Darran (writes games)
@dbnolan.bsky.social
Body horror enthusiast, tea drinker, maker of noise and RPGs.
Autistic, XVX, and a proud forever GM.
Autistic, XVX, and a proud forever GM.
Pinned
Lute the Body: A necromantic musical odyssey for 1-4 players and a GM
A one page TTRPG in which the players take control of spirits that pilot the corpse of a recently slain bard through the awesome power of singing.
Think Octodad meets The Voice
(free/pwyw) dbnolan.itch.io/lute-the-body
A one page TTRPG in which the players take control of spirits that pilot the corpse of a recently slain bard through the awesome power of singing.
Think Octodad meets The Voice
(free/pwyw) dbnolan.itch.io/lute-the-body
Today we are playing @kierongillen.bsky.social and @rowanrookanddecard.bsky.social 's Die TTRPG.
Our personas are attempting to start an actual play of Die, pretending they're all good friends who happened to have a game together already, rather than the cynical bandwagon jumpers that they are
1/2
Our personas are attempting to start an actual play of Die, pretending they're all good friends who happened to have a game together already, rather than the cynical bandwagon jumpers that they are
1/2
September 7, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Today we are playing @kierongillen.bsky.social and @rowanrookanddecard.bsky.social 's Die TTRPG.
Our personas are attempting to start an actual play of Die, pretending they're all good friends who happened to have a game together already, rather than the cynical bandwagon jumpers that they are
1/2
Our personas are attempting to start an actual play of Die, pretending they're all good friends who happened to have a game together already, rather than the cynical bandwagon jumpers that they are
1/2
The puzzle game I've been doing narrative stuff for has a little trailer. Expect fiendish slidey puzzling and
[L O R E] galore #gamedev #indiegames
[L O R E] galore #gamedev #indiegames
New demo focusing on the new mine zone mechanics, along with some hidden stuff.
hypnic-jerk.itch.io/slips
#GodotEngine #puzzle #trailer
hypnic-jerk.itch.io/slips
#GodotEngine #puzzle #trailer
September 6, 2025 at 4:43 PM
The puzzle game I've been doing narrative stuff for has a little trailer. Expect fiendish slidey puzzling and
[L O R E] galore #gamedev #indiegames
[L O R E] galore #gamedev #indiegames
Happy Silksong Release Day to everyone who celebrates.
September 4, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Happy Silksong Release Day to everyone who celebrates.
What have I been up to, I hear you ask? I've been writing fake ad-reads for the fake Actual Play that is the framing devices for my game of Die this Sunday.
This post is brought to you by Therapy Vulture: pick your psyche clean and use my referral code ThisCantCarrion for 10% off your first month.
This post is brought to you by Therapy Vulture: pick your psyche clean and use my referral code ThisCantCarrion for 10% off your first month.
September 4, 2025 at 12:06 PM
What have I been up to, I hear you ask? I've been writing fake ad-reads for the fake Actual Play that is the framing devices for my game of Die this Sunday.
This post is brought to you by Therapy Vulture: pick your psyche clean and use my referral code ThisCantCarrion for 10% off your first month.
This post is brought to you by Therapy Vulture: pick your psyche clean and use my referral code ThisCantCarrion for 10% off your first month.
A bunch of years ago, I wrote a song about a particular intersection of my autism and my mental health. While I am very proud of it, I wish it weren't still relevant to me.
It's a screamy (screamo / skramz), song.
We're getting around to our next record, slowly. Life, as it does, gets in the way
It's a screamy (screamo / skramz), song.
We're getting around to our next record, slowly. Life, as it does, gets in the way
Doused in Petrol and I'm Holding a Match, by Charlotte Light and Dark
from the album Postcards from Anhedonia
charlottelightanddark.bandcamp.com
September 3, 2025 at 2:25 PM
A bunch of years ago, I wrote a song about a particular intersection of my autism and my mental health. While I am very proud of it, I wish it weren't still relevant to me.
It's a screamy (screamo / skramz), song.
We're getting around to our next record, slowly. Life, as it does, gets in the way
It's a screamy (screamo / skramz), song.
We're getting around to our next record, slowly. Life, as it does, gets in the way
The job application dilemma:
1. Declare that I am autistic, invariably do not receive a response.
2. Do not declare that I am autistic, more often than not receive an invitation to interview that I cannot attend because one of my reasonable adjustments for access is enhanced notice of interview.
1. Declare that I am autistic, invariably do not receive a response.
2. Do not declare that I am autistic, more often than not receive an invitation to interview that I cannot attend because one of my reasonable adjustments for access is enhanced notice of interview.
September 3, 2025 at 8:59 AM
The job application dilemma:
1. Declare that I am autistic, invariably do not receive a response.
2. Do not declare that I am autistic, more often than not receive an invitation to interview that I cannot attend because one of my reasonable adjustments for access is enhanced notice of interview.
1. Declare that I am autistic, invariably do not receive a response.
2. Do not declare that I am autistic, more often than not receive an invitation to interview that I cannot attend because one of my reasonable adjustments for access is enhanced notice of interview.
The great skramz train has continued long into the day.
I've been tippy tapping away at my whimsical game manuscript whilst this phenomenal (and probably my favourite) skramz record by June Paik blasts away in the background.
I've been tippy tapping away at my whimsical game manuscript whilst this phenomenal (and probably my favourite) skramz record by June Paik blasts away in the background.
September 2, 2025 at 1:59 PM
The great skramz train has continued long into the day.
I've been tippy tapping away at my whimsical game manuscript whilst this phenomenal (and probably my favourite) skramz record by June Paik blasts away in the background.
I've been tippy tapping away at my whimsical game manuscript whilst this phenomenal (and probably my favourite) skramz record by June Paik blasts away in the background.
The main project I'm working on is a TTRGP in which players play various Fae folk with the aim of disrupting human life in order to become famous within their respective Fae court.
It's called Court in the Act and it is coming along quite nicely. Here is the tiniest of tiny snippets.
It's called Court in the Act and it is coming along quite nicely. Here is the tiniest of tiny snippets.
September 2, 2025 at 10:17 AM
The main project I'm working on is a TTRGP in which players play various Fae folk with the aim of disrupting human life in order to become famous within their respective Fae court.
It's called Court in the Act and it is coming along quite nicely. Here is the tiniest of tiny snippets.
It's called Court in the Act and it is coming along quite nicely. Here is the tiniest of tiny snippets.
I like listening to my records while I write my TTRPG book because it forces me to stand up and turn them over when a side ends. Just a small moment of mental space while I flip the record or choose a new one.
Today we're starting with a nostalgic skramz classic from We Came Out Like Tigers.
Today we're starting with a nostalgic skramz classic from We Came Out Like Tigers.
September 2, 2025 at 9:03 AM
I like listening to my records while I write my TTRPG book because it forces me to stand up and turn them over when a side ends. Just a small moment of mental space while I flip the record or choose a new one.
Today we're starting with a nostalgic skramz classic from We Came Out Like Tigers.
Today we're starting with a nostalgic skramz classic from We Came Out Like Tigers.
Delivered a neat twist in my regular 5e game at the weekend:
The magical assassin the group had been tracking was not a powerful mage or multiclass, but actually just a guy who knows find familiar and inflict wounds.
He used a spider to get into bedrooms and deliver the spell to sleeping victims
The magical assassin the group had been tracking was not a powerful mage or multiclass, but actually just a guy who knows find familiar and inflict wounds.
He used a spider to get into bedrooms and deliver the spell to sleeping victims
September 2, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Delivered a neat twist in my regular 5e game at the weekend:
The magical assassin the group had been tracking was not a powerful mage or multiclass, but actually just a guy who knows find familiar and inflict wounds.
He used a spider to get into bedrooms and deliver the spell to sleeping victims
The magical assassin the group had been tracking was not a powerful mage or multiclass, but actually just a guy who knows find familiar and inflict wounds.
He used a spider to get into bedrooms and deliver the spell to sleeping victims
We got Pib (our kitten) one of those motorized Ouija board toys from Pets at Home and she loves it.
The problem is that she now hovers about an inch off the floor, all the flowers in the house have wilted. Which is fine, but it's also effecting the salad in the fridge.
The problem is that she now hovers about an inch off the floor, all the flowers in the house have wilted. Which is fine, but it's also effecting the salad in the fridge.
September 2, 2025 at 7:36 AM
We got Pib (our kitten) one of those motorized Ouija board toys from Pets at Home and she loves it.
The problem is that she now hovers about an inch off the floor, all the flowers in the house have wilted. Which is fine, but it's also effecting the salad in the fridge.
The problem is that she now hovers about an inch off the floor, all the flowers in the house have wilted. Which is fine, but it's also effecting the salad in the fridge.
Next Sunday we're playing @rowanrookanddecard.bsky.social 's Die TTRPG for the first time in a little while.
The setup this time is a group of minor online celebrities attempting to pool together their puddles of clout for an extremely ill-advised Actual Play.
The setup this time is a group of minor online celebrities attempting to pool together their puddles of clout for an extremely ill-advised Actual Play.
September 1, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Next Sunday we're playing @rowanrookanddecard.bsky.social 's Die TTRPG for the first time in a little while.
The setup this time is a group of minor online celebrities attempting to pool together their puddles of clout for an extremely ill-advised Actual Play.
The setup this time is a group of minor online celebrities attempting to pool together their puddles of clout for an extremely ill-advised Actual Play.
Game time in an hour. The post big-arc sandbox moment of "so, what would you like to do" is always exciting.
There are so many threads to pull on and I can't wait to see what unravels next.
There are so many threads to pull on and I can't wait to see what unravels next.
August 31, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Game time in an hour. The post big-arc sandbox moment of "so, what would you like to do" is always exciting.
There are so many threads to pull on and I can't wait to see what unravels next.
There are so many threads to pull on and I can't wait to see what unravels next.
Today is our weekly game day. It's unusual as we have 2 characters retiring:
One was a temporary addition as the player's primary character had a greater pull factor elsewhere.
The other is going home after completing their personal arc and no longer feeling the call to adventure.
1/2
One was a temporary addition as the player's primary character had a greater pull factor elsewhere.
The other is going home after completing their personal arc and no longer feeling the call to adventure.
1/2
August 31, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Today is our weekly game day. It's unusual as we have 2 characters retiring:
One was a temporary addition as the player's primary character had a greater pull factor elsewhere.
The other is going home after completing their personal arc and no longer feeling the call to adventure.
1/2
One was a temporary addition as the player's primary character had a greater pull factor elsewhere.
The other is going home after completing their personal arc and no longer feeling the call to adventure.
1/2
I've talked a little bit about my Hellraiser inspired one page journalling horror ttrpg already, and how it uses a Rubik's Cube to gate progress.
What I haven't mentioned is that I decided to use a d8 die mostly because it looks the most like Leviathan, as depicted in Hellraiser 2: Hellbound.
What I haven't mentioned is that I decided to use a d8 die mostly because it looks the most like Leviathan, as depicted in Hellraiser 2: Hellbound.
August 31, 2025 at 1:33 AM
I've talked a little bit about my Hellraiser inspired one page journalling horror ttrpg already, and how it uses a Rubik's Cube to gate progress.
What I haven't mentioned is that I decided to use a d8 die mostly because it looks the most like Leviathan, as depicted in Hellraiser 2: Hellbound.
What I haven't mentioned is that I decided to use a d8 die mostly because it looks the most like Leviathan, as depicted in Hellraiser 2: Hellbound.
1/2
Overnight this has gone from "imploding dice" to "shrinking dice" and I think that is kind of fun for a roll under mechanic. Rolling the lowest possible value progresses your die for a given skill to the next size down (d20->d12, for example).
Overnight this has gone from "imploding dice" to "shrinking dice" and I think that is kind of fun for a roll under mechanic. Rolling the lowest possible value progresses your die for a given skill to the next size down (d20->d12, for example).
My late night ttrpg mechanical itch is the phrase "imploding dice" written a soiled napkin that stands where a memory palace should.
I'm not exactly sure
a. What it means
b. If it will even end up being any good
But I do know it will
a. Cost me sleep
b. Prevent me from doing anything else
I'm not exactly sure
a. What it means
b. If it will even end up being any good
But I do know it will
a. Cost me sleep
b. Prevent me from doing anything else
August 29, 2025 at 9:49 AM
1/2
Overnight this has gone from "imploding dice" to "shrinking dice" and I think that is kind of fun for a roll under mechanic. Rolling the lowest possible value progresses your die for a given skill to the next size down (d20->d12, for example).
Overnight this has gone from "imploding dice" to "shrinking dice" and I think that is kind of fun for a roll under mechanic. Rolling the lowest possible value progresses your die for a given skill to the next size down (d20->d12, for example).
My late night ttrpg mechanical itch is the phrase "imploding dice" written a soiled napkin that stands where a memory palace should.
I'm not exactly sure
a. What it means
b. If it will even end up being any good
But I do know it will
a. Cost me sleep
b. Prevent me from doing anything else
I'm not exactly sure
a. What it means
b. If it will even end up being any good
But I do know it will
a. Cost me sleep
b. Prevent me from doing anything else
August 28, 2025 at 11:55 PM
My late night ttrpg mechanical itch is the phrase "imploding dice" written a soiled napkin that stands where a memory palace should.
I'm not exactly sure
a. What it means
b. If it will even end up being any good
But I do know it will
a. Cost me sleep
b. Prevent me from doing anything else
I'm not exactly sure
a. What it means
b. If it will even end up being any good
But I do know it will
a. Cost me sleep
b. Prevent me from doing anything else
The new song by Serrate is pretty great (heh). Its 1 minute 9 second run time is pretty much perfect when it comes to this specific kind of hardcore/skramz stuff and those couple of melodic moments caught me off guard in the way that Ampere used to.
Looking forward to more.
Looking forward to more.
serrate | "right side of history"
YouTube video by Serrate
www.youtube.com
August 28, 2025 at 11:36 PM
The new song by Serrate is pretty great (heh). Its 1 minute 9 second run time is pretty much perfect when it comes to this specific kind of hardcore/skramz stuff and those couple of melodic moments caught me off guard in the way that Ampere used to.
Looking forward to more.
Looking forward to more.
Hey y'all, I'm new to the platform and looking to make #TTRPGCommunity friends and follow weird and wonderful people publishing incredibly niche ttrpg content.
Do say hi, Bluesky feels like a bit of a void.
Do say hi, Bluesky feels like a bit of a void.
August 28, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Hey y'all, I'm new to the platform and looking to make #TTRPGCommunity friends and follow weird and wonderful people publishing incredibly niche ttrpg content.
Do say hi, Bluesky feels like a bit of a void.
Do say hi, Bluesky feels like a bit of a void.
I love checking out crowdfunders and I love seeing what new ttrpgs/related products are emerging from their cocoons.
I understand how important a strong campaign is but I do find the hard sell of an email every day from the same campaign to be a bit exhausting/a bit of a turn off.
I understand how important a strong campaign is but I do find the hard sell of an email every day from the same campaign to be a bit exhausting/a bit of a turn off.
August 28, 2025 at 11:08 AM
I love checking out crowdfunders and I love seeing what new ttrpgs/related products are emerging from their cocoons.
I understand how important a strong campaign is but I do find the hard sell of an email every day from the same campaign to be a bit exhausting/a bit of a turn off.
I understand how important a strong campaign is but I do find the hard sell of an email every day from the same campaign to be a bit exhausting/a bit of a turn off.
It's new vinyl day, this is the first ten inch I've bought in a while and I love Car Bomb. The packaging is cool and the music feels like my head is being caved in. It's great
My inner and outer mathcore fiends are both pleased.
My inner and outer mathcore fiends are both pleased.
August 27, 2025 at 1:13 PM
It's new vinyl day, this is the first ten inch I've bought in a while and I love Car Bomb. The packaging is cool and the music feels like my head is being caved in. It's great
My inner and outer mathcore fiends are both pleased.
My inner and outer mathcore fiends are both pleased.
I've just had a very productive meeting for my first video game I have a hand in. The narrative element (my "thing") is ticking along nicely. It's a sliding floor puzzle/adventure with Surprisingly Deep Lore (tm)
1/2
1/2
August 27, 2025 at 12:56 PM
I've just had a very productive meeting for my first video game I have a hand in. The narrative element (my "thing") is ticking along nicely. It's a sliding floor puzzle/adventure with Surprisingly Deep Lore (tm)
1/2
1/2
One of my favourite things to do with homebrew DnD items is giving them niche but actually quite useful properties.
A PCs had a pistol that cast 'speak with dead' without using a spell slot, but it was only effective on corpses that had been shot by that gun.
Anyone else have an example like this?
A PCs had a pistol that cast 'speak with dead' without using a spell slot, but it was only effective on corpses that had been shot by that gun.
Anyone else have an example like this?
August 26, 2025 at 11:29 PM
One of my favourite things to do with homebrew DnD items is giving them niche but actually quite useful properties.
A PCs had a pistol that cast 'speak with dead' without using a spell slot, but it was only effective on corpses that had been shot by that gun.
Anyone else have an example like this?
A PCs had a pistol that cast 'speak with dead' without using a spell slot, but it was only effective on corpses that had been shot by that gun.
Anyone else have an example like this?
TTRPG creators: what nconventional means to introduce randomness/outcomes have you used and why?
For example: in Lute the Body, I employed singing a target note with degrees of accuracy to denote difficulty.
I also have a Hellraiser inspired game that employs a Rubik's Cube to tell its story.
For example: in Lute the Body, I employed singing a target note with degrees of accuracy to denote difficulty.
I also have a Hellraiser inspired game that employs a Rubik's Cube to tell its story.
August 26, 2025 at 12:37 PM
TTRPG creators: what nconventional means to introduce randomness/outcomes have you used and why?
For example: in Lute the Body, I employed singing a target note with degrees of accuracy to denote difficulty.
I also have a Hellraiser inspired game that employs a Rubik's Cube to tell its story.
For example: in Lute the Body, I employed singing a target note with degrees of accuracy to denote difficulty.
I also have a Hellraiser inspired game that employs a Rubik's Cube to tell its story.
Lute the Body: A necromantic musical odyssey for 1-4 players and a GM
A one page TTRPG in which the players take control of spirits that pilot the corpse of a recently slain bard through the awesome power of singing.
Think Octodad meets The Voice
(free/pwyw) dbnolan.itch.io/lute-the-body
A one page TTRPG in which the players take control of spirits that pilot the corpse of a recently slain bard through the awesome power of singing.
Think Octodad meets The Voice
(free/pwyw) dbnolan.itch.io/lute-the-body
August 26, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Lute the Body: A necromantic musical odyssey for 1-4 players and a GM
A one page TTRPG in which the players take control of spirits that pilot the corpse of a recently slain bard through the awesome power of singing.
Think Octodad meets The Voice
(free/pwyw) dbnolan.itch.io/lute-the-body
A one page TTRPG in which the players take control of spirits that pilot the corpse of a recently slain bard through the awesome power of singing.
Think Octodad meets The Voice
(free/pwyw) dbnolan.itch.io/lute-the-body