Valeria Loves
@valerialoves.bsky.social
https://www.valerialoves.com/
The second best trans woman who reviews indie TTRPGs while taking baths, somehow.
Nominated for 3 Bloggies yay!
https://www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/?srsltid=AfmBOoo0QTgAZYuANVALzE3UR3tVD5fngJqS5-3uMEzyMWh2PhgZOoAQ
The second best trans woman who reviews indie TTRPGs while taking baths, somehow.
Nominated for 3 Bloggies yay!
https://www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/?srsltid=AfmBOoo0QTgAZYuANVALzE3UR3tVD5fngJqS5-3uMEzyMWh2PhgZOoAQ
Pinned
Bloggies voting has begun! This week is the tournament: the Thunderdome of rpg blogs. If you're thinking to yourself, "This is a lot of reading." I've got bad news: you're already running out of time.
Here's everything you need to know for this week... 1/4
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/
Here's everything you need to know for this week... 1/4
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/
The Bloggies 2026
A yearly celebration of blogging in tabletop roleplaying games.
www.explorersdesign.com
Two of my best posts have been nominated for Bloggies! Voting just went live!
“How to Replicate Over/Under”
“Promises - A Mythic Bastionland House Rule”
If you think I’ve been a valuable addition to the scene, I’d appreciate your support!
“How to Replicate Over/Under”
“Promises - A Mythic Bastionland House Rule”
If you think I’ve been a valuable addition to the scene, I’d appreciate your support!
Reposted by Valeria Loves
Go vote for my posts! I think I’m in all non-advice categories (because I only give bad advice, like “go vote for my posts”)
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-202...
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-202...
February 16, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Go vote for my posts! I think I’m in all non-advice categories (because I only give bad advice, like “go vote for my posts”)
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-202...
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-202...
Reposted by Valeria Loves
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
Reposted by Valeria Loves
Only through total blogging dominance in the meta catagory can "What is an OSR?" defeat all discourse forever for real this time (honest). Vote with your heart, but vote extra hard if your heart likes me specifically.
Bloggies voting has begun! This week is the tournament: the Thunderdome of rpg blogs. If you're thinking to yourself, "This is a lot of reading." I've got bad news: you're already running out of time.
Here's everything you need to know for this week... 1/4
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/
Here's everything you need to know for this week... 1/4
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/
The Bloggies 2026
A yearly celebration of blogging in tabletop roleplaying games.
www.explorersdesign.com
February 16, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Only through total blogging dominance in the meta catagory can "What is an OSR?" defeat all discourse forever for real this time (honest). Vote with your heart, but vote extra hard if your heart likes me specifically.
Reposted by Valeria Loves
🔥 🔥 🔥
The beacons are lit! Skeleton Code Machine calls for aid!
🔥 🔥 🔥
Go vote for [ Theory ] "Everything is Pointcrawl!" and [ Critique ] "Playing the Chaplain's Game" in the Bloggies Round 1 voting.
Thank you for your support. 🫡
The beacons are lit! Skeleton Code Machine calls for aid!
🔥 🔥 🔥
Go vote for [ Theory ] "Everything is Pointcrawl!" and [ Critique ] "Playing the Chaplain's Game" in the Bloggies Round 1 voting.
Thank you for your support. 🫡
Bloggies voting is LIVE!
I would encourage you to vote for Conflict as Motivation and Resolution (and other fine posts such as @lymerpg.bsky.social's "Why Orcs?" and @exeunt.press's "Everything is Pointcrawl") here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
I would encourage you to vote for Conflict as Motivation and Resolution (and other fine posts such as @lymerpg.bsky.social's "Why Orcs?" and @exeunt.press's "Everything is Pointcrawl") here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
The Bloggies: Theory Round 1
Welcome to The Bloggies. You're currently voting in the first round of the Theory bracket.
What's in this category? This category is all about systems, mechanics, gameplay, and more.
What are The Blo...
docs.google.com
February 16, 2026 at 3:03 PM
🔥 🔥 🔥
The beacons are lit! Skeleton Code Machine calls for aid!
🔥 🔥 🔥
Go vote for [ Theory ] "Everything is Pointcrawl!" and [ Critique ] "Playing the Chaplain's Game" in the Bloggies Round 1 voting.
Thank you for your support. 🫡
The beacons are lit! Skeleton Code Machine calls for aid!
🔥 🔥 🔥
Go vote for [ Theory ] "Everything is Pointcrawl!" and [ Critique ] "Playing the Chaplain's Game" in the Bloggies Round 1 voting.
Thank you for your support. 🫡
Reposted by Valeria Loves
lrt: firmly on the side of tables having the right to season their experience to taste, but game rules exist to replicate a Specific experience and it sucks that everyone reaches for the ketchup before taking a bite. I love ketchup. I know the difference between the original dish and the one I ate.
February 16, 2026 at 2:48 PM
lrt: firmly on the side of tables having the right to season their experience to taste, but game rules exist to replicate a Specific experience and it sucks that everyone reaches for the ketchup before taking a bite. I love ketchup. I know the difference between the original dish and the one I ate.
Reposted by Valeria Loves
Please consider voting for Faggot Games: An Urgent Warning in the Meta category!
Bloggies voting has begun! This week is the tournament: the Thunderdome of rpg blogs. If you're thinking to yourself, "This is a lot of reading." I've got bad news: you're already running out of time.
Here's everything you need to know for this week... 1/4
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/
Here's everything you need to know for this week... 1/4
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/
The Bloggies 2026
A yearly celebration of blogging in tabletop roleplaying games.
www.explorersdesign.com
February 16, 2026 at 12:27 PM
Please consider voting for Faggot Games: An Urgent Warning in the Meta category!
Reposted by Valeria Loves
okay gamers it's time to vote for yours truly. remember to vote for a half-gross of writing pointers you cannot touch, two gross of in-universe and in-in-universe strictures, the notion of "acting real slick," and the triptych of classification considerations
Bloggies voting has begun! This week is the tournament: the Thunderdome of rpg blogs. If you're thinking to yourself, "This is a lot of reading." I've got bad news: you're already running out of time.
Here's everything you need to know for this week... 1/4
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/
Here's everything you need to know for this week... 1/4
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/
The Bloggies 2026
A yearly celebration of blogging in tabletop roleplaying games.
www.explorersdesign.com
February 16, 2026 at 6:17 AM
okay gamers it's time to vote for yours truly. remember to vote for a half-gross of writing pointers you cannot touch, two gross of in-universe and in-in-universe strictures, the notion of "acting real slick," and the triptych of classification considerations
Reposted by Valeria Loves
Let’s do this!! Please vote for WRITING IN PAIRS under the advice bracket.
Bloggies voting has begun! This week is the tournament: the Thunderdome of rpg blogs. If you're thinking to yourself, "This is a lot of reading." I've got bad news: you're already running out of time.
Here's everything you need to know for this week... 1/4
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/
Here's everything you need to know for this week... 1/4
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/
The Bloggies 2026
A yearly celebration of blogging in tabletop roleplaying games.
www.explorersdesign.com
February 16, 2026 at 4:27 AM
Let’s do this!! Please vote for WRITING IN PAIRS under the advice bracket.
Two of my best posts have been nominated for Bloggies! Voting just went live!
“How to Replicate Over/Under”
“Promises - A Mythic Bastionland House Rule”
If you think I’ve been a valuable addition to the scene, I’d appreciate your support!
“How to Replicate Over/Under”
“Promises - A Mythic Bastionland House Rule”
If you think I’ve been a valuable addition to the scene, I’d appreciate your support!
Bloggies voting has begun! This week is the tournament: the Thunderdome of rpg blogs. If you're thinking to yourself, "This is a lot of reading." I've got bad news: you're already running out of time.
Here's everything you need to know for this week... 1/4
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/
Here's everything you need to know for this week... 1/4
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/
The Bloggies 2026
A yearly celebration of blogging in tabletop roleplaying games.
www.explorersdesign.com
February 16, 2026 at 4:07 AM
Two of my best posts have been nominated for Bloggies! Voting just went live!
“How to Replicate Over/Under”
“Promises - A Mythic Bastionland House Rule”
If you think I’ve been a valuable addition to the scene, I’d appreciate your support!
“How to Replicate Over/Under”
“Promises - A Mythic Bastionland House Rule”
If you think I’ve been a valuable addition to the scene, I’d appreciate your support!
Reposted by Valeria Loves
#over/under Day 6: The big event was the Bratva Ball, celebrating Obshchak Sylvana Liu's 61st birthday. It was the first major inter-faction roleplay moment in a dedicated space.
This was also when I pitched a former relationship between Otso and a Bratva boss that would change the entire game.
This was also when I pitched a former relationship between Otso and a Bratva boss that would change the entire game.
Over/Under Diary: Day 06
Making events within interactive spaces (or, the time the Bosses showed out at the Bratva Ball)
www.rascal.news
February 15, 2026 at 9:19 PM
#over/under Day 6: The big event was the Bratva Ball, celebrating Obshchak Sylvana Liu's 61st birthday. It was the first major inter-faction roleplay moment in a dedicated space.
This was also when I pitched a former relationship between Otso and a Bratva boss that would change the entire game.
This was also when I pitched a former relationship between Otso and a Bratva boss that would change the entire game.
Reposted by Valeria Loves
It's the middle of February, so that means it's time for another edition of my newsletter, featuring a roundup of interesting OSR blog posts, a look at what I've been reading, and what video games and RPGs I've spent my time on this month.
table46.bearblog.dev/the-46er-feb...
#rpg #osr #nsr #posr
table46.bearblog.dev/the-46er-feb...
#rpg #osr #nsr #posr
The 46er - February 2026
It's been a great month for blogging! The Bloggies are in full swing, with voting about to begin. There's been many great posts - I've curated a selection of...
table46.bearblog.dev
February 16, 2026 at 3:02 AM
It's the middle of February, so that means it's time for another edition of my newsletter, featuring a roundup of interesting OSR blog posts, a look at what I've been reading, and what video games and RPGs I've spent my time on this month.
table46.bearblog.dev/the-46er-feb...
#rpg #osr #nsr #posr
table46.bearblog.dev/the-46er-feb...
#rpg #osr #nsr #posr
Reposted by Valeria Loves
My newest Mothership module, ROACH MOTEL, is now available on itch.
Turning back leads somewhere new. The gun in your hands is missing. The ringing grows louder.
norgad.itch.io/roach-motel
Turning back leads somewhere new. The gun in your hands is missing. The ringing grows louder.
norgad.itch.io/roach-motel
Roach Motel by Norgad
A pitcher-plant of a labyrinth, for Mothership
norgad.itch.io
February 15, 2026 at 7:52 PM
My newest Mothership module, ROACH MOTEL, is now available on itch.
Turning back leads somewhere new. The gun in your hands is missing. The ringing grows louder.
norgad.itch.io/roach-motel
Turning back leads somewhere new. The gun in your hands is missing. The ringing grows louder.
norgad.itch.io/roach-motel
What’s the opposite of subliminal messaging?
wow roach motel just a day away it got here so fast oh wow roach motel just a day away roach motel i am so happy about this information roach motel
February 15, 2026 at 1:08 PM
What’s the opposite of subliminal messaging?
Reposted by Valeria Loves
Reposted by Valeria Loves
When I think about the games that have been the most fun to play, it's because they live in my brain, not because they are easy to understand but because seeking to understand them is half the fun. Art changes relationships in your brain and thus changes play.
February 14, 2026 at 5:20 AM
When I think about the games that have been the most fun to play, it's because they live in my brain, not because they are easy to understand but because seeking to understand them is half the fun. Art changes relationships in your brain and thus changes play.
Reposted by Valeria Loves
Why is my blog called that? Well. Its complicated. This blog post attempts to explain it.
thegardenbelow.blot.im/what-is-the-...
thegardenbelow.blot.im/what-is-the-...
What is the Garden Below? - The Garden Below
An introduction of sorts to a place of many hands
thegardenbelow.blot.im
February 14, 2026 at 2:35 AM
Why is my blog called that? Well. Its complicated. This blog post attempts to explain it.
thegardenbelow.blot.im/what-is-the-...
thegardenbelow.blot.im/what-is-the-...
Reposted by Valeria Loves
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 Valeria Loves
Wrote my first blog post! This ones about the downsides of real-time pbp games and the letter-writing game I wrote as an experiment on how to do it in a healthier way.
mmalice.bearblog.dev/against-pbp/
mmalice.bearblog.dev/against-pbp/
Against Play By Post
As of writing this article, it has been exactly 3 months since Sam Sorensons Over/Under ended, and since then a small subculture of real time play by post ga...
mmalice.bearblog.dev
February 13, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Wrote my first blog post! This ones about the downsides of real-time pbp games and the letter-writing game I wrote as an experiment on how to do it in a healthier way.
mmalice.bearblog.dev/against-pbp/
mmalice.bearblog.dev/against-pbp/
Reposted by Valeria Loves
the people who weren't on cohost for the 5 minutes cohost existed must also learn of Bitch House
February 13, 2026 at 2:09 AM
the people who weren't on cohost for the 5 minutes cohost existed must also learn of Bitch House
Reposted by Valeria Loves
A thousand dark blessings upon Meat the Freak Castle for sparing me from my tape recorder woes🙏
Want to hear me read @juniperhl.bsky.social's very good and very funny blog post "What is an OSR?" Well, now you can! podcast.bloggies.org/@WeReadTheBl...
[Meta] What is an OSR? by Juniper Harper Lark
Bloggies 2026 Nominee (Meta Category): What is an OSR? by Juniper Harper Lark (The Garden Below) Narrated by Christian Sorrell
podcast.bloggies.org
February 13, 2026 at 2:52 PM
A thousand dark blessings upon Meat the Freak Castle for sparing me from my tape recorder woes🙏
Reposted by Valeria Loves
PODCAST: Rascal Reading Club's first talkback episode responds to questions and comments about Mothership's Warden's Operations Manual
Rascal Reading Club: The Warden’s Operations Manual
The talkback is out, the duology is complete.
www.rascal.news
February 13, 2026 at 3:11 PM
PODCAST: Rascal Reading Club's first talkback episode responds to questions and comments about Mothership's Warden's Operations Manual
Reposted by Valeria Loves
I'm trying to give indie TTRPGs some love on Polygon but it's tough because they don't do the sort of traffic as D&D stories. But one of the best part of my job is talking to game developers about their passion for the hobby. Here's a piece on Nimble: www.polygon.com/nimble-dunge...
D&D alternative Nimble returns to Kickstarter with a big expansion
Designer Evan Diaz talks about respecting everyone's time and making memories
www.polygon.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:46 AM
I'm trying to give indie TTRPGs some love on Polygon but it's tough because they don't do the sort of traffic as D&D stories. But one of the best part of my job is talking to game developers about their passion for the hobby. Here's a piece on Nimble: www.polygon.com/nimble-dunge...
Just got a craving for Shepherd’s Pie so powerful that I literally went blind for a couple seconds.
February 13, 2026 at 12:28 AM
Just got a craving for Shepherd’s Pie so powerful that I literally went blind for a couple seconds.
Reposted by Valeria Loves
I wonder if there are gonna be transcripts for the We Read the Bloggies podcast.
February 12, 2026 at 10:34 PM
I wonder if there are gonna be transcripts for the We Read the Bloggies podcast.