Chase
@chkurk.bsky.social
Chicago based game designer, indie TTRPG lover, photographer and tea fanatic.
Host of the Gamestorm Podcast.
Check out my work at https://chase.kurkow.ski
Part of @storygameschicago.bsky.social
Host of the Gamestorm Podcast.
Check out my work at https://chase.kurkow.ski
Part of @storygameschicago.bsky.social
Pinned
Chase
@chkurk.bsky.social
· Oct 9
#VestaMandate is out now at the link below! If you backed the project, check your email for links to the PDFs.
If you missed out on the Kickstarter, jump in on the sale we have going on for the first week!
@tonytranrpg.bsky.social killed it one the art!!
storygameschicago.itch.io/vesta-mandate
If you missed out on the Kickstarter, jump in on the sale we have going on for the first week!
@tonytranrpg.bsky.social killed it one the art!!
storygameschicago.itch.io/vesta-mandate
This has been such an incredibly fun exciting project to work on. I'm excited to finally get it out into the world. Can't wait to get the print copies out!
Keep your eyes peeled for our next project and come say hi if you're at Gamehole Con!
Keep your eyes peeled for our next project and come say hi if you're at Gamehole Con!
Reposted by Chase
Chicago-area TTRPG friends:
I'm hosting a collaborative workshop for people into or interested in game design.
Ideally, grab a (free) ticket. But you're also welcome to show up day of!
www.eventbrite.com/e/ttrpg-game...
I'm hosting a collaborative workshop for people into or interested in game design.
Ideally, grab a (free) ticket. But you're also welcome to show up day of!
www.eventbrite.com/e/ttrpg-game...
TTRPG Game Designer Self-Publishing Workshop Series - Formatting Basics
Join our workshop series to learn and share TTRPG self-publishing skills to make your game a success!
www.eventbrite.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:14 PM
Chicago-area TTRPG friends:
I'm hosting a collaborative workshop for people into or interested in game design.
Ideally, grab a (free) ticket. But you're also welcome to show up day of!
www.eventbrite.com/e/ttrpg-game...
I'm hosting a collaborative workshop for people into or interested in game design.
Ideally, grab a (free) ticket. But you're also welcome to show up day of!
www.eventbrite.com/e/ttrpg-game...
Reposted by Chase
Interesting thought from an architecture book: Floor plans are great for conveying organization, flow, and arrangement, but sections or "cross-sections" are better for conveying space, scale, and feel.
This is why I think many Mausritter maps benefit from being sections, and OSE maps floor plans.
This is why I think many Mausritter maps benefit from being sections, and OSE maps floor plans.
February 3, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Interesting thought from an architecture book: Floor plans are great for conveying organization, flow, and arrangement, but sections or "cross-sections" are better for conveying space, scale, and feel.
This is why I think many Mausritter maps benefit from being sections, and OSE maps floor plans.
This is why I think many Mausritter maps benefit from being sections, and OSE maps floor plans.
Reposted by Chase
Take a read through our newest newsletter article that dives deep into the idea of exploration in tabletop games!
@jessebmiller.bsky.social and @collinjryan.bsky.social did a great job on this one!
storygameschicago.beehiiv.com/p/searching-...
@jessebmiller.bsky.social and @collinjryan.bsky.social did a great job on this one!
storygameschicago.beehiiv.com/p/searching-...
Searching for Exploration
Our discontent with exploration in tabletop games and our flailing around for something we like
storygameschicago.beehiiv.com
February 2, 2026 at 11:54 PM
Take a read through our newest newsletter article that dives deep into the idea of exploration in tabletop games!
@jessebmiller.bsky.social and @collinjryan.bsky.social did a great job on this one!
storygameschicago.beehiiv.com/p/searching-...
@jessebmiller.bsky.social and @collinjryan.bsky.social did a great job on this one!
storygameschicago.beehiiv.com/p/searching-...
Reposted by Chase
A close look at the enchanted forest map for the upcoming Perils & Princesses TTRPG adventure “The Princess & The Dragon.” I love taking a simple point crawl and injecting it with atmosphere and style. Dropping an evocative world map on the table really entices players to explore.
February 2, 2026 at 3:57 PM
A close look at the enchanted forest map for the upcoming Perils & Princesses TTRPG adventure “The Princess & The Dragon.” I love taking a simple point crawl and injecting it with atmosphere and style. Dropping an evocative world map on the table really entices players to explore.
Reposted by Chase
First day of #FlashFicFeb is Acid Splash.
Meet Glim, an acid maker in a medieval factory who I am sure will have a long and happy life.
Meet Glim, an acid maker in a medieval factory who I am sure will have a long and happy life.
February 2, 2026 at 7:47 AM
First day of #FlashFicFeb is Acid Splash.
Meet Glim, an acid maker in a medieval factory who I am sure will have a long and happy life.
Meet Glim, an acid maker in a medieval factory who I am sure will have a long and happy life.
I’m most of the way through recording the next season of Gamestorm, and it’s got me very excited!
We’ll be kicking the season off with @outridercreative.bsky.social here in a few weeks!
Check out the first season here! Rate us on Apple Podcasts if you like the show and share it with your friends!
We’ll be kicking the season off with @outridercreative.bsky.social here in a few weeks!
Check out the first season here! Rate us on Apple Podcasts if you like the show and share it with your friends!
Gamestorm | Storygames Chicago
Gamestorm is a podcast all about tabletop game design! Join us for our first season as we bring on guests from here in the Chicago area, spin a random prompt and design a game based off of it over the...
gamestorm.podbean.com
February 2, 2026 at 5:32 AM
I’m most of the way through recording the next season of Gamestorm, and it’s got me very excited!
We’ll be kicking the season off with @outridercreative.bsky.social here in a few weeks!
Check out the first season here! Rate us on Apple Podcasts if you like the show and share it with your friends!
We’ll be kicking the season off with @outridercreative.bsky.social here in a few weeks!
Check out the first season here! Rate us on Apple Podcasts if you like the show and share it with your friends!
Reposted by Chase
I saw this post and feel like this is a really important opportunity to talk about gender and my own background and the creation of Perils & Princesses and what it means to me as a personal piece of self-expression and as a communal piece of work as a role playing game community. 🧵
Perils and Princesses
Girl by Moonlight
Badge Quest
Even KORIKO????
All men as the sole or main writer
Like girlhood feels like such an integral part to all of these in some way (some I know better than others) but they’re all written by men??
Girl by Moonlight
Badge Quest
Even KORIKO????
All men as the sole or main writer
Like girlhood feels like such an integral part to all of these in some way (some I know better than others) but they’re all written by men??
Why are all the girly/girl power ttrpgs I can think of/find by men? this is actually kind of gross
February 1, 2026 at 4:55 AM
I saw this post and feel like this is a really important opportunity to talk about gender and my own background and the creation of Perils & Princesses and what it means to me as a personal piece of self-expression and as a communal piece of work as a role playing game community. 🧵
Reposted by Chase
You are being misled about renewable energy technology.
YouTube video by Technology Connections
www.youtube.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:27 PM
Reposted by Chase
Was just reminded that Bailey's fundraiser is over halfway to the goal!
If you have a touch of cash, consider donating.
If you have a touch of cash, consider donating.
Someone at my FLGS is raising funds for gender affirming surgery this spring. It would be really awesome if y'all donated or shared the campaign.
We all know how expensive
www.gofundme.com/f/support-ba...
We all know how expensive
www.gofundme.com/f/support-ba...
Donate to Support Bailey’s Gender-Affirming Surgery Recovery, organized by Miro Meyza
TLDR: This gofundme is created by Bailey's wife, Miro, to help raise fun… Miro Meyza needs your support for Support Bailey’s Gender-Affirming Surgery Recovery
www.gofundme.com
January 31, 2026 at 12:04 AM
Was just reminded that Bailey's fundraiser is over halfway to the goal!
If you have a touch of cash, consider donating.
If you have a touch of cash, consider donating.
Reposted by Chase
Nothing will shake me out of writer's block faster than someone saying something nice about one of my games
January 31, 2026 at 12:14 AM
Nothing will shake me out of writer's block faster than someone saying something nice about one of my games
Reposted by Chase
One episode in, and I’m HOOKED.
Perils & Princesses - Episode 1 is NOW AVAILABLE
Join @danielleradford.bsky.social @symphonyhorror.bsky.social @shenuque.bsky.social @bobigail.bsky.social as their four gritty and pretty princesses try to break an evil witch’s candy curse!
Listen to My First Dungeon wherever you get your podcasts
Join @danielleradford.bsky.social @symphonyhorror.bsky.social @shenuque.bsky.social @bobigail.bsky.social as their four gritty and pretty princesses try to break an evil witch’s candy curse!
Listen to My First Dungeon wherever you get your podcasts
January 29, 2026 at 9:15 PM
One episode in, and I’m HOOKED.
Reposted by Chase
Am cheering for Cairn Press's success, because their terms:
+ Creators retain their IP;
+ Seeking a license to publish and distro, not to own creators' work;
+ Transparent production process and accounting;
+ Straightforward royalty structures
+ Etc
All of this should be standard practice!!!
+ Creators retain their IP;
+ Seeking a license to publish and distro, not to own creators' work;
+ Transparent production process and accounting;
+ Straightforward royalty structures
+ Etc
All of this should be standard practice!!!
As of tomorrow, Cairn Press is live!
Bring me your modules, your supplements, your hacks - as long as they are Cairn adjacent, I'll take consider it!
More soon.
cairnpress.ink
Bring me your modules, your supplements, your hacks - as long as they are Cairn adjacent, I'll take consider it!
More soon.
cairnpress.ink
Cairn Press
The official website for the Cairn Press imprint.
cairnpress.ink
January 30, 2026 at 4:57 AM
Am cheering for Cairn Press's success, because their terms:
+ Creators retain their IP;
+ Seeking a license to publish and distro, not to own creators' work;
+ Transparent production process and accounting;
+ Straightforward royalty structures
+ Etc
All of this should be standard practice!!!
+ Creators retain their IP;
+ Seeking a license to publish and distro, not to own creators' work;
+ Transparent production process and accounting;
+ Straightforward royalty structures
+ Etc
All of this should be standard practice!!!
Reposted by Chase
As of tomorrow, Cairn Press is live!
Bring me your modules, your supplements, your hacks - as long as they are Cairn adjacent, I'll take consider it!
More soon.
cairnpress.ink
Bring me your modules, your supplements, your hacks - as long as they are Cairn adjacent, I'll take consider it!
More soon.
cairnpress.ink
Cairn Press
The official website for the Cairn Press imprint.
cairnpress.ink
January 30, 2026 at 3:43 AM
As of tomorrow, Cairn Press is live!
Bring me your modules, your supplements, your hacks - as long as they are Cairn adjacent, I'll take consider it!
More soon.
cairnpress.ink
Bring me your modules, your supplements, your hacks - as long as they are Cairn adjacent, I'll take consider it!
More soon.
cairnpress.ink
Reposted by Chase
Today the spooky, sweet adventure begins on My First Dungeon! The folks at @manysidedmedia.bsky.social do a brilliant job bringing Sweet Revenge to life with gorgeous sound design and a score to match. I know I’m completely hooked and can’t wait to see where this campaign goes. tr.ee/h9OJ_FvzSr
Many Sided Media | Instagram, TikTok | Linktree
View manysidedmedia’s Linktree to discover and stream music from top platforms like YouTube, Spotify here. Your next favorite track is just a click away!
tr.ee
January 29, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Today the spooky, sweet adventure begins on My First Dungeon! The folks at @manysidedmedia.bsky.social do a brilliant job bringing Sweet Revenge to life with gorgeous sound design and a score to match. I know I’m completely hooked and can’t wait to see where this campaign goes. tr.ee/h9OJ_FvzSr
Been thinking about this photo a lot. Especially as I look to sell the camera I took it on. Just love the colors so much.
January 29, 2026 at 4:58 AM
Been thinking about this photo a lot. Especially as I look to sell the camera I took it on. Just love the colors so much.
Checkout the final episode of our first season of Gamestorm! The games a DOOZY for this one so keep your eyes peeled, the ashcan will be releasing on Itch in the coming days.
Using every die 1-20!! With Charlie Huth!
gamestorm.podbean.com/e/using-ever...
Using every die 1-20!! With Charlie Huth!
gamestorm.podbean.com/e/using-ever...
Using EVERY die 1-20 - Charlie Huth | Gamestorm
This time Charlie joins me as we think about what a game that needs to use a d1 might look like! Not to mention all the other wacky dice from there to 20! We'll talk old video games and Kids on Bikes ...
gamestorm.podbean.com
January 28, 2026 at 10:58 PM
Checkout the final episode of our first season of Gamestorm! The games a DOOZY for this one so keep your eyes peeled, the ashcan will be releasing on Itch in the coming days.
Using every die 1-20!! With Charlie Huth!
gamestorm.podbean.com/e/using-ever...
Using every die 1-20!! With Charlie Huth!
gamestorm.podbean.com/e/using-ever...
Had a great time talking with Maia! Check it out if you wanna know more about the game.
Have y'all heard of Vesta Mandate??!!
I loved discussing this PbtA sci-fi thriller where hidden agendas meet space politics. If you enjoy mechanics that drive intense political intrigue, check out the interview! @storygameschicago.bsky.social
youtu.be/zejUDI5hoEM
I loved discussing this PbtA sci-fi thriller where hidden agendas meet space politics. If you enjoy mechanics that drive intense political intrigue, check out the interview! @storygameschicago.bsky.social
youtu.be/zejUDI5hoEM
Vesta Mandate | Space Politics & Hidden Agendas
YouTube video by Looking For Mom
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 6:53 PM
Had a great time talking with Maia! Check it out if you wanna know more about the game.
Reposted by Chase
We’ll be recording and streaming a little one shot of Diabolic Dialect on the Storygames Chicago Twitch at 3pm CST!
This’ll be our first time trying this so tune in or follow along here for when the video comes out!
This’ll be our first time trying this so tune in or follow along here for when the video comes out!
Twitch
Twitch is the world
m.twitch.tv
January 23, 2026 at 8:04 PM
We’ll be recording and streaming a little one shot of Diabolic Dialect on the Storygames Chicago Twitch at 3pm CST!
This’ll be our first time trying this so tune in or follow along here for when the video comes out!
This’ll be our first time trying this so tune in or follow along here for when the video comes out!
Sometimes I see people reference drama in a vague post on here and I’m just so glad that I’m not online enough that I almost never know what they’re talking about.
January 22, 2026 at 7:24 AM
Sometimes I see people reference drama in a vague post on here and I’m just so glad that I’m not online enough that I almost never know what they’re talking about.
Diabolic Dialect! Launching in just a few weeks on Kickstarter - a game of spells and wizards!
Where the game is built around this simple core mechanic: You can cast any spell you want!
You can checkout the original Print & Play pamphlet on Itch, but follow along for the full Zine!
SOON!
Where the game is built around this simple core mechanic: You can cast any spell you want!
You can checkout the original Print & Play pamphlet on Itch, but follow along for the full Zine!
SOON!
Coming soon: Diabolic Dialect
Grab your Spellbook, don your robes! Dive into a magical game of weird wizards and insane, linguistic spellcasting!
www.kickstarter.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:19 PM
Diabolic Dialect! Launching in just a few weeks on Kickstarter - a game of spells and wizards!
Where the game is built around this simple core mechanic: You can cast any spell you want!
You can checkout the original Print & Play pamphlet on Itch, but follow along for the full Zine!
SOON!
Where the game is built around this simple core mechanic: You can cast any spell you want!
You can checkout the original Print & Play pamphlet on Itch, but follow along for the full Zine!
SOON!
Reposted by Chase
How'd WYRM do on the first day? I think sharing data is helpful, so let's look!
The game was released with the core rules and two starter supplements, all pay what you want.
There was *some* hype ahead of launch with the GILA playtest, and then the cover reveal.
So, what are the numbers?
The game was released with the core rules and two starter supplements, all pay what you want.
There was *some* hype ahead of launch with the GILA playtest, and then the cover reveal.
So, what are the numbers?
January 21, 2026 at 9:07 PM
How'd WYRM do on the first day? I think sharing data is helpful, so let's look!
The game was released with the core rules and two starter supplements, all pay what you want.
There was *some* hype ahead of launch with the GILA playtest, and then the cover reveal.
So, what are the numbers?
The game was released with the core rules and two starter supplements, all pay what you want.
There was *some* hype ahead of launch with the GILA playtest, and then the cover reveal.
So, what are the numbers?
Reposted by Chase
Tonight is a great night to try to catch the northern lights, but unfortunately the wind chill could be around -15° F in Chicago this evening.
Stay warm if you’re going to the lakefront tonight!
Stay warm if you’re going to the lakefront tonight!
MUST READ thread before Monday night's forecasted G4 / SEVERE geomagnetic storm. Auroras could be seen as far south as the U.S.-Mexico border at times. Widespread mid-latitude displays are possible. Here's what you need to know to have a successful aurora chase tonight! 🧵
#heliophysics #aurora
#heliophysics #aurora
January 19, 2026 at 8:11 PM
Tonight is a great night to try to catch the northern lights, but unfortunately the wind chill could be around -15° F in Chicago this evening.
Stay warm if you’re going to the lakefront tonight!
Stay warm if you’re going to the lakefront tonight!
If you’ve been enjoying Gamestorm, check out the Patreon!
Join as a free member to follow along with episode releases, or you can join as a paid subscriber to get all the ashcans of games made on the show.
We’ll have additional bonuses coming soon!
Join as a free member to follow along with episode releases, or you can join as a paid subscriber to get all the ashcans of games made on the show.
We’ll have additional bonuses coming soon!
Get more from Gamestorm: A Game Creation Podcast on Patreon
A new Tabletop Game every Episode
www.patreon.com
January 19, 2026 at 4:36 PM
If you’ve been enjoying Gamestorm, check out the Patreon!
Join as a free member to follow along with episode releases, or you can join as a paid subscriber to get all the ashcans of games made on the show.
We’ll have additional bonuses coming soon!
Join as a free member to follow along with episode releases, or you can join as a paid subscriber to get all the ashcans of games made on the show.
We’ll have additional bonuses coming soon!
Reposted by Chase
I wanna make a list of tower defense games (or similar) that we love - even if it stretches the genre a bit. If you have a favorite or know of a weird one, please respond with it!
Also, if you could share this post that would be fantastic! Trying to get a big list going.
Also, if you could share this post that would be fantastic! Trying to get a big list going.
January 16, 2026 at 3:48 AM
I wanna make a list of tower defense games (or similar) that we love - even if it stretches the genre a bit. If you have a favorite or know of a weird one, please respond with it!
Also, if you could share this post that would be fantastic! Trying to get a big list going.
Also, if you could share this post that would be fantastic! Trying to get a big list going.
If you’re a fan of kimchi but you haven’t tried kimchi peanut butter sandwiches…
You gotta jump on this!
If you have time, you can mix the peanut butter with doenjang like 2:1 or 3:1
But go try this right now, it’s so fucking good.
You gotta jump on this!
If you have time, you can mix the peanut butter with doenjang like 2:1 or 3:1
But go try this right now, it’s so fucking good.
January 16, 2026 at 4:43 AM
If you’re a fan of kimchi but you haven’t tried kimchi peanut butter sandwiches…
You gotta jump on this!
If you have time, you can mix the peanut butter with doenjang like 2:1 or 3:1
But go try this right now, it’s so fucking good.
You gotta jump on this!
If you have time, you can mix the peanut butter with doenjang like 2:1 or 3:1
But go try this right now, it’s so fucking good.