Like many of yourselves, I’ve been bouncing between fifty different activities and distraction amidst the sheer restlessness of the oncoming of spring, and the expiry of the deep winter months. From wet soggy soil to sunshine kisses!

Your dear writer is stricken! … Stricken with romance in their heart, resistance in their blood, whimsey in their thoughts, mania in their mind, and anger in their clenched fists, seeking…, grasping at structures for stability and order amongst turbulent weather patterns and changing temperature.

The show must go on! … Fight on we shall, into the dark of the unknown.

The delve must continue!!

Artslop - Coined by Nate Whittington, “describes TTRPG products in which the dominant substance of the book is its artwork, rather than its rules, procedures, or writing. The game itself may be functional but unremarkable; the art does the heavy lifting of making the product feel like more than it is”.

LBEG - Little Bad Evil Guy - The minor villain equivalent of the BBEG. While not responsible for the main conflict, the LBEG can be essential for furthering it, or obstructing the heroes ability to overcome it. Often times, a LBEG serves as the villain of a single story arc, a recurring character obstructing the hero separate from the BBEG, or an elite and proactive minion whose impact is enough to stand out independently.

Splat Book - A supplement for a particular RPG that is not necessary for play, but devoted to a particular facet, such as a class, faction, location, or other piece of lore, aimed at providing new rule options and scenarios to the game. This term originated in the 1990s to describe White Wolf Studios (Word of Darkness) supplements of various labels which were summarized with an asterisk/splat.

Badwrongfun - Characterized as enjoyment derived from an RPG in an incorrect, improper, or even immoral way. Its uses are varied and subjective, and can include criticism of a style of play, an embrace of chaotic and unstructured play, a shortform for ideas like “murderhobo-ism”, or as a deliberate bridge between rules which are undefined or poorly integrated.

Cozy-Chaotic - A newly emergent term describing games or playstyles which are an unlikely balance of quaint and warm, yet playful in a way that is mischievous or disruptive within the game world. This chaotic element is often approached in a shared and consensual way performed in good faith between players.

Narrativium - An element in the universe which binds things together into that which makes a story, as coined by Terry Pratchet in his “Discworld” lore. It ensures everything in the story runs properly, is governed by loosely formulated laws, and embraces ideals that the “Roundworld” would consider as “trope”.

While Trans Day of Visibility might have come and gone on March 31st, the cause marches on to advocate and defend the rights of our trans neighbors!

The 5th Annual TTRPGs for Trans Rights Bundle is now live on Itch.io, hosting 500+ different RPGs for just $5, including some big titles from Paizo, Evil Hat, Renegade Game Studios, etc. … Amongst some amazing indie titles, grab hit games like the Pathfinder Beginner Box, the Welcome to Night Vale RPG starter set, and Apocalypse Keys.

All funds benefit queer and trans organizations in the Idaho area, including TransAffirm Inc, and Boise’s The Community Center.

Game-Icons.net has over 4000 icons provided free for commercial or personal use, covered only by a CC 3.0 license. Everything from weapons, to buildings, equipment, animals, monsters, spells, vessels, sundry items, and much more! Attribution required.

Check out the previous issue here!