Star Trek Adventures: Continuing Conversations

In this episode of Continuing Conversations, Michael Dismuke sits down with Alex Boer and John Mierau to discuss how Star Trek Adventures gamemasters can transform Awards and Acclaim into powerful storytelling tools. The trio explores ways to balance reputation tracking with narrative flow, from John’s courtroom drama that turned into a standout role-playing moment to Alex’s regular award ceremonies that celebrate character arcs every four sessions. Together, they share how commendations—whether earned by die rolls or through rich storytelling—can deepen player connection, spotlight achievements, and bring Starfleet values to life at the table. https://linktr.ee/studiotembo

This week on Continuing Conversations, Michael Dismuke and Jim Johnson beam up the wildly brilliant Anna Margaret—educator, science communicator, cosplayer, and the self-proclaimed “nerdy lifestyle content creator” who turns fandom into fuel for learning. Anna brings infectious energy to every topic she touches. Join us as we dive into her creative process, the art of blending education with entertainment, and how she blends gaming, storytelling, and cosplay to make irresistible fun. Whether you’re a Trekkie, a teacher, or just a curious nerd at heart, this episode will have you laughing and learning. https://linktr.ee/studiotembo

The wonderfully creative Aki returns to help Jim and Michael tackle the subject: Bringing back one-and-done characters from Trek into your RPG game! Share link: https://edenhousing-org.zoom.us/rec/share/soJ5JD9qDxoCBsV9iYF9NQ9BBekdB68HxBhNUjQk_0JKmqUerCTQBi5q93ZajS-f.uIHDVF6OUfdjvAqj https://linktr.ee/studiotembo

The U.S.S. Pioneer completed its five-year mission in uproarious fashion. Now meet the GM and players who pushed the limits of Star Trek Adventures storytelling to create a life-changing epic to span the ages. Get good advice on forming great bonds with your players, utilizing Discord to make for a top-notch gaming experience, and learn how a good gaming group can launch your writing career! Guest stars: Aaron Pollyea, Al Spader, Josh Allen, and Troy Mepyans. From Coworkers to Family: How the USS Pioneer Crew Created an Epic Star Trek Adventures Campaign The Star Trek Adventures RPG is celebrating its fifth year, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of Star Trek. To commemorate this milestone, a recent podcast brought together the cast of the USS Pioneer, a group that just wrapped up a five-plus year campaign. This blog post delves into the secrets of their success and offers insights for other groups looking to embark on long-term Star Trek Adventures. Meet the Crew The podcast featured a stellar lineup of talent, all deeply involved in the Star Trek Adventures universe and beyond: Setting the Stage: The USS Pioneer's Mission The USS Pioneer's campaign was based out of the Shackleton Expanse, venturing 13.7 million light years away to the Centaurus galaxy. Their adventures have been chronicled on Continuing Missions, with many stories adapted into novellas. Defining Moments: From Crew to Family When asked about a defining moment, the crew unanimously agreed it was their transformation from coworkers to a close-knit family. This bond transcended the game, with members supporting each other's careers, personal lives, and families. This real-life connection was then woven back into the story, enriching the narrative. Aha Moments: Character Growth and Unexpected Twists The players shared several "aha" moments that shaped their characters and the campaign: The Power of Play-by-Post on Discord The USS Pioneer campaign was run online via Discord, which presented both challenges and unique advantages: Lessons in Storytelling and Collaboration The Pioneer campaign provided valuable lessons in storytelling, collaborative writing, and improvisation: Gratitude and Lasting Bonds The podcast concluded with expressions of gratitude and reflections on the enduring friendships forged through the USS Pioneer campaign. The players appreciated the opportunity to grow as role-players and as people, and the shared experience created a bond that continues to this day. The Legacy of the USS Pioneer The USS Pioneer campaign stands as a testament to the power of collaborative storytelling, character-driven narratives, and the enduring appeal of Star Trek. Its legacy continues to inspire new players and writers in the Star Trek Adventures community. As Al Spader so eloquently put it, "Captain, Pioneer is all around you."

Kelli Fitpatrick, Jim Johnson and Michael Dismuke ask "Does writing hopeful science fiction and fantasy even matter with everything that's going on in the world right now?" Join the deep dicussion and let us know what you think in the comments section. https://linktr.ee/studiotembo 00:00:22 - Introductions: Dismuke, Johnson, and Fitzpatrick 00:01:40 - Employee morale and hopeful sci-fi 00:03:32 - Optimistic fiction explores humanity's future 00:07:31 - Optimism and escapism importance in fiction 10:44 - Game design for positive dopamine hits 11:11 - Session zero: Setting game tone upfront 12:55 - Gaming's positive impact on real world 14:44 - Star Trek RPGs and leadership skills 00:18:57 - Nuance: Ethical scenarios and RPG complexities 00:27:23 - Writing matters, especially in difficult times

Kelli Fitzpatrick joins this week show to discuss the question "Is there a genre that Star Trek has NOT touched?" Enjoy the discussion and insights about how to bring different genres into your Star Trek Adventures game. https://linktr.ee/studiotembo 00:00:20 - Introductions and writing discussion 00:04:12 - Q's powers: Science or magic? 00:07:49 - Star Trek: Technology, magic, spirituality 00:14:13 - Star Trek's classic Hollywood themes 00:20:27 - Egyptian magic as advanced technology 00:23:21 - Earth post World War III setting 00:26:27 - Kelly's website and diverse work

Continuing Conversations: Starfleet in the 23rd Century! Announcing the newest supplement to the Star Trek Adventures 2e universe! Join writers Aaron Pollyea, Al Spader, Sarah Kennedy, Chris McCarver, Bill Barbato, Michael Dismuke, and Jim Johnson as we get hype over all the goodness that came from the TOS, TAS, DIS, SNW, and Movie-era of Trek! https://linktr.ee/studiotembo 00:00:20 - Introductions of Michael, Jim, and Aaron 00:06:13 - Reimagining the Gorn in Star Trek 00:12:51 - Revisiting the original Star Trek series 00:15:56 - Speaker loves Discovery and Klingon redesigns 00:18:47 - Condensing Star Trek lore challenges 00:25:06 - Genesis project's political powder keg 00:30:45 - Distilling Star Trek's Century for RPGs 00:37:58 - Klingon and Romulan psychology across time 00:43:57 - Book focuses on entire century of Trek 00:49:40 - Gratitude to Peter David, Star Trek writer

AJ Fox joins Jim and Michael as we break down the character of Kira Nerys: her relevance, her strengths, her dynamics. Then we talk about how to create a similar-type character for your STA campaign: the dangers, the perks! https://linktr.ee/studiotembo 00:00:20 - Introductions: Michael, Jim, and guest AJ 00:01:46 - Kira character analysis and RPG modeling 00:06:53 - Deep Space Nine's political commentary 00:10:29 - Kira, Opaka, and Bajoran perspectives 00:16:44 - Kira's character arc and relationships 00:23:23 - Bajor, Federation, and wormhole control 00:26:29 - RPG session zero: Kira and safety tools 00:33:10 - Building contrasting characters for role-playing 00:39:43 - Discovery rewatch reveals nuances 00:42:38 - AJ's projects: TTRPG talk show, editing

Yep, back to weekly) AJ FOX is back to talk about the stupendously amazing 5-4-3-2-1 system for character development! Listen in and prepare to flesh out your PCs in new and imaginative ways. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jNyH7-7gpK61q1z0FiDoBONjhDfulP_C/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107248546059831663146&rtpof=true&sd=true https://linktr.ee/studiotembo Chapters 00:00:16 - Introductions of Michael, Jim, and AJ Fox 00:03:11 - Developmental, integral concepts for characters 00:05:57 - Character development as a writing tool 00:08:40 - Player versus character goals in RPGs 00:11:29 - Failing forward and character development 00:13:18 - Important NPCs: friends and foes 00:14:24 - Players creating character backstories 00:17:07 - Character secrets and Rutherford's implant 00:19:56 - Kirk's son reveal and motivations 00:22:43 - Motivations beyond Starfleet Academy graduation

Continuing Conversations w/ Peter Norton of Hollowponds Solo Sagas. This week on the show, we sit down with Peter Norton, the creative force behind Hollowponds Solo Sagas, to talk about his bold leap into full-time storytelling. We dive into his upcoming projects, his vision for building a vibrant solo RPG community, and his creative ventures into Star Trek Adventures Captain’s Log. From passion to profession, from the depths of original worlds to the final frontier—this is an episode packed with inspiration, insight, and the art of going boldly… alone. https://linktr.ee/studiotembo 00:00:20 - Meeting Michael, Jim, and Peter 00:06:35 - Solo role-playing and creative freedom 00:12:46 - Solo game design and imagination 00:15:26 - Star Trek, gaming, and show genres 00:20:53 - Captain encounters sentient lichen species 00:25:17 - Captain's Log as role-playing tool 00:29:36 - Capping stories and building arcs 00:35:27 - Writing requires constant practice 00:40:13 - Sign off: Live long and prosper

Guest Aaron Pollyea comes on to talk about his latest project: Saucer Squadron. Then we dive into sectors and star systems in Star Trek Adventures Exploration Guide! https://linktr.ee/studiotembo This podcast features Jim Johnson, Michael Dismuke, and Aaron Pallier discussing Aaron's recent projects. The conversation centers around Saucer Squadron, a 1950s-themed tactical wargame about a Roswell-inspired alien conspiracy, available as a PDF and print-on-demand, with future STL miniatures planned. They also delve into the Star Trek Adventures Exploration Guide, releasing October 3rd, which boasts detailed astronomical accuracy, facilitating in-depth exploration gameplay and world-building. The guide's scientific rigor, layered approach to exploration (sector, system, planet), and compatibility with tools like Starforged are highlighted. The discussion expands on potential uses for the guide in various game formats, including large-scale fleet battles and integrating it with other RPG systems like Captain's Log. Finally, the podcast touches upon Aaron's extensive science fiction movie podcast (covering 270+ films) and the team's future projects, including a new game, "redacted," co-created with Al Spader. 00:21:44 - Intro: Aaron Pallier's Sci-Fi Project 03:28 - Saucer Squadron Game Design 07:00 - Saucer Squadron: Pulp Sci-Fi 10:29:27 - Sci-Fi Movie & Future Plans 13:18 - Star Trek Adventures Guide 16:30 - Scientific Accuracy in Games 20:00 - Star Trek Adventure Design 23:02:22 - Sector Creation in RPGs 25:35 - Expanding Star Trek Systems 29:08 - Detailed Space Battles in Star Trek 37:38 - Closing Thoughts on Guide 40:30 - Childhood & Cosmic Inspiration 46:01 - Farewell

BC Holmes is back with the latest and greatest with the Star Trek Adventures Character and Ship Creator app!!!!! https://linktr.ee/StudioTembo

Integrating the Technical Guide, the Exploration Guide, and Captain's Log to Create Memorable Missions. BC Holmes and Eric Campbell join Jim and Michael for an ultimate riff session where dice rolls become the foundation of dramatic stories. Watch and learn! https://linktr.ee/StudioTembo

Star Trek Adventures 2e Exploration Guide! More Talents, Secret Values, probability matrixes galore!!!! Join Jim and Michael as they sit with writers AJ Fox, Aaron Pollyea, and Al Spader to riff about their favorite parts of this handy new tool that promises to make your games even better! https://linktr.ee/StudioTembo

Let's Talk Politics and Factions. The outstanding Aaron Harvey and super-fan Will Parker join Jim and Michael to dive deep into the intrigue, ideology, and interstellar influence that shape the Star Trek universe. From power struggles within the Klingon Empire to the covert maneuverings of Section 31, this episode explores how GMs and players can use factions and political dynamics to build richer, more nuanced Star Trek Adventures campaigns. Whether you're crafting diplomatic showdowns, navigating moral gray zones, or plotting your own version of galactic détente, this episode is packed with ideas to energize your game. https://linktr.ee/studiotembo

In Part 2 of their RPG storytelling series, Michael Dismuke and Josh Allen dive into raising the stakes, designing Act Two’s pivotal low point, resolving major conflicts, and using foreshadowing to set up future adventures. They also share bonus tips for refining your RPG narratives. https://linktr.ee/studiotembo

Michael Dismuke and writer Josh Allen open the writers' room to explore how to design dramatic stories for RPGs. In Part 1, they cover defining your story’s end goal, structuring a three-act arc, crafting inciting incidents, and building meaningful conflicts that keep players engaged. https://linktr.ee/studiotembo

Jim and Michael welcome back Al Spader to show you how to build character arcs into your episodic Star Trek Adventure games. Drive drama. Encourage character growth. Create stories that you and your crew will remember forever. WARNING: We make it look easy. https://linktr.ee/studiotembo

Jim and Michael invite Al Spader to talk about integrating the new Technical Guide into your Star Trek Adventures and Captain's Log RPG games. Time to riff! https://linktr.ee/studiotembo

Massive Star Trek and media tie-in writer Keith R.A. DeCandido graces us with his presence this week. From how he got started in his amazing career to his methodology for writing, we cover it all plus some! Keith R.A. DeCandido has been writing about popular culture for this site since 2011, primarily but not exclusively writing about Star Trek and screen adaptations of superhero comics. He is also the author of more than 60 novels, more than 100 short stories, and more than 70 comic books, both in a variety of licensed universes from Alien to Zorro, as well as in worlds of his own creation, most notably the new Supernatural Crimes Unit series debuting in the fall of 2025. Read his blog, or follow him all over the Internet: Facebook, The Site Formerly Known As Twitter, Instagram, Threads, Blue Sky, YouTube, Patreon, and TikTok. https://Linktr.ee/StudioTembo To preorder Supernatural Crimes Unit: NYPD Book 1: The Thin Blue Ley-Line, this blog post has all the links: https://decandido.wordpress.com/2025/02/11/cover-reveal-and-preorder-link-for-supernatural-crimes-unit-nypd-book-1-the-thin-blue-ley-line/ Other links: Website: http://decandido.net/ Blog: http://decandido.wordpress.com/ Facebook: http://facebook.com/kradec and http://facebook.com/KeithRADeCandido Twitter: http://x.com/kradec Instagram: http://instagram.com/krad418 Threads: http://threads.net/@krad418 Patreon: http://patreon.com/krad YouTube: http://youtube.com/c/KRADCOVIDreadings Blue Sky: http://bsky.app/profile/kradec.bsky.social My writing for Reactor Magazine: https://reactormag.com/author/keith-decandido/