Chris (Dark Mirror Media)
LightNews LightNews
banner
chaffeecj.bsky.social
Chris (Dark Mirror Media)
@chaffeecj.bsky.social
130 followers 440 following 170 posts
- RPG enthusiast
- Co-Producer @ Dark Mirror Media
- Player on @letsbelegendary.bsky.social
- Cat Dad
- FromSoftware games are great
- Always looking to riff on ideas!

https://darkmirrormedia.itch.io/
Posts Replies Media Videos
chaffeecj.bsky.social
I love it when you go to a party and end up helping to rescue a kitten from the outdoors (our friends had already trapped his mom)
Close up picture of a gray kitten with wide eyes in a soft gray cat bed. A toothbrush is blurry on the left as it was brushing his head.
August 17, 2025 at 4:19 AM
chaffeecj.bsky.social
I ran the first part of the dungeon I built using the Designing Dungeons course from @riseupcomus.bsky.social and it went very well! Even though my dungeon was a more open space, it really helped me think through things methodically and make sure I was prepped for when my players went off the rails!
Picture of a pencil-drawn dungeon map, with buildings, vehicles, and points of interest labeled
July 27, 2025 at 3:48 AM
chaffeecj.bsky.social
If you see this, share a pic on your device with no explanation
A black cat sits on a plastic box looking out of a window with his tail up. To the right of the cat, there is a rolling bulletin board with papers attached via push pin
March 24, 2025 at 2:24 AM
chaffeecj.bsky.social
We had something like this in Japan - it was just super crunchy and messy, not worth it really
A flat croissant being held in one hand. The croissant has hard icing and marshmallows, with freeze-dried strawberries.
March 10, 2025 at 12:15 AM
chaffeecj.bsky.social
Last post of #Febrewary! I'm proud I made it through the whole month, this is the most I've ever created, and definitely the most consistently I've posted anything. Thanks to everyone and we'll see you off with a little Wilderfeast Quest! Thanks @here-and-there-dnd.bsky.social for the fun prompts!
Egg-celent Endeavor One of the Dorushi family chefs is planning on making a special omelet for Namake's birthday, but requires Lotangwa eggs. They would get them themselves, but it's breeding season and they're more aggressive than usual. - Location: Wavebreak - TN 24 to sneak the eggs away without getting caught - if they fail the Stealth Challenge, a Lotangwa attacks with Initiative
March 1, 2025 at 4:52 AM
chaffeecj.bsky.social
We had friends over tonight so I didn't have a ton of time to work on today's #Febrewary entry, but here it is: the Enshi, a large salamander/flying squirrel combo! Inspired by the Tobi-Kadachi from Monster Hunter, but more mountainous and less electric
27 - Large Friendly Creature ### Enshi Resembling a cross between a giant salamander and a flying squirrel, Enshi are delightful companions to anyone brave enough to climb the cliffs where they make their home. Their hooked claws allow them to cling to the rock face, and the membrane that stretches between their front and hind legs allows them to glide gracefully upon the winds before dropping out of the sky to ambush their prey (mainly goats, but there have been reports of Enshi attacking horses and cows when desperate).
February 28, 2025 at 4:37 AM
chaffeecj.bsky.social
I can't deny, I'm running out of steam a little bit, but we're in the home stretch for #Febrewary!! Today's entry, Guild, is one of the founding families from my #Wilderfeast game.
26 - Guild: the Ori Family The Ori Family was one of the first families to establish Seika Village as an outpost of Gosen. Their skill at weaving is key for the safety and prosperity of the fishers who make use of their nets and sails, as well as the farmers who use their ropes and baskets to navigate the canopy and harvest the staple Seika Apples. Their current matriarch is Kagami, who takes a supporting role on the council. They teach all who are willing to learn, and although the training is rigorous, the results are undeniable.
February 27, 2025 at 4:25 AM
chaffeecj.bsky.social
Squeaking in at the last minute tonight for today's #Febrewary entry: Rare Material. I created a Rare ingredient for Wilderfeast located in the region I've made for my home game!
Choru Orchid Nectar Choru orchids can be found only in the high canopies of the Houyou Valley's mangrove trees, and finding one in bloom is even rarer. The nectar from these blossoms is said not only to revitalize the most exhausted creatures, but it enhances their senses beyond compare as well. Rare Ingredient - Restore 10 Stamina - Gain Keen Senses trait - Gain Natural Reflexes trait - Gain Regeneration Trait
February 26, 2025 at 5:51 AM
chaffeecj.bsky.social
Coming in for the home stretch of #Febrewary!
Today's entry is made for Reduce, Reuse, Revolt! For Helpful NPC
24 - Helpful NPC: Taylor Stone Taylor worked at MSU for what seems like forever. They know the ins and outs of every design that's come across the production line for the past 40 years, and a decent bit about the ones that are coming out in the next 5. They were a part of every team at some point or another, and nearly everyone at the company owes Taylor something. That is, until the suits at the top decided to trim a little too much fat before one of their Quarterly Earnings calls. Everyone in Taylor's position was deemed "superfluous" and invited to apply for other, lower-paying positions. That was enough, and now Taylor's pissed. They may not have the joints to do anything about it themselves, but anyone in the Organization looking to take a bite out of MSU's profit margin has a well-connected friend. - Loves to road trip - Will talk your ear off about violets - Favorite song is "Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga - Left-handed - Won't talk to lawyers
February 25, 2025 at 3:32 AM
chaffeecj.bsky.social
Almost forgot to post today! For #Febrewary' s Transformation Effect, I took inspiration from the Strangler Fig tree:
Strangler Fig's Caress Wrap yourself in a protective parasite. Fig bark grows from your flesh, protecting you from harm but draining your life to do so. While in this form, you gain the following effects: - +2 AC - Resistance to nonmagical Bludgeoning, Slashing, and Piercing damage - At the start of your turn while in this form, you take 1d4 piercing damage (not reduced) as the fig attempts to take root in your body
February 24, 2025 at 3:30 AM
chaffeecj.bsky.social
Almost forgot to post today! For #Febrewary' s Transformation Effect, I took inspiration from the Strangler Fig tree:
Strangler Fig's Caress Wrap yourself in a protective parasite. Fig bark grows from your flesh, protecting you from harm but draining your life to do so. While in this form, you gain the following effects: - +2 AC - Resistance to nonmagical Bludgeoning, Slashing, and Piercing damage - At the start of your turn while in this form, you take 1d4 piercing damage (not reduced) as the fig attempts to take root in your body
February 24, 2025 at 3:27 AM
chaffeecj.bsky.social
It's time for #Febrewary! Almost forgot to post today, but here's my Ritual Spell: Truthseeker's Ward
Truthseeker's Ward 2nd-Level Divination Casting Time: 1 minute (Ritual) Range: 40' cube Components: VSM (3 peony cuttings) Duration: 1 hour (8 hours if ritual) Ward a space to reveal liars and falsehoods. When someone in the warded area knowingly lies, they are magically marked with a symbol that only you can see. When a creature is marked, they may make a Wisdom save to know they have been marked. When cast as a ritual, the spell lasts for 8 hours, and if you cast the spell in the same place every day for 1 year, it becomes permanent.
February 23, 2025 at 4:55 AM
chaffeecj.bsky.social
Turns out our newest rescue is a big lap cat!
White and brown male tabby cat is lying on a person's lap, with his back legs sticking up in the air. He's looking off to the side and his front paws are curled next to his chest. The person is sitting on a bed with one leg out
February 23, 2025 at 12:22 AM
chaffeecj.bsky.social
Plus they look like this when they get angry!
Small possum with bristly fur hunched up with claws out hissing at something out of the image
February 22, 2025 at 2:22 PM
chaffeecj.bsky.social
Happy Friday! A little late putting this one out, but here's today's #Febrewary entry for Magical Mount: The Vines that Connect Us
21 - Magical Mount The Vines that Connect Us After proving their commitment to defending the Heart Tree, Eluril of the Barkthorn grants her warriors a measure of her power in the form of a necklace of vines. While wearing the necklace, you may use an action to summon a writhing carpet of vines in a 5' radius around you. These vines have a carrying capacity of 500lb and can carry up to 2 creatures in addition to you across the ground. When the vines are reduced to 0HP, they wither away, and you must spend 1 hour concentrating to be able to re-summon them. Armor Class: 12 Hit points: 30 (5d10+4) Movement speed: 40' STR: 14 (+2) DEX: 18 (+4) CON: 10 (+0) INT: 8 (-1) WIS: 12 (+12) CHA: 4 (-3) Entangling Grasp: You may use an action to cause the vines to uproot, grasping and entrapping those who would harm the forest. Each creature you choose within 10' of you must make a Dexterity Saving throw (DC13) or be restrained by vines. Unrestricted Growth: Once per day, you may use the vines to form a 5x25' bridge. While in this form, you may not use Entangling Grasp.
February 22, 2025 at 4:20 AM
chaffeecj.bsky.social
Today's #Febrewary post is brought to you by one of our rescue cats Sophie. Last winter before we rescued her, we saw her walking across our snowy yard, and stumbling a bit when her paws would break through the ice that had formed on top of the snow 😭. Here's Snowcrust
Snowcrust When unseasonably warm temperatures hit cold and snowy areas, the top layer of snow melts and refreezes into brittle sheets of ice. Creatures who are light enough on their feet can skip across without too much trouble but those who take a more methodical approach to travel may find themselves suddenly falling through the ice, burying themselves in snow. Upon stepping out onto the ice, make a DC12 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check. On a success, creatures treat the area as difficult terrain. Upon failure, a creature breaks through the icy crust and is submerged in snow. They take 2d4 cold damage for every round they are submerged, and if they spend more than 3 rounds submerged, they gain Vulnerability to Cold damage for 1 hour, unless they replace or dry their clothes/armor. DC15 Athletics or Acrobatics check to get out of the snow and back on to the ice. Once the snow crust has been broken, the DC to traverse the area without becoming submerged in snow becomes 20.
February 20, 2025 at 4:40 PM
chaffeecj.bsky.social
First day of being caught up, and what a Feat it is! Today's #Febrewary prompt is a Feat:
Moon-Scented While most creatures flourish in the daylight, you thrive by the light of the moon. - +1 to Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma, to a maximum of 20. - Every day at sunset, you gain 1d6 temporary hit points that last until sunrise. This bonus increases by 1d6 at levels 5, 11 and 17. - You gain Darkvision to 60'. If you already have Darkvision, you gain an extra 30'. - You can see when a creature is under the effects of a transformation effect, although it does not tell you what their original form is - If you spend 10 minutes meditating in the moonlight, you may cast the Moonbeam spell at 2nd level once that same night. This spell uses the stat increased by this feat for your Spell Save.
February 19, 2025 at 5:58 PM
chaffeecj.bsky.social
Happy Chilly Tuesday, and another day of #Febrewary! Now that I'm all caught up, there's only gonna be one of these per day, which honestly I'm kinda sad about. Anyway, here's my Curse of the Astral Research Hall
Curse of the Astral Research Hall Inspired by The Old Hunters DLC for Bloodborne. Plip. Plop. It starts as a drip, just at the edge of your hearing. Nearly imperceptible - you only notice it in the quiet moments as you lie awake, waiting for sleep to come. Plip. Plop. Plip. Plop. The sound is harder to ignore now. You can hear it during the day, but still only when conversation lulls. A steady droplet that, given enough time, will erode your mind as a stream does a boulder. Plip. Plop. Splish. Splash. Just when you think you've gotten used to the incessant dripping, now audible even while others are addressing you, it changes. No longer a drip, the sound becomes a splash, as if a child were playing in the rain. What could be in your head that fills it so? Splish. Splash. Splish. Splash. You have to know what's in there. Your head is full, and the pressure mounts. There can't be any more room for more water. And yet it fills your every waking moment as it fills your skull, unceasing. There must be a way to let it out, to drain the fluid that's been building up all this time. Silence At last, you know peace again. After letting the fluids drain, you're finally able to hear what the voice has been telling you this whole time, hidden behind the drips, drops, splishes and splashes. It's been telling you how to ascend, it's all so clear. You just need to lie down and rest, then you'll be able to take the next step. Mechanics: Each stage lasts 15 days, minus your Wisdom modifier. Stage 1: Plip. Plop. - No effects. Stage 2: Plip. Plop. Plip. Plop. - You have disadvantage on Saving Throws to maintain concentration. Stage 3: Plip. Plop. Splish. Splash. - You have a constant headache. In addition to the previous effects, you also have disadvantage on Perception checks that rely on hearing. Long rests no longer remove levels of Exhaustion. Stage 4: Splish. Splash. Splish. Splash. - You feel unbearable pressure building in your head. In addition to the previous effects, you now suffer disadvantage on Constitution Saving Throws. At the end of every short or long rest, you are compelled to smash your head into a solid object. Make a DC15 Wisdom Saving throw to avoid taking 2d6 Bludgeoning damage. Stage 5: Silence - After failing the Wisdom save 5 times, all previous effects stop. You feel giddy and lightheaded, if a little tired. When you next fall asleep, you are transformed into a Gray Ooze, while you keep all of your Mental statistics.
February 18, 2025 at 2:31 PM
chaffeecj.bsky.social
I am officially caught up!! Here's today's #Febrewary entry for High-Level Spell: Wall of Mirrors
Wall of Mirrors 6th-level Conjuration Conjure a 60' long, 10' high, 5' thick wall made of mirror shards. The wall is lightly obscured. Creatures in the space when the wall appears and creatures who enter the wall's space or end their turn there take 7d8 slashing damage, halved on a successful Dex save. Creatures who cast a spell up to 6th level targeting a creature on the other side of the wall must make a Saving throw with their primary spellcasting ability; the DC is equal to 20 minus the spell's level (e.g. casting a 1st-level spell would have a DC19, casting a 6th level would be DC14). If they fail, the spell is redirected towards the caster. At Higher Levels: the wall can reflect spells up to the level this spell is cast at.
February 18, 2025 at 2:09 AM
chaffeecj.bsky.social
Happ Monday everyone! Yesterday's #February prompt was Legendary Armor, here it is!
The Fanged Armor of the Wilder King
Fanged Armor of the Wilder King Light Armor, Legendary, requires attunement. This +3 leather armor (12AC + Dex modifier) is studded with the teeth of various creatures, arranged to look like a gaping maw. While wearing the armor, you gain the following benefits: - Scream of The Hunger: When you are targeted by an attack you can see, you may use your reaction to scream, amplified by the armor, to impose disadvantage on the attack and deal 1d6+Prof damage. You may use this feature up to your proficiency bonus times per day. - Frenzied Consumption: Once per day, as a bonus action, you may sacrifice up to 5 AC of this armor to use as a bonus to attack and damage rolls for 1 minute. The armor recovers 1 AC every time you eat a meal. - The Wilder's Feast: When you kill a creature while under the effects of Frenzied Consumption, you gain +2 to your ability score that matches the creature's highest ability score. This lasts until your next meal, or until you kill another creature in the same way.
February 17, 2025 at 1:54 PM
chaffeecj.bsky.social
I'll be all caught up tomorrow, finally! Day 15 of #Febrewary, a trap-ish item for players
15 - Trap Item for Players Name: Shadowplay Wondrous Item, Rare This hooded lantern has 4 glass panels, each depicting a different scene in shadows. It has 4 charges and regains 1d3 charges after being placed near a source of bright light for 1 hour. As an action, you may spend 1 charge to raise the hood on any one scene to shine both a bright light and a shadow out to 30 feet. Any creature caught in the shadow must make a DC13 Dexterity Saving throw or be forced to act out the scene for 1 minute. Comedy: The creature falls to the floor, laughing uncontrollably. They are considered prone and have disadvantage on attacks and concentration checks. At the end of its turns, the creature can make a DC13 Intelligence Saving throw to end the effect early. Tragedy: The creature is overwhelmed with despair and finds it hard to do anything. They act as though they have 2 extra levels of Exhaustion. At the end of their turns, they can make a DC13 Charisma Saving throw to end the effect early. Horror: The creature is grabbed by shadowy hands and dragged backwards 15' directly away from the lantern. They are Restrained, and at the start of their turns, they take 1d4 piercing damage. At the end of their turns they may make a DC13 Strength Saving throw to end the effect early. Romance: The creature loses its fighting spirit and just wants a hug. If they have an ally within 60', they move towards that ally and attempt to grapple them. Otherwise, they are Charmed, and at the end of their turns they may make a DC13 Wisdom Saving throw to end the effect early.
February 17, 2025 at 4:11 AM
chaffeecj.bsky.social
Good morning Bluesky!! Time for the next installment of #Febrewary, featuring a Magical Trap! This one didn't feel too trappy, but I think it's close enough: the Calming Door Frame
14 - Magical Trap Calming Door Frame Flavor text: This place has really chill vibes, man, I dunno how to describe it. Any creature who enters this doorway must make a Charisma Saving throw (DC 15) or fall under the effects of the Calm Emotions spell. This spell lasts until the creature passes through the doorway a second time, or moves more than 100 feet away from the doorway.
February 16, 2025 at 3:41 PM
chaffeecj.bsky.social
Almost caught up! Day 13 of #Febrewary called for a BBEG, and with the current climate, I couldn't think of a better game to make one for than our Reduce, Reuse, Revolt! darkmirrormedia.itch.io/reduce-reuse...
13 - BBEG: The Hatchet It's not the name listed as CEO in the articles about layoffs, hostile takeovers, company-sanctioned fraud schemes, whatever corpo bullshit actually made it into the news today. But you know him. His unmitigated, profit-driven cruelty has cost thousands of people their jobs, hundreds of people their lives, and all in the name of Key Performance Indicators. He's the head of Corporate Interests, and if you cause enough trouble for him to get wind of your little group, you'd best be ready to disappear for a while. Health: 6 Harm: 1, (Up Close and Personal) Money Moves Mountains: On your turn, you may summon 2 from the following: Executives, Tactical Operations, or Hall Monitors. You may summon two of the same. Moves: Human Shield, Promote Synergy, Drive Results
February 16, 2025 at 1:12 AM
chaffeecj.bsky.social
Happy (belated) Day 12 of #Febrewary - today's is a Time-Themed Spell: Lightning Reflexes
Lightning Reflexes 3rd level Evocation Casting Time: 1 Action Range: Touch Components: VSM (pinch of ground mayflies) Duration: Up to 1 minute (Concentration) Time around you seems to slow to a crawl. You (or a willing creature) gain one additional reaction per round. This cannot be used to cast a spell.
February 15, 2025 at 5:00 PM
chaffeecj.bsky.social
Starting to get caught up! Here's Day 11 of #Febrewary - an Adventuring Location: Houyou Valley
Houyou Valley A massive forest of mangrove trees surrounded by mountains on 3 sides, with mangrove trees spilling out into the ocean. The majority of the valley is submerged in water ranging from knee-high to 15 feet deep, leaving sandbars and a few islands - during the rainy season, only the highest points remain dry. The valley hosts a bounty of natural resources, from the fruits on the trees and roots clinging to the soil under the sand, to the fish flitting in the shaded waters. The Charter seems particularly interested in the valley, supposedly for the food supplies, but could there be something lurking at the southern edge...?
February 14, 2025 at 6:04 PM