Some tips for breaking into tabletop RPG design! (1/9)

To create an RPG, you must first WRITE one. Pick a concept and go for it. Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Just get something on the page. Your journey begins with that first paragraph.

#TTRPGdesign #GameDev #RPGdesign #IndieRPG

Sometimes we’re unsatisfied with a thing we made because when it only existed in our head, we saw all the things it could have been and when it’s done we know all the things that it isn’t, but we can’t see the way it expands into a million new things when someone else unpacks it in their head. 🖊️🦑

We're both really proud of this and would love if you checked it out! It's free at this link:
celestepluto.itch.io/trans-on-tra...
#transrepjam

For the 2025 Trans Representation Game Jam, my friend @judithstafford.bsky.social and I made a ttrpg! It's called Trans on Trains and is about if the Infinity Train existed but specifically to crack your egg
@transrepjam.bsky.social
#transrepjam

Anyways, hi I'm doing all this posting because I have a game being entered in the 2025 #transrepjam ! It's called Trans on Trains and it is a collaboration with my friend @judithstafford.bsky.social
It'll be uploaded soon, so look forward to seeing that!

god i'm so used to tumblr where i don't have character limits. i do not miss the character limits! i am to verbose to be easily constrained!

If you want to play this playbook in your own Interstitial 2E campaign, you can download it for free at my itch page here. It is available as a pdf *and* as a Google Sheet character sheet
celestepluto.itch.io/the-runaway
#InterstitialJam

And that move title helped me to find the design for the thumbnail of this playbook! So it all worked out in the end!

I based the move Feeling Closer to the Stars on a lyric from the band half🞄alive. The lyric itself is from their song "still feel." but i forgot and thought it was included in their song "RUNAWAY" which is why I included it here. I still think it fits well

I also based this heavily on The Doctor, specifically the Ninth Doctor. Someone good at running away always has an escape plan, which led to the moves Getting Out of Dodge and Feeling Closer to the Stars

I loved the idea of destiny pursuing you while also needing you to be a certain way. Sometimes you run far enough and fast enough that you become someone different in the process. Your destiny needs you to be a man, but if you aren't one, will it even recognize you anymore?

I had just finished reading the visual novel Heart of the Woods, which provided a lot of inspiration. Morgan is in line to be the next host of an evil spirit who has wanted her to be a certain way. When the spirit is defeated, Morgan completely changes her appearance and vibes.

When I told my girlfriend I was making a Playbook and what it was about, she immediately pointed out the transness in the idea. So I leaned in and did what no other playbook dared to do - make pronouns a game mechanic

My first design project was a custom Playbook for the #InterstitialJam called The Runaway.
My goal, beyond just making a first project, was to capture the idea of running from your own destiny. Base game playbooks like The Chosen are about destiny, but not about breaking free from it

Howdy! I've been a ttrpg GM for almost 5 years, and I'm starting to get into game design as well. I have a few projects under my belt and would love to connect with others in this space!

Everything I've published is on my itch page at celestepluto.itch.io