Gage | Rats in the Walls
@gages.garden
Artist, writer, TTRPG designer. He/him.
Co-creating Rats In The Walls, the game of rodent stealth and survival in a Victorian manor #forgedinthedark
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Co-creating Rats In The Walls, the game of rodent stealth and survival in a Victorian manor #forgedinthedark
gages.micro.blog
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I'm codesigning Rats In The Walls, a forged in the dark game of rodent stealth and survival in a victorian era manor. It's got ghosts, faction warfare, steampunky contraptions. Think The Borrowers meets Secret of NIMH and Watership Down. Here's my first piece of art for it so far. Follow for more!
Reposted by Gage | Rats in the Walls
Nothing like walks around the neighborhood to remind me the world isn't just this nonsense and coldness on electronic screens, that there's life out there and people do things, organize events, live life, talk each other. I tend to be a bit much of a homebody unless invited out.
October 20, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Nothing like walks around the neighborhood to remind me the world isn't just this nonsense and coldness on electronic screens, that there's life out there and people do things, organize events, live life, talk each other. I tend to be a bit much of a homebody unless invited out.
My big thing is: slice of life romance occurs in D&D so frequently that to claim it's not what D&D "does" is silly. Yes, D&D pays lots of consideration towards turn based combat. But a system also is what it does. Sure, D&D is not a cyberpunk horror game, even if some tables stretch it to be. 1/2
I am confused by so many posts I am seeing like this. Are people not RolePlaying in their Roleplaying Games? So much of our games now and historically do not revolve solely around combat. It’s definitely a portion and get more rules because it’s more mechanical than roleplaying, but, WTF?
Dipshits complain about this stuff because it's "woke" but they real reason anyone should complain about it is that D&D The Game fundamentally does nothing to support cozy bucolic fantasy romance, it's a game that is 90% systemized around dungeon fights
October 21, 2025 at 1:56 PM
My big thing is: slice of life romance occurs in D&D so frequently that to claim it's not what D&D "does" is silly. Yes, D&D pays lots of consideration towards turn based combat. But a system also is what it does. Sure, D&D is not a cyberpunk horror game, even if some tables stretch it to be. 1/2
I received a VERY exciting notification today - thanks @demontomatodave.bsky.social !
September 24, 2025 at 4:06 AM
I received a VERY exciting notification today - thanks @demontomatodave.bsky.social !
Reposted by Gage | Rats in the Walls
I think it's good to keep getting mad about evil and unjust things, if only to remind yourself and everyone else that these things are in fact evil and unjust. I don't think it's naive. Nor is it wise and sophisticated to adopt a "You fool, nothing matters and nothing good can ever happen" posture
September 10, 2025 at 2:58 PM
I think it's good to keep getting mad about evil and unjust things, if only to remind yourself and everyone else that these things are in fact evil and unjust. I don't think it's naive. Nor is it wise and sophisticated to adopt a "You fool, nothing matters and nothing good can ever happen" posture
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This is a cool series and I have a tiny contribution in one of them!
Super excited about this new "Art & System" TTRPG series by Central Michigan University PRESS!
"The series will open with Dog Eat Dog (2012) by Liam Liwanag Burke, Princess with a Cursed Sword (2025) by Anna Anthropy, and The Mountain Witch (2005) by Tim Kleinert."
www.backerkit.com/call_to_acti...
"The series will open with Dog Eat Dog (2012) by Liam Liwanag Burke, Princess with a Cursed Sword (2025) by Anna Anthropy, and The Mountain Witch (2005) by Tim Kleinert."
www.backerkit.com/call_to_acti...
Get Ready for Art & System: Games for Expanded Play
From Central Michigan University Press - Get Ready for Art & System: Games for Expanded Play
www.backerkit.com
September 10, 2025 at 11:07 AM
This is a cool series and I have a tiny contribution in one of them!
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Goddamn. @agoldman.bsky.social's reporting on the complex and dramatic history of the cat drug black market - the Facebook-based amateur veterinarian ring helping cats afflicted with a specific feline illness - was unbelievable. Kudos on the amazing series. Everyone should listen to this.
HyperFixed | The Cat Drug Black Market, Part III
www.hyperfixedpod.com
August 14, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Goddamn. @agoldman.bsky.social's reporting on the complex and dramatic history of the cat drug black market - the Facebook-based amateur veterinarian ring helping cats afflicted with a specific feline illness - was unbelievable. Kudos on the amazing series. Everyone should listen to this.
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And if you want to support an independent show—why not @hyperfixedpod.bsky.social? Hyperfixedpod.com/join
Hyperfixed | Hyperfixed
Hyperfixedpod.com
September 5, 2025 at 4:26 PM
And if you want to support an independent show—why not @hyperfixedpod.bsky.social? Hyperfixedpod.com/join
Rats in the Walls, the roleplaying game of rodent stealth and survival in the walls of a Victorian manor #forgedinthedark, just had its fourth playtest in one week, and it's holding up really well! Excited to keep cracking away at it and show more of it to people
September 2, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Rats in the Walls, the roleplaying game of rodent stealth and survival in the walls of a Victorian manor #forgedinthedark, just had its fourth playtest in one week, and it's holding up really well! Excited to keep cracking away at it and show more of it to people
Shakespeare in the Park ❤️
August 20, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Shakespeare in the Park ❤️
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Look you just have to make the cool weird shit that excites you. You must. In this world besieged by bland, scrubbed boring, computer slop, you must. Make the thing you’re embarrassed to make, the thing that feels “too much” because otherwise we get drowned in a sea of cowardly work made by a button
August 6, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Look you just have to make the cool weird shit that excites you. You must. In this world besieged by bland, scrubbed boring, computer slop, you must. Make the thing you’re embarrassed to make, the thing that feels “too much” because otherwise we get drowned in a sea of cowardly work made by a button
Reposted by Gage | Rats in the Walls
It’s Tove Jansson Day in Finland today and 110 years since she was born. Here’s a drawing I did back in 2015.
August 9, 2024 at 5:55 PM
It’s Tove Jansson Day in Finland today and 110 years since she was born. Here’s a drawing I did back in 2015.
Reposted by Gage | Rats in the Walls
I'm blown away by the support. Thank you everyone who has shared this and/or bought the bundle.. We are getting closer but still have a bit to go.
I wouldn't shilling so hard if it wasn't an emergency. Had some unexpected expenses this summer (which is the slower season for my household) and we are try to catch up. Please consider grabbing EVERY PAID GAME I HAVE for $15 bucks and/or sharing this around.
Thank you so much!
Thank you so much!
August 3, 2025 at 1:17 PM
I'm blown away by the support. Thank you everyone who has shared this and/or bought the bundle.. We are getting closer but still have a bit to go.
The way you could hear a pin drop the moment after Caesar shouted "NO!" in Rise of the Planet of the Apes. The way it earned that moment, despite being a "prequel" to the talking apes franchise, was great.
Got me thinking.. What's the strongest reaction you've seen an audience member have to a scene in a cinema?
During the birthday party scene in SIGNS I saw a whole row of young women literally throw their popcorn in the air like a cartoon.
During the birthday party scene in SIGNS I saw a whole row of young women literally throw their popcorn in the air like a cartoon.
Someone in my audience had a very audible negative reaction to the dog scene in TOGETHER. So that was fun!
August 1, 2025 at 6:16 PM
The way you could hear a pin drop the moment after Caesar shouted "NO!" in Rise of the Planet of the Apes. The way it earned that moment, despite being a "prequel" to the talking apes franchise, was great.
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Keep calling Visa. It’s working.
July 29, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Keep calling Visa. It’s working.
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ESPN starting the day strong with one hell of a take; the ttrpg discourse will burn for days and be visible for miles.
July 17, 2025 at 10:45 AM
ESPN starting the day strong with one hell of a take; the ttrpg discourse will burn for days and be visible for miles.
Reposted by Gage | Rats in the Walls
This. 100% this.
Not only are we more likely to listen to our friends talk about games they like but we're also more likely to trust their opinions.
Many spaces online self-promotion isn't allowed or is pushed into a space where folks are unlikely to read it.
Be vocal about the games you like.
Not only are we more likely to listen to our friends talk about games they like but we're also more likely to trust their opinions.
Many spaces online self-promotion isn't allowed or is pushed into a space where folks are unlikely to read it.
Be vocal about the games you like.
I think people underestimate their ability to help support a game just by telling a friend about it.
If I hear a designer talk about their game, I'm not usually convinced.
If my friend Will tells me to check out a game, I'm looking.
Your words, oftentimes, are just as powerful as your wallet.
If I hear a designer talk about their game, I'm not usually convinced.
If my friend Will tells me to check out a game, I'm looking.
Your words, oftentimes, are just as powerful as your wallet.
June 24, 2025 at 12:33 PM
This. 100% this.
Not only are we more likely to listen to our friends talk about games they like but we're also more likely to trust their opinions.
Many spaces online self-promotion isn't allowed or is pushed into a space where folks are unlikely to read it.
Be vocal about the games you like.
Not only are we more likely to listen to our friends talk about games they like but we're also more likely to trust their opinions.
Many spaces online self-promotion isn't allowed or is pushed into a space where folks are unlikely to read it.
Be vocal about the games you like.
Reposted by Gage | Rats in the Walls
If "AI" was as valuable as they say it is, they wouldn't be selling it to you. They'd be using it themselves in secret to make the next Minecraft, the next Avatar, the next Hello Kitty and then they'd sell that to you.
They're trying to sell you a sick goose, while pretending it lays golden eggs.
They're trying to sell you a sick goose, while pretending it lays golden eggs.
July 10, 2025 at 4:41 AM
If "AI" was as valuable as they say it is, they wouldn't be selling it to you. They'd be using it themselves in secret to make the next Minecraft, the next Avatar, the next Hello Kitty and then they'd sell that to you.
They're trying to sell you a sick goose, while pretending it lays golden eggs.
They're trying to sell you a sick goose, while pretending it lays golden eggs.
Reposted by Gage | Rats in the Walls
Yeah
@meganhunt.bsky.social
This you? A state Senator said this? Unbelievable.
This you? A state Senator said this? Unbelievable.
July 12, 2025 at 5:54 AM
Yeah
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I saw an infographic a couple years ago about how to remove source identifiers from links and why it's important, but I can't find it again and too many people I know are sending me links with them so here's an infographic straight from the oven
July 11, 2025 at 10:22 PM
I saw an infographic a couple years ago about how to remove source identifiers from links and why it's important, but I can't find it again and too many people I know are sending me links with them so here's an infographic straight from the oven
Reposted by Gage | Rats in the Walls
WIP on the one sheet for the fictional rpg "SWORD" that will be my last page in the APPX. N JAM.
The concept is that this is a quick start for a TTRPG that never existed, but is actually a one pager. Coupled with the rest of the adventure you will be able to play it solo or with a group!
The concept is that this is a quick start for a TTRPG that never existed, but is actually a one pager. Coupled with the rest of the adventure you will be able to play it solo or with a group!
July 8, 2025 at 5:45 PM
WIP on the one sheet for the fictional rpg "SWORD" that will be my last page in the APPX. N JAM.
The concept is that this is a quick start for a TTRPG that never existed, but is actually a one pager. Coupled with the rest of the adventure you will be able to play it solo or with a group!
The concept is that this is a quick start for a TTRPG that never existed, but is actually a one pager. Coupled with the rest of the adventure you will be able to play it solo or with a group!
Reposted by Gage | Rats in the Walls
TMNT PBTA where your four stats are Teenage, Mutant, Ninja, and Turtle
July 7, 2025 at 7:06 PM
TMNT PBTA where your four stats are Teenage, Mutant, Ninja, and Turtle
Reposted by Gage | Rats in the Walls
Yes actually now is a great time to share good news
Now is a great time to celebrate the good news of strangers
To be the kind of people who are happy for other people to have good things happen to them
Yes indeed
Now is a great time to celebrate the good news of strangers
To be the kind of people who are happy for other people to have good things happen to them
Yes indeed
July 3, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Yes actually now is a great time to share good news
Now is a great time to celebrate the good news of strangers
To be the kind of people who are happy for other people to have good things happen to them
Yes indeed
Now is a great time to celebrate the good news of strangers
To be the kind of people who are happy for other people to have good things happen to them
Yes indeed
Reposted by Gage | Rats in the Walls
