Gonna have to incorporate some rowdy references in the Pugilist update. I simply must.

If you haven't heard yet, the long awaited VTT designed for D&D, Sigil, released recently and promptly shit the bed. It's not just bad, they fired almost the entire staff such that there's no possibility it will ever actually be fixed. But I'm telling you this right now only as pretext.

The latest episode of my podcast, Dispel Magic, is out today. We're talking the setting implications of the kuo-toa and their incredible ability to create gods! dispelmagic.podbean.com

Take two of the Dexterous Warrior feat. I've expanded the number of weapons you add Finesse to (by a lot) and added a second bullet point. It's of limited use to classes that don't get Weapon Mastery but...maybe that's fine?

How do we like this feat?

Too niche?

Parleys at the Platter #3. Since the new 2024 rules premiered, I thought it’d be lovely to have a conversation on game design, play, and D&D. Dr. Paul Gestwicki @alyssavisscher.bsky.social @sterlingvermin.bsky.social @mustangsart.bsky.social share.fireside.fm/episode/bbqO...

Would you buy a 12 month calendar where each month features a unique picture of ramen?

I finished Black Company yesterday and now I understand Band of Blades and Abyssal Exalted so much better.

Something I think we don't talk about enough is how HARD it is for freelance game designers to keep their skills sharp. You have to balance day job & understanding game systems & reading new games & a work-life balance. & how GUTTING it is to feel your skills atrophy if you prioritize other things.

I am one bad day away from getting extremely into writing poetry.

I was curious if I was on any Blue sky lists so I looked myself up and I'm pleased to announce I'm blocked by one singular person and it's an NFT guy.

Sometimes I get so anxious thinking about how the significantly better worldbuilding of Chronicles of Darkness was abandoned because the nostalgia of World of Darkness was so much more lucrative.

After a few hours of experimentation I am pleased to announce I am a Loki main.

Hey, people! We've missed you, and we've got new Kill Every Monster episodes on the way. But first, a message from Dylan and Aram about Wizards of the Coast that will play at the top of the podcast going forward. www.youtube.com/shorts/L2cZ3...

The one downside to Metaphor: Refantazio is that I mutter, "Oooooh, power of kings!" to myself and then laugh at least once a day.

Adapting Narrative Design Patterns for Tabletop Adventure Writing - AKA The One With The Flowcharts If you're interested in how I structure quests, adventures, decisions, etc. for tabletop design, this blog post is for you! There's even an activity at the end you can do & post in the comments :)

Real life vs fantasy world building

I am paralyzed right now between working on a sorcerer subclass, making popcorn, or watching the next episode of Dandadan.

Tinkering with a giant themed sorcerer subclass for 24e that's build to be a punchy gish type. These are the early features that set that up. Is it enough?

Reskeet if you're a TTRPG designer and/or publisher and are happy to provide digital copies for actual plays and reviews.

Who do I know that's interested in freelance work to update some of my 5e material to 5.24e?

Anyone playing Wilderfeast? I got my physical copy a week ago but unfortunately won't be able to give it a spin for a couple months. I'd love to do a bit of hacking to make it even more Delicious in Dungeon shaped.

In the wake of the 2024 rules I find I'm struggling to figure out how to proceed. Update material from 2014e? Create original content for the new system? Go off and write my own TTRPGs? Hang up the gloves and rest a bit? I've experimented with a bit of all of the above. Not sure which will win.

My patrons now have access to that glimpse of the Thaumaturge 2024e. I'd say expect to see it soon but with the gigantic number of spells in the product and the need to update each one of them as well...it might be a bit.

Not sure how to approach playtesting your TTRPG? Join us 10/21/24 at 7:00 PM ET for a chat with Spencer Hibnick, head contract tester of MCDM, as he discusses the whys and hows of playtesting. Drop in and have your questions answered live! discord.gg/9SMWdMQ4z... #ttrpg

Metaphor: Refantazio has me hooked in a way Persona games struggled to get me. I suppose the high fantasy dressing was all it took?

I started updating the Thaumaturge to 2024e a couple nights ago. I'm nearly done with the core class + 2 base subclasses. Not sure when there will be a full release but backers in my Patreon will get a preview soon!

Okay, time for me to actually start using this account.

It's spooky season, and what's spookier than the haunted streets of Doskvol? Probably a good time for me to release my expansion supplement for Blades in the Dark, right? Announcement coming soon. Keep your eyes peeled and your blades sharp. ;)

The Baabaa are coming to the site store tomorrow, complete with three new feats, four new spells, and two subclasses. Experience the shear excitement of the wooliest folk ewe ever met!

Inspired by Hades, Exalted, and stories of semi-divine heroes from around the world, the Anointed class is now in its third playtest. Be the chosen of the gods and use their gifts powers as you forge your own path to immortality! www.sterlingvermin.com/blog/the-ano...

@sterlingvermin.bsky.social Just dropped another banger 5e 3rd party class that runs as smooth as butter. Check out my full breakdown in my latest. www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAOA...

So @dungeoneerspack.bsky.social reviewed my newest 5e class, the Zephyr, and-spoiler alert-h loved it! I really appreciate this review for how insightful he is into the design process and how various features snap together to build a whole. youtu.be/WAOAr8jIFY4?...

It's been real, Big Bad Con! I didn't get to spend time with nearly as many people as I'd have hoped BUT I did have a fantastic time chatting with folks and playing new games. Til next year!

The number of @sterlingvermin.bsky.social inspired Heritages races I've now tried to make nice looking pdfs for is 8 (2 volumes of 4), with 4 more scribbled out in my notes! I'm starting to get more into interpretting other creator's work, so I'm working hard to attribute them, too. 🥴🫠

I made it to Big Bad! If you see a Sterling Vermin hoodie you're looking at me, say hi!

My social anxiety is peaking real bad and I haven't even left the house yet!

A speedster class with nine unique subclasses, the Zephyr is now available on my site store. Enter a flow state that enhances your focus, maneuver with unparalleled mobility, and use your extra reactions to interrupt enemy turns! www.sterlingvermin.com/store/p/the-...

My latest new class for 5e, the Zephyr, officially releases on Monday but the preview is available now! The preview includes the full class plus three of the nine subclasses available in the full release. Fight with unmatched speed and agility! www.sterlingvermin.com/blog/zephyr-...

I think I've settled on developing the game without the components that would require a box set but including those as either add ons or stretch goals in an eventual crowdfunding campaign. Thanks to everyone who chimed in with their thoughts and experiences on boxed sets!

TTRPG publishing folks, especially those doing it solo, how much am I shooting myself in the foot by developing a TTRPG that would be best (only?) sold as a box set?

I might have to get Baldur's Gate 3 after all.

I've spent a lot of time the last couple days brainstorming some ideas for the GM facing side of Abracadaberrant Buster Corps and now I'm chomping at the bit to wrap my 5e project so I can throw myself into it fully.

I spoke to a bunch of tabletop creators - RPGs and board games - about what a post-Twitter future looks like. The answer: exhaustion at building an audience all over, worry over social media's influence on the industry, and a big fear that many won't survive the transition.

I've been working on a Peter Pan/lost boys themed subclass for a 5e class I have in development, which got me thinking about Hook, which got me thinking about a song I wrote about Hook for my last band, which got me thinking I should start a new band so I can perform it again. And, no, I shouldn't.

I haven't shared this anywhere else yet. This is the first commissioned art for the playtest of Abracadeberrant Buster Corps., my upcoming game inspired by Ghostbusters, Bee and Puppycat, and wizards. Pick up your wand and grimoire and get ready to bust some sentient radioactive spells!

I've been on a vacation since past Saturday. It's been wonderful for my mental health and for connecting with my family (last year's trip was ruined by COVID) but I'm looking forward to getting back home and bearing down on creative projects and my physical health.

No one warned me how hard it was going to be to try to juggle being a 3rd party D&D creator and an indie TTRPG designer—is there anyone I should be following that's also straddling those worlds?