Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Kelly Whyte

@kellywhyte.bsky.social

Kirk vs Picard has always been silly but especially so after seeing the episode where Data is captain.

Would follow my pasty lad to hell and back 🫡

Data from TNG sitting in the captain's chair. Troi looking at him, and I may be projecting but I think there's a hint of lust.

November 9, 2025 at 6:06 AM

Kelly Whyte

@kellywhyte.bsky.social

Psst, this includes the Lineages of the Long White Cloud stickers!

www.etsy.com/nz/listing/4...

Sticker set of various anthropomorphised native New Zealand wildlife

November 7, 2025 at 12:56 AM

Kelly Whyte

@kellywhyte.bsky.social

It's such a shame to see celebrity go to someone's head like this...

(The kārearea are nesting and getting a bit antsy about people coming near their chicks, it's fine)

RNZ headline reading 'warning as bird of the year begins attacking Wellington walkers'

November 3, 2025 at 8:20 PM

Kelly Whyte

@kellywhyte.bsky.social

A silly one-page solo rpg about being a wheelie bin blown away on adventures that spawned out of a #kiwirpg discord thread. Free/PWYW so why not check it out.

kellymakesgames.itch.io/bin-voyage

#ttrpg #solorpg

A wheelie bin disappearing over the horizon in a jaunty manner. The title above reads 'bin voyage'

Part of bin voyage. The text reads: You are a wheelie bin.
Your journey starts on the curb of ____________ road/place/way/crescent/lane/etc. on bin collection day. To play this game you’ll need:
• Comfortable shoes
• Sun/weather protection appropriate to the conditions
• A way to record a list (pen & paper, voice memos)
• A safe neighbourhood to walk in
• Optional: gloves and a trash bag
As a wheelie bin, you have two stats: Bin and Wheels. Each start at 1+1d6.
You have a bin type; rubbish, compost, or recycling.
You are full of Trash. Think of a list of the last 5 things you threw into a bin that match your bin type.

October 31, 2025 at 10:42 PM

Kelly Whyte

@kellywhyte.bsky.social

The only robot who I think can make art.

Data from Star Trek TNG saying: "Throughout the ages, from Keats to Jorkomo, poets have composed odes to individuals who have had a profound effect on their lives."

Data from Star Trek TNG saying: "In keeping with that tradition, my next
poem is dedicated to my cat, Spot."

October 25, 2025 at 9:33 AM

Kelly Whyte

@kellywhyte.bsky.social

Need some inspiration for your Halloween game? #kiwirpg has you covered with this bundle!

From comedic to horrific, whatever tone your table likes, we've got you covered. With a lucky 13 items for $10, there's something for everyone: itch.io/b/3326/trick...

October 21, 2025 at 4:50 AM

Kelly Whyte

@kellywhyte.bsky.social

Thing is, he know he's lying. Health NZ's own fact sheet disproves many of his claims.

To get the extra 100k he's added on to their salary, they put in all sort of non-salary benefits like the employer's kiwisaver contribution. The actual take-home is close to the union's figure of 250k.

October 16, 2025 at 11:32 PM

Kelly Whyte

@kellywhyte.bsky.social

And neither last nor least, @tenacregames.bsky.social brings one of their Mausritter adventures to the bundle. Featuring new items, spells and conditions, there's plenty to make your PCs turn tail in fright.

There's a ton more for just $10, please do check it out!

itch.io/b/3326/trick...

October 16, 2025 at 12:17 AM

Kelly Whyte

@kellywhyte.bsky.social

@serorpg.com and Malcolm Halbrow both bring Monster of the Week mysteries to the bundle, showing the range of styles that MotW can facilitate. From Sero's slightly comedic haunted house to Malcolm's rural horror, they're great for starting out or experienced hunters alike.

itch.io/b/3326/trick...

October 16, 2025 at 12:13 AM

Kelly Whyte

@kellywhyte.bsky.social

Let's talk about some others in this halloween bundle. @takataapui.bsky.social 's 'bog body, watching' and 'the farmer and the bog body' are one- and two player games about change, whether experiencing it yourself or watching it happen to others and the world around you.

itch.io/b/3326/trick...

October 16, 2025 at 12:07 AM

Kelly Whyte

@kellywhyte.bsky.social

ICYMI, we've got a bundle of 13 Halloween ttrpgs on @itch.io right now. Support kiwi creators and get games for dnd, FATE, Mausritter and standalone games!

Haunted hotels, bog bodies, gay ghouls, and so much more await you!

itch.io/b/3326/trick...

#ttrpg #ttrpgcommunity #kiwirpg #halloween

October 14, 2025 at 11:24 PM

Kelly Whyte

@kellywhyte.bsky.social

Sic Semple Tyrannus!

A balck and white photo of a weird tank made out of corrogated iron

October 4, 2025 at 6:21 AM

Kelly Whyte

@kellywhyte.bsky.social

I for one cannot wait for us to restart production on the Semple Tank.

A black and whote photo of a terrible tank made of corrogated iron

October 4, 2025 at 6:18 AM

Kelly Whyte

@kellywhyte.bsky.social

Congratulations to the kārearea for becoming Bird of the Year 2025

But if there's one thing weka are known for, it's stealing. And we have our eyes on your crown...

#boty

A weka, a large brown rail, in mid step on a grassy meadow

September 28, 2025 at 7:55 PM

Kelly Whyte

@kellywhyte.bsky.social

People in glass houses should not throw stones Mr Luxon.
#nzpol

Luxon calls vote counters the 'slowest folk on the planet' - The prime minister says he expects the Electoral Commission to speed up the official vote count after an election.

September 26, 2025 at 1:43 AM

Kelly Whyte

@kellywhyte.bsky.social

Bluesky moderation policy, elegantly summarized by Fred Colon.

More seriously, it's not just going to be high art and history that's lost. Pulp art and erotica are worth defending.

Invest in moderation, don't make blanket bans.

“Nude women are only Art if there’s an urn in it,’ said Fred Colon. This sounded a bit weak even to him, so he added, ‘or a plinth. Both is best, o’course. It’s a secret sign, see, that they put in to say that it’s Art and okay to look at.’ ‘What about a potted plant?’ ‘That’s okay if it’s in an urn.’ ‘What about if it’s not got an urn or a plinth or a potted plant?’ said Nobby. ‘Have you one in mind, Nobby?’ said Colon suspiciously. ‘Yes, The Goddess Anoia* Arising from the Cutlery,’ said Nobby. ‘They’ve got it here. It was painted by a bloke with three i’s in his name, which sounds pretty artistic to me.’ ‘The number of i’s is important, Nobby,’ said Sergeant Colon gravely, ‘but in these situations you have to ask yourself: where’s the cherub? If there’s a little fat pink kid holding a mirror or a fan or similar, then it’s still okay. Even if he’s grinning. Obviously you can’t get urns everywhere.”
― Terry Pratchett, Thud!

September 21, 2025 at 4:45 AM

Kelly Whyte

@kellywhyte.bsky.social

Highly recommend Chequered Ink's work to anyone doing their own layout/design. Flock to Me's cover and banner use their Front Page Neue font, and there were plenty of options to chose from in this bundle.

September 20, 2025 at 10:51 AM

Kelly Whyte

@kellywhyte.bsky.social

If you want to get into Strange Squad, now's your chance!

Our 'Sheep' tier gives you our mystery, Strange Squad's core rules, and two adventures, all for just $9 USD!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/lot...

Reward tiers for Flock to Me's kickstarter

September 18, 2025 at 10:38 PM

Kelly Whyte

@kellywhyte.bsky.social

Backing Flock to Me helps us add more amazing art to the adventure. These are the concept sketches that we can't wait to turn into final pieces, but we need you help!

Back us now to get a paranormal mystery for MotW/Strange Squad here: www.kickstarter.com/projects/lot...

#ttrpg #kiwirpg #motw

Concept art featuring the shepherd (a tall hunched figure in skin robe and holding a crook) and kellas (a cat-si, a black and white cat casting an elven shadow)

September 17, 2025 at 2:54 AM

Kelly Whyte

@kellywhyte.bsky.social

To celebrate 20 years of #BirdoftheYear we're putting Lineages of the Long White Cloud on 20% off and 10% of profits go to Forest & Bird!
There's 9 #BotY winners in the omnibus, that's a lot of award-winning #nz birds for your DnD game!
www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/5...
itch.io/s/160202/bot...

Cover of LotLWC omnibus featuring an anthro pūriri moth

Page from LotLWC featuring the kiwi lineage

September 14, 2025 at 9:15 PM

Kelly Whyte

@kellywhyte.bsky.social

In addition to getting a brand-new adventure, our kickstarter offers you a great deal on our back catalogue of horror/mystery games.

Get adventures for 5e, fate, PF2e, and more for 60% off when you back us at the Shepherd tier!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/lot...

#dnd #ttrpg #pathfinder

Collage of covers for Lost & Forgotten, The Spirits of Wyvernfall, The Accursed and Hamelin's Lament

September 11, 2025 at 9:40 PM

Kelly Whyte

@kellywhyte.bsky.social

Now the Kickstarter is live, you can see the reward tiers we're offering.

We've partnered with @smurphygames.bsky.social to bring you their Strange Squad catalogue, everything you need to get started with the system!

Get them here: www.kickstarter.com/projects/lot...

#ttrpg #horror #paranormal