Posts of "Not Writing"

Updates & Spooky Action at a Distance

Hey folks!So I recently acquired a copy of Affinity Publisher and I'm working on converting my games to that program so I can put something together that looks better than my efforts in Google Docs. Story Time Frames was my first game I published using that program, and now I've updated Spooky Action at a Distance as well. I've also edited and extended the rules text and provided some ...

Story Time Frames and The World

Hey folks,So, with all the demonstrations happening in the USA and across the world now seems like a bad time to try to promo a game I made. But I also want to make sure that my patrons are given something for their continued support each month when I can. So I'm just gonna put the link here, send $5+ patrons. It's a little rules-light game about telling stories with your friends over soci...

A Dispatch from Prime City

Dear Valued Customer,I hope you and yours are doing well in this troubling time. I am writing to info--Nope, couldn't keep that charade up.So! A wee update for you all.I submitted Neon Black to my first choice of publisher earlier this week. Today I heard back from them and they basically said, "No thanks, but..."They sent me over an extensive list of suggestions and critical feedback ...

Neon Black is Text Complete

Hello my neon-lit friends,Neon Black is now text complete. What does that mean? Well as of right now, there are no major updates or missing pieces in Neon Black. Everything I want in the rules is present and accounted for. There may be fixes and updates in the future but as of right now everything that I've ever had on the to-do list to add to the game is completed. Does this mean the game is ...

Taxes

Hey folks,So Patreon has decided they need to follow local tax laws, and therefore starting July 1st, there will be a tax on pledges that provide tangible benefits (physical and digital goods). The exact tax rate changes based on where you live, but it's between 5% and 15% in most cases.This will likely make my pledge tiers slightly more expensive, since I give tangible benefits at each tier. ...

New Social Media Game Prototype

Hey folks!I have a new game prototype for you all to enjoy! This is something I've been experimenting with on Facebook, Discord, and Twitter and I've been really pleased with the results. I was originally going to post this on itch.io BUT the folks at Game and a Curry are looking for submission for an anthology of games that can be played during the pandemic. I thought this game would be a...

Take off the Mask

Hey folks!Above is my submission for the Open Mic Aid Zine, a compilation of art, photos, games, and writing raising money for theRestaurant Workers’ Community Foundation, a nonprofit based in the USA currently distributing funds directly to restaurant workers laid off from their jobs. I wanted to share what I wrote with you, my patrons, because you deserve good anti-capitalist poetry in your li...

A Torch in the Dark Released!

Psst, hey friends! Over here!Beneath the stone spiral staircase, it's me! Shhhh! This is just for you and me right now.A Torch in the Dark has been released. It's an early version but it is fully playable and really badasss. You can kill undead kings and steal their stuff and you don't have to go outside. It is pretty rad and VERY SOCIALIST.Shit, sorry. Shh!I'm not telling anyone e...

Personal Update and Preview

Hey folks,First of all, I want to thank my new patrons who joined this month, as well as anyone who has purchased my games on itch this last week. Thank you. I was laid off earlier this week, so was my roommate, and about half the people living in my building. I have no idea what the future looks like right now, but you are giving me the security I need to face it. I have no intention of letting m...

A Torch in the Dark Prototype

Hello delvers,Well, in designing Riot in the Stars, my science fiction solo RPG, I started obsessing over a different sort of experience. Something grim and claustrophobic, and very reminiscent of games like The Darkest Dungeon, Diablo, or Slay the Spire. Some part of my brain was telling me that if I wanted to get a better handle on the mechanics of Riot I should make something small.Something da...

In the Fullness of Time - Part Eleven

This is part of a short story I wrote using my solo RPG, Spooky Action at a Distance. This was generated using an earlier version of the game, so the results of the rolls might not line up to the version available now. However I still think this is a neat example of the kinds of stories that can be told with this game. Session 10 - EpilogueNotes from Envoy Burgess’ Personal JournalRecovery of th...

In the Fullness of Time - Part Ten

This is part of a short story I wrote using my solo RPG, Spooky Action at a Distance. This was generated using an earlier version of the game, so the results of the rolls might not line up to the version available now. However I still think this is a neat example of the kinds of stories that can be told with this game. Session 9Roll Result: 12 - The new information changes humanityNotes from Envoy...

In the Fullness of Time - Part Nine

This is part of a short story I wrote using my solo RPG, Spooky Action at a Distance. This was generated using an earlier version of the game, so the results of the rolls might not line up to the version available now. However I still think this is a neat example of the kinds of stories that can be told with this game. Session 89 - The envoy discovers something new about the alienNotes from Envoy ...

In the Fullness of Time - Part Eight

This is part of a short story I wrote using my solo RPG, Spooky Action at a Distance. This was generated using an earlier version of the game, so the results of the rolls might not line up to the version available now. However I still think this is a neat example of the kinds of stories that can be told with this game. Session 7Roll Result: 4 - Humanity becomes restlessNotes from Envoy Burgess’ ...

In the Fullness of Time - Part Seven

This is part of a short story I wrote using my solo RPG, Spooky Action at a Distance. This was generated using an earlier version of the game, so the results of the rolls might not line up to the version available now. However I still think this is a neat example of the kinds of stories that can be told with this game. Session 6Roll Result: 6- The alien actsNotes from Envoy Burgess’ Personal Jou...

In the Fullness of Time - Part Six

This is part of a short story I wrote using my solo RPG, Spooky Action at a Distance. This was generated using an earlier version of the game, so the results of the rolls might not line up to the version available now. However I still think this is a neat example of the kinds of stories that can be told with this game. Session 5Roll Result: 4 - Humanity becomes restlessNotes from Envoy Burgess’ ...

In the Fullness of Time - Part Five

This is part of a short story I wrote using my solo RPG, Spooky Action at a Distance. This was generated using an earlier version of the game, so the results of the rolls might not line up to the version available now. However I still think this is a neat example of the kinds of stories that can be told with this game.Session 4Roll Result: 8 - The envoy does something recklessNotes from Envoy Burg...

In the Fullness of Time - Part Four

This is part of a short story I wrote using my solo RPG, Spooky Action at a Distance. This was generated using an earlier version of the game, so the results of the rolls might not line up to the version available now. However I still think this is a neat example of the kinds of stories that can be told with this game.Session 3Roll Result: 8 - The envoy discovers something new about something othe...

In the Fullness of Time - Part Three

This is part of a short story I wrote using my solo RPG, Spooky Action at a Distance. This was generated using an earlier version of the game, so the results of the rolls might not line up to the version available now. However I still think this is a neat example of the kinds of stories that can be told with this game. Session 2Roll result: 8 - The envoy learns something new about the alienOfficia...

In the Fullness of Time - Part Two

This is part of a short story I wrote using my solo RPG, Spooky Action at a Distance. This was generated using an earlier version of the game, so the results of the rolls might not line up to the version available now. However I still think this is a neat example of the kinds of stories that can be told with this game.Session 1Roll result: 6 - The alien challenges the envoyOfficial Envoy RecordSes...

In The Fullness of Time - Part One

This is a short story I wrote using my solo RPG, Spooky Action at a Distance. This was generated using an earlier version of the game, so the results of the rolls might not line up to the version available now. However I still think this is a neat example of the kinds of stories that can be told with this game.Session 0First ContactRoll result: 2 - The alien appeared seemingly from nowhereA wide s...

Upcoming Projects and Another Story

Hey Patrons,Just wanted to give a general update as we move into March.Work on Riot in the Stars continues. I've made several changes to the original prototype and I'm really happy with how the game is coming together. I'm hoping to have an early access/beta version ready sometime next month when I'll release it on itch.io and for all $10+ backers.I've also started to make some...

The Fall of Aldermark - Chapter 7: Lies

This will be the last of the Fall of Aldermark chapters for a while. Band of Blades is a cool RPG system but there's way too many moving parts for a solo playthrough. I really like the characters and story I've made so far, but I'd like to focus on other projects for a while.***Valeria was hung over. The journey from the Kingfisher Knight’s cave was short and terrifying. No dead cros...

Riot in the Stars Version 2 Prototype

Hey Patrons!Well, coming in at about 40 pages, here's my revised stab at Riot in the Stars, a sandbox style single player tabletop RPG where you can explore a science fiction universe. Most of the core mechanics are in, and there's basically one character and a few places to explore but it's enough to start playing the game and making changes.You can find the pdf attached to this post....

Riot in the Stars Prototype Coming Soon

Hey Rioters,So earlier this month I was saying that I would be putting out another small $5 RPG about being an artificial intelligence. I'm putting that project on the back burner for now. Over the last few weeks, in addition to updating Neon Black, I've been working on Riot in the Stars, a much more substantial solo open world RPG.I should have a prototype of this game ready in the next w...

The Fall of Aldermark - Chapter 6: The Kingfisher Knight

The dead were roaming the hills south of Plainsworth. Gada was preternaturally adept at knowing where and when they would appear. The Dar spy lead the Ghost Owls down the road out of town for a few hours before turning south into the wooded hills outside the town. They had camped for the night before zig-zagging between hunting trails and forging through brush, winding their way up and down the fo...

Neon Black Version 6.0 - HAUNTing

There's a brand new update to Neon Black!This update adds several new changes. For example there's a new special playbook, the HAUNT, which stands for Human Amalgamate United into Neuro-Telepresence. And yes I do love tortured acronyms.There’s also new factions, several updates for the Technology chapter, and slightly different rules for recovery.See the full list of updates and changes ...

The Fall of Aldermark - Chapter Five: Plainsworth

The Legion stood in formation in the middle of their previous camp at the western front. They were ready to march, heading north to the nearby town of Plainsworth. Food, bullets, and other supplies had been loaded onto horse-drawn carts. The banners of each squad hung in the air above them. Before their order to march, Commander Blas had climbed onto the back of one of the carts and addressed the ...

The Fall of Aldermark - Chapter Four: Hidden Signs

Valeria put her shoulder to the door of the church of Mattiar and shoved with everything she had. Arun and the twins joined her and inch by painstaking inch the old wood began to give way. She could make out the sound of benches and chairs protesting against the church's stone floor, someone had barricaded the entrance, hoping to find sanctuary with the Aldermani god. Valeria could have laughe...

The Fall of Aldermark - Chapter Three: The Spy of Karlsburg

Valeria put her shoulder to the door of the church of Mattiar and shoved with everything she had. Arun and the twins joined her and inch by painstaking inch the old wood began to give way. She could make out the sound of benches and chairs protesting against the church's stone floor, someone had barricaded the entrance, hoping to find sanctuary with the Aldermani god. Valeria could have laughe...