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
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!!!
Bloggies closes tomorrow! Please vote for Bathtub Reviews or Critique Navidad for best series or for one of my other posts for design, like the Zungeon Manifesto, Don’t Wait to Create, or When is the Cake Baked! idlecartulary.com
January 29, 2026 at 10:30 PM
Bloggies closes tomorrow! Please vote for Bathtub Reviews or Critique Navidad for best series or for one of my other posts for design, like the Zungeon Manifesto, Don’t Wait to Create, or When is the Cake Baked! idlecartulary.com
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
I have been writing this blogpost for months to share my personal perspective and insight to the Indonesian Tabletop RPG scene. Check it out!
afraidofencounters.bearblog.dev/afraid-of-co...
afraidofencounters.bearblog.dev/afraid-of-co...
Afraid of Communities - Indonesian Tabletop RPG scene & LFG
A look at the Indonesian Tabletop RPG scene
afraidofencounters.bearblog.dev
January 29, 2026 at 4:01 PM
I have been writing this blogpost for months to share my personal perspective and insight to the Indonesian Tabletop RPG scene. Check it out!
afraidofencounters.bearblog.dev/afraid-of-co...
afraidofencounters.bearblog.dev/afraid-of-co...
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
Back in the day I used to work for a news desk.
It wasn't for very long, and journalism ultimately wasn't for me---but because of it I have a healthy respect for those who do journalism with integrity; and know how to recognise some of the tricks employed by those who don't.
1/
It wasn't for very long, and journalism ultimately wasn't for me---but because of it I have a healthy respect for those who do journalism with integrity; and know how to recognise some of the tricks employed by those who don't.
1/
January 26, 2026 at 4:31 AM
Back in the day I used to work for a news desk.
It wasn't for very long, and journalism ultimately wasn't for me---but because of it I have a healthy respect for those who do journalism with integrity; and know how to recognise some of the tricks employed by those who don't.
1/
It wasn't for very long, and journalism ultimately wasn't for me---but because of it I have a healthy respect for those who do journalism with integrity; and know how to recognise some of the tricks employed by those who don't.
1/
Seems like it’s the time of year to remind the 📀🐴 that the kind of games you play or design did not make you a good or a bad person. Elfgames are not praxis. idlecartulary.com/2023/09/02/m...
Moralising and manipulation in tabletop roleplaying games
Edit: This post was nominated for a Bloggie Award! Thank you for all your support everyone! My hill to die on this week, is just we need to stop moralising the type of games people play. This overl…
idlecartulary.com
January 22, 2026 at 11:19 PM
Seems like it’s the time of year to remind the 📀🐴 that the kind of games you play or design did not make you a good or a bad person. Elfgames are not praxis. idlecartulary.com/2023/09/02/m...
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
I came to Minneapolis to report on what's going on, and one of the main questions I showed up with is "just what is the scale of the resistance?" After all, we're all used to the news calling Portland a "war zone" or whatever when it's just some protests in one part of town.
January 22, 2026 at 3:58 AM
I came to Minneapolis to report on what's going on, and one of the main questions I showed up with is "just what is the scale of the resistance?" After all, we're all used to the news calling Portland a "war zone" or whatever when it's just some protests in one part of town.
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
My daily Bloggies picks (20):
More adventure-writing wisdom from the Year of the Beta: @idlecartulary.itch.io asks "Is your adventure scenario ready yet?" it's okay to bake it a little while longer
idlecartulary.com/2025/04/08/w...
More adventure-writing wisdom from the Year of the Beta: @idlecartulary.itch.io asks "Is your adventure scenario ready yet?" it's okay to bake it a little while longer
idlecartulary.com/2025/04/08/w...
When is the cake baked?
Lately I’ve read a bunch of modules that feel like they weren’t fully baked. The scope story they were trying to tell was greater than their page count. I was left wishing there was more, despite a…
idlecartulary.com
January 20, 2026 at 12:47 PM
My daily Bloggies picks (20):
More adventure-writing wisdom from the Year of the Beta: @idlecartulary.itch.io asks "Is your adventure scenario ready yet?" it's okay to bake it a little while longer
idlecartulary.com/2025/04/08/w...
More adventure-writing wisdom from the Year of the Beta: @idlecartulary.itch.io asks "Is your adventure scenario ready yet?" it's okay to bake it a little while longer
idlecartulary.com/2025/04/08/w...
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
This week in the bathtub, stop a dying star from going supernova in Twinkle Twinkle Little Star! idlecartulary.com/2026/01/19/b...
Bathtub Review: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
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
January 19, 2026 at 10:54 AM
This week in the bathtub, stop a dying star from going supernova in Twinkle Twinkle Little Star! idlecartulary.com/2026/01/19/b...
This week in the bathtub, stop a dying star from going supernova in Twinkle Twinkle Little Star! idlecartulary.com/2026/01/19/b...
Bathtub Review: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
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
January 19, 2026 at 10:54 AM
This week in the bathtub, stop a dying star from going supernova in Twinkle Twinkle Little Star! idlecartulary.com/2026/01/19/b...
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
Looks like I need some @lazylitch.bsky.social in my life.
@idlecartulary.itch.io
idlecartulary.com/2026/01/12/b...
@idlecartulary.itch.io
idlecartulary.com/2026/01/12/b...
Bathtub Review: Mana Meltdown
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
January 12, 2026 at 11:18 PM
Looks like I need some @lazylitch.bsky.social in my life.
@idlecartulary.itch.io
idlecartulary.com/2026/01/12/b...
@idlecartulary.itch.io
idlecartulary.com/2026/01/12/b...
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
Although I can't help but agree with some of the criticisms of the module's confusing density, the concept is fantastic (both senses of the word), the character writing is presented in an unusually usable way, and the art is so cool it convinced me to get back into drawing myself.
This week in the Bathtub, we’re entering a multidimensional labyrinth on the back of a dragonfly, in search for nukes: It’s Mana Meltdown! idlecartulary.com/2026/01/12/b...
Bathtub Review: Mana Meltdown
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
January 12, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Although I can't help but agree with some of the criticisms of the module's confusing density, the concept is fantastic (both senses of the word), the character writing is presented in an unusually usable way, and the art is so cool it convinced me to get back into drawing myself.
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
This week in the Bathtub, we’re entering a multidimensional labyrinth on the back of a dragonfly, in search for nukes: It’s Mana Meltdown! idlecartulary.com/2026/01/12/b...
Bathtub Review: Mana Meltdown
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
January 12, 2026 at 10:37 AM
This week in the Bathtub, we’re entering a multidimensional labyrinth on the back of a dragonfly, in search for nukes: It’s Mana Meltdown! idlecartulary.com/2026/01/12/b...
This week in the Bathtub, we’re entering a multidimensional labyrinth on the back of a dragonfly, in search for nukes: It’s Mana Meltdown! idlecartulary.com/2026/01/12/b...
Bathtub Review: Mana Meltdown
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
January 12, 2026 at 10:37 AM
This week in the Bathtub, we’re entering a multidimensional labyrinth on the back of a dragonfly, in search for nukes: It’s Mana Meltdown! idlecartulary.com/2026/01/12/b...
The Field Agents Handbook was my second favourite game of 2025, and aged I reviewed it for Critique Navidad, the creator sent me the boxed set (which honestly I didn’t know existed when I wrote the review. It came yesterday, and is gorgeous
January 10, 2026 at 4:56 AM
The Field Agents Handbook was my second favourite game of 2025, and aged I reviewed it for Critique Navidad, the creator sent me the boxed set (which honestly I didn’t know existed when I wrote the review. It came yesterday, and is gorgeous
I’m starting a series on ways to use dice in your TTRPGs. Here’s the first: River dice! idlecartulary.com/2026/01/08/r...
River Dice (Make Dice Work For You #1)
Make Dice Work For You is a series where I’ll regularly talk through a new way to use dice in your game. It came out of conversation surrounding What to randomise when you’re randomising, and what …
idlecartulary.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:26 AM
I’m starting a series on ways to use dice in your TTRPGs. Here’s the first: River dice! idlecartulary.com/2026/01/08/r...
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
A recap and thoughts on @zedecksiew.bsky.social's A Perfect Wife.
imstillonthemountain.beehiiv.com/p/a-perfect-...
imstillonthemountain.beehiiv.com/p/a-perfect-...
A Perfect Wife afterward
A recap and thoughts on Zedeck Siew's A Perfect Wife
imstillonthemountain.beehiiv.com
January 7, 2026 at 9:15 PM
A recap and thoughts on @zedecksiew.bsky.social's A Perfect Wife.
imstillonthemountain.beehiiv.com/p/a-perfect-...
imstillonthemountain.beehiiv.com/p/a-perfect-...
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
A nice summary of mistakes people make when using random tables in their games. Sometimes I see modules where it feels like there are random tables simply to act as a sort of OSR fetish.
Surprise post! Randomisation errors and how to avoid sabotaging your model with bad use of randomisation! idlecartulary.com/2026/01/06/w... #osr
What to randomise when you’re randomising
You may have noticed that a common theme in my reviews is that I criticise people’s random tables: Their wilderness generators, their wandering monsters, their weather tables, their treasure …
idlecartulary.com
January 5, 2026 at 11:34 PM
A nice summary of mistakes people make when using random tables in their games. Sometimes I see modules where it feels like there are random tables simply to act as a sort of OSR fetish.
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
Surprise post! Randomisation errors and how to avoid sabotaging your model with bad use of randomisation! idlecartulary.com/2026/01/06/w... #osr
What to randomise when you’re randomising
You may have noticed that a common theme in my reviews is that I criticise people’s random tables: Their wilderness generators, their wandering monsters, their weather tables, their treasure …
idlecartulary.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:44 PM
Surprise post! Randomisation errors and how to avoid sabotaging your model with bad use of randomisation! idlecartulary.com/2026/01/06/w... #osr
Surprise post! Randomisation errors and how to avoid sabotaging your model with bad use of randomisation! idlecartulary.com/2026/01/06/w... #osr
What to randomise when you’re randomising
You may have noticed that a common theme in my reviews is that I criticise people’s random tables: Their wilderness generators, their wandering monsters, their weather tables, their treasure …
idlecartulary.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:44 PM
Surprise post! Randomisation errors and how to avoid sabotaging your model with bad use of randomisation! idlecartulary.com/2026/01/06/w... #osr
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
aaand the first Bathtub Review of the year is Providers! Does it provide a creepy ass cult and a ripping setting, or have we had enough micro settings for Mothership? Find out!! idlecartulary.com/2026/01/05/b...
Bathtub Review: Providers
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
January 5, 2026 at 10:47 AM
aaand the first Bathtub Review of the year is Providers! Does it provide a creepy ass cult and a ripping setting, or have we had enough micro settings for Mothership? Find out!! idlecartulary.com/2026/01/05/b...
aaand the first Bathtub Review of the year is Providers! Does it provide a creepy ass cult and a ripping setting, or have we had enough micro settings for Mothership? Find out!! idlecartulary.com/2026/01/05/b...
Bathtub Review: Providers
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
January 5, 2026 at 10:47 AM
aaand the first Bathtub Review of the year is Providers! Does it provide a creepy ass cult and a ripping setting, or have we had enough micro settings for Mothership? Find out!! idlecartulary.com/2026/01/05/b...
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
Incredibly shocked and saddened to learn of Steve Dee’s passing. His passion for making games and sharing the craft of gamemaking was unmatched. He made a whole bunch of great games (It Is Forbidden is stellar), and in his memory I want to share my favourite:
January 5, 2026 at 7:18 AM
Incredibly shocked and saddened to learn of Steve Dee’s passing. His passion for making games and sharing the craft of gamemaking was unmatched. He made a whole bunch of great games (It Is Forbidden is stellar), and in his memory I want to share my favourite:
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
Honestly this is really heartwarming to hear. I wasn’t sure this got the message I was trying to get across, and it hasn’t had a lot of attention, so it’s great to see some people appreciated it! Thanks elmcat!
My daily Bloggies picks (3):
@idlecartulary.itch.io on starting a module: put something on paper, ask questions, answer them, iterate. A good reminder that polished work doesn’t appear by magic.
idlecartulary.com/2025/11/19/h...
@idlecartulary.itch.io on starting a module: put something on paper, ask questions, answer them, iterate. A good reminder that polished work doesn’t appear by magic.
idlecartulary.com/2025/11/19/h...
How to Write a Module: An Incoherent Play-by-Play
A few months ago I decided to write a module live on Bluesky, from woe to go, to show my process and why I keep insisting it’s not hard. A few people asked me to immortalise it here, so I’m reprodu…
idlecartulary.com
January 4, 2026 at 12:29 AM
Honestly this is really heartwarming to hear. I wasn’t sure this got the message I was trying to get across, and it hasn’t had a lot of attention, so it’s great to see some people appreciated it! Thanks elmcat!
Reposted by Idle Cartulary
Another one from @idlecartulary.itch.io's because this really inspires me to create! idlecartulary.com/2025/07/09/d...
Don’t wait to create, don’t wait to learn
A prominent game designer recently said in a Dice Exploder thread, that breaking down design paradigms before you design games is self-limiting and unproductive. This was interpreted by many as “yo…
idlecartulary.com
January 4, 2026 at 1:36 AM
Another one from @idlecartulary.itch.io's because this really inspires me to create! idlecartulary.com/2025/07/09/d...
Honestly this is really heartwarming to hear. I wasn’t sure this got the message I was trying to get across, and it hasn’t had a lot of attention, so it’s great to see some people appreciated it! Thanks elmcat!
My daily Bloggies picks (3):
@idlecartulary.itch.io on starting a module: put something on paper, ask questions, answer them, iterate. A good reminder that polished work doesn’t appear by magic.
idlecartulary.com/2025/11/19/h...
@idlecartulary.itch.io on starting a module: put something on paper, ask questions, answer them, iterate. A good reminder that polished work doesn’t appear by magic.
idlecartulary.com/2025/11/19/h...
How to Write a Module: An Incoherent Play-by-Play
A few months ago I decided to write a module live on Bluesky, from woe to go, to show my process and why I keep insisting it’s not hard. A few people asked me to immortalise it here, so I’m reprodu…
idlecartulary.com
January 4, 2026 at 12:29 AM
Honestly this is really heartwarming to hear. I wasn’t sure this got the message I was trying to get across, and it hasn’t had a lot of attention, so it’s great to see some people appreciated it! Thanks elmcat!