Every week, Now You Know recaps the Know Direction content of the past week, previews the Know Direction content of the week to come, and shares the thoughts on the state of the network from the director of operations, Ryan Costello.
Once is an accident, twice is a coincidence, three times is a pattern.
PF2.KD just reached Coincidence Level.
At the beginning of the month, during the live recording of Patron’s Private Sanctum 0052, listener Foeclan asked the following:
“Is pathfinder-2kd still a thing?”
I said something to the effect of “I don’t think there’s an audience for it anymore,” detailed why I felt that way, and concluded with “it’s safe to say it’s not a thing.”
Or is it safe to say that? Yesterday, on the YouTube video for the episode that introduced PF2.KD, listener James B asked,
“been a while but was this document ever released on your website?”
Two questions about the future of PF2.KD in one month after nothing for years? That’s odd. Honestly, I thought there was so little interest in it at this point that I didn’t even list it as a topic we covered in the Patron’s Private Sanctuary write-up. But now, however minorly it might be in the zeitgeist at the moment, I thought I’d go over what I said in that episode. Maybe I’ve underestimated how much people want PF2.KD.
For those who don’t know, PF2.KD came out of Know Direction 233. That episode, about Pathfinder 2e Hacks and House Rules, came about after Know Direction 232, in which the Pathfinder Secrets of Magic Playtest kind of broke Perram. He felt Pathfinder 2e too often shied away from delivering on the promise of its cool concepts. Combined with the issues I brought up with Pathfinder 2e in our initial review, we both liked the game but had issues with certain areas.
After the episode, I put in a lot of work cataloguing the house rules we proposed with the intent to collect them and release them. However, a few months later, the Advanced Player’s Guide came out. The APG addressed some of our issues, and made others moot. Ultimately, it made us happier with Pathfinder 2e. PF2.KD came from a place of frustration, the kind of frustration you can only get when something that matters a lot to you annoys you. Without that frustration, PF2.KD became harder to writer, and seemed less desired.
I’m always interested in hearing what our fans think, however. If you peruse the Google Drive I linked above, you’ll see what went into PF2.KD and how far along it got. If there’s enough interest, I can read it over, clean it up, and finally release it as network content.
Speaking of Know Direction Network Content, here’s a recap of the Know Direction Network podcasts and articles from last week:
Recap of November 14th to November 18th
What happened last week on knowdirectionpodcast.com and twitch.tv/knowdirection?
Monday, November 14th
Podcast
Intrepid Heroes 099 – The Core
As our intrepid heroes (the characters) progress ever deeper into the spaceship, our Intrepid Heroes (the podcast) inches ever closer to triple digits.
Article
Now You Know – So… Mastodon
I talk about trying newish social media platform Mastodon. So far, it’s fine.
Tuesday, November 15th
Podcast
Game Design Unboxed 50: London Necropolis Railway
Speaking of landmark episodes, Danielle interviews Daniel Newman about London Necropolis Railway in her 50th episode. London Necropolis Railway sounds like it could be fun, but my big takeaway from the episode was his game publishing company, New Mill Industries, and their short, quick turnover production model.
Article
Eldritch Excursion – How to Heal with Zeal
By Nate Wright
If you enjoy Nates’ tone setting introductions, you’ll love this article. It’s more short story than crunch, although he did sneak in a new spell that warpriests are sure to adore.
Wednesday, November 16th
Article
Behind The Screens – Thoughts And Players
I love learning, especially when what I learn can apply to my hobbies. In this case, learning about Diegetic vs Non-Diegetic Sound made me rethink an issue I’ve always had with players making in-character jokes that would get their PCs in trouble.
Thursday, November 17th
Podcast
Digital Divination 070 – Top 5 Starfinder Adventures
It’s common to criticize Top X Lists, but it’s a tried and true formula that’s easy to follow and fun to listen to. Case in point: Digital Divination’s first Top 5 list, where John and Jason use their vast and varied experiences with Starfinder adventures to discuss their favourites.
Friday, November 18th
Podcast
Upshift 006 – TTRPG Art and Art Orders
I wouldn’t call it imposter syndrome, but I wasn’t sure I was qualified to do this topic justice. Still, based on a few art-related anecdotes I wanted an excuse to tell, I booked this episode on the benefits and challenges of writing art orders. I think the episode turned out a lot of fun.
Preview of November 21st to 25th
This is back to Block 2 of our 2-block schedule.
Monday, November 21st
Article
Now You Know – PF2.KD Status
By Ryan Costello
I let everyone know what’s up with PF2.KD.
Tuesday, November 22nd
Podcast
Young and Adventurous 014
Scott D Young runs the Adventurous crew through an original adventure, following up on the modified version of Pathfinder Society Scenario #2-17: Lost Maid of Anactoria that he previously ran.
Note: This week’s episode isn’t edited yet, and I’m not sure I’ll have the time to tonight.
Wednesday, November 23rd
Podcast
Presenting: Karee Vogrin
Meet the gamer behind Critical Hit Cookies.
Thursday, November 24th
Article
Investing In
By Rob Pontious
Rob shares what he loves about the RPGs he’s been playing lately, and why you should check them out.
Friday, November 25th
Article
Iconic Design – Hero Forge Fridays
By Alex Augunas
Iconic Designs meets Hero Forge Fridays as Alex Augunas creates a mini and stat block every week.
Now you know,
Ryan Costello
