iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

I can't believe it's taken me this long to read Lorn Song of the Bachelor. This is so my shit.

Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Mulling over some names for my next adventure. Names are really hard. Here's what I've got so far: - Tales from the Talon Coast - Guardians of the Talon Coast - The Taking of Talon Coast - Tekimya: Land of Salt and Stone Each one has a different vibe. How to choose... #ttrpg #osr #dnd #names

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

What is the best module or system to run for a group of TTRPG outsiders who want a witchy Halloween experience?

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Describes oat milk *and* zombies

Top of an oat milk bottle that says "extra creamy, no gums"

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Quick question Merriam Webster Thesaurus, what the hell? I don't want answers for "person" _or_ "snort", surely there's a third definition of the word "bird" you can think of?

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Reposted by Tom L

Ryan Lynch @outridercreative.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

It's Perils & Princesses community copy day! Fresh batch of copies up on itch.io for P&P and each of our official adventures, including the first ever community copies of The Princess & The Dragon outrider-creative.itch.io/perils-and-p...

outrider-creative.itch.io

Perils & Princesses by Outrider Creative

A Gritty and Pretty Fairy Tale Adventure Game

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Played some Shadowdark on a camping trip with a 5 and a 3 year old and, man, what a treat. We got bumblebees stinging everyone, goblins getting their big booty's stuck in cooking pots, some really impressive use of a sleep spell, some clever thinking about using a lionshead shield to scare people.

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

I'm making really solid progress on the first adventure for Redwood! We're looking at a nice juicy point crawl, a fistful of factions, some clocks, and a briny dungeon. Plus, if you know my adventures at all, you know there's got to be a whole gaggle of fun NPCs. #ttrpg #redwood #osr

Harpy creature overlooking a seaside scene - small figures run and play far below, next to some huts and a small pier alongside a trio of canoes. In the distance, mounted figures walk a cliffside path.

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

The documentary Grimdark (www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTj8...) about a Warhammer 40k community in the UK is really lovely. It's a real treat seeing some of the folks playing tabletop games across the pond. Very cozy. What other tabletop gaming documentaries are there? #ttrpg #warhammer #documentary

youtube.com

GRIMDARK | Full Documentary

YouTube video by GRIMDARK film (2026)

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

I finally got around to publishing my little bit of the Between 2 Cons broadsheet on the various places. Looking back on it and I'm actually really proud of the art, the various little cognutria make me chuckle. Here's the Itch link: tallertales.itch.io/the-meditati... #grotto #dnd #osr #ttrpg

Cybernetically enhanced cognutria peering around a corner

Cybernetically enhanced cognutria feeling up a wall

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

I've been a little quiet recently but I'm hard at work on the first adventure for Redwood. Honestly, this adventure is what prompted me to write the system, let's see if it was worth it. Here's the map, just finished. #ttrpg #art #watercolor #redwood #dnd

Watercolor map of a fantasy coastal land: a small timber-walled village to the north, a series of mountaintops carved into stone faces, including one in the ocean connected by a railway track. The center of the map is a large estuary with a few beaches, and the east is a red-dirt scrubland with a kind of connected series of mud dwellings surrounding a campfire.

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Reposted by Tom L

Brad Kerr @bradkerr.net · 26/08/2026

I released a new adventure on my Patreon. "Where the Black Fern Grows." Cover illustration by @munkao.bsky.social www.patreon.com/BradKerr/pos...

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Another #art #tradingcard today. This one a turkey fox from Kuyama. Both of these have (sort of) been requests from my son. Let's see what he asks for tomorrow!

A half turkey half fox creature sitting in front of a bush.

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

I took a trip to the art store for my birthday and couldn't resist these little watercolor playing cards. I heard about artist trading cards and I love that idea. If we ever meet at a con I demand we swap cards! Frog King, #1 / ?? #art #watercolor #tradingcards

Watercolor trading card of a frog wearing a fluffy purple robe

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

A conjuring. What might step through from the Lower World? #ttrpg #osr #watercolor #art

Watercolor of woman in brown stitched robes with a circlet of flowers leaning over a bowl of embers emitting a greenish smoke. A twig sits nearby.

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

I think I'm going to call the core Redwood rules done for now. There's still a fair bit of expansion and editing to do but they're holding together plenty fine in the playtest and I'm hungry to start on an adventure.

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Had a really great playtest session on Tuesday where we got to kick the tires on the Races & Chases rules. Overall they worked pretty well, didn't take long, very satisfying conclusion. They felt complete without being Too Much. Proud!

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

We've been blasting through Kidnap the Archpriest and it's a funny playtest - super chatty and social. In some ways that's ideal - that's one of my favorite types of play. It also exercises a fairly narrow slice of the ruleset, so that's been a mixed blessing. I think it's holding up well though!

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

I'm back in the rules trenches banging out monster rules for Redwood. I've got my first NPCs and monsters created and I'm just grinding through the list. I did myself a favor and made detailed monster creation rules first so it's going fast. Check it out: tallertales.games/projects/red... #ttrpg

tallertales.games

Taller Tales - Americana-Inspired Adventures

Role-playing games for imaginative minds. Adventures and settings for Dragonbane and old-school roleplaying systems. The Belle of the Bog is out now!

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Look what my buddy Ryan got me for my birthday! What a legend.

Hand holding a copy of Dungeon Module X1 The Isle of Dread and Dungeon Module S1 Tomb of Horrors.

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Here's the changelog for the latest release of Redwood. Yes I am versioning this thing like software, don't hate! * Started a changelog * Renamed HP to Stamina and Stress to Focus * Added Minor and Major treasure tables * Clarified NPC interaction with Gambits * Added Reaction and Morale rules

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Finally finished my Lucent Sovereign origins lineup. Meet the Brinewarden, Tinkerfolk, Ranchfolk, Acolyte, Dwarfkin, and Garrisoner. Really happy how this one came out, and learned a few new techniques to boot! #ttrpg #osr #dnd #redwood #watercolor

Six figures sitting around on a sand dune. One is leaning against a huge saddled lizard playing a guitar, one is dancing on a stump, one is working on something next to a toolbox, and the others watch the dancer or stare off into the distance.

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

The Lucent Sovereign lineup is starting to come together. Ranchfolk, Acolyte, Dwarfkin are done, Tinkerfolk, Brineling, and Garrisoner to go. #redwood #ttrpg #osr #dnd

Half-finished pencil sketch of a series of figures standing around in a circle

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Some sketches as I warm up for the Lucent Sovereign origin lineup and try to figure out horse proportions. Also dragon (see if you can guess where from) because why not, it rocks. #art #learntodraw #osr #redwood

A grid of 6 figure sketches - a woman in a dress, a figure in a poncho, two horseback riders, a dragon, and a woman dancing.

A grid of twelve small sketches of horses in various positions and fidelities.

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Feeling a bit blue, let's cheer up with a stack of zines from Between 2 Cons. Starting with Gabiko, the Floating Goblin Fortress by @brookletgames.bsky.social. The cover art and promise of weird lil mushroom guys drew me to this one, let's see how she reads.

Picture of the front cover of Gabiko the Floating Goblin Fortress on a wood background

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

I'm just some guy making whimsical Americana-inspired adventures for Dragonbane and my new system Redwood. One full-length adventure so far, The Belle of the Bog: tallertales.itch.io/the-belle-of.... I've got some other snacks at tallertales.games #ttrpg #selfpromosaturday (or Thursday, whatever)

tallertales.itch.io

The Belle of the Bog by tallertales

A mirthful adventure site for Dragonbane and other old-school roleplaying systems

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

New devlog for my (newly renamed) Cali-fantasy TTRPG - Redwood: The Foglands. Take a look at a few of the origins - Fogborn, Acorn Keeper, Initiate, and Dwarfkin. tallertalesgames.substack.com/p/redwood-de... #ttrpg #osr #dnd #redwood

tallertalesgames.substack.com

Redwood Devlog #3: Origins

The flavor bombs that get a character started

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

I ran Perils and Princesses (by @outridercreative.bsky.social) for a group of moms new to TTRPG from my son's daycare last night and, man, that could not have been more fun. One million percent recommend The Princess and The Dragon. They all can't wait to play again. Hats off Ryan, what a game.

Five enchanting princesses sat around a table full of dice and notebooks getting ready to play Perils & Princesses!

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Started Kidnap the Archpriest set in Arkand (the #Dragonbane city setting) running with Redwood rules. Really fun session, very informative playtest. I may need to rework my skill advancement mechanic - it's predicated on failing a lot and my clever players always find a way to succeed! #dnd #osr

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

I think I'm gonna make a Little Free TTRPG Library for my front yard as a c̶l̶e̶v̶e̶r̶ ̶p̶l̶o̶y̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶g̶e̶t̶ ̶r̶i̶d̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶m̶y̶ ̶e̶x̶c̶e̶s̶s̶ ̶z̶i̶n̶e̶s̶ way to develop a local gaming community 🤗

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Going in for another Redwood playtest tonight. We'll be checking Dragonbane compatibility. I'm spitting distance from done with the entire first draft which is super exciting! tallertales.games/projects/red...

Watercolor of a frog guy driving some sort of train contraption through the dark forest

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Another Redwood watercolor from this trip. This guy kinda got away from me but I really like his figure. My take on Bigfoot. #ttrpg #osr #art #watercolor #bigfoot

A horned furry dancing creature with big green hands and feet. It has a belt tied with leaves and feathers, black rams horns, and is holding up a lizard.

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

My Pirate Borg character sheet from Between 2 Cons. Guess the module! #ttrpg #osr #doodles

A character sheet for pirate borg detailing Francis "Heart" Davies, a Sorceror. Below are doodles of a snake-headed rod, a feathered ghostly guardian, a canoe, a pirate skeleton holding a torch, a cross, and a fat pirate with a shark-tooth necklace.

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Looking for a horrifying monster for your next session? How about a GIANT BANANA SLUG!! #ttrpg #osr #bestiary

Watercolor of a GIANT BANANA SLUG chasing someone on horseback

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

We're at 4 days straight of @betterlegends.bsky.social s Delvers at the kiddos bedtime with no end in sight.

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

What an awesome time at Between 2 Cons! It was incredible meeting so many cool people, playing so many games, and amassing so many zines that I can barely carry them all. Can’t wait for the next one!!

Between 2 cons vendor hall, prominently featuring the Cairn Press booth

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

The Grotto was cool as hell. A really beautiful place, well worth the visit. I was cracking up imagining it through the lens of our broadsheet though

The very spooky but surprisingly smooth elevator up

One of several wayside shrines set in the redwoods.

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

A little pre-con plane reading. This magazine slaps, worth it even for us yanks. #ttrpg #osr #wyrdscience

Wyrd Science magazine sitting on a table next to a bag and sweatshirt in an airport

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Could not be more excited for Between 2 Cons! I'm leaving on Thursday. I'll have an ✨exclusive✨ free handout, copies of Belle for sale or trade, and my little adventure as a part of the Grotto broadsheet! Can't wait to see you all there! #between2cons #ttrpg #osr

A box with a peek of "The Gossamer Labyrinth" on top, sitting on top of two closed boxes.

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

I'm really making some good progress on the first draft of Redwood. I've got one more "foundational" section to write - Adventuring and Hazards - and I need to revise and expand my Monsters and NPCs section to the latest version of the rules.

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

All done with equipment for Redwood! I ended up not using Kobayashi's "roll for prices" method. I think it's neat but.. eh, too much thinking and rolling. I don't love merchants and inventory management so going with a system that's familiar and invisible is fine by me.

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Age of Wonders 4 is a very good game. I love how crunchy strategic it is while being bite-sized. Also nothing geeks me out more than making some like, molemen or frogfolk lead by a huge dragon. It's like designing D&D factions, so fun!

A moleman Age of Wonders 4 faction with their mysterious frogfolk leader.

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Working on equipment lists is _not_ my favorite part of TTRPG development.

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Here's the final version of my First Ones origins lineup. Just concept art but I pushed myself to take it all the way over the finish line. #ttrpg #osr #dnd #watercolor #learntodraw

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Taller Tales stuff is up on rpg-trader.com!

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

A few of these guys have been tumbling their way onto the B2Cons broadsheet. #ttrpg #osr #cognutria

Cognutria with bandolier and hip holstered tech gadget vaulting in from above.

Cognutria with radar dish and cyber-eye peeking around corner

Cognutria with toolbelt and robo-hat feeling the wall

Cognutria with tanks wired into skull and back welding something to the right.

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

I think I'm gonna get a little run of the Gossamer Labyrinth printed as a con freebie for B2C! You can check the PDF out here, it's just a little puzzle procedure using a deck of cards in the spirit of Gardens of Ynn. tallertales.itch.io/the-gossamer... #ttrpg #osr #ynnlike

tallertales.itch.io

The Gossamer Labyrinth by tallertales

Explore a fae hedge maze in the land of Dream

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

New devlog for The Redwood Hack. Here I answer the question "why a new system?" Short answer: I want medium crunch with an online SRD and I have picky tastes when it comes to system elements. Also, it's fun to build things! open.substack.com/pub/tallerta... #ttrpg #osr #heartbreaker

open.substack.com

TRH Devlog #2: Yet Another Fantasy Heartbreaker

Why the hell am I making a new system?

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Tom L @tallertales.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Just set up a profile and some products on rpg-trader.com. Nice and smooth, good UX. Hoping it takes off, would be great to have a modern, RPG-focused competitor to DTRPG and Itch.

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