Reposted by Gus L.
I love award shows. It's no secret. It's why I've spent months writing, refining, and trying to distill my Ennies judging experience.
It's a 4-part series (I know, I know). One article a day. Today's lays out my goals and puts the focus on awards in general.
www.explorersdesign.com/ennies-1/
It's a 4-part series (I know, I know). One article a day. Today's lays out my goals and puts the focus on awards in general.
www.explorersdesign.com/ennies-1/
The Awards Debrief 2025
An in-depth look at the Ennie Awards, its process, design, and role from the perspective of one former judge.
www.explorersdesign.com
October 6, 2025 at 4:09 PM
I love award shows. It's no secret. It's why I've spent months writing, refining, and trying to distill my Ennies judging experience.
It's a 4-part series (I know, I know). One article a day. Today's lays out my goals and puts the focus on awards in general.
www.explorersdesign.com/ennies-1/
It's a 4-part series (I know, I know). One article a day. Today's lays out my goals and puts the focus on awards in general.
www.explorersdesign.com/ennies-1/
Some more Bones of Bronze Art - a Mellified Royal - one of the Palace Queens of old Sildvar laid to rest in a sealed coffin of magically puissant honey and revived by the corrupting sorcery of the Iron Barrow.
September 29, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Some more Bones of Bronze Art - a Mellified Royal - one of the Palace Queens of old Sildvar laid to rest in a sealed coffin of magically puissant honey and revived by the corrupting sorcery of the Iron Barrow.
This is good. I wish I had more to say on it, but it's just good sense.
"Why megadungeons?" My pitch is that they are a campaign format that concentrates ideas, maximizes novelty, uses familiarity to advantage, and can be run in 2-4 hour sessions. Plus, between Silk Song and Delicious in Dungeon- everyone knows what they are! icastlight.blogspot.com/2025/09/why-...
WHY MEGADUNGEONS? A Campaign Structure for Modern Lives
Why Megadungeons? Over on the Prismatic Wasteland Discord, a member asked essentially, "Why megadungeons?" This is a good perennial questi...
icastlight.blogspot.com
September 24, 2025 at 8:59 AM
This is good. I wish I had more to say on it, but it's just good sense.
Deep in the red rock beneath the Iron Barrow, the bronze bulls still haunt the catacombs - automations maintained by deathless smiths at a forge of cold fire.
September 23, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Deep in the red rock beneath the Iron Barrow, the bronze bulls still haunt the catacombs - automations maintained by deathless smiths at a forge of cold fire.
Still drawing away slowly on the art for Bones of Bronze, which is now through its final edits.
September 17, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Still drawing away slowly on the art for Bones of Bronze, which is now through its final edits.
I've said elsewhere that while I am fond of Jay and Jay's thought is good, I don't entirely degree with this manifesto. That also means I largely agree with it. An RPG is best when player desire is in conflict with some of the rules, and when the game questions itself. You can find this playing B2.
good morning, i wrote a manifesto about a new direction for game design / play
possumcreek.medium.com/the-expressi...
possumcreek.medium.com/the-expressi...
The Expressionist Games Manifesto
“Work! Intoxication! Brain-racking! Chewing, eating, gorging, rooting up! Rapturous birth pangs! Jabbing of the brush, preferably right…
possumcreek.medium.com
September 11, 2025 at 8:42 AM
I've said elsewhere that while I am fond of Jay and Jay's thought is good, I don't entirely degree with this manifesto. That also means I largely agree with it. An RPG is best when player desire is in conflict with some of the rules, and when the game questions itself. You can find this playing B2.
I haven't played miniature based games since the mid 90's, but I still follow Casey's work. He's chill and amusing but also thinks hard about his rulesets and is never weighed done by that fussy gravitas that seems endemic in the wargames space (sorry mini's peeps - you have a few tedious people).
Any review that notices how funny I am is a good review.
August 22, 2025 at 6:31 PM
I haven't played miniature based games since the mid 90's, but I still follow Casey's work. He's chill and amusing but also thinks hard about his rulesets and is never weighed done by that fussy gravitas that seems endemic in the wargames space (sorry mini's peeps - you have a few tedious people).
Reposted by Gus L.
I have three dark fantasy print bundles left here:
mana-meltdown.backerkit.com/hosted_preor...
Last chance to grab one before next print run
mana-meltdown.backerkit.com/hosted_preor...
Last chance to grab one before next print run
August 19, 2025 at 4:53 PM
I have three dark fantasy print bundles left here:
mana-meltdown.backerkit.com/hosted_preor...
Last chance to grab one before next print run
mana-meltdown.backerkit.com/hosted_preor...
Last chance to grab one before next print run
Reposted by Gus L.
Hey that's my game.
Using your D&D dice for wargames is objectively 46% better than just using six siders.
Using your D&D dice for wargames is objectively 46% better than just using six siders.
VOIDFIGHTER: bit.ly/44g3WnP
🔹 Perform maneuvers including barrel rolls & Immelmann turns
🔹 Use simple ship characteristics based on differing die types
🔹 Add rules for celestial phenomena & terrain
🔹 Play a variety of scenarios & a campaign system
// PRE-ORDER //
🔹 Perform maneuvers including barrel rolls & Immelmann turns
🔹 Use simple ship characteristics based on differing die types
🔹 Add rules for celestial phenomena & terrain
🔹 Play a variety of scenarios & a campaign system
// PRE-ORDER //
August 8, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Hey that's my game.
Using your D&D dice for wargames is objectively 46% better than just using six siders.
Using your D&D dice for wargames is objectively 46% better than just using six siders.
WD put this together to be small but allow exploration - a hard task and while space constraints are always limiting I think he succeeded and has included some weird wizardly touches that don't feel "gonzo" but manage to feel very Appendix N fantasy.
Put up a blog post today explaining a little more of the thought process around designing my entry for the 2025 #appendixnjam #appxn: icastlight.blogspot.com/2025/08/taba...
August 4, 2025 at 1:29 PM
WD put this together to be small but allow exploration - a hard task and while space constraints are always limiting I think he succeeded and has included some weird wizardly touches that don't feel "gonzo" but manage to feel very Appendix N fantasy.
Reposted by Gus L.
part 2! regardless of whether or not we know which author contributed which passages, can we poke major tendencies and axes of difference across od&d? and do the poles of such axes correlate?
traversefantasy.blogspot.com/2025/08/od-h...
traversefantasy.blogspot.com/2025/08/od-h...
August 3, 2025 at 12:44 PM
part 2! regardless of whether or not we know which author contributed which passages, can we poke major tendencies and axes of difference across od&d? and do the poles of such axes correlate?
traversefantasy.blogspot.com/2025/08/od-h...
traversefantasy.blogspot.com/2025/08/od-h...
I helped a friend out a drew Amanda a mediocre map - she made it look pretty good.
Today I'm releasing The Eternal Empress, a short location-based adventure for the Appendix N. jam. #osr
Special thanks to @explorersdesign.bsky.social and Gus L. for the great cover and map!
weirdwonder.itch.io/empress
Special thanks to @explorersdesign.bsky.social and Gus L. for the great cover and map!
weirdwonder.itch.io/empress
The Eternal Empress by Amanda P.
An adventure for Cairn and old school roleplaying games
weirdwonder.itch.io
July 30, 2025 at 8:49 PM
I helped a friend out a drew Amanda a mediocre map - she made it look pretty good.
It always makes me happy when people run my stuff! Let me know how it goes.
My adult group chose #OSEadvanced, houseruled to match #Dolmenwood. Start setting, Tomb Robbers of the Crystal Frontier by @ratkingrpg.bsky.social.
Players are new to #TTRPG and felt that OSE exposed them to old and new system ideas. I thought it was a compelling point.
#osr
Players are new to #TTRPG and felt that OSE exposed them to old and new system ideas. I thought it was a compelling point.
#osr
July 23, 2025 at 10:10 AM
It always makes me happy when people run my stuff! Let me know how it goes.
Bissette's D&D art was always some of my favorite, and as a kid it was very inspiring in that it suggested D&D monsters had material culture and complexity through visual storytelling. Never knew who had drawn it though. Perhaps someone should make figs based on the art for real?
What I drew for TSR's toy line—with constant demands for "more detail!"—and what they actually manufactured & sold.
July 21, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Bissette's D&D art was always some of my favorite, and as a kid it was very inspiring in that it suggested D&D monsters had material culture and complexity through visual storytelling. Never knew who had drawn it though. Perhaps someone should make figs based on the art for real?
Drew a quick Isometric villa for a friend to key up. I think I'm getting this map style down a bit better.
July 19, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Drew a quick Isometric villa for a friend to key up. I think I'm getting this map style down a bit better.
Jay makes very thoughtful games ... not my style of games, but very good and well thought out games. Yazeba's, Mythic Bastionland, and His Majesty the Worm were my favorites this Ennies. All are worth you time - if they happen to be your thing.
DAILY REMINDER:
VOTE FOR YAZEBAS BNB AND HIS MAJESTY THE WORM SO I CAN WIN TWO ENNIES IN THE SAME YEAR.
IT WOULD BE:
-COOL
-NICE
-SUPER RAD
vote.ennie-awards.com/vote/2025/
VOTE FOR YAZEBAS BNB AND HIS MAJESTY THE WORM SO I CAN WIN TWO ENNIES IN THE SAME YEAR.
IT WOULD BE:
-COOL
-NICE
-SUPER RAD
vote.ennie-awards.com/vote/2025/
Before voting, please take the time to familiarize yourself with the products and judges. Clicking on a product's title will take you to its publisher's websites, allowing you to learn more about that product.
vote.ennie-awards.com
July 14, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Jay makes very thoughtful games ... not my style of games, but very good and well thought out games. Yazeba's, Mythic Bastionland, and His Majesty the Worm were my favorites this Ennies. All are worth you time - if they happen to be your thing.
Reposted by Gus L.
AT THE SHRINES OF THE LOWER OSSUARY is a new dungeon for HIS MAJESTY THE WORM, released as PWYW until July 20th as a thanks for your support!
Can you:
* Cleanse the four shrines?
* Defeat the terrible clown queen?
* Trade with the strange merchants?
riseupcomus.itch.io/shrines-of-t...
Can you:
* Cleanse the four shrines?
* Defeat the terrible clown queen?
* Trade with the strange merchants?
riseupcomus.itch.io/shrines-of-t...
Shrines of the Lower Ossuary by riseupcomus
A dungeon for His Majesty the Worm
riseupcomus.itch.io
July 14, 2025 at 1:13 PM
AT THE SHRINES OF THE LOWER OSSUARY is a new dungeon for HIS MAJESTY THE WORM, released as PWYW until July 20th as a thanks for your support!
Can you:
* Cleanse the four shrines?
* Defeat the terrible clown queen?
* Trade with the strange merchants?
riseupcomus.itch.io/shrines-of-t...
Can you:
* Cleanse the four shrines?
* Defeat the terrible clown queen?
* Trade with the strange merchants?
riseupcomus.itch.io/shrines-of-t...
It's a good one - an experimental piece that still holds up.
One of my favorite Zzarchov books!
I have a copy of the extremely limited edition version of this zine from LotFP, it was a benefit of backing something that was insanely late, maybe? All a blur now. But for those of you who have dreamed of owning Thulian Echoes, now is your chance!
July 14, 2025 at 7:45 PM
It's a good one - an experimental piece that still holds up.
Reposted by Gus L.
also published one last update to FMC to correct outstanding mistakes and reupload the B&W version of the PDF
thank y’all for your continued interest in this project! :)
traversefantasy.itch.io/fmc
thank y’all for your continued interest in this project! :)
traversefantasy.itch.io/fmc
Fantastic Medieval Campaigns by Traverse Fantasy
A new version of the original role-playing game
traversefantasy.itch.io
July 6, 2025 at 3:43 PM
also published one last update to FMC to correct outstanding mistakes and reupload the B&W version of the PDF
thank y’all for your continued interest in this project! :)
traversefantasy.itch.io/fmc
thank y’all for your continued interest in this project! :)
traversefantasy.itch.io/fmc
Reposted by Gus L.
7 Maxims of the OSR, from All Dead Generations by Gus L.:
blogsontape.paperspencils.com/2025/07/04/e...
blogsontape.paperspencils.com/2025/07/04/e...
July 4, 2025 at 10:10 AM
7 Maxims of the OSR, from All Dead Generations by Gus L.:
blogsontape.paperspencils.com/2025/07/04/e...
blogsontape.paperspencils.com/2025/07/04/e...
Reposted by Gus L.
Continuing on the theme of wilderness travel, @benlaurence.bsky.social's landmark orienteering approach is really compelling! I've never run a proper exploration game, but this makes me want to. blogsontape.paperspencils.com/2025/06/27/e...
June 27, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Continuing on the theme of wilderness travel, @benlaurence.bsky.social's landmark orienteering approach is really compelling! I've never run a proper exploration game, but this makes me want to. blogsontape.paperspencils.com/2025/06/27/e...
I've followed this game for a bit, but I've only played it briefly. A nice look back at older CRPGs with a sort of "dark fragglerock"/"fey-realm clayamation" aesthetic and clear table top inspiration.
Nostalgic enough to take me back to playing on an Amiga in 1990, but with modern mechanics.
Nostalgic enough to take me back to playing on an Amiga in 1990, but with modern mechanics.
June 27, 2025 at 10:29 AM
I've followed this game for a bit, but I've only played it briefly. A nice look back at older CRPGs with a sort of "dark fragglerock"/"fey-realm clayamation" aesthetic and clear table top inspiration.
Nostalgic enough to take me back to playing on an Amiga in 1990, but with modern mechanics.
Nostalgic enough to take me back to playing on an Amiga in 1990, but with modern mechanics.
Reposted by Gus L.
Designing Dungeons: Or How to Kill in a Party in 30 Rooms is complete! Its a great series of collected wisdom from the old-school brain trust on dungeon design with the goal of 𝓹𝓵𝓪𝔂𝓲𝓷𝓰!
Fantastic collab with @riseupcomus.bsky.social !!
Fantastic collab with @riseupcomus.bsky.social !!
The final chapter of the Designing Dungeons course is out now. THIS MEANS THE COURSE IS NOW COMPLETE!
The Designing Dungeons Course is a free, step-by-step online resource to create a fantasy dungeon, complete with workbook and exercises.
dungeons.hismajestytheworm.games
The Designing Dungeons Course is a free, step-by-step online resource to create a fantasy dungeon, complete with workbook and exercises.
dungeons.hismajestytheworm.games
June 19, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Designing Dungeons: Or How to Kill in a Party in 30 Rooms is complete! Its a great series of collected wisdom from the old-school brain trust on dungeon design with the goal of 𝓹𝓵𝓪𝔂𝓲𝓷𝓰!
Fantastic collab with @riseupcomus.bsky.social !!
Fantastic collab with @riseupcomus.bsky.social !!
Reposted by Gus L.
My friend Flo's dad was involved in the fanzine culture of D&D in the 70s, and made some contributions to early gaming magazines. She recently shared some of his handwritten notes about the spell systems he and his friends used.
I think these are FASCINATING
I think these are FASCINATING
June 20, 2025 at 12:29 PM
My friend Flo's dad was involved in the fanzine culture of D&D in the 70s, and made some contributions to early gaming magazines. She recently shared some of his handwritten notes about the spell systems he and his friends used.
I think these are FASCINATING
I think these are FASCINATING
The best thing about deciding the OSR scene died in 2019 is that I don't have to care very much about what people keep saying about it these days.
June 17, 2025 at 5:33 PM
The best thing about deciding the OSR scene died in 2019 is that I don't have to care very much about what people keep saying about it these days.