Steve Dempsey
@gbsteve.bsky.social
Bilingual gamer, GUMSHOE enthusiast, folklore finder, West Ham supporter, ME/CFS layabout, ex-data scientist.
Ooh!
Proud to announce that my new occult investigative mystery, The War in Heaven, has been published by Roswell Publishing. First in a series. Happy uncanny reading, all!
www.amazon.com/War-Heaven-P...
www.amazon.com/War-Heaven-P...
The War in Heaven
The War in Heaven - Kindle edition by Mackintosh, Paul StJohn. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading The War in Heaven.
www.amazon.com
January 27, 2026 at 11:05 PM
Ooh!
Very enjoyable Mythic Bastionland tonight. A crisis came to a head as the heir to the throne, Sir Godak, besieged the capital. The knights had been harrying his army and had destroyed his siege engines. There were sorties, fires, massed bagpipes and all sorts. Merryshire Detective Club next week.
January 26, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Very enjoyable Mythic Bastionland tonight. A crisis came to a head as the heir to the throne, Sir Godak, besieged the capital. The knights had been harrying his army and had destroyed his siege engines. There were sorties, fires, massed bagpipes and all sorts. Merryshire Detective Club next week.
I'm certinaly no Gygax apologist but this podcast is strange. It talks about the birth of D&D, Gygax and TSR and all the nasty stuff and then just goes off on one about everything that has happened since EGG died is his fault.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/g...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/g...
This Guy Sucked
History Podcast · Updated Weekly · A show that proves no matter how long you've been dead, it's never too late to have haters. Join historian Dr. Claire Aubin and a new expert every week to pull back ...
podcasts.apple.com
January 25, 2026 at 2:53 PM
I'm certinaly no Gygax apologist but this podcast is strange. It talks about the birth of D&D, Gygax and TSR and all the nasty stuff and then just goes off on one about everything that has happened since EGG died is his fault.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/g...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/g...
Reposted by Steve Dempsey
In the latest episode of my podcast, which is out now on all platforms, I discuss the role of the ghost in the medieval period with my expert guest @goingmedieval.bsky.social
Listen free on your podcast apps, or at www.thefolklorepodcast.com/episode-186....
or watch at youtu.be/UXT9f5sWD5Q
Listen free on your podcast apps, or at www.thefolklorepodcast.com/episode-186....
or watch at youtu.be/UXT9f5sWD5Q
January 21, 2026 at 7:28 PM
In the latest episode of my podcast, which is out now on all platforms, I discuss the role of the ghost in the medieval period with my expert guest @goingmedieval.bsky.social
Listen free on your podcast apps, or at www.thefolklorepodcast.com/episode-186....
or watch at youtu.be/UXT9f5sWD5Q
Listen free on your podcast apps, or at www.thefolklorepodcast.com/episode-186....
or watch at youtu.be/UXT9f5sWD5Q
Pick up the nearest boo. Turn to page 42, post the second sentence.
"There eftir i entrit in ane grene treis, because the borial blastis of the thre borouing dais of Marche hed chaissit the fragrant flureise of evyrie frut-tree far athourt the fieldis.
"There eftir i entrit in ane grene treis, because the borial blastis of the thre borouing dais of Marche hed chaissit the fragrant flureise of evyrie frut-tree far athourt the fieldis.
Pick up the nearest book. Turn to page 42, post the second sentence.
"Baron Meliadus frowned, for the young duke had provided an example others might follow."
"Baron Meliadus frowned, for the young duke had provided an example others might follow."
Pick up the nearest book. Turn to page 42, post the second sentence.
"It pulls at my clothing and sometimes I feel I've got to pick it up, cuddle and kiss it."
"It pulls at my clothing and sometimes I feel I've got to pick it up, cuddle and kiss it."
January 21, 2026 at 11:02 AM
Pick up the nearest boo. Turn to page 42, post the second sentence.
"There eftir i entrit in ane grene treis, because the borial blastis of the thre borouing dais of Marche hed chaissit the fragrant flureise of evyrie frut-tree far athourt the fieldis.
"There eftir i entrit in ane grene treis, because the borial blastis of the thre borouing dais of Marche hed chaissit the fragrant flureise of evyrie frut-tree far athourt the fieldis.
Mine are:
- Mostly run some games, maybe around 50.
- Publish a zine, which requires some rewrites and getting some art, hopefully from my family.
- Collaborate with a friend to get some of the stuff I've run in my 10 year mostly improvised campaign into print.
- try and do some art more regularly.
- Mostly run some games, maybe around 50.
- Publish a zine, which requires some rewrites and getting some art, hopefully from my family.
- Collaborate with a friend to get some of the stuff I've run in my 10 year mostly improvised campaign into print.
- try and do some art more regularly.
Can people post their creative plans for 2026?
Mine are
-Podcast workReleasing @tyrantpodcast.bsky.social weekly
-Writing 5 Orcs book
-Start new Substack. A roleplay for readers being employees for a tyrannical government
-write (+perform standup)
-Get myself onto more podcasts
Let's do this!
Mine are
-Podcast workReleasing @tyrantpodcast.bsky.social weekly
-Writing 5 Orcs book
-Start new Substack. A roleplay for readers being employees for a tyrannical government
-write (+perform standup)
-Get myself onto more podcasts
Let's do this!
January 18, 2026 at 12:37 AM
Mine are:
- Mostly run some games, maybe around 50.
- Publish a zine, which requires some rewrites and getting some art, hopefully from my family.
- Collaborate with a friend to get some of the stuff I've run in my 10 year mostly improvised campaign into print.
- try and do some art more regularly.
- Mostly run some games, maybe around 50.
- Publish a zine, which requires some rewrites and getting some art, hopefully from my family.
- Collaborate with a friend to get some of the stuff I've run in my 10 year mostly improvised campaign into print.
- try and do some art more regularly.
Spamtastic.
LLMs are spam generators. That is all.
They're designed to generate plausibly human-like text well enough to pass a generic Turing Test. That's why people believe they're "intelligent".
But really, all they are is spam generators.
We have hit the spamularity.
They're designed to generate plausibly human-like text well enough to pass a generic Turing Test. That's why people believe they're "intelligent".
But really, all they are is spam generators.
We have hit the spamularity.
January 16, 2026 at 9:02 PM
Spamtastic.
My GiP, Trail of Cthulhu, has drifted to the Library of the Dreamlands and the group have come in through the lower levels and are seeking to escape.
I'm using the Stygian Library to run this, with thematic changes, but it's going great. Quality stuff from @soulmuppet.co.uk.
I'm using the Stygian Library to run this, with thematic changes, but it's going great. Quality stuff from @soulmuppet.co.uk.
January 15, 2026 at 10:07 PM
My GiP, Trail of Cthulhu, has drifted to the Library of the Dreamlands and the group have come in through the lower levels and are seeking to escape.
I'm using the Stygian Library to run this, with thematic changes, but it's going great. Quality stuff from @soulmuppet.co.uk.
I'm using the Stygian Library to run this, with thematic changes, but it's going great. Quality stuff from @soulmuppet.co.uk.
It has escaped from Worlds Without Master Vol 1, Issue 3. Get it before it gets you!
Thank you, Rogues - we've funded well before the sun set on the first day of the campaign!
It's really incredible to see all the nice things you've had to say about the game, and the excitement for getting this stand-alone edition out into the world!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/unw...
It's really incredible to see all the nice things you've had to say about the game, and the excitement for getting this stand-alone edition out into the world!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/unw...
Swords Without Master
A ttrpg of strange sorceries, ferocious deeds, and astounding wonder by Epidiah Ravachol.
www.kickstarter.com
January 12, 2026 at 11:13 PM
It has escaped from Worlds Without Master Vol 1, Issue 3. Get it before it gets you!
If you design or run #ttrpgs, read this. @levikornelsen.bsky.social has done much of the heavy lifting for you.
My view on "The Trad GM role is heavy" is "Yes! And if that isn't actively fun for you at the moment, I have some options for you, in the Guidance and Players Roles sections of, you know, the same place I put fucking everything."
levikornelsen.itch.io/praxic-compe...
levikornelsen.itch.io/praxic-compe...
The Praxic Compendium by Levi Kornelsen
Design Elements For Tabletop RPGs
levikornelsen.itch.io
January 12, 2026 at 1:16 PM
If you design or run #ttrpgs, read this. @levikornelsen.bsky.social has done much of the heavy lifting for you.
My first thought was, "Oh shit, who blabbed that I've been using the Carthusians in my game in progress?!"
January 8, 2026 at 11:35 AM
My first thought was, "Oh shit, who blabbed that I've been using the Carthusians in my game in progress?!"
@sainsburys.bsky.social it's a shame I can no longer get these.
January 6, 2026 at 11:45 AM
@sainsburys.bsky.social it's a shame I can no longer get these.
Reposted by Steve Dempsey
The Filing Cabinet of Fear is a show with a possessed filing cabinet and demons, UFOs, cryptids and spectral synthesisers making supernatural sounds! Tickets for @cambridgejunction on Feb 19th available now at the Cambridge Junction website.
January 6, 2026 at 7:48 AM
The Filing Cabinet of Fear is a show with a possessed filing cabinet and demons, UFOs, cryptids and spectral synthesisers making supernatural sounds! Tickets for @cambridgejunction on Feb 19th available now at the Cambridge Junction website.
Reposted by Steve Dempsey
post a perfect album from the 90s that isn't nirvana, pearl jam, soundgarden, or alice in chains
December 29, 2025 at 10:47 PM
post a perfect album from the 90s that isn't nirvana, pearl jam, soundgarden, or alice in chains
You've just opened up a Star Trek themed restaurant.
What are you calling it?
I'm not sure yet, but I've already got a sign.
What are you calling it?
I'm not sure yet, but I've already got a sign.
December 28, 2025 at 12:03 AM
You've just opened up a Star Trek themed restaurant.
What are you calling it?
I'm not sure yet, but I've already got a sign.
What are you calling it?
I'm not sure yet, but I've already got a sign.
Tons of great stuff here for anyone interested in the #Gothic.
A Romancing the Gothic first!
I have put the whole schedule for 2026 up in advance!
You can already book tickets through March but you can see what's coming (and note it in your diary!) for the whole year!
What a talk schedule!
romancingthegothic.com/class-schedu...
I have put the whole schedule for 2026 up in advance!
You can already book tickets through March but you can see what's coming (and note it in your diary!) for the whole year!
What a talk schedule!
romancingthegothic.com/class-schedu...
Class Schedules
For classes that have already happened, you can click on ‘Online Here’ to see a recorded version. Check out the YouTube channel for earlier classes as well! Sign up here Date (All times…
romancingthegothic.com
December 27, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Tons of great stuff here for anyone interested in the #Gothic.
Filled in my personal assessment tax return, only to discover that HMRC think I owe them £180 for the previous year's tax. However it's on my bank statement so at least one of us can keep good records.
Oh yeah, and they lost records of all my PAYE payments I made while working as a student.
Oh yeah, and they lost records of all my PAYE payments I made while working as a student.
December 21, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Filled in my personal assessment tax return, only to discover that HMRC think I owe them £180 for the previous year's tax. However it's on my bank statement so at least one of us can keep good records.
Oh yeah, and they lost records of all my PAYE payments I made while working as a student.
Oh yeah, and they lost records of all my PAYE payments I made while working as a student.
After looking at the Lee Miller photographs of Buchenwald in Tate Britain, all the portraits in the permanent collection were just more dead people.
December 20, 2025 at 11:23 AM
After looking at the Lee Miller photographs of Buchenwald in Tate Britain, all the portraits in the permanent collection were just more dead people.
Another excellent zine from @gonzohistory.bsky.social on @kickstarter.com. www.kickstarter.com/projects/mon...
The Booklet of Bounties
A zine of fantasy fugitives and bounty-hunting scenario seeds.
www.kickstarter.com
December 9, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Another excellent zine from @gonzohistory.bsky.social on @kickstarter.com. www.kickstarter.com/projects/mon...
The Allusionist, Helen Zaltzman's amazing podcast about language, has an episode on anxiety with sufferer and poet Paul Clare who has two free courses on his website: 100 Day Writing Challenge supported by a podcast and the 8 week Couch to 80k Writing Boot Camp.
www.timclarepoet.co.uk
www.timclarepoet.co.uk
Tim Clare - Author, Poet and Creative Writing Advice Podcaster
Twitter Facebook Envelope Award-winning author, poet and creative writing podcaster I’m the author of THE HONOURS, THE ICE HOUSE, and WE CAN’T ALL BE ASTRONAUTS (winner Best Biography/Memoir – 2009 Ea...
www.timclarepoet.co.uk
December 6, 2025 at 4:41 PM
The Allusionist, Helen Zaltzman's amazing podcast about language, has an episode on anxiety with sufferer and poet Paul Clare who has two free courses on his website: 100 Day Writing Challenge supported by a podcast and the 8 week Couch to 80k Writing Boot Camp.
www.timclarepoet.co.uk
www.timclarepoet.co.uk
I think I've talked to everyone at #Dragonmeet except @pacogmsmagazine.bsky.social.
November 29, 2025 at 4:50 PM
I think I've talked to everyone at #Dragonmeet except @pacogmsmagazine.bsky.social.
The queuing area at #Dragonmeet is larger than any previous Dragonmeet.
November 29, 2025 at 9:12 AM
The queuing area at #Dragonmeet is larger than any previous Dragonmeet.
Cray Valley beat the world record for attendance at a football match. Must have been quite crammed in. #IsthmianLeague #CrayValley #WorldRecord
November 22, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Cray Valley beat the world record for attendance at a football match. Must have been quite crammed in. #IsthmianLeague #CrayValley #WorldRecord
#TheHauntedLandscape has been a smorgasbord of delights, the devil, demons, ghosts, spirits of dogs and place, churchyards hidden or loreful, cunning folk and witchcraft. And there's still legend tripping to come, a favourite activity of ours.
November 22, 2025 at 4:02 PM
#TheHauntedLandscape has been a smorgasbord of delights, the devil, demons, ghosts, spirits of dogs and place, churchyards hidden or loreful, cunning folk and witchcraft. And there's still legend tripping to come, a favourite activity of ours.
@jaylikesthings.bsky.social kicks off #TheHauntedLandscape looking at ghost stories and their afterlives.
November 22, 2025 at 10:26 AM
@jaylikesthings.bsky.social kicks off #TheHauntedLandscape looking at ghost stories and their afterlives.