A Couple of Drakes
@acoupleofdrakes.bsky.social
Navi & Shawn Drake | Indie TTRPG Design and Publishing @ A Couple of Drakes | Perpetrators of Court of Blades, Dead Belt, HEDGE, the DISASTER/games, and others still.
Snag our games @ acoupleofdrakes.itch.io
Become a patron @ patreon.com/acoupleofdrakes
Snag our games @ acoupleofdrakes.itch.io
Become a patron @ patreon.com/acoupleofdrakes
Pinned
HEDGE - The Fey Are Coming, Only You Can Save the Last of Us
The power fantasy tabletop roleplaying game of nature's post-apocalyptic magical warriors versus hordes of scary faeries.
www.kickstarter.com
The fateful button has been pressed and HEDGE is now live on Kickstarter. If you thought Captain Planet would be cooler with body horror and deadly weapons, or Diablo III could've used more combo skills, or wish that the world's problems could be solved by biomechanical magic ninjas, check it out.
What a phenomenal thing to wake up to. Alex has assembled some mighty names in this thread and to be counted among them is high praise.
Its like nothing else to have someone so clearly GET it. You know?
Its like nothing else to have someone so clearly GET it. You know?
November 14, 2025 at 11:59 AM
What a phenomenal thing to wake up to. Alex has assembled some mighty names in this thread and to be counted among them is high praise.
Its like nothing else to have someone so clearly GET it. You know?
Its like nothing else to have someone so clearly GET it. You know?
How'd you freaks get my day planner?
November 12, 2025 at 3:28 PM
How'd you freaks get my day planner?
Voted. Lot of Republicans running unopposed in my neck of the woods. Wondering if maybe I shouldn't just HARD pivot into local politics.
Yes. I have experience. I've told elves and wizards what to do for decades at this point.
Yes. I have experience. I've told elves and wizards what to do for decades at this point.
November 4, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Voted. Lot of Republicans running unopposed in my neck of the woods. Wondering if maybe I shouldn't just HARD pivot into local politics.
Yes. I have experience. I've told elves and wizards what to do for decades at this point.
Yes. I have experience. I've told elves and wizards what to do for decades at this point.
Reposted by A Couple of Drakes
This is too cool of a thread idea to pass up on – I've got to try this with my own games.
"The kind of tv show each of my games would be if I was given the budget to make tv shows instead of a #ttrpg:" 1/7
"The kind of tv show each of my games would be if I was given the budget to make tv shows instead of a #ttrpg:" 1/7
In lieu of yet another objectively correct opinion on the "Rule of Cool," I present you a thread of the kind of tv show each of my games would be if I was given the budget to make tv shows instead of ttrpgs.
I run games like a writers' room, I write them to help you run them like tv shows. 1/14
I run games like a writers' room, I write them to help you run them like tv shows. 1/14
November 4, 2025 at 5:36 PM
This is too cool of a thread idea to pass up on – I've got to try this with my own games.
"The kind of tv show each of my games would be if I was given the budget to make tv shows instead of a #ttrpg:" 1/7
"The kind of tv show each of my games would be if I was given the budget to make tv shows instead of a #ttrpg:" 1/7
No less than 8 and probably no more than 25.
Commercially.
Commercially.
A question I like to pose, when teaching or in casual conversation, is how many more games you think you'll make in your lifetime.
During a talk, the speaker calculated how many games he could develop before retiring, given that each one takes three years to create.
Now I'm here, calculating how many #indiegames I'll be able to release in my lifetime.
Please make the games you like, we might not have enough time.
Now I'm here, calculating how many #indiegames I'll be able to release in my lifetime.
Please make the games you like, we might not have enough time.
November 4, 2025 at 2:29 PM
No less than 8 and probably no more than 25.
Commercially.
Commercially.
In lieu of yet another objectively correct opinion on the "Rule of Cool," I present you a thread of the kind of tv show each of my games would be if I was given the budget to make tv shows instead of ttrpgs.
I run games like a writers' room, I write them to help you run them like tv shows. 1/14
I run games like a writers' room, I write them to help you run them like tv shows. 1/14
November 4, 2025 at 2:16 PM
In lieu of yet another objectively correct opinion on the "Rule of Cool," I present you a thread of the kind of tv show each of my games would be if I was given the budget to make tv shows instead of ttrpgs.
I run games like a writers' room, I write them to help you run them like tv shows. 1/14
I run games like a writers' room, I write them to help you run them like tv shows. 1/14
Reposted by A Couple of Drakes
“You can’t make a living doing full-time creative work.”
You can, maybe you just don’t like the idea of being poor.
Success as a TTRPG maker looks like never getting vacations, having 4 roommates, and your friends paying for your drinks.
Success does not mean lots of money. It means making art.
You can, maybe you just don’t like the idea of being poor.
Success as a TTRPG maker looks like never getting vacations, having 4 roommates, and your friends paying for your drinks.
Success does not mean lots of money. It means making art.
November 3, 2025 at 7:10 PM
“You can’t make a living doing full-time creative work.”
You can, maybe you just don’t like the idea of being poor.
Success as a TTRPG maker looks like never getting vacations, having 4 roommates, and your friends paying for your drinks.
Success does not mean lots of money. It means making art.
You can, maybe you just don’t like the idea of being poor.
Success as a TTRPG maker looks like never getting vacations, having 4 roommates, and your friends paying for your drinks.
Success does not mean lots of money. It means making art.
G'night everybody. Keep spooky in your heart.
November 1, 2025 at 4:04 AM
G'night everybody. Keep spooky in your heart.
Midnight Muscadines in the wild? Well, that's an easy sell for me. Gonna go find my headphones.
I was planning to publish this tomorrow, but... I'm impatient.
Episode 1 of my Midnight Muscadines solo #ttrpg #actualplay is out!
Titch the Tatterling Witch visits the library... except the library is ancient, buried, spooky, and home to some strange and magical creatures.
youtu.be/ZX3YcbM59GI
Episode 1 of my Midnight Muscadines solo #ttrpg #actualplay is out!
Titch the Tatterling Witch visits the library... except the library is ancient, buried, spooky, and home to some strange and magical creatures.
youtu.be/ZX3YcbM59GI
October 31, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Midnight Muscadines in the wild? Well, that's an easy sell for me. Gonna go find my headphones.
Still enjoying running Dungeon World 2e. Just wrote a move for navigating the fraught relationship between the Rogue's Oathbow (vengeful, brooding, intense) and his new Teleportation Cloak (flighty, extroverted, whimsical). When the items bicker, pick a side and roll +bond...
October 31, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Still enjoying running Dungeon World 2e. Just wrote a move for navigating the fraught relationship between the Rogue's Oathbow (vengeful, brooding, intense) and his new Teleportation Cloak (flighty, extroverted, whimsical). When the items bicker, pick a side and roll +bond...
It's the end of #MorkTober and I have decided that I'm playing along.
But I'm probably going to be releasing this zine for Fe-Bruary.
But I'm probably going to be releasing this zine for Fe-Bruary.
a painting of a skeleton in a fairy dress
Alt: several humans are terrorized by skeleton unicorns and fairies.
media.tenor.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:02 AM
It's the end of #MorkTober and I have decided that I'm playing along.
But I'm probably going to be releasing this zine for Fe-Bruary.
But I'm probably going to be releasing this zine for Fe-Bruary.
"I need dice that match my character."
"I need dice that match the setting."
"I need new dice for my new campaign."
"I need metal dice so that the table bears the marks of my passage!"
"I need mammoth ivory dice!"
You /need/ so little to participate in this hobby. I don't understand.
"I need dice that match the setting."
"I need new dice for my new campaign."
"I need metal dice so that the table bears the marks of my passage!"
"I need mammoth ivory dice!"
You /need/ so little to participate in this hobby. I don't understand.
Dice consumerism is something I really hate about this hobby.
October 29, 2025 at 11:19 PM
"I need dice that match my character."
"I need dice that match the setting."
"I need new dice for my new campaign."
"I need metal dice so that the table bears the marks of my passage!"
"I need mammoth ivory dice!"
You /need/ so little to participate in this hobby. I don't understand.
"I need dice that match the setting."
"I need new dice for my new campaign."
"I need metal dice so that the table bears the marks of my passage!"
"I need mammoth ivory dice!"
You /need/ so little to participate in this hobby. I don't understand.
Rev from the Critshow went on Party of 1 to play Cobwebs once and over the next three months I binged until I was current. Party of One is still one of exactly four podcasts I keep up with consistently.
Thanks for the years and the years to come!
Thanks for the years and the years to come!
10 years of 2-player TTRPGs, and intimate one-on-one conversations. Thanks for coming along for the ride so far. Here's to many more parties to come.
If you'd like to quote-tweet this with kind words, or a favorite episode, or what you like about the show, I would appreciate it.
Party On, y'all.
If you'd like to quote-tweet this with kind words, or a favorite episode, or what you like about the show, I would appreciate it.
Party On, y'all.
October 28, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Rev from the Critshow went on Party of 1 to play Cobwebs once and over the next three months I binged until I was current. Party of One is still one of exactly four podcasts I keep up with consistently.
Thanks for the years and the years to come!
Thanks for the years and the years to come!
It is one of my fondest wishes to one day write an audience participation-style CYOA story like "You Awaken in Razor Hill."
The problem, of course, is that the internet doesn't host a lot of forums that have the user base who'd be both interested and active enough to make it happen anymore.
So...
The problem, of course, is that the internet doesn't host a lot of forums that have the user base who'd be both interested and active enough to make it happen anymore.
So...
October 25, 2025 at 2:39 PM
It is one of my fondest wishes to one day write an audience participation-style CYOA story like "You Awaken in Razor Hill."
The problem, of course, is that the internet doesn't host a lot of forums that have the user base who'd be both interested and active enough to make it happen anymore.
So...
The problem, of course, is that the internet doesn't host a lot of forums that have the user base who'd be both interested and active enough to make it happen anymore.
So...
"In the night, when the wind dies and silence rules the place of glittering stone, I remember. And they all live again."
-Soldiers Live, Glen Cook
There are a lot of designers, artists, and players that I grew in the scene with who've kinda vanished. I hope they're doing okay.
-Soldiers Live, Glen Cook
There are a lot of designers, artists, and players that I grew in the scene with who've kinda vanished. I hope they're doing okay.
October 22, 2025 at 2:33 PM
"In the night, when the wind dies and silence rules the place of glittering stone, I remember. And they all live again."
-Soldiers Live, Glen Cook
There are a lot of designers, artists, and players that I grew in the scene with who've kinda vanished. I hope they're doing okay.
-Soldiers Live, Glen Cook
There are a lot of designers, artists, and players that I grew in the scene with who've kinda vanished. I hope they're doing okay.
Found a TTRPG splatbook called "Conflict Architecture" and am bereft that it's not a treasury of badass setpieces for climactic final fights.
October 22, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Found a TTRPG splatbook called "Conflict Architecture" and am bereft that it's not a treasury of badass setpieces for climactic final fights.
Yesterday was a 2200 word day thanks to starting it 895 words in debt.
Burnt Wicks now has an end condition for each of the five playbooks: a final combat encounter where you finally take your revenge on those who made an "adventurer" out of you.
One last impossible fight to win.
Burnt Wicks now has an end condition for each of the five playbooks: a final combat encounter where you finally take your revenge on those who made an "adventurer" out of you.
One last impossible fight to win.
October 22, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Yesterday was a 2200 word day thanks to starting it 895 words in debt.
Burnt Wicks now has an end condition for each of the five playbooks: a final combat encounter where you finally take your revenge on those who made an "adventurer" out of you.
One last impossible fight to win.
Burnt Wicks now has an end condition for each of the five playbooks: a final combat encounter where you finally take your revenge on those who made an "adventurer" out of you.
One last impossible fight to win.
Writing discourse is not writing.
895 words in debt this morning--forgive me the hot takes. Let's get it done.
895 words in debt this morning--forgive me the hot takes. Let's get it done.
October 21, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Writing discourse is not writing.
895 words in debt this morning--forgive me the hot takes. Let's get it done.
895 words in debt this morning--forgive me the hot takes. Let's get it done.
Younger Drakeling is going through a Space Marine phase right now and this is half shitpost/half reverent homage is doing the Astartes thing way better than the quick and dirty hack of The Regiment that I was putting together for us to play.
Dusting off my chainsword this weekend. Count on it.
Dusting off my chainsword this weekend. Count on it.
SURPRISE!
I had an idea on Tuesday for how to do the Perfect Space Marine RPG, so I wrote the Perfect Space Marine RPG.
It's both a shitpost and a dead serious game. And it's, uh... 34,000 words long?
Anyway enjoy!!!
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
I had an idea on Tuesday for how to do the Perfect Space Marine RPG, so I wrote the Perfect Space Marine RPG.
It's both a shitpost and a dead serious game. And it's, uh... 34,000 words long?
Anyway enjoy!!!
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Oath of Moment
【OATH OF MOMENT】 An Astartes Roleplaying Game They shall be my finest warriors, these men who give of themselves to me. Like clay I shall mould them, and in the furnace of war forge them. They will be...
docs.google.com
October 21, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Younger Drakeling is going through a Space Marine phase right now and this is half shitpost/half reverent homage is doing the Astartes thing way better than the quick and dirty hack of The Regiment that I was putting together for us to play.
Dusting off my chainsword this weekend. Count on it.
Dusting off my chainsword this weekend. Count on it.
My ability to write fiction has become severely compromised. Now everything's got places where mechanics are meant to fit, questions built to be answered at the table, and hooks into stories behind and beyond the one that I'm actually writing.
Fiction is concrete, which means that it's impossible.
Fiction is concrete, which means that it's impossible.
October 18, 2025 at 8:59 PM
My ability to write fiction has become severely compromised. Now everything's got places where mechanics are meant to fit, questions built to be answered at the table, and hooks into stories behind and beyond the one that I'm actually writing.
Fiction is concrete, which means that it's impossible.
Fiction is concrete, which means that it's impossible.
Forgot that I had an 8 page essay on the role of spectacle in horror film until 45 minutes before class. I rattled off 8 pages about Night of the Living Dead without a single in-line citation and still had time to grab food from the caf before class. A-.
Human bullshit first, last, and always.
Human bullshit first, last, and always.
I wrote a 15 page report on heraldic symbolism in medieval armor and weapon design for my art history class the night before it was due (8am class). Made up 90% of it (only found one book for reference) and got an A. GenAI could fucking never.
October 9, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Forgot that I had an 8 page essay on the role of spectacle in horror film until 45 minutes before class. I rattled off 8 pages about Night of the Living Dead without a single in-line citation and still had time to grab food from the caf before class. A-.
Human bullshit first, last, and always.
Human bullshit first, last, and always.
Man. Would be cool to live in a country that invested in the humanities rather than doubling down on perpetual inhumanity.
Damn. This is amazing. £325 per week, paid monthly, for 3 years - and the result was a profit for the Irish economy:
www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employmen...
www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employmen...
October 7, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Man. Would be cool to live in a country that invested in the humanities rather than doubling down on perpetual inhumanity.
Wish granted. From our last Mausritter game: a flare to drive away the Ghost Owl who haunted the Knocking Oak on the border of Fox Crossing. "Rote" says Fennel, "the oil from my bag, just the thing to burn for hours."
I'd love to read an example, if one comes to mind
October 6, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Wish granted. From our last Mausritter game: a flare to drive away the Ghost Owl who haunted the Knocking Oak on the border of Fox Crossing. "Rote" says Fennel, "the oil from my bag, just the thing to burn for hours."
Crafting systems are like boats. I am sure I could have fun with one and it would open up an entirely new variety of experiences if I could figure out the logistics.
But whenever I grab one my eyes glaze over and I default to my usual. Rote, Tricky, Weird, and Sentimental.
But whenever I grab one my eyes glaze over and I default to my usual. Rote, Tricky, Weird, and Sentimental.
October 6, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Crafting systems are like boats. I am sure I could have fun with one and it would open up an entirely new variety of experiences if I could figure out the logistics.
But whenever I grab one my eyes glaze over and I default to my usual. Rote, Tricky, Weird, and Sentimental.
But whenever I grab one my eyes glaze over and I default to my usual. Rote, Tricky, Weird, and Sentimental.
I make my favorite games in hopes that maybe you've got room in your heart for new favorites, too.
Indie games are kind of like low budget cult classic films, where you aren't really competing for the same audience as the big boys, but you ARE competing against the people who would fall in love with your work just going back and repeatedly experiencing old favorites.
October 5, 2025 at 2:01 PM
I make my favorite games in hopes that maybe you've got room in your heart for new favorites, too.