Aaron Flavius West
@f1zz3r.bsky.social
Space Physicist at UMN, Game Master for 5e, Cypher, and more. Volunteer playtester for MCDM. 🏳️🌈 (he/they)
This horse thinks you can do better, and hopes that you eventually see that too
November 9, 2025 at 3:13 AM
This horse thinks you can do better, and hopes that you eventually see that too
Just wrapped up session 4 of my IRL #drawsteel campaign, following the Delian Tomb. Our heroes have already picked up several new quest lines and started juggling them. First on the docket to solve?
Werewolves!
Werewolves!
a cartoon character is driving a car with his mouth open
Alt: Shaggy from Scooby Doo wearing a red shirt transforms into a werewolf while sitting in a car
media.tenor.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Just wrapped up session 4 of my IRL #drawsteel campaign, following the Delian Tomb. Our heroes have already picked up several new quest lines and started juggling them. First on the docket to solve?
Werewolves!
Werewolves!
I picked up the free set of minis for the Delian Tomb #drawsteel starter adventure, and had to join up because I loved the artsyle and accessibility. That set me to making paper terrain to match, and it works great!
In the space of two days I had to get a tooth and my windshield fixed.
In unrelated news, I have a Patreon. For as little as a buck a month, you get hundreds of fun, colorful paper minis, and I get to do things like fix my tooth and windshield
www.patreon.com/trashmobminis
In unrelated news, I have a Patreon. For as little as a buck a month, you get hundreds of fun, colorful paper minis, and I get to do things like fix my tooth and windshield
www.patreon.com/trashmobminis
October 3, 2025 at 5:04 PM
I picked up the free set of minis for the Delian Tomb #drawsteel starter adventure, and had to join up because I loved the artsyle and accessibility. That set me to making paper terrain to match, and it works great!
I'm having loads of fun kitbashing my own #drawsteel monsters in Stawl.app from @jondenor.com
Excellent work, Jon! This ease of use is exactly what I look for in digital tools.
Excellent work, Jon! This ease of use is exactly what I look for in digital tools.
Home - Stawl
Digital tools for playing and running Draw Steel
Stawl.app
September 21, 2025 at 6:47 PM
I'm having loads of fun kitbashing my own #drawsteel monsters in Stawl.app from @jondenor.com
Excellent work, Jon! This ease of use is exactly what I look for in digital tools.
Excellent work, Jon! This ease of use is exactly what I look for in digital tools.
Reposted by Aaron Flavius West
The Northern Lights were spectacular tonight. They actually danced over our heads.
September 15, 2025 at 4:32 AM
The Northern Lights were spectacular tonight. They actually danced over our heads.
I am gradually assembling my in-person table for Draw Steel, and I'm just so excited to run at a physical table again and not through Discord.
Running games for my friends wherever they've been scattered to the winds is great, but in my heart I'm an analog GM, longing to share dinner and a story.
Running games for my friends wherever they've been scattered to the winds is great, but in my heart I'm an analog GM, longing to share dinner and a story.
September 9, 2025 at 4:27 PM
I am gradually assembling my in-person table for Draw Steel, and I'm just so excited to run at a physical table again and not through Discord.
Running games for my friends wherever they've been scattered to the winds is great, but in my heart I'm an analog GM, longing to share dinner and a story.
Running games for my friends wherever they've been scattered to the winds is great, but in my heart I'm an analog GM, longing to share dinner and a story.
Reposted by Aaron Flavius West
I don't know how much longer The Night Land is going to be free, so grab it now if you haven't already!
www.dmsguild.com/product/2964...
www.dmsguild.com/product/2964...
EB-01 The Night Land - D&D Adventurers League | Dungeon Masters Guild
This adventure is free for the community claim from Aug 19-25. Enjoy the first chapter of this Eberron Adventurer's Leag
www.dmsguild.com
August 26, 2025 at 12:22 PM
I don't know how much longer The Night Land is going to be free, so grab it now if you haven't already!
www.dmsguild.com/product/2964...
www.dmsguild.com/product/2964...
Reposted by Aaron Flavius West
Presenting the BRAND-NEW season - @dimension20.bsky.social On a Bus! 🚌
DM'd by Katie Marovitch, and as players: Aabria Iyengar, Brennan Lee Mulligan, Jasmine Bhullar, and Mark Mercer!
DM'd by Katie Marovitch, and as players: Aabria Iyengar, Brennan Lee Mulligan, Jasmine Bhullar, and Mark Mercer!
July 14, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Presenting the BRAND-NEW season - @dimension20.bsky.social On a Bus! 🚌
DM'd by Katie Marovitch, and as players: Aabria Iyengar, Brennan Lee Mulligan, Jasmine Bhullar, and Mark Mercer!
DM'd by Katie Marovitch, and as players: Aabria Iyengar, Brennan Lee Mulligan, Jasmine Bhullar, and Mark Mercer!
Reposted by Aaron Flavius West
Want more Draw Steel? I designed a pair of new ancestries, dryads and flower-folk, featured in this zine along side more contributions by other designers. Check out the previews! www.backerkit.com/c/projects/t...
Ratcatcher Magazine for DRAW STEEL - Issue 01
A community zine of new content for MCDM's Draw Steel: Mimics, dryads, living traps, map advice, and more!
www.backerkit.com
June 27, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Want more Draw Steel? I designed a pair of new ancestries, dryads and flower-folk, featured in this zine along side more contributions by other designers. Check out the previews! www.backerkit.com/c/projects/t...
I wrote this! @dojikaan.bsky.social did some 🔥amazing🔥 art to bring my idle musings to life, and I'm floored every time I look at it.
Check out the magazine project, I'm only one of many (more) talented designers and artists who poured creativity into new stuff for #drawsteel
Check out the magazine project, I'm only one of many (more) talented designers and artists who poured creativity into new stuff for #drawsteel
RATCATCHER MAGAZINE HAS FUNDED!
To celebrate, here's a new lore drop; the intro text for the Elemental Dancers of Avahndi by @f1zz3r.bsky.social (with preview art by @dojikaan.bsky.social)!
There's still 9 days left to pledge!
www.backerkit.com/c/projects/t...
To celebrate, here's a new lore drop; the intro text for the Elemental Dancers of Avahndi by @f1zz3r.bsky.social (with preview art by @dojikaan.bsky.social)!
There's still 9 days left to pledge!
www.backerkit.com/c/projects/t...
Ratcatcher Magazine for DRAW STEEL - Issue 01 Project Update: Update 02: FUNDED + The Elemental Dancers of Avahndi
Hey folks!! Since our last update, we've funded which means you all are guaranteed to get a copy of Ratcatcher in your hands!
For this update, we've got a preview of the El...
www.backerkit.com
June 23, 2025 at 3:22 PM
I wrote this! @dojikaan.bsky.social did some 🔥amazing🔥 art to bring my idle musings to life, and I'm floored every time I look at it.
Check out the magazine project, I'm only one of many (more) talented designers and artists who poured creativity into new stuff for #drawsteel
Check out the magazine project, I'm only one of many (more) talented designers and artists who poured creativity into new stuff for #drawsteel
Reposted by Aaron Flavius West
TOMORROW, we launch the crowdfunder for RATCATCHER MAGAZINE, our community DRAW STEEL zine. Sign up now to be notified when it goes live.
ratcatcher.tidalwavegames.com
ratcatcher.tidalwavegames.com
Get Ready for Ratcatcher Magazine for DRAW STEEL
From Tidal Wave Games - Get Ready for Ratcatcher Magazine for DRAW STEEL
ratcatcher.tidalwavegames.com
June 15, 2025 at 3:41 PM
TOMORROW, we launch the crowdfunder for RATCATCHER MAGAZINE, our community DRAW STEEL zine. Sign up now to be notified when it goes live.
ratcatcher.tidalwavegames.com
ratcatcher.tidalwavegames.com
Cinematic in scope, tactical in execution
We still see folks in various places online try to convince people that Cinematic and Tactical are inherently contradictory and irreconcilable.
But when Zür drops out of the trees onto the Scyza orc platform, and HURLS seven orcs to their death with "Back!" I'm like...this is cinematic as FUCK!
But when Zür drops out of the trees onto the Scyza orc platform, and HURLS seven orcs to their death with "Back!" I'm like...this is cinematic as FUCK!
June 10, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Cinematic in scope, tactical in execution
Reposted by Aaron Flavius West
I'm visited by @margomods.bsky.social , the author of the first crowdfunded adventure for Draw Steel: The Great Thaw of Gryzmithrak Spire. We talk about the adventure, sure, but we also end up talking a bunch about what different systems are good at.
youtu.be/NOQGN5BezcI
youtu.be/NOQGN5BezcI
Do We Need Game Systems? | Andie Margolskee Interview
YouTube video by Goblin Points
youtu.be
March 20, 2025 at 1:28 PM
I'm visited by @margomods.bsky.social , the author of the first crowdfunded adventure for Draw Steel: The Great Thaw of Gryzmithrak Spire. We talk about the adventure, sure, but we also end up talking a bunch about what different systems are good at.
youtu.be/NOQGN5BezcI
youtu.be/NOQGN5BezcI
1. Numenera
2. Numenera (ran as GM before I was ever a regular player)
3. DnD 5e (over half as a playtester)
4. Cypher System (including Numenera)
5. Ten Candles (changes so often tho)
6. Draw Steel
7. Draw Steel (although this Saturday it will be Star Trek Adventures 2 🖖)
Over a decade of play!
2. Numenera (ran as GM before I was ever a regular player)
3. DnD 5e (over half as a playtester)
4. Cypher System (including Numenera)
5. Ten Candles (changes so often tho)
6. Draw Steel
7. Draw Steel (although this Saturday it will be Star Trek Adventures 2 🖖)
Over a decade of play!
1. First #ttrpg you ever played?
2. First you ever ran?
3. Played the most?
4. Run the most?
5. Favorite?
6. Most recently played?
7. Most recently run?
2. First you ever ran?
3. Played the most?
4. Run the most?
5. Favorite?
6. Most recently played?
7. Most recently run?
March 13, 2025 at 3:55 PM
1. Numenera
2. Numenera (ran as GM before I was ever a regular player)
3. DnD 5e (over half as a playtester)
4. Cypher System (including Numenera)
5. Ten Candles (changes so often tho)
6. Draw Steel
7. Draw Steel (although this Saturday it will be Star Trek Adventures 2 🖖)
Over a decade of play!
2. Numenera (ran as GM before I was ever a regular player)
3. DnD 5e (over half as a playtester)
4. Cypher System (including Numenera)
5. Ten Candles (changes so often tho)
6. Draw Steel
7. Draw Steel (although this Saturday it will be Star Trek Adventures 2 🖖)
Over a decade of play!
Watching along, I can't help but think this scene would be more coherent and carry more weight if it could use some of Draw Steel's Negotiation system. But CR seems pretty allergic to above-table strategizing, so perhaps that parallel world is even further away.
#CriticalRoleSpoilers
#CriticalRoleSpoilers
Ashton tries intimidation which is mostly insult. 24.
Again, this is the tricky part of having everything be roll rather than DM assessment (though arguably it would be the same end)
#CriticalRoleSpoilers
Again, this is the tricky part of having everything be roll rather than DM assessment (though arguably it would be the same end)
#CriticalRoleSpoilers
February 7, 2025 at 4:35 AM
Watching along, I can't help but think this scene would be more coherent and carry more weight if it could use some of Draw Steel's Negotiation system. But CR seems pretty allergic to above-table strategizing, so perhaps that parallel world is even further away.
#CriticalRoleSpoilers
#CriticalRoleSpoilers
Reposted by Aaron Flavius West
February 7, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Reposted by Aaron Flavius West
I can finally reaveal a big project I was working on!
I made an art-pack with orcs and goblins inspired by their design in the MCDM's world of Orden!
You can use these illustrations in your own products and adventures!
goat-nokama.itch.io/orcs-and-gob...
#mcdm #drawsteel #art #fantasy
I made an art-pack with orcs and goblins inspired by their design in the MCDM's world of Orden!
You can use these illustrations in your own products and adventures!
goat-nokama.itch.io/orcs-and-gob...
#mcdm #drawsteel #art #fantasy
Orcs and Goblins art-pack by Goat-Nokama
goat-nokama.itch.io
February 4, 2025 at 8:21 PM
I can finally reaveal a big project I was working on!
I made an art-pack with orcs and goblins inspired by their design in the MCDM's world of Orden!
You can use these illustrations in your own products and adventures!
goat-nokama.itch.io/orcs-and-gob...
#mcdm #drawsteel #art #fantasy
I made an art-pack with orcs and goblins inspired by their design in the MCDM's world of Orden!
You can use these illustrations in your own products and adventures!
goat-nokama.itch.io/orcs-and-gob...
#mcdm #drawsteel #art #fantasy
Reposted by Aaron Flavius West
So the craziest single turn in Draw Steel (by @hellomcdm.bsky.social ) happened in a playtest last night against a solo Ankheg. I had to write it up. It was my turn, and I hadn't been a player in a game since July. A lot has changed since then, and I've been a Director often, but not a player.
February 1, 2025 at 2:00 PM
So the craziest single turn in Draw Steel (by @hellomcdm.bsky.social ) happened in a playtest last night against a solo Ankheg. I had to write it up. It was my turn, and I hadn't been a player in a game since July. A lot has changed since then, and I've been a Director often, but not a player.
Reposted by Aaron Flavius West
January 27, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Reposted by Aaron Flavius West
Having run dozens of introductory demos of @hellomcdm.bsky.social's Draw Steel, I've thrown together a mini guide for how you can do it for your own friends. Even comes with six premade characters and an encounter for you.
championendeavors.com/getting-frie...
championendeavors.com/getting-frie...
Getting Friends to Draw Steel
A tutorial walking you through introducing new players to Draw Steel. Including a download with the resulting "adventure" and six premade characters
championendeavors.com
January 19, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Having run dozens of introductory demos of @hellomcdm.bsky.social's Draw Steel, I've thrown together a mini guide for how you can do it for your own friends. Even comes with six premade characters and an encounter for you.
championendeavors.com/getting-frie...
championendeavors.com/getting-frie...
Reposted by Aaron Flavius West
This is breathtaking.
Aurora borealis... from *above*.
Credit: Don Pettit from the International Space Station
Aurora borealis... from *above*.
Credit: Don Pettit from the International Space Station
January 6, 2025 at 7:09 PM
This is breathtaking.
Aurora borealis... from *above*.
Credit: Don Pettit from the International Space Station
Aurora borealis... from *above*.
Credit: Don Pettit from the International Space Station
Reposted by Aaron Flavius West
Can we tie MnDOT up in court with an environmental lawsuit? Or does that just work for rich dicks who can't stomach the idea of living next to a triplex?
December 30, 2024 at 6:13 PM
Can we tie MnDOT up in court with an environmental lawsuit? Or does that just work for rich dicks who can't stomach the idea of living next to a triplex?
Reposted by Aaron Flavius West
December 23, 2024 at 7:24 PM
Witnesses reported saying "yeah, that'll hold'er down"
December 25, 2024 at 6:40 PM
Witnesses reported saying "yeah, that'll hold'er down"
Reposted by Aaron Flavius West
Starting up #Hexcrawl25 TTRPG worldbuilding project in 2025! #Dungeon23 vibes but hexier 😎 Build a campaign setting from the ground up with ur own art and words (and maybe some markers and dice)! Read about it here: maatlockstavern.com/hexcrawl25 or just check out this handy schematic.
December 24, 2024 at 3:12 AM
Starting up #Hexcrawl25 TTRPG worldbuilding project in 2025! #Dungeon23 vibes but hexier 😎 Build a campaign setting from the ground up with ur own art and words (and maybe some markers and dice)! Read about it here: maatlockstavern.com/hexcrawl25 or just check out this handy schematic.