Clayton
@explorersdesign.bsky.social
Pronunciation: "Klay-tun Note-Styne" Designer. Writer. Educator. Tabletop games. Explorers Design. Pro-union and cooperatives. He/Him.
Pinned
Clayton
@explorersdesign.bsky.social
· Nov 13
Explorers Design
Bespoke adventures, tools, and resources for tabletop rpg designers.
www.explorersdesign.com
This is a new introduction thread for myself. I'm Clayton Notestine ("note-styne"). I'm a learner, reviewer, and design writer in tabletop rpgs. I make tools and resources.
This thread is my current list of favorite articles and projects on Explorers Design.
This thread is my current list of favorite articles and projects on Explorers Design.
The Bloggies this year continue to produce razor thin races.
This round is still any blog's game.
Vote here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
This round is still any blog's game.
Vote here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
February 18, 2026 at 9:32 PM
The Bloggies this year continue to produce razor thin races.
This round is still any blog's game.
Vote here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
This round is still any blog's game.
Vote here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Clayton
I talk a lot about logos and branding/visual identity design as a service but I haven’t really gone into what those are.
So what is the difference between the two and why should you, as a game publisher, care?
This will probably be a blog at some point but for now it’ll be a (short?) thread.
1/?
So what is the difference between the two and why should you, as a game publisher, care?
This will probably be a blog at some point but for now it’ll be a (short?) thread.
1/?
February 18, 2026 at 8:30 PM
I talk a lot about logos and branding/visual identity design as a service but I haven’t really gone into what those are.
So what is the difference between the two and why should you, as a game publisher, care?
This will probably be a blog at some point but for now it’ll be a (short?) thread.
1/?
So what is the difference between the two and why should you, as a game publisher, care?
This will probably be a blog at some point but for now it’ll be a (short?) thread.
1/?
Reposted by Clayton
Faggot Games did not pass The Bloggies Round 2 in the Meta category, but that doesn't mean you should stop voting for the remaining contenders. Get the hell in there. ✨
And you can vote for all of the current contenders for round 3 in this form!
forms.gle/bgzyuLaCQAYF...
forms.gle/bgzyuLaCQAYF...
The Bloggies: Round 3
Welcome to The Bloggies. You're currently voting in the third round of all five brackets.
Why are all of the categories included? Up until this point there were a lot of matchups. Now there are only t...
forms.gle
February 18, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Faggot Games did not pass The Bloggies Round 2 in the Meta category, but that doesn't mean you should stop voting for the remaining contenders. Get the hell in there. ✨
Reposted by Clayton
The 10 Types of Special Rooms is in round three? Can we keep the dream alive? Only with your support.
Join me on the path to glory. WE HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE BUT OUR CHAINS.
Join me on the path to glory. WE HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE BUT OUR CHAINS.
February 18, 2026 at 5:03 PM
The 10 Types of Special Rooms is in round three? Can we keep the dream alive? Only with your support.
Join me on the path to glory. WE HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE BUT OUR CHAINS.
Join me on the path to glory. WE HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE BUT OUR CHAINS.
Reposted by Clayton
Vote for Elmcat! ACAB was one of my favorite blogs this year, and Elmcat has become a pillar of the community. His Mapping the Blogosphere project is one of the coolest things I've seen on a blog.
February 18, 2026 at 5:20 PM
Vote for Elmcat! ACAB was one of my favorite blogs this year, and Elmcat has become a pillar of the community. His Mapping the Blogosphere project is one of the coolest things I've seen on a blog.
I voted (in the Bloggies). forms.gle/juxmJ4fTH7db...
(Credit: Ulster County 2022 "I Voted" sticker by Hudson Rowan.)
(Credit: Ulster County 2022 "I Voted" sticker by Hudson Rowan.)
February 18, 2026 at 3:00 PM
I voted (in the Bloggies). forms.gle/juxmJ4fTH7db...
(Credit: Ulster County 2022 "I Voted" sticker by Hudson Rowan.)
(Credit: Ulster County 2022 "I Voted" sticker by Hudson Rowan.)
The Bloggies round 2 results are in. A lot of the usual upsets and surprises. You can find the full breakdown (with vote counts) in this article.
Bloggies Breakdown: Round 2
After the second Bloggies Blog Bath: Who won? And by how much?
www.explorersdesign.com
February 18, 2026 at 1:43 PM
The Bloggies round 2 results are in. A lot of the usual upsets and surprises. You can find the full breakdown (with vote counts) in this article.
This year's Bloggies might be the most competitive yet.
Let me show you some of the matches from round 1.
Let's look at the advice bracket.
The difference between these was no more than 8 votes. The matchup between A Lock with No Key and Don't Write Lore? Decided by 1 vote.
Let me show you some of the matches from round 1.
Let's look at the advice bracket.
The difference between these was no more than 8 votes. The matchup between A Lock with No Key and Don't Write Lore? Decided by 1 vote.
February 18, 2026 at 12:49 AM
This year's Bloggies might be the most competitive yet.
Let me show you some of the matches from round 1.
Let's look at the advice bracket.
The difference between these was no more than 8 votes. The matchup between A Lock with No Key and Don't Write Lore? Decided by 1 vote.
Let me show you some of the matches from round 1.
Let's look at the advice bracket.
The difference between these was no more than 8 votes. The matchup between A Lock with No Key and Don't Write Lore? Decided by 1 vote.
This is your nightly invitation to read through The Bloggies and vote on your favorite rpg blogs from last year.
If you haven't participated already, that's okay. You can jump in now and vote on one or more matchups. You might even walk away with new ideas or house rules in the process.
🧙♂️🗳️👇
If you haven't participated already, that's okay. You can jump in now and vote on one or more matchups. You might even walk away with new ideas or house rules in the process.
🧙♂️🗳️👇
The Bloggies 2026
A yearly celebration of blogging in tabletop roleplaying games.
www.explorersdesign.com
February 18, 2026 at 12:31 AM
This is your nightly invitation to read through The Bloggies and vote on your favorite rpg blogs from last year.
If you haven't participated already, that's okay. You can jump in now and vote on one or more matchups. You might even walk away with new ideas or house rules in the process.
🧙♂️🗳️👇
If you haven't participated already, that's okay. You can jump in now and vote on one or more matchups. You might even walk away with new ideas or house rules in the process.
🧙♂️🗳️👇
Reposted by Clayton
There are waaaay fewer posts to read and judge mercilessly this round. You should be able to get to all of them. VOTE!
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-res...
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-res...
Bloggies Breakdown: Round 1
After The Bloggies Blog Bath: Who won? And by how much?
www.explorersdesign.com
February 17, 2026 at 5:41 PM
There are waaaay fewer posts to read and judge mercilessly this round. You should be able to get to all of them. VOTE!
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-res...
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-res...
Can someone check to see if there's a typo in the confirmation message of this Bloggies ballot?
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
The Bloggies: Theory Round 2
Welcome to The Bloggies. You're currently voting in the second round of the Theory bracket.
What's in this category? This category is all about systems, mechanics, settings, and more.
What are The Bl...
docs.google.com
February 17, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Can someone check to see if there's a typo in the confirmation message of this Bloggies ballot?
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Clayton
Faggot Games has hit round 2 of the Meta category! Go vote. ✨
You have less than 24 hours to vote in round 2.
The good news: There are half as many posts in round 2, and if you voted in the first round, you've likely read most of them.
The official webpage for this year can be found here:
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/
The good news: There are half as many posts in round 2, and if you voted in the first round, you've likely read most of them.
The official webpage for this year can be found here:
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/
The Bloggies 2026
A yearly celebration of blogging in tabletop roleplaying games.
www.explorersdesign.com
February 17, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Faggot Games has hit round 2 of the Meta category! Go vote. ✨
Reposted by Clayton
Round 2 is live and "[HMTW] Using Divination to Generate a Character" squeaked through! Go give it a vote in the Gameable section, please!
You have less than 24 hours to vote in round 2.
The good news: There are half as many posts in round 2, and if you voted in the first round, you've likely read most of them.
The official webpage for this year can be found here:
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/
The good news: There are half as many posts in round 2, and if you voted in the first round, you've likely read most of them.
The official webpage for this year can be found here:
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/
The Bloggies 2026
A yearly celebration of blogging in tabletop roleplaying games.
www.explorersdesign.com
February 17, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Round 2 is live and "[HMTW] Using Divination to Generate a Character" squeaked through! Go give it a vote in the Gameable section, please!
Reposted by Clayton
So many masterpieces have fallen too soon.
Please keep voting! May the best posts win!
Please keep voting! May the best posts win!
You have less than 24 hours to vote in round 2.
The good news: There are half as many posts in round 2, and if you voted in the first round, you've likely read most of them.
The official webpage for this year can be found here:
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/
The good news: There are half as many posts in round 2, and if you voted in the first round, you've likely read most of them.
The official webpage for this year can be found here:
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/
The Bloggies 2026
A yearly celebration of blogging in tabletop roleplaying games.
www.explorersdesign.com
February 17, 2026 at 4:24 PM
So many masterpieces have fallen too soon.
Please keep voting! May the best posts win!
Please keep voting! May the best posts win!
If you're reading this, round 1 of the Bloggies' Hunger Games is over and round 2 has already started!
This post has all of the voting breakdowns sans the vote count (it would have taken me an extra hour to add those in, and I have a day job 😔.)
You won't believe the margins on these matchups!
This post has all of the voting breakdowns sans the vote count (it would have taken me an extra hour to add those in, and I have a day job 😔.)
You won't believe the margins on these matchups!
Bloggies Breakdown: Round 1
After The Bloggies Blog Bath: Who won? And by how much?
www.explorersdesign.com
February 17, 2026 at 2:51 PM
If you're reading this, round 1 of the Bloggies' Hunger Games is over and round 2 has already started!
This post has all of the voting breakdowns sans the vote count (it would have taken me an extra hour to add those in, and I have a day job 😔.)
You won't believe the margins on these matchups!
This post has all of the voting breakdowns sans the vote count (it would have taken me an extra hour to add those in, and I have a day job 😔.)
You won't believe the margins on these matchups!
Steely Dan's Can't Buy a Thrill is the official soundtrack of Between Two Cons. That or something from King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard.
Someone should go for me. I've already burnt all my vacation time on trips to various Hard Rock Cafes. Can't swing it this year.
Someone should go for me. I've already burnt all my vacation time on trips to various Hard Rock Cafes. Can't swing it this year.
Between Two Cairns is organizing a gaming convention in Portland, OR. Please come! betweentwocons.com @betterlegends.bsky.social @yochaigal.bsky.social
February 16, 2026 at 10:59 PM
Steely Dan's Can't Buy a Thrill is the official soundtrack of Between Two Cons. That or something from King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard.
Someone should go for me. I've already burnt all my vacation time on trips to various Hard Rock Cafes. Can't swing it this year.
Someone should go for me. I've already burnt all my vacation time on trips to various Hard Rock Cafes. Can't swing it this year.
Reposted by Clayton
Go vote in the Bloggies people! Choose one or two categories that you are most interested in, read those posts and choose your favourites. @explorersdesign.bsky.social needs more votes in categories that don’t happen to be “Advice” coz its first in the list!
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-202...
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-202...
The Bloggies 2026
A yearly celebration of blogging in tabletop roleplaying games.
www.explorersdesign.com
February 16, 2026 at 10:30 PM
Go vote in the Bloggies people! Choose one or two categories that you are most interested in, read those posts and choose your favourites. @explorersdesign.bsky.social needs more votes in categories that don’t happen to be “Advice” coz its first in the list!
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-202...
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-202...
Reposted by Clayton
The Bloggies 2026
A yearly celebration of blogging in tabletop roleplaying games.
www.explorersdesign.com
February 15, 2026 at 6:34 PM
Reposted by Clayton
The Bloggies 2026
A yearly celebration of blogging in tabletop roleplaying games.
www.explorersdesign.com
February 15, 2026 at 8:21 PM
Reposted by Clayton
Voting for the Bloggies is open!! Vote for my friends!!
"What is an OSR" (Meta) by @juniperhl.bsky.social
"How to Replicate Over/Under" (Advice) & "Promises - A Mythic Bastionland House Rule" (Gameable) by @valerialoves.bsky.social
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/
"What is an OSR" (Meta) by @juniperhl.bsky.social
"How to Replicate Over/Under" (Advice) & "Promises - A Mythic Bastionland House Rule" (Gameable) by @valerialoves.bsky.social
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/
The Bloggies 2026
A yearly celebration of blogging in tabletop roleplaying games.
www.explorersdesign.com
February 16, 2026 at 1:35 PM
Voting for the Bloggies is open!! Vote for my friends!!
"What is an OSR" (Meta) by @juniperhl.bsky.social
"How to Replicate Over/Under" (Advice) & "Promises - A Mythic Bastionland House Rule" (Gameable) by @valerialoves.bsky.social
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/
"What is an OSR" (Meta) by @juniperhl.bsky.social
"How to Replicate Over/Under" (Advice) & "Promises - A Mythic Bastionland House Rule" (Gameable) by @valerialoves.bsky.social
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/
Reposted by Clayton
important memetic information www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/
February 16, 2026 at 5:26 PM
important memetic information www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/
Reposted by Clayton
Bloggies voting is live! Vote for *Combat as My Balls* in the theory ballot!
https://www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/#the-bloggies-tournament
https://www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/#the-bloggies-tournament
The Bloggies 2026
A yearly celebration of blogging in tabletop roleplaying games.
www.explorersdesign.com
February 16, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Bloggies voting is live! Vote for *Combat as My Balls* in the theory ballot!
https://www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/#the-bloggies-tournament
https://www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/#the-bloggies-tournament
Reposted by Clayton
Go vote for my posts! I think I’m in all non-advice categories (because I only give bad advice, like “go vote for my posts”)
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-202...
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-202...
February 16, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Go vote for my posts! I think I’m in all non-advice categories (because I only give bad advice, like “go vote for my posts”)
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-202...
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-202...
Reposted by Clayton
I voted, did you?
Bloggies voting has begun! This week is the tournament: the Thunderdome of rpg blogs. If you're thinking to yourself, "This is a lot of reading." I've got bad news: you're already running out of time.
Here's everything you need to know for this week... 1/4
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/
Here's everything you need to know for this week... 1/4
www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/
The Bloggies 2026
A yearly celebration of blogging in tabletop roleplaying games.
www.explorersdesign.com
February 16, 2026 at 5:09 PM
I voted, did you?
Reposted by Clayton
Bloggies PSA! Round 1 of all 5 initial Categories is open until 7 AM EST. Not just Advice.
Advice: forms.gle/LApoXPh7cVhy...
Critique: forms.gle/5Qvwxxsvyhq8...
Gameable: forms.gle/WjPxMyQunpPZ...
Theory: forms.gle/VSa1fwjYLcrk...
Meta: forms.gle/R26nY7qm7DaA...
Vote for your favorites. PSA over
Advice: forms.gle/LApoXPh7cVhy...
Critique: forms.gle/5Qvwxxsvyhq8...
Gameable: forms.gle/WjPxMyQunpPZ...
Theory: forms.gle/VSa1fwjYLcrk...
Meta: forms.gle/R26nY7qm7DaA...
Vote for your favorites. PSA over
February 16, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Bloggies PSA! Round 1 of all 5 initial Categories is open until 7 AM EST. Not just Advice.
Advice: forms.gle/LApoXPh7cVhy...
Critique: forms.gle/5Qvwxxsvyhq8...
Gameable: forms.gle/WjPxMyQunpPZ...
Theory: forms.gle/VSa1fwjYLcrk...
Meta: forms.gle/R26nY7qm7DaA...
Vote for your favorites. PSA over
Advice: forms.gle/LApoXPh7cVhy...
Critique: forms.gle/5Qvwxxsvyhq8...
Gameable: forms.gle/WjPxMyQunpPZ...
Theory: forms.gle/VSa1fwjYLcrk...
Meta: forms.gle/R26nY7qm7DaA...
Vote for your favorites. PSA over