Black Stars in a White Sky: Reflections on a Year of Playing the Yellow King RPG

I enjoy writing about games, and I really enjoy writing about games I've had deep engagement with. Most game writing consists of buzzy pieces about hot new things. Those can be fun to read, but honestly, I'm here for the deep dives when I can get them. In that spirit, I offer up my reflections … Continue reading Black Stars in a White Sky: Reflections on a Year of Playing the Yellow King RPG

Let’s Talk Monsters – Fantasy AGE Bestiary Deep Dive – The Letter E

Welcome to my second series of Monster-themed deep dives. In these posts, my son Xander (7) and I will dig down into the what's good and great in the Fantasy AGE Bestiary. Each week you'll see some original art from Xan alongside observations, plot hooks, and other miscellany about each creature. The boy is starting … Continue reading Let’s Talk Monsters – Fantasy AGE Bestiary Deep Dive – The Letter E

Let’s Talk Monsters – Fantasy AGE Bestiary Deep Dive – The Letter D

Welcome to my second series of Monster-themed RPG deep dives! In these posts, my son Xander (7) and I will dig down into what's good and great in the Fantasy AGE Bestiary. Each week you'll see some original art from Xan alongside observations, plot hooks, and other miscellany about each creature. Xander actually helped motivate … Continue reading Let’s Talk Monsters – Fantasy AGE Bestiary Deep Dive – The Letter D

Let’s Talk Monsters – Fantasy AGE Bestiary Deep Dive – The Letter C

Welcome to my second series of Monster-themed deep dives. In these posts, my son Xander (7), and I will dig down into what's good and great in the Fantasy AGE Bestiary. Each week you'll see some original art from Xan alongside observations, plot hooks, and other miscellany about each creature. As a byproduct of my … Continue reading Let’s Talk Monsters – Fantasy AGE Bestiary Deep Dive – The Letter C

Let’s Talk Monsters – Fantasy AGE Bestiary Deep Dive – The Letter B

Welcome to my second series of Monster-themed deep dives! In these posts, my son, Xander (7), and I will dig down into the what's good and great in the Fantasy AGE Bestiary. Each week you'll see some original art from Xan alongside observations, plot hooks, and other miscellany about each creature. I made some cool … Continue reading Let’s Talk Monsters – Fantasy AGE Bestiary Deep Dive – The Letter B

Let’s Talk Monsters – Fantasy AGE Bestiary Deep Dive – The Letter A

Welcome to my second series of Monster-themed deep dives! In these posts, my 7-year-old son Xander and I will dig down into the what's good and great in the Fantasy AGE Bestiary. In each post you'll see some original art from Xan alongside observations, new plot hooks, and other miscellany about the monsters of the … Continue reading Let’s Talk Monsters – Fantasy AGE Bestiary Deep Dive – The Letter A

Let’s Talk Monsters – Fantasy AGE Bestiary Deep Dive – Opening Observations

Welcome to my second series of Monster-themed deep dives. In these posts, my son Xander and I dig down into what's good and great in the creature compendiums that power fantasy role-playing games. If you want a sense of what we'll be up to, please have a look at our work on the 5E D&D … Continue reading Let’s Talk Monsters – Fantasy AGE Bestiary Deep Dive – Opening Observations

Indie Game RPG Review: Mark Diaz Truman & Avery Alder’s The Deep Forest

What is this? This is a map-drawing game. You collectively explore the struggles of a community of monsters, trying to rebuild and heal after driving off the human occupiers. It’s a game about community, difficult choices, and decolonization.  —The Deep Forest This is a review of Mark Diaz Truman & Avery Alder's The Deep Forest. … Continue reading Indie Game RPG Review: Mark Diaz Truman & Avery Alder’s The Deep Forest

Untold: Adventures Await – a Review for Indie Gamers

If you're an Indie Gamer, Untold: Adventures Await is what you breeze past on your way to the RPG rack when the new IPR order comes in. With its reassuring palette of blues, and its cute little Adventure Time-like creatures, it practically screams "fun for the whole family!" But you're in luck, dear Reader. I … Continue reading Untold: Adventures Await – a Review for Indie Gamers