Marco A. Torres
@monarcwriter.bsky.social
Educator, writer, game designer. Here to promote my work, connect with others, and share the occasional musing on games, shows, pop culture, and education.
monarcwriter.substack.com
monarcwriter.carrd.co
monarcwriter.substack.com
monarcwriter.carrd.co
Pinned
Marco A. Torres
@monarcwriter.bsky.social
· Sep 27
MonarcWriter Storytelling Games Newsletter | Substack
The official newsletter of MonarcWriter Storytelling games! Game Design diaries, game reviews, and highlights of small press/self-published tabletop games. Click to read MonarcWriter Storytelling Game...
monarcwriter.substack.com
I just started a TTRPG newsletter. I’ll be writing designer diaries and announcements for my games, what inspires my design and play styles, and reviews of indie/small press games.
Mostly, it’s something to connect with and support my fellow players and designers.
monarcwriter.substack.com
Mostly, it’s something to connect with and support my fellow players and designers.
monarcwriter.substack.com
Reposted by Marco A. Torres
The Mystery Business (by @lysander03.bsky.social) and Good Nature (by @monarcwriter.bsky.social) are on sale right now!
Find my reviews below with links to the sale pages!
The Mystery Business:
www.ttrpgkids.com/2024/03/07/r...
Good Nature:
www.ttrpgkids.com/2022/09/28/r...
Find my reviews below with links to the sale pages!
The Mystery Business:
www.ttrpgkids.com/2024/03/07/r...
Good Nature:
www.ttrpgkids.com/2022/09/28/r...
November 14, 2025 at 2:07 PM
The Mystery Business (by @lysander03.bsky.social) and Good Nature (by @monarcwriter.bsky.social) are on sale right now!
Find my reviews below with links to the sale pages!
The Mystery Business:
www.ttrpgkids.com/2024/03/07/r...
Good Nature:
www.ttrpgkids.com/2022/09/28/r...
Find my reviews below with links to the sale pages!
The Mystery Business:
www.ttrpgkids.com/2024/03/07/r...
Good Nature:
www.ttrpgkids.com/2022/09/28/r...
All month long, the MonarcWriter newsletter will be reviewing and highlighting projects from DMsGuild’s recent Game Jam. This first week of reviews features 4 adventures and 2 supplements set in Baldur’s Gate!
monarcwriter.substack.com/p/baldurs-ga...
monarcwriter.substack.com/p/baldurs-ga...
Baldur’s Gate Game Jam 2025 Reviews - Week 1
Reviews of DMsGuild’s 2025 Baldur’s Gate Game Jam! This week, 4 adventures and 2 supplements!
monarcwriter.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:33 PM
All month long, the MonarcWriter newsletter will be reviewing and highlighting projects from DMsGuild’s recent Game Jam. This first week of reviews features 4 adventures and 2 supplements set in Baldur’s Gate!
monarcwriter.substack.com/p/baldurs-ga...
monarcwriter.substack.com/p/baldurs-ga...
The first week of the Feeding America fundraiser has brought in over $100 of donations! Here's a preview of the game I'm writing for donations:
A Name For Nobody
“Explore a realm of folktales in search of your stolen name, while bringing hope to the forgotten by granting them names of their own.”
A Name For Nobody
“Explore a realm of folktales in search of your stolen name, while bringing hope to the forgotten by granting them names of their own.”
November 7, 2025 at 6:42 PM
The first week of the Feeding America fundraiser has brought in over $100 of donations! Here's a preview of the game I'm writing for donations:
A Name For Nobody
“Explore a realm of folktales in search of your stolen name, while bringing hope to the forgotten by granting them names of their own.”
A Name For Nobody
“Explore a realm of folktales in search of your stolen name, while bringing hope to the forgotten by granting them names of their own.”
I've joined @storytellingco.bsky.social to help end hunger in America by supporting Team Feed. Support by donating any amount! If I reach my goal: I'll create a deck of cards for the game I'm writing, available to all donors as thanks!
teamfeed.feedingamerica.org/participants...
teamfeed.feedingamerica.org/participants...
I'm supporting Feeding America!
To feed America’s hungry through food banks and engage our country in the fight to end hunger
teamfeed.feedingamerica.org
November 3, 2025 at 5:55 PM
I've joined @storytellingco.bsky.social to help end hunger in America by supporting Team Feed. Support by donating any amount! If I reach my goal: I'll create a deck of cards for the game I'm writing, available to all donors as thanks!
teamfeed.feedingamerica.org/participants...
teamfeed.feedingamerica.org/participants...
For the MonarcWriter Halloween newsletter, I look back at the design process for my fairy-tale horror game, "Vanity: Glass & Stone." Also: a new release, a Halloween sale, and a charity fundraiser!
monarcwriter.substack.com/p/design-dia...
monarcwriter.substack.com/p/design-dia...
Design Diary: Vanity - Glass & Stone
A look at the design process for my horror game, Vanity: Glass & Stone. Also: A new release, Halloween sale, and a charity fundraiser!
monarcwriter.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:16 PM
For the MonarcWriter Halloween newsletter, I look back at the design process for my fairy-tale horror game, "Vanity: Glass & Stone." Also: a new release, a Halloween sale, and a charity fundraiser!
monarcwriter.substack.com/p/design-dia...
monarcwriter.substack.com/p/design-dia...
Reposted by Marco A. Torres
I wrote a lil summer camp foray in this. :D
The Sorcerer’s Slam Book is now available @dmsguild.com!
9 designers have crafted this collection of over 100 pages of Relationship-focused encounters for the “Fellow Student” NPCs from Strixhaven.
To celebrate, a 25% discount is available for a limited time!
site.dmsguild.com/product/5412...
9 designers have crafted this collection of over 100 pages of Relationship-focused encounters for the “Fellow Student” NPCs from Strixhaven.
To celebrate, a 25% discount is available for a limited time!
site.dmsguild.com/product/5412...
The Sorcerer's Slam Book - Dungeon Masters Guild | Dungeon Masters Guild
Special Release Week discount: Click here for 25% off!
Lifelong Friends and Bitter Rivals! Who is Who at Strixhaven U?
site.dmsguild.com
October 20, 2025 at 6:46 PM
I wrote a lil summer camp foray in this. :D
The Sorcerer’s Slam Book is now available @dmsguild.com!
9 designers have crafted this collection of over 100 pages of Relationship-focused encounters for the “Fellow Student” NPCs from Strixhaven.
To celebrate, a 25% discount is available for a limited time!
site.dmsguild.com/product/5412...
9 designers have crafted this collection of over 100 pages of Relationship-focused encounters for the “Fellow Student” NPCs from Strixhaven.
To celebrate, a 25% discount is available for a limited time!
site.dmsguild.com/product/5412...
The Sorcerer's Slam Book - Dungeon Masters Guild | Dungeon Masters Guild
Special Release Week discount: Click here for 25% off!
Lifelong Friends and Bitter Rivals! Who is Who at Strixhaven U?
site.dmsguild.com
October 20, 2025 at 6:44 PM
The Sorcerer’s Slam Book is now available @dmsguild.com!
9 designers have crafted this collection of over 100 pages of Relationship-focused encounters for the “Fellow Student” NPCs from Strixhaven.
To celebrate, a 25% discount is available for a limited time!
site.dmsguild.com/product/5412...
9 designers have crafted this collection of over 100 pages of Relationship-focused encounters for the “Fellow Student” NPCs from Strixhaven.
To celebrate, a 25% discount is available for a limited time!
site.dmsguild.com/product/5412...
I recently adapted two of my card-based TTRPGs (GEMS and Vanity) to be playable in Tabletop Simulator! I write about the process in this week’s newsletter, and share links to add the games to TTS for free!
monarcwriter.substack.com/p/design-dia...
monarcwriter.substack.com/p/design-dia...
Design Diary: Adapting Card-based TTRPGs for Tabletop Simulator
This week, a discussion on the process of adapting card-based TTRPGs for play in Tabletop Simulator. Plus, links to add two of my games to TTS for free!
monarcwriter.substack.com
October 3, 2025 at 7:04 PM
I recently adapted two of my card-based TTRPGs (GEMS and Vanity) to be playable in Tabletop Simulator! I write about the process in this week’s newsletter, and share links to add the games to TTS for free!
monarcwriter.substack.com/p/design-dia...
monarcwriter.substack.com/p/design-dia...
I have a few books in the Strixhaven sale going on at @dmsguild.com right now! Look for “Fantastic Field Studies” and “Fantasy Couture for Magical Galas” at big discounts!
School is now in session...the Strixhaven September Sale is on now!
Shop deals here: tinyurl.com/bddm7dd7
Includes A Syllabus of Sorcery, Strixhaven Faculty Handbook, Mimsy's Strixhaven Shop of Treasures, The Pub that Crawls, and more!
#dnd5e #dungeonsanddragons #ttrpgs
Shop deals here: tinyurl.com/bddm7dd7
Includes A Syllabus of Sorcery, Strixhaven Faculty Handbook, Mimsy's Strixhaven Shop of Treasures, The Pub that Crawls, and more!
#dnd5e #dungeonsanddragons #ttrpgs
September 20, 2025 at 11:38 PM
I have a few books in the Strixhaven sale going on at @dmsguild.com right now! Look for “Fantastic Field Studies” and “Fantasy Couture for Magical Galas” at big discounts!
The MonarcWriter newsletter is back from its summer hiatus! This week, I reflect on a year of reviews of TTRPGs and writing about game design and my creative process. Also, some highlights from my summer!
monarcwriter.substack.com/p/news-anniv...
monarcwriter.substack.com/p/news-anniv...
News: Anniversary & Summer Highlights
A look ahead to Year 2 of the newsletter, and some news and highlights from MonarcWriter’s summer activities!
monarcwriter.substack.com
September 19, 2025 at 4:22 PM
The MonarcWriter newsletter is back from its summer hiatus! This week, I reflect on a year of reviews of TTRPGs and writing about game design and my creative process. Also, some highlights from my summer!
monarcwriter.substack.com/p/news-anniv...
monarcwriter.substack.com/p/news-anniv...
Reposted by Marco A. Torres
ICYMI, yesterday the pre-launch page went live for Little but Fierce, the rewrite of D&D 5th Edition for kids as young as six.
Please share with parents, teachers and other guardians of small people :)
www.kickstarter.com/projects/dcb...
Please share with parents, teachers and other guardians of small people :)
www.kickstarter.com/projects/dcb...
Coming soon: Little but Fierce: Streamlined 5E for Children of All Ages
Little but Fierce is a rewrite of 5th Edition with streamlined rules, simplified language and a family friendly tone
www.kickstarter.com
August 29, 2025 at 2:43 PM
ICYMI, yesterday the pre-launch page went live for Little but Fierce, the rewrite of D&D 5th Edition for kids as young as six.
Please share with parents, teachers and other guardians of small people :)
www.kickstarter.com/projects/dcb...
Please share with parents, teachers and other guardians of small people :)
www.kickstarter.com/projects/dcb...
Took my kid to a K-Pop Demon Hunters sing-along showing today.
We already loved the movie, but watching it with such an energetic crowd who sang along to every lyric with their whole heart was such a joyful experience!
We already loved the movie, but watching it with such an energetic crowd who sang along to every lyric with their whole heart was such a joyful experience!
August 24, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Took my kid to a K-Pop Demon Hunters sing-along showing today.
We already loved the movie, but watching it with such an energetic crowd who sang along to every lyric with their whole heart was such a joyful experience!
We already loved the movie, but watching it with such an energetic crowd who sang along to every lyric with their whole heart was such a joyful experience!
Reposted by Marco A. Torres
✨ It's finally time. The fifth Queer Games Bundle is live now. For $60 (or $10+), get over 600 games, TTRPGs, zines, and more. Support over 300 queer artists for their survival and future art.
itch.io/b/3062/
itch.io/b/3062/
July 30, 2025 at 7:03 AM
✨ It's finally time. The fifth Queer Games Bundle is live now. For $60 (or $10+), get over 600 games, TTRPGs, zines, and more. Support over 300 queer artists for their survival and future art.
itch.io/b/3062/
itch.io/b/3062/
Reposted by Marco A. Torres
Got a video today at the @ipr.bsky.social booth!
I wanted to try to get all the games this time and I hope it helps give a chance to see your work on display!
I wanted to try to get all the games this time and I hope it helps give a chance to see your work on display!
August 2, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Got a video today at the @ipr.bsky.social booth!
I wanted to try to get all the games this time and I hope it helps give a chance to see your work on display!
I wanted to try to get all the games this time and I hope it helps give a chance to see your work on display!
And there is “Into the Starlit Sky” also at @ipr.bsky.social’s booth!
My games are not just at Gen Con, but are also alongside so many other amazing TTRPGs!
My games are not just at Gen Con, but are also alongside so many other amazing TTRPGs!
15/17 #Booth449 tour continues! Is there no end to this cornucopia of delights? People who like numbers might suggest 15/17 provides a clue.
August 2, 2025 at 4:02 AM
And there is “Into the Starlit Sky” also at @ipr.bsky.social’s booth!
My games are not just at Gen Con, but are also alongside so many other amazing TTRPGs!
My games are not just at Gen Con, but are also alongside so many other amazing TTRPGs!
Is that “Vanity: Glass & Stone” I see there for sale at @ipr.bsky.social’s booth at Gen Con?
It is so cool to see my games at Gen Con!!!
It is so cool to see my games at Gen Con!!!
August 2, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Is that “Vanity: Glass & Stone” I see there for sale at @ipr.bsky.social’s booth at Gen Con?
It is so cool to see my games at Gen Con!!!
It is so cool to see my games at Gen Con!!!
We got the DMsGuild pick of the week!
Featured as the DMs Guild Pick of the Week!
If you liked Journeys through the Radiant Citadel, Tales from the Yawning Portal, or other adventure anthologies check out "Delves and Journeys"!
It's got 36 solo-session adventures!
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
www.dmsguild.com/product/5308...
If you liked Journeys through the Radiant Citadel, Tales from the Yawning Portal, or other adventure anthologies check out "Delves and Journeys"!
It's got 36 solo-session adventures!
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
www.dmsguild.com/product/5308...
July 30, 2025 at 1:10 AM
We got the DMsGuild pick of the week!
Reposted by Marco A. Torres
I wrote two of the adventures in here!
Test your mettle while exploring magical doorways or put up with tricky shenanigans in space bending tree (it's bigger on the topside) in two dungeons by Steph from TTRPGkids!
Test your mettle while exploring magical doorways or put up with tricky shenanigans in space bending tree (it's bigger on the topside) in two dungeons by Steph from TTRPGkids!
Featured as the DMs Guild Pick of the Week!
If you liked Journeys through the Radiant Citadel, Tales from the Yawning Portal, or other adventure anthologies check out "Delves and Journeys"!
It's got 36 solo-session adventures!
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
www.dmsguild.com/product/5308...
If you liked Journeys through the Radiant Citadel, Tales from the Yawning Portal, or other adventure anthologies check out "Delves and Journeys"!
It's got 36 solo-session adventures!
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
www.dmsguild.com/product/5308...
July 30, 2025 at 12:44 AM
I wrote two of the adventures in here!
Test your mettle while exploring magical doorways or put up with tricky shenanigans in space bending tree (it's bigger on the topside) in two dungeons by Steph from TTRPGkids!
Test your mettle while exploring magical doorways or put up with tricky shenanigans in space bending tree (it's bigger on the topside) in two dungeons by Steph from TTRPGkids!
My games are gonna be available for sale at #GenCon2025!!! New milestone achieved!
If you are there, pick up a copy of “Into the Starlit Sky”, “GEMS: A Game of Heists”, or “Vanity: Glass & Stone” from @ipr.bsky.social at booth 449!
If you are there, pick up a copy of “Into the Starlit Sky”, “GEMS: A Game of Heists”, or “Vanity: Glass & Stone” from @ipr.bsky.social at booth 449!
Here's the list of 184 products from 108 of our member publishers we'll have in #Booth449 at #GenCon2025, including a link to download
a 36 page PDF or ePub with short descriptions of all of them, in case you wanted a little travel reading.
www.indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/Gen-Co...
a 36 page PDF or ePub with short descriptions of all of them, in case you wanted a little travel reading.
www.indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/Gen-Co...
July 28, 2025 at 4:52 PM
My games are gonna be available for sale at #GenCon2025!!! New milestone achieved!
If you are there, pick up a copy of “Into the Starlit Sky”, “GEMS: A Game of Heists”, or “Vanity: Glass & Stone” from @ipr.bsky.social at booth 449!
If you are there, pick up a copy of “Into the Starlit Sky”, “GEMS: A Game of Heists”, or “Vanity: Glass & Stone” from @ipr.bsky.social at booth 449!
Reposted by Marco A. Torres
Oh yeah there come check it out, already at #10. So many cool, unique and fun dungeons! Honestly could spend a year of just running a table thru all of these.
"Delves and Journeys" is already at #10 on the Dungeon Masters Guild just a few hours after publication!
Check out the full-page preview that shows several adventures in their entirety and see the value!
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
www.dmsguild.com/product/5308...
Check out the full-page preview that shows several adventures in their entirety and see the value!
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
www.dmsguild.com/product/5308...
July 26, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Oh yeah there come check it out, already at #10. So many cool, unique and fun dungeons! Honestly could spend a year of just running a table thru all of these.
Reposted by Marco A. Torres
Everybody loves five-room dungeons. This collection features many talented contributors. I was feeling homesick and I wrote a couple of Malaysian-themed ones.
What if I told you that you could run a D&D game tonight with only a few minutes of prep? What if I told you that you could do that 36 days in a row?
From a team of 25 accomplished authors. 36 five-room "dungeons" (very few literal dungeons).
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
www.dmsguild.com/product/5308...
From a team of 25 accomplished authors. 36 five-room "dungeons" (very few literal dungeons).
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
www.dmsguild.com/product/5308...
Delves and Journeys: 36 Five-Room Dungeons for D&D - Dungeon Masters Guild | Dungeon Masters Guild
When is a dungeon not necessarily a dungeon? When is a room not necessarily a room?
In this book, readers will find 36
www.dmsguild.com
July 26, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Everybody loves five-room dungeons. This collection features many talented contributors. I was feeling homesick and I wrote a couple of Malaysian-themed ones.
Reposted by Marco A. Torres
oh hey my bb made it to the preview page.
Love my silly lil trolls in my dragon adventure: Armgus, Leggrek, and Pudding.
Find deep lore like this and more within
Love my silly lil trolls in my dragon adventure: Armgus, Leggrek, and Pudding.
Find deep lore like this and more within
July 25, 2025 at 11:26 PM
oh hey my bb made it to the preview page.
Love my silly lil trolls in my dragon adventure: Armgus, Leggrek, and Pudding.
Find deep lore like this and more within
Love my silly lil trolls in my dragon adventure: Armgus, Leggrek, and Pudding.
Find deep lore like this and more within
Reposted by Marco A. Torres
This product has my favorite adventure i have ever written for D&D. I'm super proud of it!
Go check out all the incredible dungeons it has to offer!
Go check out all the incredible dungeons it has to offer!
What if I told you that you could run a D&D game tonight with only a few minutes of prep? What if I told you that you could do that 36 days in a row?
From a team of 25 accomplished authors. 36 five-room "dungeons" (very few literal dungeons).
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
www.dmsguild.com/product/5308...
From a team of 25 accomplished authors. 36 five-room "dungeons" (very few literal dungeons).
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
www.dmsguild.com/product/5308...
Delves and Journeys: 36 Five-Room Dungeons for D&D - Dungeon Masters Guild | Dungeon Masters Guild
When is a dungeon not necessarily a dungeon? When is a room not necessarily a room?
In this book, readers will find 36
www.dmsguild.com
July 25, 2025 at 11:30 PM
This product has my favorite adventure i have ever written for D&D. I'm super proud of it!
Go check out all the incredible dungeons it has to offer!
Go check out all the incredible dungeons it has to offer!
Reposted by Marco A. Torres
What tales did I contribute, you ask?
How about playing with a supernatural toy?
Or a twisted horror story about how egret I ACTUALLY grant wishes? That one is 🧑🍳 💋, and honestly, I still shiver thinking about it.
How about playing with a supernatural toy?
Or a twisted horror story about how egret I ACTUALLY grant wishes? That one is 🧑🍳 💋, and honestly, I still shiver thinking about it.
What if I told you that you could run a D&D game tonight with only a few minutes of prep? What if I told you that you could do that 36 days in a row?
From a team of 25 accomplished authors. 36 five-room "dungeons" (very few literal dungeons).
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
www.dmsguild.com/product/5308...
From a team of 25 accomplished authors. 36 five-room "dungeons" (very few literal dungeons).
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
www.dmsguild.com/product/5308...
Delves and Journeys: 36 Five-Room Dungeons for D&D - Dungeon Masters Guild | Dungeon Masters Guild
When is a dungeon not necessarily a dungeon? When is a room not necessarily a room?
In this book, readers will find 36
www.dmsguild.com
July 25, 2025 at 7:33 PM
What tales did I contribute, you ask?
How about playing with a supernatural toy?
Or a twisted horror story about how egret I ACTUALLY grant wishes? That one is 🧑🍳 💋, and honestly, I still shiver thinking about it.
How about playing with a supernatural toy?
Or a twisted horror story about how egret I ACTUALLY grant wishes? That one is 🧑🍳 💋, and honestly, I still shiver thinking about it.