core concepts
How to Start A Long Campaign
In this day and age, it may seem too difficult to get a campaign going. But there are ways to make it work, and it can really be worth the effort.
Erik Schmidt
brain food
Tabletop Roleplaying Kicks Ass
Tabletop roleplaying occupies a unique and valuable spot in a culture that is increasingly bland and predictable.
characters
Yes, You Can Limit Player Character Options
As a game master, it's OK to reduce player agency. It can lead to some amazing tabletop roleplaying experiences – you just have to do it the right way.
delta green
Delta Green for Players
Delta Green PCs are not like those in D&D and other tabletop RPGs. What motivates them? What do you as a player want to keep in mind as you build out and play your character?
Foundational Setting: Glorantha
I published this video in September, 2025, and am finally putting it in blog form for those who prefer to read. Like Burger King, here at Setting First, we let you have it your way. Watch it or read it, as your preferences dictate: Glorantha, the setting for Chaosium’s
core concepts
Foundational Setting: Eclipse Phase
You'll never run out of possibilities with Eclipse Phase. Here’s why it is a foundational setting that can provide years worth of adventure.
degenesis
Foundational Setting: Degenesis
The post-post-apocalyptic tabletop RPG Degenesis provides a foundational setting, the kind that's deep, broad, and made for Setting First play.
characters
Worldbuilding Through Dialogue
In making a tabletop RPG setting come to life, how characters talk isn’t discussed all that much. So let’s discuss it.
gamemastering
Trust in Post-Apocalyptic Campaigns
Post-apocalypse settings vary widely, but the matter of who characters trust is always important.
community
Low-Stress Community-Building
Throwing people together into a game is not always the best way to build a gaming community. Socializing in a no-pressure environment is a great alternative.
gamemastering
Stretching A Licensed Setting
How your campaign interacts with canon is important, but there are other ways to think about licensed settings.
gamemastering
Post-Apocalypse Verisimilitude
Before you build out plans for your post-apocalyptic campaign, think about what you want from it.