Idle Cartulary
@idlecartulary.itch.io
Nova (she/her). Ennie and Bloggie nominated author of world-famous Bathtub Reviews. Writes modules and elfgames. Links at https://msha.ke/idlecartulary.
Pinned
Idle Cartulary
@idlecartulary.itch.io
· Dec 12
Playful Void
mainly about diy elfgames
idlecartulary.com
Hi I'm Nova, also known as Idle Cartulary. I write mainly about DIY elfgames, also known as DIY D&D, OSR and NSR games, as well as write games and modules. I'm best known for Advanced Fantasy Dungeons, and my world-famous Bathtub Reviews.
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
IT IS DONE.
MZ1 The Sibayan Cenobium, first of a six-part megazungeon. 56 full-color pages of maps, monsters, and magic to whet your appetite for adventure!
majcher.itch.io/veins-of-cor...
#zungeon #shadowdark
MZ1 The Sibayan Cenobium, first of a six-part megazungeon. 56 full-color pages of maps, monsters, and magic to whet your appetite for adventure!
majcher.itch.io/veins-of-cor...
#zungeon #shadowdark
Veins of Corruption by Majcher Arcana
A system-neutral megazungeon
majcher.itch.io
November 3, 2025 at 2:12 AM
IT IS DONE.
MZ1 The Sibayan Cenobium, first of a six-part megazungeon. 56 full-color pages of maps, monsters, and magic to whet your appetite for adventure!
majcher.itch.io/veins-of-cor...
#zungeon #shadowdark
MZ1 The Sibayan Cenobium, first of a six-part megazungeon. 56 full-color pages of maps, monsters, and magic to whet your appetite for adventure!
majcher.itch.io/veins-of-cor...
#zungeon #shadowdark
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
published an NSR #zungeon with a built-in system for running it: Get to the Escape Pod!
domjordan.itch.io/get-to-the-e...
pretty happy with this, if you give it a try i'd love to hear your thoughts!
domjordan.itch.io/get-to-the-e...
pretty happy with this, if you give it a try i'd love to hear your thoughts!
Get to the Escape Pod by domjordan
A rules-lite sci-fi panic zungeon
domjordan.itch.io
November 9, 2025 at 4:26 PM
published an NSR #zungeon with a built-in system for running it: Get to the Escape Pod!
domjordan.itch.io/get-to-the-e...
pretty happy with this, if you give it a try i'd love to hear your thoughts!
domjordan.itch.io/get-to-the-e...
pretty happy with this, if you give it a try i'd love to hear your thoughts!
Feast for a Sphinx is the gorgeous new module from the team that brought us Goblin Mail. Is it a wonder or a curse? Find out, this week in the bathtub! idlecartulary.com/2025/11/10/b... #osr
Bathtub Review: Feast for a Sphinx
Bathtub Reviews are an excuse for me to read modules a little more closely. I’m doing them to critique a wide range of modules from the perspective of my own table and to learn for my own module de…
idlecartulary.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Feast for a Sphinx is the gorgeous new module from the team that brought us Goblin Mail. Is it a wonder or a curse? Find out, this week in the bathtub! idlecartulary.com/2025/11/10/b... #osr
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
This week in the Bathtub, it’s the Rolling Coast! Does this amusement park setting for Mausritter a funhouse ride, or is it a tower of terror? find out! idlecartulary.com/2025/11/03/b...
Bathtub Review: Rolling Coast
Bathtub Reviews are an excuse for me to read modules a little more closely. I’m doing them to critique a wide range of modules from the perspective of my own table and to learn for my own module de…
idlecartulary.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:49 AM
This week in the Bathtub, it’s the Rolling Coast! Does this amusement park setting for Mausritter a funhouse ride, or is it a tower of terror? find out! idlecartulary.com/2025/11/03/b...
Snow posted further down a list of links that she feels were great writing; they’re an education (especially if you ignore the article of mine that crept in there 😅) bsky.app/profile/snow...
My hot take: there's a lot of great writing about tabletop roleplaying games, its just not taken seriously unless you're an academic or a video games journalist. we have a rich history and most of it is treated as drivel.
November 3, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Snow posted further down a list of links that she feels were great writing; they’re an education (especially if you ignore the article of mine that crept in there 😅) bsky.app/profile/snow...
This week in the Bathtub, it’s the Rolling Coast! Does this amusement park setting for Mausritter a funhouse ride, or is it a tower of terror? find out! idlecartulary.com/2025/11/03/b...
Bathtub Review: Rolling Coast
Bathtub Reviews are an excuse for me to read modules a little more closely. I’m doing them to critique a wide range of modules from the perspective of my own table and to learn for my own module de…
idlecartulary.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:49 AM
This week in the Bathtub, it’s the Rolling Coast! Does this amusement park setting for Mausritter a funhouse ride, or is it a tower of terror? find out! idlecartulary.com/2025/11/03/b...
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
My hot take: there's a lot of great writing about tabletop roleplaying games, its just not taken seriously unless you're an academic or a video games journalist. we have a rich history and most of it is treated as drivel.
November 2, 2025 at 4:10 PM
My hot take: there's a lot of great writing about tabletop roleplaying games, its just not taken seriously unless you're an academic or a video games journalist. we have a rich history and most of it is treated as drivel.
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
It’s that time of month again: Idle Digest time! This newsletter is for people who don’t follow blogs, but still want to keep up with my work and what I’m interested in! open.substack.com/pub/idlecart...
The Idle Digest #12
Idle Cartulary's Digest for October 2025
open.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:10 PM
It’s that time of month again: Idle Digest time! This newsletter is for people who don’t follow blogs, but still want to keep up with my work and what I’m interested in! open.substack.com/pub/idlecart...
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
Suuuuuuper wanna play this soon to wrap up spooky season!
Spine is probably the best TTRPG I've read or played all year, and — unbelievably — it's a solo TTRPG. Find out how this remarkable piece of work changed me, even as I changed it! idlecartulary.com/2025/10/30/i...
I Read Spine
I Read Games reviews are me reading games when I have nothing better to do, like read a module or write or play a game. I don’t seriously believe that I can judge a game without playing it, usually…
idlecartulary.com
November 1, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Suuuuuuper wanna play this soon to wrap up spooky season!
It’s that time of month again: Idle Digest time! This newsletter is for people who don’t follow blogs, but still want to keep up with my work and what I’m interested in! open.substack.com/pub/idlecart...
The Idle Digest #12
Idle Cartulary's Digest for October 2025
open.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:10 PM
It’s that time of month again: Idle Digest time! This newsletter is for people who don’t follow blogs, but still want to keep up with my work and what I’m interested in! open.substack.com/pub/idlecart...
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
A friend woke me with “I’m salty you dropped a good review the same day Gillen started discourse.” But, looks to me that Gillen just said “the osr sucks” and OSR ppl said “we dont suck” and yall should simply read Spine, the most innovative game of the year so far. idlecartulary.com/2025/10/30/i...
I Read Spine
I Read Games reviews are me reading games when I have nothing better to do, like read a module or write or play a game. I don’t seriously believe that I can judge a game without playing it, usually…
idlecartulary.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:46 PM
A friend woke me with “I’m salty you dropped a good review the same day Gillen started discourse.” But, looks to me that Gillen just said “the osr sucks” and OSR ppl said “we dont suck” and yall should simply read Spine, the most innovative game of the year so far. idlecartulary.com/2025/10/30/i...
A friend woke me with “I’m salty you dropped a good review the same day Gillen started discourse.” But, looks to me that Gillen just said “the osr sucks” and OSR ppl said “we dont suck” and yall should simply read Spine, the most innovative game of the year so far. idlecartulary.com/2025/10/30/i...
I Read Spine
I Read Games reviews are me reading games when I have nothing better to do, like read a module or write or play a game. I don’t seriously believe that I can judge a game without playing it, usually…
idlecartulary.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:46 PM
A friend woke me with “I’m salty you dropped a good review the same day Gillen started discourse.” But, looks to me that Gillen just said “the osr sucks” and OSR ppl said “we dont suck” and yall should simply read Spine, the most innovative game of the year so far. idlecartulary.com/2025/10/30/i...
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
kind of unfair that Thomas Manuel is so fucking funny on top of being an incredible writer
October 30, 2025 at 4:59 PM
kind of unfair that Thomas Manuel is so fucking funny on top of being an incredible writer
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
It is not every day that your game is called "the best TTRPG I've read or played all year," much less by one of the best reviewers out there.
I know I've asked a lot recently, but I'd be additionally grateful if you would help me share this review.
I know I've asked a lot recently, but I'd be additionally grateful if you would help me share this review.
Spine is probably the best TTRPG I've read or played all year, and — unbelievably — it's a solo TTRPG. Find out how this remarkable piece of work changed me, even as I changed it! idlecartulary.com/2025/10/30/i...
I Read Spine
I Read Games reviews are me reading games when I have nothing better to do, like read a module or write or play a game. I don’t seriously believe that I can judge a game without playing it, usually…
idlecartulary.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:59 AM
It is not every day that your game is called "the best TTRPG I've read or played all year," much less by one of the best reviewers out there.
I know I've asked a lot recently, but I'd be additionally grateful if you would help me share this review.
I know I've asked a lot recently, but I'd be additionally grateful if you would help me share this review.
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
Spine is probably the best TTRPG I've read or played all year, and — unbelievably — it's a solo TTRPG. Find out how this remarkable piece of work changed me, even as I changed it! idlecartulary.com/2025/10/30/i...
I Read Spine
I Read Games reviews are me reading games when I have nothing better to do, like read a module or write or play a game. I don’t seriously believe that I can judge a game without playing it, usually…
idlecartulary.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Spine is probably the best TTRPG I've read or played all year, and — unbelievably — it's a solo TTRPG. Find out how this remarkable piece of work changed me, even as I changed it! idlecartulary.com/2025/10/30/i...
Spine is probably the best TTRPG I've read or played all year, and — unbelievably — it's a solo TTRPG. Find out how this remarkable piece of work changed me, even as I changed it! idlecartulary.com/2025/10/30/i...
I Read Spine
I Read Games reviews are me reading games when I have nothing better to do, like read a module or write or play a game. I don’t seriously believe that I can judge a game without playing it, usually…
idlecartulary.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Spine is probably the best TTRPG I've read or played all year, and — unbelievably — it's a solo TTRPG. Find out how this remarkable piece of work changed me, even as I changed it! idlecartulary.com/2025/10/30/i...
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
Sat down today to play Spine for an upcoming review. I destroyed a beautiful book, and now I’m sending that beautiful mess to my friend to review as well! I hope they survive! Look forward to another I Read game review of Spine come Halloween!
October 24, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Sat down today to play Spine for an upcoming review. I destroyed a beautiful book, and now I’m sending that beautiful mess to my friend to review as well! I hope they survive! Look forward to another I Read game review of Spine come Halloween!
Sat down today to play Spine for an upcoming review. I destroyed a beautiful book, and now I’m sending that beautiful mess to my friend to review as well! I hope they survive! Look forward to another I Read game review of Spine come Halloween!
October 24, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Sat down today to play Spine for an upcoming review. I destroyed a beautiful book, and now I’m sending that beautiful mess to my friend to review as well! I hope they survive! Look forward to another I Read game review of Spine come Halloween!
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
Serpent’s Sanctum has just been reviewed on Between Two Cairns – thanks @bradkerr.net @yochaigal.bsky.social !
Grab it on itch for $19 undelved.itch.io/serpents-san...
Or get it when signing up for the $10 tier on my patreon, along with two other adventures: www.patreon.com/cw/Undelved
Grab it on itch for $19 undelved.itch.io/serpents-san...
Or get it when signing up for the $10 tier on my patreon, along with two other adventures: www.patreon.com/cw/Undelved
October 23, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Serpent’s Sanctum has just been reviewed on Between Two Cairns – thanks @bradkerr.net @yochaigal.bsky.social !
Grab it on itch for $19 undelved.itch.io/serpents-san...
Or get it when signing up for the $10 tier on my patreon, along with two other adventures: www.patreon.com/cw/Undelved
Grab it on itch for $19 undelved.itch.io/serpents-san...
Or get it when signing up for the $10 tier on my patreon, along with two other adventures: www.patreon.com/cw/Undelved
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
Reading Nova's blog, you start to see themes of what's improving and what's faltering in rpg adventure design.
Emergence is a really cool funnel. Love the cover. Have similar thoughts to Idle Cartulary's.
Emergence is a really cool funnel. Love the cover. Have similar thoughts to Idle Cartulary's.
This week in the Bathtub, its Emergence! Does this funnel module concentrate all the fun into a tiny container, or does it leave you as lost and confused as a babe? Find out!! idlecartulary.com/2025/10/20/b...
Bathtub Review: Emergence
Bathtub Reviews are an excuse for me to read modules a little more closely. I’m doing them to critique a wide range of modules from the perspective of my own table and to learn for my own module de…
idlecartulary.com
October 20, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Reading Nova's blog, you start to see themes of what's improving and what's faltering in rpg adventure design.
Emergence is a really cool funnel. Love the cover. Have similar thoughts to Idle Cartulary's.
Emergence is a really cool funnel. Love the cover. Have similar thoughts to Idle Cartulary's.
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
Nederlandssprekende volgers (alle dertien)! Ik en @chriticalhit.itch.io hebben meer dan een uur over rollenspellen gepraat. In het bijzonder over DIY kerkers. Iedereen kan binnen een uurtje een "zungeon" op papier hebben—en met zo'n DIY mentaliteit kunnen we rpgs weer lokaal en eigenaardig maken📝✂️🖍️
S4 Aflevering 8 - Je nieuwe favoriete manier van dungeons bouwen! - DND met een zachte G
In deze zuper zpeziale epizode praat Chrit met Hendrik over Zungeons. Wat zijn Zungeons en hoe krijg ik er een? Dat en nog veel meer vind je in deze aflevering. Veel luisterplezier!Waarschuwing deze a...
www.dndmeteenzachteg.nl
October 21, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Nederlandssprekende volgers (alle dertien)! Ik en @chriticalhit.itch.io hebben meer dan een uur over rollenspellen gepraat. In het bijzonder over DIY kerkers. Iedereen kan binnen een uurtje een "zungeon" op papier hebben—en met zo'n DIY mentaliteit kunnen we rpgs weer lokaal en eigenaardig maken📝✂️🖍️
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
Read her full review:
Bathtub Review: Emergence
Bathtub Reviews are an excuse for me to read modules a little more closely. I’m doing them to critique a wide range of modules from the perspective of my own table and to learn for my own module de…
idlecartulary.com
October 20, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Read her full review:
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
This week in the Bathtub, its Emergence! Does this funnel module concentrate all the fun into a tiny container, or does it leave you as lost and confused as a babe? Find out!! idlecartulary.com/2025/10/20/b...
Bathtub Review: Emergence
Bathtub Reviews are an excuse for me to read modules a little more closely. I’m doing them to critique a wide range of modules from the perspective of my own table and to learn for my own module de…
idlecartulary.com
October 20, 2025 at 7:05 PM
This week in the Bathtub, its Emergence! Does this funnel module concentrate all the fun into a tiny container, or does it leave you as lost and confused as a babe? Find out!! idlecartulary.com/2025/10/20/b...
This week in the Bathtub, its Emergence! Does this funnel module concentrate all the fun into a tiny container, or does it leave you as lost and confused as a babe? Find out!! idlecartulary.com/2025/10/20/b...
Bathtub Review: Emergence
Bathtub Reviews are an excuse for me to read modules a little more closely. I’m doing them to critique a wide range of modules from the perspective of my own table and to learn for my own module de…
idlecartulary.com
October 20, 2025 at 7:05 PM
This week in the Bathtub, its Emergence! Does this funnel module concentrate all the fun into a tiny container, or does it leave you as lost and confused as a babe? Find out!! idlecartulary.com/2025/10/20/b...
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
This week in the Bathtub, it’s a classic, What Ho! Frog Demons! Is this as devilishly good as the others in the Hill Cantons, or is it staid as a toad? Find out! idlecartulary.com/2025/10/13/b... #osr
Bathtub Review: What Ho, Frog Demons
Bathtub Reviews are an excuse for me to read modules a little more closely. I’m doing them to critique a wide range of modules from the perspective of my own table and to learn for my own module de…
idlecartulary.com
October 16, 2025 at 10:50 AM
This week in the Bathtub, it’s a classic, What Ho! Frog Demons! Is this as devilishly good as the others in the Hill Cantons, or is it staid as a toad? Find out! idlecartulary.com/2025/10/13/b... #osr