79. (July 2019) A Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet — The Tabletop Roleplayers' Book Club https://www.ttrpbc.krilov.com/ Sat, 30 May 2026 08:20:44 +0000 en 79. (July 2019) A Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet — The Tabletop Roleplayers' Book Club One: Harmony vs. Uniformity https://www.ttrpbc.krilov.com/discussion/284/one-harmony-vs-uniformity Sat, 03 Aug 2019 16:17:45 +0000 79. (July 2019) A Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet Michael_S_Miller 284@/discussions (Since it seems that only a handful of us are participating this month, I'm experimenting with fewer, broader questions, rather than more, narrower ones. If anyone wants to add more questions, as always, feel free!)

The societies of the Galactic Commons cultivate difference in perspective toward common goals. The Toremi, the main non-GC species featured in the book, enforce uniformity of beliefs at all costs.

  • How does the crew of the Wayfarer reflect the ethos of the GC? How do the crewmembers differences enable them to survive and thrive?
  • Did you find the Toremi to be a compelling antagonist? Why or why not?
]]> Two: Character-based World-building https://www.ttrpbc.krilov.com/discussion/285/two-character-based-world-building Sat, 03 Aug 2019 16:18:55 +0000 79. (July 2019) A Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet Michael_S_Miller 285@/discussions The book presents a broad setting, with many different cultures and subcultures. This world-building is generally shown through the crew members’ backgrounds and experiences.

  • What did you think of presenting the setting in this way?
  • What parts of the setting did you particularly like or dislike? Why?
  • Were there certain characters you particularly liked or disliked?
  • The crew of the Wayfarer are not the central, motivating figures of this setting. They are simply people doing a job. How does this working-class perspective influence the way we see the setting?
]]> Three: Violence in Fiction and Gaming https://www.ttrpbc.krilov.com/discussion/286/three-violence-in-fiction-and-gaming Sat, 03 Aug 2019 16:19:54 +0000 79. (July 2019) A Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet Michael_S_Miller 286@/discussions The crew members of the Wayfarer fill familiar roles in science fiction stories (mechanic, pilot, doctor, translator, etc.). However, none of those roles focus on violence, which is often present in space opera stories. Despite this, the book gives each role a chance to shine.

  • What was a favorite example of a role / skill set being thrust into the spotlight?
  • Combat skills are often over-represented in RPGs. What can we learn from this book in making non-combat skills interesting? What games already do this well?
]]>