Clayton
@explorersdesign.bsky.social
Pronunciation: "Klay-tun Note-Styne" Designer. Writer. Educator. Tabletop games. Explorers Design. Pro-union and cooperatives. He/Him.
Pinned
Clayton
@explorersdesign.bsky.social
· Nov 22
Explorers Design
Bespoke adventures, tools, and resources for tabletop rpg designers.
www.explorersdesign.com
Once in a blue moon, I like to resurface my old articles for anyone who doesn't know my work and is interested in tabletop rpg design and layout.
My name is Clayton, and I'm the writer at Explorers Design.
www.explorersdesign.com
Here are my most popular articles:
My name is Clayton, and I'm the writer at Explorers Design.
www.explorersdesign.com
Here are my most popular articles:
I like the insight that small characters see treasure everywhere. Matches are instant torches. Floss is strong rope. A thimble's a helmet. Etc.
A good post about why Mausritter and other small-likes are awesome.
A good post about why Mausritter and other small-likes are awesome.
New Blogpost: I’d Rather Be a Mouse Than an Elf
Why sword & whiskers fantasy is more gameable than your standard pseudo-medieval fantasy settings.
#osr #ttrpg #MausritterMonth
Why sword & whiskers fantasy is more gameable than your standard pseudo-medieval fantasy settings.
#osr #ttrpg #MausritterMonth
I’d Rather Be a Mouse Than an Elf — Prismatic Wasteland
I love pretending to be an elf just as much as the next guy, but it pales in comparison to the joys of pretending to be a mouse with a sewing needle sword at my side.
www.prismaticwasteland.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:30 PM
I like the insight that small characters see treasure everywhere. Matches are instant torches. Floss is strong rope. A thimble's a helmet. Etc.
A good post about why Mausritter and other small-likes are awesome.
A good post about why Mausritter and other small-likes are awesome.
A fun and very long chat about promoting yourself while keeping a community focus. We spent half of the episode listing other people as great examples of what we'd like to see more of.
New ep
Ryan sits down with Clayton Notestine of @explorersdesign.bsky.social to follow up his recent article on How to Promote Your Work with our take on Self-Promotion, including the Do's and Don'ts of reaching out to bloggers and podcasters.
Ryan sits down with Clayton Notestine of @explorersdesign.bsky.social to follow up his recent article on How to Promote Your Work with our take on Self-Promotion, including the Do's and Don'ts of reaching out to bloggers and podcasters.
EP 291 | We Talk SELF-PROMO with Clayton Notestine
YouTube video by The Weekly Scroll
www.youtube.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:54 PM
A fun and very long chat about promoting yourself while keeping a community focus. We spent half of the episode listing other people as great examples of what we'd like to see more of.
Reposted by Clayton
We're live with @explorersdesign.bsky.social to talk self-promotion in tabletop!
Following up on his wonderful article linked below, Clayton will be joining me on Friday to discuss promotion and marketing in tabletop games. We'll be hitting a variety of topics but if you have any questions let us know in the comments!
Join us live Friday at 10am pst
twitch.tv/theweeklyscroll
Join us live Friday at 10am pst
twitch.tv/theweeklyscroll
November 7, 2025 at 6:05 PM
We're live with @explorersdesign.bsky.social to talk self-promotion in tabletop!
Here's the episode summary in pictures. Should clear some things up:
November 6, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Here's the episode summary in pictures. Should clear some things up:
Reposted by Clayton
It's time for more BETWEEN TWO CAIRNS featuring special guest @explorersdesign.bsky.social. We review "Warped Beyond Recognition" by @traaa.sh. Enjoy your delicious moments, folks.
www.patreon.com/posts/142727...
www.patreon.com/posts/142727...
Warped Beyond Recognition | Between Two Cairns
Get more from Between Two Cairns on Patreon
www.patreon.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:02 PM
It's time for more BETWEEN TWO CAIRNS featuring special guest @explorersdesign.bsky.social. We review "Warped Beyond Recognition" by @traaa.sh. Enjoy your delicious moments, folks.
www.patreon.com/posts/142727...
www.patreon.com/posts/142727...
I was on Between Two Cairns with @bradkerr.net and @yochaigal.bsky.social to talk about the Ennies, design, ducks, and—most of all—Warped Beyond Recognition, one of my favorite Mothership modules!
It's a long one (a re-occuring theme of mine). Hope you like it!
www.patreon.com/posts/142727...
It's a long one (a re-occuring theme of mine). Hope you like it!
www.patreon.com/posts/142727...
Warped Beyond Recognition | Between Two Cairns
Get more from Between Two Cairns on Patreon
www.patreon.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:04 PM
I was on Between Two Cairns with @bradkerr.net and @yochaigal.bsky.social to talk about the Ennies, design, ducks, and—most of all—Warped Beyond Recognition, one of my favorite Mothership modules!
It's a long one (a re-occuring theme of mine). Hope you like it!
www.patreon.com/posts/142727...
It's a long one (a re-occuring theme of mine). Hope you like it!
www.patreon.com/posts/142727...
Reposted by Clayton
Of the different types of dungeon rooms, "Special" can be one of the hardest to write towards. This list of sub-categories of special rooms has great prompts!
In a🧵 below, I delve into examples from CASTLE AUTOMATIC for each sub-type of special rooms. (Warning: Spoilers for the dungeon!)
In a🧵 below, I delve into examples from CASTLE AUTOMATIC for each sub-type of special rooms. (Warning: Spoilers for the dungeon!)
The 10 types of special rooms
"A Special is anything not exactly a trap, but placed for special reasons." Moldvay Basic pg. B52 Traps, monsters, secret doors, and treas...
traipse.hexarcana.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Of the different types of dungeon rooms, "Special" can be one of the hardest to write towards. This list of sub-categories of special rooms has great prompts!
In a🧵 below, I delve into examples from CASTLE AUTOMATIC for each sub-type of special rooms. (Warning: Spoilers for the dungeon!)
In a🧵 below, I delve into examples from CASTLE AUTOMATIC for each sub-type of special rooms. (Warning: Spoilers for the dungeon!)
I'm joining Ryan over on The Weekly Scroll to talk about the dos and don'ts of self-promotion and marketing. Leave us some questions in the comments!
And join us this Friday at 1 pm EST or 10 am PST.
And join us this Friday at 1 pm EST or 10 am PST.
Following up on his wonderful article linked below, Clayton will be joining me on Friday to discuss promotion and marketing in tabletop games. We'll be hitting a variety of topics but if you have any questions let us know in the comments!
Join us live Friday at 10am pst
twitch.tv/theweeklyscroll
Join us live Friday at 10am pst
twitch.tv/theweeklyscroll
November 5, 2025 at 5:17 PM
I'm joining Ryan over on The Weekly Scroll to talk about the dos and don'ts of self-promotion and marketing. Leave us some questions in the comments!
And join us this Friday at 1 pm EST or 10 am PST.
And join us this Friday at 1 pm EST or 10 am PST.
The Getty Museum in LA added over 80,000 pieces of art to the public domain with a CC0 license. That means you can download it with no legal restrictions. You just need to click that open-content filter.
Could be useful for projects or photo-bashing.
www.getty.edu/art/collecti...
Could be useful for projects or photo-bashing.
www.getty.edu/art/collecti...
The J. Paul Getty Museum Collection
Explore the collection of the J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center and the Getty Villa.
www.getty.edu
November 5, 2025 at 2:24 PM
The Getty Museum in LA added over 80,000 pieces of art to the public domain with a CC0 license. That means you can download it with no legal restrictions. You just need to click that open-content filter.
Could be useful for projects or photo-bashing.
www.getty.edu/art/collecti...
Could be useful for projects or photo-bashing.
www.getty.edu/art/collecti...
Reposted by Clayton
@hlashbrooke.bsky.social and I are about 3-4 backers away from FUNDING ROLLING COAST in just under 5 hours! WOW!!! Thank you all!!!
So cool to see 9/16 #MausritterMonth projects already funded!
Go see them all at: www.backerkit.com/c/collection...
So cool to see 9/16 #MausritterMonth projects already funded!
Go see them all at: www.backerkit.com/c/collection...
🐭 Mausritter Month ⚔️ on BackerKit
[MM Logo.jpg]
Get ready for Mausritter Month! A group-collab project, led by Losing Games, Games Omnivorous and Exalted Funeral, featuring an all-new setting for Mausritter JUNK CITY alongside an a...
www.backerkit.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:47 PM
@hlashbrooke.bsky.social and I are about 3-4 backers away from FUNDING ROLLING COAST in just under 5 hours! WOW!!! Thank you all!!!
So cool to see 9/16 #MausritterMonth projects already funded!
Go see them all at: www.backerkit.com/c/collection...
So cool to see 9/16 #MausritterMonth projects already funded!
Go see them all at: www.backerkit.com/c/collection...
You know what Mausritter does really well? The adventure location that fits on 4 pages. Absolute gems. You can get a bunch of them in this month's crowdfunding event.
Junk City is live! Mausritter Month has begun! www.backerkit.com/c/projects/e...
Mausritter Junk City
Mausritter: Junk City is the new official campaign for everyone's favourite mice game.
www.backerkit.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:27 PM
You know what Mausritter does really well? The adventure location that fits on 4 pages. Absolute gems. You can get a bunch of them in this month's crowdfunding event.
The Awards is one of the rpg industry’s more compelling award shows because it started with a smaller scale and pointed POV from the beginning.
I’m excited to see how it evolves, and I’m grateful my experience and debrief lent some insights!
I’m excited to see how it evolves, and I’m grateful my experience and debrief lent some insights!
I'm here with a very exciting announcement: The Awards 2026 is happening! The SEO-friendly TTRPG awards show has had a refreshing year off and is back with a vengeance.
To kick this off, take a look at the first Design Diary for The Awards 2026: ttrpg-spider.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-...
To kick this off, take a look at the first Design Diary for The Awards 2026: ttrpg-spider.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-...
The Awards 2026 Design Diary #1
Inspired by Clayton Notestine's debrief on his participation in the 2025 Ennie Awards and Split/Party's "What awards do for us?" articl...
ttrpg-spider.blogspot.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:05 PM
The Awards is one of the rpg industry’s more compelling award shows because it started with a smaller scale and pointed POV from the beginning.
I’m excited to see how it evolves, and I’m grateful my experience and debrief lent some insights!
I’m excited to see how it evolves, and I’m grateful my experience and debrief lent some insights!
The problem with compiling a monthly curation of links and opportunities, is that sometimes someone announces something shortly after you press publish.
@prismaticwasteland.com's Blog Bandwagon has been added to the jams section of this month's Explorateur.
www.explorersdesign.com/explorateur-...
@prismaticwasteland.com's Blog Bandwagon has been added to the jams section of this month's Explorateur.
www.explorersdesign.com/explorateur-...
The Explorateur: Issue #13
Monthly design jams, critique, theory, and inspiration for tabletop rpg designers by rpg designers. Vetted. Looted. Curated.
www.explorersdesign.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:38 PM
The problem with compiling a monthly curation of links and opportunities, is that sometimes someone announces something shortly after you press publish.
@prismaticwasteland.com's Blog Bandwagon has been added to the jams section of this month's Explorateur.
www.explorersdesign.com/explorateur-...
@prismaticwasteland.com's Blog Bandwagon has been added to the jams section of this month's Explorateur.
www.explorersdesign.com/explorateur-...
@manarampmatt.bsky.social is the kind of person you want latching onto your game. I don't think Mausritter would be what it is today without Matthew Morris giving it a steady stream of adventures and settings.
Watch this!
Watch this!
Mausritter Month is kicking off, so we're live with @manarampmatt.bsky.social to talk ROLLING COAST, an ambitious, interconnected, setting for Mausritter, transforming an amusement park into a vast mouse-scale kingdom!
go here 👇
twitch.tv/theweeklyscroll
go here 👇
twitch.tv/theweeklyscroll
November 3, 2025 at 6:31 PM
@manarampmatt.bsky.social is the kind of person you want latching onto your game. I don't think Mausritter would be what it is today without Matthew Morris giving it a steady stream of adventures and settings.
Watch this!
Watch this!
Reposted by Clayton
NEW BLOG BANDWAGON
During this interregnum between High Halloween and Mighty Christmas, a call goes forth to all the world that bloggers shall band together to collectively create a hexcrawl across the blogosphere, themed around those hokey claymation Christmas specials of yore!
#osr #rpg #hexmas
During this interregnum between High Halloween and Mighty Christmas, a call goes forth to all the world that bloggers shall band together to collectively create a hexcrawl across the blogosphere, themed around those hokey claymation Christmas specials of yore!
#osr #rpg #hexmas
Blogwagon Announcement: Merry Hexmas — Prismatic Wasteland
A new blog bandwagon where everyone writes a hex for a winter wonderland hexcrawl and posts it on their blog, linking to blogs that have adjacent hexes. This announcement has all the information you n...
www.prismaticwasteland.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:21 PM
🎉 The Explorateur's Anniversary 🎉
My little community side project's still chugging along, and I'm happy to say, this month's issue's one of my favorites. Lots of great links, a new look, updated categories, and stats from last year's performance.
www.explorersdesign.com/explorateur-...
My little community side project's still chugging along, and I'm happy to say, this month's issue's one of my favorites. Lots of great links, a new look, updated categories, and stats from last year's performance.
www.explorersdesign.com/explorateur-...
The Explorateur: Issue #13
Monthly design jams, critique, theory, and inspiration for tabletop rpg designers by rpg designers. Vetted. Looted. Curated.
www.explorersdesign.com
November 1, 2025 at 5:26 PM
🎉 The Explorateur's Anniversary 🎉
My little community side project's still chugging along, and I'm happy to say, this month's issue's one of my favorites. Lots of great links, a new look, updated categories, and stats from last year's performance.
www.explorersdesign.com/explorateur-...
My little community side project's still chugging along, and I'm happy to say, this month's issue's one of my favorites. Lots of great links, a new look, updated categories, and stats from last year's performance.
www.explorersdesign.com/explorateur-...
Reposted by Clayton
Feed: "Cannibal Halfling Gaming"
By: Seamus Conneely on Saturday, November 1, 2025
By: Seamus Conneely on Saturday, November 1, 2025
SPINE Review: Making A Game Of Getting Lost In A Book
You and Granma were, frankly, on the worst terms. That’s what made it such a surprise when you got a package from your cousin, who had wound up being the executor of her estate. Maybe, your c…
cannibalhalflinggaming.com
November 1, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Feed: "Cannibal Halfling Gaming"
By: Seamus Conneely on Saturday, November 1, 2025
By: Seamus Conneely on Saturday, November 1, 2025
Reposted by Clayton
New Carouse, Carouse!
This time featuring, among other things, me writing about Over/Under, AI in games (not like that) from Patchwork Paladin, a review of Gorman's Larder by @giantrobottackler.bsky.social and a selection of blog posts, as always!
www.carouse.blog/november-202...
This time featuring, among other things, me writing about Over/Under, AI in games (not like that) from Patchwork Paladin, a review of Gorman's Larder by @giantrobottackler.bsky.social and a selection of blog posts, as always!
www.carouse.blog/november-202...
November 2025 - Jacked In
We're approaching the end of the year, and the northern hemisphere is getting properly gray and wet now (the perfect weather to stay in and play RPGs). Perhaps the southern contingent will play outsid...
www.carouse.blog
November 1, 2025 at 12:26 PM
New Carouse, Carouse!
This time featuring, among other things, me writing about Over/Under, AI in games (not like that) from Patchwork Paladin, a review of Gorman's Larder by @giantrobottackler.bsky.social and a selection of blog posts, as always!
www.carouse.blog/november-202...
This time featuring, among other things, me writing about Over/Under, AI in games (not like that) from Patchwork Paladin, a review of Gorman's Larder by @giantrobottackler.bsky.social and a selection of blog posts, as always!
www.carouse.blog/november-202...
Reposted by Clayton
I can’t believe this RPG design newsletter has been out for a year and only has a little over 1000 subscribers.
Sign up, you are missing out!
www.explorersdesign.com/explorateur-... from @explorersdesign.bsky.social
Sign up, you are missing out!
www.explorersdesign.com/explorateur-... from @explorersdesign.bsky.social
The Explorateur: Issue #13
Monthly design jams, critique, theory, and inspiration for tabletop rpg designers. Vetted. Looted. Curated. Level up your rpg design skills one link at a time.
www.explorersdesign.com
November 1, 2025 at 4:53 AM
I can’t believe this RPG design newsletter has been out for a year and only has a little over 1000 subscribers.
Sign up, you are missing out!
www.explorersdesign.com/explorateur-... from @explorersdesign.bsky.social
Sign up, you are missing out!
www.explorersdesign.com/explorateur-... from @explorersdesign.bsky.social
Reposted by Clayton
Graphic and game designers: If you dont follow the akazing educational, inspiring and generous content by Explorers Design already; you've got some homework! Thanks for showcasing my work in the latest Explorateur @explorersdesign.bsky.social !
The Explorateur: Issue #13
Monthly design jams, critique, theory, and inspiration for tabletop rpg designers. Vetted. Looted. Curated. Level up your rpg design skills one link at a time.
www.explorersdesign.com
November 1, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Graphic and game designers: If you dont follow the akazing educational, inspiring and generous content by Explorers Design already; you've got some homework! Thanks for showcasing my work in the latest Explorateur @explorersdesign.bsky.social !
I want every designer I like to make their own recommendations list. Wait... I should make one.
Every #osr blogger has to do a recommendations list right? Well, I finally put one together. 20 adventures and 10 systems: murkdice.substack.com/p/recommenda...
Recommendations
ENNIE nominated TTRPG ideas and tools.
murkdice.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:41 AM
I want every designer I like to make their own recommendations list. Wait... I should make one.
Reposted by Clayton
Heads up on the new Affinity program.
You can tell them not to use your content to train AI, BUT, there is another AI setting that is on by default until you turn it off.
You need to go to your account settings and switch it off. I just found it switched on by default.
You can tell them not to use your content to train AI, BUT, there is another AI setting that is on by default until you turn it off.
You need to go to your account settings and switch it off. I just found it switched on by default.
October 30, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Heads up on the new Affinity program.
You can tell them not to use your content to train AI, BUT, there is another AI setting that is on by default until you turn it off.
You need to go to your account settings and switch it off. I just found it switched on by default.
You can tell them not to use your content to train AI, BUT, there is another AI setting that is on by default until you turn it off.
You need to go to your account settings and switch it off. I just found it switched on by default.
Reposted by Clayton
New Between Two Cairns today. We delve into the powerful psycho energy of Oswald's "Mines, Claws & Princesses" @yochaigal.bsky.social
www.patreon.com/posts/141961...
www.patreon.com/posts/141961...
Mines, Claws & Princesses | Between Two Cairns
Get more from Between Two Cairns on Patreon
www.patreon.com
October 30, 2025 at 5:07 PM
New Between Two Cairns today. We delve into the powerful psycho energy of Oswald's "Mines, Claws & Princesses" @yochaigal.bsky.social
www.patreon.com/posts/141961...
www.patreon.com/posts/141961...
I have a lot of questions about the all-new Affinity that was announced today. What's the business model? What's the plan for future development? How does it feel to use?
Tonight's going to a busy one!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WGP...
Tonight's going to a busy one!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WGP...
Welcome to the all new Affinity
YouTube video by Affinity
www.youtube.com
October 30, 2025 at 5:45 PM
I have a lot of questions about the all-new Affinity that was announced today. What's the business model? What's the plan for future development? How does it feel to use?
Tonight's going to a busy one!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WGP...
Tonight's going to a busy one!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WGP...