iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

I think I originally pitched having tags at Conception decades ago and am happy to see the idea has persisted. Short pointers can guide decisions without needing to be buried in sentences. PVP, Pirates, Undead, Treachery, Horror

010

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

"What is the dark secret behind the Pirate Queen's terrible sickness, and will our intrepid crew grab her treasure before they too succumb?" Heroquest used to have a thing where you created your character blurb in 100 words or fewer. This seems a great discipline to practice for pitches.

230

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

The pitch should be the core conceit if you want to sell it to the right people. e.g. is it jolly pirates having hijinks or murderous cutthroats fighting for their lives? Keep it relatively short and make it grabby. You can finish on a question.

110

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Not sure about this new edition of Assassin's Creed after budget cuts

140

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

And as a fellow small content creator, can I echo the warmth you get from a new review, kind comment, Patreon support etc. which does keep you fuelled in the dark winter nights when you wonder if you're just shouting into the void. Every word of mouth passing on that your thing exists is golden.

050

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

It segues into the next bit of the 'cast though when you talk about seeking affirmation and so forth. I'm not going to retire on my writing, but when I sell on (often for a pittance) it makes me feel glad someone thought it worth the gamble. Even more so the thought they may enjoy it at the table.

140

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Writing adventures for someone else to read and/or use is hard if you care about your craft. There is a metric tonne of stuff on Drivethru spurted out in a haphazard way, but to have something out there a put your name to it is tough if you genuinely care. I'm struggling to say I'd recommend it! 😅

140

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

These days I can't read books cover to cover (unless it's something like AGON), but am shocked and appalled they never went through the self-inflicted drudgery and torture of reading every word of a rule book. Yes, Earthdawn I read it all, even high level spells. Get that achievement unlocked!

130

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Good shout out on "What happened 1000 years ago" too. A lot of folk - especially around the highlighted Glorantha - seem to love lore-farming and being the most knowledgeable in the room about a setting. Which is fine, but a hobby in itself and often unhelpful to an RPG session at a convention.

130

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

I think we need to send in more questions to get us past "Harrison Ford and Robert Redford" as the people who would play the lads in a film. Perhaps we can get listeners to send in their suggestions? The rose-tinted view is very apposite for the podcast though, so on brand. :-D

240

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Congratulations to Dirk and Blythy on ten years of the show. Soon the GROGNARD files will be old enough that folk will talk of it with nostalgia, like pre-issue 120 White Dwarf magazine. Probably the truest thing Ste has even recorded "Oasis are okay live" - I'm glad someone finally said it.

1142

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Love the Millenium Falcon style vault door!

010

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Word. I had good feedback on my latest effort for Miskatonic (Upstairs Downstairs, Regency Cthulhu) in that I provided a metric tonne of stuff in there with the intention Keepers would use what they wanted, but Mike and Paul pointed out new folk might need guidance. Not beginner friendly as is.

030

Reposted by Gaz

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Today marks another day around Sol, and as Logan Ninefingers would say, still alive. If you fancy celebrating with me, why not grab one of my scenarios off Drivethru (Vaesen, Savage Worlds, Call of Cthulhu, Tales From the Loop)? Maybe I'll accrue a new largely meaningless digital badge! 😅

drivethrurpg.com

DriveThruRPG

1132

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

drivethrurpg.com

DriveThruRPG

1132

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Playing first before review is a cherished thing and vanishingly rare these days, kudos. I'm with you on straightforward not in and of itself being a necessarily good or bad thing - indeed, for an intro adventure, I think most people are happy with something clear to get a hang of the new game.

1100

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Starter adventures that are straightforward rather than what -convoluted? - are a good basis for into scenarios to the game, I concur. I'd add for a rulebook affair, they should show off some of what's core or unique about the game. (Or do something like take you on a tour of the character sheet.)

160

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

"I wear no mask" - The King in Yellow

020

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

No, it's Argo-0 (pronounced Argonaut one presumes 😁)

020

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Yes. Or available freely as a pdf on the website. Crucially it should be a good example of the game. Bad example: Spirit of the Century did a top job of describing the game and how to do pulp adventures... And then had one in the book which was divorced for all the advice they'd written previously

030

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

There is a game kickstarted based on the AGON (Paragon) system which is essentially this with the IP numbers filed off. Sadly the guys producing it have gone on hiatus and seem unlikely to deliver any time soon. Sad face.

110

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I cool idea, I like these, thanks for sharing. The range of attire is very useful for a variety of scenarios I can imagine 😁

111

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Oh no! It's a double edged sword. I'm always a fan of more Savage Worlds hashtag content though, so get a shift on! 😁

020

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Great Delta Green mask!

030

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Use the scenario for yesteryear, the old boys at grogmeet won't remember it 😁

150

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I look forward to having a test drive!

000

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

In a lot of games with high player engagement you can leave the player side rules to the players. They have a responsibility to know how their character works. GMs can get involved to help out, but it's perfectly fair to share the load around the table.

020

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

It's entirely possible to design an elegant set of rules to emulate similar opposition to a party of PCs without having to force the GM to run half a dozen characters identical to them. The GM doesn't need more rules, just an operating system or framework that provides verisimilitude.

130

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Asymmetrical games are great. GM and players have different roles as well as different rolls. Why should the GM have to play to the same cognitive load as other folk only steering one character? Make life easier for the GM, while also providing funky mechanics or monster powers etc.

161

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

The first one was Vampire the Masquerade with superlative Tim Bradstreet art as a bonus.

020

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Yes, l also like the disposable and ever-churning cool, weird things you find and use in a fire and forget style. Ease of operation for the GM is also another nice feature.

000

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I like the systematic permission for GMs to play harder (similar to having Fear to spend in Daggerheart, pushing in CoC 7e etc.) but admit to being averse to the many system which combine XP and in-game cool things. It tends to drive player hoarding. So I'd divorce the XP element for my tastes.

020

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I loved the vibes of Numenera, but found the system actually very thin when you get down to it, although easy to use and great for con games. What are your top things you love about it? I'm also slightly saddened a bunch of people seem to play it generic fantasy, which seems to miss the cool stuff.

431

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I'll jaw with the co-host and see what we can do 😁

011

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I am a river to my people. How many would you like?

111

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

If you're still up for running a demo game on the channel, @burnafterrunning.bsky.social and I are vibrating with excitement to try it. 😁

120

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

of sycophantic pandering seems way off to me. She's a useful piece in the Game of Thrones but has odd plot immunity. Don't get me started on the overly-elaborate assassination attempts, which are amusing to read/watch, but someone could have just shivved her many times over.

000

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

There's an element of this, I concur. If you contrast Sansa's story though, she has value as a "thing" but gets literally no agency. Danny has none for most of the time her brother is knocking around and it frequently in a tenuous position. The lack of exploitation compared to the amount... (1/2)

100

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I should start doing a ttrpg thought for the day or something

110

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Felt a lot to me like she'd auto-win too often. Either "because dragons" or a knight had a change of heart or turned up at an opportune moment. I'm missing her inherent ability or value, rather than help constantly being gifted.

100

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I'm not convinced of the transition to taking three cities. I get the score of starving nomads being smitten, but it feels a jump to now everyone loves her (especially given all the odd screen logistical issues there must be). Feared for her dragons maybe? But that's like have a nuke, not her value

000

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I think it works better for him because of the pseudo historical "male heir" thing Martin cleaves to but I see what you're saying. Also JS goes through the ringer of going out and personally achieving stuff instead of just playing the dragons card repeatedly.

000

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Yeah, I get that, but after what happens to her brother, and then the Kahl, etc., it feels like she should be more of a Sansa, passed around for the perceived value instead of basically getting her own way constantly and often out of nowhere.

100

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Her childish view is lightly presented in the TV show as the consequences of freeing millions of people with no plan is alluded to. I'd have expected to see more of the fallout and thus more questioning of what she does, but everyone is very accepting of whatever she gets up to ultimately.

110

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I find the story arc unconvincing and she only progresses because people just fall over for her. I find the character singularly uncharismatic too, more peevish and entitled. (Which is the dragonblooded curse, but doesn't endear me to her).

110

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

In both mediums though, I still don't understand why we are (I think) supposed to be on Team Daenarys all the way through. I don't feel the narrative supports why everyone falls over backwards to pander. And don't just steal her dragons for example. Why are they besotted instantly? Opinions welcome.

340

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Having binge watched the first four seasons of Game of Thrones over the last few days, it's not perfect although there's a lot to like. I'm not convinced by some deviations from the novels, but get TV is a different audience. 1/2

290

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

One of the things I like about Daggerheart (and other games too, but that's the one I'm noodling with) is having a toolkit system to make opposition for the PCs and lots of great examples of what that looks like in practice. Being able to dress up jaded baddies as new things with flavour is great!

060

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

"It's all engagement" 😂

030

Gaz @evilgaz.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day to all who celebrate. In honour of this splendid occasion, why not watch a delightful Pirate Borg Actual Play and maybe pick up a copy if you haven't already frm @limithron.bsky.social ? youtu.be/d7ce5a6Uoqo?... #talklikeapirate #pirates #ttrpg

youtu.be

Pirate Borg : One Shot | Unmoored! | Actual Play

YouTube video by Unconventional GMs

092