𝖂.𝕯.
@icastlight.bsky.social
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@icastlight.bsky.social
· Sep 23
WHY MEGADUNGEONS? A Campaign Structure for Modern Lives
Why Megadungeons? Over on the Prismatic Wasteland Discord, a member asked essentially, "Why megadungeons?" This is a good perennial questi...
icastlight.blogspot.com
"Why megadungeons?" My pitch is that they are a campaign format that concentrates ideas, maximizes novelty, uses familiarity to advantage, and can be run in 2-4 hour sessions. Plus, between Silk Song and Delicious in Dungeon- everyone knows what they are! icastlight.blogspot.com/2025/09/why-...
Proof your fantasy religions are not wilder than actual practices-- are *your* clerics saving up for a silver+bronze ritual drinking vessel? Why not?
Wild Boar silver-gilt rhyton
Sasanian Empire
600 CE
A rhyton is a ritual drinking vessel.
The Sasanian Empire (224–651 CE) was the last pre-Islamic Persian empire. Zoroastrianism was the state religion. Conquered by Arab-Muslim invaders in 651 CE.
#persia #rhyton #wildboar #giltsilver #sasanian
Sasanian Empire
600 CE
A rhyton is a ritual drinking vessel.
The Sasanian Empire (224–651 CE) was the last pre-Islamic Persian empire. Zoroastrianism was the state religion. Conquered by Arab-Muslim invaders in 651 CE.
#persia #rhyton #wildboar #giltsilver #sasanian
February 14, 2026 at 11:50 PM
Proof your fantasy religions are not wilder than actual practices-- are *your* clerics saving up for a silver+bronze ritual drinking vessel? Why not?
Reposted by 𝖂.𝕯.
I wrote a d100 random advancement table for humans. Ostensibly for my Middle-earth Hexcrawl ruleset, I think this could easily be used for any fantasy adventure game. As I think that humans are the most warlike of peoples, this list could be used for your fighter random advancements:
Random Human Advancement
When you level up, you gain a random benefit based on your race or class. Here's what humans get. You can either roll a d9 for your culture ...
riseupcomus.blogspot.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:16 PM
I wrote a d100 random advancement table for humans. Ostensibly for my Middle-earth Hexcrawl ruleset, I think this could easily be used for any fantasy adventure game. As I think that humans are the most warlike of peoples, this list could be used for your fighter random advancements:
When you have multiple dungeon entrances, I think it best to present them in away that highlights differences & provides clues to what’s in the room behind them— this allows impactful PC choice (and even poor *human* illos can be fun, so draw your own stuff unabashedly)
February 13, 2026 at 3:45 AM
When you have multiple dungeon entrances, I think it best to present them in away that highlights differences & provides clues to what’s in the room behind them— this allows impactful PC choice (and even poor *human* illos can be fun, so draw your own stuff unabashedly)
Glad “Why Megadungeons?” Resonates with folks
Reading and LISTENING to the bloggies!
Favs so far:
The 10 types of special rooms @traipsehex.bsky.social
Writing rooms in pairs @sean.tuesdayknightgames.com
WHY MEGADUNGEONS? @icastlight.bsky.social
Dealing With NPCs Should Be Expensive and Irritating @forlornencystment.bsky.social
Favs so far:
The 10 types of special rooms @traipsehex.bsky.social
Writing rooms in pairs @sean.tuesdayknightgames.com
WHY MEGADUNGEONS? @icastlight.bsky.social
Dealing With NPCs Should Be Expensive and Irritating @forlornencystment.bsky.social
In a stunning reversal of the civilizational transition from orality to literacy, the bloggie nominees are becoming audio.
Thank you @directsun.bsky.social for the stellar job narrating my post! You navigated my tongue-twisting typos with admirable alacrity. podcast.bloggies.org
Thank you @directsun.bsky.social for the stellar job narrating my post! You navigated my tongue-twisting typos with admirable alacrity. podcast.bloggies.org
February 13, 2026 at 1:13 AM
Glad “Why Megadungeons?” Resonates with folks
Reposted by 𝖂.𝕯.
My takeaway here is that we’re not, by and large, and industry. We’re a hobby, and we should act like hobbyists sharing something they love, not capitalists trying to out-grow each other.
Five Tiers of RPG Publishing
Hasbro’s annual earnings came out this week, so I took a look. It is truly staggering how much Wizards of the Coast has changed the company since they were acquired; when looking at unadjusted earnings the Wizards of the Coast and Digital Games division was the only…
Hasbro’s annual earnings came out this week, so I took a look. It is truly staggering how much Wizards of the Coast has changed the company since they were acquired; when looking at unadjusted earnings the Wizards of the Coast and Digital Games division was the only…
Five Tiers of RPG Publishing
Hasbro’s annual earnings came out this week, so I took a look. It is truly staggering how much Wizards of the Coast has changed the company since they were acquired; when looking at unadjusted earnings the Wizards of the Coast and Digital Games division was the only one that turned a profit in the entire company. Not only that, but Wizards is responsible for roughly 47% of the entire company’s revenue and over 90% of all revenue growth over the last year.
cannibalhalflinggaming.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:34 AM
My takeaway here is that we’re not, by and large, and industry. We’re a hobby, and we should act like hobbyists sharing something they love, not capitalists trying to out-grow each other.
The Inq28 scene has similar energy to the OSR when I first joined it. Mordheim feels like the BX of Inq28, but I've turned toward Forbidden Psalms as a quick entry. However, there is still something about Mordheim that is alluring: icastlight.blogspot.com/2026/02/psal...
PSALMS FOR MORDHEIM: Smash Bashing The New And Old Together
Look at this crew! Who doesn't want to play the motley band of weirdos?! Mordheim: 99% Falling Rules 01% Grotesque Vibes This post is one...
icastlight.blogspot.com
February 11, 2026 at 2:12 PM
The Inq28 scene has similar energy to the OSR when I first joined it. Mordheim feels like the BX of Inq28, but I've turned toward Forbidden Psalms as a quick entry. However, there is still something about Mordheim that is alluring: icastlight.blogspot.com/2026/02/psal...
ℌ𝔢𝔞𝔯 𝔱𝔥𝔶 𝔅𝔩🔮𝔤𝔰!
Wow. This is pretty awesome that folks have recorded all the blog posts for this year's Bloggies in vein of @linkskywalker.bsky.social Blogs on Tape!
So load these up for your daily walk, run, automated task, travel, or kit-bashing binge. Its never been easier to stay informed
Wow. This is pretty awesome that folks have recorded all the blog posts for this year's Bloggies in vein of @linkskywalker.bsky.social Blogs on Tape!
So load these up for your daily walk, run, automated task, travel, or kit-bashing binge. Its never been easier to stay informed
Blog enthusiasts!
It's been a huge community effort. We're proud to present WE READ THE BLOGGIES.
The year's best blogging coming to you - in audio form.
A show to SAVE YOUR EYES and SOOTHE YOUR EARS.
Catch up on all your Bloggies reading before voting commences next week!
#ttrpg #podcast #blog
It's been a huge community effort. We're proud to present WE READ THE BLOGGIES.
The year's best blogging coming to you - in audio form.
A show to SAVE YOUR EYES and SOOTHE YOUR EARS.
Catch up on all your Bloggies reading before voting commences next week!
#ttrpg #podcast #blog
We Read The Bloggies
Games Podcast · We’re volunteers turning Bloggies-nominated blog posts into audio. So you can enjoy them anywhere, in a more accessible format.
podcasts.apple.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:46 AM
ℌ𝔢𝔞𝔯 𝔱𝔥𝔶 𝔅𝔩🔮𝔤𝔰!
Wow. This is pretty awesome that folks have recorded all the blog posts for this year's Bloggies in vein of @linkskywalker.bsky.social Blogs on Tape!
So load these up for your daily walk, run, automated task, travel, or kit-bashing binge. Its never been easier to stay informed
Wow. This is pretty awesome that folks have recorded all the blog posts for this year's Bloggies in vein of @linkskywalker.bsky.social Blogs on Tape!
So load these up for your daily walk, run, automated task, travel, or kit-bashing binge. Its never been easier to stay informed
After about 2-3 rounds of trial and error, I think I've got a paint scheme that is serviceable... now to paint this terrain and PLAY
PLAY being the 1️⃣🏆 to doing all this!
PLAY being the 1️⃣🏆 to doing all this!
February 10, 2026 at 3:59 PM
After about 2-3 rounds of trial and error, I think I've got a paint scheme that is serviceable... now to paint this terrain and PLAY
PLAY being the 1️⃣🏆 to doing all this!
PLAY being the 1️⃣🏆 to doing all this!
𝔓𝔬𝔫𝔡𝔢𝔯 𝔱𝔥𝔶 𝔅𝔩🔮𝔤𝔰
Some of the best writing in the RPG blogging space!
I have two pieces in the running, but Clayton has done a nice job with the brackets so check out all the other quality there.
Some of the best writing in the RPG blogging space!
I have two pieces in the running, but Clayton has done a nice job with the brackets so check out all the other quality there.
The Bloggies Nominees are here!
We are 1 week away from voting, so I need everyone's help spreading the word. Congrats to all the nominees and blogs submitted—this last year was incredible. Forming the lists was equal parts rewarding and painful.
www.explorersdesign.com/this-years-b...
We are 1 week away from voting, so I need everyone's help spreading the word. Congrats to all the nominees and blogs submitted—this last year was incredible. Forming the lists was equal parts rewarding and painful.
www.explorersdesign.com/this-years-b...
This year's Bloggies Nominees
Over 90+ blog posts. And a surprise category for 2026.
www.explorersdesign.com
February 9, 2026 at 4:41 PM
𝔓𝔬𝔫𝔡𝔢𝔯 𝔱𝔥𝔶 𝔅𝔩🔮𝔤𝔰
Some of the best writing in the RPG blogging space!
I have two pieces in the running, but Clayton has done a nice job with the brackets so check out all the other quality there.
Some of the best writing in the RPG blogging space!
I have two pieces in the running, but Clayton has done a nice job with the brackets so check out all the other quality there.
Got spooked about trying out mod Podge + paint on my terrain so whipped up a test piece real quick
February 9, 2026 at 1:45 AM
Got spooked about trying out mod Podge + paint on my terrain so whipped up a test piece real quick
Oh! We got crow-donkeys too!
February 8, 2026 at 3:03 AM
Oh! We got crow-donkeys too!
Tower Dungeon 4️⃣
We got mouse people 🐁 y’all!
We got mouse people 🐁 y’all!
February 8, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Tower Dungeon 4️⃣
We got mouse people 🐁 y’all!
We got mouse people 🐁 y’all!
Reading Katabasis R. F. Kuang, and from a dungeoneering perspective these two main characters are seemingly underprepared for a sojourn to Hell. No Shepard’s cane to touch/hit stuff with distance, no rope or grapple hook, and no iron spike- but they do have chalk!
February 7, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Reading Katabasis R. F. Kuang, and from a dungeoneering perspective these two main characters are seemingly underprepared for a sojourn to Hell. No Shepard’s cane to touch/hit stuff with distance, no rope or grapple hook, and no iron spike- but they do have chalk!
A little bit of microblogging covering death rules, hexcrawling, PC relationships, and blogging on Shadow Over Mordor’s Nemesis system! icastlight.blogspot.com/2026/02/torc...
TORCHES (6): A RPG Microblog Collection 8
The Ultimate Warrior! Over at Save vs. Total Party Kill, Ram discusses a quick rule for determining death or unconsciousness at 0 hp or b...
icastlight.blogspot.com
February 3, 2026 at 4:45 PM
A little bit of microblogging covering death rules, hexcrawling, PC relationships, and blogging on Shadow Over Mordor’s Nemesis system! icastlight.blogspot.com/2026/02/torc...
Okay these are good freaks 🌙!
Ok, I reckon you freaks are going to love these… Moonblins, sculpted by @uollas.bsky.social, produced by @meridianminiatures.bsky.social, logo by the wonderful Gabriele Cardosi & on Kickstarter now…
Also whilst we’re at it, had a quick look at the Meridian site and they’ve added some bangers…
Also whilst we’re at it, had a quick look at the Meridian site and they’ve added some bangers…
Moonblins by Marcello Rizza
A new collection of Tabletop Miniatures for Gamers, Collectors and Painters.
www.kickstarter.com
February 3, 2026 at 3:52 PM
Okay these are good freaks 🌙!
765 submissions. And people say blogging is dead...bah!
𝔓𝔬𝔫𝔡𝔢𝔯 𝔱𝔥𝔶 𝔅𝔩🔮𝔤𝔰
𝔓𝔬𝔫𝔡𝔢𝔯 𝔱𝔥𝔶 𝔅𝔩🔮𝔤𝔰
The Bloggies 2026 submissions are officially closed. Get ready for the nominations next Monday.
You can get the full schedule and submissions breakdown here:
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-sub...
You can get the full schedule and submissions breakdown here:
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-sub...
What's Next After Submissions?
The Bloggies' 2026 submissions are closed. Here's what's next...
www.explorersdesign.com
February 2, 2026 at 11:24 PM
765 submissions. And people say blogging is dead...bah!
𝔓𝔬𝔫𝔡𝔢𝔯 𝔱𝔥𝔶 𝔅𝔩🔮𝔤𝔰
𝔓𝔬𝔫𝔡𝔢𝔯 𝔱𝔥𝔶 𝔅𝔩🔮𝔤𝔰
Images like this are what I imagine is 50% of what INTO THE ODD's world looks like.
#SundayReads: Hugh Aldersey-Williams tours the sublime and mostly unrealized designs of Étienne-Louis Boullée and Claude-Nicolas Ledoux, discovering utopian ideals crafted in cubes, spheres, and pyramids: https://publicdomainreview.org/essay/designing-the-sublime
February 1, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Images like this are what I imagine is 50% of what INTO THE ODD's world looks like.
Human Organs. Just a tube of normal human organs.
January 31, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Human Organs. Just a tube of normal human organs.
🤔 What if a 🍷 wine cellar was a dungeon? This an idea I explored a while back in 50-room dungeon & recently collect all my thought into one place: icastlight.blogspot.com/2026/01/wine...?
WINE DUNGEON: Post Collection of a Rare Vintages
A tentative title for "The Wine Dungeon" Sitting at the top of my list of "To-Dos" is a wine cellar that has metastasized, via the power of ...
icastlight.blogspot.com
January 27, 2026 at 3:28 PM
🤔 What if a 🍷 wine cellar was a dungeon? This an idea I explored a while back in 50-room dungeon & recently collect all my thought into one place: icastlight.blogspot.com/2026/01/wine...?
Reposted by 𝖂.𝕯.
Remember I'm using markdown and css to layout zines and books?
We'll I'm building myself a little web app to speed up the process, I'll release it as open source and put it on a website somewhere for anyone to play with it
If you're interested drop a comment, I'll note keep you posted
We'll I'm building myself a little web app to speed up the process, I'll release it as open source and put it on a website somewhere for anyone to play with it
If you're interested drop a comment, I'll note keep you posted
January 26, 2026 at 7:10 PM
Remember I'm using markdown and css to layout zines and books?
We'll I'm building myself a little web app to speed up the process, I'll release it as open source and put it on a website somewhere for anyone to play with it
If you're interested drop a comment, I'll note keep you posted
We'll I'm building myself a little web app to speed up the process, I'll release it as open source and put it on a website somewhere for anyone to play with it
If you're interested drop a comment, I'll note keep you posted
Reposted by 𝖂.𝕯.
Puzzle Dungeon Jam was super fun and busy. I talk about the experience and looking at the wonderful submissions with so many awesome guests. #osr #ttrpg
puzzledungeon.com/a-look-back-...
puzzledungeon.com/a-look-back-...
A look back at Puzzle Dungeon Jam
A retrospective on the jam. My hopes and dreams and oh so many dungeons.
puzzledungeon.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:51 PM
Puzzle Dungeon Jam was super fun and busy. I talk about the experience and looking at the wonderful submissions with so many awesome guests. #osr #ttrpg
puzzledungeon.com/a-look-back-...
puzzledungeon.com/a-look-back-...
Reposted by 𝖂.𝕯.
If you or someone you know has run or played Nightwick Abbey y'all gotta let me know and tell me how it went!
January 25, 2026 at 3:33 AM
If you or someone you know has run or played Nightwick Abbey y'all gotta let me know and tell me how it went!
Reposted by 𝖂.𝕯.
Ultimately we've got to reckon with the fact that much of the OSR movement is merely reacting to indie TTRPGs' tendency to lose sight of why many folks take up the hobby: for a safe and budget-friendly way to satisfy the natural human impulse to put one's friends in some kind of fucked up labyrinth.
January 21, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Ultimately we've got to reckon with the fact that much of the OSR movement is merely reacting to indie TTRPGs' tendency to lose sight of why many folks take up the hobby: for a safe and budget-friendly way to satisfy the natural human impulse to put one's friends in some kind of fucked up labyrinth.
🤔 What about PC backpacks as secondary objectives for monsters? Taking them off gives +1 to all d20 rolls, but will the walking brains of the Crystal Library walk off with them?
icastlight.blogspot.com/2026/01/your...
icastlight.blogspot.com/2026/01/your...
YOUR BACKPACK IS A SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: Don't Let Monsters Steal Them
There was a discussion in a Discord forum I inhabited about how realistic the encumbrance of ration is in BX D&D. That doesn't interest me...
icastlight.blogspot.com
January 21, 2026 at 2:35 AM
🤔 What about PC backpacks as secondary objectives for monsters? Taking them off gives +1 to all d20 rolls, but will the walking brains of the Crystal Library walk off with them?
icastlight.blogspot.com/2026/01/your...
icastlight.blogspot.com/2026/01/your...
Game 45 of my own running of Nightwick Abbey, the MU was stabbed to death by cultists after sleeping 10, reincarnated to a thief by a necromancer, which caused the cleric to renounce the Church Law after thy wouldn’t help & commune for salvation in the woods (hermit background)
Megadungeons y’all…
Megadungeons y’all…
January 20, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Game 45 of my own running of Nightwick Abbey, the MU was stabbed to death by cultists after sleeping 10, reincarnated to a thief by a necromancer, which caused the cleric to renounce the Church Law after thy wouldn’t help & commune for salvation in the woods (hermit background)
Megadungeons y’all…
Megadungeons y’all…