Sign in

Ben Doherty

@spongeonmaster.bsky.social
679 followers 781 following 173 posts

He/Him Irish TTRPG Writer/Editor #1 Bestselling DM's Guild Contributor Co-Founder of @emeraldcollective.bsky.social Portfolio: bendohertyttrpg.com

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Ben Doherty
Tim Gray @timgray101.bsky.social · 8h
Are you looking for help with editing, proofreading or otherwise word wrangling for a ttrpg or boardgame project? Feel free to drop me a line. I have space this autumn, and can use my experience to make your product its best. silverbranch.co.uk/ttrpg-editing/
silverbranch.co.uk
TTRPG editing
Hi, I'm Tim Gray. I provide freelance editing and proofreading for roleplaying game publishers, large and small, to make your work its best.
032
Reposted by Ben Doherty
JellyMuppet @jellymuppet.bsky.social · 8h
I know there's a lot of RPG books crowdfunding right now, but how many of em look like this??? www.kickstarter.com/projects/sou...
44313
Reposted by Ben Doherty
Aya @melangell.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Ah. Kav made a video on everything I've been annoyed about lately. youtu.be/9hDod3UYziQ
youtu.be
Why are American Leftists Like That ?
YouTube video by The Kavernacle
1198
Reposted by Ben Doherty
Failbetter Games | Wishlist Mandrake on Steam! @failbettergames.com · 11h
We're hiring! We're looking for a Writer and Narrative Designer to join the Fallen London team at a senior or mid level. This position is permanent, remote, and full time, which for us means 35 hours a week. #GamesJobs
Night. The House of Chimes - a tower which you might immediately think of as Big Ben - is adrift in the River Thames. It still seems to be keeping time. In the background, a large, alien building looms over the city of London.
331456955
Reposted by Ben Doherty
Chechula @chechula.bsky.social · 12h
Cleaning folders, I found this collab with my sister that I still enjoy. We should make whole comic like this :D (this cover was commissioned by a friend :D )
235875
Reposted by Ben Doherty
The Séance of Blake Manor - COMING TO CONSOLES🔮 @blakemanorgame.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
There's just under a month left to wait until The Séance of Blake Manor opens it's doors on XBOX Series X|S, XBOX on PC, Game Pass, PS5 & Nintendo Switch 2. 👻🔮🐦‍⬛ You can wishlist the game on your preferred console here: www.theseanceofblakemanor.com
03315
Reposted by Ben Doherty
garin | comms open @garin.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
The last few months haven't been easy on me financially, so if you need an artist on your project or would like to request a personal commission, now is the best time. My working schedule is empty rn so feel free to hit me up anytime!
319997
Reposted by Ben Doherty
Octocon @octocon.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
With us for the entire weekend in Cork is local writer & games designer Gareth Hanrahan @mytholder.bsky.social! He'll be discussing world-building and what's beyond 5e, among other topics. #Octocon2026 octocon.com/2026/04/gare...
An Octocon card announcing our in-person guest Gareth Hanrahan. A head-and-shoulders photo of Premee appears in the centre of the card, against a purple background that has details of the Cork skyline in black at the bottom, along with a white giant robot and dragon and a green UFO. Gareth is a white man with short brown hair and beard, wearing dark glasses and a navy jumper. He's stood in front of a rock wall.
154
Reposted by Ben Doherty
darecon.bsky.social @darecon.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
The last great city is dying. Beyond the woods, there may still be hope. 🌳 Play @oldoakgames.bsky.social’s Irish-myth-inspired TTRPG Beyond the Woods: Dead Wood at DARECon. 🎲 D&D 5E | 3–5 players | 12+ 📍 The Heron’s Perch 🗓️ 17–18 Oct Reserve via Aftergame. #DARECon2026 #TTRPG
055
Reposted by Ben Doherty
Three Sails Studios @threesailsstudios.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Lur did beautiful work for CITY OF ESPERS, and this is my favourite of all that she did!
0227
Reposted by Ben Doherty
RPG Trader @rpgtrader.com · 25/09/2026
🚨 BIG DOMAIN NEWS 🚨 RPG Trader has officially moved to its shiny new home: rpgtrader.com That's right - we finally got the non-hyphenated domain! 🎉
rpgtrader.com
RPG Trader
Find incredible games from independent creators, in digital or print. RPG Trader makes it simple to explore, purchase, and publish.
315747
Reposted by Ben Doherty
Exeunt Press 💀🎲 @exeunt.press · 25/09/2026
The artists are still dead. Their art is still free.
skeletoncodemachine.com
Public domain art resources
Using public domain art in tabletop game design
29047
Reposted by Ben Doherty
The Emerald Collective @emeraldcollective.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
The Sopherone Saga continues on Friday and despite the party’s terrible attempts at creating alter egos, they have somehow managed to make it into the ‘Free City of Vert’. But now that they’re in, how do they remain undiscovered and stay safe? www.twitch.tv/emerald_coll...
012
Reposted by Ben Doherty
Radiant G🌈 @radiantg.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Bad news: I just got laid off due to budget cuts. 10+ years exp Hire me for: 👥 Production 🎙️ Voice Acting 📝 Narrative 🎨 2D Art 🔆 UI Art 📱 Marketing 👨‍💻 Design 🤳 Influencer 📸 Journalism ♿️ Accessibility 🎮 QA Lead 📄 Contract 🔁 RTs Appreciated 🔁 DM or email radiantgbusiness (@) gmail (.) com #IndieDev
Ink InsideMonsterhearts: Welcome to Drowned LakeHeartspell: Horizon AcademyWunderling
18380335
Ben Doherty @spongeonmaster.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Only just learned about Solarcrawl through this post so while I haven't had the pleasure of playing it yet, I just wanna say that that cover is 👌 System looks/sounds really cool, I'll have to check it out.
110
Reposted by Ben Doherty
Clayton @explorersdesign.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Here are 5 covers I liked this month. One of them doesn't even look like an rpg cover. It looks like junk mail. www.explorersdesign.com/covers-sept-...
explorersdesign.com
Great Covers: September '26
Great covers from across the tabletop rpg industry.
58431
Reposted by Ben Doherty
Geek Native @geeknative.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
UK Games Expo has banned generative AI art, text, and merchandise across all NEC exhibition halls, bringing the convention in line with broader British tabletop standards. Standholders face removal or bans if their products aren't made by humans. #UKGE
geeknative.com
UK Games Expo bans generative AI art and text across all trade halls
UK Games Expo has introduced a mandatory policy prohibiting generative AI art and text across all NEC trade halls, requiring exhibitors to sell only human-made games.
181514480
Reposted by Ben Doherty
Three Sails Studios @threesailsstudios.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
CITY OF ESPERS just hit 500 backers on Backerkit, which feels like a milestone worth marking! Quinns wrote about it, and celebrated it, so why don't you go check it out too? www.backerkit.com/c/projects/t...
backerkit.com
City of Espers - A Psychic-Powered Urban Action TTRPG
City of Espers is a psychic-powered urban action TTRPG for 2 to 4 players and a Game Master. Play as a group of psychics connecting to the city they live in through high-energy battles and melodrama.
01816
Reposted by Ben Doherty
Hamilton is Theatre Macabre @theatre-macabre.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
@theneoncaster.bsky.social is a wonderful human and makes very good games. So hyped to see Quinns chatting about City of Espers!
154
Reposted by Ben Doherty
Catscratcher Studio @catscratcherdev.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Hey, everyone! We just opened our store on RPG Trader, and to celebrate we set up some nice discounts for a whole month so that you (yes, you!) can get to know our work! Every game is 40% cheaper by itself, but if you get the complete collection bundle, the discount goes over 50%! (link below)
promo image for the "Opening Bundle Complete Collection", with the Catscratcher Studio logo in pink against a beige background.
1128
Reposted by Ben Doherty
𝔰𝔢𝔯𝔤𝔢𝔦𝔤𝔥𝔱 / Commissions Closed @sergeight.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
If you see this, quote with your Night/ Dark Art!
1267
Ben Doherty @spongeonmaster.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
€75k stretch goal unlocked! 🔓 🎉 Thanks to the awesome TTRPG community showing its support for @oldoakgames.bsky.social, Ink Ribbon has just got 10 new monsters added to the mix! Although the players may come to regret unleashing them... ☠️ www.backerkit.com/c/projects/o...
Title text reads "Ink Ribbon: A Survival Horror Tabletop TPG"
Subtitle text reads "Enter the survival horror as you try to live through the last days of Sparrow's Rest..."

Background image depicts two survivors, one pointing a handgun and flashlight, the other a fire axe with a screaming zombie superimposed behind them.

In the foreground are representations of the game system's two available boxes, one standard edition, one deluxe.
020
Reposted by Ben Doherty
DuskCatharsis @heretictrance.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Proud to be the 27th backer 😎 on @BackerKit Crowdfunding for Ink Ribbon - A Survival Horror Tabletop RPG! www.backerkit.com/c/projects/o...
backerkit.com
Ink Ribbon - A Survival Horror Tabletop RPG
Enter the survival horror with Ink Ribbon, a tabletop RPG inspired by videogames like Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and Alan Wake. Make every bullet count as you fight through hordes of zombies and dead...
011
Reposted by Ben Doherty
The Emerald Collective @emeraldcollective.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Our friends over at @oldoakgames.bsky.social have just kicked off their Backerkit campaign for Ink Ribbon! Enter the survival horror with Ink Ribbon, a tabletop RPG inspired by videogames like Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and Alan Wake. Find the campaign here! www.backerkit.com/c/projects/o...
032
Reposted by Ben Doherty
D8Dungeon @d8dungeon.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Proud to be the 79th backer 😎 on @BackerKit Crowdfunding for Ink Ribbon - A Survival Horror Tabletop RPG! www.backerkit.com/c/projects/o...
backerkit.com
Ink Ribbon - A Survival Horror Tabletop RPG
Enter the survival horror with Ink Ribbon, a tabletop RPG inspired by videogames like Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and Alan Wake. Make every bullet count as you fight through hordes of zombies and dead...
011
Reposted by Ben Doherty
ReprobateGamer @reprobategamer.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Happy to be the 203rd backer 😎 on @BackerKit Crowdfunding for Ink Ribbon - A Survival Horror Tabletop RPG! www.backerkit.com/c/projects/o...
backerkit.com
Ink Ribbon - A Survival Horror Tabletop RPG
Enter the survival horror with Ink Ribbon, a tabletop RPG inspired by videogames like Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and Alan Wake. Make every bullet count as you fight through hordes of zombies and dead...
021
Reposted by Ben Doherty
Sevvir | The Mortal Realms @sevvir.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
If you like Resident Evil or Survival Horror, check out Ink Ribbon on backerkit! I’ve run the demo a few times for friends and it’s such a good system. www.backerkit.com/c/projects/o...
backerkit.com
Ink Ribbon - A Survival Horror Tabletop RPG
Enter the survival horror with Ink Ribbon, a tabletop RPG inspired by videogames like Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and Alan Wake. Make every bullet count as you fight through hordes of zombies and dead...
021
Reposted by Ben Doherty
Pixel Grotto @pixelgrotto.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
This project is pretty ghatdang cool. I have played many things that were supposed to emulate the feel of Resident Evil in TTRPG form, but nothing quite like this. And if "Ink Ribbon" isn't the perfect title for a project of this caliber, I don't know what is!
174
Reposted by Ben Doherty
🏰𝕯𝖚𝖓𝖌𝖊𝖔𝖓𝖑𝖚𝖘𝖙🏰 @dungeonlust.com · 07/02/2025
Art by • Gage Lindsten
4881180
Reposted by Ben Doherty
Octocon @octocon.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Announcing our Trade Hall in the Clayton Hotel Cork City for #Octocon2026! First up, we are delighted to announce that Waterstones Cork will be bringing all the books, all weekend!
An Octocon card announcing that Waterstones will be in the trade hall all weekend. The large W logo of Waterstones appears in the centre of the card, on a white background with details of the Cork skyline in black at the bottom, along with a purple giant robot and a green UFO.
11110
Reposted by Ben Doherty
Lari Assmuth @lariassmuth.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Did you know the Folklore Game Jam 2026 will be popping off again in October? Come join the folklorists! Will you be lucky number 100? itch.io/jam/folklore...
itch.io
Folklore Jam 2026
A game jam from 2026-09-30 to 2026-10-31 hosted by W.H. Arthur, unseeliejess, Lucky Newt Games & Lari Assmuth. Analogue game jam on folklore (including myths, urban legends, etc.) from your own cultur...
031
Reposted by Ben Doherty
EUphoria Actual Play @euphoriaap.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
City of Espers is in its last week on Backerkit! Time's running out to ensure you're one of the first to receive a glorious physical copy of this unique and thrilling game - back it now! buff.ly/5MY4VHL
City of Espers, a psychic-powered urban action RPG by Three sails Studios.
Create your unique Esper - pick your psychic abilities, Esper gear and build a House.
Card-based system, no dice! Use a standard 52 playing card deck. 
Fast-paced tactical action - 'action sequence' marks timing, placement and action quickly. 
Rules light, narrative first, straight forward rules that let you dive into Zener City.
ASwaken your powers - Live on Backerkit!
187
Ben Doherty @spongeonmaster.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Just €5k away from unlocking 10 new monsters for @oldoakgames.bsky.social's Ink Ribbon! 5 born of abominable science and 5 spawned from supernatural phenomena ☣️🧟‍♀️ 🌌👹 Back now to grow the monstrous horde! 💀💀💀💀💀 www.backerkit.com/c/projects/o...
backerkit.com
Ink Ribbon - A Survival Horror Tabletop RPG
Enter the survival horror with Ink Ribbon, a tabletop RPG inspired by videogames like Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and Alan Wake. Make every bullet count as you fight through hordes of zombies and dead...
064
Reposted by Ben Doherty
🌱Elaine Lithgow🌱 @elainelithgow.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Hell yeah, the Ink Ribbon campaign hit the first stretch goal overnight. Means I'm confirmed as a stretch goal scenario writer! Gonna write such a fun mall for everyone to destroy.
backerkit.com
Ink Ribbon - A Survival Horror Tabletop RPG Project Update: Stretch Goal Unlocked: Dead Mall Scenario!
Well that didn’t take long! We’ve just hit our €50k Stretch Goal, which means we’ve unlocked the Dead Mall scenario by Elaine Lithgow. “The world's ending and everything must ...
23610
Ben Doherty @spongeonmaster.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
We've hit €50K! Now you can take your dice (and an axe) to Elaine's zombie-infested mall and chop till you drop! 🪓🧟‍♀️🛍️ Next goal: 15 new monsters for you to terrorise the table with! 👽👻👹🕷️🦑
110
Ben Doherty @spongeonmaster.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Colin's scenario 'Death by Degrees', set in a university over Winter break and featuring frozen zombies, sounds so cool! (no pun intended)❄️🧟
042
Ben Doherty @spongeonmaster.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Come hang out with us on YouTube for the launch party!
021
Ben Doherty @spongeonmaster.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
7 hours. 7 hours is all we have left till launch...
static.klipy.com
Albert Wesker's Intense Gaze
Alt: Albert Wesker from Resident Evil 5 looks at the camera and gives a slight smirk.
010
Ben Doherty @spongeonmaster.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
📅 Hotel bookings are now open for #DagdaCon '27! 🛏️ 🎲 Come play some tabletop games in Tipp next April, we'd love to see you there! 💚 🔗 More info at link below: www.instagram.com/p/DdKjBEGIpd...
010
Reposted by Ben Doherty
Old Oak Games | Emmet (he/him) @oldoakgames.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
And we're leaving live!
043
Ben Doherty @spongeonmaster.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Taking a trip to a lovely Midwestern town tonight. I hope the locals are friendly...
051
Ben Doherty @spongeonmaster.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
I've been dying to play this game! (and will probably be dying in game, too...)
021
Reposted by Ben Doherty
Old Oak Games | Emmet (he/him) @oldoakgames.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Ink Ribbon, our brand-new survival horror #ttrpg, is set in Sparrow's Rest, a planned community in the heart of the Midwestern United States. The city is nestled between a large mountain range to the west and a dense forest to the south, and was founded almost 30 years ago by Heal-X Pharmaceuticals.
13216
Ben Doherty @spongeonmaster.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
As a lifelong Resi fan, I've been rabidly excited for this ever since Emmet first told me about his idea for Ink Ribbon at AthventureCon two years ago. It's gonna be an honour to be edit this book. Here's to Ink Ribbon spreading like the T-virus! ☣️
150
Ben Doherty @spongeonmaster.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
🔊 ANNOUNCEMENT 🔊 #DagdaCon will officially return on Apr 9th–11th 2027! ✨ 🏰 Venue details are currently being finalised and will follow soon. Gather your clan, pack your dice, and save the dates! Comment if we’ll see you there and tag your gaming party below! 🛡️🎲 #spéirgorm #tabletopgaming
A calendar highlighting the 9th, 10th, and 11th April 2027 to mark the dates for DagdaCon 2027. The logo of DagdaCon (a crowned Celtic figure) sits at the top.
043
Reposted by Ben Doherty
garin | comms open @garin.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
Over 100+ illustrations made by me and @pbbeta.bsky.social are available in our free to use archive! 📚 If you need illustrations for your zines, TTRPGs, or other projects, you can find them on our Patreon! patreon.com/kattapulka
130194
Reposted by Ben Doherty
Spencer Hibnick | Pesto Publications @pestoenthusiast.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
Do you love goblins, and want them to remain a threat as your heroes level up? Do you want to throw (literally, in one case) a bunch of weird little dudes at your heroes? Well then boy do I have the product for you! Reinforcements: Goblins is out now! pestopublications.itch.io/reinforcemen...
Goblin belcher stat block. It's a level 3 horde hexer with an area fire breath attack, a concussive burp that knocks both the target and the goblin back, and a death explosion.Goblin swarmer and goblin nosebreaker stat blocks. The swarmer is a level 3 minion ambusher with an attack that allows other swarmers to surround the hero. The nosebreaker is a level 4 minion brute that inflicts bleeding if the target is winded either before or from their attack.
34623
Reposted by Ben Doherty
Night Noon Games 🔜 ArcaneCon!!! @nightnoon.games · 15/05/2026
Great post detailing the math behind adjusting DC vs Advantage/Disadvantage in Shadowdark. It reaches a table-useable conclusion that jives well with Kelsey's own guidance.
Concluding paragraph of the blog post:

How can we use this?
There’s been a fair amount of discussion about when to use advantage/disadvantage and when to adjust DCs up or down a step, and I think this really helps give some guidance on this. The way I interpret the maths here is as follows:

Pre-existing skill or some innate competence is best represented by adjusting DCs.
Situational leverage, or a circumstantial leg-up that still requires skill to capitalise on is best represented by advantage.A discord post from Kelsey, author of Shadowdark:

A good question! I’ve never explicitly said this in the core rules, but I see the hierarchy as:

Small impact: lower DC one step. Not super common. Average bonus equivalent is +3.

Notable impact: apply ADV or DISADV. Very common, especially in combat. Average bonus equivalent is between +3 and +5 depending on target number to hit.

Extreme impact: change DC by more than one step. Pretty rare. Average bonus equivalent is +6 or more. Consider auto success at this level of advantage unless failure is very interesting.

The above is also why I wouldn’t commonly combine ADV and a DC change. You can, but it’s usually not representative of what you’re trying to do at that point. It’s better to consider auto success (or maybe failure, though I’d rather at least let them try) at that point. 

All of the above is because SD doesn’t have a skill system that imparts incremental (+1) bonuses or penalties to most actions outside combat. This is to keep gameplay fast and cognitive load low. Lowering the DC already applies the math of a +3 bonus — much faster, much cleaner.
2152
Reposted by Ben Doherty
Spencer Hibnick | Pesto Publications @pestoenthusiast.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
The Weapons of Lore crowdfunder is live! 80 new leveled treasures - weapons, implements, and gloves - including a new system for cursed leveled treasures, which grant more powerful boons but come with drawbacks that are tactically meaningful but not debilitating. www.backerkit.com/c/projects/j...
backerkit.com
Weapons of Lore - Powered by Draw Steel
Weapons of Lore provides Draw Steel Directors and Heroes with a collection of Leveled Weapon Treasures and Cursed Weapons.
1219
Ben Doherty @spongeonmaster.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
Just 4 more hours left now! Having played GALLOWS CORNER myself, I can tell you it is a *fantastic* game. Join the revolution before it's too late! ✊⛏️🔥
052