Kris H.
@1matrixghost.bsky.social
Author of CHROMATIC SHADOWS: Occult Cyberpunk RPG. Matrix Ghost Games.
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/23962/Matrix-Ghost-Games
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/23962/Matrix-Ghost-Games
Pinned
Kris H.
@1matrixghost.bsky.social
· Sep 12
Chromatic Shadows Basic Rules - Matrix Ghost Games | DriveThruRPG
CHROMATIC SHADOWS is an original weird cyberpunk tabletop roleplaying game. The BASIC RULES contain everything you need to jump straight into a strange new world of cyberpunk action and occult intrigu...
www.drivethrurpg.com
Greetings operators! Allow me to introduce, CHROMATIC SHADOWS: Occult Cyberpunk RPG. An original d6 dicepool system in the lineage of Shadowrun and Vampire, set in a weird-haunted Sprawl bubbling with strangeness & occult danger. Basic Rules are FREE!
www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/4...
www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/4...
Reposted by Kris H.
At risk of flogging a dead horse: this whole letter is a reminder that the creative process is an end in and of itself, and vital to self-actualisation. You can’t experience BECOMING, as he puts it, by outsourcing it to ChatGPT.
In 2006 a high school English teacher asked students to write to a famous author & ask for advice.
KURT VONNEGUT - born 103yrs ago today - was the only one to respond.
His reply was a doozy.
KURT VONNEGUT - born 103yrs ago today - was the only one to respond.
His reply was a doozy.
November 11, 2025 at 10:44 AM
At risk of flogging a dead horse: this whole letter is a reminder that the creative process is an end in and of itself, and vital to self-actualisation. You can’t experience BECOMING, as he puts it, by outsourcing it to ChatGPT.
If Chromatic Shadows Core is successful, I'll likely re-release the previous 2 modules as part of a revised, one volume anthology. I've got another longish adventure that has been sitting on the way back burner. Would be good incentive to finish, and include that as well.
November 7, 2025 at 1:53 PM
If Chromatic Shadows Core is successful, I'll likely re-release the previous 2 modules as part of a revised, one volume anthology. I've got another longish adventure that has been sitting on the way back burner. Would be good incentive to finish, and include that as well.
Yeah, this is good. Bestiary that's also a regional setting guide. Each entry puts the monsters on the map in an immediately gameable context. Monsters as regional threats, factions, story hooks. Dare I say "old school" in its approach?
October 31, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Yeah, this is good. Bestiary that's also a regional setting guide. Each entry puts the monsters on the map in an immediately gameable context. Monsters as regional threats, factions, story hooks. Dare I say "old school" in its approach?
I'm up to the "Occult Asset Creation" chapter in Chromatic Shadows Core & it's a doozy. Basically, a secret free-form magic system adapted liberally from Mage. Tailored to build reality breaking devices, of course, but with all of the knobs and sliders you'd expect from a "creative casting" system.
October 29, 2025 at 11:51 AM
I'm up to the "Occult Asset Creation" chapter in Chromatic Shadows Core & it's a doozy. Basically, a secret free-form magic system adapted liberally from Mage. Tailored to build reality breaking devices, of course, but with all of the knobs and sliders you'd expect from a "creative casting" system.
Couple of (in-progress) spreads from the Factions chapter in Chromatic Shadows Core. Most notable update is the inclusion of npc stat blocks for each of the faction types. #occult #cyberpunk #ttrpg
October 29, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Couple of (in-progress) spreads from the Factions chapter in Chromatic Shadows Core. Most notable update is the inclusion of npc stat blocks for each of the faction types. #occult #cyberpunk #ttrpg
If I run 4e again, I want to crack rituals wide open. Probably kill most component costs and allow fast casting. Love the idea of a chaotic, messy, magic system playing in tandem with all of the balanced powers.
October 29, 2025 at 11:04 AM
If I run 4e again, I want to crack rituals wide open. Probably kill most component costs and allow fast casting. Love the idea of a chaotic, messy, magic system playing in tandem with all of the balanced powers.
Chromatic Shadows is set in its own unique cyberpunk world, has a detailed 'future history' that puts its current timeline into context. Thematic elements (shadow war, occult assets, factions) are tightly woven into the rules, but compatible with a wide range of urban fantasy concepts and tropes.
October 27, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Chromatic Shadows is set in its own unique cyberpunk world, has a detailed 'future history' that puts its current timeline into context. Thematic elements (shadow war, occult assets, factions) are tightly woven into the rules, but compatible with a wide range of urban fantasy concepts and tropes.
One day, in some dark corner of DriveThru RPG, you will find this insanely detailed 300 pg occult cyberpunk rpg and will wonder what drove its creator to madness. Then you will read "written *and* designed by Kris H.", and you will know.
October 24, 2025 at 8:02 PM
One day, in some dark corner of DriveThru RPG, you will find this insanely detailed 300 pg occult cyberpunk rpg and will wonder what drove its creator to madness. Then you will read "written *and* designed by Kris H.", and you will know.
Chromatic Shadows Core will probably kill me and drive me mad, but I'm going to finish it anyway, and it's going to be massive and awesome.
October 24, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Chromatic Shadows Core will probably kill me and drive me mad, but I'm going to finish it anyway, and it's going to be massive and awesome.
Reposted by Kris H.
DnD 4e was the only edition that actually knew what it was and that’s why it’s the best one
October 22, 2025 at 2:47 AM
DnD 4e was the only edition that actually knew what it was and that’s why it’s the best one
Thinking about 4e Essentials which Mearls wrote and how that was a test run of 5e. Of course, 5e went in a series of different directions, many quite good, some questionable. But ten years on, the major criticism points of 5e mechanics are almost entirely issues 4e took pains to correct.
October 22, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Thinking about 4e Essentials which Mearls wrote and how that was a test run of 5e. Of course, 5e went in a series of different directions, many quite good, some questionable. But ten years on, the major criticism points of 5e mechanics are almost entirely issues 4e took pains to correct.
I played 4e for about 3 years steadily with a strong group. Maybe 5 different characters, rotating DMs. I ran 3-4 adventures, not a lot. Got "burned out" at the end, shit talked it like everyone else, switched to Pathfinder & memory holed it. Rereading it now, and it's a *very* different game.
October 21, 2025 at 11:11 AM
I played 4e for about 3 years steadily with a strong group. Maybe 5 different characters, rotating DMs. I ran 3-4 adventures, not a lot. Got "burned out" at the end, shit talked it like everyone else, switched to Pathfinder & memory holed it. Rereading it now, and it's a *very* different game.
Recent (in-progress) spread from Chromatic Shadows Core. Finished the Outside Antagonists chapter. Factions next! #occult #cyberpunk #ttrpg
October 21, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Recent (in-progress) spread from Chromatic Shadows Core. Finished the Outside Antagonists chapter. Factions next! #occult #cyberpunk #ttrpg
Title spread of the "Rotten Roster" for Chromatic Shadows Core. That's it for the Sprawl Antagonists chapter. Outside Adversaries next! #occult #cyberpunk #rpg
October 15, 2025 at 2:41 AM
Title spread of the "Rotten Roster" for Chromatic Shadows Core. That's it for the Sprawl Antagonists chapter. Outside Adversaries next! #occult #cyberpunk #rpg
Reposted by Kris H.
Rob Heinsoo and Andy Collins on Ben Riggs show. I haven’t listened yet. #dnd #d&d #history #4e youtu.be/CZhJBoki3qk?...
"D&D is Not in the Innovation Biz" A Conversation with Two 4th Ed Designers- Ep 70
YouTube video by Reading D&D Aloud
youtu.be
September 15, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Rob Heinsoo and Andy Collins on Ben Riggs show. I haven’t listened yet. #dnd #d&d #history #4e youtu.be/CZhJBoki3qk?...
Back in 08 half of my original 4e group was 40k and Necromunda players. I didn't appreciate that then, but our games were locked in. I was definitively the weak link, secretly hoping we'd switch to Vampire the Requiem or some lame shit.
October 12, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Back in 08 half of my original 4e group was 40k and Necromunda players. I didn't appreciate that then, but our games were locked in. I was definitively the weak link, secretly hoping we'd switch to Vampire the Requiem or some lame shit.
Reposted by Kris H.
It's still a polarising game, almost a decade after it lost the edition wars, but I love 4th ed D&D, aka '4E'. For me it excelled at being an enjoyable *game*, first and foremost, that you could use to create and underpin fun, action-packed fantasy stories.
October 23, 2024 at 9:17 AM
It's still a polarising game, almost a decade after it lost the edition wars, but I love 4th ed D&D, aka '4E'. For me it excelled at being an enjoyable *game*, first and foremost, that you could use to create and underpin fun, action-packed fantasy stories.
I tried my hardest to turn my daughter into a Carly fan, but she took the Taylor path, and I don't know where I went wrong.
October 9, 2025 at 12:38 AM
I tried my hardest to turn my daughter into a Carly fan, but she took the Taylor path, and I don't know where I went wrong.
Reading D&D Essentials for 4e and realizing it's a secret edition of D&D that's also fucking amazing.
October 8, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Reading D&D Essentials for 4e and realizing it's a secret edition of D&D that's also fucking amazing.
Gonna smuggle some 4e into my 5e game by giving out magic items with encounter & daily powers.
October 7, 2025 at 2:26 AM
Gonna smuggle some 4e into my 5e game by giving out magic items with encounter & daily powers.
Had the idea to include a "running missions" worksheet for the players in Chromatic Shadows Core. Basically an aid for tracking payout & contract level, structuring legwork, & action phase objectives.
Going to make one for the GM too for tracking heat, awareness position, & security triggers.
Going to make one for the GM too for tracking heat, awareness position, & security triggers.
October 6, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Had the idea to include a "running missions" worksheet for the players in Chromatic Shadows Core. Basically an aid for tracking payout & contract level, structuring legwork, & action phase objectives.
Going to make one for the GM too for tracking heat, awareness position, & security triggers.
Going to make one for the GM too for tracking heat, awareness position, & security triggers.
Finished the revision of my "vehicles" chapter for Chromatic Shadows Core Hoo boy, that was a mess. Good ideas in embryo, but confused in execution. I've cut like 50% of the clutter and it's manifestly better. Got to playtest some of the stunts still, but a major improvement on all fronts.
October 1, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Finished the revision of my "vehicles" chapter for Chromatic Shadows Core Hoo boy, that was a mess. Good ideas in embryo, but confused in execution. I've cut like 50% of the clutter and it's manifestly better. Got to playtest some of the stunts still, but a major improvement on all fronts.
Hello Darkness, my old friend.
September 29, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Hello Darkness, my old friend.
As a 4e enthusiast, a Battletech fan, and a guy writing a crunchy sci-fi RPG, I guess Lancer is an obvious shoe in, right?
September 29, 2025 at 2:35 PM
As a 4e enthusiast, a Battletech fan, and a guy writing a crunchy sci-fi RPG, I guess Lancer is an obvious shoe in, right?