Justin Alexander
@alexandrian.bsky.social
Creator of the Alexandrian. Author of So You Want To Be a Game Master. ENnie Award Winner. USA TODAY Bestselling Author. https://thealexandrian.net
Pinned
Justin Alexander
@alexandrian.bsky.social
· Nov 22
So You Want to Be a Game Master
"I wish I had Justin's book when I was 15. It would have made me a better DM, like it will make you a better DM."- Matthew ColvilleHave you ever wanted to step into your favori
thealexandrian.net
SO YOU WANT TO BE A GAME MASTER.
For those braving their first dungeon, it's a step-by-step guide.
As one delves deeper into mysteries, raids, heists, wilderness exploration, and urbancrawls, the book transforms into the ultimate GM's survival guide.
thealexandrian.net/so-you-want-...
For those braving their first dungeon, it's a step-by-step guide.
As one delves deeper into mysteries, raids, heists, wilderness exploration, and urbancrawls, the book transforms into the ultimate GM's survival guide.
thealexandrian.net/so-you-want-...
Reposted by Justin Alexander
Let's talk about generative AI, contaminated information, and rhubarb.
Once upon a time, Europe was at war.
Food was scarce, and the government of the quote-unquote United Kingdom looked for alternatives. 1/
Once upon a time, Europe was at war.
Food was scarce, and the government of the quote-unquote United Kingdom looked for alternatives. 1/
January 6, 2026 at 3:07 AM
Let's talk about generative AI, contaminated information, and rhubarb.
Once upon a time, Europe was at war.
Food was scarce, and the government of the quote-unquote United Kingdom looked for alternatives. 1/
Once upon a time, Europe was at war.
Food was scarce, and the government of the quote-unquote United Kingdom looked for alternatives. 1/
I saw that Yog-Sothoth was gone yesterday.
The slow passing of the Age of the Forum is very sad, particularly since their infrastructure leads so many to delete themselves rather than archiving their important history.
The slow passing of the Age of the Forum is very sad, particularly since their infrastructure leads so many to delete themselves rather than archiving their important history.
@alexandrian.bsky.social Did you hear that Yog-Sothoth has closed permanently? I know you remember how valuable it was for folks ran, or wanted to run, Eternal Lies. Your Remix might now be the best remaining repository of the collected experiences of Eternal Lies GMs.
January 3, 2026 at 5:13 PM
I saw that Yog-Sothoth was gone yesterday.
The slow passing of the Age of the Forum is very sad, particularly since their infrastructure leads so many to delete themselves rather than archiving their important history.
The slow passing of the Age of the Forum is very sad, particularly since their infrastructure leads so many to delete themselves rather than archiving their important history.
Billionaires are fundamentally people who watch A Christmas Carol and think it's a tragedy about a nice old man who is (a) persecuted by society and (b) corrupted by evil spirits.
January 3, 2026 at 4:13 AM
Billionaires are fundamentally people who watch A Christmas Carol and think it's a tragedy about a nice old man who is (a) persecuted by society and (b) corrupted by evil spirits.
If you're talking to someone who says, "I asked the LLM why it said that..."
What they're saying is, "I have no idea how LLMs work."
What they're saying is, "I have no idea how LLMs work."
January 3, 2026 at 3:35 AM
If you're talking to someone who says, "I asked the LLM why it said that..."
What they're saying is, "I have no idea how LLMs work."
What they're saying is, "I have no idea how LLMs work."
"Would you like the protection plan for your sofa?"
Yes.
"Great. Your delivery fee has increased by $100."
What?
"Well, now there's two items in your cart - the sofa and the protection plan. That costs more to deliver."
What the actual fuck?
Yes.
"Great. Your delivery fee has increased by $100."
What?
"Well, now there's two items in your cart - the sofa and the protection plan. That costs more to deliver."
What the actual fuck?
December 31, 2025 at 11:14 PM
"Would you like the protection plan for your sofa?"
Yes.
"Great. Your delivery fee has increased by $100."
What?
"Well, now there's two items in your cart - the sofa and the protection plan. That costs more to deliver."
What the actual fuck?
Yes.
"Great. Your delivery fee has increased by $100."
What?
"Well, now there's two items in your cart - the sofa and the protection plan. That costs more to deliver."
What the actual fuck?
What I'm taking away from this is that we are woefully unprepared.
Going through old files, found this response to a Commerce Dept. FOIA request a former colleague had sent.
December 31, 2025 at 9:38 PM
What I'm taking away from this is that we are woefully unprepared.
Name three comics you've owned in at least three editions.
- Bone by Jeff Smith (original issues, orig. collections, single-volume, deluxe small single-volume, deluxe large)
- Zot by Scott McCloud (original issues x2, collections x2)
- Amazing Spider-Man #1-50 (Masterworks, Taschen, Marvel Tales)
- Bone by Jeff Smith (original issues, orig. collections, single-volume, deluxe small single-volume, deluxe large)
- Zot by Scott McCloud (original issues x2, collections x2)
- Amazing Spider-Man #1-50 (Masterworks, Taschen, Marvel Tales)
Name three comics you’ve owned in at least three editions.
-Watchmen (trade, hardcover, Absolute, compact)
-The Dark Phoenix Saga (first trade I ever bought, hardcover, in other collections)
-The Judas Contract (floppies, trade collection, trade collection of the overall series)
-Watchmen (trade, hardcover, Absolute, compact)
-The Dark Phoenix Saga (first trade I ever bought, hardcover, in other collections)
-The Judas Contract (floppies, trade collection, trade collection of the overall series)
Name three comics you’ve owned in at least three editions.
-Annihilation (issues, trade paperback, hardcover)
-Batman: Saga of Ra’s Al Ghul (Baxter reprints, trade paperback, Treasury edition)
-Warlock by Jim Starlin (most issues, Baxter reprints, trade paperback, Marvel Masterworks hardcover)
-Annihilation (issues, trade paperback, hardcover)
-Batman: Saga of Ra’s Al Ghul (Baxter reprints, trade paperback, Treasury edition)
-Warlock by Jim Starlin (most issues, Baxter reprints, trade paperback, Marvel Masterworks hardcover)
December 31, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Name three comics you've owned in at least three editions.
- Bone by Jeff Smith (original issues, orig. collections, single-volume, deluxe small single-volume, deluxe large)
- Zot by Scott McCloud (original issues x2, collections x2)
- Amazing Spider-Man #1-50 (Masterworks, Taschen, Marvel Tales)
- Bone by Jeff Smith (original issues, orig. collections, single-volume, deluxe small single-volume, deluxe large)
- Zot by Scott McCloud (original issues x2, collections x2)
- Amazing Spider-Man #1-50 (Masterworks, Taschen, Marvel Tales)
Reposted by Justin Alexander
@alexandrian.bsky.social breaks down why GenAI is not a great partner for #ttrpg design, and why it's not up to the task of simulating playtests.
thealexandrian.net/wordpress/53...
thealexandrian.net/wordpress/53...
Thought of the Day: GenAI and RPGs
There’s been Discourse™ of late about the use of GenAI/LLMs in creating RPGs. Not the artwork in an RPG book (that’s a whole ‘nother kettle of fish), but the actual design and development of
thealexandrian.net
December 30, 2025 at 2:14 PM
@alexandrian.bsky.social breaks down why GenAI is not a great partner for #ttrpg design, and why it's not up to the task of simulating playtests.
thealexandrian.net/wordpress/53...
thealexandrian.net/wordpress/53...
Reposted by Justin Alexander
Were classical statues painted horribly?
buff.ly/fS78ULM
It is often suggested that modern viewers dislike painted reconstructions of Greek and Roman statues because our taste differs from that of the ancients. This essay proposes an alternative explanation.
buff.ly/fS78ULM
It is often suggested that modern viewers dislike painted reconstructions of Greek and Roman statues because our taste differs from that of the ancients. This essay proposes an alternative explanation.
Were classical statues painted horribly? - Works in Progress Magazine
Many claim that modern viewers dislike painted reconstructions of Greek and Roman statues because our taste differs from theirs.
buff.ly
December 20, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Were classical statues painted horribly?
buff.ly/fS78ULM
It is often suggested that modern viewers dislike painted reconstructions of Greek and Roman statues because our taste differs from that of the ancients. This essay proposes an alternative explanation.
buff.ly/fS78ULM
It is often suggested that modern viewers dislike painted reconstructions of Greek and Roman statues because our taste differs from that of the ancients. This essay proposes an alternative explanation.
Stealing the Throne.
A GM-less storytelling game about stealing a giant mecha.
Your reaction to that summary probably makes the review superfluous. If a giant mecha heist makes you say, Hell, yeah! then you should buy this game, play this game, and love this game.
A GM-less storytelling game about stealing a giant mecha.
Your reaction to that summary probably makes the review superfluous. If a giant mecha heist makes you say, Hell, yeah! then you should buy this game, play this game, and love this game.
Review: Stealing the Throne
A thousand years ago, we built twelve giant mecha to fight a cataclysmic war. We call them Thrones. Each was unique, a paragon of war…Down the generations since the Great War, dynasties have f
thealexandrian.net
December 29, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Stealing the Throne.
A GM-less storytelling game about stealing a giant mecha.
Your reaction to that summary probably makes the review superfluous. If a giant mecha heist makes you say, Hell, yeah! then you should buy this game, play this game, and love this game.
A GM-less storytelling game about stealing a giant mecha.
Your reaction to that summary probably makes the review superfluous. If a giant mecha heist makes you say, Hell, yeah! then you should buy this game, play this game, and love this game.
RPGs and Storytelling Games I've Played/Run in 2025
(in the order I first played them)
Xenolanguage
D&D 5E
D&D 3E
Night's Black Agents
Call of Cthulhu
Mothership
Pathfinder 2E
Braunstein
Pirate Borg
Home: Haunted House
(in the order I first played them)
Xenolanguage
D&D 5E
D&D 3E
Night's Black Agents
Call of Cthulhu
Mothership
Pathfinder 2E
Braunstein
Pirate Borg
Home: Haunted House
December 28, 2025 at 5:14 AM
RPGs and Storytelling Games I've Played/Run in 2025
(in the order I first played them)
Xenolanguage
D&D 5E
D&D 3E
Night's Black Agents
Call of Cthulhu
Mothership
Pathfinder 2E
Braunstein
Pirate Borg
Home: Haunted House
(in the order I first played them)
Xenolanguage
D&D 5E
D&D 3E
Night's Black Agents
Call of Cthulhu
Mothership
Pathfinder 2E
Braunstein
Pirate Borg
Home: Haunted House
Reposted by Justin Alexander
I've been talking of late with @friede.bsky.social about the triangle of extractive - experiential - additive relationships, however fleeting, & in the flurry of threads about a certain Star-Tribune article, this one hits most clearly at that, for me.
In a writer networking workshop I run, I ask attendees to think about the coolest person they want to meet.
Then I ask what they’d offer them as a peer (this could be anything!).
If there’s no answer, it isn’t time to network in that room.
…a specific type of attendee rarely has an answer.
Then I ask what they’d offer them as a peer (this could be anything!).
If there’s no answer, it isn’t time to network in that room.
…a specific type of attendee rarely has an answer.
This shit is made up, actually
December 27, 2025 at 4:36 AM
I've been talking of late with @friede.bsky.social about the triangle of extractive - experiential - additive relationships, however fleeting, & in the flurry of threads about a certain Star-Tribune article, this one hits most clearly at that, for me.
Reposted by Justin Alexander
And Tiny Tim, who did not die. Indeed, he wanders the earth still, his humanity but a sliver of what he once possessed. No more than an observer of our world, he has no memory of need. Those days lost like all days are lost. He lingers, a remnant of a bygone era, nothing to us and no one to himself.
December 25, 2025 at 9:02 PM
And Tiny Tim, who did not die. Indeed, he wanders the earth still, his humanity but a sliver of what he once possessed. No more than an observer of our world, he has no memory of need. Those days lost like all days are lost. He lingers, a remnant of a bygone era, nothing to us and no one to himself.
Gift from the Christmas Elves.
Dread on hard mode.
Dread on hard mode.
December 25, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Gift from the Christmas Elves.
Dread on hard mode.
Dread on hard mode.
BULLETIN FROM THE NORTH POLE
Cookies for Santa.
Carrots for the reindeer.
And leave a candy cane for Mrs. Claus. Santa takes them back to the workshop for her.
Cookies for Santa.
Carrots for the reindeer.
And leave a candy cane for Mrs. Claus. Santa takes them back to the workshop for her.
December 25, 2025 at 1:55 AM
BULLETIN FROM THE NORTH POLE
Cookies for Santa.
Carrots for the reindeer.
And leave a candy cane for Mrs. Claus. Santa takes them back to the workshop for her.
Cookies for Santa.
Carrots for the reindeer.
And leave a candy cane for Mrs. Claus. Santa takes them back to the workshop for her.
10 TTRPGs/STGs I want to play/run in 2026
- Night's Black Agents
- Mothership
- Numenera
- Home: The Haunted House
- Burning Empires
- Band of Blades
- Dolmenwood
- Technoir
- Traveller
- Night's Black Agents: Solo Ops
- Night's Black Agents
- Mothership
- Numenera
- Home: The Haunted House
- Burning Empires
- Band of Blades
- Dolmenwood
- Technoir
- Traveller
- Night's Black Agents: Solo Ops
10 TTRPGS I want to play/run in 2026 (other than Merryshire Detective Club, crowdfunding later in the year, plug plug)
- Terraforming Mars
- DIE
- Delta Green
- Tunnels and Trolls
- Mythic Bastionland
- Seven Part Pact
- Alice is Dead
- 13th Age 2nd edition
- DANDY
- SPACE LEFT FOR SERENDIPITY
- Terraforming Mars
- DIE
- Delta Green
- Tunnels and Trolls
- Mythic Bastionland
- Seven Part Pact
- Alice is Dead
- 13th Age 2nd edition
- DANDY
- SPACE LEFT FOR SERENDIPITY
10 TTRPGs I want to play/run in 2026 (other than Haunted West):
-Black Company (Arc Dream)
-Shadowrun 2E
-One Ring
-Necroscope
-3.5 Forgotten Realms
-Beyond the Mountains of Madness
-Godlike
-[REDACTED]
-Traveller
-Delta Green
-Black Company (Arc Dream)
-Shadowrun 2E
-One Ring
-Necroscope
-3.5 Forgotten Realms
-Beyond the Mountains of Madness
-Godlike
-[REDACTED]
-Traveller
-Delta Green
December 24, 2025 at 10:21 AM
10 TTRPGs/STGs I want to play/run in 2026
- Night's Black Agents
- Mothership
- Numenera
- Home: The Haunted House
- Burning Empires
- Band of Blades
- Dolmenwood
- Technoir
- Traveller
- Night's Black Agents: Solo Ops
- Night's Black Agents
- Mothership
- Numenera
- Home: The Haunted House
- Burning Empires
- Band of Blades
- Dolmenwood
- Technoir
- Traveller
- Night's Black Agents: Solo Ops
Reposted by Justin Alexander
Bari’s complaint was “there’s nothing new here” and while that’s untrue it’s also irrelevant
“we intentionally sent people to be tortured in a hellhole and bragged about it and The Hague is too good for everyone involved” is a story that simply cannot be told enough
“we intentionally sent people to be tortured in a hellhole and bragged about it and The Hague is too good for everyone involved” is a story that simply cannot be told enough
December 23, 2025 at 3:22 AM
Bari’s complaint was “there’s nothing new here” and while that’s untrue it’s also irrelevant
“we intentionally sent people to be tortured in a hellhole and bragged about it and The Hague is too good for everyone involved” is a story that simply cannot be told enough
“we intentionally sent people to be tortured in a hellhole and bragged about it and The Hague is too good for everyone involved” is a story that simply cannot be told enough
Reposted by Justin Alexander
"...the perfect metaphor for the techbro/right-wing alliance's damage to practical public services doesn't exis--"
There are many reasons why there shouldn't be a Cybertruck ambulance, but this takes the cake futurism.com/the-byte/cyb...
First Cybertruck Ambulance Has One Small Problem: Nowhere to Put the Patient
There's a new volunteer emergency vehicle on the streets of South New Jersey: the first Cybertruck ambulance. Yes, you read that right.
futurism.com
December 21, 2025 at 2:22 PM
"...the perfect metaphor for the techbro/right-wing alliance's damage to practical public services doesn't exis--"
Earth: This year might be the year I finally escape this damnable prison. Never have I been farther from my captor than this!
The Sun:
The Sun:
a man in a ninja costume is standing in the woods with the words " get over here " behind him
ALT: a man in a ninja costume is standing in the woods with the words " get over here " behind him
media.tenor.com
December 21, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Earth: This year might be the year I finally escape this damnable prison. Never have I been farther from my captor than this!
The Sun:
The Sun:
Mothership.
Character on vacation.
Critical Failure on Shore Leave check.
Failure on the Panic check.
Paid 14,000 for an extreme phobia of sunlight.
Might be the most brutal thing I've seen this game do to someone
Character on vacation.
Critical Failure on Shore Leave check.
Failure on the Panic check.
Paid 14,000 for an extreme phobia of sunlight.
Might be the most brutal thing I've seen this game do to someone
December 21, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Mothership.
Character on vacation.
Critical Failure on Shore Leave check.
Failure on the Panic check.
Paid 14,000 for an extreme phobia of sunlight.
Might be the most brutal thing I've seen this game do to someone
Character on vacation.
Critical Failure on Shore Leave check.
Failure on the Panic check.
Paid 14,000 for an extreme phobia of sunlight.
Might be the most brutal thing I've seen this game do to someone
Lay aside the general stupidity of "we need to find a problem for AI to 'solve'!"
How is Mozilla paying for this?
LLM queries cost money.
They've gone from a free app that runs on my machine to a free app that Mozilla is constantly paying usage fees for.
www.techspot.com/news/110668-...
How is Mozilla paying for this?
LLM queries cost money.
They've gone from a free app that runs on my machine to a free app that Mozilla is constantly paying usage fees for.
www.techspot.com/news/110668-...
Firefox will add an AI "kill switch" after community pushback
Mozilla Corporation recently introduced Anthony Enzor-DeMeo as its new CEO. The company, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the nonprofit Mozilla Foundation, is tasked with coordinating...
www.techspot.com
December 20, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Lay aside the general stupidity of "we need to find a problem for AI to 'solve'!"
How is Mozilla paying for this?
LLM queries cost money.
They've gone from a free app that runs on my machine to a free app that Mozilla is constantly paying usage fees for.
www.techspot.com/news/110668-...
How is Mozilla paying for this?
LLM queries cost money.
They've gone from a free app that runs on my machine to a free app that Mozilla is constantly paying usage fees for.
www.techspot.com/news/110668-...
A fan is engaged with something.
A fanboy has disengaged.
They are not interacting with the actual thing any more. They are interacting an idealized figment. One which their own ego is often tied up in.
A fanboy has disengaged.
They are not interacting with the actual thing any more. They are interacting an idealized figment. One which their own ego is often tied up in.
December 18, 2025 at 11:41 AM
A fan is engaged with something.
A fanboy has disengaged.
They are not interacting with the actual thing any more. They are interacting an idealized figment. One which their own ego is often tied up in.
A fanboy has disengaged.
They are not interacting with the actual thing any more. They are interacting an idealized figment. One which their own ego is often tied up in.
Only 26 tickets remain for the most amazing RPG event on the planet!
Green Dragon Fest!
I'll be there, along with Baron de Ropp, Bob World Builder, Dungeon Dad, Kelsey Dionne, Stephanie Plays Games, Faye Morel, and many more amazing GMs!
greendragonfest.com
Green Dragon Fest!
I'll be there, along with Baron de Ropp, Bob World Builder, Dungeon Dad, Kelsey Dionne, Stephanie Plays Games, Faye Morel, and many more amazing GMs!
greendragonfest.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:59 AM
Only 26 tickets remain for the most amazing RPG event on the planet!
Green Dragon Fest!
I'll be there, along with Baron de Ropp, Bob World Builder, Dungeon Dad, Kelsey Dionne, Stephanie Plays Games, Faye Morel, and many more amazing GMs!
greendragonfest.com
Green Dragon Fest!
I'll be there, along with Baron de Ropp, Bob World Builder, Dungeon Dad, Kelsey Dionne, Stephanie Plays Games, Faye Morel, and many more amazing GMs!
greendragonfest.com
Youtube just sent me an e-mail "to unpack your Premium perks."
The perks include:
- Streaming video.
- Streaming audio.
- The opportunity to buy "jewels" on livestreams.
- No refunds.
...
... do they understand what the word "perk" means?
The perks include:
- Streaming video.
- Streaming audio.
- The opportunity to buy "jewels" on livestreams.
- No refunds.
...
... do they understand what the word "perk" means?
December 17, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Youtube just sent me an e-mail "to unpack your Premium perks."
The perks include:
- Streaming video.
- Streaming audio.
- The opportunity to buy "jewels" on livestreams.
- No refunds.
...
... do they understand what the word "perk" means?
The perks include:
- Streaming video.
- Streaming audio.
- The opportunity to buy "jewels" on livestreams.
- No refunds.
...
... do they understand what the word "perk" means?