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
Only if you're on the right ones
November 14, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Only if you're on the right ones
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.
November 14, 2025 at 1:49 PM
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.
It is the single piece of work I am most proud of.
November 14, 2025 at 11:08 AM
It is the single piece of work I am most proud of.
I was thinking about this, and I agree, but I was worried that a disgusting killjoy sun stan pendant would point out that the explosion might melt all the ice caps.
November 14, 2025 at 9:24 AM
I was thinking about this, and I agree, but I was worried that a disgusting killjoy sun stan pendant would point out that the explosion might melt all the ice caps.
Phew! For a minute there I thought you meant Maskwitches! Heaven forfend!
November 14, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Phew! For a minute there I thought you meant Maskwitches! Heaven forfend!
“At some level most of us are aware that the person throwing the dice across the room during a game of Snakes and Ladders is not ok.”
This is important and serious work.
This is important and serious work.
November 14, 2025 at 8:08 AM
“At some level most of us are aware that the person throwing the dice across the room during a game of Snakes and Ladders is not ok.”
This is important and serious work.
This is important and serious work.
Just rub some dirt on it.
November 14, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Just rub some dirt on it.
See, I started work this morning using “the sun explodes ha ha this game is stupid” as my example of antisocial play, but now I want to play in a Maskwitches game which opens with the sun exploding.
November 14, 2025 at 8:02 AM
See, I started work this morning using “the sun explodes ha ha this game is stupid” as my example of antisocial play, but now I want to play in a Maskwitches game which opens with the sun exploding.
I think it was the first, regrettably nameless, fellow I mention in the thread who spoke to me about how:
1: customers then insisted on magic users in RPGs
2: "skills" had barely been invented, so they used magic as skills.
I remember liking the game because density felt like value when we were 15.
1: customers then insisted on magic users in RPGs
2: "skills" had barely been invented, so they used magic as skills.
I remember liking the game because density felt like value when we were 15.
November 13, 2025 at 11:39 AM
I think it was the first, regrettably nameless, fellow I mention in the thread who spoke to me about how:
1: customers then insisted on magic users in RPGs
2: "skills" had barely been invented, so they used magic as skills.
I remember liking the game because density felt like value when we were 15.
1: customers then insisted on magic users in RPGs
2: "skills" had barely been invented, so they used magic as skills.
I remember liking the game because density felt like value when we were 15.
I always favoured the definition of critique as “the weighing of relative merits”. I think about that a lot.
November 13, 2025 at 8:56 AM
I always favoured the definition of critique as “the weighing of relative merits”. I think about that a lot.
How you frame and use those questions is key. For me those conversations with the MERP designers were mind-blowing and inestimably informative.
If I was coming at the work like “ha ha MERP sucks, I’ll take my upvotes now plz” I’d miss all that. I’d be making myself stupid for Internet points. 6/4
If I was coming at the work like “ha ha MERP sucks, I’ll take my upvotes now plz” I’d miss all that. I’d be making myself stupid for Internet points. 6/4
November 13, 2025 at 8:34 AM
How you frame and use those questions is key. For me those conversations with the MERP designers were mind-blowing and inestimably informative.
If I was coming at the work like “ha ha MERP sucks, I’ll take my upvotes now plz” I’d miss all that. I’d be making myself stupid for Internet points. 6/4
If I was coming at the work like “ha ha MERP sucks, I’ll take my upvotes now plz” I’d miss all that. I’d be making myself stupid for Internet points. 6/4
I learned to say about MERP, while working on The One Ring, “we played the heck out of MERP” because: true. And also sure as we played we found things to question. But that’s how things work? I don’t think just spotting flaws in things is quite as smart as some “thought leaders” seem to think? 5/4
November 13, 2025 at 8:34 AM
I learned to say about MERP, while working on The One Ring, “we played the heck out of MERP” because: true. And also sure as we played we found things to question. But that’s how things work? I don’t think just spotting flaws in things is quite as smart as some “thought leaders” seem to think? 5/4
I feel I should have a stronger conclusion here, but in a sense my point is “I think it’s better look at things as clearly as possible” rather than “look at things in a way that makes shitty viral hot takes”. Which isn’t really news to anyone. Maybe there are ways of seeing that reveal more? 4/4
November 13, 2025 at 7:51 AM
I feel I should have a stronger conclusion here, but in a sense my point is “I think it’s better look at things as clearly as possible” rather than “look at things in a way that makes shitty viral hot takes”. Which isn’t really news to anyone. Maybe there are ways of seeing that reveal more? 4/4