About
"[L]et me resurrect my demons, darling... Let me fall and winter over; let me grow cold and dream again..." —Equinox fall by Wil Peregrine…
gamer, writer, critic
"[L]et me resurrect my demons, darling... Let me fall and winter over; let me grow cold and dream again..." —Equinox fall by Wil Peregrine…
After the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, protesters across the U.S. have pushed for cities to de-fund their police departments, if not disband them entirely. Already this week, the Minneapolis city council has pledged to dismantle its police department. While many grapple with what it would mean to abolish the police entirely (in … Continue reading Defunding the police: Is it enough?
We must support, listen to, and learn from our fellow black and brown human beings during this state of emergency. We know racism is deeply rooted in this country. We must publicly acknowledge institutionalized violence against people of color and support positive change. I’m not writing to explain why “all lives matter” is an offensive … Continue reading To (white) family & friends:
Thanks to a successful Kickstarter for the new tabletop RPG, The Curse of the House of Rookwood is already available to backers as a pdf and scheduled for print late spring. In addition to the core rule book, Nerdy Pup Games is also publishing scenarios (written by a number of contributors, myself included) that explore alternate takes on Rookwood’s otherwise British Gothic setting.
I’ll confess, right now I just want to share my excitement about several new titles released in the past year or so… Let me also confess that I feel a bit biased as a fan of Modiphius Entertainment, because they’re publishing and distributing some of my favorite RPGs, all by Swedish game designers: Mutant: Year Zero, Symbaroum, and Kult: Divinity Lost.
One of my most memorable experiences, while working at Longfellow Books in downtown Portland, Maine, echoes in my mind 14 years later, as I contemplate how I invest my creative energy and what future I may still have as a writer.
I’ve recently become infatuated with a new-ish roleplaying game called Symbaroum. Like Mutant Year Zero, it’s the product of a Swedish game studio (Järnringen), distributed by Modiphius Entertainment, but dark fantasy rather than post-apocalyptic.
While I haven’t kept up with blogging—it’s been, what, four months since my last post about RPG development?—I have been writing, and within the past two weeks, almost every day. Progress still feels slow, but as my friend Addison keeps telling me, “One inch punch.” I’ve bounced around a lot with game development. It felt … Continue reading Tempeste: Introductions
I haven’t always been a fan of character classes in RPGs (e.g. fighter, thief, wizard), but ultimately, my issue has been with needlessly complex leveling mechanics and the over-compartmentalization of character abilities. Yes, I prefer skill-based RPGs. But even in skill-based RPGs, it’s helpful to have a guideline for character advancement and to identify a … Continue reading “Be my Angel, cuz you need me…”
Because Every Word Matters
Uncensored updates on world events, economics, the environment and medicine
A Fan Site for the Star Trek Adventures RPG by Modiphius
Tabletop Gaming Finery
Roleplaying with Doctor Who!
Exploring KULT: Divinity Lost