I. Meanwhile, in the haunted library…
A foreward.
A mad dash for the exit. Bookcases collapsed behind the three. A furious mote of light sent psionic thrashes in every direction throughout the haunted library.
Suddenly, the open stretch of marble felt like a hill climb. The center of gravity tilted, as the world became a flattening sphere of vision, the doorway seeming an impossible distance as an unnatural pull tugged at the paladin, thief, and sage.
As the floor became an increasing slope, balance was lost, sending them grasping with flat palms. The thief and sage panicked. The paladin gritted teeth. "To the hells with this."
Mid-slide, mid-mantra, the paladin unsheathed their runed great sword, kicked themselves from the tilting floor, and lunged down upon the giant wisp, blade emblazoned and pointed to its target.
Salutations, my dicey geekdom enthusiasts!
A week out from BreakOut Con, and a week towards the next adventure, the goal of this week has been to answer some foundational questions; what is our worthy purpose? What is our most fundamental goal in the TTRPG space?
I ask this not just as the writer/editor of Chaotican Writer and Dungeon Delve, but as something for you to ask yourself as well! … In 2025, what is the great endeavor? How do you give your creativity and passions meaning in a turbulent world on fire?
Certainly our chosen hobby is purely here for escapism? It’s all just a distraction from the madness around us, right? … Wrong!
I believe that our pocket of creative expression has a built-in personal and cultural worth. Tabletop RPGs are about coming together and practice our ability to take initiative; in reality and in-game. We entertain and express ideas within the safety of the table. We show community to one another by emulating both our favorite story elements and our worldly challenges, and work to solve those problems together. It’s a practice which strengthens our curiosity, our creativity, and our critical thinking.
Every story has parallels to reality. How deep a story can get underneath our skin is related to how well it tackles the camaraderie, drama, and suspense we feel, or yearn to feel when the dissonance of it all makes our mind feel like it’s floating in a vacuum. … In order to take flight, you must know what it’s like to leap from the ground. In order to land on your feet, you must know what it is to fly. These games can help give ourselves definition in spite of chaos.
Its kinda preachy, yes. … Its also whats helping justify my march onward!
Taking a moment, and defining that worthy purpose is important. … Remember that when you step up to make the next decision about what you write, illustrate, or create! … Remember that when you are making choices on what game is next on your list! … Remember that when you are planning that next session with your friends at the table!
Make epic moments that last forever, my friends!
Onward to the newsletter!!
II. The Sage Speaks!
The sages backstory quest to build a master dictionary, one issue at a time!
TTRPG Glossary - See current list here.
Fudging: The act of reporting the end results of a dice roll, most often rolled in secret, to be something other than what it truly is. This is an act by the GM specifically. Depending on the situation and game style, fudging is at best an editorial action to nudge the flow of the game in a specific direction, and at worst is redundant and deceitful to the players.
Called Shot: An attack action which aims for a specific body part in attempt to gain a bonus or special effect, such as tripping, disarming, subduing, or causing greater damage. This often comes with a higher risk of failure.
Worldbuilding / Writing Glossary - See current list here.
Rule of Cool: The notion that a reader will accept inconsistencies and misplaced story elements as long as it increases the cool-factor. It also means the open embrace of ideas that elevate a situations or objects cool-factor when designing a world.
Plot Armor: A plot device where a character is kept from harm due to their relevance to the plot, and the need to preserve the plot against inconveniences that would otherwise happen in a realistic scenario.
III. New CW Article is LIVE!
At Breakout Con 2025, I met up with Jean Luc Lariviere-Lacombe, founder of The Dungeons Key and designer of Dirtbags!: A Sci-Fi Shooter RPG, for an energetic three hour session of bug-splattering and squad survival shenanigans. The exhilaration was palpable, and so were the gut! … Lets dive into this scrappy yet polished indie title, and unravel the tabletop RPG world of convicts without a cause!
IV. Markings on the Wall
Latest rumors, discoveries, and puzzling finds in the RPG world and beyond!
RPG News and Finds
POCKETOPIA!! Backerkit’s Celebration for Tabletop Games! - A new ceremony has entered the chat! With 50+ creators launching together, across-collab freebies, and an exclusive dice bag reward, there’s a lot of great stuff to pledge to through April 3rd!
[KICKSTARTER] - Shadowdark RPG: The Western Reaches Setting - The ENnie award winning TTRPG is finally getting its own setting to match its haunting and bleak exterior! Venture into the dark forests, fetid swamps, sprawling deserts, and mysterious wilds of the Western Reaches! (Over 1.5 million dollars pledged so far!! WOW!)
Wizards of the Coast Is Sunsetting Sigil's Active Development - ENworld - WOTC’s launch of Sigil hasn’t gone well, and the team responsible for it have seen huge layoffs. After many hurdles in production, aimless direction, and poor returns, there is much to unpack!
Breakout Con continues to grow amidst American-Canadian tensions - Rascal News - Indie RPG developers are keeping their heads held high, and continuing their work in making the world a more story-filled place, despite political nonsense. Learn about the growth of one of the communities ever emerging conventions!
[FACEPALM ALERT!] F.U.R.R.I.E.S Act could stand to persecute Texas school D&D and LARP groups, in attempts to weed out "any non-human behavior" - GamesRadar - What happens when politicians create bizarre and untrue rumors about what the kids are doing in schools in order to stoke fears in the public? Eventually, they have to create bogus legislation to support it, and mess with normal peoples lives.
Last week, we mentioned The Bearded Halfling’s brilliant video about the structure of feudalism. This week, we look at some of their worldbuilding solutions in their follow-up video.
A Maniacs Insight (Where I quote an adjacent Substack blog) x2
Have you ever wondered why some OSR games hook you instantly, while others just feel… okay? For me, the answer is always the same: it’s the perfect mix of a great game idea, written by an inspired author, and paired with an exceptional layout. If one of these elements is missing, the game will struggle to stand out. But what makes a layout truly great?
If you’re new to solo RPGs or have only tried one type, you might not realize how many different kinds of experiences are out there. With thousands of single-player RPGs, there’s something for almost everyone. Let’s explore the main categories
V. Looting the Room
RPG Deals and Bundles
[[MASSIVE!!]] Pathfinder Classic Bundle - Humble Bundle has rolled out the red carpet for Paizo’s 1E of its amazing RPG. Get the entire collection for a paultry trifle!
$2,566.58$45 … WOOOOWWW!![[HUGE!!]] Heroic Hoard of 5E Power by Kobold Press - A host of DnD 5E books from the renown publisher! Spells, items, adventures, and more!
$441$25/PWYW[[HUGE!]] Delta Green RPG, VTT, and Fiction Collection - A large and eclectic bundle for the modern horror conspiracy game. Everything you need to be an agent!
$681$25/PWYWSolo But Not Alone 5! - 100+ solo games, funding mental health in the gaming community/industry!
$429$10Shield Maidens RPG Collection - High-tech viking-age action for the mighty valkyrie!
$117$20Candela 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
Deals About to Expire
[6 DAYS LEFT] 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$25.50
[6 DAYS LEFT] Wildsea TTRPG Bundle - Deep wilderness RPG, including core books and scenario .
$95$20
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 mentioned? … Click on this link to learn about how you can submit your ad to Dungeon Delve!
Thanks for reading CWs Dungeon Delve! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.