Neil Gow
@omnihedron.co.uk
All the good TTRPG stuff on here
Read my gaming musings: omnihedron.co.uk
Check out Liminal RPG pages: liminal.omnihedron.co.uk and patreon.com/omnihedron
Conventions at the Garrison? Garrison.omniheron.co.uk
Read my gaming musings: omnihedron.co.uk
Check out Liminal RPG pages: liminal.omnihedron.co.uk and patreon.com/omnihedron
Conventions at the Garrison? Garrison.omniheron.co.uk
LOL - I had you and Phil and Ian in mine too. Essentially we are an echo chamber all of our own
December 3, 2025 at 12:45 PM
LOL - I had you and Phil and Ian in mine too. Essentially we are an echo chamber all of our own
Goth-stuff has one. I bet anime conventions might have one? Horror definitely has one. As roleplaying games expand, the Venn diagrams with other interests overlaps to a point where new ventures become viable.
I wonder what the overlap between Napoleonic reenactors and gamers is? Hmmm..... *wink*
I wonder what the overlap between Napoleonic reenactors and gamers is? Hmmm..... *wink*
December 3, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Goth-stuff has one. I bet anime conventions might have one? Horror definitely has one. As roleplaying games expand, the Venn diagrams with other interests overlaps to a point where new ventures become viable.
I wonder what the overlap between Napoleonic reenactors and gamers is? Hmmm..... *wink*
I wonder what the overlap between Napoleonic reenactors and gamers is? Hmmm..... *wink*
It's the size it is - there are loads of much larger ones (even just in the game-adjacent spaces, CCGs and wargaming make RPGs look tiny) and loads of smaller ones.
What it is becoming increasingly accepted as, I think, is a facet of other hobbies. Steampunk, as you point out, has a RPG facet.
What it is becoming increasingly accepted as, I think, is a facet of other hobbies. Steampunk, as you point out, has a RPG facet.
December 3, 2025 at 10:24 AM
It's the size it is - there are loads of much larger ones (even just in the game-adjacent spaces, CCGs and wargaming make RPGs look tiny) and loads of smaller ones.
What it is becoming increasingly accepted as, I think, is a facet of other hobbies. Steampunk, as you point out, has a RPG facet.
What it is becoming increasingly accepted as, I think, is a facet of other hobbies. Steampunk, as you point out, has a RPG facet.
Public Access is the last of the four 'core' CfB games I have yet to play. It's on the list...
December 3, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Public Access is the last of the four 'core' CfB games I have yet to play. It's on the list...
I see what you mean though, about the soap opera style of play, although I put that down to con games - which tend to turn into blood operas quickly. When I have played it longer form it's less frenetic.
Now, you've got me thinking about a globally understood UK setting to draw upon. Hmmmmm.....
Now, you've got me thinking about a globally understood UK setting to draw upon. Hmmmmm.....
December 3, 2025 at 10:19 AM
I see what you mean though, about the soap opera style of play, although I put that down to con games - which tend to turn into blood operas quickly. When I have played it longer form it's less frenetic.
Now, you've got me thinking about a globally understood UK setting to draw upon. Hmmmmm.....
Now, you've got me thinking about a globally understood UK setting to draw upon. Hmmmmm.....
That's my point though - it's not commonly understood. My school days (with corporal punishment, typing classes and 'computers' classes on BBCs) are very different from my daughter's and indeed, with any teenagers now.
December 3, 2025 at 10:19 AM
That's my point though - it's not commonly understood. My school days (with corporal punishment, typing classes and 'computers' classes on BBCs) are very different from my daughter's and indeed, with any teenagers now.
I'm not a fan of UKifying MH. There's something about that unreal TV/movie 'understanding' of mythic US High School that we share that provides a common ground. UK versions always feel a little bit like Grange Hill Vs My School was Harder Than Yours, and really show off age differences at a table.
December 3, 2025 at 10:10 AM
I'm not a fan of UKifying MH. There's something about that unreal TV/movie 'understanding' of mythic US High School that we share that provides a common ground. UK versions always feel a little bit like Grange Hill Vs My School was Harder Than Yours, and really show off age differences at a table.
I am genuinely curious because I'm more than aware that IRL I'm a bit of a profonasaurus, whereas online I try to be a little more controlled...
December 2, 2025 at 12:18 PM
I am genuinely curious because I'm more than aware that IRL I'm a bit of a profonasaurus, whereas online I try to be a little more controlled...
Coherent art across a book is a Holy Grail. This stuff is perfect for 60s adventure horror game - with two iconic characters, both female, one black. Imagine that?
Ask women about the pictures. Let their opinions guide you.
Ask women about the pictures. Let their opinions guide you.
December 1, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Coherent art across a book is a Holy Grail. This stuff is perfect for 60s adventure horror game - with two iconic characters, both female, one black. Imagine that?
Ask women about the pictures. Let their opinions guide you.
Ask women about the pictures. Let their opinions guide you.
The penultimate gate falls
The doom of 5e Glorantha is next
Behind the titans the story games cower
5e Blades in the Dark
5e Apocalypse World
5e Fate Accelerated
All futures are now possible
😉
The doom of 5e Glorantha is next
Behind the titans the story games cower
5e Blades in the Dark
5e Apocalypse World
5e Fate Accelerated
All futures are now possible
😉
November 28, 2025 at 8:14 AM
The penultimate gate falls
The doom of 5e Glorantha is next
Behind the titans the story games cower
5e Blades in the Dark
5e Apocalypse World
5e Fate Accelerated
All futures are now possible
😉
The doom of 5e Glorantha is next
Behind the titans the story games cower
5e Blades in the Dark
5e Apocalypse World
5e Fate Accelerated
All futures are now possible
😉
...an elven Michellin guide beforehand. Why would I?
That's what I think of when someone says world-building. Not the geopolitical stuff, but the cultural stuff around people. The flavour that creates the world. And you can only do that as you play and it emerges what people like.
Play. Build. Fun
That's what I think of when someone says world-building. Not the geopolitical stuff, but the cultural stuff around people. The flavour that creates the world. And you can only do that as you play and it emerges what people like.
Play. Build. Fun
November 27, 2025 at 10:00 AM
...an elven Michellin guide beforehand. Why would I?
That's what I think of when someone says world-building. Not the geopolitical stuff, but the cultural stuff around people. The flavour that creates the world. And you can only do that as you play and it emerges what people like.
Play. Build. Fun
That's what I think of when someone says world-building. Not the geopolitical stuff, but the cultural stuff around people. The flavour that creates the world. And you can only do that as you play and it emerges what people like.
Play. Build. Fun
...ideas, and build up from there what is important to the PCs. Add stuff as you go, retrofit new ideas, be flexible.
Example? In one of my games, the players became fascinated by regional cuisine, and noted the spicing of dishes in places they visited. Riffed in the moment, not written down as...
Example? In one of my games, the players became fascinated by regional cuisine, and noted the spicing of dishes in places they visited. Riffed in the moment, not written down as...
November 27, 2025 at 10:00 AM
...ideas, and build up from there what is important to the PCs. Add stuff as you go, retrofit new ideas, be flexible.
Example? In one of my games, the players became fascinated by regional cuisine, and noted the spicing of dishes in places they visited. Riffed in the moment, not written down as...
Example? In one of my games, the players became fascinated by regional cuisine, and noted the spicing of dishes in places they visited. Riffed in the moment, not written down as...
What I think creates the disconnect is that some people see Middle Earth/The Federation/Glorantha and think they have to start from where those settings have ended. Nope. If you do that you create an edifice that is to large to consume. You have to do things small and digestible. Rough themes and...
November 27, 2025 at 10:00 AM
What I think creates the disconnect is that some people see Middle Earth/The Federation/Glorantha and think they have to start from where those settings have ended. Nope. If you do that you create an edifice that is to large to consume. You have to do things small and digestible. Rough themes and...
I used to do 3x3hr slots on a day - 09.00-12.00, 13.00-16.00 and 18.00-21.00, Mon-Weds.
LongCon is a piece of piss in comparison.
LongCon is a piece of piss in comparison.
November 26, 2025 at 6:10 PM
I used to do 3x3hr slots on a day - 09.00-12.00, 13.00-16.00 and 18.00-21.00, Mon-Weds.
LongCon is a piece of piss in comparison.
LongCon is a piece of piss in comparison.
...for me the greatest skill was being able to think on my feet and do this for three hours straight (because lecturing at a college is a three-hour lesson slot, ffs)
Being 'on point' for that time is SO like being a GM, it's ridiculous. Constant reassessment of content and progress. It's GMing!
Being 'on point' for that time is SO like being a GM, it's ridiculous. Constant reassessment of content and progress. It's GMing!
November 26, 2025 at 2:18 PM
...for me the greatest skill was being able to think on my feet and do this for three hours straight (because lecturing at a college is a three-hour lesson slot, ffs)
Being 'on point' for that time is SO like being a GM, it's ridiculous. Constant reassessment of content and progress. It's GMing!
Being 'on point' for that time is SO like being a GM, it's ridiculous. Constant reassessment of content and progress. It's GMing!
..that spotlight (as you say), checking in, knowing your audience and what makes them tick and modelling content to those foibles, managing conflict en masse in a controlled manner, planning flow of sessions, timing (oh the timing!), and so many other things. Transferable skill nirvana.
However...
However...
November 26, 2025 at 2:18 PM
..that spotlight (as you say), checking in, knowing your audience and what makes them tick and modelling content to those foibles, managing conflict en masse in a controlled manner, planning flow of sessions, timing (oh the timing!), and so many other things. Transferable skill nirvana.
However...
However...
I agree. Teaching (and training, and indeed most professions where you have to work with groups of people like that) require a parallel set of skills to GMing. Where 'education' hits home is the need to constantly convey complex information in ways what are understandable and engaging, shifting...
November 26, 2025 at 2:18 PM
I agree. Teaching (and training, and indeed most professions where you have to work with groups of people like that) require a parallel set of skills to GMing. Where 'education' hits home is the need to constantly convey complex information in ways what are understandable and engaging, shifting...
Clearly above, I meant 'don't own anyone anything'
Sigh...
Sigh...
November 25, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Clearly above, I meant 'don't own anyone anything'
Sigh...
Sigh...
I will add a caveat to that - if a designer/publisher doesn't play the game, do the marketing, interact with customers, etc. then they have zero space to complain about lack of sales or engagement with their games.
That concept of not owing anyone anything runs both ways.
That concept of not owing anyone anything runs both ways.
November 25, 2025 at 11:53 AM
I will add a caveat to that - if a designer/publisher doesn't play the game, do the marketing, interact with customers, etc. then they have zero space to complain about lack of sales or engagement with their games.
That concept of not owing anyone anything runs both ways.
That concept of not owing anyone anything runs both ways.
If you publish to unleash your creative sparkle into the aether, then publish and be damned.
If you want to make some sales and possibly make some more sales, then you have to play the game and interact with people.
It is, however, your call completely. As Gaz says, you owe anyone anything
If you want to make some sales and possibly make some more sales, then you have to play the game and interact with people.
It is, however, your call completely. As Gaz says, you owe anyone anything
November 25, 2025 at 11:50 AM
If you publish to unleash your creative sparkle into the aether, then publish and be damned.
If you want to make some sales and possibly make some more sales, then you have to play the game and interact with people.
It is, however, your call completely. As Gaz says, you owe anyone anything
If you want to make some sales and possibly make some more sales, then you have to play the game and interact with people.
It is, however, your call completely. As Gaz says, you owe anyone anything
I don't suffer from Dragonmeet FOMO, but more a subtle yearning to be around the hobby a bit more. Its the only time of the year I ever saw the Southern Gamers really, but my aging wreck of an animated corpse is not up to two consecutive overnight coaches anymore! (Not that it ever was, really...)
November 25, 2025 at 11:46 AM
I don't suffer from Dragonmeet FOMO, but more a subtle yearning to be around the hobby a bit more. Its the only time of the year I ever saw the Southern Gamers really, but my aging wreck of an animated corpse is not up to two consecutive overnight coaches anymore! (Not that it ever was, really...)
Jimmy fluffin' Nail...
November 24, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Jimmy fluffin' Nail...