@manualmonster.bsky.social
Opinionated gamer and science fanboy. Tabletop game designer for Nights & Knights Games.
I start with a brainstormed list that's like a thousand-foot view of the game. It might include some brief mechanics or vibe. It always includes theme, genre and imagery for the world. That list becomes the first page in a guiding document for the development of the game.
July 5, 2025 at 8:40 AM
I start with a brainstormed list that's like a thousand-foot view of the game. It might include some brief mechanics or vibe. It always includes theme, genre and imagery for the world. That list becomes the first page in a guiding document for the development of the game.
Elf wizard vs half-orc barbarian:
Wizard:
Half-orc Eminem
Speaks half-wise half-baked half-truths
So wholeheartedly
Barbarian:
Tongue-twisty li'l elf
Got one Bolt, one Blur, one Jolt
I cast "smash" all day
Wizard:
Half-orc Eminem
Speaks half-wise half-baked half-truths
So wholeheartedly
Barbarian:
Tongue-twisty li'l elf
Got one Bolt, one Blur, one Jolt
I cast "smash" all day
April 14, 2025 at 4:07 AM
Elf wizard vs half-orc barbarian:
Wizard:
Half-orc Eminem
Speaks half-wise half-baked half-truths
So wholeheartedly
Barbarian:
Tongue-twisty li'l elf
Got one Bolt, one Blur, one Jolt
I cast "smash" all day
Wizard:
Half-orc Eminem
Speaks half-wise half-baked half-truths
So wholeheartedly
Barbarian:
Tongue-twisty li'l elf
Got one Bolt, one Blur, one Jolt
I cast "smash" all day
I'd say it's a counterpoint to Pathfinder 2e.
P2e has a complex system with many character options, but isn't friendly to improvisation and "playing off the character sheet."
Shadowdark is a much lighter ruleset that plays faster and definitely requires players to "play off the sheet" to succeed.
P2e has a complex system with many character options, but isn't friendly to improvisation and "playing off the character sheet."
Shadowdark is a much lighter ruleset that plays faster and definitely requires players to "play off the sheet" to succeed.
March 17, 2025 at 1:23 PM
I'd say it's a counterpoint to Pathfinder 2e.
P2e has a complex system with many character options, but isn't friendly to improvisation and "playing off the character sheet."
Shadowdark is a much lighter ruleset that plays faster and definitely requires players to "play off the sheet" to succeed.
P2e has a complex system with many character options, but isn't friendly to improvisation and "playing off the character sheet."
Shadowdark is a much lighter ruleset that plays faster and definitely requires players to "play off the sheet" to succeed.
Shadowdark came out in 2023. IMHO, it's the best of the OSR D&D clones. The game rules are nicely streamlined, and the book's layout makes reference easy.
March 17, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Shadowdark came out in 2023. IMHO, it's the best of the OSR D&D clones. The game rules are nicely streamlined, and the book's layout makes reference easy.
1. Advanced Dungeons & Dragons
2. RuneQuest (1st ed.)
3. Pathfinder (1st ed.)
4. Pathfinder 2e
5. Frontiers of Arud
6. Pathfinder 2e
7. Frontiers of Arud
2. RuneQuest (1st ed.)
3. Pathfinder (1st ed.)
4. Pathfinder 2e
5. Frontiers of Arud
6. Pathfinder 2e
7. Frontiers of Arud
March 13, 2025 at 6:17 AM
1. Advanced Dungeons & Dragons
2. RuneQuest (1st ed.)
3. Pathfinder (1st ed.)
4. Pathfinder 2e
5. Frontiers of Arud
6. Pathfinder 2e
7. Frontiers of Arud
2. RuneQuest (1st ed.)
3. Pathfinder (1st ed.)
4. Pathfinder 2e
5. Frontiers of Arud
6. Pathfinder 2e
7. Frontiers of Arud
I feel like you just described Kindergarten.
March 5, 2025 at 2:32 AM
I feel like you just described Kindergarten.
Just the kind of crazy this world needs more of.
Please remember reapply your sunscreen during longer sessions.
Maybe you might need to invent floating dice, too?
Please remember reapply your sunscreen during longer sessions.
Maybe you might need to invent floating dice, too?
February 27, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Just the kind of crazy this world needs more of.
Please remember reapply your sunscreen during longer sessions.
Maybe you might need to invent floating dice, too?
Please remember reapply your sunscreen during longer sessions.
Maybe you might need to invent floating dice, too?
There were times when I was okay with genre flips, like in the Shyamalan movie "The Village," and times I wasn't, like when a much younger me read "Dragonriders of Pern."
I'm intrigued by the idea of a game where the twist is optional, or where interacting with it is optional. How would that work?
I'm intrigued by the idea of a game where the twist is optional, or where interacting with it is optional. How would that work?
February 20, 2025 at 6:46 PM
There were times when I was okay with genre flips, like in the Shyamalan movie "The Village," and times I wasn't, like when a much younger me read "Dragonriders of Pern."
I'm intrigued by the idea of a game where the twist is optional, or where interacting with it is optional. How would that work?
I'm intrigued by the idea of a game where the twist is optional, or where interacting with it is optional. How would that work?
Original D&D didn't have illusion of choice? I remember it being chock full of illusion of choice, when it even pretended you got a choice at all.
Also, I'd like to know what kind of "woke nonsense" he's talking about. Specifically.
Also, I'd like to know what kind of "woke nonsense" he's talking about. Specifically.
December 15, 2024 at 8:53 AM
Original D&D didn't have illusion of choice? I remember it being chock full of illusion of choice, when it even pretended you got a choice at all.
Also, I'd like to know what kind of "woke nonsense" he's talking about. Specifically.
Also, I'd like to know what kind of "woke nonsense" he's talking about. Specifically.
Shadowrun group made up new "local flavor" slang based on funny stuff that was said at the table. Somebody misspoke the word "sepsi" during a first-aid sequence, and the group decided that was what locals call a really nasty drink.
Also, anything with artificial grape flavor in it is "purbl".
Also, anything with artificial grape flavor in it is "purbl".
December 13, 2024 at 6:18 PM
Shadowrun group made up new "local flavor" slang based on funny stuff that was said at the table. Somebody misspoke the word "sepsi" during a first-aid sequence, and the group decided that was what locals call a really nasty drink.
Also, anything with artificial grape flavor in it is "purbl".
Also, anything with artificial grape flavor in it is "purbl".
Best of luck!
December 6, 2024 at 5:08 AM
Best of luck!
And if you don't know the rules for something, roll your D20 or have your player roll theirs (as appropriate) and apply the Rule of 5s:
<=5 failure
6-10 succeeds if the check should be easy for the character attempting it
11-15 succeeds if the check should have moderate difficulty
16-20 succeeds
<=5 failure
6-10 succeeds if the check should be easy for the character attempting it
11-15 succeeds if the check should have moderate difficulty
16-20 succeeds
December 6, 2024 at 5:08 AM
And if you don't know the rules for something, roll your D20 or have your player roll theirs (as appropriate) and apply the Rule of 5s:
<=5 failure
6-10 succeeds if the check should be easy for the character attempting it
11-15 succeeds if the check should have moderate difficulty
16-20 succeeds
<=5 failure
6-10 succeeds if the check should be easy for the character attempting it
11-15 succeeds if the check should have moderate difficulty
16-20 succeeds
Here's a prompt you can use to plan your first session: The players are crew on a spelljammer. It breaks down in space. A part is missing. As they investigate, players find out it's missing because [insert monsters here] snuck aboard at the last port! The entire adventure is limited to the one ship.
December 6, 2024 at 5:08 AM
Here's a prompt you can use to plan your first session: The players are crew on a spelljammer. It breaks down in space. A part is missing. As they investigate, players find out it's missing because [insert monsters here] snuck aboard at the last port! The entire adventure is limited to the one ship.
As an example, Hero is sneaking past some goons who'll do Level 4 harm to him if he is caught. If he fails, Hero can take his lumps and get thrown in the dungeon. ... Or he can draw his sword and try to take them on, risking an early grave.
December 6, 2024 at 4:34 AM
As an example, Hero is sneaking past some goons who'll do Level 4 harm to him if he is caught. If he fails, Hero can take his lumps and get thrown in the dungeon. ... Or he can draw his sword and try to take them on, risking an early grave.
What if you could accept increased consequences for a reroll on your chance? This could be how you get to that level 5 on your 1-4 scale. You're basically escalating the situation in hopes of a different outcome.
December 6, 2024 at 4:34 AM
What if you could accept increased consequences for a reroll on your chance? This could be how you get to that level 5 on your 1-4 scale. You're basically escalating the situation in hopes of a different outcome.
I have two sets and I love the way they look. They rarely travel with me to games, though. I don't bring them unless I also have room in my travel case for a rolling tray to keep them from scratching surfaces.
December 4, 2024 at 10:25 PM
I have two sets and I love the way they look. They rarely travel with me to games, though. I don't bring them unless I also have room in my travel case for a rolling tray to keep them from scratching surfaces.
Slasher Sam, an older gent in a colorful tophat who fills graves between US' Flag Day (6/14) and Independence Day (7/4).
The Ghost of Christmas Future knows where all the bodies will be... because he's going to put them there on Boxing Day (12/26).
The Ghost of Christmas Future knows where all the bodies will be... because he's going to put them there on Boxing Day (12/26).
November 28, 2024 at 3:16 PM
Slasher Sam, an older gent in a colorful tophat who fills graves between US' Flag Day (6/14) and Independence Day (7/4).
The Ghost of Christmas Future knows where all the bodies will be... because he's going to put them there on Boxing Day (12/26).
The Ghost of Christmas Future knows where all the bodies will be... because he's going to put them there on Boxing Day (12/26).
Just FYI, I followed the link you posted, but it didn't take me to your work portfolio. It took me to Artstation's front page.
November 27, 2024 at 3:50 AM
Just FYI, I followed the link you posted, but it didn't take me to your work portfolio. It took me to Artstation's front page.
Everything was fantastic. The lemon made the cod bright and the brussels sprouts were a little crispy and very flavorful.
November 27, 2024 at 1:45 AM
Everything was fantastic. The lemon made the cod bright and the brussels sprouts were a little crispy and very flavorful.
Go for it.
I've seen something like this work really well. A Wanderhome game I was in fluidly moved the GM role to whoever wanted to narrate the ongoing action. Other players could jump in and play NPCs or add minor details to the scene while also playing their own PCs.
I've seen something like this work really well. A Wanderhome game I was in fluidly moved the GM role to whoever wanted to narrate the ongoing action. Other players could jump in and play NPCs or add minor details to the scene while also playing their own PCs.
November 26, 2024 at 8:44 AM
Go for it.
I've seen something like this work really well. A Wanderhome game I was in fluidly moved the GM role to whoever wanted to narrate the ongoing action. Other players could jump in and play NPCs or add minor details to the scene while also playing their own PCs.
I've seen something like this work really well. A Wanderhome game I was in fluidly moved the GM role to whoever wanted to narrate the ongoing action. Other players could jump in and play NPCs or add minor details to the scene while also playing their own PCs.
I'd disagree that Jenga doesn't have game balance. It has excellent balance. I will admit it falls apart a bit in the endgame, though.
November 26, 2024 at 8:30 AM
I'd disagree that Jenga doesn't have game balance. It has excellent balance. I will admit it falls apart a bit in the endgame, though.