Merely Matt
@merelymatt.bsky.social
I make I Need A Miracle, a divine audio drama, and Merely Roleplayers, a podcast where theatrical people play roleplaying games. Find me at www.foggyoutline.com
Pinned
I Need A Miracle, an original audio drama podcast — Foggy Outline
Each episode a prayer; some prayers are granted; a prayer granted can upend the world. Featuring Annette Badland and Patrick McKenzie, and produced by multi-award winning Wireless Theatre. Official Se...
www.foggyoutline.com
I write I NEED A MIRACLE, the audio drama where each episode is a prayer, some prayers are answered, and miracles can upend the world.
Finalist for various awards in 2025, including Best Concept and Best Writing at NZ Web Fest.
Season 2 crowdfunding in 2026.
www.foggyoutline.com/ineedamiracle
Finalist for various awards in 2025, including Best Concept and Best Writing at NZ Web Fest.
Season 2 crowdfunding in 2026.
www.foggyoutline.com/ineedamiracle
Well, I just ran to the store, aaaaand I haven't been gone long.
January 17, 2026 at 11:36 PM
Well, I just ran to the store, aaaaand I haven't been gone long.
Well? ARE the skulls fucking in the nose?
January 15, 2026 at 7:31 PM
Well? ARE the skulls fucking in the nose?
Reposted by Merely Matt
I like this. A thematic "end with a bang" kind of play!
By the way, I wrote about Beast a while back. It's a game I quite enjoyed and wish I could get it to the table more often: www.skeletoncodemachine.com/p/hunter-vs-...
By the way, I wrote about Beast a while back. It's a game I quite enjoyed and wish I could get it to the table more often: www.skeletoncodemachine.com/p/hunter-vs-...
Hunter vs. Hunted
Exploring hidden movement in Beast
www.skeletoncodemachine.com
January 15, 2026 at 2:49 PM
I like this. A thematic "end with a bang" kind of play!
By the way, I wrote about Beast a while back. It's a game I quite enjoyed and wish I could get it to the table more often: www.skeletoncodemachine.com/p/hunter-vs-...
By the way, I wrote about Beast a while back. It's a game I quite enjoyed and wish I could get it to the table more often: www.skeletoncodemachine.com/p/hunter-vs-...
As an editor, one of the things I'm looking out for, and that you're paying me to save you from, is when you're still starting sentences with "This white paper explores..." on page 10 of a 50-page paper
January 15, 2026 at 2:54 PM
As an editor, one of the things I'm looking out for, and that you're paying me to save you from, is when you're still starting sentences with "This white paper explores..." on page 10 of a 50-page paper
Reposted by Merely Matt
Not only is conceding an official part chess rules, it even includes specific ways to do it. The act of tipping over the king acts as what Dr. Boss might call a ritual that reduces ambiguity. Both players understand what it means, they get that it ends the game, and the match ends in clarity.
January 15, 2026 at 12:56 PM
Not only is conceding an official part chess rules, it even includes specific ways to do it. The act of tipping over the king acts as what Dr. Boss might call a ritual that reduces ambiguity. Both players understand what it means, they get that it ends the game, and the match ends in clarity.
This brings to mind the other weekend's game of Beast, where, skilfully snookered by the hunters and with no way to win, I chose to attack, dying to a trap but killing a hunter on the way out, instead of staying hidden until they could catch and kill me on their turn.
How should we handle garbage time in tabletop games?
Exploring the idea of "garbage time" at the end of a game through the psychological lenses of cognitive closure, ambiguous loss, and the framing effect: www.skeletoncodemachine.com/p/garbage-time
#boardgames #ttrpg #gamedesign 🎲✂️
Exploring the idea of "garbage time" at the end of a game through the psychological lenses of cognitive closure, ambiguous loss, and the framing effect: www.skeletoncodemachine.com/p/garbage-time
#boardgames #ttrpg #gamedesign 🎲✂️
How should we handle garbage time in tabletop games?
Exploring the idea of "garbage time" at the end of a game through the psychological lenses of cognitive closure, ambiguous loss, and the framing effect.
www.skeletoncodemachine.com
January 15, 2026 at 1:11 PM
This brings to mind the other weekend's game of Beast, where, skilfully snookered by the hunters and with no way to win, I chose to attack, dying to a trap but killing a hunter on the way out, instead of staying hidden until they could catch and kill me on their turn.
A character in my WIP can't unclench one fist, and I just realised a horrible consequence of that, which I can use to set up an emotional moment AND set off a crisis for the rest of the cast to scramble around solving
January 15, 2026 at 12:54 PM
A character in my WIP can't unclench one fist, and I just realised a horrible consequence of that, which I can use to set up an emotional moment AND set off a crisis for the rest of the cast to scramble around solving
Reposted by Merely Matt
Hey folks, it's my birthday today!
I'd love it if you'd consider checking out mine and @georgiacooked.bsky.social's Zinetopia project, The Deepest Dark! It's a game where you die in a cave!
More seriously, it's a game about self-actualisation, platonic love, and the wonder of the world
I'd love it if you'd consider checking out mine and @georgiacooked.bsky.social's Zinetopia project, The Deepest Dark! It's a game where you die in a cave!
More seriously, it's a game about self-actualisation, platonic love, and the wonder of the world
Delve into The Deepest Dark
From Ella Watts - Delve into The Deepest Dark
www.backerkit.com
January 15, 2026 at 12:34 PM
Hey folks, it's my birthday today!
I'd love it if you'd consider checking out mine and @georgiacooked.bsky.social's Zinetopia project, The Deepest Dark! It's a game where you die in a cave!
More seriously, it's a game about self-actualisation, platonic love, and the wonder of the world
I'd love it if you'd consider checking out mine and @georgiacooked.bsky.social's Zinetopia project, The Deepest Dark! It's a game where you die in a cave!
More seriously, it's a game about self-actualisation, platonic love, and the wonder of the world
Post a game you remember playing that nobody else remembers.
January 15, 2026 at 12:08 PM
Post a game you remember playing that nobody else remembers.
Get me off the hook and fill me with ale, because I'm flagon
January 15, 2026 at 11:47 AM
Get me off the hook and fill me with ale, because I'm flagon
Who am I seeing at In The Dark on Monday?
January 15, 2026 at 11:40 AM
Who am I seeing at In The Dark on Monday?
I've finished the year-long game of Outliers I've been writing up - penultimate chapter out this month, final chapter Feb, full story on foggyoutline.com/serials, writer's commentary (ie all the dice rolls and other mechanics) on Ko-fi
And I'm already getting excited about playing Tower of Art next
And I'm already getting excited about playing Tower of Art next
Serialised stories — Foggy Outline
foggyoutline.com
January 15, 2026 at 11:12 AM
I've finished the year-long game of Outliers I've been writing up - penultimate chapter out this month, final chapter Feb, full story on foggyoutline.com/serials, writer's commentary (ie all the dice rolls and other mechanics) on Ko-fi
And I'm already getting excited about playing Tower of Art next
And I'm already getting excited about playing Tower of Art next
Reposted by Merely Matt
Anyone going to Airecon?
January 14, 2026 at 1:21 PM
Anyone going to Airecon?
Reposted by Merely Matt
You know those little notes people write in book stores to entice you to buy a certain featured book?
What if we did that with TTRPGs, using a QR code to access an AP of that game? *note to self to talk to my local shops*
What if we did that with TTRPGs, using a QR code to access an AP of that game? *note to self to talk to my local shops*
January 13, 2026 at 7:14 PM
You know those little notes people write in book stores to entice you to buy a certain featured book?
What if we did that with TTRPGs, using a QR code to access an AP of that game? *note to self to talk to my local shops*
What if we did that with TTRPGs, using a QR code to access an AP of that game? *note to self to talk to my local shops*
OUT: gaydar
IN: gayt analysis
IN: gayt analysis
January 13, 2026 at 5:23 PM
OUT: gaydar
IN: gayt analysis
IN: gayt analysis
Act I (Sections I-III): 27 Jan
Act II (Sections III-IX): 10 Feb
Act III (Sections IX-X): 24 Feb
Search your podcast app for Merely Roleplayers and hit Follow.
Act II (Sections III-IX): 10 Feb
Act III (Sections IX-X): 24 Feb
Search your podcast app for Merely Roleplayers and hit Follow.
January 13, 2026 at 12:19 PM
Act I (Sections I-III): 27 Jan
Act II (Sections III-IX): 10 Feb
Act III (Sections IX-X): 24 Feb
Search your podcast app for Merely Roleplayers and hit Follow.
Act II (Sections III-IX): 10 Feb
Act III (Sections IX-X): 24 Feb
Search your podcast app for Merely Roleplayers and hit Follow.
So now you're a proofreader? Can you at least be consistent?
So you're the straight man in a comic duo? Seriously?
So you’re a novelist? That’s the story you’re sticking to?
January 12, 2026 at 2:54 PM
So now you're a proofreader? Can you at least be consistent?
I'm fairly sure I've heard the wind chime from the Hug House Productions ident in Welcome to the Horizon, the Midnight Burger side series, among other audio dramas
The sound of this one specific bird from Age of Empires keeps haunting me through pop songs, movies, and across other games
www.pcgamer.com/games/the-so...
www.pcgamer.com/games/the-so...
The sound of this one specific bird from Age of Empires keeps haunting me through pop songs, movies, and across other games
It's like the Wilhelm Scream of birdsong.
www.pcgamer.com
January 12, 2026 at 2:53 PM
I'm fairly sure I've heard the wind chime from the Hug House Productions ident in Welcome to the Horizon, the Midnight Burger side series, among other audio dramas
Reposted by Merely Matt
I'm crowdfunding in February for my original TTRPG Lie To Him.
It's a 600-page high fantasy epic for up to 10 players.
One of the above statements is a lie.
It's a 600-page high fantasy epic for up to 10 players.
One of the above statements is a lie.
Get Ready for Lie To Him - A solo roleplaying game about dishonesty
From Michelle Kelly - Get Ready for Lie To Him - A solo roleplaying game about dishonesty
www.backerkit.com
January 12, 2026 at 2:07 PM
I'm crowdfunding in February for my original TTRPG Lie To Him.
It's a 600-page high fantasy epic for up to 10 players.
One of the above statements is a lie.
It's a 600-page high fantasy epic for up to 10 players.
One of the above statements is a lie.
It's brilliant and unlikely that 'disc jockey' became the actual, official, professional name for that role. That's not what dads call it. That's what it's called.
January 12, 2026 at 1:37 PM
It's brilliant and unlikely that 'disc jockey' became the actual, official, professional name for that role. That's not what dads call it. That's what it's called.
The Discord AI survey is quick and simple and (unlike a lot of similar surveys) does actually let you clearly state that you don't want it. Shall we do that?
Discord wants to know how you feel about AI.
Go tell them: discord.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Go tell them: discord.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management
The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.
discord.sjc1.qualtrics.com
January 10, 2026 at 11:38 AM
The Discord AI survey is quick and simple and (unlike a lot of similar surveys) does actually let you clearly state that you don't want it. Shall we do that?
Just this week, two more writers I am DEAD KEEN to work with have said they're interested in writing for I NEED A MIRACLE season 2! A few more of you and we'll have to start thinking about adding stretch goals for more episodes www.foggyoutline.com/ineedamiracle
I Need A Miracle, an original audio drama podcast — Foggy Outline
Each episode a prayer; some prayers are granted; a prayer granted can upend the world. Featuring Annette Badland and Patrick McKenzie, and produced by multi-award winning Wireless Theatre. Official Se...
www.foggyoutline.com
January 8, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Just this week, two more writers I am DEAD KEEN to work with have said they're interested in writing for I NEED A MIRACLE season 2! A few more of you and we'll have to start thinking about adding stretch goals for more episodes www.foggyoutline.com/ineedamiracle
Reposted by Merely Matt
if you work for a library (public or school), you can now get triangle agency to circulate through libby or sora 🥰 if you use libby, you might be able to request that your library get copies!! i'm really excited about this & about getting more TTRPGs in libraries generally
January 8, 2026 at 5:23 PM
if you work for a library (public or school), you can now get triangle agency to circulate through libby or sora 🥰 if you use libby, you might be able to request that your library get copies!! i'm really excited about this & about getting more TTRPGs in libraries generally
I second "only subscribe to one streaming service at a time" - I've been living that way since this time last year and it is better! www.carolinecrampton.com/then-i-stopp...
Then I Stopped Being Able To Close The Wardrobe Door
Thirteen small suggestions for a slightly better life.
www.carolinecrampton.com
January 8, 2026 at 1:49 PM
I second "only subscribe to one streaming service at a time" - I've been living that way since this time last year and it is better! www.carolinecrampton.com/then-i-stopp...