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Philhammer Fantasy Roleplay

@thedicemechanic.bsky.social
1.5K followers 578 following 27K posts

Geek, gamer, whingebag (he/him) 'Dicemechanic' on Discord. Blogs rarely at dicemechanic.wordpress.com I block often. Nothing personal, but this is my walled garden.

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Philhammer Fantasy Roleplay @thedicemechanic.bsky.social · 34m
From a discussion on our WFRP discord, Session Zero checklists need to be updated to include "Irrational legal systems" These cause an intense physical rage/frustration reaction in me. The other side of the rules lawyer coin. And explains why I studied Law but never went into it as a career.
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Kieron Gillen @kierongillen.bsky.social · 17h
A year on from me starting it, I complete my list of 101 TTRPGs I played before my 50th birthday. How did you spend your birthday? I bet it wasn't doing your work and then hammering out 3.5k words about the chatgames with funny dice (or no funny dice, or no dice.) #ttrpg
oldmenrunningtheworld.com
My 101 Favourite TTRPGS: 10-1 - Old Men Running The World
Lawks. We've only gone and done it. I set myself a year to write about my 101 favourite TTRPGs. In my tribute to freelancers everywhere, I do almost all the
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Philhammer Fantasy Roleplay @thedicemechanic.bsky.social · 2h
Excellent thread from someone who knows what he's talking about
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Philhammer Fantasy Roleplay @thedicemechanic.bsky.social · 2h
Great session of WFRP last night, in which @xneardark.bsky.social showed off his Roll20 skills with funky teleporting doorways, fires were safely put out, and Dieter almost became the daddy of two cute kittens
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Philhammer Fantasy Roleplay @thedicemechanic.bsky.social · 3h
I am loving doing 15-20 mins oboe practice everyone morning before work. Obviously only possible because I work from home, but it's just such a joyous way to start the day. Recommended 10/10
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Wyrd Science Magazine @wyrdscience.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
fools, if the government had spent just £9 instead on 1 (one) Wyrd Science subscription they might be better placed to recognise fantasy thinking when its expensive lobbyists come knocking (+ the UK wouldn't still be at war with the Unseelie Court, but that's another matter altogether) wyrd.science
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Philhammer Fantasy Roleplay @thedicemechanic.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
I discovered yesterday that Energiser isn't just a type of battery produced by Ever Ready, it is the brand TIL this has been the case since 2000.
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Philhammer Fantasy Roleplay @thedicemechanic.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
What's a poster you had in your room growing up? (and as of 2 years ago, also have framed in your home office)
Iron Crowns Map of Middle Earth, showing not just the bit Tolkien did but the rest that Peter Fenlon made up
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Ashley Lynch ✂️🎞️ @ashleylynch.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Anthropic 2025 financials

$4b in actual revenue
$40b in annual loss
$500b in obligations
$2 trillion valuation
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Ben Austwick / BiggusBennus @biggusbennus.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I still find it astonishing that Sir Ian Livingstone is the only person knighted for services to the UK games industry. Film, TV and sport are constantly recognised with knighthoods, yet one of Britain's biggest creative industries has had just one.
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John Bull @garius.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
A cash-strapped rural police force struggles to deal with Red Diesel gangs. Until its chief inspector realises can get the Met Police to deal with the problem... ...if he pretends they're Iranian. A new six part comedy starring Toby Jones.
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John Jarrold @johnj.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
THE DUNGEON BOOK - brilliant standalone fantasy novel by @mytholder.bsky.social, published by @orbitbooks.bsky.social - has already reprinted twice in the UK and once in the US, a month after publication! store.orbit-books.co.uk/products/the...
store.orbit-books.co.uk
The Dungeon Book
Enter a world of dungeons and dragons, magic and manticores, goblins and gargoyles in this captivating standalone fantasy from the author of The Gutter Prayer'Full of wit and adventure, twists and tur...
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Philhammer Fantasy Roleplay @thedicemechanic.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
They're games. If you're not having fun, you're doing it wrong. And no, I don't have to define fun. That's down to each one of you. If you're lucky, your definition may match 3-4 other people.
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Philhammer Fantasy Roleplay @thedicemechanic.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Been playing with Copilot at work again. Wanted to test it on some music related stuff. In some work-related aspects, it's definitely got better, especially if you limit its input sources. But in other matters? Apparently Copilot is an amateur musician. Still a lying plaguarism machine...
Quote from copilot saying: "One thing I notice from amateur musicians (including myself in the past)"
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Paul Czege @paulczege.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
#journalgaming #tarot #tarotsky #ttrpg
A photo of a small red-haired doll named Joann posed with a table of objects and with a frame like a tarot card and with the title The Journalgamer. The pose and objects are like Pamela Colman Smith's drawing of card 1, the Magician, except Joann is holding a pen instead of a wand and what's on the table are a pearlescent white pyramidal d4, a deer skull with multi-point antlers, an open journal she's been writing in, and a small branch with round white berries.
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Michael Legge @michaellegge.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I just found The Diary of Frank Anne from 17 years ago.
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Kieron Gillen @kierongillen.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
We're getting there. My favourite 101 TTRPGs reach 20-11. A bunch of epic games in here, and also some less so. My big teenage campaign. And more! #ttrpg
oldmenrunningtheworld.com
My 101 Favourite TTRPGS: 20-11 - Old Men Running The World
We're back. With two days until my self-imposed deadline of the closer-to-death-remembrance of my 50th birthday, here's the next part of my Top 101 TTRPGs I
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Ludovic Chabant @ludovic.chabant.com · 28/09/2026
I’m coming back online after a weekend at KamCon in Kamloops, BC, where I GM’ed Delta Green and Call of Cthulhu for 12 hours straight 😅 I’m catching up with messages and sleep now but in the meantime, enjoy some pictures from the convention!
View from the Thomson River University campus where the convention is held The main atrium at the centre of the convention Some of the vendor boothsA vendor booth for the Society of Creative Anachronism
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Philhammer Fantasy Roleplay @thedicemechanic.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Spent 10 minutes finishing off my edit of Mozart Oboe Concerto 1st movement on Musescore. Just the 3rd movement to go, then I'll have done it all. Then all I need to do is completely rearrange it for a full concert band. It's just like prepping a megadungeon really #LonelyFun
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Paul @spookshow71.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
shelter from the sun #digitalart #scifi #fantasy #rpg #D&D
Two travellers shelter from the sun far above beneath overhanging rock formations
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Paul @spookshow71.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
the mysterious house #digitalart #rpg #horror #RPG
A lone traveller in a desolate cool landscape considers shelter in a forbidding many-towered house
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Never Mind the Dice Rolls Magazine @nmtdrzine.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
We are officially 5 years old! Where has the time gone? We are still a small TTRPG magazine packed with reviews, articles, advice, and other TTRPG bits and pieces. Do give us a try and see what you think. www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/5...
drivethrurpg.com
Never Mind the Dice Rolls issue 061 | NMtDRzine | NMtDRzine | DriveThruRPG
Welcome to issue 61 of Never Mind the Dice Rolls zine, your friendly monthly TTRPG magazine. Each issue contains reviews, scenarios, advice, and other things TTRPG! This issue contains: Review: Aegean...
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Philhammer Fantasy Roleplay @thedicemechanic.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
After hour-long oboe lesson yesterday, spent the rest of the day feeling like I'd been to the gym for a full workout. However, absolutely buzzing today. Also, WFRP is only 2 days away. Happy Monday everyone!
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Philhammer Fantasy Roleplay @thedicemechanic.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Got departure and arrival time muddled up, so arrived an hour early to my oboe lesson. Time for xoffee and a snack then, and just hope I don't ruin my reeds with cake crumbs
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Kaye Elling @k000.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
OMG I've just realised what Google's AI search interference model is: An automated mansplainer. Think about it: Unsolicited ✅ Confident ✅ Frequently wrong ✅
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Philhammer Fantasy Roleplay @thedicemechanic.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
15yo is interested in Sports Science and was looking to do Biology, Psychology and PE at A-level Sadly, to do PE A level you have to play a competitive sport to a high level. Seems unfair that an academic qualification should require you to run, jump, kick or throw really well
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Scott M | Haunted Edition 🎃 @voxparlour.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
As much as people complain about bad GMs, there are far more instances, statistically, of players creating a bad game atmosphere
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Paul @spookshow71.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
desert crossing #digitalart #rpg #fantasy #scifi #D&D
A group of travellers pass beneath rocky spurs in a desert settting
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𝔇𝔢𝔢𝔭 𝔇𝔢𝔩𝔳𝔢𝔯 - ℌ𝔬𝔴𝔩 𝔚𝔦𝔱𝔥 𝔐𝔢 @therunepony.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
So this game called "Dverghold" came across my Steam homepage. Interesting retro vibes, apparently collabing with a dungeon synth artist for the OST. The art was kinda tickling my AI-dar though, so I scrolled down to look for any disclaimers.
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Philhammer Fantasy Roleplay @thedicemechanic.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Today's eBay arrival Far fewer purchases these days as I am pickier and there are fewer bargains. But one step closer to completing my Ghostbusters collection, £31 for this (you'll often see it listed nearer £100+) Advertised as "mint" and not far off tbh
Ghost Toasties adventure by West End Games, featuring a classic white ghost eating a bowl of cereal, as a sort of mock cereal cover image
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Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Running away is hard to do. I generally think it's a terrible idea (as a GM) to assume PCs will run away or surrender. It just never happens. Players always find some way of solving the problem or defeating their foe. Until they don't... 🧵
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Philhammer Fantasy Roleplay @thedicemechanic.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Playing WFRP4 with my excellent online chums really highlights not only how important tone is to a setting, but how delicate it is. Our Ubersreik is a superficially normal, scruffy, lively middle aged town, but politicking and corruption lurk below the surface.
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Nostalgic Things @nostalgicthing.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Saw someone yesterday describe those morons outside Basingstoke Police Station as the Provisional Wing of Sports Direct, and, yeah, that’s pretty much it.
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londonscallin.bsky.social @londonscallin.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
@vizcomic.bsky.social
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Philhammer Fantasy Roleplay @thedicemechanic.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Relevant to anyone who pre-booked with an FLGS who backed the retail bundle only to drop out last month (when freely offered to do so) only to regret that now...
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John Nephew @johnnephew.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Hey, if you are in the UK and want your local store to stock #ArsMagica Definitive Edition, please encourage them to reach out to us at sales@atlas-games.com. Apparently our UK distributor buyer has been on annual leave and won't even have access to e-mail until October.
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Wyrd Science Magazine @wyrdscience.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
my favourite part of Humphrey Carpenter’s biography of Tolkien. remember he started work on LotR in 1937, at this point it’s 1942, it was finally published in 1954 If he ever does get beatified it will great for writers to finally have a patron saint of procrastinators & pantsers

A photo of a page from a book:

But Stanley Unwin continued to take an interest in the progress of the 'new Hobbit', and in December 1942 he received a letter from Tolkien which reported: It is now approaching completion. I hope to get a little free time this vacation, and might hope to finish it off early next year. It has reached Chapter XXXI and will require at least six more to finish (these are already sketched)’

Yet Chapter XXXI (the original number of Flotsam and Jetsam') was only at the end of what became Book III; and in the event there were to be not six but thirty-one more chapters before the book was complete. Tolkien tried to tackle the story in the months that followed, and he wrote a little more of it. But by the summer of 1943 he had to admit that he was 'dead stuck.
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Kaye Elling @k000.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Things I learnt today, writing this lecture: Moh's Scale of Sci-Fi hardness. LOL! kelthavenpress.com/2021/04/26/t...
kelthavenpress.com
The Mohs Scale of SF Hardness
I’ve seen yet another argument break out about what counts as “hard” SF. Some people think “hardness” is a yes or no property and are indignant if some work is excluded. So it’s time to go ov…
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Rob Heinsoo @robheinsoo.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
A @jonathantweet.bsky.social guest post today about D&D 3E: tinyurl.com/4znbzpae
tinyurl.com
Guest post from Jonathan: Spells-per-day in 3E
The spells-per-day tables for spellcasters in 3rd Ed could easily have been a lot better. Recently I talked with an academic about designing...
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Mark Meredith @dicemonkey.itch.io · 22/09/2026
I am now recruiting for an online Star Wars D6 campaign: "The Lantern Survey." The Veiled Marches sit at the ragged edge of space, where hyperspace routes grow unreliable, navigation data becomes outdated, and entire settlements can go years without meaningful contact with the rest of the galaxy.
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Wyrd Science Magazine @wyrdscience.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Found it! 1-2-D-4
A battered old piece of paper on which there are illustrations from the OD&D manual cut out and pasted on

Next to them are scrawled ‘this is a fighting man’, ‘this is a magic user’ & ‘this is a cleric’

Underneath them it says ‘now form a party’

If this means nothing to you Google punk zine sideburns ‘now form a band’
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Philhammer Fantasy Roleplay @thedicemechanic.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Happy memories of 3rd year Jurisprudence, a rare opportunity for a law degree to venture into more interesting philosophical territory (and no case law to memorise)
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Philhammer Fantasy Roleplay @thedicemechanic.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Got a discbound notebook yesterday to use as a music practice planner. Thought it had a notebook cover, but turned out it was just a hard plastic cover like a small lever-arch file. Bit disappointed. Think I'll repurpose it for something else, and find a nicer one
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Philhammer Fantasy Roleplay @thedicemechanic.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Day 1 of new oboe practice regime, doing 15 minutes of scales and long-note practice before work, and a longer practice later. Surprisingly knackering. But that's partly the point. Can't build up stamina without getting knackered first.
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Scott M | Haunted Edition 🎃 @voxparlour.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
LotR as sword & sorcery. Aragorn is the protagonist attempting to wrest his throne from Sauron and his cult of mutants called orcs. Sauron uses a ring to control the minds of others. 180 page paperback with a Michael Whelan cover
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Philhammer Fantasy Roleplay @thedicemechanic.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Missus and I finally got round to watching Slow Horses and we're up to season 4. One big frustration for me, though, is the incompetence. And yes, I know the protagonists are supposed to be slightly incompetent and that's cool. But it's everyone. Feels like it's gone from Smiley to Spooks
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Kasey Gifford @kaseygifford.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
This is my new favorite thing.
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Nick Pettigrew @nick-pettigrew.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Did my first proper big belly laugh in a very long time to this. Magnificent.
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Angry People in Local Newspapers @apiln.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
It’s funny because it could also be about a man with a huge penis.
three.fm
Manxman's enormous shaft in good hands in Denmark
The Steam Packet Company says work on repairing its flagship ferry is well underway in Denmark.
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That Pete Darby Vibe @voiceoverpetedarby.com · 22/09/2026
Microsoft: if it ain;t broke, wait till the next update.
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