Every week, Now You Know recaps the Know Direction content of the past week, previews the Know Direction content of the week to come, as the director of operations, Ryan Costello, shares his thoughts on the state of the network.
Depending on if you find yourself on one side of the Can-Am border, Monday was either Thanksgiving or Indigenous Peoples Day. But the 9th isn’t the only date of note this week. Friday is the 13th of October. If you’re planning a seasonal horror session, but don’t want to interfere with Halloween party plans, have I got the perfect date for you!
Just don’t make the mistake I made years ago when I told my players to build 13th level PCs for a horror session. As thematic as that number may be, it was hard to scare PCs of that power level, and the players needing to remember that many class features for a one shot slowed everything down. I will say, I managed a jump scare when what they thought was a sleeping gold dragon turned out to be a dead dragon full of zombies eating its organs (their movement giving the impression it was breathing). But when the party wizard then cast raise dead on the gold dragon (ends up, there’s no HD or weight limit on that spell), I got over the idea that anything I had planned was going to challenge them.
Keeping the editorial short again this week to help catch up on the schedule after the holiday.
Speaking of the schedule, here is the network content that released last week:
Recap of October 2nd to October 6th
What happened last week on knowdirectionpodcast.com and twitch.tv/knowdirection?
Monday, October 2nd
Podcast
Intrepid Heroes 117 – Here Be Dragons
Not just any dragon, but a void dragon. Personally, I appreciate the breadth of atypical dragons Pathfinder and Starfinder offer, even if I rarely use dragons outside of the classic 10 when I GM. Getting to see a void dragon in action was a blast. Or a vacuum? I’m not sure how the physics of a suffocating breath weapon work.
Article
Now You Know – One In, One Out
By Ryan Costello
The Know Direction podcast returned, and Legend Lore went on hiatus.
Tuesday, October 3rd
Podcast
Game Design Unboxed 73 – Exploring Galapagos
The design of Button Shy Games, which must fit in a sleeve that only accommodates 18 cards, is always a fascinating exploration of eliminating excess and focusing on the core game principles. In the case of Exploring Galapagos, when players pointed out a balance issue after publication, the designers set about correcting the issue without being able to change any information found on the cards.
Article
Eldritch Excursion – Supple Stone and Sympathetic Serpents
By Nate Wright
Nate follows up on shooting medusas into space by putting them into players’ hands.
Thursday, October 5th
Podcast
Digital Divination 093 – Debilitating Conditions in Starfinder
John and Jason look at Starfinder’s safe-or-suck conditions, going over their experiences with them, and suggesting alternatives to improve the game play experience.
Friday, October 6th
Article
Essential Builds – Luis
By Ryan Costello
I bring the MCU’s spirit of honesty to Essence20.
Preview of October 9th to October 13th
This is Block 2 of our 2-block schedule.
Monday, October 9th
Article
Now You Know – Hallow 13th
By Ryan Costello
Spooky Friday!
Tuesday, October 10th
Podcast
Tavern Rats 8
The continuing adventures of the Tavern Rats, as they play through the Pathfinder 2e Quest for the Frozen Flame adventure path.
Wednesday, October 11th
Podcast
Know Direction 295: Shay Snow on Organized Play and Disability in Gaming
Paizo Organized Play Line Developer Shay Snow joins Esther and Navaar to talk Organized Play, and disability in gaming, and about getting into Pathfinder. Also available in writing.
Thursday, October 12th
Podcast
Know Direction Beyond 78: Enhanced Excitement
Alex and James sneak a peak at the Starfinder Enhanced envoy and solarian.
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, October 13th
Podcast
Upshift 024
Jason and I talk Essence20 news from the latest Renegade Con virtual edition.
Now you know,
Ryan Costello
