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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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Reposted by Michael R. Underwood (Mike)

Jason Cordova @jasoncordova.bsky.social · 20h

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 · 1d

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 · 1d

“Publisher didn’t register copyright”

Marjorie James Keenan @unenthusiast.com · 2d

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 · 2d

"The chancellor approved it"

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Reposted by Michael R. Underwood (Mike)

Dr. Emily Friedman @friede.bsky.social · 1d

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 · 1d

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 · 2d

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 · 2d

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 · 2d

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 · 2d

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

Zohran Kwame Mamdani @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social · 2d

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 · 2d

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 · 3d

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 · 3d

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 · 7d

✨ 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 · 3d

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 · 3d

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 · 4d

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 · 7d

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 · 4d

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 · 4d

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 · 4d

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 · 4d

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 · 4d

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

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

My video on designing adventures for Daggerheart is now live on YouTube! Featuring my thoughts about the challenges involved and a preview of material from a WIP adventure I am writing for the Witherwild setting:

youtu.be/WPeTom_GqhI

youtu.be

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

Huge congrats to Emanuele and Need Games for this staggering success!

Need Games! 🔜@ Gamehole Con! @needgames.bsky.social · 5d

Over 999.999! ✨💫
Not even our dreams reached this high! 🐦‍🔥
Thank you to every single one of you who supported Fabula Ultima in this incredible campaign. 💎

Discover the future of Fabula Ultima with the final stretch goal unlocked!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ndg...

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

Thanks so much! It's so fun knowing that people have taken so fondly to the campaign frames.

Darrington has announced some new frames coming in the future, and I wrote an original frame that will be releasing later this year!

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

I dig how the glowing sword matches the cloak! Have a great time with the game. :)

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Reposted by Michael R. Underwood (Mike)

Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social · 5d

repost this if an editor has ever saved you from yourself

violent alien @blipstress.bsky.social · 5d

An actual hot take: Too many authors are afraid of editors watering down their voice or whatever and not afraid enough of editors letting you put any old slop on the page.

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

Live now! Settle in for a fun chat about adventure design for use with Daggerheart. What's the balance between structure and flexibility for a game built to support player agency and improvisation? Let's talk about it. <3

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

This afternoon I'll be streaming with my evolving thoughts about designing an adventure for use with Daggerheart, including a preview of a Witherwild module I am working on to be published down the road.

Twitch.tv/turbotango at 1pm EDT, on YouTube tomorrow morning.

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