Kienna is trying their best
@kiennas.bsky.social
Kienna Shaw · nbi she/they · game writer/designer · formerly @ Larian Studios · co-curator of ENnie winning TTRPG Safety Toolkit @ttrpgsafetytoolkit.com · goosetuber on Twitch · kiennashaw@gmail.com
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Hi! I'm Kienna and I'm a:
✨ writer and narrative designer for TTRPGs and video games (available for FT/PT/freelance)
✨ co-curator of the
#TTRPGSafetyToolkit
✨ goosetuber aboard the GSS on Twitch
Handy links are:
✨ games kiennas.itch.io
✨ livestream channel twitch.tv/kiennas
✨ website kiennas.com
✨ writer and narrative designer for TTRPGs and video games (available for FT/PT/freelance)
✨ co-curator of the
#TTRPGSafetyToolkit
✨ goosetuber aboard the GSS on Twitch
Handy links are:
✨ games kiennas.itch.io
✨ livestream channel twitch.tv/kiennas
✨ website kiennas.com
I worked as an English tutor for a French-immersion kid about 15 years ago where the family originally wanted me to do what I realize now was three-cueing theory (using puppets no less), and after reading this I'm very glad teenaged me dismissed that and relied on phonics-based teaching
how did i go so long not knowing we were literally teaching people to read wrong. i knew something wasn't right but jesus christ www.apmreports.org/episode/2019...
How a flawed idea is teaching millions of kids to be poor readers
For decades, schools have taught children the strategies of struggling readers, using a theory about reading that cognitive scientists have repeatedly debunked. And many teachers and parents don't kno...
www.apmreports.org
November 12, 2025 at 5:05 AM
I worked as an English tutor for a French-immersion kid about 15 years ago where the family originally wanted me to do what I realize now was three-cueing theory (using puppets no less), and after reading this I'm very glad teenaged me dismissed that and relied on phonics-based teaching
work is very busy this week so the GSS is offline this week!
if you've got a recommendation for a new game to play on stream, great time to reply and let me know 👀
if you've got a recommendation for a new game to play on stream, great time to reply and let me know 👀
November 11, 2025 at 5:03 PM
work is very busy this week so the GSS is offline this week!
if you've got a recommendation for a new game to play on stream, great time to reply and let me know 👀
if you've got a recommendation for a new game to play on stream, great time to reply and let me know 👀
Reposted by Kienna is trying their best
I’ve asked this privately for a while, but here we go: in the following comments I’m going to ask for folks to “like” (and ideally provide anonymized comments) of the use of the “X-Card” or other legible safety tools.
This is very unrigorous initial sense of the lay of the land.
This is very unrigorous initial sense of the lay of the land.
November 11, 2025 at 2:05 PM
I’ve asked this privately for a while, but here we go: in the following comments I’m going to ask for folks to “like” (and ideally provide anonymized comments) of the use of the “X-Card” or other legible safety tools.
This is very unrigorous initial sense of the lay of the land.
This is very unrigorous initial sense of the lay of the land.
Reposted by Kienna is trying their best
The far right is obsessed with Lord of the Rings and Musk keeps posting about "hobbits" because modern scientific racism owes more to fantasy worlds and gaming systems than genetic science, and they see both as effective mediums for right-wing propaganda www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Why Elon Musk Needs Dungeons and Dragons to Be Racist
The fantastical roots of “scientific racism”
www.theatlantic.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:42 PM
The far right is obsessed with Lord of the Rings and Musk keeps posting about "hobbits" because modern scientific racism owes more to fantasy worlds and gaming systems than genetic science, and they see both as effective mediums for right-wing propaganda www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Here's a reminder that you can get your measles vaccination as an adult if you're unsure about you immunization status!
Here in Canada it's free, and you just gotta talk to your doctor or local health unit to get it
Here in Canada it's free, and you just gotta talk to your doctor or local health unit to get it
WASHINGTON (AP) — Canada has lost its measles elimination status because of continued spread, international health experts say.
November 10, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Here's a reminder that you can get your measles vaccination as an adult if you're unsure about you immunization status!
Here in Canada it's free, and you just gotta talk to your doctor or local health unit to get it
Here in Canada it's free, and you just gotta talk to your doctor or local health unit to get it
Reposted by Kienna is trying their best
Streaming schedule for the week! Might swap out MM tomorrow if I feel like it, but more importantly— is that an AP stream on Saturday? Of Spoken Legends??
I wonder what else could be happening that day 🤔
I wonder what else could be happening that day 🤔
November 10, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Streaming schedule for the week! Might swap out MM tomorrow if I feel like it, but more importantly— is that an AP stream on Saturday? Of Spoken Legends??
I wonder what else could be happening that day 🤔
I wonder what else could be happening that day 🤔
Reposted by Kienna is trying their best
This is why I've always hated "what's the best dice mechanic?" discourse. Best for what? Design isn't collecting your favorite tables into a PDF— it's the process of building systems that, when put in motion, lead players to specific experiences that arise pseudo-magically from their own actions.
Game mechanics aren't that special.
There is nothing inherently better about rolling 2d6 vs a d12, rolling over or under a stat for a skill check, or using tokens.
The special part is when you, the designer, noticing how a particular mechanic lets you share a part of the human experience
There is nothing inherently better about rolling 2d6 vs a d12, rolling over or under a stat for a skill check, or using tokens.
The special part is when you, the designer, noticing how a particular mechanic lets you share a part of the human experience
November 10, 2025 at 12:18 AM
This is why I've always hated "what's the best dice mechanic?" discourse. Best for what? Design isn't collecting your favorite tables into a PDF— it's the process of building systems that, when put in motion, lead players to specific experiences that arise pseudo-magically from their own actions.
so excited to play this game and definitely succeed on my first try and not fail in terrible ways
November 9, 2025 at 9:10 PM
so excited to play this game and definitely succeed on my first try and not fail in terrible ways
Reposted by Kienna is trying their best
if PEOPLE aren't doing better than they've ever been, I don't give a fuck what else you got to say.
i think the main thing a lot of you “the economy is better than it’s ever been” types are failing to grasp is that it really—and i mean REALLY—makes it look like you don’t give a shit about poor people.
November 9, 2025 at 8:17 PM
if PEOPLE aren't doing better than they've ever been, I don't give a fuck what else you got to say.
Reposted by Kienna is trying their best
"AI as a tool" people will claim that they aren't replacing people in the same breath that they talk about producing more cheaply (who isn't getting paid because of your lower budget?), or the ability to produce quickly (who isn't putting hours into making something that's now generated output?).
November 9, 2025 at 5:32 PM
"AI as a tool" people will claim that they aren't replacing people in the same breath that they talk about producing more cheaply (who isn't getting paid because of your lower budget?), or the ability to produce quickly (who isn't putting hours into making something that's now generated output?).
Reposted by Kienna is trying their best
Loving today's news that the mysterious "fedora man" outside the Louvre heist was actually a 15-year-old museum visitor who dresses like a 1940s French detective all the time, just because. apnews.com/article/louv...
Fedora man unmasked: Meet the teen behind the Louvre mystery photo
Fifteen-year-old Pedro Elias Garzon Delvaux has become an internet sensation after an Associated Press photo captured him outside the Louvre on the day of a crown jewels heist.
apnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Loving today's news that the mysterious "fedora man" outside the Louvre heist was actually a 15-year-old museum visitor who dresses like a 1940s French detective all the time, just because. apnews.com/article/louv...
Getting older is a continual discovery of "is this thing with my body actually normal or am I just used to it"
Anyways being restless at night because your joints and limbs are uncomfortable and can only be alleviated by motion is in fact *not* normal and is probably restless leg syndrome 😂😅
Anyways being restless at night because your joints and limbs are uncomfortable and can only be alleviated by motion is in fact *not* normal and is probably restless leg syndrome 😂😅
November 9, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Getting older is a continual discovery of "is this thing with my body actually normal or am I just used to it"
Anyways being restless at night because your joints and limbs are uncomfortable and can only be alleviated by motion is in fact *not* normal and is probably restless leg syndrome 😂😅
Anyways being restless at night because your joints and limbs are uncomfortable and can only be alleviated by motion is in fact *not* normal and is probably restless leg syndrome 😂😅
Reposted by Kienna is trying their best
Heads up for folx playing Arc Raiders: Embark has openly stated (in an interview with GamesRadar+), that the game uses the same AI voice tech as The Finals, and the CEO has talked about using AI to generate 3D models from YouTube rips.
If you're anti-AI you should not be playing Arc Raiders!
If you're anti-AI you should not be playing Arc Raiders!
Not to be the fun police but I do hope people know that Arc Raiders does use generative AI for voice acting, and by supporting the game you're letting higher-ups know that this is an okay practice.
They try to downplay this on the Steam store page by describing the AI usage as vaguely as possible.
They try to downplay this on the Steam store page by describing the AI usage as vaguely as possible.
November 9, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Heads up for folx playing Arc Raiders: Embark has openly stated (in an interview with GamesRadar+), that the game uses the same AI voice tech as The Finals, and the CEO has talked about using AI to generate 3D models from YouTube rips.
If you're anti-AI you should not be playing Arc Raiders!
If you're anti-AI you should not be playing Arc Raiders!
Reposted by Kienna is trying their best
weathers changing. more time for gaming
November 8, 2025 at 3:57 PM
weathers changing. more time for gaming
We talk about the toolkit's history, the evolution of our curation process, and how safety tools can (and should) support the exploration of the weird, taboo, and kinky
Enjoying Thac0 with Advantage and want some more? @whatdoiknowjr.bsky.social , that’s Jared, interviewed Kienna Shaw and Lauren Bryant-Monk, the folks behind the Tabletop Safety Toolkit, a resource providing gamers with access to a variety of safety tools.
gnomestew.com/gnomecast-22...
gnomestew.com/gnomecast-22...
Gnomecast 224 - Tabletop Safety Toolkit Interview
https://polygamero.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/GC_224_Safety-toolkit-list-Final.mp3
Join Jared as he interviews Kienna Shaw and Lauren Bryant-Monk, the folks behind the Tabletop Safety Toolkit, a re...
gnomestew.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:09 PM
We talk about the toolkit's history, the evolution of our curation process, and how safety tools can (and should) support the exploration of the weird, taboo, and kinky
Reposted by Kienna is trying their best
We did another podcast interview and it was very fun! Particularly loved @kiennas.bsky.social's emphasis that safety tools aren't meant to be censorship, and can help us explore uncomfortable or taboo topics in a way that everyone is ok with!
Enjoying Thac0 with Advantage and want some more? @whatdoiknowjr.bsky.social , that’s Jared, interviewed Kienna Shaw and Lauren Bryant-Monk, the folks behind the Tabletop Safety Toolkit, a resource providing gamers with access to a variety of safety tools.
gnomestew.com/gnomecast-22...
gnomestew.com/gnomecast-22...
Gnomecast 224 - Tabletop Safety Toolkit Interview
https://polygamero.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/GC_224_Safety-toolkit-list-Final.mp3
Join Jared as he interviews Kienna Shaw and Lauren Bryant-Monk, the folks behind the Tabletop Safety Toolkit, a re...
gnomestew.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:42 PM
We did another podcast interview and it was very fun! Particularly loved @kiennas.bsky.social's emphasis that safety tools aren't meant to be censorship, and can help us explore uncomfortable or taboo topics in a way that everyone is ok with!
Reposted by Kienna is trying their best
Enjoying Thac0 with Advantage and want some more? @whatdoiknowjr.bsky.social , that’s Jared, interviewed Kienna Shaw and Lauren Bryant-Monk, the folks behind the Tabletop Safety Toolkit, a resource providing gamers with access to a variety of safety tools.
gnomestew.com/gnomecast-22...
gnomestew.com/gnomecast-22...
Gnomecast 224 - Tabletop Safety Toolkit Interview
https://polygamero.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/GC_224_Safety-toolkit-list-Final.mp3
Join Jared as he interviews Kienna Shaw and Lauren Bryant-Monk, the folks behind the Tabletop Safety Toolkit, a re...
gnomestew.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Enjoying Thac0 with Advantage and want some more? @whatdoiknowjr.bsky.social , that’s Jared, interviewed Kienna Shaw and Lauren Bryant-Monk, the folks behind the Tabletop Safety Toolkit, a resource providing gamers with access to a variety of safety tools.
gnomestew.com/gnomecast-22...
gnomestew.com/gnomecast-22...
The Cult of Spouses return! 😈🐑💖
Cult management is harder than it looks, and you can make it better (or worse) for us with the Twitch extension
twitch.tv/anarisis
Cult management is harder than it looks, and you can make it better (or worse) for us with the Twitch extension
twitch.tv/anarisis
November 8, 2025 at 9:00 PM
The Cult of Spouses return! 😈🐑💖
Cult management is harder than it looks, and you can make it better (or worse) for us with the Twitch extension
twitch.tv/anarisis
Cult management is harder than it looks, and you can make it better (or worse) for us with the Twitch extension
twitch.tv/anarisis
Reposted by Kienna is trying their best
Not to be the fun police but I do hope people know that Arc Raiders does use generative AI for voice acting, and by supporting the game you're letting higher-ups know that this is an okay practice.
They try to downplay this on the Steam store page by describing the AI usage as vaguely as possible.
They try to downplay this on the Steam store page by describing the AI usage as vaguely as possible.
November 8, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Not to be the fun police but I do hope people know that Arc Raiders does use generative AI for voice acting, and by supporting the game you're letting higher-ups know that this is an okay practice.
They try to downplay this on the Steam store page by describing the AI usage as vaguely as possible.
They try to downplay this on the Steam store page by describing the AI usage as vaguely as possible.
in today's session we:
- saved people from a derailed burning train
- safely delivered a baby in the non-burning non-derailed part of the train
- prevented an arms warehouse from exploding
- had a clip go viral of my character giving an inspiring speech while wearing a crop top sweater
- saved people from a derailed burning train
- safely delivered a baby in the non-burning non-derailed part of the train
- prevented an arms warehouse from exploding
- had a clip go viral of my character giving an inspiring speech while wearing a crop top sweater
Game nighttttttt 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
November 8, 2025 at 6:45 AM
in today's session we:
- saved people from a derailed burning train
- safely delivered a baby in the non-burning non-derailed part of the train
- prevented an arms warehouse from exploding
- had a clip go viral of my character giving an inspiring speech while wearing a crop top sweater
- saved people from a derailed burning train
- safely delivered a baby in the non-burning non-derailed part of the train
- prevented an arms warehouse from exploding
- had a clip go viral of my character giving an inspiring speech while wearing a crop top sweater
Reposted by Kienna is trying their best
We need a one-syllable gender neutral word for person that has the same feel as Guy
November 7, 2025 at 11:27 PM
We need a one-syllable gender neutral word for person that has the same feel as Guy
Reposted by Kienna is trying their best
"There's too much actual play, there are too many game jams, there are too many solo games, there are too many SRDs, there are too many indie games on steam, there are too many Sopranos, there are too many books
there are too many people making stuff for reasons that I don't personally understand"
there are too many people making stuff for reasons that I don't personally understand"
November 7, 2025 at 5:35 PM
"There's too much actual play, there are too many game jams, there are too many solo games, there are too many SRDs, there are too many indie games on steam, there are too many Sopranos, there are too many books
there are too many people making stuff for reasons that I don't personally understand"
there are too many people making stuff for reasons that I don't personally understand"
Reposted by Kienna is trying their best
Please put alt text on all your picture posts!!!
November 6, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Please put alt text on all your picture posts!!!
Reposted by Kienna is trying their best
Wondering why no one likes your posts anymore, even among your friends? It's because @jay.bsky.team and team have decided to hide a huge amount of content from all of our feeds by default.
Here's how to turn it off.
First go to the hamburger menu in the upper left corner
Here's how to turn it off.
First go to the hamburger menu in the upper left corner
November 6, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Wondering why no one likes your posts anymore, even among your friends? It's because @jay.bsky.team and team have decided to hide a huge amount of content from all of our feeds by default.
Here's how to turn it off.
First go to the hamburger menu in the upper left corner
Here's how to turn it off.
First go to the hamburger menu in the upper left corner
Reposted by Kienna is trying their best
Are there any TTRPG (perhaps particularly solo TTRPG) reviewers that would be interested in a digital pre-print copy of ‘New in Town’ to review? Priority goes ofc to POC creatives in that space!
November 7, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Are there any TTRPG (perhaps particularly solo TTRPG) reviewers that would be interested in a digital pre-print copy of ‘New in Town’ to review? Priority goes ofc to POC creatives in that space!