Avernus Labs
@avernuslabs.bsky.social
Making ttRPGs... eventually. Delayed for health (and marketing) reasons.
Working on a small project, a casual play-by-post "CivRPG" game for Discord servers and I ran into a fun design problem: I had to invent zero.
The trick was counting player agency as a trait with no stats and no dice rolls.
The trick was counting player agency as a trait with no stats and no dice rolls.
December 4, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Working on a small project, a casual play-by-post "CivRPG" game for Discord servers and I ran into a fun design problem: I had to invent zero.
The trick was counting player agency as a trait with no stats and no dice rolls.
The trick was counting player agency as a trait with no stats and no dice rolls.
I will no longer be working on projects for use with Savage Worlds.
To be fair, I'm mostly dealing with the issues of moving & medical issues, so it isn't like I was working on much of anything at the moment.
But damn. I can't be party to this. Charlie Kirk was a fascist. There is no defense.
To be fair, I'm mostly dealing with the issues of moving & medical issues, so it isn't like I was working on much of anything at the moment.
But damn. I can't be party to this. Charlie Kirk was a fascist. There is no defense.
September 14, 2025 at 12:50 PM
I will no longer be working on projects for use with Savage Worlds.
To be fair, I'm mostly dealing with the issues of moving & medical issues, so it isn't like I was working on much of anything at the moment.
But damn. I can't be party to this. Charlie Kirk was a fascist. There is no defense.
To be fair, I'm mostly dealing with the issues of moving & medical issues, so it isn't like I was working on much of anything at the moment.
But damn. I can't be party to this. Charlie Kirk was a fascist. There is no defense.
Alright! Up early, got breakfast. It's time to write some cosmic horror adventures for Savage Worlds. Until suddenly... Oh.
May 14, 2025 at 2:41 AM
Alright! Up early, got breakfast. It's time to write some cosmic horror adventures for Savage Worlds. Until suddenly... Oh.
Excellent! I have performed... uh... step one of game design.
Did you know, step two is really hard?
Seriously, Will's advice is helpful across more than just the visuals. My boss fight design is DIRECTLY inspired by LoK: Soul Reaver; I've written an entire campaign based on Dino Crisis & Virus.
Did you know, step two is really hard?
Seriously, Will's advice is helpful across more than just the visuals. My boss fight design is DIRECTLY inspired by LoK: Soul Reaver; I've written an entire campaign based on Dino Crisis & Virus.
my biggest little tip for design (game, graphic, visual) is to always be compiling reference all the time. get a folder and fill it with stuff you like. a stack of books or games you like. etc. fill the mind library with work that surprises you
March 25, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Excellent! I have performed... uh... step one of game design.
Did you know, step two is really hard?
Seriously, Will's advice is helpful across more than just the visuals. My boss fight design is DIRECTLY inspired by LoK: Soul Reaver; I've written an entire campaign based on Dino Crisis & Virus.
Did you know, step two is really hard?
Seriously, Will's advice is helpful across more than just the visuals. My boss fight design is DIRECTLY inspired by LoK: Soul Reaver; I've written an entire campaign based on Dino Crisis & Virus.
... Shit. I gotta add these now.
if you're making a fantasy TTRPG, I think one of the things you should include is "in universe oaths and curses"
like, my paladin isn't going to be going "JESUS CHRIST!" when finding a scary thing, he's gonna be like...saying something else, provide the something else
like, my paladin isn't going to be going "JESUS CHRIST!" when finding a scary thing, he's gonna be like...saying something else, provide the something else
March 21, 2025 at 9:16 PM
... Shit. I gotta add these now.
Okay so good news: the rabbit hole of Orion Imperial naval doctrine did actually make designing the Republic Navy better and more interesting, as well as giving me strong lore reasons to provide the Bwa Hir multi-role fighter as the preferred platform for player characters.
Well this backfired horribly. I forgot that if the IRN is all Imperial hand-me-downs, I have to design the Orion Empire's tactics first.
Scope creep, GO! Savage Starfighter will now include a bonus section about the military and tactics of a faction that isn't even in the campaign.
Scope creep, GO! Savage Starfighter will now include a bonus section about the military and tactics of a faction that isn't even in the campaign.
March 9, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Okay so good news: the rabbit hole of Orion Imperial naval doctrine did actually make designing the Republic Navy better and more interesting, as well as giving me strong lore reasons to provide the Bwa Hir multi-role fighter as the preferred platform for player characters.
Today in #ttRPG #gamedev I am going to be writing military doctrine & designing starfighter stats for the Isocene Republic Navy!
The Republic Navy consists of salvaged vessels of the Orion Empire pressed rapidly into service to address piracy that arose in the wake of the Imperial Withdrawal.
The Republic Navy consists of salvaged vessels of the Orion Empire pressed rapidly into service to address piracy that arose in the wake of the Imperial Withdrawal.
March 7, 2025 at 12:21 AM
How about growing with GIT THE FUCK OUTTA HERE?
Blocked.
Blocked.
February 26, 2025 at 5:29 PM
How about growing with GIT THE FUCK OUTTA HERE?
Blocked.
Blocked.
Australian job hunt is hard work. But in between real responsibilities, I've started writing a mini-campaign to serve as a tech demo for my Savage Starfighter combat rules.
The campaign is a combination of Le Morte d'Arthur and Enterprise vs. Japan for its main inspirations. That's a sentence!
The campaign is a combination of Le Morte d'Arthur and Enterprise vs. Japan for its main inspirations. That's a sentence!
February 8, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Australian job hunt is hard work. But in between real responsibilities, I've started writing a mini-campaign to serve as a tech demo for my Savage Starfighter combat rules.
The campaign is a combination of Le Morte d'Arthur and Enterprise vs. Japan for its main inspirations. That's a sentence!
The campaign is a combination of Le Morte d'Arthur and Enterprise vs. Japan for its main inspirations. That's a sentence!
I'm closeted, but I'm trans. The American election results are an extreme danger to my life. The time, money, and resources I thought I had to dedicate to this company are gone now. I'm doing everything I can to get out before it's too late.
I hope some day I can work on what I love again.
I hope some day I can work on what I love again.
November 6, 2024 at 2:53 PM
I'm closeted, but I'm trans. The American election results are an extreme danger to my life. The time, money, and resources I thought I had to dedicate to this company are gone now. I'm doing everything I can to get out before it's too late.
I hope some day I can work on what I love again.
I hope some day I can work on what I love again.
It's been a bad first year for Avernus Labs. My production time got replaced with surgical recovery time, & now I'm quitting the job that was my production budget to work somewhere healthier. This means any serious release schedule is out the window. I will re-assess what this account is for soon.
October 18, 2024 at 4:27 PM
It's been a bad first year for Avernus Labs. My production time got replaced with surgical recovery time, & now I'm quitting the job that was my production budget to work somewhere healthier. This means any serious release schedule is out the window. I will re-assess what this account is for soon.
I have been very quiet for the past 5 months because I'm in a bad full-time job. The good news is I might be quitting REALLY FAST and really soon, and once I'm out from under this weight I should be able to make proper progress again.
Good things to come in 2025 once the move gets sorted.
Good things to come in 2025 once the move gets sorted.
September 10, 2024 at 8:56 PM
I have been very quiet for the past 5 months because I'm in a bad full-time job. The good news is I might be quitting REALLY FAST and really soon, and once I'm out from under this weight I should be able to make proper progress again.
Good things to come in 2025 once the move gets sorted.
Good things to come in 2025 once the move gets sorted.
Ooo. MST3k did Doctor Mordrid? How did I miss that?
September 10, 2024 at 2:40 PM
Ooo. MST3k did Doctor Mordrid? How did I miss that?
I'm not saying that this was a good use of my time...
... but this is absolutely the sort of stupid thing I do for fun. A BattleTech conspiracy board of me unraveling the secrets of the Black Marauder.
... but this is absolutely the sort of stupid thing I do for fun. A BattleTech conspiracy board of me unraveling the secrets of the Black Marauder.
August 13, 2024 at 6:37 AM
I'm not saying that this was a good use of my time...
... but this is absolutely the sort of stupid thing I do for fun. A BattleTech conspiracy board of me unraveling the secrets of the Black Marauder.
... but this is absolutely the sort of stupid thing I do for fun. A BattleTech conspiracy board of me unraveling the secrets of the Black Marauder.
Reposted by Avernus Labs
Amazon
Doing it's usual practices of shadowbanning Queer writers.
toot.cat/@ChaosCatgir...
Direct link if bi or pan women and non-binary characters having a non-sexual romance are of interest.
shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?q0pFbZ...
Please share. 😀
Doing it's usual practices of shadowbanning Queer writers.
toot.cat/@ChaosCatgir...
Direct link if bi or pan women and non-binary characters having a non-sexual romance are of interest.
shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?q0pFbZ...
Please share. 😀
DaxAeterna ✨ (witchandry) (@[email protected])
I love it when Amazon decides that it's FINE to have a hundred thousand books titled "Alpha-Bitten" or "Omega's Pride" or "Dominated By The Bilionaire" and it's FINE.
But my book with ZERO SEXUAL CON...
toot.cat
August 10, 2024 at 11:32 AM
Amazon
Doing it's usual practices of shadowbanning Queer writers.
toot.cat/@ChaosCatgir...
Direct link if bi or pan women and non-binary characters having a non-sexual romance are of interest.
shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?q0pFbZ...
Please share. 😀
Doing it's usual practices of shadowbanning Queer writers.
toot.cat/@ChaosCatgir...
Direct link if bi or pan women and non-binary characters having a non-sexual romance are of interest.
shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?q0pFbZ...
Please share. 😀
I am wiped from a week of working the convention. My full-time job being behind a desk has left me in less than ideal fitness.
August 4, 2024 at 12:03 AM
I am wiped from a week of working the convention. My full-time job being behind a desk has left me in less than ideal fitness.
As promised, I've grabbed a few more photos from Gen Con! I didn't have too much time before we opened, so it's just a couple of the prettiest booths I walked past.
August 3, 2024 at 2:49 AM
As promised, I've grabbed a few more photos from Gen Con! I didn't have too much time before we opened, so it's just a couple of the prettiest booths I walked past.
As promised, here are some photos of the booth I'm volunteering at! We've got Dropzone, Dropfleet, Carnevale, Rumbleslam, and a ton of MDF terrain elements in 10mm, 28-32mm, and 15mm!
I'll try to get more photos of other booths tomorrow.
I'll try to get more photos of other booths tomorrow.
August 2, 2024 at 1:33 AM
As promised, here are some photos of the booth I'm volunteering at! We've got Dropzone, Dropfleet, Carnevale, Rumbleslam, and a ton of MDF terrain elements in 10mm, 28-32mm, and 15mm!
I'll try to get more photos of other booths tomorrow.
I'll try to get more photos of other booths tomorrow.
Yesterday we moved ~7000lbs of product and display cases.
Today we made it presentable and priced everything.
I am very tired from both of these days, but TOMORROW! Tomorrow I get to check out CGL's new Battletech stuff and stop by Studio 2 Publishing's booth with all its Savage Worlds books!
Today we made it presentable and priced everything.
I am very tired from both of these days, but TOMORROW! Tomorrow I get to check out CGL's new Battletech stuff and stop by Studio 2 Publishing's booth with all its Savage Worlds books!
August 1, 2024 at 1:52 AM
Yesterday we moved ~7000lbs of product and display cases.
Today we made it presentable and priced everything.
I am very tired from both of these days, but TOMORROW! Tomorrow I get to check out CGL's new Battletech stuff and stop by Studio 2 Publishing's booth with all its Savage Worlds books!
Today we made it presentable and priced everything.
I am very tired from both of these days, but TOMORROW! Tomorrow I get to check out CGL's new Battletech stuff and stop by Studio 2 Publishing's booth with all its Savage Worlds books!
Made it to GenCon! We moved a LOT of product today. Tomorrow is gonna be a LOT of set-up....
July 31, 2024 at 4:41 AM
Made it to GenCon! We moved a LOT of product today. Tomorrow is gonna be a LOT of set-up....
In an unexpected turn of events, I will be attending Gen Con this year! Sadly I've nothing of my own to show off at the convention, but I'll get some good photos to post while I'm there.
July 27, 2024 at 5:50 PM
In an unexpected turn of events, I will be attending Gen Con this year! Sadly I've nothing of my own to show off at the convention, but I'll get some good photos to post while I'm there.
I've been too ill to complete any of my projects, but I still have 1/2 my annual production budget (the half not spent on surgery).
That money needs to make art.
That's why I'm committing it to a project I believe strongly in. Congratulations to Stardust on reaching their funding goal.
That money needs to make art.
That's why I'm committing it to a project I believe strongly in. Congratulations to Stardust on reaching their funding goal.
VOIDFARERS: 48 HOURS REMAIN TO ASCEND
We are so close to funding this queer sci-fi passion project. Let's get Windsong back into orbit.
kickstarter.com/projects/sub...
#audiobooks #scififri #SciFiSat #TransRightsAreHumanRights
We are so close to funding this queer sci-fi passion project. Let's get Windsong back into orbit.
kickstarter.com/projects/sub...
#audiobooks #scififri #SciFiSat #TransRightsAreHumanRights
July 15, 2024 at 3:46 PM
I've been too ill to complete any of my projects, but I still have 1/2 my annual production budget (the half not spent on surgery).
That money needs to make art.
That's why I'm committing it to a project I believe strongly in. Congratulations to Stardust on reaching their funding goal.
That money needs to make art.
That's why I'm committing it to a project I believe strongly in. Congratulations to Stardust on reaching their funding goal.
They're so close to the finish line. You should absolutely back this project if you can. You'll never meet a finer team working on anything.
VOIDFARERS: 48 HOURS REMAIN TO ASCEND
We are so close to funding this queer sci-fi passion project. Let's get Windsong back into orbit.
kickstarter.com/projects/sub...
#audiobooks #scififri #SciFiSat #TransRightsAreHumanRights
We are so close to funding this queer sci-fi passion project. Let's get Windsong back into orbit.
kickstarter.com/projects/sub...
#audiobooks #scififri #SciFiSat #TransRightsAreHumanRights
July 14, 2024 at 5:43 PM
They're so close to the finish line. You should absolutely back this project if you can. You'll never meet a finer team working on anything.
I just learned my roomie watches the Critical Drinker. I will never be able to respect another of his media takes.
June 13, 2024 at 4:02 AM
I just learned my roomie watches the Critical Drinker. I will never be able to respect another of his media takes.
Reposted by Avernus Labs
Fellow Voidfarers! What are some of your favorite nerdy podcasts 🎙️, musicians 🎶, sci-fi/fantasy/horror audiodramas 🎭, and actual plays? 🎲 Leave a reply and a link to them below!
June 6, 2024 at 8:29 PM
Fellow Voidfarers! What are some of your favorite nerdy podcasts 🎙️, musicians 🎶, sci-fi/fantasy/horror audiodramas 🎭, and actual plays? 🎲 Leave a reply and a link to them below!