Laying down the final graphic design for 'downtime phases' and that's it for the appendix. Design edits on the intro adventure next. Looking forward to a full working draft of Chromatic Shadows Core by New Years.

Since my Friday night D&D group (sadly) doesn’t want to try 4e, I'm just gonna convert the Netir Vale/ Points of Light setting (and some adventures) over to 5th edition. Prepping the Slaying Stone, which turns out, is an exceptional little treasure hunt-sandbox.

Current draft of the revised Chromatic Shadows character sheet. Any strong feelings on the use of "dots" for attributes and skills?

R.E. Davis wrote a rad, beautifully produced urban occult-horror game called Sigil & Shadow. Absolutely check it out.

The crux of Chromatic Shadows game-play is the asymmetric ways you can tackle a cyberpunk mission. Shooting, hacking, drones, mechanics, medicine, driving, etc. It's built on a foundation of tactical and mechanically coherent subsystems. The occult stuff is extra fun on top.

In Chromatic Shadows, one does not use an Occult Asset lightly. #occult #cyberpunk #ttrpg

At risk of flogging a dead horse: this whole letter is a reminder that the creative process is an end in and of itself, and vital to self-actualisation. You can’t experience BECOMING, as he puts it, by outsourcing it to ChatGPT.

If Chromatic Shadows Core is successful, I'll likely re-release the previous 2 modules as part of a revised, one volume anthology. I've got another longish adventure that has been sitting on the way back burner. Would be good incentive to finish, and include that as well.

Underappreciated gem from Rich Baker. Seems to be a bridge (structurally & thematically) between Red Hand of Doom and Lost Mines of Phandelver. Would run this in a heartbeat. #dnd #4e

Yeah, this is good. Bestiary that's also a regional setting guide. Each entry puts the monsters on the map in an immediately gameable context. Monsters as regional threats, factions, story hooks. Dare I say "old school" in its approach?

I'm up to the "Occult Asset Creation" chapter in Chromatic Shadows Core & it's a doozy. Basically, a secret free-form magic system adapted liberally from Mage. Tailored to build reality breaking devices, of course, but with all of the knobs and sliders you'd expect from a "creative casting" system.

Couple of (in-progress) spreads from the Factions chapter in Chromatic Shadows Core. Most notable update is the inclusion of npc stat blocks for each of the faction types. #occult #cyberpunk #ttrpg

If I run 4e again, I want to crack rituals wide open. Probably kill most component costs and allow fast casting. Love the idea of a chaotic, messy, magic system playing in tandem with all of the balanced powers.

Chromatic Shadows is set in its own unique cyberpunk world, has a detailed 'future history' that puts its current timeline into context. Thematic elements (shadow war, occult assets, factions) are tightly woven into the rules, but compatible with a wide range of urban fantasy concepts and tropes.

One day, in some dark corner of DriveThru RPG, you will find this insanely detailed 300 pg occult cyberpunk rpg and will wonder what drove its creator to madness. Then you will read "written *and* designed by Kris H.", and you will know.

Chromatic Shadows Core will probably kill me and drive me mad, but I'm going to finish it anyway, and it's going to be massive and awesome.

DnD 4e was the only edition that actually knew what it was and that’s why it’s the best one

Thinking about 4e Essentials which Mearls wrote and how that was a test run of 5e. Of course, 5e went in a series of different directions, many quite good, some questionable. But ten years on, the major criticism points of 5e mechanics are almost entirely issues 4e took pains to correct.

I played 4e for about 3 years steadily with a strong group. Maybe 5 different characters, rotating DMs. I ran 3-4 adventures, not a lot. Got "burned out" at the end, shit talked it like everyone else, switched to Pathfinder & memory holed it. Rereading it now, and it's a *very* different game.

Recent (in-progress) spread from Chromatic Shadows Core. Finished the Outside Antagonists chapter. Factions next! #occult #cyberpunk #ttrpg

Title spread of the "Rotten Roster" for Chromatic Shadows Core. That's it for the Sprawl Antagonists chapter. Outside Adversaries next! #occult #cyberpunk #rpg

Rob Heinsoo and Andy Collins on Ben Riggs show. I haven’t listened yet. #dnd #d&d #history #4e youtu.be/CZhJBoki3qk?...

Back in 08 half of my original 4e group was 40k and Necromunda players. I didn't appreciate that then, but our games were locked in. I was definitively the weak link, secretly hoping we'd switch to Vampire the Requiem or some lame shit.

It's still a polarising game, almost a decade after it lost the edition wars, but I love 4th ed D&D, aka '4E'. For me it excelled at being an enjoyable *game*, first and foremost, that you could use to create and underpin fun, action-packed fantasy stories.

I tried my hardest to turn my daughter into a Carly fan, but she took the Taylor path, and I don't know where I went wrong.

Reading D&D Essentials for 4e and realizing it's a secret edition of D&D that's also fucking amazing.

Gonna smuggle some 4e into my 5e game by giving out magic items with encounter & daily powers.

Had the idea to include a "running missions" worksheet for the players in Chromatic Shadows Core. Basically an aid for tracking payout & contract level, structuring legwork, & action phase objectives. Going to make one for the GM too for tracking heat, awareness position, & security triggers.

Finished the revision of my "vehicles" chapter for Chromatic Shadows Core Hoo boy, that was a mess. Good ideas in embryo, but confused in execution. I've cut like 50% of the clutter and it's manifestly better. Got to playtest some of the stunts still, but a major improvement on all fronts.

Hello Darkness, my old friend.

As a 4e enthusiast, a Battletech fan, and a guy writing a crunchy sci-fi RPG, I guess Lancer is an obvious shoe in, right?

The cycle of D&D obsession is complete: I'm totally down the 4e rabbit hole.

Having a lot of fun writing a small "unconventional weapons" section for the Chromatic Shadows Core equipment chapter. What I have so far: >Anti-Drone Laser Array >Foam Grenade >Dazzler >EMP gun >IED >Sonic Cannon >Flamethrower >Tangler Grenade I need some more suggestions!

What are people's feelings about massive gear lists in sci-fi/ cyberpunk games? Exciting tools for the mission or option fatigue? With Chromatic Shadows, I've tried to keep a lid on the "gear-porn" approach, but I'm way open to reevaluating this position.

Just discovered Chromatic Shadows uploaded to Scribd. I guess I'm flattered?

Haven't put out a book this year, but I've published numerous "Sprawl Zone" blog posts (for CS Core). Here's one of my faves..."Sprawl Zone: Fortress Estates", tables to create a suburban hellscape for Chromatic Shadows & other cyberpunk games. matrixghosttransmissions.blogspot.com/2025/03/spra...

The growing catalog of RPG books from Matrix Ghost Games: Chromatic Shadows and Land of Calyx! www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher...

In the 90s, I was more of a Shadowrun guy than a Cyberpunk 2020 guy. Because cyberpunk worlds just aren't brutal and lethal enough, right? Might as well throw in the risk of pissing off dragons and/or the entire astral plane. But I'm starting to see the appeal of non-magical cyberpunk RPGs.

Greetings operators! Allow me to introduce, CHROMATIC SHADOWS: Occult Cyberpunk RPG. An original d6 dicepool system in the lineage of Shadowrun and Vampire, set in a weird-haunted Sprawl bubbling with strangeness & occult danger. Basic Rules are FREE! www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/4...

Cyberpunk metaphysics

Does anyone have a favourite cyberpunk adventure module? For any system.

Thinking more about Shadowdark, i *really* like the idea of 'encumbrance slots' as a resource that can be attacked or depleted (like the exhaustion track in 5e). It's tidy as hell, and has hits a player where it really hurts (carrying loot). Anyone used this in a game?

Wrapping up revisions to hacking for Chromatic Shadows Core. Main point of concern has been Daemon Modules. Didn't quite reached their full potential in previous releases. This time, I want them to be so good you'll have a hard time choosing between them. (In progress program action spread below)

Prepping a Shadowdark campaign using my Land of Calyx setting. If this goes well, considering a full conversion from OSE. SD brings some enticing mayhem into the mix, probably a good fit for the psychedelic sword & sorcery vibe.

Hi all! Certain Fathoms is my next big Mothership module. Part of Mothership Month 2025, the module is a depth-crawl through the sunken ruins of an AI research megacorp packed with experimental tech, weird factions, and even weirder secrets. Give it a follow! www.backerkit.com/call_to_acti...

Ross Hayes has been amazing to work with on Chromatic Shadows Core. Aside from obvious mad skill at drawing, he's a wiz at taking art direction, and then cranking it up several notches. Works fast, answers emails, and is super accommodating to revisions. Total professional!

Couple of maps from Land of Calyx, my psychedelic sword & sorcery setting for OSE. www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/4...

Well kept secret: Chromatic Shadows does a bang-up job emulating shadowrun while smoothing out the difficult layered subsystems. It ditches magic and metahumans in favor of neotribes, occult factions, SCPs, and eldritch threats. Also, yes, we have cyberdecks.

CHROMATIC SHADOWS CORE is coming soon: the definitive rules tome. An expanded, revised and tastefully redesigned compilation volume, collecting the 2 rulebook, dozens of blog posts, guest writings, and original art. Streamlined, tactical, narrative, occult cyberpunk.

"Wake up Dad! We're running late for cyberchurch!"