on map design and to suggest ideas for an archive of free maps.

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The edgerunners are at Elysium HQ. All they need to do is descend through three sub-levels of the abandoned corporate headquarters and flip a switch on an old server.

But first they have to get past these cybernetic corvids … and the remains of the edgerunner crews that came before them.

Get more Cyberpunk RED:

Cyberpunk RED Actual Play @ Lair of Secrets

Cyberpunk RED Role-Playing Game Resources

Cyberpunk RED Frequently Asked Questions

Cyberpunk RED Screamsheets

Quotes

"I'm the Swiss Army Knife of Destruction at this point." - Atlas

"I don't know that I have any light. Well, I have a flamethrower. That's like momentary light." - Omen

"Awesome. I'm like a lighthouse." - Angry Bob

Chapters

0:00 Intro and Setup10:15 The Mission Briefing18:45 Encounter with the Corvids28:00 Debating Entry Strategies40:35 Discovery of the Grappling Hooks54:15 Descent into the Darkness1:08:30 The Corvids’ Ominous Warning1:21:00 Preparing to Face the Unknown1:35:45 Entering the Ruins of Elysium1:55:20 Conclusion and Wrap-Up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bG1CEFjsGgI

Chapter 8 of our Broken Loop campaign for Cyberpunk RED ended with a cliffhanger as the edgerunners faced an unexpected … enemy? Friend? Belligerent hivemind hell bent on stripping everyone of their chrome?

In this episode of Campaigns & Coffee, we talk about that actual play session, it's unexpected turns, and how we rolled with the consequences of a well-placed grenade.

Get more Cyberpunk RED:

Cyberpunk RED Actual Play @ Lair of Secrets

Cyberpunk RED Role-Playing Game Resources

Cyberpunk RED Frequently Asked Questions

Cyberpunk RED Screamsheets

Quotes

"Who knew the corporate ruins would be guarded by cybernetic ravens and a cyberpsycho?"

"We survived, but only just. Night City isn't for the faint of heart."

"We're not getting paid enough for this—becoming our new catchphrase as we dive deeper into the chaos."

"The final scene? A burning car, pulped cyborgs, and a cliffhanger that'll haunt your dreams."

Chapters

https://youtu.be/2LfIYs5zVN4

Show Notes

Introduction: David kicks off with a recap of Ken's recent Cyberpunk Red session.Session Recap:

Setting: Night City, 2045, irradiated ruins from a past nuclear blast.

Mission: The team must flip a switch in a corporate HQ's techno basement.

Unexpected Turn: The Nomad's catastrophic drive check flips the car, leading to a chaotic firefight.

Key Encounters: Cybernetic ravens, a cyberpsycho, and Glow Boys.

Cliffhanger: The session ends with the group facing the ominous corporate HQ.

Discussion: The hosts reflect on the game's unexpected outcomes, the challenge of mixing horror elements in Cyberpunk, and the importance of not pulling punches in the genre.

Audience Question: An exploration of how to organize a union for dungeon minions.

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Featured Image Meta

Crow photo credit: Tom Swinnen (Creative Commons)

After talking and driving their way past the factions controlling access to Night City's radioactive core, the edgerunners are approaching the ruined Elysium corporate headquarters.

Their goal is to infiltrate the building's sub-levels and flip a switch. First though, they have to get past the Glow Boys, a cult of radiation Worshiping cyborgs ... and the chrome-enhanced, sentient ravens the cultists are facing off against.

Get more Cyberpunk RED:

Cyberpunk RED Actual Play @ Lair of Secrets

Cyberpunk RED Role-Playing Game Resources

Cyberpunk RED Frequently Asked Questions

Cyberpunk RED Screamsheets

Quotes

"Die, stupid birds, die!" - A chaotic cry in the heat of battle.

"We should probably ditch the car somewhere where it won't get stolen."

"We're having chicken tonight. Or whatever that is."

Chapters

0:00 Intro2:15 Entering the Hot Zone8:30 Encounter with the Glow Boys14:45 The Ravens' Attack21:30 Car Flip and Explosion29:00 The Flames Rise35:30 Taking Down the Glow Boys43:15 The Ravens Retreat50:00 The Haunting Voice from Elysium HQ55:00 Mission Debrief and Outro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RJgh8TAPZI

Show Notes

n this latest installment of the *Lair of Secrets* Cyberpunk Red campaign, the Edgerunners dive deep into the heart of the dangerous Hot Zone of Night City.

Hired to flip a switch deep inside the Elysium HQ, they drive through the decaying ruins of the city, passing by desperate refugees and hostile mercenaries. T

he team quickly finds themselves entangled in a chaotic confrontation with glow-painted, cybernetic warriors known as Glow Boys and a horde of cyber-enhanced, raven-like creatures that seem eerily obsessed with collecting "chrome."

After a series of tense battles involving faulty driving maneuvers that flip their car, an explosion, and flamethrowers, the team narrowly escapes. However, as the last of their enemies falls, a haunting voice echoes from the depths of Elysium HQ, calling out for fresh meat and chrome, signaling that their challenges are far from over.

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It's convention season, and David talks about Origins, a big-but-cozy game convention in Columbus, Ohio, meeting Shadowdark RPG creator Kelsey Dionne, plans for Gen Con 2024, and gaming with Jon Hook of the Modern Mythos podcast.

Meanwhile, Ken geeks out about dynamic lighting in Roll20 (and his hopes for using during the Lair's upcoming Cyberpunk RED Elysium HQ run). Oh, and Ken actually completed a video game - Fire Emblem Engage - and started a new game, Hades (which apparently every other geek on the planet has already played)

But why stop there? Ken and David also talk about a bunch of other RPGs including Dragonbane, Eat the Reich, Star Wars d6, the, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Mission Kit, the Dread RPG, and You’re in Space and Everything’s Fucked.

Quotes

"I finally completed a game! It feels like finishing a marathon for a 52-year-old gamer."

"Origins is like a cozy Gen Con—a perfect mix of games and geek culture without the overwhelming crowds."

"Shadowdark RPG is like 5th edition D&D but darker, with no dark vision and a real sense of urgency."

Chapters

0:00 Intro1:30 Ken's Gaming Achievement3:45 Origins 2024 Highlights12:30 Jon Hook and Isolated Investigators15:30 Shadowdark RPG and Game Discussions22:15 Dynamic Lighting in RPGs28:00 New Game Purchases and Interests36:10 GenCon and Upcoming Events42:00 Closing Thoughts and Stealth Promo

https://youtu.be/MBOKthFGSn8

Show Notes

Main Topic: Origins 2024

David went to Origins this year and has come back to our Lair to report on his findings after being away for more than a decade.

Met with Jon Hook!

Jon ran games with the Lurking Fears group

Hung out much of the con. He’s also an enabler of game purchases.

Jon Ran one of his Isolated Investigator modules. Tons of fun with one Keeper and one player.

Jon was on a panel: "Beyond D&D - How and why are these other games different?"

How games like Shadowdark, Dragonbane, and others are different-- and better? Than the world's most popular RPG.

It was an interesting panel, lots of audience participation. Even the “GURPS guy” got a word in.

Met Kelsey Dionne, creator of the Shadowdark rpg

David was able to talk with her for a bit, thanks to Jon being on the same panel with her

Played a fair amount of Star Wars d6 games with the Sparks group

So what about Origins?

It's a cozy GenCon

It’s larger than a typical local con but also less dense than Gen Con.

You can stop in the middle of an aisle of the vendor hall and not block traffic

Was able to talk with people at the booths for extended periods

Hotel was close and I was able to relax or nap for a bit, then head back in again

Roll for Topic Podcast

How do you handle light sources?

Gen Con 2024

David's going ... who else is going?

Obligatory Banner

Fire Emblem Engage

Finally finished the latest entry in the Fire Emblem series.

Nostalgic take on the series, with characters carried forward from earlier games.

The story wasn’t nearly as compelling as Three Houses though, in part because it was super-linear..

Hades

As the last geek in America to play Hades, Ken can confirm that yes, it’s good.

Picked it up on sale for Nintendo Switch

Sci-Fi and Fantasy Novel Writing series is complete

David turned in his pages for the end of class, got some good feedback

Continuing his efforts to write at least 250 words a day. Not so many it’s discouraging, and he often writes more

Recommended if you have the time, money, and want to be serious about publishing what you write

Cyberpunk Edgerunners Mission Kit

It’s on its way.

New rules for 2077!

Looking forward to quick hacks.

Check out our unboxing of the Edgerunners Mission Kit

David's Origins game purchases

Fallout dice

Fallout map set

Star Trek 2nd edition quickstart

Dread

Eat the Reich

You’re in Space and Everything’s Fucked

Outro

Thanks for attending our latest minion and future overlord training. Thanks for coming! If you were sitting near the old death ray, head over to dice.camp and follow us @lairofsecrets. We’ve got all you need for those Hyperion gamma burns.

Featured Image Meta

Cover art from the Shadowdark RPG.

Chapter 7 of our actual play Cyberpunk RED campaign sees the edgerunners venture into the Hot Zone at the center of Night City as part of their mission to flip a switch in the basement of Elysium HQ.

Get Cyberpunk RED:

Cyberpunk RED Actual Play @ Lair of Secrets

Cyberpunk RED Role-Playing Game Resources

Cyberpunk RED Frequently Asked Questions

Cyberpunk RED Screamsheets

Chapters

0:00 Intro2:10 Mission Briefing5:30 Gear and Supplies10:45 Entering the Hot Zone15:20 Encounter with Sawbones20:00 Emotional Toll25:15 Avoiding Scavvers30:00 High-Speed Escape35:45 Approaching Old Corp Center40:00 Conclusion

https://youtu.be/pDufsOwAS5M

Show Notes

In the latest chapter of the Lair of Secrets' Cyberpunk Red actual play campaign, the team is tasked with infiltrating a ruined Elysium Aeronautics research facility in Night City's dangerous hot zone. In the previous episode, Priest - APT's fixer - negotiated a substantial increase in their fee to 40,000 EBs. Adequately funded ... they went shopping.

The crew acquired various assets, including hand-drawn maps, street guides, and a medallion from a 6th Street Army member, Roof Diver. Delver Dan's shop provided them with Geiger counters, radiation tablets, and neon green lead-lined duct tape. Angry Bob updated his wardrobe to fit the irradiated zone aesthetic.

As they navigated through Night City's decaying streets, they encountered various factions and obstacles. The team decided to drive through the Sawbones' territory, a mercenary group providing medical aid in exchange for salvage. They donated medical supplies, earning safe passage. The desolate, eerie atmosphere of the med center and the suffering of its inhabitants deeply affect the crew, especially Atlas, who becomes emotional at the sight.

As they proceed, they avoid a potential conflict with a group of Scavvers harassing salvagers. Omen skillfully maneuvers their vehicle through the dangerous terrain, evading gunfire and collapsing buildings. The session concludes with the team poised to enter the Old Corp Center, ready to face whatever dangers await them next.

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In this episode of "Campaigns and Coffee," hosts David, Josh, and Erin dive into convention season, offering tips and sharing personal experiences. The trio discusses their preparation rituals, with Erin highlighting her dedication to the Sparks campaign—a Star Wars role-playing game using the West End Games D6 system. Josh shares his strategy for attending Gen Con with his young child, emphasizing the importance of keeping kids entertained. They also touch on essential convention tips like the 3-2-1 rule (three hours of sleep, two meals, and one shower daily), and reminisce about their convention highlights, including wandering into off-limits areas of Lucas Oil Stadium.

Want more GenCon? Check out our coverage of GenCon 2023.

Chapters

0:00 Introduction to Convention Season2:10 Erin's Sparks Campaign Prep4:30 Josh’s Gen Con Tips5:31 Managing Conventions with Kids6:50 The Essential 3-2-1 Rule8:20 Backpack Packing Tips12:21 Josh’s Dice Addiction and Rituals14:44 Navigating Lucas Oil Stadium18:06 Final Convention Tips18:36 Essential Minion Inventory

https://youtu.be/9sl_k7zm0m8

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In the latest episode of the Lair of Secrets podcast, we delve into our summer reading lists, exploring a mix of thrilling, nostalgic, and intellectually stimulating books. Ken kicks things off with Action Park by Andy Mulvihill, reminiscing about the notorious amusement park of his youth. David follows with a dive into sci-fi novels, including Larry Niven's Ringworld Engineers and Cixin Liu's The Dark Forest.

After the reading lists, we've got the obligatory Overlord banter, with Ken's 20-mile hike, David's ongoing writing course, and our upcoming Fallout 2d20 actual play RPG game.

Need more books? Check out our previous summer reading lists:

Summer Reading List 2023

Summer Reading List 2022

Summer Reading List 2021

Quotes

"Action Park was as legendary as it was notorious because the designer's impetus was, 'It's the amusement park where you control the rides.'"

Chapters

0:00 Intro2:10 Ken’s First Book: "Action Park"5:35 David’s Sci-Fi Reads: "Ringworld Engineers" and "The Dark Forest"11:48 More Book Picks: "In Our Stars" and "Venice"18:23 Short Stories vs. Novels21:08 Ken’s 20-Mile Hike Adventure28:44 David’s Writing Course Progress30:36 Fallout 4 Gameplay and Mods37:03 Fallout 2d20 TTRPG Excitement38:20 Outro and Community Engagement

https://youtu.be/wa2UMca9ALw

Show Notes

Sci-Fi & Fantasy Summer Reading List 2024

Action Park: Fast Times, Wild Rides, and the Untold Story of America’s Most Dangerous Amusement Park by Andy Mulvihill and Jake Rossen

In Our Stars (The Doomed Earth, Book 1) by Jack Campbell

Chaos Terminal (The Midsolar Murders, Book 2) by Mur Lafferty

Terminus (Threshold, Book 4) by Peter Cline

Ringworld Engineers by Larry Niven

The Dark Forest (The Three Body Problem, Book 2) by Cixin Liu

Ibenus (The Valducan, Book 3) by Seth Skorkowsky

The Best of Science Fiction 2003 by Karen Haber and Jonathan Strahan

Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson

Raising Steam by Terry Pratchett

The Banter of the Overlords

Ken's 20-mile hike

Lessons in pain from a long day on the trail.

Writing, writing, procrastinating, writing

Back to Fallout 4 … with Mods!

Planning our upcoming Fallout 2d20 TTRPG actual play game

Outro

Thanks for attending our latest minion and future overlord training. Thanks for coming! If you were sitting near the old death ray, head over to dice.camp and follow us @lairofsecrets. We’ve got all you need for those Hyperion gamma burns.

Featured Image Meta

Book cover art for In Our Stars by Jack Campbell.

Our Cyberpunk RED campaign continues with Chapter 6: Anticipating the Glow. Previously, the edgerunners accepted a mission to venture into the irradiated core of Night City, descend into the depths the ruined Elysium HQ headquarters, and flip a switch.

Being somewhat cautious mercenaries, they decided to do a little research first before venturing into the still-radioactive ruins.

Get Cyberpunk RED:

Cyberpunk RED Actual Play @ Lair of Secrets

Cyberpunk RED Role-Playing Game Resources

Cyberpunk RED Frequently Asked Questions

Cyberpunk RED Screamsheets

Chapters

0:00 Intro3:00 Bounty Update8:30 Corporate Conspiracy Unveiled14:45 Downtime Adventures28:20 New Mission Briefing35:50 Preparing for the Hot Zone45:00 Negotiating the Fee55:25 Essential Gear and Final Preparations1:10:15 Hot Zone Dangers and Tactics1:20:30 Meeting Delver Dan1:32:45 Closing Remarks

https://youtu.be/xcTkELmfAV0

Show Notes

The story resumes with the edgerunners facing increased bounties on their heads, with Atlas having a 3,500 EB bounty and other members like APT, Angry Bob, and Omen at 2,000 EB each. The team uncovers that the bounties are backed by the Brain Bank, a startup front for various corporations, and are specifically ordered by Zetatech agent Isabel "Izzy" Cordaro, who seeking revenge against Atlas.

During their downtime, the characters pursue various personal endeavors: Omen participates in rocket blade tournaments, Angry Bob reports on race corruption, and Atlas contemplates his violent past while helping at the Holy Angels Church. The group is eventually hired for a new mission by APT's fixer, Priest. That mission? To infiltrate the Elysium Aeronautics research facility and reboot an ancient server in its rad-shielded basement.

The group meticulously prepares for the mission, gathering information about the Hot Zone . They learn about the dangers from Falco, a seasoned delver, and the desperation of those living in the radiation-scarred city center from Roof Diver, a member of 6th Street. They decide on essential gear, including iodine tablets, air filters, and possibly radiation suits, while negotiating their fee to reflect the mission's high risks, landing a payday of 40,000 EB.

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