•5 min read
IBO Devlog: Locks, Ranges, and Revamps
Lockpicking, ranged combat simplification, grapple redesign, and a dev environment rebuild in the latest Iron, Blood & Omens devlog.
Blog Posts
•11 min read
I'm buiding a MUD, and it's the most fun I've had in years
I've always wanted to build a MUD. After 30 years as a software engineer, AI coding tools finally closed the gap between skillset and available time. This is the first dev log for Iron, Blood & Omens, a gritty text-based RPG built on a custom engine and a game system of my own design.
•6 min read
The Surprising History of Solo TTRPG Play
Solo TTRPG play has been part of the hobby since the 1970s, serving as practice space, a creative engine with oracles, and now evolving with AI.
•6 min read
KCD2 Alchemy Tool and Why I Miss TTRPG Crafting
I built an interactive KCD2 alchemy tool to manage recipes and reflect on how modern TTRPG design has diminished meaningful crafting and earned progression.
•2 min read
Retro-Classic Game Asteroids Available
I developed a browser version of Asteroids, sharing my high score hopes while exploring TTRPG tools post-site conversion.
•3 min read
Site Migration Complete
I migrated the site to NextJS for easier management. Having used AI for this I reflect a bit on the future of TTRPG content.
•5 min read
The Zero-Sum Fallacy of TTRPG Playstyles
Reject the win-lose mindset and celebrate diverse TTRPG playstyles; curiosity over gatekeeping turns debate into discovery and keeps the hobby welcoming.
•4 min read
The Human Side of D&D History
Reflecting on Tim Cain and Gary Gygax, this calls for empathetic, nuanced remembrance of D&D's creators over meme-fueled narratives.
•8 min read
Exception Based Design in D&D - When Rules Enable Rule Lawyers
5e 2024’s exception-heavy design can fuel rules debates; here’s how DMs and players can balance rulings, fun, and table expectations.
•13 min read
War and Warfare in TTRPGs - How to Bring Epic Conflicts to Life
Practical guidance for crafting player-driven wartime stories: pitfalls to avoid, scenario types to run, tools to add tension, and moral nuance.