Ross Cowman
@rosscowman.bsky.social
🛠 Owner: heartofthedeernicorn.com
📜 Designer: #fallofmagic ❤️ #bffrpg ❄️ #cityofwinter 👑 #lichlords
📣 President: Tabletop Game Alliance of Washington State
📷: Barham Lashley w/ Emma Juncosa
📜 Designer: #fallofmagic ❤️ #bffrpg ❄️ #cityofwinter 👑 #lichlords
📣 President: Tabletop Game Alliance of Washington State
📷: Barham Lashley w/ Emma Juncosa
Reposted by Ross Cowman
Apocalypse World taught me a lot about RPG design, and I'm excited to try the new edition. @lumpley.bsky.social has taught me many things over the years, and it's thrilling to see the success that he and @megueyb.bsky.social have achieved.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
Apocalypse World: Burned Over
The 3rd edition of the groundbreaking original.
www.kickstarter.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Apocalypse World taught me a lot about RPG design, and I'm excited to try the new edition. @lumpley.bsky.social has taught me many things over the years, and it's thrilling to see the success that he and @megueyb.bsky.social have achieved.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
Playing Impossible Landscapes got me researching 90s cafe’s in NYC and I found this gem. The Pink Pony Cafe. Closed now.
My group really enjoyed revisiting 90s nostalgia, and playing in a rpg setting where you can like, just go to the hardware store and pick up something on your credit card.
My group really enjoyed revisiting 90s nostalgia, and playing in a rpg setting where you can like, just go to the hardware store and pick up something on your credit card.
November 10, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Playing Impossible Landscapes got me researching 90s cafe’s in NYC and I found this gem. The Pink Pony Cafe. Closed now.
My group really enjoyed revisiting 90s nostalgia, and playing in a rpg setting where you can like, just go to the hardware store and pick up something on your credit card.
My group really enjoyed revisiting 90s nostalgia, and playing in a rpg setting where you can like, just go to the hardware store and pick up something on your credit card.
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 9, 2025 at 11:40 PM
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
Reposted by Ross Cowman
Successfully convinced the folks from Düngeòn to be “acquired” by Dungeon Depot ‽ in a corporate merger that will surely be the talk of the realm in flat-packed, modular dungeon services! And more importantly contributed to Andrea’s Adventurers reaching $3k in donations so far!
In 5 minutes - Business Wizards! by @9thlevelgames.bsky.social
Watch live: twitch.tv/PlaidDogEven...
Donate: andreasadventurers.ca
Your donations have in-game effects!
#andreasadventurers2025
Watch live: twitch.tv/PlaidDogEven...
Donate: andreasadventurers.ca
Your donations have in-game effects!
#andreasadventurers2025
November 8, 2025 at 5:22 AM
Successfully convinced the folks from Düngeòn to be “acquired” by Dungeon Depot ‽ in a corporate merger that will surely be the talk of the realm in flat-packed, modular dungeon services! And more importantly contributed to Andrea’s Adventurers reaching $3k in donations so far!
Reposted by Ross Cowman
If you are financially able to do it and fit the definition, do it. We've benefitted so much. You know who you are! www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
November 6, 2025 at 2:47 PM
If you are financially able to do it and fit the definition, do it. We've benefitted so much. You know who you are! www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
Still dream of lux-eternal? www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
Apocalypse World: Burned Over
The 3rd edition of the groundbreaking original.
www.kickstarter.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Still dream of lux-eternal? www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
Ran wolves tonight by for the indigenous futurism class at the evergreen state college.
November 5, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Ran wolves tonight by for the indigenous futurism class at the evergreen state college.
Reposted by Ross Cowman
I love it so much you can see me playing it in this clip from CNBC’s “Make It” where I snarked so hard they recorded b-roll of me playing four indie games (including For the Queen, Slugblaster, & Yazeba’s) instead of the planned fake-D&D session.
November 5, 2025 at 12:12 AM
I love it so much you can see me playing it in this clip from CNBC’s “Make It” where I snarked so hard they recorded b-roll of me playing four indie games (including For the Queen, Slugblaster, & Yazeba’s) instead of the planned fake-D&D session.
Reposted by Ross Cowman
Wrapping up the Dice Exploder series on actual play with a game where, to me, actual play functions almost as a game mechanic: @kenlowery.bsky.social talks Void 1680 AM community broadcasts, and how even just the idea of putting your solo gameplay in front of an audience changes how it feels to play
Actual Play: Void 1680 AM Community Broadcasts (with Ken Lowery) — Dice Exploder
To close out this miniseries on actual play, I wanted to feature a game that I think uses actual play as a game mechanic. Hear me out. Void 1680 AM is a solo playlist-building game in which you create...
www.diceexploder.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Wrapping up the Dice Exploder series on actual play with a game where, to me, actual play functions almost as a game mechanic: @kenlowery.bsky.social talks Void 1680 AM community broadcasts, and how even just the idea of putting your solo gameplay in front of an audience changes how it feels to play
Fall of Magic is back in stock.
heartofthedeernicorn.com/product/fall...
heartofthedeernicorn.com/product/fall...
November 3, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Fall of Magic is back in stock.
heartofthedeernicorn.com/product/fall...
heartofthedeernicorn.com/product/fall...
Reposted by Ross Cowman
Did ether of us say T minus 1? Today was T minus 1.
Launch in under 24 hours. Probably under 12.
See you there, dearies!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
Launch in under 24 hours. Probably under 12.
See you there, dearies!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
Coming soon: Apocalypse World: Burned Over
The 3rd edition of the groundbreaking original.
www.kickstarter.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:57 AM
Did ether of us say T minus 1? Today was T minus 1.
Launch in under 24 hours. Probably under 12.
See you there, dearies!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
Launch in under 24 hours. Probably under 12.
See you there, dearies!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
Played a halloween edition of Desperation by @jmstar.bsky.social
It was our first voyage on the Isabell. Such a damn good game. The whole table was instantly locked in from the first card.
It was our first voyage on the Isabell. Such a damn good game. The whole table was instantly locked in from the first card.
November 2, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Played a halloween edition of Desperation by @jmstar.bsky.social
It was our first voyage on the Isabell. Such a damn good game. The whole table was instantly locked in from the first card.
It was our first voyage on the Isabell. Such a damn good game. The whole table was instantly locked in from the first card.
Reposted by Ross Cowman
Had an excellent time running FALL OF MAGIC by @rosscowman.bsky.social in my @nyugamecenter.bsky.social class!
November 2, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Had an excellent time running FALL OF MAGIC by @rosscowman.bsky.social in my @nyugamecenter.bsky.social class!
Reposted by Ross Cowman
New article on Old Men Running the World, where I drill down into what makes me want to run a game and what makes me run a mile. #ttrpg
What Makes Me Want To Run A Game? - Old Men Running The World
Or, to give it its true clickbait title, "Why I have absolutely no interest in running 7/9 of the games Quinns Quest has reviewed."
oldmenrunningtheworld.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:28 PM
New article on Old Men Running the World, where I drill down into what makes me want to run a game and what makes me run a mile. #ttrpg
Reposted by Ross Cowman
Working on the AW3rd kickstarter (T minus 6 btw) and I notice that listed under Meg's and my name it says "11 created • 347 backed."
Okay first of all, 347 backed, wowie.
But of those 347, probably around 300 have been PbtA. That's a lot to be confronted with on a Tuesday morning.
Okay first of all, 347 backed, wowie.
But of those 347, probably around 300 have been PbtA. That's a lot to be confronted with on a Tuesday morning.
Coming soon: Apocalypse World: Burned Over
The 3rd edition of the groundbreaking original.
www.kickstarter.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Working on the AW3rd kickstarter (T minus 6 btw) and I notice that listed under Meg's and my name it says "11 created • 347 backed."
Okay first of all, 347 backed, wowie.
But of those 347, probably around 300 have been PbtA. That's a lot to be confronted with on a Tuesday morning.
Okay first of all, 347 backed, wowie.
But of those 347, probably around 300 have been PbtA. That's a lot to be confronted with on a Tuesday morning.
Reposted by Ross Cowman
There was a time we backed every #pbta #ttrpg project. Then folk's creative drive outpaced our capacity, as well as our shelf-space. It was a wicked cool moment. In 6 days, we're hoping you'll back #AW3rd, and keep the momentum rolling!
Working on the AW3rd kickstarter (T minus 6 btw) and I notice that listed under Meg's and my name it says "11 created • 347 backed."
Okay first of all, 347 backed, wowie.
But of those 347, probably around 300 have been PbtA. That's a lot to be confronted with on a Tuesday morning.
Okay first of all, 347 backed, wowie.
But of those 347, probably around 300 have been PbtA. That's a lot to be confronted with on a Tuesday morning.
Coming soon: Apocalypse World: Burned Over
The 3rd edition of the groundbreaking original.
www.kickstarter.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Critical Roll S4 E1 reminds me of a really long cut scene at the beginning of a Triple-A game. Great writing, great acting, but missing that feral magic of play.
October 28, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Critical Roll S4 E1 reminds me of a really long cut scene at the beginning of a Triple-A game. Great writing, great acting, but missing that feral magic of play.
Hear me out. Instead of game expansions, how about we start making game contractions.
I would for one, totally buy the new Twilight Imperium contraction.
I would for one, totally buy the new Twilight Imperium contraction.
October 27, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Hear me out. Instead of game expansions, how about we start making game contractions.
I would for one, totally buy the new Twilight Imperium contraction.
I would for one, totally buy the new Twilight Imperium contraction.
Reposted by Ross Cowman
Hey! Woah! I can't believe I haven't shared this before.
From a game of @rosscowman.bsky.social's #CityofWinter:
This is Valor, our young prince-in-exile, alongside Constance, the soon-to-be princess (though neither knows it yet!)
I love them dearly! 💛
From a game of @rosscowman.bsky.social's #CityofWinter:
This is Valor, our young prince-in-exile, alongside Constance, the soon-to-be princess (though neither knows it yet!)
I love them dearly! 💛
October 24, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Hey! Woah! I can't believe I haven't shared this before.
From a game of @rosscowman.bsky.social's #CityofWinter:
This is Valor, our young prince-in-exile, alongside Constance, the soon-to-be princess (though neither knows it yet!)
I love them dearly! 💛
From a game of @rosscowman.bsky.social's #CityofWinter:
This is Valor, our young prince-in-exile, alongside Constance, the soon-to-be princess (though neither knows it yet!)
I love them dearly! 💛
The Tabletop Game Alliance is hosting a summit Saturday, March 14th at the Olympia Center.
This day-long event will feature a small expo hall, seminars, workshops, and panel discussions for creatives, designers, publishers, retailers, educators, non-profits, and event organizers working in games.
This day-long event will feature a small expo hall, seminars, workshops, and panel discussions for creatives, designers, publishers, retailers, educators, non-profits, and event organizers working in games.
October 24, 2025 at 6:05 PM
The Tabletop Game Alliance is hosting a summit Saturday, March 14th at the Olympia Center.
This day-long event will feature a small expo hall, seminars, workshops, and panel discussions for creatives, designers, publishers, retailers, educators, non-profits, and event organizers working in games.
This day-long event will feature a small expo hall, seminars, workshops, and panel discussions for creatives, designers, publishers, retailers, educators, non-profits, and event organizers working in games.
Reposted by Ross Cowman
Hey fam, so are you hype for #PAXUnplugged yet? I finished the preliminary schedule for Games on Demand. We have 266 game sessions currently scheduled, 10 AM to 11:45 PM Friday and Saturday. 10 AM to 5:45 PM Sunday. Last game sits two hours before close each day.
Do you want to know which games?
Do you want to know which games?
October 23, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Hey fam, so are you hype for #PAXUnplugged yet? I finished the preliminary schedule for Games on Demand. We have 266 game sessions currently scheduled, 10 AM to 11:45 PM Friday and Saturday. 10 AM to 5:45 PM Sunday. Last game sits two hours before close each day.
Do you want to know which games?
Do you want to know which games?
Reposted by Ross Cowman
October 23, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Reposted by Ross Cowman
Hi game publishers large and small
Please do this. It is so crucial. Like not just the having folks do an AP of your product though obviously yes please. But also please, collect APs of your games into one place on your site so that people can reference them! This is a teaching aid!
Please do this. It is so crucial. Like not just the having folks do an AP of your product though obviously yes please. But also please, collect APs of your games into one place on your site so that people can reference them! This is a teaching aid!
We've been working on a page where we can link #actualplay of SoulMuppet games. It's still a work in progress and if we've missed any, let us know.
Find your next Actual Play to watch here:
soulmuppet-store.co.uk/pages/actual...
Also if you want to run one of our games for an AP get in touch!
Find your next Actual Play to watch here:
soulmuppet-store.co.uk/pages/actual...
Also if you want to run one of our games for an AP get in touch!
October 23, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Hi game publishers large and small
Please do this. It is so crucial. Like not just the having folks do an AP of your product though obviously yes please. But also please, collect APs of your games into one place on your site so that people can reference them! This is a teaching aid!
Please do this. It is so crucial. Like not just the having folks do an AP of your product though obviously yes please. But also please, collect APs of your games into one place on your site so that people can reference them! This is a teaching aid!
Reposted by Ross Cowman
I was on Dice Exploder! We dissect an intense scene from my AP podcast where an NPC leverages a character for sex. We go beat-by-beat on how to handle safety, boundaries, and communication at the TTRPG table.
Listen now: bit.ly/dice-explode...
Thanks for having me Sam! @diceexploder.com
Listen now: bit.ly/dice-explode...
Thanks for having me Sam! @diceexploder.com
October 21, 2025 at 2:02 PM
I was on Dice Exploder! We dissect an intense scene from my AP podcast where an NPC leverages a character for sex. We go beat-by-beat on how to handle safety, boundaries, and communication at the TTRPG table.
Listen now: bit.ly/dice-explode...
Thanks for having me Sam! @diceexploder.com
Listen now: bit.ly/dice-explode...
Thanks for having me Sam! @diceexploder.com