Colony Campaigns in STA, Part 3

So, it’s been awhile since I talked about colonies in Star Trek Adventures but there’s a reason for it. My first few articles were setting up the narrative part of things but I wanted to pivot to mechanics next. When the Klingon Empire core rulebook came out and I read through the rules for houses I started from scratch on this. Then I read the Dune RPG and its rules for houses and started over again. It’s been percolating for a little but I think I’ve got the best version of these rules. Let me know!

Historia Review – Part 2

Today I’m back with the other half of my Historia review. Last time I talked about the species and professions (equivalent to D&D classes) that can be found in the book. I mentioned that there’s lots more, though, so buckle up and let’s go!

Historia Review – Part 1

Hello folks! I’m back with a rare dip into the world of D&D 5e games. It’s been a while since I talked about a 5e game but the world of Historia is just so epic and surprising that I couldn’t stay away!

STO Spaceframes: Pilot Escorts

We’re getting into the more complicated options for spaceframes in Star Trek Online in the spaceframe project. Starting at Tier 5 there are some advanced starship types that I have different rules for. Today I’m presenting rules for pilot escorts and would love some feedback. Post your ideas in the comments!

Operations Division Review

Another Star Trek Adventures book has hit the digital shelf for those with the PDF Collection and I immediately started flipping through it. I loved the Command Supplement and was eager to see what was in store this time. There was a high level of quality to meet and… Well, let’s just get into it.

Holodecks in Star Trek Adventures

I was watching Star Trek with Dr. James the other day, and the episode happened to be one of those centering on the holodeck technology. Specifically, it was the Voyager episode “Heroes and Demons” which involves holonovel characters, a photonic alien, and the ship’s EMH venturing out of sickbay for the first time. It’s not the most dramatic episode but it led me to explain to Dr. James (she’s just getting into the series) all about holodecks and how they’ve been explored in Star Trek in the past. After the conversation my mind naturally drifted to holodecks in Star Trek Adventures where there’s a lot of awesome potential.

The Mephling Plays an RPG!

Earlier in the month I was out for a little bit. Baby Grue arrived and I took family leave from work and personal leave from this blog. During that period I got quality time with the new arrival but I also had to frequently entertain Little Mephling (Grue’s three-year-old brother) and after many days of trips to various locations I wanted something quiet that we could do at the kitchen table. As always (and unsurprisingly) I thought of RPGs but even No Thank You, Evil! starts with five year olds. Tired and with nothing to lose, I pulled a dirt-simple RPG based on Cthulhu Dark out of my butt and ran with it.

It worked like a charm.

Numenera Discovery Review

Back when I was contributing to Castles & Cooks, I reviewed the original Numenera game in one of my first big book reviews. It will surprise no one that my interest in Cypher remains, so when Monte Cook Games announced an update of the Numenera core books I eagerly signed up. As they recently announced they sent copies out to backers so you guys are in for a shiny new review!

CAPERS Review

The “Roaring Twenties” was a time of extremes in the United States. While Prohibition had outlawed alcohol, drinking and vice were on the rise in secret speakeasies. Police officers might be everywhere enforcing the morality laws of the day but the attention pushed criminals to organize and grow more powerful than ever. Some women were out marching for the right to vote but others were flinging balls of lightning with their bare hands.

This is CAPERS.

Jade Colossus Review

Jade Colossus: Ruins of the Prior Worlds is the latest supplement for Numenera published by Monte Cook Games. It’s a different sort of game supplement, at least in part. The titular location, the Jade Colossus, is one big dungeon delve which is a very important addition to the game line as Monte Cook Games itself has published many of those for Numenera. The other part of the book, though, is what I’m more interested in: an engine for generating ruins from previous worlds. Come for a quick run-down of what each part is like.