Gaming from the First Age

A moment for us to reflect on what makes a good tabletop RPG player? Play along.Becky’s Blog: https://blackarmada.com/how-to-be-ttrpgs-most-valuable-player/Becky’s series on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMs5q7TAqXk&list=PLxzETbg_EJH32qfJ9ehHKnjdkzqgZ5ZzqThe podcast music: Onwards Upwards by Ketsa⁠⁠⁠⁠https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Metamorphosis/Onwards_Upwards⁠⁠⁠⁠NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0):⁠⁠⁠⁠https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/⁠⁠

Let's review our 2025 gaming year and look ahead to 2026.The podcast music: Onwards Upwards by Ketsa⁠⁠⁠https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Metamorphosis/Onwards_Upwards⁠⁠⁠NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0):⁠⁠⁠https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/⁠

I run a lot of RPG conventions, so I'm keen to see people step forward and run great games! In this episode I present some thoughts on what makes a good convention GM (or possibly a GM for any occasion).Leave a message at [email protected] or on Spotify.Some resource links:So You Want to be a Gamemaster? Justin Alexanderhttps://thealexandrian.net/so-you-want-to-be-a-game-masterYour Best Game Ever, Monte Cook Gameshttps://www.montecookgames.com/store/product/your-best-game-ever/Return of the Lazy Dungeonmaster, Sly Flourishhttps://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/251431/return-of-the-lazy-dungeon-masterHow to be a Great GM, Guy Sclandershttps://www.youtube.com/@HowtobeaGreatGMBurn After Running, Guy Milnerhttps://burnafterrunningrpg.com/Safety Toolshttps://www.dramadice.com/gm-tips/safety-tools-for-tabletop-rpgs/https://ttrpgsafetytoolkit.com/CATShttps://proleary.com/games/the-cats-method/Stars and wishes: https://burnafterrunningrpg.com/2022/01/07/stars-and-wishes-because-feedback-is-hard/https://www.gauntlet-rpg.com/blog/stars-and-wishesThe podcast music: Onwards Upwards by Ketsa⁠⁠https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Metamorphosis/Onwards_Upwards⁠⁠NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0):⁠⁠https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Have you found your perfect tabletop RPG system? Of course you have...Leave a message at [email protected] or on Spotify.The Music: Onwards Upwards by Ketsa⁠https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Metamorphosis/Onwards_Upwards⁠NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0):⁠https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Let's talk about playing tabletop RPGs online. How do you find it? Have a favourite virtual tabletop? How does online play compare with in person?Leave a message at [email protected] or on Spotify.The Music: Onwards Upwards by Ketsahttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Metamorphosis/Onwards_UpwardsNonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0):https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Journey with me, forward in time, as we look ahead to the 2025 RPG gaming year. Some links: Liam Philips actual play of Enemy in Shadows: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIyh-Q_6KiN9awrxBEzreHmsd9d-AcQ5e Tripod: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/404274/tripod-essence Heroic Fantasy: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/461381/heroic-fantasy-2nd-edition AireCon: https://www.airecon.co.uk/rpgs Garrison Conventions: https://garrison.omnihedron.co.uk/ The Music: Onwards Upwards by Ketsa https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Metamorphosis/Onwards_Upwards NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

A summary of my RPG gaming year in 2024, wherein I ask myself, and indeed you, some questions. Leave me a message on Spotify or email me a call-in voice mail at [email protected] and I may include on an episode! Links Music: Onwards Upwards by Ketsa  https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Metamorphosis/Onwards_Upwards NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ Sqyre Hosting for Foundry https://www.sqyre.app/

TravellerCon UK and further reflections on Traveller RPG. Send me a voicemail at [email protected] and the usual channels. UK & Ireland RPG & Board Game Conventions: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1p5iZrLlU7EthiItODGO5ZweyhCIOVFu7ULj2c25iPQU/edit?gid=852955442#gid=852955442 State of the Mongoose 2024: https://forum.mongoosepublishing.com/threads/state-of-the-mongoose-2024.125105/ Nerd's RPG Variety Cast: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/nerds-rpg-variety-cast/2437056 Music: Onwards Upwards by Ketsa https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Metamorphosis/Onwards_Upwards NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Welcome to Season 2 of Gaming from the First Age, a podcast of personal reflections on tabletop roleplaying games. Happy with just the one mortgage? Then why play the Traveller RPG? Let's find out... Send me a voicemail at [email protected] Music: Onwards Upwards by Ketsa https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Metamorphosis/Onwards_Upwards

Join First Age in the sauna as we explore the Swedish roleplaying game, Hjältarnas Tid (Age of Heroes), that has perfected Chaosium's Basic Roleplaying and delivered a great fantasy game. I'd love to hear from you. Send me a message as text or a recording as an attachment by email: [email protected] Music: Onwards Upwards by Ketsa https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Metamorphosis/Onwards_Upwards NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

In this episode I reflect on the end of a two year campaign of 4th Edition D&D and look forward to the completion of my own Heroic Fantasy 2nd Edition game. I'd love to hear from you. Send me a message as text or a recording as an attachment by email: [email protected] Music: Onwards Upwards by Ketsa  https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Metamorphosis/Onwards_Upwards NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

First Age 'froths' about his gaming year of 2022, and looks forward to what 2023 might bring. Leave me a message on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/first-age Send me a message as text or an attachment by email: [email protected] Music: Onwards Upwards by Ketsa  https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Metamorphosis/Onwards_Upwards NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

First Age emerges from the sauna, to briefly talk about his Free League Swedish Fantasy. Leave me a message on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/first-age Send me a message as text or an attachment by email: [email protected] Music: Onwards Upwards by Ketsa  https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Metamorphosis/Onwards_Upwards NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

First Age returns from out of the heat wave with a feverish exposition on Trudvang Chronicles. Leave me a message on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/first-age Send me a message as text or an attachment by email: [email protected] Music: Onwards Upwards by Ketsa  https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Metamorphosis/Onwards_Upwards NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

First Age is back with another podcast, this time talking about experiences from a couple of recent conventions as face to face play returns to the UK. Legends of Avallen: https://www.legendsofavallen.co.uk/ Core RPG: https://www.gmdonline.co.uk/ Colostle: https://www.colostle.com/ Leave me a message on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/first-age Send me a message as text or an attachment by email: [email protected] Music: Onwards Upwards by Ketsa  https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Metamorphosis/Onwards_Upwards NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Another podcast from Gaming from the First Age. A couple of call-ins looking at some interesting topics from Che Webster's Roleplay Rescue, some chat about Eventide Subsector and Cepheus Deluxe, some more burble on 4th Edition Dungeons &Dragons, and a round robin catch-up on some of the things happening in my gaming life.  Jason's Nerd's RPG Variety Cast Che Webster's Roleplay Rescue Leave me a message on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/first-age Send me a message as text or an attachment by email: [email protected] Music: Onwards Upwards by Ketsa  https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Metamorphosis/Onwards_Upwards NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Something on 'campaigns' and how they can emerge in extended play. Leave me a message on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/first-age Send me a message by email: [email protected] Music: Onwards Upwards by Ketsa  https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Metamorphosis/Onwards_Upwards NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

A look back at the gaming of 2021 and a look forward to what 2022 might have in store. How is your gaming year shaping up? Are there particular games you want to be involved in? Might this be the year that face to face conventions are able to make a comeback? Leave me a message on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/first-age Send me a message by email: [email protected] Music: Onwards Upwards by Ketsa  https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Metamorphosis/Onwards_Upwards NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Another Podcast from First Age. Some Tingle responses, sparklers and Degenesis in a mailbag episode. Call-ins from Jason of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast, Che Webster of Roleplay Rescue, The Guvnor from the Gaming Tavern Forum, and Garry Snow from Dieku Games Leave me a message on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/first-age Send me a message by email: [email protected] Links Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast: https://anchor.fm/jason376 Roleplay Rescue: https://roleplayrescue.com/podcast/ Gaming Tavern: https://www.gamingtavern.uk/index.php Dieku Games: https://diekugames.com/ Sentry Box: https://www.sentrybox.com/ Cepheus Deluxe: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/370075 Degenesis: https://degenesis.com/ Music: Onwards Upwards by Ketsa  https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Metamorphosis/Onwards_Upwards NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Another Podcast from First Age. Do you Tingle? I'm asking. Listen to Cepheus Tingle and work out if you do. I'm kind of hoping that you do, at least sometimes. We also have some call-ins from Arlen Walker from Live from Pellam's Wasteland, Jason of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast, and Colin Green from Spikepit. Leave me a message on Anchor: Send me an email at [email protected] Links Cepheus Deluxe: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/370075 Live from Pellam's Wasteland: https://anchor.fm/pellamswasteland Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast: https://anchor.fm/jason376 Spikepit: https://anchor.fm/spikepit Music: Onwards Upwards by Ketsa  https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Metamorphosis/Onwards_Upwards NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Another podcast from First Age. A look at Rule Zero. Is it a Zero Sum Game? We also have some call-ins from Che Webster from Roleplay Rescue and Jason of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast. Leave me a message on Anchor: Send me an email at [email protected] Links Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast: https://anchor.fm/jason376 Roleplay Rescue: https://anchor.fm/rpgrescue Music: Onwards Upwards by Ketsa  https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Metamorphosis/Onwards_Upwards NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Another podcast from First Age. How are you with long form play? In a great groove, or in a rut? We also have some call-ins from Jason of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast. Leave me a message on Anchor: Send me an email at [email protected] Links Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast: https://anchor.fm/jason376 Roleplay Rescue: https://anchor.fm/rpgrescue Degenesis: https://degenesis.com/ Ron Edwards' Adept Play: https://adeptplay.com/ Music: Onwards Upwards by Ketsa  https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Metamorphosis/Onwards_Upwards NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Some listener Call-Ins from Joe (Hindsightless - https://anchor.fm/joe-richter9), Jason (Nerds RPG Variety Cast https://anchor.fm/jason376) and John (Red Dice Diaries - https://anchor.fm/the-red-dice-diaries) Join the Dungeons & Edition 4th Edition Renaissance #4eR by playing the game at Con4eR. Sign up at this event on Warhorn: https://warhorn.net/events/Con4eR Leave me a message on Anchor: Send me an email at [email protected] Music: Onwards Upwards by Ketsa  https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Metamorphosis/Onwards_Upwards,<br> NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

First Age is back, grooving, with another podcast episode. Have you found an enjoyable gaming groove? Join First Age as he reflects on his unlikely journey into a fulfilling gaming groove. Join me on the podcast. Leave me a message on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/first-age Send me an email at [email protected] Join the Gaming Tavern: https://www.gamingtavern.uk/index.php Join the Tavern Discord: https://discord.gg/Bgxkn52x5J Music: Onwards Upwards by Ketsa  https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Metamorphosis/Onwards_Upwards NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

First Age is back with another podcast episode, diverted onto Virtual Tabletops (VTTs) which, belatedly, he realises might have been better discussed through the medium of video. Join First Age as he reflects on his own personal journey through the rich landscape of VTTs. Join me on the podcast. Leave me a message on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/first-age Join the Gaming Tavern: https://www.gamingtavern.uk/index.php Join the Tavern Discord: https://discord.gg/Bgxkn52x5J Roll20: https://roll20.net/ Lets Role: https://lets-role.com/ Role: https://www.playrole.com/ Foundry: https://foundryvtt.com/ Music: Onwards Upwards by Ketsa  https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Metamorphosis/Onwards_Upwards NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Another podcast episode, with the unexpected confirmation that the polarising 4th Edition is, in fact, the best version of D&D. Ever. Well, that depends, but join First Age as he reflects upon this much maligned edition of D&D. Join me on the podcast. Leave me a message on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/first-age Join the Gaming Tavern: https://www.gamingtavern.uk/index.php Join the Tavern Discord: https://discord.gg/Bgxkn52x5J Get the D&D 4th Edition Quickstart: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/110212/H1-Keep-on-the-Shadowfell--QuickStart-Rules-4e Music: Onwards Upwards by Ketsa  https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Metamorphosis/Onwards_Upwards NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Another podcast episode and a confluence of amazement, which I need to share. Get yourself a beverage and prepare for some burbling. So much amazement that I burble for a good 50 minutes... Join me on the podcast. Leave me a message on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/first-age Join the Gaming Tavern: https://www.gamingtavern.uk/index.php The Role VTT: https://www.playrole.com/ A first go at streaming with Role: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-qC8T10AfA&ab_channel=GrahamSpearing True20: https://greenroninstore.com/collections/true20 Anna B Meyer's maps of Greyhawk: https://www.annabmeyer.com/greyhawk-content/ A flyby over Greyhawk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I4nN56l_1o&ab_channel=TheGreyhawkChannel Our Greyhawk Wiki: http://greyhawk.ttrpg.uk/ A hosting company that has worked out for me: https://www.hostinger.co.uk/ Music: Onwards Upwards by Ketsa  https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Metamorphosis/Onwards_Upwards NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Unless you are in the lottery of Low Berth, join me In the passengers' common room for this episode of the Gaming from the First Age podcast, as I'm joined by good friends Dom and Tom to discuss the Traveller roleplaying game.  Leave me a message on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/first-age Join the Gaming Tavern Discord Server for some live chat: https://discord.gg/Yvh6CKv9M9 Music: Onwards Upwards by Ketsa  https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Metamorphosis/Onwards_Upwards NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

In this episode, First Age talks with Andrew, a much respected Pathfinder GM, on the complexity of Pathfinder 2nd Edition and how playable it is at higher levels. Music: Onwards Upwards by Ketsa  https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Metamorphosis/Onwards_Upwards NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ Pathfinder can be found at https://paizo.com/

In another podcast, First Age talks about generic or, perhaps, genre agnostic roleplaying games. Music: Onwards Upwards by Ketsa  https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Metamorphosis/Onwards_Upwards NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ Dungeon Musings Podcast: https://anchor.fm/dungeonmusings The Keys to the Kingdom: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/241127

In this episode I reflect on some Omega system actual play, canter through some generic system comparisons, and talk briefly about current excitement. A favourite snug on the Internet for gaming chat: https://www.gamingtavern.eu/index.php The Owlbear and Wizards Staff: https://warhorn.net/events/the-owlbear-and-wizards-staff-3-adventuring-in-the-aether

Follow me in a bit of a guessing game to work out which tabletop RPG game system I'm talking about. A bit of a homage to this system from the noughties.

This is a one take first episode of Gaming from the First Age, where I talk a bit about where I am coming from and some of the content to come.