Fred Hicks
@deadlyfredly.bsky.social
President of Evil Hat (I publish Fate, Blades in the Dark, Monster of the Week, Thirsty Sword Lesbians, &c). Liberal in politics, reposting, & use of the block button. Be advised, I limit parasociality when I can. Permanently in AMA mode (so ask).
Pinned
Fred Hicks
@deadlyfredly.bsky.social
· Oct 25
And perhaps most importantly, there is no "right" level of appetite for risk. It's something you'll have to come to on your own and, should circumstances change, possibly revise.
The thing you *shouldn't* do is find someone successful and emulate their posture.
The thing you *shouldn't* do is find someone successful and emulate their posture.
The fact that I am here and able to share numbers and give looks under the hood is because we’ve survived.
Survivor bias is in effect. If you’re not also learning from companies that failed you’re ignoring a ton of relevant data.
Survivor bias is in effect. If you’re not also learning from companies that failed you’re ignoring a ton of relevant data.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
Friends, I am as anti-AI as the rest of you, but I am begging you not to fall for a random substack post about Salesforce that contains zero original sourcing or links to other credible reporting.
It's just click bait.
It's just click bait.
January 17, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Friends, I am as anti-AI as the rest of you, but I am begging you not to fall for a random substack post about Salesforce that contains zero original sourcing or links to other credible reporting.
It's just click bait.
It's just click bait.
Get uncomfortable
youtube.com/shorts/4x4KM...
youtube.com/shorts/4x4KM...
ICE mirrors American slave patrols, not the Gestapo: local power, racial suspicion, people disappear
YouTube video by Ashley B
youtube.com
January 17, 2026 at 3:17 PM
Get uncomfortable
youtube.com/shorts/4x4KM...
youtube.com/shorts/4x4KM...
Reposted by Fred Hicks
The Hull, The Hit Squad, and the Swinger.
Two playbooks and a new Crew waiting for you in the free preview of Blades' 68.
Sign up to follow the campaign and scroll down to get access to the preview PDF.
www.backerkit.com/call_to_acti...
Will you be the life of the party...
or the death of it?
Two playbooks and a new Crew waiting for you in the free preview of Blades' 68.
Sign up to follow the campaign and scroll down to get access to the preview PDF.
www.backerkit.com/call_to_acti...
Will you be the life of the party...
or the death of it?
January 16, 2026 at 9:03 PM
The Hull, The Hit Squad, and the Swinger.
Two playbooks and a new Crew waiting for you in the free preview of Blades' 68.
Sign up to follow the campaign and scroll down to get access to the preview PDF.
www.backerkit.com/call_to_acti...
Will you be the life of the party...
or the death of it?
Two playbooks and a new Crew waiting for you in the free preview of Blades' 68.
Sign up to follow the campaign and scroll down to get access to the preview PDF.
www.backerkit.com/call_to_acti...
Will you be the life of the party...
or the death of it?
Reposted by Fred Hicks
The legislature has already started the work.
The Virginia legislature today passed four constitutional amendments, all by day 3 of 2026 session:
—protect abortion rights
—repeal the same-sex marriage ban
—allow mid-decade redistricting
—greatly expand voting rights restoration.
These will all go to 2026 referendums.
—protect abortion rights
—repeal the same-sex marriage ban
—allow mid-decade redistricting
—greatly expand voting rights restoration.
These will all go to 2026 referendums.
January 17, 2026 at 1:58 PM
The legislature has already started the work.
I had a one-shot amount of fun playing a very weird 80s action character last night, but it was real clear that we didn’t need to return to NSBU later on I think. Sustainability fragments under the pressure of its “always cranked up to or past eleven” inherent energy.
Mashing up The Hidden (1987) with Automan (1983) and a dash of TRON (1982) for my character concept in a one-shot of Never Stop Blowing Up tonight. A very normal Earth-human action hero.
January 17, 2026 at 2:06 PM
I had a one-shot amount of fun playing a very weird 80s action character last night, but it was real clear that we didn’t need to return to NSBU later on I think. Sustainability fragments under the pressure of its “always cranked up to or past eleven” inherent energy.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
🚨 Karthun is on sale! 🚨
The world I created over years of home campaigns and the pages of d20Monkey, this system agnostic book is a labor of love that I am incredibly proud of. Grab it on DTRPG or my Patreon page today!
www.patreon.com/d20monkey/sh...
www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/4...
The world I created over years of home campaigns and the pages of d20Monkey, this system agnostic book is a labor of love that I am incredibly proud of. Grab it on DTRPG or my Patreon page today!
www.patreon.com/d20monkey/sh...
www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/4...
Karthun: Lands of Conflict - d20Monkey | DriveThruRPG
From the Pages of d20Monkey
Karthun: Lands of Confict is an arcanepunk, high-magic/high-fantasy campaign setting created and brought to life by Brian Patterson in the pages of the 10-year TTRPG webcom...
www.drivethrurpg.com
January 12, 2026 at 5:29 PM
🚨 Karthun is on sale! 🚨
The world I created over years of home campaigns and the pages of d20Monkey, this system agnostic book is a labor of love that I am incredibly proud of. Grab it on DTRPG or my Patreon page today!
www.patreon.com/d20monkey/sh...
www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/4...
The world I created over years of home campaigns and the pages of d20Monkey, this system agnostic book is a labor of love that I am incredibly proud of. Grab it on DTRPG or my Patreon page today!
www.patreon.com/d20monkey/sh...
www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/4...
Reposted by Fred Hicks
Of course, this suggests that empathy and an interest in other people might be a way to protect yourself from getting sucked into slopcrafting.
That sounds kind of corny, but the more I look at the folks going all in on LLM, the more I feel like maybe that scans.
That sounds kind of corny, but the more I look at the folks going all in on LLM, the more I feel like maybe that scans.
January 17, 2026 at 12:23 PM
Of course, this suggests that empathy and an interest in other people might be a way to protect yourself from getting sucked into slopcrafting.
That sounds kind of corny, but the more I look at the folks going all in on LLM, the more I feel like maybe that scans.
That sounds kind of corny, but the more I look at the folks going all in on LLM, the more I feel like maybe that scans.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
This reminds me that a reason I really respect the work that Evan and others do to try to dig up as much history as they do is because the history we tell ourselves - including history of things we’ve LIVED THROUGH - is most often self serving bullshit.
From the 2nd Ed RPG Handbook:
January 17, 2026 at 12:34 PM
This reminds me that a reason I really respect the work that Evan and others do to try to dig up as much history as they do is because the history we tell ourselves - including history of things we’ve LIVED THROUGH - is most often self serving bullshit.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
You may be upset about what's happening in Minnesota. However, Congressman Stauber (R) assures me that these are targeted deportations of the most dangerous criminals. Also, it's all the fault of Biden and the Democrats.
January 17, 2026 at 1:23 PM
You may be upset about what's happening in Minnesota. However, Congressman Stauber (R) assures me that these are targeted deportations of the most dangerous criminals. Also, it's all the fault of Biden and the Democrats.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
Carefully targeted, you see, at "the most dangerous criminal illegal aliens that the Biden administration
allowed into our country."
bsky.app/profile/djam...
allowed into our country."
bsky.app/profile/djam...
🙃
This FB post is public.
This FB post is public.
January 17, 2026 at 1:25 PM
Carefully targeted, you see, at "the most dangerous criminal illegal aliens that the Biden administration
allowed into our country."
bsky.app/profile/djam...
allowed into our country."
bsky.app/profile/djam...
Reposted by Fred Hicks
Hey you! Are you a TTRPG writer staring at discourse on bluesky??? Would you rather be writing for a game? I want to pay you (at $0.20/word) to write for a zine month project!
I'm seeking folks interested in folk stories and examining power structures in storytelling!
I'm seeking folks interested in folk stories and examining power structures in storytelling!
How I Heard It Guest Writer Application
First Pancake Studios is seeking guest writers for our upcoming TTRPG How I Heard it (Free Ashcan Available Here). How I Heard it is a GM-less storytelling game played around a campfire. Players take ...
docs.google.com
January 17, 2026 at 12:04 AM
Hey you! Are you a TTRPG writer staring at discourse on bluesky??? Would you rather be writing for a game? I want to pay you (at $0.20/word) to write for a zine month project!
I'm seeking folks interested in folk stories and examining power structures in storytelling!
I'm seeking folks interested in folk stories and examining power structures in storytelling!
Reposted by Fred Hicks
"Why have your cartoons become political all of a sudden?"
January 17, 2026 at 3:01 AM
"Why have your cartoons become political all of a sudden?"
Reposted by Fred Hicks
Gonna holler about this once more and then shut up about it for a while (since my previously mentioned guilt on promoting my work while the world is on fire is getting me to). Patreon is my only stable source of income and every bit helps.
*smoke bombs and vanishes*
*smoke bombs and vanishes*
Howdy. I'm Brian and I make things! I have a Patreon page and you can join/follow for free. I'm working to build that up, so maybe give me a follow there and if you dig it, consider joining one of the patron tiers. Signal boosts are very much appreciated too!
www.patreon.com/cw/d20monkey
www.patreon.com/cw/d20monkey
Brian F'n Patterson | Patreon
Creating Comics / Art / TTRPG Maps
www.patreon.com
January 17, 2026 at 4:56 AM
Gonna holler about this once more and then shut up about it for a while (since my previously mentioned guilt on promoting my work while the world is on fire is getting me to). Patreon is my only stable source of income and every bit helps.
*smoke bombs and vanishes*
*smoke bombs and vanishes*
Reposted by Fred Hicks
When your dystopian sci-fi setting with murderous rogue AI, kaiju, and acid storms feel more safe and stable than the world today.
January 17, 2026 at 5:09 AM
When your dystopian sci-fi setting with murderous rogue AI, kaiju, and acid storms feel more safe and stable than the world today.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
January 12, 2026 at 2:25 AM
Reposted by Fred Hicks
Some people were confused by my ICE post. This should clear it up.
January 17, 2026 at 1:43 AM
Some people were confused by my ICE post. This should clear it up.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
ICE has kidnapped so many people from their cars that the city had to put out this statement. Let that sink in.
Vehicles that are abandoned due to an ICE detention and towed to the City's impound lot will be released to their owners or a representative at no cost.
Learn more: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/getting-around/parking-driving/impound-lot/#d.en.200746
Learn more: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/getting-around/parking-driving/impound-lot/#d.en.200746
January 16, 2026 at 11:42 PM
ICE has kidnapped so many people from their cars that the city had to put out this statement. Let that sink in.
Mashing up The Hidden (1987) with Automan (1983) and a dash of TRON (1982) for my character concept in a one-shot of Never Stop Blowing Up tonight. A very normal Earth-human action hero.
January 17, 2026 at 1:13 AM
Mashing up The Hidden (1987) with Automan (1983) and a dash of TRON (1982) for my character concept in a one-shot of Never Stop Blowing Up tonight. A very normal Earth-human action hero.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
Block block block.
✅ @icegov.bsky.social has been verified by @bsky.app.
January 17, 2026 at 12:28 AM
Block block block.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
January 16, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Reposted by Fred Hicks
December 16, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Reposted by Fred Hicks
every single successful general strike in US history has had union backing through the local AFL-CIO
this is the first time it’s been called for since the 1940s
this is the first time it’s been called for since the 1940s
January 16, 2026 at 9:24 PM
every single successful general strike in US history has had union backing through the local AFL-CIO
this is the first time it’s been called for since the 1940s
this is the first time it’s been called for since the 1940s
Reposted by Fred Hicks
another one for the "the data says republicans are freaks, statistically" pile
New poll from Navigator also with an incredible result; the largest drop in support for ICE since June was actually among *Republicans*, 25% of which now say they have an unfavorable opinion of the agency.
January 15, 2026 at 10:59 PM
another one for the "the data says republicans are freaks, statistically" pile
Reposted by Fred Hicks
I’m seeing posts from people (outside of MN) about how US citizens should carry their passports.
And let me say that *inside* MN, we are calmly responding to requests with: “No, I don’t have to show you any documentation.”
Because that’s how you protect everyone, regardless of immigration status.
And let me say that *inside* MN, we are calmly responding to requests with: “No, I don’t have to show you any documentation.”
Because that’s how you protect everyone, regardless of immigration status.
January 16, 2026 at 12:17 AM
I’m seeing posts from people (outside of MN) about how US citizens should carry their passports.
And let me say that *inside* MN, we are calmly responding to requests with: “No, I don’t have to show you any documentation.”
Because that’s how you protect everyone, regardless of immigration status.
And let me say that *inside* MN, we are calmly responding to requests with: “No, I don’t have to show you any documentation.”
Because that’s how you protect everyone, regardless of immigration status.