Mike Underwood
@mikerunderwood.bsky.social
They/he. Trans & non-binary Midwest Princex.
Author (Annihilation Aria, Genrenauts, etc). Hugo & Stabby-Award finalist.
Game designer (Daggerheart, Dungeons of Drakkenheim: Daggerheart, Candela Obscura, etc.)
https://linktr.ee/mikerunderwood
Author (Annihilation Aria, Genrenauts, etc). Hugo & Stabby-Award finalist.
Game designer (Daggerheart, Dungeons of Drakkenheim: Daggerheart, Candela Obscura, etc.)
https://linktr.ee/mikerunderwood
Pinned
New introduction:
I write science fiction and fantasy as Michael R. Underwood (Genrenauts, Geekomancy, etc.) do game design as Mike Underwood (currently: Daggerheart), and I'm developing a new actual play show.
Previously, I was a cohost of @speculate.bsky.social and @skiffyandfanty.bsky.social.
I write science fiction and fantasy as Michael R. Underwood (Genrenauts, Geekomancy, etc.) do game design as Mike Underwood (currently: Daggerheart), and I'm developing a new actual play show.
Previously, I was a cohost of @speculate.bsky.social and @skiffyandfanty.bsky.social.
Here we go! Join me for a chat about what goes into making a great boss encounter for Daggerheart, including building a custom adversary and environment as an example.
Today at 1pm EST, I'll be streaming with my thoughts about designing Boss Encounters for Daggerheart - making a boss worth remembering as well as the environment/support adversaries needed to make an incredible boss fight.
Twitch.tv/turbotango
Twitch.tv/turbotango
November 26, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Here we go! Join me for a chat about what goes into making a great boss encounter for Daggerheart, including building a custom adversary and environment as an example.
Today at 1pm EST, I'll be streaming with my thoughts about designing Boss Encounters for Daggerheart - making a boss worth remembering as well as the environment/support adversaries needed to make an incredible boss fight.
Twitch.tv/turbotango
Twitch.tv/turbotango
November 26, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Today at 1pm EST, I'll be streaming with my thoughts about designing Boss Encounters for Daggerheart - making a boss worth remembering as well as the environment/support adversaries needed to make an incredible boss fight.
Twitch.tv/turbotango
Twitch.tv/turbotango
Reposted by Mike Underwood
This is coming shortly.
In lieu of a video - I have other exciting ones in the pipeline - I've written up my thoughts on Hub & Spoke Adventure Design, and the article will be out later this week.
All the announcements for Daggerheart this weekend have got me excited.
All the announcements for Daggerheart this weekend have got me excited.
November 26, 2025 at 2:24 PM
This is coming shortly.
Reposted by Mike Underwood
I'm going to do a little thread on how the money from books works for traditionally published authors because people have questions, and this is always useful info to share IMO. First, a big disclaimer that every contract is different, and there are a million factors that can change things. 1/
November 26, 2025 at 2:12 PM
I'm going to do a little thread on how the money from books works for traditionally published authors because people have questions, and this is always useful info to share IMO. First, a big disclaimer that every contract is different, and there are a million factors that can change things. 1/
Reposted by Mike Underwood
I had my first character death in Daggerheart this week and it went down as the best session I’ve ever run as a GM. The simiah ranger sacrificed herself to a giant mech hybrid in a blaze of glory, heroically saving the party from imminent doom. It was truly epic.
November 26, 2025 at 1:34 PM
I had my first character death in Daggerheart this week and it went down as the best session I’ve ever run as a GM. The simiah ranger sacrificed herself to a giant mech hybrid in a blaze of glory, heroically saving the party from imminent doom. It was truly epic.
If you see this post an anime you love.
November 26, 2025 at 1:24 PM
If you see this post an anime you love.
Reposted by Mike Underwood
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 25, 2025 at 11:07 PM
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
Reposted by Mike Underwood
Tonight, in less than two hours at 9 p.m. EST, join @valerievaldes.bsky.social, @brandoncrilly.bsky.social, @premeemohamed.com, and yours truly for this discussion about the state of American and Canadian publishing and writing in 2025, on www.twitch.tv/arvaneleron. And please spread the word! :D
November 26, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Tonight, in less than two hours at 9 p.m. EST, join @valerievaldes.bsky.social, @brandoncrilly.bsky.social, @premeemohamed.com, and yours truly for this discussion about the state of American and Canadian publishing and writing in 2025, on www.twitch.tv/arvaneleron. And please spread the word! :D
Reposted by Mike Underwood
Critical Role's Daggerheart is perfect for horror, say the Dungeon Dudes (which is why they're moving Dungeons of Drakkenheim over to it).
@dungeondudes.bsky.social @daggerheartrpg.bsky.social @darringtonpress.bsky.social
Read our interview: www.thepopverse.com/gaming-dunge...
@dungeondudes.bsky.social @daggerheartrpg.bsky.social @darringtonpress.bsky.social
Read our interview: www.thepopverse.com/gaming-dunge...
Critical Role's Daggerheart is perfect for horror, say the Dungeon Dudes (which is why they're moving Dungeons of Drakkenheim over to it)
Dungeons of Drakkenheim, the longrunning 5e campaign that's been core to the Dungeon Dudes' YouTube channel, is officially coming to Critical Role's D&D rival. And apparently, it's got a lot to do wit...
www.thepopverse.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Critical Role's Daggerheart is perfect for horror, say the Dungeon Dudes (which is why they're moving Dungeons of Drakkenheim over to it).
@dungeondudes.bsky.social @daggerheartrpg.bsky.social @darringtonpress.bsky.social
Read our interview: www.thepopverse.com/gaming-dunge...
@dungeondudes.bsky.social @daggerheartrpg.bsky.social @darringtonpress.bsky.social
Read our interview: www.thepopverse.com/gaming-dunge...
Reposted by Mike Underwood
Hello network. This is real shit. I’m looking for transgender, nonbinary, or gender nonconforming front and back end web designers for a project to help trans people get housing in NJ. This is a paid opportunity.
Please share this if you see it, and my DMs are open for more information. Tysm 🩵🩷🤍🩷🩵
Please share this if you see it, and my DMs are open for more information. Tysm 🩵🩷🤍🩷🩵
November 25, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Hello network. This is real shit. I’m looking for transgender, nonbinary, or gender nonconforming front and back end web designers for a project to help trans people get housing in NJ. This is a paid opportunity.
Please share this if you see it, and my DMs are open for more information. Tysm 🩵🩷🤍🩷🩵
Please share this if you see it, and my DMs are open for more information. Tysm 🩵🩷🤍🩷🩵
Reposted by Mike Underwood
Last days to get involved with this awesome project!!!
We're entering the final days of the Mörk Sol Kickstarter! We have a ton of great stretch goals still out there, so if you haven't backed yet, I'd love it if you check it out!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/inf...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/inf...
Mörk Sol
A faster-than-light Mörk Borg-inspired RPG set in a horrific galaxy consumed by entropic decay.
www.kickstarter.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Last days to get involved with this awesome project!!!
When people claiming to be leftists go aggro on authors when said authors complain about having work pirated, I've never seen any of those leftists actually present a sensible argument *why* authors are not entitled to the value of the goods created by their labor.
November 25, 2025 at 7:59 PM
When people claiming to be leftists go aggro on authors when said authors complain about having work pirated, I've never seen any of those leftists actually present a sensible argument *why* authors are not entitled to the value of the goods created by their labor.
Reposted by Mike Underwood
The fact that itch posted this and not even an hour later I got a bunch of new sales proves how big it is when other people talk about your games.
It can literally be a life changing events.
When John Harper made a nice quote tweet about Breathless, hundreds of people looked at the game.
Wild
It can literally be a life changing events.
When John Harper made a nice quote tweet about Breathless, hundreds of people looked at the game.
Wild
Voidlight: A rules-bright sci-fi horror dungeon crawl where your only safety is a beam of light that shrinks every ten minutes.
farirpgs.itch.io/voidlight
farirpgs.itch.io/voidlight
November 25, 2025 at 2:05 PM
The fact that itch posted this and not even an hour later I got a bunch of new sales proves how big it is when other people talk about your games.
It can literally be a life changing events.
When John Harper made a nice quote tweet about Breathless, hundreds of people looked at the game.
Wild
It can literally be a life changing events.
When John Harper made a nice quote tweet about Breathless, hundreds of people looked at the game.
Wild
Reposted by Mike Underwood
Yup. Here is another lovely example of the evolutionary, refinement of game design. The section of Daggerheart titled Pitfalls to Avoid is remarkably useful and a clear sign of effective playtesting. Show people both the best practices and the mistakes folks make.
November 25, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Yup. Here is another lovely example of the evolutionary, refinement of game design. The section of Daggerheart titled Pitfalls to Avoid is remarkably useful and a clear sign of effective playtesting. Show people both the best practices and the mistakes folks make.
Reposted by Mike Underwood
As announced, I'm doing a full #Daggerheart December of streams where I'll be working on my campaign frame! First though, I'll be doing a "Daggerheart 101" on December 1st to help newcomers understand the ins and outs of the game, including showing other free online utilities for the system!
November 24, 2025 at 7:52 PM
As announced, I'm doing a full #Daggerheart December of streams where I'll be working on my campaign frame! First though, I'll be doing a "Daggerheart 101" on December 1st to help newcomers understand the ins and outs of the game, including showing other free online utilities for the system!
I mentioned my idea for GM classes for Daggerheart this weekend and it reminded me to go back and do more with it.
My next step for the idea: Class Fear Features to mirror/match class Hope features.
My next step for the idea: Class Fear Features to mirror/match class Hope features.
November 24, 2025 at 8:24 PM
I mentioned my idea for GM classes for Daggerheart this weekend and it reminded me to go back and do more with it.
My next step for the idea: Class Fear Features to mirror/match class Hope features.
My next step for the idea: Class Fear Features to mirror/match class Hope features.
Reposted by Mike Underwood
I'd never heard of this site until tonight. Both my books are on there. Did you know my publisher offers one of three lowest royalty rates in the entire industry? And that I didn't get an advance? Literally all I make is from royalties. Royalties I don't earn when you pirate my book.
I posted a buy link here to "A Magical Inheritance" a few days ago, and 24 of you immediately went to Anna's Archives and fucking stole it from me.
Yes, stole it.
I do not get paid for your download there because YOU ARE STEALING FROM ME.
🖕
Yes, stole it.
I do not get paid for your download there because YOU ARE STEALING FROM ME.
🖕
November 24, 2025 at 5:07 AM
I'd never heard of this site until tonight. Both my books are on there. Did you know my publisher offers one of three lowest royalty rates in the entire industry? And that I didn't get an advance? Literally all I make is from royalties. Royalties I don't earn when you pirate my book.
ICYMI, the PAXU panel where the @darringtonpress.bsky.social team shared a cool stuff from HOPE & FEAR as well as other announcements is here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=caRP...
BONUS - you can see me briefly at about 10:40 when they shout out the Dungeons of Drakkenheim: Daggerheart KS :)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=caRP...
BONUS - you can see me briefly at about 10:40 when they shout out the Dungeons of Drakkenheim: Daggerheart KS :)
PAX U LIVE DAGGERHEART PANEL | NEW BOOK Hope & Fear + Surprises! | ft. MATT MERCER and MORE
YouTube video by Darrington Press
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:28 PM
ICYMI, the PAXU panel where the @darringtonpress.bsky.social team shared a cool stuff from HOPE & FEAR as well as other announcements is here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=caRP...
BONUS - you can see me briefly at about 10:40 when they shout out the Dungeons of Drakkenheim: Daggerheart KS :)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=caRP...
BONUS - you can see me briefly at about 10:40 when they shout out the Dungeons of Drakkenheim: Daggerheart KS :)
Reposted by Mike Underwood
I see it's the seasonal argument about why piracy to fuck over Amazon and publishers is okay while many authors live below the poverty line.
November 24, 2025 at 1:59 PM
I see it's the seasonal argument about why piracy to fuck over Amazon and publishers is okay while many authors live below the poverty line.
Reposted by Mike Underwood
HUGE update to the BUREAU of CHRONOLOGICAL AFFAIRS. The #Daggerheart campaign frame has been expanded into a 62 page book that now includes an Agent class and a reworked version of the Daggerheart SRD -- stripped down and remixed to fit the game perfectly.
Now includes EVERYTHING you need to play.
Now includes EVERYTHING you need to play.
November 24, 2025 at 2:04 AM
HUGE update to the BUREAU of CHRONOLOGICAL AFFAIRS. The #Daggerheart campaign frame has been expanded into a 62 page book that now includes an Agent class and a reworked version of the Daggerheart SRD -- stripped down and remixed to fit the game perfectly.
Now includes EVERYTHING you need to play.
Now includes EVERYTHING you need to play.
I think Monty of the @dungeondudes.bsky.social may be having too much fun GMing Daggerheart with Fear features to torment the PCs in the Escape from Drakkenheim game at PAXU.
And it's my job to make this even more frightful for GMs running Drakkenheim in Daggerheart.
I'm sorry/you're welcome.
And it's my job to make this even more frightful for GMs running Drakkenheim in Daggerheart.
I'm sorry/you're welcome.
November 23, 2025 at 6:15 PM
I think Monty of the @dungeondudes.bsky.social may be having too much fun GMing Daggerheart with Fear features to torment the PCs in the Escape from Drakkenheim game at PAXU.
And it's my job to make this even more frightful for GMs running Drakkenheim in Daggerheart.
I'm sorry/you're welcome.
And it's my job to make this even more frightful for GMs running Drakkenheim in Daggerheart.
I'm sorry/you're welcome.
Reposted by Mike Underwood
i demand that you stop by the good luck press both today (4059) and check out @smolghost.bsky.social’s surprise solo drop: WE SHALL BE MONSTERS
November 23, 2025 at 1:43 PM
i demand that you stop by the good luck press both today (4059) and check out @smolghost.bsky.social’s surprise solo drop: WE SHALL BE MONSTERS
Rowan fully fleshing out this Friday Night Braziers dream for Tucker the Juggernaut Brawler.
November 22, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Rowan fully fleshing out this Friday Night Braziers dream for Tucker the Juggernaut Brawler.
Almost showtime for Daggerheart Live: Building the Next Chapter!
November 22, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Almost showtime for Daggerheart Live: Building the Next Chapter!
If you aren't at PAXU, you can still watch live!
Tune in TODAY at 10am Eastern / 7am Pacific for our #Daggerheart panel at #PAXUnplugged and streaming live to our YouTube channel!
We have news, reveals, deep dives into Hope & Fear, and an actual play from a new campaign frame!
👀 https://bit.ly/4igtmXv
We have news, reveals, deep dives into Hope & Fear, and an actual play from a new campaign frame!
👀 https://bit.ly/4igtmXv
November 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM
If you aren't at PAXU, you can still watch live!