WiddershinsWanderings
@naeolin.bsky.social
TTRPG Fanatic | Editor | Blogger: http://widdershinswanderings.bearblog.dev
Reposted by WiddershinsWanderings
Between Two Cairns is organizing a gaming convention in Portland, OR. Please come! betweentwocons.com @betterlegends.bsky.social @yochaigal.bsky.social
February 16, 2026 at 3:51 PM
Between Two Cairns is organizing a gaming convention in Portland, OR. Please come! betweentwocons.com @betterlegends.bsky.social @yochaigal.bsky.social
Bloggies PSA! Round 1 of all 5 initial Categories is open until 7 AM EST. Not just Advice.
Advice: forms.gle/LApoXPh7cVhy...
Critique: forms.gle/5Qvwxxsvyhq8...
Gameable: forms.gle/WjPxMyQunpPZ...
Theory: forms.gle/VSa1fwjYLcrk...
Meta: forms.gle/R26nY7qm7DaA...
Vote for your favorites. PSA over
Advice: forms.gle/LApoXPh7cVhy...
Critique: forms.gle/5Qvwxxsvyhq8...
Gameable: forms.gle/WjPxMyQunpPZ...
Theory: forms.gle/VSa1fwjYLcrk...
Meta: forms.gle/R26nY7qm7DaA...
Vote for your favorites. PSA over
February 16, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Bloggies PSA! Round 1 of all 5 initial Categories is open until 7 AM EST. Not just Advice.
Advice: forms.gle/LApoXPh7cVhy...
Critique: forms.gle/5Qvwxxsvyhq8...
Gameable: forms.gle/WjPxMyQunpPZ...
Theory: forms.gle/VSa1fwjYLcrk...
Meta: forms.gle/R26nY7qm7DaA...
Vote for your favorites. PSA over
Advice: forms.gle/LApoXPh7cVhy...
Critique: forms.gle/5Qvwxxsvyhq8...
Gameable: forms.gle/WjPxMyQunpPZ...
Theory: forms.gle/VSa1fwjYLcrk...
Meta: forms.gle/R26nY7qm7DaA...
Vote for your favorites. PSA over
Reposted by WiddershinsWanderings
Bloggies Voting goes live Monday morning, but the voting forms stealthily go live today...
So, you might be asking, "What blog posts are in this year's Thunderdome?" You can find the whole list here.
So, you might be asking, "What blog posts are in this year's Thunderdome?" You can find the whole list here.
The Bloggies 2026
A yearly celebration of blogging in tabletop roleplaying games.
www.explorersdesign.com
February 15, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Bloggies Voting goes live Monday morning, but the voting forms stealthily go live today...
So, you might be asking, "What blog posts are in this year's Thunderdome?" You can find the whole list here.
So, you might be asking, "What blog posts are in this year's Thunderdome?" You can find the whole list here.
Reposted by WiddershinsWanderings
Four days in, and 53 nominated Bloggies posts have already been read and recorded by wonderful authors and volunteers, then published on the We Read The Bloggies podcast.
Truly incredible!
Truly incredible!
We Read The Bloggies (@WeReadTheBloggies) • Episodes
We’re volunteers turning Bloggies-nominated blog posts into audio. So you can enjoy them anywhere, in a more accessible format.
podcast.bloggies.org
February 13, 2026 at 12:21 PM
Four days in, and 53 nominated Bloggies posts have already been read and recorded by wonderful authors and volunteers, then published on the We Read The Bloggies podcast.
Truly incredible!
Truly incredible!
Reposted by WiddershinsWanderings
Today on Between Two Cairns, @bradkerr.net, @betterlegends.bsky.social and I review Ooze Nun by @joeyroyale.bsky.social and @tigerwizard.bsky.social, and answer a question from the mootsack.
www.patreon.com/posts/149969...
www.patreon.com/posts/149969...
Ooze Nun | Between Two Cairns
Get more from Between Two Cairns on Patreon
www.patreon.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:26 PM
Today on Between Two Cairns, @bradkerr.net, @betterlegends.bsky.social and I review Ooze Nun by @joeyroyale.bsky.social and @tigerwizard.bsky.social, and answer a question from the mootsack.
www.patreon.com/posts/149969...
www.patreon.com/posts/149969...
Reposted by WiddershinsWanderings
The awesome @bommyknocker.bsky.social, @elmc.at, Grace of Choir of Fire @seraphimseraphina.bsky.social and many community members have organized a group recording effort of every Bloggies post as podcast episodes inspired by Blogs on Tape!https://podcast.bloggies.org/
We Read The Bloggies (@WeReadTheBloggies) • Activity
We’re volunteers turning Bloggies-nominated blog posts into audio. So you can enjoy them anywhere, in a more accessible format.
podcast.bloggies.org
February 11, 2026 at 12:35 AM
The awesome @bommyknocker.bsky.social, @elmc.at, Grace of Choir of Fire @seraphimseraphina.bsky.social and many community members have organized a group recording effort of every Bloggies post as podcast episodes inspired by Blogs on Tape!https://podcast.bloggies.org/
Reposted by WiddershinsWanderings
Blog enthusiasts!
It's been a huge community effort. We're proud to present WE READ THE BLOGGIES.
The year's best blogging coming to you - in audio form.
A show to SAVE YOUR EYES and SOOTHE YOUR EARS.
Catch up on all your Bloggies reading before voting commences next week!
#ttrpg #podcast #blog
It's been a huge community effort. We're proud to present WE READ THE BLOGGIES.
The year's best blogging coming to you - in audio form.
A show to SAVE YOUR EYES and SOOTHE YOUR EARS.
Catch up on all your Bloggies reading before voting commences next week!
#ttrpg #podcast #blog
We Read The Bloggies
Games Podcast · We’re volunteers turning Bloggies-nominated blog posts into audio. So you can enjoy them anywhere, in a more accessible format.
podcasts.apple.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:22 AM
Reposted by WiddershinsWanderings
Cairn: Barebones Edition is now available as a digital download!
Print editions coming soon!
yochaigal.itch.io/cairn-barebo...
Print editions coming soon!
yochaigal.itch.io/cairn-barebo...
Cairn: Barebones Edition by Yochai Gal
yochaigal.itch.io
February 9, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Cairn: Barebones Edition is now available as a digital download!
Print editions coming soon!
yochaigal.itch.io/cairn-barebo...
Print editions coming soon!
yochaigal.itch.io/cairn-barebo...
I love The Bloggies! No better excuse to read an absurd amount of blog posts in a short period of time.
I have a post in Advice and a post in Critique. May the best post win!
Thanks to Clayton and everyone else who chipped in to make my favorite yearly competition happen!
I have a post in Advice and a post in Critique. May the best post win!
Thanks to Clayton and everyone else who chipped in to make my favorite yearly competition happen!
The Bloggies Nominees are here!
We are 1 week away from voting, so I need everyone's help spreading the word. Congrats to all the nominees and blogs submitted—this last year was incredible. Forming the lists was equal parts rewarding and painful.
www.explorersdesign.com/this-years-b...
We are 1 week away from voting, so I need everyone's help spreading the word. Congrats to all the nominees and blogs submitted—this last year was incredible. Forming the lists was equal parts rewarding and painful.
www.explorersdesign.com/this-years-b...
This year's Bloggies Nominees
Over 90+ blog posts. And a surprise category for 2026.
www.explorersdesign.com
February 9, 2026 at 4:41 PM
I love The Bloggies! No better excuse to read an absurd amount of blog posts in a short period of time.
I have a post in Advice and a post in Critique. May the best post win!
Thanks to Clayton and everyone else who chipped in to make my favorite yearly competition happen!
I have a post in Advice and a post in Critique. May the best post win!
Thanks to Clayton and everyone else who chipped in to make my favorite yearly competition happen!
Reposted by WiddershinsWanderings
For my business cards I commissioned a series of dungeons from @skullfungus.bsky.social.
Gotta catch 'em all!
Gotta catch 'em all!
February 8, 2026 at 8:50 PM
For my business cards I commissioned a series of dungeons from @skullfungus.bsky.social.
Gotta catch 'em all!
Gotta catch 'em all!
Reposted by WiddershinsWanderings
February 6, 2026 at 1:46 PM
Reposted by WiddershinsWanderings
I'm about to send an update to Early Worms about the status of THE CASTLE AUTOMATIC, the Metroidvania dungeon for HIS MAJESTY THE WORM.
A lil sneak peak:
A lil sneak peak:
February 5, 2026 at 5:00 PM
I'm about to send an update to Early Worms about the status of THE CASTLE AUTOMATIC, the Metroidvania dungeon for HIS MAJESTY THE WORM.
A lil sneak peak:
A lil sneak peak:
Reposted by WiddershinsWanderings
The Cairn box set was reviewed by Questing Beast!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G62...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G62...
Can the Cairn RPG live up to the hype?
YouTube video by Questing Beast
www.youtube.com
February 3, 2026 at 7:25 PM
The Cairn box set was reviewed by Questing Beast!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G62...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G62...
Reposted by WiddershinsWanderings
Hey, get a load of this wizard tower. It's my escape room puzzle dungeon infused with my love for zelda and crystal fantasy. It's almost finished and now it's crowdfunding 🥲
puzzledungeon.com/tower
#zinemonth #osr #dnd @zinemonth.bsky.social
puzzledungeon.com/tower
#zinemonth #osr #dnd @zinemonth.bsky.social
A Familiar Tower
A new escape room adventure for Old-School Essentials. A polished puzzle box dungeon you’ll solve from the inside.
puzzledungeon.com
February 2, 2026 at 7:58 PM
Hey, get a load of this wizard tower. It's my escape room puzzle dungeon infused with my love for zelda and crystal fantasy. It's almost finished and now it's crowdfunding 🥲
puzzledungeon.com/tower
#zinemonth #osr #dnd @zinemonth.bsky.social
puzzledungeon.com/tower
#zinemonth #osr #dnd @zinemonth.bsky.social
Reposted by WiddershinsWanderings
Did I forget to write and publish The Explorateur while working on The Bloggies? *Jonathan Frakes Voice:* "Not this time."
A treasure trove of links for rpg designers by rpg designers 👇
www.explorersdesign.com/explorateur-...
A treasure trove of links for rpg designers by rpg designers 👇
www.explorersdesign.com/explorateur-...
The Explorateur: Issue #16
Monthly design jams, critique, theory, and inspiration for tabletop rpg designers by rpg designers. Vetted. Looted. Curated.
www.explorersdesign.com
February 1, 2026 at 5:13 AM
Did I forget to write and publish The Explorateur while working on The Bloggies? *Jonathan Frakes Voice:* "Not this time."
A treasure trove of links for rpg designers by rpg designers 👇
www.explorersdesign.com/explorateur-...
A treasure trove of links for rpg designers by rpg designers 👇
www.explorersdesign.com/explorateur-...
Reposted by WiddershinsWanderings
The Bloggies 2026 submissions are officially closed. Get ready for the nominations next Monday.
You can get the full schedule and submissions breakdown here:
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-sub...
You can get the full schedule and submissions breakdown here:
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-sub...
What's Next After Submissions?
The Bloggies' 2026 submissions are closed. Here's what's next...
www.explorersdesign.com
February 2, 2026 at 1:56 PM
The Bloggies 2026 submissions are officially closed. Get ready for the nominations next Monday.
You can get the full schedule and submissions breakdown here:
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-sub...
You can get the full schedule and submissions breakdown here:
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-sub...
Reposted by WiddershinsWanderings
Been thinking about @explorersdesign.bsky.social's recent post ("Against Dominant Mechanics") and what we can strip away to maximize the RPG experience.
Yes, there's a backhoe in this.
Yes, there's a backhoe in this.
My Dream RPG
In search of mechanical-narrative coherence.
open.substack.com
February 1, 2026 at 2:54 AM
Been thinking about @explorersdesign.bsky.social's recent post ("Against Dominant Mechanics") and what we can strip away to maximize the RPG experience.
Yes, there's a backhoe in this.
Yes, there's a backhoe in this.
Reposted by WiddershinsWanderings
If you'd like to nominate something I wrote, I'd really appreciate it. Here are my favorite posts from last year:
Sandbox Settlements: Prep, Run, and Thrive
Sandbox Settlements: Downtime
Running Mythic Bastionland
Mapping the Blogosphere
elmc.at
Sandbox Settlements: Prep, Run, and Thrive
Sandbox Settlements: Downtime
Running Mythic Bastionland
Mapping the Blogosphere
elmc.at
January 30, 2026 at 12:06 AM
If you'd like to nominate something I wrote, I'd really appreciate it. Here are my favorite posts from last year:
Sandbox Settlements: Prep, Run, and Thrive
Sandbox Settlements: Downtime
Running Mythic Bastionland
Mapping the Blogosphere
elmc.at
Sandbox Settlements: Prep, Run, and Thrive
Sandbox Settlements: Downtime
Running Mythic Bastionland
Mapping the Blogosphere
elmc.at
Sure, why not? I am pretty fond of this post I did on designing obstacles for OSR play: widdershinswanderings.bearblog.dev/a-lock-with-...
January 31, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Sure, why not? I am pretty fond of this post I did on designing obstacles for OSR play: widdershinswanderings.bearblog.dev/a-lock-with-...
Reposted by WiddershinsWanderings
What if I change Landmark, Hidden, Secret to use for character knowledge? idk!
elmc.at/common-recal...
elmc.at/common-recal...
Common, Recalled, Obscure
Landmark, Hidden, Secret reframed for character knowledge.
elmc.at
January 28, 2026 at 12:11 AM
What if I change Landmark, Hidden, Secret to use for character knowledge? idk!
elmc.at/common-recal...
elmc.at/common-recal...
Reposted by WiddershinsWanderings
Puzzle Dungeon Jam was super fun and busy. I talk about the experience and looking at the wonderful submissions with so many awesome guests. #osr #ttrpg
puzzledungeon.com/a-look-back-...
puzzledungeon.com/a-look-back-...
A look back at Puzzle Dungeon Jam
A retrospective on the jam. My hopes and dreams and oh so many dungeons.
puzzledungeon.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:51 PM
Puzzle Dungeon Jam was super fun and busy. I talk about the experience and looking at the wonderful submissions with so many awesome guests. #osr #ttrpg
puzzledungeon.com/a-look-back-...
puzzledungeon.com/a-look-back-...
Reposted by WiddershinsWanderings
In tabletop rpg design, sometimes gameplay doesn't come from the mechanics we add, but the ones we omit.
www.explorersdesign.com/dominant-mec...
www.explorersdesign.com/dominant-mec...
Against Dominant Mechanics
Some rules guide play. And some rules monopolize it. Designing by omission.
www.explorersdesign.com
January 20, 2026 at 2:59 PM
In tabletop rpg design, sometimes gameplay doesn't come from the mechanics we add, but the ones we omit.
www.explorersdesign.com/dominant-mec...
www.explorersdesign.com/dominant-mec...
Reposted by WiddershinsWanderings
Cover for Cairn Barebones Edition by @amandalee.bsky.social.
There is no one else as good as her, nope
There is no one else as good as her, nope
January 17, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Cover for Cairn Barebones Edition by @amandalee.bsky.social.
There is no one else as good as her, nope
There is no one else as good as her, nope
Reposted by WiddershinsWanderings
I wrote a theory post. Don't worry, I paid taxes at the end.
newschoolrevolution.com/turning-the-...
newschoolrevolution.com/turning-the-...
Turning the Dial
Nerds love taxonomy; it gives order to the world, and provides a meaningful sense of control. Of course, it's all an illusion. At best taxonomy is a useful t...
newschoolrevolution.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:06 PM
I wrote a theory post. Don't worry, I paid taxes at the end.
newschoolrevolution.com/turning-the-...
newschoolrevolution.com/turning-the-...
Reposted by WiddershinsWanderings
Just so you all know this (overly) linear map is also from a Jennell Jaquays' product... Loops are good, but are neither necessary or sufficient for good map design.
January 15, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Just so you all know this (overly) linear map is also from a Jennell Jaquays' product... Loops are good, but are neither necessary or sufficient for good map design.