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.
I mentioned on the latest episode of Know Direction that new Network member Michelle Jones helped us outline a plan for additional content on the Know Direction Twitter account. Twitter’s been around a year and a half longer than the Know Direction Network. Jay (Dubsky, not Jefferson Thacker) even tried to teach me some painless tips on how to use Twitter. But despite having my own Twitter account (with about 5 Tweets) since 2008, and the Network having it’s own account since 2010, I’ve had little to no interest in the platform.
Until now!
The plan for more KD Twitter content almost derailed when Perram said his research found we needed 10-15 engagements per day to make an impact. Even with an average of two site post promotions a day and a live show plug a day, that left a lot of content to create. But, then Perram clarified that engaging on other account’s tweets counted. So I tried a week of keeping up with #pathfinder2e, seeing if I could get into the rhythm of the platform. I did. Surprisingly easily.
It helped that I had some beginner’s luck with the Twitter-exclusive first meme I created. It set expectations for average Twitter engagement a little high, but also set a bar for what a Tweet could achieve. And my goal of creating an original meme every weekend for Twitter lead to the Citipati Osmolskae – Prehistoric Turkey Stats For Pathfinder 2e post on American Thanksgiving. I’ve always said I didn’t want working on the network to feel like work. Overcoming my personal barriers to entry with Twitter fell into that category. But with the boost from the staff, I got over it and the network’s benefited from it already.
Speaking of the Network, here’s a recap of the content from last week at the Know Direction Network:
Recap of November 29th to December 3rd
What happened last week on knowdirectionpodcast.com and twitch.tv/knowdirection?
Monday, November 29th
Article
Now You Know – Adventurous Update
By Ryan Costello
Probably earlier than I should have said anything, but the most exciting behind the scenes development from my perspective is the conversations about the revival of Adventurous.
Tuesday, November 30th
Podcast
Digital Divination 044 – Starfinder APs
The whole Intrepid Heroes crew joined John and Ron to talk Starfinder Adventure Paths. That includes new Intrepid Heroes GM Jason Tondro, to shed some light on the writing and development side of APs. As does co-host Ron Lundeen, of course. I think I take for granted that we have two of the most important voices setting the course of Pathfinder and Starfinder’s adventures on one of the network’s podcasts.
Article
Eldritch Excursion – Winners and Oozers
Written by Nate Wright
Nate Wright, the man who wrote the anadi for Lost Omens – Mwangi Expanse, writes another original ancestry option for Pathfinder 2e. The oozemorph came out late in Pathfinder 1e’s history, but immediately won a lot of fans over. The 2e archetype of the same name didn’t quite meet expectations, so Nate too another crack at a 2e oozemorph, turning it into a versatile heritage and designing almost a dozen oozemorph ancestry feats.
Wednesday, December 1st
Twitch
Know Direction 264 Live – Absalom Breakdown with Erik Mona
Admittedly, bringing Erik Mona on in the middle of #paizoaccountability, and in the light of issues he’s created and fostered in his role as Paizo’s publisher was not a great look for the network. My reasoning was that we’ve been teasing Absalom for being late for years, so being on the episode that covers it felt like a nice bit of closure. That, plus it’s a major Pathfinder release that a lot of staff and freelancers, network members included, worked hard on. Ultimately, there was no other guest who could cover the topic nearly as well as Erik Mona.
I take full responsibility for the optics, and I should have consulted with the staff before booking him as a guest.
Podcast
Game Design Unboxed 25: Medium
This episode of Game Design Unboxed my favourite quality of board game design: the accessibility. Danielle Deley and Nathan Thornton designed a game with no intention of publishing it. But then they put in the effort of playtesting the game, refining the rules, and contacting publishers, and now Medium is available to purchase at game stores worldwide.
Article
More Lore – Hometown Heroes
By Scott D Young
Scott gives credit to a 1e mechanic that 2e did away with. Pathfinder introduced traits to the game during the 3.5 days of the system, carrying them over into their adaptation of the game. The concept evolved into Backgrounds, but Backgrounds don’t cover as wide a range of ideas as Traits. So Scott talks about using the flavour of 1e Traits to inspire 2e characters.
Thursday, December 2nd
Podcast
Know Direction 264 – Absalom Breakdown with Erik Mona
Absalom: City of Lost Omens might not my kind of campaign setting book, but I find it’s development a fascinating story, with insight into the cross between the creative potential of a project and its logistic needs.
Article
Something Creates – A Mystic Connection! pt. 2
by Andrew Sturtevant
This article exemplifies how Andrew’s design journals don’t just cover the options he’s working on, but the obstacles he faces as a designer, both external and internal.
Friday, December 3rd
Patreon
Patron’s Private Sanctum 033
In a rare Perramless Patron’s Private Sanctum, I (and eventually Dustin) talked about Absalom: City of Lost Omens, and planning this year’s Holiday Special.
Podcast
Intrepid Heroes 074 – The Beginning of the End
Jason Tondro joins the cast as the GM of the final installment of Dawn of Flame, Assault On The Crucible, the volume he wrote. Everyone catches up on where their characters ended last session, and their overall impressions of the AP so far. The adventure doesn’t actually begin yet, and this serves as a Session 0 for Assault On The Crucible. I’m not sure how many groups run a session 0 between each volume of an adventure path, but it strikes me as a good idea.
Preview of December 6th to 10th
This is back to Block 2 of our 2-block schedule.
Monday, December 6th
Article
Now You Know – Tweet!
By Ryan Costello
Hey, have you heard about this Twitter?
Tuesday, December 7th
Podcast
Legend Lore 037
Luis and Loren talk Pathfinder 2e.
Article
Fox’s Cunning
By Dustin Knight
Dustin offers expert insight and helpful tools to enhance your game..
Wednesday, December 8th
Twitch
Know Direction: Beyond
Alex, James, and Vanessa cover the latest Starfinder content in the Know Direction Network’s Starfinder news, reviews, and interviews podcast.
Podcast
Presenting – Nicole Heits
John Godek talks with freelancer and Venture Officer Nicole Heits about getting into Pathfinder and writing her first bounty.
Article
Behind The Screens – Diet Coke Elemental Wants The Party’s Mentos
By Ryan Costello
Top-down meets bottom-up as I explore the virtues of middle-out design.
Thursday, December 9th
Podcast
Valiant Episode 28
Our Valiant heroes continue to explore the Temple of the Whisperer.
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, December 10th
Podcast
Know Direction: Beyond
We’ll announce the topic once our guest confirms.
Now you know,
Ryan Costello
