Rondeau Ramblings: Here we go again - 2024

On January 2nd, 2020, I received the news that Skald's Tale Entertainment LLC was officially established. Armed with my business paperwork, I was ready to conquer the world. At that time, I ran a successful Full-Time GM business and took immense pride in my work. We even launched a podcast centered around Dungeons and Dragons, laying the foundation for what I believed would be a prosperous venture. 

However, 2020 didn't unfold as planned. The pandemic hit, causing clients to cut costs, and I lost clients for my business. By the summer of 2021, I realized the need for a pivot. I transitioned into a college professor role, a job I genuinely love. It not only expanded my worldview but also honed my skills. Interestingly, managing a group of students working on a paper isn't vastly different from organizing players for a weekly game. During this period, despite facing health challenges, I continued my study of analog gaming, became a writer for Paizo, and persisted in my streaming efforts. I even was interviewed by Polygon during this period. 

Nevertheless, the business suffered, and I've consistently incurred losses since 2022. Balancing my college career development with tabletop content creation, I was overwhelmed in the Fall of 2023, working sixty hours a week plus three significant projects and Ph.D. applications. 

So, what does this year hold? I've decided to give myself six months for growth. From now until the end of June, I'll focus on maximizing the potential of editing podcasts, the "Of Blood and Ichor" stream, and writing while navigating the challenging social media landscape. This is an ambitious goal, but I believe it's manageable while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. 

Here's what you can look forward to: 

1. Ashen Snow: Run by the Rulelord, this series explores the Gatewalker adventurer path. Featuring personalities like Aubrey from Goblets and Gays, Archedas from the UGT network, Misfit from the Crit Awards and Misty Mountain Gaming, and myself, episodes will be released every Tuesday on your podcast platform of choice. 

2. Skyfire: A homebrew pirate adventure set in the Jade Reach, this project is a love letter to my Chinese heritage and Caucasian experience. Episodes will be released every Thursday on your podcast platform of choice. 

3. Of Blood and Ichor (OBAI): Produced by Jared Hoy of Dragons and Things and Tabletop News, this campaign set in the Jade Reach delves into the aftermath of the Blood Phoenix war. The schedule is being finalized, featuring voice actor Dayeanne Hutton, actress Erika Fermina, and playwright and actor Randy Alvarenga, and is aiming for Thursday evenings. 

4. Regarding writing goals, I'm working on a series of twenty one-shots to release this summer, guiding players from level 1 to 20, with one session per level and a complete story. I am in the playtest phase. Beyond that, I'm also editing my book and embarking on the agent search process. For next year, I intend to have a full-level 1-12 AP adventure path ready for publication in 2025. For freelance writing, I continue contributing to Major Spoilers and plan to blog more frequently. I may also explore additional freelance opportunities. And audio drama maybe?

Regardless of whether I achieve my goals, these projects will likely persist. However, without growth, my enthusiasm for taking on new projects may wane, potentially leading me to pivot towards a writing career alongside teaching in place of public projects. 

As I return to my vacation, gearing up for a full-time return next week, I've pre-edited 3-5 episodes of Skyfire and Ashen Snow. There's also the possibility of streaming an hour or so during lunch, though this remains undecided. Expect a total return next week, and enjoy the upcoming content. Perhaps a blog on personal goals and my thoughts on non-Eurocentric fantasy will be in store.