Picture from here: https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/celestial-phenomena-16th-century-germany/ Why Beltran the Watcher wants magic and Aida's plan to lure Nisus to his doom. After the wounded were tended and the dead gathered, Kiah and her party found themselves in Fire Bridge's Great Hall. Aida Whitewing sat and listened to her wardens' report. Once they were done, she closed her eyes and let out a shuddering breath. She then regarded Song Hood warmly, "Thank you for

Picture from: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/Medieval_battle.jpg [Enter the Fray: Strong Hit with Match] The Axe Brook warband was engaged in a pitched battle just outside Fire Bridge's pallisade. They clashed with a large force of the city's wardens. The ring of steel and cries of valor, rage, and pain filled the air. Then Kiah's party crashed into them like a hurricane. [Strike: Miss] [Companion Takes Harm] Gruff and Morter dove into the fray together,

I live in Ottawa and so attend Can Games . It's a cozy RPG convention full of friends and plentiful games of all sorts and types. I was there with Doc Steve, the best GM in the Universe, and my wonderful partner Xenotropos . It was there I spied a colorful banner depicting a rabbit knight, with a mace, staring into a space pyramid. Given my banner is a mouse, I was rather intrigued by this adventuresome rodentia. The man at the table was Jordan Richer, the designer of this ne

Picture from here: https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/pictorial-atlas-to-homer-s-iliad-and-odyssey-1892/ Just a few Moves and Kiah finds herself in another war. The party crouched in the plains, observing the city down the hill. It was surrounded by a palisade of wood. There were no buildings larger than one story. The great hall was easy to spot, a giant's skull mounted above the door. The orange light began to fade as the sun set behind the walls. Behind the city wa

Picture from here: https://www.oldbookillustrations.com/illustrations/gorge-royat/ Our party strikes out to Red Hope. Along the way, they run into scouts and awkwardness. Fire Bridge's Great Hall was wide and built with solid stone. It held multiple rooms separated by stone dividers. Kiah and her party met in a back corner to share breakfast and discuss. [Compel: Weak Hit ] "And that's where we are." Kiah finished. The remains of her eggs and hash were before her. She scoope

I've had the great honor of contributing to Laplace Atelier's Ryuutama Campfire Collection. Ryuutama is a Japanese roleplaying game that focuses on travelers making a long journey. A spirit called a Ryuujinn follows them along, collects their stories, and uses these to nurture a dragonling who will grow up to become a Seasonal Dragon. It's about small adventures in a big world. It's great for Studio Gibli-inspired games. It's also perfect if you'd like to run something lik

Picture from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/britishlibrary/11146530436/in/album-72157638906393085 Kiah's iron vow forces her into Fire Bridge/Red Hope politics. [Sourjurn: Weak Hit - Burned Momentum] As Kiah's party approached the open gate, a well-dressed group stepped forward to greet them. At their head was a demure young woman, "Greetings, Kiah Song Hood. Mistress White Wing welcomes you into her domain." Oddly, her eyes were closed. She gestured to the waiting att

Illustration from here: https://www.oldbookillustrations.com/illustrations/skolj-castle/ It turns out Fire Axe wanted to send our party to the gods using the quick way after all. [Forge Bond Is the town a Kiah fan?: Strong Hit] [Undertake Journey: Miss A person or community you trusted loses faith in you, or acts against you . ] [Face Danger: Weak Hit Lose momentum ] The party set off at a brisk pace to the northeast. Just beyond the city they wandered in a vast scrubland. Sh

So...I haven't been working on Orboboros the Brick Kingdom recently. Why? Inspiration, pure and simple. Long ago, I ran a Steve Jackon's In Nomine game, which was simply the best (thanks to my awesome players). As such, I've always wanted to write my own take on the angelic/demonic RPG genre. I just never got to it. Then came Good Omens . Then came Hazbin Hotel . Then fricken Angel Hare . I snapped; I had to do it. And so I did, over the course of a frenzied week. Ever s

Picture from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/britishlibrary/11006650883/in/album-72157642484575704 Kiah finishes her business in Axe Brook and then strikes off on a new adventure! [Augur: Strong Hit - With Momentum - Share, Greed ] [Is the Bandit Camp To The Northeast - Likely: Yes] [Bandit Camp: Shield River - Ravine - Inaccessible] Early the next morning Kiah stood on the edge of Axe Book, her back to the palisade. Before her were a dozen crows. Five stood on the roof

Picture from here: https://www.oldbookillustrations.com/illustrations/cloud-kingdom-opening/ Kiah realizes it'll be a while before she returns home. Ranna stormed from the pavilion. However, Kione the Wise, his party, and Kalina the Fox stayed. Overseer Stone Mark did not seem distressed at all that he had lost the suit. Kalina had stepped aside with her people, and they were in a heated but hushed conversation. Gruff patted Kiah on the shoulder. Owena chuckled and said, "You

Picture from here: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_court_jester_(1906)_(14730359326).jpg Characters whose highest stat is Heart can really shine, if you let them. [Invoke: Strong Hit With a Match] The next morning, Kiah sat on her bench with her eyes closed. She felt currents of magic flowing within her. There was a music to it that filled her with warmth and courage. She opened her eyes to a small crowd around her. Flint, his followers, the servants, the visitors

Image from here: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Banquet_scene_Louvre_G135.jpg A bit of fun at the Althing. Dealing with the Overseer of Axe Brook and finding an unexpected ally. [Oracle: Is the All-Thing in full swing? 50/50: Yes] They spent the night in Oak Eye's hall. The next morning, just as Song Hood was waking up, she was confronted with a well-dressed servant. She held herself with the pride of a great house. "Our overseer, Cadigan Fire Axe, wishes to breakfa

Yes, it's been over a month since I last updated this blog. I was waylaid by inspiration. I was browsing the Ironsworn Discord when I encountered the Elsewhere setting jam . I'm a game designer whose been blogging my Ironsworn game for over a year, so I thought I'd try my hand at writing a setting. It got a little out of hand. 21 assets, 7 locations, and 55 NPCs later, and I've released: Wizards of the Jumble . Let me tell you about it and then I'll get back to my regularly

Picture from here: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arming_warrior_Staatliche_Antikensammlungen_1553_cropped_glare_reduced_white_bg.png Kiah's family drama is far from over. "Hail Gruff!" called a voice across the field. The party turned to see a group of travelers. At their head was a handsome older man whose black beard was neat but streaked with grey. "Hail Flint!" the bright woman called back cheerfully. Gruff smiled and waved. "Whose this?" asked Owena. "Flint, a

Picture from here: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Peter_Schnorr_In_den_Schluchten_des_Balkan_Illustration_056.jpg Storms happen a lot in this game. Granted, they should. Missed journey rolls are an excellent excuse for bad weather. [Fulfill Vow - Sing Praises to Leucia Nightdotter in Wood Hill: Strong Hit ] [Forge Bond -Bleat the Bat: Weak Hit ] [Forge Bond - Wood Hill: Weak Hit ] [Oracle - What Else Do They Want? Avoid War ] Kiah woke up by painful degrees. Every sm

I love the smell of pencil shavings. Though I can't see all the colors, I love painting on canvas. I love seeing sketches slowly become something wonderful. I don't draw. It's not that I can't, I've just never put in the time. However, I admire everyone who does. The work and craftsmanship it takes to make even a single drawing is wonderful to me. I gave my heart to an artist. She still has it. A.I. generative art is soulless. A shortcut that steals wonder and mixes it in a r

Picture from here: https://www.oldbookillustrations.com/illustrations/travelers-lured/ I like a dash of the supernatural in all my games. I'm rather proud of this troll bash. Three massive figures awaited them at the foot of the hill. Their height dwarfed even the mightiest warrior back home. Their hides were rough and knotted. They had scraggly hair and yellow eyes that shone in the dark. "Bold," grumbled one. "Be you the songstress or be you supper?" asked the other, brandi

Picture found here: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jacob_I_Savery_-_Six_Landscapes-_Path_Between_Swamp_and_Wooded_Bank_-_1988.153_-_Cleveland_Museum_of_Art.tif Ironsworn has some of the best travel rules I've ever played with. I loved this little journey. Also, in this session, we get to find out why Gruff doesn't speak. As they struck off from Long Wick, Owena Wolf Mane eyed Kiah and asked, "Whatever happened to getting us all chummy with New Hope?" The masked one k

Picture from here: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Distressed_Poet_MET_DP847426.jpg While finishing my novella, I've been...