Inalso hate designing actual printable paper character sheets. But I DO build unnecessarily robust spreadsheets that do basically all the math for every game I make.
...I really like spreadsheets, ok
"Meaningful campaigns and strict time records" is the perfect example of OSR apologetics reinterpreting the original. Its quoted to talk about how torches interpose time pressures in a dungeon. The original context was about handling huge groups of 20+ players asynchronously in a single game world.
Screenshot of a two page spread from my game project Skies Above. The left hand page has a full page art piece depicting the goddess of light, the light crystal, her guardian Uriel and a ram like light spirit, with the titles "Light" "The Basics" on it. The right page has sections titled "What is Skies Above?" "What do you need to play?" and "The Core Mechanics.
Okay I think I'm calling it done with this title page for the Intro chapter for Skies Above. Just need to do something similar 7 more times for the other elements...this is why I chose simpler art styles for my other TTRPG projects.
it's actually very problematic for you not to let this guy wander into your home to shit on your floor
Do you have any advice on how to navigate this? The games I make are absolutely very setting-heavy, and I'm always worried I'm leaning too hard towards either the story elements or the mechanics elements to the detriment of the other.
It's important to note that this is only really effective towards the *end* of the intro, because you want to lead with the core concept of the game. The touchstones are just to help someone who might be on the fence make the decision on if they're vibing with what you're showing them.
A good adjustment to this that I've been seeing a lot (and implementing in my own work) is including a list of "touchstones" as oart of your intro. Less a "Jaws in Space" and more of a "If you like Jaws and you like Alien, this is probably a game you'll like." Less about content, more about vibes
One well known challenge in writing RPGs is that the rulebook needs to serve multiple purposes. It needs to convey information about the game fiction/setting, instruct the reader how to play AND serve as a reference for the rules once play begins.
That's a tall order.
They know he ambushed Thompson at 6:44 a.m. as the executive arrived at the Hilton for his company's annual investor conference, using a 9 mm pistol that resembled the guns farmers use to put down animals without causing a loud noise. They know ammunition found near Thompson's body bore the words "delay," "deny" and "depose," mimicking a phrase used by insurance industry critics. GUNS FARMERS USE TO PUT DOWN ANIMALS is highlighted by me.
🤔
It's phenomenal and was my teenaged introduction to Cronenbergian style horror.
I also would rec 'Ghost of Chance' for being beautifully weird and horrifying with the surprising moral of conservation of the lemurs of Madagascar.
'My Education: A Book Of Dreams' is also great.
'Junky' has always been my favorite, but I also love 'Queer', and of course 'Naked Lunch' which is his most well-known. The film of Naked Lunch is by David Cronenberg and is *literally* a mesh of the book itself and Burroughs' life— including the circumstances of his wife's death.
If you've never read them, I highly recommend basically all of William S. Burroughs' books. There are some that are just straight memoirs, but the majority of his work is kinda like fictionalized retellings of real experiences of his. There's a lot of surrealist horror stuff in there, too.
Photo of Monopoly money.
Photo of UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter.
MSNBC reports that the backpack found in Central Park, believed to be from the United Healthcare CEO killer, did not contain a gun.
Instead, they found Monopoly money and a jacket.
Very much want to start using this platform more, but I think I need more people to engage with... If you're in the TTRPG space, post thought-provoking discussion topics, or make cool art I can drool over (or all of the above), mind dropping an emoji so I can check you out and turn on notifs?
Eeesh.
"I hope he's remembered for calling the president the n-word, not just for trying to murder his wife in public"
INSPIRING: Person who has multiple unfinished projects starts a new project.
Is it wrong that I walked into my kitchen, found a puddle of water in the middle of the floor and instantly thought, "Sims haunting?"
Omfg these are glorious
This sentence structure is stuck in my head. All day I walk around doing my little tasks thinking
Laundry is goated when clean clothes are the vibe
Peeing is goated when needing to pee is the vibe.
fvck u-hauling, let’s combine our steam libraries after the first date
Oh wow! I love the motion in the chain and waves!
Reproduction of excerpt from Timothy Snyder's book ON TYRANNY: "1. Do not obey in advance. Most of the power of authoritarianism is freely given. In times like these, individuals think ahead about what a more repressive government will want, and then offer themselves without being asked. A citizen who adapts in this way is teaching power what it can do."
As well-meaning publishers try to navigate the coming storm of state laws against diversity, I hope they'll consider Timothy Snyder's Rule #1 (from his slim book ON TYRANNY).
We are stranded on a hostile planet that's orbiting a treacherous star. Everyone and everything we love dies. But yes, I am ready for some football
GROSS!! TERRIBLE! EUGH!
Too poor to contribute, but I'll always share a call for help
Oh my gods
Reskeet to scare a transphobe
Whaaaaaat the fuck
These are all GORGEOUS