Jon at Handiwork Games
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handiworkgames.bsky.social
Jon at Handiwork Games
@handiworkgames.bsky.social
2.9K followers 1.3K following 3.3K posts
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
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handiworkgames.bsky.social
Some tools and foods from Pine Pitch Black edition of Maskwitches.
A monochrome image from the Pine Pitch Black edition of Maskwitches. Some microlithic flint bladelets. A monochrome image from the Pine Pitch Black edition of Maskwitches. A collection of nuts and berries on some bark. A monochrome image from the Pine Pitch Black edition of Maskwitches. A flint scraper on some hide, next to a gnarled piece of driftwood. A monochrome image from the Pine Pitch Black edition of Maskwitches. A collection of flint tools.
November 16, 2025 at 9:45 PM
handiworkgames.bsky.social
Some evil spirits from Maskwitches Pine Pitch Black also in monochrome.
A monochrome image from the Pine Pitch Black edition of Maskwitches. A spirit made from stones in a landscape. A monochrome image from the Pine Pitch Black edition of Maskwitches. A quadrupedal spirit made of stones, covered in black threads advancing through a rocky landscape. A monochrome image from the Pine Pitch Black edition of Maskwitches. A tall very thin figure made from something like tar. A monochrome image from the Pine Pitch Black edition of Maskwitches. An evil spirt with many limbs and a weird fly-like head. It’s covered in spines coming out of its weird flaps of skin.
November 16, 2025 at 9:39 PM
handiworkgames.bsky.social
Some images from Pine Pitch Black, the fancy monochrome edition of Maskwitches. I really like how these came out. Totally different feel to the colour version.
A monochrome image from the Pine Pitch Black edition of Maskwitches. A horse skull in profile resting on a pile of rocks. It appears quite dirty, and has wispy hair attached to the back of it. A monochrome image from the Pine Pitch Black edition of Maskwitches. A pair of Maskwitches are moving towards the viewer through a woodland scene. A monochrome image from the Pine Pitch Black edition of Maskwitches. Some kind of horrible hairy/shiny creature in the woods. It has lots of arms and bug like eyes. A monochrome image from the Pine Pitch Black edition of Maskwitches. A pair of harpoons resting on a piece of hide, amongst other tools. Also visible: some seeds and some hazelnuts.
November 16, 2025 at 9:34 PM
handiworkgames.bsky.social
It’s fading. The sacred mug. But it’s ok. Once the design is completely gone, I will be better.
A photo of OP’s hand holding a David Shrigley mug featuring a drawing of a person holding their head with the accompany text “YOU ARE A BUNCH TWATS AND YOU ARE TOTALLY DOING MY HEAD IN”
November 15, 2025 at 2:55 PM
handiworkgames.bsky.social
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...
A selection of backdrops from the Golden Seal Backdrop Book showing heraldic images, calligraphic and mystical images on textural backgrounds. A sample from the Golden Seal book showing a simple circular magical sigil. A photo showing the Trench Crusade Artillery Witch in front of the previous sample backdrop.
November 14, 2025 at 5:36 PM
handiworkgames.bsky.social
Behind the scenes! I'm using some @fenrisgames.com rubble because of course, and a variety of scratch built scenery. I knew we wouldn't see the tops of my Trench Catherine wheels - they're there for some extra foreground verticals. The backdrop book is A4 on this occasion - right fit for the shot.
A behind the scenes photo of the set up for the previous post's shots. Showing lots of model scenery in front of the backdrop book, and a lamp on a jointed SmallRig arm.
November 14, 2025 at 1:49 PM
handiworkgames.bsky.social
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!
Two bad Squiddo figures in front of a World War Ruins Backdrop in grainy black and white Two bad Squiddo figures in front of a World War Ruins Backdrop in grainy black and white Three bad Squiddo figures in front of a World War Ruins Backdrop in grainy black and white Three bad Squiddo figures in front of a World War Ruins Backdrop in grainy black and white
November 14, 2025 at 1:38 PM
handiworkgames.bsky.social
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...
November 13, 2025 at 5:21 PM
handiworkgames.bsky.social
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
November 13, 2025 at 11:22 AM
handiworkgames.bsky.social
Yeah need to do more of these. Another one with the original skies book
#jhbackdrops
Three heavily modified robot kits painted to look rusty and covered in soil and tufts and little flowers.
November 12, 2025 at 9:49 PM
handiworkgames.bsky.social
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
A photo of some model robots heavily modified with rusty paint jobs and tufts of grass. The scene is dimly lit, their eyes are glowing green.
November 12, 2025 at 9:41 PM
handiworkgames.bsky.social
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
Out micro presence in the school gym hall: a couple of desks featuring a selection of Handiwork Games books and a logo banner. Also featured: a five a side football goal. Nice.
November 12, 2025 at 6:15 PM
handiworkgames.bsky.social
A black and white image of a maskwitch with the overlaid text "oi m8 u got a license innit"
November 12, 2025 at 4:46 PM
handiworkgames.bsky.social
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
November 12, 2025 at 3:55 PM
handiworkgames.bsky.social
Experiments with the brand new More Skies Backdrop Book and some Maskwitches...
Maskwitches figures in front of a More Skies backdrop A Maskwitches figure in front of a More Skies backdrop A Maskwitches figure in front of a More Skies backdrop A Maskwitches figure in front of a More Skies backdrop
November 11, 2025 at 1:13 PM
handiworkgames.bsky.social
A wild newsletter appears! It is super effective!
mailchi.mp/65859f8f1830...
The FiveEvil range of books The two new backdrop books
November 10, 2025 at 4:51 PM
handiworkgames.bsky.social
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.
Turkey Man by Bad Squiddo frolics almost bare in a stony meadow in front of a More Skies backdrop. Turkey Man by Bad Squiddo frolics almost bare in a stony meadow in front of a More Skies backdrop. Turkey Man by Bad Squiddo frolics almost bare in a stony meadow in front of a More Skies backdrop. Turkey Man by Bad Squiddo frolics almost bare in a stony meadow in front of a More Skies backdrop.
November 10, 2025 at 2:54 PM
handiworkgames.bsky.social
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.
Some Knucklebones miniature in front of a backdrop from the new “More Skies” book. Some Knucklebones miniature in front of a backdrop from the new “More Skies” book. Some Knucklebones miniature in front of a backdrop from the new “More Skies” book.
November 8, 2025 at 5:47 PM
handiworkgames.bsky.social
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!
A photo of OP’s hand holding a tiny Citadel Miniatures shield.
November 8, 2025 at 10:39 AM
handiworkgames.bsky.social
Just a couple of big BEOWULF landscape paintings that are kinda mood right now.
Three early medieval style friendos with helmets and spears regard a wide, cold looking landscape. In the midground is a burial mound. The barrow scene from “The Northman” is deffo going to happen there. Two figures and their dog proceed into a large mountainous landscape of delicate purples and yellows. They’re thinking about where to build their home.
November 7, 2025 at 10:19 PM
handiworkgames.bsky.social
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
The covers to the More Skies and Word War Ruins Backdrop Books
November 7, 2025 at 4:37 PM
handiworkgames.bsky.social
Wow. Cold City has 100% five star rating @drivethrurpg.com and a series of brilliant reviews: Hector writes: "Love the research, the feel, and the subtlety of game design. And for all that, it is fast-moving and on the low end of prep time."

www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/5... #coldcity
November 7, 2025 at 9:26 AM
handiworkgames.bsky.social
Gratitude post! Today I am extremely grateful for Tanya Floaker’s amazing work on Mapmaker’s Guide for a|state, alongside their amazing perseverance with my entirely unreasonable demand that we’re not talking about it until it’s written.
The cover to The Mapmaker’s Guide to The City for a|state by Paul Bourne. It shows a close up of a hooded woman staring intensely at us. In the background is The City. A small group of a|state Troublemakers can be seen in the midground.
November 7, 2025 at 8:52 AM
handiworkgames.bsky.social
a|state second edition - out now. handiwork.games/games/astate
#astaterpg #ttrpg
November 6, 2025 at 2:51 PM
handiworkgames.bsky.social
Back in stock - it’s The Hermit’s Sanctuary print book. This one was double ENnie-nommed! Grab some form of 5e rules and this book gives you else everyone you need to play a BEOWULF adventure! The PDF version is absolutely free and there’s a link at our store:

handiwork.games/product/beow...
A photo of The Hermit’s Sanctuary book.
November 5, 2025 at 4:44 PM