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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Been very tired and very busy lately, but I have managed a few small things: #WargamesAtlantic

A lil commando painted up that was inspired by Havoc from C&C: Renegade and another one that's made to look like Doom Guy to my eye.

WIPs, since all the detailing is still to-be-completed.

A lil Space Brit with a huge plasma rifle that he's barely hauling around.
Beside him, a GIANT commando looking dude aiming down sights on an equally massive plasma rifle.

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porble @porble.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

shared this mech already, but its cowboy o' clock so here it is on a black background #battletech #miniaturepainting #miniatures

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

I feel I'm getting things as accurate as possible. The #BattleTech courtroom comedy no one asked for is being written... very... slowly.

defamation case in a Lyran territory, you must prove: (1) that the material in question was published to someone other than yourself; (2) that the material representation is objectively, factually untrue; (3) that the defendant, TBC, did so either as a result of neglect or with the intent to do harm; and, lastly, if you expect compensation for the harm suffered, you must prove that this mischaracterization caused substantial emotional distress.
Mr Vohwinkel, from your written submissions can I assume that the defendant accepts as given point 1, given the broadcast nature of the animated series and its live-action remake in 3053?
VOHWINKEL, MR: Yes, your Honour.
HIS HONOUR: Very good. And you oppose the plaintiff on points 2 and 3? Quite. Mr Malthus, what would you say is the nature of the inaccuracies of your depiction?
MALTHUS, MR: The propaganda your merchant caste has made for Adam Steiner depicts me as a - - -
HIS HONOUR: Lower your voice, Mr Malthus.
MALTHUS, MR: - - - screaming buffoon. An inept strategist who makes clumsy mistakes in war, and who compromises Zellbrigen for personal vendettas.

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

The Thaw. The Restless, divinely resurrected undead, depend upon carrying pieces of magical ice (Rimestone) that come from a glacier made from the body of the god of the Sea. Being deprived of Rimestone causes the ice preserving them to melt. It's a slow and horrific final death. Also a war crime!

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

New job needs 11 hours of my day, means my chronic fatigue takes the rest of my day. Not going to be able to keep up much with things for a while.

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

I don't have much free time now that I've started my new job, but I am writing something funny after work... First pic is from Legends and is canon. Second pic is me writing fake legal transcript.

Adam Steiner went on to become Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth, and was lionized in a holodrama that depicted Malthus as a screaming, bumbling idiot. In 3063, Malthus demanded a Trial of Grievance against Steiner and the production company, claiming that their inaccurate portrayal of him cost his status as a Jade Falcon. Informed that he would have to file the proper paperwork in Lyran courts to obtain a tial, Malthus inadvertently found himself in the middle not of a Circle of Equals, but a most unusual lawsuit. The case was eventually thrown out of court, and Malthus detained for threatening the judge after the jurist refused his batchall.

After six months in a Steiner prison, Malthus was

MALTHUS, MR: I have no need of lesser castes to fight my battles for me.

HIS HONOUR: This isn’t a - there are no - this court does not recognize any castes. I would strongly urge you seek legal advice before - you’re shaking your head. All right. As a self-represented litigant, I can provide you some basic assistance in the proceedings, but I cannot give legal advice. Do you understand? You’re - Mr Malthus, please speak with a clear yes or no answer when addressed.

MALTHUS, MR: I hear you.

HIS HONOUR: Right. Well, as plaintiff you’re welcome to make an opening statement.

MALTHUS, MR: I am before you today because of the loathsome lies told by your dezgra Adam Steiner - - -

VOHWINKEL, MR: Your Honour, objection.

MALTHUS, MR: - - - and his propaganda - - -

HIS HONOUR: Mr Malthus, you - - -

MALTHUS, MR: - - - network on Tharkad.

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Mine makes each element a unique source of magic. If you tapped into Fire, that was its own type of magic and whatever you learned about Pyromancy didn't teach you anything about Shadow magic. Each element is foundational to the structure of the world, and magic is shaping elements into reality.

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

There's got to be a Hasek to blame *somewhere*. Just look at this guy.

Alexander Hasek before he decided to invade the Taurians because reasons that were all completely wrong.

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Fuck. I forgot people use AI to make music now too somehow. Hell if I know why. Add composers, musicians, and singers to that list.

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

For the record, my budget on that project was $2,000 and I could afford an artist. Sure, I never finished the project. There are a lot of reasons why I failed to deliver, but it sure as hell wasn't the artists or the writers I hired. They did their work, and they were paid. #NoAI #Anti-AI #HumanArt

Harlan Ellison with the quote "PAY THE WRITER!" in large, bold font.
Above "WRITER" there is a little arrow inserting the words "ARTIST, ACTOR, GRAPHIC DESIGNER, EDITOR, TRANSLATOR, TRANSCRIPTIONIST..."

I'm sure there are even more things than this I should list, but I didn't think of them and the font was already getting small

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Not only that, but some of the in-progress pieces I got from working with an EXTREMELY TALENTED artist like @noonmarkart.dev were themselves works of art that blew me away. I'm never impressed by the machine's RNG. If I wanted to roll dice, I would. Images aren't art without people expressing them.

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Doing a little bit of painting today, so here's a couple photos of how I handle skin tones! 1st pic is what I started with 2nd pic is after a layer of Army Painter's Pearl Skin acrylic 3rd pic is 3x different Speed Paints for the final skin tone #WargamesAtlantic #ArmyPainter

4x Ooh Rah Marines from Wargames Atlantic

4x Ooh Rah Marines from Wargames Atlantic with Pearl Skin painted on their exposed skin.

4x Ooh Rah Marines from Wargames Atlantic
1x with Pallid Bone for a yellowish skin tone
2x with Peachy Flesh which ended up looking a bit sunburned
1x with Warrior Skin, and that's really the one that turned out the best

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

I wasn't really sure who to expect!

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Some lizardmen with assault rifles here. Been testing out all the different greens I have to see which ones I liked best. #WargamesAtlantic

Ghoul Green, Shamrock Green, Forest Sprite, Camo Cloak, Plasmatic Bolt, Highlord Blue

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

23 responses so far! #BattleTech docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

8.7% Blood Spirit
4.3% Burrock
13% Cloud Cobra
13% Coyote
26.1% Diamond Shark
13% Fire Mandril
17.4% Ghost Bear
34.8% Goliath Scorpion
17.4% Hell's Horses
17.4% Ice Hellion
21.7% Jade Falcon
13% Nova Cat
26.1% Smoke Jaguar
30.4% Snow Raven
13% Star Adder
8.7% Steel Viper
13% Clan Wolf

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

I'm thinking of running a public #BattleTech campaign depicting what would happen if the Clans invaded from the opposite direction. Anyone could participate by reporting their games (factions played & game outcome) for classic, Alpha Strike, and Aerotech. 1 round = 2 weeks. Any takers?

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Before I lost my job, I ordered Five Parsecs From Home: Tactics from my local game store. Just picked it up, and am really loving it.

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Yeah, it is easy for the framing or names to color how people engage with a system. Mechanically I think I got something here.

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

You'd need to roll your Hedonism, since that would be how enthusiastic you are about finding drinks and food and parties plus your Diplomacy or Persuasion or whatever the skill is.

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

What do you see as challenges for those two? The thing I find interesting is that even Vices can be positive and useful statistics in terms of achieving character goals. Say you're supposed to take diplomats out for a night on the town, show them a good time so they vote in your favor? (1 of 2)

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Fiddling with 5x virtue/vice axes Wisdom / Rashness Fortitude / Hesitancy Temperance / Hedonism Justice / Prejudice Defiance / Piety Yes, I know piety and dutiful obedience to authority was *typically* a virtue. But I'm viewing this as which are harder to overcome. It's harder to disobey than obey

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

A big problem for me with design down-stream of D&D is how often checks are very binary of you succeed or fail, and they give little to no guidance on how to fail forward. Daggerheart's Hope/Fear system gave me ideas I want to expand on, but not if I'm retreading someone else's work.

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Oh yeah. Nature & Demeanor are one of my favorite ways to handle "alignment" as a roleplay guidance system. I love a lot of what World of Darkness does in those areas. What I'm seeing is, potentially, a way to innovate on RPG design that I've not seen done yet. So I'm on the research phase just now

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

World of Darkness comes the closest I think, with things like Humanity or Virtues for Hunters. And just about everyone has the trio of Conscience, Courage, & Self-Control. But these don't quite get used how I'm thinking. Can anyone recommend me a ttRPG where you roll motives like you would means?

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

We generally leave motive up to role-play almost exclusively, but D&D and other systems will have sort of half-measure limits on that with things like Fear checks or Sanity systems. Are there any RPG systems that more mechanically represent a character's virtues or moral driving forces?

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

I've been thinking about #ttRPG design after reading through Daggerheart. Really loved their Hope & Fear mechanic, but it made me think of something else. For anything to happen, a character needs the means, motive, & opportunity. Skills/Traits cover means, die rolls covers opportunity. But motive?

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

I've decided to publish a #BattleTech campaign system I was working on to Itch. I'd say it's about 80% rules complete, but I've not been able to play-test it myself. If you were looking for something a little different from Chaos Campaigns, maybe give it a go? avernus-labs.itch.io/battletech-f...

avernus-labs.itch.io

BattleTech: Frontline v0.8 by Avernus Labs

A fan-made campaign system for BattleTech

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

I am "proud" to announce our first BattleMech made by committee of 67 participants! The 50-ton Pshara PSH-4RA. It's shit, and none of you who voted on this are getting what you wanted. PERFECT! In the thread below, I'll detail how these decisions were made. #BattleTech @battletechcom.bsky.social

A classic BattleTech 'Mech sheet for this dumpster fire.

An Alpha Strike card for the same 'Mech!

Visual approximation! I cut the top of a Wraith off and stuck it on a Triskelion's legs. Includes a stamp of approval so you know it's official.

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Just re-posting to make sure everyone who participated knows what we've "accomplished" #BattleTech

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

The final result of the survey returned an average of 2.75 legs!

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

I absolutely cheated! I'm no artist, but I can spend a few minutes in paint for something silly like this bsky.app/profile/aver...

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

The joys of taking a few minutes in Paint. net and bashing together a Triskelion and a Wraith I've no skill at art myself! www.sarna.net/wiki/Triskel... www.sarna.net/wiki/Wraith_...

Line art of the Triskelion, an actual 'mech

Line art of a Wraith, another real 'mech.

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

It's hard to make a 'mech that's useless in Classic, but this sure does pull in a lot of directions and fails to succeed in any of them.

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Everyone (and no one) voted for this. 🤷

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Wendy, Were-rat Spiderthing @curatrix-ribston.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

hey I'm looking for wargames made by women, I know there's the work of cavegirl that's got some interesting stuff but I'd like more names other myself, so if you've written a game in that space and you're a girl or you know someone who fits pleaaaaase reply

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

0.25 tons! Unfortunately, the other 0.25 tons was just sort of... wasted space. Maybe the pilot can turn it into a kitchenette?

Name: Paramedic Equipment
BV: 0.0
Weight: 0.25
Crit: 1
Reference: 233, TechManual

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Range bands. Took the average of max range x votes, and came back with 13. Which meant a main weapon longer than 4/8/12. After that, votes were overwhelming for most damage possible but also most heat and tonnage efficient at the cost of crit space. Only one weapon does all of that: RE Lasers.

stats on Large RE Lasers from my own spreadsheets.

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Lots of people wanted a Probe of some kind (even if that probe was just a searchlight), but most people wanted nothing. The 'Mech got Improved Sensors and Searchlight Quirks instead of spending tonnage on payload. Targeting Computer won out just barely. This prevented partial AES inclusion.

probes or electronics compared to targeting systems

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

People overwhelmingly voted for the First Aid Kit, NOT REALIZING I COULD ACTUALLY DO IT. So the cockpit has Paramedic Equipment. This only used 0.25 tons, but because 'mechs are built in half-tons? We lost half a ton to carry a medkit. Barely anyone wanted fancy gadgets, so none were included.

This shows pilot survival options and stealth or particle shield options.

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Strong support for some sort of Jump Jets (15 JJ + 8 IJJ + 4 Wing vs 21 votes "None"). Jump Jets selected. Armor types weighted, with average closest to the weighted value selected (Light Ferro). Strong support to include some sort of ECM. An AMS system would've been included, but ran out of space.

This one shows the math on Jump Jets, Armor, and AMS/ECM.

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Standard Cockpit won, but with substantial votes for Interface & Small. It gained the Cramped Cockpit Quirk & extra funds spent for a DNI cockpit modification. Overwhelming vote against any AES/Myomer. DHS won w/ support for Insulators/Radical. 'Mech ran out of space before they could be included.

More bad spreadsheet screenshots. This is the equivalent of bar napkin math

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

First, let's talk basics. An avg. of 2.75 legs, rounded up to 3. 28 votes Endo or Endo-Composite. 22 votes Composite or Endo-Composite. Endo-Composite chosen as compromise. Engine values were weighted, and the average was closest to the weight for Light. Standard Gyros won overwhelmingly.

A screenshot of some google spreadsheets where I was doing my math. It's messy and illegible. Don't worry about it too much.

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Avernus Labs @avernuslabs.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

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