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Errant Thinking

@errantthinking.bsky.social
51 followers 77 following 174 posts

Asking insightful questions. Seeking thoughtful answers! errantthinking.com TTRPGs, Game Design, Philosophy, Science, Education, A Love of Life

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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
Been thinking about low fantasy for a long time. I'm a big fan on settings with good foundations in realism or low fantasy. It makes them more believable and introduces real world knowledge into the game for me and others to explore. Once grounded, then I like to explore the higher fantasy more. 🚀
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Zak H. | Bommyknocker Press @bommyknocker.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
Patchwork Paladin is not here on bsky to promote it, but are people wise to her newsletter? Great picks for the cream of the blogosphere each week, a swift rundown of what’s in the discourse and my personal favourite, a weekly poem. #osr #ttrpg #blog #newsletter
patchworkpaladin.com
Patchwork Newsletter Volume 2, Issue 28
This week’s Discord discussions, blog posts to read, projects to download, arrivals, a ton of play reports, and of course a poem.
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
I continue to study the mouse guard style with a pencil sketch copy by reference of another artist's mouse from Legend of the Guard, Volume 1. The ref: www.mouseguard.net/legendsv1?it...
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
I wrote up my wip ttrpg mechanic on hit locations for Small Souls. Using hit graphs and traversing them given successes in your dice pool, you can get tactical and target specific locations! errantthinking.com/hit-graphs/
errantthinking.com
Hit Graphs: From Stick Figures to Hit Locations
Pin point precision in your TTRPGs with stick figures and graphs.
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
As work on my draft of Small Souls, I'm revisiting my creature entries, as its both a "monster manual" and playable creatures list. Working on something that is meant to be more generic of a system (relative resolution or even the small folk genre) I find it difficult to put the vibe in the text. 🧵
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
I love hummingbirds! 😍 They are incredible creatures.
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
A quick read on what amounts to a something like Ocaam's razor for game system design. If a rule is added, then it better provide a richer experience within the desired play space than if it weren't present. Always ask, "what is the benefit of adding this rule to the game?" And play test often! :]
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
If it's the thought that counts, think hard.
A story telling card with a navy background and gold boarder titled "Gifts" reads, "Prepare a story about giving or receiving. Finding exactly the right thing or failing miserably. Grace in the wake of an unwanted gift or your joy in receiving the exact thing your heart desired. Or gifts from the gods, like snow days, great aim, your dad's smile, your mom's love of strays (and the kitten she let you keep). If it's the thought that counts, think hard."
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
There are two wolves inside me. One that wishes to frolic with others. Another that wishes to embrace the solitary endeavor of creation.
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
I went Berserk and made a mythic bastionland hex flower for @gthynk.bsky.social's Woland. I present the Silver Cradle! errantthinking.com/silver-cradle/
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Velocitree was among the early few to discuss tiny epics with me back at the start of March. He recently shared a reflection on play principles he learned while playing RPGs with his kids. An excellent read! I enjoyed reading their experiences & love for unchained imagination :D "Yes and" strong!
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
I enjoyed reading this post out of mutual appreciation for Wind in the Willows and for their art & delightful spin in the middle. Considering sentient creatures of varying sizes in the same world opens up a plethora of ecological and moral dilemmas. I'm glad someone wrote something on that. :]
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Kasey Gifford @kaseygifford.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
April Foolnicorn #kaseyart
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
With that the March of the Tiny Epics is finished! Check out these great posts and look forward to the next RPG Blog Carnival! Keep blogging y'all. errantthinking.com/a-tiny-epics...
errantthinking.com
Tiny Epics RPG Blog Carnival Round Up
As the March of the Tiny Epics ends, I provide the final round up.
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
I created a small souls creature for the March of Tiny Epics. I present one of many flower folk, the camellia fairy. errantthinking.com/camellia-fai...
errantthinking.com
Flower Folk: Camellia Fairy
An ecologist's notes on the camellia fairy. A wondrous creature and even better dancer.
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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
I swear I'm still working of some stuff! Just a lot going on in the background - here's a mostly-done grab of the 11x17 broadsheet my adventure is going on for the B2Cons zine. Not gonna lie, I'm pretty excited to finish - I've got so many Redwood Hack ideas I want to explore! #ttrpg #osr #layout
Adventure about 2/3 of the way through layout, featuring a map and a couple of sci-fi line illustrations.
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
www.scurrycomic.com is a web comic of lil mice facing a harsh world & large predators. A genre I enjoy! The web comic is great and I recommend giving it a read!
scurrycomic.com
Scurry
Scurry is a comic about a colony of mice struggling to survive all manner of beast during a long and strange winter.
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
I love energy & physics modeling! An action packed game has high energy and lots of kinetics in your game's focus. My game's dynamics start kinetic heading to bad times. The players are encouraged to intervene and direct potential energy to stop the big bad ball in motion. Good food for thought!
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Foraging tends to focus on rations, but this post explores what if crafting was the focus? These homebrew rules & some new & modified items for OSE got me thinking more about foraging & the purpose it serves in game world and at the table. Consider giving it a read, esp. if you forage in OSE.
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
Honey, wake up. A new resolution mechanic just dropped! errantthinking.com/relative-res...
errantthinking.com
Relative Resolution in Small Souls
The resolution mechanics and character specification of Small Souls and a wee bit more.
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Careful, Jenn Bites 🧛🏻‍♀️🩷🧛🏻‍♀️ @alldolledup44.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
Be afraid. Good morning! 🩷
A drawing of a bat holding a sword and shield with text that says I will find you in every lifetime (threat)
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
Given its the March of Tiny Epics, I decided to share some practice sketches I made. Most of these are sketched from reference to Mouse Guard art. The Frieren Angle though is my own after getting a feel for the style. ;]
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
I wrote up my macro design goals for Soul System, the TTRPG engine powering my game Small Souls. Both are being actively developed. More on the mechanics vry soon! errantthinking.com/soul-system-...
errantthinking.com
Soul System Design Goals
The design goals for my generic TTRPG system, Soul System, that powers Small Souls.
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
The March of Tiny Epics continues! errantthinking.com/march-of-tin...
errantthinking.com
March of Tiny Epics
More join the March of Tiny Epics for this RPG Blog Carnival!
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Midway through the March of Tiny Epics! I share some early posts & some discussions. Don't worry, you have time to join the march! Share your published works early, even if WIP or ashcans, and I'll do more weekend updates before the final round up on March 31st errantthinking.com/amidst-tiny-...
errantthinking.com
Amidst Tiny Epics
An update on recent contributions to the Tiny Epic March RPG Blog Carnival and a brief discussion of ideas.
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Kati, A Certified Yapper @bakenshake.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
Started thinking about player improv and what the hell that means! theplayreports.com/posts/player... #ttrpg #blog #improv #play
theplayreports.com
The Play Reports
Improv, Play Culture, and Authority
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Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop @backwardsttrpg.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
The March Mecha Newsletter features Girl Frame and an interview with the creator @anxiousmimicrpgs.bsky.social! Girl Frame is a PBTA game about lesbian pilots, forced into half-living mech suits and sent by their Handler to kill eldritch beings from outside reality. It's incredibly well-written.
backwardstabletop.com
Monthly Mecha: Girl Frame w/ Isabelle M. Reubsaat
Mecha TTRPGs Monthly
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
I love Into the Odd's snappy auto hits in combat. However, without the roll to hit, I realized it lacked grounding. A complete noob at archery always hits! What, are you going to "save" to harm another? PW's got a post considering accuracy for a Pokemon ttrpg. Its nice to know others are on this! 💖
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Hmm... Call of Cthulhu I believe, if we're considering Pathfinder 1e as D&D. Good question! :]
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
When was the last time 🫵 you whimsy maxed?
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Gotta love to see people analyzing their design influences like this!
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Dougal @doogface.bsky.social · 01/03/2026
Hey gang, my second Dolmenwood adventure lair is up on drivethruRPG. It features a fractious gang of spooky witch owls occupying an ancient deorling temple along with their shadow minions and some brainwashed prisoners. It's a good time! #osr #dolmenwood #necroticgnome
drivethrurpg.com
Parliament of Owls - Dougal Cochrane | DriveThruRPG
Parliament of Owls is an adventure for the Dolmenwood RPG by Necrotic Gnome. It's designed to be a monster lair dropped into any Dolmenwood hex situated near a river. The lair consists of a set of rui...
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 01/03/2026
Let's all write tiny epics! #7syllablesentence #poetry #blueskypoets #writingcommunity #writing #ttrpg
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 01/03/2026
The small ones among us are may be overlooked, but they surely have grand tales to tell! Let's explore these tiny epics in the #ttrpg Blog Carnival. Smol mouse & a needle sword? A Shadow of the Colossus boss fight? Share your creations early! Final roundup on March 31 errantthinking.com/tiny-epics/
errantthinking.com
Tiny Epics: Small Souls in a Big World!
The small ones among us are sometimes overlooked, but they surely have grand tales to tell! This March, let's explore these tiny epics for the RPG Blog Carnival!
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 01/03/2026
I've been thinking of re-reading Wind in the Willows! A classic and I wanted to see how it holds up for me after all this while. I also deeply enjoy Ernest H. Shepards' illustrations. So lovely!
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Anyone making a forged in the dark game with lil' woodland critters I got a name you can use: Blades in the Bark Go on. Get making! 🌲🗡️🐿️🌳
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
Festivals display the customs & culture of a society. For the Nov. RPG Blog Carnival, I shared a bit on irl festivals and mythos focused on the change of seasons to inspire our TTRPGs! I only scratched the surface. Do you know any such festivals or folklore? #ttrpg #dnd5e #worldbuilding #dnd #mythos
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Lyme @lymerpg.bsky.social · 09/11/2025
A very hot take: fantasy heartbreakers are actually fine. Any time a human being sets out to make a game they learn something more about games and about themselves. Drawing badly, singing off-key, dancing like a fool - these are still some of the human experiences that make life richer.
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 09/11/2025
We're all just tamagotchis in this cyberpunk hell scape.
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 09/11/2025
Post a non-religious photo you think of as holy.
An overhead photograph of a table with ttrpg books and dice on it. The books include from left to right top to bottom: "Mothership" TTRPG box set, "ARC", "Wanderhome", "The Wind in the Willows", "Monsters, Aliens, and aholes in the Ground" by Stu Horvath, and "His Majesty the Worm". Atop and between the books are a various polyhedral dice. 1 set of 7, 3 large foam dice, and 2d6 gelatinous cube dice with skulls for pips
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Jenny @ hhhnnnnggg @slowedmountains.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
Nothin else for it
Two panel comic of a person with glasses looking down at an open book. First panel reads: I think I might be bad at this.

In the second panel they are scribbling in the book with a pencil. Text reads: I’m gonna do it anyway
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
I need to post more to my blog. 🫠
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
What is the most memorable monster you've faced in DnD or another TTRPG?
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
This has been an interesting experience! I've visited 5 forums, bsky, x, threads, Fb groups, & a Tumblr group. I already am in many discords & read lots of blogs. I'm exploring what it's like to climb over these gardens' walls to find ppl who constructively discuss game design. Kind ppl all around!
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 01/11/2025
Given its Halloween, I'm curious of different tables' spin on Strahd! In my current playthrough, he's more humanized but still done terrible, monstrous acts. How's he at your table?? #DnD #dnd5e #Strahd #CurseOfStrahd #Halloween
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 01/11/2025
I wonder what the story of this place could be? 👀
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
@riseupcomus.bsky.social I'd love to hear your stars, wishes, & thorns of Dolmenwood. 👀 I hear it praised often, I'm curious. :3
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Errant Thinking @errantthinking.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
I've been going around the internet and visiting different watering holes for TTRPGs. Trying out bsky. Looking for fun people to discuss neat game design things with! I'm slowly working on my own TTRPG, "Small Souls". 🪡🐭🐦🐢🦔🐿️🐸🛡️❤️ AMA or share your own projects! #ttrpg #dnd #osr #nsr #gamedesign
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