I. Meanwhile, during the escape…
A foreward.
The party is in flight, and so are the books. Rushing through a storm of papers slicing through the air, they reached stairs to ascend the path they came. Wood cracks, as like a see-saw, the case topples forward, tumbling the three to the floor.
The paladin, thief, and sage sung a chorus of groans and bruisings. As they rise to their feet, a crimson glow flows in the volume between the outlined balconies of the multi-storied library. The wisps, conjoining into a large angry orb, emerged round the corner to glare upon their offenders in scorn and malice.
A frantic thief darts their eyes down toward the lowest story, noticing the doorway leading out. "Bottom floor!"
Scrambling into sprint, they rush round the corner as tomes flew from their bookcases to pummel as they passed. A ripple of exploding papers and parchment followed in their wake. As they descend another set of stairs, the paladin raises their shield as projectile quills sink their way into the steel.
"We're done for!" the sage yells out. "We're not go..."
"Is that so!?" the paladin responds. "Maybe don't go on a fae-fueled vision quest next time, professor frolic!"
Happy mid-March, friends!
Updates. Updates. Updates! … False spring might be here, but I’m staying dry and staying productive. A batch of new articles are being drafted for the Chaotican Writer main site, and I’m excited to release a couple of them yet this month. Let me talk to you about them, and what the approach is going to be! … Note that the titles and the scope might change some before now and smashing that “Publish” button.
Using Improv to Warm-up Your Table for Play
As a 3 year improv student, and having performed at a handful of small stage events, I feel confident enough to inject some knowledge and advice into my Dungeon Mastering journey of nearly two decades and provide a bunch of ways to prompt your players and immerse the table for play!
What Does It Mean to be System Agnostic?
This erupted from a conversation about converting a 5E adventure to something that can be deployed to the broad array of fantasy TTRPGs. Lots of cautionary information, and shoving round pieces into square holes, but its worth an experiment, and one worth recording.
Worldbuilding: 36 MORE Types of Government
Every worldbuilder wants to know how to do politics well, and how to build the realms of their world. I released 36 Types of Government (Parts 1 and 2) a few years ago, and its easily the most searched article. Why not expand things further, and pull in some more terms to unpack?
Cyberpunk Archives: Where I Gush About Vibes
Its what it says. … I really just want to ramble about some of my favorite Cyberpunk-esque IPs, or IPs with CP elements in them, and spill what I think is cool. Something very stream-of-consciousness.
Second, this week, I will be headed to BreakOut Con in Toronto, Ontario, Canada!
I’ll be hanging out as a viewer at a number of panels, playing some indie TTRPGs, and otherwise floating round the venue! Say “Hi” if you see me.
Finally, Its International GMs Day! (Or was… on March 4th) - Its the time of year to bring pizza for the host, and to honor your GMs. Those crafters, writers, and dreamers! … Be sure to do something nice for your favorite referee, dungeon maker, and stress goblin!
Onward to the newsletter!
II. The Sage Speaks!
The sages backstory quest to build a master dictionary, one issue at a time!
TTRPG Glossary
RAW: Abbreviation for “rules as written”, which is a literal interpretation of the text of a game, regardless of any argument concerning designers intent.
Saving Throw (or Save): A rolled attempt to avoid or minimize the impact of a hazard, such as with a trap, explosion, spell effect, gaseous fume, mental attack, etc. Roll is dependent on the stat or quality affected.
Worldbuilding / Writing Glossary
Telekinesis: A super/psychic power that allows the manipulation of matter or energy without physical interaction. Often represented in the interaction or movement of objects from a distance.
Planar Cosmology: A universal model built upon planes of existence. These can manifest as alternate worlds beyond the primary, as well as states of being governed by spiritual and elemental forces. Read this CW article for more!
III. Markings on the Wall
Latest rumors, discoveries, and …*dodges quill* …puzzling finds in the RPG world and beyond!
TTRPG Game and Product News
Monty Python RPG is a game of history, dice catapults, and farm animals -This “Cocurricular Mediaeval Reenactment Programme” is intended for only the most serious, and not silly, students of history. Full release this month!
Terraforming Mars RPG raises $200k and counting - Funded in 5 minutes! Play through multiple generations tackling projects to change the face of the red planet into a more habitable one!
Hero Forge will let you create Custom Dice in August 2025 - With over $350k raised to date, the Kickstarter features customized dice designs assembled right at your fingertips. (Also, yes. It is colored resin inside clear resin, so they are balanced!)
D&D’s Stance On AI Is On Collision Course With Hasbro's CEO, & It Could Be Disastrous - Screenrant - Over in the Hasbro world, an identity crisis concerning the CEO, WOTC, and the question of basic human integrity when creating… anything. Get your popcorn ready!
A TTRPG Fun Find!
The Youtube channel SciShow uses established studies and mathematics to determine party size, and how big is too big. … Watch Hank Green tackle tabletop gaming’s BBEG!! … Check out the video below!
Zinemonth Recap - What Games Got Funded?
We covered over a dozen new titles that arrive to Kickstarter, Backerkit, and other places this past month, and here is a list of what made it through, and what still needs love!
Out of Orbit: A Troupe Survival TTRPG - FUNDED!
Gay Games to Play in the Car - FUNDED!
Warped FM - FUNDED! - (Late Pledges open!)
So Many Horrid Ghosts - FUNDED!
Love for the Love Gods - FUNDED! - (Open for 3 more days!)
StarLee Davidson - FUNDED! - (Late Pledges open!)
Fluff n’ Fury - Cy_bear Punk RPG - FUNDED! - (Pre-orders available!)
Catcrawl - FUNDED!
Hexploration Deck and Tiles - FUNDED!
A Perfect Rock - FUNDED! - (Late Pledges open!)
In Dreaming Avalon - FUNDED!
Laika - FUNDED! - (Open for 10 more days!)
Dirtbags! - FUNDED!
A Maniacs Insight (Where I quote an adjacent Substack blog)
When someone asks “what are the greatest tools for worldbuilding?” online, expecting to get as answers “the greatest book on building worlds”, “the youtube lectures on how to never make a mistake when writing a world”, or “the obscure zine of prompts to build the next Middle earth”, I annoyingly respond with:
”A sketchbook, a HB pencil and some gel pens”.
Make a setting! (not a system) - by
IV. Looting the Room
RPG Deals and Bundles
[NEW] GMs Day Sale!! - DriveThruRPG is celebrating GMs Day with a sale of up to 40% off on thousands of entries! (Though, between me and you, I’m getting super strong Taco Bell vibes from their marketing materials. Lol!)
[NEW] Mörk Borg Core Bundle - Grab the pitch-black apocalyptic RPG core book and community content.
$45$10 … OR the collection, with Pirate Borg, CY_BORG, and Ihkon.$95$25.50Solo But Not Alone 5! - Over 100+ solo TTRPG games, funding a charity tackling mental health in the gaming community/industry!
$429$10RPGs for Accessible Gaming - 240+ games to help fund the DOTS RPG Project, non-profit creators of the “Signature Braille RPG Dice” for the blind or visually impaired. -
$729$10Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay: Wrath & Glory - Cubicle 7 brings you into the darkness of the 41st Millennium! -
$232$25/PWYW85 Miniatures Designed for Easy 3D Printing - Have a 3D printer? Get a butt load of awesome mini files from HighCraft Miniatures.
$408$15/PWYWCandela Obscura Core Rulebook - Battle occult horrors from they beyond for 50% off the original price! -
$40$20Stewpot Complete Bundle (VTT + PDF) - The TTRPG for retired adventurers looking to start their own fantasy tavern! -
$50$30
10% off Phoenix Dice Deal! - Ongoing Affiliate!
Phoenix Dice are made from eco-friendly materials, and each purchase goes towards funding research into various recycled materials such as ocean plastic, safe industrial waste, and more!
Use the code DELVE25 and get 10% off your order today!
V. Treasure Chest (Sponsored Ads)
Want to see YOUR project here? … Click on this link to learn about how you can submit your ad to Dungeon Delve!