Player’s view of a dungeon battle map with wooden chests leading toward a dark creature miniature on a throne. Red lights glow at the front of the DM screen, creating a dramatic atmosphere for the tabletop scene.

Before a session begins, the table tells a story too.

This setup was part of my preparation for AthVentureCon — testing how the table looks from the player’s point of view, adjusting lighting, placement, and atmosphere.

The Deaf DM™ - Stories You Can See

#TTRPG #DnD #DungeonMaster #AthVentureCon

AthVentureCon 4 Gamemaster items arranged on a Sword Coast XXL mousemat: branded travel mug, 2026 Gamemaster badge with teal lanyard, convention booklet, event pin, and large ATH 4 CON sticker.

AthVentureCon 4.
Two sessions run.
NEG stints.
Conversations between tables.
Laid out the badge, mug, booklet, sticker, and pin on the Sword Coast mat.
A reminder of the work behind the screen.
Grateful to everyone who sat at my table.
The Deaf DM™ · Stories You Can See
#AthVentureCon #DeafDM

Quiet room table setup for House of Madness at AthVentureCon. A DM screen stands at the end of the table with coloured lighting glowing in front of it. Four identical small chests sit on the table. Dice and notes are neatly arranged, creating a dramatic and focused atmosphere.

House of Madness.
Four identical chests.
No hints.
They chose Truth immediately.
Blue light.
Silence.
Weight.
Not every ending needs combat.
The Deaf DM™ · Stories You Can See

#AthVentureCon
#HouseOfMadness
#TTRPG
#DungeonMaster
#DeafDM

Photo of the Never Ending Gory table in the Great Hall at AthVentureCon. A tactical D&D 5e battle map with terrain and miniatures placed across the grid. Player character sheets are visible on the table during a fast-paced battle royale session.

First stint at the Never Ending Gory table this weekend.
Fast combat. Random spawns. No initiative. No hiding HP.
Alliances don’t last long.
Ran longer than planned — worth it.
Sharp. Energising. Different rhythm from my story tables.
The Deaf DM™ · Stories You Can See
#AthVentureCon #DND5e

Photo of a black backpack resting on a wooden table in a hotel room. A blue AthVentureCon lanyard with a participant badge hangs over the front of the bag. The badge displays the event logo and number 4, signalling arrival and check-in for the convention weekend.

Checked in.
Let’s begin.
The Deaf DM™ · Stories You Can See
#AthVentureCon #DeafDM #TTRPG

Photo of packed convention gear arranged neatly on a bed. Two tote bags and a black backpack sit behind a custom black-and-gold Deaf DM screen. In front are folded black “The Deaf DM” T-shirts with a gold D20 logo, a fan of black-and-gold business cards, a leather card holder, two small boxed accessories, and a black top hat partially visible in a bag. The layout is symmetrical and organised, showing preparation for AthVentureCon.

Packed and ready.
Returning to AthVentureCon — this time wearing my own colours.
The table is set.
See you soon @athventurecon 🎲
The Deaf DM™ · Stories You Can See
#AthVentureCon #DeafDM #IrishTTRPG #DungeonMaster #StoriesYouCanSee

Several packed bags arranged on a desk covered with a Sword Coast XXL mousemat. A white reusable shopping bag with “MORE FOR YOU” printed in bold black letters sits beside a black backpack. A black bag is placed next to the white bag. In front of the backpack is a black Deaf DM™ DM screen with a gold logo and tagline. A soft shopping bag with blue handles rests on top of the backpack. The setup shows gear prepared and ready for AthVentureCon.

Packed. Prepared. Ready.
Three stories.
Three bags.
One weekend.
The quiet room.
The Great Hall.
Mini Adventurers and madness.
Everything has its place.
Everything has a purpose.
AthVentureCon is almost here.
(The Deaf DM™ · Stories You Can See)

#TheDeafDM #AthVentureCon #TTRPG #VisualStorytelling

Four miniature lanterns are arranged on a fantasy map, with four closed wooden chests and a red demonic portal prop placed behind them. The setup shows multiple physical storytelling tools prepared for different tabletop role-playing scenes before play begins.

Different stories need different tools.
Light. Choice. Consequence.
The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See

#DeafDM #TabletopStorytelling #VisualStorytelling #TTRPG #AthVentureCon

Exciting range of systems for AthVentureCon 4, going to be an incredible weekend.
Looking forward to playing and running games with everyone.
#athventurecon

Four identical wooden treasure chests arranged in a neat row on a tabletop. Each chest is closed and made of dark wood with brass fittings. They are practical props used for the Deaf DM’s “House of Madness” puzzle encounter.

Four choices. Four fates.

These chests are part of House of Madness — the puzzle that decides whether your party faces battle, escape, truth… or something far worse.

Props matter. Atmosphere matters.

Stories you can see — The Deaf DM™

#TTRPG #DnD5e #DeafDM #GMProps #AthVentureCon

A warm-toned tabletop scene with a vintage map as the background. A pouch of metal coins, a plush D20, and a wooden dice tray are arranged together — the tools of cinematic storytelling.

Props aren’t decoration — they’re language.
Every coin, pouch, and D20 becomes part of the cinematic rhythm.
— @thedeafdm.bsky.social
#DeafDM #TabletopCinema #StoryInMotion #CinematicTTRPG #AthventureCon

Exciting news - AthVentureCon IV has been booked!

Mark your calendars and we will see you once again at the @loughreahotelandspa on 21 & 22 February, 2026!

#athventurecon #athcon4

Day 2 of #Athventurecon over.
I got to be a character in a Star Trek adventure, and a Vulcan no less. And cried (such a beautiful story).
I also got to play Honey Heist in front of an audience.
And finally, had the time of my life GMing 5 amazing complete strangers, all new to Candela Obscura.

Tomorrow I'm heading down to @athventurecon.bluesky.social where you can pick up a limited print of the map I made for it (only 20 copies available). All proceeds go towards #athenryadventurers youth charity

You can find them at the merch stand in the bazaar.

#athventurecon #fantasymap #ttrpg #rpg

Even if cosplay isn't your thing, the showcase will be in the main games hall between game sessions 1&2 so everyone can come and cheer the participants on!

#athventurecon
#athcon3
#irishcosplay
#irishconvention
#irishttrpg

They've also discussed their trip here on a recent video, so pop over to their YouTube channel and check it out! youtu.be/ujvBA5g1qe8?...

#athcon3
#athventurecon
#dopesanddragons
#irishttrpg
#dnd5e
#irishconvention
#galwayevents

a group of people standing on a track with the words how to hide from cops below them ALT: a group of people standing on a track with the words how to hide from cops below them

And here's something a little bit different!

Take on the role of a monster, sneak into #AthVentureCon and steal the priceless AthVentureCon cup!

Using the player friendly Honey Heist rules long time supporter of #AthCon GM Keith A will lead the party thru what they hope will be the perfect heist!

A black and white bookmark featuring a lengthways Celtic Knot symbol.

AthVentureCon #6 :

A Celtic Knot bookmark by bmgartbox.

#manga #athventurecon #galway #anime

A black and white image of a human heart, with capilliaries, veins, and arteries, with a shining light emanating from behind.

AthVentureCon #5 :

A biologically accurate heart by charlies_trinkets.

#galway #athventurecon #manga #anime

A forlorn looking tree creature walking through a swamp.

AthventureCon #4 :

A tree creature by martachanart.

#athventurecon #galway #manga #anime

A sticker featuring the main cast from the 80's animated tv show Dungeons and Dragons.

AthventureCon # 3 :

Dungeons and Dragons tv show sticker from Cosplay Props Eire.

#galway #athventurecon #anime #manga

Plusle and Minun from Pokémon. Plusle is sleeping on top of a sleeping Minun.

AthVentureCon #2 :

Plusle and Mini, by windmillwolf.

#athventurecon #galway #anime #manga

A hand drawn photo of Appa, the flying bison from Avatar : The Last Airbender, flying through the sky during the day without saddle or riders, with a mountain scenery and a full moon in the background.

I know I'm late, but here's some AthVentureCon purchases :

#1, Appa by bedoph2212.

#athventurecon #galway #anime #manga

A small red and yellow dragon figurine. They guarded the panelists room from intruders.

A guest book for AthVentureCon that many people signed, and also a page for suggesting names for the inflatable dragon.

An AthVentureCon weekend lanyard, with the logo printed on it.

A huge thank you to all of the folks that made AthVentureCon 2024 so excellent!

Panelists, game masters, comittee, volunteers, vendors, and all of the guests. Hope to see ye all again next year!

#AthVentureCon #ttrpg #galway #alttext

A view of Lough Rea from the top floor of Loughrea Hotel & Spa.

A giant inflatable black and green dragon, probably named Johnathan.

I had a great time at AthVentureCon today! Day 1 was packed with all sorts of awesome stuff. The panels on narrative writing and being game masters were especially good.

#AthVentureCon #ttrpg #galway