Stout Stoat
@stoutstoat.co.uk
Pinned
Stout Stoat
@stoutstoat.co.uk
· Nov 12
Carved in Stone is officially out!
In this comprehensive setting guide you'll be able to see, touch, taste, hear and smell your way through everything that modern-day scholars currently know of the enigmatic culture of the Picts, from the perspective of someone living in the late 7th Century.
In this comprehensive setting guide you'll be able to see, touch, taste, hear and smell your way through everything that modern-day scholars currently know of the enigmatic culture of the Picts, from the perspective of someone living in the late 7th Century.
I'm not quite back, but thinking about it! Slowly creaking my rusty hinges and shedding dust.
January 15, 2026 at 11:52 AM
I'm not quite back, but thinking about it! Slowly creaking my rusty hinges and shedding dust.
Reposted by Stout Stoat
Some notes about how I write TTRPG adventures:
My texts tend to be terse. A location described in two lines; a single spoken sentence to describe a character.
The aim is *not* to be laconic, but to mirror the pace of natural dialogue; a TTRPG is a conversation between players, after all!
1/
My texts tend to be terse. A location described in two lines; a single spoken sentence to describe a character.
The aim is *not* to be laconic, but to mirror the pace of natural dialogue; a TTRPG is a conversation between players, after all!
1/
January 15, 2026 at 10:16 AM
Some notes about how I write TTRPG adventures:
My texts tend to be terse. A location described in two lines; a single spoken sentence to describe a character.
The aim is *not* to be laconic, but to mirror the pace of natural dialogue; a TTRPG is a conversation between players, after all!
1/
My texts tend to be terse. A location described in two lines; a single spoken sentence to describe a character.
The aim is *not* to be laconic, but to mirror the pace of natural dialogue; a TTRPG is a conversation between players, after all!
1/
I'm taking a break till January 5th!
I won't be checking work social media, work email, or discord until then.
See youse in the new year :)
I won't be checking work social media, work email, or discord until then.
See youse in the new year :)
December 15, 2025 at 11:41 AM
I'm taking a break till January 5th!
I won't be checking work social media, work email, or discord until then.
See youse in the new year :)
I won't be checking work social media, work email, or discord until then.
See youse in the new year :)
Rian Johnson's latest Knives Out is by no means subtle but sometimes it is wonderful to be beaten in the face repeatedly with the narrative and its (barely) subtext. I enjoyed it, even though I personally feel like I am not *necessarily* the target audience 😉
December 14, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Rian Johnson's latest Knives Out is by no means subtle but sometimes it is wonderful to be beaten in the face repeatedly with the narrative and its (barely) subtext. I enjoyed it, even though I personally feel like I am not *necessarily* the target audience 😉
Reposted by Stout Stoat
Critique Navidad! What do you get when you hire a university to write the most comprehensive history of a civilisation to support a module, and illustrate it better than most children’s history books? You get Carved in Stone, a module about living among the picts! idlecartulary.com/2025/12/13/c...
Critique Navidad: Carved in Stone
Each holiday season, I review different modules, games or supplements as a thank you to the wider tabletop roleplaying game community. All of the work I review during Critique Navidad is either giv…
idlecartulary.com
December 13, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Critique Navidad! What do you get when you hire a university to write the most comprehensive history of a civilisation to support a module, and illustrate it better than most children’s history books? You get Carved in Stone, a module about living among the picts! idlecartulary.com/2025/12/13/c...
Reposted by Stout Stoat
2025 goals: listen to all of dice exploder (again)
November 21, 2024 at 11:10 PM
2025 goals: listen to all of dice exploder (again)
Reposted by Stout Stoat
what's up gamers, I'm back with ten more tangible tips for editing your tabletop RPG manuscript: samsorensen.blot.im/ten-more-tan...
![screenshot of a blogpost that reads:
"Ten More Tangible Tips for Editing Your RPG Manuscript
"1. Remove instances of here from location descriptions—it’s obvious you’re describing the location already. Instead of 'A hobgoblin hammers iron here,' write 'A hobgoblin hammers iron on an anvil.'
"2. For the same reason, remove instances of this in description entries. If you must reference the entry’s subject, use 'the.' Instead of 'Smoke fills this room,' write 'Smoke fills the room,' or better yet 'Smoke fills the air.'
"3. When writing entries for monsters, magic items, and so on, skip repeating the name of the subject with [X] is or [X] are in the first sentence. Instead of 'VODYANOY: Vodyanoy are froggy, pot-bellied water spirits,' write 'VODYANOY: Froggy, pot-bellied water spirits.'"](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ku77xydmphm4eg5jvbgnqo7o/bafkreia6hlg2lyvb25iupssafeg44fqc43sb3a24zjabs7spzz3dt3ojgi@jpeg)
December 12, 2025 at 12:56 AM
what's up gamers, I'm back with ten more tangible tips for editing your tabletop RPG manuscript: samsorensen.blot.im/ten-more-tan...
Reposted by Stout Stoat
Carved in Stone - St. Serf & St. Mungo
For some of the smaller saint illustrations I went with iconography surrounding events and deeds from each saint's life.
St. Serf: the Dragon of Strathearn & the staff he rebuked it with.
St. Mungo: the robin he miraculously brought back to life.
For some of the smaller saint illustrations I went with iconography surrounding events and deeds from each saint's life.
St. Serf: the Dragon of Strathearn & the staff he rebuked it with.
St. Mungo: the robin he miraculously brought back to life.
December 11, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Carved in Stone - St. Serf & St. Mungo
For some of the smaller saint illustrations I went with iconography surrounding events and deeds from each saint's life.
St. Serf: the Dragon of Strathearn & the staff he rebuked it with.
St. Mungo: the robin he miraculously brought back to life.
For some of the smaller saint illustrations I went with iconography surrounding events and deeds from each saint's life.
St. Serf: the Dragon of Strathearn & the staff he rebuked it with.
St. Mungo: the robin he miraculously brought back to life.
Reposted by Stout Stoat
Finally got my hands on the physical book for Carved in Stone by Heather Christie @archaeoplays.bsky.social and Brian Tyrrell @stoutstoat.co.uk. Really gives me hope that early medieval archaeology can inspire worlds that are hopeful, empathetic and overall, fun
www.stoutstoat.co.uk/products/car...
www.stoutstoat.co.uk/products/car...
December 12, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Finally got my hands on the physical book for Carved in Stone by Heather Christie @archaeoplays.bsky.social and Brian Tyrrell @stoutstoat.co.uk. Really gives me hope that early medieval archaeology can inspire worlds that are hopeful, empathetic and overall, fun
www.stoutstoat.co.uk/products/car...
www.stoutstoat.co.uk/products/car...
Reposted by Stout Stoat
This is tonight!!! In-person tickets are sold out, but you can tune in online for free - we look forward to seeing you there!
For those who can't attend at all, I believe our talk will go live on the Society's YouTube page within a week or so 😁
#ArchaeologySky #HistorySky 🏺
For those who can't attend at all, I believe our talk will go live on the Society's YouTube page within a week or so 😁
#ArchaeologySky #HistorySky 🏺
This Thursday at 6pm GMT I'm giving a lecture with the wonderful @archaeoplays.bsky.social about how to conceive and build living images of the past. All the in-person tickets have been snapped up, but you can still watch online for free (I think via Zoom)
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/carved-in-...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/carved-in-...
Carved in Stone: Bringing the Picts to Life
This hybrid discussion panel will feature Stout Stoat’s Brian Tyrell and ArchaeoPlays’ Dr Heather Christie FSAScot.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
December 11, 2025 at 2:49 PM
This is tonight!!! In-person tickets are sold out, but you can tune in online for free - we look forward to seeing you there!
For those who can't attend at all, I believe our talk will go live on the Society's YouTube page within a week or so 😁
#ArchaeologySky #HistorySky 🏺
For those who can't attend at all, I believe our talk will go live on the Society's YouTube page within a week or so 😁
#ArchaeologySky #HistorySky 🏺
"This is a hobby of makers" resonates with my growingly informed opinions on RPGs for the last 5 years.
RPGs are not an industry. Every project is a passion; the results of success would be unequal to the reward, if not also for the fact that it *satisfies* a deep need in the maker.
RPGs are not an industry. Every project is a passion; the results of success would be unequal to the reward, if not also for the fact that it *satisfies* a deep need in the maker.
And for the last thing, I want you to state to state this clearly.
I mean no sleight to zines or ashcans or whatever else, and if anything, they underscore this point.
This is a hobby of makers.
OF COURSE we want to make beautiful, awesome things.
I mean no sleight to zines or ashcans or whatever else, and if anything, they underscore this point.
This is a hobby of makers.
OF COURSE we want to make beautiful, awesome things.
December 11, 2025 at 12:59 PM
"This is a hobby of makers" resonates with my growingly informed opinions on RPGs for the last 5 years.
RPGs are not an industry. Every project is a passion; the results of success would be unequal to the reward, if not also for the fact that it *satisfies* a deep need in the maker.
RPGs are not an industry. Every project is a passion; the results of success would be unequal to the reward, if not also for the fact that it *satisfies* a deep need in the maker.
Today!!!
This Thursday at 6pm GMT I'm giving a lecture with the wonderful @archaeoplays.bsky.social about how to conceive and build living images of the past. All the in-person tickets have been snapped up, but you can still watch online for free (I think via Zoom)
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/carved-in-...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/carved-in-...
Carved in Stone: Bringing the Picts to Life
This hybrid discussion panel will feature Stout Stoat’s Brian Tyrell and ArchaeoPlays’ Dr Heather Christie FSAScot.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
December 11, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Today!!!
Heads up! Final orders at stoutstoat.co.uk need to be placed before 12pm GMT this Sunday (14th December). After then the store will be going into hibernation till January.
December 10, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Heads up! Final orders at stoutstoat.co.uk need to be placed before 12pm GMT this Sunday (14th December). After then the store will be going into hibernation till January.
There are lot of haters out there. Hate is easy. Hate is loud. And in the age of digital reviews, hate can now be permanent.
Do your community a favour, and share some love.
Do your community a favour, and share some love.
This holiday season, give your favorite creators the perfect gift: attention. A 5-star rating, a product review on Exalted, or even a share on Reddit.
www.explorersdesign.com/critmas-2025/
www.explorersdesign.com/critmas-2025/
Critmas Gift Guide 2025
The 3 gifts every game designer wants (and a holiday party idea).
www.explorersdesign.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:06 PM
There are lot of haters out there. Hate is easy. Hate is loud. And in the age of digital reviews, hate can now be permanent.
Do your community a favour, and share some love.
Do your community a favour, and share some love.
Reposted by Stout Stoat
This Thursday at 6pm GMT I'm giving a lecture with the wonderful @archaeoplays.bsky.social about how to conceive and build living images of the past. All the in-person tickets have been snapped up, but you can still watch online for free (I think via Zoom)
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/carved-in-...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/carved-in-...
Carved in Stone: Bringing the Picts to Life
This hybrid discussion panel will feature Stout Stoat’s Brian Tyrell and ArchaeoPlays’ Dr Heather Christie FSAScot.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 5:52 PM
This Thursday at 6pm GMT I'm giving a lecture with the wonderful @archaeoplays.bsky.social about how to conceive and build living images of the past. All the in-person tickets have been snapped up, but you can still watch online for free (I think via Zoom)
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/carved-in-...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/carved-in-...
This Thursday at 6pm GMT I'm giving a lecture with the wonderful @archaeoplays.bsky.social about how to conceive and build living images of the past. All the in-person tickets have been snapped up, but you can still watch online for free (I think via Zoom)
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/carved-in-...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/carved-in-...
Carved in Stone: Bringing the Picts to Life
This hybrid discussion panel will feature Stout Stoat’s Brian Tyrell and ArchaeoPlays’ Dr Heather Christie FSAScot.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 5:52 PM
This Thursday at 6pm GMT I'm giving a lecture with the wonderful @archaeoplays.bsky.social about how to conceive and build living images of the past. All the in-person tickets have been snapped up, but you can still watch online for free (I think via Zoom)
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/carved-in-...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/carved-in-...
Reposted by Stout Stoat
Got the PDF of CARVED IN STONE: A STORYTELLER'S GUIDE TO THE PICTS; immediately got me looking for some of the folks behind its lovely illustrations. A few on BSKY:
@anineillustration.com
@jagalart.bsky.social
@elemei.bsky.social
@queerwizard.co.uk
@mortiscausa.bsky.social
@toadlett.bsky.social
@anineillustration.com
@jagalart.bsky.social
@elemei.bsky.social
@queerwizard.co.uk
@mortiscausa.bsky.social
@toadlett.bsky.social
December 7, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Got the PDF of CARVED IN STONE: A STORYTELLER'S GUIDE TO THE PICTS; immediately got me looking for some of the folks behind its lovely illustrations. A few on BSKY:
@anineillustration.com
@jagalart.bsky.social
@elemei.bsky.social
@queerwizard.co.uk
@mortiscausa.bsky.social
@toadlett.bsky.social
@anineillustration.com
@jagalart.bsky.social
@elemei.bsky.social
@queerwizard.co.uk
@mortiscausa.bsky.social
@toadlett.bsky.social
Reposted by Stout Stoat
This land is ancient, and you are welcome to discover it.
In today's video, I share with you the three things I love most about @stoutstoat.co.uk's Carved In Stone, and why you should check out this setting book!
#ttrpg
In today's video, I share with you the three things I love most about @stoutstoat.co.uk's Carved In Stone, and why you should check out this setting book!
#ttrpg
Three Things I LOVE About Carved In Stone
YouTube video by The Chindividual
youtu.be
December 7, 2025 at 2:23 PM
This land is ancient, and you are welcome to discover it.
In today's video, I share with you the three things I love most about @stoutstoat.co.uk's Carved In Stone, and why you should check out this setting book!
#ttrpg
In today's video, I share with you the three things I love most about @stoutstoat.co.uk's Carved In Stone, and why you should check out this setting book!
#ttrpg
There's still about a week where you can order this to the UK for arrival before Christmas!
Carved in Stone is officially out!
In this comprehensive setting guide you'll be able to see, touch, taste, hear and smell your way through everything that modern-day scholars currently know of the enigmatic culture of the Picts, from the perspective of someone living in the late 7th Century.
In this comprehensive setting guide you'll be able to see, touch, taste, hear and smell your way through everything that modern-day scholars currently know of the enigmatic culture of the Picts, from the perspective of someone living in the late 7th Century.
December 6, 2025 at 11:15 PM
There's still about a week where you can order this to the UK for arrival before Christmas!
Apple's iPad is such a powerful multi-purpose tool for drawing, writing, and touch-based interfacing, and it is utterly let down by it's UI and OS restrictions. If you don't want to use it exactly like how it's shown off in a tech demo, it stumbles and chafes just enough to break your workflow 😩
December 4, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Apple's iPad is such a powerful multi-purpose tool for drawing, writing, and touch-based interfacing, and it is utterly let down by it's UI and OS restrictions. If you don't want to use it exactly like how it's shown off in a tech demo, it stumbles and chafes just enough to break your workflow 😩
Reposted by Stout Stoat
Happy Critique Navidad my friends! A year ago, Clayton suggested the best gift of all was to write about a designers game, so I decided to review your games for the holiday season! I’m doing it again this year — a review (or so) every day! Submit your own if you dare!
December 1, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Happy Critique Navidad my friends! A year ago, Clayton suggested the best gift of all was to write about a designers game, so I decided to review your games for the holiday season! I’m doing it again this year — a review (or so) every day! Submit your own if you dare!
Dragonmeet mystery: who left this on my table and why
December 3, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Dragonmeet mystery: who left this on my table and why
Quinns is reading the brilliant Border Riding by
@jomreid.bsky.social! You can join in on the fun with some free community copies over on @itch.io
stoutstoatpress.itch.io/border-riding
It's a game about maps printed on a big map, but there's also a book pdf with accessibility tags!
@jomreid.bsky.social! You can join in on the fun with some free community copies over on @itch.io
stoutstoatpress.itch.io/border-riding
It's a game about maps printed on a big map, but there's also a book pdf with accessibility tags!
December 1, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Quinns is reading the brilliant Border Riding by
@jomreid.bsky.social! You can join in on the fun with some free community copies over on @itch.io
stoutstoatpress.itch.io/border-riding
It's a game about maps printed on a big map, but there's also a book pdf with accessibility tags!
@jomreid.bsky.social! You can join in on the fun with some free community copies over on @itch.io
stoutstoatpress.itch.io/border-riding
It's a game about maps printed on a big map, but there's also a book pdf with accessibility tags!
I wanna write dril tweets but I'm too dyslexic to spell it right first time. typos undermine the notorious take hustle
December 1, 2025 at 10:04 AM
I wanna write dril tweets but I'm too dyslexic to spell it right first time. typos undermine the notorious take hustle
You: hey how's that Pictish TTRPG come along? Did you finish it?
Me:
Me:
it’s sort of a game
November 30, 2025 at 7:55 PM
You: hey how's that Pictish TTRPG come along? Did you finish it?
Me:
Me: