3.5 Private Sanctuary

Scribner recently published David M Ewalt’s Of Dice and Men, a book Cathy and I have now read. We want to talk about it, except that it’s about the history of Dungeons & Dragons. Talking about this book is basically talking about the roleplaying hobby up till now. Well, it being the 40th anniversary of D&D, if we happen to dovetail into a complete retrospective, so be it. I recently wrote a blog post on some of my feelings about D&D’s 40th, so expect us to cover that topic again here before we’re done.  

Know Direction 80 - Early March 2014 Ryan talks with Medusa herself, Christina Stiles, award-winning freelance tabletop roleplaying game writer, editor, and developer from South Carolina. Her new compilation, Medusa's Guide for Gamer Girls, recently funded on Indiegogo.

Ryan and Cathy talk about how Deadpool isn't just another Slapstick, then they consider what life is like when you don't geek in real time. Featuring Catherine Dolan.                  

El Goro, the host of Talk Without Rhythm, joins Ryan for a retorspective on the recently departed Harold Ramis, before diving into how 2014 finaly made him a wrestling fan. Featuring El Goro.                  

Meet El Goro, the host of Talk Without Rhythm, the only podcast that will not attract the worm. As per episode 0 usual, we chat about what brought El Goro to the geek dance, and, if I may say, Goro's path to geekdom was rougher than others who have sat in the second geek chair. And while the slings and arrows he faced are mentioned, they aren't dwelled on. Instead, we talk about the destination of that journey, where El Goro has found his passions and shares them with the world. Featuring El Goro.                  

Know Direction 79 - Late February 2014 Without a guest joining them, Ryan and Perram have plenty of time to unravel the layers of GMing an Adventure Path.

Ability scores, the six numbers, between 3 and (roughly) 20 define the principal aspects of your character. There are a surprising number of options for how to determine your character's ability scores, and Ryan and Cathy weigh their pros and cons.  

Ryan and Cathy jump back to November 2013, when the podcast was in its infancy. Ryan brings up the Star Trek movies, specifically where the TOS movies succeed and the TNG movies suffer. Then, Cathy brings geeking alone, and how sometimes the best geeking happens in solitude. Featuring Catherine Dolan.                  

All Ryan could think about for a good three days was how amazing the Guardians of the Galaxy trailer was. It's amazing he had any time to fit in five seasons of Supernatural. But he did, and now he and Cathy are ready to discuss both. Featuring Catherine Dolan.                  

Many game groups fall apart for want of a Game Master. You only need one GM for every five, six, even seven players, and yet that can be a challenge. This episode asks “why?” Why do some players shy away from GMing? Why do others flat out refuse?  

Know Direction RPG Superstar 2014 Special On February 11th and 12th, 2014, we spoke with 13 of the 16 contestants in Google Hangouts. Later that week, Mikko Kallio provided us with a recording of his answers, and Jacob W. Michaels’ conducted his interview in writing.This special episode of Know Direction includes the Q&A segments of each Superstar hopeful from both nights, as well as Mikko Kallio's answers. You can find Jacob W. Michaels’ answers after the jump.

Once, super hero shows on TV lead only to ridicule and bankruptcy, and wearing anything remotely geekly could come back to haunt you years later. Now, super hero media is doing better than television, landing exclusive distribution to obscure Marvel characters is a major coup, and you're nobody until you show a little of geek. Featuring Catherine Dolan.                  

Know Direction 78 - Early February, 2014 Paizo’s Webstore Specialist Liz Courts and Wayfinder editor-in-chief Tim Nightengale join us to discuss the phenomenon that is Wayfinder, now in its 10th issue, with an open call for Wayfinder #11.

Incoming! Tina brings the science and the experience in this episode, joining Ryan to talk about Pathfinder's resident pseudoscientist, the alchemist.

Geek Together On The Go episodes drop the format (and the sound quality, sadly) of our regular episodes in favour of a freeform discussion. Usually it is a continuation of the episode we just recorded (in this case, Geek Together Evergreen 001 - Sailor Batman), but expect it to go in unexpected directions. Geek Together On The Go may be a bit rougher, but you still might enjoy being along for the ride. Featuring Catherine Dolan.