Tales From the Hydian Way
182 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 54 ratingsMaking your Star Wars RPG better
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Episodes
301- The Impossible Tale
June 13, 2022 03:45 - 1 hour - 55.7 MBI’m calling this episode impossible because I never expected it to come out. Here I talk with Adam of Force Majeure and Leslie of Heroes/Tales about kickstarters and what gets us to look at other table top RPGs. Things discussed in this episode: Rowan, Rook and Deckard Honey Heist Die RPG Goat Crashers Adventure Skeletons … Continue reading "301- The Impossible Tale"
300 – The Tales Tale
June 01, 2020 03:45 - 50 minutes - 46 MBWe look back at what has happened in the last 300 episodes and some of the lessons we’ve learned, what is happening on The Hydian Way, and where our hearts will take us. Things discussed in this episode Xphile Brian Casey Spider Robinson Challahan’s Crosstime Saloon Sink the Bismark Thisspasian You can find us on … Continue reading "300 – The Tales Tale"
299 – The Mindset Tale
May 25, 2020 03:45 - 1 hour - 56.9 MBWe had two Heroes and two denizen the Force Majeure podcast on to talk about what they put into developing characters for a short and long time, including how far ahead they make it, as well as what extra thoughts that are beyond mechanical go into a character. Things we talked about on this episode: … Continue reading "299 – The Mindset Tale"
298 – The Rise of the Republic Tale
May 18, 2020 03:45 - 54 minutes - 49.7 MBWe have Kristine and Adam on to talk about the fun to be had with Rise of the Separatists and Collapse of the Republic. We go in depth on the new careers and how they can mold your campaigns in new and fun ways. Things discussed in this episode: A New Dawn Ahsoka Queens Shadow … Continue reading "298 – The Rise of the Republic Tale"
297 – The Revenge of the Sith Tale
May 11, 2020 03:45 - 55 minutes - 51.2 MBWith three others Ben dives into the end of the prequel trilogy and comes up with several ideas and complications for campaigns and settings in some very novel ways. Things discussed in this episode: Darth Maul Hope Punk 1313 Star Wars: Infinities Ahsoka Crokinole A New Dawn You can find us on TwitterShow updates are … Continue reading "297 – The Revenge of the Sith Tale"
296 – The Heroic Build Tail
May 04, 2020 03:45 - 44 minutes - 40.9 MBBrandon and Wren come to talk about how their characters were built and grew over the season 2 of the Heroes of the Hydian Way, from taking a universal specialization to start with, to getting almost all 25 talents in the doctor specialization. You can find us on TwitterShow updates are @TheHydianWayBen is @DeuteriumIceHelp us … Continue reading "296 – The Heroic Build Tail"
295 – The Attack of the Clones Tale
April 27, 2020 03:45 - 48 minutes - 44.8 MBWith a band of merry co-hosts we look at the middle movie of the prequel trilogy, the highs, the lows, the car theft. We have fun and come up with some interesting ideas for our own tables Things talked about in this episode: Poetry of the skywalker series Coruscant Knights Fifth Element Sandbaggers Queen and … Continue reading "295 – The Attack of the Clones Tale"
294 – The New Wren Tale
April 20, 2020 03:45 - 42 minutes - 39 MBWren joins us to talk about their introduction to the Narrative Dice system, as well as their experiences in joining a podcast. How the dice shapes their outlook and how to choose a character that fits their narrative style. Things talked about in this episode: Make_Believe_RP Starfinder Call of Cthulhu Dungeon World Burning Wheel Mouse … Continue reading "294 – The New Wren Tale"
293 – The 30 Years In Between Tale
April 13, 2020 03:45 - 47 minutes - 43.3 MBBetween Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens there is a new galaxy for our adventures, we have Kristine on to talk about this era and man of the plot hooks that jump to mind when talking about the shift in the Galaxy Far Far Away. Things discussed in this episode Bloodline Phasma Aftermath … Continue reading "293 – The 30 Years In Between Tale"
292 – The Perspective Change Tale
April 06, 2020 03:45 - 45 minutes - 41.3 MBWe have Kristine on to talk about several of the outlooks that change when moving to a Force and Destiny game in Star Wars RPG, and how that perspective shift colors everything else in the players galaxy. Things talked about in this episode: Obsidian Entertainment Arrowverse Legends of Tomorrow Glass Dagger Jewel of Yavin Omen’s … Continue reading "292 – The Perspective Change Tale"
291 – The Conflict Tale
March 30, 2020 03:45 - 48 minutes - 44.6 MBWith a special guest we talk about using conflict in the Force and Destiny system and how it can both help and hurt a campaign idea if it’s not discussed ahead of time. Things talked about in this episode: Force Majeure Glass Dagger Batman Gambit Xanatos Gambit Soloshot Expanse You can find us on TwitterShow … Continue reading "291 – The Conflict Tale"
290 – The Low XP Force Tale
March 23, 2020 03:45 - 33 minutes - 30.7 MBWe discuss the ways that starting force powers are deceptively powerful, as well as how to make sure that players at your table are not getting frustrated by starting experiences with a force user. You can find us on TwitterShow updates are @TheHydianWayBen is @DeuteriumIceRissa is @KookyKitt Help us out financially for the show on … Continue reading "290 – The Low XP Force Tale"
289 – The Prologue Tale
March 16, 2020 03:45 - 40 minutes - 37.4 MBThis episode has us talking about the tiny adventure before the big adventure so we all can get comfortable with our characters. From pilots to prologues we talk about how to set your own expectations for your games. Things talked about in this episode: Murder on the Mantellian Express Light saber tonfa Encounter at Farpoint … Continue reading "289 – The Prologue Tale"
288 – The Reason for Violence Tale
March 09, 2020 03:45 - 46 minutes - 42.6 MBWe bring Brandon on board as a guest to help talk about encounters and adventures looking to resolve without violence, from how to frame an encounter to ideas to discuss the topic at the start of the campaign. Things discussed in the show: Enterprise Club Star Trek Discovery Star Trek Adventures Murder on the Mantellian … Continue reading "288 – The Reason for Violence Tale"
287 – The Mutant Tail
March 02, 2020 04:45 - 42 minutes - 39.1 MBWe decided to use the Expanded Setting Sheet and create our own setting. What came out was an empowering setting filled with fanciful technology of medical heights. With mutations in the world and how the world has been shaped by them. Things discussed in this episode: Expanded Setting Sheet Watchmen Steel Atomic Robo Umbrella Academy … Continue reading "287 – The Mutant Tail"
286 – The Vehicle Encounter Tale
February 24, 2020 04:45 - 40 minutes - 37.4 MBWe talk about using vehicles in your encounters and what happens when you do finally give the pilot an episode focused around them. From ideas on what others can do, to ways of structuring the encounter. Things we talk about in this episode: Space ship Combat Cheat Sheet Serenity space battle Solo X-wing Alliance Rebels … Continue reading "286 – The Vehicle Encounter Tale"
285 – The Expanded Players Guide
February 17, 2020 04:45 - 35 minutes - 32.5 MBOur look into the Expanded Players Guide continues with a look into themes, magic, and some of the cool ideas we have about how to bring this to the table. From helping new players learn the system and advancement to the vast fields of story that can be had. Things talked about in this episode: … Continue reading "285 – The Expanded Players Guide"
284 – The Expanded Players Tale
February 10, 2020 04:45 - 37 minutes - 34.8 MBWe take a look at the Expanded Players Guide from Fantasy Flight Games and give our thoughts on this new book for Genesys. From the depths of a post apocalyptic future to the high Gothic of old school monsters we talk about how to use this book and some of the ways it inspires us. … Continue reading "284 – The Expanded Players Tale"
283 – The Phantom Menace Tale
February 03, 2020 04:45 - 39 minutes - 36.6 MBWe find the tales in The Phantom Menace that we think would be amazing adventures from podracing to the heights of Courscant intrigue. Things we talk about in the episode: Master and Apprentice Queens Shadow Bourne Last Shot Star Wars Racer Star Wars Racers Revenge Speed Racer Sil Zero Day the Earth Stood Still Star … Continue reading "283 – The Phantom Menace Tale"
282 – The Mandalorian Tale
January 27, 2020 04:45 - 49 minutes - 45.4 MBTo talk about The Mandalorian we brought on Brandon from Heroes and Chris Ing. We have a fair bit of fun looking at the surface of the show, some of the themes and some of the very generic ways that the galaxy is working in a post Endor time. Things talked about in this episode: … Continue reading "282 – The Mandalorian Tale"
281 – The Follow On Tale
January 20, 2020 04:45 - 40 minutes - 37.5 MBPreparing to improvise is one of the trickier things to happen. We talk about some of how players can twist how we change things because how our players act and expect to make a much more engaging story. This episode also contains a crossover from Ted on the Manellian Express. Brought up in discussion in … Continue reading "281 – The Follow On Tale"
280 – The Rise of Skywalker Tale Pt 2
January 13, 2020 04:45 - 50 minutes - 46.2 MBWe’re all back to talk about the force and redemption in the Rise of Skywalker. The ways that it can feel fulfilling to us and the ways that show an understanding. Things talked about in this show: Empire of Dreams Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood Zuko Sil Zero charts People on this episode: Kristine Chris Adam … Continue reading "280 – The Rise of Skywalker Tale Pt 2"
279- The Rise of Skywalker Tale PT 1
January 06, 2020 04:45 - 50 minutes - 46.1 MBThere was a movie that came out recently that had a crawl and was a Star Wars movie. This is part one of our discussion about the movie, the choices made, and a few thoughts of what we thought would make a more satisfying story. Contributors and things we talked about in this episode: Kristine … Continue reading "279- The Rise of Skywalker Tale PT 1"
278 – The Specialized Tale
December 30, 2019 04:45 - 39 minutes - 35.9 MBA discussion about how to prepare players for a campaign launches us into talking about how you communicate ahead of time about a general topic, what specializations are allowed, and how to adjust player character ideas to what the campaign actually is. Things mentioned in this episode: Wanderers TTRPG Safety Toolkit Karate Kid You can … Continue reading "278 – The Specialized Tale"
277 – The Return of the Jedi
December 23, 2019 04:45 - 37 minutes - 34.2 MBWe look to the first ending of a trilogy in Star Wars, from murder bears to the ending of galactic crime lords we have ideas on where we can put stories that coincide and are inspired by the Return of the Jedi. Things talked about in this episode: Ewoks Umbrella Academy Zygerrian Is it a … Continue reading "277 – The Return of the Jedi"
276 – The Recap Tale
December 16, 2019 04:45 - 36 minutes - 33.4 MBGetting going again at the start of a new session can be torturous, echoing our favourite hotshot pilot of who talks first. We have ideas on how to keep notes on what comes next and how to start off for your players to hit the ground running. Things talked about in this episode: Supernatural Recap … Continue reading "276 – The Recap Tale"
275 – Into the Fire Tale
December 09, 2019 04:45 - 39 minutes - 35.9 MBTaking on deeper topics at the table can be a great way of working through your feelings as a group, but it can be intimidating. We have ideas on how to do it at the table without scaring your players away and to make it touch on the topics the players want. Things we talked … Continue reading "275 – Into the Fire Tale"
274 – The Disruption Tale
December 02, 2019 04:45 - 36 minutes - 33.7 MBIt can only mean one thing, invasion. We were emailed a question about a player using the crafting mechanics at the table, from there we expanded the scope into talking about disruptive players and how to deal with them. Things talked about in this episode: Heroes Obligations Consent in gaming You can find us on … Continue reading "274 – The Disruption Tale"
273 – The House Rule Tale
November 25, 2019 04:45 - 40 minutes - 37.5 MBWhen Ben is looking for help coming up with tag team rules for a fight in a game he turns to Rissa for advice and a second set of eyes. We then take a look at a few of our own house rules that we’ve had to create. Things we’ve talked about in the episode: … Continue reading "273 – The House Rule Tale"
272 – The Saber Tale
November 18, 2019 04:45 - 37 minutes - 34.4 MBWe were given a prompt on our discord server, and got talking about using sabers and the force in Star Wars adventures and how to make getting a lightsaber into something momentous for the characters and players. Things we talked about in the episode: 265 – The Consequences Tale Dark Empire I Jedi Oo’oob You … Continue reading "272 – The Saber Tale"
271 – The Empire Strikes Back Tale
November 11, 2019 04:45 - 38 minutes - 35.4 MBRissa and Ben take a look at The Empire Strikes Back to see what stories that they get inspired to tell by the movie and little corners that create new avenues for adventures for you to use. Things discussed in this episode: Episode 267 – A New Hope Tale The Ghost and the Darkness Jewel … Continue reading "271 – The Empire Strikes Back Tale"
270 – A Tale of Building
November 04, 2019 04:45 - 37 minutes - 34.5 MBWe talk of setting and communicating difficulty to not overpower your characters, and to make sure that your players understand the difficulties that are presented to them. From a single patrol to a gang that’s chasing after the party we have ideas on how to make sure no one is taken by surprise. Things talked … Continue reading "270 – A Tale of Building"
269 – The Lawless Tale
October 28, 2019 03:45 - 43 minutes - 39.8 MBLaw enforcement through out the galaxy has different textures that your players can feel. We start off talking about what to do with players who seem to be a law unto their own, not paying Stormtroopers any mind. Then we move to the outer rim and find ways to make a one ronto town feel … Continue reading "269 – The Lawless Tale"
268 – The Side Quest Tale
October 21, 2019 03:45 - 38 minutes - 35.3 MBWe talk about making obligation and character side quests simple and and achievable along side the main plots. From keeping the ideas contained, to getting the players involved we have ideas on how to make character quests awesome for you and your players. Things talked about in this episode: The Witcher 3 Assassins Creed Odyssey … Continue reading "268 – The Side Quest Tale"
267 – The New Hope Tale
October 14, 2019 03:45 - 38 minutes - 35.7 MBWe start our series on taking inspiration from the Star Wars movies and seeing what stories we want to tell in the cracks, and what giant plots and galaxy changing things we see as coming from the text of the movies. Things talked about in this episode Tales from Jabbas Palace Rogue One Tales from … Continue reading "267 – The New Hope Tale"
266 – The Expensive Tale
October 07, 2019 03:45 - 37 minutes - 34 MBWe talk about the stages of an adventuring party, from the poverty of starting to gaining the experience and equipment to be awesome. Ideas about how to handle the frustrations and lack of equipment abound in this episode. Things talked about in this episode: ARC-170 Freemaker Adventures Mordin – Mass Effect You can find us … Continue reading "266 – The Expensive Tale"
265 – The Consequences Tale
September 30, 2019 03:45 - 42 minutes - 39.1 MBThere are times when players seem to not recognize when their actions should have consequences for their characters. We give advice on how to tie their actions explicitly back to the character actions and in how to make it more interesting when a die result means it’s complicated. Things talked about in this episode: Master … Continue reading "265 – The Consequences Tale"
264 – Tales of the Early Years
September 23, 2019 03:45 - 42 minutes - 39 MBEvery GM will have issues they have to overcome, there isn’t a set path to learning and being good at it. Rissa and Ben have had to learn along the way from their own mistakes. We share some of the weird things that have happened and how we can learn from them. Things we talked … Continue reading "264 – Tales of the Early Years"
263 – The Structured Tale
September 16, 2019 03:45 - 42 minutes - 38.6 MBWe started to talk about how to build in the flexibility to deal with your players improvising at the table in the scenes you’re creating. Plus how to shape the fun in a way to not curtail the players exuberance while keeping your own fun as a core part of the game. Things talked about … Continue reading "263 – The Structured Tale"
262 – The Tale of Vergences
September 09, 2019 03:45 - 38 minutes - 35.5 MBAdam from Force Majure asked about vergences and how to use them to guide the story and adventure. We have several ideas on how to make things even more out there for Star Wars and how we’re able to focus on making it fun and meaningful for the players. Things talked about in this episode … Continue reading "262 – The Tale of Vergences"
261 – The Three Plot Tale
September 02, 2019 03:45 - 50 minutes - 46.4 MBWe go back to the list of RPG plots and gain ideas for you and us to use. From a fish out of water, to diplomacy, and racing in between we have ideas on engaging plots and some nifty places to find ideas. Things we talk about in the show: Big list of RPG Plots … Continue reading "261 – The Three Plot Tale"
260 – Setting The Hook Tale
August 26, 2019 03:45 - 37 minutes - 34.3 MBWe talk about story hooks and trying to set the ones you as a GM want, while still being okay with the changes your players will inadvertently want. Growing beyond the plots we have and maturing into the stories of the whole table. Things we talked about on the show Gridded Easel Pads West Marches … Continue reading "260 – Setting The Hook Tale"
259 – A Blockade Run Tale
August 19, 2019 03:45 - 40 minutes - 37 MBRissa was posed a question about how to get players to run blockades, we both have ideas and advice on how to make the seemingly impossible into challenges your players won’t balk to see. Things we talked about in this episode: Terminal Velocity Arquitens Light Cruiser A Little White Armor Lie You can find us … Continue reading "259 – A Blockade Run Tale"
258 – A Tale of Two NPCs
August 12, 2019 03:45 - 39 minutes - 36.5 MBFor Heroes Act 2 Ben needed advice on how to do an important characters voice without doing an accent. Rissa has experience with making new voices and showing off different personalities for characters. The advice given becomes useful for differentiating characters for all. Things we talked about in this episode: Daria You can find us … Continue reading "258 – A Tale of Two NPCs"
257 – The Shepard’s Tale
August 05, 2019 03:45 - 37 minutes - 34.6 MBBen had a question for Rissa, how do you guide the players without taking their agency away from them? How do you get the players to choose to do something that will be cool, but they have no idea how to get there? Rissa has some ideas and Ben has a thought or two as … Continue reading "257 – The Shepard’s Tale"
256 – The Android Tale
July 29, 2019 03:45 - 51 minutes - 47.4 MBIn part 2 of our Android review we talk careers, the construction of the book, the favor economy, and hacking. We loved the setup and found that it sparked each of our imaginations in making us want to explore the universe more. Things we talked about in the show: Predators Shadow of the Beanstalk Night … Continue reading "256 – The Android Tale"
255 – The Beanstalk Tale
July 21, 2019 15:45 - 50 minutes - 46.5 MBA little while back Shadow of the Beanstalk launched from FFG, we decided to do a review episode about it and even brought in noted cyberpunkfile David Pickering. We talk about the lore and why the setting and mechanics lead to interesting choices to be made and how adventured hooks drip from the book. Things … Continue reading "255 – The Beanstalk Tale"
254 – The Edge to Age Tale
July 15, 2019 03:45 - 29 minutes - 27.5 MBPlayers grow and some want to move from the Edge of the Empire style of scum and villainy and a shade of grey for every action to something more obvious of good and bad. We have ideas on how to suggest this to your players and a few ways to nudge them into the rebellion. … Continue reading "254 – The Edge to Age Tale"
253 – The End of Thursday Tale
July 08, 2019 03:45 - 39 minutes - 36.1 MBBen’s Thursday night campaign is coming to an end, but he’s unsure how he should do it. Rissa has several helpful ideas on how to bring it in for an end in a satisfying fashion. Things talked about in this episode: Star Wars Sheets Allies and Adversaries Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom You can find us … Continue reading "253 – The End of Thursday Tale"
252 – The Failing Up Tale
July 01, 2019 03:45 - 33 minutes - 30.3 MBAfter a session or two when your players are having no luck with the dice it can be so disheartening, and which can lead to player resentment. We talk about how to deal with failure after failure in a story and how to make it more interesting and fun for the player. Things talked about … Continue reading "252 – The Failing Up Tale"