Tales & Tactics

In this episode of Beyond the Book, we take a deep dive into the resources that support your tabletop battles and campaign storytelling—the behind-the-scenes tools that keep the game world running smoothly. From physical notebooks and battle maps to digital dashboards and worldbuilding apps, we share our favorite play aids for both game night efficiency and long-form narrative depth.

In this episode, we draw initiative on Fights of Fantasy, a sprawling fantasy miniatures wargame by Christopher Reichenbach. After a deep dive into the rulebook and our first playtest, we break down what makes this system tick. From the character creation options to the highly modular army-building process, we explore how Fights of Fantasy balances crunch with creative freedom.

When a tabletop game hits the table, who's really in control? The company that published it, the designer who wrote it, or the players who bring it to life? In this episode of Beyond the Book, we explore the tangled question of authorship and authority in tabletop games. From infamous licensing controversies like the OGL 1.1 fallout, to the rise of house rules, fan hacks, and open licenses, we break down the complex relationship between legal rights, creative intent, and table culture. Why can’t you copyright rules? What happens when fan creators outshine official products? And is Rule Zero just a loophole or the heart of the hobby? Whether you’re a game master, designer, or player, this episode challenges you to ask: who’s really in charge once the dice start rolling?

This Rules as Written, we strap in for a high-octane dive into Games Workshop’s 1988 cult classic, Dark Future—the dystopian car combat game where law is a freelance contract and the highway is a warzone. We break down the game’s unique gear-phase movement system, its streamlined (but deadly) D6-based combat, and its flair for cinematic chaos through modular track design and passive weapons like oil slicks and mines. We also explore the setting’s grim cyberpunk tone, where corporate collapse, climate disaster, and televised violence blend into a world of Sanctioned Ops and renegade biker gangs. Along the way, we compare Dark Future to its genre cousin Car Wars, reflect on why the game faded into obscurity, and dig into its lasting influence through novels and video game adaptations. If you’ve ever wondered what Warhammer 40K’s weird American cousin looked like—this is it. Start your engines.

Before fantasy was a billion-dollar franchise, it was weird, wild, and wonderfully unhinged. In this debut Tales of Lore episode, we journey back to the 1970s—the decade that shattered old molds and gave rise to a new generation of genre storytelling. From the mythic echoes of Tolkien and the sword-swinging grit of Conan to the surreal horrors of Clark Ashton Smith, we trace the three great precursors of modern fantasy—and explore how their fusion in the '70s created entire subgenres like Heroic Fantasy and Grimdark. Whether you're a fan of Dragonlance, Warhammer, or the original Appendix N chaos, this episode lays the groundwork for everything that came after.

Grab your bicornes and brush up on your battlefield drills—this week on Tales & Tactics: Rules as Written, we’re marching into Lasalle 2nd Edition, the elegant Napoleonic wargame from Honour Games. Designed by Sam Mustafa, Lasalle 2E trades simulation sprawl for razor-sharp tactical flow, putting you in charge of a division where every formation, volley, and momentum point counts. We break down how it captures the feel of command, from skirmish screens to desperate squares, all in under three hours of gameplay. If you've ever dreamed of leading the Old Guard or outmaneuvering cuirassiers, this is your front line.

In this episode, we get grounded—literally—as we explore the art and practicality of setting up the perfect tabletop for miniature wargaming. From the compact intensity of a 3x3 to the sweeping battlefields of the classic 6x4, we break down how table size shapes gameplay. We also dive into the role of terrain: how to place it, how different game systems interact with it, and how it influences tactics and immersion. Finally, we consider the value of realism versus creativity—should your battlefield be inspired by actual historical maps, or is it better to conjure your own imagined war-torn landscape? Whether you’re staging skirmishes or grand engagements, this episode will help you bring your battlefield to life.

This week on Tales & Tactics: Rules as Written, we take a deep dive into Over the Edge, the boundary-breaking RPG where conspiracies are real, and character creation is only limited by your imagination.

We explore both the original 1990s edition and its radical 2019 reboot—examining how the rules evolved from the loose, player-driven WaRP system to a sleek, narrative-focused engine powered by 2d6 “lots” and twist-laden resolution. We’ll guide you through the mechanics, the wild trait system, the iconic setting of Al Amarja, and the kinds of characters—mutant detectives, failed vampires, psychic surgeons—that only Over the Edge can contain.

Whether you’re drawn to mind-bending mysteries, weird urban adventures, or just a setting where baboons might mug you for a sandwich, this episode unpacks how Over the Edge turns tabletop roleplay into surreal, story-first chaos. Belief is optional. Weirdness is not.

In this episode, we explore the evolving relationship between tabletop games and their digital counterparts. From character progression in pen-and-paper RPGs to loot-driven gameplay in action RPGs like Diablo, we examine how different formats shape the player experience. What does it mean to grow a character in a narrative-driven TTRPG versus a stat-heavy video game? How do wargames and strategy titles compare across the table and the screen? Join us as we discuss the shifting genres, core mechanics, and storytelling philosophies that define gaming across mediums.

In this episode, we dive into Fabula Ultima, the tabletop JRPG that blends classic video game tropes with modern storytelling mechanics. Inspired by titles like Final Fantasy and Chrono Trigger, this system invites players to co-create a world of magical ruins, noble heroes, and looming darkness—then set out on an epic journey of discovery, teamwork, and growth. We break down its flexible multi-class character system, cinematic combat, and collaborative world-building approach, exploring how Fabula Ultima captures the heart of JRPG storytelling while remaining accessible to new and experienced players alike.