Of course, hat tip to @acoupleofdrakes.bsky.social for writing Court of Blades, which is a brilliant game, independent of BitD and any mash-up.

As I daydream about new variations on the traditional setting, I've been thinking about what happens when the traditional factions are dramatically stronger/weaker. Like in this version where the power is all in the hands of organized crime and there is effectively not law enforcement/blue coats.

Today I ran a one-shot of Blades in the Dark that mashed in the setting of Court of Blades. An industrial version of Ilrien where noble houses have evolved into crime families. It brought together two settings I love & allowed my players to explore new dynamics w/ the balance of power & factions.

Seconded. Great designs and the POD quality is really good!

I use an ereader for rule books when I’m traveling and don’t want to carry around a bunch of heavy books. I have an Amazon Kindle tablet and open the PDFs in the Kindle app.

I'd also like to tip my hat to @dysonlogos.bsky.social for inspiring this process a few years ago and to @glasscannonnetwork.bsky.social for the continued exposure to new games that are high on my list to play (Pendragon started this year, Twilight 2000).

For 2026, my regular gaming group has expressed that they like random one shots, which aligns well with my continued acquisition of more, new games than I can play. My hope is that I'll be able to organize a longer-term, West Marches game for Blades in the Dark.

2025 saw continued diversity of games with a focus on playing more at Gen Con, several great one shots at @startplaying.bsky.social along with the continuing Call of Cthulhu game.

I think the grading is too harsh but I generally agree with the review. But the nice thing about TTRPGs is that you can pick and choose what you want to incorporate.

I also appreciate Harper pushing the game even if some of the mechanics aren’t to my particular (peculiar) tastes.

Gender Affirming Wardrobe Help Rowan University raise $1,000 for the project: Gender Affirming Wardrobe. Your gift will make a difference!

Friends! This week, Rowan's Gender Affirming Wardrobe project is running a fundraising campaign at giving.rowan.edu/project/48526. If you can, maybe toss in a couple bucks to help this project organize donations and buy things that don't/shouldn't get donated (like binders and makeup).

Sounds like a good topic on a future ComicLab.

Congratulations Chris! You’ve been a great and positive force in the gaming world. Hopefully you’ll find new and fun ways to share your creativity!

I’m looking forward to it!

The Mouse Guard RPG is one of the best games ever published (IMHO). I hope someday there will be more material for it (along with more comics).

I have a similar recurring dream about being on a low flying plan going between buildings and anticipating a crash. I’ve chalked it up to anxiety, a feeling of helplessness or lack of control.

Oddly, I travel a lot for work and have no fear of flying. But in dreams it’s consistently terrifying.

Surviving Creativity was such a great show! You, Cory and Scott had great chemistry and consistently interesting conversations.

The Dune rpg is great! More DNA in common with indie rules sets than crunchier, trad games in my opinion.

The setting is dense but still very accessible even if you haven’t read the novels.

This is such a fun thread! That Excalibur would definitely be at the top of my shares. The combination of Claremont, Davis and Neary was a powerhouse.

The Iron Kingdoms RPG has a character system where you choose two careers from a long list to create a distinct combination. So you count be an Aristocrat/Gun Mage or Gun Mage/Knight or Knight/Alchemist.

Not every combination would make sense but the juxtaposition created very flavorful options.

The streams are really fun and inspirational. I just need more time to watch them/keep up.

When I see your streams, I think inking looks effortless for you. So fast & confident.

Reminds me of a (probably apocryphal) story of a woman asking Picasso for a drawing. He jotted down a few lines & asked for $10k. She said "that only took you a minute" and he replied "Madam, it took a lifetime."

I think Blades in the Dark is at the top of my list for next year. In addition to all of the new content that just dropped, it's such a rich, open game that lends itself to replay & reimagining.

Court of Blades, Sea of Dead Men, Alien, Dune, Walking Dead are all on deck too. Should be a good year!

And so I have the thread all in one place - here are the previous years.

In 2025, I'm hoping to get back into the GM chair with Blades in the Dark, Court of Blades and/or Sea of Dead Men (or mash-ups thereof). Plus a good bit of Call of Cthulhu, Free League and Modiphius games rolled in.

My annual RPG reflection carried over from other platforms. 2024 saw a good mix of games through regular friend's CofC campaign, Gen Con and @startplaying.bsky.social (with a push of one shots on the latter at the end of the year).

This is a brilliant concept! Can't wait to hear it!

When I joined Bluesky a few months ago, @evil-inc.com and @davekellett.bsky.social were the first two folks I sought to follow. In addition to being talented creators in their own right, their podcast together #comiclab is consistently inspirational and genuinely funny. A highlight of every week.

When I was in high school in the late 80s/early 90s we had “Gamers Guild.” “D&D Club” is nice and evocative plus most non-players know what will be (generally). The challenge is there’s so many other wonderful games to be played but I’m sure no one will kick you out for branching out.