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 of the director of logistics, Ryan Costello.
A few years ago, when the Know Direction Network released a new podcast just about every weekday, and posted a new blog just about every day, I made it my mission to eliminate the “just about”. And for about a year, we had a full schedule. Maintaining the full schedule made the Network feel more like work than I like. And without a goal line in sight, the work wasn’t as fun. Like maxing out summoning in Skyrim, the journey was more fulfilling than reaching the destination.
Content started missing deadlines more often shortly before the pandemic, and I questioned whether to ease up or find a new way to help staff hit their deadlines. When the pandemic hit, we all had more important things to worry about. Even if I’m supposed to be directing the network’s logistics, not worrying so much about network deadlines felt good.
However, the last six months or so, the schedule’s felt sparse. I’ve let staff know they can take any breaks they need, that their wellbeing matters more than posting regularly, and the pandemic times won’t impact their position on the network. Between that and some longtime staffers taking some of their Network contribution off of their plates did leave gaps in the schedule, though. So we took the opportunity to bring on new staff.
We have another new staff member to announce. Michelle Jones joins us, providing her insight into the future direction of the Network. With a dozen Paizo freelance credits dating back to 2016, Michelle recently wrote volume 3 of the Strength of Thousands Adventure Path, Hurricane’s Howl. She’s also an active member of the Know Direction Discord server, lending her insight and experience to many wonderful conversations. I’m excited to have her on board in an official capacity.
As announced last week, Scott D Young and Nate Wright joined the Know Direction Network staff as bloggers. Their new blogs debut this week. But that’s not the only content change happening this week.
Game Design Unboxed returns this week. Now hosted by Danielle Reynolds on her own, GDU season 2 starts strong with an interview with Kathleen Mercury about Greece Lightning, in which Ancient Greek captains try to curry the favours of the gods to outpace the Hydra Regatta.
Speaking of Know Direction Network content, here’s a recap of the network content from last week at the Know Direction Network:
Recap of October 25th to October 29th
What happened last week on knowdirectionpodcast.com and twitch.tv/knowdirection?
Monday, October 25th
Article
Now You Know – Interesting Times
By Ryan Costello
Now You Know replaced Recall Knowledge as my editorial and content recap/preview blog.
Tuesday, October 26th
Podcast
Legend Lore 034 — Elves
I’ve been so immersed in Pathfinder’s version of elves, it was nice to have Luis and Loren remind me how much they differ from traditional and past game depictions.
Article
Fox’s Cunning – Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire Rules
By Dustin Knight
Dustin’s all “I’m gonna burn this place to the ground, but I can’t, because of insufficient fire as a hazard rules, so I’m making some!”
Wednesday, October 27th
Twitch
Know Direction Special Live – Paizo Unionized
Paizo’s Shay Snow and influential freelancer (and Know Direction’s own) Jessica Redekop joined (also Know Direction’s own) Perram and Vanessa Hoskins to discuss the groundbreaking United Paizo Workers, Paizo voluntarily recognizing the union, and how Paizo staff and freelancers made this monumental event happen.
Articles
Behind The Screens – It Begins
By Ryan Costello
I promised this weeks ago, but I only got around to writing about Scarlett’s first experiences with an RPG, and what I took away from it as her father and first Game Master.
Thursday, October 28th
Podcast
Valiant Episode 25: In Which They Fight A Spirit Twice
Sorry if this showed up in your feeds twice, the RSS feed didn’t find this episode, so I reposted it. I guess that cleared the blockage, and the first and second post published.
Article
Investing In: the Lore of Guns & Gears
By Rob Pontious
Rob wasn’t done investing in Guns & Gears last week. This week, we talks about the sometimes overlooked sections of the new hardcover that focus on the history and geography of technology on Golarion.
Friday, October 29th
Podcast
Know Direction Special – United Paizo Workers
Like Perram says in the episode, this story evolved quickly. We scheduled this as a discussion of Paizo staff United Paizo Workers, and by the episode’s recording, Paizo management already recognized the union. So this episode became a look at how this came to be, and what’s next.
Preview of November 1st to 5th
Block 2 of our 2-block schedule.
Monday, November 1st
Article
Now You Know – Return of GDU and Welcome Michelle Jones
By Ryan Costello
Game Design Unboxed is back! And Michelle Jones joined the Know Direction Network staff!
Tuesday, November 2nd
Podcast
Digital Divination 042 – Horror in Starfinder
John and Ron talk about spooking your players in your Starfinder game.
Article
Eldritch Excursion
By Nate Wright
The debut installment of Nate Wright’s journal of flavour and mechanics.
Wednesday, November 3rd
Twitch
Know Direction 262 Live – Grand Bazaar Breakdown
Luis Loza joins us to break down the latest hardcover for the Pathfinder Lost Omens line: Grand Bazaar.
Podcast
Game Design Unboxed 23: Greek Lightning
Danielle kicks off season 2 talking with Kathleen Mercury, an educator and board game designer, about her first published design, Greece Lightning.
Article
More Lore
By Scott D Young
The debut installment of Scott D Young’s deep dive into the minutia of Golarion lore.
Thursday, November 4th
Podcast
Know Direction 262 – Grand Bazaar Breakdown
We’re breaking down the Grand Bazaar! When we’re done, there won’t be any bazaar left unbroken.
Article
Something Creates
By Andrew Sturtevant
Andrew Sturtevant creates Starfinder content, and shares insight into his decisions and his struggles along the way.
Friday, November 5th
Podcast
Intrepid Heroes 72
An actual play podcast of the Starfinder Adventure Path Dawn of Flame from Paizo.
Now you know,
Ryan Costello
