Casting Shadows

I started doing #RPGaDAY near the end of its first August more than a decade ago. I have returned to it every year since, and not just because I soon partnered with David Chapman, the event’s creator. There is something about sharing our positive experiences with RPGs which highlights some of the best connections we have within the circles of gamers we enjoy. I mean moments like when a new game transitions to the game you now know inside and out, or when you get a friend to try gaming for the first time, or try this game you and some other friends have been enjoying, or find a new friend in the group of strangers whose initial connection was just some game they were interested in. Like any hobby which fulfills us and helps us exercise our skills and talents, I think we grow devoted to this one and to the people we enjoy it with. So, here we are on Friday, August 28th, Day 28 of #RPGaDAY2026 and once again the gamut of prompts and responses has almost been run. There are but three days left in this year’s event. This week’s filter is emotion. The filter for Friday is loving and giving. The prompt is devotion. The game I have been looking at this week to share thoughts on the notion of characters in RPGs has been Space: 1999. This has been a rough year for me as I am sure it has been for just about everyone who might read this. I was concerned I might not be able to keep up with my plans for this year’s events, or even participate at all. It has been an added bonus to be able to take a few minutes each day (sadly not getting to write them in advance as I had hoped) and explore the games I selected to guide my thoughts on character and the prompts. I hope wherever you are, Dear Reader, that your gaming hobby is doing the same for you.

I think for a prompt like Devotion, it is a good time to consider Main Mission characters. Star Trek gave us red shirts for all the dangerous duties and front line risk opportunities. Space: 1999 gave us red sleeves. A member of a Federation crew, if online meme statistics are to be believed, could expect death for their service. By logical extension, an officer at Alpha could expect maiming, I surmise. Like with Star Trek, I am not sure the actual numbers bear out the suppositions and subsequent memes. Honeysuckle Gas creatures notwithstanding.

There is a pervasive attitude out there in the world, Dear Reader, that command is about control. I have no doubt that people experience this. I know that I have. However, when it is, failure is the end state. Command, is about today’s prompt. Understanding the job. Selecting the right people for the job. Understanding who those people are and how they can harness their strengths and deal with their weaknesses. Being able to attend to and synthesize what they tell you, and then making the best decision for the purpose of the mission. All of these require devotion. Narcissism need not apply.

In the game, the central skill required of this department is Command. In it, the dichotomy of outlook outlined above is represented fully, not just because of the broadness of skills in 2D20 games, but because of the nature of the show and the real world. There is management and then there is the other thing. Of course, sometimes those in command are required to deal with an actual enemy who needs the treatment an enemy deserves: understanding, patience, and the use of these tools in manipulating them out of the airlock of your life.

Tomorrow’s prompt for #RPGaDAY2026 is ‘Labor.’ Our weekly filter is Emotion. Tomorrow is Saturday whose people represent all who work hard for a living.

See you then!