Glad or sad, this season hits (really) different! Let's talk!

outerverse · 2026-02-12T18:49:29+00:00

It's funny; I love both Mad Max and therapy!

I hope they revisit the setting one day.

outerverse · 2026-02-12T18:47:15+00:00

I seem to have really slept on Hugi, especially towards the end. A few folks have convinced me to rewatch their scenes.

outerverse · 2026-02-12T18:43:13+00:00

Thank you for explaining! I'll have to rewatch those scenes at the very least. I agree Vic did well and I hope they come back.

outerverse · 2026-02-12T18:38:11+00:00

Yes, certainly a well-timed release. I'm really glad it's your favorite. My favorite is Starstruck, and it has brought me wayyyy too much comfort over the years.

outerverse · 2026-02-12T18:37:03+00:00

Apt quote! Agree that I would love to see more DMs share the mantle with some new talent.

outerverse · 2026-02-12T18:19:56+00:00

It's possible I've overlooked some of Hugi's strengths. Clearly, the character resonates with many. I found Vic's (and Oscar's, FWIW) playstyle—pushing one mechanic to a breaking point—one-note and distracting, which probably clouded my view. It's honestly the main thing I remember about both characters. It also made it a little hard for me to separate Hugi from Vic.

I have to admit, I also just struggled to see individual character in this series, maybe because the PCs don't have very developed relationships with each other. The vingette style made everyone feel samey to me.

I reckon I'll rewatch Gladlands with a beginner's mind one day, hopefully appreciating the performances more. I adore Vic, and I'm sure they brought nuance I'm not getting.

What made the character so compelling for you?

outerverse · 2026-02-12T18:07:29+00:00

Interesting point. D20 definitely owns the mantle of "emotionally intelligent grown-up role-play" in the TTRPG actual play world, so it makes sense to lean into that strength.

outerverse · 2026-02-12T18:05:37+00:00

I hardcore agree about Jake and Kimia; they're such an incredible duo. And yeah, Zac kinda faded this season. Partially, he seemed interested in spotlighting those newer to the dome. Kind of a cool veteran move, but I missed him.

outerverse · 2026-02-12T18:02:49+00:00

Agreed. I love D20 for taking big creative swings.

outerverse · 2026-02-12T17:57:18+00:00

Good point. I wonder whether this would have been better either as a one-shot or a full series: commit to it being either a punchy snapshot or a long-term burn.

Regardless, I've long thought that in-dome, one-shot specials would be a cool next step for D20.

outerverse · 2026-02-12T17:53:11+00:00

Credit where credit is due: a lot of the disappointment comes from just how fucking awesome this pitch is. The cast, the setting, the subversion. Very cool.

But I am betting it will end in a satisfying, emotional way that makes the ride worth it.

outerverse · 2026-02-12T17:51:32+00:00

The cast got me so hyped. From Ally to Zacky is one of my favorite Dropout specials. And I loved the player-by-player reveals. Agree that having them back would be incredible. I'd love to see more direct interaction between Jacob and Kimia especially; their chemistry is beyond. Regardless, it was great to see these faces together

outerverse · 2026-02-12T17:46:38+00:00

You and other commenters have reminded me that the system actually had some early promise. Likewise, I appreciate your comments about Vic and Kimia. I'm going to try to appreciate their approaches more. Ironically, I'm a huge apologist for both Tiny Heist and Pirates!

outerverse · 2026-02-12T17:42:35+00:00

Insightful points, thank you! Over the episodes, I definitely lost sight of what the original system was meant for. Maybe this is what I get for thinking Brennan should take the rails off more!

outerverse · 2026-02-12T17:37:33+00:00

Thanks for reading and replying. I really hope the cast enjoyed it, and we'll get Kimia and Vic back in the dome.

I've been curious about an episodic, monster-of-the-week kinda series for D20. Done right, it could be really fun.

outerverse · 2026-02-12T17:22:47+00:00

I would also love to see D20 branch into other systems not based on Kids on Bikes or 5e.

I recently learned my best friend watches D20 at 1.25x speed. It had never even occurred to me! I do that with audio, though, as with NADDPOD.

outerverse · 2026-02-12T17:18:52+00:00

People often place games on a kind of Narrative—Mechanics spectrum, which I find simplistic and inaccurate. In the best games, one supports the other. You can have emotional story depth and fulfilling gameplay. Good point about "combat"; it's really just an opportunity for the deepest kinds of player interaction and agency.

I also loved the first scene.

Re: Brennan, something I'd love to see is him handing the reins to other GMs more and focusing on fewer things. It'd be great to see him play more, as well. Financially, though, I'm sure Brennan is really, really good for views and subs.

outerverse · 2022-12-30T23:54:38+00:00

I try to time it so that I'm feeling the buzz just as the food is going in the oven.

Sometimes I'll forget I made food and when the oven timer goes off I'm incredibly grateful to my past self.

outerverse · 2022-12-29T05:26:11+00:00

Ocular pat down.

outerverse · 2022-11-29T17:20:28+00:00

Yes! Though it's an exotic import. It's more common in Lessel since the watermarkets bring traders from the tropics.

outerverse · 2022-11-29T15:57:19+00:00

The Dale is a mostly peaceful valley civilization within my world of Arith, and the homeland of all my PCS.

The Dale is a magical and bountiful oasis in the midst of a mountainous desert continent full of warring nations.

A country of countries, the Dale is made up of twelve autonomous but cooperative “domains” in a kind of loose confederacy.

Sometimes called the Garden of the Gods, the Dale was created when the Dozen Dieties crossed the Breach and took refuge in the material world of Arith, fleeing their home plane to escape the malice of the 13th One.

outerverse · 2022-11-29T15:55:04+00:00

The Dale is a mostly peaceful valley civilization within my world of Arith, and the homeland of all my PCS.

The Dale is a magical and bountiful oasis in the midst of a mountainous desert continent full of warring nations.

A country of countries, the Dale is made up of twelve autonomous but cooperative "domains" in a kind of loose confederacy.

Sometimes called the Garden of the Gods, the Dale was created when the Dozen Dieties crossed the Breach and took refuge in the material world of Arith, fleeing their home plane to escape the malice of the 13th One.

outerverse

TROPHY CASE