Author: TardisCaptain

RPGaDay2023 Day 7: Smartest RPG you’ve played

Written by TardisCaptain August 7, 2023August 5, 2023

The Day 7 entry for the #RPGaDAY2023 challenge is “Smartest RPG you’ve played”. Um… I guess I’m not really understanding this one. All systems have different moving parts that work (or don’t) to a different level of degrees.

I think for this topic I’m going to go with a smart game master that I’ve seen running a game that I’ve been in. When I attended my first SaltCON this past March I participated in a Pathfinder 2nd Edition game. Not only was the scenario designed to introduce players to the system, it was also not overly-complicated so it could be ran in a quick time session at a convention. The game master, named Jared Walter, also explained the system to the players (who all had a different degree in RPG experience) and made use of different colored tokens to help keep track of initiative and combat. It was interesting to see how organized he was and it made me appreciate the session more.

On a side note, I also think it’s smart how SaltCON uses the Table Top Events website to help schedule games at the convention. The next SaltCON is coming up on the first part of September and I’ve already got my schedule selected (I had to go over all of the options to maximize my playing time while setting time aside for meals and breaks). I’ve been very impressed with this setup.

Has one of your game masters done something smart to make the game run smoother or more efficient? Tell me about it. This article is open for discussion on the TardisCaptain dot Com Discord server. You can also email me at Carl (at) TardisCaptain.com with any comments.

Role Playing Games, Science Fiction, Star Trek

RPGaDay2023 Day 6: Favorite game you never get to play

Written by TardisCaptain August 6, 2023January 11, 2024

So I had to think about this topic for Day 6 of the #RPGaDAY2023 Challenge. “Favorite game you never get to play.” Between physical copies and PDFs purchased online through DriveThruRPG or charity bundles I have a lot of games. Some I’ve read and they were OK, while others I’ve read and I’ve really wanted to try them out. So which one do I choose? Some of these covered science fiction, espionage, post-apocalyptic and more. I’ve never played the Star Trek RPG that was released by Last Unicorn Games, but considering how big of a fan I am of FASA Star Trek and Star Trek Adventures, I wouldn’t mind playing LUG Trek once to try it out, but it’s not really at the top of my list. I want to pick a game that not only would I want to play in a campaign, but I’d want to homebrew for like I have with FASA Trek and STA Trek.

So when I narrowed it down, I felt that Frontier Space by DWD Studios is my selection for this topic. It barely beats out Castles and Crusades (I’ve been told that I can hopefully get into a C&C game if I can get on their discord), Apes Victorious (I don’t know anyone who plays this, but it’s a D20 retro so it should be easy to pick up) and White Lies (an espionage game also by DWD Studios).

I’ve created a character for Frontier Space in a past Character Creation Challenge. The system is rolling a percentile to see if you succeed in a task with your Ability and Skill scores combined creating your target number to roll under (kinda similar to the 2d20 system seen in Star Trek Adventures) The character creation process is pretty straight forward and I thought was easy to understand. The universe it is set in sounds intriguing to play, but the system could easily be adapted for other franchises if desired. I love the use of percentile dice and I am a big fan of science fiction. So perhaps, someday I’ll be able to get some friends into a game?

I’ve actually talked with some RPG fans in my local Star Trek club about an idea of them showing up for a game night not knowing which game we will be experimenting with. I’d run a one-shot for them, explaining the rules and gathering their feedback for a future blog post. I need to get this done because I think it would be fun. Now I just need to get the time set aside to put something like this together. I hate the dreaded real-life/schedule curse.

What roleplaying game would you like to play that you haven’t had a chance to yet? Tell me about it. This article is open for discussion on the TardisCaptain dot Com Discord server. You can also email me at Carl (at) TardisCaptain.com with any comments.

Dungeons and Dragons, Role Playing Games

RPGaDay2023 Day 5: Oldest game you’ve played

Written by TardisCaptain August 5, 2023August 4, 2023

I have to think about this question for Day 5 of the #RPGaDAY2023 challenge. Oldest game you’ve played. I know it’s one of the early flavors of Dungeons and Dragons, but which one? When I was playing with my buddies in junior high, one friend had the blue cover Dungeons and Dragons book written by Eric Holmes (but I don’t recall if we actually played it or just referenced the book), another had the Basic/Expert Dungeons and Dragons book and another had Advanced Dungeons and Dragons (back before it was called 1st edition) and my first official purchase was the Basic Dungeons and Dragons book that was the start of the BECMI line. The version we played depended upon who was the Dungeon Master.

So my answer is, one of these three versions of Dungeons and Dragons. We didn’t limit ourselves. I preferred B/X (later BECMI) but played any of them.

Do you recall what was the oldest roleplaying game that you have played? Tell me about it. This article is open for discussion on the TardisCaptain dot Com Discord server. You can also email me at Carl (at) TardisCaptain.com with any comments.

Role Playing Games, Science Fiction, Star Trek

RPGaDay2023 Day 4: Most Recent Game You Bought

Written by TardisCaptain August 4, 2023August 6, 2023

For day 4 of the #RPGaDAY2023 challenge, the topic is “Most recent game bought”. I basically have two answers.

The latest dead-tree purchase was the Star Trek: Lower Decks Campaign Guide for the Star Trek: Adventures system by Modiphius. You can read about my un-boxing of the book here.

Of a complete game system, the latest purchase was Sorcery and Super Science by Expeditious Retreat Press. I picked this up from a Bundle of Holding sale that happened in earlier this year.

Sorcery and Super Science is a post-apocalyptic game that appears to be heavily influenced by the 1980’s cartoon series “Thundarr the Barbarian“. I clearly remember a world thousands of years in the future where the moon was cracked and the land was ravaged by sorcery and super science. Dang it, now I need to watch the series again.

I haven’t had a chance to go over all of the rules yet. But I’m certain that I’ll be using this in the 2024 Character Creation Challenge.

What was your latest RPG purchase? Was it a full game or a supplement? Tell me about it. This article is open for discussion on the TardisCaptain dot Com Discord server. You can also email me at Carl (at) TardisCaptain.com with any comments.

Role Playing Games, Science Fiction

#RPGaDay2023 Day 3: First RPG Bought (this year)

Written by TardisCaptain August 3, 2023August 2, 2023

So looking at a lot of #RPGaDAY2023 posts yesterday, I noticed that a lot of the participants were posting about their first Gamemaster or their first time being a GM. I had wondered if I had messed up until I realized, I’m still having fun. I think that’s the spirit of this, showing the enjoyment of the roleplaying hobby.

I can also say that I found a ton of new accounts on Mastodon to follow when I searched out the #RPGaDAY tag. I’ve been noticing that I get more responses on Mastodon than I do on other social media sites.

Day 3 of the challenge is pretty straight forward. “First RPG Bought (this year)”. This would have been a purchase on DriveThruRPG so I went back and checked my email receipts. In early January there was a bundle sale for a RPG inspired by the FASA Star Trek system (but slightly modified and removing the IP elements). This retroclone uses the d20 instead of the d100s. This game is called Vintage Space and the description states it is also inspired by Battlestar Galactica, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century and Space: 1999. When I looked over the rulebook just before making this blog post, I could see where some of the Star Trek elements were re-named.

There were also two supplements for Vintage Space that came in the bundle that I had purchased at the time. Space Battles for Vintage Space (expanding the starship combat from the original game) and The Arkon Gestalt (a new enemy race for GMs to use).

While I haven’t had a chance to play the game, I’m very certain that I will be using this system for the 2024 entry into the Character Creation Challenge.

Do you recall your first RPG purchase from this year? This article is open for discussion on the TardisCaptain dot Com Discord server. You can also email me at Carl (at) TardisCaptain.com with any comments.

Dungeons and Dragons, Role Playing Games

RPGaDay2023 Day 2: First RPG Gamemaster

Written by TardisCaptain August 2, 2023January 11, 2024

For Day 2 of the #RPGaDAY2023 Challenge the topic is “First RPG Gamemaster”. From what I’ve read on the message boards, this could have (this year) on it like the Day 1 entry.

So the short answer is, I haven’t gamemastered anything since January 1st. However, I did run a session of Basic Fantasy RPG in December. I was introducing an OSR style game to some 5th Edition players over a holiday break. When I had offered to run an OSR game for them, their first request was “No 4th Edition.” I had to laugh and explain that OSR was a lot earlier than that.

Instead of re-typing everything about that happened in that great gaming session, I’ll give you a link to the blog entry where you can enjoy the after-action report and see the artwork the players came up with while we were playing. 5E players trying OSR for the first time.

Do you remember your first game that you GMed this year (or in the past year)? This article is open for discussion on the TardisCaptain dot Com Discord server. You can also email me at Carl (at) TardisCaptain.com with any comments.

Alien, Conventions, Dungeons and Dragons, James Bond, Role Playing Games, Science Fiction, Star Trek

#RPGaDay2023 Day 1: First RPG Played (this year)

Written by TardisCaptain August 1, 2023February 25, 2024

Alright I was able to get through the month of July, so let’s start the #RPGaDAY2023 challenge that I had posted about previously. The day 1 topic is “First RPG played (this year)”. OK, this should be easy.

Except it wasn’t. I had to go back and check. I thought it was my FarTrek game, but it appears that the first half of the year was under the dreaded “schedule curse”. So my first games were at SaltCON in March. At this gaming convention I was able to play the following roleplaying games in one shots.

Pathfinder 2nd Edition- The GM was really good. If I had a good GM like that, I could see myself participating in a campaign. Lots of stuff in Pathfinder that could become too overwhelming if not handled well.

Alien– I had a lot of fun in this game. It was my first try at the system and I could see that I’d prefer a character that I had made instead of a pre-made one. Besides being a big fan of the Alien franchise, I had met the author of the RPG at a previous FanX: The Salt Lake Comic Convention.

Dungeon Crawl Classics– I’ve always wanted to play in a level-0 funnel and SaltCON gave me the opportunity to try this out. DCC is another game that I could see myself playing as part of a campaign.

Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition- A filler game after another game I had scheduled was canceled.

Mistborn– I didn’t really have fun on this game. See the SaltCON Spring 2023 After Action blog post.

James Bond 007– The classic game from the 80’s. It was my first time playing it and I had a blast.

Star Trek Adventures– The GM ran us through a scenario that was inspired by Star Trek: Lower Decks. This was before the new Lower Decks Campaign Guide had come out.

GURPS– The scenario was set in the Aliens universe. This was where I was glad that I didn’t have to create a character.

Cyberpunk RED– It was good to step back into this universe after I had played the original Cyberpunk many years ago.

What was the first role playing game you played this year? This article is open for discussion on the TardisCaptain dot Com Discord server. You can also email me at Carl (at) TardisCaptain.com with any comments.

Quotes, Star Trek

Daily Star Trek Quotes: July 31-August 6

Written by TardisCaptain July 31, 2023July 30, 2023

Here are the Daily Star Trek Quotes that will appear on the @STrekQuotes Twitter account and the @STrekQuotes Mastodon account for the week of July 31st through August 6th.

July 31
“I’m a doctor, not an engineer.” Dr. McCoy “Now you’re an engineer.” Scotty- Mirror, Mirror, Stardate: Unknown #StarTrek #StarTrekTOS #IDIC #WeAreStarfleet

August 1
“They’re brothers, Data. Brothers forgive.” Dr. Crusher- Brothers, Stardate: 44085.7 #StarTrek #StarTrekTNG #IDIC #WeAreStarfleet

August 2
Happy Birthday to Angus Imrie. https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Angus_Imrie #StarTrek #StarTrekProdigy #IDIC #WeAreStarfleet

“While I may have harmed others in the past, I now choose to save.” Zero- Let Sleeping Borg Lie, Stardate: 61284.3 #StarTrek #StarTrekProdigy #IDIC #WeAreStarfleet

August 3
“I’m no writer, but if I were it seems to me I’d want to poke my head up every once in a while and take a look around see what’s going on.” Sisko- The Visitor, Stardate: Unknown #StarTrek #StarTrekDS9 #IDIC #WeAreStarfleet

August 4
“Who would have thought that this eclectic group of Voyagers could actually become a family? Starfleet, Maquis, Human, Talaxian, hologram, Borg – even Mr. Paris.” The Doctor- Year of Hell, Part I, Stardate: 51268.4 #StarTrek #StarTrekVOY #IDIC #WeAreStarfleet

August 5
Happy Birthday to Bruce Horak. @brucehorak https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Bruce_Horak #StarTrek #StarTrekStrangeNewWorlds #IDIC #WeAreStarfleet

“I will not fight for Starfleet. But I will defend its ideals.” Hemmer- Memento Mori, Stardate: 3177.3 #StarTrek #StarTrekStrangeNewWorlds #IDIC #WeAreStarfleet

August 6
Happy Birthday to Michelle Yeoh. @michelle_yeoh https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Michelle_Yeoh #StarTrek #StarTrekDiscovery #IDIC #WeAreStarfleet

“You should consider staying around. Our command believes misfits have merit, so we keep busy.” Georgiou “I’m surprised you call yourself a misfit, ’emperor’.” Tyler “The freaks are more fun.” Georgiou- Point of Light, Stardate: 1029.46 #StarTrek #StarTrekDiscovery #IDIC #WeAreStarfleet

Star Trek: Lower Decks premiered on this date in 2020 with the episode Second Contact. https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Star_Trek:_Lower_Decks #StarTrek #StarTrekLowerDecks #IDIC #WeAreStarfleet

“Ugh, senior officers are overrated. They’re always like stressed out and just yelling about directives. It is better down here where the real action is.” Mariner- Second Contact, Stardate: 57436.2 #StarTrek #StarTrekLowerDecks #IDIC #WeAreStarfleet

Quotes, Star Trek

Daily Star Trek Quotes: July 24-30

Written by TardisCaptain July 24, 2023July 23, 2023

When the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds/Lower Decks crossover episode is released early and lives up to the expectations.

Here are the Daily Star Trek Quotes that will appear on the @STrekQuotes Twitter account and the @STrekQuotes Mastodon account for the week of July 24th through July 30th.

July 24
“Trying to get yourself killed… Do you know how much Starfleet has invested in you?” Kirk “One hundred twenty-two thousand, two-hundred…” Spock “Never mind!” Kirk- The Apple, Stardate: 3715.3 #StarTrek #StarTrekTOS #IDIC #WeAreStarfleet

July 25
“As deeply as you feel hurt, you can also feel joy.” Picard- Suddenly Human, Stardate: 44143.7 #StarTrek #StarTrekTNG #IDIC #WeAreStarfleet

July 26
Happy Birthday to Nana Visitor. @NanaVisitor https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Nana_Visitor #StarTrek #StarTrekDS9 #StarTrekLowerDecks #IDIC #WeAreStarfleet

“If you want to change the government, Minister Jaro, you vote to change it. You don’t sneak up from behind it with a dagger.” Kira- The Circle, Stardate: Unknown #StarTrek #StarTrekDS9 #IDIC #WeAreStarfleet

July 27
“Imagination frees the mind. It inspires ideas and solutions, and it can provide a great deal of pleasure. Human progress, the human mind itself, couldn’t exist without them.” Janeway- The Raven, Stardate: Unknown #StarTrek #StarTrekVOY #IDIC #WeAreStarfleet

July 28
“I see no reason to be concerned with idle gossip.” T’Pol- Rajiin, Date: Unknown #StarTrek #StarTrekENT #IDIC #WeAreStarfleet

July 29
Happy Birthday to Wil Wheaton. @wilw https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Wil_Wheaton #StarTrek #StarTrekTNG #StarTrekFilm #StarTrekReadyRoom #StarTrekPicard #IDIC #WeAreStarfleet

“That’s what this exchange program is all about. You learn the way we do things and take that information back to your command. It’s up to them to decide which is better.” Wesley- A Matter of Honor, Stardate: 42506.5 #StarTrek #StarTrekTNG #IDIC #WeAreStarfleet

July 30
Happy Birthday to Mary Wiseman. @may_wise https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Mary_Wiseman #StarTrek #StarTrekDiscovery #StarTrekShortTreks #IDIC #WeAreStarfleet

“I will remember to expect nothing… even from this espresso. Espresso –I release you.” Tilly- Runaway, Stardate: Unknown #StarTrek #StarTrekDiscovery #IDIC #WeAreStarfleet

Collecting, Star Trek

July 2023 Star Trek eBook deals

Written by TardisCaptain July 20, 2023

It looks like the Dominion War from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is taking front and center for the latest eBook deal from Pocket books. There are also a couple of Voyager novels in this mix as well. Various Star Trek digital novels are only 99 cents for the month. Amazon is also doing a special where you earn points for each book you buy. This can lead to free books.

I noticed something putting this blog post together. The 3rd novel in the Dominion War series is listed by Pocket Books (and on Amazon) as being written by Esther Friesner. Yet the cover has John Vornholt listed. Does anyone know why there is a discrepancy?

Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Dominion War Book 1 Behind Enemy Lines by John Vornholt
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: The Dominion War Book 2 Call to Arms by Diane Carey
Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Dominion War Book 3 Tunnel Through The Stars by Esther Friesner
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: The Dominion War Book 4 Sacrifice of Angels by Diane Carey
Star Trek Tales of the Dominion War edited by Keith R.A. DeCandio
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Rising Son by S.D. Perry
Star Trek: Voyager: Captain Proton Defender of the Earth by Dean Wesley Smith
Star Trek: Voyager: Seven of Nine by Christie Golden

Which books have you read? Which book do you think would make for a good Star Trek Adventures scenario? Feel free to talk about it on my the TardisCaptain dot Com Discord channel.