About Setting First

I started writing Setting First in March of 2023 after over a decade of running Unpossible Journeys, a site that attempted to explain tabletop roleplaying to newcomers. I keep it online, but it's really trapped in amber now, a reminder of the pre-video era of tabletop RPG commentary.

Setting First hones in on in-person campaign play with an emphasis on verisimilitude because it's my preferred (though not only) style of play. It’s also underrepresented online. It’s not the only way to play, and I absolutely don’t believe in One True Wayism, but it’s a style worth nurturing.

D&D and other d20 classes-and-levels games don’t get any attention here. It’s not that I hate them; they just don’t interest me any more, and they swallow up the vast majority of the online attention in tabletop roleplaying already.

The Discord Server

We have a small but mighty Discord server for discussing Setting First-style gaming and roleplaying games in general. It’s a low-key, low drama, and respectful environment for adults who believe in talking online the way you’d talk to people face-to-face. If that sounds like your cup of tea, check it out!

Who Does What Here

Unless otherwise noted, all images were created by me, Erik Schmidt. All product images are used for purposes of comment, criticism, and/or review. The Setting First logo was created by Wouter Goedkoop, whose professionalism and great attitude are only matched by his design, illustration, and storytelling skills.

About Erik

I’m an early GenX guy who first started playing tabletop RPGs ~1980. The majority of my waking hours are spent working as a business transformation consultant. I live in Santa Cruz, California, ride mountain and road bikes as time allows, and I am a married father of two marvelous lads.

For business inquiries, it’s my first name at this domain.

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