Clayton
@explorersdesign.bsky.social
Pronunciation: "Klay-tun Note-Styne" Designer. Writer. Educator. Tabletop games. Explorers Design. Pro-union and cooperatives. He/Him.
Pinned
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.
I made significant edits to this to post to make it clearer what I'm exploring here. I'm not anti-mashup. I love them.
This post explores what games gain by omitting the usual genre trappings found in ttrpg mashups. My personal musings on what designers cultivate by not adding Cthulhu or Dracula.
This post explores what games gain by omitting the usual genre trappings found in ttrpg mashups. My personal musings on what designers cultivate by not adding Cthulhu or Dracula.
I love the genre mashup. Give me all the Golden Girls/Cthulhus and WWII/Draculas you've got.
But I'm also looking for non-mashups. Sometimes it feels like the industry has an allergy. Westerns without magic. Drama without aliens. Detectives without Cthulhu.
www.explorersdesign.com/one-genre-ga...
But I'm also looking for non-mashups. Sometimes it feels like the industry has an allergy. Westerns without magic. Drama without aliens. Detectives without Cthulhu.
www.explorersdesign.com/one-genre-ga...
Dare to Play it Straight
The rarest tabletop genre is the simplest one. A call for more anti-mashups.
www.explorersdesign.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:41 PM
I made significant edits to this to post to make it clearer what I'm exploring here. I'm not anti-mashup. I love them.
This post explores what games gain by omitting the usual genre trappings found in ttrpg mashups. My personal musings on what designers cultivate by not adding Cthulhu or Dracula.
This post explores what games gain by omitting the usual genre trappings found in ttrpg mashups. My personal musings on what designers cultivate by not adding Cthulhu or Dracula.
Reposted by Clayton
The Castle Automatic is a dungeon where you control the time of year, time of day, and the weather to solve puzzles, avoid vampires, and reclaim the world's most magical treasures.
Be an Early Worm and back the preorder at a discounted price!
www.exaltedfuneral.com/pages/the-ca...
Be an Early Worm and back the preorder at a discounted price!
www.exaltedfuneral.com/pages/the-ca...
November 20, 2025 at 11:47 AM
The Castle Automatic is a dungeon where you control the time of year, time of day, and the weather to solve puzzles, avoid vampires, and reclaim the world's most magical treasures.
Be an Early Worm and back the preorder at a discounted price!
www.exaltedfuneral.com/pages/the-ca...
Be an Early Worm and back the preorder at a discounted price!
www.exaltedfuneral.com/pages/the-ca...
Reposted by Clayton
Working on something fun for the Mausritter Month Companion Jam, hosted by @manarampmatt.bsky.social, @hlashbrooke.bsky.social, @gamesomnivorous.bsky.social, and @losing.games.
Lost in the Wild, mysterious locations of treacherous adventure for #Mausritter.
itch.io/jam/mausritt...
Lost in the Wild, mysterious locations of treacherous adventure for #Mausritter.
itch.io/jam/mausritt...
November 19, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Working on something fun for the Mausritter Month Companion Jam, hosted by @manarampmatt.bsky.social, @hlashbrooke.bsky.social, @gamesomnivorous.bsky.social, and @losing.games.
Lost in the Wild, mysterious locations of treacherous adventure for #Mausritter.
itch.io/jam/mausritt...
Lost in the Wild, mysterious locations of treacherous adventure for #Mausritter.
itch.io/jam/mausritt...
I love the genre mashup. Give me all the Golden Girls/Cthulhus and WWII/Draculas you've got.
But I'm also looking for non-mashups. Sometimes it feels like the industry has an allergy. Westerns without magic. Drama without aliens. Detectives without Cthulhu.
www.explorersdesign.com/one-genre-ga...
But I'm also looking for non-mashups. Sometimes it feels like the industry has an allergy. Westerns without magic. Drama without aliens. Detectives without Cthulhu.
www.explorersdesign.com/one-genre-ga...
Dare to Play it Straight
The rarest tabletop genre is the simplest one. A call for more anti-mashups.
www.explorersdesign.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:45 PM
I love the genre mashup. Give me all the Golden Girls/Cthulhus and WWII/Draculas you've got.
But I'm also looking for non-mashups. Sometimes it feels like the industry has an allergy. Westerns without magic. Drama without aliens. Detectives without Cthulhu.
www.explorersdesign.com/one-genre-ga...
But I'm also looking for non-mashups. Sometimes it feels like the industry has an allergy. Westerns without magic. Drama without aliens. Detectives without Cthulhu.
www.explorersdesign.com/one-genre-ga...
Reposted by Clayton
This week on Dice Exploder, just in time for Mausritter month, @itsquinns.bsky.social joins me to talk about the Mausritter's inventory system: the only inventory system I've ever liked.
Inventory Tetris (Mausritter) with Quinns — Dice Exploder
Mausritter is an old school dungeon crawling game where instead of playing as elves fighting dragons, you play as mice fleeing from owls. It’s not unlike any number of other old school games like Cair...
www.diceexploder.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:00 PM
This week on Dice Exploder, just in time for Mausritter month, @itsquinns.bsky.social joins me to talk about the Mausritter's inventory system: the only inventory system I've ever liked.
Reposted by Clayton
Listen to @itsquinns.bsky.social and @diceexploder.com talk about Mausritter!
Inventory Tetris (Mausritter) with Quinns — Dice Exploder
Mausritter is an old school dungeon crawling game where instead of playing as elves fighting dragons, you play as mice fleeing from owls. It’s not unlike any number of other old school games like Cair...
www.diceexploder.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Listen to @itsquinns.bsky.social and @diceexploder.com talk about Mausritter!
Reposted by Clayton
I blogged my musings about making little micro scenarios, check it out:
www.mindstormpress.com/pocket-sized...
www.mindstormpress.com/pocket-sized...
Pocket-Sized Powder Kegs
A framework for building powder keg scenarios.
www.mindstormpress.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:36 PM
I blogged my musings about making little micro scenarios, check it out:
www.mindstormpress.com/pocket-sized...
www.mindstormpress.com/pocket-sized...
Here's the link to actually see some spreads and layout.
carvedinstone.scot
Also, I hope Brian's taking a much needed break after the release, but you should follow all of his work. I love how tied in it is to his community and other artists, designers, and craftsfolk.
www.stoutstoat.co.uk
carvedinstone.scot
Also, I hope Brian's taking a much needed break after the release, but you should follow all of his work. I love how tied in it is to his community and other artists, designers, and craftsfolk.
www.stoutstoat.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Here's the link to actually see some spreads and layout.
carvedinstone.scot
Also, I hope Brian's taking a much needed break after the release, but you should follow all of his work. I love how tied in it is to his community and other artists, designers, and craftsfolk.
www.stoutstoat.co.uk
carvedinstone.scot
Also, I hope Brian's taking a much needed break after the release, but you should follow all of his work. I love how tied in it is to his community and other artists, designers, and craftsfolk.
www.stoutstoat.co.uk
It's funny how "terse" became the choice word for effective, concise, and evocative rpg writing. For me, when someone is "terse," brevity is always the secondary quality after curt, blunt, or abrupt.
Anyway, I'm all for it. I think every writer should find their version. Terse, pithy, cutting, etc.
Anyway, I'm all for it. I think every writer should find their version. Terse, pithy, cutting, etc.
November 17, 2025 at 2:28 PM
It's funny how "terse" became the choice word for effective, concise, and evocative rpg writing. For me, when someone is "terse," brevity is always the secondary quality after curt, blunt, or abrupt.
Anyway, I'm all for it. I think every writer should find their version. Terse, pithy, cutting, etc.
Anyway, I'm all for it. I think every writer should find their version. Terse, pithy, cutting, etc.
A few of us designers have been privileged to follow along while @stoutstoat.co.uk chipped away at this project for the last few years.
It's something new. An interactive history book like the kind you'd maybe read as a kid, but with the combined powers of archaeology and game design.
It's something new. An interactive history book like the kind you'd maybe read as a kid, but with the combined powers of archaeology and game design.
Game designers bring to life to Scotland's mysterious Picts
Writers and archaeologists also worked on a new guide to a lost early medieval Scottish society.
www.bbc.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:21 PM
A few of us designers have been privileged to follow along while @stoutstoat.co.uk chipped away at this project for the last few years.
It's something new. An interactive history book like the kind you'd maybe read as a kid, but with the combined powers of archaeology and game design.
It's something new. An interactive history book like the kind you'd maybe read as a kid, but with the combined powers of archaeology and game design.
Reposted by Clayton
I'm going to be at PAX Unplugged next week!
You can find me at the Gila RPGs booth, #3958.
Come say hi!
And if we know each other, let's find time to chat, play games, drink coffee, all that good stuff.
You can find me at the Gila RPGs booth, #3958.
Come say hi!
And if we know each other, let's find time to chat, play games, drink coffee, all that good stuff.
November 13, 2025 at 1:59 PM
I'm going to be at PAX Unplugged next week!
You can find me at the Gila RPGs booth, #3958.
Come say hi!
And if we know each other, let's find time to chat, play games, drink coffee, all that good stuff.
You can find me at the Gila RPGs booth, #3958.
Come say hi!
And if we know each other, let's find time to chat, play games, drink coffee, all that good stuff.
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.
Explorers Design
Bespoke adventures, tools, and resources for tabletop rpg designers.
www.explorersdesign.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:24 PM
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.
Reposted by Clayton
Today on Between Two Cairns @bradkerr.net, Skullboy and I review BSOLO Ghost of Lion Castle, and answer a mailbag question.
www.patreon.com/posts/bsolo-...
www.patreon.com/posts/bsolo-...
BSOLO Ghost of Lion Castle | Between Two Cairns
Get more from Between Two Cairns on Patreon
www.patreon.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Today on Between Two Cairns @bradkerr.net, Skullboy and I review BSOLO Ghost of Lion Castle, and answer a mailbag question.
www.patreon.com/posts/bsolo-...
www.patreon.com/posts/bsolo-...
Reposted by Clayton
Reshare: Beyond the Pale deals with a complex situation around land, people, and persecution that's handled with enough care to render it both simple enough to understand and complex enough to give pause. Like the parables that inspired it.
www.rascal.news/beyond-the-p...
www.rascal.news/beyond-the-p...
Beyond the Pale is a fantastic moral adventure
Fantastic as in great and also as in magical.
www.rascal.news
November 12, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Reshare: Beyond the Pale deals with a complex situation around land, people, and persecution that's handled with enough care to render it both simple enough to understand and complex enough to give pause. Like the parables that inspired it.
www.rascal.news/beyond-the-p...
www.rascal.news/beyond-the-p...
Reposted by Clayton
Skeleton Code Machine receives some very kind words in @theweeklyscroll.com EP 291 about self-promo with Clayton Notestine of @explorersdesign.bsky.social.
If you run a blog, podcast, or publish games online, this episode is a good one to check out.
If you run a blog, podcast, or publish games online, this episode is a good one to check out.
New ep
Ryan sits down with Clayton Notestine of @explorersdesign.bsky.social to follow up his recent article on How to Promote Your Work with our take on Self-Promotion, including the Do's and Don'ts of reaching out to bloggers and podcasters.
Ryan sits down with Clayton Notestine of @explorersdesign.bsky.social to follow up his recent article on How to Promote Your Work with our take on Self-Promotion, including the Do's and Don'ts of reaching out to bloggers and podcasters.
EP 291 | We Talk SELF-PROMO with Clayton Notestine
YouTube video by The Weekly Scroll
www.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Skeleton Code Machine receives some very kind words in @theweeklyscroll.com EP 291 about self-promo with Clayton Notestine of @explorersdesign.bsky.social.
If you run a blog, podcast, or publish games online, this episode is a good one to check out.
If you run a blog, podcast, or publish games online, this episode is a good one to check out.
I've been playing around with the new Affinity Studio since it was released. TLDR; It's good. Very good. How long will it stay that way? It's still too early to tell.
Some background, my first impressions, and my wishlist are all here: www.explorersdesign.com/affinity-imp...
Some background, my first impressions, and my wishlist are all here: www.explorersdesign.com/affinity-imp...
Affinity Studio First Impressions
Is Affinity Studio the right software for tabletop rpg designers?
www.explorersdesign.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:08 PM
I've been playing around with the new Affinity Studio since it was released. TLDR; It's good. Very good. How long will it stay that way? It's still too early to tell.
Some background, my first impressions, and my wishlist are all here: www.explorersdesign.com/affinity-imp...
Some background, my first impressions, and my wishlist are all here: www.explorersdesign.com/affinity-imp...
I like the insight that small characters see treasure everywhere. Matches are instant torches. Floss is strong rope. A thimble's a helmet. Etc.
A good post about why Mausritter and other small-likes are awesome.
A good post about why Mausritter and other small-likes are awesome.
New Blogpost: I’d Rather Be a Mouse Than an Elf
Why sword & whiskers fantasy is more gameable than your standard pseudo-medieval fantasy settings.
#osr #ttrpg #MausritterMonth
Why sword & whiskers fantasy is more gameable than your standard pseudo-medieval fantasy settings.
#osr #ttrpg #MausritterMonth
I’d Rather Be a Mouse Than an Elf — Prismatic Wasteland
I love pretending to be an elf just as much as the next guy, but it pales in comparison to the joys of pretending to be a mouse with a sewing needle sword at my side.
www.prismaticwasteland.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:30 PM
I like the insight that small characters see treasure everywhere. Matches are instant torches. Floss is strong rope. A thimble's a helmet. Etc.
A good post about why Mausritter and other small-likes are awesome.
A good post about why Mausritter and other small-likes are awesome.
A fun and very long chat about promoting yourself while keeping a community focus. We spent half of the episode listing other people as great examples of what we'd like to see more of.
New ep
Ryan sits down with Clayton Notestine of @explorersdesign.bsky.social to follow up his recent article on How to Promote Your Work with our take on Self-Promotion, including the Do's and Don'ts of reaching out to bloggers and podcasters.
Ryan sits down with Clayton Notestine of @explorersdesign.bsky.social to follow up his recent article on How to Promote Your Work with our take on Self-Promotion, including the Do's and Don'ts of reaching out to bloggers and podcasters.
EP 291 | We Talk SELF-PROMO with Clayton Notestine
YouTube video by The Weekly Scroll
www.youtube.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:54 PM
A fun and very long chat about promoting yourself while keeping a community focus. We spent half of the episode listing other people as great examples of what we'd like to see more of.
Reposted by Clayton
We're live with @explorersdesign.bsky.social to talk self-promotion in tabletop!
Following up on his wonderful article linked below, Clayton will be joining me on Friday to discuss promotion and marketing in tabletop games. We'll be hitting a variety of topics but if you have any questions let us know in the comments!
Join us live Friday at 10am pst
twitch.tv/theweeklyscroll
Join us live Friday at 10am pst
twitch.tv/theweeklyscroll
November 7, 2025 at 6:05 PM
We're live with @explorersdesign.bsky.social to talk self-promotion in tabletop!
Here's the episode summary in pictures. Should clear some things up:
November 6, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Here's the episode summary in pictures. Should clear some things up:
Reposted by Clayton
It's time for more BETWEEN TWO CAIRNS featuring special guest @explorersdesign.bsky.social. We review "Warped Beyond Recognition" by @traaa.sh. Enjoy your delicious moments, folks.
www.patreon.com/posts/142727...
www.patreon.com/posts/142727...
Warped Beyond Recognition | Between Two Cairns
Get more from Between Two Cairns on Patreon
www.patreon.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:02 PM
It's time for more BETWEEN TWO CAIRNS featuring special guest @explorersdesign.bsky.social. We review "Warped Beyond Recognition" by @traaa.sh. Enjoy your delicious moments, folks.
www.patreon.com/posts/142727...
www.patreon.com/posts/142727...
I was on Between Two Cairns with @bradkerr.net and @yochaigal.bsky.social to talk about the Ennies, design, ducks, and—most of all—Warped Beyond Recognition, one of my favorite Mothership modules!
It's a long one (a re-occuring theme of mine). Hope you like it!
www.patreon.com/posts/142727...
It's a long one (a re-occuring theme of mine). Hope you like it!
www.patreon.com/posts/142727...
Warped Beyond Recognition | Between Two Cairns
Get more from Between Two Cairns on Patreon
www.patreon.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:04 PM
I was on Between Two Cairns with @bradkerr.net and @yochaigal.bsky.social to talk about the Ennies, design, ducks, and—most of all—Warped Beyond Recognition, one of my favorite Mothership modules!
It's a long one (a re-occuring theme of mine). Hope you like it!
www.patreon.com/posts/142727...
It's a long one (a re-occuring theme of mine). Hope you like it!
www.patreon.com/posts/142727...
Reposted by Clayton
Of the different types of dungeon rooms, "Special" can be one of the hardest to write towards. This list of sub-categories of special rooms has great prompts!
In a🧵 below, I delve into examples from CASTLE AUTOMATIC for each sub-type of special rooms. (Warning: Spoilers for the dungeon!)
In a🧵 below, I delve into examples from CASTLE AUTOMATIC for each sub-type of special rooms. (Warning: Spoilers for the dungeon!)
The 10 types of special rooms
"A Special is anything not exactly a trap, but placed for special reasons." Moldvay Basic pg. B52 Traps, monsters, secret doors, and treas...
traipse.hexarcana.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Of the different types of dungeon rooms, "Special" can be one of the hardest to write towards. This list of sub-categories of special rooms has great prompts!
In a🧵 below, I delve into examples from CASTLE AUTOMATIC for each sub-type of special rooms. (Warning: Spoilers for the dungeon!)
In a🧵 below, I delve into examples from CASTLE AUTOMATIC for each sub-type of special rooms. (Warning: Spoilers for the dungeon!)
I'm joining Ryan over on The Weekly Scroll to talk about the dos and don'ts of self-promotion and marketing. Leave us some questions in the comments!
And join us this Friday at 1 pm EST or 10 am PST.
And join us this Friday at 1 pm EST or 10 am PST.
Following up on his wonderful article linked below, Clayton will be joining me on Friday to discuss promotion and marketing in tabletop games. We'll be hitting a variety of topics but if you have any questions let us know in the comments!
Join us live Friday at 10am pst
twitch.tv/theweeklyscroll
Join us live Friday at 10am pst
twitch.tv/theweeklyscroll
November 5, 2025 at 5:17 PM
I'm joining Ryan over on The Weekly Scroll to talk about the dos and don'ts of self-promotion and marketing. Leave us some questions in the comments!
And join us this Friday at 1 pm EST or 10 am PST.
And join us this Friday at 1 pm EST or 10 am PST.