🖖 A shuttle. A mission. A second chance.

Captain Sabian Tobor embarks on a diplomatic assignment with unexpected emotional gravity—literally and figuratively. Assigned to negotiate observation rights on a fiercely independent colony, he must also carry an urgent addendum from the office of Admiral Picard himself. What begins as a simple diplomatic endeavor quickly becomes a crossroads of history, legacy, and personal truth.

Beside him is Lt. Zhal’ari Dori—an Orion scientist with a personal past tangled in the colony’s roots. When family, politics, and Federation responsibility collide, diplomacy becomes more than negotiation... it becomes personal.

🎲 Step into this emotionally layered and politically charged Star Trek Adventures RPG 2E Actual Play presented by Tabletop Journeys. This is diplomacy at warp speed, told with cinematic clarity and deep character stakes.

📺 Beam aboard now and experience the thrill, mystery, and character-driven drama that Star Trek: Preservations is known for.

This is not just a game.

🎙️ It’s cinematic storytelling.

🖖 It’s Star Trek: Preservations.

And remember:

✅ Like

✅ Subscribe

✅ Ring the Bell to never miss a mission

🖖🚀🌌🎲

#TTRPG #ActualPlay #StarTrekAdventuresRPG2E #CallYourBoysTTJ #TabletopJourneys

Welcome to Tabletop Journeys!

This week, Josh and Lewanika sit down with Shawn Merwin, a titan in the tabletop role-playing game industry. Known for his extensive work with Wizards of the Coast, Ghostfire Gaming, Star Trek Adventures, and other favorites, Shawn shares insights from his decades-long career.

We dive into Shawn’s inspiring origin story, the challenges of professional game design, and his unique philosophy on creativity and success. You'll hear about his work on D&D, Star Trek games, and the innovative systems in Ghostfire Gaming's Grim Hollow Transformed. Whether you're a seasoned GM, an aspiring designer, or just a fan of fantastic stories, this episode is packed with invaluable lessons and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the TTRPG world.

Timestamps

0:00:00 - Introduction

0:03:00 - Shawn's Extensive TTRPG Resume

0:05:34 - Shawn's Origin Story

0:08:50 - The Art of Game Design

0:11:28 - Running Games for Diverse Groups

0:15:08 - Halls of Undermountain & Production Limitations

0:26:05 - Defining Success and the Drive to Create

0:30:24 - Grim Hollow Transformed

0:41:20 - Podcasting's Impact on Design & Writing Process

0:47:19 - Grim Hollow Traits

0:54:48 - Dream IP to Work On

0:58:10 - Community Members Shawn Merwin Would Like to Meet

01:01:23 - Conclusion#TabletopJourneys #ShawnMerwin #TTRPG #GameDesign #DungeonsAndDragons #DnD #GrimHollow #GhostfireGaming #MasteringDungeons #EldritchLorecast #HardyBoys #NancyDrew #GameMaster #ContentCreation #RPG #TabletopGames #Interview

🖖 A countdown begins. A rescue hangs in the balance. And a gravitational threat looms ahead.

The crew of the USS Dilamus Christian races against time to recover their miniaturized science team before a collapsing quantum window—and a deadly gravity well—renders the rescue impossible. Communications have been established. Signals are aligned. But the solution demands more than equations... it requires trust, composure, and sacrifice.

Will science prevail before the anomaly devours them all?

🎲 Join this cinematic Star Trek Adventures RPG 2E Actual Play by Tabletop Journeys, where starships, subspace, and emotional stakes collide at warp speed.

#TTRPG #ActualPlay #StarTrekAdventuresRPG2E #CallYourBoysTTJ #TabletopJourneys

-------------------------------------

📺 Beam aboard now and experience the thrill, mystery, and character-driven drama that Star Trek: Preservations is known for.
This is not just a game.
🎙️ It’s cinematic storytelling.
🎲 It’s TTRPG drama at warp speed.
🖖 It’s Star Trek: Preservations.

And remember:
✅ Like
✅ Subscribe
✅ Ring the Bell to never miss a mission
🖖🚀🌌🎲

Join Lewanika and Michael as they take over the mic while Josh is on vacation, promising "havoc and chaos". Michael shares his insights from the recent Origins Game Fair.

Origins celebrated its 50th anniversary, with approximately 20,000-25,000 attendees – about a third the size of Gen Con. Most RPGs are conveniently located in the Hyatt Hotel's lower levels, making it easily accessible and self-contained. He even highlights the great Jets Pizza in the attached food court.

Michael's primary mission this year was to play as many different superhero RPG systems as possible, seeking his ideal game for future campaigns. He shares a positive experience with the new Marvel game, noting it was a bit dungeon-crawly but still good for seeing someone else GM. His favorite game of the weekend was Mutants & Masterminds, highlighting an exceptional GM and a table where "everybody got their moments". In contrast, he recounts a less positive demo of a Batman RPG, citing issues like lengthy solo vignettes that left players waiting and showcasing characters not present at the table. He also had a very positive first impression of Daggerheart, Critical Role's new game, praising its "fun, frenetic and chaotic" design, leading him to buy the core set. Lewanika confirms he'll be starting a full Daggerheart campaign soon, noting its similarities to Star Trek Adventures' use of metacurrencies and traits.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 – Introduction

00:02:15 – Origins Game Fair Overview

00:05:16 – The Superhero RPG Mission 🦸‍♂️

00:11:44 – Convention Layout & Navigation 🗺️

00:26:12 – The Best Game: Mutants & Masterminds 🔥

00:33:10 – Lessons from a Poor Demo Experience 🛑

00:44:55 – First Impressions of Daggerheart 🗡️

00:53:16 – Convention Do's & Don'ts: General Tips ✅

00:58:05 – Convention Do's & Don'ts: Health & Snacks 🍎

01:01:47.82 – Convention Do's & Don'ts: Try Something New!🌟

#OriginsGameFair #TabletopJourneys #RPGConventions #GamingTips #ConventionLife #Daggerheart #MutantsAndMasterminds #GameDesign #Podcast #ConSurvival #ttrpgcommunity #ttrpg #ttrpgnews

🖖 One experiment. One flash. One small step... into the unknown.

The USS Dilamus Christian is on a calm patrol with nothing more than science calibrations scheduled. But when a new quantum sensor array test suddenly triggers a mysterious energy backlash, the entire science team vanishes without a trace. No readings. No signal. No time to waste.

As the clock ticks down, the crew races to understand what happened before their missing officers are lost forever. What begins as routine becomes a life-altering mission—measured not in parsecs, but in particles.

🎲 This cinematic Star Trek Adventures RPG 2E Actual Play from Tabletop Journeys blends science fiction tension with character-driven storytelling in the post-Dominion War era. Come for the tech. Stay for the drama.

🎥 Watch now and take one small step into danger.

#TTRPG #ActualPlay #StarTrekAdventuresRPG2E #CallYourBoysTTJ #TabletopJourneys 🚀🖖🌌🎲

------------------------------------------------------------------📺 Beam aboard now and experience the thrill, mystery, and character-driven drama that Star Trek Preservations is known for. This isn’t just a game.🎙️ It’s cinematic storytelling.🎲 It’s TTRPG drama at warp speed.🖖 It’s Star Trek: Preservations.And remember:✅ Like✅ Subscribe✅ Ring the Bell to never miss a mission🖖🚀🌌🎲

Alright, Monks! 🥋

Get ready for the epic second half of our Monk Class Warfare! We pick up with the second challenge on the mountain! Hear unique challenges, unexpected encounters, and profound self-discovery!

🏔️ Journey to Enlightenment Continues! 🏞️

The pilgrimage truly begins as our brave Monks venture higher up the mystic mountain! The path narrows, the weather turns, and new challenges emerge that test both spirit and skill. Our players are keeping their keen eyes peeled for the dread mountainfish and face harsh elements.

⚔️ The Mountain's Gauntlet!

The group sense an ambush and are confronted by formidable Bugbears! Get ready for some intense combat as our Monks unleash their unique abilities!

Part 3 is available now to Patreon subscribers at https://www.patreon.com/ttjourneys

Go check it out, and consider supporting the show!

#ClassWarfare #MonkAdventures #DungeonsAndDragons #DnD2024 #TabletopRPG #FantasyGaming #Podcast #Roleplaying #TTRPGCommunity #NewEpisode

🖖 “Not every story ends with the credits. Some demand an epilogue.”When the mission closes and the stars go quiet, the real work begins. The USS Dilamus Christian crew gathers to confront unanswered questions, plan next moves, and clean up the beautiful mess left behind by choices made.The XO’s investigations deepen. The engineer pushes the ship to its limits. The science officer chases answers no one else can see. And the captain weighs every secret and decision that might shape the fleet’s future.🎲 Dive into this cinematic Star Trek Adventures RPG 2E Actual Play from Tabletop Journeys as players navigate intrigue, loyalty, and the bonds of a crew that refuses to leave threads untied.This is not just an ending. It is The Denouement.🎥 Watch now and preserve what matters most.#TTRPG #ActualPlay #StarTrekAdventuresRPG2E #CallYourBoysTTJ #TabletopJourneys 🚀🖖🌌🎲-------------------------------------------------------------------

📺 Beam aboard now and experience the thrill, mystery, and character-driven drama that Star Trek Preservations is known for. This isn’t just a game.🎙️ It’s cinematic storytelling.🎲 It’s TTRPG drama at warp speed.🖖 It’s Star Trek: Preservations.And remember:✅ Like✅ Subscribe✅ Ring the Bell to never miss a mission🖖🚀🌌🎲🚀 Want to join the crew?Become a patron and play with us: https://patreon.com/ttjourneys🎲 For in-person sessions in the same universe, join our community: https://discord.gg/tCMdWMTh🖖🚀🌌🎲

The Trial of the Five Selves (Part 1)Get ready for some martial arts mastery and mystical trials! 🥋🔥 Class Warfare #6 dives into a Monk-themed adventure, "The Trial of the Five Selves." Our intrepid monks begin a pilgrimage up a sacred, mystical mountain, seeking enlightenment... but what hidden dangers await them? ✨Meet the Monk Pilgrims:Pebbles (Michael): A Goliath Way of Mercy monk built like a sumo wrestler, perpetually snacking, and wielding a Gauntlet of Over Power for epic strength! 💪 He's also got a dramatic Cloak of Billowing for dramatic poses.Nardo / The Nardog (Sergio): A Halfling Way of the Warrior of the Elements monk with a mysterious special item and a colorful personality. 🍃Nine Shadows (Mike): A Dark Elf Warrior of the Shadows monk, an "edgelord wannabe mall ninja" with cool blue hair and Boots of Elvenkind for stealthy moves. He prefers nunchaku as his weapon. 🌙Callister Boulderhop (Josh): A Forest Gnome Way of the Open Hand monk, known as "Tim the Enchanter" by his friends, thanks to his Ring of Jumping and an ensorcelled quarterstaff that fires magic missile. 🧙‍♂️The Journey Ascends

The party begins their ascent up a large, volcanic island mountain, known for its mystic properties and promise of great enlightenment. The first challenge awaits at the Temple of Vision, marked by a milestone inscribed with instructions: "Enter and choose your fear. Place that fear in the well of tears."What other challenges await them higher up this mysterious mountain? Stay tuned for Part 2 next week! ⛰️🔜#MonkPilgrimage #TrialByFire #TempleOfVision #ConfrontYourFears #DNDLore #TabletopRPG #ActualPlay #PodcastGaming #MonkAdventures #PathToEnlightenment #FantasyGaming #CritHit #UnarmedCombat #MysticalJourneys #DungeonsAndDragons #AdventureTime #ClassWarfare #Monks #DND #TTRPG #FantasyAdventure

🖖 The truth was never meant to be easy to find.A station that holds its secrets. A captain who sees through the lies. And a crew who will risk everything to uncover what was Hidden and Not Made Manifest.At Asselin Station the USS Dilamus Christian confronts the final layers of a conspiracy that spans subspace signals coded files and the echoes of orders left behind.What will they discover in the heart of the station's data cores? Is the enemy truly gone or just wearing a friendlier face?🎲 Watch this cinematic Star Trek Adventures RPG 2E Actual Play from Tabletop Journeys and dive into suspense tension and character-driven storytelling in the post-Dominion War frontier.The mission remains: preserve what we hold dear.🎥 Watch the episode now and uncover the mystery.#TTRPG #ActualPlay #StarTrekAdventuresRPG2E #CallYourBoysTTJ #TabletopJourneys 🚀🖖🌌🎲-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------📺 Beam aboard now and experience the thrill, mystery, and character-driven drama that Star Trek Preservations is known for. This isn’t just a game.🎙️ It’s cinematic storytelling.🎲 It’s TTRPG drama at warp speed.🖖 It’s Star Trek: Preservations.And remember:✅ Like✅ Subscribe✅ Ring the Bell to never miss a mission🚀 Want to join the crew?Become a patron and play with us: https://patreon.com/ttjourneys🎲 For in-person sessions in the same universe, join our community: https://discord.gg/tCMdWMTh🖖🚀🌌🎲

Welcome back to Tabletop Journeys, where hosts Josh, Lewanika, and Michael dive deep into the art of storytelling, player skills, and crafting challenges that matter at your gaming table.

In this episode, we explore:

🎯 How to build meaningful in-game challenges

🧠 Developing player and character problem-solving skills

🛠️ Balancing encounter design with creative flexibility

🗺️ Making exploration, roleplay, and combat all feel essential

🔄 What happens when players go off the rails—and how to pivot like a pro

Whether you're a Dungeon Master, Game Master, or just love storytelling games, this episode is packed with insight, humor, and perspective from some of the best voices in the TTRPG world.

📌 Timestamps:

00:00 – Introductions

04:30 – What makes a good skill challenge?

19:00 – When mechanics meet narrative

32:00 – Tips for keeping players engaged

45:00 – Designing challenges for any system

58:00 – Final thoughts and favorite moments

🔗 Connect With Us!

Find all our socials at www.linktr.ee/ttourneys

🛍️ You can still preorder the Travelers Guide to Factions here: https://ttj-factions.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders

#TTRPG #DungeonsAndDragons #TabletopGaming #GameMasterTips #SkillChallenges #StorytellingGames #RPGPodcast #TabletopJourneys