Benjamin Huffman / Sterling Vermin Adventuring Co.
@sterlingvermin.bsky.social
Award winning & best selling game designer on Patreon, DTRPG, DMsGuild, & more. (he/him) For business inquiries: sterlingverminac at gmail
Gonna have to incorporate some rowdy references in the Pugilist update. I simply must.
July 16, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Gonna have to incorporate some rowdy references in the Pugilist update. I simply must.
If you haven't heard yet, the long awaited VTT designed for D&D, Sigil, released recently and promptly shit the bed. It's not just bad, they fired almost the entire staff such that there's no possibility it will ever actually be fixed. But I'm telling you this right now only as pretext.
March 22, 2025 at 3:02 PM
If you haven't heard yet, the long awaited VTT designed for D&D, Sigil, released recently and promptly shit the bed. It's not just bad, they fired almost the entire staff such that there's no possibility it will ever actually be fixed. But I'm telling you this right now only as pretext.
The latest episode of my podcast, Dispel Magic, is out today. We're talking the setting implications of the kuo-toa and their incredible ability to create gods! dispelmagic.podbean.com
February 25, 2025 at 5:06 PM
The latest episode of my podcast, Dispel Magic, is out today. We're talking the setting implications of the kuo-toa and their incredible ability to create gods! dispelmagic.podbean.com
Take two of the Dexterous Warrior feat. I've expanded the number of weapons you add Finesse to (by a lot) and added a second bullet point. It's of limited use to classes that don't get Weapon Mastery but...maybe that's fine?
February 23, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Take two of the Dexterous Warrior feat. I've expanded the number of weapons you add Finesse to (by a lot) and added a second bullet point. It's of limited use to classes that don't get Weapon Mastery but...maybe that's fine?
How do we like this feat?
February 19, 2025 at 11:29 PM
How do we like this feat?
Too niche?
February 12, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Too niche?
Reposted by Benjamin Huffman / Sterling Vermin Adventuring Co.
Parleys at the Platter #3. Since the new 2024 rules premiered, I thought it’d be lovely to have a conversation on game design, play, and D&D.
Dr. Paul Gestwicki @alyssavisscher.bsky.social @sterlingvermin.bsky.social @mustangsart.bsky.social
share.fireside.fm/episode/bbqO...
Dr. Paul Gestwicki @alyssavisscher.bsky.social @sterlingvermin.bsky.social @mustangsart.bsky.social
share.fireside.fm/episode/bbqO...
Sidekicks & Sidequests: Episode 143 - Parleys at the Platter #3: Game Design, Play, and D&D
Happy New Year! My apologies for the delay on this episode. For our third Parleys at the Platter special, I invited Dr. Paul Gestwicki, Alyssa Visscher, Benjamin Huffman, and Mark Thompson back onto t...
share.fireside.fm
January 22, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Parleys at the Platter #3. Since the new 2024 rules premiered, I thought it’d be lovely to have a conversation on game design, play, and D&D.
Dr. Paul Gestwicki @alyssavisscher.bsky.social @sterlingvermin.bsky.social @mustangsart.bsky.social
share.fireside.fm/episode/bbqO...
Dr. Paul Gestwicki @alyssavisscher.bsky.social @sterlingvermin.bsky.social @mustangsart.bsky.social
share.fireside.fm/episode/bbqO...
Would you buy a 12 month calendar where each month features a unique picture of ramen?
January 3, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Would you buy a 12 month calendar where each month features a unique picture of ramen?
I finished Black Company yesterday and now I understand Band of Blades and Abyssal Exalted so much better.
December 25, 2024 at 2:27 AM
I finished Black Company yesterday and now I understand Band of Blades and Abyssal Exalted so much better.
Reposted by Benjamin Huffman / Sterling Vermin Adventuring Co.
Something I think we don't talk about enough is how HARD it is for freelance game designers to keep their skills sharp. You have to balance day job & understanding game systems & reading new games & a work-life balance. & how GUTTING it is to feel your skills atrophy if you prioritize other things.
December 21, 2024 at 12:36 AM
Something I think we don't talk about enough is how HARD it is for freelance game designers to keep their skills sharp. You have to balance day job & understanding game systems & reading new games & a work-life balance. & how GUTTING it is to feel your skills atrophy if you prioritize other things.
I am one bad day away from getting extremely into writing poetry.
December 15, 2024 at 12:11 PM
I am one bad day away from getting extremely into writing poetry.
I was curious if I was on any Blue sky lists so I looked myself up and I'm pleased to announce I'm blocked by one singular person and it's an NFT guy.
December 15, 2024 at 4:11 AM
I was curious if I was on any Blue sky lists so I looked myself up and I'm pleased to announce I'm blocked by one singular person and it's an NFT guy.
Sometimes I get so anxious thinking about how the significantly better worldbuilding of Chronicles of Darkness was abandoned because the nostalgia of World of Darkness was so much more lucrative.
December 8, 2024 at 4:39 PM
Sometimes I get so anxious thinking about how the significantly better worldbuilding of Chronicles of Darkness was abandoned because the nostalgia of World of Darkness was so much more lucrative.
After a few hours of experimentation I am pleased to announce I am a Loki main.
December 8, 2024 at 5:57 AM
After a few hours of experimentation I am pleased to announce I am a Loki main.
Reposted by Benjamin Huffman / Sterling Vermin Adventuring Co.
Hey, people! We've missed you, and we've got new Kill Every Monster episodes on the way.
But first, a message from Dylan and Aram about Wizards of the Coast that will play at the top of the podcast going forward.
www.youtube.com/shorts/L2cZ3...
But first, a message from Dylan and Aram about Wizards of the Coast that will play at the top of the podcast going forward.
www.youtube.com/shorts/L2cZ3...
Our Message About Wizards of the Coast
YouTube video by Dead Ghost Productions
www.youtube.com
November 29, 2024 at 8:52 PM
Hey, people! We've missed you, and we've got new Kill Every Monster episodes on the way.
But first, a message from Dylan and Aram about Wizards of the Coast that will play at the top of the podcast going forward.
www.youtube.com/shorts/L2cZ3...
But first, a message from Dylan and Aram about Wizards of the Coast that will play at the top of the podcast going forward.
www.youtube.com/shorts/L2cZ3...
The one downside to Metaphor: Refantazio is that I mutter, "Oooooh, power of kings!" to myself and then laugh at least once a day.
November 28, 2024 at 12:36 AM
The one downside to Metaphor: Refantazio is that I mutter, "Oooooh, power of kings!" to myself and then laugh at least once a day.
Reposted by Benjamin Huffman / Sterling Vermin Adventuring Co.
Adapting Narrative Design Patterns for Tabletop Adventure Writing - AKA The One With The Flowcharts
If you're interested in how I structure quests, adventures, decisions, etc. for tabletop design, this blog post is for you! There's even an activity at the end you can do & post in the comments :)
If you're interested in how I structure quests, adventures, decisions, etc. for tabletop design, this blog post is for you! There's even an activity at the end you can do & post in the comments :)
Adapting Narrative Design Patterns for Tabletop Adventure Writing - Barilleon's Web Zone
I’ve been thinking a lot about the shapes of stories, especially as IF and video game narrative designers have been mapping them for years. What does...
barilleon.com
November 28, 2024 at 12:31 AM
Adapting Narrative Design Patterns for Tabletop Adventure Writing - AKA The One With The Flowcharts
If you're interested in how I structure quests, adventures, decisions, etc. for tabletop design, this blog post is for you! There's even an activity at the end you can do & post in the comments :)
If you're interested in how I structure quests, adventures, decisions, etc. for tabletop design, this blog post is for you! There's even an activity at the end you can do & post in the comments :)
Reposted by Benjamin Huffman / Sterling Vermin Adventuring Co.
Real life vs fantasy world building
November 27, 2024 at 8:53 PM
Real life vs fantasy world building
I am paralyzed right now between working on a sorcerer subclass, making popcorn, or watching the next episode of Dandadan.
November 24, 2024 at 6:10 AM
I am paralyzed right now between working on a sorcerer subclass, making popcorn, or watching the next episode of Dandadan.
Tinkering with a giant themed sorcerer subclass for 24e that's build to be a punchy gish type. These are the early features that set that up. Is it enough?
November 22, 2024 at 11:31 PM
Tinkering with a giant themed sorcerer subclass for 24e that's build to be a punchy gish type. These are the early features that set that up. Is it enough?
Reposted by Benjamin Huffman / Sterling Vermin Adventuring Co.
Reskeet if you're a TTRPG designer and/or publisher and are happy to provide digital copies for actual plays and reviews.
100% what Hayley said!
If you're streaming Sherwood or Roseville Beach (or any forthcoming R. Rook Studio books), I've got free PDFs, ePubs and either have or will make digital character keepers and customized consent worksheets for you.
Seriously, reach out!
If you're streaming Sherwood or Roseville Beach (or any forthcoming R. Rook Studio books), I've got free PDFs, ePubs and either have or will make digital character keepers and customized consent worksheets for you.
Seriously, reach out!
Going to put this here for the bsky crowd: If you're streaming an actual play of game we've created, and you'd like free digital copies for yourself and your cast, hit us up we'll be happy to provide them!
This is for every channel, no matter the size.
This is for every channel, no matter the size.
November 17, 2024 at 11:52 PM
Reskeet if you're a TTRPG designer and/or publisher and are happy to provide digital copies for actual plays and reviews.
Who do I know that's interested in freelance work to update some of my 5e material to 5.24e?
November 17, 2024 at 7:54 PM
Who do I know that's interested in freelance work to update some of my 5e material to 5.24e?
Anyone playing Wilderfeast? I got my physical copy a week ago but unfortunately won't be able to give it a spin for a couple months. I'd love to do a bit of hacking to make it even more Delicious in Dungeon shaped.
November 12, 2024 at 12:22 AM
Anyone playing Wilderfeast? I got my physical copy a week ago but unfortunately won't be able to give it a spin for a couple months. I'd love to do a bit of hacking to make it even more Delicious in Dungeon shaped.
In the wake of the 2024 rules I find I'm struggling to figure out how to proceed. Update material from 2014e? Create original content for the new system? Go off and write my own TTRPGs? Hang up the gloves and rest a bit? I've experimented with a bit of all of the above. Not sure which will win.
November 10, 2024 at 9:56 PM
In the wake of the 2024 rules I find I'm struggling to figure out how to proceed. Update material from 2014e? Create original content for the new system? Go off and write my own TTRPGs? Hang up the gloves and rest a bit? I've experimented with a bit of all of the above. Not sure which will win.