Jon at Handiwork Games
@handiworkgames.bsky.social
Scotland-based #ttrpg developer and publisher of #BEOWULF Age of Heroes, #astaterpg second edition, #Maskwitches, Silver Road, Jon Hodgson Backdrop books, #ColdCity, Hot War, #FiveEvil and more
https://handiwork.games
https://handiwork.games
It’s fading. The sacred mug. But it’s ok. Once the design is completely gone, I will be better.
November 15, 2025 at 2:55 PM
It’s fading. The sacred mug. But it’s ok. Once the design is completely gone, I will be better.
Iain is good people! And this is a good opportunity to get some press.
Hello folks. My indie RPG column is expanding. I will now be writing about forthcoming games. First issue this will happen in goes out 26th December. If you have an RPG project coming out, Kickstarter launching, or ending, within a month or so after that date, get in touch.
November 15, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Iain is good people! And this is a good opportunity to get some press.
Update up at Trench Crusade Backdrop Books! Late pledges are open, and check out these samples of the Golden Seal backdrops. There's no special effects applied to the image of the Artillery Witch in front of that backdrop. It just works like that!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/han...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/han...
November 14, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Update up at Trench Crusade Backdrop Books! Late pledges are open, and check out these samples of the Golden Seal backdrops. There's no special effects applied to the image of the Artillery Witch in front of that backdrop. It just works like that!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/han...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/han...
Reposted by Jon at Handiwork Games
It's another episode of your favourite 1970s children's animation "The Maskwitches and the hungry dead shivering like flukes through our pine-tar souls".
I'd say I'm sorry to people frightened of the Maskwitches and the teeth stuff, but you'd know I was lying.
handiwork.games/home/the-sil...
I'd say I'm sorry to people frightened of the Maskwitches and the teeth stuff, but you'd know I was lying.
handiwork.games/home/the-sil...
November 13, 2025 at 5:21 PM
It's another episode of your favourite 1970s children's animation "The Maskwitches and the hungry dead shivering like flukes through our pine-tar souls".
I'd say I'm sorry to people frightened of the Maskwitches and the teeth stuff, but you'd know I was lying.
handiwork.games/home/the-sil...
I'd say I'm sorry to people frightened of the Maskwitches and the teeth stuff, but you'd know I was lying.
handiwork.games/home/the-sil...
I got my @badsquiddogames.bsky.social Resistance figures! These are a brilliant commemoration of the resistance against fascism in World War 2. They also make great character figures.
I've shot them here in black and white against the World War Ruins Backdrop Book. Packing pre-orders right now!
I've shot them here in black and white against the World War Ruins Backdrop Book. Packing pre-orders right now!
November 14, 2025 at 1:38 PM
I got my @badsquiddogames.bsky.social Resistance figures! These are a brilliant commemoration of the resistance against fascism in World War 2. They also make great character figures.
I've shot them here in black and white against the World War Ruins Backdrop Book. Packing pre-orders right now!
I've shot them here in black and white against the World War Ruins Backdrop Book. Packing pre-orders right now!
Reposted by Jon at Handiwork Games
Hurrah! My article on the Twilight 2000 RPG in the Journal of American Studies is now open access (OA), so anyone who wants to can have a read. OA is important to me, as I want my work on RPG history to go beyond the academy and reach the gaming public.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
When You Say, “Thermonuclear War,” I Think You Mean “the Call to Adventure”! The Twilight: 2000 Tabletop Role-Playing Game and the Postapocalyptic World’s Imaginary Spaces | Journal of American Studie...
When You Say, “Thermonuclear War,” I Think You Mean “the Call to Adventure”! The Twilight: 2000 Tabletop Role-Playing Game and the Postapocalyptic World’s Imaginary Spaces
www.cambridge.org
November 14, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Hurrah! My article on the Twilight 2000 RPG in the Journal of American Studies is now open access (OA), so anyone who wants to can have a read. OA is important to me, as I want my work on RPG history to go beyond the academy and reach the gaming public.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Me: Don't listen to The Holy Bible by Manic Street Preachers you think you like it but it sends you to a bad place
Also me 9 tracks later: SO DAMN EASY TO CAVE IN MAN KILLS EVERYTHING SO DAMN EASY TO CAVE IN MAN KILLS EVERYTHING
Also me 9 tracks later: SO DAMN EASY TO CAVE IN MAN KILLS EVERYTHING SO DAMN EASY TO CAVE IN MAN KILLS EVERYTHING
November 14, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Me: Don't listen to The Holy Bible by Manic Street Preachers you think you like it but it sends you to a bad place
Also me 9 tracks later: SO DAMN EASY TO CAVE IN MAN KILLS EVERYTHING SO DAMN EASY TO CAVE IN MAN KILLS EVERYTHING
Also me 9 tracks later: SO DAMN EASY TO CAVE IN MAN KILLS EVERYTHING SO DAMN EASY TO CAVE IN MAN KILLS EVERYTHING
“It’s worth noting that “blowing up the sun” isn’t *always* an antisocial act (within a Maskwitches game), and perhaps you can think of ways to make it an exciting and relevant part of a story?“
Here I go, underplaying the antisocial nature of exploding the sun in real life again.
Here I go, underplaying the antisocial nature of exploding the sun in real life again.
November 14, 2025 at 7:47 AM
“It’s worth noting that “blowing up the sun” isn’t *always* an antisocial act (within a Maskwitches game), and perhaps you can think of ways to make it an exciting and relevant part of a story?“
Here I go, underplaying the antisocial nature of exploding the sun in real life again.
Here I go, underplaying the antisocial nature of exploding the sun in real life again.
It's another episode of your favourite 1970s children's animation "The Maskwitches and the hungry dead shivering like flukes through our pine-tar souls".
I'd say I'm sorry to people frightened of the Maskwitches and the teeth stuff, but you'd know I was lying.
handiwork.games/home/the-sil...
I'd say I'm sorry to people frightened of the Maskwitches and the teeth stuff, but you'd know I was lying.
handiwork.games/home/the-sil...
November 13, 2025 at 5:21 PM
It's another episode of your favourite 1970s children's animation "The Maskwitches and the hungry dead shivering like flukes through our pine-tar souls".
I'd say I'm sorry to people frightened of the Maskwitches and the teeth stuff, but you'd know I was lying.
handiwork.games/home/the-sil...
I'd say I'm sorry to people frightened of the Maskwitches and the teeth stuff, but you'd know I was lying.
handiwork.games/home/the-sil...
Reposted by Jon at Handiwork Games
We played a Saturday afternoon and evening of this brilliant game at our recent CottageCon. It was fantastic fun at the table. I can't recommend it enough, although it did stretch my GMing muscles to their fullest extent. A rich, deep setting married to an elegant system that makes this game sing.
a|state second edition presents a return to the dystopian sci-fi setting of The City, now through the lens of Forged in the Dark. Featuring the Trouble Engine, which will be part of Blades '68.
It's out now. handiwork.games/games/astate
It's out now. handiwork.games/games/astate
November 13, 2025 at 11:28 AM
We played a Saturday afternoon and evening of this brilliant game at our recent CottageCon. It was fantastic fun at the table. I can't recommend it enough, although it did stretch my GMing muscles to their fullest extent. A rich, deep setting married to an elegant system that makes this game sing.
a|state second edition presents a return to the dystopian sci-fi setting of The City, now through the lens of Forged in the Dark. Featuring the Trouble Engine, which will be part of Blades '68.
It's out now. handiwork.games/games/astate
It's out now. handiwork.games/games/astate
November 13, 2025 at 11:22 AM
a|state second edition presents a return to the dystopian sci-fi setting of The City, now through the lens of Forged in the Dark. Featuring the Trouble Engine, which will be part of Blades '68.
It's out now. handiwork.games/games/astate
It's out now. handiwork.games/games/astate
One time at GenCon, I had an amazing chat with one of the original MERP developers. Now this wasn’t Pete Fenlon who I spoke to (in a state of awe) the next year. I never got this fellow’s name, and it’s really bugged me ever since. And over time the convo with him and Pete F have sorta merged. 1/4
November 13, 2025 at 7:51 AM
One time at GenCon, I had an amazing chat with one of the original MERP developers. Now this wasn’t Pete Fenlon who I spoke to (in a state of awe) the next year. I never got this fellow’s name, and it’s really bugged me ever since. And over time the convo with him and Pete F have sorta merged. 1/4
I kinda forgot about my rewilded gunplas. There’s loads more of them now. Maybe tomorrow I’ll make some time.
Backdrop is from the first Skies book. #jhbackdrops
Backdrop is from the first Skies book. #jhbackdrops
November 12, 2025 at 9:41 PM
I kinda forgot about my rewilded gunplas. There’s loads more of them now. Maybe tomorrow I’ll make some time.
Backdrop is from the first Skies book. #jhbackdrops
Backdrop is from the first Skies book. #jhbackdrops
Heheh misleading youths into the tabletop games industry at our local high school.
“Be the person you needed to meet when you were 15” etc
“Be the person you needed to meet when you were 15” etc
November 12, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Heheh misleading youths into the tabletop games industry at our local high school.
“Be the person you needed to meet when you were 15” etc
“Be the person you needed to meet when you were 15” etc
It's that time again!
A friendly reminder: if you want to use our Backdrop Books in commercial projects, you'll need a license. The good news is they're cheap, and easy to get. Don't forget, proper crediting is part of the license!
handiwork.games/licensing-fo... #jhbackdrops
A friendly reminder: if you want to use our Backdrop Books in commercial projects, you'll need a license. The good news is they're cheap, and easy to get. Don't forget, proper crediting is part of the license!
handiwork.games/licensing-fo... #jhbackdrops
November 12, 2025 at 3:55 PM
It's that time again!
A friendly reminder: if you want to use our Backdrop Books in commercial projects, you'll need a license. The good news is they're cheap, and easy to get. Don't forget, proper crediting is part of the license!
handiwork.games/licensing-fo... #jhbackdrops
A friendly reminder: if you want to use our Backdrop Books in commercial projects, you'll need a license. The good news is they're cheap, and easy to get. Don't forget, proper crediting is part of the license!
handiwork.games/licensing-fo... #jhbackdrops
Instant purchase.
Carved in Stone is officially out!
In this comprehensive setting guide you'll be able to see, touch, taste, hear and smell your way through everything that modern-day scholars currently know of the enigmatic culture of the Picts, from the perspective of someone living in the late 7th Century.
In this comprehensive setting guide you'll be able to see, touch, taste, hear and smell your way through everything that modern-day scholars currently know of the enigmatic culture of the Picts, from the perspective of someone living in the late 7th Century.
November 12, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Instant purchase.
Experiments with the brand new More Skies Backdrop Book and some Maskwitches...
November 11, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Experiments with the brand new More Skies Backdrop Book and some Maskwitches...
A wild newsletter appears! It is super effective!
mailchi.mp/65859f8f1830...
mailchi.mp/65859f8f1830...
November 10, 2025 at 4:51 PM
A wild newsletter appears! It is super effective!
mailchi.mp/65859f8f1830...
mailchi.mp/65859f8f1830...
The all new More Skies Backdrop Book is printed and with us now. We'll start dispatch on Wednesday. Secure your copy right away to avoid the disappointment of waiting for the reprint!
handiwork.games/product-cate...
Here we see Turkey Man from @badsquiddogames.bsky.social enjoying the outdoors.
handiwork.games/product-cate...
Here we see Turkey Man from @badsquiddogames.bsky.social enjoying the outdoors.
November 10, 2025 at 2:54 PM
The all new More Skies Backdrop Book is printed and with us now. We'll start dispatch on Wednesday. Secure your copy right away to avoid the disappointment of waiting for the reprint!
handiwork.games/product-cate...
Here we see Turkey Man from @badsquiddogames.bsky.social enjoying the outdoors.
handiwork.games/product-cate...
Here we see Turkey Man from @badsquiddogames.bsky.social enjoying the outdoors.
So good
“With all due respect, Sir … maybe you should get out of that bunker then and see for yourself.”
Sentinel part 7
#Guardvember
#Nerdlings
Sentinel part 7
#Guardvember
#Nerdlings
November 8, 2025 at 6:14 PM
So good
I took some quick pics with some @knucklebonesminis.bsky.social minis. Some classic Hollywood vibes to this More Skies book I think.
I’ll do something more elaborate in the week. Maybe with smoke.
I’ll do something more elaborate in the week. Maybe with smoke.
November 8, 2025 at 5:47 PM
I took some quick pics with some @knucklebonesminis.bsky.social minis. Some classic Hollywood vibes to this More Skies book I think.
I’ll do something more elaborate in the week. Maybe with smoke.
I’ll do something more elaborate in the week. Maybe with smoke.
Mission accomplished thanks to Black Lion Games in Edinburgh! Hmm. I hope the final project that was missing this piece doesn’t get me into trouble. It’s being made with absolute affection and reverence for a legally actionable thing. We’ll see, I guess!
November 8, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Mission accomplished thanks to Black Lion Games in Edinburgh! Hmm. I hope the final project that was missing this piece doesn’t get me into trouble. It’s being made with absolute affection and reverence for a legally actionable thing. We’ll see, I guess!
Going fast! We will of course be ordering in more, but I’m going to have a busy week ahead. If you want the new ones right away, get that order in!
New Backdrop Books! We've got both print runs here at Handiwork HQ right now, and dispatch will start next week. But you can secure your copies now!
All the details are here:
handiwork.games/new-backdrop...
And expect lots of photos using these books hereabouts!
#jhbackdrops
All the details are here:
handiwork.games/new-backdrop...
And expect lots of photos using these books hereabouts!
#jhbackdrops
November 8, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Going fast! We will of course be ordering in more, but I’m going to have a busy week ahead. If you want the new ones right away, get that order in!
Just a couple of big BEOWULF landscape paintings that are kinda mood right now.
November 7, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Just a couple of big BEOWULF landscape paintings that are kinda mood right now.
New Backdrop Books! We've got both print runs here at Handiwork HQ right now, and dispatch will start next week. But you can secure your copies now!
All the details are here:
handiwork.games/new-backdrop...
And expect lots of photos using these books hereabouts!
#jhbackdrops
All the details are here:
handiwork.games/new-backdrop...
And expect lots of photos using these books hereabouts!
#jhbackdrops
November 7, 2025 at 4:37 PM
New Backdrop Books! We've got both print runs here at Handiwork HQ right now, and dispatch will start next week. But you can secure your copies now!
All the details are here:
handiwork.games/new-backdrop...
And expect lots of photos using these books hereabouts!
#jhbackdrops
All the details are here:
handiwork.games/new-backdrop...
And expect lots of photos using these books hereabouts!
#jhbackdrops