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ruckerworks.bsky.social
Steve Williamson
@ruckerworks.bsky.social
280 followers 540 following 280 posts
Author | Resident of the Pacific Northwest | Day job in marketing, content and HR (views are my own) | ruckerworks.com
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ruckerworks.bsky.social
Steve Williamson @ruckerworks.bsky.social · Jul 23
I'm not Brandon Sanderson. As an author, you've probably never heard of me. So how do you know if my debut #fantasy novel "Ohlen's Arrow" is any good?

FREE SAMPLE, that's how!

ruckerworks.com/shop/ohlens-...

#FantasyBooks #EpicFantasy #BookRecommendations #BooksOfBluesky #IndieAuthor #DebutNovel
Ohlen’s Arrow Free Sample – Start the Taesian Chronicles- Ruckerworks
Begin your journey into the Taesian Chronicles with a free sample of Ohlen’s Arrow by Steven Scott Williamson. This gritty fantasy novel introduces a world of honor, vengeance, and adventure.
ruckerworks.com
ruckerworks.bsky.social
NEW: Learn how to make NPCs stand out in your D&D game.

📚 READ: ruckerworks.com/blog/2025/12...
🎥 WATCH: www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTWC...

#DMTips #DnD #DungeonMaster #DnD5e #RPGTips #DMAdvice #NPCDesign #GameMaster #TTRPGCommunity #RoleplayingGames #DungeonMasterTips #TabletopRPG #Ruckerworks
3 Ways to Make NPCs Memorable in Your D&D Campaign - Ruckerworks
Learn how to make NPCs memorable in your D&D game with three simple techniques—relatability, impact, and portrayal—to keep players engaged and invested.
ruckerworks.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:29 PM
ruckerworks.bsky.social
It's Cyber Monday, so shop from independent vendors and creators.

How about treating yourself to some really cool solo D&D wilderness hex crawl and dungeon crawl rules, that go with 5e to OSR?

ruckerworks.com/shop/solus-d...

#TTRPG #SoloRPG #DnD #CyberMonday
Solus Domini: Solo Fantasy Wilderness & Dungeon Crawl RPG - Ruckerworks
Embark on solo adventures with Solus Domini, a 45-page PDF RPG system that enables players to explore wilderness hex crawls and dungeon delves using randomly generated terrain, maps, and encounters. P...
ruckerworks.com
December 1, 2025 at 9:12 PM
ruckerworks.bsky.social
"TPK Services Division - Slaying Tomorrow's Adventurers Today"

Check out this deadly yet comfortable hoodie with a corporate-inspired logo, for those #TTRPG game sessions when the entire party bites it.

ruckerworks.com/shop/tpk-ser...

#apparel #gaming #giftideas
TPK Services Division Hoodie – “Slaying Tomorrow’s Adventurers Today” - Ruckerworks
Show your love for tabletop mischief with the TPK Services Division hoodie. Features a bold skull logo with the slogan “Slaying Tomorrow’s Adventurers Today.” Great for when the whole party bites it.
ruckerworks.com
November 29, 2025 at 4:02 PM
ruckerworks.bsky.social
It's understated and not everybody will get the joke.

They really are cool coffee mugs, though. 15 oz., comfortable handle, durable printing. Inexpensive, too, just $15.

ruckerworks.com/shop/bloody-...

#MontyPython #coffee #coffeemug
Bloody Rabbit Coffee Mug – Monty Python-Inspired 15 oz Ceramic- Ruckerworks
Show your love for Monty Python's Holy Grail with this "bloody rabbit" 15 oz coffee mug. Microwave and dishwasher safe, it's perfect for fans who appreciate a touch of dark humor in their daily brew.
ruckerworks.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:08 PM
ruckerworks.bsky.social
NEW: "How to Blend Fantasy and Reality in Your D&D Adventures"

I dig into how to blend the real world with the fantasy realm to create memorable crossover adventures.

Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ciuh...
Read: ruckerworks.com/2025/11/blen...

#dnd #dungeonmaster #dungeonsanddragons #ttrpg
How to Blend Fantasy and Reality in Your D&D Adventures
YouTube video by Ruckerworks
www.youtube.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:27 PM
ruckerworks.bsky.social
My new novel The Quiet Hand is out. It’s a contemporary murder mystery and a big shift from my fantasy novels. Sharp twists, tense pacing, grounded investigation. Grab the ebook here:

www.lulu.com/shop/steven-...

#MurderMystery #IndieAuthor #NewRelease
The Quiet Hand
A woman is found strangled in a rundown Portland motel. Hours later, the man tied to her death turns up dead in a city park, his throat slashed with an unusual blade left nearby. Fingerprints on the w...
www.lulu.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:03 PM
ruckerworks.bsky.social
My new murder mystery, The Quiet Hand, is now available on Lulu.

Three Portland murders come with easy answers—too easy. Detective Rebecca Friedrich feels the truth twisting underneath.

www.lulu.com/shop/steven-...

#MurderMystery #CrimeFiction #IndieAuthor
A mysterious male face looms in the background. The tagline at the top says "Three murders. One secret." The title is "The Quiet Hand" with splatters of blood on some of the letters. Below the title is a kukri knife in a soft spotlight, resting on a stone floor. Across the bottom is the text "A novel by Steven Scott Williamson"
November 22, 2025 at 7:24 PM
ruckerworks.bsky.social
New article up: what Ashes of Isar feels like for D&D players. Stealth, tension, S.O.E. history, and simple rules in a WW2 RPG.

ruckerworks.com/2025/11/ashe...

#TTRPG #DnD #IndieRPG #WW2 #AshesOfIsar
What Ashes of Isar Feels Like to a D&D Player - Ruckerworks
Discover what Ashes of Isar feels like for D&D players. A WW2 espionage RPG inspired by real S.O.E. missions, built on simple rules and tight tension.
ruckerworks.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:46 PM
ruckerworks.bsky.social
NEW: "Preparing vs Planning your D&D Campaign"

This distinction can make or break your game.

WATCH: www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlDI...
READ: ruckerworks.com/2025/11/prep...

#DMTips #DnD #DungeonMaster #RPGTips #DungeonMasterAdvice #GameMaster #TabletopRPG #DMAdvice #RoleplayingGames #Ruckerworks
Preparing vs Planning Your D&D Campaign
YouTube video by Ruckerworks
www.youtube.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:19 PM
ruckerworks.bsky.social
My next video, coming out tomorrow, is about a perspective-shift on the part of DMs, the difference between 'planning' and 'preparing' when designing adventures and campaigns. Stay tuned!

www.youtube.com/@ruckerworks/
Ruckerworks
My name is Steve, I have been playing D&D since 1980, and I am dedicated to providing high quality fantasy tabletop role-playing game content, materials and advice for players and games masters alike.
www.youtube.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Reposted by Steve Williamson
tabcreations.com
GM Tip: Be an adversary; makes things hard. But that said, be an ally too. Some games focus very hard on how to challenge the players, but they rarely mention how sometimes the world should give them a leg up too.

#ttrpg #dnd #rpg #ttrpgCommunity #gaming
November 18, 2025 at 7:05 PM
ruckerworks.bsky.social
Whether you’re drinking your morning coffee, evening tea, or something in between, this d20 mug’s for you! Makes a great gift idea.

SHOP: ruckerworks.com/shop/d20-15-...

15 oz., comfortable handle, durable printing. Inexpensive, too, just $15.

#giftideas #coffeemug #dnd #ttrpg #dice #nat20
d20 gamers coffee mug - Ruckerworks
Gamers coffee mug with a d20 dice. 15 oz ceramic. Makes a great gift idea for gamers and role-players.
ruckerworks.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:05 PM
ruckerworks.bsky.social
Great tip @tabcreations.com ! It's amazing how much creative raw material the DM can glean from player actions, choices, preferences and words. When the DM takes inspiration from the players and uses those ideas in subsequent sessions, the players readily glam onto it. #ttrpg #dnd #rpg
tabcreations.com Tab Creations @tabcreations.com · 20d
GM Tip: Take note of what catches the players' interest and reincorporate those details in future sessions. A minor NPC who caught players' eye shows up again. A consequence of some earlier action, good or bad, becomes relevant. This helps engage the players and promotes buy-in.

#ttrpg #dnd #rpg
November 14, 2025 at 2:53 PM
ruckerworks.bsky.social
NEW: "How to Become a D&D Dungeon Master"

I walk through the two key skills every DM needs — preparation and running the table — and how to develop them over time.

WATCH: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCb3...
READ: ruckerworks.com/2025/11/how-...

#dnd #dungeonmaster #ttrpg
How to Become a D&D Dungeon Master
YouTube video by Ruckerworks
www.youtube.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Reposted by Steve Williamson
tabcreations.com
How true this is...

#ttrpg #dnd #ttrpgCommunity #rpg #ttrpgsky #meme
An iceberg stating "the RPG I publicly share" on top and "the unfinished RPG in my folders" below. And below that an angry demon with the text "the RPG that exists only as disconnected climactic scenes I imagine when falling alseep"
November 13, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Reposted by Steve Williamson
tabcreations.com
GM Tip: Short on time? Creating custom battle maps or making intricate quests has terrible return on investment when prepping.

Jotting down a few basic plot hooks, coming up with a couple interesting NPCs and preparing a "drop in" encounter or two has much better return.

#ttrpg #dnd #rpg
November 11, 2025 at 7:05 PM
ruckerworks.bsky.social
NEW: "5 Ways Players and DMs Sabotage Their D&D Game (and How to Fix It)"

WATCH: youtu.be/61dQhfYbM4E
READ: ruckerworks.com/2025/11/dnd-...

#DMTips #DnD #TabletopRPG #DungeonMaster #GameMaster #DungeonsAndDragons #TTRPGCommunity #RoleplayingGames
5 Ways Players and DMs Sabotage Their D&D Game (and How to Fix It)
YouTube video by Ruckerworks
youtu.be
November 6, 2025 at 4:08 PM
ruckerworks.bsky.social
"Becoming a Dungeon Master is a big undertaking. It's a labor of love, but the love must come first or your experience will be nothing but labor."

From "What Makes a Good DM?"

ruckerworks.com/2025/05/what...

#dnd #ttrpg #dungeonmaster #roleplayinggames
What Makes a Good DM? | Dungeon Master Tips from Ruckerworks
Discover the essential qualities of an effective Dungeon Master in this insightful article from Ruckerworks. Learn how preparation and game-running skills contribute to a successful D&D experience.
ruckerworks.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:10 PM
ruckerworks.bsky.social
In every D&D session, there comes a moment when the dice betray you.

Here's how to overcome that.

"5 Reasons Smart Play Wins the Day"

📺 VIEW: www.youtube.com/watch?v=e49V...
📖 READ: ruckerworks.com/2025/10/5-re...

#dnd #dungeonsanddragons #ttrpg #dungeonmaster #tabletoprpg #roleplaying #dndtips
5 Reasons Smart Play Wins the Day
YouTube video by Ruckerworks
www.youtube.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:02 PM
ruckerworks.bsky.social
"Players Come and Go: How DMs Keep Their D&D Tables Thriving"

I talk about what it really means when the roster of your D&D group changes over time.

Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rebU...
Read: ruckerworks.com/2025/10/play...

#dnd #dungeonmastertips #ttrpg #ttrpgcommunity #dndplayers #rpgadvice
Players Come and Go: How DMs Keep Their D&D Tables Thriving
YouTube video by Ruckerworks
www.youtube.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:10 PM
ruckerworks.bsky.social
NEW: "Players Come and Go: How DMs Keep Their D&D Tables Thriving"

In this video & article, I talk about what it really means when your D&D group changes over time.

Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rebU...

Read: ruckerworks.com/2025/10/play...

#dnd #dungeonmastertips #ttrpg #dnd5e #tabletoprpg
Players Come and Go: How DMs Keep Their D&D Tables Thriving
YouTube video by Ruckerworks
www.youtube.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:53 PM
ruckerworks.bsky.social
NEW: "5 Reasons Smart Play Wins the Day"

If you love clever problem-solving, this one’s for you. Smart play wins the day.

📺 VIEW: www.youtube.com/watch?v=e49V...
📖 READ: ruckerworks.com/2025/10/5-re...

#dnd #dungeonsanddragons #ttrpg #dnd5e #dungeonmaster #tabletoprpg #roleplaying #dndtips
5 Reasons Smart Play Wins the Day
YouTube video by Ruckerworks
www.youtube.com
October 23, 2025 at 2:52 PM
ruckerworks.bsky.social
NEW MISSION: Operation: SONGBIRD

Capture the voice of Nazi propaganda — and silence her lies.

Now available on DriveThruRPG for my WW2 espionage RPG, "Ashes of Isar"

www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/5...

#TTRPG #HistoricalGaming #IndieRPG #WW2 #espionage #espionageRPG #SOE
Ashes of Isar mission: Operation SONGBIRD - Ruckerworks | DriveThruRPG
Capture the voice of Nazi propaganda — and silence her lies. Ashes of Isar: Operation SONGBIRD is a complete mission module for the Ashes of Isar role-playing game — a system of covert operations, sab...
www.drivethrurpg.com
October 17, 2025 at 5:19 PM
ruckerworks.bsky.social
I've spent over a year designing Ashes of Isar, a tabletop RPG that captures the real tension of SOE agents working behind enemy lines in WWII.

It's finally live on DriveThruRPG. I can't wait for you to play it.

www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/5...

#TTRPG #Espionage #WWII
The cover of Ashes of Isar: A World War II Espionage and Spycraft Role-playing Game by Steven S. Williamson. The image shows a man in a trench coat and fedora standing beside a woman in an evening gown holding a pistol, against a wartime backdrop of soldiers, aircraft, and explosions. The tone is dark and cinematic, evoking 1940s spy thriller imagery.
October 16, 2025 at 2:57 PM
ruckerworks.bsky.social
NEW VIDEO: "Why I Play D&D"

WATCH: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWeQ...

This begs the question, if you play D&D, why?

#dnd #ttrpg #roleplayinggames
Why I Play D&D
YouTube video by Ruckerworks
www.youtube.com
October 16, 2025 at 2:12 PM