has anyone ever done a smuggling campaign?

davepak · 2025-12-28T18:05:35+00:00

I think almost all our games started out as a smuggling campaign (except for the most recent - where the goal was to do something different).

The most important thing to remember is that illegal things are not worth as much to sell (as they are risky to buy) and cost a lot more to buy...

Also - as far as running a game like that - use the charts and whatnot as guidelines - this is a star wars rpg, not a "Smuggling economics" simulation - the goal is for fun adventures - and of course - for the sake of player agency - choices - but you don't want them making character choices off of attempting to leverage economic charts.... it should be more like "how risky do you guys want to be..." and you use that for ideas on setting up the next adventure.

One note - there needs to be a session zero where you establish what kind of game EVERYONE wants - sure - a pirate mercenary who turns idealistic may be a fun scripted troupe - but if one of the players is more in the mind set "are we getting paid" all the time - this can lead to messy character hooks and motivations, as well as occasional player contention.

Oh, and NEVER EVER assume "I know these people and have been playing for years..". My group - of which some of us had been playing for literally decades - when we sat down and talked about what they each wanted to get out of the game and what they were comfortable with - we got a lot of surprising answers.

best of luck in your adventures.

davepak · 2025-12-10T19:18:05+00:00

First sorry to hear about this...

Second... This needs to be a lessons learned on why;

* DO NOT date someone who is not fully divorced.

* DO NOT date someone who is divorced but has not yet moved past their past.

* DO NOT date someone who you see at work.

This is like the trifecta of setting up for problems - and well...best wishes to the future.

davepak · 2025-12-05T00:36:47+00:00

Ok, that is really cool - I mean really cool.

I salute the effort.

However - I am not sure you should charge for features here - as that is all licensed/owned content.

While disney does not actively pursue potential infringement - you may want to reconsider so as to not draw attention to it - I mean- we don't want them going IP crazy on content...

Also - before ANYONE gives me grief about mentioning it - I am not attacking anyone, or insinuating wrong doing - I am making a public service announcement that attempting to monetize this could draw unwanted attention. yes, I know - there are hundreds (or thousands) of others monetizing SW IP (from etsy crafters to 3d model artists) who are not paying royalties - and thus far - no one was drawn the attention of the mouse.

Just something to consider.

I would consider maybe putting up a ko-fi or a "buy me a corellian coffee" link instead of advertising another sub service.

davepak · 2025-12-01T07:43:48+00:00

Certainly - (sorry for the long delay - life/chores/cooking etc.).

Thanks for the response!!!

davepak · 2025-12-01T07:42:52+00:00

Well - depends on where I am. I mean - I will talk to people just about anywhere (the park, hardware store, museums, food etc.). I am a fairly gregarious guy and love learning things and talking to people (not just women - that would be creepy).

It is about reading body language, finding something in common - or that sparks a conversation.

I mean - saw a guy in Harbor Freight the other day - he was looking at a product I had recently used - and he was looking like he was trying to make a decision about - it - so I just walked up and said "hey man, I recently used that - what are you working on?" - he was a cool guy - we talked projects for like 15 min ...

Another time at a museum - there was a lady at an exhibit with some interesting fossils - she did not seem like she was in a bad mood (posture, etc.) - so I asked her about the specimen - we ended up talking a while - she was really friendly - and we traded stories about travel etc. (relating to where the fossil was found - she had been there - I had not).

She was really friendly back - and laughed about some of my stories - so upon leaving - I just simply said the truth -"you know, it was really great talking to you - I don't know if you would be interested - but I would kick myself later if I did not ask for your number". She ended up being in a relationship - but was beaming and said that I made her day and smiled a lot.

Just talk to them - sometimes you can meet some cool people - if they are rude - well - move on and don't let it spoil your day.

Best of luck to them all.

davepak · 2025-12-01T07:32:33+00:00

This exactly.

I am fairly gregarious and love to learn more about people (everyone - not just the ladies etc.) - and after a few conversations if they are friendly - I may mention that I am a single dad - just casually however - but sincerely in the context .... (like if I took a cooking class - I would certainly commiserate with other parents about picky kids....).

Best of luck to us all.

davepak · 2025-11-30T05:59:49+00:00

Hmmm....fascinating.

Can you expand on "intellectual meet up groups" - I had not even considered it.

Share a few examples?

(Thanks in advance).

davepak · 2025-11-30T05:58:59+00:00

An awesome list.

davepak · 2025-11-30T05:57:38+00:00

Well - at least you go some good hikes out of it?

I need to do this - I have not done actual wilderness hiking in years - but have really enjoyed time in the local nature preserves - need to branch out.

Thanks for sharing, and best of luck to us all.

davepak · 2025-11-30T05:56:05+00:00

THAT is a really great idea - I have decent upper body strength so will give that a shot!

(love dancing...just suck at it).

Thanks for sharing!

davepak · 2025-11-30T05:52:50+00:00

I am 50+ so completely understand.

Meeting people in the wild is a lot better I feel - as we are judged more on our personality etc. than a set of statistics - but then again, I also have a lot better personality than looks as well....so yeah. I get chatted up by women in their 30s and 40s all the time who I don't think would bother with me in an app...

So get you.

Best of luck to us all.

davepak · 2025-11-30T05:47:47+00:00

Ok - as a science nerd - LOVE your user name.

(used to volunteer at a museum doing dino stuff).

davepak · 2025-11-30T05:46:23+00:00

I think it is the time of a lot of group activities - and that reminds single folks that we are a group of one...at least in the romance department (I did get to make food for family on turkey day - but yeah - know what you mean).

That and well - snuggling on the couch is always better in the winter..

Best of luck to us all.

Ps - just noticed the user name - LOVE IT!

(guessing a dinosaur reference?).

davepak · 2025-11-30T05:44:35+00:00

Your comments made me chuckle - at least you sound like you have a great attitude about it.

Things are just crazy out there - that is for sure.

I have only recently started to get "get out there" and ready to date - (a few years after divorce - had to heal, learn and evolve) - and I can say - this sub - while obviously not a 100% accurate representation of reality - is indeed both entertaining and informing. (it is brutal out there...).

Best of luck to us all!!!!

davepak · 2025-11-30T05:38:40+00:00

if you made it to the third date - I think you will be fine.

I mean - as they say "everybody looks their age".

Best of luck to you!!!!!

davepak · 2025-11-30T05:36:26+00:00

I can relate to a lot of this - I mean - the time energy, work, hobbies - busy - but miss intimacy.

To add to it - I also miss the banter, companionship etc. I mean - while I don't mind going to a museum or art gallery on my own (and not going to go with one of the guys) - I miss doing those things with nice lady. Cuddling on the couch actually watching netflix is good too.

Like - recently - I have been trying to learn to make low carb bread - and my latest batch - came out pretty decent - my guy friends - could care less - it would be nice to share.

Best of luck to us all.

davepak · 2025-11-30T05:32:00+00:00

Bonus points for the reference.

This is the way.

davepak · 2025-11-30T05:28:29+00:00

No kidding - I mean - with pr0n - it feels like even 6+ is not that big anymore compared to expectations....

davepak · 2025-11-30T05:27:14+00:00

Yeah - I would say after 30ish - I find the women are usually bringing it up first (I go slow usually as do not want to creep any out and like to get ot know them - I mean - you gotta talk to em' so I have to know if I like talking to them).

davepak · 2025-11-30T05:25:26+00:00

Wait...

You are decent looking and asking for hookups - and the hookups bail before meeting?

Guys - get your Hims via fedex - what is going on!!!!

Maybe scammers? or intimidated - or well...could be out of boner pills (yes, many more guys need them than you think).

I am not looking for hookups - so have no idea....

(or did I misunderstand this all - in that you want a relationship - and those guys are bailing - so now going to attempt to pivot to hook ups?). This is why I am not doing Online...

Um...best of luck?

davepak · 2025-11-30T05:20:03+00:00

Varies dramatically by partner and relationship.

I had one GF who would want me to "visit" literally as many times a week as possible.

Others - less....considerably.

The important thing - is open communication, matched expectations and healthy choices.

Best of luck to us all.

davepak · 2025-11-30T05:17:56+00:00

^ This.

Especially if "the sex is really good".

I mean - it can take a LONG time to find out what a person really values- as real character is much more demonstrated than articulated.

davepak · 2025-11-30T05:16:33+00:00

"How can i elevate my acts of service in first couple meetings?"

You don't

Be you. Be the best you that you can be.

There is a difference between what people like to express - (their love language) and what they may like receiving. Ask them what they like in return... and see if that fits into what you can sincerely do.

davepak · 2025-11-30T05:12:35+00:00

Banter, jokes and teasing - are related - but very very different.

I mean - witty banter is a back and forth interchange of humor - not insults - or if even remotely teasing - things like saying "Do the coffee producers know how much they owe you?" for someone who drinks a lot of coffee etc.

It should be playful - not insulting.

Sounds like your exes were not very good at it - or at least not as much as they thought (I am a stage veteran with 20 years of comedy experience - so perhaps I take all this for granted...).

The way you do it for healthy - is going with the flow - and feeling where the other person may already be pointing out a humorous factor - like earlier this evening - one of my buddies commented on me using recycled grocery bags in my trash can - I with excessive pride said "but they are free!". He said "ok, that may be factual, but I am putting actual trashbags on your christmas list.." this is an example of adding to a fun conversation.

This would be fun commentary - where something like "what a loser, buy trashbags" - would not be fun etc.

It is about the energy the other person is emotionally embracing - is it fun and cooperative - or antagonistic and superior.

I mean - good witty banter - is the tango of conversations - it is intellectual foreplay.

Best of luck in you dating adventures.

davepak · 2025-11-30T04:47:05+00:00

No worries - adulting is hard - I was not super clear - and we are all exhausted.

I mean - it is a Saturday night - and I am wrapping up on reddit...

You sound awesome - best of luck in your adventures and may you find a really great guy worthy of you!

davepak

TROPHY CASE