iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

The cards have chosen your fate... The Mists are gathering, and preparations are underway for next weekend's journey into Ravenloft. What waits beyond them? Some things are better left as a surprise... 👀 The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See. #TheDeafDM #Ravenloft #DnD #TTRPG

Ravenloft: The Horrors Within stands behind a deck of Ravenloft cards. Four cards — Tempter, Beggar, Torturer and Donjon — are laid out across a fantasy map.

020

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Horror doesn't always have to come from somewhere far away... I'm looking to Irish folklore for inspiration as I prepare to run Call of Cthulhu for the first time. There are plenty of stories much closer to home. 👀 The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See.

The Call of Cthulhu Keeper Rulebook stands behind W. B. Yeats' Irish Fairy Tales and Folklore.

020

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

D&D was my first step into TTRPGs. It wasn't the last! Since then I've explored different systems, worlds and ways of telling stories — and I'm still exploring. Different games give us new ways to create stories together. More stories are waiting to be seen. The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See.

A collection of tabletop roleplaying game books arranged together, showing several different game systems. Visible books include Daggerheart, Terry Pratchett's Discworld: Adventures in Ankh-Morpork, Call of Cthulhu, Blades in the Dark, The Witcher, Outgunned and Outgunned Superheroes.

010

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Failure can lead to some of the best TTRPG stories. In Blades in the Dark, Blade once rolled three 1s on a resistance roll. It went terribly — and helped put him on the path towards becoming the Doskvol Ripper. Sometimes a bad roll begins a whole new chapter. #TTRPG #BladesInTheDark

Photo of the Blades in the Dark tabletop roleplaying game rulebook standing upright. The dark cover features the large white title above a stylised hooded figure in black, grey and red, with author John Harper's name at the bottom.

010

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

D&D may be where my GM journey began, but there are many more TTRPGs and stories to explore. Next up: my first time running Call of Cthulhu. Why am I learning it? Let's just say Irish folklore and AthVentureCon 5 have been on my mind... 👀 The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See.

Photo of the Call of Cthulhu Keeper Rulebook standing upright on a tabletop. The dark blue and purple cover features the yellow Call of Cthulhu title above an ominous tentacled creature rising from misty water.

021

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Last weekend I joined D8DungeonDrive for The Cleanup Crew, a Candela Obscura game run by Amelie Charles was determined there was a perfectly reasonable explanation for everything… until there really wasn't 😂 A brilliant game with a fantastic crew Thanks @d8dungeon! The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See

000

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Looking back, I've realised how far I've come since I started learning D&D in 2020. From my first game to GMing, conventions, Emberlight and D8DungeonMania — eventually becoming The Deaf DM™. I'm proud of the journey so far, but I'm not finished yet. The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See.

Tony stands behind a Dungeon Master screen lit dramatically in red, leaning forward with one hand over the screen. A large fantasy miniature stands on the battle map in front of him, with four small wooden chests lined across the table.

010

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

What if they want to try? A GM story was a player trying alchemy without proficiency in alchemist's supplies. Instead of saying no, I let them try. The dice decided, and the consequences became part of the story. Great tabletop moments begin with, “Can I try?” The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See.

A simple black line illustration of alchemy equipment on a white background, including laboratory glassware, a burner, funnels and stands. The illustration accompanies a story about encouraging player creativity in tabletop roleplaying games and represents the alchemy example described in the post rather than an actual game session.

000

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Every choice matters. When I run a game, I don't look for the "right" decision. I ask how the world would react. In House of Madness, four chests represented four choices. Each led to a different path, consequences, and ending. That's the storytelling I love as GM The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See.

A tabletop RPG encounter from House of Madness. Four wooden treasure chests are lined up across a dungeon map with a large monster miniature standing in the foreground. Purple and blue lighting creates an eerie atmosphere, illustrating a scenario where each chest represents a different player choice with different consequences.

000

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Where do I start when creating a one-shot or campaign? Not with the tavern. I start with the BBEG. Once I know who they are, what they want, and how they plan to achieve it, I work backwards. Every clue, NPC, and encounter exists because of their actions. The Deaf DM — Stories You Can See.

000

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Where did Gory come from? ⚔️ Gory first appeared at Charleville Castle in 2022, my first time playing there. He became "a favourite character and now steps into D8DungeonMania raising funds for Project HOPE. Include "Tony" or "Gory". tiltify.com/@d8dungeon/d... Art: @lukawilda. Gory for Glory! ⚔️

011

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Keeping combat moving. I use acrylic initiative trackers, and at my table initiative is rolled every round instead of once per combat. It keeps encounters dynamic, encourages players to adapt, and lets everyone see who's next. It's worked really well at my table. The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See.

Two photos showing clear acrylic initiative trackers for tabletop RPGs. The first image shows the blank acrylic trackers with dry-erase markers before use. The second shows the trackers clipped to the top of a DM screen with player names and Armour Class written on them, demonstrating how they help everyone keep track of combat order.

000

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Gory officially enters #D8DungeonMania2026! ⚔️ One of ten champions fighting for a place on Team EU while raising funds for Project HOPE. Gory for Glory!

000

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Illustration inspired by Barrut's journal. Some dreams don't end when you wake. After reliving his past, Barrut found comfort not in sleep, but around a table with companions. The Forge reminds me that Emberlight doesn't stop between streams. The world keeps living The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See

A warmly lit wooden desk with an open journal, candles, books, and glass bottles in a medieval-style study. The image is used symbolically to represent Barrut reflecting on the events after a troubling dream and the quiet roleplay that continues between Emberlight adventures.

010

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Barrut's story finally began. During The Quiet Between, Declan took me through the first chapter of Barrut's past. Months ago, I gave him permission to expand Barrut's backstory, and this was only the beginning. I'm looking forward to Barrut's journey. The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See.

Tony as Barrut and Declan in a one-to-one roleplay scene during Emberlight. Both appear in webcam frames over a warm fireplace background while captions appear below. The scene marked the beginning of Barrut's backstory and a reflective conversation before the wider cast returned.

000

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Meet Barrut. Once a paladin. Now a soldier. He lost his faith, but not his sense of duty. Quiet. Watchful. Steadfast. Some wounds cannot be seen, yet shape every choice we make. Barrut is my Emberlight character. 🎨 Art by @lukawilda 🃏 Card design by D8 Dungeon The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See.

Character artwork of Barrut, a battle-worn high elf warrior. Once a paladin, he now serves as a soldier after losing his faith. His guarded expression reflects resilience, quiet determination, and the weight of his past.

Guild member card featuring Barrut, a battle-worn high elf warrior from D8 Dungeon's Emberlight Saga. Character artwork shows a former paladin who now serves as a soldier after losing his faith. His guarded expression reflects resilience, quiet determination, and the weight of his past.

000

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

I found the Irish banshee makes great inspiration for Call of Cthulhu. The folklore around her is eerie enough that you don't need to change much.

021

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Hi, I'm Tony, also known as The Deaf DM™. I'm a deaf tabletop roleplaying gamer and creator from Ireland, sharing stories, accessibility, and adventures around the table. I'm part of D8 Dungeon's Emberlight Saga, where I play Barrut. This month is about Emberlight The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See.

052

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Stories don't always begin in a module. Sometimes with a conversation. Sometimes with a memory. Sometimes with a story passed down. Ideas can come from anywhere. A book. A legend. A piece of folklore. Or simply imagination. Every adventure starts somewhere. The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See

Two green hardback books titled Irish Fairy Tales and Folklore by W.B. Yeats and Irish Myths and Legends are stacked on top of a fantasy map. The books represent different sources of inspiration for creating tabletop adventures and homebrew stories.

121

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

That's the magic of it. You can prepare the world, but the players create the journey.

000

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

I don't plan every step of a campaign. I prepare destinations, possibilities, and moments. The journey between them belongs to the players. The best stories happen when a group chooses a path I never expected. That's not a problem. That's the adventure. The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See #DeafDM

Four tabletop miniatures stand together at a crossroads on a grassy battle map. Multiple paths lead away from the group, representing player choice, exploration, and the many directions a story can take during a roleplaying game.

100

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

A spell begins as words on a page. What makes it memorable is what happens next. I've seen players use magic to solve problems, uncover secrets, and surprise me as a DM. The rules provide the foundation. Creativity brings the spell to life. The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See #DeafDM #TTRPG

Open copies of the D&D 2014 and 2024 Player’s Handbooks displayed on a fantasy map. The foreground book shows spell descriptions including Speak with Dead and Speak with Animals, while the newer handbook stands open behind it, representing different editions and the creative possibilities they inspire.

010

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Not every story happens during an adventure. Some happen afterwards. A shared meal. A moment of reflection. The Quiet Between reminds us that stories aren't only shaped by battles. Sometimes quiet moments reveal more. The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See #Emberlight #DeafDM #VisualStorytelling

030

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

Some stories begin long before the map is opened. A closed book. A single die. A moment of possibility before the adventure begins. Every campaign starts with a choice: to open the cover, to take the first step, and to see where the story leads. The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See. #DeafDM #TTRPG

A closed Loke Battle Mats encounter book resting on a tabletop with a twenty-sided die placed near the spine. The book is unopened, capturing the quiet anticipation before a tabletop roleplaying session begins.

000

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

Before the first roll… before the first word… the story is already waiting at the table. Another year. Another path waiting to be explored. The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See. #DeafDM #TTRPG #Storytelling #DungeonMaster #Fantasy

Open fantasy forest battle map spread across a tabletop with dense trees and grassy terrain visible. A blue cloth dice tray with colourful dice sits softly blurred in the background, creating a calm cinematic tabletop RPG atmosphere.

000

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

Every story needs someone willing to open the wrong door. Learning more about the Keeper side of Call of Cthulhu — where tension builds quietly and knowledge is dangerous. Not every horror needs a monster. Sometimes something is waiting in the dark. The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See. #CoC #DeafDM

An open Call of Cthulhu rulebook under warm low lighting, displaying pages about insanity, phobias, and bouts of madness. The close-up setup creates a quiet cinematic horror atmosphere focused on investigation and psychological tension.

000

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

Tomorrow, Barrut returns to Emberlight. The road ahead is uncertain after the last mission, and some scars never truly stay buried. Looking forward to stepping back into the world tomorrow night with the crew over at @d8dungeon ⚔️ The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See. #Emberlight #d8dungeon #DeafDM

Tony’s streamed tabletop RPG setup during an Emberlight session. A laptop displays a webcam meeting with multiple players while a secondary monitor shows Twitch and character tools. Warm lighting, captions beneath the camera area, and a fantasy-style desk mat create a focused cinematic atmosphere for visual storytelling and accessibility.

010

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Thank you so much 🙂 I wanted the whole scene to feel visual and cinematic before the players even touched the chests. Really glad you enjoyed it!

110

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

Every story needs someone to guide the darkness. Reading through the Keeper Rulebook — not just learning rules, but understanding how tension, mystery, and fear are shaped. This isn’t about control. It’s about knowing when to reveal… and when to hold back. The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See

Photo of the Call of Cthulhu Keeper Rulebook resting on a tabletop gaming surface with atmospheric lighting. The image focuses on horror storytelling, mystery, and cinematic tabletop preparation.

000

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

Disintegrate hit. 18 HP left. Still standing. Some moments stay with you. The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See #DeafDM #TTRPG #DungeonMaster #Storytelling #DND

A dark green D20 with gold numbering sits inside a light green drawstring pouch on top of a fantasy map. The die shows the number 20, with the pouch open around it, creating a focused and cinematic tabletop scene.

010

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

Day 2 — DagdaCon Spotted these yesterday but came back for a proper look today while it was quiet. The detail on these hand-painted miniatures is incredible—especially this dragon. Definitely something I could see working in one of my campaigns 👀 The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See

A convention stall display featuring multiple hand-painted fantasy miniatures arranged on a metal rack, including dragons, warriors, and anime-style figures. A sign reads “All hand painted.”

A close-up of a detailed multi-headed dragon miniature perched on a rocky base with a castle, hand-painted with different colored heads and wings.

020

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

Sometimes you don’t choose the dice. The dice choose you. Rolled a 15 at Rebel Dice—ended up with this set 👀 DagdaCon 2026 The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See #DagdaCon #TTRPG #TheDeafDM

A convention vendor display showing rows of small green drawstring bags, each numbered, with a sign reading “Mystery Dice – Big D20 decides €10 per roll.” A large D20 sits in a colorful dice tray in front of the display.

A close-up of a hand holding a set of translucent polyhedral dice with green and white mushroom-like details inside. The numbers are in copper color, and the background is softly blurred.

000

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

The journey begins. DagdaCon 2026. This time—at the table as a player. The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See #DagdaCon #TTRPG #TabletopRPG #IrishTTRPG #TheDeafDM

A white sign on a metal stand at DagdaCon 2026 showing directions for hotel check-in and registration queue, placed on a tiled floor inside the venue

031

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

A full table. Different voices. Then everything changed. That’s where we left it. @d8dungeon.bsky.social The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See #d8dungeon #ttrpg #actualplay #visualstorytelling

Screenshot of a live tabletop RPG stream showing a large group of players in a grid layout with character nameplates and subtitles visible, capturing a tense shared moment during a session.

030

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

When the world dims… who will carry the flame? Tomorrow, the story begins. Stepping into Emberlight as Barrut, a war-scarred fighter. April 20 · 8PM twitch.tv/d8dungeon #d8dungeon #ttrpg @d8dungeon.bsky.social

Dark Emberlight artwork showing a hooded figure holding a lantern in a shadowy forest, with the title “Emberlight Saga” and the tagline “When the world dims… who will carry the flame?”

000

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

Learning a new system feels like stepping into the unknown. Alone Against the Static — a Call of Cthulhu solo experience — isn’t about winning. It’s about uncovering… and sometimes realising too late. Silence carries more weight than noise. The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See #CallOfCthulhu #TTRPG

A tabletop scene showing a Call of Cthulhu solo play setup. An open book titled “Alone Against the Static” sits behind a character sheet filled with notes. A pencil and green dice rest on the sheet, with a mug of hot chocolate nearby on a fantasy map surface. The lighting is soft and warm, creating a quiet, reflective atmosphere.

031

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

I’ve joined the Emberlight Guild. A new story begins April 20th, 8PM. Come see where it leads. twitch.tv/d8dungeon @d8dungeon.bsky.social The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See #d8dungeon #ttrpg #actualplay #irish #tabletoprpg

Dark forest path surrounded by twisted trees with a large animal skull hanging to the side. The Emberlight Saga title appears in stylised lettering over the scene, with text reading “A new story begins” and the date April 20th alongside a Twitch link. The atmosphere is eerie and mysterious.

072

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

Not every story needs a hero. Some just need someone willing to look into the dark. Exploring Call of Cthulhu — a different kind of storytelling where tension builds quietly, and not everything is meant to be understood. Stories you can see don’t always need light. The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See

Call of Cthulhu Starter Set box standing upright on a tabletop. In front of it are two character sheets, one pre-generated sheet and one being copied into a blank sheet, with a yellow pencil and green polyhedral dice resting on a Sword Coast XXL mousemat. Two booklets lie open in the background. The overall scene has a slightly dim, atmospheric feel, suggesting mystery and investigative horror.

031

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

I don’t do voices either. I focus on personality and expression instead — how they move, how they react, how they hold themselves. Players remember that more than a voice.

010

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

Behind the screen, the story changes shape. Red light. Four choices. One moment. House of Madness. For the first time, I stepped into the frame — not as the story, but the hand behind it. The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See #TheDeafDM #TTRPG

Tony stands behind a Dungeon Master screen lit with deep red light, reaching forward over the table. A Balor figure stands at the centre, with four small white chests lined up in front. The scene is dramatic and cinematic, showing the first visual reveal of The Deaf DM behind the screen.

120

Reposted by The Deaf DM

Old Oak Games | Emmet (he/him) @oldoakgames.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

We did it! Beyond the Woods for Legend in the Mist raised €192,526 from 1,892 incredible backers! Go raibh míle maith agat, a thousand thank yous! I am incredibly excited to let even more gamers tell unique and beautiful stories in this world that I love. #tabletoprpg #irish #ireland

1103

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

Not every part of storytelling is loud. Sometimes it’s the quiet before the players arrive. Sometimes it’s the moment where everything is clear without a word. That’s where I do my best work. The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See #DeafDM #TTRPG #DungeonMaster #DND

A close-up of a dragon-scale dice tray with eye details, with a single D20 resting on a small box behind it. The scene is clean and softly lit, capturing a quiet tabletop moment before play.

000

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

Every table tells a story before the dice roll. The map is ready. The grid waits. Behind the screen, the world is about to move. A home setup built for visual storytelling so players can see the scene and follow the action. The Deaf DM™ — Stories You Can See #DeafDM #TTRPG

001

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Before a session begins, the table tells a story too. This setup was part of my preparation for AthVentureCon — testing how the table looks from the player’s point of view, adjusting lighting, placement, and atmosphere. The Deaf DM™ - Stories You Can See #TTRPG #DnD #DungeonMaster #AthVentureCon

Player’s view of a dungeon battle map with wooden chests leading toward a dark creature miniature on a throne. Red lights glow at the front of the DM screen, creating a dramatic atmosphere for the tabletop scene.

000

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

Great meeting you too, hope our paths cross again.

010

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

AthVentureCon 4. Two sessions run. NEG stints. Conversations between tables. Laid out the badge, mug, booklet, sticker, and pin on the Sword Coast mat. A reminder of the work behind the screen. Grateful to everyone who sat at my table. The Deaf DM™ · Stories You Can See #AthVentureCon #DeafDM

AthVentureCon 4 Gamemaster items arranged on a Sword Coast XXL mousemat: branded travel mug, 2026 Gamemaster badge with teal lanyard, convention booklet, event pin, and large ATH 4 CON sticker.

110

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

House of Madness. Four identical chests. No hints. They chose Truth immediately. Blue light. Silence. Weight. Not every ending needs combat. The Deaf DM™ · Stories You Can See #AthVentureCon #HouseOfMadness #TTRPG #DungeonMaster #DeafDM

Quiet room table setup for House of Madness at AthVentureCon. A DM screen stands at the end of the table with coloured lighting glowing in front of it. Four identical small chests sit on the table. Dice and notes are neatly arranged, creating a dramatic and focused atmosphere.

010

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

You are really fantastic and it was great fun even players are good fun too. Crazy but brilliant ideas.

120

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

First stint at the Never Ending Gory table this weekend. Fast combat. Random spawns. No initiative. No hiding HP. Alliances don’t last long. Ran longer than planned — worth it. Sharp. Energising. Different rhythm from my story tables. The Deaf DM™ · Stories You Can See #AthVentureCon #DND5e

Photo of the Never Ending Gory table in the Great Hall at AthVentureCon. A tactical D&D 5e battle map with terrain and miniatures placed across the grid. Player character sheets are visible on the table during a fast-paced battle royale session.

020

The Deaf DM @thedeafdm.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

Checked in. Let’s begin. The Deaf DM™ · Stories You Can See #AthVentureCon #DeafDM #TTRPG

020