I recently ran Trophy Dark using the incursion "The Giant's Carcass". If you just want to watch the actual play, it's embedded further down in this post. First, though, a few words about the game. Thoughts on Trophy Dark Trophy Dark is a one-shot game with very light rules and very dark themes, published by … Continue reading Running Trophy Dark: A Giant’s Carcass
At one of the PAX Unplugged panels on racism in TTRPGs this weekend, something was said that sort of crystallized some thoughts I've had floating around in my head about making sure my games aren't all white folks. it's not enough to do an "open call" - I need to reach out specifically to folks … Continue reading Thinking about active invitations
My new Blades in the Dark streamed campaign launched this weekend! The video is at the end of the post, but I'll summarize things here. Doskvol, by John Harper, based on "Shipping on the Clyde (1881)" by John Atkinson Grimshaw First, we ran through safety tools. We talked about the CATS method: Concept, Aim, Tone, … Continue reading Doskvol Dalliances: Session 1
NB: Based on a discussion I had in a local gaming Discord. A friend asked whether I have ever played in or run a game where players could indicate that they were uncomfortable with certain themes or topics that came up during the game. As previously noted, I use X cards and Lines & Veils … Continue reading The value of safety tools
NB: I wrote the following last summer in preparation for new campaigns. I am posting it here as a place to point people when I'm in that situation. "Prosperous Pirates" by Josh Hass ...Respect other players as people with a valuable set of experiences and perspectives. This means never giving anyone a reason to think … Continue reading My ideal fellow players…
As the Variant Roles Dragon Heist "mega campaign" has ended, I've started to think about what I want to do next. While we're still planning for Dungeon of the Mad Mage, that doesn't stop me from thinking about a homebrew dungeon-focused campaign. Principles In the meantime, planning has begun! I don't know yet if this will consist … Continue reading Principles and ideas for a dungeon campaign
Regardless of the game you're playing, from Dungeons and Dragons to Downfall (more to say about that one in a few days), safety tools in role-playing games matter. In most cases, we don't play to work out our traumas. If you do, that should definitely be in consultation with an appropriate professional - and you'll … Continue reading Implementing the X card in Roll20
I have asked my new Krevborna group to think in advance about the idea of lines and veils. This concept has a lot written about it, but the fundamental concepts are really straightforward. And the goal is even more so: make everyone at the (virtual) table feel comfortable and able to enjoy the game fully. Lines … Continue reading Lines and veils in Krevborna
Technoskald's Forge 