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Michael R. Underwood (Mike)

@mikerunderwood.bsky.social

4K followers 1.3K following 1.1K posts

They/he. Trans & non-binary Midwest Princex. Author (Annihilation Aria, Genrenauts, etc). Hugo & Stabby-Award finalist. Game designer (Daggerheart, Dungeons of Drakkenheim: Daggerheart, Candela Obscura, etc.) https://linktr.ee/mikerunderwood

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Michael R. Underwood (Mike) @mikerunderwood.bsky.social · Oct 21

New introduction:

I write science fiction and fantasy as Michael R. Underwood (Genrenauts, Geekomancy, etc.) do game design as Mike Underwood (currently: Daggerheart), and I'm developing a new actual play show.

Previously, I was a cohost of @speculate.bsky.social and @skiffyandfanty.bsky.social.

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Michael R. Underwood (Mike) @mikerunderwood.bsky.social · 1h

Live now with my pre-roll. Get comfy and settle in for a chat as I do Actual Prep for one of my weekly Daggerheart games!

Michael R. Underwood (Mike) @mikerunderwood.bsky.social · 3h

I'll be streaming some real prep for a Daggerheart game I run today at 1pm EDT to share how I approach the process of GM prep for the game.

Twitch.tv/turbotango

Promotional graphic for a stream.

A background of polyhedral dice in various colors and patterns.

Text - in glowing yellow bold caps, "Streaming my actual prep for Daggerheart"

In glowing purple caps "Twitch.tv/turbotango"

And again in glowing yellow caps "Wed Oct 15 - 1pm EDT"

Michael R. Underwood (Mike) @mikerunderwood.bsky.social · 1h

Could it be something with...So(u)l?

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Michael R. Underwood (Mike) @mikerunderwood.bsky.social · 3h

I'll be streaming some real prep for a Daggerheart game I run today at 1pm EDT to share how I approach the process of GM prep for the game.

Twitch.tv/turbotango

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Reposted by Michael R. Underwood (Mike)

Mythworks ➡️ PAXU @mythworks.bsky.social · 4h

Last day on the road!

The Last Caravan: Westward Bound wraps up today on Kickstarter.

This new chapter adds two books, Westward Bound and Lost Highway, plus the foldable Wanderer’s Atlas and the deluxe satchel box.

If you have been waiting, now is the time to climb aboard. The road ends tonight.

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Reposted by Michael R. Underwood (Mike)

Brandon Crilly (Announcements Only) 🔜 Can*Con @brandoncrilly.bsky.social · 1d

Release day for Castoff!!

Three years in the making, we return to a fractured world for the conclusion of the Aspects of Aelda duology.

Available wherever you get your books!

www.atthisarts.com/p...

#Booksky #newrelease @atthisarts.com

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Reposted by Michael R. Underwood (Mike)

MarcoMaps Bernardini @marcomaps.bsky.social · 1d

Hi #PortfolioDay !
I'm Marco, a queer cartographer specialized in creating maps that make you want to live and have adventures in them! 🏰🌲

A map of a 80's themed American suburban town

A map of a Dwarven city built on the side of a giant waterfall

A map of a continent with diverse biomes and zoomins of various locations

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Reposted by Michael R. Underwood (Mike)

Jason Cordova @jasoncordova.bsky.social · 2d

Big announcement: Public Access is now Pay What You Want on @drivethrurpg.com! Public Access is our hit game about analog horror and childhood trauma, Carved from Brindlewood. Pick up a copy today!

www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/4...

Public Access - The Gauntlet | DriveThruRPG

A roleplaying game of analog horror, based on the Brindlewood Bay mystery system! Public Access is a tabletop roleplaying game about a group of people in 2004—the Deep Lake Latchkeys—who find themselv...

www.drivethrurpg.com

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Michael R. Underwood (Mike) @mikerunderwood.bsky.social · 2d

I have talked about it a few times, but I would guess you'd hear the most about it in the Deep Dive on GMing and How to Run Dynamic Combat videos.

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Reposted by Michael R. Underwood (Mike)

the idea slumlord✨ @mollytanzer.bsky.social · 3d

“Publisher didn’t register copyright”

Marjorie James Keenan @unenthusiast.com · 3d

In honour of spooky month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand.

rm -rf ~/

hammancheez @hammancheez.bsky.social · 3d

"The chancellor approved it"

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Reposted by Michael R. Underwood (Mike)

Dr. Emily Friedman @friede.bsky.social · 3d

Putting out a call: if you were part of WOTC’s late-2010s live events (Stream of Many Eyes, D&D Live, The Descent), I would love to talk to you as part of the Actual Play book.

[email protected] will reach me, either to schedule a chat or to share your memories.

Please feel free to share.

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Reposted by Michael R. Underwood (Mike)

The Welsh DM - Wondrous Environments Kickstarter @thewelshdm.bsky.social · 3d

Just finished catching up on @mikerunderwood.bsky.social 's Adventure design for Daggerheart stream

Really insightful design ideas that have my brain firing.

Daggerheart presents the opportunity for a very different way to write, design, and present adventure modules

youtu.be/WPeTom_GqhI?...

Designing Adventures for Daggerheart

YouTube video by Mike Underwood

youtu.be

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Michael R. Underwood (Mike) @mikerunderwood.bsky.social · 3d

ICYMI - there's still time to sign up for tonight's seminar, but you'll need to do so before 5pm EDT for me to get you included.

Michael R. Underwood (Mike) @mikerunderwood.bsky.social · 4d

There are just four spots left in today's seminar on creating Adversaries and Environments for Daggerheart:

startplaying.games/adventure/cm...

Join Daggerheart GM Seminar: Creating Adversaries & Environments - Zoom - Daggerheart | StartPlaying Games

Mike Underwood, Additional Designer on Daggerheart, shares their approach to the philosophy and practice of GMing the game. Each seminar will have 1-2 core topics, plus topics nominated by attendees ...

startplaying.games

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Reposted by Michael R. Underwood (Mike)

Tabletop Arts Fund @tabletopartsfund.org · 4d

Hey there! Couldn't help but notice that you haven't applied for the 2026 TTAF AP Grants yet. It's cool. I get it -- you've been busy. But why not take some time today to give your show a shot at being screened 'round the world?

apply.tabletoparts.fund/actualplay2026

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Reposted by Michael R. Underwood (Mike)

Leon Scarillaro 👻 @barilleon.com · 4d

As a trans person: If you want my vote in any election THIS is the bar.

Zohran Kwame Mamdani @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social · 4d

UNTIL IT’S DONE, Ep. 4: Sylvia Rivera

In the 1970s, queer New Yorkers had been pushed to the margins of NYC. Our trans neighbors faced immense cruelty. But in Sylvia Rivera, they found a champion.

As we combat Trump’s politics of darkness, her legacy can light the path forward.

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Michael R. Underwood (Mike) @mikerunderwood.bsky.social · 4d

There are just four spots left in today's seminar on creating Adversaries and Environments for Daggerheart:

startplaying.games/adventure/cm...

Join Daggerheart GM Seminar: Creating Adversaries & Environments - Zoom - Daggerheart | StartPlaying Games

startplaying.games

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Reposted by Michael R. Underwood (Mike)

Many Sided Media @manysidedmedia.bsky.social · 5d

COMING OCTOBER 20th!

Tune in for a TWO HOUR discussion about teaching games through actual play featuring an absolute POWERHOUSE panel.

Ft.
@friede.bsky.social
@itsquinns.bsky.social
@brennanleemulligan.bsky.social

Subscribe to Talk of the Table wherever you get your podcasts.

Talk of the Table Patreon w/ Dr. Emily Friedman, Quinns, & Brennan Lee Mulligan.

Roundtable: Teaching Games Through Actual Play

Pictures of each guest are in circles on a yellow background. To each side are anthropomorphized dice, one with a mouth and one with an ear.

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Reposted by Michael R. Underwood (Mike)

tt🪦RIP💀gifs @ttrpgifs.bsky.social · 5d

TOMORROW!

Join us for a day of TTRPGs and charity raising funds for Raices Texas!

I'M SO EXCITED!!

#HispanicHeritageMonth #ttrpg #charity

tt🪦RIP💀gifs @ttrpgifs.bsky.social · 8d

✨ DON'T FORGET ✨

Games For Raices starts this Saturday October 11th and it's going to be amazing!

We will have Kids on Brooms, Draw Steel and Daggerheart and we will be raising funds for @raicestexas.bsky.social

We will also have Giveaways thanks to the awesome folks at @hellomcdm.bsky.social

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Michael R. Underwood (Mike) @mikerunderwood.bsky.social · 5d

These videos are not associated with Darrington Press or Critical Role, they're just my individual perspectives on and preferences for how to run and play the game.

It's been an absolute honor getting to share these thoughts and have them so well received by players & GMs.

Michael R. Underwood (Mike) @mikerunderwood.bsky.social · 5d

I was an Additional Designer on Daggerheart and I've got a playlist of over 20 videos sharing my thoughts on running & playing the game, plus new creations to use w/the Daggerheart rules. Topics include using Fear outside of combat to creating new adversaries & more.

www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...

Daggerheart - YouTube

Daggerheart co-designer Mike Underwood (credit: Additional Designer) shares their thoughts about the game, from design analysis to GMing advice to homebrewin...

www.youtube.com

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Michael R. Underwood (Mike) @mikerunderwood.bsky.social · 5d

This book was a great read: thoughtful, rich worldbuilding, strong pacing, and an extremely believable core relationship that evolves over the course of the book. Get this one for cheap so you're ready for number two next month!

Kate Elliott @kateelliottsff.bsky.social · 9d

THE WITCH ROADS ebook is currently on sale (US) for $2.99, so if you're curious & want to read a grimsweet tale of a humble deputy courier & her annoyed nephew, a possessed prince, & a ravenous fungal ghost plague, now's the time.
Bk 2 of the duology arrives Nov 4!

us.macmillan.com/books/978125...

The Witch Roads

Book 1 in the Witch Roads duology, the latest epic novel by fan favorite Kate Elliott.. Status is hereditary, class is bestowed, trust must be earned.When an...

us.macmillan.com

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Reposted by Michael R. Underwood (Mike)

PAX @officialpax.bsky.social · 5d

Two days of Daggerheart await! Worldbuild with the devs Fri, Nov. 21, then witness the next big announcements, exclusive keepsakes, & more on Sat, Nov. 22 with Matt Mercer, Jeremy Crawford, Spenser Starke & special guests 🗡️❤️

See more details ➡️ PAXun25.com/Schedule

@criticalrole.bsky.social

Daggerheart Live: Building the Next Chapter.
See panelists Jeremy Crawford, Matthew Mercer, Spenser Starke, Elise Rezendes, Rowan Hall and some special guests.
PAX Unplugged
Nov. 21 - 23, 2025
unplugged.paxsite.com

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Reposted by Michael R. Underwood (Mike)

tt🪦RIP💀gifs @ttrpgifs.bsky.social · 5d

Daggerheart nerds are moving with swift speed to make Ribbit characters who fight fascism inspired by the Portland Frog.

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Reposted by Michael R. Underwood (Mike)

Spenser Starke @spenserstarke.bsky.social · 5d

In case you haven't seen it yet, @dngnclub.itch.io released an AWESOME new horror game called "How's My Driving?" that uses some of the Daggerheart mechanics in a fun, new way! Go grab a copy!! dngnclub.itch.io/hows-my-driv...

HOW'S MY DRIVING? by DNGNCLUB

A Road Trip Gone Wrong for 2-6 players

dngnclub.itch.io

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Michael R. Underwood (Mike) @mikerunderwood.bsky.social · 6d

All of the Witherwild stuff I add in this is unofficial, but I think it's pretty cool. :)

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Michael R. Underwood (Mike) @mikerunderwood.bsky.social · 6d

The scheduled time for this to go live was later than my notes said, sorry. It's public now. :)