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.
By now it’s been announced that I’ll be writing an issue of long-running fantasy satire online comic Looking For Group. Add it to the list of huge leaps for my writing career and dream project gains for me as a fan. I’ve worked on Looking For Group products before, starting with the LFG RPG Boxed Set as a freelancer, and then other merch as an employee, most notably the Richard the Warlock Action Figure. I’ve even written a couple of animated shorts for the Tiny Dick’s Briefs series. But this is the first time I -or anyone other than series creator Ryan Sohmer- writes the main comic series.
Since the last time I gained a significant new writing assignment it completely changed my role and ability to participate in the network, I thought I’d address what this new assignment means to Know Direction.
One important distinction with writing on Looking For Group and my freelance work for Renegade on G.I. JOE and the other Essence20 RPGs is that LFG is part of my day job. I’ve been working at Looking For Group’s publisher (first Blind Ferret Media, then Laughing Dragon Studios when the entertainment division split off into its own company) since 2014. So unlike my Renegade freelance (which sounds… not more exciting than it is but differently exciting), it won’t take away from my spare time. Since that’s when I do my network work, it won’t affect my availability to participate.
However, even if I think of myself as a creative person, I have my limits. I know I haven’t been consistent with my Behind The Screens releases and took the odd Now You Know off when I had a tight deadline. Unfortunately, that won’t end any time soon and might increase. That said, the network is still a major part of my life, something I’ve worked hard on for a long time, and the reason I’m now getting these opportunities. Until the day comes where the staff feels someone is better suited to handling the logistics, I hope to keep working on Know Direction Network content.
Speaking of Know Direction Network content, here’s a recap of the network content from last week:
Recap of July 18th to 22nd
What happened last week on knowdirectionpodcast.com and twitch.tv/knowdirection?
Monday, July 18th
Article
Now You Know – Cons A-Comin’
By Ryan Costello
I looked at all of the then upcoming conventions and wondered when I’d feel comfortable attending one again.
Tuesday, July 19th
Article
Fox’s Cunning — Psizing-up Psychics
By Dustin Knight
With Dark Archive in his hands, Dustin shares four archetypes with a psychic theme.
Wednesday, July 20th
Podcast
Presenting – Leo Glass
I’ve spoken to Leo at cons in the past and he’s been an absolute delight. He channels not only that pleasantness here but also tells the unique story of getting into the tabletop game industry, and gives out amazing advice on work/life balance.
Thursday, July 21st
Podcast
Legend Lore 048 — Humans
I joked last week about how humans in fantasy can be a dry subject for a podcast. That said, I figured Luis and Loren would turn it into an entertaining conversation. I didn’t how scientific they (well, Loren) would get, and how much that would add to the conversation. You don’t understand humans until you’ve listened to this episode!
Article
Investing In: Dark Archive
By Rob Pontious
Confession: Between when I got early access to review copies, and now not needing to stay on top of Pathfinder news for the podcast, I have a terrible concept of when new Pathfinder books actually come out. So Rob not only points out the areas of the books he loves and I should give a closer look, but he also reminds me of release dates.
Thursday, July 22nd
Podcast
Know Direction: Beyond 71 – We Can Rebuild It!
This is the crunchiest Beyond episode I can remember. Alex, James, and Dustin go deep with their knowledge of Starfinder adventures and mechanics, drawing on a lot of personal experience to show where and why older APs can be updated with new rules.
Article
Iconic Design — Kitsune Berserker
By Alex Augunas
Another kitsune Hero Forge build and Pathfinder 2e stat block from Alex, but this is a fox of a different tail from last week. Kiru of Twin Thunders is a berserker, who channels his rage into a vulpine screams and can blast enemies with foxfire from 20ft away.
Preview of July 25th to July 29th
Block 1 of our 2-block schedule.
Monday, July 25th
Twitch
Know Direction 281 Live – Welcome to 2e
In what Luis calls an on-boarding episode, he and Vanessa will be talking about Pathfinder 2e to anyone who is coming into the game with no prior knowledge.
Podcast
Intrepid Heroes 091 – Seeing Double
The latest Intrepid Heroes didn’t show up in my podcatcher this morning even though it was on the site. It’s there now, but I haven’t had a chance to listen to it. It’s called Seeing Double, so I’m going to assume someone gets poked in the eye.
Article
Now You Know – Edition Wars, My Old Nemesis
By Ryan Costello
When it comes to edition wars, it’s better to be an observer than a participant.
Tuesday, July 26th
Podcast
Game Design Unboxed 42: Aeon’s End: Legacy of Gravehold
Danielle speaks with Sydney Engelstein about the challenge of continuing on the Aeon’s End game line
Article
Eldritch Excursion
By Nate Wright
Nate Wright’s journal of flavour and mechanics.
Wednesday, July 27th
Podcast
Know Direction 281 – Welcome to 2e
The preview of this episode on social media generated a lot of buzz, so I’m hoping for a lot of audience questions and interaction.
Article
Behind The Screens
By Ryan Costello
Veteran Game Master Ryan Costello talks with his fellow GMs on their side of the GM screen.
Thursday, July 28th
Podcast
Digital Divination 62
John and Jason talk Starfinder.
Friday, July 29th
Article
Iconic Designs
By Alex Auguna
Iconic Designs meets Hero Forge Fridays as Alex Augunas creates a mini and stat block every week.
Now you know,
Ryan Costello